Home Blog Page 828

Toyota Racing – NXS Las Vegas Quotes – Taylor Gray – 10.19.24

By
Official Release
-

Toyota Racing – Taylor Gray
NASCAR Xfinity Series Quotes

LAS VEGAS (October 19, 2024) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Taylor Gray was made available to the media on Saturday prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

TAYLOR GRAY, No. 19 Operation 300 Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

What does it mean to announce your plans for next season with Joe Gibbs Racing?

“Yeah, it means a lot – I’m really excited to get going. It has been great to work with all of the guys at JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing), and the goal is to go and have a really good year. I’m looking forward to it. I can’t tell you how excited I am to get to run these cars full time. They are so much fun to drive. I’m looking forward to it, but still trying to win a truck championship.”

Is it going to be difficult to compartmentalize with Ty Gibbs, your friend versus Ty Gibbs, the owner?

(laughter) “I think it is all good there.”

Can you talk about the advice that he is going to give you?

“Because I think he has won 11 or 12 Xfinity races and he is a Xfinity Series champion, so it is kind of hard to sit there and listen to his advice and not take it. He’s shown that he’s very successful in the racing series that he has ran in. I think I would be a fool to not sit there and take his advice.”

How do you feel like you’ve progressed this season?

“I think the biggest thing is just to get to run these cars more and more, and getting acclimated to how they drive compared to the truck – they are quite a bit different. They want different things, and they take different things, for me at least, to go fast in the cars, so just being able to get used to the cars and get acclimated with them more and understand what I like to feel in the Xfinity cars has been huge for me.”

What are reasonable expectations for your rookie season next year?

“It is kind of hard for me to pinpoint that, right? I don’t know. I haven’t really put much thought into it just because I am still focused on going and winning a Truck championship. Kind of have my back pinned against a wall on the Playoff side of things, on the Truck side. That is kind of my main focus. I haven’t out a lot of time into expectations, and things like that for next year, but I think everyone else’s expectation is for me to go and win races and run well. Honestly, the goal is to go and compete for wins and a championship.”

How difficult is it having this long of break in the Truck Series schedule?

“I’ve come to learn to hate the Truck Series schedule (laughter), because I have sat there in my points position and have been off for so many weeks and it has killed me inside, but yeah, it is tough – especially, when you are in a spot like I am and you have pretty good momentum going and it just stops – you have to stop for, I don’t know how long it has been for trucks, two or three weeks. It can be tough, but I think the biggest thing is getting back into and have to refocus.”

What do you want people to know about you as you move into the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season?

“That’s tough. That’s a tough question to answer. It’s a good question. I think the biggest thing for me – a lot of people view me as an underdog, like, I don’t have the wins that other people do. When you go and look on paper, I’m 1000 percent viewed as the underdog. I don’t mind that title. I like to fly under the radar, but I think, for me, it’s just going out and proving to people that I’m not some kid that was handed this.”

How important was it to get some races with your crew chief next season with Tyler Allen?

“It has been super important. Luckily, with the position that I was in with JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) – they have two all-star cars that you can go between, and once, we got the position where we were looking, pretty much we were set on going Xfinity racing next year, I wanted to get two different feels from two different crew chiefs. JGR gave me a very fortunate opportunity where I could do that, so it has been awesome. Both crew chiefs were awesome to work with. I’m working with Seth (Chavka) this weekend and we’ve shown speed. They’ve both been good to work with. Me and Tyler (Allen) have just clicked right off the bat, and have gotten along really well, working with him the races that I have.”

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 more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 12 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 13th 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 29 electrified options.

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

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Overview – Las Vegas

By
Official Release
-

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport
NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Overview-
Las Vegas Motor Speedway; October 19, 2024

Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway– Oval (1.5-Miles)
Race: Ambetter Health 302; 201 Laps –45/45/111; 301.5 Miles
Date/Broadcast: Saturday, October 19, 2024 4:30 PM PT (7:30 PM ET)
TV: CW Network
Radio: Performance Racing Network (PRN) – Check Local Listings for affiliate, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90
Social Media: Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport; Facebook, Instagram, and X

Jeb Burton – No. 27 Puryear Tank LInes
Chevrolet Camaro SS Preview- Las Vegas Motor Speedway

News and Notes:

  • Practice; After passing NASCAR technical inspection, Jeb Burton and the No. 27 Puryear Tank Lines Chevrolet would take to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) for a scheduled split group 15-minute practice session on Friday afternoon. Burton would put down a fast lap of 30.685 at 175.982 mph on Lap-1 of his 20-lap session ranking the Virginia diver 14th of the 38 cars entered for the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) Ambetter Health 302.

– Starting Position; After the checkered flag would fly on the 15-minute practice session, NXS teams would move directly into qualifying for the Saturday’s Ambetter Health 302. In 2024, Intermediate sized tracks will use a single-lap of qualifying to determine the starting lineup. Taking to the track 24th, Burton would record a 29.886 at 180.687 placing the Puryear Tank Lines Chevrolet 15th quick on the board. Burton will start the Ambetter Health 302 inside Row 8 in the 15th position Saturday afternoon.

– Las Vegas Motor Speedway Stats; Saturday’s scheduled NXS Ambetter Health 302 will mark Burton’s 9th NXS start at LVMS. In eight previous starts, Burton holds an average finish of 19.8 with an 88.5% lap completion rate finishing 1419 laps of the possible 1603. Burton has one Top-Ten finish coming in 2021 when he claimed the 10th position after starting in 5th spot. During the Spring visit to LVMS, Burton would finish in the 25th spot after starting 23rd.

Featured Partner

  • Puryear Tank Lines; Puryear Tank Lines is a family-owned and operated business that dates back 3 generations. Specializing in bulk tank delivery of LPG, butane, liquid asphalt and bulk cement. At Puryear they make it their mission to treat both our clients and employees with respect and provide customers with the service they deserve. Puryear Tank Lines promises to provide high-quality transportation services in a safe and efficient way. Visit Puyear Tank Lines online and learn how to become a driver today. Drive4Puryear.com

Parker Retzlaff – No. 31 FUNKAWAY
Chevrolet Camaro SS Preview- Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Social Media; Facebook, X, Instagram

  • Practice; Once clearing NASCAR technical inspection, Parker Retzlaff would make his first laps of the weekend driving the No. 31 FUNKAWAY Chevrolet in a scheduled 20-minute practice session. Retzlaff would register a quick lap of 30.766 at 175.518 mph on Lap-3 of his 14-lap stint putting the young Wisconsin driver 19th overall of the 38 cars entered for the NXS Ambetter Health 302.

– Starting Position; Upon completion of the 15-minute practice session, NXS teams would lineup for Saturday’s Ambetter Health 302 qualifying. In 2024, Intermediate sized tracks will use a single-lap of qualifying to determine the starting lineup. Taking to the track immediately after his teammate, Retzlaff would record a 30.167 at 179.004 putting the FUNKAWAY Chevrolet 20th fastest. Retzlaff will lineup outside Row 10 in the 20th position for Ambetter Health 302.

  • Las Vegas Motor Speedway Stats; The Ambetter Health 302 on Saturday afternoon will mark Retzlaff’s 5th career NXS start at LVMS. In four previous starts, Retzlaff has an average finish of 26.8 with an 87.3% lap completion rate finishing 700 laps of the possible 802. In the Spring Retzlaff would lay down a super quick qualifying effort starting in the 4th position and would be fast the first 115-laps before inquiring a fuel pump issue would side line his day ultimately finishing in the 35th spot.

Featured Partner

  • FUNKAWAY; Headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, FUNKAWAY is a line of odor elimination products that removes the horrible effects of bad smells. Guaranteed to work on clothing, shoes, gear, pet products, car interiors and more, FUNKAWAY allows customers to renew and refresh, rather than throw away. To learn more about FUNKAWAY, visit FUNKAWAY.com and connect on Instagram and Facebook.

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.

Ford Performance NASCAR: Riley Herbst Las Vegas Media Availability

By
Official Release
-

RILEY HERBST, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WHAT ARE THE EMOTIONS COMING BACK HERE THIS WEEKEND AFTER WINNING A YEAR AGO? “It’s always special to come back home, but I would say this weekend is obviously a little bit bittersweet for sure. As you mentioned, I feel like we’ll have really good pace this weekend and I would be surprised if we’re not in the top three coming to the checkered flag tomorrow. With us not being in this Round of 8 it’s kind of bittersweet with that being said, but it’s always exciting to get back here to Las Vegas. I love this racetrack and we’ve had pretty good pace here the last two years, so hopefully it continues and I think it will.”

HOW DO YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK AND HOW TO YOU RESET? “I don’t know. It boils down to that we weren’t fast enough. There’s no reason why we should have been racing in 15th and racing who we were racing, but at the end of the day, even if we didn’t get in that wreck I’ve said publicly now that it was gonna be tough for us to transfer just with the bottom four running one, two, three and four at one point during the race. I thought plus-20 was enough going into the Roval, but ultimately it wasn’t so it’s frustrating. Last year, we won here and finished second at Homestead and fourth at Martinsville and fourth at Phoenix, so we’ll try to do that again this year and just win some trophies, I guess.”

HOW MUCH OF A CHALLENGE IS THAT FOR YOU WITH WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK? “I think last week the mindset was just a lot of anger, just like that gimmick of a racetrack at the Roval and then focusing on this round, which is so much better of a round for us with two mile-and-a-halves and a short track. Now the outlook is more positive and just looking to win back-to-back in my hometown and have another solid finish at Miami and another solid finish at Martinsville and kind of end this chapter of my life with Stewart-Haas Racing on a high note and try to go out with some wins.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU’VE GROWN AT HANDLING ADVERSITY LIKE LAST WEEK? “I would say it’s evolved greatly over the last few years and, honestly, just over the past year. I think it’s OK for everybody to go through different types of emotions and last Saturday I was definitely, like I said, filled with anger and disappointment for not making this Round of 8, where I have so much confidence coming into these next three racetracks, but at the end of the day I woke up on Monday and I just continued to move forward. It’s not really the end of the world. Missing the Round of 8 is not gonna damper what’s gonna happen to me next year, so I kind of had to shift my mindset to that and just go out and try to do the best I can this weekend at home and the next three races after that.”

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU NEXT YEAR? HAVE YOU BEEN HELD UP WITH THE CHARTER SITUATION? “I think there’s a lot of things holding back the dominoes to fall and I’m not the first one to initiate the fall of the dominoes, so I’ll leave it at that. Hopefully, everything will sort itself out here shortly, but I don’t see anything happening in the meantime.”

SO IF YOU ARE GOING INTO A CUP RIDE, WHICH WE’RE EXPECTING TO HEAR SOMETHING AT SOME POINT, HOW HAVE YOU PREPARED TO GET TO THAT POINT IN YOUR CAREER? “I think that’s a lot of speculation.”

IF SO, THOUGH, WHAT STEPS HAVE YOU TAKEN FROM A PROFESSIONAL STANDPOINT TO PREPARE YOURSELF IF THAT’S THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR CAREER? “Like I said, if it comes to that, we’ll think of the steps we’ve taken at that announcement at a later date. Right now, there’s a lot of moving pieces. Nothing is by any means set, so I don’t know what steps I’ve taken or what steps I’ve not taken. We’re just kind of focusing on these next four races and trying to go out on top to end Stewart-Haas Racing and that chapter where I’m at now. I feel like I’ve grown a bunch over the last four years, I would say at the end of five years now, so we’ll see what happens, but nothing in the short time, for sure.”

WHO HAVE YOU LEANED ON FOR A MENTOR THE LAST COUPLE OF SEASONS? “I think I’ve mentioned it a lot, but the biggest person would probably be Kevin Harvick. He’s helped me tremendously. I’ve obviously leaned on my past crew chief, Richard Boswell, and my current crew chief, Davin Restivo, quite a bit and I think they’ve all helped me take gigantic steps personally and professionally in my racing career, so I’m very thankful to them.”

TAKE ME THROUGH THE WIN AT INDY AND HOW PIVOTAL WAS THAT AS FAR AS A TURNING POINT IN YOUR CAREER? “I think just the weight of Indy is bigger than anything. Indianapolis is such a historic racetrack and everybody’s love for motorsports takes them to Indianapolis and it’s just a special feeling when you walk in that place. On a personal level, it was just cool to get my second win. Everybody wanted to know when I was gonna win the first race, and then I won the first race here last year, and then that question was, ‘When are you gonna win the second one?’ So, I finally got that done and now I want to win a few more before my time with Stewart-Haas Racing is over and I think that’s achievable. It’s helped me tremendously going from one win to two wins and that’s just a lot of confidence for myself.”

Ford Performance NASCAR: Cole Custer Las Vegas Media Availability

By
Official Release
-

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Ambetter Health 302 Advance | Friday, October 18, 2024

COLE CUSTER, No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse – DO YOU FEEL SHR STILL HAS THE KIND OF POWER RILEY HAD LAST YEAR? “I think so, for sure. I mean, Riley had speed here in the spring and we finished second here in the spring. To win by I think 14 seconds or whatever he won by, that’ll be tough, but I feel like this should be a really solid track for us. We have a great notebook here and I think we should be able to hopefully have a good points day.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL THIS ROUND SETS UP FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM? “I think great. I think the mile-and-a-halves have been really solid for us this year, so we’re looking forward to it. I think Vegas and Homestead are really good tracks for us. Martinsville has been at times a good track for us, and you never know at that place with how it gets at the end of that race. At the end of the day, we just need to go out here and have some solid days and I think we’ll be where we need to be.”

HOW EXCITED ARE YOU ABOUT GOING TO NXT ON TUESDAY? “That’ll be pretty cool. I’m not positive what the plan is yet, so we’ll see if I’m gonna have to learn some wrestling moves or what I’m gonna have to do, but it’s been really cool working with CW and NXT, and having the wrestlers at the racetrack at Kansas, so it’s been cool working with them.”

IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE FOR YOU ON WHO THE OTHER DRIVERS IN THE ROUND OF 8 ARE? SOME MADE IT THAT WEREN’T EXPECTED TO AND VICE VERSA. “It doesn’t change things too much, really. You just go about your business and maximize your day as much as you can, so I wouldn’t say it really changes us very much, but at the end of the day there are really eight competitive teams that are going for four spots. It’s gonna be tough no matter what. This round is always tough with how competitive the teams are in it, so it’s very easy to get too much this round and make a mistake, and you just have to make sure you maximize your day and don’t put yourself in that situation where you’re in a must-win.”

WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU ABOUT FATHERHOOD? “I don’t know. I mean I feel like obviously the sleep is tough, so you have to figure all that out. It’s just non-stop. I mean, you always have something to do it seems like, and I think you just get more and more of a rhythm with it. My wife, Kari, has done a great job adapting to it. Unfortunately, she’s not here this weekend because it’s hard to travel this far, but it’s hard because you’re not there with them all the time. I think just really shows how great of a job my wife does taking care of him. It’s been really great so far.”

WHAT’S THE LATEST BABY STORY YOU’RE TELLING EVERYBODY? “Taking him to Charlotte was really cool. We got to go to the Roval. One thing that’s been tough is our dog ate a part of his baby bottle, so she had to have surgery to get that taken out, so that was interesting. It’s been great so far.”

WHAT DID WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR MEAN FOR YOU? “It was huge. I think just having that on your resume can quiet a lot of people about what you can do behind the wheel. A lot of people can’t say that they’re a NASCAR champion, so it’s a huge deal for me and I think there’s no reason why we can’t go back-to-back here and have a shot at it.”

WHAT WOULD A SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP MEAN? “I think it would just be another statement, but I think at the end of the day you just don’t get many chances to win championships, so to have two years where you can go win championships and hopefully go back-to-back, that’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing so you have to give it everything you’ve got. I think all of our guys have earned it. I think everybody at SHR who has been a part of this deal, I mean everybody in that shop on the Cup side and the Xfinity side has touched this thing, so to win would mean a ton this year with everything that’s going on.”

HAS THE MUSTACHE BEEN GOOD LUCK SO FAR IN THE PLAYOFFS AND HOW LONG WILL YOU KEEP IT? “It hasn’t been bad. We went to Bristol and we won, so then I had to keep it from there so Bristol was good and it was solid through the first round, so hopefully we can just keep riding it out.”

DOES YOUR WIFE LIKE IT? “Yeah, she wanted me to do it surprisingly, so it’s been good.”

HAVE YOU TAKEN ANY STEPS LIKE GOING IN THE SIM TO GET READY FOR CUP NEXT YEAR OR IS IT ALL EYES ON THE XFINITY CHAMPIONSHIP? “There’s definitely been little things to try and get ahead on, talking with my crew chief for next year, Aaron, on how to go about things and how our processes are gonna be and different things that I like in the car and don’t. I think that’s been a little bit, but at the end of the day we are just super focused on this year and trying to finish it out strong. That will come in the offseason. It will be a really busy offseason to put all that together how we need to, but I think right now we’re just focused on this championship.”

DO YOU HAVE A POINTS NUMBER IN MIND THAT YOU’LL AIM FOR EACH WEEKEND IF YOU DON’T WIN? Not really. I mean, I think you maybe start overthinking it a little bit too much at that point, just because you’re gonna go out there and maximize whatever you’re gonna maximize, so having a point number that you’re trying to hit, that’s a little bit tough. You just try and maximize what you can and don’t put yourself in any really bad spots and your speed is gonna end up wherever it is and you’re gonna end up where you end up. You don’t get desperate until you get to Martinsville and kind of sort it out from there.”

WHAT IS THE FEELING LIKE KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO BEING IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP 4 AGAIN? “It feels like it’s almost tougher because everybody expects us to be the champions and expects us to be there, but at the end of the day I feel like there are eight really solid teams out here. It’s gonna be a tough round and we just have to maximize our days and take them one step at a time and see where that gets us, but it’s not gonna be easy. I don’t think it was easy last year for us, so it’s kind of similar in both years.”

YOU ARE THE ONLY SHR CAR STILL IN CONTENTION FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP. HOW MUCH HELP ARE YOU GETTING FROM THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION NOW WITH ONLY FOUR RACES LEFT? “I think it’s all similar. I think everybody has put a lot into our program, so I think going for this championship and being SHR’s last year it means a ton for us to have a shot at this thing. I think everybody is gonna give it everything we’ve got and there’s no reason why we can’t go out there and compete for it. It would definitely mean a lot for this whole building.”

HOW MUCH OF A JERK DO YOU HAVE TO BE IN THIS ROUND ON THE TRACK? “That’s the thing, I think some people think about it that way in that you have to be more aggressive and more of a jerk, but I think at the end of the day you just have to go out there and maximize what you’ve got. I think you put yourself in those situations where you try and be aggressive you’re giving yourself a 25 percent chance of wrecking probably, so at the end of the day you just try and go out there and maximize your day – cross the t’s and dot the i’s and from there your speed is gonna end up wherever it ends up. If you don’t have what you need, it’s gonna be what it’s gonna be and hopefully it’s better the next week, but you digging yourself a hole trying to be aggressive and then wrecking for one spot, that’s how you put yourself in a must-win situation, in my opinion.”

WHAT KIND OF DOG IS HONEY? “She’s a Portuguese Water Dog, kind of like part of the Doodle family a little bit. She’s all good. She’s recovering, but we had a little bit of a scare there.”

WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN? “A week and a half ago, right before Charlotte.”

IT WAS PART OF THE BABY BOTTLE? “Yeah, it was like this part of the bottle that goes into the center of the bottle. It’s hard to explain, but it’s this piece of rubber and it was too big for it to be in there, so we had to get it taken out.”

Rowe Starts Anew by Leading Chris Griffis Memorial Test at IMS

By
Official Release
-

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 18, 2024) – So far, so good for Myles Rowe and ABEL Motorsports.

Rowe led the Chris Griffis Memorial Test for INDY NXT by Firestone drivers Oct. 18 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the team he has joined for the 2025 season, ABEL Motorsports. Rowe’s top time was 1 minute, 15.1848 seconds in the No. 99 ABEL Motorsports with Force Indy car, turned during the afternoon session on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course.

“Taking it step by step,” Rowe said. “I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. We’re on the right path. We’re getting somewhere.”

2023 USF Pro 2000 champion Rowe joined the ABEL team for the 2025 season after racing for HMD Motorsports in his first season of the INDYCAR development series in 2024. He placed 11th in the standings, recording two top-five finishes.

Series newcomer Dennis Hauger made an impressive debut by ending up second at 1:15.3285 in the No. 28 Andretti Global car. FIA Formula 3 champion and FIA Formula 2 race winner Hauger, from Norway, led the morning session at 1:15.6896.

Another Andretti Global and series newcomer, 2024 USF Pro 2000 champion Lochie Hughes, was third overall at 1:15.3736 in the No. 26 machine. Series veteran Callum Hedge was fourth at 1:15.4443 in the No. 17 ABEL Motorsports car.

Liam Sceats rounded out the top five at 1:15.5162 in the No. 30 HMD Motorsports car. USF Pro 2000 veteran Sceats has not been named to a car yet for the 2025 INDY NXT season but grabbed attention up and down the IMS pit lane with his performance.

Twenty-two drivers from six teams combined to turn 1,572 laps during the test, named in memory of Chris Griffis, the team manager of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports who passed away suddenly in September 2011.

The 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season starts Sunday, March 2 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Combined Results of Practice INDY NXT by Firestone Test Session 2 October 18, 2024

RankCarDriver NameC/E/TSessionTimeSpeedTotal Laps
199Rowe, MylesD/ /FTest Session 201:15.1848116.78461
228Hauger, Dennis (R)D/ /FTest Session 201:15.3285116.56175
326Hughes, Lochie (R)D/ /FTest Session 201:15.3736116.49254
417Hedge, CallumD/ /FTest Session 201:15.4443116.38376
530Sceats, Liam (R)D/ /FTest Session 201:15.5162116.27271
623Collet, CaioD/ /FTest Session 201:15.5761116.1879
739Aron, BryceD/ /FTest Session 201:15.6404116.08165
814Pierson, JoshD/ /FTest Session 201:15.7623115.89467
93Escotto, Ricardo (R)D/ /FTest Session 201:15.7890115.85369
1022Sundaramoorthy, YuvenD/ /FTest Session 201:15.8211115.80481
1127de Alba Jr., SalvadorD/ /FTest Session 201:15.8316115.78866
1229Roe, JamesD/ /FTest Session 201:15.8839115.70867
1376Mossman, Frankie (R)D/ /FTest Session 201:15.9394115.62459
142Denmark, Jace (R)D/ /FTest Session 201:16.0333115.48186
1518Mason, Josh (R)D/ /FTest Session 201:16.0568115.44566
1644Brooks, ChristianD/ /FTest Session 201:16.1463115.3167
1740Miller, Jack WilliamD/ /FTest Session 201:16.2615115.13584
1811Allaer, NolanD/ /FTest Session 201:16.3775114.96168
1975Koreiba, Alexander (R)D/ /FTest Session 201:16.6147114.60576
2051Missig, JordanD/ /FTest Session 201:16.6289114.58384
2116Smith, Tommy (R)D/ /FTest Session 201:16.7289114.43484
2238Deegan, Hailie (R)
(R) Rookie		D/ /FTest Session 201:18.9038111.2867

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE LINE FOR NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES COMPETITORS AT THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

By
Official Release
-
NHRA Summit Racing Series

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 18, 2024) – After a thrilling road to Las Vegas, 40 standout competitors are now ready to race for a NHRA Summit Racing Series National Championship as part of the upcoming Ford Performance NHRA Nationals, which takes place Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

This annual event pits the nation’s top drivers from the NHRA Summit Series, which has a list 75,000 drivers at NHRA member tracks across North America, looking for their shot at a championship in the Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle and Street Legal EV categories.

The ”Road to Vegas” started with racers competing in the Summit E.T. Finals across the seven NHRA divisions, with winners advancing to take part in the championship as part of the national event. It’s the culmination of an impressive program that includes nearly $300,000 in annual series contingency postings up for grabs. Along with the purse, also up for grabs is a national championship Wally trophy, a championship jacket and much more.

“We’re thrilled to be part of another incredible season in the NHRA Summit Series and everyone at Summit Racing Equipment is looking forward to a tremendous finish in Las Vegas and the chance to crown national champions,” said Jim Greenleaf, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports & Events Manager. “These racers deserve a spotlight like the one they will get in Las Vegas and it’s also exciting to see some of the new special prizes and opportunities that have been added to the weekend for the competitors. There continues to be great growth and participation in the series, and we can’t wait to see who becomes a NHRA Summit Racing Series National Champion.”

This season, the series continued to boast incredible participation, as each of the NHRA divisions offered a multitude of new and unique items at their respective Summit E.T. Finals. An Eastern Canadian E.T. Finals also took place for the first time in NHRA history in 2024 at Napierville Dragway in Quebec. The E.T. Finals there were a championship-level event mirroring the seven NHRA Divisional E.T. Finals currently contested.

Now, it finishes with a must-see national championship in Las Vegas and a diverse group of drivers competing in many types of vehicles, including dragsters, roadsters, sedans, coupes, motorcycles, and electric cars.

On the line is ultimate bragging rights, trophies and the impressive purse. The intense racing action in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle and Street Legal EV categories will put on a memorable experience at the NHRA Summit Racing Series National Championship in Las Vegas, and it’s a weekend filled with excitement for the 40 competitors.

It starts with a welcome dinner on Thursday, Oct. 31, which will also feature a chip draw for the first four positions, who will then call out the remaining drivers to set the first-round matchups.

Special prizes will also be raffled off between the 40 finalists, including NHRA suite passes for a day, experience a nitro car warmup in the pits and more. All finalists will have marquee access during Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying sessions, as well as a parade in front of the grandstands in Vegas and introductions during the official pre-race ceremonies at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, putting the racers in front of the fans before running for a championship.

“It’s been a terrific year in the NHRA Summit Series, which continues to be a great way for a driver to compete in NHRA Drag Racing. That entry-level foundation of our sportsman programs remains a vital part of the sport’s growth and longevity, which makes a weekend like the one in Las Vegas so exciting,” said Evan Jonat, NHRA Vice President of Live Events. “Each of the classes have enjoyed strong support in 2024 and it’s great to see outstanding partners like Summit Racing Equipment see the value and importance in this series.”

For more information on the NHRA Summit Racing Series, visit https://www.nhra.com/sportsman.

2024 NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITORS

DIVISIONNAMECLASS
Division 1Richard CopertinoSuper Pro
Division 1Paul NorthropPro ET
Division 1David Harvey IIISportsman
Division 1Heather BamoundMotorcycle
Division 1Danny HoffStreet Legal EV
Division 1Jeff Kushinskie (wild card)Super Pro
Division 2Michael CarpenterSuper Pro
Division 2William CraftPro ET
Division 2Bart PangilinanSportsman
Division 2Jerry TurnerMotorcycle
Division 2Mark HortonStreet Legal EV
Division 2Josh Carroll (wild card)Sportsman
Division 3Scott SillSuper Pro
Division 3Andrew InnesPro ET
Division 3Nick HastingsSportsman
Division 3Jason DrnachMotorcycle
Division 3Scott SheppeardStreet Legal EV
Division 3Steven Collier (wild card)Street Legal EV
Division 4Jacob “Crue” GarrettSuper Pro
Division 4Alvie MerrillPro ET
Division 4Camron NelsonSportsman
Division 4Cody CouchMotorcycle
Division 4Camron NelsonStreet Legal EV
Division 5Andrew QuinnSportsman
Division 5Gordon FangmeyerMotorcycle
Division 5Tyler VaughnSuper Pro
Division 5Jean MiltonPro ET
Division 5Jimmy Paulson (wild card)Motorcycle
Division 5Todd LarsonStreet Legal EV
Division 6Zach MeziereSuper Pro
Division 6Tony PricePro ET
Division 6Charles BurkeicsSportsman
Division 6Marty ReevesMotorcycle
Division 6Michael WebsterStreet Legal EV
Division 7David MyhreSuper Pro
Division 7Tim O’MoorePro ET
Division 7CW HoeferSportsman
Division 7Dan SchneiderMotorcycle
Division 7Omar LeonStreet Legal EV
Division 7Noel Cuevas (wild card)Pro ET

About Summit Racing Equipment

Summit Racing Equipment has been the World’s Speed Shop® for over 50 years! Summit Racing is the world’s largest e-commerce, mail order, and retailer of performance automotive parts and accessories. Summit Racing offers a huge selection of parts in stock from over 1,500 manufacturers for all forms of racing, street performance, off-roading, restoration, tools, and yes, diesel. It also offers fast ground service shipping to most areas of the country and same-day shipping on in-stock items. Summit Racing has the industry’s top-rated customer service and a full-time technical department to answer your questions. With headquarters in Tallmadge, Ohio, Summit operates distribution and retail stores in Tallmadge, Sparks, NV, McDonough, GA, and Arlington, TX.

Summit Racing Equipment
www.summitracing.com
1-800-230-3030

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.

RCR Race Preview: Las Vegas Motor Speedway

By
Official Release
-

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway… In 86 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing boasts 12 top-five and 28 top-10 finishes. In 2023, Kyle Busch led RCR with a third-place finish in the fall event at the Nevada oval.

RCR in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway… RCR has five wins at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, most recently by Austin Hill in March 2023. Other drivers to win in Xfinity Series competition for the Welcome, N.C.-based organization include Kevin Harvick (2004), Jeff Burton (2007), Austin Dillon (2015) and Tyler Reddick (2019). RCR has racked up four poles in the Xfinity Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with drivers Kevin Harvick (2007), Ty Dillon (2014), A. Dillon (2015) and Myatt Snider (2020).

Moving on to the Round of 8… After last week’s Round of 12 conclusion at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, both Richard Childress Racing drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series advanced to the Round of 8. Austin Hill currently holds the third position in the driver championship point standings, nine points behind leader Justin Allgaier. Jesse Love enters as the sixth place seed, 12 points below the cutline.

Catch the Action on Saturday… The NASCAR Xfinity Series Ambetter Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, October 19, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on the CW. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Follow Sunday’s Action at Las Vegas… The NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, October 20, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Boot Barn Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway… In 18 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Austin Dillon has two top-five and three top-10 finishes. Dillon has completed 99.7 percent of all the laps run at the 1.5-mile oval. Dillon finished 16th earlier this year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Former Winner… Dillon is a two-time winner at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 2013 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion went to Victory Lane in Xfinity Series competition at the track in March 2015, leading 183 of the scheduled 200 laps. Dillon also earned a NASCAR Truck Series win at the track in September 2010.

The Carolina Cowboys Finish Out the Season in Las Vegas… As the General Manager of the Carolina Cowboys, a professional bull riding team in the PBR Team Series, Dillon has spent much of this week managing his roster of cowboys as they prepare for the PBR Teams Championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Cowboys head into Las Vegas as the No. 2 seed in the PBR Team Series Standings with 18 wins, nine losses, and one tie.

About Boot Barn… What started out as one store in 1978 has since become the largest western and work wear retailer in the nation. We say that our customers feed America, build America, and protect America. With an uncompromising desire to support the local communities we serve, we proudly offer the broadest selection of cowboy boots, work boots, western wear, workwear, western-inspired fashion, and outdoor gear. It is an honor to support the varying lifestyles of the people who make our country so great.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on Las Vegas Motor Speedway?

“Las Vegas Motor Speedway has always been one of my favorite tracks. It’s big, fast, bumpy, and it has a lot of lines that you can choose from. I’m looking forward to going there this weekend in the No. 3 Boot Barn Chevrolet. Being able to turn through the bumps in Turn 1 is very important. In Turn 3, you can’t miss the entry. The track has gotten a lot of character over the last couple of years, and that is what makes it fun to drive. We’re on a mission on the No. 3 team to turn our luck around and Las Vegas is the perfect place to do that.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 FICO Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway… Kyle Busch made his first NASCAR Cup Series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 7, 2004, and since then, he has gone on to achieve much success at his home track. Busch will make his 27th Cup Series start this weekend at the Nevada oval. He won from the pole position in 2009 and remains the only driver in track history to accomplish the feat. The Las Vegas native has racked up 12 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes, including five top-five results in the last seven Las Vegas races (dating back to 2021). Busch also has secured two pole positions (2008 and 2009) at the 1.5-mile track.

An Impressive Track Record… Busch owns numerous Cup Series records at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In 2009, he became the youngest race winner (23 years, 9 months, and 27 days) in track history. Among active drivers Busch owns the most top-five finishes (12) and starts (26).

Welcome FICO… FICO, Richard Childress Racing and Busch are teaming up to raise awareness about the need for financial education. For the millions of NASCAR fans across the country, knowledge about money, financial planning, how credit works and the importance of building good financial habit are critical life skills. FICO, RCR and Busch want to share information and resources so that everyone in the NASCAR community can achieve their financial goals, such as paying for education, buying a home, or running a business.

FICO is a leading analytics software firm best known for its gold standard FICO® Score. Learn more about the FICO, RCR and Busch partnership, here: https://www.fico.com/en/newsroom/fico-and-richard-childress-racing-kick-financial-and-credit-education-partnership-nascar.

Meet Busch… On Saturday, October 19 at 12 Noon local time, Busch is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Fan Zone at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wristband will be required for access.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

You ran well at the spring race in Las Vegas Motor Speedway. How satisfying would it be to run strong again and finish well at this race?

“We did run well there in the spring so it would be really nice to back up that run this weekend. Since the summer break, we have gotten faster as a group thanks to all the effort and hard work by everyone at RCR and ECR. Now we just need to put a whole race together in order to score a win.”

Do you agree that racing at the mile-and-a-half tracks has been good recently?

“I would say that there have been some good races on the mile-and-a-half race tracks this year. We have definitely seen some exciting finishes and some great battles.”

The Cup Series race has an early start time on Sunday. Would you be in favor of starting Cup Series races earlier in the day instead of mid-afternoon?

“I think the start times for Cup Series races should always be around the 1 p.m. local time window wherever we are.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway… Jesse Love has made one career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, coming earlier this season in just the third race of his rookie campaign. The 19-year-old showed speed throughout the event but had problems on pit road before finishing in the 17th position. Growing up in Menlo Park, California, Love attended races at the 1.5-mile oval in person throughout his life.

Did You Know? Love currently leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year points standings and is the only yellow stripe competitor to advance to the Round of 8.

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 19 at 1:10 p.m. local time, Love and his RCR teammate Austin Hill are scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Stop by to meet the young gun and purchase new No. 2 team gear.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

What is your thought process as the Round of 8 begins at Las Vegas Motor Speedway?

“The Round of 8 is going to be harder for sure, but it’s tracks that are really good for me personally. This is where I’m going to have to take the gloves off and make something happen. We will take each race as it comes, starting with this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We are coming in below the cutline, but everyone is close enough that if we maximize the day each week, I believe our team is good enough to make it to Phoenix Raceway. And if we can get there, we have a really good shot of winning the championship.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Global Industrial Chevrolet at Las Vegas Motor Speedway… Austin Hill has made six career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, earning one win and four top-10 finishes. In eight NASCAR Truck Series starts at the Nevada speedway, the 30-year-old has led a total of 80 laps and captured two wins (fall 2019, fall 2020), four top-five, and six top-10 results.

Memory Bank… The last time Hill drove the Global Industrial colors at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the No. 21 Chevrolet claimed the checkered flag and drove to Victory Lane. In March 2023, the Winston, Georgia native started from the ninth position and moved forward to earn the Stage 2 victory. Running in second place with 10 laps to go, Hill consistently chased then leader Chandler Smith to make a late-race pass and secure the victory.

About Global Industrial Company… Global Industrial Company (NYSE:GIC), is a value-added distributor. For 75 years, Global Industrial has gone the extra mile for its customers, currently offering hundreds of thousands of industrial and MRO products needed to run businesses and facilities. Global Industrial is committed to its customer-centric strategy, and utilizes a team of subject matter experts, Global Industrial Exclusive Brands™ products and national vendor relationships to help customers succeed. Global Industrial. “We Can Supply That®”.

Meet Hill… On Saturday, October 19 at 1:10 p.m. local time, Hill and his RCR teammate Jesse Love are scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Immediately following at 1:30 p.m. local time, Hill will visit the South Point Casino booth in the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fan Zone to sign autographs and greet fans. Stop by to meet the nine-time Xfinity Series winner and purchase new gear before the green flag waves.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

With past success at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, what is the outlook for the No. 21 team this weekend?

“If you look at my career stats at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, in both the Truck Series and the Xfinity Series, we’ve found ways to run well inside the top-10 even on our off days. If there is one racetrack that is circled on my calendar during the Playoffs, it has to be this weekend. It is because of how well I’ve run there in the past and the fact that I’ve won there at both levels. Last season in the fall race, we finished seventh and our race car wasn’t the greatest, but it showed that even with a car that wasn’t where we wanted it to be, we could still finish strong. It’s a track that our team goes into with a mindset of if we are running inside the top-five in the closing laps, we have a very good shot of winning. Obviously if you can win this weekend, you are locked into the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway and that is our ultimate goal.”

JDX Racing Rides Road Atlanta Win to Porsche Carrera Cup Finale at Circuit of the Americas

By
Official Release
-

Alex Sedgwick, Zachary Vanier, Elias De La Torre and Madeline Stewart Return in Season’s Final Race Weekend in Support of the United States Grand Prix

AUSTIN, Texas (October 18, 2024) – Less than seven days has passed since Zachary Vanier’s second and the team’s third win of the season, but JDX Racing has already arrived at Circuit of the Americas for the Porsche Carrera Cup North America season finale and a chance to secure strong finishes for both the team and its four drivers in the season-long standings.

Vanier’s double podium began with Thursday’s race at Road Atlanta, where he started from third on the grid in his No. 9 Technica Mining/Byers Imports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and made a lap one move to slide around both his polesitting teammate in Alex Sedgwick and the championship leader Loek Hartog in the 10a/10b complex.

Not even a full course caution could slow Vanier once he found the lead. A safety car with 30 minutes to go in the 40-minute timed race erased a gap of more than two seconds, but a strong restart allowed him to hold the point. Vanier raced home for a 1.078-secon win for his second victory of the season, following it up with a third-place finish on Friday.

Sedgwick earned his fourth pole position of the season in the No. 98 PT Autosport/Byers Imports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup after a red-flag marred qualifying session and began Thursday’s race up front. His battle with the second-place car was one that opened the door for his teammate to take the lead but dropped him to fourth at the finish. He started third on Friday, losing the position to a hard-charging Vanier early on, and earned a second-consecutive fourth-place finish.

Elias De La Torre drove his No. 4 HCB Yachts/iKon Boats/Porsche Columbus Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to a pair of finishes inside the top 10 at Road Atlanta. De La Torre took advantage of the qualifying session red flags to start Thursday’s race on the outside of row three, putting him in the thick of the action before finishing 10th. He improved one spot at the checkered flag on Friday for a ninth-place finish.

Madeline Stewart was in the mix at the front of the field during Thursday’s race before an incident led to contact and ended her day after just seven laps. The JDX Racing crew went to work to have her No. 82 Spool Imports/Byers Imports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup ready for Friday’s race, and she fought back for a 10th-place finish of her own.

That weekend set up this week’s showdown in support of the Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Texas track. Sedgwick enters the season-finale doubleheader second in the Pro Class driver standings, seven points ahead of third place and 27 points ahead of Vanier in fourth. De La Torre is 10th, just three points from ninth place, with Stewart 15th in her rookie season of the championship.

All four enter Circuit of the Americas fresh off a recent test at the circuit, which includes a repave in advance of this season’s Formula One race that was completed in September. That provided data on the new surface, which Sedgwick, Vanier and Stewart can contrast with an early-season Porsche Endurance Challenge race that each participated in – co-driving with JDX Racing Porsche Sprint Challenge drivers.

Vanier will compete this weekend with another year of life experience under his belt, having turned 22-years-old on Wednesday of race week.

The Circuit of the Americas weekend begins with a single practice session on Friday in advance of Formula One’s Sprint Race Qualifying. Porsche Carrera Cup qualifying is at 9:50 a.m. CDT on Saturday morning, with the first of two 35-minute races at 3:40 p.m. CDT. Sunday’s race begins at noon CDT, the last official on-track session before the United States Grand Prix.

JDX Racing Quote Board

Zachary Vanier, Driver, No. 9 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, following his Road Atlanta win: “That win absolutely amazing. It by far ranks as one of the best, if not the best, race of my career. It was perfectly executed by the entire JDX Racing team. We were there testing and I felt like we left with a pretty good program and something we could compete with and I think we showed that. We had a really strong qualifying that put us in contention for this and then of course capitalized on everything we possibly could. I am absolutely thrilled, I can’t thank JDX Racing and all of my partners for being with me through this.”

Alex Sedgwick, Driver, No. 98 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: “We have one more shot for a good weekend remaining in Carrera Cup, to finish on a high note. It’s been an awesome journey, and I’ve learned so much, thanks to the support and guidance from both JDX and PT Autosport. I really want to repay them for my opportunity in this series with two strong results, and underline what I am capable of as we look to graduate for the 2025 season. Our test here was one of the best tests we’ve had. We started well straightaway. It probably helped that I was there earlier in the year with (JDX Racing teammate) Eric Lapp for the USAC Endurance Challenge opener. It was more a matter of figuring out parts of the track that have been resurfaced, to see if they required a different driving input – so the test was more about just driving and working on the “on the fly” changes that I can do inside the car rather than overall set up. This surface seems almost slicker than it was, the tire can’t bite into it as much. It’s still quite dark and absorbs a good amount of heat.”

Madeline Stewart, Driver, No. 82 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: “Round Seven of the Carrera Cup North America was a mixed bag for us. We showcased strong pace, qualifying and finishing 10th in race two. We faced a DNF in race one, which is part of racing. The key takeaway is that we made significant progress last week. This championship is incredibly competitive, and it takes more than that to achieve results. We are working hard every day to continue to develop and find those little gains that will propel us forward. I’m looking forward to racing this weekend at Circuit of the Americas for the final round of the championship. Having been here a couple of times I have come to really like this track. My focus is on maximizing our performance and finishing strong. The competition is tough, but I’m ready to make the most of this opportunity and see what we can achieve.”

About JDX Racing:

Founded in 2008 and based outside of Denver, CO, JDX Racing represents the very best in professional motorsports. Competing in the IMSA sports car series, JDX Racing campaigns cars in events throughout North America. JDX Racing features world-class drivers, outstanding crew members and dynamic marketers from Champ Car, IndyCar, NASCAR, ALMS and the Champ Car Atlantic Championship series. For more information, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/jdxracing, on Twitter @JDXRACING and on Instagram @jdxracing.

Jak Crawford Racing and Hotwire Communications Announce Marketing Partnership

By
Official Release
-
Jak Crawford
Barcelona (ESP), JUNE 20 - 23 2024 - Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona - Catalunya. Jak CRAWFORD #7 Dams. © 2024 Dutch Photo Agency

Houston, TX, USA — Jak Crawford is proud to announce a new partnership with Fort Lauderdale, Florida based Hotwire Communications which will span the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula 2 season, and his 2025 racing campaign. Hotwire Communications, a leader in high-speed internet technology, is proud to enter the dynamic partnership that champions the future of connectivity, including the sponsorship of Jak Crawford, a young talent who represents the future of motorsports. This collaboration mirrors the brand’s commitment to investing in the future through the deployment of our cutting-edge Fision® fiber optic network and the Fision services that deliver blazing-fast, reliable internet to communities across the nation.

With the capacity to deploy residential 25 Gbps fiber optic networks, Hotwire ensures that customers can connect to what matters most—whether it’s staying in touch with loved ones, accessing critical healthcare, streaming entertainment and sports, or staying informed with the latest news.

“This partnership celebrates the synergy between the fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled world of motorsports and the unmatched performance of our fiber optic technology.” said David Ramos, President of Hotwire’s Enterprise Commercial Division.

“Just as Formula 2 cars push the boundaries of speed and innovation on the track, our fiber optic networks provide consistent, low-latency internet, empowering users with the speeds and throughput they need to thrive in today’s fast-moving digital world.”

“We are excited to support Jak Crawford, as he represents the next generation of motorsports talent. Their journey reflects our own dedication to the future—whether that’s building a resilient, robust infrastructure or enabling consumers to connect seamlessly to everything they value,” said Alex Stefanescu, Executive Vice President of Emerging Markets for Hotwire Communications “Together, we are racing toward a future defined by speed, reliability, and innovation.”

Jak Crawford will carry the Fision Fiber Optics brand proudly during the upcoming Formula 2 season, showcasing the power of resilience, speed, and determination on and off the track.

Jak Crawford, a rising star in the racing world, has demonstrated exceptional skill and determination in his journey through the ranks of motorsports. Crawford serves as a Young Driver for the Aston Martin Aramco F1 team and has tested the AMF1 2022-spec car on two occasions this season. He lies fifth in the highly competitive FIA Formula 2 Championship and took a dominant win in Barcelona in June.

Jak Crawford also commented on the partnership:

“I am proud to announce this new marketing partnership with Hotwire Communications. The alignment with Hotwire and their commitment to speed and innovation is something that I don’t take lightly. I look forward to working together on and off the track.”

Jeff Swoboda, Program Director at Phoenicia Sports & Entertainment /SKI Partners the firm which facilitated the commercial agreement said, “It’s fantastic to see a growing U.S. based technology brand like Hotwire work to leverage so many elements of the growing F1 ecosystem and align with Jak in his journey to F1. Many thanks to everyone, especially Phoenicia Managing Director Shawn Hackman, that come together so that all the details align to provide tremendous value for all the stakeholders.”

About Jak Crawford:

Jak Crawford, a native of Houston, Texas, is one of the most promising talents in motorsports. After impressive performances in the F1 European ladder series Jak was signed to the Young Driver Development Program of the Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team. In his second season in F2, Jak is poised to make his impact, equipped with the skills and determination to become a top competitor.

About Hotwire Communications:

Hotwire Communications operates an advanced fiber-optic network, delivering high-speed internet directly to homes across the nation. Specializing in community partnerships, Hotwire maintains an impressive 99% renewal rate among homeowner and condo associations, and individual residents. This high-rate underscores the company’s dedication to providing concierge-level customer service and fast, reliable internet. Hotwire’s cutting-edge network architecture enables the company to consistently offer symmetrical Gigabit speeds – more than 100 times faster than the average internet connection in the United States. Recognized for excellence, Hotwire Communications has earned several prestigious awards, including multiple awards from Cablefax for revolutionary innovation in the telecom industry and multiple Stevie Awards for outstanding customer service. With more than two decades of consistent leadership, Hotwire’s mission remains unchanged: to be industry innovators and leaders, offering customer-focused products and services supported by a seamless customer experience.

Phoenicia acted as sell-side commercial rights advisory for the Jak Crawford Formula 2 and Formula 1 program. Phoenicia provides c-suite executive level advisory across a range of sectors in the sports and entertainment field with a leading practice to private equity companies who use global sport and entertainment as a lever for business development.

Kevin Harvick Inc. and Rackley W.A.R. Announce Partnership for 2025 Season

By
Official Release
-
Kevin Harvick Inc. and Rackley W.A.R. Announce Partnership for 2025 Season

Kevin and Keelan Harvick Join Driver Line-up for Rackley W.A.R.

Harrisburg, N.C. (October 18, 2024) – Forging a new path, Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) and Rackley W.A.R. announced today a partnership for 2025 that will focus on continuing to build and elevate Rackley W.A.R.’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Late Model programs. The partnership will bring together Rackley W.A.R. co-owners, Willie Allen and Curtis Sutton, with NASCAR Champion driver and owner, Kevin Harvick.

Through the partnership, both Kevin and Keelan Harvick will join the driver line up for Rackley W.A.R.’s Super Late Model and Pro Late Model programs. In addition, Harvick will serve as a consultant to Rackley W.A.R.’s Truck Series program where development driver Dawson Sutton will transition to full-time Truck Series competition in 2025.

“Although KHI had some success this year in the Late Model Stock world, the Pros and Supers are different animals,” Kevin Harvick said. “We still plan to have a presence in the CARS Tour next year, but Rackley W.A.R. has a solid and proven track record that will drastically improve the learning curve for Keelan and I in the Super and Pro Late Models. In return, I hope that my years of owning and operating a championship winning truck program will help shorten Dawson’s learning curve in his rookie truck season and positively impact their truck program. We look forward to working with Willie and the Sutton family in 2025.”

Led by co-owner and 2007 Truck Series Rookie of the Year and Nashville Fairgrounds 2015 Pro Late Model Track Champion Willie Allen, the Rackley W.A.R. driver development program has helped mold some of today’s biggest names in NASCAR and continues to provide a winning seat for the next generation of racers. Most recently, Dawson Sutton took over the driving duties of the No. 25 truck and earned his best finish in the series with a fifth-place finish at Kansas Speedway, while continuing to compete and win in Late Model competition. With a roster that has included 2024 Daytona 500 winner William Byron, Ross Chastain, Josh Berry, Timothy Peters and Connor Zilisch, the future of Rackley W.A.R.’s driver development and Late Model programs will only continue to grow as the organization adds both Kevin and Keelan Harvick to the list.

“Teaming up with Kevin Harvick is a game-changer for us at Rackley W.A.R.,” said Rackley W.A.R. co-owner Willie Allen. “His experience as a champion driver and owner brings an incredible amount of knowledge that will help elevate our truck program to the next level. Having Keelan and Kevin join our Late Model team next season is just as exciting. We’re not just building a partnership—we’re building a future. There’s no doubt this collaboration will drive success, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”

Through the partnership, Harvick will bring decades of championship winning experience on and off the track to elevate Rackley W.A.R. to the next level of competition. Harvick’s knowledge of team ownership, his competitive nature, valuable racing knowledge and desire to win is unparalleled.

“It’s exciting to have this opportunity present itself,” said Curtis Sutton, co-owner of Rackley W.A.R. “In our fifth year as an organization, Rackley W.A.R. is taking strategic steps for a successful 2025 and beyond. Kevin is the first link of many more to come. He will help Willie and I guide the Late Model and NASCAR Truck Series team for long term success.

“As you strive to grow any business, you have to surround yourself with exceptional people and winners,” continued Sutton. “Kevin and his family have both traits. Kevin has been a winner in everything he has done. I know this is going to be a great partnership for Rackley W.A.R. and KHI’s employees, drivers, vendors, sponsor’s and all of our fans.”

The 2025 NASCAR Truck Series season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 14, with Dawson Sutton starting his rookie campaign and first season of full-time NASCAR competition.

Kevin and Keelan Harvick’s Late Model schedule will be announced at a later date.

About Kevin Harvick Inc.

Established in 2001 by NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana, Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Truck Series and ARCA Series through the 2011 NASCAR season. During that time, KHI earned 10 Xfinity Series wins, 45 Truck Series wins and three Truck Series championships, including two championships with NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday, Jr. Following the 2011 season, KHI stepped away from full-time competition until its return in 2023.

About Rackley W.A.R.

Rackley W.A.R. offers motorsports competition, development, marketing, management, and a suite of other industry-related services for professional race car drivers, race teams and industry sponsors. Rackley W.A.R. competes nationally in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as well as operating a driver development program based at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in regional Super and Pro Late Model events. Rackley W.A.R. is headed and co-owned by Curtis Sutton (Rackley Roofing, Inc.) and Willie Allen (Willie Allen Racing and W.A.R. Shocks, LLC).

1...827828829...6,755Page 828 of 6,755