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Logan Bearden to Drive for AM Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Bristol Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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STATESVILLE, N.C.: Officials from AM Racing confirmed today that Logan Bearden will drive the team’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in Friday night’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on September 20, 2024.

The final race of the regular NASCAR Xfinity Series season will be Bearden’s first driving for the Statesville, N.C.-based team, but his sixth Xfinity start of the season and first since Michigan International Speedway last month.

During the week, Bearden, a veteran Late Model competitor, can be found as an underneath mechanic at the AM Racing shop.

This week, Bearden will trade his wrenches for a steering wheel and hopes to deliver the organization their third Xfinity Series top-10 finish of the season.

“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at AM Racing for this opportunity,” said Bearden. “It’s been a lot of hard work to get this opportunity, but I look forward to making the most of it.

“My goal will be like it is for every NASCAR Xfinity Series race I’ve competed in this year to make gains from practice to the race and race for the best finish possible.

“The team is coming off a top-10 finish last weekend at Watkins Glen, and I’d like to continue to add to the team’s momentum with another strong run on Friday night.”

For Bearden’s AM Racing debut, Mullis Construction Group will serve as the primary partner for the highly anticipated 300-lap race in Thunder Valley.

Mullis Construction Group has the expertise, resources, and experience to provide exceptional construction services for all types of projects. We approach each job with attention to detail and a focus on customer satisfaction.

Jami and Angie Mullis, the proud owners of Mullis Construction Group, are driven by their passion for construction to provide top-quality services, including renovations, custom designs, commercial makeovers, multifamily construction, and more to their clients.

They take pride in their attention to detail, expertise, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

“It’s always great to bring a new partner like Mullis Construction Group to the sport and, especially for a race that is super important to me,” added Bearden. “Without a doubt, there is some pressure this weekend, but I’m staying focused and ready to get to Bristol and get to work.”

The Leander, Texas native is known for his short track skills in Late Model competition, but with his Bristol Motor Speedway Xfinity debut on deck, Bearden is keeping his goals realistic.

“I really want to bring the AM Racing team another top-10 finish,” added Bearden. “That could happen if everything goes our way, but the goal is just to keep our No. 15 AM Racing Ford Mustang on the lead lap and be in a position to finish inside the top 15 when the checkered flag waves.”

The Texan made his Xfinity Series debut this spring at Richmond (Va.) Raceway followed by Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Portland International Raceway, Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway and Michigan.

Four of his five previous Xfinity starts have returned with Bobby Dotter’s SS-GreenLight Racing team while he drove for Joey Gase Motorsports in his Nashville track debut in June.

In addition to NASCAR competition, Bearden will also compete in select late-model races throughout the country aboard his family-owned No. 66 Bearden Automotive team.

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

For more on Logan Bearden, please visit LoganBearden.com, like his Facebook page (Logan Bearden Racing) or follow him on Twitter | X @LoganBearden66.

The Food City 300 (300 laps | 159.9 miles) is the 26th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Friday, September 20, from 2:00 to 2:35 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 2:40 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 7:30 p.m., with live coverage on the CW Network, the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

About AM Racing:

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

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

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

Multi-Platinum Recording Artists Eli Young Band Added to Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 Concert Lineup

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Official Release
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  • GRAMMY Award-nominated recording artists, Eli Young Band will perform this year’s pre-race concert ahead of Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 on Oct. 13
  • Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 weekend tickets can be purchased online at charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10

CONCORD, NC (Sept. 17, 2024) – GRAMMY Award-nominated Eli Young Band is set to electrify America’s Home for Racing with a high-energy pre-race concert ahead of the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 13.

“We’re thrilled to bring our sound to America’s Home for Racing and to get fans revved up before the green flag drops at Charlotte Motor Speedway,” said Mike Eli of Eli Young Band. “There’s nothing like the energy of a race track so we’re going to bring a party to the fans that no one will want to miss.”

The 14-time billboard charting group is slated to perform a 60-minute set, pulling from their wide range of singles like platinum “Love Ain’t,” Academy of Country Music Award Song of the Year and five-time platinum “Crazy Girl” and three-time platinum hit, “Even if it Breaks Your Heart.”

Starting as college roommates 20 years ago, this Texas-rooted band of brothers, Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson write their own songs, play their own instruments and continuously sell out venues from coast to coast. From sharing the stage with some of country music’s biggest legends such as Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and more, the Eli Young Band will headline Charlotte Motor Speedway’s infield pre-race stage as they rock the ROVAL™, following a concert earlier in the day by NASCAR fan-favorite Tim Dugger.

“The biggest race in NASCAR’s Playoffs deserves the biggest entertainment lineup off the track as well,” said Charlotte Motor Speedway President and General Manager Greg Walter. “With the Eli Young Band added to Sunday’s slate of music and fun, fans are once again in for a weekend to remember here at America’s Home for Racing.”

The concerts are free for all fans with a Sunday Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 ticket. Fans can upgrade their ticket to include a Track Pass for front-stage access to both concerts and driver introductions.

Following the concert, NASCAR’s top drivers will battle it out in a pivotal Playoff showdown race on the newly reconfigured road course in the final Round of 12 race before the field is cut to just eight drivers competing for a championship.

TICKETS:

To purchase Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 weekend tickets, fans can shop online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on Twitter and Instagram, becoming a Facebook fan or downloading the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP Teams Head to Indianapolis Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (September 17, 2024) – The Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) pair of Acura ARX-06 GTPs shift back to endurance racing action with the inaugural TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks six-hour event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). After returning to the IMS Road Course in 2023, the WTRAndretti team are ready to put on a show at the team’s home track with both Acura ARX-06 GTPs and alongside teammates in the GTD class and Lamborghini Super Trofeo – totaling up to seven WTRAndretti cars on track throughout the weekend.

Aiming to pick up from where they left off, Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque in the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 enter Indianapolis following a pole position and podium result at Road America last month. With experience driving the Acura ARX-06 at IMS in 2023, Taylor and Albuquerque will look for the podium after earning a top five result in last year’s event. The mission remains the same for the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 crew: to win the remaining two events left on the calendar.

For Louis Delétraz and Jordan Taylor, the No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 team looks to bounce back after a promising weekend turned challenging at Road America. Although the pair has not raced together in the Acura ARX-06 GTP at Indianapolis before, Taylor last time in a prototype car at IMS saw him starting from pole position and Delétraz earned a podium finish in LMP2 in 2023’s Battle on the Bricks. Like their No. 10 teammates, it’s all about winning and the best result possible to finish the final races this season.
The WTRAndretti duo of Acura ARX-06 GTPs will take to the IMS Road Course starting with practice on Friday, September 20th, at 11:15 a.m. ET. Qualifying is set for 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 21st, live on Peacock. On Sunday, September 22nd, the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks six-hour endurance event will see the green and clock countdown begin at 11:40 a.m. ET with coverage on Peacock followed by NBC on air at 3 p.m. ET.
Wayne Taylor, Team Principal, WTRAndretti: “Since we are out of the points race for the championship, we are going to try to win these last two races. It will also be the end of our partnership with HRC so we would like to go out on top. We had a good test at Indy a few weeks ago so I’m feeling positive that we should have a good car and go for the win. Indy is a new endurance race, so I’m looking forward to it – I love the long-distance races.”

No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 GTP Drivers
Ricky Taylor: “We had a great test there last month and have certainly improved ourselves since last year, six hours will prove a different challenge, and we are up for it. Indy is a very unique circuit and whether or not the similarities in duration to the Watkins Glen six hour will translate, only time will tell. We will prepare our best and learn as much as we can to make educated decisions for the race. It was great fun last year to see all of the support from family and friends of the WTRAndretti team, it is something we don’t always get to see or share. With this event becoming one of the championship’s marquee events, it will make it even more enjoyable to share with everyone.”

Filipe Albuquerque: “Indianapolis’s going to be a new type of race for us, a six-hour race. Our last endurance race would’ve been a nice one – the two WTRAndretti cars were leading the race before the last 20 minutes, so we were looking good and competitive. We were also competitive and got pole position in the last sprint race at Road America, so it seems like we are getting faster and faster. We’ve been very competitive and of course we want to be competitive at Indianapolis. Safety cars and cautions will play a huge role in strategy, but we had a good test there and we got a good feeling of the car. One thing that can play in our favor is that we are not fighting for the championship so when others will be taking care of their championship and not taking as much risk because they have a bigger picture, we don’t. So, this can maybe play in our favor and a lot of motivation to go for the win for sure.”

No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 GTP Drivers
Louis Delétraz: “I’m excited for the Indianapolis 6-Hour because it’s our home race and also now an endurance race. Six hours at Indy will be a new challenge, the characteristics of track make it interesting with traffic. We have tested at the track with WTRAndretti, and the Acura ARX-06 was great. We have nothing to lose, and we want to win the last two races to finish the year strong!”

Jordan Taylor: “We had a great test at Indy a few weeks ago, so I’m looking forward to getting back there and seeing how we stack up. It is our home race as a team, so it’ll be great having a lot of family and friends out there supporting us at such a legendary track. We had great speed at the last race in Road America but weren’t able to capitalize on it in the race. Hopefully this week we will be in such a strong position again to fight for the win.”

ABOUT WTRANDRETTI
Andretti Global and Wayne Taylor Racing announced a new, long-term partnership in 2023 that combines the resources of the two championship-caliber teams to compete in IMSA’s top classes. In 2024, Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) has expanded to a two-car GTP program as well as competes in the GTD class. Coming off its 2023 championship winning effort, WTRAndretti continues its Driver Development Program competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series with a full stable.

WTRAndretti’s global motorsports enterprise boasts two IMSA driver championships (2013 and 2017), and back-to-back IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championships (2020, 2021) which contributed to nine IMSA manufacturer championships for Acura, Pontiac, Corvette and Cadillac. In its brief 17-year history, WTRAndretti has accumulated multiple victories in sportscar racing’s most iconic events: Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans, Mid-Ohio, Road America and the Six Hours of The Glen. With its back-to-back PRO Class Championship wins (2022, 2023), WTR also has ten North America Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship titles and a Lamborghini World Finals title.

Andretti Global, a Championship-winning motorsports organization, competes in additional racing categories worldwide, including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Extreme E, Australian Supercars and the Mexico SuperCopa Championship. Additionally, the racing enterprise commits to driver development through competition in INDY NXT by Firestone and through support of Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon’s racing careers.

Kaulig Racing and Food City Team Up for Bristol Night Race

By
Official Release
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Hemric to Drive the No. 31 Mtn Dew Doritos® Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Bristol

 LEXINGTON, N.C. (September 17, 2024) – For the second year in-a-row, Kaulig Racing and Food City are teaming-up for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race.

Daniel Hemric’s No. 31 Camaro ZL1 will showcase both PepsiCo’s Mountain (Mtn) Dew and Doritos® brands for the infamous night race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“We’re excited to continue our great partnership with Food City at one of the most exciting races of the season,” said team president, Chris Rice. “For the second year in-a-row, they have been with us for both Bristol races, and we hope to continue this relationship for years to come.”

Earlier this season at the Food City 500, the Tennessee-based soft drink, alongside the top-selling cheese puff brand, CHEETOS® were featured on AJ Allmendinger’s No. 16 Camaro ZL1. This time, the #1 single-serve soft drink will be onboard the No. 31 Camaro, alongside Food City favorite, Doritos®.

“Food City is proud to once again team up with our friends from Kaulig Racing and PepsiCo to sponsor Daniel Hemric and the Kaulig Racing No. 31 Camaro ZL1 for Saturday’s running of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway will kick off Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
 
About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 23 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries, with a part-time fourth entry at select events. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

About Food City

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 154157 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.

The Best Gifts for NASCAR Fans for the Upcoming Holiday Season

By
SM
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Finding the perfect gift for a NASCAR fan can be a challenge. NASCAR fans are passionate, and their love for racing goes beyond just watching the sport. Whether they’re rooting for their favorite driver or collecting memorabilia, there’s a wide range of gift ideas that can hit the mark. If you’re looking to make a NASCAR fan’s day, here’s a list of the best gifts that are sure to rev their engines.

NASCAR Diecast Models

Diecast models are the quintessential collectible for any motorsport enthusiast. These miniature replicas of actual NASCAR cars are crafted with impressive detail, showcasing everything from paint schemes to sponsor decals. Fans often collect models of their favorite drivers, iconic race cars, or even championship-winning vehicles.

One of the best aspects of these officially licensed models is that it’s like you took a shrink-ray to an official vehicle. Models are on a 1:24 scale, and every little detail is included.

Why it’s great: These high-quality diecast models make great display pieces in a bedroom, living room, or man cave.

Recommended brands: Action Racing Collectibles, Lionel Racing.

NASCAR Race Tickets

Nothing beats the excitement of attending a live NASCAR event. Gifting race tickets provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many fans, as they can witness the speed, energy, and atmosphere of a live race.

Your best bet is to get tickets when a race comes to your city, but a destination vacation might be a great idea too. NASCAR has been holding special races in downtown Las Vegas, Chicago, and even inside the Los Angeles Colosseum. Perfect way to mix a fun vacation with a little street racing magic.

Why it’s great: Live races are filled with energy, and there’s nothing like hearing the roar of the engines in person.

Top races: Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Talladega Superspeedway.

Apparel and Gear

From hats and T-shirts to jackets and jerseys, NASCAR apparel is diverse and a favorite among fans. Whether it’s emblazoned with a favorite driver’s number, sponsor logos, or the NASCAR logo itself, clothing is a practical and stylish gift.

Why it’s great: Wearing NASCAR gear lets fans show off their loyalty both at races and in everyday life.

Hot items: Driver-specific merchandise, vintage-inspired designs, official NASCAR team apparel.

Memberships and Fan Clubs

Many die-hard NASCAR fans love feeling closer to the sport, and fan club memberships offer just that. The official NASCAR Fan Council or exclusive driver fan clubs provide perks like early access to race tickets, behind-the-scenes content, and members-only events. It’s a unique gift that not many fans even know exists. And who doesn’t like being in s a special club?

Why it’s great: Memberships offer an insider’s experience, helping fans feel more connected to the sport and their favorite drivers.

Look for Exclusive fan clubs for specific drivers, such as Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, or Chase Elliott.

Home Decor

From wall art featuring iconic NASCAR moments to custom signage with a favorite driver’s number, NASCAR-themed décor lets fans bring their love of racing into their living spaces. Garage signs, posters, and even clocks designed with racing themes are popular choices. Perfect for a home office or your husband’s man cave.

Why it’s great: It allows fans to personalize their homes, garages, or man cave with a touch of NASCAR flair.

Ideas: Metal signs, framed racing photos, and checkered flag-inspired accessories.

Car Accessories and Tailgating Gear

NASCAR fans love tailgating, and having the right gear is essential. A NASCAR-branded cooler, portable grill, or folding chair will take their race-day experience to the next level. And don’t forget to deck the car out with goodies too. License plate frames, car air fresheners, and driver-specific racing flags are affordable gifts that folks love.

Why it’s great: Race day is as much about the social experience as it is about the competition. Tailgating gear enhances the fan experience.

Recommended items: Coolers, chairs, air fresheners, and grilling accessories.

NASCAR Video Games

For fans who love both racing and gaming, NASCAR video games provide an interactive way to engage with the sport. These games allow them to immerse themselves in the racing experience, take on the role of their favorite driver, and compete in high-speed races online against other competitors.

Why it’s great: It offers an exciting, hands-on way for fans to experience the thrill of NASCAR races. Great for solo play or racing against a group of friends.

Available on: PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Pit Crew Experience

For a NASCAR fan who craves a more interactive and thrilling experience, a pit crew or racecar driving experience makes an unforgettable gift. These experiences, available at tracks across the U.S., allow fans to ride shotgun in a real NASCAR stock car or to drive one around a racetrack. It’s neither for the faint of heart nor cheap, but they’ll never forget the experience.

Why it’s great: It gives fans an adrenaline-pumping taste of what it’s like to be part of the race action.

Companies offering this: NASCAR Racing Experience, Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Driver Autographs and Memorabilia

If you’re buying for someone who has a favorite driver, you can’t go wrong with authentic autographs and memorabilia. From signed helmets and gloves to race-used items such as tires and sheet metal, these pieces offer a deep connection to the sport. And they make a great conversation starter in anyone’s home.

Why it’s great: Owning a piece of NASCAR history makes fans feel like they have a special connection to the drivers and the races.

Where to find: Official NASCAR auctions, sports memorabilia stores, or directly from driver fan clubs. Be sure to buy from reputable dealers; there are a lot of fakes out there.

Documentaries and Books

For fans who enjoy diving deeper into NASCAR’s history and strategy, a well-written book or documentary can be a perfect gift. There are plenty of books covering everything from NASCAR’s history and iconic races to biographies of legendary drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, and Jeff Gordon. With a sport that features such a rich history, there’s a topic for everyone.

Why it’s great: It allows fans to learn more about the sport’s history and discover interesting behind-the-scenes stories.

Popular titles: “Driving with the Devil” by Neal Thompson, “Earnhardt Nation” by Jay Busbee, and documentaries like “The Day” about the iconic Daytona 500 race.

Final Lap

When buying gifts for a fan, there are so many options that can fit their unique passion. The business has made it simple with access to good online or at events. Whether it’s a collectible diecast model, an unforgettable race-day experience, or some cool gear, your thoughtful gift is sure to fuel their excitement for the sport they love. No matter the occasion, you can’t go wrong with any of these top NASCAR-themed gifts!

3 Tips for Breaking Into Motorcycle Racing

By
SM
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Photo by Michele_Morrone at https://depositphotos.com/

Motorcycle racing is one of the most thrilling sports out there. It combines all sorts of skills from passion to speed. Whether you’re considering racing on a professional level, or simply want to compete in a few local events, the same rules apply. 

Getting started is as simple as knowing the right steps and mindset. With the right mindset and approach you can carve out a thrilling motorcycle racing future for yourself, and break into an exhilarating world.  Here are some of the most essential tips for breaking into motorcycle racing.

Get The Right Bike

Not any old bike will do if you hope to be successful. You want something that is crafted with the highest quality materials and meets the highest quality standards.  Remember, not all bikes were built to be used for competitive racing. Starting with the wrong bike can not only put you at a disadvantage against your competitors, but it can even be dangerous. 

That doesn’t mean to say you need the most expensive bike on the market, but rather one that will provide a good balance between power and control.  This will allow you to learn the basics without being overwhelmed by a bike that’s too powerful. As you improve at racing you can gradually upgrade to a more powerful bike that suits your skill level.

Get Trained 

Motorcycle rating is so much more than just riding skills.  You have to master all sorts of skills from proper braking to controlling the throttle to how you position your body. Not to mention you have to have the right strategy if you hope to win. 

Even though riding in the street counts as helpful experience, a professional can help you learn better precision and discipline in a more structured environment. Consider signing up for a motorcycle racing school where you can learn from a skilled professional who is trained and capable. 

Not only will you have a great teacher by your side, but you’ll also have a highly controlled and safe environment for you to practice without the hazards of riding in the street.

Remember, the learning process should be gradual and structured, otherwise you risk rushing into the process and potentially risking your safety.

Get Safety Gear

Half of the excitement of racing is the thrill and danger that comes along with it. Yet high risk doesn’t necessarily have to mean you allow yourself to get hurt. Taking the proper precautions is critical if you hope to prioritize your safety. 

Make sure that you invest in the right gear to avoid sustaining a serious injury. You want to have a full-face helmet, leather clothing, and of course boots and gloves. 

You want gear that’s specifically designed for racing as it will offer better quality than general riding gear. And while it may be tempting to cut costs and buy a cheaper brand or even used, you always want to buy new materials that meet the latest safety standards.

RFK Advance | Bristol II

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Official Release
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Bristol II Event Info:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Bristol, Tennessee
Format: 500 Laps, 266.5 Miles, Stages: 125-125-250
TV: USA
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 4 p.m. ET, Practice (USA, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday: 4:50 p.m. ET, Qualifying (USA, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 7:30 p.m. ET, Race (USA, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The annual Bristol Night Race plays host this weekend to the final race in the opening round of the NASCAR Playoffs.
  • Brad Keselowski sits below the cut line needing a solid finish to advance into the Round of 12, just behind the No. 11 and ahead of the No. 19.
  • Since Chris Buescher’s win at Bristol in 2022 – the first overall under the RFK banner – RFK has finished top-10 in two-straight Bristol races, with a pair of top-5s each from Buescher (2023 fall) and Keselowski (2024 spring).
  • Keselowski has the third-best average finish of any driver at Bristol in the last four seasons (7.5), with Buescher just behind in fourth at 8.8.
  • Jack Roush has 19 Bristol wins all-time, including 12 in the Cup Series, second-most only behind Michigan (14).

6 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Matt McCall
Partner: Castrol Edge

17 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Fastenal

  • RFK team partner HOIST will be activating this weekend in the campground area at Bristol Motor Speedway, centered around its ‘Fuel the Pull’ event. The ‘Fuel the Pull’ will be hosted at the HOIST vendor site stationed in the Souvenir Alley at the All-American Campground, hosting a series of tug-of-war pick-up games, where attendees can compete against friends, enjoy complimentary HOIST beverages and participate in the excitement of the weekend races.
  • Buescher will make an appearance at the HOIST activation on Friday at 2 p.m. for a Q&A with fans in the area.

Keselowski at Bristol
Starts: 26
Wins: 3 (2011, 2012, 2020)
Top-10s: 10
Poles: 2 (2020)

  • Keselowski makes his 27th Cup start on the concrete at Bristol this weekend. He has three Bristol Cup wins all-time with 10 top-10s and a 15.8 average finish.
  • He’s coming off a third-place run there this spring, and a P8 finish last fall in this race after starting sixth. In the past four fall races he has finishes of P8, P6, P34 and P3.
  • Keselowski’s three wins at BMS came back in 2011-12, and most recently in 2020.
  • Keselowski has led laps in 15 different Bristol races totaling 1,014 laps, his best total of any track on the circuit outside Richmond (1,280).
  • Keselowski has started top-10 in five of the last six Bristol races, including a pair of poles in 2020. Overall he has a 9.7 average starting position – his best of any track outside of Homestead (8.9). He has 16 starts inside the top-10 in 26 Bristol events.
  • Keselowski also made 14 Xfinity starts at Bristol with one win and eight top-10s, and seven Truck starts with one win and three top-10s.

Buescher at Bristol
Starts: 15
Wins: 1 (2022)
Top-10s: 5
Poles: —

  • Buescher enters the weekend with a load of momentum at ‘The Last Great Colosseum,’ coming off three-consecutive finishes of seventh or better. He’s the defending winner of the fall race from two years ago, and has led a combined 187 laps in the last three races alone.
  • He finished seventh at Bristol this spring – after starting 34th – and fourth last fall.
  • Overall, Buescher has five Cup top-10s at Bristol, with an eighth-place finish in the 2020 fall race, and a fifth-place run back in 2016.
  • Buescher has an average starting position of 23.9 with a career-best starting position of 12th (2016).
  • Buescher made five Xfinity Series starts at Bristol with three top-10s and a best finish of third (2015).

RFK Historically at Bristol
Cup Wins: 12 (Mark Martin, 1993, 1998; Kurt Busch, 2002, 2003, 2003, 2004; Matt Kenseth, 2005, 2006; Carl Edwards, 2007, 2008, 2014; Chris Buescher, 2022)

  • Runner Up: RFK’s storied history at Bristol began on April 10, 1988 with the No. 6 NCS car earning a second-place finish. Since that time, in addition to the organization’s 11 NCS wins at the track, RFK Fords have finished second at Bristol on 15 occasions (7 NCS, 4 NXS, 4 NCTS).
  • History and Hot Streaks at “Thunder Valley”: RFK’s history at Bristol has been one of hot streaks, including trips to victory lane in 10 of the last 21 seasons at the famed short track. RFK swept the track in 2003 and put a NCS car in victory lane at least once in every season from 2002-2008.
  • Tale of the Tape: RFK has started 223 NCS races at Bristol, recording 12 total wins with 53 top-five and 93 top-10 finishes. RFK Fords have an average finish of 15.7 with 3693 laps led all-time.

RFK Bristol Wins

1993-2 Martin Cup

1996-1 Martin NXS

1997-1 Burton NXS

1998-2 Martin Cup

2002-1 Busch Cup

2003-1 Busch Cup

2003-2 Busch Cup

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2007-1 Edwards NXS

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Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Watkins Glen: Buescher earned the first road course win of his career Sunday at the Glen, overcoming three late-race restarts and retaking the lead from road course ace Shane Van Gisbergen. Keselowski finished 26th.

Points Standings (6: 14th, 17: 18th): Keselowski sits 12 points behind the cut line entering Bristol.

Bass Pro Shops Racing: Martin Truex Jr. Bristol Advance

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Official Release
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Martin Truex Jr.
Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Advance
No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Round 29 of 36)
● Time/Date: 7:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Sept. 21
● Location: Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway
● Layout: .533-mile concrete oval
● Laps/Miles: 500 laps/266.5 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 125 laps / Stage 2: 125 laps / Final Stage: 250 laps
● TV/Radio: USA Network/ PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● One More Chance to Advance: After being involved in an accident in a late-race restart Sunday at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, the New Jersey native sits 15th in the 16-driver playoff standings, 14 points below the top-12 cutline with one race remaining in the Round of 16. Only the top-12 drivers in points after Bristol advance to the next playoff round.

● Truex has three top-five finishes, five top-10s and has led a total of 341 laps in 34 career NASCAR Cup Series starts on Bristol’s concrete surface. Truex’s average Bristol finish is 20.2.

● Memory Lane: While Truex is still seeking his first Bristol win in NASCAR’s top series, he has visited victory lane at the East Tennessee track in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Truex brought home the win at Bristol in the spring 2004 race during the first of his back-to-back Xfinity Series championships, which came in 2004 and 2005.

● Truex has traditionally struggled at Bristol, but this season’s first trip to Bristol in March helped him and his Bass Pro Shops team gain confidence on the half-mile bullring. He brought home a runner-up finish to JGR teammate Denny Hamlin, leading 54 laps in a race where tire management was the story of the day. In his 33 races on the Bristol concrete prior to the March race, Truex had led a double-digit number of laps just four times. It was his most laps led in a race there since he led 52 laps in the August 2019 race. Prior to joining JGR in 2019, Truex led 116 laps in the spring 2017 Bristol race in a Toyota for Furniture Row Racing.

● Looking for 35: Truex’s win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon in July 2023 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.

● Ahead at this Stage: Truex has accumulated 64 stage wins since the beginning of the stage era in 2017. He is the only driver with 10 or more stage sweeps, with his latest sweep coming at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn in August 2023. Truex scored his fourth stage win of the season Sunday at Watkins Glen, leading the field across the line at the end of Stage 1.

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

If tire wear is a factor again at Bristol like it was in the spring race, how confident are you in your tire management skills to manage that?

“Yeah, I’m certainly looking forward to it more than in past years. Bristol has been in the past, just ‘hammer it’ as hard as you can all day. Track position was huge. Tires didn’t really wear out and it was all about pit stops, restarts and track position. Now, in the spring, it was like old-school racing. I enjoyed that more and had better success at it than I did in previous years at Bristol, so I’m excited for that and I think it’s a good opportunity for us with our Bass Pro Shops Camry.”

What are your thoughts on racing at Bristol, especially with this being a playoff cutoff race?

“Bristol hasn’t been my favorite place, but we’ve had some good runs there, too. I think we’ve been competitive there over the years. It’s a place that’s tight and things happen fast there, so you have to be on your toes. Always really excited to be a part of how great the crowd is there, and the fans love that place. Obviously the spring race there was very encouraging, and hope we can run up front all night like we did there in March and have a shot to make it through to the next round. Would be great to have another strong run there and finally get a win at Bristol with our Bass Pro Shops Camry. We’ll see how it plays out.”

Does going to Bristol make you nervous or does the spring race result give you and the team a bit more confidence going into this weekend?

“We’ve run well there at times, like the spring, for sure. We’ve certainly struggled at times, but I think everybody has. That place is tricky with the spray, and the groove moving around. We won’t race where we practice. It’s a little bit of a challenge there, but all of the times we’ve run there, it’s always been a flat tire or a loose wheel. I can’t even use both hands to count all of the times that has happened. It’s just been a tough place, hopefully no bad luck this weekend and we can go just have a smooth race and hopefully have the performance to get the job done.”

Is your approach going to be to try to point your way on to the next round?

“That’s the goal every week – try to get as many points as you can. You want to run up front and be in the mix with whatever position you are in. We certainly try to do that and maximize stage points and do everything we can. Some of it is out of our control and we can only focus on what we can control. It is going to be tough to point our way in, but it is a long race and a lot can happen, especially at a place like Bristol, so we are looking forward to the opportunity.”

How will you balance keeping track of where your fellow playoff drivers are versus what you are doing on Saturday night?

“You kind of just take it as it comes. Right now, we know where we stand and what we have to do, but things change, and if things change in a major way, they will let me know, but we just have to go race and do the best job that we can do no matter what everyone else has going on.”

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

Cadillac aims for endurance title advantage

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Official Release
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Defending champion enters six-hour Indianapolis race second, third in standings

DETROIT (Sept. 17, 2024) – Cadillac Racing will seek to add another signature victory in program history when it returns to iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the penultimate race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

New for the second edition of the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks is extension of the September 22 race duration from 2 hours, 40 minutes to six hours on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course. The event, featuring 11 Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) entries in the 56-car field across four classes, is the fourth in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup series. The 10-hour Petit Le Mans on October 12 closes out the calendar.

Cadillac Racing is the defending and five-time IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) Manufacturer champion, while the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R run by Action Express Racing claimed the team and driver titles in 2023. Cadillac and the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R contingent are second in their respective categories entering the race that awards points at the three-hour mark and checkered flag.

“It’s nice that the championship will now finish with two endurance races in a row, which can create a lot of interesting battles and different strategies around not only the overall championship but also the endurance championships,” said Pipo Derani, the 2023 GTP champion and endurance race champion who will share driving duties in both races with Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist.

The No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande are a close third in the IMEC GTP standings. The duo, who tested on the road course earlier this summer, have qualified in the top three in all seven races including earning the pole at Laguna Seca.

Bourdais, who co-drove to the overall victory in the inaugural NASCAR Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series race at Indianapolis in 2012 and is a 10-time INDYCAR starter on the road course, said driving in the congested field spread across the four classes is a “game of patience.”

“In a six-hour race, I guess there will be more management because it will come down to what happens at the last safety car, so it might be a bit easier to manage frustration. In a 2-hour, 40-minute race, it’s trying to get track position the whole time,” said Bourdais, the four-time Indy car champion.

Blomqvist made two starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May in INDYCAR competition: finishing 23rd on the road course and 31st in the Indianapolis 500. He co-drove to sixth place in the 2023 IMSA GTP race on the IMS road course with another manufacturer.

“You’ve got to be patient and pick your moments carefully, especially when the track gets crowded. Having raced here last year in IMSA and this year in INDYCAR, I feel confident in knowing the nuances of the track, but it’s always evolving and, with managing traffic, balancing risk and reward will be a key factor in the race,” he said.

Peacock and IMSA.tv will stream qualifications at 3:35 p.m. ET Saturday. Peacock (in U.S.) and IMSA.TV (outside U.S.) will stream flag-to-flag action at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, with NBC telecasting the final three hours starting at 3 p.m.

IMSA Radio (imsa.com), RadioLeMans.com will broadcast qualifications and be joined by SiriusXM (XM 206, Web/App 996) for the race.

Cadillac Racing 2023 at Indianapolis (2-hour, 40-minute race):

  • Seventh (No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R) start fourth – Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande
  • Fourth (No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R) start eighth – Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims

What they’re saying

No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R

Sebastien Bourdais: “Physically, it’s hard. It’s a track that doesn’t give you much rest and it’s seriously difficult in traffic. There are a lot of sections on the track where you can’t pass. Once you get into turn 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 you got to wait all the way until the backstraight and same thing when you get to 7, 8, 9, 10. If you don’t clear just before you get to the long right, the marbles build up and you can’t pass either. There are few places to clear traffic and it’s really a game of patience because if you try to force the issue it can go sour pretty fast. You have to be careful but at the same time you can’t be too careful. In a 2-hour, 40-minute race, you can’t take it that easy. In a six-hour race, I guess there will be more management because it will come down to what happens at the last safety car, so it might be a bit easier to manage frustration. In a 2-hour, 40-minute race, it’s trying to get track position the whole time. You’re fighting for a couple tenths and then you give up 5 seconds on a lap because you get stuck behind a GT or something for six corners. It’s a tough one.”

Renger van der Zande: “It’s one of those tracks where strategy and track position will play a big role. It’s a fun track on your own. It’s not a typical IMSA track either. I did the 8 hours of Indy as well; finished second. It’s not the most exciting track but it’s the home for a lot of race teams, including our team. It’s a home race for them, so it’s a home race for me. I’m looking forward to Indy. The tough part for us in this part of the season is the hard tire, which we focused on getting it better and found some setup stuff that worked.”

No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R

Pipo Derani: “Indianapolis six hours will be a new challenge as it enters the endurance rounds of the championship. It’s also a very peculiar racetrack, one that can create a lot of marbles off track. It’s most likely going to create a very interesting endurance event, and I am looking forward to that. I also think it’s nice that the championship will now finish with two endurance races in a row, which can create a lot of interesting battles and different strategies around not only the overall championship but also the endurance championships. Last year we had a relatively strong race car apart from the Porsches who were on a league of their own and we weren’t so quick in qualifying. We will be looking to unlock some speed this year and hope that we can fight the Porsches during the race.”

Jack Aitken: “Indianapolis may be a new track for me, but it’s one I know from the simulator and having watched quite a few races there, so I’m not too concerned about getting up to speed. Going to a six hour this year will mean a bit more strategy playing out over the race, and as always traffic management will be a huge part of the game. Competing at such a historic venue will always be a cool outing, and Indy is a bit of a home away from home at this point, thanks to the Dallara simulator being just next to the Speedway.”

Tom Blomqvist: “Racing at Indy is always a special experience, and the new six-hour format definitely changes things and adds a new challenge for everyone. The circuit is tight and technical, so traffic management will be crucial to a strong result. Overtaking can be challenging, but there are a few decent spots to make moves, particularly heading into Turn 1 and on the backstretch. You’ve got to be patient and pick your moments carefully, especially when the track gets crowded. Having raced here last year in IMSA and this year in INDYCAR, I feel confident in knowing the nuances of the track, but it’s always evolving and, with managing traffic, balancing risk and reward will be a key factor in the race. To be back working with the team, Pipo and Jack is fantastic and I’m optimistic about our chances. We’re currently second in the Endurance Cup standings, so the goal for the last two rounds is to maximize every opportunity for points and try to win the title.”

Fuji frustration for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

By
Official Release
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Toyota City, Japan, Sept 17, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s winning run on home ground came to an end despite a valiant effort in a dramatic 6 Hours of Fuji, the penultimate round of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

An intense team effort, committed driving and bold strategy put the GR010 HYBRIDs in the fight for victory despite their revised power and weight parameters at Fuji, but TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s run of six consecutive home wins ultimately ended in frustration.

In front of 65,800 enthusiastic fans, a battling drive from Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa in their #8 GR010 HYBRID looked to have earned a podium until a late penalty dropped them down to 10th place.

The #7 GR010 HYBRID of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and Nyck de Vries had led with two hours to go but were forced to retire due to accident damage. That effectively ends the World Championship challenge of Kamui and Nyck with one race remaining.

The team found itself on the back foot from the opening stages. Either side of a lap-two safety car, Sébastien dropped from second to fourth while Mike also lost ground from fourth on the grid, and spent the first stint in fifth, behind the #8.

Further position changes saw the second hour end with Mike still in fifth, but Sébastien now sixth, although those positions were swapped soon after when the #7 GR010 HYBRID suffered tyre degradation, causing it to pit earlier than planned. Nyck took over while Brendon replaced Sébastien soon after.

Despite the tough start, the team’s fuel and tyre strategy started to pay off. After half distance, Nyck overtook the #15 BMW and the #50 Ferrari then overhauled the #6 Porsche in the pits to lead. The #8 also made progress and Brendon boldly passed two Ferraris before handing over to Ryo, who joined the podium fight.

After almost four hours of intense competition, Kamui took over for two stints to hunt down the victory, with both cars now in a stronger strategic position in terms of fuel and tyres than their rivals. But a virtual safety car early in the fifth hour took away that advantage by giving all Hypercars the chance to pit and lose less time compared to doing so under racing conditions.

A 90-minute sprint to the flag saw Ryo initially hold third before the #35 Alpine overtook. The #7 fared worse when Kamui and the #5 Porsche made contact in the battle for eighth. Damage to the rear suspension and bodywork could not be repaired in time, so the car was retired with an hour remaining.

Ryo pushed hard to bring the #8 back onto the podium in the final hour, overtaking both JOTA Porsches and then moving into a comfortable third after a penalty for the #35 Alpine. But with 16 minutes to go, the #8 incurred its own drive-through penalty, for an incident with the leading #6 Porsche, and Ryo finished 10th, 58.879secs behind the winner.

Despite the very frustrating result, the team is already focused on retaining its manufacturers’ title in a showdown in Bahrain on 2 November when the fight for the World Championship will be concluded. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is just 10 points behind leaders Porsche going into the eighth and final race of 2024.

Kamui Kobayashi (Team Principal and driver, car #7):

“It was a very tough race. The second safety car brought us into a difficult situation. After that I tried to fight with Porsche #5 for a couple of laps, but our lack of straight-line speed was clear, so he tried to overtake through the first three turns. On the inside of turn three we both committed to the corner in the same moment and could not avoid contact. Unfortunately, we then had another contact, and the damage was too heavy to repair. It definitely was not our day, and I feel sorry for our home fans who supported us so much. Hopefully we will come back strong for the last race in Bahrain.”

Mike Conway (Driver, car #7):

“It’s been a pretty rough day on both cars. Unfortunately for car #7 we had contact and the car was not repairable, so we didn’t score any points which is bad for our drivers’ championship, and as a team we didn’t score well for the manufacturers’ either. It’s obviously frustrating and not the result we wanted for our home fans and all the partners and Toyota colleagues who support us here. But there is one round to go and it’s a longer race, with more points available, so we will do our best to come back fighting.”

Nyck de Vries (Driver, car #7):

“It is a tough pill to swallow for the whole team. It has been hard all weekend. We were aware that our race pace was not good enough to challenge at the front based on our speed alone and that we needed to execute the best possible race to score good points for both championships. We had a great strategy to do just that but unfortunately due to the race circumstances, we didn’t pull it off. That is a real pity.”

Sébastien Buemi (Driver, car #8):

“It was a bit of a disaster for us. We had a solid start, considering we were a bit slower than our rivals. I had no chance to race into turn one because the acceleration of the other cars was much better. But we came back into it, then got unlucky with the safety car. Without the drive-through penalty we would have finished on the podium which would have been an acceptable result. We’ll analyse everything, regroup and come back stronger in Bahrain.”

Brendon Hartley (Driver, car #8):

“We had a pretty clean race. Séb did a great job looking after the tyres which gave us a real chance based on our strategy. We didn’t have the pace of our competitors, but we did our best. A big thanks to the team because everyone fought hard. It was an important race for us and in the end we came up short for many different reasons. But we will keep our heads up and fight back in Bahrain for the manufacturers’ championship. Huge thanks to everyone here in Japan who has supported us this week, the Toyota colleagues, partners and all the fans.”

Ryo Hirakawa (Driver, car #8):

“Obviously it is a really disappointing day. We wanted to have a good race in front of our fans and partners but it didn’t turn out that way. We tried everything and at one point it looked promising, but then things went against us. There is one race remaining and hopefully we can finish on a high by winning the championship; we are going to keep fighting. Thanks to the team for their hard work all week, and special thanks to our partners and fans for all the support.”

6 Hours of Fuji – Result

1st #6 Porsche Penske (Estre/Lotterer/Vanthoor) 213 laps
2nd #15 BMW M Team WRT (Vanthoor/Marciello/Wittmann) +16.601secs
3rd #36 Alpine Endurance Team (Lapierre/Schumacher/Vaxiviere) +42.321secs
4th #93 Peugeot TotalEnergies (Jensen/Müller/Vergne) +45.846secs
5th #12 Hertz Team JOTA (Stevens/Ilott/Nato) +49.689secs
6th #38 Hertz Team JOTA (Button/Hanson/Rasmussen) +51.916secs
10th #8 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing +58.879secs
DNF #7 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

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