Home Blog Page 83

TOYOTA RACING – NOAPS Atlanta Post-Race Report – 02.21.26

By
Official Release
-

THREE GR SUPRAS IN TOP-11 IN ATLANTA
Taylor Gray bounces back from stage three incident to lead Toyota with a ninth-place finish

HAMPTON, Ga. (February 21, 2026) – Taylor Gray (ninth), Brandon Jones (10th) and Dean Thompson (11th) led Toyota with strong finishes in the second race of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season at EchoPark Speedway.

Both Gray and Thompson battled through adversity as they were involved in incidents during the race, while Jones delivered a top-10 finish at his home track.

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS)
EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
Race 2 of 33 – 251.02 miles, 163 laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, Sheldon Creed*
2nd, Parker Retzlaff*
3rd, Nick Sanchez*
4th, Corey Day*
5th, Jesse Love*
9th, TAYLOR GRAY
10th, BRANDON JONES
11th, DEAN THOMPSON
23rd, WILLIAM SAWALICH
24th, GIO RUGGIERO
35th, HARRISON BURTON
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

TAYLOR GRAY, No. 54 Operation 300 Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 9th

Good stage points, and battled back from damage late for a top-10.

“Yeah, obviously, all over the place. Honestly, just happy to get out of here with it being a superspeedway style track. Looking forward to getting to our race tracks as a group – kind of our style of race tracks that we are really good at. I can’t thank everybody at Joe Gibbs Racing and TOYOTA RACING, and obviously Jason Ratcliff (crew chief) for bringing me a really fast Supra. We just will keep plugging away.”

BRANDON JONES, No. 20 Menards Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 10th

Finished in the top-10 at a superspeedway style track. Can you tell us about your race?

“Well, it has been a rough week too. No one really knows, but I ended up with the flu after Daytona, so I didn’t do any simulator work. I’ve been on the couch for four days. I have been watching film – I haven’t had much to do, so I’ve been watching how these races play out and the guys did a fantastic job. It was finally one of those days where we were finally missing some of the wrecks. We were catching some of the right breaks and we had good speed. We look at some of the races in the past here, we qualify well but then we drop in the race. So, I really wanted to show up this weekend and not worry too much about qualifying, and how can we make these GR Supras race a little bit better. I was really pleased with what we brought to the track with us today. I thought I had a chance to win, and it is so circumstantial where to pick in the end. I don’t know if you want to give up too many more spots to go to the top. I thought picking the bottom was probably the right thing but just got to line hop at the right times, and gain the momentum at the right times. I learned a bunch from this one. This has been a work in progress, getting better at these superspeedways. It takes a little bit of messing up sometimes to learn from, but at the same time I was catching on to moves that I was making that was good too. I’m excited to come back here in the summer. I think we now have a good package that we can go race for the win with, so all-in-all, it was a good rebound after Daytona – I know that didn’t go our way, but a good stage and a good finish in the end.”

DEAN THOMPSON, No. 26 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

Finishing Position: 11th

At one point today, you were two laps down and you finish with a near top-10. Can you tell us about your race?

“Yeah, definitely a wild day. We rebounded well. We got the wave around and then got the lucky dog, so our race really started in the third stage. Proud of the effort our team put forward. We had a really fast Thompson Pipe Group Toyota GR Supra. Really just proud of our guys and the effort they put in to help me rebound to a good points day today. This team has no quit in it, so we will keep chugging along and go to COTA.”

HARRISON BURTON, No. 24 AIRBOX Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

Finishing Position: 35th

What happened?

“I didn’t really see exactly what happened. I know they went three wide in front of us and just looked like wrecked each other. I don’t know. I’m frustrated because I feel like we’ve brought good Supras the last two weekends, and haven’t done anything wrong, and I’ve been in the infield care center twice. That’s just this style of racing. I’ve been on both sides of it, where it goes really well and you get lucky and I’ve been on the side that we’ve been on the last two weeks as well. It’s the nature of the beast, but it is hard for me to feel that way right now. Just thanks to AIRBOX for being on our car this weekend, and to everyone at Sam Hunt Racing for the hard work.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

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

Ford Racing Notes and Quotes – Nick Sanchez Drivers To Third-Place Finish in NOAPS Atlanta Race

By
Official Release
-

Ford Racing Notes and Quotes
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Bennett 250 — EchoPark Speedway
Saturday, February 21, 2026

Ford Unofficial Finishing Results:

3rd – Nick Sanchez
20th – Luke Fenhaus

NICK SANCHEZ, No. 25 Paynuity/Travel Curious Ford Mustang Dark Horse – YOU DIDN’T HAVE ANY FRIENDS UP THERE, SO HOW DID YOU FINISH THIRD? “Just a lot of grit. I have a lot of experience at this track, but the Paynuity/Travel Curious Ford Mustang was really good. It turns out that our downforce package that we brought paid dividends in the race. I’m really just proud of the team. We had a really rough go at Daytona. We had a really fast car, but nothing to show for it, so I’m glad we could finish P3 tonight in only our second race together. I know it’s only gonna get better from here, so it’s really promising. I’m thankful for everyone at Ford Racing and everyone at AM Racing for all they do.”

YOU STARTED 28TH AND DROVE UP TO 8TH IN STAGE ONE. DID THAT TELL YOU THAT YOUR MUSTANG WAS GOING TO BE A CONTENDER? “Yeah. I know this sounds a little brash, but I expected to get stage points in stage one, just from what we know about the race car and what it could do. It wasn’t really a surprise there. I was just really trying to learn about the car and see what runs it was able to take, and it really set me up for the end of the race and my strategy going forward.”

YOU HAD A GOOD RUN UP THE MIDDLE LATE AND GOT UP TO SECOND OR THIRD. DID YOU NEED MORE HELP TO PUSH YOU? “Ideally, I would have liked to go for the lead on the 32 and take it, but my car just didn’t lead well, so I figured at the end of the day it was better to take my chances and see what happened if I just stayed behind him and try to time a run to where I had one corner to clear and there wasn’t any momentum to pass me back, but it was a little bit on me there at the end. I missed a really late block off of four, but I think that’s kind of what sealed my fate to not win the race.”

Spire Motorsports Fr8 Racing 208 Race Report

By
Official Release
-

Race Notes:

  • Kyle Busch earned his 68th victory in 181 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races in Saturday’s Fr8 Racing 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It was his ninth victory and third-consecutive win for Spire Motorsports at Atlanta.
  • Carson Hocevar (second) posted his first top-10 finish in four races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
  • Busch and Hocevar earned Spire Motorsports’ second one-two finish in CRAFTSMAN Truck Series competition. The first came in 2025 at Kansas Speedway with Hocevar taking the win, followed by William Byron in second.
  • Spire Motorsports now owns 10 wins, 37 top-five and 76 top-10 finishes in 188 starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Kyle Busch – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado RST

START: 3RD
FINISH: 1ST
OWNER POINTS: 2ND

Kyle Busch, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ all-time wins leader, collected his 68th career-win in Saturday’s Fr8 Racing 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Busch led four times for a total of 37 laps, including the final seven laps, en route to his ninth-overall and third-consecutive triumph at Atlanta in NASCAR’s third division.

Busch began the race from third and maintained that position until the conclusion of the 40-lap opening stage. He reported that his HENDRICKCARS.COM Silverado was “a little darty” before getting four fresh Goodyear tires and Sunoco Racing Fuel between stages and exiting pit road in the second position. The Las Vegas native reported a bad vibration as he battled near the middle of the top 10 throughout Stage 2. Busch made a move to the inside line and dropped to 11th before battling back to the fifth position at stage end.

Busch elected to line up on the inside of the second row when the Final Stage went green on Lap 90. Spire teammate Carson Hocevar would give the 40-year-old driver a momentous push to the lead shortly before a the caution flag waved with 35 laps remaining to the scheduled distance. Veteran crew chief Brian Pattie alerted his driver that NASCAR would finish the race within a set time in order to begin the second event in Saturday’s double-header.

After a lengthy caution, Busch elected to take the top lane for the Lap-107 restart with Hocevar lined up in his mirror. The field took the green flag with nine minutes remaining and Busch, with the aid of Hocevar playing wingman, would bring home Spire’s 10th-career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory.

Kyle’s Post-Race Comments
“There’s just so much going on throughout the race. You’re just trying to protect your lane. You’re trying to get the slingshot, and when we needed the slingshot to get back to the front, those guys were trying to use it on us. Carson Hocevar was a great teammate today. You got to have a teammate in this sort of thing. And until it gets really, really spread out on a 50 lap run or whatever, you don’t get a chance to have separation. You end up having to race it out in a group. But as we got towards the end, we started working together, and we started being able to maneuver our way through the end of the second stage. There I was behind him, pushing him. We were able to ratchet forward. And then there at the end, he was my wingman. Huge thanks to HENDRICKCARS.COM. Thanks to Spire Motorsports, Gainbridge, Brian Pattie and all these guys on the No. 7 team. We’ll go for another one here in a few weeks.”

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado RST

START: 18TH
FINISH: 3RD
OWNER POINTS: 8TH

Carson Hocevar, driver of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Delaware Life Chevrolet Silverado RST, worked with teammate Kyle Busch in the late stages of Saturday’s FR8 Racing 208 to propel the organization to their second one-two finish, crossing the finish line in second place.

Hocevar qualified 18th, but started 12th after multiple teams were sent to the tail for unapproved adjustments. He worked forward from the drop of the green flag, breaking into the top 10 by the end of the Lap 1. In the midst of the first stage, the Portage, Mich., native was squeezed into the fence, dealing fender damage to his Silverado. Despite the damage, Hocevar finished Stage 1 in fourth, racking up seven stage points to aid in the team’s bid for a CRAFTSMAN Truck Series owner’s championship.

During the ensuing round of full-service pit stops under caution, the Delaware Life crew also removed a piece of tape from the front grill to alleviate overheating issues encountered while pushing Busch earlier in the event. Hocevar restarted ninth, but once again, worked forward quickly. The No. 77 team concluded Stage 2 in third, totaling 15 stage points on the day.

A four-tire pit stop meant the Delaware Life Chevy was fifth for the Lap-88 restart, but worked to the second position by Lap 90, directly behind Busch. Despite encountering a Lap-101 caution and facing stiff competition by their opponents, the pairing remained one-two for the remainder of the event.

Carson’s Post-Race Comments
“It’s crazy to think how we maybe weren’t on the best terms at the end of the Cup race here a year ago, but we worked together really well today. I didn’t think I’d ever be this excited for a Kyle Busch truck win, but when Spire Motorsports, Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports get to celebrate, I’m happy. My team kept warning me on my water temperature, but continued to give me the green light to push. The overheating kind of kept me from racing it out with him, but if I didn’t have a shot, I wanted to make sure the company had a shot. I went over there during his burnout to give him a high five. I thought it would be a cool picture the Spire Marketing team could use on social. That was a business decision, but it was a lot of fun.”

Up Next…
The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season continues on Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The inaugural OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 will be televised live on FOX at 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

The third of 25 points-paying races on the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series calendar will be broadcast live on the NASCAR Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

To stay up-to-date on all the latest news and exclusive content, follow Spire Motorsports on Facebook, X and Instagram, and visit Spire-Motorsports.com.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports fields full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing.

The team, co-owned by longtime NASCAR industry executive Jeff Dickerson and TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss, earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on May 30, 2025, when Rajah Caruth took the checkered flag in the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.

In 2026, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Nos. 7 and 77 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The Mooresville, N.C., organization will also field the No. 77 410 sprint car in Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing competition.

Kyle Busch edges Carson Hocevar to win time-shortened race at EchoPark

By
Briar Starr
-
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series made its second stop of the 2026 season at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway. The race saw a thrilling conclusion to the time-shortened event.

Kyle Busch claimed his 68th career victory after fending off his Spire Motorsports teammate, Carson Hocevar, in the closing laps.

“Huge help from behind (Hocevar),” Busch said to FS1 in his victory lane interview. “Carson Hocevar was a great teammate today. Early on in the race, I was like, ‘Wait a minute, same old Carson.’

“But, as we got closer towards the end, we started working together. And we started being able to maneuver our way through the end of the second stage there.

“I was behind him pushing him and we were able to go forward. There at the end, he was my wingman. So if he gives me a hat, I might wear a hat. Thanks to HendrickCars.com, appreciate you guys. Thanks to Spire Motorsports, Gainebridge, (crew chief) Brian Petty, all these guys. It was great to have the family here and win one, and celebrate one in victory lane.”

Due to showers impacting the area early Saturday morning, the start of the Truck Series race was delayed. NASCAR implemented a rule called the “Adverse Conditions” rule. This meant that the race would end at 4:20 p.m. ET.

This was done due to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts race starting at 5 p.m./ET as part of the doubleheader on Saturday. In addition, the leader would receive the white flag at the next lap and end the race the following lap with no overtime finish.

Qualifying was held Friday afternoon in advance of Saturday’s race and saw Monroe, Georgia native Jake Garcia win the pole for the fourth time in his Truck Series career. Originally, stage lengths were made up of 40-40-55 for what was supposed to be the 135 lapper, but was cut short by 10 laps due to time constraints.

During the first stage, numerous incidents saw several spins with no cautions. One of those was Adam Andretti, who was making his series debut in the No.5 Tricon Garage Toyota Tundra. Andretti had a little trouble from the get-go getting loose in Turn 2. Just a few laps later on Lap 14, he would spin in the middle of Turns 3 and 4 while running in the 19th position. There was no caution for the spin.

Meanwhile, as Andretti was having his problems, Christian Eckes went behind the wall for driveshaft issues early in the going. At Lap 17, veteran Grant Enfinger had damage on his left front wheel and went down a lap to receive service on pit road. As the stage neared its end on Lap 34, Tanner Gray went spinning around before Turn 1, and no yellows were thrown there either.

As far as the action on the track, the leaders went single file by Lap 10 and saw Rhodes maintain the top spot over teammate Majeski and Busch. Just a few laps shy of the stage finish, Busch made a move past Majeski to move into the second spot. However, things began heating up with two laps to go. 2025 series champion Corey Heim returned to his first start of the year in the trucks and grabbed the stage victory after having a push from Majeski and passing Rhodes. Heim, Rhodes, Busch, Hocevar, Majeski, Stewart, Friesen, Andres Perez, Kaden Honeycutt, Daniel Hemric, and Gio Ruggiero rounded out the Top 10 finishers.

Stage 2 took place from laps 47 to 80 and saw many contenders have more trouble. At Lap 60, Majeski blew a right front tire and made a pit stop before returning to the track multiple laps down. Five laps later, Honeycutt also had a right front tire go down and came to pit road. Unfortunately, during the pit stop, he was penalized for driving through too many pit boxes.

As for Rhodes, he contended for the stage victory and was out front numerous times. However, trouble hit him with two laps to go in the stage as he would run out of gas on the backstretch and lose the lead, and ultimately go a lap down. Truck Series veteran, Friesen, assumed the lead during the process. Friesen received a challenge from Ricky Stenhouse Jr, but held on for the stage win. Friesen, Stenhouse Jr, Hocevar, Chandler Smith, Busch, Garcia, Ruggiero, Perez, Heim an Layne Riggs completed the Top 10.

Running short on time, the field went back green with the start of Stage 3 at Lap 87, with 48 laps to go. Friesen and Garcia were on the front row. However, Friesen’s lead was short-lived with Busch taking the top spot two laps later. The race was calm for a brief while. It seemed like they might be able to complete the 135 laps. But a caution came out with 35 laps to go for a wreck off Turn 4. Kris Wight, piloting the No. 81 machine, slid up and made contact with the No. 13 of Butcher when he slapped the wall off Turn 4, collecting Sutton in the process.

This slowed the race for several laps, and time became a growing concern to the field as there was roughly just nine minutes left for what would be the final restart of the race with 28 laps to go. Before that restart, however, Rhodes received the free pass and was back on the lead lap under caution.

Once the green flag flew, drivers wasted no time making things exciting. There were multiple challengers and multiple bold moves made in the closing laps and minutes of the event. A couple of those drivers were Busch, Hocevar, Stenhouse Jr, and Rhodes, just to name a few. In the final laps, Busch was passed for the lead for a brief period until he charged back and regained the top position with Hocevar behind him.

Despite having his teammate Hocevar helping him, Busch needed to hold off several challengers in hopes of grabbing the win. At Lap 125, which was the final lap of the race due to the adverse condition rule, the Las Vegas native indeed held off his competitors, including Hocevar, to nab his first Truck Series win of the season and his third consecutive at the track dating back to 2024.

Busch led four times for 37 laps en route to victory and won by a margin of victory of .114 seconds. There were three cautions for 18 laps and 14 lead changes among five different drivers.

Official Race Results Following The Fr8 Racing 208 at EchoPark Speedway.

  1. Kyle Busch led 37 laps
  2. Carson Hocevar
  3. Gio Ruggiero
  4. Ben Rhodes led 70 laps
  5. Corey Heim won Stage 1, led six laps
  6. Chandler Smith
  7. Jake Garcia led two laps
  8. John Hunter Nemechek
  9. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
  10. Justin Haley
  11. Ty Dillon
  12. Adam Andretti
  13. Daniel Dye
  14. Tyler Ankrum
  15. Andres Perez De Lara
  16. Brenden Queen
  17. Tyler Reif
  18. Kris Wright
  19. Mini Tyrell, 1 lap down
  20. Stewart Friesen won Stage 2, led 10 laps, 1 lap down
  21. Kaden Honeycutt, 2 laps down
  22. Grant Enfinger, 2 laps down
  23. Clayton Green, 2 laps down
  24. Josh Reaume, 2 laps down
  25. Frankie Muniz, 2 laps down
  26. Spencer Boyd, 5 laps down
  27. Layne Riggs, 6 laps down
  28. Ty Majeski, 6 laps down
  29. Tyler Tomassi, 6 laps down
  30. Tanner Gray, 9 laps down
  31. Cole Butcher, OUT, Accident
  32. Dawson Sutton, OUT, Accident
  33. Caleb Costner, OUT, Handling
  34. Daniel Hemric, OUT, Suspension
  35. Justin Carroll, OUT, Rear Gear
  36. Christian Eckes, OUT, Transmission

Up Next – The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series heads south to St. Petersburg, Florida, for the series debut at the Street of St. Petersburg, Saturday, February 28, live on FOX and MRN Radio at noon eastern.

2026 Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Recap: Echo Park Speedway

By
Official Release
-

NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE RECAP: ECHO PARK SPEEDWAY
Event: Fr8 Racing 208 (135 laps / 208 miles)
Round: 2 of 25 (Regular Season)
Track: Echo Park Speedway
Location: Hampton, Georgia
Date & Time: Saturday, February 21 | 1:30 PM ET

No. 42 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Tyler Reif | Crew Chief: Landon Polinski

Start: 27th
Stage 1: 24th
Stage 2: 19th
Finish: 17th
Driver Points: 27th
Owner Points: 19th

  • Key Takeaway: Tyler Reif and the AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics team had a smooth day in the second race of the season. During his first start on a mile-and-a-half track, Reif learned several valuable lessons about the aerodynamics involved in Truck Series racing. The rookie kept the No. 42 Chevy in one piece and began to move forward at the end of the time-shortened event. He ultimately crossed the line in 17th-place.
  • Tyler Reif’s Post-Race Thoughts: “I learned a ton out there today. If I could go back and change the start of the race, I would because I think that losing the pack in stage one was definitely not the right thing to do. I just wanted to keep the truck clean and bring it home in one piece so I could put something in my notebook for when we come back next year. There’s not a scratch on our Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevy and I’m happy with that. I’m looking forward to racing here again next time, but am really excited to go to St. Pete next week and hopefully run a little closer to the front.”

About AutoVentive: AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.

About Precision Vehicle Logistics: Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

No. 44 Acceptance Insurance Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Andrés Pérez de Lara | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

Start: 9th
Stage 1: 7th
Stage 2: 8th
Finish: 15th
Driver Points: T-6th
Owner Points: T-12th

  • Key Takeaway: Andrés Pérez de Lara and the Acceptance Insurance team brought a fast truck to Atlanta and made noise throughout the day. After starting in ninth, Pérez de Lara moved into the top-five quickly in stage one. The No. 44 pit crew shined bright and performed when it mattered, completing the fastest four-tire stop of the day. Towards the end of the race, Pérez de Lara slid back in the running order, but overall had a good points day in 15th-place.
  • Andrés Pérez de Lara’s Post-Race Thoughts: “We had a really strong race today. I feel like I made some of the right moves and that helped us stay up front for the whole race. I just wish we could have executed better overall to finish higher, but I’m happy with the result. We got stage points to help us out, and we’re continuing to build on our momentum on the No. 44 team. Huge thanks to everyone at Acceptance Insurance, Team Chevy, and Niece Motorsports for their support; I’m looking forward to St. Pete next weekend.”

About Acceptance Insurance: Acceptance Insurance is a proud member of Confie, the largest personal lines agency in the U.S. We believe in investing in the communities we serve by offering affordable insurance solutions so our customers can have peace of mind. Our agents and team members uphold our values, which include promoting excellence, responsibility and caring.

Acceptance has been in business for over 50 years. We have over 700 agents in over 288 neighborhood locations ready to give you the service, respect and savings you deserve. We come to you so you can find the solutions you need, regardless of your background and driving record. We offer easy solutions to meet your unique needs.

No. 45 J.F. Electric Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

Start: 5th
Stage 1: 14th
Stage 2: 2nd
Finish: 9th
Driver Points: N/A
Owner Points: 6th

  • Key Takeaway: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and the J.F. Electric team contended for the win in Atlanta, but came up short at the end. Stenhouse Jr. qualified inside the top-five and drove methodically all day long. By keeping his truck up front throughout most of the race, Stenhouse Jr. was in position to make moves late in the going. The No. 45 took the lead with just a handful of laps to go, but lacked help in the draft to capitalize. The team took home a ninth-place finish and notched their second top-10 in a row.
  • Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s Post-Race Thoughts: “I really wish we had the No. 99 (Ben Rhodes) stay with us there at the finish. Him and I were working really well together towards the end of the race, but he bailed and went to the top. I think if he kept pushing, we could have cleared the No. 7 (Kyle Busch), or at least beat him to the line. So, that was a bummer being a sitting duck down the backstretch, but Phil Gould, Cody Efaw, and all these guys on the No. 45 team gave me a really good J.F. Electric Chevy. I’m bummed that we didn’t get it done, but I felt like we’ve had two strong races so far and I had a lot of fun. That was a blast.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team that has competed in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series since 2016. The team is owned by Josh Morris of DQS Solutions and Staffing and the Fowler Family of J.F. Electric and Utilitra, and was founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a full-service race vehicle build shop as well as a customizable fabrication shop for any manufacturing needs.

Follow the Team: To keep up to date with the latest team news, visit niecemotorsports.com or connect on Facebook and Instagram (@NieceMotorsports) as well as X (@NieceMotorsport).

Busch makes it three straight in Fr8 Racing 208 at EchoPark Speedway

By
Official Release
-
Fr8 Racing 208 winner Kyle Busch (No. 7) and teammate Carson Hocevar (No. 77) celebrate at EchoPark Speedway. (Harold Hinson Photography)

Hampton, Ga. (Feb. 21, 2026) – Kyle Busch added another chapter to his dominance in the Fr8 Racing 208 on Saturday afternoon at EchoPark Speedway.

A cloudy day that began with heavy rain in the morning ended with a race against the clock as Busch drove the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet to victory in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for the third consecutive year at EchoPark Speedway.

It was Busch’s 68th career Truck Series victory in 181 starts, and his first win of the 2026 Truck Series season.

Persistent morning showers soaked the speedway and forced a delay to the start. With the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race to be held at 5 p.m., NASCAR established a hard stop time of 4:20 p.m. ET before the race began, adding urgency to make it to the finish.

Corey Heim claimed Stage 1, leading Ben Rhodes and Busch to the green-and-white checkered flag. The defending series champion showed good speed in his No. 1 Tricon Garage Toyota, but the complexion of the race would soon change.

With only two laps left in the second stage, Rhodes looked like he would cruise to the stage victory until his No. 99 ThorSport Ford ran out of fuel going into Turn 2. As Rhodes slowed from the lead and was forced to pit road, a charging pack of trucks swept past. Stewart Friesen edged Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at the line to win the stage, with Carson Hocevar also in contention during the frantic run to the stage finish.

The first significant incident occurred on Lap 100 when Cole Butcher’s No. 13 truck made contact with the outside wall. Dawson Sutton, attempting to avoid the accident, spun up the racetrack and hit the wall head-on along the frontstretch, bringing out a caution and tightening the field once again with the clock continuing to click down towards 4:20 p.m.

As the laps wound down and the cutoff time approached, Busch sliced his way back to the front of the pack with assistance from his Spire Motorsports teammate. Hocevar, driving the No. 77 Chevrolet, provided critical support in the closing laps, allowing Busch to maintain control of the lead en-route to a one-two finish for the organization.

“Huge help from behind,” Kyle Busch said following the victory. “Carson Hocevar was a great teammate today—early on in the race I was like, ‘wait a second, same ol’ Carson,’ but when it got towards the end we started working together and we started being able to maneuver our way through.”

Hocevar joined Busch on the front straightaway to celebrate the team victory.

“I thought it would be a good picture, good for the marketing team,” Hocevar said after the race. “I kept sputtering and the bottom kept surging, and I had no shot to win the race, so if I wasn’t going to have a shot, I was going to make sure the company had a shot—that was a business decision.

“Especially a year from here when he was hating my guts in the Cup race, I don’t think I would be excited to watch a Kyle Busch Truck win,” Hocevar continued. “But we’re teammates here. It worked out for us.”

Behind Busch and Hocevar, Gio Ruggiero delivered one of the drives of the afternoon. After starting at the rear of the field because of unapproved adjustments, Ruggiero advanced through the pack to finish third in his No. 17 Tricon Garage Toyota.

Rhodes recovered from his Stage 2 setback to finish fourth on his 29th birthday, salvaging a strong result after the fuel issue. Heim rounded out the top five.

With the result, Chandler Smith continues to lead the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series point standings by 28 points over Ruggiero.

Tickets for tomorrow’s AutoTrader 400 NASCAR Cup Series race are available at www.EchoParkSpeedway.com.

Full Results:

  1. Kyle Busch
  2. Carson Hocevar
  3. Giovanni Ruggiero
  4. Ben Rhodes
  5. Corey Heim
  6. Chandler Smith
  7. Jake Garcia
  8. John Hunter Nemechek
  9. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  10. Justin Haley
  11. Ty Dillon
  12. Adam Andretti
  13. Daniel Dye
  14. Tyler Ankrum
  15. Andres Perez De Lara
  16. Brenden Queen
  17. Tyler Reif
  18. Kris Wright
  19. Mini Tyrrell
  20. Stewart Friesen
  21. Kaden Honeycutt
  22. Grant Enfinger
  23. Clayton Green
  24. Josh Reaume
  25. Frankie Muniz
  26. Spencer Boyd
  27. Layne Riggs
  28. Ty Majeski
  29. Tyler Tomassi
  30. Tanner Gray
  31. Cole Butcher
  32. Dawson Sutton
  33. Caleb Costner
  34. Daniel Hemric
  35. Justin Carroll
  36. Christian Eckes

About the Autotrader 400 weekend:

Atlanta’s spring NASCAR weekend is headlined by the Autotrader 400 on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, with intense superspeedway pack racing that challenges NASCAR’s best and dazzles fans.

More information on the Autotrader 400 weekend and ticket availability can be found online at EchoParkSpeedway.com.

About EchoPark Speedway:

EchoPark Speedway is a premier entertainment venue located about 30 miles south of Atlanta, Ga. Since 1960, EchoPark Speedway has been a staple of the NASCAR calendar and currently hosts two weekends of racing in the spring and fall each year. When NASCAR isn’t in town, EchoPark Speedway’s versatile facility hosts an assortment of events that attract visitors from near and far, from Monster Jam to the Georgia State Fair and everything in between.

For more information on EchoPark Speedway and to see upcoming events at the facility, visit EchoParkSpeedway.com.

Rhodes Leads Three F-150s in Top 10 with Fourth Place Truck Series Run

By
Official Release
-

Ford Racing Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
FR8 Racing 208 — EchoPark Speedway
Saturday, February 21, 2026

Ford Finishing Results:

4th – Ben Rhodes
6th – Chandler Smith
7th – Jake Garcia
23rd – Clayton Green
24th – Josh Reaume
25th – Frankie Muniz
27th – Layne Riggs
28th – Ty Majeski
29th – Tyler Tomassi
31st – Cole Butcher

BEN RHODES, No. 99 Campers Inn RV Ford F-150 – “This F-150 had a lot of speed. It’s a shame because we had Camper Inn here and some TYM folks, so I wanted to get them to Victory Lane on my birthday. We ran out of fuel. I don’t know why. We’ll regroup about it. The truck was really solid. We’re learning a lot. This is my first time on track with this new intermediate style body with the bed rails being straightened out and performance heights. That’s a new rule package for the series this year, so I think we’ve got some handling things we can work on with that that will make it a little more aggressive. I was pretty aggressive, but there was a few times where I had a really big run going and I had to lift, more often that not I had to lift even by myself leading, so we worked on it a lot today We put a lot of wrenches in the truck, but if we can take some notes from this, we’ll make it better.”

HOW UNEXPECTED WAS IT RUNNING OUT OF GAS? “I didn’t expect that at all. We’re leading the race and we’re only doing a stage. They say you’ve got to save some fuel. I didn’t know what I was gonna do, so you can’t really save anything when you’re leading.”

DESCRIBE THOSE LAST FEW LAPS? “We had some new tires on the truck and a lot of anger behind the wheel after we ran out of fuel. I just knew we had a really fast truck and I just wanted to get this Campers Inn F-150 up to the front where it belonged. It was tough to drive, actually. We had some handling issues and they stuck wrenches in it every single time and gave me air-pressure adjustments and we couldn’t quite get some of the evil characteristics I had in the center of the corner out. I’m sure the fans saw probably a few big saves from me. I don’t like that, so I think we have some good feedback on how to adjust that going forward. There’s been some rule package changes in the series this year and we’ve got to tune for that specifically.”

AT THE END YOU GOT A PUSH AND HAD TO TAKE THE RUN, BUT WAS IT A CASE OF TOO EARLY? “Yeah, I think we peaked too soon. We got the lead a few laps too early. The problem is unless you can clear them and hold them, you’re a bit of a sitting duck and Kyle is really good at managing that run and doing that move. He did it all last race and he did it this race. I knew that’s what he was gonna do, so I was trying to just ride behind him. I didn’t expect the bottom lane to form back up and then at that point I had to start playing both lanes and it got a little bit too crazy. We had a few handling issues where I could take my full runs. I was trying to push Ricky to the lead and if I could have stayed wide-open, I think we could have done it, but I almost wadded it up in three – fully out of the gas and sideways, just trying to get the most I can for the team.”

IT WAS A GREAT RALLY. WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT YOUR TEAM’S ABILITY TO BOUNCE BACK? “I think it speaks volume of the team, especially here because you have no practice. The speed is made at the race shop, so we showed up and had great speed. Kudos to the guys, but, man, not getting the stage points really sucks. That’s the name of the game right now because we know the points have changed. It’s all about attrition. It’s all about consistency, so I was really hoping to be in the top five in points after stage two. I don’t know where I’m at now. That was my goal coming into it, so we’ll just have to recap on this. We’ve missed out on too many stage points this year. We’ve got to fix that.”

ANY EXPLANATION ON HOW YOU CAME UP SHORT ON FUEL? “We were the only ones that took two tires there, so we were in our box a lot shorter, for one, and then, two, we ran all of those laps to start the race, so we were under pace laps for like 10 laps or something crazy. When you have two tires and you run all those laps, I guess there was just a miscalculation on fuel. I was ready to fight though. You can’t fight your own team, but I was ready to fight. I love the guys. They work so hard. They hate it as much as I do, but I’m just glad we could salvage a good day.”

JAKE GARCIA, No. 98 Quanta Services/Curb Records Ford F-150 – “There were a couple times where we were leading the bottom and it’s just all timing. At these places, you need people to go with you at the right times. I was running about fifth and I made a big run to the bottom towards the end and I felt like if I had someone right there with me that we could have hooked up and had a shot at the win, but it just didn’t work out like that and lost a couple of rows before people picked me up. The last couple of laps are so hectic that it’s hard to really get organized and make your way to the front. I’m super proud of my guys. They brought me a really fast F-150 here. We obviously lost track position early. The start didn’t go the way we wanted it to and then worked our way back up. I’m really proud of our guys for that. The pit crew did an amazing job. I just want to thank Quanta Services, Curb Record and Ford Racing. I want to thank God for the opportunity to come out here and do this. He’s got a plan for everybody and I’m really fortunate to be able to come and do what I love. I get to hang out with these guys, who are really good. I really enjoy spending time with them and being a team. I’m looking forward to St. Pete next. Road course racing isn’t quite my thing, but I think the street course will be something a little different. It seemed like I picked it up pretty quick in the simulator. I thought I had a pretty good handle on the racetrack, so maybe I’m jinxing myself, but I think we can be good and then have a solid run at St. Pete.”

WHAT WAS YOUR THINKING ABOUT CHOOSING THIRD ON THE OUTSIDE LANE AS OPPOSED TO BEING FIRST ON THE INSIDE LANE FOR THE FINAL RESTART? “The restart before that I was actually fourth in line and had the opportunity to take the front row and I did it and it worked out. We cleared the leaders and got up to the top and made a couple spots out of it. That worked out really well. On the last one, Busch and Hocevar were working so well together the whole race, so I didn’t think anything on the bottom, no matter who I had pushing me, would have been better than those two. I didn’t think I had a chance to go down there and pass them and clear them, so if I can’t clear them, then I’m just gonna come back right up and go to the spot I was in, so I just picked the outside to be safe because I didn’t think there was anything to gain by going to the bottom. I think it worked out fine.”

CHANDLER SMITH, No. 38 QuickTie Ford F-150 – “It was a solid day all in all. We got some decent stage points in stage two. We missed out by one position on the first stage, but our F-150 handled really, really well today. It lacked a little bit on speed, but it handled phenomenally. I’m proud of everybody on this 38 team. Our QuickTie Ford F-150 was pretty solid. I was able to be aggressive and make moves and be able to get back up to the front after we had a pit road penalty at the very end. That definitely didn’t help us any, but we were able to bounce back and recover pretty nicely. It was a pretty solid day and a good points day.”

HOW DID THE TIME LIMITATION AFFECT YOUR FINAL RUN? “At the end of the day, it played out how it was gonna play out. It would have been cool to see us race to the finish. For us specifically we started doing the whole cupid shuffle on the top and was able to start cycling our way pretty close to the front of the top lane and was setting ourselves up pretty solidly there, but happy with a P6 finish nevertheless.”

TOYOTA RACING – NCTS Atlanta Post-Race Report – 02.21.26

By
Official Release
-

RUGGIERO STARTS SEASON WITH CONSECUTIVE TOP-THREE FINISHES
The Toyota Development Driver battles from the back to finish third in Atlanta

HAMPTON, Ga. (February 21, 2026) – The reigning NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Rookie of the Year Gio Ruggiero continued his strong start to his sophomore Truck Series season with a third-place finish at EchoPark Speedway, near Atlanta, on Saturday afternoon. Ruggiero, who came from the back after changing a tire after qualifying, has now earned top-three finishes in both races in 2026.

Ruggiero was joined in the top-five by his TRICON Garage teammate and reigning Truck Series champion Corey Heim, who finished fifth in his home race.

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS)
EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
Race 2 of 23 – 207.9 Miles, 135 Laps

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, Kyle Busch*
2nd, Carson Hocevar*
3rd, GIO RUGGIERO
4th, Ben Rhodes*
5th, COREY HEIM
8th, JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
12th, ADAM ANDRETTI
20th, STEWART FRIESEN
21st, KADEN HONEYCUTT
30th, TANNER GRAY

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

GIO RUGGIERO, No. 17 First Auto Group Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: 3rd

What more did you need there in the end?

“I didn’t really set myself up to have a good run off of (turn) two. I tried to, but it just really didn’t happen down the back straightaway. I knew if I stayed third in line on the top, I would definitely be able to bring it home third in our First Auto Group Tundra, which is good for points, but yeah, I wasn’t sure if I would have the help out back to make a move to the bottom.”

How have you taken to pack racing since moving into NASCAR?

“Yeah, it is cool. It is definitely hectic, especially at a track like Atlanta – it is a little bit different than Atlanta, everything happens quicker, so it is definitely a different type of racing and you can’t take a lap off. You have to be locked in at all times.”

Another good points day.

“Yeah, I’m happy.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.

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

5 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Injury Case Before You Hire a Lawyer

By
SM
-

Handling an injury claim on your own may seem simple at first. You might think you can deal with insurance companies, gather a few documents, and sort everything out later. Many people wait before speaking to an attorney because they believe their case is straightforward.

In reality, the early days after an accident are critical. Insurance companies will begin building their defense immediately. Small errors during this stage can reduce the value of your claim or even destroy it entirely. Knowing what to avoid can protect your rights and strengthen your position from the start. Here are five mistakes that can seriously damage your injury case before you hire a lawyer.

Mistake No. 1: Delaying Medical Treatment

Some injuries are not immediately obvious after an accident. Adrenaline can mask pain, and you may assume soreness will fade on its own. Waiting days or weeks to see a doctor can create serious problems for your claim. Insurance companies will look closely at treatment timelines. If there is a gap between the accident and your first medical visit, they may argue that your injuries were not caused by the incident. They could claim something else happened later or that the injury is minor.

Seeking prompt medical care creates a clear record that connects your injuries to the accident. Follow all treatment recommendations and attend every appointment. Consistent care strengthens your medical documentation and shows that you take your recovery seriously.

Insurance adjusters often contact injured people quickly. They may request a recorded statement and present it as a routine step. The conversation may seem friendly and informal.

Recorded statements are carefully reviewed for inconsistencies. Even small wording choices can be used to question your credibility. Saying “I’m feeling okay” could be interpreted as proof that you are not seriously injured. Guessing about details such as speed or timing can create conflicts with later evidence.

It is wise to speak with an attorney before providing any recorded statement. Many experienced firms, including Zinda Law, recommend careful communication with insurers early in the process. Protecting your words protects your case.

Mistake No. 3: Posting on Social Media About the Accident

Social media activity can harm your injury claim in unexpected ways. Photos, comments, and check-ins may appear harmless when shared with friends and family.

Insurance companies often monitor public profiles. A picture of you attending a gathering could be presented as evidence that your injuries are not severe. Even a simple status update saying you are doing better might be used to minimize your claim. 

Avoid discussing your accident, injuries, or recovery online. Ask friends not to tag you in posts during this time. Limiting your digital footprint reduces the risk of misinterpretation and protects your credibility.

Mistake No. 4: Accepting a Fast Settlement Offer

After an accident, financial pressure can build quickly. Medical bills arrive, and missed work can create stress. Insurance companies sometimes take advantage of this by offering quick settlements. Early offers are often far lower than the true value of the claim. They may not account for future medical treatment, ongoing therapy, or long-term effects. 

Once you sign a settlement agreement, you typically give up the right to seek additional compensation. Evaluating the full scope of your damages takes time. A proper assessment includes current expenses, projected medical costs, lost income, and pain. Rushing into an agreement can result in significant financial loss.

Mistake No. 5: Failing to Preserve Evidence

Evidence can disappear quickly after an accident. Vehicles get repaired, skid marks fade, and witnesses become harder to locate. Waiting too long to collect important information can weaken your case. Photographs of the accident scene, property damage, visible injuries, and road conditions are valuable. 

Witness names and contact details are equally important. Obtaining a copy of the police report helps confirm official findings. Medical records, receipts, and correspondence should also be organized from the beginning. Keeping a dedicated file with all documents creates a strong foundation for your claim. Early preparation gives your attorney better tools to build a compelling case.

Additional Errors That Can Complicate Your Injury Claim

Beyond the five major mistakes above, several other actions can reduce the strength of your case. Being aware of these risks helps you avoid unnecessary setbacks.

  • Ignoring doctor restrictions can signal that your injuries are not serious. If you are advised to avoid lifting, driving, or working, follow those instructions carefully.
  • Providing inconsistent details about the accident may harm your credibility. Stick to clear, factual information and avoid guessing when you are unsure.
  • Missing legal deadlines can completely bar your claim. A statute of limitations that limits how long you have to file a lawsuit for each state.
  • Downplaying symptoms during medical visits creates incomplete records. Be honest and thorough when describing pain, limitations, and daily challenges.
  • Failing to report the accident properly to insurance providers or employers may affect coverage and eligibility for compensation.

Avoiding these additional errors keeps your claim organized and credible.

How Early Decisions Shape Your Entire Case

Injury claims are built on documentation, consistency, and timing. The steps you take immediately after an accident can determine how strong your case becomes later. Insurance companies look for weaknesses from day one. Prompt medical treatment, careful communication, and organized evidence collection create a solid structure and patience. Quick settlements and rushed statements often favor insurers rather than injured individuals. Seeking legal guidance early allows you to understand your rights and options. Even before formally hiring a lawyer, being cautious and informed helps protect the value of your claim.

Closing Thought

An injury case begins the moment the accident occurs, not when you file a lawsuit. The choices you make in those first days and weeks can either strengthen your claim or quietly damage it. Avoid delaying medical care, giving careless statements, posting online about your situation, accepting low offers, or neglecting evidence. Stay organized, stay consistent, and focus on your recovery. Careful early action can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your injury case.

Ford Racing Notes and Quotes – Joey Logano Presented NMPA Spirit Award

By
Official Release
-

Ford Racing Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Media Availability — EchoPark Speedway
Saturday, February 21, 2026

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse, was presented with the NMPA Pocono Spirit Award for 2025 during today’s rain delay at EchoPark Speedway. Current NMPA President Holly Cain and past president Deb Williams made the presentation in the infield media center.

JOEY LOGANO, No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “When I think about our sport and the huge hearts that are in it, I think everybody gets used to seeing us being so cut throat on the racetrack, we’re so used to just getting after it and doing whatever we can to win, but I think this industry does an amazing job at understanding what the big picture is from Monday back to Sunday and that there is a bigger purpose than just driving in circles. I say it all the time, it is a really cool job and it’s an incredible opportunity, but if you don’t do anything with it, it’s a pretty empty life at the end of the day. If you have the opportunity, and all of us do here sitting in this room and in the garage, have the opportunity to impact people in such a positive way. The crazy thing is a lot of times it just happens with a smile. It doesn’t even take much, and then you can obviously build off of that and some incredible things.

The JL Kids Crew is just a leg of what we do at the Joey Logano Foundation. Our main focus is foster children. We love being able to partner with some great organizations that help foster kids and foster parents get through life. It’s obviously a very challenging life and not of their choice. That’s what I have the biggest heart for is the people that get put in a situation. They didn’t make a bad decision, it’s just what happened to those kids. There’s a lot of great people that are willing to help and we like being the fuel that jumps onto something that somebody has already started.

The JL Kids Crew, which is what this award is about, started a while back and this goes to show how incredible our community is. A little guy named Jake Leatherman, he passed away. I guess we’re getting close to 10 years ago. I don’t believe any of us got to meet him, but a lot of us went to his funeral and there were probably 40 crew members who showed up at his funeral wearing firesuits. It was a really touching moment during the funeral. I left there with my wife and I was angry that we didn’t see him when he was with us. I was like, ‘This is great, but what a missed opportunity.’ And that’s what started the JL Kids Crew was in honor of Jake and to let his legacy live through this program. To me, it’s a cool thing to see that.

So many kids have come to the racetrack and we have great partners to help with that. Obviously, Shell and Ford and Hunt Brother’s Pizza – everybody that jumps on board with that – but also the racetracks. Right here, SMI has done a great job of helping us with suites and giving us access to the racetrack and making sure that these kids have an experience that you can’t buy. That’s what I want it to be. Put them as part of the team. Give them a race suit. Make them feel like they’re part of it. Let them help push the car out onto the grid or set the air pressures. It’s little stuff like that, but it really matters to not only the child, but when you see their parent’s face light up because a lot of these children are going through hell. I’m just being honest and frank about it. They’re going through a lot and as a parent watching your child go through some of the stuff, I couldn’t imagine.

So, to see the joy not only in the child’s face, but also the parent’s face or whoever is with them, their guardian, is really so touching and it’s something I’m so appreciative of. It’s not just me doing that. It’s not just the Joey Logano Foundation doing that, which is incredible as well, but it’s our industry that wraps their arms around them when they’re sitting at the driver’s meeting and the go around and get all of the autographs, or back at driver intros. It’s a dream come true for these kids, so it’s an honor to let Jake’s legacy live on through that program. This is for him.”

1...828384...6,612Page 83 of 6,612