Home Blog Page 867

Stewart-Haas Racing: Talladega NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

By
Official Release
-

COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Talladega NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

  • Event: United Rentals 250 (Round 28 of 33)
  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 5
  • Location: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway
  • Layout: 2.66-mile oval
  • Time/TV/Radio: 4 p.m. EDT on CW/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

  • Reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Cole Custer is ready to continue his playoff journey during this weekend’s United Rentals 250 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. He got off to a strong start to his championship run with a second-place finish last Saturday in the Round of 12 opener at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City. After qualifying third, Custer looked to be on his way to back-to-back wins and his third of the 2024 season, having led four times for a total of 48 laps. He was leading the race with three laps to go when Aric Almirola got by him and went on to win the race. Custer ended up second just .660 of a second behind Almirola. While not a win that would have locked him into the Round of 8, Custer enjoyed a good points day with third-place finishes in the opening two stages that earned him 16 bonus points. He now sits on top of the playoff leaderboard with 2,079 points, 41 above the top-eight cutoff. He has a five-point advantage over second-place Chandler Smith and a 15-point advantage over third-place Austin Hill. Custer’s second-place finish was his 12th top-five of the season. The driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse now heads to a track full of unpredictability and ready for the challenges that lay ahead in the final two races of the Round of 12.
  • Saturday’s United Rentals 250 will be Custer’s sixth career Xfinity Series start at Talladega. In his five previoius starts, he earned a best finish of fourth in April 2023 in the series’ only visit to the superspeedway that season. In five superspeedway-style races run this year – two at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, two at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and one at Talladega, Custer ran in the top-10 for the majority of all the races. He finished 13th in the February season opener at Daytona, 16th the following weekend at Atlanta, and 10th in the April race at Talladega. In addition to his five Xfinity Series starts at Talladega, Custer has seven starts outside the series – six in the NASCAR Cup Series with a best finish of 10th in April 2021, and one in the NASCAR Truck Series in October 2016, when he started on the pole and led two laps before a midrace accident ended his day. He’s led 10 laps in his six Cup Series at the track.
  • Custer’s history at superspeedways has been a roller-coaster ride throughout his career, but when he returned to the Xfinity Series in 2023, he proved that he was back and better than ever on every kind of track. There’s no hiding that Custer had struggled at the superspeedways during his previous stint in the Xfinity Series from 2017-2019. In fact, it was his Achilles heel as he rarely finished a race on superspeedway-style tracks. But, when he came back to the series in 2023, he saw significant growth and improvement. He finished ninth in February 2023 at Daytona, fourth in April 2023 at Talladega, and then fifth in August 2023 at Daytona, posting his career-best finish at both tracks.
  • On top of racing in this Saturday’s United Rentals 250, Custer will also be lending a hand in the Motor Racing Network (MRN) radio booth. He’ll serve as a guest announcer during Friday afternoon’s Talladega 225 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, which is the first race of the that series’ playoff Round of 8. The Ladera Ranch, California, native has been lending a hand to both MRN and Performance Racing Network (PRN) in recent seasons as he continues to explore options in broadcasting.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

  • Riley Herbst has his eyes on the prize in Saturday’s United Rentals 250 at the behemoth Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway oval after coming up just one spot short in his most recent outing at the track. In April, Herbst qualified eighth and immediately showed his strength on superspeedways by quickly working himself to the front of the pack, leading three times for a total of 13 laps along the way. The driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse earned a total of five bonus points via his finishes of ninth and eighth, respectively, in the first two stages. As the race was coming to a close, Herbst was running up front and battling for the lead with Jesse Love and Anthony Alfredo. He ultimately finished second, just .141 of a second behind race-winner Love. Herbst looks to improve his finishing position by one spot in his return to the track to score his second win of 2024 and secure a coveted spot in the Round of 8 of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. Still, a good points day could help extend Herbst’s one-point lead over ninth-place Justin Allgaier for the Round of 8 cutoff. Herbst stands just two points behind seventh-place Jesse Love.
  • Saturday’s race at Talladega will mark Herbst’s ninth career Xfinity Series start at the track. Prior to his runner-up finish in the spring, he earned a best finish of fourth in the April 2021 race and returned that October to lead his first laps on the 2.66-mile oval, 26 in total, before an accident ended his bid six laps from the finish. Herbst has an additional seven Talladega starts outside the Xfinity Series – two in the Cup Series, four in the ARCA Menards Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He drove to a runner-up finish in the April 2019 ARCA race, then followed that up with a fourth-place finish with 36 laps led in the June 2020 ARCA race. Since joining Stewart-Haas Racing in 2021, Herbst has finished outside the top-15 just twice at Talladega.
  • Herbst’s success at superspeedways has not been confined to the Xfinity Series. In 2023, Herbst made four starts in the Cup Series, all on superspeedways. When Herbst competed in his fourth and final Cup Series race of 2023 at Talladega last October, he qualified an impressive sixth and ran with the leaders for a majority of the race. He led five times for a total of 10 laps and, in the latter stages of the race, he was pushing his Stewart-Haas teammate Kevin Harvick, who was leading. Although he was caught up in an accident coming to the checkered flag, Herbst was able to cross the finish line ninth, his best Cup Series finish of the season, besting his 10th-place finish in the Daytona 500.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse

While Kansas didn’t result in a win, it was a strong showing for the No. 00 team to kick off the 2024 playoffs. With these next two races both being wild-card races, what do you hope to take from your runner-up finish at Kansas?

“Minus the points, there’s not much to carry over. This first round has every style of track possible in it and you have to hope to just survive to the next round. Luckily, we’ve racked up points and should be in a good spot heading into the weekend. I think you saw it with Justin (Allgaier) last weekend, though – one bad race can erase that points lead. We have to be smart and play it safe at Talladega. Superspeedways have always been an Achilles heel for me. They aren’t my strongest tracks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t perform well at them. We’ve shown that this No. 00 team has a never-give-up attitude, and I think you’ll see that through the next two weekends. It’s never over until it’s over. You saw that when we were racing for the regular-season championship at Bristol, and that mentality is not lost in the playoffs. I’m thankful to have a team with the same goal and, hopefully, we can just stay out of trouble this weekend at Talladega.”

Superspeedway racing is a gamble in the playoffs. It requires a good bit of luck to survive and have a good day. How do you approach Talladega, which is known for being so unpredictable?

“Superspeedway racing is a challenge. It’s honestly a game of luck for the drivers, and it’s not always a fun game. You aren’t always a winner. There are things that you can control in the race, like having a fast car, being able to make aggressive moves when needed, and how well you can work the draft. Those are all aspects of racing that we can focus on as a team heading into this race. But, there’s also just so much you cannot prepare for at this style of track. There’s so much unpredictability. Anything can happen, and an accident can happen at any time, anywhere in the field. I feel like we were solid at Daytona and at Talladega last season, but it’s just a matter of controlling your destiny in these races and staying out of trouble. We had a strong 10th-place showing in the spring, too. You always have that luck factor at superspeedways and, in the end, you just hope you hit the jackpot.”

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse

You performed well at Talladega in the NASCAR Cup Series in October 2023. You started sixth and earned a career-best finish of ninth. Then you followed that up with a runner-up finish in the Xfinity Series in April after leading 16 laps. What did you learn in both of those races that you hope to carry over to this weekend’s playoff race?

“To be honest, the cars are so different now between the Cup Series and Xfinity Series that you can’t really carry over much between the two. Still, we followed up that ninth-place finish with a runner-up finish in the Xfinity car. Those Cup starts are more about the experience than anything. That Cup start was really the start to my strong run of top-fives at the end of the season last year. I went in there having no worries and just focused on learning. I ended up running top-five and racing for the lead. My Cup Series start at Talladega last year helped people notice me. It turned heads. Then, I came back in April and led laps in the Xfinity Series to finish second. We’re coming into our own on superspeedways, but we still have to be smart this weekend. We’re above the cutline right now, and we don’t want to ruin that. Hopefully we can win and just put the points racing to rest.”

Given this is the biggest superspeedway on the NASCAR circuit, where anything can happen, how do you prepare for Talladega?

“You can’t really prepare as much for any superspeedway-style race – so Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta are all big unknowns in our schedule. While you can try to figure out the handling and make sure you have speed, a lot of these races are up to luck. It’s like gambling in Vegas, sometimes you’re a big winner and sometimes you’re just not. These are wild cards on our schedule. You could be having the best day of your racing career and be taken out by a wreck not of your own doing due to the pack-style racing. We come up with plans for how we hope the race weekend will run, but you also have to be ready to change plans at a moment’s notice. The No. 98 Monster Energy team has brought fast cars not only to superspeedways, but almost every race this season, so I know we can be fast. We just have to be smart and stay out of trouble if we want to be there at the end. Hopefully, we can do just that.”

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview | Talladega Superspeedway

By
Official Release
-

CLUB ENTRY LIST

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
POINT STANDINGS: 34TH

ERIK JONES
POINT STANDINGS: 32ND

CLUB NOTES

LEGACY M.C. at Superspeedway’s: There have been three Superspeedway races (two at Daytona and one at Talladega) during the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. LEGACY MOTOR CLUB as a whole (Jimmie Johnson, Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek) have an average starting spot of 23rd and an average finish of 20th. During the Daytona 500 to start the season, Nemechek and Jones both scored top-10s with a seventh and eighth-place respectively.

Nemechek & Jones at Dega: During the 2024 spring race at Talladega Superspeedway, Nemechek led 20 laps, the most laps at any race that he has led this season. Nemechek has two top-10 finishes in his three NASCAR Cup Series starts at the 2.66-mile oval. Erik Jones at Talladega has earned seven top-10s, his best finish being second in the fall of 2020.

Elenz’s 100th Race: By participating in the YellaWood 500 this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, crew chief Dave Elenz will call his 100th NASCAR Cup Series race. The Gaylord, Michigan native made his debut as crew chief in NASCAR in 2015 leading JR Motorsports’ (JRM) No. 88 NASCAR Xfinity Series team piloted by multiple different drivers that season. Elenz earned back-to-back NXS Championships from 2017-18 with then JRM drivers William Byron and Tyler Reddick. Elenz made the jump to NASCAR Cup Series in 2022 to join Erik Jones in the coveted No. 43 car.

Back in the Booth: LEGACY M.C. co-owner will continue his stint with NBC Sports this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway co-hosting the pre-race NBC Countdown to Green with Dale Jarrett and providing commentary and the driver’s point of view throughout the sure-to-be exciting event on Sunday.

Appearances: John Hunter Nemechek will visit the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s merchandise trailer to sign some autographs this weekend. He will be signing on race day, Sunday starting at 10:00 a.m.

Strictly Business: John Hunter Nemechek and Melin, a better hat for better adventure is teaming up for a custom signature hat called, “Strictly Business”. The inspiration behind Strictly Business, when it comes to racing, it’s all business, all the time. The hat will be available on Melin.com starting Saturday, Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. PT.

Hurricane Helene Relief: Last week, Western Carolina was devastated by the recent Hurricane Helene that ripped through the Southeastern part of the United States. With LEGACY M.C. being close to the Statesville Airport, LEGACY M.C. is collecting items that are needed to assist in the efforts in Western Carolina. Anyone that wishes to donate items can bring them by the race shop Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Items will also be accepted during LEGACY M.C. Fan Day.

LEGACY M.C. Fan Day: Next week on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., LEGACY MOTOR CLUB will host Fan Day at the shop in Statesville, N.C. The event will include autographs, shop tours, show cars, pit crew demonstrations, food trucks, and much more.

A Touch of Color: Throughout the month of October, Dollar Tree/Family Dollar has opted to alter each paint scheme with touches of pink to acknowledge the millions of women who are currently battling, have won their battles and those who have lost their battles with breast cancer. Keep an eye out for these unique paint schemes starting this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.

Paint the Wall Pink: On Tuesday, the Erik Jones Foundation (EJF) and the NASCAR community joined together at Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) for an event rightfully named “Paint the Wall Pink”. Fighters and survivors of breast cancer had the opportunity to spread awareness for this global cause by painting the pit wall at CMS bright pink to serve as a visible token of solidarity during the upcoming races at the track next weekend.

Going for G.O.L.D.: Partners Dollar Tree Family Dollar has a “Go for G.O.L.D.” (Grand Opening Look Daily) program. Each week throughout the season, the No. 42 and No. 43 will feature one of the local store on the decklid of the Toyota Camry XSE.

PETTY 75TH ANNIVERSARY

ABOUT PETTY 75th: The 2024 season marks a significant milestone in the history of the Petty family as they have helped define stock car racing for 75 years. Their commitment to the sport and the people who make it possible – behind the wheel, under the hood, in the back office, and beyond – has shaped the growth and success of NASCAR. Their LEGACY lives on with the countless fans, drivers, technicians, and team members they touched. Throughout 2024, LEGACY M.C. will celebrate the Petty family and share countless memories with friends and fans at racetracks across the country.

This Week in Petty History: On October 1, 1967, Richard Petty earned his 75th career win at North Wilkesboro. Exactly 24 years after this achievement, on October 1, 1991, Petty announced his retirement after the 1992 season. In 2009, on October 1, Petty Enterprises merged with Gillett Evernham Motorsports to form Richard Petty Motorsports.

The King’s Hat: At the spring Talladega race in April, The King’s Hat was unveiled. The King’s Hat will once again be on display and will be located in the Fan Zone Midway, near the NASCAR Experience.

CLUB QUOTES

John Hunter Nemechek, Driver of the No. 42 GEARWRENCH Toyota Camry XSE:

“Our LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team has shown some speed at each of the Superspeedway races this year, we just haven’t had the luck to close one out. We have a sharp looking GEARWRENCH Toyota Camry XSE for this weekend’s race at Talladega, hopefully we can put it out front during the race and turn our season around.”

Erik Jones, Driver of the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE:

“Talladega is a unique track, as wide as it is and as much banking as it has, handling really isn’t an issue at all, it’s more just about outright speed and how capable your car is to go up and drive towards the front. It’s a unique place in that sense. It’s unique in the crowd as well. I think we get a great crowd, a big turn out and people who are really excited to see a race, so makes it pretty fun.”

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson joined TODAY fresh off a race at Kansas speedway. Johnson talks with the hosts about the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. If you missed the segment, be sure to watch it HERE (Photo by: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB)

Erik and Holly Jones paints the pit wall at Charlotte Motor Speedway pink to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness. (Photo by: Erik Jones Foundation).

BROADCAST INFO

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6TH @ 2:00 PM ET

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice “Maury” J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The CLUB competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series fielding the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE of John Hunter Nemechek, the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE of Erik Jones, and the No. 84 limited schedule entry for Jimmie Johnson. LEGACY M.C. also competes in the Extreme E Series. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty “The King” serves as CLUB Ambassador. With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ on Facebook, X, Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.

ABOUT GEARWRENCH®: GEARWRENCH is a premier hand tool brand from Apex Tool Group. Since the launch of the original five degree ratcheting wrench, the GEARWRENCH brand has led the industry with breakthroughs in pass-thru ratchets, sockets, screw/nut drivers, pliers, and specialty tools. For more information, visit www.gearwrench.com.

ABOUT DOLLAR TREE, INC.: Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 16,622 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of October 28, 2023. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Talladega

By
Official Release
-

5 KYLE LARSON
 Age: 32 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Last Week: 26th (Kansas)
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 4th (-16)

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2024Cup CareerTalladega
Races2936019
Wins528—
Poles521—
Top 5111151
Top 10141783
Laps Led1,5519,10754
Stage Wins12624
Average Finish14.314.222.8
  • With his victory at Bristol Motor Speedway in September., Kyle Larson is now tied for 30th on the all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins list with Rex White and Carl Edwards at 28 wins. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion has the most wins in the Next Gen car with 12.
  • The Elk Grove, California, native is in a three-way tie for most top-five finishes this season with 11. He has run a series-high 4,058 laps in the top five through 30 events.
  • Larson is the only driver to have eclipsed the 1,000-laps-led barrier in 2024 with 1,551 – 633 more than any other driver. His 12 stage wins lead the Cup Series by two.
  • In the Next Gen car, a driver has had an average running position of better than 1.5, 10 times – Larson accounts for seven of those. The 32-year-old driver’s average running position this year is a series-best 10.2.
  • Larson is 18 markers ahead of the elimination line entering the penultimate race in the Round of 12. He has 15 more playoff points than any other driver.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT
 Age: 28 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Last week: 9th (Kansas)
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: T-7th (-30)
 
No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2024Cup CareerTalladega
Races3031617
Wins1192
Poles—122
Top 581015
Top 10151678
Laps Led2135,308214
Stage Wins1373
Average Finish11.312.913.7
  • Chase Elliott heads into the second race in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 12 seventh in the standings, four points above the elimination line. He has reached the Round of 8 six times in eight postseason appearances.
  • Elliott captured a playoff victory at Talladega Superspeedway in 2022. He is the only Cup Series driver to have previous wins at all three tracks in the Round of 12 (Kansas Speedway, Talladega and Charlotte ROVAL).
  • The 28-year-old driver has scored 31 more points than any other driver at Talladega in the Next Gen car. In the most recent race there, he earned the third-most points (34) among playoff drivers.
  • The Hendrick Motorsports driver has earned the fourth-most points (127) among playoff drivers across the first four postseason events. On drafting tracks this season, he’s earned the fifth-most points (136) among playoff competitors.
  • The 2020 Cup Series champion is tied with teammates William Byron and Alex Bowman for the third-most top-10 finishes this season (15). He also has the third-best average running position in 2024 (11.54).

24 WILLIAM BYRON
 Age: 26 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Last Week: 2nd (Kansas)
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 1st

No. 24 RAPTOR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2024Cup CareerTalladega
Races3024613
Wins313—
Poles113—
Top 59503
Top 1015985
Laps Led2852,906108
Stage Wins2232
Average Finish14.715.515.3
  • William Byron started off the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 12 strong at Kansas Speedway. After qualifying sixth, Byron won stage one, picking up a crucial playoff point, finished stage two in fourth and left the race with a runner-up result. He leads the playoff standings, 34 points above the cutoff point.
  • The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has two runner-up results and has finished seventh or better in the last three races at Talladega Superspeedway. Byron holds the longest current top-10 streak among active drivers at the 2.66-mile tri-oval.
  • In stage racing era, Byron has averaged 28.62 points at Talladega – third-most among playoff drivers. In the spring event at the 2.66-mile superspeedway, Byron scored 38 points, second most by a playoff driver.
  • The 26-year-old has the most wins on drafting tracks during the Next Gen era with three and ranks third in points earned by playoff drivers on drafting tracks in 2024 with 166.
  • In the last nine drafting races, Byron has seven top-10 finishes, including two wins.

48 ALEX BOWMAN
 Age: 31 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Last Week: 6th (Kansas)
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 6th (-26)

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

2024Cup CareerTalladega
Races3031917
Wins18—
Poles15—
Top 57392
Top 1015945
Laps Led601,36167
Stage Wins17—
Average Finish14.619.422.8
  • Following last weekend’s opening race of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 12 at Kansas Speedway, Alex Bowman ranks sixth in the standings, eight markers above the elimination line. Bowman won the second stage on Sunday and earned valuable points in both stages. It marked his first stage win of the season. The Tucson, Arizona, native secured his fifth-consecutive top 10 at the “Sunflower State” track.
  • Bowman has earned 24 more points than any other driver in the playoffs (163), leading the way in stage points earned (53) and is the only driver to finish in the top 10 in all eight stages.
  • With six races remaining in 2024, Bowman has earned seven top-five finishes, one shy of his personal best of eight in 2021. His 15 top-10 finishes place him in a three-way-tie for third-most alongside Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron and Chase Elliott.
  • Bowman finished fifth and earned 33 points at Talladega Superspeedway in the spring. He is one of two drivers in the Round of 12 to finish in the top five at Talladega in April. Bowman has earned the fourth-most points (162) among remaining playoff drivers on drafting tracks this season with three top fives.
  • Bowman is one of four active drivers with a second-place finish but no win at Talladega (spring, 2019).
  • For four years, Bowman and Ally have teamed up to support Best Friends Animal Society and their vast network of partners. Every race weekend, the pair donates $4,800 to help homeless pets. This weekend, the charitable donation will go to Greenville Animal Shelter located in Greenville, Alabama.

Hendrick Motorsports
 

2024All-TimeTalladega
Races301,37581
Wins10*311*14*
Poles7**253*13*
Top 535*1,267*65*
Top 1059*2,171*101*
Laps Led2,10981,8663,087*
Stage Wins161145

*Most
**Tied for most

  • Hendrick Motorsports leads all NASCAR Cup Series organizations in nearly every major statistical category at Talladega Superspeedway including wins (14), poles (13), top fives (65), top 10s (101) and laps led (3,087).
  • This marks the fourth time all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers made the Round of 12 (2014, 2021, 2022, 2024), the most times any team has advanced four drivers through the opening round.
  • Hendrick Motorsports has gone to victory lane 59 times in playoff races, 22 more than any other team. The organization’s 10 wins in 2024 are the most by four over any other team.
  • All four Hendrick Motorsports pit crews rank in the top eight in terms of average time for a four-tire pit stop. The No. 9 over-the-wall squad of Chase Elliott leads the organization and is second in the Cup Series at 10.83 seconds.

 
QUOTABLE /
 
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on heading to Talladega Superspeedway: “Cliff and the entire group at Hendrick Motorsports do a great job with pit strategy at drafting tracks. We’ll work with our Chevrolet teammates to hopefully score points in both stages. While we always seem to run well at Talladega, we just don’t have the results to show for it. I would really just like to see the checkered flag with a solid finish.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on Talladega Superspeedway in the playoffs: “Talladega, whichever round it falls in every year, is always unpredictable. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. There’s a lot out of your hands in that race.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the points situation heading to Talladega Superspeedway:
“It’s a good feeling knowing how many points we got in Kansas before heading into Talladega this weekend, but we can’t relax any just because of that. It’s the playoffs so every point is going to matter even more. Talladega is a track we’ve always run well at. It’s a superspeedway that handling is a bigger factor than it is at say Daytona. It’s still a place where anything can happen though. Hopefully we can have another solid points day and be sitting in a really good spot heading into the (Charlotte) ROVAL.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on playoff momentum and Talladega Superspeedway: “We have been OK, for sure. We have had better pace in the playoffs than where we were prior, and it’s made my job a little easier. So, yeah, we are not perfect by any means, and we have got a lot of things we need to improve on. But we are kind of headed in the right direction right now and doing the right things. Talladega is certainly the wild card of this round so hopefully we can continue this positive momentum and come out on the good side of it.”

Beard Motorsports: Anthony Alfredo Talladega Advance

By
Official Release
-

ANTHONY ALFREDO
Talladega Advance
No. 62 Fortify Building Solutions Chevrolet Camaro

Event Overview

● Event: YellaWood 500 (Round 31 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 6
● Location: Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway
● Layout: 2.66-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 188 laps/500 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 60 laps / Stage 2: 60 laps / Final Stage: 68 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Last Call and the Big 3-0. The 2024 NASCAR season is winding down with only six races remaining. For Beard Motorsports, it’s already last call as the YellaWood 500 Sunday at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway serves as its final NASCAR Cup Series race of the year. The family-owned team runs a limited Cup Series schedule, entering its signature No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the series’ four superspeedway races – the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, the April 21 GEICO 500 at Talladega, the Aug. 24 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, and the YellaWood 500 at Talladega. Sunday’s 188-lap race around the massive 2.66-mile Talladega oval will commemorate Beard Motorsports’ 30th Cup Series start.

● The Beard Motorsports Resume. Since making its NASCAR Cup Series debut in the 2017 Daytona 500, Beard Motorsports has been a fixture at Talladega and Daytona, scoring seven top-10 finishes across the two racetracks. Of Beard Motorsports’ 29 previous starts, 12 have come at Talladega, with Anthony Alfredo’s sixth-place finish in April being the team’s best result at the track. Brendan Gaughan scored Beard Motorsports’ first top-10 at Talladega in April 2019 when he finished eighth in the GEICO 500.

● Back in the Saddle. Alfredo returns to Beard Motorsports this weekend at Talladega for his third NASCAR Cup Series start of the year and the 41st of his career. The Ridgefield, Connecticut, native made his last Cup Series start at Talladega in April, finishing sixth to record Beard Motorsports’ best Talladega result. It was also Alfredo’s best Cup Series finish, and the 25-year-old earned it by carrying the patience and poise of a Cup Series veteran. He avoided two multicar accidents to run with the leaders in the closing laps, allowing Alfredo to better his previous best career finish, 10th in the 2021 YellaWood 500 at Talladega.

● Fortified by a New Partner. The newest brand to align with Beard Motorsports is Fortify Building Solutions. The company is part of Cornerstone Building Brands and offers North America’s most extensive selection of high-quality metal roofing, wall panels and building solutions. Tailored for local builders, contractors and homeowners, the brand’s 20-plus branch locations supply professionals and homeowners with hometown service and support, backed by a nationwide manufacturing and distribution network.

● Family Business. This year marks Beard Motorsports’ eighth season in the NASCAR Cup Series. What started out as a passion project for the late Mark Beard Sr., has become a tribute to the family’s patriarch. Linda Beard, along with her children, Amie Beard-Deja and Mark Beard Jr., have remained committed to the vision laid out by Mark Beard Sr., and have done so with notable success. Today, their No. 62 NASCAR Cup Series operation is just one of their family-owned entities. Beard Oil Distributing is the foundation of the Beard family-owned business portfolio and it is recognized as a women-owned certified organization through the Women Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

● A Peak Under the Hood. Since making its debut in the 2017 Daytona 500, the No. 62 Beard Motorsports team has been powered by ECR-built engines. The team has leveraged the power of those engines to post solid finishes, with its best result being a fifth-place finish by Noah Gragson in the 2022 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona. Beard comes into Talladega on a roll with back-to-back top-10 finishes at Talladega in April (sixth) and Daytona in August (seventh).

Anthony Alfredo, Driver of the No. 62 Fortify Building Solutions Chevrolet Camaro:

It’s been since April at Talladega when you made your last start for Beard Motorsports. What are your thoughts heading into your return trip to Talladega this weekend?

“I certainly have high expectations because the last time I was in the car, we finished sixth. We certainly want to go back there and improve on that finish. Beard Motorsports always brings a really fast Chevrolet Camaro. I’m proud to represent their family and be part of the team. I always have a ton of fun driving their racecars. I will be doing double duty for the third time this year with both the Cup and Xfinity Series races. And I really enjoy superspeedway racing. It’s just right up my ally. I’m prepared to go there and compete for the win in both races.”

You’ve talked about your love of superspeedway racing. What is it about this type of racing that you enjoy?

“That’s a great question because I think there are two parts to this. One is that it’s like high-speed chess. As action-packed and as exciting as it is, you have to be very patient and methodical. And I think it takes a certain type of racer to excel at it. In driving for smaller teams the last few years in the national series, this type of racing presents a really great opportunity for me to go to victory lane because the playing field is a little bit more level. So I put a lot of time and effort into studying and preparing for these races and I’ve gotten quite good at it. I’m always in contention late in the running. We’ve had great pace and that’s the first step – bringing fast cars. I’m confident we’re going to have another rocket ready to go, so it’s just going to be up to us putting ourselves in position in the end and ultimately executing on the final lap.”

This will be your third race driving the No. 62 Chevrolet. What have you learned during the first two races that may help you this weekend?

“I think a lot of what I’ve learned is actually about the fuel strategy because the Cup Series races are so different now with the NextGen car on superspeedways. There is a lot of fuel saving. You really need to be patient and smart not to charge to the front and use up too much fuel. You’re almost better off staying in the pack and having good fuel conservation compared to the other guys. But at the same time, track position is still really important because it’s actually quite difficult to pass in the NextGen car at superspeedways. I want to be sure to execute the fuel strategy well, but also put us in position to be up front toward the end so that we can have a shot to win the race because it’s not that easy to just drive to the front. I think I learned a lot more about that. I’m also hoping that my strong performances in the first two races that I did in the No. 62 Chevy would allow some of the competition to work with me a little more because you do need some teammates to help push you and make moves. Hopefully that works to my favor when people see my name above the door and on the window again on the No. 62 car.”

You have a new partner on board with Fortify Building Solutions and you’ve been able to spend some time with them since announcing the partnership in June. What is it like working with a partner that’s new to the sport?

“This is a really special relationship because I actually grew up in the construction industry and learned a whole lot about operating heavy equipment and seeing steel buildings put up long before I ever climbed into a racecar. It’s kind of back to my roots. I even studied civil engineering in college because that’s what I was going to do if I didn’t become a racecar driver. That kind of bridges the gap between industries. To be able to represent a company that does projects of all sizes for people’s steel building needs is very neat.”

Linda Beard, Owner of the No. 62 Fortify Chevrolet Camaro for Beard Motorsports:

The YellaWood 500 at Talladega marks the 30th NASCAR Cup Series start for Beard Motorsports. What does it mean to you and the family to reach this milestone?

“When Mark (Beard, Sr.) started this, we didn’t really have any idea how far this would go or how far we could take it. Racing was important to my husband and was something he loved and enjoyed. We love it and enjoy it because he did. And it’s not any one thing but all of it – being at the track, competing and being competitive. And all of it is because of him. We wouldn’t be here making our 30th start without Mark and it’s really a credit to him and his dreams.”

The team is wrapping up its 2024 campaign this weekend. How has this season been for the family?

“By all measures, it’s been a pretty successful season. When we show up, we show up to compete and we expect to be up front. We have done that and more. We’ve had the good fortune to welcome new partners and have been able to give the opportunity to compete at the highest level of NASCAR to some young drivers. And to do it with success has been very rewarding for all of us.”

No. 62 Beard Motorsports Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Anthony Alfredo

Hometown: Ridgefield, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Darren Shaw

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Deandre Smith

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Spotter: Keith Barnwell

Hometown: Wilkesboro, North Carolina

President: Linda Beard

Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Chase Masterson

Hometown: Spartanburg, South Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Chris Jackson

Hometown: Rock Hill, South Carolina

Tire Carrier: Jeremy Holcomb

Hometown: Whitesburg, Kentucky

Jack Man: Brandon Derby

Hometown: Coopersburg, Pennsylvania

Fuel Man: James Kelley

Hometown: Luray, Virginia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Jack Gagnon

Hometown: Quebec, Canada

Mechanic: Mark Sanders

Hometown: Springfield, Ohio

Tire Technician: Mike Harrold

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Jason Watkins

Hometown: Ridgeway, Virginia

Mechanic: Nic Hill

Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida

Transporter Driver: Roger Lankford

Hometown: Lexington, North Carolina

Racing to End Alzheimer’s brings message of hope to Sonoma

By
Official Release
-

LOS ANGELES (2 October, 2024) – The Racing to End Alzheimer’s w/MDK Motorsports team headed into the dual Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama / Porsche Endurance Challenge weekend at Sonoma Raceway with high hopes in the tripleheader.

And indeed, longtime team driver Nick Galante – subbing for Mark Kvamme – drove a flawless race one behind the wheel of the purple and yellow No. 241 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car (type 992), earning a hard charger award for his drive from 18th to 11th overall. However, in race two, Galante was caught up in an incident ahead, causing damage to the Porsche that ended what was shaping up to be a promising day.

But for the Racing to End Alzheimer’s team, the on-track disappointment could not put a damper on the off-track mission: to bring awareness of this terrible disease, and to “fund the care and find the cure.” The team carries the names of 176 people on the No. 241 Porsche – each name placed there by a loved one, to honor their legacy. The team began last week with a live interview on the FOX Los Angeles evening news last Tuesday, with Emmy-winning host Marla Tellez speaking to founder Phil Frengs about his commitment to the cause.

For Galante, who lost a grandmother and an aunt to the disease, the mission is personal as well.

“To be back with Phil, to be back in that car that has my family members’ names on it, along with hundreds of names of people from all over the world, it was really special,” said Galante. “The work they do at the racetrack, talking to fans and meeting so many people who have been affected by this disease – well, it means a lot to me to be a part of this, especially at one of my favorite tracks in the world.”

Sonoma Raceway joined the ranks of the newly repaved earlier this year, receiving a full track renewal for the first time in 23 years on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course located at the edge of the famous Northern California wine region. With nearly 15 stories of elevation change, Sonoma offers a challenge to every competitor – including Galante, who estimates that he has driven over 4,000 laps at the track over the years.

Galante was joined on the weekend by the team’s Endurance Challenge driver, Englishman Gus Burton. The pair shared time in the car during Friday’s first practice session, with Burton setting the fifth quickest time among the 992 class as Galante ramped up the learning curve in the Porsche GT3 Cup Car. Later that afternoon, Galante put some of the lessons learned from Burton to good use, setting the eighth quickest time.

“For me, it was all about learning to trust the amount of grip that the GT3 had at high speed,” said Galante. “In that regard, it really did help to be working with Gus, who is just super, super fast. He had never been to Sonoma before and yet, on his second lap, he went way quicker than I would all weekend. He didn’t hold back in our post session talks either, taking me through rolling speed, how best to enter the corners. That was great.”

Saturday morning, Galante continued the learning curve, setting the ninth quickest time. Taking the green flag three hours later, Galante did a masterful job avoiding a first lap melee and as the race settled in, began to secure his confidence level behind the wheel of the new generation 992 Porsche, taking 12th position with 15 minutes remaining, and 11th with 10 minutes left. At the checkered flag, Galante held his position to finish eighth in class and 11th overall.

Qualifying for the Porsche Endurance Challenge took place Sunday morning, with Burton placing the No. 241 in fifth position on the starting grid. But up first for Galante was the second Sprint Challenge race of the weekend early in the afternoon, and he set about working his way forward early in the race. Then, as the field was coming back to green after a mid-race caution, cars ahead made contact, causing the row ahead of Galante to brake hard. He tried to avoid, but hit the car ahead with his right front, which caused considerable damage and ended the day for the team.

Galante and Frengs were both disappointed with the outcome but pleased with the way the weekend came together.

“What a hugely disappointing ending for the team,” said Galante. “The MDK crew did the best they could to fix the car, but it wasn’t meant to be. Big thanks to them for all the hard work this weekend, to Gus for all the GT3 education, and to Phil, for giving me the chance to get back out on track at Sonoma. I hope to be back with the team again!”

“Sonoma Raceway is always a welcome sight for me,” said Frengs. “It’s really one of our ‘home’ tracks. And it was great to have Nick back behind the wheel. We were able to visit old friends who attended and spend time with some of our mutual friends in the racing community. Nick did a great job getting up to speed in a new car and got faster every session. Gus and Nick were a formidable pair, qualifying sixth and ready for a dash to the front. It was very unfortunate that contact at end of race two wiped out that opportunity.”

Next up for Racing to End Alzheimer’s will be the six-hour Porsche Endurance Challenge finale at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on November 22. The race will be broadcast live on the Porsche Motorsports North America YouTube page.

About Racing to End Alzheimer’s

In 2013, Phil Frengs’ wife Mimi was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Their experience with the disease led Frengs to a seminal moment: his company, Legistics, had long sponsored a team in IMSA sports car racing and he realized an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the fight against the disease. In 2017, he formed Racing to End Alzheimer’s, giving fans the opportunity to honor loved ones by putting their names on the race car via donation – with Legistics matching each donation. 100% of those donations go to the two organizations the team supports:

The Nantz National Alzheimer’s Center at Houston Methodist Hospital is exploring cutting edge strategies in therapy, care and research to find a cure for these dementias. NNAC was founded by longtime CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz and his family in honor of his father, Jim, Jr., who passed away after a 13-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

The UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program is a nationally-recognized grant-funded program designed to help patients and their families with the complex medical, behavioral and social needs associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Racing to End Alzheimer’s social media

Facebook: Racing to End Alzheimer’s
Instagram: @racing2endalz

Danny Efland to Lead Harrison Burton at AM Racing in 2025

By
Official Release
-

STATESVILLE, N.C.: AM Racing happily announced today the addition of Danny Efland, who will serve as crew chief for recently announced 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Harrison Burton, beginning with the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on February 15, 2025.

Efland will arrive at AM Racing after a stint at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, where the former NASCAR Xfinity Series driver served as the lead engineer for the No. 43 Cup Series car driven by Erik Jones.

A native of Irmo, S.C., he began racing go-carts at age five and immediately turned heads when he won several championships. By the age of 12, he transitioned to full-size cars where he scored numerous race wins and also claimed a couple of track championships in a vehicle fielded by his family-owned team.

In 2007, Efland made his Xfinity Series debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and continued to be a staple in the series through the 2014 season. While racing, he also attended the College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina.

In 2014, he switched from driver to engineer and embarked on a journey that led him to Richard Childress Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, and now LEGACY M.C.

“I am excited about this next chapter in my racing career to join AM Racing and Harrison Burton to fight for an Xfinity Series championship in 2025,” said Efland.

“I have worked hard for this opportunity, and I believe in the vision of AM Racing, as well as Harrison’s capabilities, I know that they have what it takes to contend for race wins and ultimately a championship.”

Burton is equally excited about the opportunity to work with Efland for 2025.

“I am looking forward to working with Danny next season,” offered Burton. With his credentials as a successful engineer and experience as a race car driver, it should benefit our realistic goals of contending for race wins and chasing an Xfinity Series championship.”

Efland resides in Rockwell, N.C., alongside his wife, Kelly and three children.

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 Harrison Burton, please visit theharrisonburton.com, like his Facebook page (Official Harrison Burton), or follow him on Instagram (@harrisonburton12) and X | Twitter (@hburtonracing).

About AM Racing:

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

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

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

Kaulig Racing Weekly Preview | Talladega Superspeedway

By
Official Release
-

Race Notes

Talladega Superspeedway
YellaWood 500
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Sunday, October 6 at 2:00PM EDT
NBC | MRN | SiriusXM
Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing has made 13 NCS starts at Talladega Superspeedway.
  • The team has earned three top-10 finishes and led 16 laps at Talladega.
  • So far in the 2024 season, Kaulig Racing has earned one runner-up finish, eight top 10s, 21 top 20s and led 54 laps.

AJ Allmendinger, No. 13 Strive Camaro ZL1

  • AJ Allmendinger has made 20 NCS starts at Talladega Superspeedway. He has led 11 laps and earned one top five and three top-10 finishes.
  • Allmendinger has made 13 NCS starts in the 2024 season and has earned three top-10 finishes and led 13 laps.

“It’s always great to bring a new sponsor into the sport and we’re excited to show Strive what NASCAR racing is all about. We’re not racing for points in the No. 13 Chevy, so we can have the mentality of taking whatever strategy we need to have a shot at the win.” – AJ Allmendinger on Talladega Superspeedway

Shane van Gisbergen, No. 16 WeatherTech Camaro ZL1

  • Shane van Gisbergen will pilot the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet for the ninth time this season, his second at Talladega Superspeedway.
  • At Talladega in the spring, Van Gisbergen started 17th and finished 28th, while leading three laps in his first superspeedway race in the Cup car.
  • Van Gisbergen’s best result of the season came at Watkins Glen International, where he earned a runner-up finish.
  • The New Zealand native will carry the white-and-red WeatherTech livery this weekend at Talladega. For decades, WeatherTech has delivered on its promise of quality and craftsmanship through a commitment to American-made auto, home and pet products. More information can be found at weathertech.com.

“Talladega in the Cup car this weekend is going to be epic! I raced there for the first time earlier this season, and it was really cool to get the feel for superspeedway racing, we even led a couple laps which was awesome. It will still be a challenge for me as I continue to learn on the ovals, but I know what to expect a little more heading into Sunday. Excited to see how my WeatherTech Chevy stacks up with the rest of the field and hoping for a solid result this weekend.” – Shane van Gisbergen on Talladega Superspeedway

Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Cirkul Camaro ZL1

  • Daniel Hemric has made five NCS starts at Talladega Superspeedway and has earned one top five and two top-10 finishes.
  • Hemric led eight laps in the spring race at Talladega Superspeedway earlier this year and finished ninth.
  • So far in the 2024 NCS season, Hemric has earned four top 10s, 11 top-20 finishes and has led 14 laps.
  • Hemric has currently completed more laps than any other driver in the 2024 season with 8,053 of 8,094 laps completed (99.5%).

“Talladega is a place where we feel we have an equal opportunity to go out and win. Kaulig Racing always brings strong superspeedway cars, and we have shown speed at each of those races this year. Hopefully we have a strong showing in our No. 31 Cirkul Chevy.” – Daniel Hemric on Talladega Superspeedway  

Race Details

Talladega Superspeedway
United Rentals 250
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Saturday, October 5 at 4:00PM EDT
The CW | MRN | SiriusXM

Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing has made 29 starts at Talladega Superspeedway in the NXS, earning four wins, nine top fives and 16 top-10 finishes.
  • The team won three-straight NXS races at Talladega from 2020 to 2021. Justin Haley swept both events in 2020, and Jeb Burton won the spring race in 2021.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS season, Kaulig Racing has earned three wins, 11 top fives, 29 top-10 finishes and led 223 laps.

Josh Williams, No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet Camaro

  • Josh Williams has made 10 starts in the NXS at Talladega Superspeedway. He has recorded three top-10 finishes there, which includes a seventh-place result in 2020.
  • Williams was in contention for the win late in the series’ first trip to the track in 2024, restarting on the outside of the front row for the race’s first overtime restart. He was clipped in the left rear heading into turn one, causing him to lose control of the No. 11 and relegating him to finish in 20th.
  • Williams sits 17th in the NXS points standings with four top 10s and 14 laps led.

“We’ve got a really great superspeedway program at Kaulig Racing, and it almost ended up with us in victory lane last time we were here. I still think about that finish, what I could’ve done different at the end there, but hopefully, we can make up for it this time around.” – Josh Williams on Talladega Superspeedway

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Morris-Shea Chevrolet Camaro

  • AJ Allmendinger has made seven NXS starts at Talladega Superspeedway with Kaulig Racing. He has earned one win, three top fives and four top-10 finishes. Allmendinger has led 36 laps and has an average finish of 13.7.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS season, Allmendinger has earned five top fives, 14 top-10 finishes and led 116 laps. Allmendinger is currently scored 10th in playoff standings.

“Talladega is a great opportunity to gain some points and have a shot at a win. Our superspeedway package has been really good the second half of the year so I’m looking forward to the challenge of trying to win at Talladega for the second time.” AJ Allmendinger on Talladega Superspeedway

Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 WeatherTech Chevrolet Camaro

  • Shane van Gisbergen and the No. 97 WeatherTech team head to Talladega Superspeedway for his second-career NXS start on the 2.66-mile tri-oval track.
  • Last weekend in Kansas, Van Gisbergen earned his ninth top-10 finish of his rookie season.
  • With Van Gisbergen’s eighth-place finish in Kansas, he is currently sixth in the playoff standings.
  • The New Zealand native will carry the white-and-red WeatherTech livery this weekend at Talladega. For decades, WeatherTech has delivered on its promise of quality and craftsmanship through a commitment to American-made auto, home and pet products. More information can be found at weathertech.com.

“I’m excited to get back to Talladega this weekend and see how much we have improved as a team. In the spring, we had such a strong run until the overtime restarts when we ran out of gas, but we learned every lap and improved. Talladega is an iconic place, and I hope we can keep my WeatherTech Chevy up front and can be there for a great result at the end.” – Shane van Gisbergen on Talladega Superspeedway  
 
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.

Toyota Racing Weekly Preview 10.02.24

By
Official Release
-

This Week in Motorsports: September 30 – October 4, 2024

NCS/NXS/NCTS: Talladega Superspeedway – Oct. 4-6
ARCA: Toledo Speedway – Oct. 5

PLANO, Texas (Oct. 2, 2024) – NASCAR is at Talladega Superspeedway for the second time this season as the postseason continues across its three national series. Both the Cup and Xfinity Series enter their second race of the Round of 12, while the Truck Series begins its Round of 8.

The ARCA Menards Series is also in action, wrapping up its 2024 season at Toledo Speedway on Saturday.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS | NCTS

Bell, Hamlin remain above the cutline … With two races remaining in the Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 12, Joe Gibbs Racing teammates, Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin find themselves above the cutline going to Talladega this weekend. Bell is tied for second in the points standings, 28 points above, while Hamlin is fifth, and 11 points to the good. The other Toyota Camry XSE in the Playoffs and regular season NCS champion, Tyler Reddick, comes into the weekend four points under the cutline.

Reddick aims for Talladega sweep … Reddick and his No. 45 23XI Racing team return to Talladega Superspeedway in search of a season sweep after his dramatic win in April. The victory was Reddick’s first top-10 or better finish at Talladega since 2021 and the first of his two wins so far this season. Another triumph for the California native would lock him into the next round of the Playoffs as he looks to make the Round of 8 for the second consecutive year.

Bell aims to continue strong runs … After coming home seventh at Kansas last weekend, Bell now has seven top-10 finishes in the last nine races coming to Talladega. The strong results have kept the Oklahoma native toward the top of the points standings throughout the Playoffs so far, currently sitting tied for second. Another such finish this weekend would be his third career top-10 at Talladega and first since the spring of 2023.

Smith, Creed rise in Xfinity Series points … The first Playoff race for the Xfinity Series last weekend was a productive one for Chandler Smith and Sheldon Creed as both climbed up the points standings coming into Talladega. Smith grabbed pole, led 114 laps and finished third to put himself second in the standings, 36 points above the cutline. Creed earned his 14th top-five finish of the season, rising four spots to fifth in the points standings, 10 points to the good.

Dean Thompson doing double duty … For the second time this season and in his career, Dean Thompson will be doing double duty this weekend by running the Xfinity Series and Truck Series races. Saturday afternoon, the 23-year-old will be piloting the No. 26 GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing for the second time after his debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. He’ll also take the wheel of his regular No. 5 Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage in the Truck Series race on Friday.

Round of 8 begins for Heim and Gray … With the Truck Series Round of 8 beginning Friday at Talladega, Corey Heim and Taylor Gray are closer to their ultimate goal of a series championship. Coming off his victory at Kansas last weekend, Heim is the points leader and sits 38 above the cutline. Taylor Gray enters the round in eighth position and is 15 points below.

Sauter back in No. 16 Tundra TRD Pro … For the fourth time this season, Johnny Sauter will pilot the No. 16 Tundra TRD Pro for Hattori Racing Enterprises this weekend at Talladega. Sauter’s best finish of his three starts so far in 2024 is a 17th-place finish at Texas in the spring. Sauter has made 14 previous starts at Talladega in the Truck Series, which includes his 2013 victory.

Sawalich makes superspeedway debut … This weekend marks the 13th career Truck Series start, seventh this season, for Toyota Development Driver, William Sawalich, but it will be his first NCTS start on a superspeedway. Thursday is the Minnesotan’s 18th birthday, allowing him to take on the 2.66-mile oval this weekend in the No. 1 Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage. Sawalich is coming off his best Trucks finish of the season of 11tth at Bristol two weekends ago.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series

Sawalich seeks Toledo repeat … Coming off his second consecutive ARCA Menards Series East championship, and his eighth victory of 2024 at Bristol, Sawalich returns to Toledo Speedway to end the ARCA season searching for a repeat victory at the Ohio track. The soon-to-be 18-year-old led 111 of the 200 laps on his way to victory a season ago.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 12 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 13th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 29 electrified options.

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

Reckless Driving vs Speed Racing in Motorsports

By
SM
-
Photo by VitalikRadko at https://depositphotos.com/

Reckless driving is not only operating a vehicle in a manner that is unsafe for yourself but for others as well. When it comes to motorsports, speed is everything. But sometimes the distinction between speed racing and reckless driving can be a very thin line. We are going to examine the key differences between reckless driving and speed racing,  and how Motorsports culture impacts driving behavior. 

Understanding Reckless Driving

What even is reckless driving? Well, there are a couple of different definitions and examples, but some common behaviors deemed as reckless are:

  • Excessive Speeding
  • Running red lights
  • Driving Under The Influence
  • Texting while driving
  • Evading Law Enforcement

Many legal consequences can result from reckless behaviors. According to a reckless driving attorney in Arizona, these include fines, suspension of driver’s license, and even jail time.

What is Speed Racing?

On the other hand speed racing is different. This motorsport races vehicles at high speeds to win some type of reward (money, trophies, sponsorships, etc). Speed racing is usually viewed at an organized event and stadium, where spectators come to watch professionally skilled and trained racers drive motor vehicles. Since competitive racing deals with such high speeds, there are plenty of safety regulations and protocols set in place. Many of these precautions include:

  • SAFER Barriers: The Steel and Foam Energy Reduction Barrier, which is a soft top wall that helps absorb the impact of a crash. This usually lines the walls of a track.
  • Fire Suits: The appropriate attire is also important. Wearing fire-resistant suits, gloves, undergarments, and shoes can protect them from any potential fires.
  • HANS Device: A Head and Neck device is used as a head restraint. This helps secure the driver’s helmet to their body instead of their seat. If they were to get into a crash this would prevent them from having their head whip around. 
  • Seats: A driver’s seat is also considered when it comes to safety. Carbon-fiber seats that wrap around the driver’s ribcage and shoulders can provide more support in a crash. 
  • Window Nets: This extra measure protects the driver from debris and contains their arms inside the vehicle. This is also used as a signal during a crash – if the driver lowers the net it means they are not injured.
  • Seat Belts: There’s a six-point harness that helps secure them to their seat. However, if a quick getaway is needed all of the belts are connected to one single latch.

Key Differences Between Reckless Driving and Speed Racing

Now that we have gone over what reckless driving and speed racing are there are a couple of key differences between the two. One major fact is the environment. Speed racing takes place on a closed track. This is contained in a space that isn’t usually unsafe for those observing. However, reckless driving takes place on public roads with more people. This makes the risk of getting into a crash more likely. 

When it comes to also the intent and purpose of each activity these can differ greatly. In motorsports, speed racing is seen as a sport and a competition. Reckless driving is seen more as thrill-seeking and crosses the line of public road safety.

Everything has regulations, some more than others. The same thing goes with speed racing and reckless driving. Speed racing is very regulated and has a lot of oversight with plenty of different rules and protocols. However, reckless driving has a lack of oversight and this is why this becomes such a concern with public road safety. 

The Impact of Motorsports Culture on Driving Behavior

Motorsports culture has a huge influence on many different things. One of them is driving behavior. The role of the media and how it portrays this sport to others is especially influential. Speed racing seems glorious and alters the public’s perception of how dangerous this motorsport is.  

Promoting Responsible Driving Through Motorsports

Many programs like the FiA Foundation are spreading the word about safe driving for motorsport drivers. This awareness brings to light the importance of road safety and how to prevent serious injury and even death. Initiatives like this can guide the public to safer driving habits and change the perception of speed racing, promoting responsible behavior on the road. 

Conclusion

Understanding what exactly speed racing and reckless driving are, identifying their differences, and knowing how Motorsports can impact driving behavior can help us move toward public road safety. By encouraging others to recognize the difference and the seriousness of reckless driving, we can help each other make our public roads safer –  not just for you and me, but for all drivers.

JR Motorsports — NXS Talladega II Preview

By
Official Release
-

JR Motorsports Team Preview
TRACK – Talladega Superspeedway (2.66-mile tri-oval)
NXS RACE – United Rentals 250 (94 laps / 250.04 miles)
TUNE IN – CW, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 4:00 p.m. (ET)

Sam Mayer

No. 1 – First Bank of Alabama Chevrolet

Mayer 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 27

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 11

Laps Led: 210

Avg. Finish: 18.2

Points: 4th

  • Sam Mayer heads to Talladega Superspeedway for his sixth career NASCAR Xfinity Series career start at the 2.66-mile tri-oval and second of the 2024 season.
  • In 23 starts on tracks measuring two miles in length or greater, the young driver has earned four top-five and seven top-10 efforts, with his best of second coming at multiple tracks, including Talladega in the fall of 2022.
  • After a solid run at Kansas, the Franklin, Wis. native now holds the fourth seed in the NXS Playoff Grid, 13 points above the cutline with two races remaining in the Round of 12.

Sam Mayer

“Talladega is one of those tracks where it is just so unpredictable on what can happen, but that’s also what makes it so exciting to run there. This track has not treated us so well in the past but I am looking forward to hopefully having a nice, quiet run there and to be up front when it counts the most. We are in a good spot points-wise with only two races remaining in this round, but a trip to Victory Lane sure would help even more.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 TradeMark Nitrogen /

BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet

Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 27

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 15

Laps Led: 649

Avg. Finish: 14.7

Points: 9th

  • Justin Allgaier enters the second race in the Round of 12 in the NXS Playoffs just one point below the cutline.
  • In 17 starts at Talladega in the NXS, Allgaier has amassed four top fives and seven top 10s, with a best finish of second coming in the spring of 2016.
  • Allgaier is a previous superspeedway winner in the NXS, having gone to Victory Lane in the summer of 2023 at Daytona International Speedway.
  • TradeMark Nitrogen joins BRANDT Professional Agriculture on board the No. 7 Chevrolet for their second co-branded event of the season. Allgaier scored a third-place finish in TradeMark’s first outing at Texas Motor Speedway in April.

Justin Allgaier

“Anything can and usually does happen at Talladega. JR Motorsports has always had an incredibly strong superspeedway program and I know that that will be the case once again on Saturday with our co-branded TradeMark Nitrogen / BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet. We just need to be smart out there and not get ourselves caught in a bad position in the middle of the pack. If we can keep our nose clean and run up front all day long, I see no reason why we won’t be fighting for the win with our JRM teammates and get ourselves into the next round of the playoffs once the checkered flag falls.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 TMC Chevrolet

Smith 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 27

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 5

Top 10s: 13

Laps Led: 55

Avg. Finish: 15.5

Points: 12th

  • After the first race of the Round of 12 in the NXS Playoffs, Sammy Smith sits 23 points below the cutline.
  • On tracks measuring 2 miles in length or longer, Smith has 15 starts in the NXS. In those starts, he has tallied one top five and three top 10s.
  • TMC Transportation will share the TV panel at Talladega with Forest City Trading Group, FCTG. It is an employee-owned family of companies that share one purpose; to forge strategic connections and lasting partnerships that establish mutual success for their trade partners.

Sammy Smith

“Our playoffs didn’t get going like we hoped, but I know this entire No. 8 TMC Chevrolet team is ready to go this weekend. We just have to keep looking forward and focus on the next two races to make it to the Round of 8. Talladega is already a wild card and with it being a playoff track, it adds more unknowns, but we’re going to do all we can to make it on to the next round and give TMC a great finish in their last primary race of the season.”

Brandon Jones

No. 9 Menards / Schultz Chevrolet

Jones 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 27

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 1

Top 10s: 8

Laps Led: 34

Avg. Finish: 19.1

Points: 14th

  • Brandon Jones returns to Talladega for the second time this season looking to continue his streak after scoring top-10s in three of his last four races.
  • In 12 starts at NASCAR’s largest oval track, Talladega, Jones has recorded three top-five and four top-10 finishes. His best finish of second came during the 2018 and 2021 seasons.
  • Additionally, the 27-year-old Georgia native has made starts in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series and the ARCA Menards series at the 2.66-mile tri-oval, recording a pair of top-10s.
  • Little HUG, the first single-serve kids drink on the market, will adorn the hood of Jones’ Camaro at Talladega this weekend. Jones currently has an average finish of 5.5 at Talladega with the fruit-flavored drink on his car.

Brandon Jones

“We didn’t have the best luck when we were here in the spring, but this No. 9 team is ready to build on the momentum we’ve had the past few weeks to make sure we unload a fast racecar on Saturday. With six races left in the season we plan to keep up the intensity and I hope to have this Menards/Little HUG Chevrolet up at the front when it counts this weekend.”

Carson Kvapil

No. 88 Clarience Chevrolet

Kvapil 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 8

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 3

Top 10s: 4

Laps Led: 63

Avg. Finish: 11.5

Points: 29th

  • Carson Kvapil will make his first trip to Talladega this weekend in the NXS. It is also his first start on a superspeedway in his career.
  • In eight starts this season, Kvapil has three top-five and four top-10 finishes and has completed all 1,375 laps of competition in those events.
  • At Indianapolis in July, Kvapil finished 10th and at Michigan a month later, he led 25 laps and was in contention for the victory before a last-lap incident ended his day.
  • The 21-year-old driver will make his seventh start this weekend with the blue-and-white Clarience Technologies paint scheme on the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet.

Carson Kvapil

“Talladega is one of those tracks you dream of racing on, and I am looking forward to seeing just what it’s like this weekend. Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) and this No. 88 team have given me great Chevrolets all year long and we’ve been competitive everywhere we’ve gone. We’ll give it everything we have and hope it works out well for our first time at Talladega.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Talladega Superspeedway: JR Motorsports has competed at Talladega Superspeedway a combined 69 times in the NXS since its first trip there in 2006. In those starts at the 2.66-mile superspeedway, the organization has recorded three wins, 18 top-fives and 32 top-10s, with an average finish of 15.8.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, Brandon Jones and Carson Kvapil will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT.

1...866867868...6,770Page 867 of 6,770