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THE WÜRTH GROUP NAMED ENTITLEMENT PARTNER FOR THE MAY 4 WÜRTH 400 PRESENTED BY LIQUI MOLY NASCAR CUP SERIES RACE AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

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Official Release
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  • The WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR Cup Series race caps off a tripleheader weekend of NASCAR racing at Texas Motor Speedway that also includes the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250
  • The Kubota High Limit Racing winged sprint car series will compete May 1-3 on the half-mile Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track
  • Event tickets and camping for Texas Motor Speedway’s 2025 major event season are on sale now

FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 23, 2025) – The Würth Group, a global leader in assembly and fastening materials, has entered a multi-year partnership with Texas Motor Speedway as the title sponsor of the WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR Cup Series race set for Sunday, May 4, 2025.

The WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR tripleheader weekend will also include the May 2 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250, May 3 NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 as well as the May 1-3 Kubota High Limit Racing winged sprint car series on the half-mile Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track.

Würth began a motorsports partnership with Team Penske in 2012, marking the start of the successful collaboration that would extend into the future. In the early years, Würth was the proud sponsor of drivers Sam Hornish Jr. and Brad Keselowski. Würth is currently represented on the track by Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Ford Mustang and 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, as well as Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Ford Mustang and the 2018, 2022, and 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Champion.

“As a proud partner of both Team Penske and Speedway Motorsports, we are pleased to extend our partnership further in motorsports with Texas Motor Speedway for the upcoming May NASCAR Cup Series race,” said Thomas O’Neill, Executive Vice President of the Würth Group. “We look forward to bringing an exciting event to the fans and a memorable experience to our business partners. We’ve always had an excellent experience at Texas Motor Speedway and look forward to celebrating in Victory Lane with this year’s Würth 400 winner.”

The Würth Group is a global market leader in the development, production, and sale of assembly and fastening materials, renowned for its quality and reliability. Founded and headquartered in Künzelsau, Germany, the company provides an extensive range of screws, anchors, tools, chemical-technical products, and personal protective equipment. Würth operates over 400 companies and 2,700 branches in 80 countries, serving more than 4 million customers in trade, construction, and industrial sectors worldwide.

“The WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY promises to deliver high-octane action and entertainment, serving as a showcase for the company’s innovative spirit,” said Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark Faber. “The race will cap off an incredible week of racing and entertainment with a fiesta flair on two different tracks as well as nonstop action in the Fan Zone, multiple campground areas and throughout the entire Texas Motor Speedway facility.”

Würth’s history in motorsports highlights the company’s commitment to excellence, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for racing teams, drivers, and fans who demand the highest standards of quality in both the sport and the products that support it. Check out www.wurthracing.com to learn more about Würth’s partnerships.

A passionate supporter of motorsports, LIQUI MOLY built a strong legacy of partnerships across the world’s most competitive racing series. Having been involved with Formula 1 since 2019, the German lubricant specialist had already established a strong global presence in motorsports by supporting top teams in Moto2, Moto3, the iconic Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) as well as the IMSA series in the U.S. Trusted by professional racing teams and everyday drivers alike, LIQUI MOLY’s high-performance motor oils, additives, and car care products are relied upon both on and off the track. Expansion into the prestigious NASCAR Cup Series is the next milestone in LIQUI MOLY’s growing motorsports portfolio and increases brand exposure to a new audience of domestic motorsports enthusiasts.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Texas Motor Speedway for the WÜRTH 400, marking LIQUI MOLY’s exciting expansion into the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Eva Brendle Tran, Marketing Director at LIQUI MOLY USA. “Motorsports is deeply rooted in our brand, and this partnership allows us to connect with passionate fans while showcasing our commitment to performance and innovation. Engaging with the NASCAR community strengthens our U.S. market presence and promotes our quality products which meet the high standards of American motorsports enthusiasts.”

The decision to partner with Texas Motor Speedway comes after Würth’s successful sponsorship of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway for the past two seasons (2023-2024). This collaboration allows Würth to expand its motorsports presence into the heart of Texas, reinforcing its commitment to reaching diverse audiences across the country. Autotrader, Texas Motor Speedway’s NASCAR Cup Series entitlement partner for the past five years (2020-2024), will remain in the Speedway Motorsports family as the entitlement partner of the July 20 Autotrader 400 at Dover Motor Speedway.

Event tickets and camping for the 2025 WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR tripleheader weekend are on sale now. Save up to 33 percent versus purchasing individual tickets, take advantage of interest-free monthly payments, get the best seat selection, and more. Click HERE for more information and to buy tickets.

Texas Motor Speedway’s current 2025 events calendar includes Foodieland (March 7-9), Xtreme Xperience (March 13-16), We Are Mopar (March 22), Bubble Run (April 20), Pate Swap Meet (April 24-26), Goodguys LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals (April 25-26), WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR tripleheader weekend (May 2-4), C10 Nationals (May 9-10), Holley LS Fest Texas (May 16-17), Bandas y Trocas (May 24), Goodguys Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals (Sept. 26-28), October Truck Madness (Oct. 11), FuelFest (Oct. 25) and Xtreme

ABOUT WÜRTH

The Würth Groups core philosophy is offering customers the highest quality products at reasonable prices. Würth combines German engineering with innovative and sustainable manufacturing processes. For over 50 years, the Würth Companies of North America have been providing customers with everything they need to succeed in the Automotive, Industrial and Woodworking Industries. From body shops to fleet garages, Wurth USA and Wurth Canada are the leading suppliers of high-quality products and services for the automotive aftermarket, transportation maintenance and repair industry. Würth’s North American Wood Division companies build strong partnerships for the cabinetry and woodworking professional by providing premier manufacturer brands combined with superior delivery systems through their own fleet. Coast to coast between Canada and the USA, Würth has your building material needs covered between Würth Baer Supply, Wurth Louis and Company, Wurth Wood Group, Dakota Premium Hardwoods, and McFadden’s Hardwoods and Hardware. Würth Industry of North America specializes in the creation and management of vendor managed inventory programs for industrial production. With 420,000-line items available, Würth Industry of North America is the most complete C parts supplier in the industry. The Würth Group’s 400 companies throughout 84 countries proudly serve over 3 million professional customers every day, and since 2023, has been offering select products in North America’s largest retail stores.

ABOUT LIQUI MOLY

With around 4,000 items, LIQUI MOLY offers a global, uniquely broad range of automotive chemicals: motor oils and additives, greases and pastes, sprays and car care, glues and sealants. Founded in 1957, LIQUI MOLY develops and produces its motor oils and additives in Germany. There, it has been voted the best brand in the lubricant category for many years. The company sells its products in around 150 countries.

ABOUT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Texas Motor Speedway is among the largest sports and entertainment venues in the United States. The speedway has an array of amenities such as Big Hoss, the largest single LED screen of any sports facility in North America, making it one of the premier venues in the world of sports. The 1.5-mile superspeedway located in Fort Worth hosts all three NASCAR national series among its various races and specialty events throughout the year. Texas Motor Speedway is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, LLC, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit texasmotorspeedway.com.

MORE INFO:

Keep track of Texas Motor Speedway’s busy schedule by following on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Speedway website and TMS mobile app.

Autotrader and EchoPark Automotive to headline Dover Motor Speedway’s NASCAR Cup Series race

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Official Release
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  • The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 is the centerpiece of Dover Motor Speedway’s July 18-20 NASCAR tripleheader weekend.
  • The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 is the 107th NASCAR Cup Series race at The Monster Mile.
  • Visit DoverMotorSpeedway.com to order NASCAR tickets.

DOVER, Del. (Jan. 23, 2025) – Autotrader, a Cox Automotive brand and America’s online leader for car buyers, and EchoPark Automotive, one of the nation’s top sellers of pre-owned vehicles, are partnering with Dover Motor Speedway on The Monster Mile’s signature event of 2025, track and company officials said today.

The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, July 20 (2 p.m., TNT, Performance Racing Network) is the centerpiece of Dover Motor Speedway’s July 18-20 NASCAR tripleheader weekend and the 107th NASCAR Cup Series race at The Monster Mile.

Autotrader, founded in 1997 and a Cox Automotive™ brand, provides car buyers and sellers with the largest online market in the country and has revolutionized the third-party automotive purchase experience. Echo Park Automotive, a used-car dealership chain, has locations in more than 20 states. Its parent company, Sonic Automotive, was founded in 1997 by the late O. Bruton Smith, the founder of Speedway Motorsports.

“Teamed with Echopark Automotive and Dover Motor Speedway, we are thrilled for what will be an exciting race weekend,” said Ken Kraft, chief marketing and sales officer for Cox Automotive. “Our longstanding NASCAR and EchoPark partnership allows us to connect with car buyers and sellers, while supporting motorsports with events such as the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. We are looking forward to seeing this race come to life at Dover Motor Speedway.”

The partnership with Dover Motor Speedway comes after Autotrader’s successful sponsorship of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway every season since 2020. This collaboration allows Autotrader to expand its motorsports presence in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. Würth, Dover Motor Speedway’s NASCAR Cup Series entitlement partner in 2023 and 2024, will remain in the Speedway Motorsports family with the May 4 WÜRTH 400 presented by LIQUI MOLY NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

“We’re excited to welcome Autotrader and EchoPark Automotive to The Monster Mile’s family of partners,” said Mike Tatoian, Dover Motor Speedway’s president and general manager. “As we build toward our NASCAR summer action in July, we can’t wait for our new partners to contribute to and enjoy all the free family fun and thrills that makes a Dover race weekend a must-visit stop for all of NASCAR Nation.”

The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 is also race No. 4 in NASCAR on TNT’s debut five-race in-season tournament, which runs five consecutive weeks from June 28 (Atlanta) through July 27 (Indianapolis).

2025 marks 56 consecutive years that Dover Motor Speedway has hosted a NASCAR Cup Series event. The Monster Mile is one of only 10 tracks in the country to host 100 or more NASCAR Cup Series races.

NASCAR TICKETS:

Dover Motor Speedway’s full 2025 race schedule includes:

  • Friday, July 18: General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series race (5 p.m., FS1)
  • Saturday, July 19: BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race (4:30 p.m., The CW, Performance Racing Network)
  • Sunday, July 20: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race (2 p.m., TNT, Performance Racing Network)

Visit DoverMotorSpeedway.com to buy tickets or register for the Speedway’s email list to receive updates and announcements.

FOLLOW US:
Keep track of all of Dover Motor Speedway’s events by following on Facebook, X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok (@MonsterMile). Keep up with all the latest information on DoverMotorSpeedway.com and our mobile app.

About Autotrader

Autotrader is the most recognized third-party car listings brand, with the most engaged audience of in-market car shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today’s empowered car shopper looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader’s comprehensive marketing and retailing solutions allow consumers to build their deal online, and guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience. Autotrader is a Cox Automotive™ brand. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

About EchoPark Automotive

ECHO means Every Car, Happy Owner. ECHO is focused on delivering the happiest experiences by having the best quality cars, at the best value, by the people who care the most. For more information, visit https://www.echopark.com/.

Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Event Update

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Official Release
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All Roads Lead to Nashville for 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Finale

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025) – Penske Entertainment Corp. and Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta jointly announced today an updated event structure for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix:

  • Penske Entertainment will assume responsibility for the promotion of the race weekend at Nashville Superspeedway.
  • Big Machine will remain the event’s entitlement partner, continuing to enhance the event’s connectivity to the entertainment industry and downtown Nashville.
  • Penske Entertainment executive Anne Fischgrund has been named president of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.
  • Big Machine served as the original entitlement partner for the event across its first three editions and stepped up in an additional promoter capacity as the race weekend transitioned to Nashville Superspeedway last year. Moving forward, its continued involvement as entitlement partner will be an asset for exciting musical programming and to showcase the brands’ artists, products and community endeavors. “All things”

Big Machine CEO Scott Borchetta also will serve as a liaison to Nashville’s entertainment community and civic leaders, keeping the event fully connected to the Music City.

Following a successful debut at famed Nashville Superspeedway this past season, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will continue as the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES finale, taking place Sunday, Aug. 31 with a national network showcase on FOX. The 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone finale will precede the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship race that day.

“Year one at Nashville Superspeedway was a tremendous success, thanks in great part to the terrific partnership and strong leadership exhibited by Scott Borchetta and his team at Big Machine,” said Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles. “As we grow our event portfolio at Penske Entertainment, it’s strategically important to take the reins of our season finale at such an exciting and renowned racetrack. And to see the relationship with Big Machine carry forward through this continued partnership only underscores the growth opportunities before us in the Music City.”

A thrilling 2024 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix championship finale produced the best INDYCAR SERIES numbers on record at Nashville Superspeedway, including the most on-track passes, passes for position, passes in the top 10 and passes in the top five. Colton Herta picked up his first win on an oval while Alex Palou celebrated his third NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.

The event also was highlighted by a street festival alongside Nashville’s iconic honky-tonks, including the Battle on Broadway Pit Stop Challenge, to begin championship weekend.

“We are very proud to continue our relationship with INDYCAR and build from our record-breaking 2024 season finale as the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix becomes a true crown jewel for Nashville, Middle Tennessee and global motorsports fans,” Borchetta said. “We will also continue to produce the incredibly successful downtown street party, which will serve as the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix kickoff event, on Friday, Aug. 29, so make plans to be with us!”

Additionally, veteran motorsports executive Anne Fischgrund assumes the role of president of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Fischgrund is relocating from Indianapolis to Nashville after her successful tenure as the general manager of the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway.

Penske Entertainment continues to prioritize an enhanced NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar, leveraging new partnerships and strategic investments. In October, it unveiled the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington, powered through a first-of-its-kind joint venture with the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. In November, it announced the acquisition of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach ahead of its epic 50th anniversary edition this April.

This year, all 17 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races will be broadcast on FOX, beginning with the season opener Sunday, March 2 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on the streets of St. Petersburg. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the only premier motorsport series in North America with all races broadcasting on network television. The full 2025 schedule is available here.

Jarrett to Return to JR Motorsports in Multi-Year Renewal

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Official Release
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Leading Third-Party Logistics Company to Partner with Multiple JRM entries in 2025

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 23, 2025) – JR Motorsports announced today that Jarrett, a leading provider of logistics, transportation, warehousing, international and fleet services, will return to the organization as a primary partner for six races during the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign onboard the Nos. 1, 7 and 88 Chevrolets with drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier and Connor Zilisch. In addition to their return as a primary partner, Jarrett will again be featured as a full-season associate on Allgaier’s No. 7 Chevrolet.

“It’s great to have Jarrett return to JRM across not just my No. 7, but also with Carson and Connor,” said reigning NXS Champion Allgaier. “I’ve really enjoyed working with Jarrett over the last couple of years and I know that Connor, Carson and myself will do all we can to get them in Victory Lane in 2025.”

Jarrett, a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider founded in 1999, has grown to become one of the top logistics companies in the United States. With a focus on advanced, integrated technology solutions, Jarrett partners with supply chain leaders, including Fortune 500 companies, to provide services in transportation, warehousing, international, logistics, and fleet operations.

As a family-owned company, Jarrett takes pride in delivering world-class customer service, innovative technology and premier high-touch logistics solutions tailored to meet client needs.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with JR Motorsports in 2025, bringing the Jarrett brand to the track with an outstanding roster of drivers,” said Mike Jarrett, CEO and President of Jarrett. “Justin Allgaier’s return to the Jarrett car, alongside rising stars Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil, underscores our mutual dedication to excellence and high performance. We look forward to watching these talented drivers represent Jarrett as they compete at the highest level and deliver an unforgettable season.”

Catch Jarrett’s first race of the season with Allgaier behind the wheel at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 15 at 4:30 p.m. ET on The CW, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

To learn more about Jarrett, be sure to go to www.gojarrett.com.

ABOUT JARRETT:

Jarrett is an award-winning 3PL supply chain partner with operations in Logistics, Transportation, Warehousing, International and Fleet services. Founded in 1999, the family-owned company is headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, with client service offices in New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Jarrett is recognized as a market leader in the supply chain industry for providing world-class service, technology and premier services to many of the world’s biggest brands. For more information, visit www.gojarrett.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 24th 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.

Chandler Smith joins Garage 66 for 2025 Daytona 500 bid

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

Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for this year’s 67th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway with Garage 66.

The 22-year-old Smith from Talking Rock, Georgia, will be piloting the No. 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse entry from Garage 66 with sponsorship support from QuickTie throughout this year’s Daytona Speedweeks, beginning on February 12 for the season-opener’s Busch Light Pole Qualifying session.

The news comes as Smith is scheduled to campaign full-time in this year’s Craftsman Truck Series season with Front Row Motorsports. The Georgian returns to the series in 2025 after he previously achieved five victories, claimed the 2021 Rookie-of-the-Year title and contended for the 2022 championship in the Championship 4 round. During the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he raced in the Xfinity Series division between Kaulig Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing. Between both seasons, he notched three victories and made the Playoffs.

The 2025 season is set to mark Smith’s second attempt to qualify for the Great American Race in NASCAR’s premier series after he fell short while driving for Kaulig Racing in 2023. Despite missing the Daytona 500, he would make his first three Cup career starts throughout the 2023 campaign and finish in the top 17 in all of his events, including a season-best 11th-place run at Talladega Superspeedway in April.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to race our way into the Daytona 500 with Garage 66,” Smith said in a released statement. “Being in The Great American Race is such an honor, and I can’t thank QuickTie and [team owner] Carl Long enough for helping put this all together.”

Smith’s partnership with Garage 66 also comes more than a week after a whirlwind of emotions involving driver changes for the organization’s entry ahead this year’s Daytona Speedweeks. Nine days ago, veteran Mike Wallace, who initially announced in early January that he would attempt to make the 2025 Great American Race with Garage 66, was not approved to compete due to being inactive from major motorsports competition since he last competed in the 500 in 2015.

Throughout this past weekend, Garage 66 was rebranded from its former name, MBM Motorsports, in the Cup Series division, and Garrett Smithley was named the team’s driver for the Cook Out Clash festivities at Bowman Gray Stadium scheduled for February 1-2. Amid the team’s established plans to participate for a starting spot in the Clash, they were unable to solidify any driver plans for the Daytona 500 until the pieces aligned for Smith to be selected as the competitor on January 22, 2025.

“The last few days have been a whirlwind of phone calls and emails after Mike Wallace was not approved to be the driver of our Daytona 500 entry,” Carl Long said. “After several days of non-stop communication with available drivers who could race a Ford, the pieces came together to place Chandler Smith in our car. I am super pleased to have Chandler in our seat. He has friends behind the wheel of the other cars. At Daytona, we will need all the friends we can find to help race our way into the show! There are a lot of really quality cars attempting this race, which could easily make the most exciting part of the 2025 Daytona 500 the race to be in the race. With Roush-Yates power and Chandler behind the wheel, the odds of Garage 66 and our No. 66 team making the event just got stronger.”

With Garage 66 entering this year’s Daytona Speedweeks without a guaranteed charter to make the Daytona 500, Smith will have to rely on either his speed during the Busch Light Pole Qualifying session on February 12 at 8:15 p.m. ET or through his result in the Daytona Duels scheduled for February 13 at 7 p.m. ET to outduel additional non-chartered entries and earn a starting spot for the Great American Race.

The 2025 Daytona 500 is scheduled for February 16, with a coverage time slated to commence at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

Freedom Racing Enterprises Grows by Adding Part Time Effort for 2025

By
Official Release
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The Team will field the No. 67 for Ryan Roulette in Three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Races

Mooresville, NC (January 22, 2025) – Spencer Boyd, owner of Freedom Racing Enterprises (FRE), announced today that the team will field the No. 67 in select NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in 2025. Ryan Roulette was also announced as the pilot for three races with sponsorship from VFW. Boyd will continue to drive the team’s full-time effort in the No. 76 in 2025.

This growth is in line with FRE’s strategy to operate an efficient team with a focus on performance where it matters the most. Additional races for the number 67 may strategically be added throughout the season.

“This is a great next step for our team,” commented team owner Spencer Boyd. “We wanted to expand with the right partners and in a manner that we can manage well. I want to be the truck team that screams patriotism, so with the addition of Ryan Roulette, a B-52 pilot for our military, I could think of no better place to start the No. 67 program. He has some great experience in ARCA and am delighted he has chosen FRE for the next step in his career.”

Ryan Roulette is currently racing part time in the ARCA Menards series since his first race in 2021.

An eager Ryan Roulette commented on the upcoming season, “I’m looking forward to getting in a truck and representing VFW in the (NASCAR Craftsman Truck) Series for the first time since they were on the hood with Ron Hornaday Jr. FRE has built a reputation of being a hard-working organization and Spencer is a fair businessman who knows what it’s like being in my position, so I naturally gravitated to all of those attributes when I was looking for the right team to partner with. They showed great improvement in their first year of operation and I look forward to helping build a strong program with the No. 67.”

The No. 67 has competed in 31 NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series races since 1998. Most recently Jeffrey Earnhardt raced it once in 2024 and David Ragan has the most starts in the number with ten races.

The three races for Roulette are yet to be announced as the partnership develops.

NASCAR to run option tire at Phoenix spring race

By
Tucker White
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RICHMOND, Va. - AUGUST 11: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on Aug. 11, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images

The option tire returns.

NASCAR announced, Wednesday, that it will bring the red-lettered Goodyear tires to Phoenix Raceway for the Cup Series. Depending on how they work, they’ll become the primary tires for the championship race in November (no option tire in that race).

The goal of the tires is to provide extra grip over a short run, but wears out faster. It’s the same principle behind the option Pirelli tires in Formula 1 and the red option Firestone tires (or Firestone reds, for short) in IndyCar.

NASCAR ran option tires at Richmond Raceway, last August (unknown at press time if it’s the same tire compound), and North Wilkesboro for the All-Star Race, last May. Which Daniel Suarez used to lead 93 laps and finish top-10. Like Richmond, teams will get one set for practice and two for the race.

Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix introduces 1-Day Grandstand tickets for 2025 race

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Official Release
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  • For the first time ever, 1-Day Grandstand tickets for the Miami Grand Prix are now available here, putting fans in the driver’s seat of their race weekend experience
  • 1-Day tickets offer greater flexibility for fans who want to enjoy premium views with Grandstand seating options across the Miami International Autodrome
  • 3-Day Grandstand Passes, which include exclusive Membership benefits, are also available
  • Taking place May 2-4, fans are guaranteed three full days of on-track action across the weekend with the return of the popular Sprint format, F1 ACADEMY and Porsche Carrera Cup North America

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – South Florida Motorsports (SFM), promotor of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, is thrilled to announce that 1-Day Grandstand tickets for the 2025 race weekend are now on sale here. For the first time ever, fans have the option to choose their preferred day(s) to attend – making the event more accessible and customizable to individual preferences – putting fans in the driver’s seat of their race weekend experience.

A limited number of 1-Day tickets are available across all Grandstands at the Miami International Autodrome and all three days of action but are expected to sell out. Fans may also choose the value of a 3-Day Grandstand pass, which automatically enrolls them for exclusive perks as a Miami Grand Prix member. These new offerings reflect SFM’s commitment to providing diverse ticketing options, enabling more fans to experience the excitement of Formula 1 firsthand.

“We’re thrilled to offer 1-Day Grandstand ticket options for the first time, allowing fans the opportunity to experience the Miami Grand Prix in a manner that best suits them,” said Tyler Epp, President of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. “We have listened to feedback from fans and understood their desire for single-day tickets, and this offering underscores our commitment to providing them as many amazing experiences as possible to enjoy our race. In doing so, we are excited that we will have the opportunity to welcome even more attendees to race weekend and make the sport more accessible to new motorsports fans looking to experience the high-speed spectacle of Formula 1.”

The 2025 race weekend, taking place in Miami Gardens from May 2-4, promises three days of action-packed entertainment. Attendees can look forward to Sprint qualifying on Friday, the Sprint race and Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday. Additionally, the all-female F1 ACADEMY series and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America will return to Miami, delivering a full schedule of exciting track action each day.

1-Day Grandstand tickets offer premium vantage points across the circuit. The Start/Finish Grandstand Presented by Gainbridge provides unparalleled views of the pre-race grid ceremonies, the dramatic ‘lights-out’ start, pit lane action, and the checkered flag. The Beach and Marina Grandstands offer a lively atmosphere with close-up views of the track, while the Turn 1 North Grandstand lets fans witness intense battles into the first corner. Meanwhile, the Turn 18 Grandstand is perfectly positioned at the end of the long DRS-enabled straight to guarantee plenty of overtaking.

Each Grandstand includes shaded sections, reserved seating and access to the full MIA Campus. That experience includes access to the 300 level of Hard Rock Stadium, where spectators can get an exclusive view of the Formula 1 paddock ‘Team Village,’ where drivers and team personnel work throughout the weekend.

First introduced last year, the 3-Day Grandstand Pass also gives spectators the option to customize their experience as they have the choice of a different Grandstand seat around the circuit across each of the three days. Fans purchasing a 3-Day Grandstand Pass will automatically become an exclusive Miami Grand Prix member, an exciting addition designed to enhance the fan experience. Membership benefits include special pricing for the 2026 race, extended payment plans for greater flexibility and invitations to exclusive events throughout the year. During race weekend, members will also enjoy access to exclusive areas and dedicated support from the Grandstand Membership Service Team.

Now entering its fourth year, the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX has solidified its reputation as one of the premier events on the Formula 1 calendar. It has captivated fans with thrilling on-track battles, world-class dining, top-tier entertainment and luxury hospitality experiences, boasting record-setting, sellout crowds each year. In May 2024, more than 275,000 attendees flocked to the Miami International Autodrome to witness a landmark moment — McLaren’s Lando Norris taking his maiden Formula 1 victory.

More information on all ticket offerings for the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2025 can be found at https://f1miamigp.com/.

AO Racing Announces Partnership with Austin Hatcher Foundation as Official Charity for 2025 Season

By
Official Release
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DAYTONA, Fla. (December 22, 2025) – AO Racing is proud to announce its official partnership with the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer for the 2025 racing season. Through this exciting collaboration, AO Racing will be partnering with the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Diversionary Therapy hospital visits across the nation, merchandise fundraising efforts, and a special focus on Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September.

The new partnership builds on a successful collaboration in 2024, which included fan-activated fundraising events where fans had the chance to donate and win prizes, and saw tremendous success. Fan support helped raise critical funds for the Austin Hatcher Foundation, directly benefiting children and families affected by pediatric cancer.

“Partnering with the Austin Hatcher Foundation for the 2025 season is an incredible opportunity,” said Gunnar Jeannette, Team Principal of AO Racing. “We’ve seen the direct impact the Foundation has on children and families facing cancer, and we are honored to continue supporting this vital cause. This year, we are committed to going even further, with a deeper involvement in their programs and initiatives, and we can’t wait to see the positive change we can make together.”

The partnership between AO Racing and the Austin Hatcher Foundation will include nationwide hospital visits, where AO Racing team members and drivers will meet with children and families in treatment, as well as the launch of new fundraising initiatives, such as exclusive merchandise designed to raise awareness and funds for AHF’s mission. A special focus on Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month will be notably impactful, highlighting the foundation’s dedication to improving the quality of life of those affected by childhood cancer.

“Through our partnership, we aim to make a lasting impact both on and off the track,” Jeannette added.

The Austin Hatcher Foundation

The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer provides free, integrative, evidence-based comprehensive care to children with cancer and every individual family member navigating the challenges of pediatric cancer. Through innovative mental, behavioral and social therapies, educational resources, and family-centered programs, the Foundation empowers families to succeed beyond a cancer diagnosis. Learn more at www.hatcherfoundation.org.

About AO Racing

Founded in 2022 by PJ Hyett and Gunnar Jeannette, AO Racing has swiftly risen to prominence in the world of professional sports car racing. With an unwavering commitment to on-track excellence and fan engagement, AO Racing commands attention with its fun liveries and fan-friendly presence, becoming a dynamic force in the sport. Central to AO Racing’s success is its unique blend of performance and personality. The iconic liveries of “Rexy” and “Roxy,” the T-Rex Porsche 911 GT3 Rawrs and “Spike” the LMP2 Dragon have captivated fans worldwide, earning AO Racing a dedicated following. With a focus on making racing accessible and enjoyable for enthusiasts of all ages, AO Racing has become a beloved favorite among motorsport lovers. The team has a global footprint, with strong efforts in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, and the FIA World Endurance Championship. With passion, precision, and a touch of flair, AO Racing is writing the next chapter in the annals of motorsport history.

Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams Persevere and Prepare at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona 

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Official Release
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ROAR Before the 24, IMSA, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL (Jan 2025. (Photo by Brian Cleary/bcpix.com)

Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams Persevere and Prepare at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – Five Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams persevered through the annual Roar Before the 24 test event last weekend at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) in preparation for this weekend’s 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona. America’s premier day-long endurance race once again opens the annual IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season that this year will see Mercedes-AMG and its customer racing team partners defend last year’s clean sweep of all six championships awarded in the GT Daytona (GTD) class. Returning team Winward Racing also won the GTD class in the 2024 edition of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the team’s second success in the race after scoring a victory in its debut attempt in 2021.

The first order of business, however, will be implementing the IMSA mandated torque sensors introduced as a mandatory component beginning this season in IMSA’s GTD classes. Mercedes-AMG is the only manufacturer in a large GTD and GTD Pro field that has never had the opportunity to compete with the sensors, but progress was made at the Roar in what was Mercedes-AMG’s first experience in official international competition with the driveshaft-mounted torque-detecting componentry.

Successfully overcoming a software data transfer issue on the first day of the Roar, Winward and the four other competing Mercedes-AMG GT3 teams were able to maximize their on-track performance on Saturday and Sunday.

The Rolex 24 At Daytona begins this Thursday, with GTD and GTD Pro qualifying sessions running in succession beginning at 2:10 p.m. EST.
The 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona begins this Saturday, January 25th at 1:40 p.m. EST. An opening hour of live coverage begins at 1:30 p.m. EST on the flagship NBC network, which returns for a final two hours of coverage around the race finish Sunday, January 26th from Noon to 2 p.m. EST.

The balance of the race will be broadcast on the NBC family of networks, with USA taking over Saturday’s live coverage from 2:30 p.m. EST until 6:30 p.m. EST. The race can be seen in its entirety in live flag-to-flag coverage on NBC’s Peacock live streaming network.

Winward defends its Rolex 24 win and IMSA WeatherTech and IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) GTD championships with the returning full-season driver lineup of Russell Ward and AMG Performance Driver Philip Ellis. Indy Dontje is back as the third driver in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the five-race IMEC while AMG Performance Driver Lucas “Luggi” Auer joins the team for this weekend’s Rolex 24.

The No. 32 Korthoff Competition Motors No. 32 Mercedes-AMG GT3 joins Winward as a returning GTD full-season team in 2025. The year-long driving duo of Seth Lucas and Kenton Koch will be joined by a pair of AMG Performance Drivers for the IMEC rounds. Returning team driver Maximilian Götz contests the full IMEC championship in the No. 32 while Daniel Morad – a co-driver on the victorious Winward team in 2024 – joins Korthoff Competition for this year’s Rolex 24.

The third GTD entry at the Rolex 24 is returning IMEC campaigners Lone Star Racing. The trio of Dan Knox, Scott Andrews and Eric Filgueiras will contest the five endurance races with AMG Performance Driver Ralf Aron in the No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the Daytona opener and his first Rolex 24 start.

A pair of one-off Rolex 24 entries in the GTD Pro class complete Mercedes-AMG Motorsport’s five-strong customer racing effort at Daytona. Team principal and driver Kenny Habul returns with the No. 75 Team 75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3 and will be joined by the AMG Performance Driver trio of Maro Engel, Jules Gounon and Mikaël Grenier. Engel and Gounon were part of the WeatherTech Racing GTD Pro winning team in 2023, and Engel also co-drove with Winward in GTD in 2021 for the first Rolex 24 At Daytona Mercedes-AMG victory.

Bartone Bros. Racing with Team GetSpeed runs the first North American race for the successful collaboration with debuting Rolex 24 driver Anthony Bartone co-driving the No. 69 Bartone Bros. Racing with Team GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3 in GTD Pro. Bartone competes alongside his AMG Performance Driver teammates Maxime Martin, Fabian Schiller and Luca Stolz. Recent AMG Performance Driver addition Martin will drive at Daytona in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the first time.

Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing: “As expected, the Roar weekend was very intensive. In the area of torque sensors, we had to solve a communication problem with individual control units at short notice. Compared to the manufacturers who started in the FIA WEC in 2024, we lack experience in dealing with the new sensors. As a result, I don’t initially see us as favorites despite our victory last year, but I have to say a big ‘thank you’ to all the people working on this project overnight in Germany and taking the load and developing new software. Also, the whole process here integrating our guys coming from HWA Germany to help the guys from HWA in the U.S in supporting our five customer teams has been great. And a special ‘thank you’ also to all our customer teams, which remained patient. It is difficult having minimal driving time due to the issues, which was not an easy one for all of us. However, as I can rely on the strengths of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 and the professionalism of our teams, I am very confident.”

Philip Ellis, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “We had a fantastic 2024 season with Winward Racing, and it will be difficult to top what we have achieved. As a team, we are approaching this very realistically, but also extremely motivated. Of course, the aim is to start with a win at Daytona and to defend the title. The fact that Indy, Russell and I are once again part of the line-up, supported this time by Luggi, is certainly an advantage as we have the same understanding and trust each other.”

Daniel Morad, Driver – No. 32 Korthoff Competition Motors Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Everyone has worked hard to get the new system up and running. It’s quite a change compared to what we’ve been driving so far, but the balance of the car is pretty good. Most of the teams have raced here in recent years, the tires are the same and the track feels very consistent, so it’s really just about getting the car’s performance on track in the race.”

Dan Knox, Driver – No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “The Lone Star Racing team has been working so hard to get the car ready. There was a lot waiting around that we’ve had with all the issues that have gone on with the torque sensors, but it was just good to get back in the car. In the last session Sunday, I got into a rhythm and had a chance to really understand the track and get around it. It’s really good and I’m looking forward to the race!”

Scott Andrews, Driver – No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Obviously it’s really tough for us as a manufacturer going up against everyone who’s done the World Endurance Championship for the last year. They pretty much have a head start, so we have basically a year’s plus worth of learning to do in two days. It started off not so smooth sailing, but we got there in the end. It’s fortunate that Lone Star Racing prepared such a good car because by the time all the systems were working, everything on the car was in such a good window. We’re really happy with it and I’m really happy with that pace and the car is good on the long run. The ultimate pace is good for the car too, and all the drivers are really happy with it. By the time we were able to sort the issues out with the torque sensors and run the car as it’s intended to run, we were right there. We’re pretty happy and it’s a pleasure to be back. I’m really enjoying also just driving for Lone Star Racing, and especially now that we’ve got a year under our belt. Everything is just sort of flowing a bit better, the people are great and it’s just a pleasure to be with this group.”

Ralf Aron, Driver – No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It is my first time racing in Daytona, and I can’t wait for it. It was super cool to see so many fans already during the Roar. The weather has been challenging so far, but the race week looks to be dry. Lone Star Racing has a very quick Mercedes-AMG GT3 and obviously the expectations are pretty high. It is important to approach the race step by step. We have to make sure that we are in a good position to fight for victory right to the end.”

Kenny Habul, Driver – No. 75 Team 75 Express Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Thanks to Mercedes-AMG, we made a big step Sunday. The car felt more like what we’re used to. Still a lot of work to do, but the car was pretty much in the window for me and was fun in the wet. We still have a lot to do just to figure out the power and spiking and different things, but we’ve come a long way from yesterday so I’m happy. We got all the superstars in the new car. We lead this race every year, and every year we come up short. I’m just hoping we stay out of trouble and the car stays together and we’re there at the end, but we have had more bad luck Daytona than we normally do, so we are hoping for that to change.”

Maro Engel, Driver – No. 75 Team 75 Express Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “The 24-hour race is an absolute highlight on the motorsport calendar. The atmosphere, the track layout, the field of drivers, the duels, the restarts – all of this is unique. I have a strong, competitive lineup at Team 75 Express. We did some very good groundwork at the Roar, first and foremost to gain valuable experience with the torque sensors. We will only see what the relative strength actually is in the race.”

Maxime Martin, Driver – No. 69 Bartone Bros. Racing with Team GetSpeed Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It’s quite nice to be able to drive the Mercedes-AMG GT3 finally for the first time, and I am looking forward to the race. I already feel that the base and the pace of the car are really good. There is still a lot to do until the weekend, but even with the experience of Mercedes-AMG and team GetSpeed I am pretty sure that we will have a competitive package for the race. My biggest challenge is to adapt perfectly to the new environment, but I know Daytona well, which is certainly an advantage.”

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