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Roto-Rooter to Return to JR Motorsports

Leading Plumbing Company to Partner with Multiple JRM Entries in 2025

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 16, 2024) – JR Motorsports announced today that Roto-Rooter, a leading innovator in the plumbing and drain cleaning industry, will return to the organization as primary partner for both Connor Zilisch and the No. 88 Chevrolet, and Carson Kvapil and the No. 1 Chevrolet for two races each during the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. In addition to their return to the NXS, Roto-Rooter will also be part of JRM’s heralded Late Model program as a full-season associate next year.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Roto-Rooter back to JRM in 2025,” said JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “It’s great to see how much our partnership has grown already in the short time that we’ve been together and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

The origins of Roto-Rooter can be traced back to 1933, when Samuel Blanc created the first electric sewer-cleaning machine from a 1/6 HP Maytag washing machine motor, roller skate wheels and a 3/8-inch cable to turn the blades. The device could cut tree roots out of sewer lines where no digging was required. Just one year later, this prototype came to fruition and the name “Roto-Rooter” was born by virtue of Sam’s wife, Lettie. Roto-Rooter became one of the earliest franchisors in the country.

“Roto-Rooter is grateful to be associated with JR Motorsports for another year,” says Roto-Rooter President, Thad Reinhard. “This partnership brings together two hard working household names and leaders in their respective industries. We thank Dale and Kelley for building such a phenomenal team and we look forward to another exciting season on the track with such deserving, young race car drivers.”

In addition to the extension into 2025, Roto-Rooter will be featured as primary partner with Zilisch in his first NXS start at Homestead-Miami Speedway this October on board the No. 88 JRM Chevrolet.

Zilisch and the No. 88 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet are set to take the green at Homestead on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. ET on the CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

ABOUT ROTO-ROOTER:

Founded in 1935, Roto-Rooter is the largest provider of plumbing, drain cleaning, and water cleanup services in North America. Many locations offer no-dig sewer repair or replacement. Residential and commercial services are provided by more than 120 company-owned territories and 300 franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Roto-Rooter service technicians, plumbers, and water cleanup specialists benefit from a solid career with on-the-job training and high earnings potential. Roto-Rooter technicians work with the best equipment available, using proprietary sewer and drain cleaning machines, cable, and blades that are manufactured in Roto-Rooter’s plant in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Roto-Rooter has one of the most famous jingles in advertising history: “Call Roto-Rooter, that’s the name, and away go troubles down the drain!”

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.

Grassroots Racing Extravaganza This Weekend At North Wilkesboro Speedway

  • Three of the most prominent asphalt short-track racing series on the East Coast will converge at North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend, Oct. 19-20.
  • The zMAX CARS Tour and SMART Modified Tour will hold season finales on Saturday, while the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will contest its penultimate event on Sunday.

NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (Oct. 15, 2024) – There’s no better place for fans of short-track racing this weekend than North Wilkesboro Speedway as three of the most exciting racing series on the East Coast will come together at the historic .625-mile facility for nearly 500 laps of feature racing.

The zMAX CARS Tour will hold its season finale, holding features for both the Late Model Stock Car (LMSC) division with the ECMD 125 and Pro Late Model division on Saturday, while the SMART Modified Tour will also hold its season finale on Saturday. Fans can return on Sunday to see the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s penultimate event, the Brushy Mountain Powersports 150, before the championship finale at Martinsville on Oct. 26.

CARS Tour Points Battles Red Hot Entering Season Finale

Fan-favorite Brendan “Butterbean” Queen leads Connor Hall in the LMSC division by only eight points entering the ECMD 125 at North Wilkesboro. The dynamic duo has battled each other throughout the season, with Queen overtaking Hall just last weekend at Tri-County Speedway. Queen took the elevator ride to North Wilkesboro Speedway Victory Lane in 2023 and led the most laps in the most recent CARS Tour LMSC event at the facility in August.

In the Pro Late Model division, Kaden Honeycutt and Spencer Davis are the front-runners for the championship, with Honeycutt narrowing the gap following the most recent race at Tri-County, where he picked up the victory.

SMART Modified Tour Playoff Drivers Set for North Wilkesboro

Five drivers will compete for the SMART Modified Tour championship due to a new playoff points system. Luke Baldwin, Carson Loftin, Danny Bohn, Ryan Newman and Burt Myers will put it all on the line to become the 2024 season champion. As points have been reset for the “SMART 5,” they will go head-to-head with the highest finishing driver among them winning the 2024 Championship. Newman may have the advantage as the former Cup Series driver was victorious in one of the SMART Modified Tour races at North Wilkesboro during the Race Track Revival in 2022, however, the new surface on the historic raceway may even the field.

North Wilkesboro Could Make or Break NASCAR Modified Points Battle

With just two events remaining in the 2024 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, defending champion Ron Silk leads Justin Bonsignore by just five points, and third-place Patrick Emerling by only 21 points. The Brushy Mountain Powersports 150 could make or break a championship run by any of the three. A good run or a win could vault any of them into a solitary lead or alternatively a bad day could ruin the chances of a championship. In last year’s event, all three 2024 championship contenders finished in the top five.

While Silk holds a slight lead with four wins this season, Emerling has been on a roll of late, picking up three wins in the past five races, while Bonsignore also has three wins on the season including the most recent race at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.

Returning to NASCAR’s Roots at Wilkesboro

The ground-pounding modifieds are one of the first divisions of motorsports to have raced at North Wilkesboro in 1948, and the division has a lengthy history at the storied facility. NASCAR pioneers such as Red Byron, Curtis Turner, Ralph Earnhardt, and Fonty Flock picked up modified wins in those early days. In later years, legends such as Jerry Cook, Satch Worley, Ray Hendrick and Geoffrey Bodine dominated at the track.

Since the revival of the historic facility, “Big Money” Matt Hirschman has won two of three modified races, winning both last year’s NASCAR Modified Brushy Mountain Powersports 150 and a SMART Modified Tour race as part of the Race Track Revival events in 2022.

Smooth Surface Equals Exciting Racing

This will be the first look at the repaved surface on the .625-mile facility for the NASCAR Modifieds and the SMART Modified Tour, having raced last year on the aged pavement. A smoother and less abrasive surface promises to provide exciting racing from a series known for fierce side-by-side battles and intense action. Drivers from all levels of motorsports have praised the new surface, remarking that while it is smoother and more cohesive, it still has the character that makes North Wilkesboro Speedway unique.

TICKETS:

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are still available and can be purchased online or at the gate. Adult tickets start at $40 for Saturday and $30 for Sunday, while kids 12 and under get in for $10 each day when purchased in advance. Tickets can be obtained at www.NorthWilkesboroSpeedway.com.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news by following on X and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan.

Sheldon Creed to make 100th Xfinity start at Las Vegas

Photo by Tim Jarrold for SpeedwayMedia.com.

With four races remaining on the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule, Sheldon Creed is scheduled to achieve a milestone start. By competing in this weekend’s Xfinity Playoff event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Supra will make his 100th career start in the Xfinity circuit.

A native of Alpine, California, Creed made his inaugural presence in the Xfinity Series at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August 2017. By then, he had achieved back-to-back Stadium Super Truck championships (2016-17) and transitioned to stock car racing following his early success in SST and off-road competition. He had also made select starts within the ARCA Menards Series East and West divisions for MDM Motorsports and Jefferson Pitts Racing. Driving the No. 01 Chevrolet for JD Motorsports, Creed started 32nd and finished 34th in his Xfinity debut. He would return two races later at Road America, where he ended up in 38th place following an early vibration issue.

From 2019 to 2021, Creed, who won the 2018 ARCA Menards Series championship, competed on a full-time basis in the Craftsman Truck Series for GMS Racing, where he won the 2020 series’ championship, accumulated eight victories and made the Playoffs during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. During the three-year span, he made two starts in the Xfinity Series. The first occurred at Daytona International Speedway in July 2019, where he drove the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports and ended up in 34th place after being involved in two separate multi-car wrecks. He then competed for BJ McLeod Motorsports during the 2021 finale at Phoenix Raceway, where he collected his first top-10 career finish by finishing in 10th place.

In 2022, Creed graduated to the Xfinity Series on a full-time basis, where he replaced Myatt Snider as the driver of the No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Finishing sixth in his first start with RCR at Daytona in February, the Californian recorded nine top-10 results through 24 regular-season events as he spent the majority of the stretch mired outside of the top-12 cutline to make the 2022 Xfinity Series Playoffs. At Darlington Raceway in September, Creed attempted to pull a “video game” move on the final lap by scraping his No. 2 Chevrolet against the outside wall at full speed, but his momentum got stalled entering the frontstretch, which allowed Noah Gragson to overtake him for the victory as Creed, who had been battling Gragson and Kyle Larson for the victory, settled in a career-best runner-up result. After finishing 11th and 37th during the final two regular-season events on the schedule, he was unable to mount his way into the Playoffs. Recording another runner-up result at Martinsville Speedway in October along with a total of three top-10 results throughout the seven-race Playoff stretch, Creed ended up in 14th place in the final standings. Overall, he recorded four top-five results, 13 top-10 results, 155 laps led and an average-finishing result of 17.5 throughout his first full-time Xfinity campaign.

Returning for a second full-time Xfinity campaign with RCR in 2023, Creed finished 34th and 23rd in the season’s first two events before notching five top-10 results, including a runner-up result at Talladega Superspeedway in April, during the next 10 events on the schedule. At Portland International Raceway in June, he notched his first career pole position and led a race-high 47 laps before ending in seventh place despite being spun by John Hunter Nemechek prior to the second stage’s conclusion and getting shuffled while battling for the lead amid a two-lap shootout. Despite finishing no higher than eighth during his next nine starts, Creed then recorded back-to-back runner-up results while contending for the victory. The first runner-up result occurred at Watkins Glen International in August after he assumed the lead during an overtime shootout before losing the lead to Sam Mayer after slipping out of the racing groove before the final lap. The second occurred at Daytona after he was edged by Justin Allgaier by 0.005 seconds. Concluding the regular-season stretch with an eighth- and third-place finish in two races, Creed earned a spot into the Xfinity Series Playoffs for the first time in his career.

After finishing no lower than 11th throughout the Round of 12, he was able to earn the eighth and final transfer spot into the Round of 8 by two points over Daniel Hemric and four over Parker Kligerman. Then coming off a 15th- and 26th-place finish during the first two Round of 8 events, Creed placed himself in another opportunity to claim his first series victory during the Round of 8 finale at Martinsville Speedway. During an overtime shootout, however, Creed, who bumped and rubbed fenders with teammate Austin Hill on the final lap and entering the final two turns, managed to take the lead from Hill in Turn 3 before he locked up the tires and briefly fell off the pace, which resulted with Hill ramming into the rear of Creed’s No. 2 entry as Hill was involved in a last-lap multi-car wreck. Amid the carnage, Creed was then edged at the finish line by Allgaier by 0.032 seconds, which marked his sixth runner-up result in the Xfinity circuit, as both Creed and Hill were unable to transfer into the Championship 4 round. Despite receiving harsh comments and criticisms from Hill and the RCR organization, Creed proceeded to finish in the runner-up spot for a seventh time during the finale at Phoenix in November, which resulted in the Californian settling in seventh place in the final standings. By then, Creed had earned three additional top-five finishes and two additional top-10 results compared to the 2022 season. He had also led 35 extra laps from the previous season and improved his average finishing result from 17.5 to 13.5.

After announcing his departure from Richard Childress Racing a month before the 2023 season’s conclusion, Creed was announced as the driver of the No. 18 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2024 Xfinity season in December. He commenced his first season with team owner Joe Gibbs by finishing in second place behind former teammate Hill. Despite enduring a winless stretch throughout the 26-race regular-season stretch, the Californian notched two poles, a total of six runner-up results, 13 top-five results and 17 top-10 results, which were enough for him to make the 2024 Playoffs. Despite finishing fifth and fourth, respectively, during the first two events of the Round of 12, Creed was involved in a multi-car wreck just shy of the Round of 12’s finale at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. While trying to finish the event, Creed’s car stalled on the course and he retired in 35th place. As a result, he fell short of transferring into the Round of 8 by seven points.

As Creed continues his pursuit for his first elusive victory in the Xfinity Series for the remaining four races on this year’s schedule, he is set to join Haas Factory Team, an organization rebranded from Stewart-Haas Racing, in 2025.

Through 99 previous Xfinity starts, Creed has achieved three poles, 26 top-five results, 48 top-10 results, 453 laps led and an average-finishing result of 15.1. To date, he holds the record for the most number of runner-up results without an Xfinity victory at 13. Currently, Creed’s 2024 stats in top fives (15), top 10s (19) and average-finishing result (12.3) are his best as he is also scored in 10th place in the standings.

Sheldon Creed is scheduled to make his 100th Xfinity Series career start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Ambetter Health 302. The event is scheduled to occur this upcoming Saturday, October 19, and air at 7 p.m. ET on the CW Network.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series Preliminary Entry Lists

Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts its annual fall race date this weekend, with four races remaining in the 2024 NASCAR season.

NASCAR Cup Series Preliminary Entry List

7th Annual South Point 400 – NASCAR Cup Series – Las Vegas Motor Speedway

EntryVeh#DriverOrganizationCrew ChiefVeh MfgSponsor
11Ross ChastainTrackhouse RacingPhil SurgenChevroletWorldwide Express
22Austin CindricTeam PenskeBrian WilsonFordAutotrader
33Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingJustin AlexanderChevroletBoot Barn
44Josh BerryStewart Haas RacingRodney ChildersFordMobil 1 Take 5
55Kyle LarsonHendrick MotorsportsCliff DanielsChevroletHendrickCars.com
66Brad KeselowskiRFK RacingMatt McCallFordKing’s Hawaiian
77Justin HaleySpire MotorsportsRyan SparksChevroletGainbridge
88Kyle BuschRichard Childress RacingRandall BurnettChevroletFICO
99Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsAlan GustafsonChevroletNAPA Auto Parts
1010Noah GragsonStewart Haas RacingDrew BlickensderferFordFanttik
1111Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingChris GabehartToyotaYahoo!
1212Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeJonathan HasslerFordMenardsGreat Stuff
1314Chase BriscoeStewart Haas RacingRichard Boswell IIFordTexas A&M University
1415Cody WareRick Ware RacingBilly PlourdeFordEvel Knievel-Parts Plus/Pronto
1516Shane Van Gisbergen (i)Kaulig RacingTravis MackChevroletWendy’s Spicy Chicken
1617Chris BuescherRFK RacingScott GravesFordCastrol Edge
1719Martin Truex, Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingJames SmallToyotaBass Pro Shops
1820Christopher BellJoe Gibbs RacingAdam StevensToyotaRheem
1921Harrison BurtonWood Brothers RacingJeremy BullinsFordDEX Imaging
2022Joey LoganoTeam PenskePaul WolfeFordPennzoil
2123Bubba Wallace23XI RacingRobert BarkerToyotaLeidos/U.S. Air Force
2224William ByronHendrick MotorsportsRyan FugleChevroletRaptorTough.com
2331Daniel HemricKaulig RacingTrent OwensChevroletSouth Point Hotel and Casino
2434Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsTravis PetersonFordLove’s Travel Stops
2538Todd GillilandFront Row MotorsportsRyan BergentyFordgener8tor
2641Ryan PreeceStewart Haas RacingChad JohnstonFordBonanza Cabernet
2742John Hunter
Nemechek
LEGACY MOTOR CLUBBrian CampeToyotaPye Barker Fire & Safety
2843Erik JonesLEGACY MOTOR CLUBBen BeshoreToyotaMassey Motor Freight
2945Tyler Reddick23XI RacingBilly ScottToyotaJordan Brand
3047Ricky StenhouseJTG Daugherty RacingMichael KelleyChevroletScott Brand
3148Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsBlake HarrisChevroletAlly
3251Corey LaJoieRick Ware RacingChris LawsonFordMighty Fire Breaker
3354Ty GibbsJoe Gibbs RacingChris GayleToyotaMonster Energy
3471Zane SmithSpire MotorsportsStephen DoranChevroletFocused Health
3577Carson HocevarSpire MotorsportsLuke LambertChevroletDelaware Life
3684Jimmie JohnsonLEGACY MOTOR CLUBGene WachtelToyotaDollar Tree/Family Dollar
3799Daniel SuárezTrackhouse RacingMatt SwiderskiChevroletTootsies Orchid Lounge
“* equals withdrawn from the event
(i) equals ineligible for driver championship points

NASCAR Xfinity Series Preliminary Entry List – Numerical

7th Annual Ambetter Health 302 – NASCAR Xfinity Series – Las Vegas Motor Speedway

EntryVeh#DriverOrganizationCrew ChiefVeh MfgSponsor
10Cole CusterStewart Haas RacingJonathan ToneyFord3D Systems
21Sam MayerJR MotorsportsMardy LindleyChevrolet10X Health
32Jesse LoveRichard Childress RacingDanny StockmanChevroletWhelen
45Anthony AlfredoOur MotorsportsJoshua GrahamChevroletDead On Tools
57Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsJim PohlmanChevroletBRANDT
68Sammy SmithJR MotorsportsPhillip BellChevroletPilot Flying J
79Brandon JonesJR MotorsportsAdam WallChevroletMenards/Pelonis
810Daniel Dye (i)Kaulig RacingPhilippe LopezChevroletTrackside
911Josh WilliamsKaulig RacingEddie PardueChevroletAlloy Employer Services
1015Dylan LuptonAM RacingRyan LondonFordAirBox
1116AJ AllmendingerKaulig RacingAlex YontzChevroletModern Day Garage
1218Sheldon CreedJoe Gibbs RacingSam McAulayToyotaFriends of Jaclyn Foundation
1319Taylor Gray (i)Joe Gibbs RacingSeth ChavkaToyotaOperation 300
1420Aric AlmirolaJoe Gibbs RacingTyler AllenToyota
1521Austin HillRichard Childress RacingAndy StreetChevroletGlobal Industrial
1626Corey Heim (i)Sam Hunt RacingKris BowenToyotaSynergy Modular
1727Jeb BurtonJordan Anderson RacingShane WhitbeckChevroletPuryear Tank Lines
1828Ryan SiegRSS RacingMatt NoyceFordSci Aps
1929Blaine PerkinsRSS RacingSteve AddingtonFordVIVID EV
2031Parker RetzlaffJordan Anderson RacingChad KendrickChevroletFUNKAWAY
2135Akinori Ogata (i)Joey Gase MotorsportsMike Hillman SrChevroletMoon
2238Matt DiBenedettoRSS RacingKevin JohnsonFordReMA
2339Kyle SiegRSS RacingJoe WilliamsFordThe Thomas Group
2442Leland Honeyman JrYoung’s MotorsportsAndrew AbbottChevroletLH Waterfront Construction
2543Ryan EllisAlpha Prime RacingKeith WolfeChevrolet
2644Brennan PooleAlpha Prime RacingFrank KerrChevroletMacc Door Systems
2748Parker KligermanBig Machine RacingPatrick DonahueChevroletBig Machine Spiked Coolers
2851Jeremy ClementsJeremy Clements RacingMark SetzerChevroletFirst Pacific Funding
2981Chandler SmithJoe Gibbs RacingJeff MeenderingToyotaQuickTie
3091Kyle WeathermanDGM RacingMario GosselinChevrolet
3192Dawson Cram (i)DGM RacingBryan BerryChevroletTrade With the Pros
3297Shane Van GisbergenKaulig RacingKevin WalterChevroletWeatherTech
3398Riley HerbstStewart Haas RacingDavin RestivoFordMonster Energy
34107TBASS-Green Light RacingPaul ClapproodChevroletBBPrintingCO.com
35114JJ YeleySS-Green Light RacingJason MillerChevrolet
36145Garrett SmithleyAlpha Prime RacingKase KallenbachChevrolet
37153Joey GaseJoey Gase MotorsportsMike TyskaChevroletTBA
38174Ryan VargasMike Harmon RacingMike HarmonChevrolet

NASCAR reveals penalty report following Xfinity-Cup features at Charlotte Roval

Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

NASCAR released the penalty report following this past weekend’s Xfinity-Cup Series events at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course that occurred between October 12-13, 2024.

In the Cup Series, Joshua Thomas (front-tire changer) and Nick Covey (jackman), both of whom work in the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team piloted by Austin Dillon, have been issued a two-race suspension due to a left-front wheel that detached from Dillon’s car on Lap 80 of 109 during Sunday’s event. The incident occurred after Dillon had made a green-flag pit stop and left his pit box despite the tire changer unable to tighten the left-front tire’s single lug nut before the car departed. Dillon would proceed to finish in 32nd place at Charlotte in an event that determined the Playoff’s Round of 8 field and was won by Playoff contender Kyle Larson.

With the suspensions, Thomas and Covey will not be present for the upcoming Cup Series Playoff events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and at Homestead-Miami Speedway, respectively.

In the Xfinity Series, four crew chiefs were each fined $5,000 apiece due to their respective entries having a single lug nut unsecured during the post-race inspection process following Saturday’s event that also determined the series’ Round of 8 field and was won by Playoff contender Sam Mayer.

The crew chiefs that were penalized include Philip Bell, crew chief for Sammy Smith and the No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet team; Jeff Meendering, crew chief for Chandler Smith and the No. 81 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota team; James Pohlman, crew chief for Justin Allgaier and the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet team; and Andy Street, crew chief for Austin Hill and the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team.

Ironically, each of the crew chiefs’ respective competitors represent half of the current eight Playoff contenders who remain in championship contention as the series transitions to the Round of 8 that begins this upcoming weekend at Las Vegas.

Tuesday’s penalty report comes a day after Hendrick Motorsports opted to not appeal the disqualification of Alex Bowman from the Round of 8 due to Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet entry not meeting the minimum weight requirements following Sunday’s event, where Bowman had initially transferred after finishing in 18th place and winning the event’s second stage period.

Bowman’s disqualification allowed Joey Logano, who initially missed the Round of 8 cutline by four points, to claim the round’s final transfer berth.

Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series’ teams return to action this upcoming weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the Playoff’s Round of 8 also commences for both series. The Xfinity’s Round of 8 event at Vegas will occur on Saturday, October 19, and air at 7 p.m. ET on the CW Network. The Cup’s Round of 8 event will follow suit on Sunday, October 20, and air at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Todd Gilliland Revives All Black gener8tor Scheme for the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 gener8tor Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Competition Notes

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 15, 2024) – Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 team head west to Las Vegas, Nevada for 267 laps at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Gilliland will drive the fan favorite – all black – gener8tor scheme designed by Gilliland’s Crew Chief, Ryan Bergenty.

Following an 18th place finish at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, Gilliland and the team look to pick up momentum at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Gilliland has a career best finish of 23rd at the 1.5-mile venue.

The NASCAR Cup Series will start the weekend on Saturday, October 19th with practice and qualifying at 4:30 pm ET on USA Network. The South Point Casino & Hotel 400 is scheduled for Sunday, October 20th at 2:30 pm ET. Fans can watch the action live on NBC or listen in via the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.

No. 38 gener8tor Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“We have struggled at Vegas, and at the mile-and-a-halfs in general this year, but I have a good feeling about this weekend. We’re at the final stretch of races before the off season, so it’s important to not lose focus and finish out the season with as many points as possible. It’s cool to have the black gener8tor scheme back on the car. It stands out from the rest of the field and it’s fan favorite for sure.”

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“Vegas has been a difficult track for us, but I think we have a good chance this weekend. It starts with qualifying up front, staying out of the wrecks, and executing. We are down to the last few races, so it’s important to not get lazy and maximize our weekends so we can have the best points finish possible.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Michael McDowell & Love’s Ready to Roll the Dice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Love’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 15, 2024) – Michael McDowell and the No. 34 team return to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with only four races remaining in the 2024 season.

The No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse will feature Love’s Travel Stops colors this weekend as McDowell will make his 22nd start at the 1.5-mile oval, looking to improve on his 25th-place finish in the Spring.

The NASCAR Cup Series track activity will start Saturday, October 19th with practice and qualifying at 4:30 pm ET on USA Network. The 400-mile race will be Sunday, October 20th at 2:30 pm ET. Fans can watch the action live on NBC or listen via the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.

No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“We’re ready for Vegas. Travis and the team have brought great cars to the race track each week. At tracks like Kansas, Texas and even Las Vegas earlier in the season, we’ve had speed. We just need to execute in every phase of the race to have a good finish.”

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

“We are heading into Vegas with the mindset that we’re going to bring a good car performance wise and get a good finish. There are only a few races left and we want to make the most of them.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

AUBLIEB Films Announces World Premiere of “Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross” at Newport Beach Film Festival

Narrated and Executive Produced by Academy Award-nominated actor JOSH BROLIN

NEWPORT BEACH, California – October 15, 2024 – Monster Energy and TAUBLIEB Films are thrilled to announce the world premiere of the highly-anticipated documentary Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross, narrated by acclaimed actor Josh Brolin. The film will debut at the prestigious Newport Beach Film Festival on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 3:30 PM at the renowned Lido Theater.

Event Details:
Location: Lido Theater, 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Date: October 19, 2024
Time: 3:30 PM – 5:05 PM PDT
Tickets: Purchase here

Watch teaser video below

This extraordinary full-length feature documentary film captures the thrilling and tumultuous journey of Supercross, the sport that has captivated millions. From its grassroots beginnings to its transformation into a global phenomenon, Pay Dirt offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the sport’s greatest athletes, risks, rewards, and the passion that drives them. With the support of Monster Energy and Feld Motor Sports, Inc., TAUBLIEB Films is proud to bring this story to life.

“Monster Energy is excited to be a part of Pay Dirt, a documentary that dives deep into the electrifying world of Supercross. This film does an incredible job capturing the raw energy and intensity of our top athletes in the sport while offering an authentic glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of Supercross, making it accessible and thrilling for all audiences,” said Mitch Covington, Monster Energy Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing.

Featured Monster Energy Supercross athletes include legendary and current icons: Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, Ryan Villopoto, Brian Deegan, and Haiden Deegan.

“We’re only here because of the incredible support from everyone involved – from Monster Energy to Feld Motor Sports – and, of course, the riders and production team,” said multi-Emmy-winning filmmaker Paul Taublieb, whose previous feature collaborations with Monster Energy include feature documentaries “Unchained: The Untold Story of Freestyle Motocross,” “FASTEST” and “Blink of an Eye. “This is not a history of the sport, but rather, the story of Supercross, and I’m humbled and grateful to be able to share this first screening at the great Newport Beach Film Festival.”

“Pay Dirt is a project born from a deep admiration for skill, courage and sacrifices of the incredible athletes who race Supercross, and features an all-star cast of riders including Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, Ricky Johnson, Bob Hannah, Haiden Deegan, and many others, including, speaking from prison, the man who created the sport, Michael Goodwin,” added TAUBLIEB. “Our goal was to bring their stories to life in a way that not only resonates with die-hard fans but also introduces new audiences to the world of Supercross.”

Following the Newport Beach premiere, Pay Dirt will have a special theatrical screening tied to the opening of the 2025 Monster Energy Supercross Championship at Anaheim 1. It will then be released in 500 theaters across the country. Shortly after that, the documentary will be available on popular streaming platforms.

Quotes from Early Viewers:

Motorsports journalist and publisher of Racer Magazine Paul Pfanner shared his thoughts after a sneak preview:

“I’ve watched Pay Dirt and I am awe-struck by the way this incredibly complex and nuanced narrative is crafted. This film touches my soul. There’s nowhere to hide in Pay Dirt – it feels like a confessional with my heroes and friends…and those whom I consider villains. That’s why I love it.”

Former Supercross rider Jimmy Button, who makes a powerful appearance in the film, added: “This movie does so much more than educate you on the sport of Supercross. Whether you’ve ever thrown your leg over a dirtbike or not, this film captivates your senses and emotions. You’ll learn something new, be moved emotionally, and come away dazzled.”

Supercross legends Brian Deegan and Haiden Deegan were equally impressed:

Brian: “Great storytelling about the incredible highs and lows of racing a dirt bike. Whether you’re a fan of dirt bikes or not, you’ll love this roller coaster ride of a film.”

Haiden: “Quite simply, a motivating documentary, so well made and so interesting. Don’t miss it.”

We look forward to sharing this first viewing of Pay Dirt with you and building anticipation for its nationwide release in January 2025.

About Monster Energy:

Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes, and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com.

About Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship:

Monster Energy AMA Supercross is the most competitive and highest-profile off-road motorcycle racing championship on the planet. Founded in America and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) since 1974. Over 17 weeks, Supercross attracts some of the largest and most impressive crowds inside the most recognizable and prestigious stadiums in North America to race in front of nearly one million live fans and broadcast to millions more worldwide. For more information, visit SupercrossLIVE.com.

About the SuperMotocross World Championship:

The SuperMotocross World Championship™ is the premier off-road motorcycle racing series that combines the technical precision of stadium racing with the all-out speed and endurance of outdoor racing. Created in 2022, the SuperMotocross World Championship combines the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship and the AMA Pro Motocross Championship into a 31-event series that culminates in a season-ending two round playoff and SuperMotocross World Championship Final.

Visit SuperMotocross.com for more information.

About Feld Motor Sports:

Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting specialized arena and stadium-based motorsports entertainment. Properties include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a subsidiary of Feld Entertainment, Inc. Visit monsterjam.com, SupercrossLIVE.com, and feldentertainment.com for more information.

NHRA BREAKFAST AT 2024 SEMA SHOW TO FEATURE NHRA STARS AND A SURPRISE GUEST DISCUSS STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 15, 2024) – The NHRA Breakfast, which is always one of the most popular events of the annual SEMA Show, is slated to take place Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Westgate Las Vegas Casino Paradise Event Center, hosting four NHRA stars – plus a legendary surprise guest – as part of a can’t-miss event and unique topic.

The NHRA Breakfast, a staple of the SEMA Show for more than two decades, takes place from 7:30-9 a.m. with a special topic: “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants.” NHRA stars Ron Capps, Tony Schumacher and Austin Prock, along with crew chief Jim Oberhofer will appear – as well as a celebrated surprise guest – to discuss the “giant” that helped start their drag racing career.

Capps will speak about his start with Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and later racing for Don Schumacher, while T. Schumacher will share about his time racing for his father. Oberhofer will discuss his extensive time working with legendary Connie Kalitta, and Prock will talk about his time racing for the legendary John Force and now being tuned by his father, Jimmy Prock, who is widely considered one of the greatest nitro crew chiefs of all-time.

For the sixth time, NHRA on FOX announcer Brian Lohnes will be the panel moderator for the thrilling show, asking each member of the legendary panel detailed questions about racing for some of the biggest names in NHRA history. Everyone in attendance will get the chance to listen to incredible stories from the four panel members – as well as the special guest – in a fun and festive setting at the NHRA Breakfast.

“This year’s SEMA NHRA Breakfast is going to be fantastic,” Lohnes said. “It is one thing to hear the stories of heroes, but what about the people those heroes inspired to become pro drivers and crew chiefs? Whether they are family members, legendary racers, hall of fame drivers, or the sport’s biggest personalities, this is going to be a unique experience to hear what it’s like to stand on the shoulders of giants in NHRA drag racing.

“The stories will be unfiltered, unedited and only heard live in ONE place!

“What was Prudhomme like as a new team owner? Learning to tune a Top Fuel dragster with Connie Kalitta? Having your dad be Don Schumacher!? Oh, and maybe being in the middle of one of the best Funny Car seasons in history with your pop and brother as a crew chief. You’ll never get this anywhere else!”

Schumacher is the most successful driver in Top Fuel history, picking up 88 career victories and eight world championships, while Capps has been a star driver for three decades, picking up 76 wins and three Funny Car world championships. Oberhofer has been a top-notch crew chief for years for a multitude of teams, while Prock, the 2019 NHRA Rookie of the Year, is the current points leader in Funny Car, racking up seven wins during his memorable 2024 campaign.

In addition to the must-see topic, the popular trivia questions at the end of the show will continue with NHRA prize packs, which will include tickets to the upcoming In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals, which takes place Nov. 14-17 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip to close out the 2024 NHRA season.

The NHRA stars will also appear at the NHRA Booth (#22619) at the SEMA Show for an autograph signing at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

The NHRA Breakfast at the SEMA Show will be held Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 7:30–9 a.m. at the Westgate Las Vegas Casino Paradise Event Center. The annual NHRA Breakfast is part of the 2024 SEMA Show, the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world which draws the industry’s brightest minds and products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 5-8, 2024.

The NHRA Breakfast is open to all registered SEMA Show attendees at no cost — however tickets are required. A continental breakfast will be served. To order your event ticket or register for the show, click here: Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week – 2024 SEMA Show – Special Events


About SEMA Show Industry Night: Featuring The Goo Goo Dolls

Tuesday, November 5: Kick the week off in Las Vegas style with an industry party like no other, featuring Opima Unlashed as well as performances from REIGNWOLF, O.A.R. and the legendary GOO GOO DOLLS. Gates open at 4;00pm with music from 5:00pm – 9:30pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to forge new relationships and celebrate our industry.

For more information and to purchase your tickets CLICK HERE.

About SEMA Fest

Friday, November 8 – SEMA Fest brings together the captivating world of automotive culture that can only be found at the SEMA Show with some of the biggest bands in music: Cage The Elephant, Sublime, Fitz And The Tantrums and Petey! It’s a one-of-kind live and epic event that will also feature Optima Unleashed for motorsports thrills. This is a true bucket list experience for music lovers and car enthusiasts all held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Gates open at 3:00pm with live music from 4:00pm – 10:00pm.

For more information and to purchase tickets CLICK HERE.

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Ford Performance NASCAR – 2024 Las Vegas Playoff Advance

LAS VEGAS 2

Saturday, October 19 — NASCAR Xfinity Series, 7:30 p.m. ET (CW)
Sunday, October 20 — NASCAR Cup Series, 2:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

The playoff season continues to get more intense and this weekend figures to be no different as the Round of 8 begins for the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers still alive for their respective championships. All three of Ford’s contenders still alive have won championships with Joey Logano holding a pair (2018 and 2020) and Ryan Blaney in the midst of defending his Cup title from a year ago. Cole Custer is also bidding for a repeat in the Xfinity Series.

FORD DRIVERS IN THE CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND OF 8

Ryan Blaney – 5th (-4 below the cut line)
Joey Logano – 8th (-11)
Note: Top 4 advance after Martinsville

FORD PLAYOFF DRIVERS AT LVMS

Ryan Blaney: 16 starts, 0 wins, 6 top-5, 10 top-10
Joey Logano: 22 starts, 3 wins, 7 top-5, 13 top-10

BLANEY STILL LOOKING FOR VEGAS WIN

Ryan Blaney will be making his 17th career NASCAR Cup Series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend and while he’s been consistently up front with six top-5 and 10 top-10 finishes, he’s still looking for his first victory. Blaney, who won the pole in 2018 and finished third earlier this season, is making his fifth appearance in the Round of 8.

VEGAS PROVES TO BE LOGANO’S BEST

Joey Logano has three career victories at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and those wins have helped make the track one of his best statistically on the circuit. Logano sports a 9.9 average finish in 22 career starts, which is the best among tracks he’s started 10 or more times. Besides his three Vegas victories, Logano has 7 top-5 and 13 top-10 finishes since joining the series in 2009.

RYAN BLANEY: “I love going out to the track in Vegas. I enjoy that it has two dates on the schedule and enjoy that it’s in playoffs because it does put on a really good race. I feel like that track is very underrated as far as race-ability and the type of shows that it puts on, but I think everyone loves that track. It has so much character in it and you always have to worry about the bumps. They get worse every year and the wind is always a factor because you’re out there in the desert and never know which way it will swirl. It’s a good track to kick off this round, not only for the drivers and teams, but I think for the fans to come and watch a great event. Vegas has always been a good track for us, not only as the 12 team but for Team Penske as well. It’s one of those tracks where I feel we always run really strong at, but I haven’t won there yet. I feel like we’re always there and in contention and that’s what you have to do. You have to put yourself in contention to win these races and this is a place where we’ve been really good in the past and you hope that what you learned since the spring at that race can apply.”

JOEY LOGANO: “The Vegas entertainment part, you’re talking to someone who might be a little boring when you’re talking about Vegas since you’re just going there for a work trip. I’m there to win a race, so if you want to know what the most fun thing to do there is there’s a place inside the racetrack called Victory Lane. That’s the best place to be in Vegas, so I’m gonna try to drive my car there and enjoy my time when I get there.”

ROUSH RULES

There have been two RFK drivers who have posted consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victories at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Jeff Burton won in 1999 and 2000 while Matt Kenseth did it in his championship season of 2003 and 2004. In fact, RFK has been a force in both the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR XFINITY Series at the 1.5-mile facility. The organization has posted seven NCS wins and six NXS victories for a total of 13 overall, which includes back-to-back weekend sweeps in 1999 and 2000. In addition, RFK has three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series triumphs.

SWEEP DELIGHT FOR KESELOWSKI

Brad Keselowski completed a weekend sweep in 2014 after taking the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series events on consecutive days. Even though Keselowski led the most laps in the NCS race, he needed a little bit of luck and got it on the final lap when Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was in conservation mode, ran out of gas on the back straightaway. That enabled Keselowski to win going away and post the first of his six victories that season.

COLE CUSTER REPEAT BID STILL ALIVE

Cole Custer’s bid for a second straight NASCAR Xfinity Series championship is still alive after he advanced to the Round of 8 last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Custer, who posted wins this season at Pocono and Bristol, comes into this three-race stretch seeded second, 11 points above the cut line. In eight career series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Custer has four top-5 and six top-10 finishes with his best effort being earlier this year when he was second.

FORD’S LAS VEGAS CUP SERIES WINNERS

1998 – Mark Martin

1999 – Jeff Burton

2000 – Jeff Burton

2003 – Matt Kenseth

2004 – Matt Kenseth

2008 – Carl Edwards

2011 – Carl Edwards

2014 – Brad Keselowski

2016 – Brad Keselowski

2018 – Kevin Harvick (1) and Brad Keselowski (2)

2019 – Joey Logano (1)

2020 – Joey Logano (1)

2022 – Joey Logano (2)

FORD’S LAS VEGAS XFINITY SERIES WINNERS

1999 – Mark Martin

2000 – Jeff Burton

2002 – Jeff Burton

2005 – Mark Martin

2009 – Greg Biffle

2012 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

2013 – Sam Hornish Jr.

2014 – Brad Keselowski

2017 – Joey Logano

2020 – Chase Briscoe (Sweep)

2023 – Riley Herbst (2)