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BOSTON-BASED INSTRUMENTATION COMPANY SCIAPS NAMED ENTITLEMENT FOR SPRING NASCAR XFINITY SERIES RACE AT HISTORIC BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

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BRISTOL, Tenn. (Jan. 21, 2025) – If there was a data analyzer used to measure fun at Bristol Motor Speedway chances are that New England-based SciAps would be the company on the leading-edge of developing and producing that technology.

That’s why this partnership is a perfect fit for SciAps, a global leader in instrumentation and portable analytics, to be named the entitlement sponsor of a new NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway in the spring of 2025.

The SciAps 300 is scheduled for Saturday April 12 (5 p.m., The CW and PRN Radio) on the famed all-concrete high-banked short track nestled in the hills of Northeast Tennessee. More than 30 NASCAR Xfinity Series high horsepower race cars will take the green flag that afternoon looking to earn points toward the 2025 season championship and ultimately a regular season victory.

With the addition of the Xfinity Series race is will be the first time Bristol Motor Speedway will run all three of NASCAR’s top series in the same spring weekend.

“We are thrilled to welcome SciAps into the Bristol Motor Speedway family of sponsors,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “The addition of the SciAps 300 to the spring race weekend menu gives our fans what they’ve wanted for many years, an opportunity to enjoy all three of NASCAR’s top divisions of racing. We look forward to working with SciAps to help them accomplish their marketing goals and initiatives while we continue to provide our fans with the best racing and world class service available in the motorsports world.”

SciAps casts a wide net across many segments of the tech world. Its products are used in aerospace, military, law enforcement, recycling and oil/gas, to name a few industries. This is the second consecutive NASCAR race for SciAps to sponsor in the Xfinity Series. Last year the company partnered with Bristol sister-track New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the SciAps 200 Xfinity Series race.

“We had a great experience last year at ‘The Magic Mile’ with the SciAps 200 working with our friends at New Hampshire Motor Speedway,” said SciAps CEO Don Sackett. “As a company committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and seeking excellence in our products, we have been able to find many parallels in the precision and innovation showcased in NASCAR. We are looking forward to continuing our efforts to assist all in the quest for speed and performance this year on a totally different sized short track in Bristol Motor Speedway. We look forward to entertaining our guests and enjoying some amazing racing in the SciAps 300 at ‘The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.’”

On the track, fans can expect to see the best drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series battling in thrilling fashion to earn a coveted Bristol Gladiator Sword and custom trophy. Leading that charge will be SciAps-sponsored driver Ryan Sieg, who pilots the No. 39 SciAps Ford.

Other drivers to watch include veterans Sheldon Creed, Austin Hill, Harrison Burton, defending series champ Justin Allgaier, and hungry rising stars Jesse Love, William Sawalich, Connor Zilisch, Taylor Gray, Christian Eckes and Carson Kvapil. Bristol’s lone Xfinity race in 2024 was won by Cole Custer, who is now full-time on the Cup Series. The last driver to win a spring Xfinity Series race at Bristol was Noah Gragson in 2020.

In addition to cheering on their favorite drivers during the weekend, Bristol Motor Speedway fans will definitely want to take advantage of so many activities to make a complete weekend of family fun. There will be great video entertainment provided by Colossus TV, the world’s largest center-hung video screen, premium VIP experiences, tailgating, on-site camping, concerts and other entertainment at the Food City Fan Zone Stage headlined by Trackside Live with Kenny Wallace and John Roberts, great food and beverages in the concession stands throughout the property, and so much more.

The SciAps 300 is a part of a full weekend of racing activities at Bristol Motor Speedway. In addition to the SciAps 300, the weekend will feature the WEATHER GUARD Truck Race, a 250-lap race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series under the lights on Friday, April 11 (7:30 p.m., PRN Radio), and Sunday afternoon’s historic Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race (April 13, 3 p.m., PRN Radio).

About SciAps
SciAps, Inc., is a Boston-based instrumentation company specializing in handheld portable analytical instruments to measure any element, any place on the planet. Their industry-leading X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and laser-based (LIBS) analyzers are at work across every major industry, including oil/gas, metals and mining, aerospace, battery, critical minerals, and strategic metals (lithium, rare-earth elements), scrap metal recycling, chemical and petrochemical, military, forensics and law enforcement. SciAps instruments are configured to measure elements in all types of materials, so applications are always expanding, recently including space research, food authentication, anthropology, pandemic antiviral coatings, and environmental contaminants.

About Bristol Motor Speedway
Forged amid the scenic mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line, Bristol Motor Speedway is The Last Great Colosseum, a versatile multi-use venue that hosts major auto races, football games, concerts and many other captivating events, including an upcoming Major League Baseball game. The facility features a 0.533-mile concrete oval race track with 28-degree corner banking and 650-feet straightaways that offers racing in several NASCAR touring series, highlighted by two major Cup Series weekends each year. In 2025, the venue will transform into a baseball stadium to host the MLB Speedway Classic featuring the Atlanta Braves vs. the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 2nd. In 2020, the track also served as host of the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race, and from 2021-2023 the track converted to a temporary dirt track each spring to take the Cup Series back to its racing roots. While at the track, fans are offered a unique viewing experience courtesy of Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung four-sided video screen with a 540,000-watt audio system. The adjacent quarter-mile dragstrip, Bristol Dragway, offers more than 50 events annually, including the marquee NHRA Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals. The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health transforms Bristol Dragway into a premier outdoor concert venue for the world’s greatest music performers. Three football games have kicked-off inside the oval, most notably the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol, where border rivals the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech met before an NCAA-record crowd of 156,990. In existence since 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway was purchased in 1996 by Speedway Motorsports, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

Rockingham Speedway to Host NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Test

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Official Release
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Fans Admitted Free to Grandstands

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Jan. 21, 2025) – Rockingham Speedway will host an open organizational test Tuesday, Jan. 28, in preparation for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series return to the historic one-mile oval. Track Enterprises announced in August that it reached an agreement with Rockingham Speedway ownership to bring the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series back to the venerable Richmond County speedway April 18-19, 2025.

Dozens of teams from both the Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will fine-tune their machines throughout the course of the day. Fans will be allowed, free of charge, to watch the teams put their respective machines through their paces from the Turn 4 grandstands beginning at 9 a.m.

The day’s on-track activities will mark the only pre-season test for both divisions and will be a valuable day-long test as teams prepare for the 250-lap Xfinity Series race and the Black’s Tire 200 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race.

“We’re excited to see cars and trucks on the track and to let race fans catch a glimpse of what they can expect when NASCAR returns to Rockingham Easter Weekend,” said Bob Sargent, President, Track Enterprises. “This will be the first opportunity of the new year for a lot of these teams to work together before they head for Speedweeks in Daytona, so not only is this test important to our team, it’s equally important to all the race teams that will be here. It’s a unique situation so we’re thrilled to see them get some pre-season work in at the Rock.”

It’s been 21 years since the Xfinity Series last visited, while the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series last competed at Rockingham in 2013.

The Xfinity Series was a regular player at the historic venue from 1982-2004 and features a cast of some of the sport’s most respected names on its list of former winners including David Pearson, Sam Ard, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Harry Gant, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte and Jamie McMurray.

Martin was an indomitable force at Rockingham in Xfinity Series competition throughout his career having collected 11 wins in 25 starts, including four straight during the 1996 and 1997 seasons. McMurray matched Martin’s four-peat by recording four wins in a row from 2002-2004.

“It brings back a lot of memories, obviously, coming here,” McMurray said during a November Goodyear tire test. “I was talking to some of the other crew guys in the garage, and it’s weird, you pulled up and you don’t remember things, but then all of a sudden, how to get in, where the tunnel was, it all comes back to you. There were some incredible races that happened here, so I’m glad that they’re going to come back and give it a shot.”

More recently, The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series raced at Rockingham twice from 2012-2013 with Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson collecting the victories for late team owner Steve Turner and Turner Motorsports. Matt Crafton, a 25-year CRAFTSMAN Truck Series veteran, is the only current series regular to have competed at the high-banked, D-shaped oval when the division last raced there almost a dozen years ago.

Separate from Larson, current NASCAR Cup Series competitors Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace were all part of the field when the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series last tested its mettle at Rockingham.

While he’s yet to make any laps at the famed south-central North Carolina oval, 2024 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Most Popular Driver Rajah Caruth, has next week’s test circled on his calendar and looks forward to visiting Rockingham Speedway for the first time.

“Personally, as a massive NASCAR fan and both a student and historian of the sport, going to a historic place such as Rockingham is going to be such an amazing experience,” explained Caruth. “Seeing North Wilkesboro come back to life and being able to race there the last two years was amazing. I can’t wait to see the same type of excitement and enthusiasm surround Rockingham. The track is high banked and high speed so that’s right in my wheelhouse.

All the times I’ve driven down to Myrtle Beach, Florence, and Darlington over the years you see the sign for Rockingham. I’ve never been down that way but always wondered what it was like, so I can’t wait to go for the first time.”

Race tickets will be available for purchase in person at the track the day of the test. Fans can also log on to racetherock.com for continuing details, schedule updates or to purchase tickets for NASCAR’s highly anticipated return to Rockingham Speedway April 18-19.

About Rockingham Speedway …

Located in Richmond County, N.C., Rockingham Speedway opened as a flat, one-mile oval on Oct. 31, 1965. It was reconfigured to a one-mile (1.017 miles) high-banked, D-shaped oval in 1969.

In 2018, a new ownership group took over the facility and renamed it Rockingham Speedway & Entertainment Complex. On Nov. 18, 2021, N.C., Governor Roy Cooper signed the 2021-2022 North Carolina state budget allocating $9 million to support reinvestment in the facility. The state funds, along with ownership investment, allowed for redevelopment of the racetrack including the racing surface and extensive repairs. Today, the facility hosts a wide variety of events including karting, road racing, endurance racing, concerts and more. In 2025, Rockingham Speedway will welcome the return of NASCAR for the first time since 2013.

About Track Enterprises …

Track Enterprises has been promoting motorsports events since 1985. Based in Macon, Ill., a dedicated staff, led by longtime promoter Bob Sargent, organize and promote upwards of 80 races a year across the eastern half of the United States. Track Enterprises was responsible for the highly-acclaimed return of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the Milwaukee Mile in 2023.

ROUSH YATES ENGINES AND COMETIC GASKET RENEW LONG-STANDING PARTNERSHIP

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Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, NC – January 21, 2025 – Roush Yates Engines is proud to announce the renewal of its long-standing partnership with Cometic Gasket, a premier supplier of high-performance gaskets and engine sealing solutions. This strategic partnership continues to build on a relationship that has powered countless victories and championships in motorsports.

The partnership renewal emphasizes the shared commitment of Roush Yates Engines and Cometic Gasket to excellence, innovation, and performance at the highest levels of racing. Cometic Gasket’s state-of-the-art products are a critical component of Roush Yates Engines, ensuring reliability and optimal performance in the most demanding conditions.

“Cometic Gasket has been a trusted partner of Roush Yates Engines for years, and their dedication to quality and innovation is unmatched,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Their products play a vital role in our success, helping us deliver the performance and durability that our teams rely on to compete and win on the track.”

As part of the renewed partnership, Cometic Gasket will remain the exclusive engine gasket of the Ford FR9 EFI engine in the NASCAR Cup Series and Ford FR9 Carb engine in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. When engine performance and reliability are paramount, Roush Yates Engines relies on Cometic to keep their engines sealed.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Roush Yates Engines,” said Bob Gorman, Founder and CEO of Cometic Gasket, Inc. “Our relationship represents a true synergy between two organizations committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and performance. Cometic Gasket is proud to contribute to the success of Roush Yates championship-winning engines and we look forward to many more milestones together.”

The renewal of this partnership ensures that both companies remain at the forefront of innovation in motorsports, delivering cutting-edge technology to customers and teams. For more information about Roush Yates Engines and its world-class partners, click here.

About Roush Yates Engines
Roush Yates Engines is a leading-edge engine development company based in Mooresville, NC consisting of two state-of-the-art facilities – Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions. The company’s core business includes designing, building and testing purpose-built race engines for Ford Performance.

Ford Performance in partnership with Roush Yates Engines is the exclusive engine builder of the NASCAR FR9 Ford V8 engine in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series. Since 2024, Roush Yates Engines and Ford Performance have won over 475 races in the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Truck as well as IMSA, and WEC racing series.

About Cometic Gasket
Cometic Gasket, Inc., is a leading worldwide supplier of gaskets and engine sealing solutions for the automotive performance, powersports, marine, original equipment and remanufactured engine Industries.
Housed in a state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing center in Concord Township, Ohio, Cometic Gasket is an industry leader. Founded in 1989, Cometic has expanded its offerings to service the domestic automotive, sport compact, V-twin, diesel, agricultural, industrial and stationary power markets.

Today, Cometic Gasket offers over 90,000 SKUs, shipping gaskets and engine sealing solutions across the globe.

Cometic is committed to customer satisfaction and provides quality products, delivered on time at a competitive price, designed for each customer’s specific application.

Cometic gaskets are the industry standard for championship-winning teams across multiple disciplines of both professional and amateur motorsports.

For more information about Cometic, visit www.cometic.com.

SUNNYD Kicks Off the 2025 Regular Season with Hyak Motorsports at the Daytona 500

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Official Release
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Company Will Serve as the Primary Sponsor for the No. 47 Chevrolet Camaro for Multiple Races During the NASCAR Cup Series Season

Harrisburg, N.C. (Jan. 20, 2025) — HYAK Motorsports welcomes back SUNNYD, part of Harvest Hill Beverage Company, as a race team partner for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

SUNNYD, will serve as the primary sponsor for five Cup Series races for driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr and the No. 47 team. For the sixth race, Hungry Jack, a sister brand to SUNNYD, will sponsor Stenhouse through Hometown Food Company.

In addition to joining the team for these primaries, SUNNYD will serve as an associate sponsor for the No. 47 team all season.

“The 2025 season marks the tenth consecutive year that SUNNYD is a primary sponsor in the NASCAR Cup Series. We have been with Ricky since his 2013 rookie season and are excited to have him in this SUNNYD paint scheme for the Clash and Daytona 500,” said Henk Hartong, Chairman of SUNNYD. “We’re grateful to our fans and customers for their loyal support of SUNNYD and what can be considered the best paint scheme on the track. We look forward to our ongoing partnership with Hyak Motorsports and the No. 47 car and splashing SUNNYD on Ricky in victory lane.”

This vibrant paint scheme will debut at the highly anticipated NASCAR Clash on Sunday, Feb. 2 at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., before it kicks off the regular season at the iconic Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 16, a “Crown Jewel” race in which Stenhouse is a former winner.

“SUNNYD has been a longtime supporter of mine throughout my career,” said Stenhouse, the 2023 Daytona 500 Champion. “We’ve become family. I’m looking forward to continuing that relationship at Hyak Motorsports and trying to get them in victory lane this year.”

After Daytona, SUNNYD will be on the car April 13 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and May 4 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. It will also adorn the hood of the No. 47 Chevrolet for the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race on May 18 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, for which Stenhouse secured a spot in the main event by virtue of his Oct. 6, 2024 victory at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Brynwood Partners will also showcase Hungry Jack, part of the Hometown Food Company, on June 28 in the Saturday night race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off with the non-points paying race of the Cook Out Clash at the historic quarter-mile track of Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 2, before heading south for the 67th running of the Daytona 500 Feb. 16 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Live coverage of both races will air on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Harvest Hill Beverage Company:

Harvest Hill Beverage Company, based in Stamford, Connecticut, is owned by private equity firm Brynwood Partners, and acquired the SUNNYD brand from J.W. Childs in February 2016. Harvest Hill markets some of America’s most beloved beverage brands, including SUNNYD, JUICY JUICE, LITTLE HUG and DAILY’S Cocktails. SUNNYD products are widely distributed through leading retailers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For complete nutrition facts, recipe and activity ideas, and other helpful information, visit SUNNYD.com. For more information on Harvest Hill, please visit www.HarvestHill.com.

About Hometown Food Company:

Hometown Food Company, based in Chicago, IL, was formed by Brynwood Partners in August 2018. The portfolio includes the exclusive U.S. rights to the iconic Pillsbury™ brand’s shelf-stable baking products, including Funfetti®, along with the Hungry Jack®, Arrowhead Mills®, White Lily®, Jim Dandy®, De Wafelbakkers®, Martha White®, and Birch Benders® brands. For more information on Hometown Foods, please visit hometownfoodcompany.com.

About Hyak Motorsports:

Hyak Motorsports is a race-winning NASCAR team co-owned by Gordon Smith, Ernie Cope, Mark Hughes, and Brad Daughtery as of Nov. 18, 2023. The Harrisburg, North Carolina-based organization won the 2023 Daytona 500 with driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr and has accumulated two other wins in the NASCAR Cup Series. For more information, please visit the newly rebranded team at HyakMotorsports.com and on social at Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Brady Behrman Teaming With NASCAR Xfinity Series Young Gun Sammy Smith for IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Race at Daytona

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Behrman and Smith Will Co-Drive the No. 82 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 During Friday’s Four-Hour Endurance Challenge Race

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (January 21, 2024) – Brady Behrman returns to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge paddock this weekend at Daytona International Speedway with 20-year-old NASCAR hot shoe Sammy Smith as a co-driver in the four-hour season opener at the “World Center of Racing.”

Behrman and Smith, who will drive the No. 8 Jr Motorsports car in this season’s NASCAR Xfinity Series championship for the second consecutive season, are teamed in the No. 82 Pilot/TMC Transportation Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 prepared by van der Steur Racing for the Endurance Challenge on Friday afternoon in advance of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The green flag for the race flies at 1:45 p.m. EST on Friday, January 24, with live streaming on the Peacock platform.

“I’m beyond excited for the four-hour IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Daytona,” Behrman said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to team up with Sammy, whose talent and drive are going to be a huge asset to our team. This marks my third season with van der Steur Racing and looking back on everything we’ve accomplished together; I couldn’t be prouder. We’re definitely looking to build on that momentum as we head into 2025, and what better way to kick things off than at Daytona!”

Behrman’s last race at Daytona came in the 2024 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge season-opening doubleheader. Behrman drove his Aston Martin to a third-place finish among Bronze-rated drivers in the second of the pair of races, rebounding from a tough opener. Among his 2024 season highlights were a Bronze class win in the Pilot Challenge race at Watkins Glen, and leading overall on a restart at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Despite just three Pilot Challenge starts in 2024, he and then-teammate Scott Blind ran strong enough and earned enough points to finish second in the point standings amongst Bronze-rated drivers.

This season’s race at Daytona will lose the luxury of the Bronze category, teaming with 20-year-old, up-and-coming sensation Sammy Smith. Smith, who became the fourth-youngest Xfinity Series winner in history in a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at Phoenix in 2023, is coming off a playoff-level season for JR Motorsports where he captured a playoff victory at Talladega.

The race at Daytona is his IMSA and sports car racing debut following a test at the Speedway with Behrman and van der Steur Racing in December.

“I was able to test this car at Daytona in December and learned a lot,” Smith said. “These cars are very different than our NASCAR Xfinity cars. I appreciate van der Steur Racing and Brady giving me the opportunity. I’m looking forward to the race.”

The race week kicks off the season for Smith as well, who will return to the JR Motorsports’ No. 8 in 2025 beginning on the Daytona oval in February. But both Smith and Behrman have given appropriate attention to the 3.56-mile road course in the lead up to the race.

“Sammy and I and our team have spent a lot of time together going through data and having strategy discussions to maximize our weekend,” Behrman said. “We’ve spent a lot of time on iRacing to help mitigate the time we missed at the Roar last weekend. Sammy’s driver coach Johan Schwartz and his JR Motorsports crew chief, Philip Bell, have been invaluable in support and we’re optimistic that this adds up to a strong race this week.”

Behrman, Smith and the Pilot/TMC Transportation Aston Martin will be on track for the first time on Wednesday afternoon for Free Practice 1, followed by a morning practice and qualifying at 1:35 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 23. The Friday, January 24 race gets the green flag at 1:45 p.m. EST.

Five Central Indiana Artists Selected To Welcome Race Fans in May

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INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025) – The five artists selected to create the 2025 Welcome Race Fans artworks, a culmination of the Hoosier hospitality that welcomes visitors to Indianapolis throughout the Month of May, were announced Jan. 21 by Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

Selected from a pool of 58 applicants, the five artists who will create this year’s welcoming artwork are Sarah Anderson, Xavier Gray, Caroline Hays, Cassie Mitchell and Frances Ruiz.

Since 2016, Welcome Race Fans artwork has exemplified what May means to Indianapolis, both on and off track. Each year, Central Indiana artists are challenged to bring to life what “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” means to the Racing Capital of the World. While some artists utilize vibrant colors with bold strokes and others manipulate computer coding, all Welcome Race Fans artists rely on their personal connections to tell the beautifully unique story of Indianapolis and its culture.

“The Welcome Race Fans art is one of the first things thousands of visitors see when they come to the city of Indianapolis and IMS for the Month of May,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “This Hoosier hospitality is just one of the many reasons the Month of May is so special to so many.”

Each artist will create a piece of original artwork, to be placed throughout the city, using their own unique processes and styles to showcase the intersection of art and motorsports. For the first time since the program’s inception, both two- and three-dimensional pieces of art – like sculptures, carvings and papercraft – were considered and may be created for the program.

  • Sarah Anderson is a full-time ceramic artist who creates illustrative characters on the surface of clay through the use of sgraffito. Bright colors and exaggerated creatures are the hallmarks of Sarah’s work and create her uniquely identifiable brand.
  • Xavier Gray, whose name is derived from his children’s middle names, is a multidisciplinary artist whose work blends street art, graphic design and personal storytelling. Often featuring repetitive images that create a dynamic visual rhythm and positive affirmations that inspire and uplift, Xavier’s work invites viewers to engage with the transformative power of creative expression.
  • Caroline Hays is an artist and educator who focuses her artistic practice on the layers of history that shape a place. Through her use of mixed media and layering, Caroline hopes to bring light to the memories, histories and connections people have to places.
  • Cassie Mitchell, a junior at Marian University, has a deep passion for art and community service. She is dedicated to inspiring the younger generation by promoting the importance of art and works to elevate and support artistic initiatives that make a difference in the community.
  • Frances Ruiz is inspired by her upbringing in Puerto Rico and experiences in Indiana. She employs vibrant colors and dynamic lines to evoke movement and convey a sense of emotion in her compositions. Her work has been described as “painting with paper” due to the intricate details and precise representation found in her collages.

The five Welcome Race Fans artworks will be unveiled April 29.

To explore the full list of Indy 500 community initiatives and programs, visit IMS.com/Community. To see an up-to-date calendar of IMS events, click here.

Rush Truck Centers Enters into Partnership with Front Row Motorsports

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Official Release
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Reunites with Noah Gragson in 2025 for Multiple Races

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 21, 2025) – Entering into their 16th year of NASCAR partnerships, Texas-based commercial vehicle dealer, Rush Truck Centers, will join Noah Gragson and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) in a new partnership for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Since 1965, Rush Truck Centers has been the premier solutions provider for the commercial vehicle industry, earning their reputation for excellence, fairness, positive attitude and solutions that exceed customer expectations. Rush Truck Centers provides their customers with an integrated, one-stop approach to the service and sales of new and used commercial vehicles, aftermarket parts, and more with over 150 dealerships across the U.S. and Ontario, Canada.

Having partnered with the 26-year-old Las Vegas native at Stewart-Haas Racing during the 2024 season, Rush Truck Centers will now move with Gragson to FRM, serving as the primary partner of Gragson and the No. 4 team in eight NASCAR Cup Series races in 2025, beginning at the Daytona 500. Rush will also serve as a full-season associate partner for Gragson and the No. 4 team. Additionally, the partnership will go beyond the racetrack, with all three of FRM’s NASCAR Cup Series racecars being transported via Peterbilt Model 389 tractors provided by Rush Truck Centers, making Rush Truck Centers the “Official truck dealer and service center of Front Row Motorsports.”

Below is the full race schedule for the No. 4 Rush Truck Centers Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

· 2/16 – Daytona International Speedway (Daytona, FL)

· 3/2 – Circuit of the Americas (Austin, TX)

· 5/4 – Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, TX)

· 5/11 – Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, KS)

· 6/1 – Nashville Superspeedway (Nashville, TN)

· 7/27 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indianapolis, IN)

· 9/13 – Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, TN)

· 10/19 – Talladega Superspeedway (Talladega, AL)

Gragson shares his excitement in continuing to carry the Rush Truck Centers brand.

“It’s always a ton of fun representing Rush Truck Centers both on and off the track. Rusty and the entire Rush Truck Centers team create a welcoming, family atmosphere—race days are all about coming together, having a great time, and connecting with new faces while catching up with old friends,” said Gragson. “We’re thrilled to have Rush Truck Centers support us at eight races this year, continuing the incredible partnership we built last season. I’m super excited to see what we can achieve together in 2025!”

Rush Truck Centers also comments on their new partnership with FRM and continued relationship with Gragson.

“Rush Truck Centers is proud to continue our active involvement in NASCAR with this move to FRM as the primary sponsor of Noah Gragson and the No. 4 team,” said W.M. “Rusty” Rush, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Rush Enterprises. “We’ve been involved in racing since 2010 and have a passion for winning – in business and on the track. We see that same passion in Noah and the entire FRM team, so we are excited to be part of the storied history of the No. 4 car as we begin this new chapter in our NASCAR story,” Rush continued.

Gragson will debut the No. 4 Rush Truck Centers Ford Mustang Dark Horse on February 16th at the Daytona International Speedway for the “Great American Race”, the Daytona 500. Fans can watch the action live on FOX at 2:30 pm ET. Fans can also listen live from the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.

ABOUT RUSH TRUCK CENTERS

More than a dealer network, Rush Truck Centers is the premier solutions provider for the commercial vehicle industry. With more than 150 Rush Truck Centers dealerships across the U.S. and Ontario, Canada, no one can match our network reach and scale. We provide our customers an integrated, one-stop approach to the service and sales of new and used trucks and commercial vehicles, aftermarket parts, service and collision repair capabilities, alternative fuel systems, vehicle technology solutions, and a range of financial services including financing, insurance, and leasing and rental options. Since 1965, we’ve earned our reputation for excellence, fairness, positive attitude and solutions that exceed customer expectations. That’s why we can say with confidence; when it comes to trucking, no one offers you more. Visit rushtruckcenters.com or follow us on social media: X @rushtruckcenters, Instagram @rush_truck_centers and facebook.com/rushtruckcenters

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.

Richard Childress Racing and Rebel Bourbon Revved Up to Roll

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Official Release
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Rebel Bourbon continues sponsorship of Richard Childress Racing and driver Kyle Busch for 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season

WELCOME, N.C. (Jan. 21, 2025) – Bardstown, Kentucky-based Rebel® Bourbon kicks off 2025 as the Official Bourbon of Richard Childress Racing, the No. 8 Chevrolet, and two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch. Following a successful first year in 2024, Rebel Bourbon once again joins RCR and cranks up the fan fun as a multi-race primary sponsor with more opportunities in store for the 2025 season including a new Rebel paint scheme. Busch will race the No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet in select NASCAR Cup Series races beginning with the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on Sunday, March 2 in Austin, Texas.

“We can’t wait to keep the excitement going in 2025 after connecting with thousands of Rebel, Kyle Busch and RCR fans last season who have a rebellious spirit and live against the grain,” said Philip Lux, brand manager for Rebel Bourbon. “We’re building on the success of year one with a lot more in store for fans at the track, in race markets and at retail plus a lot of interactive social content in year two.”

Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet will feature an all-new full Rebel Bourbon branded wrap. The design honors the craftsmanship of award-winning Rebel Bourbon. Inspired by American oak Rebel Bourbon barrels, the roof and hood feature a rich wood-grain design on the top half of the car. The bottom half features dark visuals made to resemble char from inside the barrels, which gives Rebel Bourbon its signature color and unapologetically bold flavor during aging. The Rebel logo stands out loud and proud, and Rebel branding also will appear on Busch’s uniform, helmet, and other elements throughout the 2025 racing season.

“Rebel Bourbon did a tremendous job of promoting the partnership in their inaugural season,” said Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing. “The authentic connection between Rebel Bourbon and RCR allows us to showcase our shared core values and celebrate our rebel spirit. We are excited to expand their program during the 2025 season and look forward to building on the established momentum.”

Visit rcrracing.com and RebelBourbon.com to learn more about the partnership in the coming weeks.

Rebel Bourbon and Richard Childress Racing remind everyone 21 and older to drink responsibly – and never drink and drive.

About Luxco:

Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from four distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora Gonzalez Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; and Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Penelope Bourbon, Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey, Green Hat Gin and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

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).

Workforce, Spire Motorsports Partner for Multiyear Agreement

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Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 21, 2025) – Today, Spire Motorsports announced a multi-year partnership with Workforce – Occupational Health & Safety Solutions to support Michael McDowell, driver of the No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1, as the team ramps up for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season.

Workforce is an occupational healthcare industry specialist in work injury management focused on connecting injured employees to high-quality medical care. Centered on expediting treatment, care, and recovery, Workforce coordinates communication between telephonic physicians, medical providers, employers, insurance carriers, and employees. Workforce also offers medical bill repricing solutions, injury recordability investigation, and employer services including new hire onboarding, DOT & CDL certifications, drug screenings, return-to-work physicals, and more.

This partnership kicks off the 2025 Cup Series campaign when Workforce will serve as the primary sponsor of McDowell’s No. 71 Chevrolet at the February 2 pre-season Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Workforce livery will return on March 9 at the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway, then again on August 16 for the night race at Richmond Raceway. Workforce will also ride along on the No. 71 entry as an associate partner throughout the 2025 Cup Series season.

This year marks the Pennsylvania-headquartered organization’s 30th anniversary as McDowell looks to earn his third-career victory in NASCAR’s premier division. The Glendale, Ariz., native completed his eighth full-time NASCAR Cup Series season while earning two top-five and seven top-10 finishes during the 2024 campaign. McDowell led a career-high 256 laps and earned six pole positions, the most of any Cup Series driver last season.

“I am thankful to have Workforce onboard with us this season and I look forward to kicking off this new partnership at the Clash,” said McDowell. “It’s an exciting time for the sport, especially to be able to race at Bowman-Gray Stadium to start the year. I’m really looking forward to representing the Workforce team. Workforce aims to make sure that any injuries at the workplace are managed as efficiently as possible and, of course, you never want to see anyone get hurt at work. But if it does happen, Workforce eliminates so much unnecessary stress. I am looking forward to having them at the track as they celebrate their 30th anniversary.”

“Workforce has now been involved in motorsports for many years and we genuinely understand the impact NASCAR provides in expanding our brand to potential new partners nationwide. We are excited to partner with Spire Motorsports and a seasoned veteran in Michael McDowell”, said Zachary Roberts, Workforce’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

The Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will kick off racing festivities for the 2025 season and will be televised live on FOX, Sunday, Feb. 2 beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. NASCAR’s annual pre-season exhibition race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

About Workforce…
Workforce is an Occupational Health and Safety Solutions firm based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with partners throughout North America. For over thirty years, Workforce continues to provide support to clients through the operation of three divisions – Work Injury Management, Medical Bill Repricing, and Employer Services. The Work Injury Management Division provides access to telephonic physician services with expedited access to our nationwide network of specialty, imaging, and therapy providers – and employer access to OSHA recordable injury investigation and impact mitigation services, preferred medical provider panel development, and more. The Medical Bill Repricing Division provides cost containment to clients by minimizing incident, experience, and injury frequency rates, reducing exposure to insurance premium increases. The Employer Services Division provides employee onboarding and testing services, corporate safety committee oversight, required annual certification coordination, and integration of any required testing, licensing, or accreditation. Since 1995, Workforce’s mission is developing long-term partnerships with employers that facilitate successful and positive impacts on health and safety issues encountered by their employees at the workplace. To learn more visit WorkforceOHSS.com, or Facebook/X/Instagram @WorkforceOHSS.

About Spire Motorsports…
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team will also field the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.

GMG Racing and Kyle Washington Victorious in IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Debut at Daytona

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Official Release
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  • Kyle Washington Drives the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R to a GT Daytona X (GTDX) Bronze Class Victory in Sunday’s Rain-Soaked 45-Minute Sprint at Daytona International Speedway
  • VP Racing Challenge Debut Begins Packed 2025 Sports Car Racing Season for the Race and Championship Winning GMG Racing Team

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (January 20, 2025) – Sports car racing champions GMG Racing and longtime team driver Kyle Washington came home race winners at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) Sunday with an IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Bronze Class victory in the series debut of the new GT Daytona X (GTDX) class for GT3 cars. Stepping up in rainy conditions in Sunday’s second and final 45-minute sprint of the season-opening VP Racing Challenge doubleheader, Washington’s victory was his first in IMSA-sanctioned competition at the wheel of his No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R.

After a quiet run to fourth in the Bronze class in Saturday’s opening VP Racing Challenge race, Washington quickly put his rain-driving skills on display on Sunday from the drop of the green flag. Starting eighth in the GTDX field, Washington charged to third overall and the Bronze class lead on the first lap of the race.

Washington, who also has an extensive off-road racing background, was well clear of his Bronze competitors after the great start. He instead took the fight to the GTDX drivers and teams battling for the overall class race win. Washington nailed a Lap 8 restart to take the overall GTDX lead from eventual race winner and fellow Porsche pilot Adam Adelson, but the GMG driver later shifted focus to securing the Bronze win in the second half of the race. Washington didn’t resist passes for position by Adelson and two other GTDX-class contenders, and took the checkered flag for the win nearly a second clear of his closest Bronze competitor.

“I had a talk with Kyle before the race and kind of just said ‘hey, rain is all about being smooth, having good judgement and not overdriving,’ and he delivered just that,” said GMG Racing Founder and Team Principal James Sofronas. “He did an amazing job to get up front early with some daring passes, which we know he’s capable of, and then he settled in! On the restart, he got up to the lead and then he settled back and thought ‘hey, I’ll just find my spot here in first in class.’ We then just told him to bring it home and he drove like a true veteran under really tricky conditions. We all know Kyle has amazing hand control and car control, so we had no concerns at all. In the end, to have a P1 in class leaving Daytona on a high note is a great way to start the season.”

Washington joins Sofronas among GMG Racing’s IMSA race winners. Since sweeping the Pro-Am class in the 2023 IMSA Carrera Cup North America championship doubleheader finale at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), Sofronas has won five IMSA Carrera Cup races in just 12 career starts.

“I just stepped on it on the restart, when you can pass at the drop of the green flag, but nobody else went,” Washington said. “So, it was either hit them or get a run on them, which I did. I don’t know, it seems like a lot of good drivers were sleeping, but it was cool to lead overall for a little bit. It’s amazing to win at Daytona. This is racing hallowed ground, I even call it a motorsports church, and we sure were going to church on Sunday!”

In addition to knowing how to adapt to sketchy conditions from off-road competition, Canadian native Washington credits the damp conditions in the Western part of America’s neighbor to the North with helping his wet weather skills.

“I would honestly say that spending 25 years in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, where it rains every day, didn’t hurt my wet-weather training,” Washington said. “My car was great all day, but the temperatures got real high late as it was drying out. The track was getting a little greasy, but I held on for the win.”

Next up for GMG Racing and Washington is Rounds 3 and 4 of the IMSA VP Racing Challenge on the NASCAR race weekend at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) February 28 – March 1.

The full GMG Racing 2025 lineup of national sports car racing competition, which encompasses several sprint race and multiple-driver racing series, will be announced later in January.

About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility recently relocated to The Thermal Club and with a 28,000 sq. ft. trackside motorsports facility. The staff, attention to detail and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped the company support its customers to the highest level possible. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona, Montreal, COTA and The Thermal Club, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.

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