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What Makes Audi’s S Line So Popular?

By
SM
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Audi’s S line is a popular option for those looking to enhance their vehicle’s appearance and feel without stepping up to the high-performance S or RS models. This package offers a range of cosmetic and interior upgrades that give Audi vehicles a sportier and more dynamic presence.

What Is Audi’s S Line?

The S line is an optional package available on select Audi models, designed to enhance the vehicle’s aesthetics and interior comfort. It includes features such as larger alloy wheels, unique bumpers, side skirts, and sportier interior trims.

If you’re considering a used Audi for sale, opting for one with the S line package can add a touch of luxury and sportiness without stepping up to the high-performance variants.  It’s important to note that the S line package does not include performance enhancements; it focuses solely on visual and comfort upgrades.

Key Features of the S Line Package

Here are some of the enhancements typically included in the S-line package:

Exterior Upgrades

  1. Larger Alloy Wheels

The S line package often includes larger and wider alloy wheels, contributing to a more aggressive stance.

  1. Sporty Body Kit

This includes unique front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and sometimes a rear spoiler, all designed to give the car a more dynamic appearance.

  1. S Line Badging

Discreet S-line badges are placed on the front fenders and door sills, signaling the upgraded trim.

Interior Enhancements

  1. Sport Seats

 Upgraded seats with enhanced bolstering provide better support during spirited driving.

  1. Premium Materials

Higher-quality materials, such as leather and Alcantara, enhance the cabin’s feel.

  1. S Line Steering Wheel

A sportier, often perforated leather steering wheel with the S line emblem adds to the interior’s dynamic character.

S Line vs. S and RS Models

While the S line package offers aesthetic upgrades, it’s essential to distinguish it from Audi’s S and RS models:

  • S Models

These are genuine performance variants with more powerful engines, upgraded suspensions, and enhanced braking systems. They offer a significant performance boost over standard models.

  • RS Models

RS models feature the most powerful engines, advanced suspensions, and exclusive design elements, representing the pinnacle of Audi’s performance lineup. They are engineered for high performance and often include unique bodywork.

In contrast, the S line package does not include engine or performance modifications; it is purely a cosmetic and comfort upgrade.

Availability and Cost

Availability and Cost

The availability and cost of the S-line package vary depending on the Audi model:

  • Model Availability

The S line package is typically available on mid- to high-range Audi models, such as the A4, A5, and Q5. Entry-level models may not offer this package.

  • Cost

The price of the S-line package varies by model and market. For example, the Audi A4 S line package may cost around $2,350. Prices can differ based on additional options and regional pricing strategies.

Is the S Line Package Worth It?

Deciding whether the S-line package is worth the investment depends on individual preferences:

  • Aesthetic Appeal

If you value a sportier appearance and upgraded interior finishes, the S line package offers comprehensive enhancements to make your Audi stand out. This aligns with broader luxury market trends, as McKinsey & Company highlights the growing demand for vehicles that balance personalization with premium aesthetics.

  • Resale Value

Vehicles equipped with the S line package may have a higher resale value due to their enhanced appearance and desirability among buyers.

  • Performance Considerations

Since the S line package does not include performance upgrades, those seeking increased power or handling improvements might consider stepping up to an S or RS model.

Conclusion

Audi’s S line package allows you to enjoy a sportier, more luxurious version of your chosen model without needing full-performance variants. Its range of exterior and interior enhancements adds a dynamic character to the vehicle, appealing to those who prioritize style and comfort.

CORVETTE RACING AT DAYTONA: By the Numbers

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Official Release
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CORVETTE RACING BY THE NUMBERS AT DAYTONA

  • 0.034: As in seconds – the winning margin of victory in Corvette Racing’s 1-2 finish at the 2016 Rolex 24. Up until the 2023 LMP2 finish, it was the closest finish in race history
  • 1: Rolex 24 class win for AWA; the team won in LMP3 in 2023. Current Corvette factory driver Nico Varrone was part of that lineup
  • 2: Number of the overall winning Corvette C5-R in the 2001 Rolex 24. Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Chris Kneifel and Franck Freon completed 656 laps for 2335.36 miles in the winning effort • 4: Rolex 24 wins for Corvette Racing as an entrant (run by Pratt Miller Motorsports): 2001 overall (Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell, Kelly Collins, Franck Freon), 2015 GTLM (Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen/Ryan Briscoe), 2016 GTLM (Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler) and 2021 GTLM (Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg)
  • 5: Number of Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries for the 2024 Rolex 24 – two from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports and one from Trackhouse by TF Sport (GTD PRO) and one each from AWA and DXDT Racing (GTD). It’s the highest number of GT-class Corvettes in the race since 2007
  • 7: Corvette factory drivers piloting the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in this year’s race: Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims, Dani Juncadella, Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg, Nico Varrone (Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller) plus Charlie Eastwood (DXDT Racing)
  • 14: IMSA Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001
  • 27: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Fuji Speedway, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
  • 34: Drivers who have driven Corvette Racing entries at Daytona – Earl Bamber, Justin Bell, Matt Bell, Ryan Briscoe, Nicky Catsburg, Kelly Collins, Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Charlie Eastwood, Marcel Fässler, Ron Fellows, Orey Fidani, Franck Freon, Antonio Garcia, Oliver Gavin, John Heinricy, Daniel Juncadella, Lars Kern, Chris Kneifel, Robin Liddell, Alex Lynn, Jan Magnussen, Anthony Mantella, Thomas Merrill, Tommy Milner, Simon Pagenaud, John Paul Jr., Andy Pilgrim, Mike Rockenfeller, Scott Sharp, Alexander Sims, Marco Sorensen, Nick Tandy, Jordan Taylor and Nico Varrone
  • 53: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. DXDT Racing’s Patrick Liddy and Blake McDonald joined the list at Indianapolis in GT World Challenge America
  • 72: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year
  • 122: Chevrolet victories across IMSA and NASCAR’s three national series at Daytona International Speedway
  • 138: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 116 in IMSA, nine at Le Mans, three in the FIA WEC and 10 in GT World Challenge America
  • 309: Event starts by Corvette Racing entries since 1999, starting with that year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona. No. 300 came in early August 2004 at Road America in IMSA
  • 62,471: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing entries at Daytona since 1999
  • 398.781.86: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. The program will surpass the 400,000-mile mark at the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona by completed 1,218.14 miles – or 343 combined laps by the five Corvettes in the race

CORVETTE RACING HISTORY AT THE ROLEX 24

1999 – No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/John Paul Jr. – 3rd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Scott Sharp/John Heinricy – 12th in GTS

2000 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/Justin Bell – 2nd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 10th in GTS

2001 – No. 2 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Chris Kneifel/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS (overall win)

No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Dale Earnhardt/Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 2nd in GTS

2014 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 10th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Robin Liddell – 5th in GTLM

2015 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 1st in GTLM (Magnussen fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Simon Pagenaud – 3rd in GTLM (Gavin pole)

2016 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 2nd in GTLM (Garcia fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 1st in GTLM (Winner by 0.034 second)

2017 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 9th in GTLM

2018 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 3rd in GTLM (Magnussen pole)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 4th in GTLM

2019 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 8th in GTLM

2020 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 7th in GTLM

2021 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 1st in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Alexander Sims – 2nd in GTLM

2022 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 6th in GTD PRO

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Marco Sorensen – 10th in GTD PRO

2023 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTD PRO

2024 – No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Antonio Garcia/Alexander Sims/Daniel Juncadella – 5th in GTD PRO

No. 4 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Tommy Milner/Nicky Catsburg/Earl Bamber – 8th in GTD PRO

No. 13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Matt Bell/Orey Fidani/Lars Kern/Alex Lynn – 21st in GTD

No. 17 Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Nico Varrone/Anthony Mantella/Thomas Merrill/Charlie Eastwood – 18th in GTD

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.

2025 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium Format

By
SM Staff
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The Cook Out Clash will be held at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium for the first time on February 2nd as the opening exhibition event for the 2025 season. The race is sold out, but fans can catch the broadcast live on FOX at 8 p.m. ET. This will mark the first NASCAR Cup Series event at the quarter-mile short track in 54 years. The track hosted 29 NASCAR Grand National, now NASCAR Cup Series, races from 1958 to 1971 and several East Series races from 2011 to 2015.

The action was also expanded on Saturday with the Madhouse Classic, an exhibition race from Bowman Gray Stadium’s top-20 Weekly Modified Division on Saturday, February 1st at 1 p.m. ET. The race will include a practice session, single-car qualifying, and a dedicated 125-lap feature race, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Labonte driving the No. 18 Cook Out Modified.

Below is the race format for the upcoming 2025 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, which will air on FOX starting at 6 p.m. ET on February 2nd.

The details of the format:

  • Heat Race Starting Lineup: The field will be split into three practice groups, with each group receiving three sessions. Each competitor’s fastest lap time from their final practice session will determine the starting lineup for the heat races. The fastest qualifier will be on the pole for Heat 1; second-fastest will be on the pole for Heat 2; third-fastest qualifier will be on the pole for Heat 3; fourth-fastest will be on the pole for Heat 4; etc.
  • Heat Races: Four heat races of 25 laps each, with only green flag laps counted and no overtime in play. The top five from each heat race advance through to The Clash. 
  • Last Chance Qualifier: Cars that do not transfer to The Clash will compete in the Last Chance Qualifier Race, with their starting position determined by where they finished in their respective heat races. The Last Chance Qualifier race is 75 laps, with only green flag laps counted, with no overtime in play. The top two finishers in the Last Chance Qualifier will transfer to The Clash.
  • The Cook Out Clash Feature: The main event will feature 23 drivers competing for 200 laps with only green flag laps counted, and the race must end under green. A timed break will be observed at the halfway point of the race (Lap 100).
  • Lineup: The first 22 starting spots for The Clash is set through finishing positions in the heat races and the Last Chance Qualifier. The 23rd and final starting spot is reserved for the driver who finished the highest in the 2024 season driver points standings and who had not already transferred into The Clash.
Cook Out Clash Format

For more information, visit NASCARClash.com or bowmangrayracing.com.

NASCAR Cup Series – Clash Race Winners (1979-2024) 

SeasonWinnersStartOrganizationOEMTrack
2024Denny Hamlin1Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaLos Angeles
2023Martin Truex Jr.2Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaLos Angeles
2022Joey Logano4Team PenskeFordLos Angeles
2021Kyle Busch12Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaDaytona RC
2020Erik Jones12Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaDaytona
2019Jimmie Johnson13Hendrick MotorsportsChevroletDaytona
2018Brad Keselowski17Team PenskeFordDaytona
2017Joey Logano9Team PenskeFordDaytona
2016Denny Hamlin15Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaDaytona
2015Matt Kenseth16Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaDaytona
2014Denny Hamlin1Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaDaytona
2013Kevin Harvick17Richard Childress RacingChevroletDaytona
2012Kyle Busch2Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaDaytona
2011Kurt Busch17Team PenskeDodgeDaytona
2010Kevin Harvick2Richard Childress RacingChevroletDaytona
2009Kevin Harvick27Richard Childress RacingChevroletDaytona
2008Dale Earnhardt Jr7Hendrick MotorsportsChevroletDaytona
2007Tony Stewart14Joe Gibbs RacingChevroletDaytona
2006Denny Hamlin15Joe Gibbs RacingChevroletDaytona
2005Jimmie Johnson17Hendrick MotorsportsChevroletDaytona
2004Dale Jarrett15Robert Yates RacingFordDaytona
2003Dale Earnhardt Jr19Dale Earnhardt Inc.ChevroletDaytona
2002Tony Stewart3Joe Gibbs RacingPontiacDaytona
2001Tony Stewart7Joe Gibbs RacingChevroletDaytona
2000Dale Jarrett15Robert Yates RacingFordDaytona
1999Mark Martin13Jack Roush RacingFordDaytona
1998Rusty Wallace13Team PenskeFordDaytona
1997Jeff Gordon3Hendrick MotorsportsChevroletDaytona
1996Dale Jarrett12Robert Yates RacingFordDaytona
1995Dale Earnhardt2Richard Childress RacingChevroletDaytona
1994Jeff Gordon10Hendrick MotorsportsChevroletDaytona
1993Dale Earnhardt15Richard Childress RacingChevroletDaytona
1992Geoff Bodine3Bud Moore EngineeringFordDaytona
1991Dale Earnhardt14Richard Childress RacingChevroletDaytona
1990Ken Schrader3Hendrick MotorsportsChevroletDaytona
1989Ken Schrader1Hendrick MotorsportsChevroletDaytona
1988Dale Earnhardt2Richard Childress RacingChevroletDaytona
1987Bill Elliott1Melling RacingFordDaytona
1986Dale Earnhardt4Richard Childress RacingChevroletDaytona
1985Terry Labonte11Billy Hagan RacingChevroletDaytona
1984Neil Bonnett8Junior Johnson & Assoc.ChevroletDaytona
1983Neil Bonnett15RahMoc EnterprisesChevroletDaytona
1982Bobby Allison12DiGard MotorsportsBuickDaytona
1981Darrell Waltrip1Junior Johnson & Assoc.BuickDaytona
1980Dale Earnhardt5Rod Osterlund RacingOldsmobileDaytona
1979Buddy Baker3Ranier RacingOldsmobileDaytona

The Glamour of Fast Cars and Casino Dreams

By
SM
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The ferocious roar of a strong automobile engine surrounded by the distinct chink of slot machine sounds generates an environment where the blend of adrenaline and the feeling of anticipation is evident.

It turns out that luxury cars and high-stakes entertainment are analogous in many aspects besides just being the symbol of wealth and social standing-they are the endless search of people for excitement and excellence.

The Evolution of Speed and Style

From the time Henry Ford produced the first vehicle through to the present, the development of the art of automobile engineering has been characterized by the continuous search for perfection. 

In the present situation, supercars are no longer cars but rather, they are laboratories on wheels heading for a new era of innovations. The Bugatti Chiron, the first car that comes to mind when we think of art and technology together, is equipped with a quad-turbocharged W16 engine. 

This is a perfect example of what human engineers can accomplish through creativity. It is just the same as how an online casino (assuming it now becomes a topic instead) provides gamers the traditional setting of a game hall in a way that is digital nowadays, supercars, using high technology, offer a revolutionary experience that their ancestors did not have the privilege to experience.

The Psychology of Power

Driving a car that performs at its best, you only feel time stops while you actually experience it reasonably quickly. It is a very psychological condition that high rollers at gaming tables also face, thereby anything might not or may happen at any moment. The thrill of acceleration, the preciseness of the steering wheel, and the sound of the engine make every ride incredibly engaging.

Design: Where Form Marries Function

Contrary to what many people tend to think is the case with modern superb design, it is not all about the outlook. All curves, vents, and aerodynamic elements perform a different role. 

A case in point is the active rear wing installed in the McLaren P1. It also can create downforce at a level that is equivalent to a small vehicle’s weight at high speed. The function of form accomplishes something unique: desirable things that speak to our rational and emotional sides.

Cultural Impact

In the field of art, music, and sculptures, fast cars have virtually popped through the canvas and raced away from our social ground. They are the transmitters of freedom, success, and rebellion at one time. 

From James Bond’s fancy Aston Martins in the older days to the modern street racing culture, these very special means of transportation are more than just being transported; they symbolize aspiration as well as actualization.

The Economics of Exclusivity

Supercars are the real kingmakers who gas the so-called eternity and exclusivity like they do in a circus. It comes as no surprise that low production figures and astronomical price tags are not deterrents but rather factors that enhance the desirability of these cars to true aficionados. 

A 1980s supercar like the Ferrari F40 costs several times higher than its original price tag in today’s markets showing just how certain cars can become rare pieces not just for transportation but can also be highly desired as investments.

Technology’s Transformative Touch

Sports cars, as we know them today, owe a lot to the technologies that sound like tales from the future to people who lived in the past. Thanks to the hybrid rides, active traction, and predictive handling systems of modern, cars now come with more power and are also easier to handle. The effect is a different type of supercar, one which is able to do two things at once: doubling up as a track-day warrior and a cosseting grand tourer.

The Environmental Equation

While environmental concerns bite at the heels of all the industry branches in society, the supercar segment is back with more challenges and possibilities. Electric hypercars such as the Rimac Nevera demonstrate that green technology can be more than just an inferior performer, as all-electric powertrains and their instant torque offer performance benefits never attainable by internal combustion engines.

In Closing

Car lovers enjoy the good side of transportation, and the feeling of being more important in a society than driving fast cars symbolizes. They demonstrate the highest level of technological skill by human beings, become aesthetic art, and a feeling that lasts.

In addition to the technology and fashions, they are super smooth, and these cars keep changing with the times while they also evolve something else that is fundamental and that is the feelings-for-impossibility to experience and the ability to turn dreams into real, material forms. 

They are aware of the performance and the aesthetic of technology in the face of creative imagination, and from anywhere, they are the signposts of not only a morose reality but the bliss with creativity thrown together with the proficiency of engineering.

BOSTON-BASED INSTRUMENTATION COMPANY SCIAPS NAMED ENTITLEMENT FOR SPRING NASCAR XFINITY SERIES RACE AT HISTORIC BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

By
Official Release
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BRISTOL, Tenn. (Jan. 21, 2025) – If there was a data analyzer used to measure fun at Bristol Motor Speedway chances are that New England-based SciAps would be the company on the leading-edge of developing and producing that technology.

That’s why this partnership is a perfect fit for SciAps, a global leader in instrumentation and portable analytics, to be named the entitlement sponsor of a new NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway in the spring of 2025.

The SciAps 300 is scheduled for Saturday April 12 (5 p.m., The CW and PRN Radio) on the famed all-concrete high-banked short track nestled in the hills of Northeast Tennessee. More than 30 NASCAR Xfinity Series high horsepower race cars will take the green flag that afternoon looking to earn points toward the 2025 season championship and ultimately a regular season victory.

With the addition of the Xfinity Series race is will be the first time Bristol Motor Speedway will run all three of NASCAR’s top series in the same spring weekend.

“We are thrilled to welcome SciAps into the Bristol Motor Speedway family of sponsors,” said Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway. “The addition of the SciAps 300 to the spring race weekend menu gives our fans what they’ve wanted for many years, an opportunity to enjoy all three of NASCAR’s top divisions of racing. We look forward to working with SciAps to help them accomplish their marketing goals and initiatives while we continue to provide our fans with the best racing and world class service available in the motorsports world.”

SciAps casts a wide net across many segments of the tech world. Its products are used in aerospace, military, law enforcement, recycling and oil/gas, to name a few industries. This is the second consecutive NASCAR race for SciAps to sponsor in the Xfinity Series. Last year the company partnered with Bristol sister-track New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the SciAps 200 Xfinity Series race.

“We had a great experience last year at ‘The Magic Mile’ with the SciAps 200 working with our friends at New Hampshire Motor Speedway,” said SciAps CEO Don Sackett. “As a company committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and seeking excellence in our products, we have been able to find many parallels in the precision and innovation showcased in NASCAR. We are looking forward to continuing our efforts to assist all in the quest for speed and performance this year on a totally different sized short track in Bristol Motor Speedway. We look forward to entertaining our guests and enjoying some amazing racing in the SciAps 300 at ‘The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.’”

On the track, fans can expect to see the best drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series battling in thrilling fashion to earn a coveted Bristol Gladiator Sword and custom trophy. Leading that charge will be SciAps-sponsored driver Ryan Sieg, who pilots the No. 39 SciAps Ford.

Other drivers to watch include veterans Sheldon Creed, Austin Hill, Harrison Burton, defending series champ Justin Allgaier, and hungry rising stars Jesse Love, William Sawalich, Connor Zilisch, Taylor Gray, Christian Eckes and Carson Kvapil. Bristol’s lone Xfinity race in 2024 was won by Cole Custer, who is now full-time on the Cup Series. The last driver to win a spring Xfinity Series race at Bristol was Noah Gragson in 2020.

In addition to cheering on their favorite drivers during the weekend, Bristol Motor Speedway fans will definitely want to take advantage of so many activities to make a complete weekend of family fun. There will be great video entertainment provided by Colossus TV, the world’s largest center-hung video screen, premium VIP experiences, tailgating, on-site camping, concerts and other entertainment at the Food City Fan Zone Stage headlined by Trackside Live with Kenny Wallace and John Roberts, great food and beverages in the concession stands throughout the property, and so much more.

The SciAps 300 is a part of a full weekend of racing activities at Bristol Motor Speedway. In addition to the SciAps 300, the weekend will feature the WEATHER GUARD Truck Race, a 250-lap race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series under the lights on Friday, April 11 (7:30 p.m., PRN Radio), and Sunday afternoon’s historic Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series race (April 13, 3 p.m., PRN Radio).

About SciAps
SciAps, Inc., is a Boston-based instrumentation company specializing in handheld portable analytical instruments to measure any element, any place on the planet. Their industry-leading X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and laser-based (LIBS) analyzers are at work across every major industry, including oil/gas, metals and mining, aerospace, battery, critical minerals, and strategic metals (lithium, rare-earth elements), scrap metal recycling, chemical and petrochemical, military, forensics and law enforcement. SciAps instruments are configured to measure elements in all types of materials, so applications are always expanding, recently including space research, food authentication, anthropology, pandemic antiviral coatings, and environmental contaminants.

About Bristol Motor Speedway
Forged amid the scenic mountains of Northeast Tennessee near the Virginia state line, Bristol Motor Speedway is The Last Great Colosseum, a versatile multi-use venue that hosts major auto races, football games, concerts and many other captivating events, including an upcoming Major League Baseball game. The facility features a 0.533-mile concrete oval race track with 28-degree corner banking and 650-feet straightaways that offers racing in several NASCAR touring series, highlighted by two major Cup Series weekends each year. In 2025, the venue will transform into a baseball stadium to host the MLB Speedway Classic featuring the Atlanta Braves vs. the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 2nd. In 2020, the track also served as host of the prestigious NASCAR All-Star Race, and from 2021-2023 the track converted to a temporary dirt track each spring to take the Cup Series back to its racing roots. While at the track, fans are offered a unique viewing experience courtesy of Colossus TV, the world’s largest outdoor center-hung four-sided video screen with a 540,000-watt audio system. The adjacent quarter-mile dragstrip, Bristol Dragway, offers more than 50 events annually, including the marquee NHRA Super Grip Thunder Valley Nationals. The Thunder Valley Amphitheatre presented by Ballad Health transforms Bristol Dragway into a premier outdoor concert venue for the world’s greatest music performers. Three football games have kicked-off inside the oval, most notably the 2016 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol, where border rivals the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech met before an NCAA-record crowd of 156,990. In existence since 1961, Bristol Motor Speedway was purchased in 1996 by Speedway Motorsports, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com.

Rockingham Speedway to Host NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Test

By
Official Release
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Fans Admitted Free to Grandstands

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Jan. 21, 2025) – Rockingham Speedway will host an open organizational test Tuesday, Jan. 28, in preparation for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series return to the historic one-mile oval. Track Enterprises announced in August that it reached an agreement with Rockingham Speedway ownership to bring the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series back to the venerable Richmond County speedway April 18-19, 2025.

Dozens of teams from both the Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will fine-tune their machines throughout the course of the day. Fans will be allowed, free of charge, to watch the teams put their respective machines through their paces from the Turn 4 grandstands beginning at 9 a.m.

The day’s on-track activities will mark the only pre-season test for both divisions and will be a valuable day-long test as teams prepare for the 250-lap Xfinity Series race and the Black’s Tire 200 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race.

“We’re excited to see cars and trucks on the track and to let race fans catch a glimpse of what they can expect when NASCAR returns to Rockingham Easter Weekend,” said Bob Sargent, President, Track Enterprises. “This will be the first opportunity of the new year for a lot of these teams to work together before they head for Speedweeks in Daytona, so not only is this test important to our team, it’s equally important to all the race teams that will be here. It’s a unique situation so we’re thrilled to see them get some pre-season work in at the Rock.”

It’s been 21 years since the Xfinity Series last visited, while the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series last competed at Rockingham in 2013.

The Xfinity Series was a regular player at the historic venue from 1982-2004 and features a cast of some of the sport’s most respected names on its list of former winners including David Pearson, Sam Ard, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Harry Gant, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte and Jamie McMurray.

Martin was an indomitable force at Rockingham in Xfinity Series competition throughout his career having collected 11 wins in 25 starts, including four straight during the 1996 and 1997 seasons. McMurray matched Martin’s four-peat by recording four wins in a row from 2002-2004.

“It brings back a lot of memories, obviously, coming here,” McMurray said during a November Goodyear tire test. “I was talking to some of the other crew guys in the garage, and it’s weird, you pulled up and you don’t remember things, but then all of a sudden, how to get in, where the tunnel was, it all comes back to you. There were some incredible races that happened here, so I’m glad that they’re going to come back and give it a shot.”

More recently, The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series raced at Rockingham twice from 2012-2013 with Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson collecting the victories for late team owner Steve Turner and Turner Motorsports. Matt Crafton, a 25-year CRAFTSMAN Truck Series veteran, is the only current series regular to have competed at the high-banked, D-shaped oval when the division last raced there almost a dozen years ago.

Separate from Larson, current NASCAR Cup Series competitors Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace were all part of the field when the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series last tested its mettle at Rockingham.

While he’s yet to make any laps at the famed south-central North Carolina oval, 2024 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Most Popular Driver Rajah Caruth, has next week’s test circled on his calendar and looks forward to visiting Rockingham Speedway for the first time.

“Personally, as a massive NASCAR fan and both a student and historian of the sport, going to a historic place such as Rockingham is going to be such an amazing experience,” explained Caruth. “Seeing North Wilkesboro come back to life and being able to race there the last two years was amazing. I can’t wait to see the same type of excitement and enthusiasm surround Rockingham. The track is high banked and high speed so that’s right in my wheelhouse.

All the times I’ve driven down to Myrtle Beach, Florence, and Darlington over the years you see the sign for Rockingham. I’ve never been down that way but always wondered what it was like, so I can’t wait to go for the first time.”

Race tickets will be available for purchase in person at the track the day of the test. Fans can also log on to racetherock.com for continuing details, schedule updates or to purchase tickets for NASCAR’s highly anticipated return to Rockingham Speedway April 18-19.

About Rockingham Speedway …

Located in Richmond County, N.C., Rockingham Speedway opened as a flat, one-mile oval on Oct. 31, 1965. It was reconfigured to a one-mile (1.017 miles) high-banked, D-shaped oval in 1969.

In 2018, a new ownership group took over the facility and renamed it Rockingham Speedway & Entertainment Complex. On Nov. 18, 2021, N.C., Governor Roy Cooper signed the 2021-2022 North Carolina state budget allocating $9 million to support reinvestment in the facility. The state funds, along with ownership investment, allowed for redevelopment of the racetrack including the racing surface and extensive repairs. Today, the facility hosts a wide variety of events including karting, road racing, endurance racing, concerts and more. In 2025, Rockingham Speedway will welcome the return of NASCAR for the first time since 2013.

About Track Enterprises …

Track Enterprises has been promoting motorsports events since 1985. Based in Macon, Ill., a dedicated staff, led by longtime promoter Bob Sargent, organize and promote upwards of 80 races a year across the eastern half of the United States. Track Enterprises was responsible for the highly-acclaimed return of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the Milwaukee Mile in 2023.

ROUSH YATES ENGINES AND COMETIC GASKET RENEW LONG-STANDING PARTNERSHIP

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Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, NC – January 21, 2025 – Roush Yates Engines is proud to announce the renewal of its long-standing partnership with Cometic Gasket, a premier supplier of high-performance gaskets and engine sealing solutions. This strategic partnership continues to build on a relationship that has powered countless victories and championships in motorsports.

The partnership renewal emphasizes the shared commitment of Roush Yates Engines and Cometic Gasket to excellence, innovation, and performance at the highest levels of racing. Cometic Gasket’s state-of-the-art products are a critical component of Roush Yates Engines, ensuring reliability and optimal performance in the most demanding conditions.

“Cometic Gasket has been a trusted partner of Roush Yates Engines for years, and their dedication to quality and innovation is unmatched,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Their products play a vital role in our success, helping us deliver the performance and durability that our teams rely on to compete and win on the track.”

As part of the renewed partnership, Cometic Gasket will remain the exclusive engine gasket of the Ford FR9 EFI engine in the NASCAR Cup Series and Ford FR9 Carb engine in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. When engine performance and reliability are paramount, Roush Yates Engines relies on Cometic to keep their engines sealed.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Roush Yates Engines,” said Bob Gorman, Founder and CEO of Cometic Gasket, Inc. “Our relationship represents a true synergy between two organizations committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and performance. Cometic Gasket is proud to contribute to the success of Roush Yates championship-winning engines and we look forward to many more milestones together.”

The renewal of this partnership ensures that both companies remain at the forefront of innovation in motorsports, delivering cutting-edge technology to customers and teams. For more information about Roush Yates Engines and its world-class partners, click here.

About Roush Yates Engines
Roush Yates Engines is a leading-edge engine development company based in Mooresville, NC consisting of two state-of-the-art facilities – Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions. The company’s core business includes designing, building and testing purpose-built race engines for Ford Performance.

Ford Performance in partnership with Roush Yates Engines is the exclusive engine builder of the NASCAR FR9 Ford V8 engine in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series. Since 2024, Roush Yates Engines and Ford Performance have won over 475 races in the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Truck as well as IMSA, and WEC racing series.

About Cometic Gasket
Cometic Gasket, Inc., is a leading worldwide supplier of gaskets and engine sealing solutions for the automotive performance, powersports, marine, original equipment and remanufactured engine Industries.
Housed in a state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing center in Concord Township, Ohio, Cometic Gasket is an industry leader. Founded in 1989, Cometic has expanded its offerings to service the domestic automotive, sport compact, V-twin, diesel, agricultural, industrial and stationary power markets.

Today, Cometic Gasket offers over 90,000 SKUs, shipping gaskets and engine sealing solutions across the globe.

Cometic is committed to customer satisfaction and provides quality products, delivered on time at a competitive price, designed for each customer’s specific application.

Cometic gaskets are the industry standard for championship-winning teams across multiple disciplines of both professional and amateur motorsports.

For more information about Cometic, visit www.cometic.com.

SUNNYD Kicks Off the 2025 Regular Season with Hyak Motorsports at the Daytona 500

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Official Release
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Company Will Serve as the Primary Sponsor for the No. 47 Chevrolet Camaro for Multiple Races During the NASCAR Cup Series Season

Harrisburg, N.C. (Jan. 20, 2025) — HYAK Motorsports welcomes back SUNNYD, part of Harvest Hill Beverage Company, as a race team partner for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

SUNNYD, will serve as the primary sponsor for five Cup Series races for driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr and the No. 47 team. For the sixth race, Hungry Jack, a sister brand to SUNNYD, will sponsor Stenhouse through Hometown Food Company.

In addition to joining the team for these primaries, SUNNYD will serve as an associate sponsor for the No. 47 team all season.

“The 2025 season marks the tenth consecutive year that SUNNYD is a primary sponsor in the NASCAR Cup Series. We have been with Ricky since his 2013 rookie season and are excited to have him in this SUNNYD paint scheme for the Clash and Daytona 500,” said Henk Hartong, Chairman of SUNNYD. “We’re grateful to our fans and customers for their loyal support of SUNNYD and what can be considered the best paint scheme on the track. We look forward to our ongoing partnership with Hyak Motorsports and the No. 47 car and splashing SUNNYD on Ricky in victory lane.”

This vibrant paint scheme will debut at the highly anticipated NASCAR Clash on Sunday, Feb. 2 at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., before it kicks off the regular season at the iconic Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 16, a “Crown Jewel” race in which Stenhouse is a former winner.

“SUNNYD has been a longtime supporter of mine throughout my career,” said Stenhouse, the 2023 Daytona 500 Champion. “We’ve become family. I’m looking forward to continuing that relationship at Hyak Motorsports and trying to get them in victory lane this year.”

After Daytona, SUNNYD will be on the car April 13 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and May 4 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. It will also adorn the hood of the No. 47 Chevrolet for the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race on May 18 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, for which Stenhouse secured a spot in the main event by virtue of his Oct. 6, 2024 victory at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Brynwood Partners will also showcase Hungry Jack, part of the Hometown Food Company, on June 28 in the Saturday night race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off with the non-points paying race of the Cook Out Clash at the historic quarter-mile track of Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 2, before heading south for the 67th running of the Daytona 500 Feb. 16 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Live coverage of both races will air on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Harvest Hill Beverage Company:

Harvest Hill Beverage Company, based in Stamford, Connecticut, is owned by private equity firm Brynwood Partners, and acquired the SUNNYD brand from J.W. Childs in February 2016. Harvest Hill markets some of America’s most beloved beverage brands, including SUNNYD, JUICY JUICE, LITTLE HUG and DAILY’S Cocktails. SUNNYD products are widely distributed through leading retailers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For complete nutrition facts, recipe and activity ideas, and other helpful information, visit SUNNYD.com. For more information on Harvest Hill, please visit www.HarvestHill.com.

About Hometown Food Company:

Hometown Food Company, based in Chicago, IL, was formed by Brynwood Partners in August 2018. The portfolio includes the exclusive U.S. rights to the iconic Pillsbury™ brand’s shelf-stable baking products, including Funfetti®, along with the Hungry Jack®, Arrowhead Mills®, White Lily®, Jim Dandy®, De Wafelbakkers®, Martha White®, and Birch Benders® brands. For more information on Hometown Foods, please visit hometownfoodcompany.com.

About Hyak Motorsports:

Hyak Motorsports is a race-winning NASCAR team co-owned by Gordon Smith, Ernie Cope, Mark Hughes, and Brad Daughtery as of Nov. 18, 2023. The Harrisburg, North Carolina-based organization won the 2023 Daytona 500 with driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr and has accumulated two other wins in the NASCAR Cup Series. For more information, please visit the newly rebranded team at HyakMotorsports.com and on social at Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Brady Behrman Teaming With NASCAR Xfinity Series Young Gun Sammy Smith for IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Race at Daytona

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Official Release
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Behrman and Smith Will Co-Drive the No. 82 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 During Friday’s Four-Hour Endurance Challenge Race

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (January 21, 2024) – Brady Behrman returns to the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge paddock this weekend at Daytona International Speedway with 20-year-old NASCAR hot shoe Sammy Smith as a co-driver in the four-hour season opener at the “World Center of Racing.”

Behrman and Smith, who will drive the No. 8 Jr Motorsports car in this season’s NASCAR Xfinity Series championship for the second consecutive season, are teamed in the No. 82 Pilot/TMC Transportation Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 prepared by van der Steur Racing for the Endurance Challenge on Friday afternoon in advance of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The green flag for the race flies at 1:45 p.m. EST on Friday, January 24, with live streaming on the Peacock platform.

“I’m beyond excited for the four-hour IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race at Daytona,” Behrman said. “It’s an incredible opportunity to team up with Sammy, whose talent and drive are going to be a huge asset to our team. This marks my third season with van der Steur Racing and looking back on everything we’ve accomplished together; I couldn’t be prouder. We’re definitely looking to build on that momentum as we head into 2025, and what better way to kick things off than at Daytona!”

Behrman’s last race at Daytona came in the 2024 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge season-opening doubleheader. Behrman drove his Aston Martin to a third-place finish among Bronze-rated drivers in the second of the pair of races, rebounding from a tough opener. Among his 2024 season highlights were a Bronze class win in the Pilot Challenge race at Watkins Glen, and leading overall on a restart at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Despite just three Pilot Challenge starts in 2024, he and then-teammate Scott Blind ran strong enough and earned enough points to finish second in the point standings amongst Bronze-rated drivers.

This season’s race at Daytona will lose the luxury of the Bronze category, teaming with 20-year-old, up-and-coming sensation Sammy Smith. Smith, who became the fourth-youngest Xfinity Series winner in history in a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at Phoenix in 2023, is coming off a playoff-level season for JR Motorsports where he captured a playoff victory at Talladega.

The race at Daytona is his IMSA and sports car racing debut following a test at the Speedway with Behrman and van der Steur Racing in December.

“I was able to test this car at Daytona in December and learned a lot,” Smith said. “These cars are very different than our NASCAR Xfinity cars. I appreciate van der Steur Racing and Brady giving me the opportunity. I’m looking forward to the race.”

The race week kicks off the season for Smith as well, who will return to the JR Motorsports’ No. 8 in 2025 beginning on the Daytona oval in February. But both Smith and Behrman have given appropriate attention to the 3.56-mile road course in the lead up to the race.

“Sammy and I and our team have spent a lot of time together going through data and having strategy discussions to maximize our weekend,” Behrman said. “We’ve spent a lot of time on iRacing to help mitigate the time we missed at the Roar last weekend. Sammy’s driver coach Johan Schwartz and his JR Motorsports crew chief, Philip Bell, have been invaluable in support and we’re optimistic that this adds up to a strong race this week.”

Behrman, Smith and the Pilot/TMC Transportation Aston Martin will be on track for the first time on Wednesday afternoon for Free Practice 1, followed by a morning practice and qualifying at 1:35 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 23. The Friday, January 24 race gets the green flag at 1:45 p.m. EST.

Five Central Indiana Artists Selected To Welcome Race Fans in May

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INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025) – The five artists selected to create the 2025 Welcome Race Fans artworks, a culmination of the Hoosier hospitality that welcomes visitors to Indianapolis throughout the Month of May, were announced Jan. 21 by Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

Selected from a pool of 58 applicants, the five artists who will create this year’s welcoming artwork are Sarah Anderson, Xavier Gray, Caroline Hays, Cassie Mitchell and Frances Ruiz.

Since 2016, Welcome Race Fans artwork has exemplified what May means to Indianapolis, both on and off track. Each year, Central Indiana artists are challenged to bring to life what “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” means to the Racing Capital of the World. While some artists utilize vibrant colors with bold strokes and others manipulate computer coding, all Welcome Race Fans artists rely on their personal connections to tell the beautifully unique story of Indianapolis and its culture.

“The Welcome Race Fans art is one of the first things thousands of visitors see when they come to the city of Indianapolis and IMS for the Month of May,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “This Hoosier hospitality is just one of the many reasons the Month of May is so special to so many.”

Each artist will create a piece of original artwork, to be placed throughout the city, using their own unique processes and styles to showcase the intersection of art and motorsports. For the first time since the program’s inception, both two- and three-dimensional pieces of art – like sculptures, carvings and papercraft – were considered and may be created for the program.

  • Sarah Anderson is a full-time ceramic artist who creates illustrative characters on the surface of clay through the use of sgraffito. Bright colors and exaggerated creatures are the hallmarks of Sarah’s work and create her uniquely identifiable brand.
  • Xavier Gray, whose name is derived from his children’s middle names, is a multidisciplinary artist whose work blends street art, graphic design and personal storytelling. Often featuring repetitive images that create a dynamic visual rhythm and positive affirmations that inspire and uplift, Xavier’s work invites viewers to engage with the transformative power of creative expression.
  • Caroline Hays is an artist and educator who focuses her artistic practice on the layers of history that shape a place. Through her use of mixed media and layering, Caroline hopes to bring light to the memories, histories and connections people have to places.
  • Cassie Mitchell, a junior at Marian University, has a deep passion for art and community service. She is dedicated to inspiring the younger generation by promoting the importance of art and works to elevate and support artistic initiatives that make a difference in the community.
  • Frances Ruiz is inspired by her upbringing in Puerto Rico and experiences in Indiana. She employs vibrant colors and dynamic lines to evoke movement and convey a sense of emotion in her compositions. Her work has been described as “painting with paper” due to the intricate details and precise representation found in her collages.

The five Welcome Race Fans artworks will be unveiled April 29.

To explore the full list of Indy 500 community initiatives and programs, visit IMS.com/Community. To see an up-to-date calendar of IMS events, click here.

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