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FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE WINS AT POCONO WITH BLANEY AND CUSTER

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Official Release
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LONG POND, PA – July 15, 2024 – Ryan Blaney won the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday marking his second win of the season, 12th of his career, and second at Pocono. Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer also won the Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 on Saturday in the Xfinity Series, completing a weekend sweep for the Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

“Congratulations to Ford Performance, Team Penske, and Stewart-Haas Racing on the wins at Pocono” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Pocono is a special track to Roush Yates Engines as we had our first win with the FR9 engine in 2010 with Greg Biffle. To see Ryan and Cole win these races showcases all the dedication and hard work by our Ford Performance teams.”

Sunday’s 160-lap race started with three Ford Performance drivers in the top-10: Stewart-Haas Racing’s Josh Berry in P5 along with Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney in P8 and Joey Logano in P10. After the first stage ended, Team Penske’s Joey Logano and RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski started on the front row in Stage 2. Prior to the end of Stage 2, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney and RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher took fuel and fresh tires that lasted until the end of the race. As stage 3 began, Buescher took the lead with Blaney right behind him. With 40 laps remaining, Blaney took the lead and maintained it throughout multiple restarts. Blaney won over second place Denny Hamlin by 1.312 seconds.

“I think we are in a better spot at this time this year than where we were last year at this point. I feel like our speed is better. Our execution is great. We are doing everything as a 12 group the best that we can. We have had some other unforeseen circumstances that have hindered some finishes and possible wins. I am so proud of this Team Penske group. All the men and women at the race shop, they work their butts off to try to get better and deal with the drivers when they say we need to get a lot better. I appreciate them and Roush Yates Engines and all the work they do and continue to do. Go USA,” commented Blaney.

Team Penske’s Joey Logano finished in P5 and RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski finished in P7.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series also raced at Pocono on Saturday. Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer took the lead from Justin Allgaier on a restart with nine laps remaining and maintained the lead until the end of the race, beating Allgaier to the checkered flag by .670 seconds. The victory marked Custer’s first win of the 2024 season and second at Pocono. Custer becomes the first driver to win multiple Xfinity Series races at the track following his first win in 2019. The win also allowed Custer to extend his lead in the Xfinity Series point standings and now holds a 51-point advantage over second place Justin Allgaier.

“This means so much. These guys have worked so hard this year and just haven’t gotten that final result. It is awesome to get it here at Pocono. This is such an awesome race track that is hard to win at. I can’t thank all of them enough. An unbelievable car. Doug Yates gave us awesome Roush Yates horsepower,” commented Custer.

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Riley Herbst finished Saturday’s race in P11 and RSS Racing’s Ryan Sieg finished in P12.

The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series both compete this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana.
39 CHAMPIONSHIPS – 465 WINS – 432 POLES

*Photos courtesy of NASCAR Media & Getty Images

About Roush Yates Engines
Roush Yates Engines is a leading-edge engine development company based in Mooresville, NC consisting of two state-of-the-art facilities – Roush Yates Engines and Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions, a world class AS9100 Rev D/ISO 13485 certified CNC manufacturing facility. The company’s core business includes designing, building and testing purpose-built race engines.

Ford Performance in partnership with Roush Yates Engines is the exclusive engine builder of the NASCAR FR9 Ford V8 engine.

With an unparalleled culture of winning and steeped in rich racing history, Roush Yates Engines continues to follow the company’s vision to lead performance engine innovation and staying true to the company’s mission, provide race winning engines through demonstrated power and performance.

NASCAR Top-10 Power Rankings: Pocono

By
Jeffrey Boswell
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Photo by Kirk Schroll for SpeedwayMedia.com. Pocono Weekend Schedule

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

1. Ryan Blaney: Blaney took the lead in the pits on Lap 116 and held on until the end to win the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono, his second win of the season.

“I think this gives us great momentum heading into Indianapolis,” Blaney said. “A lot of drivers have stated how much ‘kissing the bricks’ means to them. Jeff Gordon once compared it to locking lips with his ex-wife Brooke.”

2. Denny Hamlin: Hamlin won Stage 2 at Pocono, but came up short to Ryan Blaney in the final start and settled for the runner-up spot.

“I had a few on-track battles with my old nemesis Alex Bowman,” Hamlin said. “Alex thinks he’s on my level. He’s not. People don’t hate him; they just really dislike him.”

3. Tyler Reddick: Reddick finished sixth at Pocono, posting his 14th top 10 of the year.

“My No. 45 Toyota featured the Money Lion paint scheme,” Reddick said. “When that’s on my car, Michael Jordan gets really excited, but only because he thinks it says ‘money line.'”

4. Christopher Bell: Bell ran in the top 10 for the majority of the day at Pocono and finished 12th.

“The No. 20 Rheem Toyota wasn’t the fastest car on the track,” Bell said, “but we still managed a top 12. That’s mostly thanks to my pit crew. It’s like they say: ‘Rheem work makes the dream work.'”

5. Kyle Larson: A late pit road speeding penalty cost Larson a lot of track position, and he finished 13th at Pocono.

“All it takes is one mistake to ruin your day,” Larson said. “And I made that mistake. Basically, I put the ‘O no’ in ‘Pocono.'”

6. Chase Elliott: Elliott finished ninth in the Great American Getaway 400.

“The broadcast of the race went head to head with that of the Spain vs England European Championship,” Elliott said. “I doubt there is much crossover in those two audiences. If you told the patrons down at the Dawsonville Pool Room that the European Championship was on TV, many would ask ‘Is it streaming?'”

7. William Byron: Byron finished fourth at Pocono, scoring his first top 5 since Iowa on June 16th.

“I haven’t won since Martinsville in early April,” Byron said. “I was in top form then, and I know I still have it in me. It’s like eating a Martinsville hot dog; it’s still going to be in you three months later.”

8. Alex Bowman: Bowman backed up his win at Chicago with a solid third-place result at Pocono.

“The words on my car say ‘Best Friends,'” Bowman said. “Best Friends has everything to do with the animal welfare organization, and nothing to do with my relationship with Bubba Wallace.”

9. Martin Truex Jr.: Truex won Stage 1 at Pocono and finished eighth in the Great American Getaway 400.

“I’m still looking for my first win of the season,” Truex said. “It would be awfully climactic if my first win of the season came at Phoenix in November to win the championship. It would be awfully anti-climactic if my first win came at Phoenix as someone else won the championship.”

10. Ross Chastain: Chastain suffered a steering issue on Lap 53, which sent him sliding into the turn 3 wall. The accident ended his day and Chastain finished 36th.

“When you’re fighting for a playoff spot,” Chastain said, “a terrible result like this can make you sick to your stomach, much like drinking Busch Light Peach.”

Byron left “proud” with fourth-place run at Pocono

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Jeff Clemons for SpeedwayMedia.com.

William Byron capped off a day that started strong by notching a fourth-place run in The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, July 14.

The 2024 Daytona 500 champion from Charlotte, North Carolina, who featured the bold red and black RAPTOR High Heat scheme on his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry for the first time since Atlanta Motor Speedway in February, commenced the weekend on a strong note by posting his best qualifying lap at 169.661 mph in 53.047 seconds. The qualifying run was enough for him to start in second place as he shared the front row with fellow Charlotte competitor Ty Gibbs.

When the green flag waved, Byron made an early bid for the lead as he dueled with Gibbs during the opening lap. After being edged by Gibbs to lead the first lap, Byron would settle in second before he would be intimidated by Gibbs’ teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin for more. Byron, who would remain on the track following the event’s first caution period on Lap 14 along with a majority of the front-runners, would proceed to settle in fourth place when the first stage period concluded on Lap 30. Despite restarting outside the top 20 due to pitting during the first stage’s break period, Byron would methodically carve his way back to the front and finish in fourth place for a second time of the day as the second stage period concluded on Lap 95.

Restarting in 15th place as the final stage period commenced with 60 laps remaining, Byron would manage through a total of four caution periods and restarts, including the latest one with 23 laps remaining, to steer the No. 24 Chevrolet to a fourth-place result in the final running order. The result came as Byron prevailed in a late multi-car battle for the fourth spot that included Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski and Martin Truex Jr.

Byron’s fourth-place finish at Pocono marked his seventh top-five result through 21-scheduled starts of the 2024 season, his first at Pocono since finishing in third place in 2021 and his first since finishing in the runner-up spot at Iowa Speedway four races ago. It also came a day after he finished in third place while driving the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro entry during Saturday’s Xfinity Series event. Combined with his fourth-place finish and the stage points he accumulated, Byron swapped spots with Truex in the 2024 regular-season standings as he is ranked in fifth place while trailing points leader and teammate Chase Elliott by 57 points. Byron along with the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team led by crew chief Ryan “Rudy” Fugle are already guaranteed a spot in the 2024 Playoffs based on winning the Daytona 500, Circuit of the Americas and Martinsville Speedway earlier this season between February and April.

The result left the Charlotte native pleased despite being mired with four results of 15th or worse over his previous seven starts but striving to gain more ground before the 2024 Cup Series Playoffs commence in early September.

“This is definitely a really good result,” Byron said on USA Network. “We just kind of executed our way through the race. Not everything went our way, but for the most part, we did a good job with the circumstances and the restarts and everything. Just really proud of the effort. Our team did a great job. The RAPTOR Chevrolet was decent all day. Certainly good to get a fourth place and just, hopefully, work on the things that we need to work on going to Indianapolis, which is somewhat [a] similar track [to Pocono]. Looking forward to that. Just two good weeks, two good finishes in a row, so proud of that.”

With Pocono in the rearview mirror, Byron will attempt to win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the return of the Brickyard 400 in what will be his eighth Cup start at the famed venue located near Downtown Indianapolis next weekend. Byron’s current best result at Indianapolis is fourth, which occurred in 2019. He achieved his first NASCAR national touring series victory at Indianapolis in July 2017 when he fended off former Brickyard 400 champion Paul Menard to win in what would be his first motorsports start at Indy.

Having won the 2024 Daytona 500 in car No. 24, Byron approaches Indianapolis with a unique goal of keeping the No. 24 victorious at Indianapolis in years that end with the number 4. Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, piloted the No. 24 car to victory during the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994 before he would win his fourth in 2004 and his record-setting fifth in 2014.

Should Byron win this year’s Brickyard 400, he would become the first competitor to win both the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 in the same season since Jamie McMurray made the last accomplishment in 2010. McMurray along with Cup Series champions Dale Jarrett and Jimmie Johnson are the only competitors to win both crown-jewel events in the same season.

William Byron’s 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule continues with the return of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event is scheduled to occur next Sunday, July 21, and air at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Chastain and Kyle Busch Playoff hopes jeopardized amid on-track incidents at Pocono

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Jeff Clemons for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Ross Chastain and Kyle Busch both had a day to forget following separate on-track incidents of their own during The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, July 14, leaving their hopes of making the 2024 Cup Series Playoffs in jeopardy.

Chastain, who started in 19th place but was mired in 31st place after the first stage period on Lap 30 saw his race go south on Lap 53 when he slid sideways and hit the outside wall in Turn 3 while running in 21st place. Then while trying to nurse his car through the frontstretch, Chastain locked up his front tires and ended up going straight into the outside wall in Turn 1, which resulted in his No. 1 Busch Light Peach Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry sustaining more right-side damage. Despite driving back to pit road, the damage would be enough to conclude Chastain’s event in his pit stall and in 36th place, the next-to-last spot and strapped with his third DNF of the 2024 season.

With the result, Chastain, who came into Pocono 53 points above the top-16 cutline to make the 2024 Cup Series Playoffs, is only 27 points above the cutline as he holds the 16th and final transfer spot into the Playoffs ahead of Bubba Wallace with five regular-season events remaining on this year’s calendar. Chastain, the 2022 championship runner-up, is currently one of four competitors currently scored inside the cutline despite being winless through 21 scheduled events in 2024, including Martin Truex Jr., Ty Gibbs and Chris Buescher. His last series victory occurred during the 2023 season-finale event at Phoenix Raceway this past November. Currently, Chastain’s best result in 2024 is a fourth-place run generated at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March as he attempts to make his third consecutive appearance as a Playoff competitor.

“I just spun out,” Chastain said while describing the incident after being released from the infield care center. “I just flat spun out. We were all sliding around, but I just spun out. It felt like it happened in slow motion. Yeah, obviously frustrated with myself, but can’t take it back now.”

Compared to Chastain who remains above the cutline and in the position of making the Playoffs based on points, Kyle Busch’s 2024 Playoff hopes sit solely on winning one of the remaining five regular-season events as he trails the cutline by triple digits with few races and little time to gain the lost points week by week.

Busch’s long afternoon at Pocono occurred before the event’s start as his No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team had to address an oil leak discovered on Busch’s Camaro ZL1 entry. Despite making the repairs in the garage stall before the car was pushed to pit lane for the starting grid, Busch, who qualified in 24th place, dropped to the rear of the field due to the unapproved adjustment.

Once he took the green flag, Busch managed to methodically carve his way to 20th place when the first stage period concluded on Lap 30. Lining up in 14th place for the start of the second stage period on Lap 35, Busch, who along with teammate Austin Dillon spent extra time on pit road to have the brakes serviced during a caution period that started on Lap 52, would fall back and be mired within the top 30 despite remaining on the lead lap when the stage concluded on Lap 95.

Being mired in the mid-pack region when the final stage commenced with 60 laps remaining, Busch, who would line up in 16th place during another restart period with 40 laps remaining, was then trying to block Corey LaJoie through the frontstretch as a pyramid of competitors racing him were fanning out to multiple lanes. With both Busch and LaJoie making contact during the process, LaJoie would then veer right, clip and send Busch for a spin towards the bottom of the track entering Turn 1. Busch’s car then came spinning back across the track, where he would tag Ryan Preece into Harrison Burton and collide sideways into Ricky Stenhouse Jr., which crumbled the right side of Busch’s No. 8 zone/GetGo Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entry. Despite trying to nurse his damaged car back to pit road, Busch then parked his car below the apron, removed the steering wheel and lowered his window net as he climbed out uninjured and had his car towed back to the garage.

The accident not only left Busch strapped with his fifth DNF of the 2024 season, but it also left the two-time Cup Series champion from Las Vegas, Nevada, with his 10th result outside the top 20 through 21-scheduled starts and his sixth over the previous eight races. In addition, Busch, who remains winless this season and came into Pocono trailing the top-16 cutline by 98 points, now trails the cutline by 102 points with five regular-season events remaining on the schedule. Busch’s last Cup victory occurred at World Wide Technology Raceway in June 2023 as he attempts to extend his current-record streak of winning at least one race a season to 20 consecutive years. Busch is also attempting to make his 17th career appearance in the Playoffs, with his last Playoff absence occurring in 2012.

Photo by Kirk Schroll for SpeedwayMedia.com.

After being released from the infield care center, Busch minced his words and offered very little detail on his perspective over the incident with LaJoie, who finished 19th.

“I just want to give thanks to all of our partners, everybody at RCR, ECR, zone, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Lucas Oil, Chevrolet.. everybody that supports us. We’re having the opportunity to go out there and have some fun; try to continue to work on our program and build everything up. It’s just unfortunate circumstances. Thank you to Rowdy Nation, all the fans and everybody for their continued support. We’ll go back to work and get ready for Indianapolis.”

With Pocono Raceway in the rearview mirror, both Chastain and Busch shift their attention to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the return of the Brickyard 400 and to regain the lost ground spilled from the Tricky Triangle in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Busch enters the upcoming Brickyard 400 as a former winner of the event, with the Las Vegas native achieving back-to-back Brickyard 400 victories in 2015 and 2016. Since then, he has finished no higher than sixth over his last seven trips to Indianapolis as he attempts to become the fourth competitor to achieve at least three Brickyard 400 victories. Meanwhile, Chastain has yet to win at Indianapolis as he is scheduled to make his seventh start at the iconic venue this season. His current best result at Indy is 17th place, which occurred twice between 2020 and 2023. He nearly won at the Indianapolis road course venue in 2022 but used the off-track access road to move atop the leaderboard, where he would settle in second place behind Tyler Reddick before he was assessed a 30-second time penalty, which dropped him to 27th place in the final running order.

The bid to make the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for both Ross Chastain and Kyle Busch continues with the return of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event is scheduled to occur next Sunday, July 21, and air at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Sean Creech Motorsport Takes Tenth at CTMP

By
Official Release
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IMSA Canadian Tire Motorsports Park 2024

BOWMANVILLE, Ontario, Canada (15 July 2024) – Sean Creech Motorsport finished 10th overall in Sunday’s Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park with drivers Lance Willsey and Joao Barbosa. The two hour, forty-minute race marked the fourth round of the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar LMP2 class Championship as the series traveled north of the border to take on the 2.45-circuit staged 70 miles East of Toronto.

Carrying a distinctive livery that proudly carried the Canadian flag in homage to a remarkable family story, Willsey had a clean start to the three-class race as the LMP2 category featured in the IMSA sprint event. Starting in 12th, Willsey had moved up to tenth just 20 minutes in as the team made a bold call to pit early to top off on fuel. The move had Willsey fueled up to race all the way through his Bronze driver time and would have allowed the No. 33 entry to leapfrog the other runners later in the race.

But the advantage was lost when a full course caution was called just moments later, allowing all the teams to pit and adapt to the Creech strategy.

Willsey put his head down on the restart and was able to move back up, vacillating between 8th and 9th position before turning the car over to Barbosa with an hour and forty minutes left to go.

Rejoining the fray 26th overall, Barbosa was able to make up ground as he moved back up to the top ten with an hour and twenty minutes elapsed. With the team making some final tweaks to the car on the final pit stop, Barbosa returned in 11th but was able to move up and cross the line 10th at the finish.

“We struggled for pace this weekend, it was sort of ‘two steps forward, one step back’ with the car,” said Willsey. “But the crew worked very hard as always, and we kept chipping away at it over the course of the weekend, but we never got it in the zone. But the racing here is nothing less than spectacular. The crowds are great and it’s a wonderful, wonderful place to come and spend the weekend. The track is short and incredibly fast and is one of the busier tracks that we go to, particularly with the multiclass racing. But even though I’ve never done especially well here, it remains one of my favorite places to come to and favorite tracks.”

“The team tried some out-of-the-box thinking with the strategy that I think would have been really really good, but then we had that yellow, so it didn’t work out!” sighed Barbosa. “It was definitely a learning weekend for us. We had challenges with the car but on the final restart, it just kind of came alive and gave me a lot more confidence which is so important here. So we will have to just go back and look at that. We knew it was going to be a hard race for us but the team did everything well this weekend and executed great stops and strategy in the race, so we’ll take the positives and look forward to the next race at Road America.”

SCM thanks partner Focal One for its continued support.

Next up for SCM and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is the IMSA SportsCar Weekend at “America’s National Park of Speed,” Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., August 2-4. The race will be broadcast live in the U.S. on Peacock, with an encore broadcast later in the evening on CNBC. International viewers can watch via IMSA.TV, with IMSA Radio also available at IMSA.com.

About SCM

Team leader Sean Creech has competed in a multitude of sports car series from 1990 until the present day, including Group C, IMSA GTP, WSC, Grand-Am, SRO World Challenge, and IMSA. SCM will contest the full WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2024 with João Barbosa and Lance Willsey. http://seancreechmotorsport.com/

About Focal One

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime in the United States. The Focal One® HIFU Prostate treatment offers patients a non-invasive outpatient procedure to target prostate tissue while avoiding the common side effects such as loss of urinary continence and sexual function. The Focal One treatment uses high-performance, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to precisely target and ablate the prostate, allowing patients to quickly return to normal activities. http://www.focalone.com/

SCM Social Media

Instagram: @seancreechms
Twitter: @SeanCreechMS
Threads: @seancreechms
Facebook: Sean Creech Motorsport

Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Pocono

By
Official Release
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The Great American Getaway 400: Pocono Raceway
Pocono, PA – July 14, 2024
NASCAR TRACKS – POCONO RACEWAY – NASCAR 101

AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 MENARDS/RICHMOND FORD MUSTANG

START: 20TH STAGE ONE: 35TH STAGE TWO: 31ST FINISH: 18TH POINTS: 19TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric and the No. 2 Menards/Richmond team registered an 18th-place finish in Sunday’s Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway. Cindric started the 400-mile race from the 20th position and battled a tight-handling Ford Mustang through the start of the race. When the first caution flew on Lap 14, the No. 2 team elected to stay out, lining up 12th for the restart. With three laps remaining in the opening stint, the Team Penske driver visited pit road for a four-tire service stop, resulting in a 35th place finish in Stage 1 as varying strategies played out across the teams. Cindric, a former winner at Pocono in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, fired off 22nd for the start of the second segment, but continued to fight a tight condition inside the Menards/Richmond machine. Cindric remained on-track when a caution for the No. 1 slowed the field on Lap 52, cycling to the top-five for the ensuing restart as many cars opted to pit. The 25-year-old driver returned to the attention of his crew on pit road with less than 25 laps to go in Stage 2, ultimately finishing 31st. Still facing a less-than-ideal tightness, Cindric stayed out at the break, positioning himself sixth for the restart. Despite losing track position as those with newer tires charged forward, Cindric capitalized on some late race incidents to regain spots, resulting in an 18th-place finish.

CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “I think we made some good calls strategy-wise to put together the race. Just unfortunately, every time we didn’t need a caution, we got a caution. So I’m proud of the effort, but we kind of had to reset ourselves a few times throughout the day and kind of just had to play it straight-up from the tail at the end of the race to get inside the top 20 there. Overall, it was a decent weekend for the Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang, but I’m happy for the 12 boys. We’ll take what we learned and hopefully apply to Indy next weekend.”

RYAN BLANEY No. 12 WABASH FORD MUSTANG

START: 8TH STAGE ONE: 29TH STAGE TWO: 27TH FINISH: 1ST POINTS: 7TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney led a race-high 44 laps to earn his second win of the 2024 season Sunday at Pocono Raceway, marking his second victory in the last five races. Team Penske has now won four of the last seven NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) races while Blaney’s win Sunday serves as Team Penske’s first at Pocono since 2011. Blaney now has three career multi-win seasons to his credit – all coming in the last four years – after picking up his 12th-career Cup Series victory. The win also marks Blaney’s second NCS triumph at the 2.5-mile track after taking his first-career checkered flag in 2017 while driving for Wood Brothers Racing. After starting eighth Sunday, the Wabash Ford Mustang showed top-five speed from the drop of the green flag. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler put the 12 team’s strategy in motion early on, bringing Blaney to pit road in the closing laps of each of the first two stages to set him up for the final run of the afternoon. Following Stage 2, Blaney stayed out under caution and lined up on the outside of row two to take the green for the final segment. Blaney wheeled the Wabash Ford up to second in the running order during the opening laps of the run, but a tight-handling condition initially kept him from chasing down the leader. The caution flag flew with 45 laps to go as the field hit pit road for the final time as Hassler made the call for right side tires only, allowing Blaney to exit second. However, a pit road speeding penalty issued to the No. 5 turned the lead over to Blaney as he chose to restart from the outside of row one with 40 laps remaining. A trio of cautions over the span of 12 laps continued to bring the field back together despite Blaney clearing the inside lane out of turn one on each restart. Ultimately, the field took the green for the final time with 23 laps to go as Blaney once again powered around the inside row off the exit of turn one and worked to stretch his advantage as the laps ticked off. The No. 48 closed in on the Blaney’s bumper during the opening laps of the run, but his long-run speed prevailed as the Wabash Ford steadily increased the gap on the field. After stretching his lead out to over two seconds, Blaney took the checkered flag to claim the 12 team’s second win of the season.

BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “I think things are just kind of falling into place for us. I feel like we have gotten to a great place on speed in the last two months, especially. I feel like we honestly had a couple races slip away from us which I thought we had a good shot at winning. It was nice to stick to the plan today and our plan was to have track position at the end. I knew our car was fast enough. I am super proud of the whole 12 team. The Wabash Ford Mustang was amazing. I appreciate Menards, BODYARMOR, the Wurth Group, Advance Auto Parts, DEX Imaging and everyone that makes this possible. It is so cool to win here again. I think we are in a better spot at this time this year than where we were last year at this point. I feel like our speed is better. Our execution is great. We are doing everything as a 12 group the best that we can. We have had some other unforeseen circumstances that have hindered some finishes and possible wins. I am so proud of this Team Penske group. All the men and women at the race shop, they work their butts off to try to get better and deal with the drivers when they say we need to get a lot better. I appreciate them and Roush Yates Engines and all the work they do and continue to do.”

JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG

START: 10TH STAGE ONE: 7TH STAGE TWO: 9TH FINISH: 5TH POINTS: 14TH

RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano wheeled the Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang to a fifth-place finish Sunday at Pocono Raceway, marking his fourth top-five finish of the season. Logano battled a loose-handling condition throughout the 30-lap opening stage but rallied to come away with a seventh-place finish in Stage 1. After opting to stay out during the stage break, Logano assumed the lead and restarted the second segment from the outside of row one but was shuffled out of line in turn one before settling into 10th in the running order. Despite reporting a tight condition while in traffic, Logano began to make his way back up through the field in the closing laps of Stage 2 as the No. 22 team altered its strategy to go opposite of the leaders who hit pit road prior to the end of the stage. Ultimately, Logano notched a ninth-place finish in the second segment before a four tire stop under caution prior to the start of the final stage saw Logano line up 12th to take the green flag. After making his way back into the top-10, a caution with 45 laps to go prompted crew chief Paul Wolfe to make the call for right side tires only when pit road opened while several speeding penalties ahead vaulted Logano to fourth in the running order before going back green. Three cautions over the next 12 laps aided the 22 team’s fuel strategy as Logano shifted his focus to making it to the end without the need for an additional stop as he lined up fourth with 23 laps to go. Logano went on to maintain top-five pace the rest of the way before taking the checkered flag fifth.

LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “Overall, a top-five, you have to be somewhat happy with that. We had speed there toward the end of the race and I think we could have run in the top two. I don’t know if we could have been better than Ryan [Blaney] or not, but it just took us too long to get the balance right. Once we got the track position and the balance close, I about wrecked it on the restart. Those spots there kind of ultimately cost us a chance to win it, but overall I am proud of the speed that we brought to a track like this. It makes me look forward to Indy a little bit more where we have some long straightaways again and it seemed like our car was decent on the straightaways this time.”

The NASCAR Cup Series makes its return to the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 21. Coverage of the Brickyard 400 begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, IMS Radio Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Rick Ware Racing: The Great American Getaway 400 from Pocono

By
Official Release
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RICK WARE RACING
The Great American Getaway 400
Date: July 14, 2024
Event: The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VisitPA.com (Round 21 of 36)
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Pocono (Pa.) Raceway (2.5-mile triangle)
Format: 160 laps, broken into three stages 30 laps/65 laps/65 laps)

Race Winner: Ryan Blaney of Team Penske (Ford)
Stage 1 Winner: Martin Truex Jr. of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)
Stage 2 Winner: Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

RWR Race Finish:

● Justin Haley (Started 34th, Finished 22nd / Running, completed 160 of 160 laps)
● Cody Ware (Started 35th, Finished 26th / Overheating, completed 134 of 160 laps)

RWR Points:

● Justin Haley (29th with 302 points)
● Cody Ware (39th with 28 points)

RWR Notes:

● This was Haley’s fourth NASCAR Cup Series start at Pocono. His best finish remains 21st, earned in 2021.
● Haley’s 22nd-place finish was a team-best for RWR at Pocono. The previous best finish was a 25th-place result, earned three times – 2019 with Bayley Currey, 2021 with Cody Ware and 2023 with Cole Custer.
● This was Ware’s fifth NASCAR Cup Series start at Pocono. His best finish remains 25th, earned in 2021.

Race Notes:

● Ryan Blaney won The Great American 400 presented by VisitPA.com to score his 12th career NASCAR Cup Series victory, his second of the season and his second at Pocono. His margin of victory over second-place Denny Hamlin was 1.312 seconds.
● This was Ford’s 733rd all-time NASCAR Cup Series victory and its fourth of the season.
● This was Ford’s 25th NASCAR Cup Series victory at Pocono. The manufacturer won its first race at Pocono on June 9, 1985 with NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, who went on to sweep both races that season.
● There were eight caution periods for a total of 34 laps.
● Only 23 of the 37 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.
● Chase Elliott leaves Pocono as the new championship leader with a three-point advantage over second-place Kyle Larson.

Sound Bites:

“We ended up with a decent finish for what we started the weekend with. We had a tough time in practice and qualifying, and that carried over a little to the race. It just felt like maybe we didn’t quite have the speed of some others so that’s something we’ll have to look into. But Chris (Lawson, crew chief) and the team did a good job of trying to get the car to a place where I could still make something out of the day. I wish we could’ve gotten another top-20, but we’ve got one more race before the break and a chance to enjoy a good finish over the time off.”– Justin Haley, driver of the No. 51 Walmart Health and Wellness Ford Mustang Dark Horse

“I felt like we had made some really good progress with the handling of the car and I felt pretty comfortable with what we had, especially as we started to get more cautions and chances to keep up with our adjustments. Unfortunately, we avoided all of the carnage on track only to have a piece of rotor or something knock a hole in our radiator. The team did everything they could to get us back out there and we made the best of our situation until the end.” – Cody Ware, driver of the No. 15 Jacob Construction Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, July 21 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race begins at 2:30 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Both RFK Cars Lead Laps, Keselowski Earns Top-10 in Pocono

By
Official Release
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Buescher Finishes 11th in BuildSubmarines.com Ford

LONG PONG, Pa. (July 14, 2024) – Both RFK cars led a series of laps Sunday at Pocono Raceway as Brad Keselowski earned a seventh-place finish in the NEXLIZET Ford, while Chris Buescher finished 11th in the BuildSubmarines.com Ford.

Varying pit strategy – and cautions falling interfering with that strategy – made the difference in the end, as four cautions flew in the final 44 laps alone. In total, Keselowski led 20 laps and earned top-10 stage finishes in each of the opening two stages, while Buescher led 19 laps in total.

6 Recap
Keselowski started the weekend off with a strong practice session on Saturday, then followed with a 14th-place qualifying effort. Just one caution split the opening stage of 30 laps, as Keselowski pitted for the first time before later driving to an eighth-place stage result, earning stage points.

The early strategy play put the No. 6 second on the restart for stage two, and he took advantage of the inside lane, taking the lead for the next 20 laps. He pitted from the lead at lap 54 under yellow and would restart 11th in what was the final restart of stage two.

He remained on track for the duration, and as cars hit pit road in the closing laps of the segment, Keselowski’s strategy netted him a P3 finish in the stage, earning more stage points. He pitted again at lap 96 under the stage break and would fire off eighth for stage three following another quick stop.

From there, he later advanced to fourth by lap 115, which triggered his final pit stop of the day. While most of the leaders took two tires, Keselowski took four, setting up what would have been a run to the finish on opposing strategy. That hope was spoiled though, as four cautions flew in a span of 18 laps, not allowing the No. 6 to advance through the top-10 in the quick cautions on restarts.

The green flew for the final time on lap 137 with Keselowski in eighth, and he picked off one additional spot in the closing laps to earn the seventh-place result.

17 Recap
Buescher and the No. 17 team had slightly different strategy, but a similar result in the closing laps. He fired off 18th on the day and drove to 11th by the end of stage one. After staying out (like Keselowski), Buescher restarted fifth for the second stage. That position held up until the next caution at lap 52 with Buescher in fourth, before he pitted under the yellow, lining back up 15th for the final restart of the segment.

Buescher pitted under green at lap 90 from sixth, swinging his strategy to stage three where he inherited the lead and led the field to green on that restart. He maintained the top spot for 19 consecutive laps, ultimately giving up the lead under caution at lap 115.

Like Keselowski, Buescher had four fresh tires at that point, but the continuous cautions halted any long-run progress as Buescher fought from 9th-11th, ultimately finishing 11th.

Up Next
Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the Cup Series for the final race prior to the Olympic break next Sunday. Race coverage is set for 2:30 p.m. ET from The Brickyard on NBC, with radio coverage on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 37th season in 2024, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.

All about the Energy-Efficient Outdoor LED

By
SM
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Photo by Jannes Van den wouwer on Unsplash

Displays

In the rapidly advancing world of outdoor advertising, energy-efficient fine pixel LED displays are revolutionizing the industry. These cutting-edge displays offer a perfect blend of high resolution, brightness, and energy efficiency, making them ideal for various outdoor applications.

Outdoor fixed fine pixel LED displays have emerged as a game-changer in the digital signage landscape. With pixel pitches ranging from 1.2mm to 2.5mm, these displays deliver exceptional image quality and detail, allowing for comfortable viewing from as close as 2 meters. This breakthrough technology addresses the long-standing challenge of balancing brightness, resolution, and thermal management in outdoor advertising.

Key Features of Outdoor Fixed Fine Pixel LED Display

High Resolution and Image Quality: Fine pixel pitch technology enables these displays to showcase vivid, high-resolution content with unprecedented clarity. The use of MicroLED technology in some models, such as the Planar Luminate Ultra Series, further enhances image quality with increased black levels and 150-degree visibility.

Superior Brightness: With brightness levels ranging from 3,500 to 7,000 nits, these displays ensure clear visibility even in direct sunlight, making them perfect for outdoor environments.

Energy Efficiency: Despite their high brightness, these displays are designed to be energy-efficient. For example, the OFA Fine Pitch LED Display has a typical power consumption of 230-300W/m², significantly lower than traditional outdoor LED displays.

Weather Resistance: Engineered for outdoor use, these displays often come with high IP ratings (e.g., IP66) to withstand various weather conditions without compromising performance.

Versatile Installation Options: Many fine pixel LED displays support wall-mounted, corner, convex, and concave installations, offering flexibility in creating video walls of various sizes and shapes.

Applications of Outdoor Fixed Fine Pixel LED Displays

The versatility of these displays makes them suitable for a wide range of applications:

  • Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Advertising
  • Transportation hubs (airports, train stations)
  • Retail exteriors and shopping malls
  • Sports venues
  • Hospitality industry
  • Poolside cinema and outdoor entertainment

Technology Behind Energy Efficiency

Several technological advancements contribute to the energy efficiency of outdoor LED displays:

  • LED Chip Technology: Modern LED chips are designed to produce more light with less power.
  • Smart Control Systems: These systems manage power usage and optimize performance based on real-time data.
  • Heat Dissipation Mechanisms: Efficient heat management reduces the risk of overheating, which can affect both performance and lifespan.
  • Innovative Design for Energy Conservation: Thoughtful design considerations minimize energy usage without compromising on performance.

Future Trends in Outdoor LED Displays

The future of outdoor LED displays looks promising with ongoing advancements in technology. Expect to see even more energy-efficient models, greater emphasis on sustainability, and innovative applications in various sectors. As businesses increasingly prioritize green solutions, the demand for energy-efficient outdoor LED displays will continue to grow.

Conclusion

Energy efficiency is crucial in today’s world, and Outdoor Fixed Fine Pixel LED Displays offer a sustainable solution for outdoor advertising. By investing in these displays, businesses can enjoy superior performance, cost savings, and contribute to environmental sustainability. Make the smart choice for your next outdoor advertising project and embrace the future with energy-efficient LED displays.

Aftermarket Clutch Kits: The Secret Weapon for Faster Launches and Smoother Shifts

By
SM
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Car enthusiasts and professional motorists often go to great lengths when seeking ways to enhance vehicle performance and driving experience. One under-the-radar modification that can have a significant impact is the installation of aftermarket clutch kits instead of using the factory-installed versions. These kits are specifically tailored to complement high-performance vehicles that experience aggressive driving styles and harsh conditions. This article talks about the benefits and diverse applications of aftermarket clutch kits, a vital tool in revealing the true potential of your vehicle.

Understanding Clutch Kits: The Unsung Hero of Vehicle Performance

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of aftermarket clutch kits, it’s important to first understand the function of this essential mechanical component. Clutches function as the link between your vehicle’s engine and its transmission. They dictate how power from the engine is transmitted to the wheels and play a pivotal role in a vehicle’s acceleration, deceleration, and overall control. Therefore, for those seeking to optimize their vehicle’s performance, focusing on this often-ignored part is key.

The primary components of a clutch kit include the clutch disc, pressure plate, and bearing/bush. While the factory versions of these components fulfil their purpose in everyday driving conditions, rigorous driving conditions necessitate the need for aftermarket versions. These have carefully engineered designs and are manufactured using high-quality materials that can withstand heavy-duty usage.

Why Choose Aftermarket Clutch Kits?

Enhanced Durability

One of the primary advantages of aftermarket clutch kits is durability. These kits are designed to handle higher torque and heat levels compared to their factory-installed counterparts. This is particularly beneficial to those who engage in demanding driving activities such as racing or off-roading where the wear and tear on vehicle parts are significantly higher.

With aftermarket clutch kits, drivers can enjoy greater peace of mind knowing that the clutch components can withstand extended periods of severe strain. This not only ensures more reliable performance but also reduces the frequency and cost of replacements and repairs.

Improved Performance

Aftermarket clutch kits also offer improved vehicle performance. They provide smoother, quicker shifts, enabling faster acceleration—a crucial factor for racers aiming to shave seconds off their lap times. By reducing the drivetrain’s loss of torque, the vehicle’s power transfer becomes more efficient, unleashing its full potential on the track or road.

Furthermore, aftermarket clutch kits are available in various stages (i.e., Stage 1, Stage 2, and so on). The higher stages are designed for vehicles with significant modifications such as turbochargers or superchargers. This means the aftermarket clutch kits can be matched precisely to the demands of your particular vehicle, enhancing its overall driving capability.

Better Value for Money

Despite the initial higher purchase cost, aftermarket clutch kits can prove to be a cost-effective investment in the long run. Given their superior durability and heightened performance, they tend to require fewer replacements and repairs over time, saving users money typically spent on frequent maintenance.

Moreover, the tangible improvements in vehicle performance make for a more enjoyable driving experience, which can be hard to quantify in monetary terms. Whether you’re a professional racer or simply an enthusiastic motorist, the long-lasting benefits of an improved driving experience offered by aftermarket clutch kits are well worth the investment.

Key Considerations When Choosing Aftermarket Clutch Kits

Before choosing an aftermarket clutch kit for your vehicle, there are a few elements you need to consider. It is not just about picking a kit at random; one must determine what is best suitable for your particular vehicle and driving style. 

Vehicle Compatibility 

When it comes to aftermarket clutch kits, compatibility with your car is of utmost importance. Different vehicles come with varying engines sizes, structures, power outputs, and torque levels. This, in turn, requires uniquely designed clutch kits. The aftermarket clutch kit you choose should ideally be designed for your specific vehicle make and model. 

There are clutch kits available for a broad range of vehicles, including but not limited to trucks, sports cars, off-road vehicles or high-performance road cars. This means that regardless of what type of vehicle you have, there may be a high-performance aftermarket clutch kit suitable to your needs. 

Customisation 

High-quality aftermarket clutch kits are often customizable, offering the flexibility to adapt to your specific driving needs. This is especially indispensable for individuals who use their vehicles for a variety of intense driving applications like racing or off-roading. Clutch kits can be tailored to the level of aggression your driving demands. 

Installation and Technical Support 

It is important to opt for a clutch kit that comes with clear installation instructions and robust technical support. While the concept of installing a new clutch may seem daunting, many aftermarket clutch kits are designed with user-friendly installation in mind. Comprehensive instructions, along with the necessary hardware for installation, ensure that you could either carry out the installation yourself or guide your local mechanic through the process. 

Consider choosing a supplier that provides comprehensive customer support. If you encounter challenges or have questions during the installation process, an accessible support team can provide added peace of mind.

How to Implement Aftermarket Clutch Kits for Maximum Results

After you’ve carefully chosen your aftermarket clutch kit, correctly implementing it is essential for reaping the maximum benefits.

Timely Replacement 

Don’t wait until your clutch completely fails before installing your aftermarket clutch kit. When you start noticing warning signs such as slipping, sticking, unusual noises, or lower fuel efficiency, it might be time to consider an upgrade. This allows you to reap the enhanced performance benefits and avoid a sudden, potentially dangerous clutch failure. 

Professional Installation

While many aftermarket clutch kits are designed for easy installation, bringing your vehicle to a professional mechanic can often be beneficial. An experienced mechanic has the skills and tools needed to make precise adjustments and accurately calibrate your new clutch kit for optimal performance. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, seeking professional help ensures safe and suitable installation.

Regular Checks and Maintenance 

Regular checks and maintenance can go a long way in extending the lifespan of your new clutch kit. Apart from early detection of any faults or issues, regular maintenance also maximizes performance efficiency. Conducting periodic inspections and practicing good driving habits help maintain clutch health.

Unique Features of High-Quality Aftermarket Clutch Kits

The best aftermarket clutch kits in the market offer unique enhancements designed to elevate your driving experience to new heights. Understanding these features will help you appreciate why investing in one can be a game-changer for your vehicle.

Performance-specific Design 

Unlike generic factory-fitted clutch kits, top-grade aftermarket clutch kits are engineered for specific performance needs. Whether you’re a drag racer seeking to improve your launch time, or an off-road enthusiast craving smoother torque transfer, rest assured that there’s a tailor-made clutch kit designed with your needs in mind. 

Premium Materials 

High quality aftermarket clutch kits are composed of premium materials ensuring durability and longevity. For instance, one may find kits fitted with ceramic friction materials which are known for their heat-resistant properties. This material increases the resilience of the clutch against high temperatures encountered during aggressive driving. 

Stage Variations

Another unique feature of aftermarket clutch kits is their classification into different “stages”. Each stage is designed to provide a varying level of performance enhancement. Stage 1 typically offers moderate improvements suitable for slightly tuned vehicles, while the higher stages like Stage 3 or Stage 4 are adaptable to heavily modified vehicles equipped with turbochargers or superchargers. 

Hassle-free Installation

Gone are the days where you had to spend countless hours in sweat-soaked frustration trying to replace your factory clutch. Many leading aftermarket clutch kits prioritize user-friendly installation, with easy-to-follow instructions and included hardware aimed at simplifying the process. Some providers even offer online tutorials and technical support to guide you through the installation.

Making the most of your Aftermarket Clutch Kit

Having made the jump and invested in a high-grade aftermarket clutch kit, how do you ensure you’re getting the most out of your investment? Here are a few tips:

Proper Bedding-In

Immediately after installing your new clutch, it’s important to properly bed it in. This involves moderate driving for a certain period, allowing the components to wear into each other gradually. This process helps enhance performance consistency and longevity.

Timely Adjustments

Even after successful installation, you should make adjustments as needed. For example, you may need to adjust the clutch pedal if it feels too light or too heavy. Timely adjustments prevent further wear and tear and ensure optimal clutch function.

Stay Abreast with Technology

As with every other vehicle component, technology advancements impact how clutches operate. Following the latest developments assures that your vehicle’s performance stays top-notch. Aftermarket clutch kit suppliers are usually at the forefront of such developments, always looking to improve their products.

In short, aftermarket clutch kits are an asset for every car enthusiast, racer, or everyday driver prioritizing enhanced performance. They provide durability, flexibility, and efficiency that outpaces their factory counterparts. The key is to choose a clutch kit compatible with your vehicle, and adopt good driving and maintenance habits to ensure optimal performance and longevity. From improved acceleration to smoother shifts, the benefits of an aftermarket clutch kit cannot be overstated, making it a worthwhile investment for any serious driver.

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