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Young’s Motorsports Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course October Xfinity Team Preview

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Official Release
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Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course | Drive for the Cure 250

Fast Facts
No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:
Driver: Leland Honeyman Jr.
Primary Partner(s): DPR Construction
Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro
Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott
2024 Driver Points Position: 18th
2024 Owner Points Position: 21st
Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

Notes of Interest:

Stretch Drive: In January, Young’s Motorsports announced it would graduate from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time in 2024 with rising star Leland Honeyman Jr. behind the wheel of the team’s No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro for the entire 33-race season continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Drive for the Cure 250 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course.

About Leland: The Phoenix, Ariz. native began honing his racing skills at the tender age of two racing Quads. By four years old, he moved into Trophy Karts and then collected three series championships in off-road racing Trophy Karts.

After an instrumental tenure in Go Karts, he moved into the Bandolero competition in 2015 and was crowned a Bandolero National Champion two years later. From there, he moved into Limited Late Models before graduating to the Carolina Pro Late Model Series division in 2021, where he earned championship-runner-up honors and picked up an astounding victory in the annual Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway Fall Brawl.

Honeyman, 19, returns to the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization, where he ran an impressive ARCA Menards Series East Series campaign, finishing third in the 2022 championship standings.

During the 2023 season, he made eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, highlighted by a 21st-place finish at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course.

All-Aboard!: For the 29th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes DPR Construction to the Mooresville, N.C.-based team as the primary partner on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 67-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

DPR Construction is a forward-thinking, self-performing general contractor and construction manager specializing in technically complex and sustainable projects for the advanced technology, life sciences, healthcare, higher education and commercial markets.

Our portfolio of work ranges from large-scale new construction to small tenant improvements and special projects. Founded in 1990, DPR is a great story of entrepreneurial success as a private, employee-owned company that has grown to a multi-billion-dollar organization with offices around the world.

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Leland Honeyman Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Series Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course will mark Honeyman’s second Xfinity start at the newly reconfigured North Carolina speedway.

Last October, Honeyman earned a track-best 21st place finish after starting 26th in the No. 45 Eighth Order Chevrolet Camaro for Alpha Prime Racing.

This weekend is part of a doubleheader elimination weekend with the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday afternoon.

Honeyman and the Young’s Motorsports team join the non-Playoff Xfinity Series teams looking to spoil the Playoff parade which continues on Saturday afternoon with the final round of 12.

On Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series will conclude their final round of 12 Playoffs for a tense afternoon of racing in the Bank of America ROVAL 400 on Sunday, Oct. 13.

The Xfinity Series rookie driver will look to improve his overall road course average Xfinity finish of 24.9.

Leland Honeyman Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Career Stats: Entering the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, Honeyman has 36 career NASCAR Xfinity Series races to his credit, earning a career-best fourth-place finish at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway after starting 33rd in the Ag-Pro 300 for Young’s Motorsports in April 2024.

Since 2023, he has carried an average finish of 22.7.

Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway | United Rentals 250 Race Recap: In the 28th race of the 2024 Xfinity Series season, Young’s Motorsports and Honeyman searched for another solid finish in the team’s Xfinity Series return trip to the breathtaking Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala.

After qualifying his No. 42 Mezrano Injury Lawyers Chevrolet Camaro 19th, Honeyman did a masterful job staying out of trouble throughout the race and even avoided a major multi-car accident with three laps remaining.

The late race caution threw the race into overtime with Honeyman inside the top-10 in his Young’s Motorsports entry. Looking to duplicate or better his fourth-place run at the 2.66-mile superspeedway in NASCAR overtime,

Honeyman was in contention for his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win until he was booted from the lead pack in heavy drafting conditions, relinquishing the team to a 14th-place finish at the checkered flag.

Calling the Shots: Guiding Honeyman Jr. as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

On Saturday, he will be crew chief in his 126th NASCAR Xfinity Series race. In his previous 125 races, he has four top-five and 13 top-10 finishes.

The season’s 29th race will be his fourth tango at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course as crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the newly reconfigured 17-turn, 2.28-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL™.

Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series History: Since entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 28 starts and maintains an average starting position of 27.3 and an average finish of 21.9.

Follow on Social Media: For more on Leland Honeyman Jr., please visit LelandHoneymanRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Leland Honeyman Racing) and follow on Instagram (@lelandhoneymanjr) and X |Twitter (@lelandhoneyman3).

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

Leland Honeyman Jr. Pre-Race Quote:

On The Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course: “I’m upbeat about the final road course race of the weekend. I’m thankful for the extended practice on Saturday morning to help us dial in our No. 42 DPR Construction Chevrolet Camaro.

“Charlotte is such an instrumental race with a lot of friends and family in attendance. Following a strong performance at Talladega Superspeedway last weekend, the vibe is good and we’re focused on keeping ourselves in the hunt for 67 laps on Saturday.

“Our goal is to make the most out of the race from start to finish and keep putting ourselves in position for strong finishes for our Young’s Motorsports team over the next five weeks.”

Race Information:

The Drive for the Cure 250 (67 laps | 152.76 miles) is the 29th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Saturday, October 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag shortly after 4:00 p.m. ET, with live coverage on the CW Network, the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

Gresham Wagner is the 2024 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Champion

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Official Release
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Jeremy Fletcher wins season finale race in a McCumbee McAleer Podium Sweep

BRASELTON, Ga. (Oct. 11, 2024) – The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin has its second repeat champion as Gresham Wagner (No. 5 McCumbee McAleer Racing) added the 2024 title to the first one he captured in 2021. His teammate and championship rival Jeremy Fletcher (No. 22 McCumbee McAleer Racing) won the final race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, but it wasn’t enough to surpass Wagner, who finished the race in third.

The podium for Round 14 was in fact a McCumbee McAleer sweep, with Nate Cicero (No. 83 McCumbee McAleer Racing) finishing second. All three drivers were in contention for the title and up against defending champion Jared Thomas (No. 96 JTR Motorsports Engineering) and his teammate Aaron Jeansonne (No. 24 JTR Motorsports Engineering).

Cicero started from pole but had some extra time to prepare for the start when Woody Heimann (No. 82 JTR Motorsports Engineering) got into the wall on the pace lap. This required the field to remain behind the pace car for an additional 10 minutes while the car was removed.

When the race finally went green, Cicero and Wagner worked together at the front of the field and were quickly joined by Fletcher, but Jeansonne was also on the scene to break up the MMR party.

Fletcher was the race leader when a full-course yellow was issued to retrieve a car stuck in the Turn 10 gravel trap. Circulating for six laps under yellow was helpful for Fletcher, who received 10 bonus points for leading the most laps of the race.

He continued to lead after the restart and had his sights firmly set on a race win, while his teammates shuffled back and forth with JTR teammates, Thomas and Jeansonne. The continuous passing prevented any pack of cars from pulling away and resulted in a long train of a dozen cars ready to pounce on any mistake.

Fletcher made zero mistakes and drove it home for the victory, although the final lap was under full-course caution after a nasty accident for Jonathan Neudorf (No. 55 BSI Racing) in Turn One.

Even with the race win and most laps led, Fletcher was not able to overcome the point deficit created by his Round 13 DNF. He ends the season third in the championship standings, only 70 points out of the lead.

“I really wish I could go home and celebrate a championship and a win with the team like they deserve tonight at the banquet, but things were out of our hands yesterday,” Fletcher said. “I’m pretty sure we had second place locked-up coming out of that last corner, but contact was made. I just kind of shrugged it off and came out here and did what I do and did it for the team. And I did it for my sponsors, the Holster Store, McCumbee McAleer Racing, The Gun Store, Home Restoration Exchange, Mazda Motorsports, Flis Performance and everyone who puts this on for us. I’m just happy to get my third win of the season, and it really proves that I had the car to beat throughout the season. I just wish I could have gotten the championship, because I feel like things that were out of my control and out of the team’s control are what really cost us that championship.”

Cicero was able to get around Wagner in the final laps to take second. He ends his sophomore season fourth in the championship standings.

“You have to balance working with your teammates versus trying to be a little selfish,” Cicero said. “We were 1-2-3, which is an extremely difficult spot. Jeremy and I going into that race were tied on points and he ended up one spot in front of me. We just have such a strong team this year. We all knew how to work together and when to battle. It’s been an amazing team effort. I’m disappointed to be on the short end of the stick, but still, ending up fighting for the championship and a couple wins this year, I can’t complain too much, and that happiness will sink in.”

Winning his first MX-5 Cup Championship in 2021, Wagner becomes the second driver ever to score two MX-5 Cup titles.

“I wasn’t necessarily trying to win the race,” Wagner said. “I was just trying to be at the front. There was a bit of a gap in points between me and Nate [Cicero] and Jeremy [Fletcher], so as long as I was there helping them, I was all right, and I was more than happy to try my best to work together.

Along with the champion’s trophy, Wagner receives the grand prize of $250,000 from Mazda.

“Winning two [championships] is an elite club. I mean, it’s hard enough to win one. Jared [Thomas] got his back-to-back, but I had to wait a bit longer. At the same time, I think that speaks to how long I’ve been here and had success, and that’s something everyone wants, to keep doing it and still be at the top. I’m really happy I could say I was the best.”

Series newcomer Noah Harmon (No. 77 AAG Racing) had a strong race and scored his best result in MX-5 Cup by finishing fourth.

Finishing fifth in the race, Thomas, the 2022 and 2023 champion, was unable to make it a three-peat, but did end the season runner-up to Wagner in the points.

Westin Workman (No. 13 BSI Racing) finished seventh but had clinched the Rookie of the Year title with a fourth-place finish in Thursday’s race. His rookie title earns Workman a $80,000 check from Mazda.

All Mazda MX-5 Cup races from the 2024 season are available to view anytime on the RACER and IMSA YouTube channels.

Though the MX-5 Cup regular season is over, in two weeks’ time drivers will suit up for an exhibition race at Martinsville Speedway, the series’ first-ever oval race on October 26.

About: The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin is the signature spec series for Mazda Motorsports. The series has been operated by Andersen Promotions since 2017 and is currently sanctioned by IMSA. Mazda-powered grassroots champions can earn Mazda scholarships for this pro-level series. The Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup awards more than $1 million in prizes and scholarships.

Find out more at http://www.mx-5cup.com.

Cadillac claims sixth pole in nine races

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Official Release
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Aitken drives No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R to the top for 10-hour Petit Le Mans

BRASELTON, Ga. (Oct. 11, 2024) – Cadillac Racing completed a Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) pole bookend to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

Jack Aitken, in his first full season with Action Express Racing, delivered a blistering lap of 1 minute, 9.639 seconds in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R on the 2.54-mile, 12-turn Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta course to secure pole for Saturday’s season-concluding Motul Petit Le Mans. It is Aitken’s first career IMSA pole and fourth for the team, which also secured pole for the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Along the way were four additional earned poles for Cadillac Racing. That’s six poles in nine races for the two-car contingent in the second season of GTP competition. Also, a Cadillac will start on the front row for the seventh time.

“Congratulations to the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R team and driver Jack Aitken on securing pole position in qualifying for the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans,” said John Roth, global vice president of Cadillac. “We are excited to get back on the track and compete for the overall win Saturday.

Sebastien Bourdais, who topped the combined lap time chart through three practice sessions Thursday in the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R, qualified fourth with a best lap of 1:09.964 in the 15-minute late afternoon session. He missed starting on the inside of Row 2 by .035 of a second.

“Pipo (Derani) told me beforehand to enjoy it and put it in the gravel or put in on pole,” said Aitken, who teamed with Derani and Alexander Sims to win the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup driver/team championship in the 2023 race. “We got the right side of that and I’m over the moon. I think we’re in a good spot and quietly confident going into the race.”

Media resource for editorial use: Cadillac Racing Petit Le Mans photo gallery

Aitken, Derani and Tom Blomqvist, who won the race the past two years with another manufacturer, will challenge for another IMEC title as will Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon in the pink No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R.

Cadillac Racing is seeking its sixth IMEC championship since 2017 and second in a row. Cadillac is four points out of the top spot entering the fifth and final endurance race of the season. Points will be awarded on 5, 4, 3, 2 scale at 4, 8 and 10 hours of the race.

Similarly, the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R is four points arrears in the endurance team/driver standings, while the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R is five points back.

Cadillac Racing has recorded a first or second in every 10-hour race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta since joining IMSA prototype competition in 2017. Van der Zande has two victories (2018, 2020) and a pair of second-place finishes (2019, 2023) with Cadillac Racing.

Peacock will stream flag-to-flag coverage of the race at noon ET Saturday in the U.S., with international feed coverage on IMSA.TV and YouTube.com/IMSAOfficial. NBC will telecast the race from noon-3 p.m.

IMSA.com, RadioLeMans.com and SiriusXM (XM 206, Web/App 996) will broadcast the race along with local radio 98.1 FM.

Qualifying quotes

No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R

Sebastien Bourdais (qualified fourth with best lap of 1:09.964 on lap 5 of 10): “It’s difficult to go into a qualifying where you don’t get any kind of rehearsal. With the traffic there is, we didn’t get any quali setup and so we went with what we finished with the day before. It was a bit chaotic on the build-up to the (push) lap, so I missed the window on the tire and couldn’t put a lap together after that. Disappointed, but it’s a 10-hour race and we’ll go racing tomorrow. Good job by the 31 and we’ll see if we can win one to close the season.”

No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R

Jack Aitken (pole-winning lap of 1:09.639 on lap 8 of 9): “Honestly, we felt strong most of the weekend, but I’d say there were some tweaks needed to get it right and the team did an awesome job overnight to make those small, small adjustments to make the car feel awesome. It’s a real pleasure when you have the track to yourself after all the traffic we had in practice and a car that’s working well. I just threw everything at it. We’re not in the championship hunt, so we’re here to get on pole and win the race. Pipo (Derani) told me beforehand to enjoy it and put it in the gravel or put in on pole. We got the right side of that and I’m over the moon. This is one of my most favorite tracks and a privilege to get my first pole here. I think we’re in a good spot and quietly confident going into the race. It’s definitely going to be a challenge to keep the tires where you need them to be. I think we’re seeing higher degradation in tire wear than we’re used to with these tires. You know, again, the circuit is so hard and unrelenting in that sense that if you’re not taking care of them, you can fall afoul. We’re probably going to have to double-stint a little bit earlier in the race. We’re trying to keep one eye on that. The way you win these races is by having a sharp race car at the end of the race when it’s spread for the cautions at the end. You can’t cater too much for having a conservative car to save the tires early on in the heat of the day.”

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Palou Edges Newgarden To Top Busy IMS Oval Test

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Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 11, 2024) – There’s still one jewel missing from Alex Palou’s racing crown, but testing Oct. 11 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway showed he may be closer than ever to adding it next May.

Reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Palou has won the championship three times in the last four seasons, but he still seeks his first Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge victory. But Palou led testing on the historic 2.5-mile oval Friday with a top speed of 224.342 mph in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Palou’s best Indy 500 finish is second, behind Helio Castroneves’ historic fourth win in 2021. Palou earned his first “500” pole in 2023.

“It was a good day of testing,” Palou said. “We tried a lot of stuff. Yesterday was Firestone, today was more us, Ganassi and Honda. We’re happy. You want to come here, and even if you’re testing a bunch of stuff, you want to be first.”

Looming right behind Palou on the speed chart was two-time reigning Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, second at 223.973 in the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Team Penske Chevrolet. Rinus VeeKay was third at 223.383 in the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda in his first day of testing with that team.

Graham Rahal was fourth at 222.650 in the No. 45 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, with 2022 “500” winner Marcus Ericsson rounding out the top five at 222.324 in the No. 28 Andretti Global Honda.

Eleven car-and-driver combinations – one driver from each team – combined to turn 1,123 laps in six hours of testing Friday after four drivers tested tires Thursday afternoon for Firestone. A primary area of focus for all teams and drivers was the new hybrid system, which made its competitive debut in July 2024.

The hybrid system offers the competitors and their twin-turbo V6 engines an additional 60 horsepower. Previous iterations of the hybrid package were previously tested during the development process, but this test marked the debut of the system as it will race next May.

“I think the overtake we get (from the hybrid) is nice,” Palou said. “I think it’s good enough to set up a pass maybe in the middle of the pack. We’ll have to see.”

The 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is Sunday, May 25, live on FOX and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Visit IMS.com for ticket and event details.

RCR Race Preview: Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL

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Official Release
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Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL… Richard Childress Racing has 13 NASCAR Cup Series starts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. Tyler Reddick owns the company’s best finish, a second-place effort in 2021. Both RCR Chevrolets captured top-10 results in 2022 (Reddick – eighth; Austin Dillon – 10th). Kyle Busch led RCR in 2023 with a third-place finish.

RCR’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Stats at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL… RCR has made 10 starts at the ROVAL in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, highlighted by Tyler Reddick’s second-place finish in 2019. The Welcome, N.C., organization has six top-10 finishes dating back to the inaugural event in 2018. The best qualifying effort by an RCR driver is second-place by Daniel Hemric (2018) and Tyler Reddick (2019). Sheldon Creed led 18 laps in the 2022 race, the most at the ROVAL by an RCR driver.

Catch the Action on Saturday… The NASCAR Xfinity Series Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL will be televised live on Saturday, October 12, beginning at 4 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 Cup Series Race… The NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America ROVAL 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL will be televised live on Sunday, October 13, 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 BetMGM Chevrolet at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL… Charlotte Motor Speedway is Austin Dillon’s home track. Growing up, Dillon watched many races from his grandfather’s condo with his family. In six NASCAR Cup Series starts at the ROVAL, Dillon earned his best finish of 10th in October 2022 and has completed 93 percent of the laps run at the 17-turn road course. Dillon is a previous winner on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s oval configuration, sweeping both NASCAR Xfinity races at the track in 2015 and earning his career-first NASCAR Cup Series win in the Coca-Cola 600 in 2017.

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Meet Dillon… On Friday, October 11 at 1 p.m. ET, Dillon is scheduled to make an appearance at the Huk store in the Charlotte Premium Outlets (5512 New Fashion Way, Charlotte, NC 28278 Suite #1055). Stop by to shop some of Dillon’s favorite Huk styles and try to beat his time on a RCR race simulator. Dillon is scheduled to greet race fans at the RCR Merchandise Trailer in the Fan Midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway at 10: 45 a.m. ET on Sunday, October 13. Meet the driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet and get new RCR gear.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL?

“It’s always nice to compete at your hometown track. I have confidence leading into the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL this year because we have worked hard on our road course races. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into road course cars. This weekend we aim to carry on the momentum into finishing races like we have in the past few weeks.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Lenovo Chevrolet at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL… Kyle Busch will make his seventh NASCAR Cup Series start at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL this weekend. The driver of the Lenovo Chevrolet has reeled off three consecutive top-five finishes at the North Carolina road course, including a third-place finish in the 2023 event. Busch finished fourth in 2021 and completed 97.56 percent of the possible laps at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (641 of a possible 657 laps).

Stat of the Week… Busch leads all active Cup Series drivers with three top-five finishes at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL.

Road Course Successes… Busch has racked up four wins (two at Watkins Glen International and two at Sonoma Raceway) along with 19 top-five and 29 top-10 finishes in 55 career road course races in Cup Series competition.

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KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

There have been changes made to the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL configuration. Do you think that will create additional passing zones and improve the quality of racing?

“Anytime there are changes made to a road course I think it is always directed towards creating additional passing zones and improving the quality of racing, so hopefully that happens. I think the area of the racetrack before in Turns 6, 7 and 8 was always single file, follow the leader, so maybe now you’ll have guys pull out a line and try to make a pass in the hairpin before getting back up on the big track.”

Would you be in favor of changing the course layout of a street course or the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL every few years to mix things up?

“I’m more in favor of going to different, permanent courses than street courses or rovals.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL… Jesse Love will make his inaugural start at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL this weekend. The Sunoco Rookie of the Year points leader has prepared for the new course layout by spending hours on the Chevrolet Tech Center simulator, walking the track, and watching past races.

Round of 12 Cutoff… With one race remaining in the Round of 12, Love currently sits sixth in the Xfinity Series playoff championship point standings. The 19-year-old driver has a 22-point advantage over the cutline and needs to secure a maximum of 41 points (without help) to advance to the Round of 8.

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Meet Love… On Saturday, October 12 at 1 p.m. ET, Love and his RCR teammate Austin Hill are scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Fan Midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Stop by to meet the Chevrolet drivers and purchase new gear.

JESSE LOVE QUOTES:

Having never competed at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, what are your initial thoughts of the course?

“I walked the track on Monday morning to get a good look at it. It’s pretty interesting, but it looks fun. The hairpin in Turn 7 is going to create added chaos, and I’m honestly not sure what to think about the backstretch chicane yet. It should create a different pass zone, but not too much different than before. Turn 7 will add to the race and could make it easier to pass cars if you’re within a few car lengths of the guy in front of you. I’ve put my heart and soul into this race and have been working on it since Watkins Glen International, so I’m as prepared as I can be.”

How does a younger driver like yourself be a sponge to learn as much as possible in only six road course races over the course of the season?

“I’ve been pretty good – fair – at the road courses so far this season. We ran sixth at Circuit of the Americas, had a shot to win at Sonoma Raceway, and had an okay day at Watkins Glen International most recently. I need to step up my game just a little bit on the road courses though. Having guys like Connor Zilisch, SVG, and AJ Allmendinger in our series makes the rest of us work harder at it. They make us level up to their level. I’ve put a lot of work into it and learned a couple of things to hone in on for road course races. Right after Watkins Glen International, I realized how big of a race this weekend was going to be. It’s a huge opportunity race, so getting the reps in before arriving has been important for me.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL… Austin Hill has made four career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, dating back to 2020. One season ago, while driving the Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet, Hill started from the eighth position and finished a career-best ninth place.

One to Go in the Round of 12… With one race remaining in the Round of 12 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Hill currently sits fourth in the playoff championship point standings. The Winston, Georgia native has a 37-point advantage over the cutline and needs to secure a maximum of 34 points (without help) to advance to the next round.

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

Meet Hill… On Saturday, October 12 at 1 p.m. ET, Hill and his RCR teammate Jesse Love are scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler in the Fan Midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Stop by to meet the Chevrolet drivers and purchase new gear.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTES:

With the new course updates to the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, how have you prepared and what do you expect?

“We have run simulator time at the Chevrolet Tech Center in Concord to prepare for this weekend’s race. The new course design is a lot different than what we have run in the past. Turn 7 is going to be an extremely tight corner, so I think there is going to be a lot of bonsai moves and carnage happening there. The change to the backstretch chicane makes it tighter with it being more of a 90-degree corner now. You need a car that will turn really good through all of those tight sections, but you can’t be too loose. It’s a balance of needing to be free though to have good switch backs. Turn 7 will definitely be one to watch.”

On a scale of one to 10, where does your road course game stack up?

“I obviously can’t put myself at a 10 since we haven’t won yet, but I think I’m a solid seven. There have been so many road course races that our No. 21 team has had a shot at winning over the last several years. We have either come up a little short or a late race restart has prevented us from capturing a win. But if you look at it from a whole, I’m a little bit of an underdog when it comes to road course racing, and I like it that way. We always seem to find ourselves inside the top-five at the end when it matters though.”

The Gorsline Company Announces 2025 Scholarship Candidates at Petit Le Mans

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Official Release
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Braselton, Ga., October 11, 2024 – The Gorsline Company is proud to announce the three exceptional candidates for this year’s prestigious Gorsline Scholarship in racing, which recognizes and rewards young drivers who display exceptional talent and a professional respect for motorsports. This announcement, which celebrates the future of motorsports and the remarkable talents of young racers, will take place during the IMSA Petit Le Mans race weekend at Road Atlanta, October 9-13.

Since its inception in 1994, the Gorsline Scholarship has honored outstanding individuals in the racing community, with previous winners including renowned names like Danica Patrick, Josef Newgarden, Conor Daly, Katherine Legge, Patrick Long, Bryan Herta, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., to name a few.

This year, the spotlight shines on three dynamic women racers, all of whom are poised to become future champions in the sport. The recipient of the scholarship will be revealed at the IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring in March 2025.

Kelsey Pinkowski

Kelsey Pinkowski

A member of the Kiwi Crosslink Formula 4 team, Kelsey recently showcased her talent by finishing 2nd at the Watkins Glen SVRA after starting from 7th. Coached by Nic Jonsson, she balances her racing career with her studies in Global Business Management at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where she also serves as the Business Associate for RIT’s successful Formula SAE team.

Isabella Robusto

Isabella Robusto

A rising star in the ARCA Menards series with an impressive 10 starts and 6 top ten finishes this season, Isabella began her racing journey at just 5 years old. She is a member of the Toyota Racing Development Program and holds the record for being the youngest driver selected for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program (at age 12). Currently, she is an Aeronautical Engineering major at Arizona State University, having graduated high school a year early.

Lexy Barlow

Lexy Barlow

Demonstrating exceptional race craft and determination, Lexy is advancing through the ranks and has competed in various vintage races. Currently working as a project manager in Norwalk, CT, Lexy embodies the spirit of the Gorsline Company’s mission to support emerging talents in motorsports.

“The Gorsline Company has been committed to the motorsports community for decades, and supporting the next generation of racers is at the heart of our mission,” said John Gorsline, principal of the Gorsline Company. “I am very proud and filled with gratitude about the ability to help these future champions in any way I can. God Bless them. And it’s an honor to spotlight these talented women who exemplify the spirit of competition and dedication to the sport when we present the 25th selection of the award next March at Sebring.”

About the Gorsline Company

Headquartered in Rochester, NY, the Gorsline Company has been a pioneer in providing insurance for high-risk professionals in motorsports for nearly 50 years. With a focus on custom-designed insurance solutions and estate planning for drivers and team owners, Gorsline has supported some of the top names in racing. The company also awards the Gorsline Scholarship annually to aspiring drivers who display exceptional talent and professionalism, furthering its commitment to the motorsports community.

For more information about the Gorsline Scholarship and the candidates, please visit www.gorsline.com.

A LOT ON THE LINE FOR PRO STOCK’S ERICA ENDERS AT TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS

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Official Release
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ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 11, 2024) – Only one driver in Pro Stock history has ever won at Texas Motorplex three years in a row. Defending world champion Erica Enders has the chance to match legendary driver Warren Johnson with a victory at this weekend’s 39th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, which would also enhance her championship prospects in the process.

Enders, who is third in points, has won the Texas NHRA FallNationals in back-to-back years, with each win helping carry her to two straight championships. Last year’s victory made her the winningest female in motorsports and remains a special win for Enders, but another victory couldn’t come at a better time for the six-time world champion.

She remains on the hunt for her 50th career national event win and is looking for her first victory since the season-opener in Gainesville in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Scag Power Equipment car. Enders is also racing for her crew chief, Mark Ingersoll, who is recovering after a double lung transplant last week.

That puts a lot on Enders’ mind heading into the key race in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, but a victory at her home track would be welcomed for a variety of reasons.

“I am just focused on the task at hand,” Enders said. “We’ve got to go out there and we need to win here, honestly. Vegas is a really great track to me as well, so hopefully these next two races we’ll do some good and maybe get that 50th off our back. But, you know, mindset coming in here is, it’s kind of a lot of things. There’s a lot going on, there’s a lot on the table, and there’s a lot on our hearts. So, we just have to put our heads down and focus.

“A win puts us right back in the mix. The first three races of the Countdown, it’s been the (same) four drivers (points leader Dallas Glenn, Aaron Stanfield, Greg Anderson and Enders) every semifinal. That kind of makes it hard take a step in front of somebody. We’ve won here the last two years in a row, so that would be pretty awesome to get three in a row and to do it for Mark.”

Last season, Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all collected NHRA wins in Dallas and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage airing at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday Oct. 13. It is the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship and the 18th of 20 races during the 2024 season.

A Texas-sized playoff showdown starts with “Friday Night Live,” which offers more than $40,000 in bonus money to the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The low qualifier under the lights on Friday night will net Top Fuel and Funny Car stars $15,000 each in bonus money, with $7,500 going to the quickest qualifier in Pro Stock and $5,000 in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

That kickoff to the weekend is one of the many reasons Enders loves racing at Texas Motorplex. But the intensity will be at a fever pitch as she looks to make a move in the standings. After back-to-back wins, Glenn is back in the points lead, holding a 31-point advantage over Enders’ Elite Motorsports teammate, Stanfield. Enders is 90 points back and Anderson trails by 116 points, and Enders knows she has work to do. But she’s looking forward to the challenge at a facility she has always cherished.

“I love it and it’s no secret that I’m extremely fond of Texas and I’m a proud Texan,” Enders said. “What the Meyer family does for our sport is pretty awesome. I love coming in here and feeling so welcome and blessed, and it’s that typical Texas hospitality. This race is different than any other. Friday night, it’s super fun for the “Battle of the Saddle,” and then obviously winning the race and getting the cowboy hat and the Corral Boots is always pretty epic, too, so I love it here.”

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Richard Gadson remains in hot contention after a strong start to his first experience in the Countdown to the Championship. A candidate for the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year, Gadson advanced to a pair of final rounds to open the playoffs before being tripped up in the second round in St. Louis.

Still, the first-year rider in still in the thick of the championship mix on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, entering this weekend’s race in Dallas third in points and 65 points behind teammate and reigning world champion Herrera. Gadson will look to make a move in Dallas, while also contending with the likes of Matt Smith, who is 34 points back of Herrera, 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant, Angie Smith, Reading winner Hector Arana Jr., Angie Smith and Jianna Evaristo.

Top Fuel’s Pruett stepped out of her dragster at the start of the season and headed driving duties over to her husband and motorsports legend Tony Stewart. Stewart has a runner-up finish to his credit this season and will be looking for his first career Top Fuel win. He’ll be up against points leader and three-time champion Antron Brown, standout Justin Ashley, former champ Shawn Langdon and reigning champion Doug Kalitta.

Hagan is the reigning Funny Car champion, and his 2023 Texas NHRA FallNationals was a major reason he grabbed his fourth title. If he wants to go back-to-back in Dallas, he’ll need to get by Funny Car points leader and class newcomer Austin Prock, Bob Tasca III, J.R. Todd, Ron Capps and Jack Beckman, who is driving for John Force.

The Texas NHRA FallNationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers and begins racing on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The weekend will include the exciting new Holley EFI Factory X category and the Jr. Dragster Shootout, as well as a jet dragster exhibition after nitro qualifying on Friday.

Fans will also be treated to the JEG’s Allstar event, which pits sportsman racers from across the country against each other for the ultimate drag racing battle. After a successful first year at the famed Texas Motorplex in 2023, the unique specialty race is back as a major highlight of the 2024 Stampede of Speed as one of most highly-anticipated sportsman events of the year.

Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Texas Motorplex can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the Texas NHRA FallNationals event winners.

As always, fans can get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 11, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 13. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and as well as action from eliminations at 4 p.m.

To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, call 800-668-6775 or visit tickets.texasmotorplex.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

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

About NHRA

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

AM Racing | Dylan Lupton Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course Xfinity Series Race Preview

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Official Release
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AM Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course | Drive for the Cure 250

Fast Facts

No. 15 AM Racing Team:
Driver: Dylan Lupton
Primary Partner(s): Lupton Excavation | AirBox
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Ryan “Pickle” London
Spotter: Michael Fisher
Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. X-79
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines

Notes of Interest:

Final Stretch: Veteran race car driver Dylan Lupton will pilot AM Racing’s No. 15 Ford Mustang for the final five 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, including Saturday afternoon’s Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course.

Lupton, a graduate of the NASCAR Next initiative, will also drive the team’s Ford Mustang at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, and the season finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway on Nov. 9, 2024.

The former ARCA Menards Series West winner returned to NASCAR Xfinity Series competition for the first time since Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway last year on Oct. 5, 2024, at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Driving the No. 15 Sentinel Foundation | Nine Line Apparel Ford Mustang for AM Racing, Lupton contended for a top-10 finish before being collected in the “Big One” with three laps to go.

To jumpstart his stock car racing career this year, Lupton returned to the ARCA Menards Series at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in mid-September when he piloted the No. 30 Lupton Excavation | Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang to a top-10 finish in the General Tire 100 at The Glen.

The Californian has spent most of 2024 competing in select Late-Model events on the West Coast and in a limited Trans Am Series XGT Class schedule.

Lupton has 61 starts across all three of NASCAR’s national divisions, with one top-five and five top-10 finishes.

Welcome Aboard: For the 29th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season, AM Racing and Lupton welcome Lupton Excavation to the team as the primary partner on the No. 15 Ford Mustang for the 67-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

Lupton Excavation Inc. was founded in 1987. The company provides excavation work and digs foundations.

Serving Sacramento, Calif., and surrounding areas, Lupton Excavation Inc. also specializes in Earthwork and plumbing.

Giving You Peace of Air: For the final road course race of the season, AirBox will serve in an associate partnership role on Lupton’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in Saturday afternoon’s Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

In 2017, AirBox was established to focus on building the world’s best air purifiers for indoor occupied spaces. This coincided with people starting to wake up to issues with indoor air quality. With new challenges to air cleanliness, such as COVID-19 and wildfire smoke, people are looking for effective and proven solutions to ensure they receive cleaner air, at last.

Their history in delivering clean air systems and services gives them an expertise that is unmatched. AirBox uses some of the most effective air filtration technologies that exist with Certified HEPA and Advanced Molecular Adsorption. Coupled with their Indoor Air Quality Assessment, AirBox is the total solution for all indoor air quality needs, ensuring their customers meet and exceed current and future ventilation standards.

Today, AirBox filtration systems are used across the country, purifying the air and capturing harmful irritants to create healthier, safer spaces. They’ve become the trusted choice for hospitals, educational centers, offices, warehouses, construction zones, public assembly, sports facilities, and more.

They’re proud to build all products to the highest standards in the USA at their North Carolina production facility. Every day, AirBox is working hard to give the American people the safer learning, working, and living environments they deserve — helping people breathe easy and live better.

Catch Him On The Dial: Before Dylan Lupton straps into his No. 15 Ford Mustang on Saturday, the AM Racing driver will be featured on “The Frontstretch” on SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 90, with host Pat Patterson on Saturday morning, October 12, 2024, at approximately 9:30 a.m. ET.

Lupton will preview the Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course and discuss his new opportunity with Statesville, N.C.-based AM Racing.

Dylan Lupton NASCAR Xfinity Series Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway will mark Lupton’s inaugural Xfinity Series start at the newly reconfigured 17-turn, 2.28-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL™.

The Xfinity Series driver will look to improve his overall road course average Xfinity finish of 22.1.

Dylan Lupton NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: In 42 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Lupton has a career-best ninth-place finish after starting 16th for Athenian Motorsports at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August 2015.

In addition to his Xfinity Series starts, he has achieved four NASCAR Cup Series starts and 15 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts to his credit.

Thanks For Your Support: With 84 percent of the 2024 Xfinity Series season complete, AM Racing and Dylan Lupton would like to thank their marketing partners for their support: AirBox, Flying Circle, Mechanix Wear, Mobil 1 and WIX Filters.

Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway | United Rentals 250 Race Recap: The 28th race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season kicked off in a return trip to Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

Without the benefit of practice, Lupton qualified his No. 15 Sentinel Foundation | Nine Line Apparel Ford Mustang 36th, but quickly from the drop of the green flag, the Wilton, Calif. native navigated through the field and found himself inside the top 20 for most of the race.

In Stage 3, Lupton pressed the attack, drafted his No. 15 AM Racing Ford Mustang inside the top-10, and contended for the team’s best finish of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series until he was collected in a massive “Big One.”

The accident damaged Lupton’s race car on the right side. The team patched up his blue oval, allowing the 30-year-old to return to the race and finish a respectable 24th at the checkered flag.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Ryan “Pickle” London is Dylan Lupton’s crew chief.

He will be crew chief for his 29th NASCAR Xfinity Series race and his first on the Queen City road course.

In his previous 28 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected two top-10 finishes, including a career-best ninth at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International with Joey Logano in September 2024 for AM Racing.

Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Dylan Lupton like him on Facebook (Lupton Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@luptondylan) and X | Twitter (@LuptonDylan).

Dylan Lupton Quoteboard:

On The Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course: “I’m hoping for another strong effort from our AM Racing team on Saturday. It’s a bummer that we did not get the finish we deserved at Talladega because we showcased a lot of speed, but we’ll have an opportunity to rebound on Saturday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

“It’s an updated layout, so I feel like it will put me on a level playing field with the rest of the field as we utilize practice to get used to the new configuration and set you up for qualifying and race day.

“I can’t thank everyone at AM Racing enough for this continued opportunity, and I look forward to a productive race.”

Race Information:

The Drive for the Cure 250 (67 laps | 152.76 miles) is the 29th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Saturday, October 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag shortly after 4:00 p.m. ET, with live coverage on the CW Network, the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and various Dirt Modified events in its eighth year of competition.

Lone Star Racing Primed for Endurance Cup Breakthrough at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta’s IMSA Petit Le Mans

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Official Release
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Lone Star Racing’s 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Michelin Endurance Cup GTD Entry with IMSA Confirmed

BRASELTON, Georgia (October 11, 2024) – Fast off a pair of races at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), Lone Star Racing arrives at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for yet another blockbuster endurance event with the team’s first running in the IMSA Motul Petit Le Mans.

Completing the fifth and final round of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup is Lone Star Racing’s driving trio of Salih Yoluç, Rui Andrade and Scott Andrews in the No. 80 ACS Manufacturing/Sonangol/Visit Angola Mercedes-AMG GT3. All roads lead to Saturday, October 12th’s 10-hour race, with the green flag scheduled for 12:10 p.m. EDT. The race can be viewed in its entirety on the Peacock streaming network, with the opening three hours broadcast live on NBC, and the closing stint from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EDT on USA Network.

Lone Star most recently competed at Indy in IMSA’s Battle on the Bricks in September and last weekend’s SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge Indianapolis 8 Hour.

In the Indy 8 Hour, Lone Star rebounded for a third-place Pro-class finish despite never having a chance to fight for the victory. The team and drivers Luca Stolz, Fabian Schiller and three-time IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou persevered through electrical issues for the majority of the race but turned in a no-quit performance straight to the checkered flag in the No. 4 Mercedes-AMG Team Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.

That Indy 8 Hour weekend included a GT2-class win in Friday’s GT America race from Lone Star Racing team owner and driver Dan Knox. The Indy title gave Knox a three-for-three-win record in the GT2 configuration of the Mercedes-AMG, adding to a pair of wins at Long Beach in April. All three convincing victories were flag-to-flag triumphs from the pole in the No. 10 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT2.

A one-off Michelin Pilot Challenge GS appearance with Knox and Andrews also earned Lone Star Racing a solid result during the IMSA Indy weekend with a fifth-place finish while closing fast to the leaders in the final stages of the race in the No. 79 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4.

“Dan achieved a clean sweep of the GT2 races he entered this year, and I’m really happy to see him having fun,” said Lone Star Racing Team Manager and Technical Director AJ Petersen. “Success follows that, and he’s relaxed when he is racing too. The fifth place in GS Dan and Scott had on the IMSA Indy weekend was punching above our weight class to be able to step in and do a one-off like that. We’ve got a great group of people, and when we’re all pulling in the same direction, it’s pretty magical.”

Lone Star Racing is searching for a season-best result this weekend at Road Atlanta after a challenging Endurance Cup campaign. In the Indy IMSA six-hour race, Yoluç, Andrade and Andrews battled through wet and treacherous conditions for nearly the first half of the race but soon found some pace and grip in the dry. The race seemed to be coming to Lone Star in the closing hours only for the team to literally be knocked from contention by a GTD competitor more than 20 laps down. The No. 80 returned to the race after being retrieved from a gravel trap but was then four laps down after the needless delay.

“I’m definitely hopeful that we get some good breaks in the Michelin Endurance Cup finale at Petit Le Mans,” Petersen said. “It’s a race that we haven’t campaigned as Lone Star Racing before, but we’re going into it with some experience in the event with different members of the crew. We always have a solid car, but honestly, I don’t know what to expect. We’re just going to give it our best and see what happens.”

The team is ready to turn that luck around in the IMSA WeatherTech Series finale this weekend, and its drivers have a blueprint to complete the process. Andrade is a 2022 Petit race winner, having captured the LMP2 class with Tower Motorsports. Andrews most recent Road Atlanta win came at the 2021 Motul Petit Le Mans in the LMP3 class.

Not only is Motul Petit Le Mans the final race of the Michelin Endurance Challenge, which included endurance races at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Indianapolis, but serves as a springboard for Lone Star Racing for 2025. Lone Star Racing was among 21 teams announced by IMSA on Thursday confirmed and committed to the IMSA WeatherTech competition. Lone Star is set for a return to the Endurance Cup next year, with a GTD driver line-up to be announced in the near future.

The Motul Petit Le Mans weekend began with three practice sessions on Thursday, followed by Friday’s 3:25 p.m. EDT qualifying session. Racing begins at 12:10 p.m. EDT on Saturday afternoon.

About Lone Star Racing: Based at Motorsport Ranch within the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area in Cresson, Texas, Lone Star Racing is competing in the No. 80 Lone Star Racing/ACS Manufacturing Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the 2024 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup in the GTD class. Lone Star Racing and its team members have won races across North America spanning sprint and endurance racing formats. The crew has worked together on many different teams and various types of cars, developing a strong bond and proven capability that gives them a competitive and winning advantage. Lone Star Racing competes with the support of primary partner ACS Manufacturing, Inc. (www.ACSManufacturing.com). Look for Lone Star Racing and team owner/driver Dan Knox on Facebook and follow the team on YouTube at Lone Star Racing, on Twitter and Instagram at @LSRTeam and on the official team web site at www.LoneStarRacingTeam.com.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Agree on Technical Partnership for the Future of the Automotive Industry

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Official Release
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Providing Drivers, Engineers, and Mechanics Chances to Develop by Facing Challenges at the Pinnacle of Motorsports

Toyota City, Japan, Oct 11, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team announced today that they have concluded a basic agreement on entering a technical partnership concerning MoneyGram Haas F1 Team vehicle development and collaborative efforts. Through this partnership, the two sides aim to contribute to the development of the automotive industry by creating an environment in which young Japanese drivers, engineers, and mechanics can gain experience and grow in the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1), the pinnacle of motorsports.

TGR continues to compete in motorsports to hone the three essential elements of car manufacturing: people, pipeline*, and product. In the “driver-first” carmaking strongly advocated by Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda, aka Morizo, cars are repeatedly broken and fixed in the arena of motorsports, and professional driver feedback is thoroughly incorporated into the development of production vehicles. In recent efforts to strengthen this approach, there is a growing need to enhance people by developing drivers, engineers, and mechanics, to effectively use the pipeline of data analysis and utilization, and to apply insights gained to products through vehicle development. Through the technical partnership announced today, TGR intends to further strengthen people and learn MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s pipeline, which is one of the team’s strengths in F1, to accelerate the creation of ever-better motorsports-bred cars.

Specifically, the agreement entails the participation in MoneyGram Haas F1 Team test drives by TGR training drivers, engineers, and mechanics. This will enable the drivers to gain driving experience in F1, and it will allow the engineers and mechanics to learn how to analyze vast amounts of data, such as driving data, to effectively operate a pipeline for such at TGR. The agreement also entails the participation of TGR engineers and mechanics in MoneyGram Haas F1 Team racing car aerodynamics development to cultivate human resources―by having participants design and manufacture carbon-fiber parts in simulated extreme operational environments―who can play active roles on the front lines of the pinnacle of motorsports and reflect the technology and knowledge acquired in production vehicles.

Sharing a desire to contribute to motorsports and the automotive industry through human resource development, TGR and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team intend to continue their initiatives for strengthening their racing teams.

*The know-how and infrastructure for multi-point sharing of vast amounts of data, such as ongoing-race driving data, immediately analyzing such data, and promptly utilizing it in strategic planning for the race at hand

About Toyota

Toyota strives to be a strong corporate citizen, engaging with and earning the trust of its stakeholders, and to contribute to the creation of a prosperous society through all its business operations.

Our corporate principles form the basis of our initiatives, reflect values that enable action, and drive our mindset.

For the latest Toyota-related news and information:
https://tinyurl.com/ToyotaPressRelease

News URL: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/93248/

URL: https://plus.google.com/+toyotaglobal | Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ToyotaMotorCorporation/ | Twitter : https://twitter.com/TOYOTA_PR/ | Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/toyotajpchannel/ | Linkedin : https://linkedin.com/company/toyota

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