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Travis Mack named crew chief for John Hunter Nemechek for 2025 Cup season

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

Travis Mack has been named crew chief for John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota entry for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

The news comes as Mack spent the 2024 Cup season as a crew chief for Kaulig Racing’s No. 16 Chevrolet entry that was piloted by five competitors (AJ Allmendinger, Ty Dillon, Shane van Gisbergen, Derek Kraus and Josh Williams) throughout the season. In 32 races, Mack led the No. 16 team to one pole, one top-five result and four top-10 results. Ultimately, Mack would be released by Kaulig and replaced by Darian Grubb and Andrew Dickeson for the remaining five events of the season.

“I’m looking forward to helping LEGACY MOTOR CLUB build something great,” Mack said in a released statement. “There are a lot of talented people here at LEGACY M.C. I worked with Jimmie [Johnson] at Hendrick Motorsports, and I know his work ethic and determination – so his vision for the CLUB is really exciting, and I’m ready to get to work.”

Mack, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, commenced his racing career as a mechanic for Clement Racing in the ARCA Menards Series division. After winning three championships with driver Frank Kimmel, he joined Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) and worked as a shock specialist and front-end mechanic. Nine years later, Mack joined JR Motorsports, where he would spend the next two seasons working with Regan Smith and Chase Elliott in the Xfinity Series before he returned to the Cup Series to work as a car chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 88 HMS Chevrolet team in 2015.

In 2017, Mack made his first appearance as a Cup Series crew chief in an interim role for Earnhardt Jr. at Richmond Raceway, where the latter finished 13th after leading 13 laps. Mack then became a full-time Cup crew chief in 2018, where he was paired with veteran Kasey Kahne at Leavine Family Racing. Near the halfway point of the 2018 season, however, Mack scaled back down to the Xfinity circuit, where he reunited with JR Motorsports and worked as a crew chief for Michael Annett.

After spending the 2019-20 seasons as Annett’s crew chief in the Xfinity Series, Mack returned to the Cup Series as he was paired with Daniel Suarez and the newly formed Trackhouse Racing, beginning in 2021. The following season, the duo notched their first Cup career victory at Sonoma Raceway in June 2022, which enabled both to make the Playoffs and settle in a career-best 10th place in the final standings.

Through 155 appearances as a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief, Mack has achieved one victory, two poles, one Playoff appearance, 11 top-five and 31 top-10 results while working with eight different competitors.

Meanwhile, Legacy Motor Club’s No. 42 Toyota team is coming off its first campaign with John Hunter Nemechek as a full-time competitor in the entry. Throughout the 36-race schedule of the 2024 season, Nemechek recorded four top-10 results, an average-finishing result of 25.4 and settled in 34th place in the final standings, where they ended up six spots behind teammate Erik Jones and the No. 43 Toyota team. The No. 42 team was primarily led by crew chief Ben Beshore before Brian Campe, Legacy’s technical director, filled in as an interim crew chief for the remaining five events on the schedule.

“Travis is a welcome addition to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB,” Jacob Canter, SVP – Sporting Director for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, added. “As we continue to make changes and evolve on the competition side, the goal is to place the right people in the right places. That will take some time, but we are thrilled to have a talent like Travis on board and can’t wait to see what he, Ben and the rest of the engineering team can accomplish over this short off-season.”

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to commence at Bowman Gray Stadium for the Clash on February 2, 2025, with a start time of 8 p.m. ET on FOX. This event will be followed by the 67th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway which is scheduled to occur on February 16 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

RFK Announces Expansion to Three Ford Teams with Addition of Ryan Preece

By
Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
RFK Announcement | Tuesday, November 19, 2024

RFK Racing announced today that it will be expanding to a third team with driver Ryan Preece and sponsor Kroger joining the organization. The group hosted a press conference at Kroger Headquarters in Cincinnati, OH, to talk about the deal and answered questions from the media.

BRENT COX, Director of Health and Baby Care, Kroger – “I want to share with everybody that I’ve been a longtime partner of Kroger Racing, a longtime supporter. Kroger Racing has been around for a long time. We’ve been around for decades. We started back in the IRP days in Indianapolis, back to the mid-Atlantic. We did a lot of programs in mid-Atlantic, and in 2008 we were approached to sponsor the 50th Anniversary with the Great American Race, so in 2008 we started sponsoring the Daytona 500. In 2010, we were approached by our partners at Kimberly-Clarke and Tad and Jodi Geschickter to actually get into the race car business, and that’s what we did with our first Daytona 500 car driven by Marcos Ambrose, where we were the world’s largest florist. From there, we went from Marcos Ambrose to Bobby Labonte to AJ Allmendinger and we kept building on this Kroger racing program, and it kept getting bigger and better. Then we picked up a guy named Chris Buescher. We had Chris and AJ and then we picked up Ryan Preece, and in 2020 we picked up Ricky Stenhouse. As you might figure, we also won the Daytona 500 with Ricky Stenhouse, so that’s the history of Kroger racing, but I’m pleased to announce today our partnership for 2025 with RFK Racing. What a great day for Kroger. We’re proud to be part of the RFK team and we’re ready to get this started. We’re ready to be on three Ford Mustangs next year and I think you’re gonna see a lot coming out of us. We’re proud to be here today and introduce you. I would like to take one minute and wish the very best to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. As I said, he delivered one of our biggest racing goals, which was winning the 2023 Daytona 500, so we thank Ricky. We thank him for the great memories that he brought our team and we wish him, Madyson, and his son, Stetson, all the best in the coming years.”

ERIN SANCHEZ, VP of Grocery, Kroger – “This program is really special to us, not just as sponsors but for our associates and for our brand partners and we wanted to be here to celebrate. We have a lot of events going on to celebrate our new partnership and so I wanted to take a second to talk about why this program is unique. We at Kroger have a long history of partnering with some of our most trusted brand sponsors to reach the 80 million-plus NASCAR fans in a really different way. That’s things like what we do online to promote our brands and promote our team, in stores and out at the racetracks, so we have a 360 program across the country that we really believe in. It’s something that we’re really proud of and we can’t wait to see the next evolution of this.”

STEVE NEWMARK, President, RFK Racing – “From our perspective, it really is a privilege to be associated with the Kroger company. We believe we share a lot of synergies and there’s a lot of overlap. We obviously have midwestern roots, but when we look at what Kroger has done and how many lives Kroger touches across the country and the positive impact that Kroger has on so many communities in the United States, it’s a privilege for us to try to help support those efforts going forward. We really look at how we can amplify their program going forward, and I do want to recognize Tad and Jodi Geschickter. I think for those in the room and on the Zoom, I think there’s an awareness that they have set the gold standard for how you service your partners and how you build a motorsports program both on and off the track. Quite frankly, a lot of teams in the garage have tried to emulate Tad and Jodi over the years on how they’ve done things and how they’ve gone above and beyond for their partners, and so for us it’s really a blessing to be able to work with them hand-in-hand and learn from them going forward and see how we can bring the program to life. Now, to answer the question about what this means for the evolution of RFK. I think a lot of folks are aware that Jack Roush started our company quite some time ago in the late eighties and partnered with Mark Martin to turn it into a championship-caliber organization. The next chapter in our story was when we added the Fenway Sports Group and John Henry. Fenway obviously owned the Boston Red Sox, but they’ve expanded to a global sports empire with Liverpool, the Pittsburgh Penguins, PGA, Boston Common and LeBron James and as we’ve kind of moved forward the next chapter was when Brad Keselowski came on as kind of the successor to Jack Roush. Brad wears many hats and I know that you’ll talk a lot about that, but when Brad came on our ownership group looked at where we were in this sport and our aspirations were to grow. At the time we were a two-car team, so this is really the fulfillment of something that we’ve been looking at for many years now. Interestingly, we’ve had a number of opportunities to expand to a third car prior to this and there were really two criteria that we wanted to make sure we could check the box on before we did that. One, we wanted to make sure our two-car operation had reached the competitive level where we could compete for wins and championships on a regular basis. And then the second was we wanted to make sure that expansion was with the right partner and the right driver, and, quite frankly, the opportunities that we had previously didn’t fit into that category and when this one came around it seemed perfect for us on so many levels and it really is kind of the fruition of a vision that we’ve had and we’re really excited to have three cars and seeing, quite frankly, Kroger across all three of those platforms next year.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI, Co-Owner/Driver, RFK Racing – “I like wearing hats, especially hats in Victory Lane. It’s more opportunities to do just that. Having a third team that gives us another shot at the win on any given weekend. That’s a great opportunity for us at RFK and to piggyback on what Steve was saying, our goal is to be an elite organization, I would say a world-class organization, and to do that in NASCAR you’ve got to win races and the more teams you have, the better that opportunity is to do so, the better the opportunity it is to elevate all the programs. I think we’re looking at it in just that way. It’s a shot to bolster our entire program and to be able to do that, to be a world-class organization, you’ve got to have world-class partners and when I think of Kroger I think of it as a blue chip brand, not just in our sport, but in our world, so we’re fortunate to be associated and to be partnered with Kroger. We’re bringing a lot of talent to our company. Ryan Preece is one of them, but a lot more talent to go with that with crew chiefs and race engineers and pit crew members – all of the pieces that we need to be a perennial threat to win on any given Sunday. It’s really an exciting time for me and I don’t mind wearing those hats because I know that’s what it’s gonna take for us to be successful for many years to come.”

CHRIS BUESCHER, Driver, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “I’m glad to be here yet again, walking through familiar doors. As we came in this morning here in Cincinnati, it really is quite a time come full circle. We’ve had so much fun racing with Kroger in the past, racing with Tad and Jodi Geschickter in the past and to be able to have those partnerships and friendships this close to home yet again truly is gonna be a blessing for us. I’m really excited to be a part of that as we head into the new year, to be driving alongside Ryan again as we had our friendship there over in the past with Kroger Racing onboard as well. There’s just a lot of really neat opportunities that this is gonna present for us. I feel like we’re gonna be able to truly take this and elevate it. We know Kroger Racing is such a massive partner in our sport. We see the branding and the buildings everywhere at our racetracks, in our infields. This is a really great opportunity for us to take what we’ve been able to do and the competitiveness that we’ve had and bring Kroger along for that ride with us, so I’m very much looking forward to this partnership yet again.”

RYAN PREECE, Driver, No. 60 Kroger Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “I echo that with Chris. When we were walking through those doors it reminded me of 2019 when I first got my tour around here at Kroger and to have the opportunity to be racing with them again and with an elite organization like RFK. I’m a racer. I’m somebody that wants to win races. I want to compete for championships. My entire career has certainly been unorthodox, but I have unfinished business and I want to win really bad, so, like you said to Brad, I’m sure it adds a lot more to his busy schedule. I know we talked on the phone quite a bit over the past few weeks and I’m eager and ready to get to the Clash and get to Daytona and finish out that goal.”

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION:

RYAN PREECE – WHAT IS IT LIKE NOW WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU’RE NOT GOING TO A TEAM THAT IS A REBUILD OR TRYING TO PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER? “It’s one that I’m really eager and excited for. It’s somewhere that these guys had speed last year. You look at how many weeks in a row that Brad and Chris finished top two or top three and had some extremely good stats and found Victory Lane, so, for me, it’s a great opportunity – one that’s filled with pressure, but I think if you’ve looked at my career those pressure type situations I’ve succeeded, so I’m grateful for the opportunity. Thank you to RFK, Brad, BAM, all these people because it seems like you all in NASCAR can’t get rid of me, so I’m gonna work hard to stay and succeed.”

STEVE NEWMARK – IS THE 60 TEAM GOING TO HAVE A CHARTER NEXT YEAR AND, IF SO, WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? “Just to be clear, our vision is that a third car is a permanent state and a permanent condition for RFK, but you still have to navigate the charter landscape, so what we have done at least in the short term is we’ve been fortunate that we have a partnership with Rick Ware Racing, a technical alliance where we’ve been working hand-in-hand with Rick Ware and Robby Benton over the last year to try and elevate the performance of both teams and as part of that going into next year we’ll be leasing one of the Rick Ware charters, still collaborating with that organization to try to again lift both organizations and make sure that we can continue to elevate our game. That is the charter we will have for next year and then, obviously, the future will see what that brings.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI – WHAT WAS THE ‘IT’ FACTOR THAT MADE RYAN THE RIGHT CHOICE MOVING FORWARD? “It’s fortuitous timing with Joey Logano winning the championship and I had this video pop up in one of my social media feeds, but Joey Logano’s career in 2012 and some pundits maybe saying that they didn’t think he deserved a Cup ride and now to see that it seems a little bit laughable now that he’s won his third championship. I think it’s a testament to not being in the right situation. I don’t care who you are as a driver, if you’re not in the right situation – you take the best driver in Cup and put him in a situation that’s not right, it’s not gonna work. So, for me, what I look for is people that have specific talent sets, whether that be their talent behind the wheel and combine that with some work ethic. I see Ryan, I see someone who has talent. He has work ethic and probably hasn’t been in the opportunities he needs to be in to be successful, so my commitment is to taking someone like Ryan and putting him in that spot where he can win and with the right resources, with the right team around him and the right support structure and that’s what I see out of Ryan. He’s got the talent. He’s got the work ethic and that’s our commitment back to him is to put him in the right situation with the right equipment, the right people, and the right infrastructure in order to be successful and I think we can do just that.”

WILL THE CREW CHIEF ANNOUNCEMENT COME AT A LATER DATE? “Yes, that’s accurate.”

RYAN PREECE – DID YOU THINK YOU WOULD GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS? “I don’t know, to be honest with you. There was some opportunities out there, but, at the same time, I wasn’t sure. That makes me that much more grateful for Kroger, for BAM, for RFK and to have this because it seemed like in July or August both Heather and I were looking at properties back in Connecticut because that’s where I’m from. I moved to North Carolina back in 2018 chasing opportunities, chasing the dream to win at the Cup level, to perform at the Cup level, so if this didn’t happen, I was probably gonna end up moving back and wasn’t quite sure what it was all gonna be like, but obviously we’re extremely grateful to have this opportunity.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI – HOW BIG OF A LIFT IS IT TO ADD A THIRD TEAM AS FAR AS EMPLOYEES? “As a whole, it takes at least about 20 heads to be able to put this together. Of course, there is some scaling that comes with the corporate side and the manufacturing side, but when you talk about the crew chiefs and the car chiefs and the race engineers and the guys that go over the wall, that’s certainly another group of people that doesn’t scale, so we’ve done a good job of filling out that roster. I think if you look at our road map to get here, it’s been super intentional. We ran the 60 car part-time through the 2024 season with several drivers, Joey Hand, David Ragan, Cam Waters, that helped build out our ability to feel confident that we could execute this at a high level and I would say that’s been part of our road map.”

BRENT COX – WHAT WAS THE MOTIVATION FOR MOVING TO RFK? “I think, again, Kroger has been involved in racing here for a while and we really were looking to get to a bigger team and have more opportunities to frankly go out and win some races. Through that search, and Tad and Jodi were a big help as we moved over to RFK, that was really the drive and certainly once we met Brad Keselowski and saw what he and Steve were doing at RFK and longtime relationships with Chris Buescher, who is one of the finest NASCAR drivers out there, and then hearing about Ryan Preece, it just made a lot of sense and was a good fit for the Kroger company to do that.”

SOME BIG BRANDS HAVE ELECTED TO LEAVE THE SPORT. WHY STAY? WHAT’S IN IT FOR THE BRAND THAT KEEPS YOU IN NASCAR? “I tell you what, I think it’s the value of the NASCAR shopper and what we see at Kroger. I think we’ve got great brands in this program from Kimberly-Clark, to Kraft to Coca-Cola, these are all blue chip brands that we’ve got built into this program, but I think they see the value in racing. They see the value in this customer and the way we market this program on track and off track and really bringing that to life. It’s about selling cases and winning races and I think that’s what everybody sees with the Kroger Racing program.

WHAT’S THE PROCESS FOR FIGURING OUT WHAT COMPANIES GET INVOLVED WITH THIS PROGRAM? WILL THERE BE NEW ONES FOR NEXT YEAR? “I can’t divulge all the secret sauce to the Kroger Racing program and how we bring that to life, but each year we look at who is in the program and who wants to be in the program and the direction that we’re going, but I will tell you the partners that are part of this program absolutely see the value in it. We’re gonna meet with them later today and they’re very excited about what’s cooking in 2025.”

BRAD KESELOWSKI – HOW MUCH OF A GAME CHANGER IS THIS FOR RFK? “We’re really fortunate. We keep using the term blue chip and that’s because we mean it. These are serious brands that have serious marketing prowess that take their endeavors in NASCAR very seriously. That’s so important to us to be able to branch out. Of course, we want to win but we want to be bigger than our results too, for good or bad, but I think you look at the partners and you look at how Kroger’s approached the sport, it’s just a proper NASCAR program with really elite marketing that benefits us in so many different ways. We know we’ve got to go out there and win. We’re committed to doing that, but we also have to do a great job delivering off the track with how we take care of Kroger. Steve and the whole corporate team has the master plan to execute that. They’re much more versed in it than I am. I’m off trying to make sure we can win. They’re off trying to make sure we can sell those cases, so it’s a one-two punch.”

Yamaha Celebrates YFZ450R 2024 Racing Champions

By
Official Release
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Yamaha Raises $3,700 for Breast Cancer Research at Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC

MARIETTA, Ga., Nov. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, capped off an incredible 2024 ATV racing season with a series of podium sweeps and championship victories, all while celebrating a major milestone: the 20th anniversary of the legendary YFZ450R. As Yamaha bLU cRU racers dominated across multiple national series, the YFZ450R proved once again why it’s been the leader in ATV racing for two decades. Yamaha also raised $3,700 for breast cancer research at the Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC, making this season a standout both on and off the track. Find the Yamaha outboard parts you need and keep your outboard motor running at peak performance.

AMA ATV Motocross Championship
The AMA ATV Motocross (ATV MX) series concluded on August 11 at Loretta Lynn Ranch, where Yamaha racers swept the podium in the AMA Pro division, led by defending champion, Joel Hetrick, on his Phoenix Racing / DASA / CST / Moose YFZ450R, celebrating the 20th anniversary with a perfect 10-win series. Hetrick’s victory marked another highlight in the YFZ450R’s illustrious history, further solidifying its place as the premier racing ATV. Fellow bLU cRU racers Bryce Ford and Brandon Hoag followed closely behind, claiming second and third, rounding out the 20th-anniversary podium sweep. The YFZ450R’s dominance was also on full display in the Quadcross of Nations, where Hetrick, Ford, and Hoag led Team USA to its sixth championship victory, sweeping all three motos and continuing the legacy of Yamaha’s racing ATV on the world stage.

In the ATV MX Pro-Am class, YFZ450R racer Mason Jackson secured his second-straight championship and $2,500 bLU cRU bonus. He was joined by a wave of Yamaha YFZ450R riders, including J.J. Londerville, Kevin Saar, Heath Hannah, and Juan Ondarcuhu, proving the YFZ450R continues to deliver unmatched performance at every level.

WORCS Championship
In October, bLU cRU racers topped the podium in Yamaha’s first year supporting the WORCS (World Off-Road Championship Series) ATV classes. Travis Damon, riding his YFZ450R, clinched the ATV Pro championship and earned a $5,000 bLU cRU bonus, standing out as the only competitor in his class to podium in all nine rounds. In the Women’s Pro WORCS class, Torey Matajcich achieved a perfect season, securing victory in all nine rounds, followed closely by Layne Fryar, both earning bLU cRU bonuses. Meanwhile, Yamaha swept the Pro-Am podium, with Justin Semas, Gage Leaver, and Daven Desliva securing their bonuses.

GNCC Championship
The Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC (Grand National Cross Country) finale in Crawfordsville, Indiana ended the season last month in a Yamaha podium sweep. Defending XC1 Pro – ATV champion Brycen Neal took home his eighth win of the season, third consecutive championship, and the $15,000 bLU cRU bonus on his Phoenix Racing / DASA / CST / Moose / Parts Unlimited YFZ450R. His win not only added another accolade to his career but also further demonstrated the 20-year legacy of the YFZ450R. Walker Fowler and Wyatt Wilken rounded out the top three, cementing Yamaha’s dominance in the event.

In the WXC ATV class, defending champion Jessica Elioff captured her second consecutive title and a bLU cRU bonus, finishing on the podium at every race, including five overall wins. Alex Thieman claimed the XC2 Pro-Am championship and a $2,500 bLU cRU bonus, followed by Grayson Eller in second overall. In other classes, Yamaha YFZ450R racers continued to shine, with Jeremiah Wolf (College A), Camren Mulholland (College B), Cory Vandelinder (Junior A), and Michael Worth (Junior B) all taking home $500 bLU cRU bonuses for their wins.

Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC Finale
Beyond the track, Yamaha’s dedication to the community was on full display during the GNCC’s annual “Race for the Cure” at the Yamaha Racing Ironman round, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Yamaha pledged $50 for each class win on a Yamaha, and an additional $50 for every 2024 Yamaha championship. With 37 championships and 37 race-day wins, Yamaha proudly donated $3,700 to the Montgomery County Community Foundation (MCCF). The funds will support local breast cancer care and free mammogram examinations for women in the surrounding region.

In addition to their charitable efforts, Yamaha created an exciting atmosphere for fans and racers alike during the Yamaha Racing Ironman weekend. bLU cRU attendees enjoyed a full suite of hospitality offerings, including free popcorn, hot chocolate, coffee, and candy at the Yamaha display. Fans could also customize their gear with Yamaha Racing and bLU cRU logos ironed onto jerseys, and the excitement continued with a Yamaha e-bike giveaway and the much-anticipated annual Yamaha beanie giveaways.

Adding even more thrill to the weekend, Yamaha ambassadors and off-road racing legends Johnny Gallagher, Ryan Villopoto, and Damon Bradshaw participated in the morning ATV team race on Saturday, racing alongside Yamaha staff aboard the iconic YFZ450R. Their involvement brought star power to the event, giving fans a chance to interact with some of the biggest names in off-road motorsports and further amplifying the celebratory atmosphere.

Looking ahead, 2024 pro-class bLU cRU champions Hetrick, Neal, and Elioff will be honored at Yamaha’s Wall of Champions induction ceremony this December, alongside Yamaha’s other 2024 racing winners. These racers’ achievements will be commemorated with custom plaques proudly displayed at Yamaha’s motorsports headquarters in Marietta, Georgia, joining the ranks of Yamaha’s legendary titleholders from across the decades.

Every Yamaha SxS and full-size ATV is proudly assembled in the USA at Yamaha’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia, for worldwide distribution with parts like the yamaha 703 control box. For more information on the bLU cRU program, visit YamahabLUcRU.com. Learn more about Yamaha’s 2025 Proven Off-Road lineup at YamahaMotorsports.com or by visiting your local Yamaha dealer. Follow Yamaha on social media via @YamahaOutdoors, tune in to the Yamaha Outdoors podcast on listening apps, or explore the following hashtags on all platforms: #Yamaha #YamahaRacing #REALizeYourPodium #REALizeYourAdventure #ProvenOffRoad #bLUcRU #YFZ450R #AssembledInUSA

About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.

YMUS has a corporate office in California, three corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing U.S.A. (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiary Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].

Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA (Yamaha Financial Services), an affiliate of YMUS, offers financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide. Yamaha Financial Services provides retail and commercial financing for the diverse line of Yamaha brand motor products based out of Cypress, CA and Marietta, GA.

Todd Gilliland to Carry on Love’s Travel Stop Livery Into 2025 and Beyond

By
Official Release
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Steps into No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (November 19, 2024) – Todd Gilliland will enter the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season with new, yet familiar colors. Gilliland will pilot the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports (FRM). Todd will follow in his father, David’s, footsteps in representing the Love’s colors at FRM.

As Love’s enters its 13th consecutive season with FRM, it was David Gilliland who first raced the Love’s livery in the 2013 Daytona 500. David went on to race for the company in 2014 and 2015, giving the FRM partner their first pole and top-five finish.

Todd first began racing for Love’s, under the Speedco banner, in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series beginning in 2020 and again in 2021. Heading into the 2025 season, the 24-year-old driver now steps into the # 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford and is FRM’s longest tenured driver.

“It is really humbling to race the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang beginning next season,” said Gilliland. “It’s just another cool moment in my career to race for a company that represented my father at FRM. The 34 Ford is what started FRM in the Cup Series and there is a lot of history with Love’s, FRM, and my family. I still remember watching my dad race the Love’s Ford.”

“I do not take this next step lightly,” continued Gilliland. “I have seen the rise of the team and the new level of expectations. It is an honor that Love’s is putting their trust in me to continue to grow this team and compete for wins and get into the playoffs. I am gracious for this opportunity and look forward to 2025.”

Love’s will once again be the premier partner of the team and will adorn the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for more than half of the season, beginning at the Daytona 500.

The crew chief and other partners will be announced before the start of the 2025 season.

You can visit www.loves.com to learn more about Love’s Family of Companies.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

ABOUT LOVE’S

Love’s has been fueling customers’ journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with nearly 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company’s core business is travel stops and convenience stores with 651 locations in 42 states. Love’s continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love’s serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company’s award-winning culture.

KAMPGROUNDS OF AMERICA, INC. PARTNERS WITH JR MOTORSPORTS, BRINGING CAMPING TO THE RACETRACK

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Official Release
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KOA returns to the No. 88 for 2025, connecting fans with outdoor hospitality

MOORESVILLE,N.C. (Nov. 19, 2024) – JR Motorsports (JRM) announced today that Kampgrounds of America, Inc.(KOA), the world’s largest system of privately held campgrounds, will return to the organization during the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. United by a shared commitment to outdoor adventure and community, KOA will be a primary partner for one race with Connor Zilisch and the No. 88 Chevrolet, as well as a full-season associate partner with the rookie driver, and an associate partner on Wyatt Miller’s Micro Sprint.

“As a longtime KOA Rewards camper, I am thrilled for the continuation of our partnership into 2025,” said JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “We are looking forward to a great season with KOA for both Wyatt and the No. 88 with Connor as we continue to work to expand this relationship.”

Recognizing that motorsport fans travel extensively and camp while attending races, KOA campgrounds make a great home away from home. With more than 500 locations featuring practical and convenient amenities near most major tracks, KOA campgrounds allow fans to enjoy both the thrill of the race and the comfort and hospitality of KOA. Accommodation options range from tent sites to well-appointed RV sites and even cabins for campers seeking creature comforts in the outdoors.

“NASCAR fans have a strong connection to the outdoors, with 40% more likely to own an RV, according to MRI Simmons research,” shares Diane Eichler, Senior Vice President of Marketing at KOA. “Partnering with JR Motorsports builds our brand visibility among this dedicated group of campers while inspiring race fans to connect with the outdoors—and each other—through camping.”

With over a third of NASCAR fans planning to take three or more camping trips yearly, JRM and KOA aim to use this opportunity to connect their respective fan bases and expand their reach to new audiences.

Fans can watch Zilisch and the KOA No. 88 Chevrolet take the green flag at Iowa Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 2 on the CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

ABOUT KAMPGROUNDSOF AMERICA, INC.:

Kampgrounds of America, Inc. has been the definitive leader in outdoor hospitality for more than 60 years. United under the mission of “connecting people to the outdoors and each other,” the company consists of two unique brands: KOA and Terramor Outdoor Resorts. KOA, the world’s largest system of privately-owned, open-to-the-public campgrounds, consists of more than 500 franchised and owned campgrounds. With unrivaled brand visibility, KOA also offers campground owners and operators unparalleled support in campground education, design, recruitment, marketing and technology. Terramor Outdoor Resorts, a glamping venture, opened its first flagship property in Bar Harbor, Maine in 2020. Literally meaning ‘Love of Land,” the brand focuses on delivering a refined and upscale outdoor experience. For more information, visit KOA.com and TerramorOutdoorResort.com.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:

JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 23rd year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2024. The company also owns seven titles in regional Late Model divisions with consecutive championships in 2022-23 and a prized national title in 2020. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

Three-Day Schedule Announced for 2025 Brickyard Weekend

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Official Release
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Friday Tickets On Sale Now

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024) – Fans once again can enjoy three days of on-track action when the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Brickyard Weekend on July 25-27, 2025.

The Brickyard Weekend race lineup will include the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 on Saturday, July 26 and the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 presented by PPG on Sunday, July 27. The full practice and qualifying schedule, including for Friday, July 25, will be shared at a later date.

“As fans start their holiday shopping, the inclusion of Friday tickets is a great incentive to give the gift of Brickyard Weekend,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Tickets for all 2025 marquee events at IMS went on sale a few weeks ago, and fans can now add Friday of Brickyard Weekend to their plans. Other than renewal, buying now continues to provide the best available seats at the lowest prices we offer.”

Tickets for Friday’s practice sessions are $15. Tickets for Saturday start at $35, with Sunday tickets for the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG starting at $40. Kids 15 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a General Admission or Flex Admission adult ticketholder.

Fans who already renewed their tickets to Saturday’s Pennzoil 250 or Sunday’s Brickyard 400 presented by PPG will have complimentary Friday General Admission Tickets added to their IMS accounts.

If fans purchased three-day camping for the weekend, those purchases will be extended to four-day camping. IMS accounts will reflect these changes.

Visit IMS.com for ticket information for Brickyard Weekend on July 25-27.

KROGER AND RFK RACING TEAM UP FOR 2025 NASCAR SEASON RFK RACING TO FIELD THIRD CUP SERIES TEAM WITH RYAN PREECE

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Official Release
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Kroger and RFK Racing Team Up for 2025 NASCAR Season

RFK Racing to Field Third Cup Series Team With Ryan Preece

CINCINNATI, OHIO. (November 19, 2024) – Beginning with the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series racing season, Kroger will move its primary sponsorship to Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing. In addition, RFK Racing will begin fielding a third Ford Mustang in 2025 with Ryan Preece joining the team to pilot the No. 60. Kroger and nearly 20 brands will appear across the RFK Racing cars of Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher and Preece throughout the season.

“The Kroger Racing program and collaboration with participating brands has been a successful staple in Kroger’s portfolio for more than a decade,” said Erin Sanchez, vice president of grocery for Kroger. “We’re very excited to be teaming up with RFK Racing and know having three drivers as members of the Kroger Racing Family will be an added benefit for all our brand sponsors involved in the program. The opportunity to utilize multiple drivers in their marketing strategies both in our stores and within their merchandising initiatives is something we’re all looking forward to with the start of the 2025 season.”

Kroger has been a primary sponsor in the NASCAR Cup Series dating back to the 2010 season when it joined JTG Daugherty Racing. During their tenure together, three wins were amassed including the 2023 DAYTONA 500 and this year’s second event at Talladega Superspeedway, both with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. behind the wheel.

“Kroger’s relationship with JTG Daugherty Racing, and most recently, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., have really been something special,” said Brent Cox, director of health and baby care for Kroger. “Everyone at Kroger and all our participating sponsors wish the team and Ricky nothing but the best and thank them for all they’ve done for us over the years. We are excited to continue working with Tad and Jodi Geschickter through their marketing firm, BAM (Brand Activation Maximizer), as we move into this new chapter with RFK Racing. BAM will continue to represent the Kroger Racing program, and we know it’s in good hands with their team.”

RFK Racing will continue to field the No. 6 Mustang for Keselowski and the No. 17 Mustang for Buescher in 2025 along with adding the No. 60 Mustang for Preece. Alongside Kroger, additional sponsorships will be showcased from BuildSubmarines.com, Castrol, Fastenal and many others.

“We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with Kroger Racing and excited by the new partnership with RFK racing and drivers Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher,” said Shane Faucet, Senior Vice President-Customers, Bimbo Bakeries USA. “Together, we’re united in our commitment to excellence both on and off the track and look forward to creating more unforgettable moments for fans.”

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is scheduled to kick off with The Clash at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston Salem, N.C. on February 2 before the official schedule begins with the DAYTONA 500 on February 16. Announcements regarding the brand joining Kroger on the paint scheme and driver for those events and the season will be made at a later date.

Quotes from Participating Brand Representatives:

“We’ve had so much fun partnering with JTG Racing over the years and we’re excited about the 2025 season,” said Kelley McClellan, brand manager for Kimberly-Clark. “Kimberly-Clark and its’ Cottonelle, Kleenex, Viva and Scott Brands look forward to another exciting year of high-octane racing and unforgettable moments with the NASCAR community.”

“We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with Kroger Racing and excited by the new partnership with RFK racing and drivers Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher,” said Shane Faucet, Senior Vice President-Customers, Bimbo Bakeries USA. “Together, we’re united in our commitment to excellence both on and off the track and look forward to creating more unforgettable moments for fans.”

“General Mills is a proud, long-standing partner of Kroger Racing, and we are excited to enter into this new chapter with Kroger and RFK Racing,” said Molly Jagoditz, Kroger Lead, General Mills. “This program continues to bring home the win for us both in-store and at the track, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Kroger for our third year of the racing program, which underscores Coca-Cola’s long-standing commitment to excellence and innovation,” said Katie Grabosky, Sr Sales Director, Coca-Cola Kroger Team. “This collaboration provides a unique platform to connect with our passionate consumers and support the dynamic world of motorsports. We look forward to fueling the excitement and camaraderie that racing brings to fans together!”

“We are thrilled for the future of the Kroger Racing program and the new partnership with RFK,” said Adam Clay, Director of Kroger Oscar Mayer and Lunchables. “This program has provided a great opportunity to supply race fans with visibility to some of their racetrack favorites like Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, Heinz Ketchup, Kraft Mayonnaise, and exciting innovation. We’re looking forward to hitting the track together in February and driving growth both in stores and in victory lane!”

“CELSIUS is thrilled to partner with Kroger Racing and bring ESSENTIAL ENERGY to fans and drivers around the nation,” commented Kyle Watson, CMO at CELSIUS. “This is a great opportunity to further strengthen our relationship with consumers through a synergistic partnership, providing value both in-store and on the track. We look forward to seeing what we accomplish in the 2025 season!”

“Blue Buffalo is proud to partner with the Kroger Racing program and we look forward to this new chapter alongside RFK Racing,” said George DeGrella, Blue Buffalo Director for Grocery and Ecommerce. “The partnership allows us to share our mission of loving, feeding and treating all pets like family with the millions of NASCAR fans who are pet parents. Working alongside Kroger in this program also gives us the opportunity to join the motorsports industry in advancing philanthropic initiatives that are so important to our brand’s purpose.”

“We are thrilled to continue our strategic partnership with the Kroger Racing team,” said Brad Olsen, Vice President of Marketing, Tree Top. “This collaboration, along with the recent launch of our new online store, helps us to continue to expand Tree Top’s consumer reach and increase our brand presence nationwide. Together, we’ve enjoyed the sweetness of success both on and off the track, and we look forward to building on that momentum during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.”

“Just like the passion and sense of community that racing fans share, pizza also has the power to spark togetherness and bring excitement to our lives,” said Roger Galloway, Senior Director of Brand Marketing for Schwan’s Consumer Brands. “At Red Baron®, we are the No. 1 frozen pizza in the U.S. for a reason. Our delicious pizzas, which include favorites like Classic Crust and Deep Dish Singles, are the perfect addition to any moment worth celebrating. We are thrilled to join Kroger in this partnership with NASCAR and be the go-to pizza for race day.”

“As a leading Brand in the allergy space, Allegra is committed to help allergy sufferers to live their life to the fullest and not let their allergies get in the way,” said Samuel Morisse, Allegra US Zone Brand Head. “Allegra not only delivers effective and fast relief but also leverages its unique Science to not affect the brain, leading to no sensation of drowsiness. This is why, Allegra is excited to partner with the Kroger Racing and the RFK Racing team this upcoming season. This partnership allows us to connect with NASCAR’s passionate fan base, drivers and demonstrate our commitment to helping people live their life free from allergies, so they can focus fully focus on the moments that matter, from cheering their favorite driver and teams in NASCAR.”

About RFK Racing:
RFK Racing, in its 38th season in 2025, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.

TONY STEWART NAMED 2024 NHRA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

By
Official Release
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TEMECULA, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2024) – In one of the closest races in recent history, Top Fuel driver and motorsports legend Tony Stewart was named the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

Stewart was awarded Rookie of the Year honors Monday at the NHRA awards ceremony at the Pechanga Resort Casino. He was part of a standout field and a hotly-contested race that included Brandon Foster, Richard Gadson, Derrick Reese, Jasmine Salinas, Sienna Wildgust, Daniel Wilkerson and Ida Zetterstrom.

“It’s a big honor to win this award this season,” Stewart said. “There are some great drivers in the NHRA and it’s one of the most diverse forms of motorsports I’ve been a part of. I’ve had a really good time working with the series this season to promote and continue to grow the sport.”

Making his Top Fuel debut in 2024, Stewart advanced to a pair of final rounds, four semifinals, a berth in the Countdown to the Championship and a ninth-place finish in Top Fuel points. Stewart took over driving duties for his wife, Top Fuel standout Leah Pruett, this year as the couple focused on starting a family.

Pruett gave birth to the couple’s first child, Dominic James Stewart, early Sunday morning, as Stewart then traveled back to Pomona to compete at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals that same day. He advanced to the semifinals to close out the NHRA season, one that also included a career-best run of 3.688-seconds at 334.73-mph in his 11,000-horsepower dragster.

Stewart is one of motorsports’ most accomplished stars, winning championships in both NASCAR and IndyCar. He formed the two-car Tony Stewart Racing NHRA team in 2022 and raced in the Top Alcohol Dragster ranks in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series sportsman ranks before moving to Top Fuel in 2024.

“It was an honor to be part of this group this year,” said Stewart, a NASCAR Hall of Famer. “The two main coaches I had were Matt Hagan and my wife, Leah. Thank you Leah for giving me this opportunity and I want to thank everyone at NHRA. It’s been a blast this year.”

Pro Stock Motorcycle rising star Richard Gadson finished third in points in the two-wheeled category, advancing to a trio of final rounds and four semifinals. Gadson also won a Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge race.

Salinas and Zetterstrom both made impressive Top Fuel debuts during the 2024 season, showing their potential to become major stars in the sport. Salinas, who took over driving for her father, Mike, had three round wins, dipping into the 3.60s for the first time at the finale in Pomona. Zetterstrom, the 2023 European Top Fuel world champion, made her NHRA debut in Brainerd, competing in the last eight races of 2024 and picking up three round wins as well.

Wilkerson took over for his father and longtime standout, Tim Wilkerson, in the Funny Car ranks, advancing to the final round at the Charlotte 4-Wide race. He finished seventh in points and also advanced to three semifinals.

Pro Stock drivers Foster, Reese and Wildgust also took to the track in the very competitive class.

Last season, Chase Van Sant was named the 2023 Rookie of the Year. Other recent winners include Pro Stock’s Camrie Caruso in 2022 and Dallas Glenn in 2021, Top Fuel’s Justin Ashley in 2020 and Austin Prock in 2019. Prock won his first world championship in Funny Car in 2024.

The NHRA Rookie of the Year award recognizes the top rookie competitor who also represents the future of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. The nation’s leading auto racing journalists select the winner through a voting system based on the following criteria: number of events competed in, performance on and off the racetrack, participation in NHRA promotions, and relationships with fans, sponsors, and media.

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.

Toyota Wins First NHRA Manufacturers Cup

By
Official Release
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Takes home manufacturer championship in 23rd season of NHRA racing

PLANO, Texas (Nov. 19, 2024) – For the first time in its 23 seasons of NHRA competition, Toyota has won the NHRA Manufacturers Cup. The 2024 season was the first time NHRA included the Top Fuel category in its distinctions for the Manufacturers Cup, to which Toyota’s resounding success in Top Fuel this year, along with its achievements in Funny Car, led to its first-ever season triumph.

2024 was another astounding year for Toyota in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, where the manufacturer captured 16 victories in 20 NHRA events across the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories. At least one Toyota supported entry made the final round in every NHRA event this season and the brand has been represented in the final round in 43 consecutive races. Additionally, Toyota won its second consecutive Top Fuel driver’s championship, and eighth overall, with Antron Brown this season.

“The 2024 NHRA season has been storybook for Toyota and to complete it with our first NHRA Manufacturers Cup is icing on the cake,” said Paul Doleshal, Group Manager, motorsports, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “None of this would’ve been possible without the incredible efforts of our partner teams, drivers, our engineers at TRD and so many others this season, and we’re proud to celebrate with all involved. This championship is another tremendous accomplishment in Toyota’s motorsports history and one we’ll be sure to cherish for a long time.”

Toyota supports six teams across NHRA’s Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, including Kalitta Motorsports, Torrence Racing, AB Motorsports, SCAG Racing’s Top Fuel program, Ron Capps Motorsports and DC Motorsports. Toyota drivers who were victorious during the 2024 season include: Antron Brown (six wins), Justin Ashley (four wins), Doug Kalitta (three wins), Shawn Langdon (two wins), Steve Torrence (one win) and J.R. Todd (one win). Toyota drivers also captured 11 No. 1 qualifying positions throughout the season.

Toyota first entered NHRA drag racing in 2002 and has won eight Top Fuel and four Funny Car world championships with its supporting teams over its tenure. In Top Fuel, Toyota has won championships with Antron Brown (2024, 2016, 2015 and 2012), Doug Kalitta (2023), Shawn Langdon (2013), Del Worsham (2011) and Larry Dixon (2010). Toyota has captured Funny Car world championships with Ron Capps (2022), J.R. Todd (2018), Del Worsham (2015) and Cruz Pedregon (2008).

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 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 47 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 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 30 electrified options.

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

2024 NHRA MISSION FOODS DRAG RACING SERIES CHAMPIONS HONORED AT ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

By
Official Release
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TEMECULA, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2024) – First-time world champion Austin Prock was honored Monday evening, along with multi-time world champs Antron Brown, Greg Anderson and Gaige Herrera during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series awards ceremony at the Pechanga Resort Casino in scenic Southern California Wine Country.

The four standout competitors were crowned for their incredible achievements over the course of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season and awarded their trophies for their championship runs during a memorable Countdown to the Championship playoffs.

After a record-breaking year in his rookie Funny Car season, Prock secured his first world championship on Saturday following qualifying at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals at the historic In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. Prock entered Pomona with a 188-point lead over his John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman, who was racing for 16-time champion John Force. With the completion of qualifying at Pomona, Prock’s first world championship was a lock for his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team. Throughout the season, Prock was nearly unstoppable and collected eight event wins, including three in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, as well as 15 No. 1 qualifier positions, the most in Funny Car history. He then powered to NHRA’s fastest-ever pass on Sunday in Pomona when he clocked a 341.68 mph run, giving Prock the status of fastest driver in NHRA history.

Brown secured his fourth world championship on Sunday following his semifinal victory over former champion Brittany Force. His Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel team then went on to win the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals over 2023 champion Doug Kalitta. Brown picked up six wins in 2024, tallying 80 career wins throughout his NHRA tenure. He kicked off his 2024 season with a win at the specialty Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel All-Star Callout race at the Gatornationals in Gainesville. He went onto win in Chicago and Sonoma as well as three wins in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. With this world title, Brown joins an elite group of drivers including Tony Schumacher, Joe Amato and Steve Torrence with four or more Top Fuel championships.

The Pro Stock championship battle came down to the final pass of the 2024 season with a winner-take-all matchup between Anderson and his KB Titan Racing teammate Dallas Glenn, with Anderson coming away with his sixth world championship in his HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro. Throughout the 2024 season, Anderson remained consistent, staying within the top four all year. He picked up a win early at the Arizona Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park and then went on to win at his home track at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte. He picked up back-to-back final round appearances in the Countdown in Dallas and Las Vegas, before taking home his third win of the year at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals. The NHRA veteran earned his 106th win on Sunday and his 15th at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.

For a second straight year, Herrera dominated the Pro Stock Motorcycle class en route to his second consecutive world championship. Rider of the RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, Herrera powered his way to 10 event wins throughout the 2024 season, including the prestigious NHRA U.S. Nationals as well as three wins in the playoffs. Herrera also broke NHRA’s most consecutive race win record by getting victories in 11 straight races, dating back to the 2023 campaign.

In one of the closest races in recent history, Top Fuel’s Tony Stewart was named NHRA Rookie of the Year after a strong first season. The motorsports legend advanced to a pair of final rounds, four semifinals, a berth in the Countdown to the Championship and a ninth-place finish in Top Fuel points. Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Richard Gadson, Top Fuel’s Jasmine Salinas, Funny Car’s Daniel Wilkerson and Top Fuel’s Ida Zetterstrom also received votes in the hotly-contest race.

The Crew of the Year awarded was given to a team in each professional category and was based on a number of statistical categories, including average qualifying position, average eliminations E.T., speed index, average points per race and oildowns. In Top Fuel, the Scag Power Equipment racing team of Justin Ashley earned the award for the first time, while Prock’s JFR team was named the top crew in Funny Car.

The team of six-time champ Anderson earned the award in Pro Stock, while the Vance & Hines team for Herrera took home the honors in Pro Stock Motorcycle for the second straight year as well.

The NHRA also recognized a pair of iconic figures for its Lifetime Achievement Award, including 2023 recipient Forrest Lucas, as well as Jim Dunn, who was acknowledged as the 2024 recipient.

For the first time in NHRA history, Toyota won the NHRA’s Manufacturers Cup. The award is given to the automaker whose current model year vehicles accumulate the most points during the NHRA season. Among those who enjoyed banner seasons for Toyota were Top Fuel standouts Brown, Doug Kalitta, Ashley, Shawn Langdon, Billy Torrence and Steve Torrence, and Funny Car stars Ron Capps, J.R. Todd and Alexis DeJoria.

Drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series were also recognized as 2024 world champions, including Cody Webber (Top Dragster), Allen Firestone (Top Sportsman), Val Torres (Super Gas), Colby Fuller (Super Comp), Joe Sorensen (Stock), Jimmy Hidalgo Jr. (Super Stock), Cody Lane (Comp), Sean Bellemeur (Top Alcohol Funny Car) and Shawn Cowie (Top Alcohol Dragster).

The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins March 6-9 with the 56th annual NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway.

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.

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