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AMALIE MOTOR OIL RETURNS AS TITLE SPONSOR OF NHRA GATORNATIONALS TO OPEN 2025 SEASON

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Official Release
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2025) – The NHRA announced today that Amalie Motor Oil will continue as the title sponsor of the 56th annual NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway on March 6-9.

The historic Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will open the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season for the third consecutive year, as the NHRA begins its 74th season of racing. Tickets for the famed event are currently on sale, as all the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle look to put their name in the famed Gatornationals history books.

The NHRA Gatornationals has been of the biggest weekends on the NHRA circuit for more than five decades and Amalie Motor Oil has been a longtime title sponsor of the historic race, with the partnership continuing for the highly-anticipated 2025 race.

“AMALIE Motor Oil is proud to continue as the title sponsor of the NHRA Gatornationals, one of the most iconic events in drag racing history. The Gatornationals represent passion, power, and performance — values AMALIE shares with racers and fans alike,” said AMALIE Motor Oil President and CEO Harry J Barkett. “As we gear up for the 2025 season, we’re excited to fuel the excitement and tradition that make this event a cornerstone of NHRA drag racing. Here’s to another thrilling year at Gainesville Raceway!”

In 2024, Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), J.R. Todd (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won on the hallowed grounds of Gainesville Raceway to open the year. It marked the first double-up victory for Kalitta Motorsports, while six-time world champ Enders won the historic race for the first time.

This year, the loaded weekend at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will also include the big-money Top Fuel All-Star Callout specialty race on Saturday, March 8, as well as the first race of the 2025 season in the Congruity Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, and action in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

“Amalie Motor Oil has been a tremendous partner for so many years and they’ve been a name synonymous with the Gatornationals, one of the biggest races on the NHRA tour,” NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer Brad Gerber said. “We’re thrilled to see them continue as the title sponsor of a prestigious event to kick off our 2025 season. Starting the year at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals has provided plenty of excitement the last two seasons and we’re looking forward to another great season of NHRA racing.”

The Gatornationals have been filled with record runs and magical moments for more than 50 years, including eight victories from Funny Car legend John Force. Top Fuel legend Tony Schumacher and reigning Pro Stock world champ Greg Anderson both have five wins at the historic race.

Three-time NHRA Funny Car world champ Ron Capps has four Gatornationals victories, while other stars in action in Gainesville include reigning world champs Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Brittany Force, Matt Hagan, Doug Kalitta, Tony Stewart, and many more. Two qualifying sessions will take place on both Friday and Saturday, with the Top Fuel All-Star Callout also taking place on Saturday. That leads into eliminations on Sunday, with drivers aiming to grab a victory to kick off the 2025 NHRA campaign.

For more information about the NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com. For more information on Amalie Motor Oil, visit www.amalie.com.

About Amalie Motor Oil

AMALIE Oil is a family-owned manufacturer and global marketer of high quality automotive and industrial lubricants and greases. Our purpose is to provide the highest quality product and customer service… to be “Better than it has to be” Since 1903. For more information, log on to www.AMALIE.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Kasey Kahne to Drive a Third Richard Childress Racing Entry in NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Rockingham Speedway

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Official Release
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HendrickCars.com Will Serve as Primary Partner on the No. 33 Chevrolet

WELCOME, N.C. (January 24, 2025) – Richard Childress Racing announced today that veteran driver Kasey Kahne will pilot a third entry for the storied organization in the NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Rockingham Speedway on Saturday, April 19. Kahne will drive the No. 33 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet when NASCAR returns to ‘The Rock’ for the first time in over a decade.

“I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a stock car, especially at a place like Rockingham Speedway,” said Kahne. “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. Very appreciative of the opportunity that Mr. Hendrick, Richard (Childress), and everyone at RCR have given me, along with the support of HendrickCars.com, Chevrolet, Curb Records, and Karavan Trailers. I look forward to hitting the track next week for the test.”

During a successful 15-year career in the NASCAR Cup Series, Kahne captured 18 victories, 93 top-five and 176 top-10 finishes – including winning the Coca-Cola 600 three times and the Brickyard 400 once. The Enumclaw, Washington native was named one of the 75 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR history, an honor bestowed to Kahne in 2023. Kahne has previously competed at Rockingham Speedway seven times, earning the checkered flag in the NASCAR Truck Series event in 2012.

“Kasey is a great driver and a fierce competitor,” said Richard Childress, chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Our Xfinity Series program is top notch, and we look forward to watching Kasey race with Austin (Hill) and Jesse (Love) for an exciting return to Rockingham Speedway. With Kasey behind the wheel, we expect the No. 33 to have a shot at winning the race.”

“Kasey is a great friend and an incredibly talented driver, and we’re proud to have HendrickCars.com on board with him at Rockingham. It’s going to be exciting to see him return to NASCAR at such a special track and with a great team,” said Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “I have tremendous respect for Richard and everything his organization has accomplished. We look forward to seeing Kasey return to NASCAR in what promises to be a memorable weekend for the sport.”

In preparation for his return to stock car racing, Kahne will participate in the NASCAR test at Rockingham Speedway on Tuesday, January 28.

The green flag for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Rockingham will wave at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 19. Watch live television coverage on The CW and listen to flag-to-flag coverage on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. For more information, please visit rcrracing.com.

About HendrickCars.com:

HendrickCars.com is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop more than 30,000 thousand new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.

About Richard Childress Racing:

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2025 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Jesse Love (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).

Carl Ruedebusch Returns as Key Partner of Todd Gilliland

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Official Release
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Ruedebusch Development & Construction and gener8tor to Spearhead Partnership

 Mooresville, N.C. (January 24, 2025)- Wisconsin-based business owner, entrepreneur, and investor Carl Ruedebusch will return to Front Row Motorsports (FRM) as a key partner of Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse team during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Ruedebusch will bring his network of partners to FRM, including the fan favorites Ruedebusch Development & Construction and gener8tor, with more partnerships being developed.

Returning for their third season with Gilliland and first season with the No. 34, gener8tor, a nationally ranked venture capital firm and accelerator that brings together startup founders, investors, corporations, job seekers, universities, musicians and artists will serve as the primary partner in multiple NASCAR Cup Series events for Gilliland.

With more than 75 programs spanning accelerators, corporate programming, speaker series, conferences, skills accelerators and fellowships, gener8tor is proud to return to FRM and Gilliland.

“We are honored to partner with Carl and Front Row Motorsports as we join Todd for another season and our first with the No. 34,” said Joe Kirgues, Co-Founder, gener8tor. “Todd has been a great ambassador for us, and we are looking forward to expanding our reach in some key markets.”

The Ruedebusch Development and Construction (RDC) colors will also return in the 2025 season. The full-service commercial construction and real estate development company returns with Gilliland for their fourth season in the NASCAR Cup Series and will be featured on the car throughout various events throughout the season.

Ruedebusch has been a key player in Gilliand’s NASCAR Cup Series career with FRM, supporting Gilliland’s quest to become one of the sports most improved drivers.

“This is an exciting new era for Front Row Motorsports,” said Carl Ruedebusch, President and CEO, Ruedebusch Development & Construction. “I am in full support of FRM and proud to continue my part in Todd’s career.”

Gilliland shares in the excitement with continuing his partnership with Ruedebusch and his partners in the new season.

“Mr. Ruedebusch, and his partners such as gener8tor, have been some of my biggest supporters since I joined the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Gilliland. “It’s more than a partnership; we’re family and I am thankful for all their support. I can’t do this without them.”

ABOUT gener8tor

gener8tor is a global venture firm and accelerator network that supports startups, workers, employers, artists and musicians across race, place and gender. gener8tor partners with companies, governments, universities, and nonprofits to operate programs and conferences in more than 41 communities across 22 states and two countries. Fast Company named gener8tor one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021 and 2022. The International Trade Council recognized gener8tor as the Global Venture Capital Firm of the Year in 2022.

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. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Rick Ware Racing Raising Awareness for American Red Cross Relief Efforts in Wake of California Wildfires

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Official Release
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NASCAR Team Owner and Southern California Native Rick Ware To Feature American Red Cross on No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in Feb. 2 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 24, 2025) – With devastating wildfires impacting thousands of Southern California residents and the urgent need for assistance growing by the day, NASCAR Cup Series team owner and Los Angeles native Rick Ware is helping raise awareness to aid the American Red Cross and its ongoing response.

Along with Rick Ware Racing (RWR) team partner Mighty Fire Breaker, a leading provider of environmentally safe and sustainable solutions for proactive wildfire defense, RWR will feature the Red Cross on its No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse driven by Cody Ware in the Feb. 2 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The car will amplify the fundraising efforts of broadcast partner FOX with GO.FOX/REDCROSS emblazoned on the roof. Visitors to the FOX website can donate to the Red Cross to help people affected by the 2025 California wildfires.

The endeavor is a personal one for Ware, who has seen the imagery of areas where he grew up and later worked ravaged by one of the worst fire disasters on record.

“Like everyone, we’re seeing all the footage and reports from Los Angeles and we want to do something to help, but the size of it is so big, you don’t even know where to start. But there’s one group that’s always ready, no matter the scale of the disaster, and that’s the American Red Cross. Their work goes above and beyond anything one person could do, and we want to promote what FOX is already doing to drive more Red Cross donations. Beyond my own personal donations to the Red Cross, generating more awareness for their needs is the next best thing we could do,” Ware said.

“I grew up in L.A. and first worked for a courier company, making deliveries all over the areas that have been devastated by fires. Daily, I went between Century City, Brentwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, cut through Sunset Boulevard, over to the Palisades, down to PCH, up to Topanga Canyon. All of those areas are completely scorched and gone. It’s just devastating, and it affects you differently when you grew up there.

“I saw what FOX was doing to help the Red Cross. We’re going to be on FOX next weekend with the Clash, and that’s a moment where we can help too. Our racecars are rolling billboards that drive awareness and increase sales. It’s the right time to do exactly that for the Red Cross, and promoting what FOX started is the best way to do it.”

Appropriately joining RWR at the Clash is Mighty Fire Breaker, a partner that joined the team at the start of the 2024 season.

Mighty Fire Breaker has a patented, EPA-certified fire inhibitor called CitroTech®. It requires only small amounts of water and remains active even when dry, providing enhanced protection against fire threats. CitroTech is also a 100 percent sustainable product, earning EPA Safer Choice Certification in 2022, meaning it is safe for the environment, specifically around homes, schools, children and pets.

“Our hearts go out to all the families and individuals affected by these fires, and like Rick Ware Racing and so many others, we want to help,” said Steve Conboy, founder of Mighty Fire Breaker. “We’re committed to supporting our community during this challenging time by providing our advanced fire prevention technology to help safeguard homes and lives. And the commitment being displayed by everyone at the Red Cross is phenomenal. They’re helping so many people in need, but that need will continue for many more months, and even years. If you’re able to give back, give back to the Red Cross.”

The Red Cross is working 24/7 with partners throughout California to ensure people have the support they need in the face of the wildfires. The organization is providing food, shelter, emotional support, recovery planning and financial assistance to those impacted.

Combined, these fires have consumed nearly 40,000 acres, killed at least 27 people, destroyed more than 12,300 structures, displaced thousands from residential communities, and are likely to be the costliest fire in United States history.

About Rick Ware Racing:

Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age 6 when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver’s seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that competes fulltime in the elite NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX).

Tuning Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Infiniti VR30’s Performance

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SM
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Tuning your Infiniti VR30 can be an exciting journey to unlock more power and better performance. However, mistakes during the process can do more harm than good, potentially ruining your engine’s performance or even causing costly damage. This guide will help you avoid three common pitfalls, so you can make the most of your VR30 without unnecessary setbacks.

Using Generic Tunes Instead of Custom Maps

Plug-and-play tunes might seem like a convenient way to get started, but they’re often designed to work across a broad range of setups. Your Infiniti’s specific configuration—whether it’s stock or packed with aftermarket mods—requires a tune tailored to its exact needs. A generic map can lead to suboptimal air-fuel ratios, incorrect ignition timing, or poor boost control. These issues can hurt both performance and reliability.

Instead, invest in a custom tune from a professional who understands the VR30 engine platform. Custom tuning ensures that every adjustment fits your car’s unique setup, delivering safer and more consistent gains. You’ll also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your engine isn’t being pushed beyond its safe limits.

Skipping Upgrades for Supporting Mods

Tuning isn’t just about software. Ignoring supporting mods is one of the fastest ways to create problems for your engine. For example, when you increase boost pressure, your fuel system has to keep up with the demand. If the stock fuel injectors and pump can’t handle the load, you’ll run into fuel starvation, which can cause serious engine damage.

Other often-overlooked areas include the cooling system and the intercooler. The VR30 generates significant heat when tuned, and without adequate cooling, you risk overheating or heat soak, which reduces power output. A high-flow intercooler and upgraded cooling components can make a huge difference in maintaining consistent performance.

Always plan your upgrades as a complete system. Think of it as building a strong foundation that supports the added power. Neglecting this can lead to expensive repairs and missed performance potential.

Neglecting Proper Maintenance Before Tuning

A tuning session might unlock extra horsepower, but it also places more stress on your engine. If your car isn’t in good shape before you start, that added strain could quickly expose underlying issues. Worn spark plugs, dirty fuel injectors, or a clogged air filter can all affect how well your VR30 responds to tuning.

Start with a thorough inspection of your vehicle. Replace old spark plugs with fresh ones suited for high-performance applications. Clean or upgrade the air filter to ensure optimal airflow. Make sure your oil is fresh and appropriate for the increased demands of a tuned engine. Addressing these basic maintenance tasks will help your car handle the extra power safely and effectively.

Skipping maintenance might seem like a way to save time or money, but it’s a gamble that can cost much more in the long run. A well-maintained engine is the foundation for any successful tuning project, so take the time to prepare your Infiniti properly.

For those specifically interested in Infiniti Q50 tuning, many of these principles apply directly. Whether upgrading the fuel system or opting for a custom map, careful planning ensures your Q50 runs at its absolute best.

Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Season Opener Goes to Gonzalez

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Official Release
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Mixed conditions under the lights creates epic battle of skill through record setting field

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2025) – Since 2021, the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin has started its season at Daytona International Speedway and has produced some of the best racing of the year. Thursday was no different, as Tyler Gonzalez (No. 57 BSI Racing) went from 14th on the grid to the top step of the podium in mixed conditions and under the speedway lights.

With unseasonably cold temperatures and steady winds, the weather in Daytona has been frigid since Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup teams arrived, and this trend continued into Thursday’s race. It wasn’t just cold, however, as it also began to rain ever so slightly as the 36 cars made their way to the grid. Race officials expected the rain to intensify during the 45-minute race and therefore declared it a wet race, forcing all cars to switch to rain tires.

For the opening laps of the race, the track seemed too dry for rain tires, and polesitter Nate Cicero (No. 19 Saito Motorsports Group) gambled by pitting and losing a massive amount of time to put on slick tires.

This handed the lead to defending champion Gresham Wagner (No. 5 McCumbee McAleer Racing) followed by Gonzalez, who had an incredible start, advancing to third on the first lap.

Only a handful of laps later, Wagner too pulled into pitlane, but not for tires; he retired with a mechanical problem.

Gonzalez was now the leader, and the rain was beginning to intensify.

“It was dry, then it wasn’t dry, and then it went dry again for a little bit, and then it went really wet,” Gonzalez explained. “At the beginning of the race, we were contemplating whether or not we were going to come in and put dries on. I’m glad we didn’t. I’m glad we stuck it out.”

Without a drafting partner, it didn’t take long for Bryce Cornet (No. 65 Spark Performance) to catch and pass Gonzalez.

“We were all kind of questioning what rain tires would actually do on a dry track,” Cornet said. “But it was slick the whole way through, and then obviously it started to rain a little bit, and that exacerbated the situation, because our rain tires were warm.”

Cornet and Gonzalez swapped the lead a few more times, but once they were joined by rookie Ethan Goulart (No. 29 Saito Motorsports Group) the trio began to pull away a bit from the rest of the field.

As the rain came down even harder, the trio of cars grew to six with Helio Meza (No. 27 BSI Racing), Parker Delong (No. 42 Parker Delong Racing) and Ethan Tyler (No. 80 BSI Racing) joining the group. Each driver keenly aware that time was running out.

Any forward planning they did for where they wanted to be on the white flag lap went out the window with six minutes left to go. Christian Hodneland (No. 32 BSI Racing) experienced an engine failure resulting in a fire. He pulled his car to a safe location but the fire forced race control to bring out a full-course yellow so safety crews could get to the car.

At the time the yellow came out, Gonzalez was the leader with two laps to go, effectively making him the race winner. It is his third MX-5 Cup win at Daytona.

Behind him Goulart and Cornet completed the podium.

“The yellow threw a wrench in my plans,” Gonzalez said. “I did not want to lead, but I was also in a weird spot. We were in a three-car pack, but there was a big pack behind us too, so I didn’t want to play too many games and risk it being a 14-car race instead of a three-car race. They went full-course yellow, and it’s sad to see the race end that way, but glad I was leading!”

It may seem surprising for a rookie to finish his first MX-5 Cup race in second, especially at Daytona, but Goulart is a Miata specialist. He won last year’s Spec Miata SCCA National Championship and was a finalist for the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout. Still, his MX-5 Cup debut was an eye-opening experience.

“That was probably one of the wildest races I’ve ever been in,” Goulart said. “We had a setback in practice with a mechanical failure and only had a couple laps in the practice sessions before we went into qualifying. I qualified P4 but unfortunately, I had a lap time infringement. That’s all on me. I’m sorry to the team. I told the team I’d bring it back for them, and we went 19th to second! I mean, on my rookie debut, I think that’s pretty amazing. We almost got the win. Congrats to Tyler Gonzalez, that was an awesome race. And thank you to the whole Saito Motorsports team.”

Anything but a rookie, Cornet picked up his first podium in his fourth season of MX-5 Cup.

“I can’t thank my family enough,” a grateful Cornet said. “I have great sponsors this weekend with the Braxton Byrd Foundation, and Spark Performance is an amazing team to work with. This is a huge monkey off my back to get third and I feel really good going into the season. What’s crazy for me is, I don’t know if I’ll make the full season, but that’s part of the story. But we’ll keep the momentum going, and hope this helps.”

Meza, a MX-5 Cup Shootout scholarship winner, finished his first-ever MX-5 Cup race in fourth. His teammate, Tyler, followed in fifth, a career best finish for him.

The Penske Shocking Performance of the Race Award went to Jeremy Fletcher (No. 22 McCumbee McAleer Racing) who started dead last on the grid but fought his way up to eighth at the finish.

“After qualifying I was pretty down on myself,” Fletcher said. “You know, it was pretty much 99 percent on me, and I apologized to the team too, but the backup car never disappoints. We did it at Canada last year and drove through the field. We drove through the field at VIR, so it’s not really a worry to me. Unfortunately, I think that caution kind of cost us a couple more spots. Daytona last lap, every year, there’s a couple cars that don’t end up coming back to the finish line and I was kind of banking on that, but a top 10 after starting 36th was pretty incredible.”

Alex Bachoura (No. 33 Spark Performance) won the Takumi Award, which recognizes the performance of drivers who’ve spent decades mastering their craft. These drivers are looked upon with great respect for their dedication to MX-5 Cup. Bachoura finished 15th despite missing all of Wednesday’s sessions due to flight cancellations. His first time in the car was qualifying on Thursday morning. Bachoura recently set a new record for career starts in MX-5 Cup and finished on the podium most recently at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park last July.

Thursday’s race boasted six female drivers. The most experienced of the six, Heather Hadley (No. 54 Hendricks Motorsports) was the highest finishing female driver, crossing the finish line in 18th.

MX-5 Cup Race 2 at Daytona will go green Friday at 10:15am ET with live streaming on the IMSA and RACER YouTube channels.

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.

Reigning IMSA Champions Winward Racing Qualify on the Outside Pole in the GT Daytona (GTD) Class for the Rolex 24 At Daytona

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Official Release
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DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – Defending IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar GT Daytona (GTD) champions Winward Racing picked up right where they left off at the end of 2024’s season of domination with a front-row qualifying performance Thursday for this weekend’s 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona. With longtime Winward team member and AMG Performance Driver Philip Ellis at the wheel of the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, the reigning WeatherTech and IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) GTD champions nearly won the class pole position with a last-lap flyer as the checkered flag flew.

Following the team’s disciplined and competitively cautious approach that was a key part of last year’s championship-winning dominance, Ellis cruised at the lower end of the time charts early before a pair of late flying laps. The Winward No. 57 jumped from last to fifth of the 21 GTD cars on track with two and a half minutes remaining before Ellis mounted his biggest charge of the 15-minute session coming down to the checkered flag.

Ellis was on a pole-winning pace as he drove through the high-banked NASCAR Turns 3 and 4 section, but a move around a slower car just ahead was enough for the No. 57 come up just short on opening the 2025 season with a pole. Ellis secured P2 on the GTD grid with a lap time of 1:46.652 (120.166 mph), a scant 0.18 of a second behind the pole winner.

​Ellis co-drives in the Rolex 24 with full-season teammate Russell Ward, returning team IMEC driver Indy Dontje and AMG Performance Driver Lucas Auer.

​Winward and Ellis were the top qualifiers of the five Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries competing across the GTD and GTD Pro classes this weekend.

In the 15-car GTD Pro class, the No. 75 Team 75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3 was the fastest of the two competing Mercedes-AMG Motorsport entries. Two-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Maro Engel clocked in ninth-quickest in the No. 75 with a lap time of 1:46.613 (120.210 mph).

The No. 75 will start on the inside of Row 5 in the GTD Pro field, just ahead of the No. 69 Bartone Bros. Racing with Team GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3. AMG Performance Driver Luca Stolz qualified 11th in the No. 69, which will be the debut Rolex 24 At Daytona for both Bartone Bros. and Team GetSpeed.

Another debut this weekend comes from Dan Knox who runs in the Rolex 24 At Daytona in the No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 that he owns and co-drives. Knox qualified the No. 80 Thursday 18th in the GTD class.

The No. 32 Korthoff Competition Motors Mercedes-AMG GT3, with team driver Maximilian Götz at the wheel, was credited with the third fastest GTD lap at the checkered flag but was moved to the back of the GTD field after IMSA invalidated the team’s top laps after they exceeded the new Controlled Powertrain Parameters in place for the first time this weekend.

The 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona begins this Saturday, January 25th at 1:40 p.m. EST. An opening hour of live coverage begins at 1:30 p.m. EST on the flagship NBC network, which returns for a final two hours of coverage around the race finish Sunday, January 26th from Noon to 2 p.m. EST.

The balance of the race will be broadcast on the NBC family of networks, with USA taking over Saturday’s live coverage from 2:30 p.m. EST until 6:30 p.m. EST. The race can be seen in its entirety in live flag-to-flag coverage on NBC’s Peacock live streaming network.

Philip Ellis, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Of course, it’s a good starting position, but it doesn’t mean much for the 24 hours. The main thing is that it’s nice to see that we have worked well, especially over the last week, seeing where we were then basically starting from scratch on a new system. Everybody stuck their heads together, especially here at this team, and also with other teams. These guys here have been working day and night. It’s a bit like last year. They make it easy for me. It’s been a really good car. We’re not quite where we want to be yet. We still have a lot of work to go before we get into the race and, of course, the rest of the season, but it’s a great starting position.”

Maro Engel, Driver – No. 75 Team 75 Express Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Everyone is working very hard, and we know that the other manufacturers have had a year under their belt, but for us it’s the first race with the torque sensors. So, we’re still finding our way and trying to find the best balance and the best way forward with the torque sensors. A big thank you to everyone for their hard work, and we move forward trying to keep improving the car and hopefully in the race we’ll be there. Every lap is progress for us. We keep doing our thing and relying on the great expertise of Mercedes-AMG together with our 75 Express team. We keep working, keep chipping away and we have a strong team. We know we can rely on that, and we will just make sure we prepare as best as possible and try to have the fastest possible car.”

Luca Stolz, Driver – No. 69 Bartone Bros. Racing with Team GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3: “We have a good car. I have a lot of confidence in the GetSpeed team and my co-drivers. We have another practice Thursday night to fine tune for Saturday. Twenty-four hours is a long race, but I think we will have a good race car.”

Tips for Avoiding a Costly Car Accident

By
SM
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Image by Romy from Pixabay

There were 178,154 car accidents recorded in Tennessee in 2023, with 4,968 of them causing serious injuries. Crashes are a major cause of death for teenagers in the state, with 68 children aged 15-19 dying each year.

Car accidents often lead to expensive repairs, medical bills, and insurance hikes. While not every accident can be avoided, the Nashville car accident lawyers at Labrum Law Firm recommend adopting defensive driving techniques to reduce your risk of a crash and potential financial hardship. With some defensive driving techniques, technology aids, and planning ahead, you can steer clear of a fender bender that drains your bank account.

Drive Defensively

Defensive driving boils down to being alert, aware of your surroundings, and driving proactively to avoid potential hazards. Here are some key defensive driving tips:

  • Leave plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you. The general rule is to leave a 3-4 second following distance to give you ample time to stop. 
  • Scan the road ahead for potential hazards. Look ahead 12-15 seconds so you can identify risks early.
  • Signal well in advance before changing lanes or turning so other drivers are aware of your intentions.
  • Be aware of blind spots and use your mirrors when changing lanes. Double check blind spots by glancing over your shoulder. There are around 800,000 blind spot accidents each year, which lead to 300 fatalities. 
  • Slow down and increase your following distance when driving in bad weather. Leave up to 6 seconds of following distance when roads are wet.
  • Come to complete stops at stop signs and red lights before proceeding. Rolling through can lead to expensive right-of-way accidents. 1,149 people died in red light accidents in 2022.

Safety Technology Reduces Car Accident Risks

Today’s vehicles come equipped with advanced safety tech that can help you avoid collisions. Take advantage by using these features:

  • Forward collision warning alerts you when you’re at risk of rear-ending the car in front of you. It’s especially helpful in stop-and-go traffic.
  • Blind spot monitoring illuminates a visual alert when a vehicle is next to you, helping you avoid hazardous lane changes.
  • Rear cross traffic alert warns you of approaching perpendicular traffic when backing up, such as in parking lots.
  • Adaptive cruise control automatically adjusts your speed to maintain a constant distance between you and the car ahead. It can minimize rear-end risks.

Plan to Avoid a Car Accident

Your actions before getting behind the wheel can also reduce accident risks:

  • Get adequate sleep before driving long distances. Drowsy driving leads to slowed reaction times. 684 people died in crashes caused by drowsy drivers in 2021.
  • Avoid distracted driving by finishing food, texts, calls, and tasks before departure – being distracted caused 3,308 fatalities in 2022.
  • Check weather and traffic conditions along your route so you can leave extra time and drive cautiously if needed.
  • Ensure car maintenance is up to date. Get routine inspections and have repairs completed promptly.

Staying focused on the road, being aware of potential hazards, and driving cautiously can go a long way towards avoiding a crash that drains your finances. If the worst does happen, reach out to a lawyer for advice. 

Making small adjustments to how you drive can save you from major financial headaches.

Corporate Incentives to Promote Employee Benefits with Tesla Model 3 Novated Lease

By
SM
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Photo by PantherMediaSelle at https://depositphotos.com/

As companies work hard to get and keep the best employees, it is very important to offer good employee benefits. One popular choice in Australia is using a novated lease. This option can improve your employee benefits package. It gives your employees a great electric car with many financial and lifestyle perks.

Promoting Employee Benefits

Companies want new ways to attract and keep good workers in today’s job market. Offering a Tesla Model 3 through a novated lease is a smart way. It gives a desirable benefit to employees. A lease lets workers get a Tesla Model 3 using pre-tax salary deductions. This can lower their taxable income and help them earn more after taxes. The lease includes all running costs, like maintenance, insurance, and registration. This makes owning a car much more straightforward.

The Tesla Model 3 as an Employee Incentive

The Tesla Model 3 has quickly become a popular electric vehicle. It is known for its outstanding performance, modern technology, and sleek design. Many people want this car, making it a strong incentive for employees. It attracts new talent and motivates current workers. One way to make this dream car more accessible is through a novated lease. This option allows employees to drive a Tesla Model 3 while managing their finances more effectively through salary packaging.

Electric vehicles are becoming more common, and by offering a sustainable option, companies can meet their social responsibility goals. This makes them seem thoughtful and caring, which can help them attract environmentally aware employees.

Understanding Novated Leases

A novated lease is a three-party agreement. It involves an employer, an employee, and a finance company. The employer pays for the employee’s car lease using their pre-tax salary in this contract. This gives the employee essential tax benefits.

One of the significant benefits of a novated lease in Australia is saving on fringe benefits tax (FBT). Electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 do not have FBT until they reach the luxury car tax threshold. This can help employees save a lot of money, making the Tesla Model 3 a better choice financially.

Cost Savings Through Pre-Tax Salary Deductions

For employees, a significant benefit of a novated lease is the chance to save money. If you finance with a novated lease, your lease payments come out of your pre-tax salary. This means you pay lower taxes because your taxable income is lower. Lower taxable income means you pay less in income tax, which helps you keep more money. These savings can be significant, especially for those in higher tax brackets, making the Tesla Model 3 easier to afford.

Also, novated lease payments cover all running costs like insurance, maintenance, and registration. This helps employees plan their budgets better for vehicle expenses. This straightforward approach makes managing finances more manageable and reduces the risk of surprise costs.

Financial Flexibility for Employees

Novated leasing gives workers flexibility with their finances. It helps them get a new vehicle without needing much money upfront. This is great for those who do not have enough cash for a big purchase right away. Also, novated leasing can help with potential GST savings. Businesses that pay GST can get back the GST amount included in the price of the vehicle and its running costs. They can pass on these savings to employees, making the lease cheaper.

Running Costs and Maintenance Included

One significant benefit of a novated lease is that it includes all running costs in the lease payments. This makes vehicle ownership easier for employees. They can budget better with known costs since a novated lease includes maintenance, insurance, registration renewals, and tire replacements. This whole package gives employees peace of mind. They don’t have to worry about surprise expenses.

A Healthier Work-Life Balance

It’s very important to have a healthy balance between work and life in today’s busy world. This balance helps with how happy and productive employees are. Giving a Tesla Model 3 as a benefit can help improve this balance by improving the driving experience. Having a comfortable ride can change how an employee feels.

Attracting the Top Workers

Companies must stand out in a tough job market to get the best talent. Offering a novated lease as part of employee benefits can give a significant advantage. Today, many workers want more than just good pay. They look for perks that match their values and lifestyle.

The appeal of Tesla’s green brand and the financial gains from pre-tax deductions make this option attractive for bosses and workers. By promoting these creative benefits, companies can retain employees, draw in top talent, and support a better work-life balance. Easy management processes make this easier to implement, creating a win-win situation for everyone. Choosing novated leasing supports green goals and shows a dedication to employee health and financial strength.

Second-row start for Cadillac in Rolex 24

By
Official Release
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No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R paces three-car contingent in shortened qualifying

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2025) – Cadillac Racing will start the first race of its expanded IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) program from the fourth, seventh and eighth positions in the 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Jack Aitken, driving the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, led the Cadillac contingent with a best lap of 1 minute, 34.350 seconds on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway course in the scheduled 15-minute qualifying session that was reduced to 5:50 of green flag running because of a red flag early on.

Filipe Albuquerque recorded a best lap of 1:34.933 in the No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing entry, while Louis Deletraz was right behind in eighth at 1:34.935 in the No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing car.

The No. 24 BMW M Hybrid V8 claimed the pole with a lap of 1:33.895. In 2024, the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R rode to the pole with a track-record lap time of 1 minute, 32.656 seconds, and the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R completed the front row lockout.

Cadillac Racing will seek its fifth victory since 2017 in the January 25-26 race. Cadillac has totaled 12 podium finishes, including the four overall victories, in the Rolex 24 At Daytona since 2017.

A 90-minute night session today and 60-minute morning session Friday will allow Cadillac Racing teams to further fine-tune the cars for the changeable weather and track conditions during the twice-around-the-clock event.

Cadillac Racing 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)

Poles

2024, 2021, 2018, 2017

What they’re saying

Filipe Albuquerque, No. 10 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing (best lap of 1:34.933): “A hard qualifying for us as the first time in the Cadillac V-Series.R. For sure the red flag didn’t help anybody. I think for us a little bit more in terms of knowing what the car was going to be like. We’re still learning about the car. P7, it’s not the end of the world for a 24-hour race – it’s a long one. We keep going and learning the car, obviously we would have liked to be a little bit further ahead, but we will see come Sunday.”

Jack Aitken, No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R (best lap of 1:34.350): “I was happy and it’s a pretty good place to start. We’re hopefully going to be in the mix in the front the start of the race. It was a bit of a weird session, very truncated and I didn’t get many laps in. I had to make that last lap count. The car felt really nice, so I think we’re in a solid position. We have a few more sessions to work on things and build a solid racecar.”

Louis Deletraz, No. 40 Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing (best lap of 1:34.935): “Not an easy qualifying with the red flag. I think the pole position lap time was not doable for us, simply impossible. First qualifying together with Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing. We are learning every time and know how to improve and get better. The main focus now is the race.”

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.

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