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Rick Ware Racing: Corey LaJoie/Kaz Grala Charlotte Roval Advance

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Official Release
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COREY LAJOIE | KAZ GRALA
Charlotte Roval Advance
Event Overview

● Event: Bank of America Roval 400 (Round 32 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 13
● Location: Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval
● Layout: 2.28-mile, 17-turn road course
● Laps/Miles: 109 laps/252.88 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 25 laps / Stage 2: 25 laps / Final Stage: 59 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Corey LaJoie, Driver of the No. 51 Schluter Systems Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Corey LaJoie, driver of the No. 51 Schluter Systems Ford Mustang Dark Horse, will make his sixth start at the Charlotte (N.C.). Motor Speedway Roval this Sunday. In five previous NASCAR Cup Series starts, LaJoie’s two most recent were his best – a 12th-place result in 2022 and 17th in 2023.

● The Roval marks the fifth and final road-course race of the 2024 season. LaJoie’s best road-course result of the year came at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, where he started 18th and finished eighth. It was a career-best result in 29 road-course races.

● In two starts with RWR, LaJoie has earned back to back top-20’s and set a new team-best finish at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City with a 15th-place effort.

● Schluter Systems joins LaJoie for the third time this year and first as the primary partner on the No. 51 RWR Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Schluter Systems provides innovative, easy-to-use installation systems to support the durability, integrity and design of tile installations. With more than 8,000 products within its growing portfolio, Schluter Systems is continuously improving the landscape of the tile industry. Its educational workshops and intuitive approach to product design supports Schluter’s position as an industry leader in quality and service. Schluter Systems services North America with multiple Training, Distribution and Manufacturing facilities in Plattsburgh, New York, Montreal, Quebec, Reno, Nevada, and Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit www.schluter.com.

Kaz Grala, Driver of the No. 15 Meat N’ Bone Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Kaz Grala, driver of the No. 15 Meat N’ Bone Ford Mustang Dark Horse, will make his first Cup Series start on the 2.28-mile, 17-turn Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval in Sunday’s Bank of America Roval 400.

● Grala owns four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts on the Roval. He earned a top-five finish last October and a top-10 in his first start in 2018.

● In six Cup Series road-course starts, Grala has an average finish of 23.8. His only top-10 result came in his first Cup Series start in 2020 on the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway road-course layout.

● Meat N’ Bone returns to the No. 15 RWR Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the Roval. Meat N’ Bone is an online butcher shop offering premium quality meats delivered locally and shipped nationally. Customers can order from more than 300 products, including USDA Prime and Wagyu A5, and have it delivered fresh to their door. Meat N’ Bone also offers local pickup and a personalized retail experience in its boutiques.

Rick Ware Racing Notes

● The Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series is back in action with RWR Top Fuel racer Clay Millican set to compete at Texas Motorplex in Ennis Friday through Sunday. It’s the fourth event in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Millican is currently seventh in the standings with three events remaining.

● Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age six when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that fields two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), where RWR won the 2022 SX2 championship with rider Shane McElrath.

Corey LaJoie, Driver Q&A

How do you expect the changes made to the Roval layout to affect the racing?

“I think we’re going to see some carnage and some aggression. We’re taking away some passing zones and, I think, trying to create others, but I’m not sure that’s what will happen. But, I think it will accomplish what it’s meant to – tight racing and lots of excitement for the fans.”

How much does the extended practice session this weekend help when learning how to get around the track?

“I imagine a lot of teams will spend time trying to figure out the best way to get through those turns and where you can find speed and a passing zone. Handling is always important, but even moreso on the road courses. So, I think between finding your way through the new layout, especially turn six into seven and up onto the oval, and making sure the car is where it needs to be for that first stage, we’ll have a pretty detailed checklist to get through in practice.”

Kaz Grala, Driver Q&A

What are the biggest differences between the Roval and a traditional road course?

“The Roval is tricky because it’s unforgiving – there’s very little runoff before you’re in trouble. I’ve always liked the discipline needed to squeeze the most lap time out of the car without making any mistakes, and this track rewards that more than anywhere else. I’ve run up front at the Roval in every Xfinity race I’ve done there, so I feel great about our chances on Sunday.”

How do you expect the changes made to the layout to affect the racing?

“The new configuration creates an additional passing zone, but one that looks like it will invite a lot of aggression and risk-taking. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the new turn seven be at the center of any carnage, so it will be important to gain an understanding of the corner during practice and know what to expect the next day.”

It seems that track position has played a major role in success at the road courses this year. Because of that, how nice can you really be when you get an opportunity to gain position?

“It’s so hard to pass nowadays that your entire weekend, including practice, is absolutely critical to your finishing result. A good Saturday directly translates to a good Sunday, and that requires total execution of every detail. We will be aggressive and take what we can get every lap, as will everyone else, but we’re up for the challenge. Having speed opens up your options and makes all of this easier, so that’s the goal going into the weekend.”

CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Chevy Test Day 1 Report

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Official Release
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CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
TEAM CHEVY INDYCAR TEST DAY 1 REPORT
OCTOBER 10, 2024

TEAM CHEVY COMPLETES FIRST DAY OF NTT INDYCAR SERIES TESTING AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

  • Nolan Siegel, driving the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, completed the three-tier Rookie Orientation Program (ROP) during the morning session Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
  • Team Chevy was represented on track in the afternoon test session by Pato O’Ward, driving for Arrow McLaren, and Josef Newgarden, driving for Team Penske on the first day of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES test at the 2.5-mile famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
  • Of the 495 total laps turned by four cars on track in the afternoon session, O’Ward and Newgarden combined for 234 laps for Team Chevy.
  • Santino Ferrucci, driving for AJ Foyt Racing, Christian Lundgaard, driving for Arrow McLaren, Ryan Hunter-Reay, driving for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Alexander Rossi, driving for Ed Carpenter Racing, Conor Daly, driving for Juncos Hollinger Racing, and Josef Newgarden, driving for Team Penske, will take to the track for the second of the two-day test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (QUOTES):

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

On testing at Indianapolis…

“Every lap you get around the speedway is super important. Is it going to be something completely different to when we test here in the past? No. I think we’re very lucky that we have a beautiful day today to test and get some running in today. We’re doing mostly tire stuff, so I would say in terms of what we can learn on the car, it’s a bit limited, more limited than usual. But, tomorrow for Christian (Lundgaard) in our car, he’ll be able to test that, go through the run plan. For us today, I think it’s more kind of helping Firestone kind of figure out where we want to take this tire or if it wants to change or not. That’s probably the purpose of doing these different tires. It’ll be fine. It’s always a good day being here at IMS.”

On working with new teammate Christian Lundgaard…

“I’m excited to have him on board. He’s obviously quick. He has enough experience to know what to expect, and now, I’m the old guy in the team having Nolan (Siegel) and Christian in there. It definitely feels a bit different, I would say. I’m not the baby anymore. Nah, we’re going to have a lot of fun.”

How is it adjusting to the elder teammate role?

“Wise guy, you know. Wise guy… I’m going to teach Nolan, teach Christian. I don’t know. Whatever they want to know.”

Last time you were here, it was an emotional runner-up finish. How much do you still think about that, or do you?

“No, we’re thinking of next year. Already thinking of next year. Just how we can make our month (of May) that much smoother and have another shot at it.”

Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

Talk about your experience on the oval at Indianapolis and passing Rookie Orientation Program (ROP)…

“It’s great, and it’s great to be here with Arrow McLaren. Obviously, it’s our first day here together and, while it’s still 2024, it’s kind of the first day of 2025. So, excited to get going. We’ve got some new people, and it was a lot of fun. We’re where we need to be. It went well. Everything went smoothly and we’re ready to go for the open test.”

How big is it to be knowing you’re locked into and be on track with Arrow McLaren?

“It’s huge. I’m super excited to be at Arrow McLaren. They’ve been super competitive everywhere, but here at the speedway especially. I’m excited about May, about the (Indianapolis) 500, and it feels good to just have some stability for myself and the team. So, we’re excited to move forward for the next couple of years and see what we can do.”

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from guys like your teammate Pato O’Ward?

“There’s a lot and I’ve been lucky to have great teammates in INDYCAR so far with Pato (O’Ward), and Alex (Rossi) last year, obviously. Christian (Lundgaard) and I haven’t got to work together yet, but I’m sure I’ll learn from him as well. It depends on the track but places like (Indianapolis), there’s so much track-specific knowledge these guys have just from doing the races here. Obviously, I haven’t raced here yet so I’m going to lean on him a lot for some of the traffic management stuff, strategy, and I don’t know, we’ll see.”

How much is last years’ experience at Indianapolis driving you? Does that change the way you approach the month of May?

“Yes. It absolutely does. As much as that was a terrible feeling last year for me, I am in a way better spot going into the Indy 500 in 2025 than I would be had I not had that experience. I feel comfortable here. Really excited to be here in the Arrow McLaren car, and I think we’re going to be competitive right out of the gate. That experience is going to come in handy, for sure.”

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet:

“It’s always great to be back here at Indianapolis. Certainly, it has changed in a positive way after finally converting two wins. Obviously, my team is pumped. They’re not new to that. They’ve won a lot of races around here, but new for me. It adds a little special element. I love being here. Excited to run today and get ready for 2025. Not just for ourselves, we’re here helping Firestone and INDYCAR out right now. We’re trying to get a good package for next year. A couple of new car configurations, so always exciting to be here at the speedway.”

How much will the hybrid impact this race. We know it’s early days…

“Look, the car is different. It weighs a little bit more, and the hybrid component is a factor. Next year, the complexity of this race, I don’t think it’s going to flip on its head but you’re going to have new elements that you weren’t used to last year. The hybrid will be a big part of that. You’re going to have to figure out how to utilize that and get the most out of it, especially at the end of the race. We’re learning about that today. We didn’t have that this year. So, I’m going to try and figure out what’s best for us, and the league is trying to figure out what’s best for everybody.”

About General Motors

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

Speedway Motorsports and Rick Hendrick Announce New Ten Tenths Motor Club At Charlotte Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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  • Located adjacent to Charlotte Motor Speedway and Hendrick Motorsports, the Ten Tenths Motor Club is a new joint venture combining the unparalleled motorsports and automotive heritage of Speedway Motorsports and business leader Rick Hendrick.
  • Ten Tenths Motor Club will include the Ten Tenths Circuit, a multi-purpose lighted road course featuring three challenging configurations; the Ten Tenths Clubhouse, a 20,000-square-foot hospitality and special events facility with capacity for 1,500 people; a members’ garage for automotive enthusiasts and collectors featuring climate-controlled storage, lounge and mechanical service support; and expansive off-road trails for driving experiences.
  • With the Ten Tenths Circuit near completion and construction underway for the Ten Tenths Clubhouse and members’ garage and lounge, the complex will host its grand opening with the Smith Heritage Invitational automotive experience on April 4-5, 2025.

CONCORD, NC (Oct. 10, 2024) – In a first-of-its-kind partnership combining unparalleled motorsports history, automotive heritage and business expertise, officials with Speedway Motorsports and business leader Rick Hendrick today announced the creation of the Ten Tenths Motor Club, a 100-acre complex designed to attract automotive enthusiasts and manufacturers from around the world. Operated by Speedway Motorsports, the Ten Tenths Motor Club will include the Ten Tenths Circuit, a purpose-built, lighted road course with three configurations for high-performance driving; the Ten Tenths Clubhouse, a 20,000-square foot special event facility; a members’ garage featuring secure, climate-controlled storage, cigar lounge, bourbon bar and putting course; and expansive off-road driving trails.

“Our vision for Ten Tenths is to create an experiential destination that can be enjoyed by everyone from professional race car drivers to high-performance driving enthusiasts and car collectors,” said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports. “It’s the most expansive property development at Charlotte Motor Speedway since we built zMAX Dragway in 2008, and further enhances our desire to innovate for the future.

“As the name Ten Tenths implies, we are going all out to create a place to celebrate the automobile unlike any other place in the world,” Smith added. “Our new project will become a centerpiece of community amongst individual automotive enthusiasts, commercial partners and manufacturers.”

Located outside Turns 1 and 2 of Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Ten Tenths Motor Club will host its grand opening with the Smith Heritage Invitational automotive experience on April 4-5, 2025. Construction on the Ten Tenths Circuit is nearly complete, while work on the Clubhouse is underway.

“In addition to a premier track design and driving experience, Ten Tenths will have unparalleled resources and infrastructure to support every customer and organization we touch,” said Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports. “Just 20 minutes from Charlotte’s center city, it’s accessible by major thoroughfares and two nearby airports while being situated amongst a variety of lodging, shopping and entertainment options. Through our local network of service and collision centers, the facility will offer concierge vehicle maintenance and repair for nearly every exotic or high-performance car on the market. It’s a combination of amenities that cannot be matched in North America.

“The opportunity to partner with Marcus and his brothers on a passion project like this is incredibly rewarding,” added Hendrick, who is an avid car collector and preservationist. “I’ve had a special relationship with the Smith family for more than four decades. Not only do we share a love for automobiles and racing, we are aligned in our core values, our commitment to the local community and our overall vision for Ten Tenths. The collaboration thus far has been tremendous, and I can’t wait to see what our teams accomplish together as this exciting idea becomes reality.”

“For decades, my brothers and I have been blessed to build not only a business relationship with Rick Hendrick, but also a true friendship,” said Smith. “It’s an honor for Speedway Motorsports to partner with him on this joint venture and to create something worthy of the high standards exhibited by our organizations.”

Ten Tenths Circuit

Designed by F1 veteran and two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Alexander Wurz, Ten Tenths Circuit includes three configurations: a seven-turn 0.567-mile inner loop; a 13-turn 1.1-mile short course; and a 19-turn, 1.7-mile full circuit, featuring 112 feet of elevation change between Turns 6 and 14. At an average of 42 feet wide and with generous runoff areas, the course promises to challenge drivers of all skill levels. The 1.7-mile circuit can be driven in both directions and split into two courses: the 0.567-mile inner loop and the 1.1-mile short course. The inner loop will be water-irrigated for optimized testing, drifting and driver training. The circuit will also feature lighting to maximize driving opportunities with three potential sessions a day: morning, afternoon and night.

“The track itself in its beautiful landscape has a lot of ups and downs and enjoys a natural flow,” said former F1 driver and track designer Alex Wurz. “Every corner of the circuit has a different character. Altogether, it plays a symphony of drivers’ music. It wants to be driven very fast. You can rotate the car into the corners.

“All of our expertise and passion has gone into this project,” added Wurz. “I’m terribly proud to be the designer along with Charlotte Motor Speedway of the new Ten Tenths Circuit.”

Ten Tenths Clubhouse

Modeled after the exquisite Turn 11 at Sonoma Raceway, Ten Tenths Clubhouse will be a 20,000-square-foot destination for corporate retreats, business summits, special events and entertainment. The building will feature the flexibility of three large individual hospitality rooms, which can be combined into one expansive hospitality space for showcase events. Hospitality rooms will also open to outdoor patios to expand capacity for up to 1,500 people. Ten Tenths Clubhouse will include conference rooms with video presentation capabilities and a catering kitchen.

Ten Tenths Members’ Garage

In addition to the circuit and clubhouse, Ten Tenths Motor Club will include a members’ garage designed to build camaraderie and community amongst the most passionate automotive aficionados. With an atmosphere created to celebrate a high-performance automotive lifestyle, the members’ garage will include secure gated access, climate-controlled storage, luxury lounge areas for meetings or relaxation, a cigar lounge, bourbon bar, and a putting course. Members will have convenient access from garage to circuit, as well as designated event days throughout the calendar year to drive the courses.

Concierge Vehicle Service

With a dedicated concierge located on site, Ten Tenths Motor Club will offer an unparalleled maintenance and reconditioning experience provided by Charlotte-based Hendrick Automotive Group, the largest privately held operator of car dealerships in the United States.

Premium vehicle support, including white-glove pickup and delivery, will be available locally from 21 dealerships and five collision centers. Hendrick Collision Centers have the expertise to repair 30 different nameplates, including enthusiast brands such as Acura, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes, MINI, Porsche and Toyota.

For information or business inquiries about the Ten Tenths Motor Club, visit www.TenTenthsMotorClub.com.

About Speedway Motorsports:

Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. For more than 60 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway has been the flagship speedway for the company, setting the standard in motorsports entertainment for fans of all ages. Known as America’s Home for Racing, the 1,000-acre complex includes legendary Charlotte Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway, The Dirt Track at Charlotte and the Ten Tenths Circuit (opening 2025). For more information, visit www.speedwaymotorsports.com or www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

About Hendrick Automotive Group:

Representing 131 franchises and 25 manufacturer nameplates from the Carolinas to California, Hendrick Automotive Group is the largest privately held automotive retail organization in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company employs more than 10,000 people in its 93 dealership locations, 21 collision centers and four accessories distributor installers in 13 states. For more information, please visit www.HendrickCars.com.

NASCAR WEEKEND AT ROCKINGHAM SPEEDWAY TO INCLUDE ARCA MENARDS SERIES EAST

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Official Release
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Race Tickets go on sale November 1, Pre-Sale Ticket Opportunity Available

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 10, 2024) – The historic Rockingham Speedway will welcome back the roar of NASCAR in 2025. Today, event promoter Track Enterprises announced the ARCA Menards Series East will join the NASCAR XFINITY and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series on April 18-19, 2025.

The ARCA Menards Series East features established veterans and NASCAR’s next stars who compete primarily on the East Coast as a top-tiered development series owned by NASCAR. The 2024 ARCA Menards East Series season concluded last month and crowned two-time series champion William Sawalich, who is expected to step into a full-time NASCAR National Series ride next year. Past ARCA East champions include NASCAR Cup Series stars Kyle Larson, Joey Logano and William Byron.

“We are excited to showcase these great NASCAR development drivers and established teams on Saturday, April 19th along with the NASCAR XFINITY Series,” said Bob Sargent, President of Track Enterprises. “They all know the importance and impact of racing on the same day as the XFINITY Series, just like several teams will in Daytona in February. We also expect established ARCA Menards Series teams the likes of Joe Gibbs Racing and Pinnacle Racing Group to compete for the win at Rockingham Speedway.”

The ARCA Menards Series held five races at The Rock starting in 1973 won by the legendary Charlie Glotzbach. The series returned in 2008 in an event won by Logano, the year after he captured the ARCA Menards Series East drivers championship. The most recent ARCA event in 2010 was won by 2011 ARCA Menards Series champion Ty Dillon.

“Returning to Rockingham Speedway with the NASCAR Xfinity and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is a great opportunity for the ARCA Menards East,” said Ron Drager, president of ARCA. “We respect and appreciate the history and tradition associated with Rockingham, and we are excited to be a part of this new chapter.”

Several facility upgrades will be completed in time for NASCAR’s return to The Rock, which last hosted the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2013. That race was won by 2012 ARCA Menards Series East champion Kyle Larson in what was his first NASCAR National Series victory.

The Saturday, April 19 ARCA Menards Series East race will precede the 43rd NASCAR XFINITY Series race to be held at Rockingham Speedway. Preliminary on-track activities for the two series are expected to take place on Friday, April 18, which is race day for the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

“The positive reaction across the industry and here in Richmond County has been strong since our event was announced in late August,” added Sargent. “Rockingham Speedway owner Dan Lovenheim and his staff are working hard to be ready when we welcome back fans to Rockingham Speedway. We urge all NASCAR fans to log on to www.RaceTheRock.com right now to register to receive updates and pre-sale access to race tickets before they go on sale.”

Tickets for NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway will go on sale Friday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. For ticket and camping information, sponsor inquiries, continuing details and updates, log on to www.RaceTheRock.com, the official NASCAR event website for the April 18-19, 2025 weekend at Rockingham Speedway.

About Rockingham Speedway …
Located in Richmond County, N.C., Rockingham Speedway opened as a flat, one-mile oval on Oct. 31, 1965. It was reconfigured to a one-mile (1.017 miles) high-banked, D-shaped oval in 1969. In 2018, a new ownership group took over the facility and renamed it Rockingham Speedway & Entertainment Complex. On Nov. 18, 2021, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper signed the 2021-2022 North Carolina state budget allocating $9 million to support reinvestment in the facility. The state funds, along with ownership investment, allowed for redevelopment of the racetrack including the racing surface and extensive repairs. Today, the facility hosts a wide variety of events including karting, road racing, endurance racing, concerts and more. In 2025, Rockingham Speedway will welcome the return of NASCAR for the first time since 2013.

About Track Enterprises …
Track Enterprises has been promoting motorsports events since 1985. Based in Macon, Ill., a dedicated staff, led by longtime promoter Bob Sargent, organize and promote upwards of 80 races a year across the eastern half of the United States. Track Enterprises was responsible for the highly-acclaimed return of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the Milwaukee Mile in 2023. In 2019, Track Enterprises merged with Charlotte, N.C.-based Spire Holdings and continues to promote high-profile motorsports properties on the national stage.

21 Team Hoping To Fly Under the Radar at the ROVAL

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Official Release
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Harrison Burton and the No. 21 DEX Imaging team are headed into this weekend’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway hoping to avoid being swept up in the drama that comes with a cut-off race in the Playoffs.

The ROVAL 400 is the final event in the Round of 12 and there will be pressure on drivers and teams still in the Playoffs to get a finish that will put them in the Round of Eight. After Sunday’s race, the bottom four drivers in the Round of 12 will be eliminated from championship contention.

“One thing about the Playoffs, the cut-off races for each round are sure to provide some drama, and I think the Roval probably tends to be the wildest,” said Jeremy Bullins, crew chief of the No. 21 DEX Imaging team. “Hopefully we can go have a solid weekend with our DEX Mustang Dark Horse and fly below the radar for a good finish.”

In addition to the Playoff-related drama, drivers will have to adapt to some reconfiguration of the 17-turn, 2.28-mile ROVAL. According to a news release from the speedway, two new braking zones have been created. The release stated that “included in the reconfiguration, crews will extend the straight-away coming out of Turn 5 and create a new Turn 6, sending the field toward a much sharper hairpin in Turn 7. On the frontstretch, a sharper apex in Turn 16 of the final chicane will be created.”

Bullins said that’s two big issues for teams and drivers to tackle.

“With the playoff implications and the track configuration changes there will be a lot going on this weekend,” he said. “I feel like we have been making some progress with Harrison on the road courses and hopefully we can put together a good race and come away with a strong result.”

Practice for the Bank of America ROVAL 400 is set for Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time to be followed by qualifying at 2 p.m. USA Network will carry the TV coverage.

Sunday’s 109-lap, 248.52-mile race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 2 p.m., with the TV broadcast on NBC.

Stage breaks are planned for Laps 25 and 50.

About DEX Imaging
DEX Imaging is the digital document imaging division of Staples, the world’s largest business solutions provider. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions, such as HP, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kyocera and numerous others.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:
Reducing Operating Costs
Reducing Paper Consumption
Increasing Productivity

DEX Imaging has been the recipient of virtually every industry award since the company’s inception, including the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Customer Experience, the prestigious ProTech Service award by Konica Minolta, the Diamond Premier Dealer Award by Kyocera, and the Elite DEALER Award by ‘ENX’ magazine. Other accolades include being named ‘Best Place to Work’ by numerous business journals in the markets DEX serves.

Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

Forte Racing Looking for Repeat at 2024 Motul Petit Le Mans

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Official Release
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Courtesy of Richard Dole

Braselton, Georgia (Thursday, October 10, 2024) – Forte Racing enters the final race of the season with some great momentum, similar to last year when they won the WeatherTech GTD class with their No. 78 Lamborghini GT3. They are hoping to ride that momentum to a repeat performance of their 2023 win.

The team finished third at VIR and fourth at Indianapolis’ endurance race, and with two of last season’s winning drivers, Misha Goikhberg and Loris Spinelli, returning this year, the team is confident that they have a great chance of pulling off a repeat win.

Misha Goikhberg is looking forward to the challenge of the upcoming 10-hour race, while reflecting on last year’s win. “Amazing, how quickly a year goes by,” Goikhberg said. “We still remember vividly last year’s win. It’s a long hard race, with crazy traffic flow, questionable weather, and running in great unlit darkness. Excited to test our entire team again and see what we can do.

The unpredictability of endurance races is sure to make for an interesting 10 hours. Loris Spinelli considers last year’s win at Petit Le Mans a highlight of his career and feels that he and his teammates have what it takes to be competitive again this year. “Winning the race last year was one of the biggest thrills in my career”, Spinelli said, “and this year we will try to make it happen again. We are fast on the track and we are prepared to handle any situation. I am sure that with the team and my teammates we will be able to do a good job. I can’t wait to get going!”

Devlin DeFrancesco, the team’s new endurance driver for the 2024, is confident that the team can have a good result this weekend as they carry their momentum from the 6-hour race at Indianapolis into the final race of the season. “Looking forward to the last race of the 2024 season with Forte Lamborghini,” DeFrancesco said. “After our strong form in the Indy 6 hour, I really feel we can close out the season with a strong result!”

Team Principal Shane Seneviratne has high expectations going into the final race of the IMSA WeatherTech 2024 season this weekend at Road Atlanta. “The number one goal of this weekend would be to survive,” Seneviratne stated. “Last year we were fortunate enough to win this race and I know our expectations are high. To be grounded, I would like to first finish and retain our championship position of fourth place. It’s in all our minds to try and hone in and finish the race. I strongly believe we have the team and the driver lineup capable of accomplishing another race win. I believe it’s totally achievable by minimizing mistakes and penalties and avoiding any misfortunes.”

You can see some snippets of the team in action at the Indianapolis race on IMSA’s “Win The Weekend Presented by Michelin | S2:E7 | Battle on the Bricks at INDY”, but make sure to also tune in to watch the team live on Saturday, October 12th. Coverage of the IMSA Petit Le Mans at Michelin Road Atlanta will begin at noon ET on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will carry the entire race from start to finish, while NBC will have coverage of the race from noon-3 p.m. ET.

About Forte Racing (Formerly known as US RaceTronics)

Forte Racing is a Los-Angeles based Motorsport team supported by Lamborghini Squadra Corse and competing in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series.

Founded in 2023 and operated by US RaceTronics, the Italian-American team’s GT Daytona title contender is a Lamborghini Huracan EVO2 GT3 driven by Pro driver Loris Spinelli and Misha Goikhberg. The ream finished the 2023 season with four top-five finishes in the last five races of the season and included a 2nd-place finish at Indianapolis and a win at the season-finale Petit LeMans. The team finished an impressive rookie season fifth in the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship.

The team line-up for the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship includes the team’s 2023 Petit LeMans winning driver Goikhberg and Spinelli along with NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver Devlin DeFrancesco for the five IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races.

US RaceTronics (USRT) was founded by Shane Seneviratne in 2005 to compete in the Atlantic Championship, a formula race car series. The team finished 5th in points its first year and continued its success during the succeeding years, ultimately amassing a total of 21 podiums, 7 poles, 5 race wins and finishing 3rd in the 2009 Atlantic Championship. USRT was put on hold after series officials announced the Atlantic Series was put on hiatus.

Seneviratne fully returned to racing in 2015 after receiving an invitation to manage the O’Gara Motorsport entries in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North American (LBSTNA) Series. The team won the Team Championship, Dealership Championship, Pro Championship and Amateur Championship that season.

The success of 2015 reignited Seneviratne’s passion for racing and he relaunched US RaceTronics to compete in the 2016 LBSTNA Series. The team has won multiple North American and World Championships and expects to add to their success as they enter their eighth season in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American Series. The team also competed in 2023 with one car each in the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship and the IMSA VP Challenge and will be expanding their entries in 2024.

For more information on how to become a driver with US RaceTronics, learn more about the Series, or attend a race, visit www.usracetronics.com.

About O’Gara Motorsport

O’Gara Motorsport was founded in 2014 by owner Tom O’Gara and celebrated winning the 2015 North American Lamborghini Super Trofeo driver and team Championships. The team goal is to achieve victories in the Series as well as showcasing the brands of their sponsors both on and off the track. With a vertically integrated platform that starts at the dealership and accelerates to the top levels of professional sports car racing, everyone at O’Gara is dedicated to providing a comprehensive program for anyone, from the casually curious to the dedicated racer.

About Change Racing

Founded by Lamborghini Charlotte CEO and long time real estate developer, John E. Littlefield, Change Racing is the premier championship winning team. Claiming 18 titles in various classes; Change Racing has competed in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series since its inception in 2013.

Most recently claiming the 2021 Amateur World Championship in Misano, Italy. Change Racing also claimed all SIX 2020 North American Championships, including the Pro, Pro-Am, Am and LB Cup class championships as well as the Team and Owner championships.

JDX Racing Ready for Penultimate Round of Porsche Carrera Cup at Road Atlanta

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Alex Sedgwick, Zachary Vanier Elias De La Torre and Madeline Stewart Searching For Wins, Solid Point Week as Season Approaches Finish Line

BRASELTON, Georgia (October 10, 2024) – JDX Racing has pulled its way into the home stretch of the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup North America season with two cars in the top five of the standings and a visit for all four drivers to a track that is brand new to each of them, at least in a race setting.

Alex Sedgwick, Zachary Vanier, Elias De La Torre and Madeline Stewart visit Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta this week for Rounds 13 and 14 of the 16-race season. Sedgwick and Vanier sit second and fourth, respectively, in the Driver’s Championship with De La Torre ninth and Stewart 16th during her rookie campaign. As a support race for Saturday’s Petit Le Mans endurance race, Porsche Carrera Cup activities take place through the week. Practice began on Wednesday with a pair of sessions, with qualifying at 8:35 a.m. on Thursday morning and the first 40-minute race of the week at 5:05 p.m. EDT. Friday, October 11th’s race two is scheduled for a 10:55 a.m. EDT green flag.

Each race can be seen live at IMSA.tv or for subscribers on the Peacock streaming network.

JDX Racing Pre-Race News and Notes

  • Sedgwick leads the way among the JDX Racing drivers, all of whom are on pace for career-best finishes in Porsche Carrera Cup. Though a challenging start to the season means Sedgwick and his No. 98 PT Autosport/Byers Imports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup needs some luck to catch the leader, he holds a 19-point gap over third place heading into Road Atlanta.
  • Vanier was the Porsche Sprint Challenge champion in the 992 Porsche a season ago and earlier this season in Miami became the first person to win a race in both championships. A strong weekend in the No. 9 Technica Mining/Byers Imports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup at Road Atlanta would put him in position to climb as high as second in the standings at season’s end.
  • De La Torre has already more than tripled his point total of 29 from a year ago, scoring 91 points to sit ninth in the current standings. His No. 4 HCB Yachts/iKon Boats/Porsche Columbus Porsche 911 GT3 Cup has crossed the line for a top-five finish twice this season, at his home race of Miami and again at Road America.
  • Stewart’s No. 82 Spool Imports/Byers Imports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in each of the past four races and in five of the past seven, showing her improvement as her rookie season has marched along. The strength of that run has allowed her to climb to 16th in the competitive field.
  • In addition to the individual driver’s championship, JDX sits second in the Entrant Standings, 35 points behind the leaders.
  • JDX Racing is no stranger to the track. The last time Porsche Carrera Cup visited Road Atlanta for a doubleheader in 2022, JDX Racing earned gold with Parker Thompson behind the wheel.
  • This is the first official race visit to Road Atlanta for all four of the JDX drivers. Each participated in a test day prior to the weekend in preparation, however.
  • Despite never racing there before, both Sedgwick and Stewart were quick to declare Road Atlanta among their “new favorite tracks” after the test.
  • Team Principal Jeremy Dale is making a return to the race track this week while recovering from heart surgery early in the summer.
  • The opening practice session on Wednesday was a success for all four JDX Racing drivers. Sedgwick was second, Vanier fourth, De La Torre 10th and Stewart 12th overall in FP1. De La Torre went even quicker in FP2, jumping to eighth overall in the combined results.

JDX Racing Quote Board

Alex Sedgwick, Driver, No. 98 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: “We had a very strong test last week so it’s good to be going in with some recent knowledge, albeit a track I have not yet raced on. I think most of the front runners are in a similar boat so it will be interesting to see who figures it out first. We have done very well this season on the tracks with limited practice, so I feel good about it. We’re going to try to get another win, but above that we need to have a solid weekend and finish the year strong.”

Madeline Stewart, Driver, No. 82 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: “Road Atlanta is my new favorite track. It’s a race I’ve looked forward to ever since I saw the schedule. It’s an exciting track to drive, and very high speed. I had a great couple of days testing and feel like I really made progress learning the track. I’m sure that will continue to evolve throughout race week and I’m looking forward to a couple of great races.”

Elias De La Torre, Driver, No. 4 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: “Heading into the penultimate round of the championship we are recovering from a mixed weekend in Indy and are building off of the positives we left with. Arter our test here at Road Atlanta we had much positive feedback and runtime improvements that are trending us in a good direction. Now that we’re back again with the team, it’s time to put it all together and show what we are capable of.”

About JDX Racing:

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

Mitsubishi Motors Holds Ceremony to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary

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TOKYO, Oct 10, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) has announced that Mitsubishi Motors Vietnam Co., Ltd. (hereafter, MMV) held a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on October 8 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the start of operations of MMV, which is a local subsidiary of Mitsubishi Motors.

Mitsubishi Motors went into business in Vietnam when the country’s automotive industry began taking shape in 1994, partnering with Mitsubishi Corporation and Vietnamese partners to establish the production and sales company that preceded MMV in order to contribute to the development of Vietnam’s economy. Along with the automotive market growth in Vietnam, MMV has become one of the key enterprises supporting Mitsubishi Motors’ growth strategy in ASEAN.

In fiscal year 2023, the Xpander, a seven-seat MPV that has been praised by Vietnamese customers for its advanced design and user-friendliness, was the best-selling vehicle in Vietnam, while the Xforce, a compact SUV launched in March 2024, ranked third in its first month of sales. MMV’s sales volume in fiscal year 2023 was about 30,000 units.

These vehicles have continued to enjoy strong sales in fiscal year 2024. The Xpander ranked among the top three vehicles in sales for four consecutive months up to July, and the Xforce was the best-selling vehicle for two consecutive months since July. The new Triton was introduced to the Vietnamese market in September with the aim of achieving further growth in sales volume.

Takao Kato, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors said, “Mitsubishi Motors has been developing together with the Vietnamese market since its automotive industry started taking shape, and it has now become an important base that contributes to our company’s growth. Going forward, we will strive for further expansion in production and sales in support of the development of the automotive industry and the local economy in Vietnam.”

About Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211) — a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan — is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has about 28,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities in Japan and the ASEAN region. Mitsubishi Motors has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi Motors has been a leader in electrification — launched the i-MiEV, the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV, the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013. With a target of increasing the sales ratio of electrified vehicles to 100% by 2035, Mitsubishi Motors will deliver models that embody Mitsubishi Motors-ness and contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.

For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, please visit the company’s website at www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/

News URL: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/93225/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/MitsubishiMotors.en | Twitter : https://twitter.com/mitsucars?lang=en | Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/MitsubishiMotorsAd | Linkedin : https://ph.linkedin.com/company/mitsubishi-motors

EVENT PREVIEW: Wright Motorsports Confident for Strong IMSA Finale at Petit Le Mans

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Official Release
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BRASELTON, Ga., (October 10, 2024) – The season finale for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is Saturday, October 12 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, and Wright Motorsports sweeps into the weekend riding high with two recent back-to-back wins. The team comes into Petit Le Mans as the most recent GTD class race winners in the WeatherTech Championship, and also just secured a class victory and championship title in the Fanatec GT World Challenge series. This success has the team in high spirits as they prepare to conclude the season with the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R, driven by Adam Adelson, Elliott Skeer, and Jan Heylen.

“It has been an incredible few weeks for our two race programs,” said Team Owner John Wright. “For Adam and Elliott to secure their first IMSA win and first championship together in two back-to-back events makes us more ready than ever to end the 2024 race season on a high note. Petit Le Mans is a challenging event but one we have done well at before. As a team, we are performing at a very high level and we will stay focused to close out the year the same way.”

With a well-established pedigree of racing Porsches for two decades, Wright Motorsports has proven time and time again their ability to run up front in both sprint and endurance races. The crew in pit lane becomes a vital part of the team’s success, especially in the longer races when so many pit stops are required throughout the course of the race.

This weekend’s Petit Le Mans is a fan-favorite and a perfect way to close out the IMSA WeatherTech season. On Saturday, October 12, the season will conclude with ten hours of racing, beginning at 12:10 PM ET. Adelson, Skeer, and Heylen will rotate the driving duties of the Porsche 911 GT3 R, while the championship-winning pit crew will focus on keeping the car in top racing form over the course of the ten hours.

Cooler temperatures will play well into the hands of the Porsche, a machine known to perform exceptionally in cooler and even wet conditions. With lows reaching into the 40s Fahrenheit, and highs only in the 70s, Wright Motorsports has a strong package heading into the final event.

The season-finale endurance event is not only a part of the full-season championship, but it also marks the conclusion of the six-race endurance championship. Following their win at Indianapolis, Wright is mathematically in the hunt for the Michelin Endurance Cup title, for which points will be awarded based on running position in the four-, eight-, and ten-hour marks. Currently, six points separate the Porsche team from the class leaders, with a maximum of 15 to be awarded.

Fans within the United States will be able to watch the first three hours of the Motul Petit Le Mans on NBC starting Saturday at 12:00 PM ET. Subscribers to Peacock can watch from start to finish, and comprehensive audio coverage of the race will be offered at imsaradio.com. For event information, visit imsa.com.

DRIVER QUOTES

Adam Adelson

What an absolutely insane year it’s been. In my second year of GT3 racing, we’ve had multiple IMSA podiums, an IMSA race win, and a championship with SRO. I’m still pinching myself to see if I’m dreaming. Regardless, the job isn’t done quite yet, as our IMSA Endurance Cup championship hopes were fully revived by our amazing result at Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis. After a season filled with so many ups and downs and so many amazing achievements, it seems only fitting that our biggest test is how we wrap it up. Petit Le Mans is one of the most intense races in the world on one of the most challenging tracks, and it’s going to take all of our skill and effort to perform well. I know we have the best team and I have the best co-drivers. Even though I always try to manage expectations, I know the sky’s the limit for us.

Elliott Skeer

It’s bittersweet feeling on wrapping up my first IMSA season at Petit. I’ve loved every second of it, and don’t want it to end. Adam, Jan, and I have exceeded our own expectations for the season. We want to end it with a similar feeling! Petit Le Mans is not the most forgiving race in the world, but we will put everything we have learned together for a strong 10 hours.

Jan Heylen

I hope we can keep the good momentum going after our win at Indy. Petit is one of my favorite races on the calendar. I hope that we can finally get on the top step of the podium here. We’ve come close so many times, but I feel good about our chances with the Wright Motorsports team, Porsche, and with Adam and Elliott behind the wheel.

Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

The Importance of Having Group Health Insurance in Texas

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SM
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Photo by tomwang at https://depositphotos.com/

In today’s fast-paced world, access to quality healthcare is more critical than ever. For many individuals and families, navigating the complexities of health insurance can be daunting. This is where group health insurance comes into play, especially in Texas, where a significant portion of the population relies on employer-sponsored plans. Here’s why having group health insurance in Texas is essential for Texans.

1. Cost-Effective Coverage

One of the most significant advantages of group health insurance in Texas is its cost-effectiveness. Employers typically cover a substantial portion of the premium costs, making it more affordable for employees compared to individual health plans. In Texas, where healthcare costs can be high, group insurance helps employees access necessary medical services without breaking the bank.

2. Comprehensive Benefits

Group health insurance plans usually offer a wider range of benefits than individual plans. These benefits often include preventive care, hospitalization, prescription medications, and mental health services. With comprehensive coverage, employees are more likely to seek medical care when needed, leading to better health outcomes and overall wellness.

3. Ease of Enrollment

Enrolling in a group health insurance plan is generally more straightforward than applying for individual coverage. Most employers handle the enrollment process, making it less stressful for employees. Additionally, there are usually fewer underwriting requirements, meaning individuals with pre-existing conditions can often receive coverage without facing higher premiums or exclusions.

4. Access to a Network of Providers

Group health insurance often comes with a network of healthcare providers. This means that employees have access to a range of doctors, specialists, and hospitals that accept their insurance. In Texas, where the healthcare landscape is diverse, having a broad network can help individuals find quality care conveniently and efficiently.

5. Tax Advantages for Employers and Employees

Both employers and employees can benefit from tax advantages related to group health insurance. Employers can typically deduct the cost of premiums as a business expense, reducing their overall tax burden. Employees, on the other hand, often pay their share of premiums with pre-tax dollars, which lowers their taxable income and makes healthcare costs more manageable.

6. Promoting Employee Wellness

Group health insurance plans often emphasize preventive care and wellness programs. Many employers provide resources such as health screenings, vaccinations, and wellness challenges to encourage employees to stay healthy. In Texas, where health issues like obesity and chronic diseases are prevalent, these initiatives can lead to healthier workforces and reduced healthcare costs in the long run.

7. Peace of Mind

Having group health insurance provides peace of mind for employees and their families. Knowing that you have access to medical care without facing overwhelming costs can reduce stress and allow individuals to focus on their jobs and personal lives. This sense of security is invaluable, especially in uncertain times.

Final Words 

Group health insurance is an essential component of the healthcare landscape in Texas. It provides cost-effective, comprehensive coverage that benefits both employees and employers. From promoting preventive care to offering peace of mind, group health insurance plays a vital role in maintaining the health and well-being of individuals and families. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, having access to quality group health insurance will remain a critical factor in ensuring a healthier Texas.

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