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Toyota NCTS Homestead Quotes – Corey Heim – 10.25.24

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Official Release
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Toyota Racing – Corey Heim
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Quotes

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (October 25, 2024) – TRICON Garage driver Corey Heim was made available to the media on Friday after winning the pole position for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

COREY HEIM, No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Can you take us through your pole-winning lap?

“Yeah, it was a good day for us. We’ve been so successful on these intermediate tracks in this 2024 campaign for TRICON Garage. (I’m) Always excited to get back to Homestead. It’s a driver’s favorite (track), including me and many others. So, (I) have high hopes coming into this race with our intermediate program being so good with TRICON and Homestead being another of those. It’s obviously paid off so far, just need to follow up with a win tomorrow. That’s the goal, but always satisfied with our TRICON Garage guys. Our Safelite Tundra TRD Pro was good today.”

What have you learned about yourself over the course of this season?

“Yeah, it’s been a year of ups and downs, but I’ve been fortunate to be a part of a great organization in TRICON (Garage) and having a career year for myself. We’ve doubled our win total from last year and quite frankly, just been the Truck to beat for most weeks and (throughout) the year. Being with those guys and learning from them and what makes them so good and just appreciating being a part of a winning race team is the first thing. But you mentioned the lows. I’ve definitely had my fair share of bad races this year. Last year, we prided ourselves on consistency, and this year has been more of a rocky road. But, at the end of the day, it’s going to come down to one race if we can make the Championship 4 in Phoenix. To answer your question on what I’ve learned about myself, it’s just to keep my head held high and take it one week at a time as you know. Certainly, can’t take these opportunities for granted and keep moving forward.”

How did you make up so much ground from practice to qualifying?

“Yeah, that’s a good question. We fired off not exactly where we wanted to be but last year, we were really good on the long runs here. So, just wanted to run the practice out and (we) progressively got better and better. I feel like we were in the top-five in 20-to-30-lap averages, I don’t know if we ran up to 30, but I assume we were pretty far up there the longer you go. So, just kept my head up and had faith the truck would come in, which it did, and we made some really good qualifying adjustments. Last year, I didn’t qualify as well as I had hoped to for this race, so (we) worked on it a lot the past couple weeks to prepare for it and it paid off.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 30 electrified options.

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

Cole Custer Homestead Media Availability

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Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
Credit One NASCAR AMEX Credit Card 300 Media Availability | Homestead-Miami Speedway
Friday, October 25, 2024

Cole Custer, driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, enters this weekend’s race third in the playoff standings, 16 points above the cut line with two races remaining in the Round of 8. The defending champ talked to media members about his situation this afternoon.

COLE CUSTER, No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WHEN WE FIRST MET YOU, YOU WERE A SHY, RESERVED GUY, AND NOW YOU’RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A RING, DANCING WITH WRESTLERS AND DOING ALL THIS STUFF. WHAT WAS THAT EVOLUTION AND HOW HAVE YOU GOTTEN COMFORTABLE IN THE SPOTLIGHT?

“Yeah, I mean, I guess you just realize you can be yourself, or you can do silly things, and making fun of yourself is okay sometimes. Nobody’s going to think about it too much. It’s just been fun. I think showing your personality a little bit and going to that NXT, WWE match was really cool. Just some really awesome people and everybody made you feel really welcome. It was definitely a really cool once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

WERE YOU NERVOUS?

“For sure. Going out there, things move so fast, you’re trying to just keep up and make sure you do the right stuff, but it was really cool to just kind of be involved in it, and they just made it super easy to be involved.”

I AM DOING A STORY ON WAYNE AUTON. WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH HIM BEEN LIKE AND WHAT KIND OF IMPACT DO YOU THINK HE’S GOING TO LEAVE THE SERIES WITH?

“Huge. I don’t know if there’s ever been a series director that everybody’s gonna miss so much. I haven’t been around as long as a lot of people, but he’s one of the people that, there’s not many people that say a bad thing about him. He’s probably the most personable person at NASCAR, I would say, or leader at NASCAR, I feel like. Not to say that in any way negative, but just he’s just a truly personable guy that everybody wants to see when they get to the racetrack. And he’s tough. He has that other side of him too, where he’ll flip a switch and he’s gonna be tough on you when he needs to call you out on something. He’s just somebody that, even when you disagree with him, you can always respect him just because of the guy he is.”

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER FROM YOUR FIRST XFINITY WIN HERE?

“I remember just being relieved that we finally did it. We led so many laps that race and that car was so fast. Just hitting my marks and being ahead by whatever how much it was, 10 to 15 seconds or whatever it was. Those are just the dream days when everything goes right and you just have to go out there and hit solid laps. So it was definitely a day to remember for me. Also starting the Xfinity team with SHR that year too and building it into something that throughout that year and getting the first win for the Xfinity team was big. So it was just a really cool moment to see all those guys and all the hard work that they put into it. Going into that off-season and throughout the year and building it into a team that could go win at the end of the year.”

HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE CHAMPIONSHIP 4 IF YOU GET THERE? HOW DO YOU LOOK AT IT THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHAMPION COMPARED TO HAVING NOT BEEN IN THAT POSITION BEFORE? DOES IT GIVE YOU ADDITIONAL CONFIDENCE? DOES IT JUST KIND OF UP YOUR GAME? BECAUSE AJ IS THERE, AJ IS A VETERAN, HE’S WON MULTIPLE TYPES OF SERIES. YOU SHOULD HAVE SIMILAR CONFIDENCE IF YOU CAN GET THERE COMPARED TO SOME OF THE YOUNGER GUYS.

“I think the biggest thing is I’ve done it before. I’ve been in the Championship 4, whatever, how many times, three or four. You have that feel of you’ve been there and done it. So you know what to expect a little bit. You know where you can be a little bit conservative throughout the weekend. You know when you have to get aggressive. So it’s just that you know the feel and the pace of the race and the weekend. But at the end of the day, you can’t really go into it thinking that you’re the champion and everything’s going to go right. You have to think of it as you’re just another one of the guys out there and you have to maximize your day. I think a lot of times in these playoffs, guys try too hard and it gets them in trouble. So you just have to go out there and hit a solid day and take what it gives you and maximize it.”

AS YOU FOCUS ON THE IMMEDIATE GOALS, YOU’RE STILL MOVING UP TO CUP NEXT YEAR AND PUTTING TOGETHER A TEAM AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT. IS THERE MUCH YOU CAN DO AT THIS POINT OR THAT’S OUT OF YOUR HANDS?

“For the most part with just three races left, this is crunch time for us in the Xfinity deal. We’re going to be focused on this pretty heavy for sure. But there are still definitely things to do for next year. There’s going to be a lot of change going into next year and figuring out the alliance with RFK, and getting people in place and processes in place of how we’re going to build cars, and who’s going to do it, and just everything that goes into it of how we’re going to pretty much restart a race team almost. So it will be a lot of work for everybody over the off-season to get that right. But right now, we’re focused on the Xfinity title and trying to get us back to Phoenix. But it’s definitely going to be a busy offseason.”

SO WHAT WOULD BE THE THINGS THAT YOU WOULD DO ONCE THIS SEASON ENDS AND AS YOU MOVE FORWARD? IS THERE MUCH YOU’RE GOING TO BE HOLDING YOUR HANDS DURING IN REBUILDING THIS TEAM OR IS THAT FOR OTHERS AND YOU KIND OF FILL IN THE GAPS?

“I think the biggest thing is just talking through our processes of how we’re going to do things. How do we want to do debriefs and how do we want to talk about things prior to the race and I think also just getting ahead because the Cup schedule, it waits for nobody. There are no off weekends, really, except for one. So if you can get ahead on the first five or ten races and just talk with your crew chief about what you’re looking for, what he’s looking for, different things to look for throughout the weekends, just try and get ahead on things because it happens fast. So if you can try and get ahead, that will be a huge thing to do.”

AND BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU DID THE OTHER NIGHT, I GUESS IT’S FAIR TO SAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE. WHAT STOOD OUT ABOUT BEING OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND EVEN THOUGH THEY MADE IT EASIER, WHAT DID YOU WALK AWAY FROM THAT? WHEN DID YOU TELL YOUR WIFE, WHEN YOU CALLED HER AT HOME?

“I mean, I’m sure some people think I looked like an idiot out there, but at the same time, I think it’s something where most of the feedback’s been really positive. So, I think it just shows when you get out of your comfort zone, sometimes that’s a great thing. I think it’s just been an incredible experience doing that whole process with WWE and NXT and everything so it was definitely a lot of positives from that.”

Joey Logano Homestead Media Availability

By
Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Straight Talk Wireless 400 Media Availability | Homestead-Miami Speedway
Friday, October 25, 2024

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske in the NASCAR Cup Series, clinched a spot in the Championship 4 for the sixth time in his career after winning last weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Logano talked about that and preparing of the final event of the year in Phoenix earlier today at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

JOEY LOGANO, No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WHAT HAS THIS WEEK BEEN LIKE IN YOUR MEETINGS, KNOWING THAT THIS RACE AND MARTINSVILLE, I’M NOT SAYING THEY ARE IRRELEVANT, BUT IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, YOU’RE LOOKING AHEAD, SO KIND OF WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THAT’S BEEN LIKE.

“Yeah, pretty much what you would expect. We went over Vegas for a little bit, just like we typically would after any race. An overview of Miami, of just the details of things that we’re looking for here, and then we started talking about Phoenix and pretty much just stayed there the rest of the time. Not that this race doesn’t matter to us, but the fact that we earned an advantage by being able to focus onto Phoenix before anybody else, we need to take advantage of that opportunity. That’s a big opportunity to have. So as much as we want to run well here and I think we will. We need to have all our focus on Phoenix right now.”

WHEN YOU LOOK BACK TO 2018 AND 2022, I THINK YOU WON THE FIRST RACE IN THAT ROUND EACH YEAR. WHAT DO YOU PULL FROM THAT?

“It’s just really kind of going through the details. You know, it’s, even for everybody. You know, you even think about logistically everything that happens, right? If you lock yourself into Marksville, you got a couple days before that car’s gotta be on the road headed out west. So you don’t have much time to really change much of the setup or whatever things you’re wanting to do, right? You can practice, obviously, but you are just massaging the little things, you don’t have a whole lot of time there. If you think about it even from a partner’s perspective, right now they know you’re racing for a championship, a lot of people want to show up now. You know, now you can book a suite, you can get the travel stuff for everybody. All those distractions that you’ll have on championship weekend, you can knock a lot of that out now, which to me, is something. That definitely adds up, because you have media on Tuesday, you have media again on Thursday. So you really only have one day at the shop, one and a half days before the car is loading up and going. So you just don’t have the time. This advantage does help a little bit with those type of things too.”

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE SO EARLY IF YOU’RE ALREADY LOCKED IN? YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ROLL IN LIKE TOMORROW MORNING.

“This is just who I am. I flew on the team plane down here. I’m just an early person. So, I’ve got an appearance tonight, so I will go do that. Like I said, I’m still here to try to win the race. I’m not going to just lay up and not just start the race and put it away. That’s not who I am, it’s not what we want to do for our sponsors or for our fans. We still want to try. It’s just changed a lot of our focus, that’s all.”

I KNOW THE TRACKS ARE WAY DIFFERENT, BUT IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN TRY THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK TO POTENTIALLY SEE IF IT WORKS AT PHOENIX?

“Not particularly. A lot of things you would maybe want to try things for this racetrack because you have no risk if it goes bad. Typically in this race, in the playoffs, it’s very important and you can’t afford to take risks whether it’s running the wall more often or setup stuff or whatever it may be, you wouldn’t take a lot of risk because unless you’re back is up against the wall and you have nothing to lose. You would say, hey, let’s get a solid top five out of this thing or something like that. Or we can kind of go for all or nothing and we can do that kind of in every category throughout the weekend.”

DO YOU FEEL LIKE A FAVORITE HERE TO GET THIS CHAMPIONSHIP? I MEAN, YOU’RE THE FIRST GUY IN, YOU’RE A TWO-TIME CHAMPION, YOU’VE WON THERE BEFORE. DOES YOUR TEAM HAVE THAT KIND OF VIBE GOING ON RIGHT NOW?

“Absolutely. I don’t see why we wouldn’t. I always feel like we can win the race no matter what. And we figured it out a way last week, even when we weren’t the fastest car. We were the best team that figured out how to win that race. That’s where I feel like we have such an advantage over the other teams, is that we’re very well-rounded. I think that gives us a lot of opportunities to capitalize when no one expects it. And now you’re going to give us more time to focus on one track. So we need it. So at that point, yeah, I feel like we definitely have the advantage over everybody.”

IS THERE A RESPONSIBILITY YOU HAVE IN HELPING RYAN BLANEY THIS WEEKEND OR NEXT WEEKEND?

“Yes, within reason of what we can do. If there is anything that they want to try in practice or set up wise or anything like that, we are open to it. What do you guys need to make sure you have the fastest 12 Ford Mustang out there? What can we do to help you from that perspective? So we’ll do what we can to be good teammates, for sure.”

IF YOU GUYS HAVE WORKED WELL TOGETHER IN THE PAST, HOW MUCH CLOSER CAN YOU GUYS GET, OR WHAT’S SO DIFFERENT ABOUT HOW YOU TWO OR THE TWO TEAMS IN PARTICULAR HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER THE LAST FEW WEEKS OR EVEN THROUGHOUT THE SEASON?

“Yeah, the two teams definitely work a lot together lately on performing setups. Where it doesn’t seem to be very separate anymore, of like, this team doing one thing and this team doing something completely different. And everybody looking at each other and saying, well, why would you do that? Why would you do that? At least they’re sitting together and going through things together. I think that helps. I think Blaney and I work really well together off the racetrack and on the racetrack. And that relationship has only grown even more so after his championship, which I think is great. And it seems like we’ve been able to really be open with each other. And it’s really gone back and forth where I think we’re helping each other quite a bit. I think that’s just overall going to make our team better and Austin included in that as well. We’re all open to each other. There’s nobody hiding anything.”

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY BEING CLOSER SINCE RYAN WON HIS CHAMPIONSHIP?

“I don’t know exactly why. I don’t know. He’s got a championship now and now it’s not necessarily as much of a competition to where we both want to see Team Penske succeed. I feel like we’re more looking at it from the same lens than we used to. I don’t know if it’s because of the championship or is it that we’re both growing up. I don’t know exactly what it is, but it does seem like it does seem to help.”

YOU AND KYLE (LARSON) ARE THE ONLY TWO DRIVERS TO REPEAT CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THIS FORMAT. WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU TO ADD ANOTHER ONE IN THIS PLAYOFF FORMAT?

“It would mean a lot in any playoff format. A championship is a championship. That’s what I said last week. There’s one goal when you start at Daytona and that is to win the big trophy. We get a great opportunity to do that again. So, yeah, three would be great, four would be better. There’s never enough of them, so it would be nice.”

LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHAMPION, SEEING YOURSELF AS A CHAMPION, DOES THAT GIVE YOU AN ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHER DRIVERS? I MEAN, OTHER THAN BLANEY, KYLE LARSON MAYBE, DOES THAT GIVE YOU AN ADVANTAGE GOING INTO THAT FORMAT?

“There’s no doubt after you’ve done something once, you’re gonna be better the second time, right? We talked a minute ago about what the week is like leading into it, and all the other things you have to do, all the distractions, all the stress that’s there. It’s a hard week, there’s no doubt. I laugh all the time because so many drivers, in all three series, a lot of their answer is, we just treat it as another race, it’s just another race. BS, it’s not another race. Not even close, it’s the championship, it’s the biggest race you’ll ever be a part of. It’s bigger than that. Everyone tries to minimize it so they can sleep better at night. It’s not about that. And I think for some drivers and teams, they love that pressure and I think there’s some that just hate it and it affects them in a negative way. It probably depends on who you are, but I know going through things more than once definitely helps you know how to prepare for what’s coming your way.”

DO YOU HAVE TO BE BUILT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY TO KIND OF ACCEPT THAT PRESSURE AND MAKE THE MOST OF IT?

“Absolutely. Everybody’s different, right? Everybody handles things in different ways and some people get excited about the do or die situations and they want that. Some people want the ball as the clock winds down, they want to take the shot. And there’s other people who are like, I don’t want to be the guy that misses the shot. I want to be the guy that makes the shot. It is just a mindset. Everybody is just differet. I have found ways for me that work in racing and makes me excited about these moments, these late race restart type moments. It motivates me and makes me excited about those moments. But others have to find that way, or maybe they don’t have that way. Everybody’s different. That’s why we all do different things in life. Everybody’s good at certain things and not at others. There’s a lot of things I suck at. But luckily I found something I’m decent at.”

I KNOW THERE’S BEEN A LOT GOING ON AND IT’S BEEN A SHORT TIME SINCE YOU WENT UP TO THE ASHEVILLE AREA SO IS THERE ANYTHING MORE IN TERMS OF YOU PLANNING AND DOING THINGS WITH YOUR FOUNDATION OR IS IT STILL TOO SOON TO KIND OF PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS KIND OF, THERE’S SO MUCH THAT’S HAPPENED IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS?

“Not too soon. Lots of things brewing on that project. I spent a lot of time this week on that as well. Lots of really cool ideas, lots of support. A couple of plans we have in works already, we haven’t even announced it yet, so I can’t tell you. But it will be very shortly, you will hear something. But, there are some really cool projects coming our way. I’m really, really excited about a couple of them. They’re going to be really impactful to a lot of families. So, in a cool way too. I’m really excited about the support from not only our fans, but our sponsors as well. They’re like, hey, what do you need to do? We want to help to and jump on board. So the more people you get together, the more impactful we can all be. The job is far from done up there and I think everybody knows that. We’re looking forward to setting up a few plans that will help us in the long term.”

SO YOU’RE ABLE TO BE INVOLVED IN SOME OF THAT PLANNING THIS WEEKEND. WOULD THAT HAVE BEEN THE CASE WITH ANY OTHER WEEK OR DID IT KIND OF HELP WITH WINNING AND MAYBE WHILE YOU’RE STILL TRYING TO WIN THIS WEEKEND, THAT IT JUST KIND OF ALLOWS YOU TO KIND OF LOOK AT SOME OTHER THINGS BIG PICTURE?

“I don’t think it would have changed, to be honest with you. I might have been more distracted in those meetings. The ADD may have kicked in a different way. But yeah, that to me is, I’ve always said it up here before, but that’s my why, right? Like, why do we do it? And I’ve said it many times, championships are cool and they’re great, but do nothing with it. What is it? It’s an empty cup. That’s what they are. So if you can do something larger than just take home a trophy and do something with it, that’s when it becomes really impactful.”

Justin Allgaier, BRANDT Return to JRM in Multi-Year Renewal

By
Official Release
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Allgaier Makes Announcement at Homestead-Miami Speedway

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 25, 2024) – As announced during Friday afternoon’s media availability session at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Justin Allgaier and cornerstone partner BRANDT Professional Agriculture are returning to JR Motorsports in a multi-year renewal that will run through the 2026 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. As the second-longest tenured-partner for JRM at ten years, BRANDT will assume the role of primary partner for Allgaier and the No.7 Chevrolet for 20 events during the 2025 and 2026 NXS seasons, as well as receive associate placement on the remaining races.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Justin, the Brandt family and everyone at BRANDT Professional Agriculture,“ said JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “BRANDT and Justin have become synonymous with JRM both on and off the track and Rick (Brandt)’s passion for this program remains unwavering. We are honored to continue to carry their brand. That No. 7 team has consistently been one of the strongest teams in the garage year after year, and I know that that is going to continue moving forward.”

Founded in central Illinois, BRANDT is a fast-growing, family-owned company and a leader in global agriculture. Specializing in innovative products and services to help growers get maximum crop yield and a positive return on their crop inputs, BRANDT supplies customers in 49 states and more than 80 countries.

“On behalf of everyone at Team BRANDT, we are beyond happy to extend our decade-long partnership with Justin and JR Motorsports for the next two seasons,” said Rick Brandt, President and CEO of BRANDT. “Our philosophy has always been to win in the field and on the track, and this partnership has helped us do just that. But before we start looking ahead to next year, there’s still one thing left to do this year: Let’s go win that 2024 championship.”

BRANDT has had a long-standing presence in NASCAR, having first partnered with Allgaier in 2011. The pairing joined JRM for the 2016 NXS season, and Allgaier has been a perennial title contender ever since, qualifying for the playoffs every year since their inception, and advancing to the Championship 4 in six of the last eight seasons, finishing runner-up in both 2020 and 2023.

“It feels great to be returning to JRM and to continue our partnership with BRANDT Professional Agriculture,” said Allgaier. “BRANDT has played such an integral part in my career and I am extremely proud of everything that we have accomplished thus far together. I’m honored to be able to continue to drive this No. 7 Chevrolet for Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) and Kelley and compete for race wins and championships. Hopefully we can get this renewal jump started on a strong note and finish off these playoffs in the best way possible.”

Allgaier currently sits atop the point standings heading into tomorrow’s NXS event at Homestead, 32 points above the playoff cutline with two races remaining in the Round of 8.

Catch Allgaier and the No. 7 Precision Build / BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet take to the high banks of Homestead on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 3:30 p.m. ET on The CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

ABOUT BRANDT:
A leading agricultural company, BRANDT serves growers and farmers around the globe. Founded in 1953 by Glen Brandt and his sister Evelyn Brandt Thomas to help Illinois farmers adopt new and profitable technologies, the company has experienced aggressive growth under the leadership of President and CEO Rick Brandt. BRANDT’s focus is providing the products and services that give growers the best opportunity for maximum return while building a stronger, healthier and more abundant food supply. For more information, visit BRANDT on the web at www.brandt.co.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 23rd year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. 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.

Frankie Muniz Homestead Media Availability

By
Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Baptist Health 200 Media Availability | Homestead-Miami Speedway
Friday, October 25, 2024

Frankie Muniz announced earlier this week that he will be driving full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next season with Reaume Brothers Racing. He visited the infield media center at Homestead-Miami Speedway before today’s practice and qualifying session to talk about the move with reporters.

FRANKIE MUNIZ, No. 33 Reaume Brothers Ford F-150 – CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY AND WHAT THAT MEANS TO YOU? “I’m absolutely thrilled, obviously, that we got to make the announcement to be driving for Reaume Brothers next year full-time. I mean, my plans for this year definitely changed from what we thought it was gonna be and being part-time is not easy. It’s hard to watch, but it’s also hard knowing that I just need experience to play catch-up to all of the people I’m competing against, and to be out of the car or truck as much as I was this year was tough. So, I was super excited to get my deal done early. We’ve known that I was gonna sign with them for a while now and be able to announce it to where I’m literally starting today is prepping for next year. Even for my wife and my life and my son to know, here is where we’re gonna be when, it just makes it so nice to plan ahead.”

DO YOU LIVE IN THE CHARLOTTE AREA NOW? “I live in Scottsdale, Arizona. I will be based out of Charlotte during the season next year. That’s the plan. I want to put myself into every situation I can to be better as a race car driver, so if that’s spending more time with the team, if that’s going over stuff with engineers and watching past races and with my spotter and being in the simulator that I’m lucky enough that Ford really gives me a lot of access to, great, but let’s do it. Going back and forth is not easy and I just want to fully immerse myself in being a NASCAR driver and the best way to do that is to really be by the team in Charlotte.”

WHAT KEPT YOU GOING THIS YEAR WITHOUT HAVING AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES AS YOU HAD HOPED? “It was definitely hard, especially the races that we did do weren’t great. We had either bad luck or I just wasn’t good. Like in Phoenix this year I was awful, so I take it to heart because I want to be out there. I want to prove that I can do it, but how can I even prove it to myself if I’m not out there doing it. It’s hard on my family because this year we thought was gonna be one thing and it wasn’t, so there’s a lot of me having down days of just thinking like, ‘Man, I was gonna do this or I thought I was gonna be here.’ The plan changing so much to where my wife went to Italy by herself this year because I couldn’t commit to going with her because I needed to be available for something that we thought was gonna happen and didn’t happen. I want to be a better husband for her. One reason I said I went racing in general was to be an inspiration for my son, but if I’m not doing that, then what am I doing? So, that’s why it was really important for me to start focusing on 2025 and kind of get everything shored up. I don’t want to be thinking about where I’m gonna be next week because it takes away from focusing on where you are right then. Fortunately, I don’t have to do that next year.”

DID YOU EVER THINK THIS MIGHT NOT WORK OUT? “I’m definitely not a quitter. I jumped into stock cars for the first time last year and I wanted to look back at this experience, good or bad, whatever it is, and feel like I tried my best. I gave it a fair shot. I don’t want to do it and go, ‘I wonder if I did one more season’ or ‘I wonder if I kept going what could we have done?’ If you asked me what my plan is for 2026, I couldn’t tell you. I really want to give next year a full blown effort and see where we stack up and make the decision based on what we see we do.”

YOU GOT SICK OVER THE SUMMER. DID THAT AFFECT WHAT YOU WERE PLANNING TO DO ON THE TRACK? “Not necessarily. I got really sick. I was sick for almost six weeks, like literally in bed. I lost 30 pounds. It was bad. I got some crazy parasite in Mexico, so I’m not going there anytime soon, but it didn’t – to be honest. I was supposed to be full-time this year and then when that happened I was gonna do 10 races in Xfinity and a bunch of Truck races and it just kept evolving. With the situation I had it’s tough because I’m so grateful to be a Ford driver, but there’s not a ton of seats and obviously at midseason they’re full, so where do you go? What do you do? So, trying to figure that out but still doing at least enough races to keep used to it so that if the opportunity does come up I can do it. It’s hard to watch. It’s really hard to watch on TV as a driver. You want to be out there competing and especially for me. I want to keep learning. I know I’ve said that for two years. I said it last year in ARCA, but I still have so much that I need to experience for the first time and that’s really the goal for these last two races. I’m doing Miami. I’m doing Phoenix. Not that we’re using it as a test session, but we’re using it to gel as a team and then figure out what I need or me figure out what I need, put myself in situations for the first time with these drivers and just be better prepares so when we show up at Daytona we’re head down and trying to be as competitive as possible.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS SET FOR NEXT SEASON? “I think a realistic goal, obviously as a race car driver I say I want to win. I want to be the best, but realistically the series is tough. There are a lot of good drivers and a lot of good teams, but I think if we could consistently be in the top 20 that would be a huge achievement for us. I know that Josh Reaume is ultra motivated. That’s what I really love about him. There are some teams that you talk to that they’re kind of not stuck in their ways, but just accept where they are and he is not that at all. He wants to bring the team to be the highest level it can possibly be, and I think what I can bring to that is my relationship with Ford. They’re now gonna be an actual Ford team and get the support from Ford as a manufacturer, which in itself is gonna help the performance, and the access that we get to all that stuff. So, I’m excited to help build the team with them and I know they’re excited to have me, so I think we’re gonna work really well together.”

WHAT DO YOU FEEL PROUD OF THIS YEAR, SOMETHING THAT WAS A LEARNING MOMENT? “As a driver, I don’t want to sound negative, but I’ve tried to forget most of what I did this year, to be honest. I’m just being 100 percent honest. There’s nothing I can say, ‘Well, that was good’ or ‘That built my confidence.’ The Truck races that I did, I feel really good with even though we didn’t have the result we wanted. We had a puncture behind the pace car in Kansas. We literally went down two laps before the race even started, so I haven’t felt like I’ve gotten the opportunity to even try to race with people. I’m like, ‘I’m on my own. Just try not to wreck anybody.’ It’s a weird mindset to be in, but at the same time I take those experiences and the speed that we did have when we were running and go, ‘OK, I can do this. I can compete with these guys.’ I obviously need to get better at our qualifying – the single lap qualifying thing. I’ve never been so nervous in my life – the fact that you have to perform in that one moment. In ARCA, you had a 20-minute session, but we’d always go out and do two laps. I know in my mind you have another try, so getting better at that and pit stops – weird things like that that I just haven’t experienced much to be ready for next season. I guess the positive to bring is that I did go to Josh and get that first try in the truck at Nashville and realized I love it and now I know what I’m doing next year, so I guess that’s the positive.”

ARE YOU 100 PERCENT FROM THE SUMMER? “I’m 100 percent. There’s no effects from being sick anymore. I’m ready to put my head down and go fast.”

DOES THIS CLOSE THE WINDOW ON ACTING BECAUSE DURING YOUR ARCA SEASON THERE WAS A MOVIE YOU DID? “Yeah, I think that movie is coming out the week before Daytona. That’s what I heard, so that’s gonna be interesting. But, no, my focus is 100 percent being a race car driver. There are gaps, but I’m not trying to fill them with other things. Obviously, you don’t know what’s gonna happen. As an actor, you don’t know what opportunity may come up where you go, ‘Hey, it’s a week. We have three weeks off. Yeah, let me do it.’ So, I’m not closing the door 100 percent to it, but I don’t want people to think I’m just doing this part-time or I’m just doing this as a hobby. I’m kind of doing it on the side. No, those three weeks are gonna be used to prep for the next six races in a row or whatever it may be, so that’s the focus.”

YOU WANT TO BE THE RACE CAR DRIVER THAT ACTS SOMETIMES VERSUS THE OTHER WAY AROUND? “Yeah. When you are competing – everyone out there this is their lives. Everyone in the Truck Series, they’re trying to make it to the Xfinity Series or they’re trying to make it to the Cup Series. They are dedicating every waking moment to being the best driver they can be, so how could I think that I could come in and do it halfway? You can’t, especially I think this weekend is my 25th oval race of my life. I didn’t grow up racing late models or have tons of experience, so I have to focus even more on learning and improving just to catch up. That’s my focus. That’s my goal. I don’t want people just to hear that I’m a race car driver or me to just say that I’m a race car driver, I want people to believe it and the only way to get them to believe it is to go out there and do it and impress. Racing is not subjective. You’re either at the top of the leaderboard or you’re not, so you kind of see where you stand and what you need to work on and that’s what I’m gonna do.”

IS IT HARDER THAN YOU THOUGHT TO LAND SPONSORSHIP FOR RACING? “I think what’s surprising is there are a lot of big brands on race cars. One thing, and this is nothing against it, but a lot of companies you see on a lot of cars are family members or dads or friends companies and stuff like that. I would say that it has surprised me, like even this week with the announcement. I didn’t know how well it would be received, but it kind of went everywhere. I was watching Sportscenter and they were talking about me joining the Truck Series, so it’s great in the sense that maybe it’s getting eyeballs to the series that don’t watch, and I hope so. But, at that same time I go, my phone isn’t ringing off the hook with potential sponsors. That’s part of the job. You’re constantly searching for funds. I would say 90 percent of being a race car driver is finding funding to continue to do it, so that said we’re great for next year. Obviously, we would love to add more partners because then I could do more races. I could add ARCA races. We can do other things just to keep getting as much experience as possible and that’s our goal as a team.”

THERE HAS TO BE A BIG MALCOLM FAN OUT THERE, RIGHT? “I’m sure Elon Musk watched. I bet that SpaceX truck would look really good. A lot of it is relationships and finding someone who believes in what you’re trying to do and that’s what we’re trying to tell the story of what we’re trying to achieve and what we can offer to them. It’s got to be a win-win for everybody and that’s what we try to do as a team and me as a driver to make sure that they’re not just writing a check and it’s having me go racing. They’re actually benefiting from what we’re doing on the racetrack.”

Toyota NXS Homestead Quotes – William Sawalich – 10.25.24

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Official Release
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Toyota Racing – William Sawalich
NASCAR Xfinity Series Quotes

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (October 25, 2024) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver William Sawalich was made available to the media on Friday prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

WILLIAM SAWALICH, No. 19 Starkey Soundgear Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Can you talk about the announcement that you’ll be driving full-time in the Xfinity Series next year?

“Yeah, I’ll be driving the No. 18 (car) for Joe Gibbs Racing next year in the Xfinity Series, so it’s going to be really cool to do that with them. I’ve been with them for two years and going on the third year next year, so that’ll be exciting to build that relationship with them.”

How much of a birthday present is it to make your Xfinity Series debut this weekend?

“Yeah, I mean, it’s pretty cool. I’d say it’s a little bit of a late birthday present. But I’m going to soak it all in like a sponge and use it all for the next year to come, as well as the next two races to come – Martinsville and Phoenix, and to build a relationship with Seth (Chavka), my crew chief, and hopefully everything today and tomorrow goes well.”

What makes the Xfinity Series the right next step in your career?

“Yeah, like I said, I’ve had a good relationship with everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and so, it feels like home right now. I feel like I’m ready to make the jump. I’ve run the ARCA car the last two years and have had good success with them. Kind of following the Xfinity path that Ty (Gibbs) and Sammy (Smith) (did).”

What do you see as the biggest challenges you’ll face in the Xfinity Series?

“Yeah, I don’t know all of them yet until I get into the car. But, obviously, a different car. I’ve been doing short tracks in the Trucks and ARCA cars only, so I’m going to be new to the mile-and-a-halfs, and Daytona and Talladega. I did the Talladega race in Trucks and got the pole. But only made it through Stage 1 as we had issues after. Yeah, I just getting experience in those certain areas of racing that I’m not used to. Also, just learning the competition level of all the other drivers.”

Have you been on the sim much and what have you noticed?

“Yeah, we’ve had a lot of sim time. Probably close to 25 hours of time for Homestead alone in the Trucks and Xfinity cars. Definitely a lot of time on there and hopefully it compares really well. Have also run a couple other tracks in the Xfinity car to get that experience as much as I can since you can’t test or anything like that. So, this will be the first time in the Xfinity car. I’m going to have the Truck race, qualifying and practice to get a little warmup.”

Will you have any family or friends here this weekend?

“Yeah, definitely a lot of friends and family. I don’t know the exact count, but it’ll be the most that have been to a race before and everyone’s super excited for it. Hopefully, we can put on a good show for them. They’re coming in tonight and obviously will be here tomorrow.”

Which family members will be here?

“Just about anyone you can think of – my mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, a few cousins, a few friends, (as well as) a few buddies I went to school with. So, just good to have them here.”

When’s the last time they’ve seen you race?

“A lot of them saw me race in Elko (Elko Speedway) for the ARCA race since it was an easy race to go to. Some went to Iowa (Iowa Speedway) as well. Just all the close, Midwest races, people went to.”

Any good luck charms or wishes they’ve given you?

“Yeah, just a lot of texts. Everyone’s been supporting me and it’s cool to have everyone behind me in the family, so can’t appreciate their support enough.”

Is it a challenge to do the Trucks and Xfinity races back-to-back tomorrow?

“Yeah, honestly, I feel like it’d be tougher to do the Xfinity Series debut just on a standalone race, just only doing that race, as I’ll get the warmup with the Truck race (tomorrow). Get the green flag stop in, the run of pit road, getting used to pit road. I mean, I’m still kind of new to that. I’ve only run 10 Truck races, or 12 Truck races total, so still new to that and getting a feel for everything as it’s a lot different from ARCA because I’ve done the ARCA doubles multiple times and got used to those pretty quickly, switching back-and-forth.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 30 electrified options.

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

Treyten Lapcevich Reflects on 2024 CARS Tour Season Despite Rough North Wilkesboro Finish

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Official Release
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North Wilkesboro, N.C.: While Canadian standout Treyten Lapcevich and his Chad Bryant Racing team did not end their 2024 zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Tour season the way that they had hoped this past Saturday night, the duo is still reflecting on many positives from the season.

The anticipation to return to the historic North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway for Lapcevich and his team were high considering the team was the most recent winner at the famed North Carolina short track earlier this year.

Their fall trip to sweep the season, though, hit a major roadblock when Lapcevich retired from the ECMD 125 due to engine failure.

Before the expiration, Lapcevich and his Chad Bryant-led team were in contention for a strong finish in this year’s zMAX CARS Tour Late Model season finale.

“North Wilkesboro was certainly disappointing for our team with an engine failure ending our race early,” said Lapcevich.

“We had good speed all weekend long, started a little deeper in the pack than we would’ve liked to after being the first one out in qualifying, but when it came race time – we had a lot of speed and were making positions up very quickly.

“I felt as if we had speed capable of riding up the elevator for a second time this year, but unfortunately didn’t get the chance to find out.”

With back-to-back hardship finishes, Lapcevich still reflected on 2024, when the team showcased their ability to overcome bad luck early in the season with positivity and consistency.

“I am still very proud of our team for the amazing year that we had,” expressed Lapcevich. “We’ve encountered a lot of bad luck these last two weeks, but I still don’t think that hinders what we were able to accomplish this year as a team.

“We came a long way since the beginning but turned into a consistent threat at the front of the field.”

Unofficially, finishing sixth in the zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Tour championship point standings, Lapcevich expressed extreme gratitude for his partners who assisted in making the 2024 racing season possible.

“I really want to send a huge thanks to my sponsors for providing me with this opportunity,” added Lapcevich.

“Evirum, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and Allrem Racing have put a lot of belief in me, which I’m extremely grateful for. Thank you to the Chad Bryant Racing team for all of their hard work all season long.”

“Overall, being surrounded by great people, I learned so much and grew as a driver that I think will make us an even bigger threat heading into next year.”

After 17 races, Chad Bryant Racing unofficially finished seventh in the championship owner standings with one win, six top-five and 12 top-10 finishes with an average finish of 8.2 with Lapcevich at the helm.

Lapcevich’s plans for the 2025 season will be announced in due course.

For more on Treyten Lapcevich, like him on Facebook (treyten.lapcevich) and follow him on Instagram (@treytenlapcevich) and X | Twitter (@TreytenL).

About Allrem Sports and Entertainment:

Allrem Sports & Entertainment, a company of Allrem group of companies, is the powerhouse behind all sports and entertainment endeavors within the Allrem group of companies, with a strategic focus on ensuring optimal business development, brand awareness, and marketing opportunities for the entire Allrem group of companies and its partners.

Through the collective power of its diverse subsidiaries (Allrem Racing, BKFC, Les Pétroliers de Laval), Allrem Sports & Entertainment delivers unparalleled value to its sponsors and the Allrem group of companies. We provide our partners with business development opportunities, corporate hospitality programs, targeted brand awareness initiatives and innovative sponsorship activations. We ensure that all our partners receive maximum exposure and tangible returns on their investment to meet their objectives.

Learn more at allremsae.com

About Evirum:

Evirum, part of the Allrem group of companies, is a Canadian residual materials management brokerage offering eco-responsible solutions across North America to minimize environmental impact and promote recycling and other innovative practices. Evirum is committed to providing companies, events and industries with the best sustainable practices and services.

Learn more at evirum.com

About BKFC:

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), the World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion, in which Allrem is a shareholder, is the first entity sanctioned to hold regulated bare-knuckle events in the United States since 1889. BKFC is based in Philadelphia (PA) and headed by President and Founder David Feldman.

Learn more at bkfc.com

Opti-Coat partners with Bommarito Automotive Group and NASCAR team Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport at Homestead-Miami Speedway

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Official Release
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Memphis, TN (October 25, 2024) — Jeb Burton is ready to shine because Burton and Opti-Coat are hitting the NASCAR Xfinity Series with speed, precision, and unstoppable protection!

Opti-Coat, a leader in vehicle protection solutions, is proud to sponsor the No. 27 car, driven by two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series winner Jeb Burton at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Partnering with the Bommarito Automotive Group as a co-sponsor on the Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Chevrolet Camaro, Opti-Coat brings its innovative silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic coatings to the world of NASCAR. This collaboration highlights Opti-Coat’s commitment to high-performance protection and excellence in motorsports.

Opti-Coat, a leading innovator in advanced vehicle protection solutions, specializes in ceramic coatings and paint protection films designed to enhance the longevity and appearance of vehicles. Since its establishment in 2006, Opti-Coat has been at the forefront of the automotive detailing industry with its cutting-edge silicon carbide (SiC) technology, offering superior protection against scratches, chemicals, and environmental damage. With a commitment to innovation and quality, Opti-Coat continues to set new standards in automotive surface protection, providing customers with durable, high-performance products that maintain a vehicle’s gloss and shine for years.

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is a dynamic NASCAR Xfinity Series team founded by driver Jordan Anderson and John Bommarito. Fielding the No. 27 car with driver Jeb Burton, the team is known for its competitive edge and strong performance on the track. A major highlight came on April 2, 2022, when the team secured its first Xfinity Series win at the Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway.

“As a company built on performance and precision, we’re thrilled to bring Opti-Coat’s advanced protection to NASCAR. Just like our ceramic coatings deliver unbeatable durability and shine, we’re confident Jeb Burton and the No. 27 team will push the limits on race day. Partnering with the Bommarito Automotive Group and Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is the perfect way to showcase the power of innovation, both on the track and in vehicle care,” said David Ghodoussi, Founder and CEO of Opti-Coat.

“We’re excited to have Opti-Coat on board for this weekend’s race. Their cutting-edge technology is all about performance and protection, which is exactly what we need to keep Jeb Burton’s No. 27 looking good all race long. The racing surface at Homestead makes it one of the most abrasive tracks we go to all season long so I couldn’t think of a better place for us to debut Opti-Coat and the protection it provides on a race car,” said Jordan Anderson.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Opti-Coat for this exciting race, as their dedication to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence at Bommarito Automotive Group and Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport. Working with Opti-Coat has been a fantastic experience, and I hope this collaboration is just the beginning,” said John Bommarito, President of Bommarito Automotive Group.

Opti-Coat is an excellent program for car dealerships. It offers long-lasting ceramic coatings that protect vehicles and keep them looking new. With its advanced silicon carbide technology, it provides superior protection against scratches and environmental damage, enhancing the value of dealership offerings. This not only boosts customer satisfaction but also creates opportunities for dealerships to offer premium protection packages, increasing revenue and customer loyalty.

Tune in to watch the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, October 26, at 4 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90).

Jeb Burton – No. 27 Opti-Coat/Bommarito Automotive Group
Chevrolet Camaro SS

About Opti-Coat

Opti-Coat’s permanent bonding Silicon Carbide Automotive Ceramic Coatings provide The Ultimate™ protection for your vehicle. A one-time application of Opti-Coat Pro provides long-term protection without the need for waxes, sealants, coating toppers, or refreshers. Opti-Coat enhances the gloss, shine, and beauty of your vehicle’s paint to help keep it looking better than new. Your vehicle will look better, stay clean longer, be easier to maintain, and have unmatched protection from the elements. Our mission is to provide vehicle owners with superior car care products and services that enhance the beauty and extend the life of automotive surfaces to maximize value and driving pleasure. Furthermore, we strive to offer products that are safe for our customers and the environment. https://www.opticoat.com/

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport is a NASCAR team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group President, John Bommarito. Established in 2017 the organization is fueled by an incredible, close-knit team of employees, fans, and sponsors with a focus on integrity in the pursuit of excellence. Our goal is to embrace the journey we’re on and to never give up – whether on the track, in the pits, or in life. Every single team partner, and fan of ours, is what keeps our race cars running strong and our team performing at the highest level.

About A.E. Engine (Sales and Marketing Partner)

A.E. Engine is a content and marketing solutions company specializing in motorsports and enthusiast markets. In addition to custom publishing, branded content, and digital marketing development, A.E. Engine offers expertise in event marketing and sports partnership sales and management. A.E. Engine connects brands with NASCAR fans through websites, social media, content creation, and magazines, helping businesses boost brand visibility and develop or amplify customer loyalty in the NASCAR universe. Learn more at www.ae-engine.com.

As Clock Winds Down on 2024, NASCAR Cup Series Driver Chase Briscoe Winds Up his Signature Watch From Fleddermann von Rieste

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Official Release
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Chase Briscoe

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 25, 2024) – NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe knows time is of the essence. The 29-year-old racer from Mitchell, Indiana, is always up against the clock, trying to shave seconds from his lap times as he races at 200 mph.

In a sport where performance reviews come via a stopwatch, it’s appropriate that Briscoe has his own signature watch.

The two-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner partnered with Fleddermann von Rieste, an independent Indiana-based watch brand, to serve as the company’s first brand ambassador and its growing line of watches. As part of that growth, Briscoe has unveiled two versions of his signature Hanoverian Sport Watch – the Southern Nights Black edition and its Back Home Again Blue counterpart – both designed by Briscoe and the Fleddermann von Rieste team and carefully assembled in their home state of Indiana.

Southern Nights Black features a black carbon fiber textured dial with an exhibition case back that showcases the Cerakote-plated, Chase Briscoe-branded oscillating weight with high-beat movement. The higher oscillation frequency allows for enhanced accuracy and greater precision, while making it less susceptible to shock and other forces. Also included is a durable and comfortable FKM rubber strap that is resistant to chemicals, oils, heat and wear, but also flexible and tough to withstand extreme conditions without losing shape or strength.

Chase Briscoe Winds Up his Signature Watch From Fleddermann von Rieste

Back Home Again Blue draws inspirations from Briscoe’s Hoosier heritage and the colors of its state flag. Its blue carbon fiber textured dial is a direct contrast to the Southern Nights Black edition while keeping the same sleek lines. To see and learn more about both watches, please visit vonrieste.com.

“I still view myself as just a kid from Indiana, and it’s a pinch-me moment to have my own signature watch,” Briscoe said. “I started racing for the love of it, and that’s why you put so much time, energy and effort into your craft. You love it and you take pride in what you do and how you do it. My Hanoverian Sport Watches from Fleddermann von Rieste are made the same way.”

The center of each of Briscoe’s Hanoverian Sport Watches has a 41mm black PVD coated 316 stainless steel case, and they are paired with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal that is water resistant to 100 meters. This sapphire crystal protects the exquisite carbon fiber textured dial that features Briscoe’s personal logo and the watch industry’s standard–defining Swiss BGW9 Super LumiNova.

“Ensuring that Chase’s style and personality were intricately woven into the architecture of the watch was of the utmost importance to us during the design process,” said Dr. Adam Fleddermann, CEO, Fleddermann von Rieste. “Chase never just sticks a toe in the water to test something. He dives in head first, and his signature watch is no exception. Chase was intimately involved in all stages of the development of his watch, from initial brainstorming, to the review of design renders, and the finalization of the design, packaging and product launch. Chase’s passion toward this project was unwavering. We’re proud to bring Chase’s watch to his fans and watch enthusiasts.”

Briscoe is a third-generation racecar driver who has advanced from winning grassroots dirt track events in his home state of Indiana to competing at the highest level of North American motorsports, the NASCAR Cup Series.

“Being someone who has always been attracted to watches and what they symbolize as not only a tool for keeping time but also a piece of family pride, I was naturally drawn to the Fleddermann von Rieste brand,” Briscoe said. “Their Hoosier heritage and faith-based family approach to business made them a perfect fit for me and the brands I want to represent. The Fleddermann family has already become part of my extended family, and I’m excited to introduce their high-quality products to my fans and the entire racing industry.”

Since he was 13, Briscoe has followed in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps, racing sprint cars on the rough and tumble bullrings of the Midwest. Briscoe has since expanded his family’s name into NASCAR. After winning the NASCAR Cup Series rookie-of-the-year title in 2021, Briscoe won in just the fourth start of his sophomore season. On March 13, 2022 at Phoenix Raceway, Briscoe took the checkered flag in just his 40th career NASCAR Cup Series start. The victory secured Briscoe’s place in the NASCAR Playoffs and earned him the honor of being the 200th Cup Series winner in NASCAR history. Most recently, Briscoe won the 75th edition of the Southern 500 on Sept. 1 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, considered one of NASCAR’s crown-jewel races.

“Similar to the same attributes teams put into their cars to win at the top level of our sport, I can respect the incredible attention to detail and overall craftsmanship the Fleddermann von Rieste team puts into every watch they design. The watches they produce are attention-grabbing pieces that you truly want to cherish for generations,” Briscoe said.

Learn more about Briscoe by visiting vonrieste.com/ambassadors.

About Fleddermann von Rieste:

Fleddermann von Rieste is an independent Indiana-based watch brand that assembles watches with an American Watchmaker and Clockmaker Institute (AWCI) certified watchmaker and his apprentice in Kokomo, Indiana. Arriving in the 1840s, the Fleddermann family is proud of their longstanding Indiana heritage, with their earliest ancestor arriving in Southeastern Indiana from Rieste, Germany. Appreciative of their Indiana and German roots, the family believes in producing attainable luxury timepieces inspired by their ancestry in Germany, produced with passion and skill in their home state of Indiana. Fleddermann von Rieste offers a growing line of watches ranging in styles and pricing from under $500 to $1,600. All have mechanical or automatic movements and have passed the stringent bench testing of AWCI watchmakers before finding a home on your wrist. When you purchase a Fleddermann von Rieste watch, you’re not only purchasing a watch, but also an extension of your personality as you take another step forward on the journey toward your legacy.

RCR Race Preview: Homestead-Miami Speedway

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Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway… In 72 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has 12 top-five and 30 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C., based team has five second-place finishes at the 1.5-mile speedway: Kevin Harvick (2003 and 2008), Jeff Burton (2009), Ryan Newman (2014) and Tyler Reddick (2021). The team has reeled off five consecutive top-10 finishes entering this weekend’s 400-mile event (2019 – present). Austin Dillon led RCR one year ago at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a 10th-place finish.

RCR in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Homestead… RCR owns four NASCAR Xfinity Series wins at Homestead-Miami Speedway, highlighted by Tyler Reddick’s championship-clinching victory in 2019. Myatt Snider grabbed his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at the track in 2021. Jeff Burton rallied from a 30th-place starting position to win in 2007, leading the final 26 laps. Kevin Harvick scored a dominating win in 2003, leading 108 of 203 laps. Austin Hill led RCR’s NASCAR Xfinity Series effort in 2023 with a fourth-place finish.

Catch the Action… The NASCAR Xfinity Series Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit Card 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, October 26, beginning at 4 p.m. ET on the CW. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Follow Sunday’s Action…The NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, October 27, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Austin Dillon has 10 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway and has completed 100 percent of the laps run at the 1.5-mile oval. His best Cup Series finish at the track is a fourth-place result he earned in the fall of 2022. Dillon finished 10th most recently at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2023. Dillon has four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, acquiring three top-five finishes, including a best finish of second in 2015 after leading 16 laps. In three NASCAR Truck Series starts, Dillon won the pole in 2010 and earned a best finish of 10th in 2011.

Fond South Miami Memories… Dillon clinched the 2011 NASCAR Truck Series Championship and the 2013 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway and considers the track amongst his favorites on the NASCAR schedule.

About Bass Pro Shops… Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations, and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops united with Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations, and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.” Bass Pro Shops has a long relationship with NASCAR, dating back to 1998. For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com/.

Congratulations, Cowboys… Last week in Las Vegas, the Carolina Cowboys concluded their third season of competition by advancing to the championship game in the PBR Team Series Championship Finals at T-Mobile Arena. Ultimately finishing the season second overall, the Cowboys owe a great deal of their success to team general manager Austin Dillon, who plays an integral role in all aspects of team operations.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“I love racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s my favorite track that we race at. Homestead-Miami Speedway is a driver’s racetrack. It’s so much fun to run right up against the fence. You have to be disciplined in how you drive and save your tires. It’s an epic race. It’s always intense. We can move around in the corners to find the best line and it’s a track that’s been good to me in my career. We ran well at Homestead-Miami Speedway last year and finished fourth in 2022. The Miami atmosphere is just one of the things I love about this time of year, and I can’t wait to get on track in the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Kyle Busch will make his 20th career NASCAR Cup Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The driver of the Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet has two wins at the 1.5-mile speedway, earning victories in 2015 and 2019. He is one of just three active drivers with multiple wins at the track. Busch has racked up 10 top-10 finishes in the last 12 races at Homestead, dating back to 2012.

Did You Know? Busch owns the all-time race record at Homestead-Miami Speedway, averaging 142.654 mph on his way to winning the 2019 event and his second NASCAR Cup Series championship. Busch completed the 400-mile distance in just 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 47 seconds.

About Rebel® Bourbon… Distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, by Lux Row Distillers Master Distiller John Rempe, Rebel Bourbon features a wheated mash bill that is true to its original recipe dating back to 1849. Known for its smoother, sweeter flavor, highlighted by delicious caramel and vanilla flavor notes, Rebel celebrates the “Rebel spirit in all of us” – especially those who embrace freedom, defiance and a little attitude. In 2023, Rebel Bourbon 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was awarded a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Double Platinum ASCOT award. The brand’s Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was awarded gold medals at the 2023 SIP and ASCOT awards.

About Luxco®… Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco® is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP® Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from four distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers®, home of Ezra Brooks®, Rebel®, Blood Oath®, David Nicholson® and Daviess County®; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery®, maker of Yellowstone® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case® Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch® Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor®, Exotico® and Dos Primos®; and Ross & Squibb® Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Remus® Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union® Straight Rye Whiskey are produced. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Penelope® Bourbon, Everclear® Grain Alcohol, Pearl® Vodka, Saint Brendan’s® Irish Cream, The Quiet Man™ Irish Whiskey, Green Hat® Gin and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

How challenging is practice at Homestead-Miami Speedway? There are so many different lines you can use to improve the balance of the car but you only have 20-minutes of track time.

“You have to go into practice at Homestead with a gameplan. There are so many different lines you can run at Homestead and we have such a short time frame that it can certainly be challenging for sure. The line that you’re going to use for the race is going to be significantly different than the line you use for qualifying so figuring out both of those with the short amount of time you have is very, very difficult.”

How different is racing in the daylight at Homestead-Miami Speedway compared with track conditions at night?

“Track conditions at Homestead in the daytime are significantly different than what the conditions will be at night. I have always been much stronger at Homestead racing at night than during the day.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Jesse Love will make his inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway this Saturday. Friday’s practice session will mark the 19-year-old’s first lap on the South Florida surface.

Points Check… With two races remaining in the Xfinity Series Playoffs Round of 8, Love currently holds the sixth position in the driver championship point standings. The Menlo Park, California native is 13 points behind the cutline for the Championship 4.

About Whelen Engineering… Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce.

Meet Love… On Saturday, October 26 at 1:30 p.m. local time, Love is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stop by to meet the young gun and purchase new No. 2 team gear.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

With two races remaining in this round, what is the outlook of the No. 2 team?

“We knew that the Round of 8 was going to be hardest round to get through and it’s shaping up to be a battle. Our Whelen team had a solid weekend in Las Vegas and started this round on a strong foot with a sixth-place finish. With two races to go, our focus has been squarely on Homestead-Miami since we left the track last Saturday. Between multiple sim sessions and studying film this week, we are prepared. The guys on our Richard Childress Racing team worked extremely hard this week to turn around the same car from Las Vegas, because we feel like it’s our best piece that took adjustments well. We are going to continue taking each race as it comes, but the goal is the same – to maximize the day, get as many stage points as possible, and finish well.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Austin Hill has made two career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, earning a career-best fourth-place result (2023) and never finishing worse than the ninth position. The Winston, Ga. native has claimed top-10 starting positions for both Xfinity Series events while piloting the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Hill also has five NASCAR Truck Series starts at the Florida speedway, capturing one victory in 2019 and one pole in 2020.

Pushing for the Final Four… With two races remaining in the Xfinity Series Playoffs, Hill currently sits in the fifth position in the driver championship point standings. The 30-year-old driver is eight points below the Championship 4 cutline.

About Bennett Family of Companies… McDonough-Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies is a woman-owned, Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified, diversified transportation and logistics company. Through its 14 affiliated operating companies, the Bennett Family of Companies delivers integrated transportation and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Bennett has 4,625 drivers/owner-operators, over 1,000 employees and 600 agents located across the United States. For more information, visit www.bennettig.com.

Meet Hill… On Saturday, October 26 at 1 p.m. local time, Hill is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stop by to meet the nine-time Xfinity Series winner and purchase new No. 21 team gear.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

What are your thoughts about racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“In the Truck Series, I would run the bottom quite a bit. We were really fast and able to wrap the bottom so well that I never ran close to the wall. In the Xfinity Series, when the top lane comes in, you need to be up there to gain speed. Running up against the fence is something that you have to trust yourself with doing. The past two years, our No. 21 Chevrolet has led laps and finished inside the top-10, so I hope that our car has speed in it once again. The main goal for the weekend is to extend our points lead above the cutline as much as possible. If we can win the race, we will do everything in our power to do so. But if we can’t, we need to earn stage points and get the best finish possible before heading into Martinsville Speedway next week.”

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