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Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen join JR Motorsports for part-time Xfinity campaigns in 2025

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen will both be piloting the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro entry for JR Motorsports (JRM) for select events throughout the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

Chastain, a native of Alva, Florida, will make his first Xfinity start of the upcoming season at Circuit of the Americas (March 1) before he then competes at Darlington Raceway (April 5), Nashville Superspeedway (May 31), Dover Motor Speedway (July 19) and at Iowa Speedway (August 2).

Meanwhile, teammate van Gisbergen, a three-time Supercars champion from Auckland, New Zealand, will make his first Xfinity start with JRM in the series’ inaugural event at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City (June 14) before he returns to drive the No. 9 entry for the following road-course events at the Chicago Street Course (July 5), Sonoma Raceway (July 12) and at Watkins Glen International (August 9).

The news comes as both Chastain and van Gisbergen are scheduled to compete as full-time Cup Series competitors for Trackhouse Racing in 2025. It will be Chastain’s fourth consecutive season at Trackhouse while van Gisbergen will embark on his first full-time campaign in NASCAR’s premier series.

This past season, Chastain, a five-time Cup Series race winner who won at Kansas Speedway in September, competed in four Xfinity events with DGM Racing, where he recorded two top-10 results and a season-best sixth-place finish at Watkins Glen this past August.

Through 208 current Xfinity starts, Chastain has recorded two victories, one pole, 24 top-five results, 53 top-10 results, 961 laps led and an average-finishing result of 16.6. The 2025 season will mark the Floridian’s 12th year with at least one start in the Xfinity circuit. JRM will become the 11th team Chastain has driven for as he strives to utilize the extra seat time in the Xfinity circuit to gain a competitive edge in the Cup competition.

“I think there is a lot of benefit to getting seat time on Saturdays in the Xfinity Series,” Chastain said. “Getting an opportunity to do it with JR Motorsports is too good an opportunity to pass up. I know every time I climb in their Chevrolets, we will have a chance to win.”

Compared to Chastain, teammate van Gisbergen campaigned in his first full-time stint in the Xfinity Series at Kaulig Racing this past season. Throughout the 33-race schedule, he notched his first three career victories at Portland International Raceway, Sonoma and Chicago, respectively, between June and July. Despite settling in the runner-up spot in the final Rookie-of-the-Year standings, van Gisbergen tallied a total of three poles, seven top-five results, 10 top-10 results, 100 laps led and an average-finishing result of 16.5, which was also enough to finish in 12th place in the final standings.

Previously, van Gisbergen won in his Cup Series debut at Chicago while driving Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 entry in 2023. Amid the excitement of being named a full-time Cup competitor for the 2025 season, the New Zealander also values the extra seat time gained within NASCAR’s lower series to be competitive and be a frequent front-runner among NASCAR’s elite.

“I’m trying to get as much experience as I can,” van Gisbergen said. “JR Motorsports is one of the top teams and won the championship with Justin Allgaier. I can’t wait to get started.”

With JRM’s No. 9 Chevrolet entry serving as the organization’s “all-star” entry, both Chastain and van Gisbergen will compete alongside JRM’s full-time Xfinity competitors that include the reigning champion Justin Allgaier, junior driver Sammy Smith and rookies Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch in 2025.

Additional details for the JRM’s No. 9 “all-star” entry for the 2025 Xfinity Series have not been determined.

With their part-time Xfinity Series campaigns in 2025 set, Ross Chastain will make his first series start with JRM at Circuit of the Americas on March 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET on the CW Network while van Gisbergen will make his first start at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on June 14 at 4:30 p.m. ET on the CW Network.

Reaume Brothers Racing expands to fielding three full-time Truck entries in 2025

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Chad Wells for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Reaume Brothers Racing (RBR) will be fielding three full-time entries for the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

The news comes as RBR took to social media on Thursday, January 9, to reveal its acquisition of the No. 2 from Rev Racing. As a result, RBR’s newly formed No. 2 Ford F-150 entry will be fielded alongside the Nos. 22 and 33 entries for the entire Truck schedule this upcoming season. While the drivers of the Nos. 2 and 22 entries remain to be determined, the team confirmed in mid-October that Frankie Muniz, a former actor and ARCA Menards Series competitor from Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, will pilot the No. 33 Ford entry for his first full-time Truck campaign in 2025.

The 2025 season will mark RBR’s eighth consecutive year participating in the Truck Series. This past season, Lawless Alan piloted the team’s No. 33 Ford entry on a full-time basis, where he recorded a fifth-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in October before he finished 24th in the final driver’s standings. RBR also fielded the No. 22 Ford on a full-time basis, where the entry was piloted between nine competitors, and the No. 27 Ford on a part-time basis, the latter of which was driven between Muniz, Stephen Mallozzi and Keith McGee.

Through a combined 250 starts, RBR entries have achieved a total of two top-five results, four top-10 results, three laps led and an average-finishing result of 26.5 as they strive to gain a competitive edge for the upcoming Truck season.

Over the previous two Truck seasons, Rev Racing fielded the No. 2 as a full-time Chevrolet Silverado RST entry for Nick Sanchez, the 2022 ARCA Menards Series champion. After Sanchez captured the 2023 Rookie-of-the-Year title, he claimed his first two series victories at Daytona International Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway this past season. Sanchez would also make the Playoffs during both seasons and notched a career-best fifth place in the final standings in 2024.

Entering the 2025 season, Sanchez has graduated to the Xfinity Series and is set to drive the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro entry for Big Machine Racing. Meanwhile, Rev Racing’s status of competing in the Truck Series for the 2025 season remains to be determined. The status of veteran crew chief Kevin “Bono” Manion, who was atop the No. 2 Rev Racing pit box in 2024, is also unknown.

The 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season for Reaume Brothers Racing is scheduled to commence at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, with the event’s broadcast time to commence at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

SMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES BEGINS WITH SUPERCROSS SEASON OPENER SATURDAY IN ANAHEIM LIVE AT 8 P.M. ET ON USA NETWORK AND PEACOCK

By
Official Release
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Telemundo YouTube and Facebook to Feature the Spanish Language Broadcast Live for all 2025 Races

Reigning Supercross and SMX World Champion Jett Lawrence Headlines Field

Leigh Diffey, 15-Time AMA Champion Ricky Carmichael, and Seven-Time AMA Champion James Stewart to Call Race

Peacock to Stream All Races, Qualifying and Heats Live Across the 2025 Supercross Season, Including 16 Exclusive Live Races

STAMFORD, Conn. – Jan. 9, 2025 – The 2025 SMX World ChampionshipTM series and Monster Energy AMA Supercross season begins this Saturday, Jan. 11, from Angel Stadium of Anaheim in California, starting live at 7:30 p.m. ET with exclusive pre-race coverage on Peacock followed by the race at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock.

Saturday’s season opener is headlined by reigning Supercross and SMX World Champion Jett Lawrence, competing in his sophomore season in the premier class. Lawrence’s older brother, Hunter, who finished second overall in the SMX Playoffs, also looks to build on the momentum from 2024. Two-time Supercross Champions Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb, as well as reigning two-time Pro Motocross Champion Chase Sexton are all expected to compete on Saturday and begin an action-packed 2025 season. The Western Regional 250SX Championship kicks off as well with reigning two-time 250 SMX World Champion Haiden Deegan headlining the field.

2025 marks the third year of the SMX World Championship, which unifies Supercross and Pro Motocross and presents the season-ending SMX World Championship Playoffs, with the top racers in the world competing for the sport’s ultimate title in a style of racing that features the best that both indoor stadium Supercross and outdoor Pro Motocross seasons have to offer.

Leigh Diffey will serve as play-by-play with 15-time AMA champion Ricky Carmichael and seven-time AMA champion James Stewart serving as analysts. Will Christien and Jason Thomas will serve as reporters.

Race Day Live qualifying coverage on Saturday from Anaheim gets underway at 2:30 p.m. ET exclusively on Peacock, hosted by former racers Justin Brayton and Adam Cianciarulo. The pre-race show at 7:30 p.m. ET will be hosted by Jason Weigandt, Brayton, and Cianciarulo. All Supercross live coverage, including races, heats, and qualifying, plus on-demand replays, will be available on Peacock. Click here for more details.

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will provide live streaming coverage of Saturday’s race. An encore presentation of the race will air Sunday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.

28 regular season races plus the postseason playoffs across the series, including exclusive live coverage of Main Event races, qualifiers, and heats, will be presented across NBC, Peacock, USA Network, and NBC Sports digital platforms in 2025, culminating with two SMX World Championship Playoff rounds and the SMX World Championship Final. The complete schedule can be found here. Additionally, Telemundo Deportes will live stream the Spanish-language broadcast of every race this season on the Telemundo Facebook and YouTube channels.

Throughout the season, all 31 SMX World Championship rounds will be presented on NBC Sports Audio on SiriusXM Channel 85. To learn more about NBC Sports’ wide variety of sports talk radio shows and events, click here.

Broadcast Team

Play by Play: Leigh Diffey
Analyst: Ricky Carmichael / James Stewart
Reporters: Will Christien / Jason Thomas
Pre-Race: Justin Brayton / Adam Cianciarulo / Jason Weigandt

How To Watch (all times ET)

TV – USA Network, NBC
Streaming – Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app, Telemundo Facebook/YouTube

How To Listen (all times ET)

Satellite Radio – NBC Sports Audio – Sirius XM Channel 85

For information about the SuperMotocross World Championship, please visit www.SuperMotocross.com and be sure to follow all of the new SMX social media channels for exclusive content and additional information on the latest news:
Instagram: @supermotocross
Facebook: @supermotocross
Twitter: @supermotocross
YouTube: @supermotocross

About the SMX World Championship:
The SMX World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series in the world that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SMX World Championship Series combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 28-round regular season that culminates with the season-ending SMX World Championship Playoffs. Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About NBC Sports:
NBC Sports connects people to the moments that matter most and serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports presents premier content across linear platforms NBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, as well numerous digital sites, including Peacock. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, Big Ten Conference, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, Notre Dame, The R&A, PGA of America, USGA, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, NBA and WNBA coming in 2025-26, and many more. It also consists of NBC Sports Next, a subdivision of NBC Sports and home to all NBCUniversal digital applications in sports and technology within its three groups: Youth & Recreational Sports, Golf, and Betting & Gaming.

About Peacock:
Peacock’s expansive programming features live coverage including Big Ten Football and Basketball, Sunday Night Football, Notre Dame Football, Big East men’s basketball, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Premier League, NASCAR, NBA and WNBA coming in 2025-26, and much more. Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel.

Cadillac preps for run at another Rolex 24 victory

By
Official Release
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Expanded GTP program brings together experienced, championship-winning driver lineup

DETROIT (Jan. 9, 2025) – Cadillac Racing started the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with a track record in earning the pole and runner-up finish in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and closed the campaign with a track record in earning the pole and overall victory in the Motul Petit Le Mans.

Three Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) entries will aim to improve on the season-opening result January 25-26 in the 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona by giving Cadillac Racing its fifth victory in the twice-around-the-clock race on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway course.

Cadillac Racing has totaled 12 podium finishes, including the overall victories in 2017-2020 and 1-2 sweeps in 2017, ’18 and ‘19, since joining IMSA prototype competition in 2017.

With experienced, championship-winning teams and drivers buoyed by the strong 5.5-liter DPHC V8 engine package, prospects are bright for all three entries being in the mix for the pole and overall victory.

The heralded return of Wayne Taylor Racing to the Cadillac sports car racing program along with Action Express Racing, which will mark its 14th consecutive year with GM, and all-star driver rosters complement the on-track storylines.

Four current drivers have won the Rolex 24 At Daytona with Cadillac Racing in DPi competition: Kamui Kobayashi (2018, 2019), Ricky Taylor (2017), Filipe Albuquerque (2018) and Jordan Taylor (2017, 2019).

Additionally, the 12-driver lineup represents seven FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar/LM1 titles, 11 24 Hours of Le Mans overall/class victories, six Twelve Hours of Sebring victories and three IMSA/Grand-Am prototype championships.

On-track activity begins January 17 with the three-day Roar Before the 24, with teams returning for practice and qualifications January 23.

Cadillac Racing led all GTP manufacturers with six poles in the nine races in 2024 and swept the front row three times, including at Daytona with the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R setting the pace with a Grand Touring Prototype track-record lap time. The team went on to record the second-place finish.

Peacock (U.S.) and IMSA’s YouTube channel will stream qualifications at 2:05 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 23. Coverage of the Rolex 24 At Daytona starts at 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Jan. 25, on NBC, with continuing network coverage on USA from 2:30-6:30 p.m. NBC will pick up the broadcast at noon Sunday, Jan. 26, for the finish. Peacock (U.S.) and IMSA’s YouTube channel will stream the entirety of the race along with the IMSA Radio broadcast at IMSA.com, Sirius 211/XM 207, locally at 93.5 FM/1150 AM and 107.9 FM at the track.

What they’re saying

Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing (No. 10)

Ricky Taylor, full season driver: “Usually, the Roar is a qualifying weekend so the focus is a bit more distracted, whereas this year we can focus on what is important for the race and learn our new car over the entire test. The car was very nice to drive in November. I still feel like we know very little about it and have a lot to learn. The main surprise was how differently two manufacturers approached the same problem of adapting to hybrid racing. Both strong approaches, but very different.”

Filipe Albuquerque, full season driver: “The first impression with the Cadillac V-Series.R and the people was great, but it also means there is a lot to do on the car and fine-tuning, getting to know everybody, to learn the car, to find new ways to adapt to the car — especially for the WTR drivers since we are almost all new to the car. So, we will need to take every minute on the track to learn and to be ready for the race, and even during the race we will be learning about the car. But that’s part of the game, so we are just excited to go on and get to the job.”

Will Stevens, IMEC driver: “I can’t wait to get the season going to be honest. Our first test back in November seems a long time ago now and I feel we are ready to get this season underway. It’s always nice to have a break over Christmas and the New Year to recharge the batteries ahead of a new season but I am raring to go now. At the Roar, you can just focus on making sure we are covering everything we need to as a team before we start the race week. Previously, you always have an eye on qualifying and that ultimately takes some focus away from just getting through everything so it will make the Roar a nice build up for sure.”

Brendon Hartley, Rolex 24 At Daytona driver: “Kicking 2025 off with the Roar is hard to beat. It feels like heading back to a family gathering with WTR but with excitement of a new toy in the garage. I am yet to drive the Cadillac so the Roar will be important for me to get a few laps to learn all the systems and get up to speed. I’m looking forward to it.”

Cadillac Whelen (No. 31)

Jack Aitken, full season driver: “It’s going to be bittersweet to come back after last year. I think Daytona is a great way to start the season because you come straight into one of the most important races of the year and you have to be on your A game from the get go. I hope that we can be in the mix again and go one better.”

Earl Bamber, full season driver: “I love this race and I’m hunting my first win there. I’m looking forward to joining Whelen for the whole year because I really love the IMSA paddock and the IMSA racing style. When you look at the category, it’s so competitive. With what Cadillac is doing behind the scenes, the amount of development, I think we have a really good chance to win.”

Frederik Vesti, IMEC driver: “I’ve been looking forward for a few months to get going with Cadillac and the whole Action Express Racing team after the November test. Coming back will be very exciting. Having done a test at Daytona is really crucial as a team and as a driver, especially for me who is a rookie at every race this year. The test was really positive and I’m looking forward to learning more during the first weekend at the track.”

Felipe Drugovich, Rolex 24 At Daytona driver: “The test in November was good for me as I was never on any type of banking like that and getting used to the car again, which is different from anything I drive. Last year I did Le Mans with Cadillac and this team and it was something I really enjoyed doing and I’ll enjoy the Daytona 24 with this group. It will be a good experience for me to drive in my second 24-hour race and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing (No. 40)

Jordan Taylor, full season driver: “The Roar is always a fun weekend in Daytona. You get to catch up with all the guys after the off-season and see a lot of familiar faces in the paddock. I think for us, it will mainly be about getting mileage in our new Cadillac V-Series.R and understanding which knobs we need to twist and turn to get the performance out of it. We have some new drivers coming back into the team as well, so it’ll be good to get everyone together for the first time and start gelling together. I think the approach for us is the same as always. The level of competition has always been high and our job has always been to maximize what we have and what we have control of. Having said that, as the competition gets stronger, the success is always sweeter.”

Louis Deletraz, full season driver: “The GTP class keeps increasing in terms of level. You definitely cannot rest; you have to keep working hard. I think that’s something Cadillac Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing do very well; always working hard and trying to stay ahead of the game and be the best possible on track because the competitors won’t give any presents. I think that is even more exciting and rewarding for drivers. At the test in November, the first time I jumped in the Cadillac V-Series.R, I think the sound of the car — as many fans know is incredible — is even better from inside the car. Working with Cadillac Racing has been great and a very smooth integration. We are all trying to help each other and learn and move forward as fast as we can to be fast as possible on track which is all that matters. That’s actually very exciting. The car has been really fun to drive. It has been fast and has potential to do more.”

Alex Lynn, IMEC driver: “Really looking forward to Daytona 2025. It’s always a great race to start the season. I think joining Wayne Taylor Racing again, it’s a team that has a lot of success and a team that turns up to every race fighting to try to win and that’s what I am about as a driver. I’m looking forward to getting out there and helping the No. 40 car fight for a Daytona victory.”

Kamui Kobayashi, Rolex 24 At Daytona driver: “I am looking forward to this year at Daytona. We will push hard. The Rolex 24 is never easy, but WTR always has the best car and we have a great opportunity to win if we make no mistakes. This team knows how to win this race. It is my first time in the LMDh car and the hybrid is very different. Daytona’s schedule gives us time to understand the car. If we understand the car, we will be alright. I have big confidence in Wayne Taylor and his organization. His driver lineup is very strong and the Cadillac knows performance.”

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

LEGENDARY DARLINGTON DRAGWAY JOINS NHRA MEMBER TRACK FAMILY IN DIVISION 2

By
Official Release
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HARTSVILLE, S.C. (Jan. 9, 2025) – NHRA officials are pleased to announce the addition of Darlington Dragway to the NHRA Member Track Network, bringing the historic facility to the NHRA’s Southeast Division (Division 2) for the first time.

Located in Hartsville, S.C., the track first opened in 1977 and has been a standout venue for nearly 50 years. It has been a host for big-time events and grassroots drag racing for decades, boasting a strong commitment to the local racing scene. Darlington Dragway also aligns with NHRA’s mission for safe and exciting drag racing as it looks to continue to build on an already impressive legacy.

“Taking a legendary facility like Darlington to the next level is something I’ve always wanted,” Darlington Dragway President Jeff Miles said. “It just makes sense to have the most historic and largest facility in South Carolina be on board with a sanctioning body like NHRA, which has been in business for nearly 75 years. Great things are certainly in our future!”

As one of the over 100 NHRA Member Tracks, Darlington Dragway will be eligible to offer racers in the area a variety of NHRA racing opportunities in the future, including the NHRA Summit Racing Series, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA Street Legal, NHRA Jr. Street and more. Additionally, the track will have the chance to host NHRA specialty events like the NHRA Summit King of the Track and more.

Always featuring a full slate of racing each year, Darlington Dragway will host an impressive range of NHRA and local events during the 2025 season, giving an abundance of opportunities for racers and fans in the area.

“Adding a historic track like Darlington Dragway to the NHRA Member Track family for the first time is so exciting,” NHRA Division 2 Director Cody Savage said. “The track has a storied history and we look forward to seeing them continue to thrive as part of the NHRA network. It is a track dedicated to hosting incredible events for its local sportsman racers and perfectly complements NHRA mission to grow the sport at the grassroots level. We’re thrilled to work alongside this legendary facility for years to come.”

For more information about Darlington Dragway, visit www.darlingtondragaway.com. For more information on NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, visit www.nhra.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.

Beard Motorsports Announces Plans for 2025 Daytona 500

By
Official Release
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Fortify Building Solutions Will Back Single-Car Effort and Driver Anthony Alfredo in 67th Running of the ‘Great American Race’

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. (Jan. 9, 2025) – Beard Motorsports announced today that it plans to qualify for the 2025 Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Driver Anthony Alfredo will be back behind the wheel of the Beard Motorsports Chevrolet, which will be dressed in the colors of Fortify Building Solutions.

Started by the late Mark Beard Sr., Beard Motorsports is owned and operated by the Beard family with Linda Beard at the helm, and her children, Amie Beard-Deja and Mark Beard Jr., overseeing the daily operations. The 2025 season is Beard Motorsports’ ninth participating in select events that make up the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, and the season-opening Daytona 500 will mark the team’s seventh start in the “Great American Race” since making its debut in that event in 2017.

“It’s an honor to be talking about our ninth season competing in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Beard-Deja, executive vice president of Beard Motorsports. “This obviously started as a passion project for my dad and has become a labor of love for our family. We put in a lot of hard work and that is evident by the product we bring to the track every time we show up. It’s a credit to the team of people that we have assembled to prepare our racecars, and it all starts with our crew chief Darren Shaw, who has been busy preparing the car for the 2025 Daytona 500.

“We are thrilled to have Anthony Alfredo back behind the wheel of the No. 62 Chevrolet and are very honored to continue the relationship we have started with Fortify Building Solutions. To have that brand continue its support of Beard Motorsports means a lot.”

Fortify Building Solutions, part of Cornerstone Building Brands, offers North America’s most extensive selection of high-quality metal roofing, wall panels and metal building solutions to local builders, contractors and homeowners through retail storefronts across the country. The brand’s more than 20 branch locations supply professionals and homeowners with hometown service and support, backed by a nationwide manufacturing and distribution network. The company partnered with Beard Motorsports during the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, sponsoring the No. 62 entry in the Oct. 6 YellaWood 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

“We are thrilled to continue this partnership with the Beard family and Anthony Alfredo,” said Rayome Soupiset, general manager of retail direct at Cornerstone Building Brands. “Fortify Building Solutions is about serving our communities at the local level and positively contributing to the communities we operate in. As we expand our footprint in Florida and across the Southeast, we’re excited to be a part of the 2025 Daytona 500 and share in the excitement of NASCAR with our customers and employees. We believe the NASCAR platform is an excellent way to amplify the Fortify Building Solutions brand, but more importantly, that this partnership with the Beard family and Anthony represents a shared commitment to local community, perseverance and excellence.”

Since making his NASCAR debut in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2019, Alfredo has been busy making a name for himself in the NASCAR garage. The native of Ridgefield, Connecticut, has competed in all three of NASCAR’s top touring series and has been a regular in the NASCAR Xfinity Series the last three seasons. Alfredo raced the Beard Motorsports entry in three Cup Series races in 2024, earning a career-best finish of sixth in the April 21 GEICO 500 at Talladega.

“The NASCAR Cup Series is the goal for every driver that goes the NASCAR route,” Alfredo said. “The Beards gave me this chance to race for them last year and I couldn’t be happier to be back competing with them again in 2025. They are such a great family and the team does a great job bringing fast cars to the track. We learned a lot together in 2024 and I think it will be a difference-maker for us going into this season.

“And to further this relationship with Fortify Building Solutions is an amazing opportunity. It’s a relationship that means a lot to me, given my family’s background in the metal building construction industry. As the brand expands nationally through local storefronts, it’s providing faster service to the communities they serve without losing the personal touch. I think we have a great opportunity to do some amazing things to promote the speed and service their customers can expect.”

More information regarding Beard Motorsports’ plans for the 2025 NASCAR season will be announced at a later date.

About Fortify Building Solutions

Fortify Building Solutions is proud to provide builders, contractors and homeowners – across local communities and nationwide – with the broadest selection of metal roofing, wall and building products through its vast manufacturing and distribution network. As part of the Cornerstone Building Brands family, the brand is dedicated to offering personalized support and service to help its customers through every step of their project.

About Cornerstone Building Brands

Cornerstone Building Brands is a leading manufacturer of exterior building products for residential and low-rise, non-residential buildings in North America. Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina., the company serves residential and commercial customers across the new construction and Repair & Remodel (R&R) markets. Its market-leading portfolio of products spans vinyl windows, vinyl siding, stone veneer, metal roofing, metal wall systems and metal accessories. Cornerstone Building Brands’ broad, multichannel distribution platform and expansive national footprint includes approximately 18,000 employees at manufacturing, distribution and office locations throughout North America. Corporate stewardship and environmental, social and governance responsibility are embedded in the company’s culture. It is committed to contributing positively to the communities where people live, work and play. For more information, visit www.CornerstoneBuildingBrands.com.

Front Row Motorsports, Zep Announce Partnership for Noah Gragson

By
Official Release
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Zep to Serve as Official Cleaning Supplier of Front Row Motorsports

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 9th, 2025) – Continuing to grow its network of partners before the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season begins, Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is excited to announce a new partnership with Zep. The cleaning supplier will be represented as the primary partner on the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in two NASCAR Cup Series events, collaborating with FRM and Noah Gragson throughout the season to promote their line of cleaning solutions. Additionally, Zep will serve as a season long associate partner on all FRM vehicles, including the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Whether in industrial or retail settings, Zep is the go-to cleaning brand for professionals and is recognized as a leading innovator, producer, and distributor of maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation solutions. Zep is excited to enter this new partnership that will designate the brand as the “Official Cleaning Supplier of Front Row Motorsports”.

“Zep is excited about our new partnership with Front Row Motorsports as the official cleaning brand throughout their organization,” said Greg Heyer, Executive Vice President Retail Sales and Marketing, Zep. “We look forward to working with Noah Gragson and the No. 4 team as the primary sponsor at some key races this season and help bring FRM to victory lane!”

Gragson will debut the No. 4 Zep Ford Mustang Dark Horse in June at the Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 28th. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the 1.54-mile intermediate speedway has statistically been a good track for Gragson, having earned three top-5’s and five top-10’s and averaged a finishing position of 8.3. The Saturday night race is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET and will be the first race of the season televised on TNT Sports. Fans can also tune into the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90 to listen to the action live.

“We are thrilled to welcome Zep as the official cleaning supplier of Front Row Motorsports for the 2025 season,” said Noah Gragson. “Their industry-leading cleaning products will play a key role in maintaining the high-performance standards we strive for both on and off the track. With Zep’s support, we are excited to build a successful partnership that enhances our team’s performance and makes a lasting impact throughout the season.”

Zep’s second primary race is August 23rd at the famed Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway for the Coke Zero Sugar 400. In the Xfinity Series, Gragson has one win at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, capturing the checkered flag in 2020. In the Cup Series, Gragson has one top-5 and two top-10’s. His career best finish of fifth came in 2022. Fans can watch the action live on NBC or tune in to the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90 to listen in.

ABOUT ZEP, INC.

Zep, Inc. is a leading innovator, producer, and distributor of maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation solutions for industrial and institutional, retail, and food & beverage customers. Zep possesses a large portfolio of premium solutions built over an 85-year legacy of developing the most effective products trusted by professionals and consumers to get the job done right the first time.

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.

SPIRE MOTORSPORTS TO FIELD NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES, ARCA MENARDS SERIES ENTRY FOR COREY DAY IN SELECT RACES

By
Official Release
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Open-Wheel Standout to Jump Start 2025 at Daytona International Speedway

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (January 9, 2025) – Spire Motorsports will field HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolets in select NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series races in 2025 for open-wheel standout and Hendrick Motorsports driver Corey Day.

Day, 19, will compete in four ARCA Menards Series races behind the wheel of the No. 77 Chevrolet beginning with the Feb. 15 Daytona ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway. In preparation for the event, Day will participate in the Jan. 9-10 ARCA Series test at the “World Center of Racing.”

In addition to the four-race ARCA slate, Day will compete in eight CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado. HENDRICKCARS.COM will serve as Day’s primary sponsor in all 12 events.

Veteran crew chief Mark McFarland will lead Day’s ARCA effort while Brian Pattie will continue to lead the No. 7 Silverado.

“When racing on dirt, you see the small, quarter-mile bullrings and the big, fast half-mile tracks,” explained Day. “Either way, the racing doesn’t change all that much. But on the pavement, you will run on everything from aggressive short tracks, to technical road courses and the beasts that are superspeedways. No matter the racetrack, there are several things I need to learn in these pavement cars to eventually gain that versatility. I’m excited to get down to Daytona, run some laps and build a notebook of knowledge about drafting tracks.”

Following the ARCA season-opener, Day is scheduled to return to the cockpit of the No. 77 Chevy at Phoenix Raceway (March 7), Sonoma Raceway (July 11) and Kansas Speedway (Sept. 26).

His eight-race CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule will include:

  • Las Vegas Motor Speedway – March 14
  • Homestead-Miami Speedway – March 21
  • Martinsville Speedway – March 28
  • Bristol Motor Speedway – April 11
  • Rockingham Speedway – April 18
  • Nashville Superspeedway – May 30
  • Indianapolis Raceway Park – July 25
  • Darlington Raceway – August 30

Day began his career racing motorcycles and turned in two wheels for four at 10-years-old. He collected a host of micro-sprint victories from 2016 – 2020, including a win at the prestigious Tulsa Shootout in 2018. That same year, he was named King of California and scored back-to-back track championships at Plaza Park Raceway (2018-2019).

By 2020, Day progressed to the 410 sprint car ranks and quickly raced his way to the Winner’s Circle. A year later, he further diversified and bolstered his resume by becoming the youngest winner on the USAC National Midget Tour.

Two years later, Day dotted his schedule with 58 races, focusing mainly on midgets and sprint cars. The 2022 campaign saw Day collect 10 wins, 27 top fives, 35 top 10s and rookie of the year honors at the Chili Bowl – an iconic midget race in Tulsa, Okla.

“Corey has the raw speed that very few drivers have,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “What he’s done, at his age, in a sprint car is very impressive and it doesn’t take a critical eye to see that he has the tools to have an amazing career in NASCAR. Stock cars are a different animal than sprint cars but having Jeff (Gordon) and Kyle (Larson) in his ears is a big advantage. We’ll put Corey in good equipment with a very talented team behind him and do our part to contribute to his success. Everyone at Spire Motorsports is looking forward to seeing him on the track at Daytona and in all the events he has planned this year.”

Day continued to turn heads in 2023, earning 13 victories and following in his father’s footsteps to become a King of the West Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC) 410 champion. He also picked up his first World of Outlaws win at the Gold Cup Race of Champions.

Last season, he raced full time in the High Limit Sprint Car Series while competing in select World of Outlaws events. He collected 10 wins, 25 top-five and 44 top-10 finishes in 73 starts on dirt, including his first victory at the famed Knoxville Raceway. He closed out his 2024 exploits with a win in a USAC Midget, to become the youngest winner in Turkey Night Grand Prix history.

The 2024 schedule also saw him transition to the pavement ranks where he scored a win in his late model stock car debut in the second of twin 40-lap features at Hickory Motor Speedway. Day continued to climb the ladder last season with four starts a piece in both the ARCA Menards and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

“Those races will help me immensely,” said Day. “I think having any time on pavement helps me understand the feel of the car and even just how the shows run. When I was preparing for my first ARCA race last year, I had no feel for what to expect when I hit the race track. Now I have an idea of what to expect, but there will obviously be some growing pains to feel out. I have the baseline, I just need to continue to shape and refine my craft to continue to improve. I never thought my career would end up here. I only started racing sprint cars three years ago, so it is crazy how fast my career has progressed just in that time. I’m super grateful for all the people along the way that believed in me and my abilities to get me to this point.”


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

About 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.

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS SIGNS DIRT PHENOM COREY DAY

By
Official Release
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CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 9, 2025) – Hendrick Motorsports has signed dirt racing star Corey Day to a multi-year driver agreement and will support his efforts across a variety of pavement series throughout 2025.

“When Kyle Larson and Jeff Gordon say someone is the real deal, it certainly gets your attention,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Corey comes from a great racing family and in a short time has shown a level of talent that sets him apart. What he’s already accomplished at this point in his career speaks volumes, and it’s been impressive to see how quickly he’s adapted to pavement. We’re excited to welcome him to our team.”

Day signed with Hendrick Motorsports on Dec. 6, one week after his 19th birthday. With sponsorship from HENDRICKCARS.COM, he will race nearly 30 pavement events in 2025 with Hendrick Motorsports and its affiliate teams, including appearances in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, ARCA Series and Trans Am Series. Details will be announced soon.

“This is a dream scenario,” Day said. “I’m grateful to Mr. Hendrick and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports and Hendrick Automotive Group for providing a platform to grow and compete at this level. There’s still a lot to learn on pavement, but having such incredible support gives me a ton of confidence. I’m ready to work hard and take in as much as I can. It’s going to be a fun year.”

A native of Clovis, California, Day is a second-generation dirt racing star. After being named the 2022 Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Ronnie Day, to earn the 2023 King of the West 410 NARC championship. That year, he also won the prestigious World of Outlaws Gold Cup Race of Champions.

In 2024, Day raced fulltime in the High Limit Series and competed in select World of Outlaws events, collecting 10 wins, 25 top-five finishes and 44 top-10s in 73 starts on dirt. He earned his first victory at the famed Knoxville Raceway and became one of the youngest drivers in WoO history to record wins in multiple series. Day rounded out 2024 by winning the 83rd running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix, the third-oldest automobile race in the United States, to become its youngest-ever winner.

Last season, Day made his pavement debut, winning at Hickory Motor Speedway in just his second late model feature start. He also made four appearances in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and four in the ARCA Series.

ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. At the sport’s premier level, the organization holds the all-time records in every major statistical category, including championships (14), points-paying race victories (312) and laps led (more than 82,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 40 different seasons, including an active streak of 39 in a row (1986-2024). The team fields four full-time Chevrolet entries in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Headquartered on more than 200 acres in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs approximately 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

Dylan Murry Preparing for Rolex 24 at Daytona

By
Official Release
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Will Return to AF Corse for the Prestigious Event

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 9, 2025) – Dylan Murry will return to AF Corse for the upcoming Rolex 24 at Daytona, the prestigious 24-hour sports car endurance race scheduled for January 25-26 at Daytona International Speedway.

The Cumming, Georgia resident will be piloting the #88 AF Corse Oreca LMP2, sponsored by Lumaike, along with co-drivers Luis Perez Companc, Nicklas Nielsen, and Matthieu Vaxiviere.

“It’s great to be back with this team again,” said Murry, who was part of AF Corse last season in Indianapolis. “Once you start to work with a team consistently you start to build a bond and friendship that boosts performance.”

Murry has been working hard in preparation for the Daytona race. This will be his third time competing in the Rolex 24, previously winning the Michelin Endurance Cup and finishing second in LMP2.

“There’s no doubt it can be a grueling race, so you have to be ready both mentally and physically,” added the 24-year-old. “These long races are tests of endurance, and you must keep your head level all the time. You can’t let emotions get in the way even for a split second. It’s a race of being tactical, precise, and smart. I’m confident we have what it takes to win.”

Murry is thankful he is returning to a team that has a long history of success.

“They’re a great group of guys that are hardworking and passion driven,” he said. “They have an excellent track record of success in 24-hour races, like Le Mans in 2023 and 2024. That says a lot about the team.”

About Dylan Murry

Dylan Murry made his IMSA debut in the Michelin Pilot Challenge Series in 2018 alongside his father, David Murry, a former sportscar world champion. They were the first father-son combination to race in the series. He’s also been part of Racing Team Nederland’s IMSA LMP2 team and competed in IMSA’s LMP3 class with a Riley Motorsport-run Ligier. In 2017, he finished in the top 10 in both NASCAR K&N Pro Series races that he competed in. Additionally, Murry has 12 overall championships to his credit in go karts as well as in the Pro Class Legends and Pro-Legends Winter Series at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

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