Home Blog Page 668

Commemorative Milk Pints, Cartons Give Indy 500 Fans Winning Feeling

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, March 19, 2025) – Indianapolis Motor Speedway, American Dairy Association Indiana and Prairie Farms Dairy are collaborating to bring Indianapolis 500-branded milk pints and cartons to fans across the Midwest.

More than 13,000 retailers across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin will be stocked with 16-ounce pints celebrating five winners of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Each milk type will feature a different Indy 500 winner, allowing fans to collect them all:

  • 2% reduced-fat milk features back-to-back winner and defending winner Josef Newgarden (2023, 2024)
  • Whole vitamin D milk features two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato (2017, 2020)
  • Premium chocolate milk features 2018 Indy 500 winner Will Power
  • 1% lowfat chocolate milk features four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021)
  • Premium strawberry milk features 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson

Fans can expect to find these pint bottles in retail locations for a six-week distribution window beginning this week.

In addition to the collectible pint bottles, approximately 80 million half-pint cartons decorated with a graphic in celebration of Winners Drink Milk will be distributed to schools throughout the same eight states.

“At IMS, we know winners drink milk,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “These milk pints and cartons are another way our fans can be part of the Race Day excitement and celebrate like an Indy 500 champion.”

An ice-cold bottle of milk after 500 miles of racing is one of the most iconic celebrations in all sports. The tradition of drinking milk after winning the Indianapolis 500 dates back to 1936, when Louis Meyer, an avid drinker of buttermilk, requested a bottle after winning his third Indy 500. As the story goes, a dairy industry executive saw the newsreel footage of the iconic moment and requested milk be made available to the winner of each Indianapolis 500 thereafter.

“Drinking the coveted bottle of ice-cold milk on Victory Podium isn’t just a celebration – it’s a tribute to dairy farmers and more than a century of racing history,” American Dairy Association Indiana CEO Jenni Browning said. “At the Indy 500, milk is the ultimate symbol of hard work, endurance and victory. With these special-edition pints and cartons, fans can drink milk and celebrate the winning drivers and dairy farmers everywhere.”

These days, buttermilk is no longer offered as an option. All 33 drivers entered in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge submit their milk preference to the Dairy Association in advance. They can choose between whole milk, 2% reduced fat milk or skim milk. Whole milk is the most popular choice, but there are some drivers that still request buttermilk in honor of Meyer.

The 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled for Sunday, May 25. Tickets are on sale at IMS.com or by calling or visiting the IMS Ticket Office.

NHRA TEAMS GEAR UP FOR FIRST FOUR-WIDE EVENT OF 2025 SEASON IN LAS VEGAS

By
Official Release
-

LAS VEGAS (March 19, 2025) – As the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season ramps up, the NHRA is set to celebrate 25 years of racing at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals on April 11-13.

The race, which is the fourth of 20 during the 2025 NHRA season, is the first four-wide event of the year, promising a sensory overload unlike anything in motorsports. With four nitro-burning cars and 44,000-horsepower simultaneously going down the track, fans get to witness one of the most thrilling and unique spectacles in motorsports.

It’s a loaded weekend at the can’t-miss NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, starting with a pair of qualifying sessions on Friday. The weekend heats up on Saturday, as the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge takes place during qualifying. The unique bonus race made its 4-Wide debut last year and quarterfinalists from Pomona will meet with a bonus purse and bonus championship points on the line.

That leads into Sunday eliminations, where the intense action means plenty of excitement and winners in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock at the early-season race. Last season, Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Bob Tasca III (Funny Car) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) claimed victories at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This season’s event will again be broadcasted on FS1, including eliminations coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 13.

Former Top Fuel champion Doug Kalitta earned his third Las Vegas race win last season when he advanced to the final round in a quad that included standouts Justin Ashley, Steve Torrence and Tony Stewart. To earn a consecutive NHRA 4-Wide Nationals win, he’ll need to get by the stacked Top Fuel field that includes four-time and reigning champion Antron Brown, who has six Vegas wins to his credit. Also in the mix is two-time champ Brittany Force, Shawn Langdon, Jasmine Salinas and Clay Millican.

Bob Tasca III wowed fans at Las Vegas last year when he won the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals with the first triple holeshot in Funny Car history over Austin Prock, Ron Capps and Matt Hagan. Prock claimed the Funny Car championship thanks to his eight event wins including the NHRA Nevada Nationals in the fall. Tasca will be up against a loaded field, including three-time Vegas winner J.R. Todd, Gainesville winner Chad Green and former champion Jack Beckman, who is driving for John Force in 2025.

Five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. returned to full-time racing in 2024, picking up his first Vegas 4-Wide victory and his first Vegas win in 15 years. Leading the pack in 2025 is KB Titan Racing’s Dallas Glenn, who won in Gainesville, and reigning Pro Stock champ Greg Anderson. Others to watch include Erica Enders, whose 10 wins leads all NHRA racers in Vegas, Aaron Stanfield, Cory Reed and Troy Coughlin Jr.

The NHRA 4-Wide Nationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, featuring some of the top racers in the country. Fans will also be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which will help create a festive atmosphere leading with Nitro School, meet and greets and much more.

Race fans at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

As always, fans also get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Las Vegas. This opportunity gives fans a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. PT on Friday, April 11, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 12 at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations will begin at 12 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 13. Television coverage includes qualifying action at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday and 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, leading into eliminations coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

To purchase tickets to the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.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.

Persistent Misconceptions About Wrongful Death Litigation

By
SM
-
Photo by David Peinado at pexels.com

Losing a loved one in a car accident is one of the most painful things you can experience. You will go through stages of pain and shock that will make it very hard to think clearly. 

If your loved one lost their life because of a negligent driver, there are some decisions you need to make. One of these decisions will be about pursuing a legal case against the driver. 

However, navigating complex legal processes after a fatal crash can be overwhelming. You will have to try and balance it with your grief, which is never easy. 

If you have never filed a wrongful death claim before, there is also much information you need to process. With this information comes misconceptions you need to be aware of. 

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Before we get into those misconceptions, let’s look at wrongful death claims as a whole. When you file a wrongful death claim, it is typically called wrongful death litigation. 

This legal process allows you to seek compensation after your loved one dies as a result of negligence. Tennessee wrongful death laws exist to help families hold the negligent party accountable. Wrongful death claims are also meant to recover specific damages. 

These damages may include funeral costs, medical bills, and your loved one’s lost income. A settlement can help cover some of these costs if your loved one was a breadwinner. 

It is important to note that the law does not allow all family members to file a wrongful death claim. Usually, only spouses, children, or parents can do so. 

Myths That Still Exist About Wrongful Death Litigation

Many loved ones shy away from wrongful death litigation because they don’t understand the process. The myths floating around on the internet also don’t help. The following are some of the most common myths people still believe.

  1. Wrongful Death Claims Always Go to Trial

There is a general belief that filing a wrongful death claim means attending a long trial. The reality is that most claims are settled out of court. 

If you file a wrongful death claim, you will sit through negotiations between your lawyer and an insurance company. The insurance company represents the at-fault party. 

The case will proceed to trial only if no settlement agreement is reached during this process. The goal of negotiations beforehand is to save on legal costs and time. Outside-of-court negotiations are also a lot less stressful for the family members bringing the wrongful death case. 

  1. Filing a Wrongful Death Claim Is Too Expensive

Sometimes, family members are torn between getting justice for their loved one and not having money for a lawyer. This is because there is an ongoing misconception that all legal cases are expensive. 

However, your lawyer will likely work on a contingency fee if you file a wrongful death claim. This means they will only get paid if you win the case. And the fee won’t come from your pocket. The lawyer will get a percentage of your settlement instead. 

This payment arrangement makes it easier for grieving families to access legal services. 

  1. You Must Act Immediately

Some family members forego a wrongful death claim because they believe they waited too long to act. In most cases, this is not true. Tennessee law provides a one-year statute of limitations for wrongful death cases. 

The law also allows a set period to gather evidence after a fatal accident and consult with a lawyer. 

Essentially, you have time to process your overwhelming grief and work on getting justice for your loved one. It is, however, very important to get legal advice as soon as possible. This will help ensure that you don’t miss the one-year deadline. 

  1. Your Case Will Be Straightforward

Let’s get into the unfortunate, untrue myths now. Some people believe that wrongful death claims are straightforward. In truth, each case involves several legal details. There is evidence to be collected, witnesses to be interviewed, and documents to be reviewed. 

Every detail can and will make a difference in a case like this. So, even if you seemingly have all the facts about how your loved one died, the legal work will stay complex.

For this reason, having a lawyer assist you with a wrongful death claim is crucial. 

  1. You Are Guaranteed to Get Compensation

Unfortunately, this is also not true. There is a general misconception that wrongful death cases automatically mean a large settlement. There is simply no guarantee that you will even win the case. 

The outcome of a wrongful death claim hinges on many different factors. For instance, you must have solid evidence to support your claim. The settlement will also depend on how severe the damages are and the circumstances of the accident. 

That said, even if your case is very strong, there is no automatic guarantee of a large settlement. Every wrongful death claim is different, and so is each outcome. 

What to Know About Tennessee Law

Now that you know the misconceptions, you must also know how the law works. As mentioned, you will have to file your claim within one year of your loved one’s death. 

Know that the eventual settlement may be reduced if your loved one is found to have been partly to blame for the accident. This is according to Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence rules. 

Your loved one may be assigned a percentage of blame, and the settlement will be reduced accordingly. If their percentage is more than 49%, you may not be able to file a claim.

Evidence That Will Build Your Case

Without proper evidence, your case will likely stall indefinitely. You need solid proof that the at-fault driver’s negligence led to your loved one’s death. 

This means having a copy of the official police report, which includes a police officer’s observations. You will also need witness statements to support your claim. 

Moreover, your loved one’s medical records will take center stage throughout the legal process. These records can prove their fatal injuries were caused by the accident. 

Wrongful Death Claims Will Never Not Be Complex

With or without misconceptions, wrongful death claims and litigation will always be challenging. Hiring a reliable lawyer makes the process easier for yourself and your family, providing some relief from the stress of fighting for justice while you grieve your loved one. 

NASCAR Las Vegas penalty report; Two Cup Teams penalized

By
Andrew Kim
-
Phot by William Hester for SpeedwayMedia.com.

NASCAR revealed the penalty report following this past weekend’s triple-header events involving the Craftsman Truck, Xfinity and Cup Series divisions at Las Vegas Motor Speedway between March 14-16.

In the Cup Series, the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Toyota Camry XSE team and the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Chevrolet team were both penalized for loose wheels that rolled off of the entries during this past Sunday’s event at Las Vegas.

The No. 19 JGR Toyota entry, piloted by Chase Briscoe, had a left-rear wheel that rolled off the car on Lap 33 of 267. It occurred after Briscoe had left his pit stall and was re-entering the track.

Meanwhile, the No. 8 RCR Chevrolet entry, which Kyle Busch pilots, had a right-rear wheel that rolled off the car during a Lap 112 restart. It happened as Busch got sideways and hit the backstretch’s outside wall.

This resulted in both competitors being held in their pit stalls for two laps. Briscoe finished in 17th place while Busch took his car to the garage for repairs and finished 33rd.

Post Race Penalty Report – Cup Series

Briscoe’s jackman, Caleb Dirks, and rear-tire changer, Daniel Smith, received a two-race suspension. The suspensions will begin this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. as the team violated Sections 8.8.10.4.A & C of the NASCAR Rule Book (separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from an entry during an event). Busch’s jackman, Dylan Moser, and rear-tire changer, Shiloh Windsor received similar suspensions.

Though no points penalties were involved, Busch is currently strapped in 17th place in the 2025 driver’s standings while Briscoe is ranked in 20th place.

Post Race Penalty Report – Xfinity Series

The Xfinity teams listed below have been penalized and issued a $5,000 fine for violating Sections 8.8.10.4a of the NASCAR Rule Book. This section pertains to having a lug nut that was not properly installed on the entries below following this past Saturday’s event at Las Vegas.

Kaulig Racing’s No. 11 Chevrolet Camaro team
Joe Gibbs Racing’s (JGR) No. 19 Toyota Supra team
Sam Hunt Racing’s (SHR) No. 26 Toyota Supra team
JR Motorsports (JRM) No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro team

Also noteworthy, the No. 11 Kaulig entry, which was originally piloted by Josh Williams, finished 29th at Vegas. Williams was relieved by Ty Dillon, due to illness,

The No. 19 JGR entry, driven by Aric Almirola, finished in the runner-up spot to JRM’s No. 7 entry piloted by race winner Justin Allgaier. Rookie Dean Thompson, finished in 15th place in the No. 26 SHR entry. The No. 88 JRM entry, driven by rookie Connor Zilisch, finished in ninth place after he received a pit road speeding penalty.

With their respective finishes at Vegas, Zilisch, Williams and Thompson are ranked ninth, 18th and 23rd, respectively, in the 2025 Xfinity driver’s standings. Meanwhile, JGR’s No. 19 entry is ranked in the runner-up spot in the owner’s standings as Almirola is coming off his third of nine-scheduled starts in 2025. Almirola’s next-scheduled Xfinity event is at Martinsville Speedway on March 29 as Justin Bonsignore returns to pilot the No. 19 entry this weekend at Homestead.

Post Race Penalty Report – Craftsman Truck Series

There was only one Truck Series team penalty. It was for a lug nut violation on the No. 07 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado RST entry, piloted by Justin Haley. As a result, the team received a $2,500 fine.

Haley, a Cup Series competitor for Spire, made his second Truck start of the 2025 season at Vegas. He recorded an 11th-place result despite leading the opening lap. As a result, Spire’s No. 07 entry is currently ranked in 11th place in the 2025 owner’s standings. Kyle Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, will pilot the No. 07 entry at Homestead.

Amid the lug nut and wheel penalties, Josiah Wright and Corbin Sklener were both indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sport’s Substance Abuse Policy. Wright was a rear-tire changer for the No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse team piloted by Brad Keselowski in the Cup Series. Sklener was a tire carrier for GK Racing during the Craftsman Truck Series’ season-opening event and a jackman for Mike Harmon Racing during the Xfinity Series’ season-opening event, both of which occurred at Daytona International Speedway in February.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck, Xfinity and Cup Series teams and competitors will return to action next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Truck Series will commence next weekend’s triple-header feature at Homestead on Friday, March 21, at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. On Saturday, March 22, at 4 p.m. ET, the Xfinity Series’ first Dash 4 Cash event of the 2025 campaign will occur on the CW Network. The Cup Series will cap off the weekend on Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m. ET on FS1.

King Shocks Dominates 2025 Mint 400, Extends Unlimited Race Winning Streak

By
Official Release
-

For the fourth consecutive year, King Shocks took top honors at the 2025 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400, winning the Unlimited Race with defending race winner and UNLTD Off-Road Racing Series champion Adam Householder. The victory served as the centerpiece of an excellent weekend for King at the Great American Off-Road Race, including a sweep of all three major class wins in the Unlimited Race and a lockout of the overall podium.

Householder has been a dominant force in the Unlimited Truck class in recent years, and his performance at this year’s Mint 400 was no exception. While other racers fell out due to the grueling nature of the 95-mile course, Householder and his King Shocks worked brilliantly, conquering four laps in 7:01:45—over 20 minutes faster than anyone else in class, and nearly 12 minutes faster than the next finisher overall.

Completing the overall podium and finishing 1-2 in Unlimited Truck SPEC were Conner McMullen and Troy Grabowski, racers who are no stranger to big wins in UNLTD action. McMullen, Grabowski, and fellow King racer Brent Fox were among those locked in a thrilling battle for atop the class standings on the final lap. When all was said and done, McMullen would be scored first in class and second overall, with Grabowski just under three minutes behind. Fox would be scored fifth overall and fourth in class, giving King four of the top five overall spots in the Unlimited Race.

Fellow King Shocks-backed team Wilson Motorsports added to the trophy case on both days of action, kicking things off with a Class 12 victory in the Limited Race led by Sammy Ehrenberg before Brad Wilson beat Jack Grabowski in Class 1 on Saturday for another King Shocks 1-2. Other Limited Race winners included defending UNLTD UTV Pro Stock champion Justin Von Metal, who extended his series podium streak in his King Shocks-sponsored ride, and Class 11 racer Blake Wilkey, who turned in the fastest overall time on the shorter 73-mile loop.

“It’s hard to ask for more out of the Mint 400 than the results we had this year,” said King Shocks president Brett King. “From Adam Householder’s second straight overall win to give us a four-year winning streak in the Unlimited Race, to dominance across all the top Unlimited classes, to even multiple wins in the Limited Race, we’ve proven that no matter what you’re racing, King Shocks are the secret to success. Congratulations to all our racers on the wins and podiums, and we can’t wait to come back and defend them next year!”

Racing, prerunning or just having fun, whatever your application; King Shocks has the shock for you with the performance, reliability, precise tuning and adjustability you need. King Shocks, The Leader in Off-Road Technology!

About King Off-Road Shocks
King Shocks is a world-class manufacturer and servicer of custom made adjustable and rebuildable automotive shock absorbers and performance racing products for utility vehicles, OEM replacement and professional racing use. For over twenty years King Shocks has taken pride in putting quality, performance and customer service above all. Every product sold is the result of constant testing and development done with top racers in competition worldwide. This real world testing exposes their designs to a level of abuse and destructive forces that cannot be duplicated in a laboratory. King Shocks, The leader in Off-Road Shock Technology.

RFK Advance | Homestead-Miami

By
Official Release
-

Homestead-Miami Event Info:
Date: Sunday, March 23
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Homestead, Florida
Format: 267 Laps, 400.5 Miles, Stages: 80-165-267
TV: FS1
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 1:05 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 2:10 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (Prime, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3 p.m. ET, Cup Race (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts its lone race date of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, where Jack Roush has 11 wins all-time including seven in the Cup Series.
  • RFK has led laps in three of the last four Homestead events between Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski. The two have three top-10 starting efforts in the last three races alone.
  • This weekend will mark Brad Keselowski’s 550th consecutive start in the NASCAR Cup Series, the second-longest active streak.
  • There have been nine different winners in the previous nine Cup Series races at Homestead-Miami.
  • Ryan Preece (3rd) matched a career-best finish last weekend (also: Talladega, 2019) at Las Vegas, as he drove the No. 60 Consumer Cellular Ford Mustang into the top-3 from 12th.

6 Team Info:
Driver: Brad Keselowski
Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
Partner: Esperion

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Kroger / Farm Rich

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: BuildSubmarines.com

Keselowski at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Starts: 17
Wins: —
Top-10s: 7
Poles: —

  • Keselowski makes his 18th Cup start at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend, and his 550th consecutive start, where he has a 14.6 average finish and seven top-10 finishes. His best career finish is third (2014-15), as he’s coming off a 17th-place finish last season.
  • He’s finished 10th or better in four of the last eight races at Homestead. In total he’s led in eight races at HMS (totaling 179 laps), including eight laps a season ago.
  • Keselowski has an 9.4 average starting position in Miami – his best among active tracks – with 13 starts inside the top-10 and nine starts inside the top five overall. Last season he qualified 18th.
  • Keselowski has two Xfinity wins at Homestead (2011, 2013) in eight starts, and an additional two starts in the Truck Series.

Buescher at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Starts: 9
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Buescher makes his 10th Cup start at Homestead-Miami where he has a 19.3 average finish.
  • He finished 15th a season ago, and 13th in 2022, his best Cup finish there to date.
  • Buescher carries a 19.3 average qualifying position with his best effort (P8) three years ago.
  • Buescher made two Xfinity Series starts at HMS in 2014-15 with a best finish of fifth in the No. 60 machine.

Preece at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Starts: 6
Wins: —
Top-10s: 1
Poles: —

  • Preece is set to make his seventh Cup start at Homestead-Miami where he has a 21.8 average finish. He is coming off his best finish at the track last season (10th).
  • His highest starting position was 8th in 2021, and he holds a 29.0 average starting position.
  • Preece made four Xfinity Series starts at HMS from 2014-18, with a best finish of 5th in 2017 while racing for JGR.

RFK Historically at Homestead-Miami
Cup Wins: 7 (Kurt Busch, 2002; Greg Biffle, 2004, 2005, 2006; Matt Kenseth, 2007; Carl Edwards, 2008, 2010)

  • Welcome to Miami: RFK has 179 combined starts at HMS, totaling 11 wins (7 NCS, 3 NXS, 1 NCWTS), 51 top-fives, 75 top-10s and eight poles. RFK drivers have led 1,900 laps at the 1.5-mile track over the years, logging more than 58,000 miles.
  • Tale of the Tape: RFK has started 93 NCS races at Homestead, recording a total of seven victories, 23 top five finishes, 32 top-10 finishes, four poles and has led 1,191 laps. Former driver Carl Edwards earned the organization’s most recent win at the 1.5-mile oval in 2010.
  • Five Straight: RFK earned five consecutive victories in the NCS at Homestead from 2004-2008 with drivers Matt Kenseth (2007), Edwards (2008) and Greg Biffle, who won three consecutive races from 2004-2006.
  • Miami Nights: In 57 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Homestead, RFK earned three wins, 22 top-fives, 32 top-10s and two pole positions. Edwards recorded the most recent victory at Homestead in the 2008 season final.

RFK Homestead Wins

1998 Burton NXS

2002 Busch Cup

2004 Biffle Cup

2005 Biffle Cup

2006 Biffle Cup

2006 Kenseth NXS

2006 Martin Truck

2007 Kenseth Cup

2008 Edwards Cup

2008 Edwards NXS

2010 Edwards Cup

Last Time Out
Las Vegas: Preece matched a career-high 3rd place finish, while Keselowski posted a strong 11th-place finish, and Buescher came home 13th.

Points Standings (17: 9th, 60: 18th, 6: 30th): Buescher remained in the top-10 in points, while Preece jumped up six spots after a career-best finish. Keselowski used a season-best result to move into the 30th spot in points.

Trans Am Series Race Preview: Road Atlanta

By
Official Release
-

Road Atlanta
Mission Foods Road Atlanta SpeedTour

Track Facts:
Opened: 1970
Length: 2.54 Miles
Layout: 12-Turn Road Course
Entry List: View
Qualifying:
Friday, March 21
5:35-6:10 p.m. ET

Race:
Saturday, March 22
12:45-2:00 p.m. ET

Race Length: 40 Laps/75 Minutes

Broadcast:
LIVE on SPEED SPORT 1
LIVE on YouTube
@TheTransAmSeries

Qualifying:
Saturday, March 22
4:45-5:20 p.m. ET

Race:
Sunday, March 23
1:45-3:00 p.m. ET
Race Length: 40 Laps/75 Minutes

Broadcast:
LIVE on SPEED SPORT 1
LIVE on YouTube
@TheTransAmSeries

Up Next: Round 2

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli heads to Road Atlanta for the Mission Foods Road Atlanta SpeedTour, the second race of the 2025 season for National Championship competitors. Trans Am has been visiting the 54-year-old facility since 1972, holding 42 races at the Braselton, Georgia track. 56 competitors in seven classes will take the green flag in Saturday and Sunday’s 100-mile races.

Past Winners at Road Atlanta

There are 11 drivers in this weekend’s field who have stood on the top step of the podium at Road Atlanta in the past. Chris Dyson, Mike Skeen and Billy Griffin are tied with the most wins of any entrants in this weekend’s competition with four. Adam Andretti, Danny Lowry, Chris Coffey, Thomas Merrill and Barry Boes all won in Trans Am’s last visit to the track and are returning to defend their victories.

TA

Chris Dyson, No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang: 2023, 2022, 2020 II, 2018
Adam Andretti, No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro: 2024, 2014 (TA2)
Amy Ruman, No. 23 McNichols Co./Valley Automotive Group Chevrolet Corvette: 2016, 2015, 2011

XGT

Billy Griffin, No. 14 Griffin Auto Care Mercedes AMG GT3: 2023, 2022, 2020 II, 2020 I (All GT)
Danny Lowry, No. 42 Bennett/BridgeHaul/Pitboxes.com Mercedes AMG GT4: 2024, 2022 (SGT)

SGT

Lee Saunders, No. 84 LandSearch LLC Dodge Viper: 2015

GT

Chris Coffey, No. 97 Traffic Grafix/Chillout Motorsports Maserati MC GT4: 2024

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series

Mike Skeen, No. 2 Guthrie’s Garage Chevrolet Camaro: 2022, 2020 II, 2020 I, 2011
Thomas Merrill, No. 26 HP Tubers/Franklin Road/Cope Chevrolet Camaro: 2024
Rafa Matos, No. 57 Concord American Flagpole/SHR Chevrolet Camaro: 2019, 2018

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge

Barry Boes, No. 27 Accio Data/SRL-M1 Chevrolet Camaro: 2024

SCCA Super Tour Success

Earlier this month, the SCCA Super Tour competed at Road Atlanta, with two drivers in this weekend’s field visiting Victory Lane. TA’s David Pintaric (No. 57 Kryderacing Ford Mustang) won Race 1 in the GT1 class and finished second in Race 2, while CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge competitor Jared Odrick (No. 00 Black Underwear Chevrolet Camaro) won both Race 1 and Race 2 from the pole in the GT2 class.

Georgia on My Mind

There are three drivers in this weekend’s field who are originally from the state of Georgia. CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge competitor Patrick Paul will be closest to home this weekend, as he is from Kennesaw, Ga., a suburb northwest of Atlanta. This weekend is also a home game for Burtin Racing, which fields the No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro for Adam Andretti. The team’s shop is located approximately two hours northwest of the track in Adairsville, Ga.

GT

Brion Gluck, No. 47 FFR/Freedom Coffee/Gallant Few FFR Daytona 65 R (LaGrange)

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Pro/Am Challenge

Rob Clifton, No. 8 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro (Evans)

Patrick Paul, No. 34 Paul Racing Enterprises Ford Mustang (Kennesaw)

Watch LIVE

There are two great free streaming options for watching this weekend’s TA/GT and CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series races. The events will stream live on Trans Am’s YouTube channel, @TheTransAmSeries, as well as on SPEED SPORT 1. SPEED SPORT 1 is the first network dedicated to free, live motorsports, presenting hundreds of live events and thousands of hours of premier motorsport content and lifestyle programming from around the globe annually. SPEED SPORT 1 can be watched on Amazon Prime Video, Roku, PlutoTV, Sling Freestream and more. For more information on how to watch, click here.

Déjà Vu For Menard

For the second year in a row, Paul Menard kicked off the season with a victory, driving to GYM WEED Winners Circle in his No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang at Sebring International Raceway. After winning the season opener in 2024, Menard went on the claim the TA championship on the strength of six wins and nine podium finishes.

Another Tough Start For Dyson

Another driver experiencing déjà vu is three-time TA champion Chris Dyson (No. 16 GYM WEED Ford Mustang). Once again, Dyson unloaded a fast car at Sebring, but his day ended in a hard crash due to a mechanical failure. Relegated to an eighth-place finish in class, Dyson’s pursuit of his fourth Trans Am title begins with a points deficit, as he currently sits 33 markers behind leader Paul Menard. However, given his dominance in the series since his first title season in 2021, it’s nothing that Dyson can’t overcome between now and the season finale at Circuit of The Americas.

Drissi Hoping for Another Podium at Road Atlanta

Road Atlanta is a track where Tomy Drissi (No. 8 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro) has found lots of success in the past in Trans Am and beyond. Drissi scored podium finishes at the Braselton, Ga. facility in four of the last six years in TA, with finishes of second in 2019, 2020 and 2022, and a third-place finish in 2023. Drissi also found his way to the Road Atlanta podium many times in IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, earning a victory in the Petit Le Mans in 2017, as well as earning two second-place finishes and one third-place result. Joining Drissi under the Drissi Motorsports banner this weekend is Keith Grant (No. 7 Trench Shoring Co./Motul Chevrolet Camaro), who earned a podium for the team there last year with a third-place finish.

Burtin Hosts CCYA Guests

This weekend at Road Atlanta, Burtin Racing team owner Claudio Burtin, who fields the No. 17 Top Liner Chevrolet Camaro for Adam Andretti, will be hosting approximately 40 guests from the Center for Children and Young Adults (CCYA). CCYA is a 40-bed residential facility in Marietta, Ga. that provides safe housing and basic needs to children and young adults who have been abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned. The organization offers a full array of supportive housing services, such as emergency and temporary shelter programs and transitional and independent living for youth and young adults. CCYA feeds, houses, teaches and nurtures up to 100 youth each year. For more information, visit ccyakids.org.

Crews Wins Between Races

Since kicking off his first full-time season in the TA class, Brent Crews (No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro) captured a checkered flag on an oval track. Crews competed in his first race with Joe Gibbs Racing in the ARCA Menards Series at Phoenix Raceway, where he had a late-rate comeback to score his third-career win in the series. With two previous ARCA victories, both on dirt tracks, Crews’ win at Phoenix was his first on a pavement track.

New Colors for Joshua Carlson

SGT’s Joshua Carlson kicked off the 2025 season with new colors on his No. 36 Enseva/Diercks Ltd/TC Fab Ford Mustang. Carlson secured a new sponsor in Vivid Auto Wraps with Auggi Jimenez in his home state of Iowa and opted for a new blue wrap to pay homage to the Ford Mustang’s Detroit roots. It seems to be bringing the team good luck, as Carlson piloted to the win in the SGT class in the season opener at Sebring International Raceway.

Rob Dickey Joins GT1 Chlannege

Making his Trans Am debut this weekend is GT1 Challenge competitor Rob Dickey in the No. 64 Forty48 Competition Chevrolet Camaro. Dickey comes to Trans Am from SCCA and SVRA, but has also raced karts, motorcycles and standup Jet Skis. Dickey has dreamed of racing in Trans Am since he was a kid, but that goal became more important to him when a close friend he’d shared that dream with passed away. This weekend he finally gets to make his dream a reality.

  1. Paul Menard (109)
  2. Adam Andretti (101)
  3. Amy Ruman (93)
  4. Tomy Drissi (90)
  5. Humaid Masaood (84)

  1. Paul Tracy (97)
  2. Kaylee Bryson (86)
  3. Danny Lowry (79)
  4. Mustafa Bakir (73)

  1. Joshua Carlson (70)
  2. Lee Saunders (65)
  3. Patrick Utt (60)

  1. Chris Coffey (70)
  2. Mike Fitzpatrick (65)

  1. Jon DeGaynor (50)

  1. Billy Griffin (83)

  1. Colin Cohen (60)

Toyota Camry Comes to TA2

This weekend will see the debut of a new manufacturer in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series: Toyota. For the past several months, TRD has worked closely with Five Star RaceCar Bodies and Trans Am officials on the design, development and production of the Toyota Camry. The culmination of their hard work will be showcased this weekend, where two Toyota Camrys are set to compete. Toyota Development Driver Tyler Gonzalez will pilot the No. 10 Mobil 1 Camry for Nitro Motorsports, while Sebring winner Thomas Annunziata will debut a GR livery on his No. 90 Nitro Motorsports Camry.

Both Toyota drivers have been busy since the Sebring season opener. Gonzalez won the MX-5 Cup race at St. Petersburg, while Annunziata made a NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Circuit of The Americas with Cope Family Racing in partnership with Nitro Motorsports team owner Nick Tucker.

Jordan Menzin Joins Silver Hare

Silver Hare Racing announced this week that it has signed Jordan Menzin to a part-time schedule in the Pro/Am Challenge this season. Menzin is an accomplished competitor in the World Racing League’s Supra GT4, as well as driving LMP3s in IMSA’s VP Challenge. He made his Trans Am debut in the TA2 season opener at Sebring International Raceway. In his first start for Silver Hare this weekend, Menzin will pilot the No. 5 Silver Hare Racing/Waukegan Farms Chevrolet.

Rob Clifton Returns to TA2

This weekend will see the return of Rob Clifton to CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series competition. Clifton made his debut at Road Atlanta in 2023 and returns to pilot the No. 8 Team SLR-M1 Racecars Chevrolet Camaro. A native of Evans, Ga., Clifton is a former Auburn football player who was recently voted into the Georgia State House of Representatives for his first term during the November election. The second-generation racer has previously competed in Spec Formula Fords in SCCA.

Odrick Debuts New Racecar

Jared Odrick comes to Road Atlanta armed with a brand new M1 Racecars chassis this weekend. The Pro/Am Challenge contender recently took delivery of a new No. 00 Black Underwear Chevrolet Camaro, which will make its Trans Am debut this weekend. Odrick stretched the car’s legs at the SCCA Super Tour race at Road Atlanta earlier this month, winning both GT2 races from the pole.

Skeen to Compete Full Time in 2025

Another new M1 Racecars chassis hitting the track this weekend is the No. 2 Guthrie’s Garage Chevrolet Camaro, which will be driven by 2020 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series champion Mike Skeen for the remainder of the season. Skeen has been tagged by team owner and TA2 competitor Jim Guthrie to take his seat for the remainder of the season while Guthrie recovers from a shoulder injury. After sitting on the pole with a record-breaking time and finishing second in the season opener at Sebring, Skeen is poised to battle for his second title this year. Skeen has four previous victories at Road Atlanta, including a doubleheader sweep in 2020. His most recent victory at the track came in 2022.

Gian Buffomante Hoping to Channel Father at Road Atlanta

Third-generation driver Gian Buffomante is hoping to channel his father, 2016 TA2 champion Tony Buffomante, this weekend when he gets behind the wheel of his No. 95 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang. The elder Buffomante has two victories at Road Atlanta, standing atop the podium in back-to-back seasons in 2016 and 2017. Gian, who has Tony in his ear when he spots for him on race weekends, considers his father to be his racing hero.

Lovell & Boes Earn Podiums on West Coast

Mia Lovell (No. 40 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) and Barry Boes (No. 27 Accio Data/SLR-M1 Chevrolet Camaro) competed in the Western Championship season opener last weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, with both finding success with podiums at the California track. Lovell finished second and Boes finished third in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series.

Pro/Am Drivers With Past Road Atlanta Success

There are a few Pro/Am Challenge drivers in this weekend’s race who have found success at Road Atlanta in other disciplines of racing.

Cale Phillips (No. 99 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) has several NASA wins at the track between 2018 and 2020.

Matt Griffin (No. 67 Griffin Concrete Construction Chevrolet Camaro) has won at the track in SCCA. Griffin was the 2024 SCCA SeDIV SARRC champion, as well as the 2024 SCCA CFR GT1 champion.

  1. Thomas Annunziata (106)
  2. Mike Skeen (103)
  3. Austin Green (93)
  4. Adrian Wlostowski (88)
  5. Noah Harmon (84)

  1. Keith Prociuk (107)
  2. Barry Boes (105)
  3. Jared Odrick (93)
  4. Cale Phillips (90)
  5. Tom Sheehan (84)

  1. Thomas Annunziata (106)
  2. Austin Green (93)
  3. Noah Harmon (84)
  4. Boris Said Jr. (80)
  5. Tristan McKee (77)

  1. Noah Harmon (84)
  2. Tristan McKee (77)
  3. Carson Brown (72)
  4. Sam Corry (68)
  5. Julian DaCosta (64)

HAPPY DAYS: HARVICK SELECTED AS 2025 INDUCTEE FOR TEXAS MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME

By
Official Release
-
Kevin Harvick, a nine-time NASCAR race winner at Texas Motor Speedway, will be the 2025 inductee into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame at Texas Motor Speedway. Photo credit: Getty Images for Texas Motor Speedway.
  • Nine-time TMS winner Kevin Harvick to be honored Friday, May 2, at the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame Luncheon presented by WÜRTH in The Speedway Club.
  • Event is open to the public with tickets at $125 that benefit Speedway Children’s Charities’ Texas Chapter.
  • HOF induction part of May 2-4 WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR tripleheader weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.

FORT WORTH, Texas (MARCH 19, 2025) – Retired NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) superstar Kevin Harvick will be honored as the 2025 inductee at the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame Luncheon presented by WÜRTH on Friday, May 2, at Texas Motor Speedway.

Harvick, currently a television analyst for NASCAR on FOX broadcasts, enjoyed an illustrious 23-year NCS career that included immense success at Texas Motor Speedway. He will be honored with this special event from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CT in The Speedway Club Ballroom with local FOX 4 sports anchor Mike Doocy serving as emcee and PRN’s lead anchor Brad Gillie as moderator.

The luncheon will include a candid “Fireside Chat” with Harvick and Gillie, panel discussion regarding the impact of motorsports on the Fort Worth community and lunch prepared by Levy Restaurants. The event is open to the public with individual tickets on sale for $125 and VIP table options also available for purchase. All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Speedway Children’s Charities Texas Chapter. Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.

“We are thrilled to induct Kevin Harvick into the Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame,” Speedway Children’s Charities Texas Chapter Executive Director Marissa Chaney said. “He has not only left an incredible legacy on Texas Motor Speedway, but also on the community with his unwavering support of Speedway Children’s Charities.”

Harvick concluded his full-time racing career in 2023 with the 49-year-old Californian, nicknamed “Happy”, amassing 121 victories across NASCAR’s three national series. His 60 wins in the NCS ranks 10th on the all-time list, and he added 47 in the Xfinity Series (NXS) and another 14 the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS).

Nine of those victories came at Texas Motor Speedway, highlighted by a run of three in a row in the fall NCS race from 2017-19. He also had five NXS wins (2001 spring race, fall race in 2005, ‘06, ‘07 and ‘12) and one in the NCTS (2011 fall race).

Harvick’s major achievements include being the 2014 NCS champion; 2007 Daytona 500 winner; three-time Brickyard 400 winner (2003, ‘19 and ‘20); two-time Coca-Cola 600 winner (2011, ‘13); two-time Southern 500 winner (2014, ‘20); 2007 NASCAR All-Star Race winner; 2001 NCS Rookie of the Year; and two-time NXS champion (2001, ‘06). He also had 31 NCS poles during his career where he drove from Richard Childress Racing from 2001-2013 and Stewart-Haas Racing from 2014-2023.

The Texas Motorsports Hall of Fame induction is part of the May 2-4 WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR tripleheader at Texas Motor Speedway. The three-day weekend features a race every day, beginning with the NCTS SpeedyCash.com 250 on Friday, May 2, at 7 p.m. The NXS Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 will be held Saturday, May 3, at 1 p.m. and the weekend culminates with the NCS WÜRTH 400 on Sunday, May 4, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Event tickets and camping passes for the 2025 WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR tripleheader weekend are on sale now. Click HERE for more information and to buy tickets.

In addition to the May 4 NCS WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY, the weekend also includes the May 3 NXS Andy’s Frozen Custard 300, the May 2 NCTS SpeedyCash.com 250 and two days of Kubota High Limit Racing sprint car competition, May 1 and 3, on the half-mile Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track.

Texas Motor Speedway’s current 2025 events calendar Mopar Heaven and Bubble Run (both events March 22), POWRi Sprint Cars (March 28-29 at the TMS Dirt Track), Pate Swap Meet (April 24-27), Goodguys LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals (April 25-26), Kubota High Limit Racing (May 1 and 3 at the TMS Dirt Track), WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR tripleheader weekend (May 2-4), C10 Nationals (May 9-10), Holley LS Fest Texas (May 16-17), Bandas y Trocas (May 24), Solar Car Challenge (July 17-23), Goodguys Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals (Sept. 26-28), Texas World Dirt Track Championship (Oct. 3-4 at the TMS Dirt Track), October Truck Madness (Oct. 11), Kubota High Limit Racing All-In Championship (Oct. 17-18 at the TMS Dirt Track), FuelFest (Oct. 25), POWRi Sprint Cars (Nov. 7-8 at the TMS Dirt Track), and Xtreme Xperience (Dec. 11-14).

ABOUT SPEEDWAY CHILDREN’S CHARITIES

The mission of Speedway Children’s Charities is to care for children with educational, financial, social and medical needs to help them lead productive lives. Founded by Bruton Smith in 1982, Speedway Children’s Charities is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing funding for hundreds of non-profit organizations that meet the direct needs of children. Speedway Children’s Charities has distributed more than $72.6 million in grants. The goal is to ensure that every child in need is given the tools to build a better, brighter and healthier future.

ABOUT SPEEDWAY CHILDREN’S CHARITIES – TEXAS

Since 1997, Speedway Children’s Charities at Texas Motor Speedway has distributed more than $12.3 million in funding to non-profit organizations supporting children in need in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties. Distributed funds are raised through special events held throughout the year including the annual NASCAR tripleheader weekend, Tony Stewart’s Smoke Show, Celebrity Clay Shoot, Geared for Greatness, Laps for Charity and others.

MORE INFO:

Keep track of Texas Motor Speedway’s busy schedule by following on Facebook, X and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Speedway website and TMS mobile app.

Toyota GAZOO Racing Weekly Preview 03.19.25

By
Official Release
-

This Week in Motorsports: March 17 – 23, 2025

  • NCS/NXS/NCTS: Homestead-Miami Speedway – March 21-23
  • ARCA EAST: Five Flags Speedway (Pensacola, Fla.) – March 22
  • NHRA: Firebird Motorsports Park (Chandler, Ariz.) – March 21-23

PLANO, Texas (March 19, 2025) – NASCAR’s three national series head to South Florida and Homestead-Miami Speedway for another weekend on a mile-and-a-half oval. The ARCA Menards Series East opens its 2025 season at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, on Saturday. The NHRA also returns to action for the second race of its 2025 season at Firebird Motorsports Park outside of Phoenix.

NASCAR National Series – NCS/NXS/NCTS

Toyota seeks Homestead three-peat … Homestead-Miami Speedway has become a comfortable spot for the Toyota Camrys as the manufacturer seeks its third consecutive and ninth overall Cup Series win at the Florida oval after victories by Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell the last two years. Bell comes back to Homestead looking for his fourth win of the 2025 season, which would surpass a career-best mark for a single season just six races in. Reddick, meanwhile, aims for his first triumph of the year to lock himself into the 2025 Cup Series Playoffs. Both drivers are currently in the top three in points, with Bell in second and Reddick in third.

Hamlin eager to continue Homestead success … Finishing third and nearly taking the race victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway last fall, Denny Hamlin returns to one of his favorite tracks this weekend focused on another solid result. In 20 previous starts at Homestead, Hamlin is in a tie for the most career victories at the race track with three (2009, 2013 and 2020), to go along with six top-fives and 13 top-10s. Another victory by Hamlin would also be the 10th Cup Series win for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) at Homestead.

Bonsignore, Heim return to the Xfinity Series … This weekend, Justin Bonsignore and Corey Heim both make their second Xfinity Series starts of the season – Bonsignore once again in the No. 19 GR Supra for JGR and Heim in the No. 24 GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing. Saturday will mark Bonsignore’s third career Xfinity Series start, following his runs at Daytona to begin the season and at New Hampshire last June. For Heim, Saturday will mark his 19th career Xfinity Series start. The Toyota Development Driver will be doing double duty this weekend with his full-time Truck Series efforts, aiming for his third win of the season in his No. 11 Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage.

Jones makes first Trucks start of 2025 … Along with his full-time efforts in the No. 20 GR Supra for JGR in the Xfinity Series, Brandon Jones will also make his first start in the No. 1 Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Georgia native returns to the Truck Series for the first time since 2020, with Friday being his first Homestead Truck Series start since 2015. He looks for his second career Trucks victory to couple his triumph at Pocono in 2020.

Friesen looks to continue hot start to 2025 … 2025 has started off strong for Stewart Friesen and his No. 52 Tundra TRD Pro team. The Canadian has two top-10 finishes in three races this season, including a runner-up result at Atlanta in February. Homestead-Miami Speedway is also a strong track for Friesen, who has five top-10s in eight previous starts, along with a pole position in 2019.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series East

Reaves makes ARCA debut … Fifteen-year-old Max Reaves makes his debut this weekend in the ARCA Menards Series East race at Five Flags Speedway, where he will pilot the No. 18 Camry for JGR. Reaves – the 2024 Carolina Pro Late Model Series champion – will make select starts for JGR during the 2025 ARCA season.

NHRA – Top Fuel/Funny Car

Brown seeks three straight wins … After his victory at Gainesville Raceway two weeks ago, Antron Brown heads to Firebird Motorsports Park this weekend in search of three straight race wins, dating back to his victory at Pomona last November, where he claimed his fourth Top Fuel world championship. He also seeks his fourth career win in the Arizona Nationals to go along with his wins in 2009, 2012, and 2014.

Langdon goes for Phoenix repeat … Shawn Langdon returns to Firebird Motorsports Park this weekend looking to repeat his victory from a season ago. The Kalitta Motorsports driver heads west to Firebird after a runner-up finish to Brown in Gainesville, seeking his 20th career victory on Sunday to continue his pursuit of the 2025 Top Fuel championship.

Brown, Langdon and Capps in first #2Fast2Tasty Challenge of 2025 … This weekend’s Arizona Nationals will also feature the first Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty challenge of the 2025 season where the semifinalists from the previous race compete in an event during the Saturday qualifying session for a chance to earn extra championship points and bonus money. With their appearances in the semifinals at Gainesville, Brown and Langdon will compete in the Top Fuel challenge, while Ron Capps will represent the Toyota GR Supra Funny Car contingent in that category. Brown will take on Tony Stewart in the first round of the challenge, while Langdon has Jasmine Salinas. In Funny Car, Capps will match up against Alexis DeJoria.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 49 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In spring 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 31 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

ARCA Menards Series East at Five Flags Speedway: Pensacola 150 Pre-race Notes, Entry List, and Stats Update

By
Official Release
-

ARCA Menards Series East at Five Flags Speedway
Pensacola 150 Pre-Race Notes

  • The ARCA Menards Series East kicks off its 39th season of competition in the Pensacola 150 at Five Flags Speedway. It marks the series’ eighth visit to Five Flags Speedway dating to the first in 2013.
  • Previous ARCA Menards Series East winners at Five Flags Speedway include Ben Kennedy (2013), Ben Rhodes (2014), Sam Mayer (2020), Sammy Smith (2021, 2022) William Sawalich (2023), and Gio Ruggiero (2024).
  • Max Reaves (No. 18 Cook Out Toyota) makes his ARCA Menards Series East debut driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. Reaves, who turned 15 in January, won a Pro Late Model feature during the World Series of Asphalt Racing at New Smyrna Speedway; he takes over the No. 18 from William Sawalich, who earned the team its fourth consecutive AMSE championship in 2024.
  • Carson Brown (No. 4 PayCafe / EBB Logistics Chevrolet) will make his ARCA Menards Series East debut driving for Hettinger Racing, owned by Chris Hettinger, son of former ARCA Midget Series champion Jim Hettinger. Brown will be doing double duty, also entered to participate in the Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour Sunshine State 200 on Sunday. Brown’s crew chief will be Bruce Cook, who co-owned the 2023 ARCA Menards Series West owners championship-winning team.
  • Timmy Hill (No. 56 Hill Motorsports Toyota) will make his second career ARCA Menards Series start on Saturday; his only previous start came in 2010 when he finished tenth at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Hill and the Hill Motorsports team have announced intentions to compete for the ARCA Menards Series East championship in 2025. Hill has 498 starts across the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Craftsman Truck Series; his father Jerry made 54 ARCA Menards Series starts between 1990 and 2002.
  • Connor Mosack (No. 28 Pinnacle Racing Group) will make his first East start since a pair of top-ten finishes in 2022, including a career-best third at Iowa Speedway. Mosack, who races full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for McAnally-Hilgeman Racing, will take over the car that Connor Zilisch won four of the eight East races in 2024.
  • Tyler Reif (No. 23 Sigma Performance Services Chevrolet) transitions into the ARCA Menards Series East a year after clinching the ARCA Menards Series West owners championship for Central Coast Racing. Reif has already made his first start for new owner Joe Farre; he finished 19th after a crash in overtime battling for the lead and the win in the ARCA Menards Series / ARCA Menards Series West race at Phoenix Raceway two weeks ago.
  • Mark Noble’s MAN Motorsports returns with two entries in the Pensacola 150 for drivers Hunter Wright (No. 95 Sunset Park RV / Cedar City RV Toyota) and Jackson McLerran (No. 96 JSJ Construction / Arylco LLC Toyota). Wright finished fifth at Five Flags last year while McLerran was involved in a crash in his debut with the team last year at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park which resulted in a 25th-place finish.
  • Zachary Tinkle (No. 11 Racing for Rescues / Fast Track High Performance Racing Toyota) returns to compete for the series championship for the third consecutive season. Tinkle finished fourth in the series standings in 2024 with a pair of top-five finishes and four top-ten finishes. Tinkle will be joined by Cody Dennison (No. 9 Flux Toyota), Mike Basham (No. 10 Double H Ranch Ford), Takuma Koga (No. 12 Macnica Yit Ikdeo / CKB Toyota), and newcomer E.J. Tamayo (No. 01 Tamayo Sports Florida/Amici Engineering Ford) out of the Fast Track High Performance Racing stable.
  • Isaac Kitzmiller (No. 79 A.L.L. Construction Chevrolet), 15-year-old son of ARCA Menards Series championship contender Jason Kitzmiller, will compete for the series’ Bounty Rookie of the Year award. The younger Kitzmiller is a protégé of former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday, Jr.
  • Ben Kennedy holds the ARCA Menards Series East track qualifying record at Five Flags Speedway, set in 2013, at 17.125 seconds/105.109 miles per hour.
  • Sammy Smith holds the ARCA Menards Series track race record at Five Flags Speedway, set in 2021, at 76.694 miles per hour/1 hour, 18 minutes, 14 seconds.
  • There are 23 teams entered for the Pensacola 150, the most for any ARCA Menards Series East race at Five Flags Speedway since there were 26 entries for the series’ first race at the track in 2013.
  • The Pensacola 150 will be streamed live on FloRacing on Saturday, March 22 at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT. Live timing and scoring data from all on-track activity is available at ARCARacing.com. Follow @ARCARacing on X (formerly Twitter) for up-to-the-minute updates and information.

About ARCA 
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly and regional tour racing all across the country, the organization sanctions over 100 races per year in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, ASA STARS National Tour, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing). 

About Menards
A family-owned and run company started in 1958, Menards is recognized as the retail home center leader of the Midwest with 236 stores in 15 states.  Menards is truly a one-stop shop for all of your home improvement needs featuring a full-service lumberyard and everything you need to plan a renovation or build a home, garage, cabin, shed, deck, fence or post frame building.  You’ll find a large selection of lumber, roofing, siding, construction blocks, trusses, doors and windows, plus cabinets, appliances, countertops, flooring, lighting, paint, plumbing supplies and more.  To complete the job, Menards has quality hand tools, power tools, fasteners, electrical tools plus storage options and supplies for everyone from the weekend warrior to the pro!
 
Menards has what you need to complete your outdoor projects and keep your yard in tip-top shape including mowers, trimmers, blowers, pressure washers and more, plus a beautiful garden center stocked with plants, shrubs, trees, landscaping tools, grass seed, fertilizer options, outdoor décor and patio furniture.  Menards also has everyday essentials like health & beauty products, housewares, pet and wildlife supplies, automotive items and even groceries.  And at Christmas, an Enchanted Forest display area with impressive trees, lighting, decorations, ornaments, inflatables and more. 

Menards is known for friendly Customer Service and as the place to “Save Big Money” with low prices every day, and sales too!  For more information, please visit Menards.com to learn about our store locations, offerings and services.

1...667668669...6,745Page 668 of 6,745