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Bayley Currey, Ross Chastain, and Matt Gould Added to Niece Motorsports’ No. 41 Team Driver Lineup

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Official Release
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Trio of Drivers to Split Time in No. 41

Salisbury, NC (Jan. 27, 2025) – Niece Motorsports will once again field four entries in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series this season. The fourth, part-time entry, branded as the No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado RST, features a blend of youth and experience split among multiple drivers.

Driftwood, Texas native, Bayley Currey, will return as a driver for the No. 41 team. Currey, who has made 48 starts for the team since 2019, is coming off an 18th-place points finish following his first full-time opportunity in 2024.

Having gained experience in all three NASCAR national series, Currey is known for his consistency behind the wheel and mechanical knowledge.

The 29-year-old will open the season driving at Atlanta Motor Speedway, primarily backed by Masked Owl Technologies. Masked Owl largely supported Currey’s efforts throughout 2024, and the company is eager to re-sign with the team for a second-consecutive season.

“I’m grateful to Al Niece and everyone at Masked Owl Technologies for continuing to believe in me and what we have going on the No. 41 team. This year will be fun to work with other drivers as we share the same goal of improving every week. Since we aren’t driving the whole year and points aren’t the main focus, I think that allows us the opportunity to try some different things to contend for wins. We are going to give it our best shot in every race.”

Masked Owl Technologies was established in 2023 with one goal: to meet clients’ process improvement needs through a tailored approach that prioritizes identifying the root cause of system issues first, then deploying an efficient, cost-effective, and targeted solution.

Alva, Florida’s Ross Chastain, will compete in five NCTS races in addition to his full-time NASCAR Cup Series role with Trackhouse Racing’s No. 1 Chevrolet.

Chastain’s schedule will see him compete in events at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, and Watkins Glen International.

A five-time race winner, Chastain has been instrumental to Niece Motorsports’ success since 2018. Last year, the veteran delivered the team its ninth victory at Darlington Raceway. (But, if you ask him, it should have technically been the team’s 10th series win).

“I’m looking forward to racing at all these tracks on my schedule this year,” said Chastain. “It’s hard to believe that this will be the eighth year that Al Niece has put me in one of his trucks. Everyone at Niece Motorsports treats me like family when I show up, and I think that’s a testament to what Al and Cody (Efaw) have built here in Salisbury. I’m also very thankful that Justin Marks and everyone at Trackhouse is on board with letting me compete in other series to stay sharp on Sundays. We had some good runs last year and know what to improve on to make this year even better, I feel like this team is as strong as ever now.”

Rounding out the No. 41 driver lineup will be Mooresville, North Carolina’s Matt Gould, son of Niece Motorsports’ winningest crew chief, Phil Gould.

Gould, 19, made his NCTS debut at the Milwaukee Mile in 2024 and later drove in one additional start at Martinsville Speedway. Primarily a Late Model Stock competitor in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, Gould’s schedule will be reveled at a later date.

“I’m very excited to get another opportunity to race in the Truck Series with Niece Motorsports,” said Gould. “I feel like we were on track to have some good results last year in my first couple of starts before issues prohibited it. So this year, to have more opportunities ahead as I continue to learn will be great. I’ve known Ross for six years now; he’s done so much for me, and Bayley and I are like brothers. So, it’s going to be awesome to work with them.”

Currey, Chastain, and Gould will work alongside full-time teammates, Matt Mills (No. 42), Christian Rose (No. 44), and Kaden Honeycutt (No. 45).

Competition personnel for the team will be revealed in the near future, along with additional partnership announcements.

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 14. FOX Sports 1 will cover the Fresh From Florida 250 live at 7:30 PM ET.

Follow Niece Motorsports on Facebook, X, and Instagram and visit niecemotorsports.com for all the latest news.

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, Niece Motorsports enters its tenth season in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: AWA Corvette Wins The Rolex!

By
Official Release
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Win for No. 13 Corvette is first in a 24-hour race for Corvette Z06 GT3.R

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 26, 2025) – The Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R started its second season of competition by winning one of the biggest races the world as AWA and drivers Matt Bell, Orey Fidani, Lars Kern and Martin Kirchhöfer captured the GT Daytona (GTD) victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona to start the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The No. 13 Corvette crossed the finish line by 1.454 seconds for the 21st victory for Chevrolet in the Rolex 24 and the fifth for the Corvette Racing program since 1999. AWA’s victory was its second in three seasons at Daytona, also the first in a 24-hour race for the Corvette GT3 and 12th since debuting at the Rolex 24 a year ago.

Five Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs entered the race with two making the podium. Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims and Daniel Juncadella placed second in GTD PRO in Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports’ No. 3 Z06 GT3.R.

GTD PRO Corvette Z06 GT3.R Results

  • No. 3 Corvette – Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Dani Juncadella – Runner-up in class
  • No. 4 Corvette – Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg, Nico Varrone –– Seventh in class
  • No. 91 Corvette – Trackhouse by TF Sport – Ben Keating, Scott McLaughlin, Shane van Gisbergen, Connor Zilisch – Ninth in class

GTD Corvette Z06 GT3.R Results

  • No. 13 Corvette – AWA – Matt Bell, Orey Fidani, Lars Kern, Marvin Kirchhöfer – First in class
  • No. 36 Corvette – DXDT Racing – Charlie Eastwood, Pipo Derani, Alec Udell, Salih Yoluc – 20th in class

AWA’s victory began to take shape past the halfway point. Both Fidani and Kern completed the minimum drive time in the first 13 hours to set the stage for Bell and Kirchhöfer to drive most of the remaining 11 hours with Kern giving the pair a stint’s worth of a break before going the rest of the way.

The GTD race swung in favor of AWA inside the final seven hours when Bell stopped for fuel and tires and retained the class lead. The class running order went back and forth the rest of the way with Bell taking the lead for good with 20 minutes left and running as low as fourth after a restart with 40 minutes to go.

As joyous as the win for AWA was, the fate of the No. 4 Corvette from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports was just as heartbreaking. After cycling up and down in the GTD PRO order, Tommy Milner moved into the lead inside the final two hours but his attempt to extend his lead over the second-place No. 1 car was repeatedly blocked by that car’s team entry. That allowed the No. 1 to get to the back of Milner’s Corvette, which suffered rear damage that required multiple stops to repair.

Despite that, the No. 4 squad remained in contention with Varrone racing his way up to second before the trio eventually finished seventh. The wild late-race chaos also saw Sims go from seventh to second inside the final hour.

The No. 91 Trackhouse by TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Ben Keating, Scott McLaughlin, Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch took the fight to the GTD PRO regulars and consistently ran in the class’s top half for the majority of the race.

DXDT Racing’s No. 36 Corvette was on pace for a solid result in its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut before retiring at the halfway point with Charlie Eastwood moving toward the front.

The next race for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R program is 1812KM of Qatar – the opening race of the FIA World Endurance Championship – on Friday, February 28. The next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March 15.

JESSICA DANE, CORVETTE RACING PROGRAM MANAGER: “Congratulations to Andrew Wojteczko, drivers Orey Fidani, Matt Bell, Lars Kern and Marvin Kirchhöfer and all of AWA for their incredible victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona with the Corvette Z06 GT3.R. What this team has achieved in one year with the Corvette is nothing short of phenomenal. Thank you to AWA and every person and partner who contributes to Corvette Racing’s success. There is no better way for AWA to start the season and the team’s road to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

MATT BELL, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “This means absolutely everything. To me, to my teammates Orey and Lars and Marvin. Everybody on this team has worked so hard. To think where we were this time last year and how far we’ve come to now… it’s so much hard work to do this. From the minute the checkered flag fell at Petit Le Mans, no one took a rest. No one took a break. It’s been 24-7 since then to get a car that is capable of winning the Daytona 24 Hours. AWA gave the four of us car to do it. IMSA is the hardest championship in the world. Our competitors gave us a hell of a run. I had to work so hard to get on top of those guys but we managed to make it work and bring it home in the last 10 minutes. Thank you to the competition for making it this hard, and thank you to AWA and my teammates to get us over the line.”

The winning pass: “Honestly, I can’t remember a thing. There were PRO cars, there were GTD cars… I don’t remember that. I’ll have to watch the video later! Every time there was a car in front of me, I was trying to overtake it. I asked the guys to stop giving me updates on the radio. I just a GT car and wanted to pass it. That’s all I was focused on. I can’t thank my teammates and everyone enough. That’s one beat up Chevrolet Corvette but they make them tough in Detroit!”

More on the win: “That was so tough. The competition here in this series is the best in the world. The AWA team gave me the best car in the world. The AWA team gave me the best car in the world. I couldn’t have asked for a better Corvette to take on the best here. There was some hard, hard racing… really hard but fair all the way. I have to give credit to our competitors. That was proper racing and why I love this race series. I hope the fans enjoyed it as well. I can’t thank AWA, Corvette, GM and my teammates. Everyone did such a good job giving us a car to go to work in.”

OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “This was always a dream, but I didn’t think about it before coming here two weeks ago. I think I drove my best-ever race in this one, the car was hooked up, my teammates drove really well and everything just came together. This is huge boost for the team and myself heading to the 24 Hours Le Mans. If we can this one, I think Le Mans also is a possibility as well. We’ll take that energy from here and roll it forward into that. But first, let’s try going for the 12 Hours next at Sebring!”

LARS KERN, NO. 13 AWA CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I thought this is something that would never to happen to me. I lost out on a big win on the Nurburgring once where I was pretty sure that we had it. So I kind of thought I’m just the unlucky guy. Today, we all did our job but then at the end, we were discussing who was going into the car and I put my money on Matt. And we were all like ‘yeah, he can do it.’ What he did at the end and how the car performed over the whole race was just incredible. We knew on pace that we had an edge on everybody because the car was just absolutely epic to drive. Loved it. That’s why all of us had great pace in the race. But then at end it was just pure carnage and chaos. The way he managed it was incredible. The team with so many hiccups and so many gremlins with refueling and stuff, we always found a solution for it. It’s unreal.”

What does this do for you and for the team going to the other 24-hour race…

“We were laughing a couple of days ago that if we win this, it’s a good test for Le Mans. So we can continue like this. I think that’s our approach.”

MARVIN KIRCHHÖFER, NO. 13 AWA CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “How I’m describing this one, I don’t know. I’m lost for words. What an amazing race. I mean the result is one thing, but if you look behind the scenes, AWA, GM, Chevy and everyone, the amount of work everyone put in to have a great race and then actually winning the race in the last 30 minutes, I mean it’s absolutely amazing. Thanks to everyone for the support…to Chevy, to AWA, they welcomed me in the best possible way. As we said, quite nice way to start – one race, one win. Hopefully, there’s a few more coming. Amazing result, and just very, very thankful for everyone on the team involved to win the Rolex 24.”

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “All race we were going everywhere, basically. We solved a wiring problem during the night, and the car got back to being alive. We were lucky our crew could fix that, and the car was back in contention and fast. Ever since I drove it at night, we at least had a chance. I don’t think it would have made a ton of difference, but it’s a shame that penalty that I had, which from my point of view, was a little bit on the edge and avoidable from both sides. Such a shame. That put us on our back foot, and no yellows for three hours, at least. That was painful because if there were a yellow, we could have made our way to P1 and P2. I think we were both fast enough to be P1 or 2 or be up front on regular strategy instead of gambling on our strategy. Here you only want to win, but the good thing you can take is championship points for manufacturers, drivers, and teams. We’ll go up from here. And congratulations to the AWA guys on their win in GTD with their Corvette.”

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Right at the end for the last few hours, things really chopped and changed a lot for everyone in the field, really. But our Corvettes were working really well. We maybe didn’t have the pace overnight, but during the day things really came to us and we had the laptime. It was just a little bit difficult to race in a pack with a couple of the other manufacturer cars who were particularly fast on the straights and weaker in the corners, which is where we made our laptimes. Honestly, from where things looked like a few hours from the end, second is pretty good. But when you’re fighting super close for the win, you can’t help as a sportsman to feel disappointed not to get the win.”

Considering where you were a year ago…

“I thought that exactly too. Here we had a near flawless race. Our Corvette held up really, really well. The whole team did a fantastic job to execute so much of the race so well. It was a good start for the year.”

DANI JUNCADELLA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I’ve had some time to cool down and to be honest, it’s an amazing result to finish second. A great start to the year. Really thankful to the team. They made us believe in winning, and we ended up just short. Alex is an absolute legend. That last 30 minutes gave us the shivers and made us dream about the victory. We just came short. It is what it is. Tomorrow will taste way better and I think looking at the overall performance and where we’re coming from one year ago, it’s fantastic. So really happy for the Pratt and Miller guys, everyone at Corvette Racing. They gave us a fantastic Corvette GT3 car and that was good fun.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R (on incident with No. 48: “That’s not what IMSA is about, sports car racing is about. First and foremost, the driver should be embarrassed, the team should be embarrassed… with that kind of racing. It is team racing here but not like that. They have a car that’s laps down out of the race whose only job is basically only to help the teammate, and not like that. Lap after lap, blocking, blocking, blocking, waiting for me. It’s just like I said, not how sports car racing should be. It’s disappointing. I don’t have an issue with 1 car. Those guys are in their own race. It’s just the sister car that’s out there just to be a nuisance. Poor sportsmanship, poor driving, just embarrassing on their part.

“It sounds like they timed their pit stop to come out in front of me. On their previous stint, they waited for me until I got close, then held me up for a bit but for whatever reason, either he pit or got the black flag, then came out and did it again. Their only goal is to race dirty. Again, it’s just disappointing. It’s not how this kind of race should go. I was content for a while just to sit behind him. I’m not a big believer in spirits and those kinds of things, but if karma was going to work, it would be a good time today.”

More on the incident…

“Basically that’s not what IMSA and sports car racing is about. Hard racing between competitors is totally fine. I have no issue with the 1 car. At the end of the day the driver of the 48 should be embarrassed, the team should be embarrassed… a car that’s only out there to slow us down isn’t what this race is about. I have no issue with the 1. They’re still in the hunt. We’ll continue to race them clean as we have.”

“In the end what hurt us the most was to continue to stay out after they had a blocking penalty to block more. Whoever was in the 48 really slowed me up in (Turn) Three and got me a little bit crossed up and put me into the 1. The car isn’t totally right for sure. There’s lasting damage from all of that for sure, not to mention the problems we had with the bumper. Hopefully that is fixed now. It’s just disappointing. The team at Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports has done a great job all race long. I’m really proud of our guys. Nicky and Nico have done a great job all race long. It’s a shame for us to work that hard to put us into contention to have a good result and for it to be spoiled like that was pretty pathetic.”

CONNOR ZILISCH, NO. 91 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s been so much fun bringing Trackhouse to IMSA and run the Rolex 24 with this team. All my teammates were a blast to be teammates with and hang out with off the track. Ben brought so much expertise to the team, and Scott and Shane – with all their experience racing V8 Supercars, IndyCar, NASCAR – I had a lot to learn from. I’m grateful that I got this chance to race with all those guys and race with them. I’m frustrated with how the race ended but looking back at the last two weeks, it was so much fun that I don’t sweat the result too much.”

About General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

Penske claims historic back-to-back wins in the 63rd Rolex 24 at Daytona

By
SM Staff
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NASCAR Digital Media

Porsche Penske Motorsport won its second consecutive Rolex 24 in Sunday’s 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona International Speedway. Overall, this was the third for team owner Roger Penske and fourth for the team, with the No. 7 Porsche 963 driven by Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy, and Laurens Vanthoor, claiming the overall and Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class victory.

“It’s amazing to see the work we’ve done with this Porsche program the last couple years, winning the (IMSA) championship last year, and with the relationship we have with Porsche, our organization, I’m thrilled,” Roger Penske said in victory lane. “It was quite something there at the end!”

Nasr took over the lead from Matt Campbell in the No. 6 Porsche 963M on lap 768 with approximately 22 minutes remaining and led the final 13 laps to win the 63rd Rolex 24 by 1.335 seconds over Tom Blomqvist in the No. 60 Acura ARX-06M.

“And it’s just an incredible, incredible feeling. I just cried in the car. I don’t know what to say. Incredible.” Nasr said.

This was the 11th IMSA victory for Nasr, and he was the only remaining member of last season’s winning team.

“I like winning, that’s all, and that’s what I’m here for,” said Nasr. “I’m proud I did it again back to back. Incredible work by everybody at Porsche Penske Motorsport. The two cars run very strong all the way to the end, and hey, it’s never over ‘tll it’s over. So I did everything I could behind the wheel to get ourselves set up.”

Tandy moved from the No. 6 car, and Vanthoor was part of last year’s FIA World Endurance Championship-winning lineup with Penske.

Tandy became the first driver globally to win all four major 24-hour endurance sports car races: the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps, and the Nürburgring, as well as his first Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“It’s one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and we just emerged victorious,” Tandy said. “I had a chance here to win before in class, but the overall is something different, and it’s something that I’ve been wanting to try for a long time.”

“I’ve been trying this for a while and came close a lot of times, and I don’t know where to put words,” said Vanthoor. “I’ve been dreaming to drive this car, to drive for Penske, to drive for Porsche, to be in the chrome trailer, and a couple months ago, I became world champion, and now, today we won the Rolex 24.”

Blomqvist delivered his second straight runner-up finish late in the race. Blomqvist drove the No. 60 Acura around Matt Campbell’s No. 6 Porsche 963 to capture the runner-up position.

The YouTube livestream reached a milestone of over 1,000,000 views on Saturday, surpassing 2,000,000 live views by the end of the 63rd Rolex 24.

Results: Overall Race Unofficial Results (24 Hours)

GTD PRO

Driving the No. 65 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3, Dennis Olsen held off Alexander Sims and captured Ford’s first IMSA win with drivers Christopher Mies and Frederic Vervisch in its newest Mustang.

“We had a tough year last year and coming here to Daytona, we had a faultless race, no damage until the end,” said Olsen. “And when that last restart went, I was just gonna go all in. I didn’t care. It was win or nothing, bin it or win it.”

GTD Class

Drivers Matt Bell, Orey Fidani, Lars Kern, and Marvin Kirchhoefer shared the winning No. 13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R for Corvette.

“This means absolutely everything. To me, to my teammates Orey and Lars and Marvin. Everybody on this team has worked so hard. To think where we were this time last year and how far we’ve come to now… it’s so much hard work to do this. From the minute the checkered flag fell at Petit Le Mans, no one took a rest. No one took a break. It’s been 24-7 since then to get a car that is capable of winning the Daytona 24 Hours. AWA gave the four of us a car to do it.” said Bell.

“This was always a dream, but I didn’t think about it before coming here two weeks ago. I think I drove my best-ever race in this one, the car was hooked up, my teammates drove really well and everything just came together.” said Fidani.

LMP2 Class

Drivers John Farano, Sebastian Alvarez, Sebastien Bourdais, and Job van Uitert shared the winning No.8 LMP2 07M for ORECA. The 63rd Rolex 24 win is Bourdais’ third overall LMP2 and GT (2014 Prototype/Overall and 2017 GT Le Mans).

“It wasn’t the most traditional way to win it, but what a day,” said Bourdais. “I mean, we were in this thing all night long, and then it looked like it was slipping away from us during the day a bit. Then we got in the lead, and we lost the lead, and then they tangled at the front and seemed to really want to give it to us, so we’ll take it.”

The Cadillac Racing Teams Struggle

The No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R, with drivers Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, Will Stevens, and Brendon Hartley, led the three-car contingent with a sixth-place finish among the 12 GTP entries.

“Hard week, but I think we came away with a good result. The team maximized the performance, and we go to Sebring with some points and start the season working toward the championship with Cadillac.” said Ricky Taylor.

The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R and No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R were eliminated from contention in the first half of the twice-around-the-clock race.

“I think we were very competitive and had something to fight at the front. We led laps. It’s a shame. I guess we all just have to come back next year. It’s good that Fred got some laps again, it’s good for a Cadillac to finish a race and you have two cars finish. But we came here to win, so I think we’re all pretty gutted. But looking forward to the season we know we’ve got a great package, the drivers are on fire. So, I guess we’ll roll on and see what we can do at Sebring.” said Earl Bamber (No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R)

“Very cold tires, especially when you race at night. I’m fine. Luckily, we have a very strong car. Cadillac has a very safe car. I think I just didn’t have enough grip in the tire and lost it straight away and after that got hit by an LPM2. I feel very bad for the team and it’s a shame that it happened so early in the race. A sad way to end the 24.” said Louis Deletraz (No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R)

Next Up

The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Cadillac is next on the IMSA calendar on March 15th on the 3.74-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway course.

Cadillac Racing teams resilient in Rolex 24

By
Official Release
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No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R leads contingent with fifth place

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2025) – Cadillac Racing Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) cars led laps in the 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona, though they unfortunately weren’t in the closing rush to the checkered flag.

The No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R, with drivers Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque, Will Stevens and Brendon Hartley, led the three-car contingent with a sixth-place finish among the 12 GTP entries. The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R and No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R were eliminated from contention in the first half of the twice-around-the-clock race.

Cadillac Racing has recorded four overall victories and 12 podium finishes since 2017 in the annual IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

Combined, the Cadillac GTPs, powered by the 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine, led 99 laps.

The fortunes for Action Express Racing’s second overall victory in the Rolex 24 were dashed just before midnight ET when the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R with Frederik Vesti behind the wheel shot up the banking of the oval Turn 4 and made heavy contact with the SAFER Barrier. Vesti was uninjured.

The team received the car in the garage at 12:15 a.m. and immediately set to work on repairs and replacements. The car, driven by Vesti, Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber and Felipe Drugovich, rejoined the race 78 minutes later and soldiered on to ninth place in class.

Three hours earlier, cold tires were the culprit as the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R was involved in a multiple-car incident in Turn 2 off a restart with Louis Deletraz behind the wheel. Deletraz was checked and released from the infield care center and the car was retired.

The No. 7 Porsche 963 won the race.

The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Cadillac is next on the IMSA calendar March 15 on the 3.74-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway course. Cadillac Racing swept the front row for the 2024 race and the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R finished as runner-up.

Cadillac Racing Rolex 24 At Daytona overall victories

2020 (Renger van der Zande, Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon, Kamui Kobayashi)
2019 (Renger van der Zande, Fernando Alonso; Jordan Taylor, Kamui Kobayashi)
2018 (Christian Fittipaldi, Filipe Albuquerque, Joao Barbosa)
2017 (Jeff Gordon, Jordan Taylor, Ricky Taylor, Max Angelelli)

Of note: Sebastien Bourdais, full-season driver for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA in the FIA World Endurance Championship, co-drove to the LMP2 class victory for his 14th career IMSA win.

What they’re saying

No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R

Ricky Taylor: “Hard week but I think we came away with a good result. The team maximized the performance, and we go to Sebring with some points and start the season working toward the championship with Cadillac.”

Filipe Albuquerque: “What a tough day in the office. A long race. During the night actually the car was pretty decent, pretty nice and competitive, but we missed something. I mean, it’s our first race with Cadillac, learning the car. We seemed to miss the setup for the daytime; it was hard to drive, very hard to drive. We did what we could. I don’t think it’s that bad to finish P5 with what we had, so it’s what it is. So, we’ll learn and move on.”

Will Stevens: “Overall, we came in with expectations to be higher up, but we did the best we could. At points in the race we seemed strong, especially in the night. I thought we could mix it up with the others and the car came to life in the night for sure. I think we just struggled a bit more in the heat, especially this being the hottest day of the week. Overall, I think it’s been a good first race for Cadillac and me back with Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing. I think we can build on this and I look forward to Sebring.”

Brendon Hartley: “I had another great experience with WTR. You have to learn the car at the Roar, all my teammates did a great job getting me up to speed. I loved working with everyone again, I think that’s one of the real strong points, every year I have with WTR. It’s been a great group of people, great atmosphere, team spirit. I mainly drove in the night and the car came alive; at some points we were flying. All the guys behind the scenes did a great job in fine tuning all the settings to get the balance that we wanted because we didn’t start the race with the ideal balance. Unfortunately, in the day, when the sun came out, we didn’t have the pace to challenge the top four. Overall, I think it was a really positive experience. First race for Cadillac with WTR, lots to learn and I really enjoyed it, and I hope I can come back at some point.”

No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R

Earl Bamber: “I think we were very competitive and had something to fight at the front. We led laps. It’s a shame. I guess we all just have to come back next year. It’s good that Fred got some laps again, it’s good for a Cadillac to finish a race and you have two cars finish. But we came here to win, so I think we’re all pretty gutted. But looking forward to the season we know we’ve got a great package, the drivers are on fire. So, I guess we’ll roll on and see what we can do at Sebring.”

Jack Aitken: “Repairing the car) shows the passion for this race. Just to finish is a massive achievement. In my time here we’ve been to this race three times with this car and we’ve had the pace every single time. But it just hasn’t quite come together for us, so it’s a bit of a sad one. But we put in a really good showing. I think it’s going to motivate us to come back next year and make sure that we put it all together. I’m really proud of the whole Whelen Cadillac team for getting back out there and finishing the job.”

Frederik Vesti: “I can’t believe the team put an almost brand-new car together in 78 minutes. That’s incredible. When I saw the car in the garage, I was pretty confident it was over. But to see the teamwork to get the car back out, it was impressive. I think today it is more like practice for me and for everyone. We are so far down, but still good practice for the races ahead, learning the car, continuing to work on tires and everything. So, I’m really happy to get out on track, also just to get out in the car after a big crash like that. It’s nice to shake it out.”

Felipe Drugovich: (after the incident) “I think more time in the car is good, especially for me and Fred that we are still getting used to everything. But it’s a great experience. It’s not as we wish it was. I think what I did at the day to still push and have a look how it is and improve for the next ones. (getting the car back on track after incident) “I think it was an amazing effort. I think they all stand out for this team. They did it with me in Le Mans last year as well. In a few minutes the car was back together so it was really cool.”

No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing V-Series.R

Louis Deletraz: “Very cold tires, especially when you race at night. I’m fine. Luckily, we have a very strong car. Cadillac has a very safe car. I think I just didn’t have enough grip in the tire and lost it straight away and after that got hit by an LPM2. I feel very bad for the team and it’s a shame that it happened so early in the race. A sad way to end the 24.”

Jordan Taylor: “Obviously, a tough day. The car showed a lot of speed when the sun went down and the cooler temps came in. Kamui was a rock star getting the car to lead a couple of times. We were just clicking off the laps as you have to do at Daytona just the get to the end and go fight from there. It looked like just a tiny touch of cold tires or maybe a touch from another car sent Louis off. He’s OK, so that’s the main thing. Unfortunately, we got collected by another car after the spin and that basically took away our chances to repair the car. Tough one for the team.”

Kamui Kobayashi: “Unfortunately, we had the crash after the restart. Louis is OK, so that’s the most important part. I think we had a strong car, led laps and were working on making the car better for the morning. Everybody did a lot of hard work. I was missing experience in the Cadillac, but the team did an excellent job getting everything in order. It’s a shame we couldn’t take the checkered flag.”

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

Jett Lawrence Earns Win at Anaheim 2 Supercross

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Official Release
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Angel Stadium hosted the Anaheim 2 Supercross, Round 3 of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. A bout of heavy rain was welcomed for the Southern California region but added to the challenge for the racers. Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

Haiden Deegan Tops 250SX Class at Round Three

Anaheim, Calif., (January 25, 2025) Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jett Lawrence took an impressive win amid wet track conditions inside Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. It was the defending Monster Energy AMA Supercross and SMX World Championship™ champ’s first win of the season, and it was a thriller with four to five racers battling for the lead for much of the race.

Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen came out of the exciting main event battle with a second-place finish and becomes the third points leader after three rounds. Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson took over the lead six minutes into the race and held the spot for approximately eight laps. Anderson battled hard and finished the night with a third-place finish. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac, the points leader going into the race, recovered from a near-last start to earn a seventh place finish. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan grabbed the holeshot and, after fending off a first-lap attack, rode to an unchallenged victory.

First place 450SX Class - Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
First place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“You have to be very patient [racing in those conditions]. Jason was riding really well, and I was struggling to find anywhere to gain on him or try to make a pass. He had to get a little risky in the whoops… I think we both got sketchy through them. I was being very patient and trying not to rush anything. Lap by lap I just hit my marks. There was the rain, my goggles were fogging up a little bit, but we’re happy to get that [win]. We’re better than we were at the last round at Anaheim, so that’s good. On to the next round in AZ.” – Jett Lawrence

Second place 450SX Class - Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Second place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“It’s an absolute dream. After I was in position last week for a possible third, I came back [to the truck and] was thinking it would be so rad to share a red plate with Eli. And just to have a red plate, it’s been a long time, especially on a Suzuki. I wasn’t able to make [a win] happen tonight. This was an absolutely insane race. We were in a battle the whole way, and it was awesome. With the rain and how hardpacked the dirt was, it was very slippery out there, but I just kept my focus the whole way… After making a [first] pass stick on Jason I hit neutral, and he got me back. I was bummed because it’s a lot of work to get by.” – Ken Roczen, regarding a comment that he moved into the points lead for the first time since the opening round of 2022.

Third place 450SX Class - Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Third place 450SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“I think that rain gives you quite a bit of anxiety when sitting on the line. I was able to get out front and the pace up there is really fast, and I had pressure the whole time. I was able to get around Justin [Cooper] and be up front, but then I had some of the fastest guys behind me. I’m excited to be up here [on the podium].” – Jason Anderson

250SX Class

In 250SX Class racing, Haiden Deegan grabbed the holeshot with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Julien Beaumer in second. Beaumer made an aggressive pass attempt in the second corner that brought the two racers together for the second time that night. Deegan held the lead and quickly pulled out a cushion to never be challenged again even as heavy rain came down late in the race. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cole Davies earned his first professional podium in just his third professional Supercross race; it came courtesy of a last lap mistake from Triumph Racing’s Jordon Smith who was challenging for the second-place spot when he crashed in the whoops. The 250SX Class podium consisted of three teenagers; it was the first all-teen podium since 2011. Team Honda HRC Progressive’s Jo Shimoda, winner of the season opener, put in a steady ride, despite having two broken fingers, to move from 10th place up to 6th place at the checkers.

First place 250SX Class - Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
First place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“You pissed off the bull last week. Juju ran his mouth so it’s time to lock in. You don’t want to piss me off because I come out swinging. A big thanks to my team, they put a lot of work in this week. We grinded from morning until the end of the day, multiple times. We got the bike dialed… keep talking and I’ll come out swinging.” – Haiden Deegan, responding to the comment that he rode better this weekend than at the two previous races.

Second place 250SX Class - Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Second place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“[Haiden and I] got together in that heat race and I went down. Nothing too big, nothing to worry about… [In the main] I got off to a good start and he rode great, hats off to him, he was the better man tonight. Now we’re going to get back to work. I can’t thank everyone enough; Red Bull KTM, they’ve been working their butts off.” – Julien Beaumer, when Deegan’s words about him were pointed out to him.

Third place 250SX Class - Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Third place 250SX Class – Photo Credit: Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

“It’s a good feeling, my first podium… I spun off the start because it was so slick, then the track was haggard. I was playing MX Bikes last night. I turned the hero [mode] completely off and it completely replicated the track that I just rode. That was a sick race, so I’m stoked.” – Cole Davies

“I’m honestly just hanging onto the bike. It’s really tough on me. I just don’t want to let this [championship] go, I feel like I’ve got to stay in it. Hopefully next week I’ll be a little healthier, but we’ll see.” – Jo Shimoda, who also commented that he won’t ride this week to allow his broken fingers to further heal.

TroyLeeDesigns.Betterworld.org

Outside of the racing, the motorcycle industry has rallied together to create an incredible fundraising effort to help those affected by the recent Southern California wildfires. Athletes competing in the Anaheim 2 Supercross will donate their race-worn helmets to be auctioned off to fans. All proceeds from the auction will go to the American Red Cross for its 2025 California Wildfire Relief Fund. The auction runs from January 31st until Friday, February 7th. More information for this opportunity to help those impacted by the disaster and own a special piece of Supercross history can be found at TroyLeeDesigns.Betterworld.org. Scan the QR code.

Famous Faces

The Southern California Supercross brought out some of the top stars from other sports disciplines and professions including Red Bull F1 driver Liam Lawson; 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr.; Riley Herbst NASCAR incoming rookie; former racer Carey Hart; LA Dodgers pitcher Landon Knack; Pittsburg Steeler’s wide receiver Mike Williams; actors and entertainers Jay Mohr, Nathan Kress, Ashley Jones, Jamie Camil, and Ed Quinn; skating legend Mike McGill; musicians Jason Bonham, Jagger Bonham, and Blake Redferrin who performed live.

Formula 1 driver, Liam Lawson
Formula 1 driver, Liam Lawson

The Anaheim 2 track layout incorporated two back-to-back whoop sections, and this afforded the opportunity for a ‘whoop test.’ The track builders designed each set of whoops to be identically shaped and spaced, yet they built and compacted each section using different methods. The goal is to study how well the dirt holds up through the racing using the different building and compacting techniques.

The Anaheim 2 Supercross pays points for the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross season and also the 31-round SMX World Championship. The SMX World Championship combines points from the Monster Energy AMA Supercross season and the AMA Pro Motocross season to seed the world’s best racers into a post-season of two SMX Playoffs and the SMX World Championship in September.

As the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship gains popularity worldwide, its availability is also expanding for both live, on-demand, and broadcast viewing options. Every event can be experienced live and on-demand on Peacock. Select races can also be viewed, live or with encore presentations, on NBC, CNBC, USA Network, and NBC Sports digital platforms. Every race will get an encore presentation on CNBC on the Monday following the race at 1:00a.m. ET. Live Spanish-language coverage for every round can be found on Telemundo Deportes’ Facebook and YouTube channels. The SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv) provides live international coverage with options in English, Spanish and French language broadcast teams. Live audio coverage streams on NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85.

Round 4 lines the racers up again next Saturday night inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The event will host the first SMX Next amateur race that gives tomorrow’s stars a chance to compete on professional supercross tracks inside select stadiums throughout the season. The Arizona round will also kick off the continuing “Love Moto Stop Cancer” partnership between Monster Energy AMA Supercross and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The racing starts at 8:00p.m. ET. Tickets are available now for each remaining 2025 Supercross event. For more details, race results, video highlights, and ticket sales please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

Tickets for the SMX World Championship post-season events go on pre-sale later this week on, Tuesday, January 28th. The public on-sale date will be Tuesday, February 4th. More information about FanFest and camping opportunities for each SMX World Championship event will be announced later in the season.

Facebook: facebook.com/supercrosslive
X: twitter.com/supercrosslive
Instagram: instagram.com/supercrosslive
YouTube: youtube.com/supercrosslive
TikTok: tiktok.com/supercrossliveofficial
Official Merch: SupercrossSuperstore.com

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SMX World ChampionshipTM. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About the SMX World Championship:

The SMX World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series in the world that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SMX World Championship Series combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 28-round regular season that culminates with the season-ending SMX World Championship Playoffs. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About the American Motorcyclist Association:

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.

How to Buy a Used Toyota Tundra for Sale in Houston

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SM
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Photo by Jake Fagan on Unsplash

The Toyota Tundra is a powerful and reliable truck, perfect for heavy-duty tasks, family adventures, or off-road exploration. If you’re in Houston and considering purchasing a used Toyota Tundra, it’s essential to follow a thoughtful process to ensure you get the best deal and the right truck for your needs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you buy a used toyota tundra for sale houston.

Determine Your Needs

Before you start shopping, think about what you’ll use the truck for. Do you need a truck for towing and hauling? Or are you looking for a reliable daily driver? Consider factors like bed size, engine power, towing capacity, and fuel efficiency. The Toyota Tundra offers various trims and configurations, so identifying your needs will help narrow your options.

Set a Budget

Establish a budget for your purchase. Factor in additional costs like insurance, taxes, and potential maintenance. Setting a clear budget helps you avoid overspending and keeps your search focused. Don’t forget to account for financing options if you plan to take out a loan.

Research the Market

Houston has plenty of dealerships and private sellers offering used toyota tundra for sale houston. Start by browsing online platforms like AutoTrader, Cars.com, or dealership websites. Compare prices, mileage, and features to get a sense of the market value. Tools like Kelley Blue Book can help you determine a fair price for the model and year you’re interested in.

Check Vehicle History

Always request a vehicle history report before purchasing. Services like Carfax or AutoCheck provide crucial details, including:

  • Accident history
  • Ownership records
  • Title status (e.g., clean or salvage)
  • Maintenance records

A clean history report indicates the truck has been well-maintained and is less likely to have hidden issues.

Inspect the Vehicle

Schedule a time to inspect the Tundra in person. Check the exterior for any signs of damage, rust, or mismatched paint that could indicate past repairs. Examine the tires for wear and ensure they match. Inside, test all electronics, including the air conditioning, infotainment system, and power features. A well-maintained interior reflects the overall care given to the truck.

Test Drive

Take the Tundra for a test drive to assess its performance. Pay attention to how it accelerates, brakes, and handles. Listen for any unusual noises from the engine, transmission, or suspension. Ensure the ride is smooth and the steering is responsive. Testing the truck in various driving conditions can reveal potential issues.

Have a Mechanic Inspect It

Before finalizing the deal, have a trusted mechanic inspect the truck. They can identify potential problems that might not be visible during a casual inspection or test drive. Spending a little on a professional inspection can save you from costly repairs later.

Negotiate the Price

Once you’ve done your research and inspections, you’ll be in a strong position to negotiate. Use market data and any findings from the vehicle history report or mechanic’s inspection as leverage to get a better deal. Be prepared to walk away if the seller isn’t willing to meet a fair price.

Final Words 

Buying a used Toyota Tundra in Houston can be a rewarding experience if you approach it with preparation and diligence. By following these steps, you can find a reliable truck that meets your needs and fits your budget. Whether you’re hauling equipment or exploring the great outdoors, your Toyota Tundra will be a dependable companion for years to come.

Thomas Wins Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Race 2 at Daytona

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Official Release
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2025) – Anything can, and did, happen when Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin takes to Daytona International Speedway. A large-scale incident at the start of the race collected several key players and set the stage for Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering) to take his third series victory at Daytona on Friday.

Under sunny skies, 35 cars lined up side-by-side at Daytona to take the green flag for Round Two of the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup. Unfortunately, two cars near the front of the field came together, sending both into the wall and then bouncing back into the charging pack of cars. Thus began a chaotic chain reaction that ended with numerous cars disabled on the front straight or the grass.

“I was right behind Alex [Bachoura] and Gresham [Wagner],” said fourth-place starter Ren Messinger (No. 3 McCumbee McAleer Racing). “I saw Alex just push up a little bit, and Gresham came down to side draft right at the same time, and they just got hooked together. I didn’t see what happened afterwards. Luckily, I made it through, but it looked really big.”

When racing resumed, polesitter Nate Cicero (No. 19 Saito Motorsports Group) led Helio Meza (No. 27 BSI Racing), Bailey Cruse (No. 11 JTR Motorsports Engineering) and Thomas to the green. Rookies Meza and Cruse were no match for Thomas, the two-time series champion. He was quickly around the pair and onto the rear bumper of Cicero.

Time was of the essence. The lengthy cleanup from the accident meant there was only 16 minutes of green flag left to chase the Daytona win.

Starting from 26th, Jeremy Fletcher (No. 22 McCumbee McAleer Racing) threw his hat in the ring with three minutes left on the clock and brought Todd Buras (No. 58 AAG Racing) with him.

On the penultimate lap, the leaders got into traffic, which shook up the order. Now, it was Fletcher bringing the pack to the white flag. But anyone who’s watched MX-5 Cup at Daytona knows, you do not want to be leading on the final lap.

Exiting the Le Mans Chicane without a drafting partner, Fletcher was swallowed up by the group and became an obstacle for Cicero to navigate. Meanwhile, Thomas got the best exit out of the chicane and with a healthy push from Buras, took the lead. Messinger chose to follow Thomas and Buras onto the banking. The trio were a slipstream train headed toward the finish line.

Buras did his best to time his move, but when he pulled to the inside of Thomas it wasn’t enough. Thomas beat him to the line by 0.038-second.

“[Westin] Workman (in a lapped car) was up there,” Thomas said. “So I held way back, and then got my run on the bottom. I didn’t know it was Todd [Buras] at the time, but Todd went with me on the bottom, and we just went right around, got the draft off of Workman, and it worked great. You could replay that lap 100 times and get 100 different results.”

It was Thomas’ third MX-5 Cup win at Daytona. His first two were in 2022 and 2023, the two years he went on to win the season championship.

“Epic way to start the season,” added Thomas. “Let’s see if history repeats itself.”

Buras is a longtime Spec Miata and MX-5 Cup competitor, but this was his first time racing MX-5 Cup at Daytona and he had no clue what to expect for the final lap.

“I had (spotter) Paul Shepherd in my ear saying ‘just go, go, go, push, push, push,’” Buras said. “And I went, went, went! Then he said, ‘go low, go low.’ And we went low. I really didn’t have any idea.

“At the start of the last lap I got bumped out of second, and I went outside and slid a little, but we got it back. I just got to thank the good Lord that everything came through when we were involved in that wreck and what an amazing thing for my family and for everyone involved.”

As the highest finishing driver over the age of 40, Buras also earned the Takumi Award, which recognizes the performance of drivers who’ve spent decades mastering their craft.

Messinger, taking part in his first ever MX-5 Cup race, knew exactly what he needed on the last lap to get a win, but it never materialized.

“I’m looking for someone on my bumper and looking for a pair of cars a few car lengths ahead of me and then we can generate a run,” explained Messinger. “I got the two car lengths ahead of me part coming out of the bus stop, but I didn’t have anyone on my bumper. It still worked out pretty well, but I think if I had been able to drag one of my teammates up with me we might have had a shot at it.”

Just missing the podium in fourth was Nathan Nicholson (No. 56 Advanced Autosports). His remarkable drive from 31st on the grid to fourth at the finish earned him the “Penske Shocking Performance Award.”

The latest Mazda Women in Motorsports Initiative Scholarship winner, Ashyln Speed (No. 31 Hendricks Motorsports) was also recognized at the podium for finishing 16th, the highest placed female driver, after starting 34th on the grid.

Both Mazda MX-5 Cup races at Daytona are available to watch anytime on the RACER and YouTube channels.

Rounds Three and Four head across the state of Florida to the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, February 28 – March 2.

About: The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. The series has been operated by Andersen Promotions since 2017 and is currently sanctioned by IMSA. Mazda-powered grassroots champions can earn Mazda scholarships for this pro-level series. The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup awards more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships.

Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.

New Sponsor with Nostalgic Roots Enters NASCAR in 2025

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Official Release
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RJ Reynolds Affiliate American Snuff Company to sponsor Kaulig Racing and Ty Dillon with Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Brand

 
Welcome, N.C. (January 24, 2025) – Kaulig Racing announced today Grizzly Nicotine Pouches, from American Snuff Company, LLC (ASC), an affiliate of the iconic RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co., will be a major primary sponsor on the No. 10 Chevrolet with driver Ty Dillon during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Grizzly Nicotine Pouches will debut the new partnership on Dillon’s No. 10 Chevrolet at the 2025 Daytona 500 and will be the primary sponsor for eight additional races throughout the season. Grizzly Nicotine Pouches, a tobacco leaf-free product available nationwide (where permitted), will also have a major associate position on Dillon’s entry all season, including the season kick-off Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., the home of RJ Reynolds for nearly 150 years.

The team will also feature The Fallen Outdoors organization, a non-profit that organizes outdoor adventures for veterans, Gold Star families and active-duty service members to bring together like-minded people who find comfort in each other through common interests.

“This is an absolute honor,” said Dillon, who was announced as Kaulig’s full-time driver last October. “Kaulig Racing has offered me the best opportunity I have ever had in the Cup Series and bringing on a partner like Grizzly Nicotine Pouches is really humbling. I understand the heritage of the company and the value of great sponsors, so I am just so anxious to get busy and deliver great results for everyone.”

ASC’s affiliate RJ Reynolds served as NASCAR’s Cup Series naming rights sponsor for more than 30 years, helping grow NASCAR into a globally recognized sport.

“NASCAR is an extension of who our consumer is, and this collaboration shows we’re right there with them, every step of the way,” said Brent Trader, Sr. Director at American Snuff Company. “This isn’t just a partnership; it’s a friendship built on shared values and a shared vision for success.”

Grizzly Nicotine Pouches 2025 Primary Races:

  • February 16: Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway
  • May 4: Texas Motor Speedway
  • May 18: All-Star Race, North Wilkesboro Speedway
  • May 25: Charlotte Motor Speedway
  • June 1: Nashville Superspeedway
  • August 31: Darlington Raceway
  • September 13: Bristol Motor Speedway
  • October 19: Talladega Superspeedway
  • October 26: Martinsville Speedway  
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    About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

Kasey Kahne to run Rockingham XFINITY Series race

By
Tucker White
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Kasey Kahne celebrates victory in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Photo: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Kasey Kahne makes his return to NASCAR in April at Rockingham Speedway.

Richard Childress Racing announced Friday that the 14-year veteran driver will drive a third-team entry in the XFINITY Series race at Rockingham. If he qualifies, it’ll be his first start in the series since 2017 at Talladega Superspeedway.

“I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a stock car, especially at a place like Rockingham Speedway,” he said. “Rockingham has been a special track throughout my career. I remember winning the Truck Series race in 2012 when the sport went back there last, so to be a part of the current return is cool.”

He’ll participate in a NASCAR-sanctioned test at Rockingham on January 28.

Kahne has been out of the league since he suffered a concussion in the 2018 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. His 18 wins and three Coca-Cola 600 victories got him named to NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list in 2023.

BRISTOL DRAGWAY REVVING UP FOR A THRILLING 2025 SEASON OF HIGH PERFORMANCE FUN

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Official Release
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NHRA Funny Car world champ Austin Prock scored a Thunder Valley victory at Bristol en route to his 2024 series title.

BRISTOL, Tenn. (Jan. 24, 2025) – Legendary Bristol Dragway is set to resume its role as one of the nation’s busiest dragstrips in 2024. The track that’s more commonly known in the high-performance world as Thunder Valley will offer a wide variety of compelling events, some new events and all of the action will be anchored by its tradition-rich 24th annual Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.

The fan-favorite Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals will return to its early-June weekend, just before Father’s Day, June 6-8. One of the crown jewel events in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the 24th edition of the high-horsepower festival of speed will once again entertain huge crowds with 330 mph Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars, as well 200 mph Pro Stocks and Pro Stock Motorcycles and the always wild and unpredictable Pro Mods.

Every ticket is a pit pass at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, providing guests with unparalleled access to drivers and teams throughout the weekend. Single day tickets start at just $35 and kids (12-under) tickets are free for Friday and only $10 per child on Saturday and Sunday in the main grandstand areas with a paid adult.

You can get up close and personal with all the top stars of the NHRA, including Tony Stewart, Antron Brown, Justin Ashley, Doug Kalitta and Brittany Force in Top Fuel; Austin Prock, Ron Capps, Matt Hagan, Cruz Pedregon and JR Todd in Funny Car; Greg Anderson, Erica Enders and Jeg Coughlin Jr. in Pro Stock; and Gaige Herrera, Matt Smith and Steve Johnson in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

While the NHRA’s incredibly fast race cars are sure to grab your attention, that event alone isn’t the only reason for a high-performance enthusiast to be super excited about what Bristol Dragway has in store in 2024.

If high-flying Monster Trucks is your thing, we’ve got you covered. On May 10, the Overdrive Monster Trucks will invade Bristol Motor Speedway’s infield. You will literally feel the ground shake as these behemoth machines pull off some amazing acrobatics and compete for the victory. The event includes some amazing fan experiences, like the Track Party two hours prior to the event where drivers mingle with fans and sign autographs and the famed Ride Experience, where you can crawl into 12,000-pound truck and see what it’s like when the throttle is mashed. Many of the most popular Monster Trucks in motorsports compete with the Overdrive series, including Aftershock, Black Stallion, Dirt Crew, Krazy Train, Maximus, Toxic, the Virginia Giant and Storm Damage to name a few.

In August, the Professional Drag Racers Association will return to historic Bristol Dragway for the PDRA Thunder Valley Throwdown, Aug. 20-23. Featuring 12 classes of high-horsepower divisions, including several wheel-standing doorslammer classes, with just about every competition combination covered, the race is one of eight stops in the PDRA’s season-long Million Dollar Tour.

The sport’s next generation of stars (ages 6 to 17) will continue to take center stage at Bristol Dragway in July for one of their biggest events of the season. The region will welcome more than 500 young racers and their families for a week full of racing activities beginning July 11 with the Jr. Dragster Nationals presented by Mike Bos Chassis Craft, and culminating July 14-19 with the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing Eastern Conference Finals.

The BTE World Footbrake Challenge XIX returns on July 3-6, while the BTE Labor Day Footbrake Challenge will be held Aug. 28-31. Racers in both events will duel for the largest payouts in Thunder Valley history. These two races will feature some of the best sportsman and bracket racers in the country.

One of the most popular bracket racing events in the country, the Rad Torque Fall Fling presented by Optima Batteries returns to the Thunder Valley schedule for the 16th time, Sept. 23-27. The most successful Super Pro racers in the country will converge at Bristol Dragway for the opportunity to win lucrative purses.

The DER Series, Bristol Dragway’s NHRA Summit Racing Series, where local racers compete for the chance to race on the NHRA national stage, are scheduled for six big weekends, including March 28-30, May 16-18, June 13-15, June 27-29, Aug. 15-17 and Sept. 19-21.

The popular Thunder Valley Street Fights, where participants are able to run their registered street cars down the historic Bristol Dragway strip, will be held during five nights in 2025, including March 22, April 26, May 3, June 21, and Aug. 9.

“We have fun for all ages ready to go at one of the most storied speed factories in the country, a track that was christened “Drag City U.S.A.” in the early days,” said Jerry Caldwell, president of Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway. “We can’t wait to welcome the world’s fastest race cars with the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series back this summer for the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, June 6-8. There’s going to be plenty of great racing going on throughout the season and we hope to see everyone out here enjoying the fun.”

In addition to all of this drag racing action, just across the street at the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway there are also several major events happening in 2025 that have been previously announced. As a reminder, those include the Food City 500 NASCAR weekend April 11-13; the MLB Speedway Classic baseball game featuring rivals the Atlanta Braves vs. the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, Aug. 2; and the Bass Pro Shops Night Race NASCAR weekend, Sept. 11-13, which will showcase the NASCAR Playoffs Round of 16 elimination race in the Cup Series as well as Playoff racing action in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series too.

To keep up with the latest information on Bristol Dragway and Bristol Motor Speedway and to purchase tickets, please visit the Bristol Motor Speedway website or call 423-BRISTOL.

2025 Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway Schedule

March 22 Thunder Valley Street Fights

March 28-30 DER Series

April 11-13 Food City 500 NASCAR weekend (speedway)

April 26 Thunder Valley Street Fights

May 3 Thunder Valley Street Fights

May 10 Overdrive Monster Trucks (speedway infield)

May 11 Thunder Valley Street Fights

May 16-18 DER Series

June 6-8 Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals (NHRA Mission Foods Series)

June 13-15 DER Series

June 21 Thunder Valley Street Fights

June 27-29 DER Series

July 3-6 BTE World Footbrake Challenge XIX

July 11-13 Junior Drag Week: Jr. Dragster Nationals presented by Mike Bos Chassis Craft

July 14-19 Junior Drag Week: NHRA Jr. Dragster Eastern Conference Finals

Aug. 2 MLB Speedway Classic, Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds (speedway)

Aug. 9 Thunder Valley Street Fights

Aug. 15-17 DER Series

Aug. 20-23 Professional Drag Racers Association Series Thunder Valley Throwdown

Aug. 28-31 BTE Labor Day Footbrake Challenge

Sept. 11-13 Bass Pro Shops Night Race NASCAR weekend (speedway)

Sept. 19-21 DER Series

Sept. 23-27 Rad Torque Fall Fling presented by Optima Batteries

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