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Matt Mills Returns to Niece Motorsports for Full-Time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Season in 2025

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Official Release
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Mills will continue to drive the No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet full-time for a second season.

Salisbury, NC (Sept. 24, 2024) – Niece Motorsports officials announced today that New Philadelphia, Ohio’s Matt Mills will return for a full-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season in 2025. Mills has been re-signed for a second year behind the wheel of the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST.

Mills, who is amidst his first full-time effort in the Truck Series, was signed onto the team last October. He recalled the original announcement as “a great opportunity to get into top-tier equipment”, and is eager to continue his career with the nine-time race winning team.

“I’m extremely fortunate to have people like J.F. Electric and Utilitra coming on board and supporting me on this journey again,” said Mills. “It’s been a really fun time with everyone at Niece Motorsports with what we’ve been able to build on throughout the year. I’m hoping to carry that on through the next few races and into the 2025 season. Every opportunity I get, I’m very fortunate, and that wouldn’t be possible without my partners. I appreciate Niece Motorsports for believing in me; it’s a dream come true to race for an operation like theirs and race for Al Niece. I’m excited to finish off the year strong and ready to keep working into next year.”

Longtime partners, J.F. Electric and Utilitra, will continue to support Mills’ efforts in 2025 as they have done for the past several years. The two companies’ involvements will include a full 25-race primary sponsorship – one of only a handful of such partnerships of that caliber in the Truck Series. Their support acts as a pillar of the race team’s success.

“We are excited about returning for the 2025 NASCAR Truck Series with Matt Mills and Niece Motorsports in the No. 42 truck,” said Greg Fowler, CEO & Chairman of the Board for J.F. Electric. “Although we have been supporting Matt for many years, mainly in the Xfinity Series, this year was our first full season commitment with him and Niece Motorsports. We chose to work with Niece Motorsports this season based on their past performance and based on their GM, Cody Efaw, who we felt could help Matt the most on his journey to move up the ladder within NASCAR.”

“I have known Matt personally for many years and know how hard he works and how dedicated he is to be the best he can every time he gets behind the wheel. We are looking forward to the rest of this season and have high hopes for Matt in the 2025 season!”

The 2024 season was viewed as a transitional year for the driver who spent the majority of his career competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Now having a full season of Truck Series racing under his belt, Mills looks to make a run for the Playoffs.

In May, the 27-year-old secured his best-career NCTS finish with a fourth-place showing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He quickly followed up the result with an eighth-place run at Nashville Superspeedway, and to-date has accounted for a total of four top-15 finishes.

Niece Motorsports General Manager, Cody Efaw, has been pleased to see the growth out of Mills in his first year with the team. He anticipates 2025 to be a big step forward as he returns to the tracks raced this year.

“Matt has been a great add to our team this year,” said Efaw. “Even though he’s been racing in NASCAR for a long time, he entered this season with a fresh mindset. The Truck Series is a completely different animal compared to what he’s been used to racing, and he’ll be the first to tell you how much he’s learned. He knows the feel he needs out of his truck now, and I think we’ll have a chance to go out there and have a great year with him.”

“Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of great partners,” Efaw continued. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Greg Fowler and the entire J.F. Electric / Utilitra family, and they have been great to everyone at the team. Matt has done a great job off the track maintaining their relationship, and I know they’re excited to see him go out and try and get his first win.”

NASCAR will kick off its CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season opener at the iconic Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 14th. Live coverage of the event will be aired on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Additional team announcements, including the remainder of the driver lineup, partnerships, and personnel will be released as the season progresses. Visit niecemotorsports.com for all the latest news.

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

About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.

The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup Season is a Baptism by Fire for Rookies

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Official Release
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Tight Battle for $80,000 Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie title

It’s not just the 2024 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin Champion who will be crowned at the season finale, this year’s Rookie of the Year will be determined as well. The Rookie of the Year takes home an $80,000 check from Mazda, and maybe equally as important is the knowledge that many MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year winners go on to become series champion.

With just one race weekend and two races to go, the points are very tight. Three freshman drivers are looking to make the most of the season finale at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta to claim the rookie title.

Three drivers have swapped spots in the point standings, vying for Rookie of the Year honors: Westin Workman (No. 13 BSI Racing), Nathan Nicholson (No. 56 MBM Racing) and Julian DaCosta (No. 78 JTR Motorsports Engineering).

Both Workman and Nicholson were recipients of Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout scholarships. Workman took home the big prize of $110,000, while Nicholson came in second, scoring $75,000.

Workman came out of the gate swinging, leading laps in his very first race at Daytona International Speedway. He wasn’t able to convert his pace into podiums, but by Round Four at Sebring International Raceway, he could call himself a MX-5 Cup race winner.

“The hardest part has been staying consistent,” Workman said of his debut season. “I think I’ve proven to be capable of winning races and be a championship contender, but we just had a pretty bad middle season with our finishes at Laguna, and then we had an okay weekend in Mid-Ohio. I’ve had some good finishes here and there, but I’ve also had some really bad finishes, so just trying to be at least top five, every single race would have been very important for me to be more of a championship contender, outside of the rookie championship.”

Nicholson echoed Workman’s comments about consistency in his rookie season.

“Jumping up to this level of professional racing, it’s so close, especially with how equal the cars are,” Nicholson said. “You know, there’s eight people every race that can win, so just being mistake free and putting yourself in the right position to get a good result is super tough.”

In MX-5 Cup, new drivers learn very quickly that they need to work together to be successful, and not just with their teammates.

“It’s the most competitive series that you’ll find,” DaCosta said. “I would say that’s the hardest part is getting respect from everybody else. And truth is, to be fast in these cars is difficult. It’s not easy to just jump in and be super-fast.”

DaCosta had a slow start to his rookie campaign, but after a mid-season team switch, he’s been on an upward trajectory that includes a podium finish at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

The importance of the draft was a big learning curve for the rookies. They’ve learned that patience and respect are crucial.

“This series relies on drafting, and if you don’t have the respect from the other drivers, nobody’s going to want to work with you,” Workman explained. “Respect is a big thing in this series because your teammates won’t always be around. You want to have people who respect you on the track and off the track, that are still willing to work with you during a race even if they aren’t on your team.”

“Positioning and patience with the draft and how these cars race is kind of unlike anything I’ve done before,” reflected Nicholson. “Even though I’ve done a lot of Miata racing, I think that part of it, the patience and awareness of where you are in the race and when you need to be aggressive and when you don’t need to be, is one of the biggest things I’ve learned this year.”

Naturally, the race craft needed to run up front is something MX-5 Cup teaches drivers better than any other series. It is a skill that will carry them far in their careers. The parity of the cars puts the emphasis on driver talent.

“It definitely teaches me race craft,” DaCosta said. “No doubt, every time I’m on track, it teaches me how to become a better racer.”

Coming into the final event at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Workman leads DaCosta by 690 points. Nicholson is third of the rookies, a further 60 points back.

“Winning it would mean a lot,” Workman smiled. “It would prove that among the rookies, I was the most consistent throughout the year and put up good finishes. Also, the prize money is big. The $80,000 would make us feel a lot better after the season as well. It would make our efforts worth it to win the Rookie of the Year championship.”

Should he win the MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year title, Workman would follow in many other scholarship winners’ shoes, including Nate Cicero and Connor Zilisch.

DaCosta did not win a MX-5 Cup Shootout scholarship, but that would make winning Rookie of the Year mean that much more.

“Considering we were very far back after Sebring, it would mean a lot,” DaCosta said. “I think it would mean a lot to everybody, not just myself. We’ve worked extremely hard just to get back up to where we are now, so I think if we were able to do that, it would be a really big game changer for all of us.”

The quest of the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year crown comes down to the final two races of the year at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, October 9 – 11. Both races will be streamed live on the RACER and IMSA YouTube channels.

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.

Bass Pro Shops Racing: Martin Truex Jr. Kansas Advance

By
Official Release
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Martin Truex Jr.
Kansas Advance
No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Hollywood Casino 400 (Round 30 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 29
● Location: Kansas Speedway in Kansas City
● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
● Format: 267 laps, 400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 85 laps / Final Stage: 102 laps
● TV/Radio: USA Network / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Seven to Go: Truex failed to make it to the Round of 12 of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Truex sits 14th in the reset driver standings with 2,064 points after last Saturday night’s Round of 16 finale at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

● Honor a Cancer Hero: Truex has not one but two cancer heroes riding along with him on his No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Camry this weekend in the Hollywood Casino 400. It’s part of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s and the NASCAR Foundation’s annual Honor a Cancer Hero program event. Via a decal over the driver-side door will be the name of Michele Broadley. Broadley fought a three-and-a-half-year battle with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). During her fight, she continued college and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies. She held a 3.74 grade-point average earned Magna Cum Laude honors. She even started Graduate School for her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Southern Connecticut State University. Broadley passed away on Sept. 28, 2016. Truex is honored to have her name ride along with him this weekend.

● Honor a Cancer Hero, Part 2: Truex also has the honor of having cancer survivor Claire Kochenower ride along above the passenger-side window of his No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Camry XSE this weekend. Kochenower is a seven-and-a-half-year medulloblastoma survivor. Kochenower continues to have yearly checkups with her long-term survivor doctor as they monitor her for complications from her treatment. Truex is her favorite driver, and she is excited to have her name on his car this year during his final fulltime season.

● Truex has two wins, 11 top-five finishes, 18 top-10s and has led a total of 906 laps in 32 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Kansas. Truex’s average Kansas finish is 12.6. Truex finished fourth at Kansas in May and had a chance to win prior to a late caution flag.

● Strong in the Heartland: Truex’s two Kansas wins came by way of a season sweep of the spring and fall races there in 2017. The feat kicked off a 13-race stretch on the 1.5-mile oval during which he earned six top-fives and finished inside the top-10 all but once.

● While he doesn’t like to play favorites, Truex certainly excels at tracks with worn-out surfaces, where driver skill is key to managing the tires and the racecar over the course of a long race. At four such tracks – Kansas Speedway, the now defunct 2-mile oval at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Darlington (S.C.) Raceway – Truex has six wins, 25 top-five finishes and 47 top-10s, and has led 2,209 laps.

● Looking for 35: Truex’s July 2023 win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon was his most recent Cup Series win, the 34th of his career, tying him with 2004 champion Kurt Busch for 25th on the all-time Cup Series win list.

Martin Truex Jr., Driver of the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE

You have had success at Kansas Speedway over the years, but a year ago you had a fast car but had a cut tire at the start of the race. Can you talk a little bit about what it takes to have a solid day there?

“Yeah, for sure. I felt really good about our car there last year, but it didn’t last very long with the tire issue last fall, and we had a really good run going there in the spring and the caution came out at the end and we ended up fourth instead of a chance at the win. Kansas is a really fun racetrack. It’s a place where you can move around. The tires wear out and it gets slippery. It’s just a fun place to race and we’re looking forward to it with our Bass Pro Shops Camry. A

thing to get around there. You have to have horsepower and downforce, a good setup with a lot of tire grip and things like that. It’s a big challenge and usually the guys that have the fastest cars are up front there, so hopefully we’ll be one of those guys.”

You are trying to get a win this year before you are done racing fulltime. Is Kansas a place where you feel like you could get it done?

“I feel like Kansas is one of those places that has always suited my style. It’s a place you can move around, it gets really slick and there’s a lot of tire falloff. I really enjoy that. As good as our cars have been lately, I feel good about our chances that we’ll go there and have race-winning speed. And then it’s all about execution, which we are working on right now. If we can have a straightforward strategy race and good pit stops, I think we are going to be in the mix at Kansas, for sure.”

What is racing at Kansas like, and what other track is most similar?

“I would say Kansas is a lot like Homestead but with a tri-oval. Similar corners and a little bit of progressive banking. The wall has really come into play the last couple of years there since the asphalt has worn out. So, running high is very important there, and also momentum is very important at Kansas. You have a big, wide, front straightaway that gives you the option to make big, bold moves on the restarts where it can get pretty wild there. Kansas is definitely high on my list of places I like to race, and we are hoping for a great weekend there with our Bass Pro Shops Camry.”

Did you ever think you’d accomplished all you have?

“I always dreamed I could. Always thought I could. But you know, in this sport and in life in general, that’s all just talk. So, it’s been fun to get it done a few times.”

No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Martin Truex Jr.

Hometown: Mayetta, New Jersey

Crew Chief: James Small

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Car Chief: Chris Jones

Hometown: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Race Engineer: Jaik Halpainy

Hometown: Blockville, New York

Spotter: Drew Herring

Hometown: Benson, North Carolina

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Ryan Martin

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Virgina

Mechanic: Todd Carmichael

Hometown: Redding, California

Interior/Tire Specialist: Tommy DiBlasi

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Engine Tuner: Beau Morton

Hometown: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Transporter Driver: Kyle Bazzell

Hometown: Fairbury, Illinois

Transporter Driver: Eddie DeGroot

Hometown: Baldwinsville, New York

Over-The-Wall Crew Members

Gas Man: Matt Tyrrell

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Jackman: Caleb Dirks

Hometown: Riverside, California

Tire Carrier: CJ Bailey

Hometown: Outer Banks, North Carolina

Front Tire Changer: Thomas Hatcher

Hometown: Middleburg, Florida

Rear Tire Changer: Lee Cunningham

Hometown: Leaf River, Illinois

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin Top 5 at the 2024 NASCAR Canada Championship

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Official Release
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Photo credit Stéphane Gagné / poleposition.ca

Trois-Rivières (Quebec), September 24th, 2024.- The 2024 NASCAR Canada season ended this past Sunday at Autodrome Montmagny. This thirteenth and final event of the season was also a premiere for the series, which had never before held a race on this oval in Eastern Quebec. In front of a packed grandstands, three-time series champion Louis-Philippe Dumoulin finished the race in eighth place after having to start last. This spectacular comeback concludes a season that was sometimes difficult but nevertheless crowned with a Top 5 in the final championship standings, out of more than 60 drivers.

“Montmagny is a site that I knew for testing sessions, but it was a first for me and several series’ drivers to compete there. I think the NASCAR Canada series put on an excellent show and for me, it was interesting. The bump at the exit of turn 4 was a bit of a worry but it didn’t stop me from testing several different racing lines. I also really liked the atmosphere, the fans on site. Managing to hoist the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare | Omnifab car to eighth place overall after having to start last is also a great satisfaction,” explains Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.

After testing different settings in practice and then in qualifying, the Dumoulin Compétition team decided to work on the car after qualifying session, which automatically meant having to start from the back of the pack for the race. A wise decision, as Louis-Philippe Dumoulin explains: “We tried different settings in practice and qualifying but without being able to say WOW!, to put our finger on the optimal settings.” To fix this understeer problem that was affecting me, working on the car after qualifying was the right solution. So, I started last but I was quickly able to gain places when the race started.”

Even before the halfway point of the race, the driver of the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare | Omnifab car had gained ten positions and was in the Top 10 as soon as the competition break occurred at the 130th of the 250 laps. In the second half of the race, Dumoulin fought at the front. “I never gave up, in every corner, every overtaking. I tried different lines. I think I’m the driver who went the most on the inside line, close to the wall, but it paid off,” LP Dumoulin mentions.

This eighth place allows Louis-Philippe Dumoulin to finish the championship fifth in the standings. “It wasn’t an easy season. After 5 races, I had four Top 5s and I thought I could do even better in the second half of the season, but we encountered more difficulties at that time. I had several good races, I fought at the front eight times in thirteen events and we finally collected the Top 5 in the championship. Under the circumstances, all the team members gave their best. I am proud of them, I thank them. It was still a great season, overall!” concludes the driver of the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare | Omnifab car.

ABOUT PARTNERS

WeatherTech is committed to designing, engineering and manufacturing the finest products possible for your vehicle, home and your pet. From the industry leading FloorLiner to the 100% non-toxic Pet Feeding System, WeatherTech has dedicated itself to exceed customer expectations of quality, craftsmanship and environmental sustainability for over 30 years. To see the full line of automotive, home and pet products that are guaranteed for life, visit weathertech.ca

Groupe Bellemare is a 3rd generation family business that has been serving clients since 1959. Today, the company has more than 500 employees and provides them with an innovative work environment facilitating work-family balance and a healthy and safe quality of life. With over a half century of experience and its sustained R&D efforts, the Company offers high-quality products and services in areas as diverse as concrete, abrasives and minerals, dimensional load transportation, and recycling. Groupe Bellemare is also very involved in its industry and attaches great importance to its social and environmental role as a member of the business community. Groupe Bellemare makes a positive contribution to the quality of life of citizens in the communities it serves by supporting numerous social causes and promoting local purchasing through its responsible procurement practices. For more information, visit groupebellemare.com

Omnifab has joined Dumoulin Compétition in June 2023. In less than twenty years, Omnifab has made its place in the mechanical manufacturing industry in Quebec. They have earned this place by offering a unique turnkey solution to large companies and SMEs that want to modernize their production line or have their industrial equipment repaired. No matter your industry, you can count on Omnifab team to manufacture custom industrial machinery or solve your mechanical problems with great precision, in a timely manner and with quality components, as pledged. Visit omnifab.ca for more information.

Rousseau Metal has been manufacturing high-quality products for 70 years. Over the years the company become known as a leader in storage solutions. The quality, durability and reliability of their products have earned them a reputation as being among the best in the industry. Over the years, the quality of Rousseau products and excellence of the company’s business practices have been recognized through various certifications and membership in industrial and automotive organizations. To learn more about the company and its products, visit rousseau.com

Dumoulin Competition

Jean-François and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin founded the Dumoulin Competition Race Team in 2009. Working with financial, marketing, logistics and sports management experts, they built up a solid business structure. Dumoulin Competition prepares its own race cars in-house since 2016. Their motto: “Passion – Performance – Partnerships” expresses their will to perform on the track and offer their partners maximum visibility and profitability in return for their commitment. Their vision: To become Canada’s leader in motorsports through on-track performance, an entrepreneurial spirit and human values. dumoulincompetition.com

Mercedes-AMG Clinches 2024 IMSA GTD Manufacturer Championships in Indianapolis as Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams Target Year-End Team and Driver Honors at Petit Le Mans

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Official Release
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IMSA, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, IN September 2024. (Photo by Brian Cleary/bcpix.com)

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Winning Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams Winward Racing and Korthoff Preston Motorsports clinched the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar GT Daytona (GTD) Manufacturer Championship right at the start of the Battle on The Bricks and then spent the remainder of the wet and wild six-hour endurance race closing in on more year-end team and driver honors Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). The No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 finished third in GTD after co-drivers Mikael Grenier, Mike Skeen and Kenton Koch battled in the lead pack the entire race from the pole starting position. WeatherTech Championship GTD points leaders Winward Racing took the checkered flag just seconds after the No. 32 team for a fifth-place finish with team drivers Russell Ward, Philip Ellis, and Indy Dontje in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.

The Winward and Korthoff Preston teams have combined for a WeatherTech Championship series-leading five Mercedes-AMG GT3 victories and four more podium finishes in the year’s first nine races. The unmatched run of success gave Mercedes-AMG a comfortable GTD manufacturer points lead going into the IMS race and Grenier all but sealed the championship by winning his second GTD pole in the last three races on Saturday. All that was needed to clinch the manufacturer crown Sunday was for the Mercedes-AMG GT3 GTD contingent to take the green flag.

With Mercedes-AMG’s first IMSA WeatherTech Manufacturer Championship in the books, only next month’s Motul Petit Le Mans 10-hour race remains on the 2024 schedule. Both the Winward and Korthoff teams will fight to the finish there for several different season championship honors.

Winward has led the WeatherTech GTD driver and team championships all season after securing its first of a series-high four wins in the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January. The No. 57 team and drivers bring a 222-point lead in both championships to the Petit Le Mans finale.

With all tiebreaker scenarios in Winward’s favor as the GTD race-win leader, any finish ahead of – or even several spots behind – its lone title rival in Atlanta will seal the first IMSA GTD championships for Winward.

A recent run of success for the Korthoff team has elevated the No. 32 team and Grenier into third place in the GTD team and driver standings. Catching the second-place competitor 271 points ahead would be a tall order, but Grenier and the No. 32 are a comfortable 300 points clear of their nearest challenger, which closing driver Koch kept just behind him in fourth place in the closing stages of Sunday’s race.

The additional titles on the line in the finale are the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) championships that award the top performers in the year’s five endurance races. Korthoff’s third-place finish in Indianapolis was enough to clinch the IMEC GTD Manufacturer Championship for Mercedes-AMG for the second straight year, and now both Korthoff and Winward are part of a tight three-way battle for the respective driver and team titles.

Korthoff, Skeen, Koch and Grenier are the defending IMEC GTD team and driver champions and join Winward in having a shot at taking the titles this year. The Winward team and drivers lead both championships with 35 points while Korthoff is third in each with 31 points. The second-place team and drivers have 34 points.

The Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing GTD effort at Indy was bolstered by the return of the No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 of team co-drivers Salih Yoluç, Rui Andrade and Scott Andrews. The team joined several others in battling through wet and treacherous conditions for nearly the first half of Sunday’s race but soon found some pace and grip in the drying conditions.

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, crossing the finish line 15th in the GTD running order.

A fourth Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer team, the No. 75 SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, returned to the GTD Pro ranks at Indy for the first time since Daytona. Team owner and driver Kenny Habul called on his Australian countrymen Chaz Mostert, the Australian Supercar star, and Mercedes-AMG Junior driver Jordan Love for the six-hour Indy effort.

After persevering through some technical issues on Friday and the treacherous wet opening half of the race, the No. 75 was at its best in the final two hours. The team fought back from a lap down to get Mostert in a position to battle with their GTD contenders, but ultimately not enough laps were left before the race timed out and the No. 75 took a seventh-place finish on the lead lap.

The season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans takes place at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, October 9 – 12.

Mikael Grenier, Driver – No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3: “We made the right calls at the right time. We were on the right strategy the whole race, everyone did well, we had amazing pit stops, and my teammates did great. Good weekend, the car is still in one piece, pole position, third place points and the manufacturer championship for Mercedes-AMG. It’s great, I love the brand and being able to race a lot with Mercedes-AMG. IMSA is not the easiest championship because you have many points available in the endurance events, long races, sprint races, a lot of changing strategy and a lot of action on track, so it is great for Mercedes-AMG to win this championship and hopefully we can defend the title next year.”

Russell Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “A really tough weekend for us, but we are a championship caliber team, and we can recover from anything. As disappointed as the team is after winning here last year, it is still a good result with a top five, and if we can go into the finale and do the same thing, we will win the championship. That’s just where our focus is now. The Winward guys did an amazing job getting us back up there. We will take this one on the chin as a learning experience and move on to the next.”

Rui Andrade, Driver – No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It’s always a bit sour leaving these races when we know we could have done a lot more. The truth is the Mercedes-AMG GT3 is so strong. We feel it, it is such a pleasure to drive always, and it’s quick. We had a bit of a difficult wet stint in the first half of the race, but when were able to get on slicks, Scott and I were both making moves. We were racing and making some recovery. It was starting to come to us and then we were hit by a guy who was more than 20 laps down. To do something like that is just so silly, ruining our race completely, especially when they really weren’t fighting for something. It’s motorsport, these things happen, and it is really frustrating, but in these situations, you have to focus on the positive. Our positive is that the car was good. Now we head to Petit Le Mans, on a track I won at two years ago, and I am happy to be going back. I think if we put it all together, we have a driver package and a team package to get a good result.”

Chaz Mostert, Driver – No. 75 SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It was a good experience. Any time you can race in IMSA and get in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 is really cool. Thanks to Kenny again for the opportunity. He has done this twice for me now, and I have been able to experience Spa and now Indianapolis, two tracks I have really wanted to do. A little bit gutted with the result as we spent the first four hours or so just trying to climb back into the fight. Then we had pretty good pace there to try and maybe challenge for a better finishing spot, but we did the best we could and finished on the lead lap. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I would love to come back and have another crack at it.”

Jordan Love, Driver – No. 75 SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It was my first IMSA race and first time racing in the U.S. It was good fun – sharing a car with Kenny and Chaz is always good fun – but it probably wasn’t the weekend we wanted or expected. We started off kind of on the back foot and missed practice one, and it was a new track for Chaz and I. We were kind of chasing our tails in the race until the last two hours, and then we came back for a lead lap finish. I really enjoyed sharing the car with these two, and hopefully we can do it again soon.”

Mazda to open new R&D office in Azabudai Hills in early summer 2025

By
Official Release
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Azabudai Hills, the location for Mazda's new R&D office

TOKYO, Sept 24, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – Mazda Motor Corporation will open a new R&D office in the cosmopolitan Azabudai Hills (Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo) in early summer 2025, an area projected to see continuous development.

Mazda has set out its 2030 VISION “to be a car-loving company that creates moving experiences through the ‘joy of driving'” and aspires to an ideal where everyone connected to the Mazda brand feels mentally refreshed, physically invigorated, and optimistic about each day.

As advanced technologies such as generative AI gain widespread use, it is crucial to continue innovating software technologies alongside traditional hardware to deliver vibrant, engaging experiences to our customers through their cars. The new R&D office is expected to house development facilities, particularly in software, demonstrating Mazda’s goal to become a dynamic workplace of choice for software engineers. It will also function as a hub for collaborative innovation, fostering partnerships with universities, companies, and research institutions in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Based on the belief that our people are our most valuable resource, Mazda is promoting initiatives, like this new R&D office, to maximize the contributions of its personnel, including corporate culture reforms, improvements to HR systems, and the establishment of value-creation platforms.

In our aspiration to create a comfortable working environment, the new R&D office will feature an open workspace and be equipped with the latest technology. Further details regarding the specific floor area and facilities will be announced in due course.

True to Mazda’s “human-centered” philosophy and commitment to the pursuit of a comfortable and rewarding work environment, we endeavor to create an exemplary company where every employee feels the pride and energy to work with enthusiasm.

News URL: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/92975/

Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/mazdaofficialweb | Linkedin : https://jp.linkedin.com/company/mazda-motor-corporation

The Link Between Road Rage and Car Accidents

By
SM
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Have you ever honked aggressively, yelled at another driver, or made obscene gestures while driving? If so, you’ve experienced road rage. Road rage is a dangerous and increasingly common phenomenon that can lead to accidents. If you have been a victim of a car accident that was a result of road rage, speak with car accident attorneys who can protect your rights, and secure fair compensation for your losses.

In this article, we’ll explore the psychology behind road rage, its impact on driving, and the devastating consequences it can have. We’ll also discuss strategies for preventing road rage and creating a safer driving environment for everyone.

Understanding Road Rage

Road rage is a complex psychological phenomenon that can have devastating consequences. It often stems from a combination of factors, including stress, frustration, and anger management issues.

When these emotions are combined with the pressures of driving, they can escalate into aggressive and dangerous behaviors.

Some common triggers for road rage include traffic congestion, being cut off, or feeling disrespected by other drivers.

These situations can lead to anger and frustration, impairing a driver’s judgment and reaction time. When a driver is consumed by rage, they may engage in aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and reckless lane changes, which can significantly increase the risk of accidents.

The Impact of Road Rage on Driving

Road rage can profoundly impact a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. When a driver is overcome by anger, their judgment becomes clouded, their reaction time slows, and their ability to control their vehicle diminishes. This can lead to a variety of dangerous behaviors, including:

  • Tailgating: Driving too closely behind another vehicle can significantly increase the risk of a rear-end collision.
  • Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit can reduce a driver’s reaction time and make it more difficult to avoid accidents.
  • Lane weaving: Erratic lane changes can confuse other drivers and increase the risk of collisions.
  • Honking excessively: Excessive honking can be a sign of aggression and contribute to a hostile driving environment.

These aggressive driving behaviors can have serious consequences, including:

  • Property damage: Accidents caused by road rage can result in costly repairs to vehicles and other property.
  • Injuries: Road rage accidents can cause serious injuries to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.
  • Fatalities: In extreme cases, road rage accidents can result in fatalities.

Statistics on Road Rage Accidents

While it is difficult to quantify the exact number of accidents caused by road rage, studies have shown that aggressive driving is a significant factor in many traffic fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving is a contributing factor to traffic deaths each year in the United States.

While it is challenging to isolate road rage as the sole cause of accidents, the correlation between aggressive driving and accidents is undeniable. By understanding the factors contributing to road rage and taking steps to prevent it, we can create safer roads for everyone.

Preventing Road Rage

Road Rage and Car Accidents
Image by freepik

Here are some practical tips to help prevent road rage:

  • Plan and leave early: Give yourself ample time to reach your destination. This will reduce stress and the temptation to speed or engage in aggressive driving.
  • Avoid cutting off other drivers: Be courteous and avoid actions that may provoke anger, such as cutting off other drivers or blocking traffic.
  • Drive defensively: Be aware of your surroundings and anticipate the actions of other drivers. This can help you avoid situations that may lead to road rage.
  • Use your horn sparingly: Reserve your horn for emergencies only. Excessive honking can be a sign of aggression and contribute to a hostile driving environment.
  • Stay calm and avoid confrontation: If you find yourself in a situation that triggers road rage, try to remain calm and avoid engaging in confrontations. Remove yourself from the situation by changing lanes or pulling over.
  • Practice stress management techniques: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or calming music can help you manage stress and avoid anger.
  • Be mindful of your surroundings: Pay attention to the road and other drivers, and avoid distraction like cell phones or loud music.
  • Support safe driving initiatives: Participate in programs that promote safe driving habits and raise awareness about the dangers of road rage.

Conclusion

Road rage is a significant contributing factor to car accidents. By adopting safer driving practices and fostering a more positive driving culture, we can reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer environment for everyone on the road.

Givenex Opinie: Getting The Maximum Yield Through Online Money Trading [givenex.com]

By
SM
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The generation of money and advanced electronic commerce constitute the broadest terms used in trade. It examines the exchange plan for Givenex’s online exchange market, but it has not decided whether to prolong it. Since this kind of trade tends to modify important aspects of the website, it might have a substantial impact on how the swapping site is improved. 

The business stage of Givenex may be significantly impacted by new-age advanced trade.

Becoming Trustworthy to People: 

Givenex’s techniques are the most dependable because they are creative, intelligible, and dazzling. The layouts of forex trading rooms are typically confusing. It provides many devices for exchanging information and creating reliable information. In any event, this exchange site has promoted collaboration that emphasizes clarity and provides a clear introduction to these aspects.

Seamless Data Networking: 

The official website of Givenex makes doing a variety of cross-country business activities astonishingly easy for all customers. The website is the greatest resource for displaying information regarding unfamiliar trade records. As a result, vendors have unexpected opportunities to choose wisely. The first phases in the required calculation process for this specific kind of internet money-making firm mostly depend on precise assessments to foresee cost rises. It occasionally offers bolts and other components that guide the specific examination, along with state-of-the-art sketching and framing capabilities. It is difficult, particularly for newcomers. Offering educational resources such as online courses, publications, records, and educational activities can promote many things, including customers’ responsibilities and awareness. 

Attracting Purchasers with Creative Features: 

The trade execution speed of the trendy business areas of Givenex is critical. Strong regions are necessary to prevent slippage and ensure that professionals can swiftly enter and exit positions because the target is virtual. In addition to offering a variety of plan types, forex trading challenges should also provide improved locations for sales. These collaborate with a variety of grant shippers to carry out various trading arrangements.

Availability of Modern Device on Givenex: 

The priciest assortment of forex trading instruments necessitates a robust security strategy and is crucial to online financial transactions. The website should conduct robust growth checks, such as information security, two-way assertion, and protection against threats specific to unique devices. Exchanges in forex occur constantly. In keeping with this, clients ought to be reachable at all times. The trade habits and preferences of vendors change. The official Givenex platform works with and places everyone who is interested in this kind of business action at whatever stage they are at in their exchange atmosphere. 

End of Story: 

In light of this, it is possible to argue that, on occasion, a particular trading style motivates people to expand their online financial business. A worldwide trading forum’s success is crucial. It thereby provides them with all they require. The exchange of brand-new revenue-generating structures is managed by a number of offices. In order to ensure consistency with suitable major leads, the development of Givenex should address the legislative needs of traditional business regions.

Laydson Group Review: Becoming a Great Business Person in Online Trading Made Easy [laydson.com]

By
SM
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The Laydson Group’s online cash delivery gateway offers countless creative business opportunities. This wide range of mechanical capabilities necessitates a great deal of business-related and directing tools and strategies in order to ensure the success and growth of customers’ assets and modify significant requirements in the end. Everything’s on this specific webpage. 

It is time to take a slow look at what happens next. When a user logs into Laydson Group, you will see how often the key features are used. 

Unique Approach to Handle Executions: 

The primary activities of this business meeting include typical plans to examine customer standards by suggesting specific, measurable enhancements with records such as driver’s licenses or visas. The top priorities for the Laydson Group are outlined below. The organization keeps an eye out for any unwelcome behavior on the trading sections of the recognized state that are supplied and genuine to the internet. With its sophisticated tools, this website can detect and stop charge adjustments and other trading violations by maintaining single-client exchanges. It is also anticipated that exchanges be carefully observed in order to determine whether an unexpected or risky interaction should be handled and resolved. Unexpected changes in people’s trading activity can result in alarms that demand more investigation.

Encouraging Consumers to be Hopeful: 

At this point, all parties receive important details about their trade process, exchange history, and various business-related choices. Unlike other traditional financial trading platforms, Laydson Group offers a range of tools to help identify high-risk accounts that could need further investigation. Similarly, if customer accounts are secured using emergency abhorrent measures, it is unlikely that further standards will ultimately lead to support. Enticed clients will do everything it takes to make sure they do not lose more money than they have saved. When a customer’s record balance drops below a predetermined level, Edge sends them a notification inviting them to come in. 

Reducing Risk Factors with Laydson Group: 

The wager to handle the Laydson Group’s specific level exchanging entryway for easier money generating limits a variety of fundamental actions. Furthermore, handling a valuable customer asset in personal records reduces the possibility of illegal electronic shop support. End-trade strategies protect interested parties from potentially dangerous situations such as alliance security breaches or brilliant business area reductions. It is ridiculous to keep an eye on evolving company rules in order to prevent typical problems.

End of Story: 

Overall, it is clear that the dynamic site of Laydson Group’s power exchange is influenced by how it handles its unique set of regulations, clientele, and significant surroundings. Adhering to the latest electronic security-based practices and legal changes necessitates extreme caution in order to safeguard a watched and accessible commercial forum. The least expensive security checks are the component testing and default security plan provided by inexpensive platforms like as this one, which can identify vulnerabilities in the trading site’s code and structure. Trade stages facilitate the cash flow of clients and provide security in the event of a block or other unforeseen circumstance.

Your Guide to Car Rentals when Visiting Dubai

By
SM
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Dubai is well known for its beautiful skylines, comfortable resorts, and many exciting attractions. While public transit systems exist in Dubai, allowing yourself to explore how you wish via a car rental service is the best way to make the most of your vacation. Due to its vast amount of affluence, you can easily hire luxury sports car in Dubai so you can experience the thrill of a supercar while also exploring the wonderful city of Dubai.

Which Rental Company Should You Choose?

Car Rentals and more specifically supercar rentals are a common business in Dubai. There is a lot of competition, however, each has its pros and cons. When reviewing candidates, consider their costs, the cars they offer, and what you intend to do with them. Our recommended Dubai car rental company is Brooklands; however, you can find more information about other companies on our website.

Benefits of Car Rentals in Dubai

Dubai has a lot of attractions and getting to them easily and quickly can dramatically improve your experience. Here are some of the benefits of Dubai Car Rental services such as Brooklands:

  • Convenience – This is ultimately the primary reason to rent a car while visiting any country. The ability to explore and drive on your own without worrying about public transportation is beneficial.
  • Accessibility – Dubai and the UAE have attractions that aren’t accessible through public transport (such as the Hatta Mountains), a car rental would solve this problem.
  • Cost Efficiency – When in a large group, a car rental can be cheaper than renting multiple taxis or Uber.
  • Experience – Driving in another country is a unique life experience, and a car rental is the best and safest way to do so.
  • Super Cars – As mentioned before, Dubai is home to some of the best automobiles in the world. A car rental here is your best chance to drive some of the most powerful cars ever created.

Attractions in Dubai

Now that you’ve decided to rent a car in Dubai here is a list of attractions you may wish to visit during your stay:

  • Burj Khalifa – The tallest building in the world, offering stunning views from its observation decks.
  • Palm Jumeirah – An iconic man-made island known for luxury resorts, beaches, and fine dining.
  • Dubai Mall – One of the largest shopping malls globally, featuring an aquarium, ice rink, and numerous dining options.
  • Desert Safari – Experience dune bashing, camel rides, and traditional Bedouin camps in the desert.
  • Fujairah – Known for its beautiful beaches and historic sites like Fujairah Fort, it’s located about 90 minutes from Dubai, perfect for a car rental.
  • Liwa Oasis – A stunning desert landscape known for its towering dunes, about a two-hour drive from the city.

FAQ

What is Required to Rent a Car in Dubai?

You need to be at least 21 years old and have a valid Driver’s License, passport, form of payment, and sometimes an international driving permit (IDP) depending on the car.

Can I Rent a Car Only for a Photo Shoot?

Yes, you can get a daily rental for events, including weddings or a simple photoshoot.

What is NOT included in the Rental Price?

Charges such as gas, roadway fines, toll roads, and excessive mileage are not included in the rental price.

Can I Pay with Crypto or Cash?

Yes, you do not need to use a credit card or make a deposit to rent a sports car in Dubai.

What is the Minimum and Maximum amount of time I can rent a car?

The minimum amount of time is 1 day. The maximum is unlimited; however, the price is calculated daily.

What are the penalties for Canceling a Reservation?

If the cancelation is more than 3 days (72 hours) ahead of time, there is no cancelation fee at Brooklands. Less than that amount of time there will be a cancellation fee.

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