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Jeremy Clements to make 500th Xfinity start at COTA

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

In his 20th season with at least one start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series division, Jeremy Clements is scheduled to achieve a milestone start. By taking the green flag in this weekend’s event at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), the driver of the No. 51 Jeremy Clements Racing (JCR) Chevrolet Camaro entry will make his 500th career start in the Xfinity division.

Clements’ milestone start will also come with a new look sporting his entry after JCR announced a new partnership with Henderson Jet Services, a company that is based in Georgetown, Texas, and will serve as the driver’s primary sponsor for the upcoming 20-turn road-course event in Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Alliance Driveaway Solutions and Harrison’s will be serving as his associate sponsors for the event.

“First, I am very grateful for Henderson Jet Services coming on board for COTA,” Clements said. “We had few races left to fill out the season and with the help of Steve (Carnes) we were able to get a deal done.”

A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Clements’ Xfinity Series debut occurred at Pikes Peak International Raceway in Fountain, Colorado, in July 2003. Driving the No. 71 Kenneth Appling Racing Chevrolet entry, he started 35th and finished 31st after he was eliminated from an early incident. Four years later, Clements, who had recovered from being hospitalized following an accident at 311 Speedway in North Carolina, returned to the series as he competed in the final five-scheduled events with McGill Motorsports. Within the five-race span, he notched a season-best 23rd-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October 2007.

During the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Clements made a total of 14 starts in the Xfinity circuit between JD Motorsports and his family-owned Jeremy Clements Motorsports (JCM) organization. His best on-track result between the two seasons was a 12th-place finish at Auto Club Speedway in October 2009. Mired within his Xfinity starts, he also qualified Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 18 entry twice: once at Kentucky Speedway in 2008 and again at Iowa Speedway in 2009, both in place of Kyle Busch. Clements would return to JD Motorsports for 16 Xfinity events in 2010, where he achieved his first top-10 career result by finishing 10th at World Wide Technology Raceway in October. He also accumulated a total of six top-20 results.

Beginning in 2011, Clements campaigned as a full-time Xfinity competitor for JCM. In his first two full-time campaigns, the South Carolina native recorded a pair of 10th-place finishes at Dover Motor Speedway and at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, respectively, in 2012. He also recorded a combined 21 top-20 results, 696 points in 2011 and a 14th-place result in the final driver’s standings in 2012. After finishing in 33rd place during the 2013 opener at Daytona International Speedway, he was suspended indefinitely for violating NASCAR’s Code of Conduct policy as he used a racial slur. After being replaced by Ryan Sieg for two events, Clements returned for the remainder of the season, where he notched a pair of top-10 runs, including a season-best ninth-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway, and ended up in 16th place in the standings. By then, he surpassed 100 career starts in the Xfinity Series.

Between 2014 to 2016, Clements accumulated a total of six top-10 results, 50 top-20 results and 19 laps led. Mired within the results, he notched his first top-five finish after he settled in fourth place at Talladega in April 2016. He also surpassed 200 Xfinity starts as he finished 15th, 14th and 15th, respectively, in the final standings. At the conclusion of the 2015 season, he boosted his season’s average-finishing result above the top-20 cutline to 19.8.

Then in 2017, Clements achieved a breakthrough moment in his NASCAR career. After finishing as high as seventh through the first 22 events on the schedule, he rallied from being involved in an incident with Matt Tifft, where he spun both himself and the latter on the final turn prior to the penultimate lap, to assume the lead on the final lap and muscle away to his first Xfinity Series career victory in his 256th series start at Road America. Clements’ first victory allowed him and his No. 51 Jeremy Clements Racing (JCR) Chevrolet team to secure a spot into the Playoffs, where he would end up in a career-best 12th place in the final standings after he was eliminated from title contention following the first Playoff round.

From 2018 to 2021, Clements went winless, but he racked up two top-five results, 19 top-10 results, 23 laps led and average-finishing results within the top-18 mark. Between the four-year span, he finished as high as third place at Pocono Raceway in July 2020. Previously, he finished in fourth place at Bristol Motor Speedway in August 2019. He would also make the 2021 Playoffs, where he finished 12th in the standings after being eliminated following the Playoff’s Round of 12, and surpass 300 Xfinity starts. In addition, he accumulated a career-high eight top-10 results and notched a career-best average-finishing result of 16.4 during the 2021 campaign.

Clements commenced the 2022 Xfinity season by reaching 400 Xfinity starts following the first two-scheduled events. He would proceed by finishing in the top 10 four times, including a strong fourth-place result at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, over his next 20 starts. Then at Daytona in August, Clements survived a crash-filled event and an overtime shootout to score his second Xfinity career victory and race his way into the season’s Playoffs. Ultimately, Clements would settle in a career-best 12th place in the final standings after he was eliminated from title contention following the Round of 12 for a third time.

Over the previous two Xfinity seasons (2023-24), Clements recorded a single top-10 result, which was a sixth-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February 2024. Despite leading a career-high 24 laps in 2024, he finished no higher than 19th place in the 2023 final standings and recorded respective average-finishing results of 21.2 and 23.2. Currently, Clements is coming off respective finishes of ninth and 11th through the first two-scheduled events of the 2025 season. With an early average-finishing result of 10.0, he is ranked in seventh place in the standings and trails the points lead by 29 points as he strives to maintain his early momentum and return to the Playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

Overall, Clements has achieved two victories, six top-five results, 39 top-10 results, 114 laps led and an average-finishing result of 21.0 through 499 current starts in the Xfinity Series division.

“Wow, it’s hard to believe I will be making my 500th Xfinity start!” Clements added. “I am incredibly grateful to all the sponsors, crew, friends, and family who have helped me get to this point in my career. We’ve accomplished so much with limited resources over these 20-plus years, experiencing both ups and downs for sure, but I’m so fortunate to do this for a living! Again, Thank You All for your support—here’s to 500 more!”

Jeremy Clements is scheduled to make his 500th Xfinity Series career start at Circuit of the Americas for the Focused Health 250. The event is scheduled to occur on Saturday, March 1, with a starting broadcast time of 2:30 p.m. ET on the CW Network.

Circuit of the Americas – NASCAR Schedule & Highlights

By
Angie Campbell
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Credit: AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 24: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 The Beast Unleashed Toyota, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 24, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

This weekend the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series travel to the Circuit of the Americas for a full weekend of racing action. The Craftsman Truck Series takes a break but returns to competition at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday, March 14.

This race will mark the first time NASCAR will compete on the shorter 2.40-mile layout at COTA.

NASCAR Cup Series Winners

The first NASCAR national series race held at the Circuit of The Americas was a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race on May 22, 2021 was won by Todd Gilliland.

There have been four Cup Series races at COTA. Hendrick Motorsports has won twice (Chase Elliott, 2021 and William Byron, 2024). Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain won the event in 2022 and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick won in 2023.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Winners

There have also been four Xfinity Series races at COTA. Kyle Busch won in 2021 while AJ Allmendinger won the following two races (2022, 2023).  Kyle Larson won in 2024.

All of the winners, except Allmendinger, who started 4th in 2022, also won the pole award.

Friday, Feb. 28

5 p.m.: Xfinity Series Practice – CW App
Timed: 50 minutes

6 p.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying – CW App
Impound/2 Groups/Multi-Vehicle

Saturday, March 1

11 a.m.: Cup Series Practice – Prime
Timed/2 Groups/2 rounds/20 minutes each

12:30 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying – Prime
Impound/2 Groups/Multi-Vehicle
Post Cup Series Qualifying: Press Pass

2:30 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Focused Health 250
Stages: 20/40/65 Laps = 156 Miles
Purse: $1,651,939
CW/PRN/SiriusXM
Post Xfinity Series Race: Press Pass

Sunday, March 2 Schedule

3:30 p.m.:NASCAR Cup Seroes EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix
Stages: 20/45/95 Laps = 228 Miles
Purse: $11,055,250
FOX/Max/PRN/SiriusXM
Post Cup Series Race: Press Pass

NASCAR Driver Appearance Schedule – COTA Weekend

Denny Hamlin, Michael McDowell, Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen and Riley Herbst will make appearances during Sunday’s Trackside Live at the EchoPark Automotive Experience Stage in the Fan Zone.

Fans can also purchase an Ultimate Fan Pass or Track Pass for access to Q&A sessions with Chase Elliott, Chase Briscoe and Justin Haley, NASCAR Cup Series driver introductions and the Corey Kent pre-race concert.

Visit NASCARatCOTA.com/Events/EchoPark-Automotive-Grand-Prix/Appearances for scheduled driver appearances and updates.

Matt DiBenedetto to make 100th Xfinity start at COTA

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

A significant milestone start is in the making for Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the No. 99 Chevrolet entry for Viking Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. By taking the green flag in this weekend’s event at Circuit of the Americas, DiBenedetto will make his 100th career start in the Xfinity division.

A native of Grass Valley, California, DiBenedetto made his Xfinity debut at Memphis Motorsports Park in October 2009. Driving the No. 20 Toyota entry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), DiBenedetto started fourth and finished 14th. He would return the following season to pilot JGR’s No. 20 Toyota entry for a total of six races. During the six-race schedule, DiBenedetto recorded a season-best ninth-place finish at Iowa Speedway in July. He also finished in 10th place at Nashville Superspeedway a month earlier.

After spending the 2011 season driving for X Team Racing in the ARCA Menards Series East division, DiBenedetto returned to the Xfinity Series and competed as a “start-and-park” competitor, where he retired early, for The Motorsports Group in 2012. In seven events as a “start-and-park” competitor, he recorded a season-best 40th-place result at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in August. The Californian then made a total of six starts between The Motorsports Group and Vision Racing in 2013, in which he settled in a season-best 33rd place at Atlanta Motor Speedway in August.

The 2014 season would mark the year where DiBenedetto competed in the most Xfinity events in a season as he competed in all but four of the 33-race schedule. Despite not qualifying for the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway with Vision Racing, DiBenedetto, who made all of his Xfinity starts with The Motorsports Group in 2014, notched four top-20 results and a season-best 11th-place finish at Road America in June. Amid his results, DiBenedetto relieved Jeffrey Earnhardt during a first caution period to drive for JD Motorsports at Daytona in 2014. At the conclusion of the year, he settled in 21st place in the final running order and recorded an average-finishing result of 31.3.

Two years later, DiBenedetto, who was competing in the Cup Series division with BK Racing, returned to the Xfinity division for 19 events. After commencing his Xfinity schedule by finishing in 40th place at Auto Club Speedway in March, he notched a season-best 11th-place run at Kansas Speedway in October 2016. During his 19-race span, he made a single start for MBM Motorsports at Texas Motor Speedway in April while the remainder of his starts occurred between TriStar Motorsports’ Nos. 10 and 14 Toyota entries.

Another three years later, DiBenedetto reunited with JGR for a one-race Xfinity deal at Road America in August. During the event, he started on the front row and led a race-high 18 laps. Racing in the runner-up spot behind teammate Christopher Bell on the final lap, DiBenedetto got loose, which caused his No. 18 JGR Toyota entry to race off of the course. As a result, DiBenedetto spun backwards towards the tire wall and got his car stuck in the gravel trap, which plummeted him to 27th place in the final running order.

Five years later, DiBenedetto joined RSS Racing with Viking Motorsports, where he competed as a full-time competitor between both organizations, beginning at Richmond Raceway. By then, the Californian lost a full-time Cup Series ride with Wood Brothers Racing in 2022 and his Truck Series ride at Rackley W.A.R. in 2024. Making a total of 28 starts throughout the 33-race schedule, DiBenedetto recorded three top-10 results and 11 top-20 results. He also earned two seventh-place finishes at Talladega Superspeedway and at Iowa Speedway.

In January 2025, DiBenedetto was announced to return to Viking Motorsports as a full-time Xfinity competitor, where he would pilot the No. 99 entry as the organization changed manufacturers from Ford to Chevrolet. After finishing 11th and 12th, respectively, through the first two-scheduled events of this season, DiBenedetto is currently ranked in 10th place in the driver’s standings and he trails the points lead by 33 points.

Through 99 previous starts in the Xfinity Series, DiBenedetto has accumulated five top-10 results, 19 laps led and an average-finishing result of 30.1 as he strives to achieve both his first race victory and Playoff appearance in the series this season.

Matt DiBenedetto is scheduled to make his 100th Xfinity Series career start at Circuit of the Americas for the Focused Health 250. The event is scheduled to occur on Saturday, March 1, with a starting broadcast time of 2:30 p.m. ET on the CW Network.

Swish Motorsports Heads To COTA Looking To Build On Strong Season Debut

By
Official Release
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No. 12 BMW M4 GT4 GSX set to continue IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge season

Culpeper, Virginia — Swish Motorsports is headed to the Lone Star State for the second round of the 2025 IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, looking to build on the team’s impressive season debut.

The Swish Motorsports No. 12 BMW M4 GT4 sits fifth in GSX class points following a pair of strong runs at Daytona International Speedway last month. Driver Patrick Wilmot finished third and sixth in GSX in the two races that made up the season-opening event.

Wilmot, who made his Swish Motorsports debut at Daytona, will once again be at the wheel of the powder blue and white No. 12 BMW M4 for both races COTA. Race one and two on COTA’s 20-turn, 2.3-mile National course is on  Saturday, March 1 at 9:35am and 5:55pm ET.

“Our team worked all off-season with an eye on competing for GSX class wins,” said Swish Motorsports owner and CEO Michael Dayton. “Adding Patrick has made us even stronger. We’re headed to COTA confident we will run up front in a deep GSX field and fight for the top spot on the podium.”

The successful opening weekend performance has helped boost Swish Motorsports’ profile. The team recently welcomed a new sponsor for COTA–Cannonball Storage. The East Coast’s premier classic and exotic car preservation specialist, Philadelphia-based Cannonball Storage, joins Runway Travel, M3 Home Repair, Rapid Track Service, 129 Touge, Kingpin Racing, and Mills, Dayton & Co. as Swish Motorsports partners.

The IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge events are part of a weekend of racing at COTA that includes NASCAR’s Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series. Both IMSA races will stream live on Peacock Premium and IMSA’s official YouTube channel.

About Swish Motorsports

Swish Motorsports was founded in 2023 by Michael Dayton and is based in Culpeper, Virginia. Dayton, a former NCAA college basketball player (hence the name Swish), spent nearly two decades as a driver and crew member for several BMW race teams before starting Swish Motorsports. The 2025 season is the team’s second in the VP Racing Sportscar Challenge series competing in the Grand Sport X (GSX) class. Connect with Swish Motorsports at www.swishmotorsports.com, @swishmotorsports on Instagram and on Facebook. Interested in partnering with Swish Motorsports? Let’s talk! Contact Michael at swishmotorsports@gmail.com.

Guide to Mazda SD Cards: Upgrade Your Navigation Experience

By
SM
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Why You Need a Mazda SD Card

If you’re a Mazda owner who loves road trips, seamless navigation, and up-to-date maps, then a Mazda SD card is a must-have accessory for your car. Modern Mazda vehicles come equipped with advanced infotainment systems, and having a compatible SD card ensures your navigation is precise and efficient. With an SD card designed specifically for Mazda, you can enjoy a smoother driving experience without relying on smartphone-based navigation apps.

What is a Mazda SD Card?

A Mazda SD card is a specially designed storage device that contains essential navigation data, including maps, traffic updates, and route information. Unlike generic SD cards, these are programmed to work with Mazda’s infotainment systems, ensuring that you get the most accurate and detailed map coverage possible.

By installing an official Mazda navigation SD card, you gain access to real-time GPS tracking, points of interest (POI), and updates that enhance your driving convenience. Whether you’re commuting in the city or exploring new destinations, an updated navigation system makes all the difference.

Benefits of Using a Genuine Mazda SD Card

1. Accurate and Up-to-Date Maps

Mazda SD cards provide detailed and frequently updated maps, helping you navigate unfamiliar roads with confidence. Unlike outdated in-car navigation systems, an updated SD card ensures you always have the latest route information at your fingertips.

2. Seamless Integration with Mazda Infotainment

A genuine Mazda SD card is designed to work flawlessly with your vehicle’s built-in infotainment system. You won’t have to deal with software incompatibilities, glitches, or system errors—just smooth and intuitive navigation.

3. Enhanced Driving Safety

With a Mazda navigation SD card, you can focus on the road instead of fiddling with your phone. The system provides real-time turn-by-turn directions, speed limit warnings, and traffic updates, minimizing distractions and keeping you safe.

4. Cost-Effective Alternative to Subscription Services

Unlike some navigation apps that require monthly or annual subscriptions, a Mazda SD card is a one-time purchase that keeps your navigation system functional without recurring costs.

How to Choose the Right Mazda SD Card

When selecting a Mazda navigation SD card, consider the following:

  • Vehicle Compatibility: Ensure the SD card is compatible with your specific Mazda model and infotainment system.
  • Region Coverage: Choose an SD card with maps that cover your preferred driving regions.
  • Update Frequency: Opt for an SD card that offers regular updates to keep your navigation system current.
  • Authenticity: Purchase from a trusted source like Navi-World to ensure you’re getting a genuine product.

Installing a Mazda Navigation SD Card

Installing a Mazda SD card is a straightforward process:

  1. Turn Off Your Vehicle: Before inserting the SD card, ensure your car is turned off.
  2. Locate the SD Card Slot: Depending on your Mazda model, the SD card slot is usually found near the infotainment system or center console.
  3. Insert the SD Card: Carefully insert the Mazda SD card into the designated slot.
  4. Turn On the Vehicle: Start your car and allow the infotainment system to recognize the SD card.
  5. Enjoy Your Navigation System: Once installed, your Mazda’s navigation system should be fully functional and ready to use.

Where to Buy a Mazda SD Card

For the best selection of genuine Mazda SD cards, visit Navi-World. As a trusted provider of high-quality navigation products, Navi-World offers a wide range of SD cards tailored for different Mazda models.

Check out their collection here: Mazda Navigation SD Cards

Conclusion

A Mazda SD card is an essential investment for any Mazda owner who values precision, convenience, and safety while driving. With up-to-date maps, seamless system integration, and reliable navigation, your road trips and daily commutes become stress-free.

Make the smart choice and upgrade your Mazda’s navigation system today with a genuine SD card from Navi-World.

GET READY: FOUR QUALIFYING SESSIONS RETURN TO NHRA MISSION FOODS DRAG RACING SERIES EVENTS IN 2025

By
Official Release
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Qualifying order in MFDRS will flip for Saturday’s two sessions, with Top Fuel/Funny Car running before Pro Stock/Pro Stock Motorcycle

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 25, 2025) – NHRA announced today that four qualifying sessions will return to the racing schedule during the 2025 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season.

Fans will get the chance to enjoy four sessions at every race, except for the NHRA Virginia Nationals, which will feature three qualifying sessions on Saturday, June 21 as part of a unique two-day event, and the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, which will have its traditional five qualifying sessions over Labor Day Weekend.

The other 18 national events will feature four qualifying sessions, with two taking place on Friday and two on Saturday, giving fans ample opportunity to see all their favorite NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series stars.

The Saturday qualifying schedule will also see an adjustment, as Top Fuel and Funny Car will now kick off both sessions, running before Pro Stock/Pro Stock Motorcycle, mirroring the Sunday eliminations schedule as well. Friday qualifying will remain the same, with Pro Stock/Pro Stock Motorcycle running before Top Fuel and Funny Car, which will allow for several nitro at night sessions.

“I really love this new format for the Saturday schedule and I look forward to seeing it take place all year long,” Funny Car standout Bob Tasca III said. “For the fans who are excited to see nitro racing, it’s a great chance to give them a chance to see it first on Saturdays during the pro qualifying schedule.”

Added reigning Pro Stock champ Greg Anderson: “This is beneficial to Pro Stock because those are the conditions we will race in on Sunday. It had been difficult on Sunday because we don’t have any practice (running after nitro) during qualifying. So, this should help us with our raceday tune-up, which is what is most important for the weekend.”

At numerous races, including both Charlotte 4-Wide events, Epping, Bristol, Norwalk, Seattle, Sonoma, Indianapolis, Reading, St. Louis and Dallas, fans will be treated to primetime qualifying under the lights on Friday night, as the 11,000-horsepower, 330-mph nitro machines put on a spectacular night show.

Starting in Phoenix and concluding in Indianapolis, Saturday’s qualifying schedule during 13 regular season events, including both four-wide events in April, will also include the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. The bonus event brings competitive racing to Saturday qualifying and has been a huge hit with a bonus purse and bonus championship points on the line. Semifinalists from the previous race will face off in a rematch, with the winners advancing for a must-see Saturday showdown.

“We’re excited to return to four qualifying rounds at our national events this year. It’s a welcomed move by our race teams and will only enhance the competitive environment of NHRA drag racing, which only makes for a better show for our great fans,” NHRA Vice President of Racing Administration Josh Peterson said. “They get to see more racing, more incredible performances and it’s a great way to showcase all the standout racing teams and drivers within the NHRA.”

The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season opens March 6-9 with the 56th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at legendary Gainesville Raceway and features 20 total events at standout facilities across the country.

To purchase tickets to an upcoming NHRA event, visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. For more information on NHRA, including the 2025 schedule, visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With more than 100 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS PRE-RACE ADVANCE

By
Official Release
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RACE PREVIEW
DATE: March 2, 2025
RACE: NASCAR Cup Series / Race 3 of 36
TRACK: Del Valle, Texas / 2.3-mile road course

CLUB MINUTES

RECONFIGURATION: For the 2025 NASCAR season, Circuit of the Americas (COTA) will introduce a revised 2.3-mile “National” course layout for the Cup Series and Xfinity Series races. This marks a shift from the previously utilized 3.41-mile “Full” course. The updated track configuration is expected to present new challenges for drivers and teams, adding an exciting element to the competition.

LEGACY AT COTA 2024: Last year at COTA, the No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) entry driven by John Hunter Nemechek faced early challenges at the road course, including a lack of grip. The 27-year-old driver had contact with another car. A pass-through penalty dropped him to 37th in the running order. Despite the setback, strategic calls from crew chief Ben Beshore helped him climb back into contention, finishing seventh in Stage 2. In the final stage, Nemechek worked through the field after a late pit stop and ultimately secured a 21st-place finish.

Teammate Erik Jones battled handling issues early in the race, struggling with grip and balance in his No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE, ultimately finishing Stage 1 in 36th. Despite adjustments and strategic pit stops, Jones continued to fight for speed, cycling up to 15th during green flag stops, but a lack of caution forced him to fall back. A series of late-race setbacks, including contact with another car and a pit road speeding penalty resulted in a 32nd-place finish.

STRONG START FOR LEGACY: This past weekend was the first time in 46 NCS races that LEGACY MOTOR CLUB secured back-to-back top-10 finishes as an organization. Nemechek’s back-to-back top-10 finishes at Daytona and Atlanta have landed him seventh in the point standings. Jones had a 12th-place finish at Daytona and was on track for a strong run at Atlanta, running inside the top 20 for the majority of Stage 1 and a portion of Stage 2 before being collected in a multi-vehicle accident. The last time a LEGACY MC car finished back-to-back in the top 10 came in 2023 at Darlington and Kanas, with Jones finishing tenth and third, respectively.

NEVER SETTLE PODCAST GUEST: This week LEGACY MOTOR CLUB co-owner, Jimmie Johnson and Marty Smith interview Jake Peavy, a former professional baseball pitcher, who is currently an on-air analyst for MLB Network. In his past career, Peavy played Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and San Francisco Giants. New episodes of the podcast will debut every Wednesday and the show will also air Wednesdays (2 p.m. ET) on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90.

NO. 42 NOTES AND QUOTES
PYE-BARKER ON THE CAR: As announced in January, Pye-Barker Fire and Safety will adorn the No. 42 Toyota Camry for 14 races, the largest fully integrated and full-service fire protection, life safety and security services provider in the U.S. will be making its debut this weekend at COTA with a newly designed white, green, and blue paint scheme featuring flames down the side and rear of the Toyota Camry XSE.

NEMECHEK AT COTA: Nemechek has competed at COTA in all three NASCAR national series, with one start in the NCS, and four combined starts across the NASCAR Xfinity (NXS) and Truck Series (NTS). He finished 21st in his lone NCS start, while his Truck Series and Xfinity Series races have yielded stronger results. Nemechek secured a runner-up finish in 2022 with Kyle Busch Motorsports and a third-place finish in 2024 with Joe Gibbs Racing in NXS.

T-MACK AT COTA: Travis Mack has four NASCAR Cup Series starts as a crew chief at COTA. While working with Daniel Suárez, the duo secured strong qualifying results, earning two top-five starting positions—2nd in 2022 and 5th in 2023.

JHN TOP 10s: With the finishes in the last two weeks (Daytona fifth, Atlanta 10th), this marks the first time a Nemechek has secured back-to-back top-10 finishes in a NASCAR Cup Series season since 2005 when John Hunter’s father, Joe Nemechek, accomplished the feat at Watkins Glen and Michigan.

LAST TWO STANDING: Nemechek and the No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team are one of only two teams to open the 2025 season with back-to-back top-10 finishes, joining 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney.

POINT STANDINGS: Following two races in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Nemechek ranks seventh in driver points. This is his career-highest point-standing ranking to start a season as he heads into the third race of the year.
QUOTING JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK:

“I think COTA is going to be a great race. I’ve talked to a few guys who have run the cut-through, including Shane Van Gisbergen, who raced this layout in the Supercar Series—it has a lot of unique characteristics and bumps, while the rest of the track is fairly smooth. The shorter course will also make pit strategy more interesting. The No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team has had a fantastic start to the season, and everyone is gelling right now. We’re staying focused on the race ahead, controlling what we can, and aiming to keep delivering strong finishes.”

QUOTING TRAVIS MACK

“The poles that I’ve got in my career have come at road courses. Just bringing my knowledge of road course stuff, and hopefully, we can get John Hunter [Nemechek] on the same page and have a good showing in the next couple of weeks.”

“With the larger configuration of COTA, there were more cars that were able to pit before the end of the stage and not lose a lap. With the shorter track, the leader is going to be able to put a pace on people, whereas the back half of the field is not going to be able to short the pit cycle. It’s going to change quite a bit — strategy and the shortening of the stages.”

NO. 43 NOTES AND QUOTES
JONES AT COTA: Since the NASCAR Cup Series made its circuit debut at COTA in 2021, the driver of the No. 43 car has steadily improved his performance at the track. Over the course of the events held there, he has managed to earn one top-10 finish, with his best result being a solid ninth-place finish after starting in 30th position. His best starting position is eighth in 2023.

BESHORE AT COTA: Crew chief, Ben Beshore has accumulated one top 10 in three Cup Series starts at COTA with driver Kyle Busch at Joe Gibbs Racing. This will mark Beshore’s fourth Cup Series race at the Austin, Texas track as he had one Xfinity start with Nemechek in 2023, which resulted in a 27th-place finish.

DOLLAR TREE ON 43: Dollar Tree will serve as the primary partner on the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE for Jones at COTA. The white, green, and gold Dollar Tree scheme will hit the track with support from vendor partners Smithfield, Jack Link’s, Sunkist, and Utz, showcasing a strong collaboration of brands for the race weekend.

POINT STANDINGS: With on-track incidents out of his control and a 31st-place finish in Atlanta, the No. 43 team fell a few spots in the point standings to 17th, just one point below the playoff cut line.

QUOTING ERIK JONES

“With the new layout, we’re hopeful it will create more passing opportunities during the race. The changes seem to be a better fit for our cars, which should lead to more thrilling and dynamic racing for everyone. We’re excited to see how it all plays out and we are looking forward to the increased action on track.”

QUOTING BEN BESHORE

“There are a lot of unknowns going into this weekend. There is a new layout, most of the track has been repaved and we have a new tire. We will have plenty of options to try out in practice and see if we can find a good balance for the new configuration.”

CLUB APPEARANCES

JHN SIGNING: On Sunday, March 2 at 9:30 a.m. local time, Nemechek will meet with fans and sign autographs at the NASCAR merchandise hauler in the midway. This special appearance will give fans a chance to connect with Nemechek and pick up exclusive Pye-Barker gear ahead of the green flag.

HOW TO WATCH
Practice and qualifying for this weekend’s race at COTA take place on Saturday, March 1 at 11 a.m. ET and be shown Amazon Prime. The 95-lap main event at COTA will take place on Sunday, March 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET and broadcast on FOX, PRN Radio, and SIRIUS XM NASCAR Radio, CH. 90. Fans may also tune in to the NASCAR Driver Cam streamed live on MAX.

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, “The King”, serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.

Front Row Motorsports: Circuit of the Americas Competition Notes (Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Rush Truck Centers Ford Team)

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Official Release
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Noah Gragson and the No. 4 Rush Truck Centers Team
Circuit of the Americas Competition Notes
EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix

Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
Event: Race 4 of 38
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Circuit of the Americas (2.4-miles)
#of Laps: 95
Time/TV/Radio: 3:30 PM ET on FOX/PRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Noah Gragson Notes

Noah Gragson and the No. 4 team travel to Austin, Texas to Texas Two Step their way around the newly reconfigured Circuit of the Americas. Over the offseason, it was announced that the Cup Series will utilize the venue’s shorter track layout, the “National” Course as opposed to the “Full” Course, which had been used in previous years. The new layout will consist of 20 turns with a total track length of 2.4-miles. Additionally, 27 laps will be added, making the total number of laps 95, 27 more than in previous years.

Rush Truck Centers will join Gragson and the No. 4 team for the event. Rush Truck Centers celebrates its 60th year in business on March 3, 2025. What started as a single truck dealership in Houston, Texas has grown into the nation’s largest commercial dealership group and the premier solutions provider to the commercial vehicle industry. The No. 4 car will carry a 60th anniversary logo on the rear quarter panel to commemorate the milestone at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend.

The Texas-based Rush Truck Centers has increased its partnership and support of Noah Gragson and the No. 4 team to ten races, adding the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25 and the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 12 to its 2025 race schedule. Additionally, Rush Truck Centers will serve as a full-season associate partner for Gragson and the No. 4 team as well as the “Official truck dealer and service center of Front Row Motorsports”. To learn more about Rush Truck Centers, please visit rushtruckcenters.com.

“Excited to kick off Rush Truck Center’s 60th Anniversary this weekend at COTA!” Said Gragson. “It’s an honor to represent an American company that was built from the ground up and continues to set the standard in the industry. Looking forward to a great weekend!”
Road Crew

Driver: Noah Gragson

Hometown: Las Vegas

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Joey Forgette

Hometown: Iron Mountain, Michigan

Engineer: Dillon Silverman

Hometown: Chico, California

Engineer: Scott Bingham

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Tony Infinger

Hometown: Fort Valley, Georgia

Tire Specialist: Chris Aunspaw

Hometown: Zelienople, Pennsylvania

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Spotter: Nick Del Campo

Hometown: Blauvelt, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Nate “Cookie” Eller

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Thomas Hatcher

Hometown: Middleburg, Florida

Rear Tire Changer: Adam Riley

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Tire Carrier: Will Cooper

Hometown: Huntsville, Alabama

Jackman: Nate McBride

Hometown: Vidalia, Georgia

Fueler: Ray Hernandez

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

ABOUT RUSH TRUCK CENTERS

More than a dealer network, Rush Truck Centers is the premier solutions provider for the commercial vehicle industry. With more than 150 Rush Truck Centers dealerships across the U.S. and Ontario, Canada, no one can match our network reach and scale. We provide our customers an integrated, one-stop approach to the service and sales of new and used trucks and commercial vehicles, aftermarket parts, service and collision repair capabilities, alternative fuel systems, vehicle technology solutions, and a range of financial services including financing, insurance, and leasing and rental options. Since 1965, we’ve earned our reputation for excellence, fairness, positive attitude and solutions that exceed customer expectations. That’s why we can say with confidence; when it comes to trucking, no one offers you more. Visit rushtruckcenters.com or follow us on social media: X @rushtruckcenters, Instagram @rush_truck_centers and facebook.com/rushtruckcenters

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. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams 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.

Spire Motorsports EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Race Advance

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Official Release
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  • In nine NASCAR Cup Series starts at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Spire Motorsports has logged one top-15 and two top-20 finishes. Corey LaJoie earned a team-best 11th-place result in the 2023 edition of the Cup Series annual visit to COTA. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet ZL1s in the NCS with Justin Haley, Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
  • The EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix from COTA will be televised live on FOX Sunday, March 2, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The third of 36 points-paying races on the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Justin Haley – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

  • Justin Haley will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Group 1001 Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.
  • Group 1001 Insurance is a collective that empowers companies to create positive growth. Our insurance and annuities are easy to understand and accessible to all. Our online investing platform gives individuals control over their savings. Our technology and innovation help companies succeed. And our strategic partnerships bring people together through education and sports. As of September 30, 2024, Group 1001 Insurance had more than 1,500 employees and combined assets under management of $66.8 billion and provides over 496,000 active annuity contracts and life insurance policies. It comprises the following brands: Delaware Life, Gainbridge®, Clear Spring Life and Annuity Company, Clear Spring Property and Casualty Group, Clear Spring Health, and the RVI Group, among others.
  • Group 1001 is excited to celebrate Women’s History Month by featuring the names of women employees on two Spire Motorsports-prepared Chevrolets this weekend. There are 821 women employees at Group 1001, over 50 percent of its workforce. Gainbridge® spends over 40 percent of its sports sponsorship dollars on women’s sports and counts Caitlin Clark, Billie Jean King and Annika Sorenstam as brand ambassadors.
  • Last week at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Haley grappled handling challenges with his Gainbridge Chevrolet ZL1 for a majority of the afternoon. A last-lap incident left him 24th in the final rundown.
  • The 25-year-old has four NASCAR Cup Series events under his belt at COTA. His best qualifying and finishing positions came in 2022, where he started ninth and finished 15th.
  • Last season, Haley qualified 13th and raced inside or near the top 15 for the majority of the day. He logged an average running position of 14.32, the 11th highest in the field, and spent 48 of the 68 laps (70.6%) in the top 15, the ninth-most in the event.
  • Haley competed in one NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Circuit of the Americas. In 2021, he started sixth and paced the field for three laps before ultimately finishing ninth.
  • On road courses, Haley has collected one top five and four top 10s in the NASCAR Cup Series, four top fives and 10 top 10s in the Xfinity Series and claimed the checkered flag in the August 2018 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.
  • The former Trans-Am Series competitor owns 23 starts in the division’s TA2 Class, collecting 10 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. He closed out the 2016 season sixth in the division’s championship point standings after earning three poles, six top fives and nine top 10s while pacing the field for 41 laps.
  • Haley made a pair of appearances in Trans Am competition at the 3.41-mile race course, highlighted by a 10th-place overall finish and second in the TA2 class.
  • Last September, Haley made his return to Spire Motorsports and participated in the final seven events of the year aboard the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet, earning a season-best finish of seventh at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
  • The Winamac, Ind., native is a veteran of 146 Cup Series starts and has notched one win, five top fives, 16 top 10s and led 103 laps in NASCAR’s premier division.
  • In total, Haley has made 43 Cup Series starts for Spire Motorsports, with the bulk of races coming during the 2021 season behind the wheel of the team’s No. 77 machine. He made his first Cup Series start at Talladega Superspeedway on his 20th birthday.

Justin Haley Quote
How do you feel about heading to Circuit of the Americas with the 7 team, especially after a tough start to the season?
“I’ve always felt really comfortable at Circuit of the Americas. We haven’t had the best start to the season but I’m looking forward to getting to a road course with the No.7 team and racing it out on Sunday.”

Atop the No. 7 Box – Crew Chief Rodney Childers

  • Crew chief Rodney Childers comes to Spire Motorsports after spending the past 11 seasons at Stewart-Haas Racing, leading the organization’s No. 4 team. The first 10 of those campaigns were with 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kevin Harvick.
  • Childers has called all four Cup Series events at Circuit of the Americas, snagging a pair of top 15s with Kevin Harvick in 2022 and 2023.
  • The 48-year-old called Harvick’s victory at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in 2017. The pairing dominated the field, leading 24 laps and converting the highest average running position in the field (6.03).
  • The veteran crew chief has participated in 679 NASCAR Cup Series races where he’s earned 34 poles, 40 wins, 178 top-five and 298 top-10 finishes. He also earned 2014 championship honors with Harvick.
  • Childers’ 40 wins at NASCAR’s premier level are second-most amongst all active crew chiefs in the Cup Series garage.

Michael McDowell – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

  • Michael McDowell will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 Gainbridge Chevrolet ZL1 in Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.
  • Founded in 2018, Gainbridge® is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge® is headquartered in Zionsville, Ind. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.io or follow and connect with us on X and LinkedIn.
  • McDowell has competed in all four Cup Series visits to COTA, earning three top 15s including a seventh-place finish in the 2021 rain-filled event.
  • The former road course racer owns one win, three top-five, and 11 top-10 finishes on road courses in Cup Series competition. Furthermore, his 2016 Xfinity Series victory came at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
  • In the last four road and street course races—Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway ROVAL, Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, Chicago Street Course, and Sonoma Raceway—the father of five has earned an average finish of 7.25, including a runner-up effort at Sonoma Raceway.
  • In last week’s Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the No. 71 Chevrolet encountered a power steering issue late in Stage 1. During the ensuing stage break, the team hustled to the garage and fixed the issue, returning to competition six laps down. Fortunately, a slew of cautions allowed the veteran driver to earn the free pass over six consecutive cautions, returning to the lead lap on Lap 184. A multi-car incident on the final lap allowed the 41-year-old to navigate his Chevrolet to a hard fought 13th-place finish.
  • McDowell’s six free passes in last week’s event tied the single-race record. Former Spire Motorsports driver Jamie McMurray also received six free passes in the May 2014 Cup Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
  • The veteran, now in his 18th Cup Series season, aims for his third career playoff appearance (2021, 2023). After the season’s first two events, McDowell sits 14th in the driver standings.
  • McDowell marked his 500th career start at Martinsville Speedway last fall, a milestone he celebrated at the site of his first Cup Series start in 2008. Now 40-years-old and a father of five, McDowell is set to complete his 17th season competing in NASCAR’s premier division. To date, he has 503 career Cup Series starts on his resume.

Michael McDowell Quotes
How does a road course early in the season help set your sights on the rest of the calendar?
“I’m looking forward to going to COTA, obviously having a road course early on in the season is beneficial, especially for me. It’s taken a couple weeks to get up to speed with the race team, Chevrolet and feeling out the differences. Now we can learn what we need to work on so we are carrying good momentum going into COTA. I am looking forward to our first road course of the season.”

Atop the No. 71 Box – Crew Chief Travis Peterson

  • Crew chief Travis Peterson joins Spire Motorsports after spending the past two seasons at Front Row Motorsports. He made the move alongside driver Michael McDowell.
  • Peterson helped Michael McDowell to victory in the 2023 Verizon 200 on the road course configuration of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After rolling off fourth, McDowell led 54 of the 82 laps en route to the win.
  • The Peterson-McDowell duo has proven to be potent on road courses, collecting two top fives, five top 10s, and 79 laps led while converting an average start of 12.9 and an average finish of 16.0 in nine starts together.
  • Peterson called his first road course race as a Cup Series crew chief with Chris Buescher at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2022. After rolling off 16th, a competitor made heavy contact on the opening lap with Buescher dealing damage to the exhaust and rocker box, which caught the door foam on fire. After making adequate repairs and falling two laps down, the team rallied to and finish 10th, the then 31-year-old crew chief’s second top-10 in just his fifth start.
  • Peterson contributed to several victories during his tenure at RFK Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and JR Motorsports, highlighted by clinching the NASCAR Xfinity Series title in 2014 and racking up three Cup Series wins with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and the No. 88 team in 2015.
  • Peterson is a mechanical engineering graduate of the Williams States Lee College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The West Bend, Wis., native earned his degree in 2012.

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet ZL1

  • Carson Hocevar will make his second Cup Series start at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, in Sunday’s Echo Park Automotive Grand Prix. The Delaware Life driver made his road course debut in NASCAR’s premier series in last year’s event on the 3.41-mile, 20-turn full-course layout.
  • Delaware Life is excited to celebrate Women’s History Month by featuring the names of women advisors on Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet ZL1 at COTA. Delaware Life is an insurance and annuity company that empowers financial professionals with a wide array of customizable solutions. A subsidiary of Group 1001 Insurance Holdings, LLC (“Group 1001 Insurance”), their focus is to deliver a seamless experience for advisors. They understand how important it is to find the right fit for every client, every situation, and every individual need. They’re passionate about equipping clients with annuities that give their customers peace of mind and a successful future—allowing them to plan with confidence for whatever’s next.
  • It was announced in late 2024 that Hocevar and his fellow Cup Series competitors will run the 2.3-mile, 20-turn National Course layout for the series’ fifth visit to COTA while also contesting on a freshly repaved track.
  • In the 2024 event, Hocevar started 18th and crossed the finish line 22nd. The Portage, Mich., native showed flashes of a seasoned road-course racer while spending time within the top 10 late in the second stage and midway through the final stint.
  • Hocevar and the No. 77 Spire Motorsports team earned a runner-up finish in the second points-paying event of the 2025 season last Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The 2024 Rookie of the Year fell short of earning his career-first Cup Series victory after a yellow-flag was displayed on the final lap as the leaders raced toward the finish line.
  • Prior to the race at Atlanta, Hocevar’s career-best Cup Series finish came at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International Sept. 15, 2024, when he drove to a third-place effort in the 92-lap Go Bowling at The Glen. It was his first Cup Series start at the track and his first podium finish in Cup Series competition.
  • Hocevar, 22, is set to make his second Xfinity road course start in the No. 14 SS-Greenlight Racing entry in Saturday’s Focused Health 250. Hocevar competed in the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series event at COTA where he ultimately finished 38th after a transmission failure on Lap 8.
  • In nine road course starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Hocevar owns one top-five and five top-10 finishes.

Carson Hocevar Quotes
Following your 29th-place run at COTA last March you improved your finishing position over the final three road course events, underscored with a third-place finish at Watkins Glen. How confident are you that the No. 77 maintain that momentum Sunday at COTA?
“I’m really excited to get to COTA and check out the new layout. Luke (Lambert) and, really, everyone at Spire did a great job last season of building up our road course program. I think we’ll all pick up where we left off, and a lot of that is the result of the work that was put in during the off season. Running the Xfinity race will give me a chance to get a couple more laps on the track and maybe find something I can share with my teammates. The other thing we’ve got going for us is two new teammates in Justin (Haley) and Michael (McDowell) that are really strong road-course racers. It’s been an exciting start to the season for us and we can definitely keep that going this weekend.”

Atop the No. 77 Box – Crew Chief Luke Lambert

  • Luke Lambert, crew chief of the No. 77 Delaware Life team for Spire Motorsports, is set to call his 35th Cup Series road course event in this weekend’s race at COTA. He led Chris Buescher to a fifth-place finish at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway road-course race on August 16, 2020, but his best result was last year’s top-three showing with Hocevar at Watkins Glen.
  • The No. 77 team’s runner-up finish at Atlanta was the 27th top-five result for the 13-year Cup Series veteran and his 92nd top-10 finish in a points-paying event.
  • In the nine NASCAR Xfinity Series events contested on road courses in which Lambert was atop the pit box, he led his driver to a top-10 finish in all but two events.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on Feb. 22, 2025, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

In 2025, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team will also field the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.

CHEVROLET IN INDYCAR: 2025 TEAM CHEVY PREVIEW

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Official Release
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Winner #2: Josef Newgarden, Team Penske Chevrolet

TEAM CHEVY IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
2025 TEAM PREVIEW

The Drive for a 10th NTT INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturers Championship in the V6 Era Kicks Off in St. Pete

  • Chevrolet enters the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season defending a ninth manufacturers title in the 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 era since 2012, entering the new year competing for a 10th.
  • At the conclusion of 2024, Team Chevy holds 122 wins, 135 earned NTT P1 Pole Awards, 336 podium finishes, and six Indianapolis 500 victories in the V6 era since 2012.
  • Chevrolet raced to 11 wins in 17 races in 2024, with eight NTT P1 Pole Awards and 28 podium finishes.
  • Team Chevy drivers combined for 1,536 laps led of 2,551 in 2024, or 60.2%.
  • Joining Team Chevy in their inaugural NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, PREMA Racing hits the track for their first event in St. Petersburg with rookie Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott behind the wheel of the Nos. 83 and 90 Chevrolet respectively.

DETROIT (February 24, 2025) – Chevrolet enters the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with sights set on a successful 2025 campaign after capturing the ninth NTT INDYCAR SERIES manufacturers title last year.

With the 20th anniversary Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the horizon, Team Chevy is approaching the dawn of a new season aiming to add to their 122 victories, 135 NTT P1 Pole Awards, 336 podium finishes, and six Indianapolis 500 victories in the 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 era since 2012.

In 2024, Chevrolet captured 11 wins in 17 events, including the prestigious 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 by Josef Newgarden and Team Penske, along with eight NTT P1 Pole Awards, and 28 podium finishes. Additionally, the introduction of hybrid technology at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course saw the Bowtie brand capturing seven impressive wins in nine events in the last half of the year. Team Chevy drivers also swept the podium three times last season, including Road America, Iowa 1, and Milwaukee 1, as well as locking out the front row for the Indianapolis 500.

“The hard work, dedication, and talent by our Chevrolet engineers, drivers and teams is a testament to last year’s success, and we’re excited to carry 2024’s momentum into the new season,” said Mark Stielow, Director of Motorsport Competition Engineering at General Motors. “The NTT INDYCAR SERIES grows more competitive each year, but we are bringing with us into the new year back-to-back manufacturer titles, as well as the back-to-back Indianapolis 500 victories by Josef Newgarden. St. Petersburg has been quite successful for Chevrolet in the past, and we’re looking forward to potentially kicking off a 10th Manufacturers title drive on the Streets of St. Pete.”

In 2025, Chevrolet is excited to lead the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field to the green flag at six iconic tracks for eight events, including the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500, the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, World Wide Technology Raceway, Road America, Iowa Speedway, and Portland International Raceway.

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg takes the green flag for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season live on FOX Sunday, March 2 at 12 p.m. ET. Additional coverage of the 20th-anniversary event is carried with INDYCAR Radio and SiriusXM Channel 160.

AJ Foyt Racing

The legendary organization of AJ Foyt Racing welcomes David Malukas to their two-car lineup, in the No. 4 Chevrolet, along with Santino Ferrucci returning in the No. 14 Chevrolet. With highlights from Ferrucci in 2024’s Indianapolis 500 (finishing eighth after qualifying sixth in the Firestone Fast Six), Portland where he captured the pole, and finishing the season in the top-10 (ninth, career highest) in driver standings, adding Malukas has the team’s sights set on the season with great anticipation and determination.

David Malukas, No. 4 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Craig Brooks
Engineer: James Schnabel
Crew Chief: Nick Cooper

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Larry Foyt
Engineer: Michael Armbrester
Crew Chief: Steve McKenzie

Arrow McLaren

Looking to improve on its 2024 season, Arrow McLaren solidified their three-team lineup with Pato O’Ward returning in the No. 5 Chevrolet along with Nolan Siegel in the No. 6 Chevrolet and bringing aboard Christian Lundgaard to the No. 7 Chevrolet. O’Ward, moving to the senior driver role of the team, looks to add to his already captured career seven wins, five NTT P1 Pole Awards, and 26 podium finishes. Siegel, who moved up to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES after racing to the 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone Rookie of the Year, holds 12 career starts in INDYCAR, and raced in the lead with eight laps led at World Wide Technology Raceway. Lundgaard, while new to Arrow McLaren in 2025, isn’t new to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, having one race win in 2023 at Toronto, in addition to two NTT P1 Pole Awards, three podium finishes, seven top-five finishes, and 131 laps led in 51 starts. Joining O’Ward, Siegel, and Lundgaard, Kyle Larson, driving the No. 17 with Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports, will attempt a second “Double,” competing in both the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, respectively.

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Nick Snyder
Engineer: Will Andersen
Crew Chief: Chris Nash

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Scott Harner
Engineer: Kate Gundlach
Crew Chief: Heath Kosik

Christian Lundgaard:

Strategist: Brian Barnhart
Engineer: Chris Lawrence
Crew Chief: Todd Phillips

Ed Carpenter Racing

Bolstering their two full-time car lineup in the offseason, Ed Carpenter Racing looks to 2025 with renewed vigor and excitement, with Christian Rasmussen shifting to the No. 20 Chevrolet as veteran Alexander Rossi joins the team in the No. 21 Chevrolet. Additionally, Ed Carpenter will return to the No. 33 Chevrolet for the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 for a three-car effort in the legendary race. With a top ten in 14 starts, Rasmussen looks to build on his 2024 rookie season in the new year, with valuable knowledge and seat time gained in the previous year. Rossi, brings his veteran knowledge and a stacked resume to the team that sees eight career wins, one Indianapolis 500 victory (2016), seven NTT P1 Pole Awards, 30 podium finishes, 50 top-five finishes, and 995 laps led in 147 career starts.

Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Tim Broyles
Engineer: Matt Barnes
Crew Chief: Austin Shepherd

Alexander Rossi, No. 21 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Brent Harvey
Engineer: Peter Craik
Crew Chief: Jimmie Johnson

Juncos Hollinger Racing

Juncos Hollinger Racing welcomes back Conor Daly to the team, fielding the No. 77 Chevrolet along with his new teammate Sting Ray Robb, competing in the No. 78 Chevrolet. With a 2024 season that saw the team capture their first podium finish in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES by Daly at Milwaukee 1, Juncos Hollinger Racing has their aim on adding to their two top-five finishes and nine top-10 finishes in 2024.

Conor Daly, No. 77 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Ricardo Juncos
Engineer: Townsend Lucas
Crew Chief: Ryan Lall

Sting Ray Robb, No. 78 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Dave O’Neill
Engineer: Adam Blocker
Crew Chief: Adam Farrer

PREMA Racing

Bolstering Chevrolet’s esteemed lineup in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, PREMA Racing joins Team Chevy in 2025 with rookie Robert Shwartzman in the No. 83 Chevrolet and Callum Ilott in the No. 90 Chevrolet. A legendary organization founded in 1983, PREMA Racing has been a premier leader in junior single-seater racing in Europe. While new to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES stateside, PREMA Racing has cultivated many driving talents in their journey to Formula 1, including Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, and Esteban Ocon among many others. PREMA Racing looks to the 2025 season with excitement as they enter a new endeavor in INDYCAR.

Robert Shwartzman, No. 83 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Robert Gue
Engineer: Joao Ginete
Crew Chief: Dave Arnold

Callum Ilott, No. 90 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Lorenzo Casiraghi
Engineer: Steve Barker
Crew Chief: Ernest Bustamante

Team Penske

Team Penske fielded a stellar 2024 campaign in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, not only capturing a back-to-back prestigious Indianapolis 500 victories with Josef Newgarden in May from 2023 to 2024, but also overall winning eight times during the year. Additionally, the Team Penske trip earned seven NTT P1 Pole Awards, while also sweeping the Indianapolis 500 front row, and 20 podium finishes between Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Chevrolet), Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Chevrolet), and Will Power (No. 12 Chevrolet). Newgarden, Power, and McLaughlin combined to lead 1,140 of 2,551 total turned laps by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field all season. In McLaughlin’s Iowa win in July, he led 164 laps on his way to winning, setting most laps led in a single race during the season, most consecutive laps led, and most laps led by a race winner in that one event. Team Penske looks to the new season ready continuing their victorious pursuit.

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Tim Cindric
Engineer: Luke Mason
Crew Chief: Chad Gordon

Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Kyle Moyer
Engineer: Ben Bretzman
Crew Chief: Trevor Lacasse

Will Power, No. 12 Chevrolet:

Strategist: Ron Ruzewski
Engineer: David Faustino
Crew Chief: Matt Jonsson

2025 Chevrolet by the Numbers:

9: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration.

7: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration since mid-2024.

216: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR.

122: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.

135: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 140 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather.

5: Earned pole in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration.

9: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.

7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.

13: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

6: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era.

35: Number of times Chevrolet has swept the podium in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era. In total, a manufacturer has swept the podium 56 times since 2012.

29: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer.

9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver.

46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.

*Will Power’s career total of 70 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in INDYCAR.

About General Motors

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

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