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Women in Motorsports: Trailblazers Who Shattered the Glass Ceiling

By
SM
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Motorsport has long been perceived as a male-dominated arena, yet throughout history, courageous and talented women have defied stereotypes and left indelible marks on the racing world. From the early pioneers who battled for recognition to modern-day champions who inspire generations, these women have not only competed at the highest levels but have also paved the way for greater diversity and inclusion in motorsports. It’s never been more important than ever to celebrate the achievements of as many pioneers throughout history as we can. Today we will be taking a look at which female racers shaped racing history.

The Early Pioneers:

In the early 20th century, women like Hellé Nice and Maria Teresa de Filippis broke barriers and challenged societal norms by participating in Grand Prix racing. Nice, a French model and dancer, became a successful racing driver in the 1920s and 1930s, while de Filippis made history as the first woman to compete in a Formula One World Championship race in 1958.

The Rally Queens:

The world of rallying witnessed the rise of exceptional female drivers like Michèle Mouton and Jutta Kleinschmidt. Mouton, a French rally driver, achieved numerous victories in the World Rally Championship during the 1980s, becoming the first woman to win a WRC event. Kleinschmidt, a German rally driver, made history by winning the Dakar Rally in 2001, the gruelling off-road endurance race.

Modern-Day Champions:

In recent decades, women have continued to excel in various motorsports disciplines, their influence felt across various motorsports disciplines, from Formula One and NASCAR to the exciting world of Aus sports betting, where the achievements of female athletes continue to inspire and empower. Danica Patrick, an American racing driver, became a household name in IndyCar and NASCAR, achieving numerous milestones, including a victory in the 2008 Indy Japan 300. Susie Wolff, a British racing driver, served as a development driver for the Williams Formula One team and later became the team principal of the Venturi Formula E team.

This placement connects the success of modern female racers with the wider sports landscape, including the realm of sports betting where their achievements also resonate.

Impact and Legacy:

The achievements of women in motorsports extend beyond the racetrack. They have challenged gender stereotypes, inspired countless young girls and women to pursue their dreams, and pushed for greater diversity and inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Their legacy continues to inspire and empower the next generation of female racers, ensuring that the roar of women’s engines will only grow louder in the years to come.

The journey of women in motorsports has been one of resilience, perseverance, and triumph over adversity. Their contributions have enriched the sport, making it more inclusive and representative of the diverse talent that exists in the world of racing. As the landscape of motorsports continues to evolve, the presence and influence of women will undoubtedly continue to grow, further solidifying their place in the annals of racing history.

Preparing a Mercedes for Track: Important Upgrades and Repairs

By
SM
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Photo by Bingqian Li

Bringing your Mercedes to a race track is a recipe for a thrilling experience. Mercedes, as a car brand, has a storied legacy in motorsports. The brand has plenty of vehicle models that can be built into formidable track machines. However, converting showroom Mercedes into a performance car requires extensive repairs and strategic upgrades.

Racing vehicles should have features that go beyond daily cars. The intense speeds, high G-forces, and rapid acceleration on the track push every component of the vehicle to its limits. This makes the following upgrades and repairs vital:

1. Engine Tuning and Optimization

Every race car should undergo intensive engine tuning and optimization. These are essential when preparing your Mercedes for track to enhance performance and reliability on the track. You should begin with performance ECU training. The ECU controls fuel injection, ignition timing, and other crucial components. Tuning essentially means reprogramming the ECU to optimize the default settings.

For instance, adjusting the fuel and air mixture significantly boosts combustion. A richer mixture increases power output, while a leaner mixture improves responsiveness and fuel economy. Mercedes owners should also upgrade the intake and exhaust systems. These upgrades improve airflow, which significantly affects engine performance. Better airflow leads to efficient combustion and increases power output.

Internal engine modifications also offer substantial gains. Modifications like upgrading to performance camshafts and installing forged pistons significantly boost power and durability. Besides making upgrades, car owners should conduct regular maintenance for assured performance. This includes regular oil changes and spark plug replacements to ensure the engine remains in peak condition.

2. Interior Modification for Safety and Efficiency

Most car enthusiasts focus on engine performance when preparing their cars for the track. However, interior modifications are as important as optimizing the engine. These upgrades improve driver safety and comfort. Key installations include:

  • Roll cage installation: This is an important safety feature for race cars. It provides structural reinforcement and protects the driver in case of a collision or rollover.
  • Racing seats and harness: You shouldn’t use the regular car seats and seatbelts when racing. Upgrading to racing seats and harnesses improves driver safety and control.
  • Fire suppression system. This safety feature ensures that fires in the engine bay are quickly put out. Your Mercedes can have manual or automatic systems.

You should also upgrade the steering wheel and pedals. While at it, ensure to use lightweight components.

3. Suspension and Brake System Upgrades

Racing cars demand precision, great control, and reliability. All these aspects hinge on the performance of the suspension and braking systems. Improving these components in your Mercedes helps achieve optimal handling, stability, and stopping power while on track. You should begin by upgrading to coilover suspension. These systems allow for fine-tuning of the car’s height and stiffness.

Similarly, performance brakes are crucial for safely managing speeds and the demands of track driving. Upgrade to bigger kits and opt for high-performance options. You should also replace stock bushes and mounts with performance alternatives.

Endnote

There’s a lot that goes into modifying your Mercedes for the track. A combination of repairs and upgrades is required to create a track-ready car. Most people focus on the engine performance, often ignoring the interior and suspension. That aside, success in track requires continuous maintenance.

Governing the Wild Web: Do Online Casinos Need More Oversight?

By
SM
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Photo by Sergey Zolkin on Unsplash

The rapid growth of the internet has opened up all sorts of opportunities for industries of all kinds, with online gambling being one of the prime examples. As per one estimate, the global online gambling market was valued at around $66.7 billion in 2020. This figure is projected to swell to $127.3 billion by 2027.

With such impressive growth and profits at stake, online casinos, like LuckyDreams, have spread their reach far and wide across the world. However, issues like problem gambling, unfair practices, underage betting, and lack of transparency continue to plague parts of the iGaming sector. This is where gambling regulatory bodies and commissions come in.

What Role Do Regulators Play in Online Betting?

Much like their land-based counterparts, internet betting sites and mobile apps need checks and balances in the form of industry regulators. These authorities broadly oversee operators and platforms to:

  • Implement standards for responsible and ethical gaming
  • Audit gaming software for fairness
  • Ensure transparency for players
  • Clamp down on illegal offshore operators
  • Protect vulnerable groups and prevent problem gambling
  • Resolve player complaints and disputes

Thus, they have an important duty to govern casinos as well as safeguard consumer rights and interests. The presence of a regulator also builds trust in betting websites licensed under their jurisdiction.

Prominent Online Gambling Authorities Around the World

Many countries have separate commissions that specifically regulate real-money gaming on the internet. For instance:

  • The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) oversees all online betting from the United Kingdom.
  • The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) governs a large number of Europe-facing gaming sites.
  • Curacao eGaming issues licenses for internet casinos based in the Dutch Caribbean island.
  • The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board regulates the state’s gaming industry, including online betting.

These are just a few examples. Depending on local laws, online betting platforms need to get licensed and regularly submit to inspections by one or more of such authorities if they want to operate legally. Regulators have the power to impose fines, revoke licenses, block access to sites, and even order ISPs to take down non-compliant operators.

Are Current Regulations Enough for Player Protection?

Gambling watchdogs undoubtedly make iGaming safer through mandatory standards and reporting. However, some critics argue that more needs to be done for strengthening consumer safeguards.

For one, many players are still unaware of self-exclusion options available to them like deposit limits, timeout periods, and permanent account closures. According to a 2022 study, only 14.5% of respondents were able to correctly identify tools for responsible gambling.

YearPercentage of players aware of responsible gambling tools
202012.3%
202111.7%
202214.5%

Secondly, illegal offshore platforms still manage to offer games to customers while evading compliance requirements and taxes. Their unregulated nature leaves users vulnerable to risks.

Finally, while regulators are increasingly collaborative, there is a need for more uniform international standards and greater cooperation to collectively raise industry benchmarks.

Way Forward

As internet-based betting continues its upward trajectory, gaming watch dogs will have to step up their game as well. The onus is on regulators to regularly enhance their frameworks and guidelines to make online casinos more trustworthy for an average consumer.

This may involve stricter penalties for erring operators, larger investments in responsible gaming education, dealing with offshore platforms, greater transparency through usage of blockchain and modern IT infrastructure, and working together with international counterparts to plug regulatory gaps exploited by unlicensed sites.

The World Wide Web may be a chaotic place, but it doesn’t mean online gambling can’t be tamed with the right oversight. As market leaders, regulators must set the pace for others to follow. Robust standards, proactive measures, and greater accountability – these are the needs of the hour for iGaming governance.

How to Create a Winning Online Casino Strategy

By
SM
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Photo by The Connected Narrative on Unsplash

Venturing into online casinos can be exciting yet risky if you don’t have a solid gameplay strategy. While ultimately games of chance can’t be “beaten”, implementing proven tips will dramatically boost your odds, wins, and bankroll. By learning to leverage bonuses, target favorable games, quit while ahead, and manage your deposits wisely, your casino experience can be rewarding and responsible.

This guide will walk through crafting a tailored Slotum online casino strategy based on smart money management and statistical advantages. Equipped with these tips for discipline and selective gameplay, your casino sessions will maximize the enjoyment of these riveting games of chance.

Game Selection

All casino games have built-in mathematical edges favoring the house. However, by focusing your play on certain games, you can minimize the house advantage and prolong your bankroll.

Table Games

  • Blackjack: Classic blackjack offers some of the best odds, with skilled play lowering the house edge below 1%. Learn basic strategy charts and keep these close by when playing.
  • Baccarat: Banker and player bets both offer low house edges around 1%, making baccarat one of the better options.
  • Poker: Texas hold ‘em and 3-card poker requires skill in addition to luck, allowing you to gain an advantage with smart play.

Slots & Video Poker

While most slots have 10% or higher house edges, a few offer better odds. Stick to video poker (play optimal strategy), progressive slots (life-changing jackpots), and branded games with bonus features.

Other Tips

  • Avoid American roulette (5.26% house edge) – play European roulette instead (2.7%).
  • Craps can offer good odds with certain bets, though the game’s complexity raises the house edge.
  • Know when to walk away – quit playing games with high house edges.

Bankroll Management – Smart Deposits & Bets

Bankroll strategy is equally as important as game selection. By managing your deposits and betting properly, you’ll ensure your online bankroll sustains itself through winning streaks and losses.

Set a Gambling Budget

Determine a set amount you can comfortably afford to potentially lose per month. Never add more funds to recover losses. Only deposit what you’ve budgeted.

Bet Small

Most experts recommend betting no more than 2-3% of your bankroll per hand/spin. This allows you to endure natural losing streaks while staying solvent.

Quit While Ahead

Make withdrawals of any profits occasionally to lock in wins. Don’t leave all the money in your casino account.

Further Tips

  • Break the bankroll into 4 sessions per month and stop playing if you lose your allotment.
  • Lower bets after big wins to protect profits.

Leverage Bonuses & Rewards

Nearly all online casinos offer bonuses to attract business, often matching a percentage of deposits up to hundreds of dollars. Structuring your gameplay to capitalize on these bonuses effectively grows your bankroll.

Types of Bonuses

  • First deposit bonuses – 100% match up to $500
  • Reload bonuses – 50% match on future deposits
  • Free spins – 10 free spins on featured slots
  • Cashback – 10% weekly rebate on losses

Maximizing Value

  • Review wagering requirements before claiming bonuses
  • Focus play on any allowed games with good odds
  • Avoid very high variance slots that are unlikely to hit bonus win targets

The combination of favorable odds, betting discipline, and bonus rewards can quickly compound winnings. Avoid less favorable bets altogether and monitor playing time closely as well.

Self-Control: Finding Balance & Setting Loss Limits

While an optimal strategy boosts your odds, at the end of the day online casino games favor the house. Maintaining healthy self-control keeps playing entertaining without financial damage.

Use Player Protection Tools

Reputable online casinos offer an array of player protection tools to prevent excessive spending and screen for signs of addiction:

  • Deposit limits – Restrict monthly funding amounts
  • Loss limits – Automatically prevent play if net losses exceed a threshold
  • Time limits – Temporary account blocks after play session time limits reached
  • Self-exclusion – Voluntarily lock yourself out for a prolonged period

Set a Stop Loss Amount

Determine the maximum amount you can comfortably afford to lose per session. Once reached, stop playing and come back another day.

Monitor Time Spent

Even with small bets, hours of play drive up total wagers and increase expected losses. Set a timer and stick to reasonable session lengths.

Signs to Stop Immediately

You should immediately end your play session if:

  • Chasing losses with increasingly large bets
  • Becoming irritable when losing or impatient between spins
  • Neglecting other responsibilities to keep playing

Final Thoughts

With a tailored gaming strategy leveraging smart bets, bonuses, and self-discipline, your online casino experience can deliver sustainable thrills. Avoiding continuous play and high-house edge offerings prevents quick bankroll depletion. Monitoring your time and losses is equally key.

Unlike games of pure chance found in land casinos, Internet betting provides tools to control spending and risk. Setting your own restrictions supplemented with operator protections can ensure casino play remains a responsible diversion.

Combined with favorable games like blackjack and video poker, a structured approach to money management and playing time allows your bankroll – and enjoyment – to persist long-term.

Johnny Sauter joins Hattori Racing Enterprises for Truck return at IRP

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Bruce Nuttleman for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Johnny Sauter is scheuled to compete in the upcoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) with Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE) on Friday, July 19.

The 2016 Truck Series champion from Necedah, Wisconsin, is set to pilot the No. 16 AISIN Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for HRE, an organization that claimed the 2018 series’ title with Brett Moffitt and spent a total of seven seasons (2017-23) fielding at least one full-time entry in the Truck Series, where the organization accumulated a total of 14 victories and four Playoff appearances, before scaling back to a part-time campaign this season.

The No. 16 HRE Toyota team, which is led by veteran crew chief Richie Wauters, attempted to qualify at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May with veteran competitor Aric Almirola, but they were unable to due to posting a slow practice time and the on-track qualifying session being canceled amid on-track precipitation as the starting lineup was determined by a qualifying metric formula from the NASCAR Rule Book.

With 35 competitors entered for the upcoming event at Lucas Oil IRP, where all will qualify since a Truck Series field can go as high as 36, it will mark Sauter’s third Truck Series start of the 2024 season after he competed in the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway in February and at Texas Motor Speedway in April, both with Niece Motorsports. In addition to making his first start with HRE, Sauter is also scheduled to make his sixth career start at Lucas Oil IRP. His best result in five previous starts at the course is a runner-up finish during the 2004 season as he strives to improve his previous result up by a single spot.

“[Lucas Oil IRP] is a unique track, it has a very unique layout with multi-groove racing,” Sauter said. “I think track position is going to be key and staying up front out of trouble is the goal. Getting back to the truck series with Richie has been something I’ve been looking forward to since we first discussed racing at Indianapolis Raceway Park a couple weeks ago. I want to thank Shige Hattori for the opportunity to drive the No. 16 AISIN Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for the TSport 200.”

Sauter, who grew up racing across the Midwest regions before winning the 2001 ASA National Tour title, made his inaugural presence across NASCAR’s top three national touring series at Richmond Raceway in the Xfinity Series in September 2001, where he piloted the No. 21 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing to an impressive fifth place. He would collect his first two career victories in the Xfinity circuit over the next two seasons.

In 2003, Sauter competed in his first three Truck Series career races with Fasscore Motorsports. He would make eight additional starts over a four-year span (2004-05, ’06 & ’08) before inking a full-time ride with ThorSport Racing in 2009. During the 2009 season, he scored his first Truck career victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, finished in sixth place in the final standings and claimed the Rookie-of-the-Year title.

From 2009 to 2021, Sauter would establish himself as a top veteran in the Truck Series as he would add 23 additional victories to his resume, all of which he achieved between ThorSport and GMS Racing. His top accomplishment is winning his first series’ title in 2016 during his first campaign with GMS. Other accomplishments for Sauter as a Truck Series competitor include becoming the first three-time series’ winner at Daytona, winning a career-high six races in 2018, securing Playoff berths in four consecutive seasons (2016-19) along with the 2018 Truck Series Regular Season Championship, recording a career-high 19 top-10 results during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, and notching sixth-place average-finishing results as a full-time competitor during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Through 322 previous starts in the Truck Series, Sauter has achieved 24 victories, which have him ranked in fifth place in the series’ all-time wins list. He has also recorded nine poles, 116 top-five results, 186 top-10 results, 2,695 laps led and an average-finishing result of 11.2. In addition to his success in the Truck Series, Sauter has three Xfinity victories and 85 Cup career starts featured to his racing resume.

Should Sauter win this weekend’s event at Lucas Oil IRP, he would join Brett Moffitt and Austin Hill as the only competitors to win in the Truck Series while driving for HRE.

“We’re excited to have Johnny behind the wheel of our No. 16 AISIN Toyota Tundra TRD Pro at Indianapolis Raceway Park,” Shige Hattori, owner of HRE, added. “His experience in the series, with many different platforms of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series trucks, will be invaluable. He understands the unique challenges of these vehicles and this bullring-style track. Johnny will also give us a great understanding of where we are at as a team and give us some valuable feedback.”

Johnny Sauter’s first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start with Hattori Racing Enterprises is scheduled to occur this Friday, July 19, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The event’s broadcast time is slated to occur at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

TOP FUEL’S SHAWN REED THRILLED TO BE AT HOME – AND UNDER THE LIGHTS – AT NHRA NORTHWEST NATIONALS

By
Official Release
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SEATTLE (July 15, 2024) – Shawn Reed’s first time at a dragstrip came at Pacific Raceways, when he experienced the magic of drag racing growing up. Now behind the wheel of an 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster, Reed will get to be part of another Pacific Raceways first this weekend in Seattle at the 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals.

The annual stop at the scenic track in the Pacific Northwest will feature qualifying under the lights for the first time at Pacific Raceways, a must-see moment for what’s expected to be another memorable NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series weekend in Seattle.

Of course, they are all memorable there for Reed, who grew up in nearby Puyallup just miles from the historic facility. This year marks the first time since 2019 he will compete at his hometown track and he wouldn’t mind a repeat of that result in his 11,000-horsepower Reed Truck & Excavating dragster.

Reed was a semifinalist in 2019 and this season has marked a return to full-time competition in the loaded Top Fuel category. The veteran is currently 13th in points with a pair of round wins, but he’s thrilled with the progress the team has made and he can’t wait to race under the lights in Seattle – in front of plenty of family and friends – for the first time on Friday to kick off the race weekend.

“This place is the first race I ever went to,” Reed said. “It’s hard to control the emotion of getting to race here. I love racing at this track and it’s crazy how excited I always get to race in Seattle. It’s exciting thinking of all the friends and family, and employees and customers that are going to be here. It’s a lot of work, but I’m really excited to race here and that night session is going to be great. I’m a big fan of that and I think all the fans are going to love it.”

Last season, Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won in Seattle and this year’s race will be shown on FS1 and the FOX, including eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 21. It is the 11th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA season, kicking off the second half of the season, and the weekend in Seattle will also feature all four pro classes for the first time in event history, as well as the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge specialty race on Saturday.

Reed won’t compete in the bonus race on the Top Fuel end, but he is aiming for a big result as the team, led by crew chief Rob Wendland, continues to chip away. He qualified fourth in Richmond and fifth in Chicago and has just missed out on a handful of round wins this year, advancing to the second round in Phoenix and Chicago.

A technical and advancement alliance with Antron Brown’s AB Motorsports has been beneficial and Reed hopes big things are in store for the rest of the season, even while taking on the likes of points leader Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher, defending event winner Steve Torrence and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart.

“The things we’ve put together and how we’ve raced, I’m pleased,” Reed said. “We tested recently in Indy and figured some things out, so I think these last 10 races we should be able to turn some heads and win a few more rounds. We’ve been really close, but it’s a marathon. I like where we are and what’s happening with this team, and I’m having a blast. I love to compete and going against the best racers in the world. We’ve made a lot of good improvements and I’m excited to see where it goes.”

Wilkerson stepped out of his Funny Car and handed driving responsibilities to his son Daniel, who has a runner-up finish in 2024. If he wants to defend the Wilkerson win in Seattle, he’ll have to get by points leader Austin Prock, who also joined Funny Car this season, J.R. Todd, reigning champ Matt Hagan, Ron Capps and Bob Tasca III.

Herrera has dominated the Pro Stock Motorcycle division and won last year’s NHRA Northwest Nationals en route to sweeping the Western Swing and winning the world title. He is undefeated in 2024, while other riders in the class to watch are six-time champion Matt Smith, Richard Gadson, Angie Smith and Chase Van Sant.

The popular Pro Stock class will make its return to the Pacific Northwest this year and fans will want to keep an eye on rivals Greg Anderson and Erica Enders. Currently leading the points is standout and area native Dallas Glenn, who has a pair of wins on the season.

The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, featuring some of the top drivers in the sport, as well as the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout and Drag & Drive Shootout, which is a must-see for any car enthusiast.

The weekend kicks off with a fan fest at Auburn Outlets Collection on Thursday, June 18 at 5 p.m. PT, where fans can meet their drag racing heroes. On Friday between qualifying sessions, fans can take part in a special SealMaster Track Walk and an autograph power hour in the pro pits, while the nitro at night qualifying session will give fans an opportunity to win a unique wristwatch from Ben Bridge Jewelers TAG Heuer.

Fans will also be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Pacific Raceways can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Seattle. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3:30 p.m. and 8:15 PT on Friday, July 19 and two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, July 20 at 1:30 and 3:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday, July 21. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, 1 p.m. on Sunday, and then eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.

To purchase tickets to the NHRA Northwest Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com or call 800-884-6472. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Utilizing Professional Logistics and Delivery Services to Improve Your Business

By
SM
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Shipping & Logistics
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

Businesses that create and sell goods need efficient logistics and delivery services to succeed. Whether it’s a small business looking to expand or a large business seeking additional markets, logistics is a daunting task. Partnering with a reliable logistics provider such as ARDI Express; a company can provide door to door international shipping without any prior logistical knowledge. Continue reading to learn how professional logistics and delivery services can expand and benefit your business:

Efficiency and Time Management

The entire goal of a logistics service is to streamline the movement of your business’s goods to customers. Similarly, businesses in the automotive sector can rely on mobile tyre services to provide efficient, on-demand tyre replacements, ensuring minimal downtime and smooth operations. This increased efficiency comes from time saved by not having to focus on delivery, allowing effort to be directed to core business activities.

Market Reach

Established logistics service providers will have a global footprint, dramatically expanding your customer base. An expanded market reach provides a few key benefits, namely spreading your business’s brand and driving more sales and revenue growth.

Cost Efficiency

Opting for a professional logistics service often results in cost savings compared to doing it on your own. These services already have the infrastructure to handle shipping, warehousing, and distribution. All of which would require a significant investment of resources from the business. Also, there are a plethora of logistics services available, making them competitive with one another and reducing costs.

Customer Experience

Exceptional customer service is non-negotiable. A reliable logistics partner ensures timely, on-time deliveries, which are crucial for customer satisfaction and retention. A logistics partner will also streamline the resolution of inevitable shipping mistakes and errors.

Scalability and Flexibility

Businesses experience fluctuations in demand throughout the year, especially during peak seasons. Professional logistics services provide the scalability and flexibility needed to adapt to these changes seamlessly. Whether you need to ramp up operations during busy periods or adjust inventory levels based on market trends, a competent logistics partner can accommodate your evolving needs without compromising efficiency or quality. For large-format retail chains that require specialized handling — such as seasonal surges, kitting, POS display builds, and streamlined reverse logistics — a focused partner is essential. Professional retail distribution companies offer tailored 3PL for big box retailers, combining scalable warehousing, integrated transportation, and technology-driven fulfillment to help retailers adapt quickly and maintain on-shelf availability.

Access to Advanced Technology

Logistics and delivery services invest in state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure to optimize operations. This includes advanced tracking systems, route optimization software, and real-time analytics tools that provide valuable insights into supply chain performance. All the technologies can be exceedingly expensive, which is why these partnerships are favorable for businesses.

Focus on Core Competencies

Outsourcing logistics allows you to leverage specialized expertise in supply chain management, logistics planning, and transportation logistics. This strategic partnership enables you to concentrate on your core competencies and strategic initiatives without being bogged down by the intricacies of logistics management.

Conclusion

In conclusion, integrating professional logistics and delivery services into your business strategy offers numerous advantages, including operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and overall business growth. By partnering with a reputable provider, you can expand your market reach and achieve sustainable success.

Remember, the key to maximizing these benefits lies in selecting a logistics partner that aligns with your specific business needs and values. Invest in a partnership that not only meets your current requirements but also supports your long-term goals for success and expansion.

McKenna Haase on Noble Quest at Kings Royal

By
Official Release
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27-Year-Old Female Sprint Car Racer Ready to Take on Eldora

INDIANAPOLIS (July 15, 2024) – The world of sprint car racing congregates this week at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, for four nights of racing action that culminates with the 41st running of the Kings Royal.

The event features a who’s who of sprint car racing’s elite from the nascent High Limit Racing and the established World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. And for those still climbing the racing ladder, Eldora is a stage filled with opportunity. A strong run at the famed half-mile, dirt oval can rapidly grow one’s kingdom, both in terms of adoration and resources as the Kings Royal pays an impressive $175,000 to win.

McKenna Haase knows the allure of Eldora and its ability to crown racing royalty.

“A win at Eldora can be life-changing,” said Haase, who will attempt her third Kings Royal this Saturday night. “It’s hands-down one of the most expensive weeks of the year for our team. We have to spend a lot of money just to be there, which for a smaller team like mine can put our budget in a pinch. To be able to make the features is financially critical to keep our team going and to keep me going as a racecar driver. Finishing first on any of these nights, or even a top-five, is a game-changer.”

Haase (pronounced Hah-see) received some critical support earlier this year from Interstate Batteries. The leading replacement battery brand with the largest independent battery distribution system in North America signed on to sponsor Haase for 12 sprint car races in 2024, including the Kings Royal. Most importantly, it allowed Haase to hire a crew chief, something she hadn’t had in her two prior Kings Royals.

“Finally having a crew chief is huge,” said Haase, who for the majority of her sprint car career has simultaneously worn the hats of driver, team owner and crew chief. “A lot of times, we’re done racing around midnight, but then I’d have to be up at 7 a.m. and wash the car from the night before and get it ready for that night’s race.

“Over four nights of racing, stopping to sleep or taking the time to just sit down and eat was a luxury. One year at the Kings Royal, I actually considered sleeping in the trailer with the car sitting outside in my pit stall just because I was too tired to drive home and then drive back to the track. But now with a crew chief, I feel like I’m finally doing what I need to do at the track with my sponsors, and I’m showing up rested and ready to race.”

Haase’s crew chief for the Kings Royal is Lee Stauffer, a veteran sprint car mechanic who has won more than 250 races. They already have one race together – June 28 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania, where Haase was quickest in her qualifying group, second in her heat, and was running fifth in the A-main until jumping the curb late in the race, which put her 18th in the final rundown.

“Lernerville was one of the best nights we’ve had all season, so I’ve got a lot of confidence with Lee on the wrenches for this week,” Haase said.

Haase is still hands on when it comes to race preparation. The 27-year-old from Des Moines, Iowa, maintains her sprint car in Indianapolis alongside her crew of three – Tyler and Abby Hewitt, and Seth McNichols – with Stauffer flying in to events to serve as crew chief. With Stauffer providing insight to Haase over the phone and via email, she and her team gets the car ready for the track and then Stauffer fine-tunes it with real-time feedback from Haase.

“With Lee at the track, I’m definitely able to focus more as a driver,” Haase said. “We communicate really well together. We were running really well at Lernerville before I started trying too hard and got up over the curb, so we came out pretty strong together. I know for the Kings Royal, once I get the car there, I can focus on the driving and he can do the wrenching.”

That focus is especially needed with the ultra-competitive fields for which the Kings Royal is known. Kings Royal Week is the more appropriate description, with the $12,000-to win Double Down Duels on Wednesday night, the $100,000-to-win Joker’s Jackpot on Thursday night, the $25,000-to-win The Knight Before on Friday night and, of course, the marquee Kings Royal on Saturday night.

“They’re each kind of their own separate show, and every night the format’s a little different,” Haase said. “You push pretty hard in all of them because the fields are so tight, but you also don’t want to take any crazy chances that might risk tearing up your equipment. It’s a balancing act of pushing hard to get a good result so that you make the shows and get paid. You never know what night could be your night for a good run, but you’ve got to put yourself in position to make it a good night.”

How does one achieve the right position to have a good night at Eldora?

“Qualifying is crucial. You get two laps to qualify, and that really dictates the rest of the evening. You need to have a good engine and a good, fast car,” Haase said. “But when the track slicks off, you’ve got to find a way to keep your car hooked up. You don’t want to make too much horsepower to where you’re spinning the tires.

“The toughest part about Eldora is when the groove gets way up on the fence. It’s pretty gutsy because you have to run full-throttle and you have to be right on the wall. It can be pretty tricky to find that fine line between not getting up into the wall and maintaining your speed up there.

“Running the bottom is really fun because there’s a wall right there on the inside, and I like to get super, super close to it, where you can kind of feel the air between your tire and the wall.

“The fans are right down there on the other side of the wall. They’re just 12 inches from your racecar, so it’s a pretty spectacular view as a fan. I don’t think there’s anything like watching sprint cars coming out of turn two at Eldora from the infield.”

But the best view is from behind the wheel of Haase’ No. 55 Interstate Batteries machine.

“Eldora is a fantastic facility,” Haase said. “It sits down in a bowl and fans look down into the racetrack. Tony Stewart and his team have done a really good job making that facility really nice, really professional, and really good for sponsors. They have nice suites, great pyrotechnics for when we’re going four-wide, and victory lane is really cool with the fire. It’s intense and it’s a lot, but it’s something all of us enjoy coming to.”

Tickets to Kings Royal Week can be purchased here. For those unable to attend in person, Wednesday night’s Double Down Duels and Thursday night’s Joker’s Jackpot will be broadcast live on FloRacing. Friday night’s The Knight Before and Saturday night’s signature event, the Kings Royal, will be broadcast live on DIRTVision.

About Interstate Batteries

For more than 70 years, Interstate Batteries® has powered people down roads, trails and waterways and businesses to succeed. Best known for its starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries, this product has been under car hoods since 1952, each one backed by the company’s service, quality and value. Interstate All Battery Center® provides portable power in both retail and commercial markets. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Interstate Batteries is an industry leader in recycling efforts, as well as a global leader in safe lead handling practices. Guided by a set of common values, the company’s purpose is to glorify God and enrich lives while delivering the most trustworthy source of power to the world. For more information, visit www.InterstateBatteries.com.

TEAM ISOTTA FRASCHINI DUQUEINE FORCED TO RETIRE JUST TWO HOURS FROM THE FINISH LINE

By
Official Release
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6 HOURS OF SÃO PAULO: TEAM ISOTTA FRASCHINI DUQUEINE FORCED TO RETIRE JUST TWO HOURS FROM THE FINISH LINE
A good start, moving from 19th to 15th position, then falling back and a forced pit stop.

São Paulo (Brazil), July 15, 2024 – It started as a very promising weekend at the Interlagos circuit for the Isotta Fraschini Duqueine team. However, despite significant progress in lap times and race pace during practice and qualifying, which saw the Tipo 6 LMH Competizione significantly close the gap with the hypercars of other teams, the Italian-French team was forced to retire due to an engine problem just two hours before the checkered flag.

The return of the 6 Hours to the Brazilian track after a 10-year absence from the WEC calendar was marked by favorable weather conditions that allowed for a smooth race in front of an audience of over 73,200 spectators from around the world.

On Sunday (July 14), despite a strong performance in the first part of the race, with the number 11 moving from 19th to 15th position, a problem with the car, on which the technical and engineering team is currently conducting assessments, caused a setback on the scoreboard, dropping to 19th place before Bennet’s forced pit stop on lap 149.

Jean-Karl Vernay: “It was a very positive weekend. We’ve never shown such strong pace in qualifying. One of the goals was to improve race speed, and indeed at Interlagos, we recorded our best result. This is very encouraging. We were faster than many other cars, so this is super positive for the future of Isotta Fraschini Duqueine. It’s a pity the car had that problem, preventing us from finishing the race. We need to understand what happened, but performance-wise, there were significant improvements on track and compared to the rest of the field in the race. This is what we need to remember from this weekend in São Paulo.”

Carl Wattana Bennet: “There were positives and negatives this weekend in Brazil. We will keep working hard to be ready for COTA. We saw a very positive step in lap times during qualifying, and I’m confident that the Isotta Fraschini Duqueine team will continue to improve and move in the right direction!”

Antonio Serravalle: “It was a good weekend. We made great progress from Le Mans to here. We were only 1.5 seconds off the top in qualifying, and the pace was quite good in the first two stints until we had a small issue that forced us to retire. I’m looking forward to going to COTA.”

Overall, it was a positive weekend at the historic Autódromo José Carlos Pace for the Isotta Fraschini Duqueine team. Despite the unexpected setback, they are already looking forward to the sixth race of the season, scheduled for September 1, 2024, in Austin (USA) at the Circuit of the Americas, with the Lone Star Le Mans (COTA).

Stay tuned!

Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams Winward Racing and Thaze Competition Anchor Championship Lead-Extending and Race-Winning Weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

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Official Release
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BOWMANVILLE, Ontario, Canada – Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing team Winward Racing secured a series-leading fifth podium finish of the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season Sunday at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park to extend the 2024 GT Daytona (GTD) class points leads across three categories. The No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 team and drivers Russell Ward and Philip Ellis turned in another competitive and flawless performance for a second-place GTD class finish that increased their points leads in the WeatherTech GTD team and driver standings and Mercedes-AMG’s first-place standing in the GTD manufacturer championship.

Sunday’s solid run to second place, that saw the No. 57 cross the finish line 5.060 seconds behind the GTD class winner, followed race wins by Ward, Ellis and the Winward No. 57 in four of the five races that made up the first half of the 10-race season.

Beginning the year’s final stretch of five races with the same competitive form as the opening half, starting driver Ward rolled off from sixth on the GTD grid and battled with the lead pack from the drop of the green flag. Ward steadily climbed up the running order as he drove a lengthy double stint that kept him behind the wheel for nearly the first 100 minutes of the two-hour and 40-minute race.

Ward pitted from second with one hour remaining to hand off the No. 57 to Ellis, who returned to the race in the same position and was set to hold it to the finish and bank away some valuable championship points. A late caution with less than 15 minutes to go closed up the field and put the No. 57 in closer touch with the GTD leader, but Ellis stayed focused on the championship picture and didn’t attempt a late charge for the win.

The end result of the disciplined performance was a second-place points haul that further extended the points leads across the GTD driver, team and manufacturer championships with four races remaining on this year’s 10-race calendar.

Ward, Ellis and the Winward No. 57 came into this weekend’s race in Canada 305 points ahead of the nearest driver and team championship challengers but have now increased that season-high lead to 340 points, 2090 – 1,750.
Mercedes-AMG maintains an even larger lead in the GTD manufacturer championship battle with 2,185 points, a full season-high 397 ahead of the second-place competitor’s 1,788 points.

To put all three championship leads into perspective, the maximum points available to a driver, team or manufacturer in all GTD championships for a race win is 350.

Mercedes-AMG’s margin in the manufacturer championship, which amounts to more than a full race points lead, has also been supported this season by the No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 team and co-drivers Mikael Grenier and Mike Skeen.

Grenier qualified a Mercedes-AMG best fourth at CTMP and joined Ward in the GTD top three for a good portion of the middle part of the race. Like Ellis and the No. 57, Skeen took over the No. 32 for the race’s final hour and a top-five finish or better appeared to be a possibility.

Skeen was running fifth in the GTD lead pack in the closing minutes of the race when a late full course caution set the stage for a frantic fight to the finish with nine minutes remaining. With GTD Pro cars, battling for their own class victory, in the mix, Skeen was momentarily moved off line and into the loose “marbles” on the edge of the circuit. The No. 32 slipped from fifth to eighth place and, for the second-straight race, the Korthoff team and drivers were forced to settle for a finish not indicative of their race performance.

Despite the disappointing finish, the No. 32 Korthoff team and drivers moved to third in the WeatherTech Championship GTD team and driver championship standings following CTMP.

The race-winning performance for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams at CTMP was turned in by Thaze Competition and emerging talent Josh Green who combined for the first IMSA race wins for both the team and the driver in Sunday’s rain-plagued 45-minute sprint race.

Building on a third-place finish in Saturday’s first VP Racing sprint, Green ran fourth in the No. 78 Thaze Competition Mercedes-AMG GT4 from the start of Sunday’s race. The opening laps were run in the dry but under threatening skies that soon opened up with a steady downpour.

Green moved to third at the onset of the rain and then pitted with the rest of the field under caution for a mandatory switch to rain tires. The race resumed for a wet and wild six-minute dash to the finish, and both Green and the Mercedes-AMG GT4 proved well suited for the rainy conditions. After an exploratory lap or two to determine the various conditions around the course, Green made his move with just over one lap remaining to pass both the first and second place competitors at the same time and take the checkered flag for a 1.208 seconds margin of victory.

Next up for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams in the WeatherTech Championship is the August 2 – 4 race weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

Mercedes-AMG Motorsport customer teams in the VP Racing series next compete at the Michelin GT Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), August 23 – 25.

Russell Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Sometimes you can’t get it done just on the race track. Some of the other competitors have a better rules package than we do right now, but it just shows when you put it all together and execute well – make no mistakes – you can get the most out of your available performance. Hats off again to the team, and it was just an incredible effort out of them once again. We are really looking to win this championship. We have won some races the last few years. We know we are capable of the race wins, but as sweet as they are, this team has never had a championship. That’s really our 100 percent focus, and you just have to stay out of trouble. You can’t do well if you don’t finish. We have got the speed, we have got the confidence, we’ve got the momentum, so we just need to execute on all of that. It’s difficult when you put the helmet on because you want to go out there and you just want to be the fastest. You want to be first, but really, we just need to bring this one home, and we are going to bring it home.”

Philip Ellis, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It’s very satisfying. We took the maximum out of the car that we could today, but we are just lacking pace with the current rules compared to some of the competition. All in all, given the circumstances, it was a perfect weekend, and we increased the gap again in the championship. It sure would have been nice to have another win under our belts, but it wasn’t there this weekend. We will continue in the year’s final races with the same plan we have followed all year. We will stay clean, stay out of trouble, maximize the points we have in hand and try to keep the championship lead straight to the end of the season.”

Mike Skeen, Driver – No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3: “The Korthoff Preston Motorsports guys have been doing a fantastic job week in and week out. We had a podium here last year and we were very hopeful coming in that we could repeat that. We had a good position most of the race to capitalize on that, but some things just didn’t fall perfectly for us, but super happy for these guys. They just keep hustling and trying to make it all work, and maybe one of these days we will put it up on top.”

Josh Green, Driver – No. 78 Thaze Competition Mercedes-AMG GT4: “I am super pumped. I was doing the rain dance the whole weekend. Once we put the wets on, I was pretty confident. I’ve had a lot of great races in the rain. We actually had an LMP3 car kind of get stuck in front of us and he blocked everyone, and I knew that that was going to be the opportunity to get clear. It feels sweet, I’m so happy. Thaze Competition is such an awesome group, it’s like family to me, and I’ve been so lucky that they took me under their wing. It’s my first real season in sports cars and to win our first times together after a few races is just awesome.”

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