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Spire Motorsports USA Today 301 Race Advance

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Official Release
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  • In eight NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Spire Motorsports has logged one top-25 finish. Corey LaJoie, driver of the No. 7 Schluter Systems Chevy Camaro earned a team-best 23rd-place finish in the July 18, 2021 Foxwoods Resort Casino 301. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NCS with LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
  • The USA Today 301 from New Hampshire Motor Speedway will be televised live on USA Network Sunday, June 23, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 18th of 36 races on the 2024 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Pre-race coverage on USA will take the green flag at 2 p.m. EDT.

Corey LaJoie – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Corey LaJoie heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) behind the wheel of the No. 7 Schluter Systems Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
  • LaJoie is a former winner at NHMS. In seven ARCA Menards Series East (formerly K&N Pro Series East) starts at NHMS, the Concord, N.C., native has led 68 laps, recorded one win, three top-three and five top-10 finishes.
  • Sunday’s USA Today 301 will mark LaJoie’s 10th NASCAR Cup Series start at NHMS. In nine previous NCS “Magic Mile” starts, LaJoie recorded a series/venue-best 23rd-place finish in July 2019 and July 2021.
  • LaJoie is a third-generation racer whose father and grandfather are members of the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame. His father, Randy LaJoie, is a two-time (1996 & 1997) NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) Champion and the winner of the July 12, 1996 Stanley Tools 200 NXS race at NHMS.
  • Schluter Systems provides innovative, easy to use installation systems to support the durability, integrity and design of tile installations. With over 8,000 products within its growing portfolio, Schluter Systems is continuously improving the landscape of the tile industry. Their educational workshops and intuitive approach to product design supports Schluter’s position as an industry leader in quality and service. Schluter Systems services North America with multiple Training, Distribution and Manufacturing facilities in Plattsburgh, N.Y., Montreal, Quebec, Reno, Nev., and Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit www.schluter.com.
  • LaJoie started 24th and finished 21st in last weekend’s Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway and picked up one position in the NCS championship point standings. The Concord, N.C., native has led 38 laps in 2024 and is currently 29th in points.
  • Over 253 career NCS starts, LaJoie has earned four top-five and nine top-10 finishes and led 161 laps in NASCAR’s premier division.

Corey LaJoie Quotes
Given your families history in the northeast, and some past success at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, this has to be a weekend you’ve been looking forward to.
“Loudon is one of my favorite races of the year. It’s pretty much a home race for my family since my grandfather and dad have Northeastern roots. I’ve had success there in the past and generally run well so we’re working hard this week to bring the right setup to the Magic Mile. We’ve have had a couple solid weeks so we’ll keep that ball rolling all the way into the break in the next couple weeks.”

Zane Smith – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Zane Smith will make his first career start at NHMS driving the No. 71 Focused Health Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports.
  • The “Magic Mile” is a new track to the Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender, but Smith has a solid history on one-mile ovals. Throughout his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) career, Smith has claimed wins at Dover Motor Speedway and Phoenix Raceway, where he clinched the 2022 NCTS Championship.
  • Sunday will mark Smith’s 18th NCS start for Spire Motorsports and his 26th career start.
  • Focused Health will serve as the primary sponsor for Smith’s No. 71. The blue and orange paint scheme represents a health insurance agency that assists consumers and employers in navigating the myriad of health insurance options in the government programs space.
  • Focused Health is a National Health Insurance agency founded by industry veterans with over 60 years combined industry experience. Primarily focused on the government programs space, Focused Health partners with payors and employers to deliver health insurance solutions for individuals and families. For more information visit AtFocusedHealth.com.
  • Race fans car order Focused Health No. 71 Zane Smith merchandise at zanesmithracing.com.

Zane Smith Quotes
This weekend will be the first time you’ll race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. How do you feel going into this weekend?
“New Hampshire is one I’ve had circled on the calendar for a while. It’s crazy I’ve never raced there. I always wanted to, but never had the opportunity until now. Timing and other opportunities – it just never aligned. It’s a beautiful racetrack and the fans are awesome. I know my 71 Spire Motorsports team will bring a fast Focused Health Chevy and I’m excited to see how I stack up.”

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Carson Hocevar will make his first start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Sunday’s USA Today 301 behind the wheel of Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 Delaware Life Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
  • Hocevar started 20th and finished 14th in last Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway. The solid effort marked his fifth top-15 finish of the season.
  • Delaware Life Insurance Company (“Delaware Life”) has made its mission to deliver pure value to its network of financial professionals with a set of tools and products that help them empower their clients to plan for retirement with confidence. Delaware Life’s focus is delivering a seamless experience that gives clients exactly what they’re looking for: the comfort of understanding, the confidence of transparency, and streamlined products without needless features. Learn more at www.delawarelife.com.
  • This week, Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevrolet will feature the names of 60 LPL Financial employees who attended Delaware Life’s Due Diligence event in St. Petersburg, Fla. With this week’s race being held near Delaware Life’s Massachusetts headquarters, just 80 miles from New Hampshire Speedway, Delaware Life is recognizing the group as key members of the Delaware Life network.
  • Northeast Planning Associates, Inc. (NPA), will also have its logo featured on the No. 77 decklid at the NHMS. NPA is a registered investment adviser and financial planning firm encompassing more than 75 financial advisors in 45-plus offices across New England.
  • The youngest NCS driver in the field is currently 23rd in the division’s championship points. Over the course of the season’s first 17 races, Hocevar has notched two top-10s and five top-15 finishes.
  • Hocevar’s Crew chief Luke Lambert has found success at the “Magic Mile,” calling the shots for Ryan Newman in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s inaugural Whelan All-Star Shootout in 2014. Newman piloted the Tommy Baldwin Racing 7NY to a victory in the 37-lap event, besting modified standouts Justin Bonsignore, Mike Stefanik, Ron Silk and Ryan Preece.
  • The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender is featured on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. ET following each race to discuss his NCS rookie season.

Carson Hocevar Quotes
You mentioned feeling good about New Hampshire despite it being a new track for you. Can you elaborate on what specifically makes you feel confident heading into this weekend?
“Last year was full of new tracks when I raced nine cup races, and it’s been nice to go back to some tracks this year, but yeah, Loudon is completely new to me. We’ve spent extra time in the SIM and I honestly feel like learning a new car is a lot more difficult than learning a new track, so I feel good about Loudon this week.”

Luke Lambert Quotes
Luke, you’re familiar with New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This is Carson’s first time on this track, but you two have raced together 17 times in the past two seasons. Given that experience, how do you feel about your chances at this weekend?
“Carson is going to do a great job at Loudon this week. Loudon is an interesting racetrack. It’s critical that you have good entry speed, which is one of Carson’s biggest strengths in this car. Getting into the corner at Loudon is difficult because the car is normally pretty loose. That’s going to be our biggest challenge – making sure that we have the stability that we need on entry and rotate to the center.”

From the Top of the Box

Ryan Sparks – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Ryan Sparks serves in a dual role as both Spire Motorsports competition director and crew chief for driver Corey LaJoie and the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro in the NCS.
  • Sparks, a Winston-Salem, N.C., native, has been paired with LaJoie since 2020.
  • Combined, Sparks and LaJoie have earned four top-five and seven top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place finish in the 2024 Daytona 500.

Stephen Doran – Crew Chief, No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Stephen Doran begins his first full season as a Cup Series crew chief leading Zane Smith and the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet team during the 2024 season.
  • In 2006, Doran got his start in NASCAR at Petty Enterprises.
  • Prior to his arrival at Spire Motorsports, Doran worked at Stewart-Haas Racing as an engineer, most recently on the No. 4 car driven by Kevin Harvick.

Luke Lambert – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Luke Lambert is the crew chief for Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 team with 2024 NCS Rookie of the Year candidate Carson Hocevar.
  • The 2005 North Carolina State graduate has led the competition efforts for some of the sport’s most notable names including Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler and Chris Buescher.
  • In 2014, Lambert led Newman to a berth in the Championship 4, and ultimately a runner-up finish in the NCS championship point standings.

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports is a NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2024, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively. The team will also field the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth will drive the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets in the No. 77.

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

EVENT PREVIEW: Wright Motorsports Set for Six Hours of the Glen

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Official Release
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NEXT UP: IMSASAHLEN’S SIX HOURS OF THE GLEN
WATKINS GLEN, NY | JUNE 21-23

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y., (June 19, 2024) — Five weeks have passed since the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class raced at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and Wright Motorsports is fully ready to jump into the next round in the endurance championship. The Sahlen’s Six Hour of the Glen is the third round in the Michelin Endurance Cup, bringing co-drivers Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer back together with Jan Heylen for the six-hour race on Sunday, June 23.

Wright Motorsports celebrated a third-place finish at the Glen in 2023 with Heylen as one of the drivers, at a track known to not favor the driving style of a Porsche. In preparation for the event, the team traveled to Watkins Glen International for unofficial testing with the green and yellow No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R. The extra track time only aids the preparation and execution of the team, who have been on a roll for the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech season.

Adelson, Skeer, and Heylen demonstrated their skills behind the wheel in their third-place finish in March’s Twelve Hours of Sebring, and again, Adelson and Skeer placed third at their most recent round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The pair, combined with the crew’s skill in pit lane and the strategy calls from the pit box, climbed an impressive nine positions in the two-hour, forty-minute race.

This weekend’s race will feature a six-hour endurance event at Watkins Glen International, in upstate New York’s Finger Lake region. Fifty-six entries are competing in the event, across IMSA’s five sports car racing classes. Adelson, Skeer, and Heylen will split the drive time for the No. 120 race, with each driver needing to complete a minimum of one hour, 30 minutes during the race, and a maximum time of four hours.

The Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen will take place on Sunday, June 23, beginning at 11:10 AM, and ending at 5:10 PM ET. The race will air live in the United States in its entirety on Peacock.

Adam Adelson

The summer break has felt like a long one! I’m really excited to get back in the car at Watkins Glen. It’s a super high speed track with lots of long banked corners, and with the downforce that modern GT3 cars are capable of producing, it should be a super exciting new experience. We’ve been on a roll so far this season, but I also know Watkins Glen isn’t the best track for Porsche, so I hope we can try and change that this year, as I know we have the best Porsche team in the paddock.

Elliott Skeer

The IMSA Endurance races are always highlights of the season! Even though Watkins has traditionally not been a Porsche track, our preparation and execution as a team this year has me optimistic about changing that! Testing has gone extremely well and I know what Jan is capable of, and just how much Adam likes these types of tracks. So as long as Adam and I are comfortable in traffic, I feel we have all the ingredients for an efficient and successful six hours of racing. Sunday cannot come soon enough!

Jan Heylen

I hope we can continue our strong run in the endurance cup. Wright Motorsports has continued to give us the best Porsche and Adam and Elliott have both been doing an amazing job all season long. We’re ready for the challenge! I’m looking forward to an exciting race!

Event Schedule | All Times Eastern

Friday, June 21

1:25 PM – 2:55 PM Practice 1

Saturday, June 22

9:10 AM – 10:40 AM Practice 2

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Autograph Session

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM GTD Qualifying

Sunday, June 23

10:05 AM – 11:10 AM Open Grid/Fan Walk

11:10 AM – 5:10 PM Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen

Wright Motorsports
Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

Silver Hare Set To Beat the Heat at Mid-Ohio

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Official Release
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Connor Mosack Turning Double Duty at Iconic American Road Course; Boris Said Jr., Jake Drew Help Kick Off Second Half of 2024 TA2 Series Campaign

HIGH POINT, N.C. (June 19, 2024) – Extreme heat forecast for Saturday’s Mid-Ohio SpeedTour Cube 3 Architecture TA2 Series race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington has been a key storyline heading into the weekend. But the Silver Hare Racing trio of Connor Mosack, Boris Said Jr., and Jake Drew are feeling more than ready for the challenge as they kick off the second half of the 2024 season.

With race-day temperatures forecast to be in the mid-90s and heat indexes hovering around the 100s, the Silver Hare camp is ready to deliver a one-two-three punch on the iconic 2.258-mile, 13-turn Mid-Ohio circuit as it races for its second victory of the season.

Leading the way is Connor Mosack, driver of the No. 57 Silver Hare Racing/PRG Chevrolet Camaro who scored back-to-back third-place finishes in his first two TA2 Series appearances at Mid-Ohio in 2021 and 2022. The 25-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina will be pulling double duty this weekend, strapping into the No. 28 Chevrolet Performance PRG Camaro for Friday evening’s Zinsser Smartcoat 150 ARCA Menards Series race at Mid-Ohio. It’s the same entry former fulltime Silver Hare driver Connor Zilisch drove to his second consecutive ARCA victory in a Silver Hare-sponsored car last weekend at Iowa Speedway in Newton.

Saturday’s Mid-Ohio SpeedTour race, round seven on the 12-race campaign, will be Mosack’s third TA2 outing at the track. The first two resulted in third-place finishes in 2021 and 2022, the most recent from the pole.

Back with Silver Hare Racing this weekend is the 20-year-old Said and the No. 75 HendrickCars.com/Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro after the third-generation racer took part in festivities two weekends ago at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in honor of his father Boris Said’s 150th and final NASCAR race. The younger Said is ready to improve upon his TA2 career-best finish of sixth this weekend, scored in his previous outing at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut on Memorial Day weekend.

Meanwhile Drew, the 24-year-old from Fullerton, California and driver of the No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro, will be making his sixth career TA2 start this weekend after posting top-10 runs in the previous five. The veteran of a half-dozen NASCAR Truck Series events in 2023 and a 23-race slate of ARCA outings from 2021 to 2023 that featured three road-course victories in 2022 narrowly missed a podium finish in his TA2 debut March 24 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, then qualified third and methodically raced his way to a second-place finish April 14 at NOLA Motorsports Park in Avondale, Louisiana. He finished 10th at World Wide Technology Raceway outside St. Louis on May 11 before his fifth-place run at Lime Rock on Memorial Day weekend. He crossed the finish line fourth two weekends ago at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex but was relegated to 10th after a postrace ruling that he engaged in avoidable contact.

This weekend’s Mid-Ohio SpeedTour, round seven of the 2024 TA2 campaign, kicks off with test sessions at 1:40 and 5:50 p.m. EDT Thursday, followed by Friday’s official TA2 practice at 12:05 p.m. and qualifying at 4:50 p.m. Race time Saturday is 12:40 p.m. and the 45-lap, 75-minute event will be televised live by series partner MAVTV, augmented by live-streaming video on the Trans Am and SpeedTour channels on YouTube. MAVTV will air a 60-minute race show at 8 p.m. EDT on Thursday, June 27.

Silver Hare Racing leverages its Trans Am effort to promote its arrive-and-drive program, where aspiring racers and even tenured professionals hone their road-racing skills on some of the most revered tracks in North America. NASCAR Cup Series drivers Daniel Suárez, Christopher Bell, William Byron and Harrison Burton have all wheeled Silver Hare Racing-prepared cars to burnish their road-racing abilities in top-flight equipment.

The team offers six, professionally built and maintained TA2 chassis from Howe Racing for both competition and private testing. Silver Hare Racing has a dedicated, fulltime crew and operates out of a state-of-the-art facility in High Point, North Carolina. At the track, two 53-foot Featherlite transporters serve as the team’s base, each outfitted with a lounge and smart TVs for data and video review, as well as for hospitality.

To further Silver Hare Racing’s driver development capabilities, the team’s race shop in High Point is now equipped with a SHOCKWAVE Simulator, a tool specifically developed for drivers to accelerate racetrack familiarity, improve car control and confidence, and build stamina. SHOCKWAVE has been involved in racing since 1965 and is currently actively participating in NASCAR, ARCA, Trans Am, Late Models, and Sprint cars. Its Trans Am package replicates a Howe Racing TA2 chassis, complete with cockpit controls and sounds.

“With NASCAR having so many more road-course races, it’s our goal for Silver Hare Racing to be the preferred team for drivers to get that road-course experience,” said Laura Hull, Silver Hare Racing co-owner and team manager. “We want to be that important step in the ladder for the young, up-and-coming drivers. We want people to know we have an arrive-and-drive program, where for people who want to run this track or another, we provide the opportunity to do that and be successful.”

Connor Mosack, driver, No. 77 Silver Hare Racing/PRG Chevrolet Camaro:

It’s another double-duty weekend for you, but this time both races take place at the same racetrack. Overall thoughts about running Friday’s ARCA race and Saturday’s TA2 race at Mid-Ohio?

“I’ll be equally focused on both and I think we’ll be as prepared as we can be for both races. Mid-Ohio’s been a place where I feel like I’ve had speed in the past, so I’m looking forward to getting back and seeing how the new repave races. But it should be a pretty good weekend.”

You finished third in both your previous TA2 Series races at Mid-Ohio. Do you feel it’s a track that particularly suits your driving style?

“I’m really not sure what it is about the place. I know when I first learned the track, I learned it the right way and that helped a lot. It’s a track that I’ve been to more than a lot of other tracks between testing and the Truck Series race and, of course, the two Trans Am races. I think it’s just a combination of all those things. I’m not sure what it might be about the track or my driving style and what makes it fit there, but it just has seemed to work well.”

Do you feel being able to turn laps on the track in the ARCA car will help your effort this weekend in the Silver Hare Racing Camaro for the TA2 race, and vice versa?

“Maybe. In the race, once you get side-by-side, you can see where you can make passes and see where you can defend if you need to. I think those kinds of things might apply. I do think the Trans Am track time will help me get up to speed in the ARCA car before we practice and qualify probably more than the other guys in ARCA that won’t have that track time.”

Have you been taking extra measures to prepare for the extreme heat forecast for race day?

“Heat’s definitely something that can be challenging, and usually I welcome it because I feel like I prepare better than some other guys. But sometimes it sneaks up on you and you still feel pretty good. I’ve definitely been focusing on hydrating leading into the weekend, and between sessions it’ll be important to stay on top of that. Obviously, some sauna stuff, some running outside at the hottest part of the day, anything you can do to really get your core temperature up and maybe your heart rate up with it, which is part of my regular routine, that’s the best way to acclimate to that.”

Boris Said Jr., driver, No. 75 HendrickCars.com/Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro:

You’re heading to Mid-Ohio for your second career TA2 Series start there. Overall thoughts?

“I was there last year and we had problems all weekend. But I like the track a lot, so I’m excited to drive there. The second part of it is fun. There’s no straightaway, really, which is kind of cool, just a lot of corners. It is hard to pass but it’s a good layout, it’s fun. It was super slippery last year, but they’ve repaved it so I’m interested to see what kind of an effect that will have on the racing this weekend.”

Have you done anything special to prepare for the expected heat and humidity on race day Saturday?

“For me, the hot weather doesn’t really bother me. I’m in pretty good shape and I don’t really mind the heat. I’ve driven in it before and I like it. I think it bothers me less than other people. I train a lot every day of my life, so it’s sort of standard. I know I live on the Southern California coast, but I’ve done a lot of off-roading in the desert, too, so I know what it’s like to have to push yourself in those conditions.”

How was your experience at Sonoma two weekends ago to see your dad’s final career NASCAR race?

“It was pretty cool to see Dad’s NASCAR farewell and to spend time with the HendrickCars.com folks. I thought it was great for them to make that possible for him. He had a ton of fun. While I was out there, I kept an eye on what the Silver Hare team was doing in Pittsburgh. I really wish I could’ve been there, too, because it looked like a really nice facility, and the track looked like a lot of fun.”

Jake Drew, driver, No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro:

Yet another brand new track for you in your sixth career TA2 race. What have you learned about racing at Mid-Ohio?

“I’ve looked to some friends who have some past experience there to help build my notebook coming into this weekend. I do have a little bit of sim experience for Mid-Ohio. I actually did some coaching on the sim for one of the Truck Series drivers last year, so I feel a little more prepared than for some of the other tracks that I hadn’t been to, yet. I’m looking to utilize what I learn from iRacing, reaching out to other drivers, and the notebook I’ve been building as much as I can before I show up, then take the first session lightly to come to grips with the track and build upon it with each lap. I look forward to another strong race.”

What has stood out to you about getting around Mid-Ohio during your preparation?

“I think the last section of the racetrack before coming onto the final straightaway can be a little technical with these heavy TA2 cars. That’s probably what stands out the most. But, overall, I look forward to getting my first laps at Mid-Ohio and learn how to get through the technical sections and try to do the best I can. I look forward to working with my Silver Hare team. They’ll try to give me as much advice and help me learn as fast as we can, as we have these previous five races. I think we’ll have a strong car, we keep getting better and better every race, and we’re getting closer right now. And we’re all just going to keep our heads down and stay focused and see if we can get on the podium again, or stand on the tippy top of it.”

Heat has been one of the primary topics as the series heads to Mid-Ohio this weekend. What is your history having to race in hot conditions?

“It’s going to be hot. Back home (on the West Coast), I’ve definitely have had days at the go-kart track where it’s 100, 110 degrees, but it’s a different kind of heat, it’s much drier. The humidity on this side of the country can get pretty brutal. To prepare, I just try to stay in as good shape as I can and stay as hydrated as possible and relax up until it’s time to hit the track. I spent a day running a go-kart in the heat earlier in the week. And I actually got a taste of the kind of heat we’re going to have when I was wrenching for a team in Cincinnati last week. I think the TA2 cars run a bit warmer than my ARCA car was. As far as the Truck Series stuff I’ve driven, they’re quite warm, but I’m not too concerned. It should be the hottest conditions I’ve ever raced in, but we’ll just take it as it comes and rely on all the preparation that’s gone into it.”

About Hendrick Automotive Group:

Representing 131 franchises and 25 manufacturer nameplates from the Carolinas to California, Hendrick Automotive Group is the largest privately held automotive retail organization in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company employs more than 10,000 people in its 94 dealership locations, 21 collision centers and four accessories distributor installers in 13 states. For more information, please visit HendrickCars.com.

About HendrickCars.com:

HendrickCars.com is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop thousands of new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.

About Silver Hare Racing:

Silver Hare Racing is a fulltime competitor in the TA2 division of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli. The multicar team has won the TA2 masters class championship three times (2018, 2019 and 2020) with driver and team co-owner Maurice Hull. Under the leadership of Hull’s wife, co-owner and team manager Laura Hull, Silver Hare Racing provides a variety of services that includes private testing and arrive-and-drive programs. The team offers six, professionally built and maintained TA2 chassis from Howe Racing and operates from a state-of-the-art facility in High Point, North Carolina. For more information, please call 336-870-5151 or visit SilverHareRacing.com.

KENNINGTON HEADS EAST WITH THE CASTROL EDGE DODGE

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Official Release
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June 19, 2022. DJ Kennington, the talented driver of the #17 Castrol EDGE Dodge, is set to take on the competition at Eastbound International Speedway in Avondale, Newfoundland this Saturday, June 22nd, for the next round of the NASCAR Canada Series. Kennington secured an impressive third-place finish at the 3/8-mile track in 2022 and is eager to build on his previous success.

The Eastbound International Speedway race is a highlight of the NASCAR Canada Series calendar, drawing large crowds of enthusiastic fans in the previous two years to watch Kennington and other competitors battle for 250-laps of action. This race will be the third of the season, all taking place in different provinces.

The Series Ironman will make his 206th consecutive start and the team has been working tirelessly to prepare the #17 Castrol EDGE Dodge to ensure the car is in peak condition.

Here’s what you need to know.

Weekend Race Event Preview
Saturday June 22nd 6:30PM Atlantic (5PM ET)
PRO-LINE 250
Race three of 13 in 2024
This is the third NASCAR Canada Series race at Eastbound International Speedway.

The Track:
3/8-mile, banked, paved oval.

Best finish: Third in 2022

Career Victories: 24

Most Recent Win: Race one, Sutherland Automotive Speedway, 2022

DJ Quote: “Really excited to be back in Newfoundland again this year. I got to make the trip out with my son Chase and enjoyed some father/son time. It’ll be all business once we get going on Saturday. This is a tough track, but we’ve had success here and feel good about the Castrol Dodge this weekend”.

TV & Live Streaming
All races will be streamed live on TSN+ and through FloRacing in the United States. The PRO-LINE 250 will also air on TSN Sunday on RDS2 date TBD.

Race fans can follow DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge team on their official social media platforms:

Twitter www.twitter.com/@djkracing
Instagram www.instagram.com/djkracing
Website www.djkracing.ca
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DJKenningtonRacing/

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview | New Hampshire Motor Speedway

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Official Release
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CLUB ENTRY LIST

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
POINT STANDINGS: 28th

ERIK JONES
POINT STANDINGS: 26th

CLUB NOTES

History Made at NHMS: 25 years ago, Joe Nemechek, John Hunter’s father made history at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when he claimed his first victory in the NASCAR Cup Series on Sept. 19, 1999. John Hunter looks to repeat history while also piloting the No. 42 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, the same car number that his father parked in victory lane that day.

Stolen Money: Erik Jones participated in the Berlin (Mich.) Raceway’s Money in the Bank 150 Late Model event last week and was poised for a repeat win with ten laps remaining. With five to go he found himself in a three-way battle for the lead with drivers Blake Rowe and Bubba Pollard. Jones ultimately finished third with Pollard overpowering both drivers from the third spot with five laps remaining in the fan-favorite event.

Jones at the Magic Mile: In eight starts at the one-mile asphalt oval, Jones has earned one top-five and two top-10 finishes. In the 2019 race, Jones led four laps and finished the race in third place. He has one start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series where he started second, finished second, and led three laps. Jones has a pair of seventh-place finishes in the NASCAR Truck Series at the one-mile track.

Elenz in New Hampshire: No. 43 crew chief Dave Elenz has six starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series coaching five different drivers to one top-five and three top-10 finishes. He has two starts with Jones in the Cup Series.

Partner Spotlight: Featured on the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will be Unilever, Georgia Pacific, Bic on the No. 43 driven by Erik Jones. John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 42 will have Unilever, Jack Links, Smithfield and Mondelez riding along on his Toyota Camry XSE.

Reigning NXS Winner: Last year while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, John Hunter Nemechek dominated the NASCAR Xfinity Race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway leading 137 of the 206 laps. Nemechek’s crew chief, Ben Beshore was his crew chief for that race. Nemechek will be looking to repeat his success in the NASCAR Cup Series’ USA TODAY 301 on Sunday.

Happy Birthday!: Bryan Backus, the front tire changer on the No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB entry celebrates a birthday on Thursday, June 20th.

Going for G.O.L.D.: Partners Dollar Tree and Family Dollar will honor store #2406 this weekend as a part of the company’s “Go for G.O.L.D.” (Grand Opening Look Daily) program. The Dollar Tree and Family Dollar primaries will highlight these stores on the deck lid of all three LEGACY M.C. entries throughout the race season. Store #2406 is located in Tilton, N.H.

CLUB QUOTES

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

“New Hampshire (Motor Speedway) is a special place for me and my family. My Dad got his first ever Cup Series win there 25 years ago; I was there for that win, I don’t remember it, but I’ve seen some pictures of it. It was pretty cool to be able to win at NHMS (NASCAR Xfinity Series – 2023) and dominate like we did in a super-fast car. New Hampshire is unique, I really like the racetrack, it’s flat, so hopefully we’ll have a fast Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE.”

Ben Beshore, Crew chief of the No. 42 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE:

“It’s a short track, so a similar type of package that we had at Iowa [Speedway]. Like Iowa, it’s pretty rough, actually New Hampshire [Motor Speedway] is really rough getting into Turn 3 so trying to deal with the bumps getting into Turn 3 and not overtravel, bottom out, all those sorts of things, that is the unique challenge for Loudon. It’s super flat, very important to handle well across the bumps there and make speed there. Hopefully we can apply what we learned in Iowa and apply for New Hampshire”

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

“Last time at New Hampshire we finished 11th, which was a good finish for us. We have some work to do on our short track program and getting a handle on things, but everyone is really working hard at LEGACY M.C. and we are looking forward to seeing what we have this weekend. It’s a tough little track.”

Dave Elenz, Crew chief of the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE:

“The short tracks have been a little tough lately for us we’ve had a couple of good runs this year, but Loudon is a really tough, tricky place. We’ve learned some things here and hopefully take what we have learned to New Hampshire have a good weekend.”

What makes New Hampshire so tough?

“The entry into the corners is really hard so you have to attack the track in the middle to get a good setup. It’s pretty physical on the drivers to be in those zones and really attacking the track the way it needed.”

What makes the lines at New Hampshire unique?

“The lines are more ‘diamond’ shaped, which forces heavy breaking into corners as opposed to sweeping entries like last weekend in Iowa, so you have to make sure you have plenty of braking power.”

PETTY 75TH ANNIVERSARY

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

The King’s Hat: Check New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s social media for the King’s Hat location.

BROADCAST INFO

NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
SUNDAY, JUNE 23RD @ 2:30 PM ET

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

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

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

Rick Ware Racing: Justin Haley/Kaz Grala New Hampshire Race Advance

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Official Release
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JUSTIN HALEY | KAZ GRALA
New Hampshire Advance

Event Overview

● Event: USA Today 301 (Round 18 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 23
● Location: New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon
● Layout: 1.058-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 301 laps / 318.46 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 70 laps / Stage 2: 115 laps / Final Stage: 116 laps
● TV/Radio: USA / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Justin Haley, Driver of the No. 51 Fraternal Order of Eagles Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Justin Haley and the No. 51 Fraternal Order of Eagles Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing (RWR) head to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon for Sunday’s USA Today 301.

● Haley has six previous starts at New Hampshire acorss NASCAR’s Cup Series (three), Xfinity Series (two) and the Craftsman Truck Series (one). His best Cup Series finish was his most recent – a 17th-place finish in last year’s Crayon 301. Haley owns a top-10 finish in the 2021 Xfinity Series event and finished 13th in his lone Truck Series start at the track dubbed “The Magic Mile.”

● In two ARCA Menards Series East (previously K&N Series East) events at New Hampshire, Haley finished eighth (2015) and third (2016). The third-place result in 2016 was one of 13 top-five finishes Haley earned during the 14-race season when he claimed the series championship.

● Haley earned his third points-paying top-15 finish of the season, a 13th-place effort in last Sunday’s inaugural Cup Series event at Iowa Speedway in Newton. He finished 10th in the second stage to pick up his first stage points of the year and gained two spots in the driver standings to now sit 30th with 234 points.

● With 18 races complete, Haley is ranked seventh among drivers in laps completed (4,766) and eighth in miles completed (5,885.25).

Kaz Grala, Driver of the No. 15 Meat N’ Bone Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Kaz Grala, driver of No. 15 Meat N’ Bone Ford Mustang Dark Horse, will make his first Cup Series start at his home track Sunday. The native of Westborough, Massachusetts owns three previous starts at New Hampshire in the Xfinity Series, two in the Truck Series, both resulting in top-10 finishes, and three in the ARCA Menards Series East, where he owns a best finish of third earned in 2015.

● At 4 years old, Grala began his racing efforts in go-karts at F1 Boston. He won multiple championships before moving to Bandoleros at the age of 10 and won the Outlaws Summer Shootout championship in 2011. Grala followed that up with 15 wins and the Winter Heat Championship at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway in the Legend Car Pro Division in 2012.

In 2013, 14-year-old Grala moved on to stock car racing in the UARA-STARS Series, becoming the youngest winner in series history at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The Boston-area native completed a full 16-race schedule in the ARCA Menards Series East in 2014, earning four top-five finishes and 10 top-10s. That same year, he ran in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challengeat just 15 years old, becoming the youngest driver ever to compete in an IMSA event, and he competed in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, collecting wins at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and Caraway Speedway near Asheboro, N.C., and set a record for youngest winner in track history at the latter.



Grala returned to the ARCA Menards Series East in June 2015 and collected four top-fives and nine top-10s in 14 races.  He also competed in a Kyle Busch Motorsports Super Late Model at South Boston (Va.) Speedway, winning the pole and leading 131 of 150 laps en route to the win. Seven months later, he made his debut in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, where he was the youngest driver in the field.

● Grala made his NASCAR national series debut in the Truck Series in 2016, earning three top-10s during a nine-race schedule. In 50 total Truck Series starts, Grala has one win, six top-fives and 19 top-10s. He made his Xfinity Series debut in 2018, competing in 22 of 33 events. Grala completed his first fulltime season in the Xfinity Series in 2023 before moving to the Cup Series with RWR for the 2024 season.

● Meat N’ Bone joins Grala for its first race as primary partner on the No. 15 RWR Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Meat N’ Bone is an online butcher shop offering premium quality meats delivered locally and shipped nationally. Customers can order from over 300 products, including USDA Prime and Wagyu A5, and have it delivered fresh to their door. Meat N’ Bone also offers local pickup and a personalized retail experience in its boutiques.

Rick Ware Racing Notes

● Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) heads to the Bridgeport Half-Mile at Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway this weekend for its eighth event of the year. In last weekend’s event in Middletown, New York, Mission SuperTwins rider Briar Bauman earned his second podium of the year, a second-place effort that solidified his fourth-place standing in points. AFT Singles reigning champion Kody Kopp picked up his fourth win of the year, a victory that now has him tied with teammate Shayna Texter-Bauman as the winningest rider in AFT Singles history. Kopp currently holds a 26-point lead in the championship standings.

● Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Clay Millican is back on track at Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie for this weekend’s Virginia Nationals. Millican has three semifinal appearances – Las Vegas Four Wide Nationals, New England Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire, and Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee – and an appearance in the Top Fuel final at the Four Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, North Carolina. He sits seventh in points, just 26 points out of fifth-place.

● Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age six when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that fields two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), where RWR won the 2022 SX2 championship with rider Shane McElrath.

Justin Haley, Driver Q&A

The No. 51 team has been performing so well, it’s becoming “normal” to see you running in the top-15 every weekend. Are you carrying that momentum and confiendce into New Hampshire?

“I feel good about New Hampshire. Rick and this team had a really good car there with Cole Custer last year. I remember riding around the No. 51 car for a lot of that race, right around the top-15, and I think our short-track program has been pretty sporty lately. Me and the team are clicking well and we’ve been pretty quick in the last month, so hopefully we’ll continue on that and keep up the consistency.”

The season is now halfway complete. Where would you say the No. 51 team is at leading into Loudon?

“We’ve kind of started to pick it up recently. I have a great crew chief in Chris Lawson, and with that you have to have a team owner, team president, and competition director who are willing to give you the resources you need to go out there and compete. And I’ve got all of that at Rick Ware. It’s not just one thing or one person. I can say, as confident as ever, the racecars I’m driving right now are some of the best-handling and most competitive racecars I’ve ever driven in my life. Huge props to everyone at Rick Ware. We don’t have a lot. I think people think that we have more than we actually do, but what we do have is a bunch of hard-working men and women who are putting everything into this race team. To get Rick these finishes makes me super proud, to show him that his race team is capable of doing this. It’s been a cool stretch over the past month. But the sport is always moving forward, and if we don’t keep pushing forward and continuing to better ourselves, we’ll get left in the dust pretty quickly. So now we’re working as hard as ever to keep up and try to improve”

Kaz Grala, Driver Q&A

This will be your first Cup Series start at New Hampshire. How excited are you to get to race in front of your home crowd?

“I’ve been looking forward to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is going to be so great to be able to get in front of the New England race fans. I’ve said for years that I feel like New Hampshire, and New England in general, they may not have the most fans, but they have the most passionate motorsports fans. When you go up there, the stands are packed and everybody’s having the best time. My goal has always been to try to grow the local following that I’ve had, and try to put racing a little bit more on the map in the Boston area, where I’m from. We went to a ton of NASCAR races when I was young, just being a fan in the grandstands and tailgating in New Hampshire.”

Do you remember your first Cup Series experience as a fan?

“I was young and David Ragan was a big supporter for me as I worked my way through the different racing I was doing at the time. The very first time I ever got a NASCAR Cup Series hot pass was to New Hampshire. David was in the UPS No. 6 for Roush Fenway Racing, and I got to sit on their pit box. And that was the very first time I had any sort of up-close-and-personal experience with NASCAR in the Cup Series. Now I’m kind of having a different first-time experience in the Cup Series on the driver side with Rick Ware Racing, a team that’s very much on the rise, and it’s exciting every weekend to be able to go out to the racetrack and know we’ve got a chance to run well. I look to New Hampshire to be very much the same opport

Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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New Hampshire Motor Speedway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 19, 2024) – Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse head to Loudon, NH to take on the Magic Mile of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The iconic Long John Silver’s colors are back on the No. 34 for McDowell’s 22nd career start at the 1.058 mile track. McDowell is looking to improve his best finish of 13th, at last year’s race, as he looks to lock himself in the NASCAR Playoffs.

Track activity will begin with practice and qualifying on Saturday, June 22nd at 12:30 p.m. ET. The 301 mile event will take place Sunday, June 23rd at 2:30 p.m. ET and will be televised live on USA Network. Fans can also listen in on the action live from Sirius XM and the Performance Racing Network.

No. 34 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“New Hampshire has been a struggle for us. If anything, it’s a bigger Martinsville. Our short track program has been a lot better. I go there optimistic every year, but it’s no doubt that it’s been a struggle for us in years past. Hopefully, we hit it right this weekend and get a solid finish.”

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

“We haven’t had the success that we’ve wanted in the past at New Hampshire, but with the way we have ran this season, we know we have the speed to change that. New Hampshire has some similarities to other tracks we’ve done well, and if we continue to keep doing what we have been all season, we know we can be there at the end.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Grillo’s Pickles Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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New Hampshire Motor Speedway Competition Notes

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 19, 2024) – Todd Gilliland makes his return to the great state of New Hampshire for the NASCAR Cup Series race at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Gilliland will bring a new look to his Ford Mustang Dark Horse, partnering with Grillo’s Pickles. Made with a 100-year old family recipe, Grillo’s Pickles started in the Boston Common in 2008 selling pickles out of a Cutlass Supreme and then a Pickle Cart. Since then, Grillo’s has grown to national grocery distribution.

The No. 38 will feature Sam Sam the Pickle Man in a green and white “Pickle Car” livery. Sam Sam the Pickle man kicked off his campaign to become the “World’s Most Interesting Pickle” with Gilliland and Front Row Motorsports.

With his 12th place finish at the Iowa Speedway, Gilliland now has four Top-15 finishes in his last six races. He sits 20th in the Driver Championship points standings and is 97 points below the playoff cut line.

Practice and qualifying will take place Saturday, June 22nd at 12:30 p.m. ET. The USA Today 301 is schedule for Sunday, June 23rd at 2:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the action live on USA Network or listen in from the Performance Racing Network and SirIus XM channel 90.

No. 38 Grillo’s Pickles Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“New Hampshire has been a good track to me. I actually have a win there in the K&N East Series and a third-place finish in the trucks. It’s a huge confidence booster knowing not only myself, but my crew chief and spotter have had success there. With how we have been running these last couple of races, I think we’re going to leave Sunday with a solid result.

“Grillo’s has been an amazing partner. They are all about NASCAR and engaging with myself, the team, and the fans. I really want to get Sam Sam the Pickle Man into Victory Lane.”

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“I always enjoy going to New Hampshire, it’s my home track. Todd’s spotter, Brit (Andersen), and I have had success there in the Modifieds with Ryan Newman, so that along with Todd’s (Gilliland) history at the track, we have a lot of positivity heading into the weekend.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Bell Among Several Contenders for Saturday’s SciAps 200

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NASCAR Cup Series star Christopher Bell has an average finish of 1.0 after three NASCAR Xfinity Starts at New Hampshire Motor Speedway – can he go four for four?

LOUDON, N.H. – There’s plenty on the line in Saturday’s SciAps 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS).

Some drivers are looking to pile on the playoff points as they look to solidify their drive for a season title. Others are trying to earn that elusive first win of the season to make sure they don’t miss out on the season-ending drive for the championship.

And Christopher Bell is simply trying to keep his NXS average finish at New Hampshire as a perfect 1.0.

Bell has won all three of his NXS starts at “The Magic Mile” (2018, 2019, 2021). This year, he’ll be behind the wheel of the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

“I think Bell being in the 20 is going to be very hard to beat,” said John Hunter Nemechek, last year’s New Hampshire NXS champion who is competing in the USA TODAY 301 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race on Sunday. “He is really good there in any series. I think he is undefeated there in the Xfinity Series, so hopefully he and our 20 team from Joe Gibbs Racing on the Xfinity side will be able to go and run really well.

“I expect all the JGR cars to be really fast. You also can’t count out Cole Custer or Justin Allgaier either. There’s some really heavy hitters when you go to short tracks and New Hampshire in general, but I’d have to go with C. Bell for the win.”

Bell and Alex Bowman are two NCS stars who will be behind the wheel in the SciAps 200. Also pulling double duty is three-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) champion Justin Bonsignore, who will drive the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing before competing in the Mohegan Sun 100 Saturday evening.

Another Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Chandler Smith, is returning to NHMS after finishing second behind Nemechek last summer. Now driving the No. 81 Toyota, Smith already has two NXS victories this season and sits one point behind Cole Custer, the defending series champion, in the regular-season point standings. Custer is one of the drivers still looking to notch his first 2024 win on Saturday.

“Just knowing that I have a car capable every single weekend to go out and win – I didn’t really have that last year – so it takes a lot of weight off my shoulders,” said Smith, who has wins this year at Phoenix and Richmond. “New Hampshire is flat – it’s a short track in my opinion – and those are tracks that I definitely excel at. It’s flat, very technical, low grip. Those are tracks that I excel at.”

While Nemechek won’t be racing until Sunday, memories of “The Magic Mile” run deep for himself and his father, Joe, who scored his first career NCS win in the Granite State in 1999.

“New Hampshire has a special place for our family with my dad getting his first Cup Series win there 25 years ago,” said Nemechek, who led 137 of 206 laps in last year’s NXS victory. “I was there for that win, but I don’t remember it. I’ve seen pictures of it. So that’s pretty cool to be able to win there and dominate like we did last year.”

For a NASCAR weekend schedule, visit NHMS.com/Events/NASCAR-Cup-Series/Schedule/.

Tickets:

Log on to NHMS.com for tickets and more information on the weekend’s lineup of action-packed racing. Tickets for SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels start at just $25 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Tickets for Doubleheader Saturday, featuring the SciAps 200 NXS race and the Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race, start at just $49 for adults while kids 12 and under are free. Sunday’s USA TODAY 301 NASCAR Cup Series race tickets start at just $64 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Further details can be found on the NHMS website or by calling 833-4LOUDON.

Follow Us:

Keep track of all of New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s events by following on Facebook (@NHMotorSpeedway), Twitter (@NHMS) and Instagram (@NHMS). Keep up with all the latest information on the speedway website (NHMS.com) and mobile app.

About NASCAR Weekend at NHMS

New England’s only NASCAR weekend is June 21-23 at NHMS. On-track action kicks off Friday with practice and qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) plus SIG SAUER Academy Dirt Duels at The Flat Track. The action continues with NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) qualifying, the SciAps 200 NXS race and Mohegan Sun 100 NWMT race on Doubleheader Saturday and culminates with the NCS taking on “The Magic Mile” Sunday for the USA TODAY 301. Don’t miss all of the exciting off-track action including Trackside Live with Kenny Wallace and John Roberts, The Groove fan hangout, concerts from Dirty Deeds and Draw the Line, family movie night featuring “Guardians of the Galaxy,” driver appearances, a variety of live performances, fireworks and much more.

Toyota Racing Weekly Preview 06.19.24

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This Week in Motorsports: June 17 – 23, 2024

  • NCS/NXS: New Hampshire Motor Speedway – June 21-23
  • ARCA: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – June 21
  • NHRA: Virginia Motorsports Park – June 22-23

PLANO, Texas (June 19, 2024) – NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity Series head back to the Northeast at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for their second consecutive short track race. The ARCA Menards Series is right back in action, this time at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course competing at the first road course of the season. The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series returns to the track this weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park for the NHRA Virginia Nationals.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS

Truex seeks New Hampshire repeat … Back home in the Northeast, Martin Truex Jr. looks to repeat his victory from a season ago in what could be his final appearance at his home race track of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Truex had eight top-fives and 14 top-10s at New Hampshire before last year’s race and finally achieved that long-awaited triumph. A repeat victory at New Hampshire would lock Truex into the Cup Series Playoffs as the season nears the midway point.

Hamlin back at favorable New Hampshire … New Hampshire Motor Speedway has also been a successful circuit for Truex’s teammate, Denny Hamlin. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver enters this weekend with five consecutive top-10s at New Hampshire and eight in the last eleven races. The 43-year-old also seeks his fourth win at the one-mile short track as he captured victory in 2007, 2012 and 2017.

Bell eager to continue strong runs … After his fourth-place finish at Iowa on Sunday, Christopher Bell comes to New Hampshire with four consecutive top-10s and five in the last six races. Another such run, or even a second career win at New Hampshire, would help Bell continue to climb up the points standings, where he’s currently in eighth, while also sitting fourth in the Cup Series Playoff standings with just nine races remaining in the regular season. Bell is also running the Xfinity Series this weekend for Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 20 GR Supra, his first Xfinity Series race since 2022. The Oklahoma native has been victorious in all three of his starts at the one-mile circuit (2018, 2019 and 2021).

Toyota Supras rising in Xfinity Series points … After sweeping the stages and accruing a top-10 finish at Iowa, Chandler Smith now sits second in the Xfinity Series points standings, just one point behind the top spot. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Sheldon Creed, also used a strong day at Iowa to benefit his points standing, rising two spots to sixth after a third-place finish last Saturday.

Bonsignore makes Xfinity Series debut … Multi-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, Justin Bonsignore, will pilot the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing this weekend in his Xfinity Series debut. The 36-year-old has been ultra-successful in his racing career, which includes three NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships (2018, 2020 and 2021), and now gets his chance in a NASCAR national series race.

Heim looks to couple career-best run … Corey Heim returns to Sam Hunt Racing and the Xfinity Series this weekend at New Hampshire, once again piloting the No. 26 GR Supra. The 21-year-old comes to the Northeast fresh off his best career finish of third at Iowa last weekend, his second top-five in seven starts so far this season.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series

Toyota Development Drivers take on Mid-Ohio … The ARCA Menards Series competes back-to-back weekends, now heading to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for race eight of the 2024 season. Toyota will have three development drivers in the field on Friday, with Gio Ruggiero and Brent Crews driving Toyota Camrys for Venturini Motorsports and William Sawalich with Joe Gibbs Racing. Sawalich and Ruggiero are both coming off top-five finishes at Iowa last weekend, where Ruggiero also claimed pole.

NHRA – Top Fuel | Funny Car

Toyota drivers in championship fights … Heading into Richmond this weekend, Toyota drivers find themselves in the thick of the championship battles in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. Defending Top Fuel world champion, Doug Kalitta, is back in the points lead after Bristol, leading Toyota teammate, Justin Ashley, by 22 points. Toyota currently makes up six of the top eight positions in the Top Fuel standings. In Funny Car, J.R. Todd moved up to third in the standings after reaching the finals in Bristol.

Milestone weekend in play for Torrence … Should he advance past the first round of eliminations on Sunday, Steve Torrence will achieve 500 round wins in his NHRA career. The three-time world champion is also a multi-time winner at Virginia Motorsports Park, last winning in 2019, where another win would be key as he’s currently fourth in the Top Fuel points standings.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 28 electrified options.

Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.

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

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