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Bed Bath & Beyond Racing: Josh Berry Watkins Glen Advance

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Official Release
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JOSH BERRY
Watkins Glen Advance
No. 4 Bed Bath & Beyond Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: Go Bowling at The Glen (Round 28 of 36)
● Time/Date: 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 15
● Location: Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International
● Layout: 2.45-mile, seven-turn road course
● Laps/Miles: 90 laps / 220.5 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 20 laps / Stage 2: 20 laps / Final Stage: 50 laps
● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● The NASCAR Cup Series has two remaining road course races in the 2024 season, with the historic Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International next up on the schedule. The field will tackle the serpentine 2.45-mile layout during Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen. For Josh Berry, who is contending for 2024 Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors, he will make his debut at the track in NASCAR’s premier series in Sunday’s event. The 33-year-old driver has two starts at Watkins Glen in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, his best finish of ninth earned in August 2022 for JR Motorsports after starting 17th and finishing the second stage in seventh. Berry’s second Xfinity Series appearance at Watkins Glen came in August 2023, when he started seventh and finished 20th.

● Sunday marks crew chief Rodney Childers’ 16th start at Watkins Glen in NASCAR’s premier series. The veteran shot caller’s drivers have accounted for one top-five finish and five top-10s at The Glen. Best of those came in August 2015 with former No. 4 driver Kevin Harvick driving to a third-place finish after starting fourth and leading 29 laps.

● The No. 4 team will employ multiple spotters Sunday led by the team’s primary set of eyes in the sky, Eddie D’Hondt, who will be working in front of his home state crowd. D’Hondt hails from Long Island, New York, five and a half hours from the road course that helped fuel his passion for motorsports. The No. 4 spotter joined Stewart-Haas Racing ahead of Berry’s rookie campaign after the two worked together when Berry filled in for an injured Chase Elliott in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports entry last year. During his tenure at Hendrick, D’Hondt collaborated on 18 Cup Series victories and the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship with the No. 9 team after spotting for four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon.

● With nine races remaining in the 2024 Cup Series season, Berry and the No. 4 team are competing for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title. Currently ranked 24th overall and second in the rookie standings, Berry looks to close a 23-point gap to fellow rookie Carson Hocevar in the remaining events. Since Berry is not in the playoffs, his best possible points finish this season is 17th, and he is currently 204 markers behind current 17th-ranked driver Ross Chastain.

● Bed Bath & Beyond adorns Berry’s No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse at The Glen. The partnership celebrates Bed Bath & Beyond as the ultimate online destination for home essentials, featuring an unmatched assortment for every room of the house. Whether it’s your kitchen, bedroom, outdoor space or bathroom, Bed Bath & Beyond has what you need to create a space that feels uniquely yours. From cookware and bedding to bath accessories and beyond, Bed Bath & Beyond is your go-to source for functional and stylish home essentials.

Josh Berry, Driver of the No. 4 Bed Bath & Beyond Ford Mustang Dark Horse

When preparing for this weekend’s race at Watkins Glen, how much does it help to use Ford’s simulator to get laps under your belt before hitting the track this weekend?

“Having access to the Ford simulator ahead of a road course is really helpful, at least for me, in finding the rhythm and learning how the course flows together. It’s hard to get acclimated fast with how short our practice sessions are, so having access to that tool provides me a way to get semi-used to the way the track feels in terms of the rhythm. Obviously, we can try other setup options and try to find speed – those are the two biggest things in my opinion.”

How challenging is it to go to new tracks in the NextGen car and, when you have a new track to go to, how are you able to redefine success each week?

“It’s always going to be a challenge to go to a new track in the Cup Series. The level of competition is just so high and these guys, for the most part, have more experience on these tracks than I do, so it’s hard when I am behind the eight ball most weeks. But I have a really experienced team around me and teammates to lean on with what they feel in practice and how to navigate some of the obstacles I am facing in my rookie season, all of which shortens my learning curve. For our team this weekend, a clean, mistake-free race is a successful trip to Watkins Glen.”

Of the road courses the NASCAR circuit goes to, where do you feel Watkins Glen ranks in difficulty for you personally, and how do you carry lessons from one track to another?

“Watkins Glen is a really fast road course and one that most people have experience at in some level of competition, so it’s one where, for me, you feel more comfortable heading to. COTA is hard for me and that ranks, in my opinion, the hardest one we go to. But all of them are tough just coming from a short-track background and not making a ton of laps turning left and right. There is going to be an adjustment period for a while for me and I understand that.”

No. 4 Bed Bath & Beyond Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Josh Berry

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith

Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Dax Gerringer

Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Engineer: Billy Kuebler

Hometown: Saline, Michigan

Spotter: Eddie D’Hondt

Hometown: Levittown, New York

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Mason Flynt

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Jack Man: Brandon Banks

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal

Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Tyler Trosper

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Mechanic: Chris Capaldi

Hometown: Armada, Michigan

Tire Specialist: Zac Lupien

Hometown: Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt

Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Jake Zierhoffer

Hometown: Billerica, Massachusetts

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell

Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Boozy Jerky Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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Official Release
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Watkins Glen International Competition Notes

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (September 11, 2024) – The NASCAR Cup Series makes their annual trip to Watkins Glen, New York and Watkins Glen International this Sunday. This will not only be the 100th race for the “Next Gen” car, but Todd Gilliland’s 100th Cup Series start.

Boozy Jerky will make their first NASCAR start this weekend, partnering with Gilliland and the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the 90-lap event. Boozy Jerky is the original booze-infused brand of beef jerky. Every bite of Boozy Jerky is meticulously hand-crafted in the US to be tender, moist, and full of rich and defining flavors.

Each recipe starts with a high-quality brisket that is infused with the finest craft beers and spirits along with a combination of unique ingredients to deliver a gourmet snack that pairs perfectly with your favorite beverages. Pick up a bag of Boozy Jerky and enjoy a beef jerky experience that’s a bit more fun, a lot more flavorful, and certainly more memorable. You can find Boozy Jerky nationwide at Total Wine & More or by visiting boozyjerky.com. Find them socially @boozyjerk.

Track activity for the NASCAR Cup Series will start Saturday, September 14th with practice and qualifying at 11:30 am ET. Go Bowling at The Glen is scheduled for Sunday, September 15th at 3:00 pm ET. Fans can watch the action live on the USA Network or listen in via the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.

No. 38 Boozy Jerky Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“I’m excited for The Glen—it’s such a fun track to race on. We don’t visit many road courses, so it’s a refreshing change of pace. This weekend is significant for me, FRM, and Boozy Jerky, as it’s my 100th Cup Series start and Boozy Jerky’s debut. There’s already a lot to celebrate, and I hope we can cap it off with a win.

“I’m excited to have Boozy Jerky on board this weekend. I’m looking forward to introducing them to the NASCAR world. We have our hauler stocked up already and the entire team is excited to try it. It’ll be a good weekend.”

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“Watkins Glen has been a good track for us. We left there with a solid 11th-place finish last year, but I think we can do better than that. We’re building fast Ford Mustang Dark Horses; we just need to execute at the track. The plan is simple: qualify up front and stay there. That’s easier said than done. but I think we can do that this weekend.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Toyota Racing Weekly Preview 09.11.24

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Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: September 9 – 15, 2024

NCS/NXS/ARCA: Watkins Glen International – Sept. 13-15
NHRA: Maple Grove Raceway – Sept. 13-15

PLANO, Texas (Sept. 11, 2024) – NASCAR heads to The Empire State and Watkins Glen International where the Cup Series holds the second race of its 2024 Playoffs, while the Xfinity Series has the penultimate race of its regular season. The two series will be joined by the ARCA Menards Series at Watkins Glen as well. NHRA begins its Countdown to the Championship at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS

Four Camry XSEs above cutline … After a hectic Playoff opener in Atlanta, the Cup Series points shook tremendously as the series heads to Watkins Glen for the second of three races in the Round of 16. Christopher Bell, earning his third consecutive top-five finish and fifth top-10 in the last six races, and Tyler Reddick, getting his 19th top-10 of the season, are the lead Camry XSEs in the standings, 40 and 33 points above the cutline, respectively. Denny Hamlin and Ty Gibbs also sit above the line, just two points and one point to the good. Martin Truex Jr., is currently 19 points under heading into the weekend.

Montoya makes Camry XSE debut … Juan Pablo Montoya makes his long-awaited return to the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend in the No. 50 Mobil 1 Camry XSE for 23XI Racing. The Colombian makes his first start in the Cup Series since 2014 and will make his eighth start at Watkins Glen this weekend where he captured his second career Cup win in 2010. Montoya also history with Toyota, winning three races with the manufacturer during the 2000 IndyCar/CART season at Milwaukee, Michigan and Gateway.

Watkins Glen top-10s for Toyota drivers … Watkins Glen International has been a favorable circuit for some of the Toyota Racing team. Bell and Reddick have finished inside the top-10 in all three of their Cup starts at the 2.454-mile road course, with Bell finishing third last year. Truex has finished in the top-10 in nine of the last 12 Watkins Glen races, that includes his 2017 victory, while Gibbs earned a top-five finish in his second start at the track last year. Hamlin, who earned the NCS pole at the Glen last year, has posted a top-10 in five of the last seven Watkins Glen events, including his win in 2016.

Points tighten as Playoffs near … With just two races remaining in the Xfinity Series regular season, Chandler Smith and Sheldon Creed continue to sit in great spots in the series points standings. Smith held onto third in the standings with his fourth-place finish last weekend and Creed now sits in sixth heading to Watkins Glen this weekend.

Gibbs back in No. 19 GR Supra … Gibbs is back in the Xfinity Series and the No. 19 GR Supra this weekend at “The Glen.” This will be the 21-year-old’s sixth Xfinity Series start of the season and his first since Chicago where he was the runner-up. He makes his fourth Xfinity Series start at Watkins Glen, where he won in 2021 and sat on the pole last year.

Ed Jones returns to Sam Hunt Racing … Ed Jones is back in the Xfinity Series and the No. 26 GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing this weekend at Watkins Glen. Jones has made three starts this season in the No. 26, including a top-five finish at Portland in June. He’s also made one career start “The Glen” in IndyCar in 2017, finishing 13th.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series

Toyota Development Drivers take on Watkins Glen … After a week off, the ARCA Menards Series is back in action, this weekend at Watkins Glen. Toyota Development Drivers, William Sawalich and Gio Ruggiero, are two of the Toyota Camry drivers this weekend with Sawalich in his familiar No. 18 for Joe Gibbs Racing and Ruggiero in the No. 20 for Venturini Motorsports. Sawalich makes his second start in Watkins Glen, after finishing fourth last year, while Ruggiero makes his debut.

NHRA – Top Fuel | Funny Car

Toyota racers begin championship quest … As the Countdown to the Championship begins at Maple Grove Raceway this weekend, Toyota’s nine NHRA drivers begin their chance for a world championship. In Top Fuel, defending world champion, Doug Kalitta, begins the Countdown as the No. 1 seed, followed by Justin Ashley, Shawn Langdon, Steve Torrence and Antron Brown as Toyota holds positions one through five. Billy Torrence begins the postseason as the No. 10 seed. In Funny Car, J.R Todd is the No. 4 seed, while Ron Capps is fifth and Alexis DeJoria is 10th to start the Countdown.

Kalitta seeks Maple Grove repeat … On the way to his incredible world championship a season ago, Kalitta began his magical Countdown to the Championship run with a victory at Maple Grove Raceway. He seeks a repeat win this weekend and the 56th of his career, which would put him fourth all-time in Top Fuel history and just five back of Brown on the all-time wins list.

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.

Routine Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Land Rover

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

Owning a Land Rover reflects a taste for elegance and strength. It combines high-end features with robust performance to enhance your everyday journeys and elevate your driving experience. However, regular maintenance is necessary to maintain your car’s performance and ensure smooth operation, and you can do that at Land Rover service center Dubai.

Make Routine Oil Changes

It is highly recommended that the frequency of a car oil change be paid attention to maintain the performance of the Land Rover engine at a higher level. Summer can be pretty hot in some places, coupled with the constant exposure to the sun, which causes the oil to degrade. Hence, the oil should be changed as per the manufacturer’s requirements. 

Land Rover Tire’s

Tire maintenance involves frequent checkups to determine any signs of damage or deterioration. Also, inflate them to the recommended tire pressure level; this ensures good grip on the road and correct tire alignment, wear, and balance.

Brake System Inspection

Brakes are essential for safe driving, especially in busy city traffic. For these reasons, it is recommended that the brake system be checked regularly to avert a failure of the entire system, which could lead to a dangerous situation. 

Cooling System Maintenance

The coolant level must be frequently monitored, and the radiators, hoses, and belts should be checked for wear and tear or leakage, which can cause overheating. Additionally, listen for any weird noises or hissing sounds, which could mean you have a leak.

Fluid Checks and Changes

Fluids like engine oil, coolant, brake, and transmission fluid need special attention. Regular checks and timely changes will ensure optimal vehicle performance and protect vital components from wear and tear.

Battery and Air Filter Replacement

Excessive heat can also reduce the battery’s life expectancy. Clean the battery terminals frequently for signs of corrosion and ensure they are well connected. Additionally, changing the air filter at recommended intervals will safeguard the engine from harmful contaminants, preserving its efficiency.

Transmission Service

Your Land Rover transmission requires regular maintenance to ensure smooth gear shifts. Check the transmission fluid levels and look for any signs of leaks. Have your transmission service performed by a professional at the recommended intervals to avoid costly services. Additionally, keep records of maintenance and other vehicle-related inspections for future reference.

Kaulig Racing Weekly Preview | Watkins Glen International

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Official Release
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Race Notes

Watkins Glen International
Go Bowling at The Glen
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Sunday, September 15, at 3:00PM EDT
USA | MRN | SiriusXM
Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing has made four NCS starts at Watkins Glen International, earning a runner-up finish and a fourth-place finish with AJ Allmendinger.
  • So far in the 2024 season, Kaulig Racing has earned seven top 10s, 18 top 20s and led 53 laps.

AJ ALLMENDINGER

 ”Watkins Glen in the Cup car has been really good for us over the last couple of years. We’ve had top-five speed, opportunities to win the race, and we’ve finished second and fourth there in the last two years. I’m really pumped about the opportunity to run the No. 13 Go Bowling Chevy at Watkins Glen. With that car, we don’t have to worry about points and can focus on using our strategy to win the race. I think we can run up front all day and have a great opportunity to steal a win.” – AJ Allmendinger on Watkins Glen International

No. 13 Go Bowling Camaro ZL1

  • AJ Allmendinger has made 12 NCS starts at Watkins Glen International. He has earned one win, five top fives and eight top-10 finishes. He has led 60 laps and has an average finish of 8.8.
  • Allmendinger earned his first NCS win at Watkins Glen International in 2014.
  • In his two NCS starts at Watkins Glen with Kaulig Racing, Allmendinger has earned two top-five finishes.
  • So far in the 2024 NCS season, Allmendinger has made 11 starts. He has earned three top-10 finishes — two on road courses — and has led 13 laps.

SHANE van GISBERGEN

 ”I’m looking forward to racing the Cup car at Watkins Glen [International]. It’s a road course, so I’m excited to see how my WeatherTech Chevrolet will stack up with the rest of the field. It’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be a challenge but a lot of fun! Thankful for everyone at Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet, Trackhouse Racing and WeatherTech for making this all possible.” – Shane van Gisbergen on Watkins Glen International

No. 16 WeatherTech Camaro ZL1

  • Shane van Gisbergen will make his first-career NCS start at Watkins Glen International, his eighth start in the series this season for Kaulig Racing.
  • Van Gisbergen has made two road course starts this season in the NCS, first at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, where he finished 20th, and at the Chicago Street Race, where an incident ended his race early.
  • Van Gisbergen became the first driver in 60 years to win in his NCS debut, winning at the Chicago Street Course in 2023.
  • The No. 16 WeatherTech Chevrolet is a collaboration between Kaulig Racing and Trackhouse Racing with Travis Mack as the crew chief.
  • Van Gisbergen will sport the white-and-red WeatherTech livery this weekend. 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.

DANIEL HEMRIC

 ”I’m really excited for some road course racing this weekend at Watkins Glen. Kaulig Racing is typically really good at road courses, and with my teammates Shane [Van Gisbergen] and AJ [Allmendinger] who are some of the best on these types of tracks, I’ll be able to lean on them. Hopefully we can carry some momentum from Atlanta into this weekend.” – Daniel Hemric on Watkins Glen International

No. 31 Cirkul Camaro ZL1

  • Daniel Hemric has made one NCS start at Watkins Glen International.
  • So far in the 2024 NCS season, Hemric has earned four top 10s, nine top-20 finishes and has led 14 laps.
  • Hemric has currently completed more laps than any other driver in the 2024 season with 7,195 of 7,235 laps completed (99.4%).

 
Race Details

Watkins Glen International
Mission 200 at The Glen
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Saturday, September 14 at 3:00PM EDT
USA | MRN | SiriusXM
Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing has made 14 starts at Watkins Glen International in the NXS. The team has earned two top fives and five top-10 finishes there.
  • Over the course of five road course races in 2024, Kaulig Racing has amassed three wins, four top fives, six top 10s, and 98 laps led.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS season, Kaulig Racing has earned three wins, nine top fives, 25 top-10 finishes and led 204 laps.

JOSH WILLIAMS

 ”I’ve been learning a lot from SVG on the sim about Watkins Glen, and we’ve brought some fast cars to all of the road courses this year. We’ve had a good run the last few races, and I know we’ve got the ability to move up quickly if we need to.” – Josh Williams on Watkins Glen International

No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet Camaro

  • Josh Williams has made three starts in the NXS at Watkins Glen International. His best finish there (14th) came in 2021.
  • Williams achieved his best finish of the season so far (seventh) on a road course (Portland International Raceway).
  • Williams sits 17th in the NXS points standings with four top 10s and 14 laps led.

AJ ALLMENDINGER

 ”Watkins Glen is a racetrack that I truly love. Our Xfinity cars haven’t had outright speed to win races for the last few years, but hopefully we can go there and have more speed with what SVG has helped us learn. Watkins Glen is a racetrack where we know we can run up front, be inside the top five all day, and have an opportunity to win the race. Our main focus is trying to win, but at the end of the day, running up front and giving ourselves the opportunity to win is just as important. Watkins Glen is a place where we can do that.” – AJ Allmendinger on Watkins Glen International

No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet Camaro

  • AJ Allmendinger has made four NXS starts at Watkins Glen International. He has earned three runner-up finishes and led 44 laps.
  • On road courses in the 2024 NXS season, Allmendinger has an average finish of 7.5. He has earned one top five, two top-10 finishes and led 20 laps.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS season, Allmendinger has earned four top fives, 12 top-10 finishes and led 111 laps. Allmendinger is currently scored fifth in driver standings and ninth in playoff standings.

SHANE van GISBERGEN

 ”I’m excited to make my first Xfinity Series start at Watkins Glen [International] this weekend. I’ve raced there before, but this time will be a completely difference experience in a stock car. I’m looking forward to going out on Saturday and having fun in our WeatherTech Chevrolet. Hopefully we can celebrate in Victory Lane again!” – Shane van Gisbergen on Watkins Glen International

No. 97 WeatherTech Chevrolet Camaro

  • Shane van Gisbergen will make his first NXS start at Watkins Glen International (WGI) with the No. 97 WeatherTech team.
  • This season, Van Gisbergen has won at three of the four road courses the NXS has competed at (Portland International Raceway, Sonoma Raceway, Chicago Street Race).
  • Van Gisbergen has led 78 laps across all four road course appearances this season, with 32 of those from Sonoma in June, where Van Gisbergen started from the pole position for the first time in his NASCAR career.
  • The No. 97 will sport the white-and-red WeatherTech livery this weekend. 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.
  • Van Gisbergen and his No. 97 Kaulig Racing team are tied for the most NXS wins this season (three) and currently sit 12th in driver standings heading into this weekend.


 
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.

What High Top Speeds of NASCAR Tell Us About Our Own Car Safety

By
SM
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Nothing is more exhilarating than screeching tires, electrified fans, and the sounds of 40 roaring engines flying by you at incredible speeds. All of these factors appeal to the senses and deliver a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience each time you visit the speedway. NASCAR has been at the heart of many Americans since its first event in 1948 at Daytona Beach. As the sport became popular, more money was invested into participating cars to make them faster. While faster cars meant they were lighter and had more horsepower, this often came at the cost of safety.

Likewise, on public roads speed and safety also clash. Understanding that a regular car is not the same as a racecar can save lives — if you were involved in a crash, a Boulder car accident lawyer can get you the compensation you deserve.

Evolution of NASCAR

Stock cars of NASCAR today can reach average speeds of 188.3 mph (on Super Speedways such as Talladega). They also have an average of 670 horsepower compared to the 152 horsepower of the 1949 Lincoln Coupe — one of the first cars to compete in a NASCAR race. Although technological development allowed for massively more powerful vehicles, it also raised the risk of injury for drivers (and fans). The deaths of NASCAR drivers rose steadily over the decades reaching its height in 2000/2001 when racing legend Dale Earnhardt and three other NASCAR drivers all died from crashes resulting in basilar skull fractures.

Safety Improvements in NASCAR

Since the death of Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR has come up with many different ways to reduce fatal accidents:

  • 2001: All drivers are required to use the HANS device (prevents the whiplash effect by synchronizing head and body)
  • 2002: Concrete walls replaced with energy-absorbing SAFER barriers, completed by 2005
  • 2003: “Free-pass” rule implemented, which froze the entire field during cautions 
  • 2007: Six-point harness requirement to reduce sternum injuries (seven-point harness today) 
  • 2007: Moved drivers to center of the car and added energy absorbing materials to driver side door panel
  • 2013: Updated roll bars added for increased protection during rollover crashes
  • 2017: Partnership with AMR adds a physician to on-track medical response team

High Speeds Lead to Devastating Accidents On and Off the Speedways

With average speeds reaching close to 200 mph, NASCAR crashes are spectacularly morbid. Drivers involved in rollover crashes spin sideways at such high speeds that entire panels of car fly off in all directions. For what only lasts 10 seconds feels like ages, having fans and loved ones hoping and praying that their beloved driver is ok.

Comparing this to public road high-speed car accidents by non-racecar drivers, the results are disastrous. Other than the average person not being a NASCAR driver (and not knowing how to handle a car at high-speeds), the common street cars they are pushing to the limit cannot work properly the faster they go. Race cars (like the stock cars found in NASCAR) have specialized high performance brakes compared to their street car counterparts, of which lack the proper equipment to handle these breakneck speeds. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that “12,330 people [were] killed in 2021 [from] speeding-related crashes” and “reminds everyone to slow down and arrive safely – it’s better to arrive a few minutes late than not at all.”

You Are Not a NASCAR Driver

At the end of the day, most people do not drive cars for a living (especially ones that reach top speeds of 278 mph). For this reason it is imperative that you slow down when driving your non-racing car. This will ensure the safety of you and those around you, preventing disaster car accidents that no one benefits from.

JR Motorsports — NXS Watkins Glen Preview

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Official Release
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JR Motorsports Team Preview
TRACK – Watkins Glen International (2.45-mile road course)
NXS RACE – Mission 200 at the Glen (82 laps / 200.9 miles)
TUNE IN – USA, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 3:00 p.m. (ET)

Sam Mayer

No. 1 – 10X Health Chevrolet

Mayer 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 24

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 10

Laps Led: 136

Avg. Finish: 18.7

Points: 13th

  • Sam Mayer heads north to Upstate New York this weekend as the defending NASCAR Xfinity Series winner at Watkins Glen International.
  • In his previous three NXS starts at Watkins Glen, the 21-year-old driver has finished inside the top 10 each time, including the victory last season.
  • In 22 starts on road courses in the NXS, the young driver has tallied three wins, seven top-five and 14 top-10 efforts.
  • With just two races remaining in the NXS regular season, Mayer sits locked into the playoffs by virtue of his two victories earlier this season at Texas Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway.

Sam Mayer

“I’m really looking forward to get back to a road course this weekend. Mardy (Lindley, crew chief) and the guys have always built such great road course cars for me in the past, so I have no doubt that we will be strong again this weekend at Watkins Glen. Last year we were up front when it mattered the most and were able to grab the win, so I am looking forward to being up front again and hopefully can take home another trophy at The Glen.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet

Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 24

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 15

Laps Led: 589

Avg. Finish: 13.1

Points: 1st

  • Justin Allgaier has earned four top fives and seven top 10s in 12 career NXS starts at Watkins Glen, with a best finish of third coming in 2018 and 2019 at the famed New York road course.
  • Allgaier is a three-time winner on the road courses in the NXS, with two of them coming behind the wheel of a JRM Chevrolet in 2018 (Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Road America).
  • Through four road course events in 2024, Allgaier has scored two top fives, three top 10s and a best finish of second coming at Portland in June.
  • Allgaier currently holds a 34-point lead in the championship standings with just two races remaining in the NXS regular season.

Justin Allgaier

“Watkins Glen has always been a fun and challenging road course. I feel extremely confident that Jim (Pohlman crew chief) and everyone on this BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet will give me a great car that will have us in contention for the win. We know what we need to do out there and if we execute the way we have been, I see no reason why we won’t be up front at the end.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet

Smith 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 24

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 5

Top 10s: 13

Laps Led: 55

Avg. Finish: 15.1

Points: 10th

  • Sammy Smith has 14 NXS starts on road courses, earning three top-five and five top-10 finishes.
  • Smith scored his best finish at The Glen in 2022 when he took the checkers in the third position.
  • Smith earned his third top-10 in the last four NXS events last weekend in Atlanta, crossing the finish line in seventh.
  • Pilot Flying J will share the TV panel with Leonard’s Express. It is a family-owned asset-based transportation provider located in Farmington, N.Y. with a nationwide footprint. They are committed to providing unparalleled solutions, fostering lasting partnerships and driving innovation in the industry.

Sammy Smith

“I’m looking forward to getting this Pilot Flying J Chevrolet back on track this weekend and building on the speed we had last week in Atlanta. We gave ourselves a bigger cushion in the playoff standings and Phillip (Bell, crew chief), the team and I are planning on continuing that as we head into the last two races of the regular season.”

Brandon Jones

No. 9 Menards / Pelonis Chevrolet

Jones 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 24

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 1

Top 10s: 6

Laps Led: 30

Avg. Finish: 19.9

Points: 14th

  • Brandon Jones has made seven starts at Watkins Glen, with a best finish of sixth coming during the 2021 season.
  • Additionally, Jones will be making his third ARCA Menards Series start in the Empire State. He has previously gone to Victory Lane in ARCA at Watkins Glen, capturing the checkered flag in 2022.
  • Pelonis, a trusted brand in home comfort for over 25 years, will be making its second of four appearances on the hood of Jones’ Camaro this weekend.

Brandon Jones

“We had a strong run last weekend in Atlanta, so I am hoping we can continue that momentum into this weekend. We’ve been preparing in the sim to make sure I am ready when we unload and I feel confident as we get closer. Adam (Wall, crew chief) and this entire Menards/Pelonis team have been hard at work, hopefully we can put it all together this weekend and come home with a solid finish.”

Connor Zilisch

No. 88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet

Zilisch 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 0

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 0

Laps Led: 0

Avg. Finish: N/A

Points: N/A

  • Connor Zilisch will make his first start for JRM this weekend at a place he knows well. The young driver competed at WGI earlier this season in the sports-car ranks and also previously, led 34 of 42 laps there in the 2023 ARCA Menards East Series event on the 2.45-mile course.
  • Zilisch will have Carolina Carports on the side of his No. 88 Chevrolet this weekend at The Glen.
  • Earlier this season, Zilisch qualified first and finished fourth at Circuit of the Americas in his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut.
  • Crew chief Andrew Overstreet will guide Zilisch this weekend, as the young driver joins Carson Kvapil, Connor Mosack and Bubba Pollard on the list of drivers for the team this season.

Connor Zilisch

“It feels great to make my debut for JR Motorsports at Watkins Glen. I’m fortunate to have raced here before and I can’t wait to get out there in the Carolina Carports Chevrolet and make a good impression. This track is very technical and very fast, and after watching what Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) and the team has been able to do so far this season, I’m looking forward to Saturday’s race.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Watkins Glen International: JR Motorsports has competed at Watkins Glen International a combined 50 times in the NXS since its first trip there in 2006. In those starts at the 2.45-mile road course, the organization has recorded two wins,11 top-fives and 29 top-10s, with an average finish of 12.0.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, Brandon Jones and Connor Zilisch will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET.

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

By
Official Release
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COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Watkins Glen NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

  • Event: Mission 200 at The Glen (Round 25 of 33)
  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 14
  • Location: Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International
  • Layout: 2.45-mile, seven-turn road course
  • Time/TV/Radio: 3 p.m. EDT on USA/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

  • Cole Custer is ready to trade in the high banks and unpredictability of superspeedway-style racing for the high-speed, left-and-right turns of Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in Saturday’s Mission 200 at The Glen. Custer’s strength on road courses has been prevalent throughout his career. In his 27 Xfinity Series starts on road courses, Custer has scored two wins, 20 top-10s and led 26 laps. Last season, he scored two of his three wins on a road course and a street course – June 3 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway and July 1 on the Chicago Street Course. The series has visited three road courses – Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, Portland, and Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway – and the Chicago Street Course so far this season. Custer scored top-10 finishes in three of these four starts with a best finish of fourth on March 23 at COTA. In fact, Custer hasn’t finished outside the top-10 at a traditional road course in the Xfinity Series since an accident cut his race short on July 29, 2023, at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Custer and the No. 00 HighPoint.com team look to be contenders to win this weekend as he attempts to continue to close the gap on Justin Allgaier’s regular-season points lead with just two races to go before the Xfinity Series Playoffs begin Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City.
  • Saturday’s Mission 200 at The Glen will mark Custer’s sixth Xfinity Series start at the 2.45-mile, seven-turn circuit. His five prior starts feature back-to-back top-10 finishes in 2018 (sixth) and 2019 (seventh), and a seventh-place result in August 2023. He’s never finished outside the top-12 in his Xfinity Series starts at the track. Custer also has six starts outside of the Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen – three in the NASCAR Cup Series and three in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. He earned a best K&N Pro Series East finish of third in August 2016, and a best Cup Series finish of 11th in August 2022.
  • HighPoint.com is a leading provider of technology infrastructure solutions that is headquartered in Sparta, New Jersey. HighPoint has been a partner of Stewart-Haas Racing since 2020, when the company supported Chase Briscoe’s NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign, a collaboration that netted a series-best nine victories. HighPoint has climbed the NASCAR ladder with Briscoe and has helped Stewart-Haas maximize its IT investments. As an IT Solutions Integrator focused on all things that connect, HighPoint helps its customers with the selection and supply of network infrastructure, mobility, collaboration, data center, security solutions and the risk-mitigated implementation and management of their technology. The company, founded in 1996, is a minority-owned business that serves markets in its nearby Tri-State Region (New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware) and the Southeastern United States via its presence in Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as globally with offices in Amsterdam and London. To learn more about HighPoint’s solutions, visit HighPoint.com.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

  • Riley Herbst is looking for a change of scenery in Saturday’s Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. After being caught up in an accident with just a handful of laps to go in last Saturday’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Herbst was able to limp to the finish after an otherwise solid day of running in the top-10 at Atlanta. With that heartbreak behind him, Herbst is hoping that the No. 98 Monster Energy team can rebound to earn a top finish at Watkins Glen, the track where his playoff bid last year took a critical hit when Herbst ran inside the top-10 all day, but a mechanical issue forced him to retire early with a 35th-place result. This weekend, Herbst finds himself already locked into the seven-race postseason thanks to his July 20 win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With two races to go until the playoffs kick off Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Herbst is sitting seventh in the regular-season points standings and eighth in the playoff standings with seven playoff points.
  • Saturday’s race at Watkins Glen will mark Herbst’s fourth Xfinity Series start at the track. Best among his three prior starts was a seventh-place finish in August 2022. He finished 13th in his first start at the track in August 2021 with the No. 98 Monster Energy team. He also has two starts at The Glen outside of the Xfinity Series – one in the ARCA Menards Series in August 2021, which resulted in a sixth-place finish, and one in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, which resulted in a 12th-place finish.
  • Herbst has proven his resilience on road courses in the last year, bouncing back from several tough runs at the start of the year to nab top-15 finishes in five of the eight road-course races last season. He earned a 10th-place finish in last year’s first road-course race at COTA on March 25, 2023. He then finished 15th when the series visited Sonoma for the first time on June 10. In his fifth-place finish July 29 at Road America, Herbst rebounded from incidents during the race to work his way from the back of the pack. He followed that up with a 12th-place result after starting 10th at the Aug. 12 Indianapolis Grand Prix. He closed the season with his strongest run of the year at a track that has troubled him in the past, the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval. Herbst finished fourth in that Oct. 7 race, his best Roval finish after back-to-back DNFs in 2021 and 2022. While his road-course starts in 2024 have been riddled with bad luck, Herbst has proven it’s never too late in the season to turn luck around. His fourth-place finish at Charlotte was his first of five straight top-fives to close out the 2023 season, which included his first career Xfinity Series victory Oct. 14 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

You’re welcoming HighPoint.com to your car this weekend at Watkins Glen for the second year in a row. It’s been an SHR partner for several years and made the move last year to sponsor you in the Xfinity Series for a race. You earned a sixth-place finish. What does it mean to have the company’s support?

“HighPoint’s support means a lot to me and Stewart-Haas. The whole family and all the people over there are extremely caring and really on the ground floor with things. Mike (Mendiburu, owner) has always been a big supporter of my career. We met years ago and it’s nice to finally be able to work with them on my own car. It’s really cool to see just how much effort they put into their business and seeing how invested they are in NASCAR. It’s hard to come by these days. I think you’ve seen it with their investment in the Stewart-Haas team all these years. I’m excited to have them back as primary partner at Watkins Glen. Overall, just seeing how invested they are in the sport and how much they love racing is pretty awesome. I can’t thank them enough for also investing in me. Hopefully, we can give them another good run and park their Ford Mustang in victory lane.”

You’re heading to the fourth traditional road course of the 2024 season. In the three prior starts, you scored top-10 finishes. Talk about your expectations for the weekend at Watkins Glen, given your success on road courses.

“Watkins Glen is a fun track for me. I’ve never finished outside the top-12 there, but it’s honestly just a high-speed, fast road course. It’s difficult for sure, but I think that’s what makes it more fun as a driver. You have to be careful not to overstep or lose your temper too quickly. Road courses are all about patience so you can stay out of trouble and be there at the end. You’ve seen that countless times – including my win at Portland when I passed the leaders who got tangled up on a restart. If you’re too aggressive, you can put yourself in a worse position. I think the No. 00 team will be one of the ones to watch this weekend.”

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

The No. 98 Monster Energy team has shown so much speed at road courses, but bad luck has taken you out of contention for some potentially great finishes. What do you need this weekend to get the job done and park your Ford Mustang in victory lane at The Glen?

“Our No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang has been fast all year on any style of track. It’s just a testament to the hard work that this team is putting in each and every week to make us better. The only one I will say that we were truly slow is COTA earlier this year, but every other race has been great. We’ve had some bad luck. We’ve had some work cut out for us. But, we never gave up. I think that mentality has only helped us get better. I’m thankful for these guys for sticking by me and giving me fast cars each week. Last year was tough at Watkins Glen, but now we’re not focused on making it into the playoffs. We’re already in. Now, we can focus on winning and preparing for these final races. There isn’t any other team I would rather head to a road course with.”

Watkins Glen seems to be a favorite road course among the drivers. Describe what goes through your mind as you’re making your way around it.

“Watkins Glen is a fun track as a driver, for sure. It’s such a fast road course, and you really have to think about each turn so you’re not getting yourself into trouble. Each of the turns on this course is unique, so you just have to be on top of your game every time you go there. I’m excited to head back there to hopefully compete for a win, and given the speed we’ve had on road courses, I think we’re in a good spot this weekend. We’ve had top-five speed almost every week, it seems, so now it’s just about avoiding mistakes and having another perfect race. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that it’s never too late to turn your luck around.”

Austin Dillon to make 400th Cup start at Watkins Glen

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Austin Dillon is primed to achieve a milestone in his 11th full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series. By competing in this weekend’s Cup Playoff event at Watkins Glen International, the driver of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will make his 400th career start in NASCAR’s premier series.

A native of Welcome, North Carolina, Dillon made his inaugural start in the Cup Series at Kansas Speedway in October 2011. At the time, he was campaigning in his second full-time season in the Craftsman Truck Series for Richard Childress Racing after clinching the Rookie of the Year title in 2010. Driving the No. 98 Chevrolet Impala for Curb Racing, Dillon finished 26th in his first Cup event.

The following two seasons, Dillon competed full-time in the Xfinity Series for RCR, where he achieved the 2012 Xfinity Series’ Rookie of the Year title before notching the drivers’ championship a year later. During the two-year stint, he made 12 Cup Series starts, his first occurring at Michigan International Speedway in June 2012 as he piloted RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet to a 24th-place finish. The remaining 11 Cup starts occurred in 2013, with his first being the 55th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway as he finished 31st.

In total, Dillon made five Cup starts with RCR, four with Phoenix Racing and two with Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) as an interim competitor for the injured three-time Cup champion Tony Stewart. Within the starts, he notched a season-best 11th-place finish at Michigan in June with RCR and a 14th-place run at Michigan in August with SHR. At Talladega Superspeedway in October, Dillon, who was driving the No. 14 SHR Chevrolet SS, was running in third place on the final lap when he slipped sideways off the front nose of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., came back across the track in the backstretch and was sent airborne after being rammed by Casey Mears, with the result dropping Dillon to 26th place in the final running order.

Less than a month after winning the 2013 Xfinity Series title, Dillon was announced as a full-time Cup Series competitor in RCR’s No. 3 Chevrolet SS for the 2014 season, which marked the return of the No. 3 in NASCAR’s premier series for the first time since the 2001 Daytona 500, last piloted by the late seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt.

Dillon commenced his rookie Cup season on a strong note by securing the pole position for the 56th running of the Daytona 500, which was his first in the series, and becoming both the fourth competitor to place a No. 3 entry and the fifth rookie candidate on the pole for the Great American Race. During the main event, Dillon, who led the opening lap, rallied after being involved in a late multi-car wreck to record his first top-10 result in the series with a ninth-place finish. He would then finish no higher than 11th three times during his next 16 starts before securing his first top-five result in the form of a fifth-place finish at Daytona in July.

With only an additional top-10 result, being a 10th-place run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July, occurring in the final eight regular-season events, Dillon was unable to qualify for the 2014 Cup Series Playoffs. He would proceed to finish no higher than eighth during the final 10 events on the schedule before settling in 20th place in the final standings and the runner-up spot behind Kyle Larson for the Rookie-of-the-Year title. Overall, Dillon achieved a single pole, one top-five result, four top-10 results, 10 laps led and an average-finishing result of 17.5 during his first full-time Cup Series season.

Dillon’s sophomore Cup season in 2015 was mired with a harrowing final lap accident at Daytona in July, where his car went airborne after colliding with a spinning Denny Hamlin. He flew over four competitors and smashed upside-down into the frontstretch’s catchfence before the car came back on the speedway on the roof and was hit by a spinning Brad Keselowski before coming to a rest on the roof. Amid the wild wreck that ripped the engine out of the No. 3 car, Dillon, who managed to finish seventh before the wreck, emerged uninjured as he only sustained a bruised tailbone and a bruised forearm.

The Daytona result would serve as one of Dillon’s five total top-10 results he earned throughout the 2015 Cup season, with his best on-track result being a fourth-place finish at Michigan International Speedway in August after leading 19 laps. After missing the Playoffs, Dillon settled in 21st place in the final standings with an average-finishing result of 21.0.

Like his rookie Cup season, Dillon commenced his junior Cup Series season with a ninth-place result during the 58th running of the Daytona 500. Two races later, he recorded a strong fifth-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March followed by a ninth-place run at Phoenix Raceway before notching his second Cup career pole at Auto Club Speedway, an event where he would finish 24th. Nabbing three additional top-five results and a total of six top-10 results during the final 21 regular-season events, Dillon was able to race his way into his first career Cup Series Playoffs based on points.

After finishing 14th, 16th and eighth throughout the Round of 16, Dillon transferred into the Round of 12. With respective finishes of 32nd, sixth and ninth throughout the Round of 12, however, he did not transfer to the Round of 8 amid a tie-breaker against Denny Hamlin. Scoring his second pole of the season at Texas Motor Speedway in November, Dillon finished no higher than 12th during the final four events on the schedule before settling in 14th place in the final standings. Overall, Dillon achieved two poles, four top-five results, a career-high 13 top-10 results, 17 laps led and an average finishing result of 15.9. He had also surpassed 100 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series.

Dillon began the 2017 Cup Series season with a 19th-place finish during the 59th running of the Daytona 500. Then after managing only one top-five finish during the first 11 events on the schedule, he scored his first Cup career victory in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May after overtaking seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson with two laps remaining and having enough fuel to coast his No. 3 Chevrolet across the finish line ahead of Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr.

With the victory, Dillon became the 188th different competitor to win a Cup Series event and the seventh to notch a first Cup victory in the Coke 600. It was the first victory for the No. 3 since Dale Earnhardt won at Talladega Superspeedway in 2000. Despite finishing in the top 10 only twice during the final 14 regular-season events, the Coke 600 victory enabled Dillon to automatically advance to the Playoffs for a second consecutive season. After having his title hopes come to an early end after finishing no higher than 16th twice and not advancing past the Round of 16, Dillon proceeded to notch five top-15 results within the final seven events on the schedule before settling in a career-best 11th place in the final standings.

Returning for a fifth full-time Cup campaign in 2018, Dillon commenced the season with a thriller after spinning Aric Almirola on the final lap to win the 60th running of the Daytona 500 and notch his second Cup career victory. With the accomplishment, Dillon, who only led the final lap and piloted a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to its first NASCAR victory in its first event, became the 39th competitor to win the Great American Race as he delivered the third Daytona 500 victory for Richard Childress Racing and the first for the No. 3 since Dale Earnhardt won his first and only 500 event in 1998.

The victory also occurred 11 years to the day when Kevin Harvick delivered the second and latest 500 victory for RCR. With the 500 victory guaranteeing Dillon and the No. 3 team a spot in the 2018 Cup Series Playoffs, the North Carolina native proceeded to finish in the top 10 three additional times during the remaining 25 regular-season events. Having his title hopes eliminated early after finishing 11th, sixth and 39th throughout the Round of 16, Dillon proceeded to finish in the top 11 five times during the final seven events on the schedule before settling in 13th place in the final standings. Despite achieving one less top-five result from his previous season (two), he doubled his top-10 results (eight) and improved his average-finishing result from 18.6 to 17.5.

After missing the 2019 Cup Series Playoffs and finishing 21st in the final standings, where he notched a total of six top-10 results, a career-high three poles and surpassed 200 Cup career starts throughout the season, Dillon began the 2020 Cup season with a 12th-place finish in the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 before notching a fourth-place run during the following event at Las Vegas. Then after recording three additional top-10 results during his next 15 starts, Dillon snapped an 88-race winless drought and returned to the Victory Lane in the Cup Series at Texas for the third time in his career after leading 22 laps and fending off teammate Tyler Reddick during a two-lap shootout.

The Texas victory also enabled Dillon to clinch a spot in the 2020 Cup Series Playoffs, which marked his fourth time making the postseason title battle, as he concluded the regular-season stretch with two additional top-10 results, amid being absent from the Daytona International Speedway Road Course event in August following a positive COVID-19 test. After notching a strong runner-up result during the Playoff opener at Darlington Raceway in September followed by a fourth-place finish at Richmond Raceway and a 12th-place run at Bristol Motor Speedway, respectively, Dillon transferred into the Round of 12. After being eliminated from the Playoffs due to finishing no higher than 12th throughout the Round of 12, he secured two 11th-place finishes during the final four-scheduled events before tying his career-best result in the final standings in 11th place. Overall, Dillon still managed to notch a career-high 135 laps led along with a total of four top-five results, nine top-10 results and an average-finishing result of 16.2.

Throughout the 2021 Cup Series season, where he reached 300 Cup career starts at season’s end, Dillon accumulated a total of eight top-10 results and a season-best third-place finish in the 63rd running of the Daytona 500. Despite winning the second Bluegreen Vacations Duel at Daytona in February following a final lap where he overtook Bubba Wallace, Dillon did not make the 2021 Cup Series Playoffs and concluded the season in 17th place in the final standings. Nonetheless, he still secured a career-best average-finishing result of 14.4 on the strength of 27 top-15 results throughout the 36-race schedule.

The 2022 Cup season began with a 25th-place finish during the 64th running of the Daytona 500, Dillon collected two runner-up results and a total of seven top-10 results throughout the following 24 regular-season events. Then during the regular-season finale at Daytona in August, he raced his way into the Playoffs after dodging a wreck that eliminated nearly the entire field with 23 laps remaining and withstanding a lengthy rain delay period to lead 10 laps and overtake Austin Cindric with three laps remaining before leading teammate Tyler Reddick across the finish line as part of a 1-2 finish for Richard Childress Racing.

The victory was Dillon’s fourth of his Cup career and the fifth time he made the Playoffs. Although his title hopes were eliminated early after finishing no higher than 14th throughout the Round of 16, Dillon notched a fourth-place finish and two 10th-place runs during the final seven-scheduled events before ending up in 11th place in the final standings for the third time in his career. By then, Dillon notched career-high stats in top fives (five) and top 10s (11) while emerging with an average finishing result of 16.5.

This past season, Dillon notched a strong runner-up result in the non-points Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Two weeks later, he was in contention and battling for the victory in the Daytona 500 before he was swept up in a multi-car wreck during an overtime shootout and ended up in 33rd place. Dillon proceeded to finish in the top five once and in the top 10 six times during the following 25 regular-season events but missed the Playoffs for the fifth time in his career. Finishing no higher than 10th throughout the 2023 Playoffs, Dillon ended up in 29th place in the final driver’s standings, the lowest of his career as a full-time Cup competitor.

Dillon started the 2024 Cup Series season with only two top-10 results through the first 22 scheduled events, which left him mired outside the top-30 mark in the regular-season standings. Then at Richmond Raceway this past August, he endured a high-turned-low career moment that started when he assumed the lead from Denny Hamlin with 28 laps remaining. Initially poised the seal the victory during the event’s scheduled distance, the event was sent into overtime due to a late multi-car wreck. Despite retaining the lead during the event’s caution period, Dillon would lose the lead to Joey Logano at the start of the overtime shootout. Then on the final lap, Dillon stepped on the gas and bumped into Logano and sent him spinning through the final turn. Dillon then veered dead left and turned Hamlin into the frontstretch’s outside wall to reclaim the lead and streak across the finish line to win for the fifth time in his career.

After initially guaranteeing himself and his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team a spot into the 2024 Cup Series Playoffs, disaster struck three days later after NASCAR revoked his Playoff eligibility due to the North Carolinian’s deliberate actions to win and make the postseason. Following two appeal processes made by Dillon and Richard Childress Racing, both of which were denied, Dillon plummeted back down towards the top-30 mark in the regular-season standings. Despite finishing in 15th place in the regular-season finale at Darlington, Dillon was unable to race his way back into the Playoffs, which he missed for the sixth time in his career.

Through 399 previous Cup starts, Dillon has achieved five victories, six poles, 23 top-five results, 78 top-10 results, 411 laps led and an average-finishing result of 18.4. He is currently ranked in 29th place in the 2024 drivers’ standings.

Austin Dillon is scheduled to make his 400th Cup Series career start at Watkins Glen International for the Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday, September 15, with the event’s broadcast scheduled to occur at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network.

Todd Gilliland to make 100th Cup start at Watkins Glen

By
Andrew Kim
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The 24-year-old Gilliland from Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, is scheduled to reach a milestone start in his third full-time campaign in NASCAR's premier series.

Todd Gilliland is poised to achieve a milestone start in his third full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series. By competing in this weekend’s Cup Playoff event at Watkins Glen International, the driver of the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford Mustang Dark Horse will make his 100th career start in NASCAR’s premier series.

A third-generation racer from Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, Gilliland made his inaugural presence in the Cup Series at the start of the 2022 season, where he assumed the role of the driver of the No. 38 Ford Mustang for Front Row Motorsports. By then, he had achieved two victories in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and was a two-time champion of the ARCA Menards Series West.

During the season-opening 64th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Gilliland ended up 33rd after being involved in a late multi-car wreck. During his next 20 starts, he notched eight top-20 results with a best finish of 15th at Darlington Raceway in May. He achieved his first career top-five finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course by finishing fourth amid an overtime finish.

Gilliland capped off the regular-season stretch with four consecutive results outside the top 20 and did not make the 2022 Cup Series Playoffs. He managed to notch his second career top-10 result at Talladega Superspeedway with a seventh-place finish and then finished 13th during the penultimate Cup event on the schedule at Martinsville Speedway. Gilliland concluded his first full-time Cup season in 28th place in the final standings. In addition, he settled in third place in the Rookie-of-the-Year battle behind Austin Cindric and Harrison Burton.

This past season, Gilliland competed driving for Front Row Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing for the entire 36-race schedule, 31 of which occurred with FRM. The remaining five occurred with Rick Ware Racing as the reigning Craftsman Truck Series champion Zane Smith piloted Gilliland’s No. 38 entry for six events. Throughout the 36-race schedule, Gilliland achieved a season-best eighth-place finish at the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Course in April and earned four top-10 results. With an average-finishing result of 22.0, Gilliland, who did not make the Playoffs for a second consecutive season, ended up in 28th place in the final standings for a second consecutive season.

Returning as a full-time Cup Series competitor for Front Row Motorsports this season, Gilliland commenced his junior season by finishing 35th in the 66th running of the Daytona 500 after being involved in a late multi-car wreck. He would then lead a race-high 58 of 260 laps during the following event at Atlanta Motor Speedway before he was involved in another late multi-car wreck that pinned him four laps down and mired in 26th place in the final running order. After finishing no higher than 13th during his next seven starts, Gilliland notched his first top-10 result of the season by finishing eighth at Talladega Superspeedway in April.

The North Carolinian proceeded to record three top-10 results and seven top-15 results over his next 12 starts before he capped off the regular-season stretch with finishes no higher than 17th twice in four races. By then, he missed the Cup Playoffs for a third consecutive season. Nonetheless, Gilliland has recorded four top-10 results through 27 scheduled events this year, which ties his current record of top-10 results from his previous season. In addition, he has led 126 laps with an average finish of 19.9, both higher than his previous marks over the last two seasons.

Through 99 previous Cup starts, Gilliland, who is set to remain at Front Row Motorsports in 2025, has achieved one top-five result, 10 top-10 results, 137 laps led and an average-finishing result of 21.8 as he continues his pursuit of his first Cup Series career victory. He is currently ranked in 21st place in this year’s standings, which would mark a career-best result for the competitor.

Todd Gilliland is scheduled to make his 100th Cup Series career start at Watkins Glen International for the Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday, September 15, with the event’s broadcast time set for 3 p.m. ET on USA Network.

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