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Trans Am Series Western Championship Event Preview: Buttonwillow Raceway Park

By
Official Release
-

Buttonwillow Raceway Park
Buttonwillow SpeedTour

Track Facts:
Opened: 1995
Length: 2.64 Miles
Layout: 19-Turn Road Course

Practice:
Saturday, March 15
10:40-11:15 a.m. PT

Qualifying:
Saturday, March 15
2:20-2:45 p.m. PT

Race:
Sunday, March 16
12:20-1:35 p.m. PT
Race Length: 38 Laps/75 Minutes

Welcome Back Western Championship

The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Western Championship kicks off the 2025 season at Buttonwillow Raceway Park with the Buttonwillow SpeedTour. This is the first time that Trans Am has ever visited Buttonwillow, which is located outside of Bakersfield, Calif. This weekend, 23 competitors will take on the track’s popular 2.64-mile CW14 course configuration.

TA Cup Making Debut

This weekend will see the official debut of the new TA Cup class. TA Cup utilizes high-performance spec tube-frame vehicles with silhouette bodies produced by Chris Evans Inc., owned by two-time Western Championship title winner Chris Evans, who will compete in the class himself this season. The 600 rear-wheel horsepower vehicles have been competing in the Western Championship’s XGT class since 2023, but with the growing number of current and prospective car owners, the cars are now being separated into their own class to allow for greater competition and differentiation between the single-builder cars and the production class. This weekend, the class has six entries:

Ken Thwaits, No. 9 Franklin Road Chevrolet Camaro
John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang
Michelle Nagai, No. 72 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro
Ken Sutherland, No. 85 Kallberg Racing Dodge Challenger
Chris Evans, No. 92 Central Welding Supply/Pinnacle Alloys Ford Mustang
Derek Thorn, No. 08 DTR Marketing/Power Grade/PJR/CEI Ford Mustang

Ken Thwaits Returns to Competition

Ken Thwaits (No. 9 Franklin Road Chevrolet Camaro) returns to Trans Am competition this weekend following a two-year hiatus. The 2020 XGT title winner in the National Championship will be making his first-career start in the Western Championship in the new TA Cup class. Since making his last TA start in 2023, Thwaits has been heavily involved in the production of the Trans Am docuseries Road to Glory on MAVTV, which will feature episodes dedicated to Western Championship competition for the first time this season.

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Champions Return

Another driver returning to competition this weekend is 2023 CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series Western Championship title winner Brody Goble (No. 69 Brown Bros. Ford Lincoln Ford Mustang), who will be making his first start in the class since clinching his championship at Circuit of The Americas in November of 2023. The British Columbia, Canada native has five wins in two seasons of TA2 competition and comes into Buttonwillow with a new TeamSLR racecar.

The most recent TA2 champion, Michael LaPaglia (No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang) also returns to the series to defend his 2024 title. LaPaglia earned his title on the strength of two victories last season and has amassed eight wins overall in the class.

Recent Buttonwillow Success

Just a few weeks ago, the SCCA Super Tour visited Buttonwillow Raceway Park, with one of the competitors in this weekend’s field finding success. CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series entrant Brad McAllister (No. 24 Periodontal Associates Ford Mustang) dominated the weekend, winning both races in the GT2 class.

Another TA2 driver with previous success at Buttonwillow is Caleb Shrader (No. 66 DIG Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro). Shrader, who is an SCCA Super Tour champion in SRF3, has won at the track in SRF3 and FE2.

Naake Motorsports Brings Stable to Buttonwillow

Naake Motorsports comes to Buttonwillow Raceway Park with a full stable of drivers, unloading four cars for this weekend’s event. The team will field Tim Lynn (No. 17 Roof Options Ford Mustang) and Cole Moore (No. 99 Moore Motorsport/JM Environmental Ford Mustang) in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, and Cole’s father John Moore (No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang) and Michelle Nagai (No. 72 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro) in TA Cup. To prepare for the season opener, the team has undergone rigorous testing, both at the track and on the team’s in-house simulator.

National Competitors Come to California

For two competitors in this weekend’s event, Sunday will not be the first Trans Am race of the 2025 season. Barry Boes (No. 32 Accio Data/TRB Autosport Ford Mustang) and Mia Lovell (No. 40 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) both started off their seasons at Sebring International Raceway a few weeks ago, competing in the season-opener of the National Championship. Boes, who won the Pro/Am Challenge championship last season, scored a runner-up finish in the class at Sebring, while Lovell finished 20th in the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series following an early mechanical failure in her Trans Am debut. Both drivers will be competing in TA2 this weekend.

New Faces

The Western Championship will welcome several new competitors to the Trans Am Series paddock.

JD Koos (No. 12 Nicole Douglas Design Porsche GT3 Cup 991.1) will make his Trans Am debut this weekend in the XGT class. Koos comes to Trans Am from SCCA Majors, and has previously finished on the podium at Buttonwillow in both SCCA Majors and NASA.

TA2 driver Seamus McKendree (No. 20 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang) was the 2024 Vice Champion in the Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series.

Simon Asselin joins the SGT class in his No. 81 Infillion Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup.

Stein Frederic Akre (No. 98 TeamTrysil.com Chevrolet Camaro) comes to the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series from Trysil, Norway.

Derek Thorn (No. 08 DTR Marketing/Power Grade/PJR/CEI Ford Mustang) is an experienced late model racer with 59 wins in the SLR Spears Southwest Tour Series and seven victories in the ARCA Menards Series West. He is making his debut in TA Cup.

Home Base

The Buttonwillow SpeedTour kicks off a three-race streak of Western Championship races in the state of California. Nearly half the field hails from the Golden State. Derek Thorn from nearby Bakersfield, Calif. is the most local of the 11 Californians.

CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series

Tim Lynn, No. 17 Roof Options Ford Mustang (Kentfield)
JC Meynet, No. 28 Me Myself and I Chevrolet Camaro (Woodland Hills)
Michael LaPaglia, No. 31 Papini’s Garage/F.A.S.T. Auto/Howe Ford Mustang (Murrieta)
Tim Carroll, No. 46 CRDMFG.com Chevrolet Camaro (Santa Ana)
Kyle Kelley, No. 80 UPR.com/PKK Motorsports Ford Mustang (Huntington Beach)
Viktor Czapla, No. 88 CoolBoxx Dodge Challenger (Agoura Hills)
Cole Moore, No. 99 Moore Motorsport/JM Environmental Ford Mustang (Orangevale)

TA Cup

John Moore, No. 27 JM Environmental Ford Mustang (Roseville)
Michelle Nagai, No. 72 Nagai Racing/Berkeley Jet Drive Chevrolet Camaro (Newcastle)
Derek Thorn, No. 08 DTR Marketing/Power Grade/PJR/CEI Ford Mustang (Bakersfield)

XGT

JD Koos, No. 12 Nicole Douglas Design Porsche GT3 Cup 991.1 (Murrieta)

Personal Celebrations

2023 GT champion JC Meynet is still looking for his first win since switching to the CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series last season, but he already has plenty of reasons to celebrate. Meynet’s son Charlie just graduated from Harvard’s MPA program. His other son, Daniel, was a top Supercross racer who suffered a traumatic brain injury, but has recovered and is beginning his MBA program.

NASCAR issues lug nut penalties to Nos. 18, 20 Xfinity teams from Phoenix

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Mike Biskupski for SpeedwayMedia.com.

NASCAR revealed the penalty report following this past weekend’s Xfinity-Cup Series actions at Phoenix Raceway between March 8-9.

The only pair of penalties that were issued were towards Joe Gibbs Racing’s (JGR) Nos. 18 and 20 Toyota Supra teams in the Xfinity Series division. Both of the team’s entries were found to have violated Sections 8.8.10.4a of the NASCAR Rule Book that pertained to a lug nut found to not be properly installed on the entries following this past Saturday’s event at Phoenix.

As a result of the loose lug nut penalty, JGR’s Nos. 18 and 20 teams were each fined $5,000.

The No. 18 JGR Toyota entry, which is being piloted by rookie William Sawalich, is coming off a 13th-place result this past weekend at Phoenix after Sawalich rallied from starting at the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments made to his entry prior to the event. Meanwhile, the No. 20 JGR Toyota entry, which is piloted by Brandon Jones, is coming off a third-place run at Phoenix. The result marked Jones’ first top-three result of the 2025 campaign as he is coming off respective finishes of 37th, 13th and 30th to commence this season.

With their respective finishes at Phoenix, Sawalich is ranked in 12th place in the driver’s standings, where he trails points leader Jesse Love by 51 points, while Jones is ranked in 20th place and trails the lead by 67 points.

There were no additional penalties levied on any of the Cup Series teams. In addition, no Cup entries were taken to the R&D center in Concord, North Carolina, for further inspection.

The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series teams and competitors will return to action next weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway along with the Craftsman Truck Series. The Truck Series will commence next weekend’s triple-header feature at Vegas on Friday, March 14, at 9 p.m. ET on FS1. The Xfinity Series will follow suit on Saturday, March 15, at 4:30 p.m. ET on the CW Network while the Cup Series will cap off the weekend on Sunday, March 16, at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Haas Factory Team Advance | Las Vegas I

By
Official Release
-

Las Vegas I Event Info:
Date: Sunday, March 16
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Format: 267 Laps, 400.5 miles, Stages: 80-85-102
TV: FS1
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 6:05 p.m. ET, Xfinity Practice (CW App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday: 7:10 p.m. ET, Xfinity Qualifying (CW App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 1:35 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (Prime, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 2:40 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (Prime, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 4:30 p.m. ET, Xfinity Race (CW, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3:30 p.m. ET, Cup Race (FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • Las Vegas hosts its annual spring race this weekend as the NASCAR Cup/Xfinity Series embarks on the fifth points race of the 2025 campaign.
  • There have been 20 different winners in the last 25 NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Las Vegas since the reconfiguration.
  • Cole Custer is the only four-time pole winner (2018, 2019-spring, 2019-fall, & 2024) at Las Vegas in the Xfinity Series. The California native started inside the top-5 in his final eight Xfinity races, and had an average starting position of 3.9.

Cole Custer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
Partner: HaasTooling.com

Sheldon Creed Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jonathan Toney
Partner: Friends of Jaclyn

Sam Mayer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jason Trinchere
Partner: Audibel

Custer at Las Vegas (Cup)
Starts: 7
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Custer makes his 8th Cup start at Las Vegas this weekend, and he makes his first Cup start at Vegas since 2022.
  • His best finish at the track came in the 2020 fall race, when he drove up to 16th after starting in the 22nd position.
  • He has started inside the top-20 in two races, and has an average starting position of 23.6.

Creed at Las Vegas (Xfinity)
Starts: 6
Wins: —
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

  • Creed is set to make his 7th Xfinity start at Las Vegas on Saturday, where he has three career top-10 finishes. His best finish came in his debut race at the track in 2022, where he finished 7th after starting 8th.
  • He has started inside the top-10 in three of six career races at LVMS, and holds an average starting position of 15.2.
  • Creed was the biggest mover in last season’s fall race, as he finished 9th after starting 38th following an engine change that sent him to the rear.

Mayer at Las Vegas (Xfinity)
Starts: 7
Wins: —
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

  • Mayer is in line for his 8th Xfinity start at Las Vegas this weekend, where he finished 14th in the fall race last season. His best career finish is fifth in the fall of 2023 when he started 14th.
  • His best career starting position in fourth last fall, and he boasts an average qualifying effort of 10.0. Mayer has never started outside the top-15 in seven career races at LVMS.

Last Time Out & Where They Stand

Phoenix: Sam Mayer grabbed his second-straight top-10 finish in the Xfinity race on Saturday, while Cole Custer and Sheldon Creed were unfortunately caught up in early accidents in the desert this past weekend.

Cup Points Standings (41: 35th): Custer is 35th in the Cup Series points standings through four races this season.

Xfinity Points Standings (41: 5th, 00: 7th): Mayer now sits fifth in the Xfinity points standings with 130 total points on the season, while Creed is behind him in seventh place with 115 points heading into Las Vegas this Saturday.

RFK Advance | Las Vegas I

By
Official Release
-

Las Vegas Event Info:
Date: Sunday, March 16
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Format: 267 Laps, 400.5 miles, Stages: 80-85-102
TV: FS1
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 1:35 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (Prime, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 2:40 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (Prime, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 3:30 p.m. ET, Cup Race (FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • Las Vegas hosts its annual spring race this weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series embarks on the fifth points race of the 2025 campaign.
  • There have been 14 different winners in 25 NASCAR Cup Series races at Las Vegas since the reconfiguration of the track.
  • Las Vegas is a track where Jack Roush has had a bevy of success, including seven wins in the Cup Series alone, and 16 overall.
  • Brad Keselowski is one of five drivers all-time with three-or-more wins at LVMS, joining Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Matt Kenseth and Kyle Larson.

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

17 Team Info:
Driver: Chris Buescher
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Smith’s / Dasani

60 Team Info:
Driver: Ryan Preece
Crew Chief: Derrick Finley
Partner: Consumer Cellular

Keselowski at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Starts: 23
Wins: 3 (2014, 2016, 2018)
Top-10s: 13
Poles: 2 (2013, 2017)

  • Keselowski is a three-time winner at LVMS, one of 12 tracks he has multiple wins at on the circuit. Overall, he has a 12.7 average finish with 13 top-10s and nine finishes inside the top five in 23 starts.
  • Last spring, he finished 13th after starting in the 25th position. He was caught up in an accident in the fall that resulted in a 36th-place result.
  • Keselowski first won in Las Vegas in 2014 after starting from the second position and leading 53 laps. He followed that with wins two years apart in 2016 and 2018.
  • The Michigan native has an average starting position of 12.8 with two poles (2013, 2017), and overall, he has nine top-10 qualifying efforts.
  • Keselowski also has a win at Vegas in the Xfinity Series (2014) with four overall top-10s in 10 NXS starts. He also made one truck start back in 2005.

Buescher at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Starts: 16
Wins: —
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

  • Buescher makes his 17th Cup start at Las Vegas this weekend, where he carries an average finish of 18.1 with two top-10s (9th – 2020 & 10th – 2024).
  • Most recently, Buescher finished 10th last fall after starting 22nd. He started 9th in this race a year ago, but an incident ended his day early.
  • His best qualifying effort stands as the P5 starting spot in the 2023 fall race. Overall, he has a 21.0 average starting position.
  • Buescher made two Xfinity Series starts at Las Vegas and recorded a best finish of ninth (2014) in the No. 60 entry for Jack Roush.

Preece at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Starts: 10
Wins: —
Top-10s: —
Poles: —

  • Preece makes his 11th Cup start at Las Vegas this weekend, where he holds an average finish of 24.5. He finished 23rd in the spring race a year ago.
  • The Connecticut native’s best qualifying effort is a P16 starting spot in the fall race in 2019. Overall, he has a 25.5 average starting position.

RFK Historically at Las Vegas
Cup Wins: 7 (Mark Martin, 1998; Jeff Burton, 1999, 2000; Matt Kenseth, 2003, 2004; Carl Edwards, 2008, 2011)

  • Early JACKpot: RFK hit the Vegas jackpot right off the bat, winning the inaugural Cup event at Las Vegas in 1998. Mark Martin led 82 laps in the victory that served as a banner day for RFK.
  • Inaugural Sweep: RFK placed all five of its Cup entries inside the top 10 of that inaugural Las Vegas Cup race in 1998, including three inside the top five, four inside the top six, one in the winners circle and the runner up (6 – 1st, 99 – 2nd, 26 – 4th, 16 – 6th and 97 – 10th).
  • Continued Success: RFK won the first three Cup races at LVMS from ‘98-’00, with Jeff Burton winning back-to-back events in ’99 and ’00. RFK also took three of the first nine Xfinity Series events at LVMS.
  • Victory Lane at Vegas: In addition to the first three Cup races at LVMS, RFK again found the winners’ circle in 2003 and 2004 at the 1.5-mile track with Matt Kenseth. Carl Edwards took the checkered flag at the 2008 and 2011 events to give RFK seven Cup wins at Las Vegas with four different drivers.
  • Back to Back at Vegas: RFK has won back-to-back Cup races at LVMS on two separate occasions in ’99-’00 and ’03-04’ and once in the Xfinity Series in ‘99 and ‘00.
  • Across the Board at Vegas: All in all, RFK has tallied 16 total NASCAR wins, while turning 41,500+ laps in NASCAR action at LVMS for 62,000+ miles, while leading over 2,700 laps at the track in NASCAR’s top three divisions. At the same time the organization has finished inside the top-10 in nearly 50 percent of its 194 NASCAR starts at LVMS.

RFK Las Vegas Wins

1998 Martin Cup

1999 Burton Cup

2000 Burton Cup

2003 Kenseth Cup

2004 Kenseth Cup

2008 Edwards Cup

2011 Edwards Cup

1999 Martin NXS

2000 Burton NXS

2002 Burton NXS

2005 Martin NXS

2009 Biffle NXS

2012 Stenhouse NXS

1997 Ruttman NGOTS

1999 Biffle NGOTS

2007 Kvapil NGOTS

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Phoenix: Buescher took home his fourth straight top-10 finish at Phoenix, as he grabbed a fifth-place result in the desert. Preece earned eight stage points after a strong run in stage one, and finished the race in 15th. Keselowski was involved in an accident on lap 99 that ended his day early.

Points Standings (17: 10th, 60: 24th, 6: 33rd): Buescher cracked the top-10 in points, while Preece used stage points to jump up six spots. An early accident ended Keselowski’s day early as he drops to 33rd in points.

Joe Gibbs Racing and ampm Team Up For Multi-Race Partnership

By
Official Release
-

Denny Hamlin to carry ampm colors in two NASCAR Cup Series races in 2025

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (March 12, 2025) – Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that ampm, a top-ranked C-store brand based on the west coast, will be featured as the primary sponsor of Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE for a pair of NASCAR Cup Series races later this season at Sonoma Raceway (July 13) and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (October 12).

ampm operates more than 1,000 stores, primarily on the west coast, serving nearly 2,200 different products. The company was founded in Southern California in 1978 and has grown to become a leading C-store across multiple states. ampm prides itself on introducing innovative technology to provide a faster and easier shopping experience for its customers no matter the time of day or meal they are looking for. This marks ampm’s first foray into motorsports sponsorship.

“We’re looking forward to introducing ampm to the motorsports world,” said Hamlin. “It’s exciting to have a first-time partner come on and be able to showcase their business to our fanbase. It’s a great looking paint scheme and I can’t wait to get it on the track at Sonoma and Las Vegas later this year.”

Hamlin is competing in his 20th full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series. He is tied for 12th on the all-time wins list with 54 victories, including three wins last year. Early in the new season, Hamlin currently sits seventh in the Cup Series standings following a runner-up finish in last Sunday’s race at Phoenix Raceway.

In addition to its partnership with Hamlin this season, ampm will also sponsor Ty Gibbs’ No. 54 Toyota Camry XSE in a NASCAR Cup Series race next season.

About ampm

ampm is a leading Convenience Store brand that has grown rapidly since the first location opened in 1978, currently serving guests across more than 1,000 stores in 6 states. Predominantly located on the West Coast, ampm stores can be found in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and New York. ampm is the convenience store that’s redefining “convenience.” We’re debuting innovative, new technology to make shopping faster and easier than ever. And we’re sourcing quality ingredients and bold flavors to make our food and drinks even more craveable. Our fans, new and old, love the improvements to our stores and offering – the proof is our year-over-year growth and expanding footprint. Learn more about ampm by visiting www.ampm.com.

About Joe Gibbs Racing

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR with four NASCAR Cup Series teams, four NASCAR Xfinity Series teams, an ARCA Series team, and a driver development program. JGR is based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Joe Gibbs, who also earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was named as one of the NFL’s top 10 coaches of all-time with a winning career that included three Super Bowl Championships as head coach of the Washington franchise. JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, capturing more than 400 wins over that span. No team has more combined wins across the sport’s three national series in the history of NASCAR. In addition, JGR has won five Cup Series championships along with four Xfinity Series driver championships and six Xfinity Series owner’s championships. The organization also has captured four Daytona 500 titles, considered to be NASCAR’s premier event each season.

JR Motorsports — NXS Las Vegas Motor Speedway Preview

By
Official Release
-

JR Motorsports Xfinity Team Preview
TRACK – Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile oval)
NXS RACE – The LiUNA! (200 laps / 300 miles)
TUNE IN – CW, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 4:30 p.m. (ET)

Carson Kvapil

No. 1 – Bass Pro Shops / Clarience Technologies Chevrolet

Kvapil 2025 NXS Stats

Starts: 4

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 1

Top 10s: 1

Laps Led: 8

Avg. Finish: 19

Points:17th

Carson Kvapil heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend for his first start at “the Diamond in the Desert.”

On tracks 1-2 miles in length, Kvapil has seven starts with the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He has two top-five and two-top 10 finishes; his best of second came at Dover last spring.

Additionally, the 21-year-old Mooresville native has two starts on 1.5 mile tracks in the ARCA Menards Series where he finished in the runner-up position both times.

Accompanying Kvapil, Crew Chief Andrew Overstreet has made 14 NXS starts atop the box on tracks 1-2 miles in length. In those starts, Overstreet has amassed eight top-fives and eight top-10s.

Carson Kvapil

“Our results the past few weeks have not reflected the speed this team brings to the track, so I want to turn that around this weekend in Vegas. Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) and I have been working hard in the SIM to prepare and learn as much as we can so we can have this Bass Pro Shops/Clarience Technologies Chevrolet at the front when it counts.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 Jarrett Chevrolet

Allgaier 2025 NXS Stats

Starts: 4

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 2

Top 10s: 2

Laps Led: 141

Avg. Finish: 13.5

Points: 2nd

Justin Allgaier heads to Las Vegas this weekend on a streak of seven consecutive top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile oval dating back to the fall of 2021.

Overall, in 21 career NXS starts in “Sin City,” Allgaier has scored 11 top fives and 18 top 10s, with a best finish of second occurring on four separate occasions (Spring 2011, Fall 2018, Fall 2021 and Spring 2023).

On tracks between 1-2 miles in length in the NXS, Allgaier has amassed 13 wins, 83 top-fives and 155 top-10s in 247 starts.

This weekend marks the return of Jarrett onboard Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet for the first of four events in 2025.

Justin Allgaier

“We are for sure looking forward to seeing what we can do this weekend in Vegas. We have always had a strong car here and hopefully that will be the case on Saturday with our Jarrett Chevrolet. I know that Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and all the guys on this No. 7 team are ready to get after it. Hopefully it’ll be a strong day for us and we will be in contention for the win when it counts.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet

Smith 2025 NXS Stats

Starts: 4

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 1

Top 10s: 1

Laps Led: 1

Avg. Finish: 13.3

Points: 5th

Sammy Smith has competed in four events at Las Vegas with the NXS throughout his career, with a best finish of eighth coming in their race last season.

The 20-year-old Iowa native has had strong qualifying runs in Las Vegas as he started in the top-10 in three of his four previous starts at the desert track.

According to NASCAR’s Loop Detail Statistics, Smith is seventh in best average running position at the 1.5-mile oval at 11.88.

MC Carrier, a Las Vegas, NV-based trucking and freight company, will appear on the TV panel of the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet this weekend.

Sammy Smith

“I’m excited to get to Las Vegas this weekend and continue the speed this No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet has shown. We’ve had strong qualifying runs here in the past and I know this JR Motorsports crew has been putting in the work to bring another fast car to the track and keep charging for that first win of the season. We’re so close, we’ve had the speed, and we’ve been up front contending so I know it will all come together soon.”

Connor Zilisch

No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet

Zilisch 2025 NXS Stats

Starts: 4

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 1

Top 10s: 1

Laps Led: 29

Avg. Finish: 19.5

Points: 14th

Connor Zilisch will make his first NASCAR national series start at Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon.

Zilisch is moving forward in the NXS driver points. Zilisch enters Las Vegas 14th in the standings, 54 points behind the leader. He has gained 17 positions in the driver standings in the past two races.

The driver of the WeatherTech Chevrolet led twice at Phoenix Raceway this past weekend on the way to scoring a 16th-place finish. Zilisch has led at least one lap in three of four NXS races this season.

In three career NXS starts on 1.5-mile tracks in the NXS, Zilisch has scored one top-five; a fourth place finish last fall at Kansas Speedway.

Connor Zilisch

“Las Vegas is a high-speed track, high banking, and high grip. It’s going to be cool to go there for the first time in a stock car. I grew up racing go-karts in Vegas quite a bit and enjoyed it a lot, so I’m excited to go back and run at the NASCAR track for the first time. It will be good to get into a rhythm these next few races and figure out what we need to be doing and how I like the car. We’re looking forward to getting going.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: JR Motorsports has competed at Las Vegas Motor Speedway a combined 84 times in the NXS since 2006. In those starts at the 1.5-mile oval, the organization has recorded three wins, 24 top-fives and 55 top-10s. The average finish is 11.2.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Connor Zilisch will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / HMS-Byron/Bowman souvenir rig on Saturday, March 15 from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. PT.

Toyota GAZOO Racing Weekly Preview 03.12.25

By
Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: March 10 – 16, 2025

· NCS/NXS/NCTS: Las Vegas Motor Speedway – March 14-16

PLANO, Texas (March 12, 2025) – The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series continue their stint out west as both series head to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend for their first of two visits this season. Also, the NASCAR Truck Series returns to action on Friday night in Las Vegas after two weekends off, followed by the Xfinity Series on Saturday and Cup Series Sunday afternoon at the 1.5-mile oval.

NASCAR National Series – NCS/NXS/NCTS

Seven Camrys inside Cup Series top-20 … Four races into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, the Toyota Camry XSE drivers are moving their way towards the top of the series points standings. Christopher Bell leads the Toyota contingent in second position, with Tyler Reddick right behind him in third. After his runner-up result last weekend in Phoenix, Denny Hamlin is now in seventh with Bubba Wallace (12th), John Hunter Nemechek (13th), Erik Jones (19th) and Chase Briscoe (20th) all inside the top-20 in the standings.

Bell goes for historic fourth straight win … With his triumph at Phoenix Raceway, Bell became the first driver in the Next Gen era to win three consecutive Cup Series races. He now chases another place in history, seeking to become the ninth driver in history to win four straight races and the first since Jimmie Johnson in 2007. Luckily for Bell, Las Vegas Motor Speedway is next on the calendar, where the Oklahoma native has three top-fives in the last four races there – including a runner-up finish and near victory last fall.

Hamlin back at favorable Las Vegas … Coming off his best result so far in 2025, Hamlin returns to Las Vegas Motor Speedway where he’s garnered success over the last several years. The driver of the No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has three consecutive top-10s at Las Vegas and seven in the last nine races, including a win in the fall of 2021. In 26 career starts, Hamlin has 14 top-10 finishes at Las Vegas.

Jones looks to add to Las Vegas success … Like Hamlin in the Cup Series, Brandon Jones has had a successful run in the Xfinity Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in recent years. The driver of the No. 20 Toyota GR Supra for JGR has 11 top-10 finishes in 16 career starts, including eight of 10 starts in his previous four year run with JGR. Jones is also coming off a third-place finish at Phoenix last weekend, his best so far of 2025.

Gray eager to continue early season success … Taylor Gray is off to a strong start just four races into his Xfinity Series rookie campaign. The 19-year-old driver of the No. 54 GR Supra for JGR has three top-10 finishes so far this season, including a seventh-place result two weeks ago at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) and a sixth-place finish last weekend in Phoenix Raceway. He makes his second Xfinity Series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend.

Heim, Friesen look to add to Las Vegas achievements … As the Truck Series returns to action, Corey Heim and Stewart Friesen are back at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where they have had successful runs of late. Heim, winner of the season-opener at Daytona, has top-five finishes in both of his starts at Las Vegas, including a third-place result last year. Friesen – who is coming off a runner-up result at Atlanta in February – has seven top-10s in 13 career Las Vegas starts, along with five top-fives.

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.

Forte Racing Heads to Sebring Looking for a Podium

By
Official Release
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Photo by Brayan Castiblanco

Kligerman Returns as Endurance Driver

Monrovia, California (Wednesday, March 12, 2025) – Forte Racing is gearing up for one of the most challenging events on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar — the iconic Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. After securing a fifth-place finish last year, the team is determined to build momentum and take on the notoriously grueling circuit, known for its relentless bumps and intense competition, with eyes set firmly on a podium finish.

The race marks the return of Parker Kligerman as the team’s endurance driver, joining full-season drivers Mario Farnbacher and Misha Goikhberg in the Huntress Forte Lamborghini. With a blend of experience, determination, and a proven track record at Sebring, the team is confident in their ability to compete at the front of the GTD field.

“I can’t thank everyone at Forte and Huntress enough for this opportunity to compete at the Sebring 12 Hour,” Kligerman said. This was another bucket list race for me, so when Forte asked if I could run this race I was over the moon and immensely flattered. We had a great test a couple weeks ago and I felt like I made major strides in my education of driving this Lamborghini Huracan GT3. I can’t wait to get down there and go to battle with the whole team and my awesome teammates Misha Goikhberg and Mario Farnbacher. I’ve been training hard to make sure I am holding up my end of the bargain. Most of all, I am having an insane amount of fun learning sports cars and working with this whole group! Let’s go get a checkered flag!”

Full season driver Misha Goikhberg enjoys the challenge offered at Sebring’s 3.74 mile, 17 turn road course and is prepared for the bumpy 12-hour race. After a solid showing last year, he’s eager to push even harder and help the team climb the leaderboard.

“Looking forward to having a strong performance and hopefully a result in the bag at Sebring, said Misha Goikhberg. “We will display full respect to the bumps in the most grueling endurance race of the season.”

Having won this event twice in the past, Mario Farnbacher is looking forward to returning to one of his favorite tracks this weekend.

“Sebring is a special place for me,” Farnbacher said, “but also one of my favorite tracks in North America; old school track, lots of bumps, long track as well. Two minutes lap time. I have two P1 finishes of the 12 hours of Sebring; in 2015 and 2017. It’s been a while, so hopefully we can achieve another win.”

“It’s a great race to win,” Farnbacher added. “It’s a big bull fight, especially the last two hours of the race, quite harsh, but it’s a lovely race. It’s one of the best races in the calendar. So really looking forward to this race, together with the Huntress Forte Lamborghini. I’m looking forward to the challenge. Also looking forward to having Parker (Kligerman) on the team as our endurance driver, for Sebring, and obviously looking forward to driving with Misha (Goikhberg) as well. Definitely some challenges ahead of us, a 12-hour battle, I think we are ready, so let’s go.”

Team owner Shane Seneviratne knows that teamwork and strategy will be key to the team finishing on the podium at one of the most demanding endurance races on the schedule.

“Sebring is one of the most demanding races on the IMSA calendar, and we’re eager to take on the challenge,” said Shane Seneviratne, team owner of Forte Racing. “The 12-hour endurance test pushes every aspect of the team — from strategy and precision to resilience and teamwork. With Huntress joining us for the full season, we’re more motivated than ever to deliver a strong performance and fight for a spot on the podium at this iconic track.”

Follow Forte Racing on Instagram as they take on the grueling Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway which is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2025, starting at 10:10 AM Eastern Time. Fans can catch the action live in the US on Peacock, with flag-to-flag coverage from 10:00 PM to 10:30 PM ET.

ABOUT FORTE RACING (Formerly US RaceTronics)

Forte Racing, based in Los Angeles and Charlotte, competes in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar GTD Championship, IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo series with support from Lamborghini Squadra Corse. In 2025, the team will expand into the McLaren Trophy America series in SRO, further broadening its competitive footprint.

Founded as US RaceTronics by Shane Seneviratne in 2005, the team quickly made its mark with multiple wins and podiums in the Atlantic Championship before transitioning to Lamborghini Super Trofeo in 2015, winning multiple North American and World Championships.

In 2023, the team entered IMSA WeatherTech GTD with a Lamborghini Huracan EVO2 GT3, driven by Misha Goikhberg and Loris Spinelli. They secured four top-five finishes in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, including a win at the 2023 Petit Le Mans and a second-place finish in 2024, finishing fifth in the GTD Championship both years. Forte Racing continues to build its reputation as a rising force in GT racing.

For more information on driving opportunities, series details, or event attendance, visit www.forteracing.com.

About Change Racing

Founded by Lamborghini Charlotte CEO and long time real estate developer, John E. Littlefield, Change Racing is the premier championship winning team. Claiming 18 titles in various classes. Change Racing has competed in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series since its inception in 2013, most recently claiming the 2021 Amateur World Championship in Misano, Italy. Change Racing also claimed all SIX 2020 North American Championships, including the Pro, Pro-Am, Am and LB Cup class championships as well as the Team and Owner championships.

About O’Gara Motorsport

O’Gara Motorsport was founded in 2014 by owner Tom O’Gara and celebrated winning the 2015 North American Lamborghini Super Trofeo driver and team Championships. The team goal is to achieve victories in the Series as well as showcasing the brands of their sponsors both on and off the track. With a vertically integrated platform that starts at the dealership and accelerates to the top levels of professional sports car racing, everyone at O’Gara is dedicated to providing a comprehensive program for anyone, from the casually curious to the dedicated racer.

WORLD SUPERCROSS BRINGS CHAMPIONSHIP TO AFRICA WITH HISTORIC CAPE TOWN DEBUT IN 2025

By
Official Release
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  • World Supercross announces its first-ever South African race as part of the upcoming 2025 season, bringing the action to Cape Town’s DHL Stadium
  • Partnering with renowned promoter Showtime Management, the championship will see the world’s best supercross riders take to Africa as they battle it out across the globe

CAPE TOWN, 12TH MARCH 2025: World Supercross is heading to Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the latest addition to its 2025 season calendar. In its fourth season, this landmark race will be the first time World Supercross action takes place on the African continent, reinforcing the championship’s commitment to entertaining motorsport audiences around the world.

In partnership with leading local event promoter Showtime Management – the team behind bringing global entertainment spectacles to the country such as Monster Jam, Disney on Ice, Freestyle Kings and Ultra Music Festival – World Supercross’ fast paced, high octane action will thrill fans at Cape Town’s iconic DHL Stadium; the world-class venue renowned for hosting major international sports and entertainment events.

Cape Town follows London, UK, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, as one of the first announced locations in this year’s racing lineup. It will be another showcase of the world’s best riders as they compete for the 450cc and 250cc world championship titles.

Taking place on a custom-designed track, with its own unique dirt profile, South Africa will host the championship which has seen stars such as current title holder Eli Tomac and supercross legend Ken Roczen grace the dirt around the globe.

Tom Burwell, Chief Executive Officer at World Supercross, said: “Expanding our racing calendar into Africa is a historic milestone for World Supercross and a reflection of our ambition to bring supercross to fans in every corner of the globe. South Africa has a rich sporting heritage, and we’re excited to put on a show with world-class riders and a fan first experience. Cape Town’s DHL Stadium is a spectacular venue, and we’re excited to showcase our championship in such an iconic location.”

Tony Feldman, Director at Showtime Management, commented: “Bringing World Supercross to Cape Town is a game-changer for motorsport in South Africa. Our country has a deep passion for sports and regularly hosts world-class entertainment, so this is an ideal addition to our portfolio of major events. DHL Stadium is the perfect setting for the adrenaline fuelled racing and we can’t wait to showcase the energy, excitement, and drama of supercross to South African fans.”

World Supercross continues to build momentum heading into the new season, with Cape Town joining a growing roster of global destinations. This latest addition underscores the championship’s ambition to cement itself as the premier international supercross series, bringing world-class racing to fresh audiences across multiple continents.

The full 2025 calendar will be revealed in the coming months, promising a dynamic season packed with intense competition, global spectacle, and unparalleled fan engagement.

Stay tuned for further announcements on the 2025 World Supercross season at www.wsxchampionship.com.

To register for pre-sale access, visit: https://wsxchampionship.com/cape-town-2025/

About the FIM World Supercross Championship

The FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) is a global competition spearheaded by SX Global, a leader in sports marketing and entertainment. The championship, sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), has been exclusively organized and promoted by SX Global since 2022. For more information, please visit www.wsxchampionship.com.

About Showtime Management

Based in South Africa, Showtime Management is a leading live entertainment Producer and Promoter specialising in providing world-class entertainment across a variety of platforms for diverse audiences of all age groups.

From stadium concerts and events to arena spectaculars and musical theatre productions, you’ll find top quality live music, theatre and family shows that are sure to entertain!

The Ultimate Guide To Ergonomic Driver Seat Adjustments

By
SM
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Crikey, have you ever pulled out of the car after a long drive with the sensation of a twisted pretzel? Numb legs, stiff-as-a-board neck, and an aching back – it’s a bloody daily whinge, especially for those of us who sit a fair whack of time in the driver’s seat. The offender? Most often, it’s not the duration of the trip itself but the position we sit in when driving. Most drivers, whether driving the school run or accumulating serious kilometres, neglect the fundamental skill of proper seat alignment.  

Understanding ergonomics is where you begin if you’re seeking comfortable driver seats for long trips. The right seat setup can mean the difference between arriving refreshed or feeling like you’ve wrestled a kangaroo. It’s like fine-tuning an instrument; do it right, and the trip is a symphony rather than a screeching cacophony of misery.

What is the ideal driver seat height?

Right, let’s get on with it. You need to be high enough to look over the top of the steering wheel without jutting your neck out but not so high that you are knocking your head on the ceiling. The goal is to reach eye level with the middle of the windscreen. Your thighs should fit comfortably on the seat cushion, taking their weight, and your feet get the pedals comfortably.

  • Check you’re visible: Is it easy to see over the bonnet?
  • Leg support: Are your legs supported without squeeze?
  • Headroom: Is there ample room between your head and the roof?

How do I adjust lumbar support properly?

This is where most drivers go wrong. Your lumbar support should gently cupping your lower back’s natural curve. You’re not looking for a hard-as-rock hump but a gentle , supportive bulge. Too much, and you’ll feel like a cricket ball poking into your spine; too little, and you’ll be slouching like a melancholy gum tree.

  • Feel for the curve: Push your lower back gently into the seat.
  • Adjust for comfort: Turn the support in until you experience a light, even pressure.
  • Avoid over-adjustment: Don’t push an unnatural arch in your back.

What’s the ideal driver-seat back angle?

A slight recline is your buddy. Opt for a 100-110 degree setting. This will allow you to reach the steering wheel without bending or stretching easily. You should have loose shoulders and not tighten them like a group of roos in a thunderstorm.

  • Arm reach: Can you reach the steering wheel comfortably with your arms in a gentle bend?
  • Shoulder relaxation: Are your shoulders loose and not thrust forward?
  • Visibility: Can you still see well through all the mirrors?

How far should my seat be from the pedals?

This is crucial for comfort and safety. You want to push the pedals down without locking your knees. A slight bend in the knee when the pedal is pushed down is ideal. It’s like getting your pedal steel guitar adjusted; you want that sweet spot.

  • Full pedal depression: Is there freedom to depress all pedals without tension?
  • Knee bend: When fully depressing the pedals, are there any slight knee bending?
  • Foot positioning: Do your feet range freely across the pedals?

How do I adjust the headrest for safety?

The headrest isn’t simply a comfortable pillow; it’s also an essential safety feature. Have it placed so the crown? This minimises the occurrence of whiplash during crashes.

  • Height positioning: Is the crown of the headrest eye level or slightly higher concerning eye level?
  • Position distance: Is the headrest against but not squishing against your head during driving?
  • Securely held in place: Is the headrest snugly fastened?

Case study

In my recent case study on ergonomic driver seats, I examined how a leading seat supplier in the Asia Pacific region sets new standards in comfort, safety, and efficiency. Their seats are designed to be ADR-68 and ECE compliant, offering best-in-class safety to commercial vehicle drivers. One of its standout features is customisation—drivers can revel in adjustable armrests, lumbar support, and even inbuilt USB ports for convenience. Their lightweight seat designs also cater to the growing demand for electric buses to improve vehicle efficiency without compromising durability. I also learned that their quality construction materials make maintenance a snap, which saves fleet operators money over time. Their deep understanding of the Asia Pacific market is embedded in their designs, which are tailored to local climatic conditions and passenger expectations. This case study also reaffirmed the importance of investing in ergonomically designed driver seats for safety and long-term comfort.

Seasonal considerations: Autumn road trips

As March comes around and the ferocity of the Australian summer starts to wane, most Aussies are preparing for the autumn road trip. Whether your travel destination is the vineyards of the Barossa Valley or taking in the stunningly gorgeous Great Ocean Road, having your driver’s seat adjusted just right is of utmost significance for the comfort and safety of your road trip.

Conclusion

Proper adjustment of the driver’s seat is essential for comfort and long-term health. You can prevent fatigue and pain on long trips by achieving the appropriate seat height, lumbar support, backrest angle, and pedal distance. Proper positioning of the headrest also provides safety by reducing whiplash injury. Spending the time to adjust your seat correctly makes each trip more comfortable and safer. So, take the time, change your seat correctly, and enjoy a relaxed, pain-free drive.

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