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Niece Motorsports Signs Christian Rose to Full-Time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Season in 2025

By
Official Release
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Rose to compete for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors driving the No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado

Salisbury, NC (Dec. 16, 2024) – ARCA Menards Series graduate Christian Rose is making the jump up to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for a full-time bid with Niece Motorsports in 2025.

Born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, Rose did not come from a racing background, but rather, was raised on his family’s farm. When he was a child, Rose dreamt about becoming a professional driver, but his path to the career was formed by a unique journey.

A former Division 1 college baseball pitcher, Rose graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. In 2022, he was enshrined into the school’s Wall of Fame for his playing achievements. Shortly after graduating, Rose became a bouncer at a bar & grill in Ocean City, Maryland, before embarking on his driving career.

Starting out in Super Late Models, then later progressing into the ARCA ranks, Rose has gained experience racing on all types of tracks throughout the country.

In 2023, he joined AM Racing to complete two full-time ARCA national seasons – both of which resulted in top-five finishes in the points standings – highlighted by a third-place title run during his rookie year.

Looking ahead to 2025, Rose will take on a new challenge as he learns the ropes of the Truck Series. His rookie campaign will come from behind the wheel of the team’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST.

“For me, it’s a huge opportunity to make the jump from the ARCA Series,” said Rose. “I got my feet wet a little bit in the Truck Series a few years ago, but I believe in everything that we have going on in this building and am very excited to get to Daytona. The speed that we’ve seen from this team is a big reason why we signed our deal, and I’m just excited to make that transition. I think if we do the right things and show up and put the work in, we can have a lot of great things to look forward to next year.”

Rose joins fellow teammates Matt Mills and Kaden Honeycutt, who will both compete on a full-time basis for the team in 2025. Additional driver lineup announcements, along with primary partnership announcements for Rose’s truck, are forthcoming.

Niece Motorsports will enter its 10th season competing in the Truck Series in 2025, marking a milestone year for the organization.

“We’re all excited to welcome Christian on with our team next year,” said Cody Efaw, Niece Motorsports CEO. “I think our program has the possibility to have a banner year with the driver and partner lineup that we have. Christian’s drove well in his time running in ARCA, and he will have all the tools he needs to learn from our group of guys. It’s going to be a great year.”

Away from the racetrack, Rose enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Brooke, just welcomed the birth of their second son, Rip, a handful of weeks ago.

The 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season will commence under the lights at the iconic Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 14th. Tune-in to FOX Sports 1 to see Christian Rose make his first NCTS outing with his new team.

Follow Christian Rose on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Visit niecemotorsports.com for all the latest news.
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, Niece Motorsports enters its tenth season in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.

Greg Van Alst Joins Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen for 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season

By
Official Release
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CHARLOTTE, N.C.: Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen confirmed today the signing of ARCA Menards Series veteran driver and race winner Greg Van Alst to compete in a majority of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule, beginning with the United Rentals 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Sat., Feb. 14, 2025.

Van Alst, a former ARCA winner at Daytona, will pilot the No. 35 Chevrolet Camaro as part of an already announced two-car effort for the Mooresville, N.C.-based team beginning with the season-opening race at the famed 2.5-mile superspeedway.

“I am thrilled about this opportunity to compete in most of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season with Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen,” said Van Alst.

“This is an essential step in my racing career, and with a tunneled vision focused on the Xfinity Series, I believe I can step up to the plate and not only be competitive but also produce some strong finishes that can propel our team into the spotlight.

“I’m ready to get to work and make the most out of the opportunity to make my NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Daytona in about two months.”

Van Alst, 43, graduated to the Xfinity Series part-time with Alpha Prime Racing in 2023 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway, respectively.

After spending most of the 2024 season competing in the ARCA Menards Series aboard his family-owned No. 35 entry, Van Alst paired with SS-GreenLight Racing this year for five races, earning a career-best finish in the penultimate race of the season at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in early November.

Co-team owner Joey Gase announced last week that his family-owned team had added additional investment support from entrepreneur Scott Osteen. He is excited to work with Van Alst and conquer their season-long goals.

“Scott Osteen, myself and our entire Joey Gase Motorsports team are extremely excited to have Greg and his partner be a part of our team in 2025,” offered Gase. “It’s crazy how things happen and work out sometimes.

“Greg was in our shop in 2022 when our team started pulling down his ARCA car. Whoever thought he would be driving for us a few years down the road, plus we both have good taste in car numbers.

“We became good friends at the track the last few years in the Xfinity garage. We would throw questions at each other and race each other with respect on the track. Now, we’re joining forces with one mission. I’m looking forward to getting started at Daytona.”

Beginning at Daytona and throughout the 2025 Xfinity season, Van Alst’s No. 35 Chevrolet will carry continued support from Anderson, Ind.-based CB Fabricating.

Headquartered in Anderson, Ind., CB Fabricating offers a complete list of fabricating from design, laser cutting, CNC punching, forming, welding, powder coating, and assembly.

Nestled in Van Alst’s hometown, CB Fabricating’s partnership will continue for a fifth consecutive season.

“I am excited about this new partnership with Greg and the Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen team, said Chris Barkdull, owner of CB Fabricating.

“This is the next chapter of Greg’s and I’s relationship, and we look forward to making some great memories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series during the 2025 season.”

Van Alst added, “None of this would have been possible without the support of Chris (Barkdull) and CB Fabrication,” he added. “Chris has been there through the highs and lows of my racing career that reignited back in 2021.

“To have his blessing and overwhelming support to make this major leap towards more racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series is incredibly important to me and something I will never forget.

Since 2002, Van Alst has 53 ARCA Menards Series starts to his credit, one win, five top-five and 26 top-10 finishes.

For more on Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen, please like them on Facebook (Joey Gase Motorsports) and follow them on Instagram (@joeygasemotorsports) and X | Twitter (@J_G_Motorsports).

For more on Greg Van Alst and Greg Van Alst Motorsports, please visit GregVanAlst.com, like them on Facebook (Van Alst Motorsports) and follow him on X | Twitter (@GregVanAlst35).

The 120-lap United Rentals 300 is set for Saturday, February 14, 2025, with live coverage on The CW Network, the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

How to find the Best Used Car Dealers in Auckland

By
SM
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Like anywhere else, Auckland has many reliable used vehicles for sale that are ready for purchase. However, the most significant decision when buying a used vehicle is whether to purchase from a private seller or a used car dealership. This decision is compounded by the fact that a shady seller or dealership can lie or omit important information about the used vehicle you are interested in, which is why a trustworthy seller is extremely important.

There are plenty of legal resources you could take in the instance of a scam. However, that will cost more money and a significant amount of time. Instead, it would be best if you were focusing your attention on finding reputable used car dealers. While private sellers are an option, there are plenty of NZ car dealers in Auckland, and this article will provide an overview of what to look for.

Auckland Car Dealer Testimonials

Before looking at any dealership’s inventory, check online for testimonials and reviews. Testimonials are incredibly important because they provide an unbiased review of the dealer and the cars it sells.

Websites such as Yelp, Autofile, and BuyerScore (the latter is focused on New Zealand) are good places to find testimonials. Generally, you should avoid using websites owned by the dealership, as there is a potential that the testimonials and reviews listed are fake.

Car Dealer Inventory & Quality

Once a dealership passes the smell test (good testimonials), it’s time to look at what they offer and whether it is a fair market price and of good quality. The key to a successful used car purchase not only includes the ability to choose the right type of car for you but also the ability to ensure that the car is of good quality.

Here are some factors that you should consider regarding car quality:

  • Vehicle History: Check for past accidents, repairs, and ownership details. If a past accident exists, assess the damage location thoroughly.
  • Exterior and Interior Condition: Look for signs of significant rust and damage on the outside and tearing, cracking, and electronics on the inside. Ensure that windows, heating, radio, etc, function properly.
  • Mileage: Higher mileage equals more wear but may not be as significant if maintenance history is good.
  • Engine & Transmission: Test drive the car, even slightly, to ensure smooth operation.
  • Tires & Brakes: Lastly, check the tires to see if they will need to be replaced soon and the quality of the brakes during a test drive.

Car Dealership Customer Support

The last thing to look for in an Auckland car dealer is how you are treated during the buying process and what kind of support they will provide after the purchase. A dealer with strong customer support will provide you with many safety nets to improve your used car.

When buying your used car in Auckland, ensure the dealer provides the following:

  • Knowledgeable Advice
  • Transparent Pricing
  • Test Drives
  • Flexible Financing

During this, also ask about whether your new car’s warranties cover repair costs, ongoing assistance should something happen in the immediate future, and maintenance recommendations.

Bottom Line

Finding a trustworthy used car dealer in Auckland is essential to a good used-car-buying experience. Remember to evaluate dealer testimonials, inspect car inventory for quality, and assess the level of customer support offered. Whether buying your first car or upgrading your current one, focusing on the factors mentioned above will greatly benefit your Auckland used car purchase.

NHRA AND ZMAX DRAGWAY ANNOUNCE FIRST-EVER FOUR-WIDE RACE IN THE COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

By
Official Release
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NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals brings thrilling four-wide racing to playoff race for the first time in NHRA history

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 13, 2024) – For the first time in NHRA history, there will be four-wide racing in the Countdown to the Championship. NHRA and zMAX Dragway officials announced today the first four-wide playoff race, as the revamped NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals will take place Sept. 19-21, 2025, at the Bellagio of Dragstrips, zMAX Dragway.

The annual fall event in Charlotte serves as the second of six races in the Countdown to the Championship and the 16th of 20 races during the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. The playoff race had previously taken place in drag racing’s traditional two-wide format, but one of the most unique spectacles in motorsports will make its playoff debut, with four-wide racing set to bring an intriguing and exciting aspect to the championship race and the fall event at state-of-the-art zMAX Dragway.

“Creating remarkable events is at the core of what we strive to do every day, and a four-wide Countdown race is the next in a long line of firsts we’re proud to be part of in motorsports,” said Greg Walter, president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We’ve seen the popularity of four-wide racing with fans for years at our spring event, but with championship implications on the line, next year’s showcase of speed promises to be our best yet.”

Since its debut in 2010 at the spring race at zMAX Dragway, the first-ever purpose-built four-lane dragstrip, four-wide racing has been a huge favorite with fans, packing the spacious facility each year during the early-season extravaganza.

Bringing the spectacular nature of four-wide racing to the Countdown to the Championship adds a thrilling, must-see aspect to the fall race, which comes in the middle of an important stretch of three straight race weekends to open the playoffs.

Last year, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Austin Prock (Funny Car), Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won the Carolina Nationals, with both Brown and Prock finishing the season as world champs, and Glenn and Smith taking second in points in their respective classes.

Over the years, zMAX Dragway and four-wide racing have provided incredible moments, unbelievable side-by-side-by-side-by-side action and record-breaking runs, setting the stage for a wild four-wide doubleheader in 2025. The NHRA 4-Wide Nationals on April 25-27 will feature the 1,000th race in the illustrious Top Fuel category, with fans also getting the chance to witness four-wide racing in the fall for the first time ever, only adding to the playoff intensity and electricity at zMAX Dragway.

“I think it’s positive. You have to go as many rounds as you can in those six (Countdown) races no matter what, and I think it’ll be good,” Mac Tools Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta said. “If it helps the attendance, that’ll be a double bonus, and I’m totally down with it. People can be pretty opinionated about the four-wide races, but Bruton Smith stepped up like he did his whole life building these beautiful facilities trying to grow the sport.

“If somebody’s willing to spend the money to build a four-wide track to try to improve the sport, I’m definitely down with supporting people and efforts like that. I like the four-wide, and I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. Just like with NASCAR and what they do with the road courses and the Roval, we’re mixing it up. I’m for doing whatever it takes to promote our sport and get the most fans at the events.”

Added Funny Car driver Bob Tasca III: “We race for the fans, and the engagement for the four-wide races is off the charts. The track thought it would be a great addition to the Countdown, so why not? Four-wide racing pushes some drivers out of their comfort zone, but I’ve had great success in this format. It’s an intense, electrifying experience that the fans absolutely love, so I say give the fans what they want and make it part of the Countdown.”

Some of the biggest names in the NHRA have also been the biggest winners when it comes to four-wide racing in Charlotte. In the Top Fuel ranks, Brown and Steve Torrence, who both have four world championships, have enjoyed massive success in Charlotte. Torrence has four four-wide victories (and six overall), while Brown has two four-wide wins (and six overall). Funny Car legend John Force won the first four-wide event in 2010 and also the most recent in 2024, with Ron Capps and Jack Beckman also winning twice at the biggest spectacle in drag racing.

In Pro Stock, reigning world champion Greg Anderson has three wins in the four-wide format at zMAX Dragway, including a 2024 triumph, while back-to-back Pro Stock Motorcycle world champion Gaige Herrera also has won the spring race the past two seasons in Charlotte.

“We’re excited to team up with the incredible team at zMAX Dragway and have our first-ever four-wide drag racing in the Countdown to the Championship,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “The Smith family and everyone at zMAX Dragway have always been eager to bring new and innovative ideas to the table, and it was great to see the support from our race teams and partners. We wanted to try something different for our fall race in Charlotte and this marks a thrilling new challenge and full of playoff intensity, and one we think our fans will be eager to see next fall.”

Tickets for the NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals are on sale now and available at https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/events/nhra-carolina-nationals/. The spectacular, can’t-miss four-wide action will include two rounds of qualifying on both Friday and Saturday, leading into eliminations on Sunday for the pivotal playoff race.

For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.NHRA.com. For more information on zMAX Dragway, please visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle 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 110 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.

NHRA AND FOX SPORTS RELEASE TV SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING 2025 NHRA MISSION FOODS DRAG RACING SERIES SEASON

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 13, 2024) – NHRA officials and FOX Sports announced today the television schedule for the upcoming 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, which includes eight broadcasts on the FOX broadcast network.

All 20 races, along with the NHRA All-Star Callout events in Top Fuel and Funny Car, and the GETTRX NHRA All-Star Callout race in Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, will be broadcast on either FOX or FS1 during the 2025 campaign. The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season opens March 6-9 with the 56th annual NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway. The race includes the NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout, which will be broadcast at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 8 on FS1 and eliminations from the season-opener airing from 7-10 p.m. the following day.

For the fifth consecutive season, a September event in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs will also air on FOX adjacent to an NFL broadcast, providing NHRA to a huge audience during its playoffs. That opportunity has repeatedly led to impressive viewership numbers, including an average of more than 1.2 million viewers on FOX last year during the broadcast from Maple Grove Raceway.

That marks the final race of the season appearing on the FOX broadcast network, following a summer filled with incredible racing action on the broadcast network. Races scheduled to appear on FOX include the NHRA New England Nationals from New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. (June 1), the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals from Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk (June 29), the Muckleshoot Casino Resort NHRA Northwest Nationals from Pacific Raceways (July 20), a special showing of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge from Sonoma Raceway (July 26), and the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals from Brainerd International Raceway (Aug. 17), leading into the world’s biggest drag race.

The prestigious 71st annual Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, which takes place Aug. 27-Sept. 1 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, will air on both FOX and FS1, including eliminations on FOX on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1 from the Big Go. The Funny Car All-Star Callout will also air on FOX on Sunday, Aug. 31, ensuring two days of coverage on FOX for NHRA’s biggest event. Eliminations will receive five hours of coverage on Monday, starting with two hours (12-2 p.m. ET) on FS1 before moving to FOX.

Along with the nitro Callouts, both the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout and the GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle All-Star Callout will receive special Saturday broadcasts. The Pro Stock version, which takes place Saturday, June 28 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio, will air at 3 p.m. ET that day on FS1, while the PSM Callout from Sonoma Raceway will air at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 26 on FS1.

The NHRA and FOX relationship began in 2016, and NHRA and FOX Sports announced a multiyear extension of their agreement in 2021, including expanded coverage, the NFL adjacent event during the Countdown to the Championship, and extensive finals coverage at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals over Labor Day Weekend each year. The partnership has also led to numerous innovations on the broadcast in recent years, with the NHRA on FOX team collecting numerous Telly awards in 2024.

FOX Sports and NHRA are also scheduling NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series broadcasts, as well as shows featuring the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series across the FOX Sports networks.

NHRA races will also appear in Canada and the Caribbean through FOX Sports Racing as well, as well as through the FOX Sports app.

For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.NHRA.com.

2025 NHRA on FOX Sports Television Schedule (all times Eastern)

March 8NHRA Top Fuel All-Star CalloutGainesville9:00 PMFS1
March 9NHRA GatornationalsGainesville7:00 PMFS1
March 23NHRA Arizona NationalsPhoenix6:30 PMFS1
March 30Lucas Oil NHRA WinternationalsPomona6:30 PMFS1
April 13NHRA 4-Wide NationalsLas Vegas6:30 PMFS1
April 27NHRA 4-Wide NationalsCharlotteTBDFS1
May 18Gerber Collison & Glass NHRA NationalsChicago2:00 PMFS1
June 1NHRA New England NationalsEpping6:00 PMFOX
June 8Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley NationalsBristol3:00 PMFS1
June 22Virginia NHRA NationalsRichmond4:00 PMFS1
June 28GETTRX NHRA Pro Stock All-Star CalloutNorwalk3:00 PMFS1
June 29Summit Racing Equipment NHRA NationalsNorwalk2:00 PMFOX
July 20Muckleshoot Casino Resort Northwest NationalsSeattle4:30 PMFOX
July 26Sonoma Mission 2F2T ChallengeSonoma6:00 PMFOX
July 26GETTRX NHRA PSM All-Star CalloutSonoma9:30 PMFS1
July 27Denso NHRA Sonoma NationalsSonoma4:00 PMFS1
Aug. 17Lucas Oil NHRA NationalsBrainerd3:00 PMFOX
Aug. 31NHRA Funny Car All-Star CalloutIndianapolis5:00 PMFOX
Sept. 1Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. NationalsIndianapolis12:00 PMFS1
Sept. 1Cornwell Quality Tools U.S. NationalsIndianapolis2:00 PMFOX

Countdown to the Championship Television Schedule

Sept. 14NHRA Reading NationalsReading2:00 PMTBD
Sept. 21NHRA Carolina NationalsCharlotte3:00 PMTBD
Sept. 28NHRA Midwest NationalsSt. Louis3:00 PMFS1
Oct. 12Texas NHRA FallNationalsDallas4:00 PMFS1
Nov. 2NHRA Nevada NationalsLas Vegas5:00 PMFS1
Nov. 16In-N-Out Burger NHRA FinalsPomona5:00 PMFS1

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle 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 110 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.

Rajah Caruth re-signed by Spire Motorsports for 2025 Truck season

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Adam Lovelace for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Rajah Caruth will return as the driver of the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado RST entry for Spire Motorsports for the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season.

The news come as the 22-year-old Caruth from Washington D.C. is coming off his second consecutive full-time campaign in the Truck circuit, where he achieved his first career victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. In doing so, Caruth joined Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace as the only African-American competitors to win across NASCAR’s top three premier series. In addition to the Vegas victory, Caruth notched his first two career poles, five top-five results, 12 top-10 results, 56 laps led and an average-finishing result of 11.6. After qualifying for his first Truck Playoffs this past season, he settled in seventh place in the final driver’s standings and was named the 2024 Most Popular Driver in the series.

Caruth’s announcement of his 2025 racing plans also occurred on December 13th, the day he graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a Bachelor of Science in Motorsports Management.

“It is great to have a home and stability heading into next year,” Caruth said in a released statement. “I believe this is the first time in my career I won’t be with a new team or competing in a different series at the start of the season. I really appreciate the opportunity [owners] Jeff [Dickerson] and T.J. [Puchyr] have given me, and I’m excited to continue preparations for 2025. Our organization has really grown over the past year, and we have shown what we are capable of. We have set the bar high for the season and the expectation is to win more races and compete for a championship.”

Caruth, whose racing career started virtually through iRacing in 2018, made his Truck Series debut at World Wide Technology Raceway in June 2022, where he piloted the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet entry to an 11th-place result. After making three additional Truck starts with Spire for the remainder of the 2022 season, he campaigned in his first full-time season in the series with GMS Racing in 2023. During the season, he notched four top-10 results, an average-finishing result of 18.2 and settled in 16th place in the final standings before he returned to Spire on a full-time basis in 2024.

Through 50 current starts in the Truck Series, Caruth has achieved one victory, two poles, five top-five results, 16 top-10 results, 57 laps led and an average-finishing result of 15.7. He has also made 19 career starts in the Xfinity Series and 25 in the ARCA Menards Series, the latter of which he notched 14 top-10 results and finished in third place in the final driver’s standings during the 2022 season while competing for Rev Racing.

“I’m thrilled to confirm that Rajah Caruth will be back with us in 2025 driving the No. 71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Silverado,” Jeff Dickerson, co-owner of Spire Motorsports, said. “He took the incredibly high expectations we placed on him to start the year and exceeded them in every way. I’m impressed with how he’s balanced his commitments to his race team, his craft, the media and his growing fanbase while managing a full workload at Winston-Salem State University. Our organization believes in Raj and he has consistently shown the leadership, form and work ethic that every team looks for in a driver. Everyone at Spire Motorsports is really happy to run it back with him next season.”

As part of Caruth’s return to the Truck Series, HendrickCars.com, which sponsored Caruth for the entire schedule in 2024, will also return to sponsor him for the entire 25-race schedule in 2025. Caruth was also sponsored by HendrickCars.com when he competed in the 2023 Xfinity Series finale at Phoenix Raceway for Hendrick Motorsports, where he finished 14th after starting 13th.

“Rajah is a young man of tremendous character and has proven to be a great representative of HendrickCars.com and our nearly 11,000 teammates across the country, Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of Hendrick Motorsports, said. “In addition to being extremely talented, he has an incredible work ethic. We couldn’t be prouder to make this announcement on the same day Rajah and his family celebrate his college graduation. He has a very bright future in the sport, and we are thrilled to continue supporting his journey in 2025.”

The remainder of Spire Motorsports’ driver and crew chief lineup for the 2025 NASCAR season remains to be determined.

With his plans for next season set, Rajah Caruth’s 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season is scheduled to commence at Daytona International Speedway on February 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Rajah Caruth Returns to Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado for 2025

By
Official Release
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HENDRICKCARS.COM to Support the Most Popular Driver’s Full-Season Effort

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (December 13, 2024) – NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Most Popular Driver Rajah Caruth will return to Spire Motorsports in 2025 to pilot the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado in pursuit of the division’s championship honors.

In addition to announcing his plans for the 2025 season, Caruth walked the commencement stage Friday morning to accept his college diploma. The newly crowned graduate collected a Bachelor of Science in Motorsports Management from Winston-Salem (N.C.) State University.

HendrickCars.com, the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group, will return to the team and serve as Caruth’s primary sponsor.

“I’m thrilled to confirm that Rajah Caruth will be back with us in 2025 driving the No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “He took the incredibly high expectations we placed on him to start the year and exceeded them in every way. I’m impressed with how he’s balanced his commitments to his race team, his craft, the media and his growing fanbase while managing a full workload at Winston-Salem State University. Our organization believes in Raj and he has consistently shown the leadership, form and work ethic that every team looks for in a driver. Everyone at Spire Motorsports is really happy to run it back with him next season.”

Caruth, a native of Washington D.C., earned his first career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series pole position and victory in March at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, becoming just the third African-American driver to win a NASCAR National Touring Series race.

“It is great to have a home and stability heading into next year,” said Caruth. “I believe this is the first time in my career I won’t be with a new team or competing in a different series at the start of the season. I really appreciate the opportunity Jeff (Dickerson) and T.J. (Puchyr) have given me, and I’m excited to continue preparations for 2025. Our organization has really grown over the past year, and we have shown what we are capable of. We have set the bar high for the season and the expectation is to win more races and compete for a championship.”

The 2024 season marked a career year for the 22-year-old, collecting two Cometic Gasket Pole Awards, one win, five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes across 23 races. Caruth compiled a 10.7 average starting position in 2024, nearly five positions better than his 2023 efforts, while his 11.6 average finish calculates to an impressive 6.6 positions better than the year prior.

Caruth raced part time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series during the 2022-2023 seasons and matched his career/series best 12th-place finish in October 2023 at Martinsville Speedway. He was named the 2021 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award recipient in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, an award based on a driver’s final Weekly Series national standing and on-track performance, sportsmanship and community service.

“Rajah is a young man of tremendous character and has proven to be a great representative of HENDRICKCARS.COM and our nearly 11,000 teammates across the country,” said Rick Hendrick, the chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “In addition to being extremely talented, he has an incredible work ethic. We couldn’t be prouder to make this announcement on the same day Rajah and his family celebrate his college graduation. He has a very bright future in the sport, and we are thrilled to continue supporting his journey in 2025.”

“It is very special to have Hendrick Automotive Group and HENDRICKCARS.COM support me and my racing career,” added Caruth. “When I got the opportunity to drive their Xfinity car at Phoenix in 2023, it felt like an audition for 2024. I didn’t have any plans at that point. I’m thankful for everything Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick and all the great people at HENDRICKCARS.COM and Hendrick Automotive Group have done for me. I’m super thankful for their support and I’m ready to put on a show for them next year.”

The organization’s team and crew chief lineup is still being finalized and will be announced at a later date.

Over the past four years, Caruth has juggled a full academic course load while competing full-time in a touring division. In total, he completed 120 course credit hours while making a combined 108 starts between the NASCAR Xfinity Series, CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series, in addition to various short track and road course events.

“I’m glad to be done with school,” added the second-generation college graduate. “It required a lot of hard work and sacrifice, along with diligent time management between coursework and everything associated with racing including team meetings, simulator time and travel. I appreciate everything Dr. (Clay) Harshaw, Dr. (Dennis) Felder and all my professors at Winston-Salem State have done to help me finish school while chasing my dream. It is super cool to have the faculty, student body and WSSU National Alumni Association following me in my journey and cheering me on. The crew chiefs I’ve had through the years have been flexible with my schedule so I could finish this chapter, and I’m ready for racing become my lone focus.”

The 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season kicks off with the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. The season-opener will be televised live on FS1, Friday, Feb. 14 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The first of the series’ 25 races will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

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 is a NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2024, Spire Motorsports campaigned the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team also fielded the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

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.

Turn 3 Motorsport Welcomes Alessandro De Tullio for the 2025 USF Pro 2000 Championship

By
Official Release
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Young racing talent set for full season campaign with reigning champions

Mundelein, Ill. (December 13, 2024) – Turn 3 Motorsport is thrilled to announce Alessandro De Tullio has signed with the 2024 Championship winning team for the 2025 USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tire. The 18-year-old Miami native joins the team following an impressive debut in the final three races of the 2024 USF Pro 2000 season, where he qualified and finished in the top ten in his first outing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, earned a stellar fourth-place finish on the streets of Toronto, and capped off the year with another top-ten performance at the Portland International Raceway season finale.

De Tullio, a rising talent in American motorsport, brings an impressive resume to Turn 3 Motorsport. His formula car journey began with notable success in the USF Juniors series in 2022, where he finished fourth in the championship standings. His season included five wins—three of which were a clean sweep at Virginia International Raceway—four additional podiums, and five fastest laps. Beyond open-wheel racing, De Tullio has made a name for himself in both karting and Esports. He is a Road to Indy eSeries winner and was a formidable competitor in United States F4’s Esports Championship.

After his USF Juniors campaign, De Tullio returned to karting, finishing sixth in the USA SuperNationals for X30 Senior karts in 2022 and becoming the SKUSA Winter Series Champion in both X30 Pro and KA100 Senior karts in early 2024. His diverse racing background, blending real-world and virtual racing success, underscores his adaptability and potential.

De Tullio’s off-season preparation with Turn 3 Motorsport has been nothing short of impressive. During the USF Pro Championships Fall Combine in October, he consistently posted top-five times, concluding the final session with the second-fastest lap time. Further testing at NOLA Motorsports Park and Sebring International Raceway these past couple of weeks saw De Tullio consistently among the quickest drivers on track, solidifying his readiness for a full campaign in the highly competitive USF Pro 2000 series.

#44 Alessandro De Tullio // USF Pro 2000

DTI Group / Sport Summa / Inter MS
“I’m very excited to be joining Turn 3 Motorsport for the 2025 USF Pro 2000 season,” said De Tullio. “We’ve had many positive test days, improving and having good pace at different tracks. I can’t wait to show what we can do together next year! I want to give a huge thanks to my partners DTI Group, Sport Summa, and Inter MS for making this possible.”

Team Owner, Peter Dempsey
“It’s great to have Alessandro (De Tullio) with us for the 2025 season,” said Dempsey. “He is a driver I have watched for a few years and always felt he is very talented, and his resume backs that up. He has settled in very well to the team, and we have improved at every test we have done together so far. We are really looking forward to seeing what he can for us in 2025.”

Alessandro De Tullio tests a Turn 3 Motorsport car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Fall Combine / 📷: Gavin Baker
Turn 3 Motorsport heads into the 2025 season with high expectations as it continues to build on its strong foundation. With Alessandro De Tullio joining the team, Turn 3 Motorsport is poised for another successful campaign in the USF Pro 2000 Championship.

The 2025 USF Pro 2000 Championship will consist of eight events and 18 races across North America with the season opener kicking off in St. Petersburg, Florida from February 28 – March 2.

To stay up to date on Turn 3 Motorsport, follow the team on social media using the handle @turn3motorsport.

For more information or images, please contact Mandy Dempsey at turn3motorsport@gmail.com.
About Turn 3 Motorsport: Turn 3 Motorsport is a full-service operation specializing in racecar preparation, engineering, and driver development. The team was founded in 2016 by race car driver and coach Peter Dempsey and is co-owned by Peter and Mandy Dempsey. The team currently competes in the USF Pro Championships presented by Continental Tire.

In 2024, Turn 3 Motorsport were crowned the 2024 USF Pro 2000 Champions with Australian driver Lochie Hughes who clinched the championship title at the season finale in Portland. Turn 3 Motorsport also finished second in the Team Championship with a total of four pole positions, five wins, and six additional podium finishes with drivers Lochie Hughes and Danny Dyszelski.

In 2023, T3M tied for the most amount of wins in the USF Pro 2000 season with drivers Michael d’Orlando and Christian Brooks earning a total of five wins for the team. The team also earned seven pole positions, the most of any other team, and finished second overall in the Team Championship.

In 2022, T3M achieved a podium, win, and/or pole at 7 of the 9 events on the Road to Indy calendar with rookie drivers Josh Green, Jonathan Browne, and Christian Weir each earning the aforementioned results across two different series (USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000).

In 2021, T3M expanded its presence in the Road to Indy by introducing a two-car program into the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship alongside its Indy Pro 2000 Championship campaign. In its debut USF2000 season, the team found victory at the season finale with American driver Josh Green as well as earning an additional podium and fifth overall in the championship. The team earned further accolades in the Indy Pro 2000 series with a race win at the season finale by Irish driver James Roe as well as a pole position at World Wide Technology Raceway and seventh overall in the championship.

In the team’s rookie season, Turn 3 Motorsport won the season opener of the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires in a sweeping performance with Singaporean driver Danial Frost. Frost and the team went on to achieve a pole position, six podium finishes, and third overall in the championship in 2020.

In 2019, the team secured the Blue Marble Cocktails Radical Cup North America championship titles in the 1340cc, 1500cc, and overall classes. Later that year, Peter and Turn 3 Motorsport achieved a record-breaking win at the NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race, piloting the #10 Eastern Racing / Turn 3 Motorsport Radical SR3 RSX 1340 to a dominating win, leading 638 out of 672 laps, and becoming the first car under two liters to achieve the overall win.

Wood Brothers Racing to Celebrate Diamond Anniversary in 2025

By
Official Release
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Historic team to commemorate 75th anniversary with multiple initiatives

STUART, Va. (December 13, 2024) – Wood Brothers Racing, the oldest active team in NASCAR and one of the winningest organizations in league history, will celebrate a diamond anniversary in 2025 as it enters its 75th season in competition with multiple fan-focused initiatives planned.

The season-long celebration will include a fan day at the team’s museum in Stuart, Virginia, special paint schemes, merchandise, digital content, an exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, and more as the team honors its heritage and the fans who have been loyal supporters over the years.

“As we prepare for 2025, we’re reflecting on the moments that have shaped our team over the past 75 years while also looking to the future,” said Jon Wood, president, Wood Brothers Racing. “We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with our fans, partners, and those in the NASCAR community who have contributed to our story over the years.”

Wood Brothers Racing was founded in 1950 by Glenn Wood, whose humble beginnings were marked by determination and resilience. Glenn, along with his brothers Leonard, Delano, Clay, and Ray Lee, worked on their race cars under a giant beech tree on the family homestead in Buffalo Ridge, Virginia.

The Woods are widely credited for their development of the modern pit stop as their efficient, choreographed routines dramatically reduced the time it took to service a car on pit road, giving the team a competitive edge that changed the sport forever. As a result, Ford Motor Company brought in the Wood Brothers crew for the 1965 Indianapolis 500, where their techniques helped Jim Clark’s Ford-powered Lotus win open-wheel racing’s signature event.

Since those early days, the team has amassed 100 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series (eighth on the all-time wins list), including an impressive five triumphs in the prestigious DAYTONA 500, as well as victories in other marquee events. Many of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers have raced under the Wood Brothers banner, with several being enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame along with team patriarchs Glenn (2012) and Leonard (2013).

“The Wood Brothers Racing story is one of passion and perseverance. We’ve seen NASCAR evolve through the decades, and we’re proud to have played a role in shaping its history,” said Leonard Wood. “Celebrating 75 years gives us a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and to thank the fans who have supported us every step of the way.”

Wood Brothers Racing remains a predominantly family-run operation, with the second and third generations proudly carrying on the family tradition. The team continues to focus on racing, business, and fan engagement, honoring its storied past while maintaining a forward-looking vision for the future.

More details regarding 75th-anniversary celebrations will be announced in the near future.

About Wood Brothers Racing
Founded in 1950 by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood in Stuart, Virginia, Wood Brothers Racing holds a special place in NASCAR history as the sport’s longest-running team. Over seven decades, the team has earned 100 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with 120 poles, and remains proud of its longstanding relationship with Ford Motor Company, fielding only Ford products since its inception. Glenn’s brother, Leonard Wood, played a key role in shaping modern racing by developing the techniques behind today’s pit stops. With a rich legacy rooted in innovation and tradition, Wood Brothers Racing continues to honor its heritage while adapting for the future as it competes in NASCAR’s premier series.

Crash cage for Yamaha MT 07 – Your ultimate stunt upgrade

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SM
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Crew Garage – Your partner in motorcycle innovation

At Crew Garage, we specialize in designing and delivering premium motorcycle parts for riders who demand the best. From stunt pegs to crash cages, our products are crafted with precision and passion, ensuring both safety and style. Yamaha MT 07 is one of our flagship models, inspiring us to create parts that transform it into the ultimate performance machine.

Crash cage for Yamaha MT 07

Why Yamaha MT 07 is the perfect bike for riders

The Yamaha MT 07 stands out as a favorite for riders of all levels. Its lightweight design, responsive engine, and unparalleled customizability make it a versatile choice. Whether you’re a stunt enthusiast or a daily commuter, the MT 07 offers:

  • Agility: A lightweight frame paired with superior handling for precision riding.
  • Power on demand: A 689cc parallel-twin engine providing smooth and controllable torque.
  • Modern aesthetics: A sleek design that turns heads on the street or stunt arena.
Yamaha MT 07

Essential parts for Yamaha MT 07 customization

If you’re looking to take your Yamaha MT 07 to the next level, Crew Garage offers a range of custom parts to enhance its performance and safety. Key products include:

  • Crash cages: Designed to protect the bike’s core frame during stunts or falls. Explore our MT 07 crash cage for unmatched durability.
  • Subcages: Ideal for improved balance and control during extreme maneuvers.
  • Scrape bars: Essential for learning wheelies and protecting the bike during stunts.
  • Stunt pegs: Engineered for maximum grip and stability.

(Image suggestion: Display the Yamaha MT 07 equipped with Crew Garage stunt parts.)

Yamaha MT 07: From stock bike to stunt machine

With a few essential upgrades, the Yamaha MT 07 transitions from an excellent stock motorcycle to a stunt-ready powerhouse. At Crew Garage, we recommend starting with:

  • A crash cage for frame protection.
  • Subcages to enhance rider confidence.
  • Scrape bars for safer trick execution.

Our parts are not only functional but also add a rugged aesthetic, complementing the MT 07’s modern design.

Yamaha MT 07

Invest in Yamaha MT 07 with Crew Garage

The Yamaha MT 07 is more than a motorcycle – it’s a lifestyle choice. With the right parts, it becomes a statement of individuality and performance. At Crew Garage, we provide the tools to elevate your riding experience. From stunt parts to protective accessories, trust us to deliver quality and style.

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