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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Sponsor with Nostalgic Roots Enters NASCAR in 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grizzly Nicotine Pouches 2025 Primary Races:

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

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

Kasey Kahne to run Rockingham XFINITY Series race

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2025 Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway Schedule

March 22 Thunder Valley Street Fights

March 28-30 DER Series

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

April 26 Thunder Valley Street Fights

May 3 Thunder Valley Street Fights

May 10 Overdrive Monster Trucks (speedway infield)

May 11 Thunder Valley Street Fights

May 16-18 DER Series

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

June 13-15 DER Series

June 21 Thunder Valley Street Fights

June 27-29 DER Series

July 3-6 BTE World Footbrake Challenge XIX

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

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

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

Aug. 9 Thunder Valley Street Fights

Aug. 15-17 DER Series

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

Aug. 28-31 BTE Labor Day Footbrake Challenge

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

Sept. 19-21 DER Series

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

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

By
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

By
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.

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