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Porsche claims 20th victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona

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Official Release
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Race, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Round 1, Daytona

Daytona Beach, Florida., Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Porsche Penske Motorsport has clinched its second consecutive victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Last year’s winner Felipe Nasr from Brazil, Nick Tandy from the United Kingdom, and Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium steered the No. 7 Porsche 963 to the top step of the podium. This milestone marks Porsche’s 20th overall win at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship opener, further cementing its illustrious legacy. The No. 6 Porsche 963, piloted by Matt Campbell (Australia) and French-born teammates Mathieu Jaminet and Kévin Estre, rounded out the team’s success with a third-place finish. Once again, the Porsche 963 demonstrated its dominance as the most successful LMDh prototype since its racing debut.Daytona Beach, Florida. At 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 61 cars across four competition classes took the green flag at the Daytona International Speedway to begin the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Under sunny Florida skies, the GTP class prototypes engaged in fierce battles from the start. Among them: the 707 PS (520 kW) Porsche 963, which claimed victory at Daytona in 2024 and dominated last season’s championship standings.

  • Nasr/Tandy/Vanthoor triumph with the Porsche 963 at the endurance classic
  • Sister car of Campbell/Jaminet/Estre finishes third
  • Porsche leads the 24-Hour race for 517 of 781 Laps
  • Wright Motorsport achieves GTD podium finish with Porsche 911 GT3 R
  • Iron Dames secure eighth place in first IMSA outing with Porsche

The works drivers and the whole Porsche Penske Motorsport team delivered a flawless performance over the 3.56-mile Daytona road course. By late evening, both Porsche 963 entries had established themselves at the front of the field. They maintained their commanding positions through to the final hours of the race, with a decisive sprint to victory occurring in the last 40 minutes after the final yellow flag period.

Ultimately, Felipe Nasr in the No. 7 car emerged victorious after an intense battle between both Porsche 963s for the lead, showcasing precision and endurance. With traffic complications in the closing stages, the No. 6 sister car relinquished second place but secured a commendable third. For Nasr, this victory marked his second consecutive Daytona triumph. Vanthoor and Tandy celebrated their first overall wins at this prestigious event. Tandy also became the first driver in history to win all four major 24-hour endurance races: Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps, Nürburgring and Daytona.

“My emotions are difficult to put into words,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “Winning the 24 Hours of Daytona twice in a row – one of the longest and toughest races in the IMSA series – is a monumental achievement. The tension was huge. We did not always have the fastest car, but we were consistent and made the fewest mistakes. This is a fantastic result for our drivers, mechanics, engineers, and the entire team, including our colleagues back home in Weissach. I am absolutely delighted. This victory is a perfect start to the new season!”

Roger Penske, founder and CEO of Penske Corporation, echoed this sentiment: “What an incredible day for the entire Porsche Penske Motorsport organization. Both of our Porsche 963s and the drivers showed great speed and reliability. The crews performed flawlessly which is a result of meticulous preparation by everyone on the team. 2024 was an unmatched season of success starting with a win at the 24 Hours of Daytona and it’s great to repeat that success to start 2025 with the third overall win for Team Penske and the 20th victory for Porsche.”

Urs Kuratle, Director of Factory Motorsport LMDh, added: “An ideal season opener. This year’s result, with first and third place, surpasses last year’s success. The factory cars performed impeccably over the long distance, with perfect strategy and pit stops – a phenomenal effort by the entire team. I could not be prouder!”

“It’s impossible to put this success into words. The crews of the No. 6 and No. 7 did an outstanding job,” summarised Jonathan Diuguid, Managing Director of Porsche Pense Motorsport. “This triumph is not down to the fact that our car was the strongest – it was down to the impeccable work of the drivers and the team. We led the race for very long stretches and were rewarded. Now I hope that things continue like that and that we finish this year just as successfully as last year.”

With this win, Porsche has taken the lead in the championship standings of the top GTP class. The 24-hour race at Daytona also marks the start of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup where the lead in the manufacturers’, team and drivers’ championships also goes to Porsche. The special classification within the IMSA season also includes the 12 Hours of Sebring, the two 6-hour races at Watkins Glen and Indianapolis as well as the “Petit Le Mans” at Road Atlanta.

The customer teams experienced mixed fortunes with the Porsche 963. JDC-Miller MotorSports managed to secure a solid sixth-place overall finish, while Proton Competition was forced to retire early due to suspension damage during the night,. The striking yellow No. 85 JDC-Miller car, driven by Gianmaria Bruni (Italy), Tijmen van der Helm (Netherlands), Bryce Aron (USA), and Porsche works driver and Formula E World Champion Pascal Wehrlein (Germany), showcased strong resilience. Meanwhile, Wehrlein’s TAG Heuer Formula E teammate, António Félix da Costa, endured a tough race and failed to finish with the LMP2 team Inter Europol.

GT categories: Porsche 911 GT3 R of Wright Motorsport on the podium
In the GTD class, Wright Motorsports continued their historically strong form. Starting from pole position, the American team secured second place after 24 hours of racing. Former Porsche Junior driver Ayhancan Güven (Turkey), alongside the American duo of Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer and Tom Sargent (Australia), celebrated a well-deserved podium finish. The Iron Dames made their IMSA debut in the Porsche 911 GT3 R, finishing eighth in class.

The “Rexy” Porsche 911 GT3 R from AO Racing faced misfortune in the GTD-Pro category. Defending champion Laurin Heinrich (Germany), Klaus Bachler (Austria), and Alessio Picariello (Belgium) led at times but dropped to eighth after sustaining damage from a collision. Proton Competition’s identical, up to 478 kW (565 PS) race car finished the endurance race in tenth place.

Drivers’ comments after the race
Felipe Nasr (Porsche 963 No. 7): “This victory feels even better than 2024 – winning here twice in a row is a very special point in my career. Thanks to everyone in the team.The work they did was simply fantastic. I don’t know how to put my emotions into words. There’s a feeling of happiness inside me that I can’t describe right now. Simply unbelievable!”

Nick Tandy (Porsche 963 No. 7): “I am so proud to have won this race with Porsche. Eleven years ago was the last time I was on the top step of the Daytona podium – back then in the GT class with a red and white Porsche and this time again with a red and white Porsche. Three years of hard work have brought us here. We all did it together. At some point years ago, someone told me that nobody had ever managed to achieve overall victory in the four biggest 24-hour races. Since that day, this goal has been in the back of my mind. Now it has been realised. It feels great to be the first person to achieve something like this.”

Laurens Vanthoor (Porsche 963 No. 7): “It was always my dream to contest races like the 24 Hours of Daytona in the highest category. There’s nothing better than realising this with Porsche. I’ve always dreamed of being able to sit in this silver Penske trailer at the big events. It’s all like a dream. Three months ago I won the FIA World Endurance Championship, now the victory in Daytona. It doesn’t get much better than this!”

Kévin Estre (Porsche 963 No. 6): “The victory is great for Porsche and the team. We in the number 6 car often led the race. It was very hard work. When you lead for a long time and finish third, it’s difficult to describe. The others had fresher tyres and a bit more luck in lapped traffic. We’ll try again next year.”

Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche 963 No. 85): “Thank you very much for this opportunity – it was a lot of fun. I learned a lot on every lap in the Porsche 963 and was able to keep improving my pace. The car held up well, so I got a lot of driving time. Unfortunately, we had some difficulties throughout the race, especially with a lack of temperature in the brakes. Nevertheless, sixth place is a good result. More was not within reach. Congratulations to Porsche and my fellow drivers. Now I’m looking forward to a few hours’ sleep.”

Klaus Bachler (Porsche 911 GT3 R No. 77): “We gave it our all and came so close. Laurin Heinrich pushed to the limit and fought brilliantly at the end. Unfortunately, there was contact in turn three, which damaged our front end and forced us to pit. Without that incident, the class win would have been within reach.”

Rahel Frey (Porsche 911 GT3 R No. 83): “We fought to the maximum throughout the entire race. That is why we are here. We are ‘Women Driven By Dreams,’ and we have big ambitions. Our goal is to reach the top. Unfortunately, a tire issue cost us a lap during the night. But we never gave up and fought back. We will keep pushing until we win.”

Adam Adelson (Porsche 911 GT3 R No. 120): “The result is fantastic, but it is not perfect. When second place leaves you unsatisfied, it is clear that the team, car, and the drivers are all capable of achieving victories. Our expectations are high, and winning is our goal – we’ll celebrate wins in upcoming races, I am certain of it.”

Race results
GTP Class:

  1. Nasr/Tandy/Vanthoor (BRA/GBR/BEL), Porsche 963 No. 7, 781 laps
  2. Blomqvist/Braun/Dixon/Rosenqvist (GBR/USA/NZL/SWE), Acura No. 60, -1.335 seconds
  3. Jaminet/Campbell/Estre (FRA/AUS/FRA), Porsche 963 No. 6, -4.423 seconds
  4. Van der Helm/Bruni/Wehrlein/Aron (NLD/ITA/DEU/USA), Porsche 963 No. 85, -1 lap
  5. Andlauer/Jani/Vautier/Pino (FRA/SUI/FRA/CHL), Porsche 963 No. 5, DNF

GTD-Pro Class:

  1. Mies/Vervisch/Olsen (DEU/BEL/NOR), Ford No. 65, 723 laps
  2. Garcia/Sims/Juncadella (ESP/GBR/ESP), Corvette No. 3, -1.909 seconds
  3. Rockenfeller/Priaulx/Cindric (DEU/GBR/USA), Ford No. 64, -5.766 seconds
  4. Heinrich/Bachler/Picariello (DEU/AUT/BEL), Porsche 911 GT3 R No. 77, -1 lap
  5. Schiavoni/Cressoni/Preining/Lietz (ITA/ITA/AUT/AUT), Porsche 911 GT3 R No. 20, -4 laps

GTD Class:

  1. Fidani/Bell/Kern/Kirchhöfer (CAN/GBR/DEU/DEU), Corvette No. 13, 719 laps
  2. Adelson/Skeer/Sargent/Güven (USA/USA/AUS/TUR), Porsche 911 GT3 R No. 120, – 1.454 seconds
  3. Gamble/Stevenson/Robichon/Drudi (GBR/GBR/CAN/ITA), Aston Martin No. 27, – 4.817 seconds
  4. Bovy/Frey/Gatting/Gaillard (BEL/SUI/DNK/SUI), Porsche 911 GT3 R No. 83, – 10.547 seconds

All results and championship standings are available at results.imsa.com

Lost or Stolen Car Keys? Regain Access Quickly & Securely

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SM
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Photo by kmiragaya at https://depositphotos.com/

Losing or having your car keys stolen is more than just an inconvenience, it can be a stressful and potentially costly experience. However, with the help of a professional locksmith, you can regain access to your vehicle quickly and securely. Whether you need a replacement key, a backup, or increased security to protect your car, locksmiths provide invaluable services to get you back on the road with peace of mind.

In this post, we’ll explore how locksmiths can help in these situations, why their services are the safest choice, and the benefits of proactive measures like having a spare key.

The First Step: Regaining Access to Your Vehicle

When you lose your car keys or suspect they’ve been stolen, regaining access to your vehicle is often the most immediate concern. Here’s how a professional locksmith can assist:

1. Emergency Unlocking Services

Professional locksmiths are trained in non-destructive techniques to unlock your vehicle without damaging it. They use specialized tools and methods tailored to your car’s make and model, ensuring a quick and secure resolution to your lockout situation.

2. Key Replacement Services

If you’ve lost your keys or they’ve been stolen, a locksmith can create a new set for you. Modern locksmiths have access to advanced equipment that allows them to program keys for even the most sophisticated vehicles, including those with transponder systems or keyless entry.

3. Deactivating Lost Keys

One of the biggest concerns when keys are lost or stolen is unauthorized access to your vehicle. Locksmiths can deprogram your car’s old keys, ensuring they no longer work. This added layer of security protects your vehicle from theft or misuse while giving you peace of mind.

Why Choose a Professional Locksmith?

While it may be tempting to go to your car dealership for a replacement key, locksmiths often provide faster, more cost-effective, and convenient services. Here’s why they’re the best option:

1. Speed and Availability

Locksmiths often provide mobile services, meaning they can come to your location and resolve the issue on the spot. This is especially beneficial if you’re stranded in an unfamiliar area.

2. Cost-Effective Solutions

Dealerships typically charge a premium for key replacements, while locksmiths offer competitive pricing. Additionally, locksmiths can tailor their services to your needs, whether it’s creating a single replacement key or upgrading your security system.

3. Expertise Across Makes and Models

Professional locksmiths are trained to work on a wide range of vehicles, from older models with traditional keys to modern cars with complex smart key systems. Their expertise ensures accurate and efficient service, no matter your car type.

4. Security-Focused Approach

Locksmiths prioritize your safety by deactivating lost or stolen keys and ensuring your vehicle’s security system is intact. Unlike some DIY solutions or generic key replacements, their methods ensure your car remains protected.

Proactive Measures: Why You Need a Backup Key

Prevention is always better than cure, and having a backup key can save you time, money, and stress in the future. Here’s why you should consider investing in a spare:

1. Convenience in Emergencies

A backup key provides immediate access to your car if you lose or misplace your primary key. This eliminates the need for emergency locksmith services and ensures you’re never stranded.

2. Cost Savings

Creating a spare key in advance is often more affordable than emergency replacements. Locksmiths can duplicate your key quickly and at a lower cost than creating a new one from scratch.

3. Peace of Mind

Knowing you have a spare key gives you peace of mind, especially if you frequently travel or rely heavily on your vehicle. It’s a simple yet effective way to stay prepared for unexpected situations.

Protecting Your Car Against Future Issues

To avoid losing your keys or having them stolen, consider these tips for added security:

  1. Keep Keys in a Designated Spot: Always place your keys in a consistent location at home or work to reduce the chances of misplacing them.
  2. Invest in a Key Tracker: Modern key trackers use Bluetooth technology to help you locate your keys quickly.
  3. Upgrade to a Smart Key System: Consult with a locksmith about upgrading your vehicle’s security system to include smart or keyless entry for enhanced protection.
  4. Locksmith-Installed Security Features: Professional locksmiths can install additional security features, such as steering wheel locks or advanced immobilizers, to deter thieves.

Why Deactivating Old Keys Is Essential

One of the most important yet often overlooked steps in replacing lost or stolen car keys is deactivating the old ones. Failing to do so leaves your car vulnerable to unauthorized access. Professional locksmiths can connect to your vehicle’s onboard system and remove the lost or stolen key from the car’s memory, ensuring it can no longer start the vehicle. This service is especially important if you suspect your keys were stolen.


Final Thoughts: Trust the Professionals

Losing or having your car keys stolen is never ideal, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With the help of a professional locksmith, you can regain access to your vehicle quickly, safely, and without breaking the bank. From creating replacement keys to deactivating lost ones and offering preventive solutions, locksmiths provide a comprehensive approach to car key issues.

If you’ve recently lost your keys or simply want to improve your vehicle’s security, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted locksmith. Their expertise in car key replacement and dedication to safety make them an invaluable resource for any car owner.

Protect Your Fluid Lines For Long-Lasting Performance

By
SM
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Fluid lines in industrial machinery and automotive systems are unsung heroes. These vital components move hydraulic oil, brake fluid, and coolant around your equipment but often don’t get noticed until a problem arises. 

Learning how to safeguard these essential pathways can save you time, money, and headaches while ensuring maximum performance and life.

Fluid Line Protection

Fluid lines face many threats as they perform their daily duties. These essential components have to be shielded from UV radiation, extreme temperatures, and mechanical impacts like rock debris and accidental blows.

One single failure of your fluid lines can result in catastrophic consequences, ranging from system failure to environmental contamination and cost-creating downtime.

Common Fluid Line Integrity Threats

Fluid lines face various, persistent threats. Road debris causes immediate physical damage, while continuous vibration leads to gradual wear and tear. 

Chemical exposure from road salt, oil, and other substances accelerates corrosion, and extreme temperatures impact the material properties of both lines and their protective coverings.

Key Protection Methods

The best way to protect your fluid lines is by installing a high-quality gravel guard. These tough shields will act as an initial barrier to flying debris, stones, and other objects that might otherwise cause considerable damage to your fluid lines.

Proper routing and securing of fluid lines play an important role in their long-term service. Lines should be mounted away from heat sources and moving parts. 

Clamps and brackets used to secure lines must not permit excessive movement while still allowing for normal system flexing and thermal expansion.

Best Installation and Maintenance Practices

Professionals should install it to protect your fluid lines. This includes:

  1. Proper placement of protective sleeves and shields to maximize coverage while still allowing access for maintenance. 
  2. Careful attention to routing paths that minimize exposure to heat sources and moving components. 
  3. Regular inspection points should be easily accessible, allowing for routine maintenance checks without compromising protection.
  4. Spacing must be adequate for lines and other components to prevent rubbing and chafing, including the proper use of cushioned clamps and sufficient clearance around all bends and connection points. 
  5. Abrasion-resistant sleeves have been installed at potential contact points for added protection.

Material Selection and Compatibility

Selecting the most suitable materials for both your fluid lines and protection parts is really the key to a long period of reliability for modern fluid lines, which, in various materials, could be used suitably for all the applications concerned, as well as specific operating conditions. 

Similarly, protective parts must select suitably matching compatibility with either fluid lines protecting them or operational environments.

When selecting materials, consider factors such as:

  • temperature resistance
  • chemical compatibility
  • flexibility requirements
  • pressure ratings

High-performance synthetic rubbers and advanced polymers often provide the best combination of protection and durability for most applications.

Regular Inspection and Maintenance Protocols

The importance of having a thorough inspection and maintenance program cannot be overlooked when it comes to your vehicle’s fluid line protection systems.

Regular visual inspections should be done to look for signs of wear, damage, or degradation both in the lines themselves and in their protective components.

Key inspection points also include checking for evidence of chafing or rubbing, checking how securely the mounting points and clamps are fastened, and confirming the presence of fluid leakage or seepage. 

The places where lines pass near moving parts or sources of heat must be inspected more carefully since they are the most prone areas to damage.

Gravel guard

Advanced Protection Technologies

Modern technology has introduced many innovative solutions to protect the fluid line. Among them, advanced coating materials with physical and chemical protection, smart sensors that can predict failures, and composite materials offering superior protection with reduced weight and complexity are used.

Environmental Considerations

Different operating environments present unique challenges to fluid lines. Saltwater corrosion is a key threat in marine applications. UV radiation and extreme temperature fluctuations are the greatest threats in desert applications. 

Knowing your particular operating environment is essential in developing effective protection measures.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

While comprehensive fluid line protection may seem prohibitively expensive on the front end, the end benefits far surpass the costs involved. 

Consider a few of the potential expenses a system failure creates: emergency repair, lost time, environmental remediation, and potential liability risks. Proper protection is an investment in your systems’ reliability and longevity.

Looking to the Future

As technology advances, new methods and materials for fluid line protection are being developed. 

Thanks to innovations like sophisticated monitoring systems and self-healing materials, fluid line protection appears to have a bright future. If you keep up with these advancements, you can make smarter decisions concerning system protection.

Final Thoughts

Protecting your fluid lines prevents failures and ensures the long-term reliability and efficiency of your entire system. The appropriate protection methods, choice of materials, and regular inspection protocols can extend the life of fluid lines significantly and avoid costly failures.

Remember that fluid line protection is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Your specific application, operating environment, and maintenance capabilities should all factor into your protection strategy. 

Taking a comprehensive approach to fluid line protection will ensure optimal performance and reliability for years to come.

Layne Riggs Returns to Front Row Motorsports for 2025

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Official Release
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Front Row Motorsports Confirms Full Driver, Crew Chief, and Number lineup For NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

 MOORESVILLE, NC (January 27, 2025)- Coming off his banner rookie season at Front Row Motorsports (FRM), Layne Riggs is set to return to FRM to drive one of the teams’ Ford F-150’s for the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) season.

After rising through the regional ranks, Riggs signed with FRM for the 2024 season to drive the No. 38 truck. Riggs captured two wins, seven top-5’s, and 10 top-10’s in the 2024 season, earning him the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.

Now set to return to FRM, Riggs will get behind the wheel of the newly minted No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford F-150.

“I’m looking forward to another season with FRM, and now with the No. 34.” said Riggs. “I have a great group behind me with Dylan (Cappello) leading them from atop the pit box. We’re ready for the season to start and hit the ground running.”

“It is an honor to carry the No. 34,” said Riggs. “The 34 means so much to the Love’s Travel Stops brand and it means a lot that I get to add to its legacy.”

With his return, Riggs hopes to carry last year’s momentum into the 2025 season and cast his bid into the NCTS Playoffs.

“I’m thrilled to keep working with Layne (Riggs),” said Dylan Cappello. “We created a lot of great memories in the No. 38, and I’m excited to build on that in the No. 34. We’re putting in the effort this offseason to start the season strong at Daytona.”

Chandler Smith will drive the No. 38 Ford F-150 in the NCTS and will be teammates with Riggs. Smith will be paired up with crew chief Jon Leonard.

“I’m happy to be at Front Row Motorsports,” said Leonard. “They are one of the top teams in the Truck Series and have the resume to prove it. I’m looking forward to working with Chandler (Smith) and building a strong relationship with him that will hopefully earn us some checkered flags.”

The organization will now shift their focus to the Daytona International Speedway for the Fresh From Florida 250 on Friday, February 14th, an event that FRM is a two-time winner of. Fans can watch the action live at 7:30 pm ET on FS1. Fans can also listen in from the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

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!

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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

By
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.

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