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Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Racing: Noah Gragson Indianapolis Advance

NOAH GRAGSON
Indianapolis Advance
No. 10 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: Brickyard 400 (Round 22 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 21
● Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
● Layout: 2.5-mile rectangular oval
● Laps/Miles: 160 laps/400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 50 laps / Stage 2: 50 laps / Final Stage: 60 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / IMS / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● The seeds of the Brickyard 400 were planted on Monday, June 22, 1992. It was the first of a two-day tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the viability of racing NASCAR Cup Series stock cars on Indy’s 2.5-mile rectangular oval was explored. Just a day removed from his victory in the Miller Genuine Draft 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Davey Allison joined eight of his Cup Series counterparts – Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott, Darrell Waltrip, Ricky Rudd, Ernie Irvan, Mark Martin and Kyle Petty – to run full-bodied stock cars on a track that was specific to low-slung, open-wheel Indy cars and the iconic Indianapolis 500. On the second day of the test, the nine drivers raced in a pack to simulate drafting, all while an estimated 40,000 fans looked on. Elliott in his Ford Thunderbird was fastest on both days, yet his best lap was still 63 mph slower than Roberto Guerrero’s pole-winning speed of 232.482 mph for that year’s Indianapolis 500. The speed discrepancy didn’t matter. Big American iron thundering around the famed Brickyard whetted appetites, and on April 14, 1993, NASCAR president Bill France Jr. and Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George announced that the inaugural Brickyard 400 would be held on Saturday, Aug. 6, 1994. It would be the first race other than the Indianapolis 500 to be held at the Speedway since 1916. Rising star and Indiana icon Jeff Gordon won the race to score the second of his 93 career victories, beating Brett Bodine by .53 of a second. For the next 26 years, the Cup Series raced on the oval before a three-year sojourn on Indianapolis’ 2.439-mile, 14-turn infield road course. It was not the same, and with the current-generation car putting on great shows at intermediate-style tracks across the nation, the decision to return to Indy’s 2.5-mile oval was made. The 2024 Brickyard 400 will mark the 28th Cup Series race on the big track, but the first since 2020.

● Noah Gragson doesn’t have a NASCAR Cup Series start on Indy’s 2.5-mile oval, but he does have one NASCAR Xfinity Series start on the big track. The driver of the No. 10 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing made his Indy debut in 2019 and finished third after starting 13th.

● Gragson raced at Indy three other times in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, but they were all on the road course. From 2020 through 2022, Gragson never finished outside of the top-10. His best finish came in his first road-course start at Indy – third in 2020. He finished fifth in 2021 and 10th in 2022.

● Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, site of last weekend’s NASCAR event, shares some similarities to Indianapolis. Its 2.5-mile layout boasts just three corners, with its turn two, best known as the Tunnel Turn, modeled after the corners at Indianapolis, with just eight degrees of banking. Gragson has made four Xfinity Series starts at Pocono, with three finishes of sixth or better. In fact, his last Xfinity Series start at Pocono was his best. On July 23, 2022, the Las Vegas native started ninth but worked his way to the lead after 25 laps. He wound up pacing the field three times for a race-high 43 laps, including the final 22, to take the win by .281 of a second over runner-up Ty Gibbs.

● DYK?: The last NASCAR Cup Series team to win on Indy’s 2.5-mile oval was Stewart-Haas Racing. In fact, the team co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart and Haas Automation founder Gene Haas won the last two Brickyard 400s, each courtesy of Kevin Harvick. And not since 2017 has a manufacturer other than Ford won the Brickyard 400, as Brad Keselowski drove a Ford to victory lane in the 2018 Brickyard 400 before Harvick’s back-to-back Brickyard wins in 2019 and 2020.

● The “Stewart” in Stewart-Haas owns two Brickyard 400 victories. The Hoosier hotshoe grabbed a coveted Indy win in 2005 before securing a second triumph in 2007. Both victories came with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Noah Gragson, Driver of the No. 10 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Ford Mustang Dark Horse

This year marks a return to the oval at Indy. While you don’t have any NASCAR Cup Series starts on the 2.5-mile oval, you do have one NASCAR Xfinity Series start on the oval (2019, when you finished third). So, what’s it like to race on the most renown oval in all of motorsports?

“It’s tough. It’s like the Tunnel Turn at Pocono, you’ve just got to be good with your timing. It’ll be different with all the horsepower and everything in the Cup cars. We ran the high-downforce, drag package where you drafted the whole time and pretty much ran close to, if not wide open, all the way around there. Our speeds probably weren’t as high at the end of the straightaways, but definitely drafting and getting pretty tight behind guys, so some of that stuff might be applicable for this weekend. But it’s all about timing and getting around that racetrack and maximizing your corner speed.”

Indy is big, flat and fast. How do you make a fast lap around that place, and then duplicate that fast lap 159 more times?

“You’ve just got to try and maximize your exit speed and get the car to turn and pointed correctly, and get on the gas early to make straightaway speed.”

You get a 50-minute open practice on Friday of the Indy race weekend. What are you able to do in that session that you aren’t able to do in your typical 20-minute practice session prior to Cup qualifying?

“Just get way more laps on the track to get comfortable with it. You get to make some changes, more adjustments, than you normally would.”

Indiana in July is hot and humid. How do you deal with the heat, and how far out before a race weekend begins do you start preparing yourself for the heat?

“You start hydrating Wednesday, Thursday if your race is on Sunday, drink Pedialyte and just sit outside a little bit more than you would during the week. I’ve felt good during the hot races. Obviously, they’ve been hot and it takes a long time to cool off after them, but inside the car I’ve felt good, and that’s what matters.”

What’s the hottest race you’ve ever competed in? What were some of the things you were dealing with in that race?

“Probably the worst shape I’ve ever been in in a racecar, as far as, ‘Man, I don’t know if I can keep doing this,’ it’d probably be Gateway or Iowa back in 2018. It was really hot, but I think I’ve just gotten more used to it now. With my experience, I feel like I’d be able to get back in that same race and it’d probably be no big deal. I’ve definitely fine-tuned my hydration plan, and I have more reps at longer races. I don’t know if I just wasn’t acclimated back in the Xfinity Series, but it was pretty tough. With my experience and reps behind the wheel now, it wouldn’t be a piece of cake, it still would be hot, but I would be able to bear it a lot better.”

No. 10 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Noah Gragson

Hometown: Las Vegas

Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

Car Chief: Jerry Cook

Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

Engineer: James Kimbrough

Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

Spotter: Andy Houston

Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder

Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard

Hometown: King, North Carolina

Jack Man: Sean Cotten

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener

Hometown: Fortuna, California

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Chris Trickett

Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

Mechanic: Beau Whitley

Hometown: Carmel, Indiana

Tire Specialist: Jacob Cooksey

Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

Hometown: Monroe, New York

Transporter Co-Driver: Steve Casper

Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

Lexus LBX Adds a New High Performance Variant, the LBX “MORIZO RR”

  • A compact car transcending its class allowing the discerning customer to return to being their true selves, offering a new value in luxury
  • A high-performance model that offers an exhilarating out-of-the-ordinary experience featuring refined performance and a sophisticated design
  • 1.6-litre in-line three-cylinder intercooled turbocharged engine (G16E-GTS), extensively developed vehicle fundamentals by racing drivers
  • A design rooted in high performance, maintaining compact yet commanding proportions
  • The “Bespoke Build” program offers a wide range of options, including yellow brake calipers, enabling customers to create a truly unique vehicle

Toyota City, Japan, July 18, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – LEXUS unveiled the Japan domestic specifications of the new LBX MORIZO RR on Thursday, July 18, which was originally exhibited at the Tokyo Auto Salon held in January 2024. Orders for the Japanese market will be accepted starting today, with the release planned for late August. Additionally, 100 units of the LBX MORIZO RR “Bespoke Build” will be available through a lottery. Applications for the lottery can be submitted at Lexus dealerships within Japan starting from Thursday, July 18, to Wednesday, July 31. Winners will be notified by the dealership.

The new LBX MORIZO RR was developed alongside master driver Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo, to deliver the refined signature LEXUS driving quality and sophisticated design. This high-performance model is designed to enhance the dialogue between driver and car, evoke spontaneous smiles, and provide an exhilarating out-of-the-ordinary experience. Equipped with a 1.6L inline-three intercooler turbo engine (G16E-GTS), it delivers exhilarating torque and power. To fully utilize this power, the fundamental characteristics of the car were thoroughly refined. A dedicated platform was developed in order to achieve a balance between agility and power. To ensure a high level of control on various road surfaces, the Response-Enhancing Damping Structure (REDS), a world-first(1), was adopted on the front lower arms, enhancing responsiveness while dampening. Furthermore, in pursuit of the distinctive quietness that is characteristic of LEXUS, source control measures were thoroughly implemented to suppress noise and vibration even during sporty driving. To maximize vehicle performance, features such as a Direct Shift 8AT and a LEXUS*2 first, 6-speed iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission), have been adopted. Additionally, an electronically controlled full-time AWD has been incorporated to enhance the sporty driving experience. In terms of design, the aim was to express both luxury and a presence transcending the size hierarchy of the LBX. Drawing from the design concept of “Premium Casual,” which encourages customers to casually use the vehicle in their daily lives, we pursued a design backed by high performance. Exterior features such as exclusive front and rear bumpers, 19-inch forged wheels, colored arch moldings and colored rocker moldings emphasize the low center of gravity and wide stance. For the interior, the aim was to create a sportier space fostering a seamless connection between the driver and car, aiming to enhance the sense of unity with the vehicle and provide an unforgettable driving experience. This was achieved by incorporating dedicated sports seats, aluminum pedals, and interior accents to enhance the joy of driving.

In the “Bespoke Build” program, customers can craft their own unique vehicle from a wide range of variations. Special custom options, such as dedicated brake calipers in Morizo’s signature yellow, are available to enhance the personalized experience for the customer. The goal was to create a casual luxury vehicle that customers would eagerly drive on weekends, much like a favorite pair of sneakers.

MAIN PRODUCT FEATURES OF THE NEW LBX MORIZO RR

Exceptional driving performance made possible by extensively developing the vehicle fundamentals alongside a racing driver

  • A dedicated platform designed to balance agility and power for a sporty AWD experience
  • A driving position and package crafted to pursue seamless unity between driver and car
  • Adoption of the world-first*1 Response-Enhancing Damping Structure (REDS) in the front lower arms
  • Distinctive quietness of a LEXUS, with a focus on source control measures to suppress noise and vibration
  • Maximized aerodynamic performance to enhance driving dynamics and design aesthetics

Delivering driving pleasure with motorsport-inspired performance and smooth acceleration

  • An intercooled turbocharged 1.6-liter engine engineered to push sports driving performance to the limits
  • Two transmission options: the Direct Shift-8AT for maximizing vehicle performance and sports driving, and a 6-speed iMT, a first for LEXUS(2)
  • Electronic control full-time AWD contributes to safe, secure, and sporty driving
  • Adoption of a braking system that maximizes driving performance potential
  • The design balances compactness and striking presence, backed by high-performance
  • Tire-conscious and dynamic proportions, unrestricted by the compact body size
  • Based on the premise of the cooling, aerodynamic and dynamic performance required when driving at the limit, such as on circuits, the special bumpers and grills focus a more dynamic and high-performance image
  • The rear design reflects a simple solid mass with low centre of gravity and dual mufflers evoke a sense of spirited driving
  • Addition of aluminum pads on each pedal to enhance sportiness
  • Specially designed front seats with integrated foam construction are adopted to provide firm support for the body even during sports driving

Customers can create their own custom vehicle from a wide range of options offered by the “Bespoke Build” ordering system

  • The “Bespoke Build” custom order system allows customers to choose interior colors, seat materials, belt colors, and stitching from a wide range of options to create a truly unique vehicle
  • Brake calipers colored in Morizo’s signature yellow are available as an exclusive option

KUNIHIKO ENDO, LEXUS LBX MORIZO RR CHIEF ENGINEER

With LBX, we aimed to transcend traditional size hierarchies, offering a blend of casual luxury that allows those who appreciate authenticity to reconnect with their true selves, driving comfortably and confidently. For the “LBX MORIZO RR,” our goal was to create a vehicle beloved by genuine car enthusiasts like Morizo―a driving companion that deeply engages with the sensory delights of sound and scent, ultimately bringing a smile to their faces. Developed extensively at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama and various circuits alongside professional driver Masahiro Sasaki, this car typically provides a relaxed, casual driving experience. Yet, when you press the accelerator for a spirited drive, it delivers performance that exceeds expectations. Stay tuned for this high-performance model that fosters enjoyable dialogue with the car, evoking smiles and an exhilarating sense of the extraordinary.

MASAHIRO, RACING DRIVER

If LBX’s HEV model is like a sneaker, then MORIZO RR can be likened to an all-purpose athletic shoe that you can wear anytime, anywhere―even capable of becoming spikes when you’re ready to move. You’ll feel the joy of driving and the thrill of acceleration from its powerful engine and Direct Shift-8AT, complemented by delightful sounds. With LBX MORIZO RR, our focus was on refining the motorsports based powertrain developed by GR while ensuring it is still infused with the distinctive Lexus refinement. Through agile development and extensive testing, both the car and the people involved in its creation experienced significant growth. We remain committed to crafting Lexus vehicles filled with excitement and playful spirit that car enthusiasts like Morizo will find truly exhilarating.

PROFILE

Racing driver from Iwate Prefecture. Participated in the 2019 Nürburgring 24 Hours race with an A90 Supra from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. Since 2021, has been competing in the Super Taikyu series with ROOKIE Racing, driving the hydrogen engine Corolla Sport alongside Morizo. Involved in the development of driving performance for GR and Lexus vehicles, and helped produce the RZ special edition model “F SPORT Performance”. Also contributed as a development driver for LBX, pursuing driving experiences that bring smiles to car enthusiasts.

LBX MORIZO RR Specs

(1) World’s first application on suspension systems
(2) In the Japanese market

News URL: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/91830/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/LexusJP | Twitter : https://twitter.com/lexusint | Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/LexusGlobal

How to Handle Personal Injuries Involving Dangerous Premises

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Personal injury is one of the most complex legal matters to navigate. It can happen to anyone anywhere. In most cases, the property owner is responsible for paying the compensatory damage dues. In the case of dangerous premises, there are even more complicated nuances that must be taken into account. Either way, personal injuries demand adequate compensation. To ensure that you get what’s yours, contact an injury and accident lawyer in Texas for a professional opinion on your case. 

Handling personal injuries that occur on dangerous premises can be a challenging and stressful experience. Whether it’s a slip and fall accident, a faulty staircase, or inadequate security leading to an assault, victims of such incidents often find themselves unsure about the appropriate course of action. In this article, we will explore practical strategies for handling personal injuries involving dangerous premises. By following these tips, individuals can navigate the legal process with greater clarity and confidence.

Understanding the Legal Responsibility

To effectively handle personal injuries involving dangerous premises, it is essential to understand who carries legal responsibility for maintaining a safe environment. In many cases, property owners or managers have an obligation to ensure their premises are free from hazards that could harm visitors or occupants. This includes conducting regular inspections, promptly addressing known dangers, and implementing reasonable measures to prevent accidents.

Seeking Immediate Medical Attention

When facing a personal injury due to dangerous premises, one of the most critical steps is seeking immediate medical attention. Regardless of how minor an injury may seem initially, it is vital to receive professional evaluation and treatment. Not only does seeking medical care ensure your health and well-being but obtaining documentation of your injuries is crucial when filing a claim later on. By doing so promptly after an incident occurs, you strengthen your case by establishing a clear link between your injuries and the dangerous condition that caused them.

Documenting Evidence

Documentation plays a pivotal role in any personal injury case involving dangerous premises. To strengthen your claim and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for damages suffered, gather as much evidence as possible. Begin by taking photographs or videos of the accident scene if conditions permit safely doing so. Additionally, make note of any apparent hazards or circumstances that contributed to the incident resulting in your injury. This information will assist lawyers in recreating the event accurately during proceedings.

Personal Lawyer Consultation

Engaging the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable support throughout your case involving dangerous premises. An attorney specializing in this area of law will assess your situation, explain your legal rights, and guide you through all necessary steps. Ensure you choose a lawyer with a proven track record in personal injury cases involving dangerous premises. This way, you can trust that your interests are represented effectively, increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

Filing a Claim

Filing a claim against the responsible party is often an essential part of handling personal injuries involving dangerous premises. Your lawyer will handle this process on your behalf to prevent any errors or oversights that could hinder your case. Keep in mind that statutes of limitations vary depending on your jurisdiction, so it is crucial to initiate the process as soon as possible to preserve your right to compensation. Include in your claim all relevant evidence and documentation gathered earlier to support your case strongly.

Negotiating Settlements

In some instances, the responsible party may opt for a settlement rather than going to trial. Settling can provide various advantages, such as avoiding potentially lengthy court proceedings and the uncertainties associated with trial verdicts. However, it is crucial to consult an attorney before accepting any settlement offer. Your lawyer will evaluate the proposed settlement, ensuring it adequately compensates you for incurred expenses and projected damages resulting from the incident. 

Navigating through Litigation

If reaching a fair settlement proves challenging or unachievable altogether, litigation may become necessary. At this stage, having a skilled personal injury attorney by your side becomes even more critical because they possess the expertise required to present a strong case in court. From gathering further evidence and interviewing witnesses to crafting persuasive arguments during trial proceedings, experienced lawyers navigate each step strategically while advocating on behalf of their client’s rights and interests. Throughout litigation, ensure open communication lines exist with your attorney so that together you can pursue justice effectively.

Conclusion

Handling personal injuries involving dangerous premises can be an arduous process. By understanding legal responsibility, seeking immediate medical attention, documenting evidence, and retaining a personal injury lawyer, individuals can protect their rights while pursuing fair compensation for damages incurred. Remember to file claims promptly and consider negotiation or litigation options when required. With the right support and guidance, victims of personal injury can navigate this challenging experience with clarity and confidence.

Steps to Take If Falsely Accused of Online Solicitation of a Minor in Houston, Texas

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Being careful on the internet in Houston, Texas, is a slice of wisdom that’s been going around as long as the internet has existed. So, if you or someone you know has been falsely accused of online solicitation of a minor in Houston, Texas, consider getting professional legal help from a skilled Houston sex crime lawyer.

However, often even highly convincing and safe-appearing sites or chatrooms may be out to land someone in legal trouble. The issue of wrongful accusations of online solicitation of minors is becoming increasingly common, and there are entire rings dedicated to such degenerate practices.

In today’s digital era, where online interactions have become an integral part of our lives, one unfortunate consequence is the increase in false accusations, especially concerning online solicitation of a minor in Houston, Texas

Being falsely accused of such a serious crime can have devastating effects on an individual’s personal and professional life. It is crucial to navigate through this challenging situation with caution and act wisely by taking appropriate steps. This article aims to provide guidance and offer essential advice for anyone wrongly accused.

1. Try to Remain Calm and Composed

Facing untrue accusations is undoubtedly an emotionally distressing experience. However, it is vital to stay calm and composed throughout this process. Losing your temper or reacting impulsively can only worsen the situation. Maintain a cool head and respond thoughtfully.

2. Seek Legal Counsel from a Skilled Sex Crime Attorney in Houston, Texas

When faced with false allegations of online solicitation of a minor, it is essential to consult a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible. A qualified lawyer will guide you through the legal system and protect your rights, providing advice specific to your case.

3. Document All Relevant Correspondences and Conversations

Gathering evidence is crucial when defending yourself against false accusations in any legal proceeding, including online solicitation cases involving minors. Document all relevant correspondences and conversations that can prove your innocence.

4. Cooperate but Exercise Caution

Cooperating with law enforcement agencies during their investigations is essential; however, it should be done cautiously in the light of legal counsel’s guidance. Avoid volunteering information without seeking advice from your attorney first; what may seem innocent in conversation could be potentially twisted against you. Weigh your statements carefully. 

5. The Pivotal Role Which Witness Statements Play in Houston Sex Crime Claims

Witness statements play a pivotal role in disproving false allegations. New testimonies or statements from family members, friends, colleagues, or even professionals who can vouch that you were elsewhere during the alleged incident are crucial pieces of evidence. Their accounts can help establish an unassailable alibi that counters the accusations against you.

6. Document Everything You Can Possibly Think Of

Every interaction and encounter related to your case should be carefully documented. Maintain a detailed record of all communication, including email chains, text messages, and social media conversations. Recording dates, times, and locations are essential information to refute any wrongful allegations.

7. Avoid Public Discussions

It’s vital not to publicly discuss your case or the accusations against you on social media platforms or anywhere else. The internet can be unforgiving, with statements being taken out of context and analyzed in ways you didn’t intend. This creates room for misinterpretation and can harm your defense. Allow your attorney’s guidance to shape public statements and ensure discussions remain confidential.

8. Protect Your Online Presence

False allegations can tarnish someone’s reputation dramatically. It is wise to review one’s online presence to make sure there is no publicly available inappropriate activity. This is in the interest of transparency, to demonstrate a clean & respectable image. If credibility carries weight, it becomes harder for baseless accusations to hold water.

9. Focus on the Legal Process

Being falsely accused often generates various emotions— anger, stress & a sense of injustice. It’s important, yet difficult, to focus on working with your legal team. Use them as advisors through the intricate legal process. They will store an objective perspective with an understanding of complex court procedures. Continue solely making posts around the nature/actions causing charge to inflate misunderstand to disadvantage.

10. Conduct a Thorough Investigation

In order to build a strong defense, it is crucial to conduct your own investigation. Look for any evidence that can support your innocence and disprove the accusations made against you. This could include gathering records of your online activity, obtaining witness statements, or seeking digital forensic analysis if required.

11. Stay Away from the Alleged Minor You Are Accused of Soliciting Online

While it may be tempting to confront the alleged victim or try to prove your innocence directly, it is best to maintain distance and adhere to legal advice. Interacting with the alleged victim outside of the legal process can complicate matters and potentially harm your case.

12. Trust in the Legal Process

It can be disheartening and frustrating when faced with false accusations, but it’s important not to lose faith in the legal system. Trust that by following proper procedures and presenting all relevant evidence, justice will prevail in due course. As you navigate through this difficult situation, remember that you are innocent until proven guilty.

Lawyer For Charges of Online Solicitation of a Minor in Houston, Texas

Being falsely accused of online solicitation of a minor is a deeply distressing and life-changing ordeal that no one should have to face. However, taking immediate action and following these steps can help protect your rights and reputation. Be sure to preserve electronic and other crucial evidence that supports your efforts to achieve an objective outcome.

The legal path may feel overwhelming, but consulting reliable legal counsel from a local law firm who specializes in untrue sex charges in Houston can be a valuable asset.

NASCAR Weekend Schedule for Indianapolis – July 2024

Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 Socios.com Ford, Daniel Suarez, driver of the #99 Freeway.com Chevrolet, and Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Verizon 200 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 13, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

This weekend the NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 2.5-mile oval as the the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series heads to the .686-mile asphalt oval at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP).

The pressure to make the Playoffs is mounting with only five races remaining in the Cup Series regular season at Indianapolis, Richmond, Michigan, Daytona and Darlington.

Five Cup Series drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver playoff field – Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Christopher Bell.

Seven Xfinity Series drivers have secured a place in the 12-driver playoff field with seven races remaining in the regular season – Shane van Gisbergen, Chandler Smith, Austin Hill, Sam Mayer, Cole Custer, Justin Allgaier, and Jesse Love.

There are only two races to go in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series regular season. Four drivers have claimed a spot in the 10-driver playoff field with only two races remaining in the regular season – Christian Eckes, Corey Heim, Nick Sanchez and Rajah Caruth.

The ARCA Menards Series is also competing this weekend at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on Friday with practice at 1:30 p.m. and qualifying at 2:30 p.m. The ARCA Circle City 200 is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on FS1.

All times are Eastern.

Friday, July 19
1:05 p.m.: Xfinity Series Practice
1:30 p.m.: ARCA Practice ARCA Race Center
2:20 p.m.: ARCA Qualifying ARCA Race Center
2:35 p.m.: Cup Series Practice
3:30 p.m.: Truck Series Practice (IRP) USA
4:05 p.m.: Truck Series Qualifying (IRP) USA
5:30 p.m.: ARCA Circle City 200 – FS1

8:30 p.m.: Truck Series TSport 200 (IRP)
Distance: 137.2 miles (200 Laps)
Stages: Lap 60, Lap 120, Lap 200
FS1/MRN/SiriusXM
Purse: $672,492

Saturday, July 20
12:05: Xfinity Series Qualifying – USA
1:05 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying – USA
NASCAR Press Pass: Post Cup Qualifying

3:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250
Distance: 250 miles (100 Laps)
Stages: Lap 30/Lap 60/Lap 100
USA/IMS Radio/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Purse: $1,873,623
NASCAR Press Pass: Post Xfinity race

Sunday, July 21
2:30 p.m.: Cup Series Brickyard 400
Distance: 400 miles (160 Laps)
Stages: Lap 50/Lap 100/Lap 160
NBC/SiriusXM/IMS Radio
Purse: $9,596,601
NASCAR Press Pass Post Cup race

Three Entry GMG Racing Effort Ready to Resume 2024 SRO America Season this Weekend at VIRginia International Raceway

  • Kyle Washington Co-Drives New Porsche 911 GT3 R with Tom Sargent in Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS and Solos in GT America Powered by AWS in GMG Racing’s Second No. 32 Type 992 Porsche
  • CJ Moses Returns to 2024 GT America Competition for First Time Since Long Beach for Third-Straight VIR Appearance in the No. 58 GMG Racing/CrowdStrike/AWS Audi R8 LMS GT2

DANVILLE, Virginia (July 17, 2024) – Ready to roll after SRO America’s two-month break from competition, GMG Racing and its three-car and three-driver entry of Fanatec GT World Challenge powered by AWS and GT America powered by AWS contenders returns to VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) for a full weekend of racing that kicks off the second half of the 2024 season at VIR, July 19 – 21.

First-year co-drivers Kyle Washington and Tom Sargent look to start the stretch-run of the year’s final-four race events with season-best Fanatec GT World Challenge America finishes this weekend in the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R. Washington also drives solo in a second No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R alongside teammate CJ Moses in his No. 58 GMG Racing/CrowdStrike/AWS Audi R8 LMS GT2 in this weekend’s pair of GT America powered by AWS sprint races.

Washington and Sargent raced to a pair of season-best fourth-place Pro-Am-class finishes in early May at Sebring International Raceway, and reaching the podium in the doubleheader 90-minute GT World Challenge races is the main goal this weekend. In their corner will be a brand new Type 992 Porsche 911 GT3 R that will be the team’s primary GT World Challenge mount for the rest of the season.

The 992 Porsche 911 GT3 R Washington and Sargent shared in the year’s first three races now shifts to GT America where Washington will use it as his new primary car in that series. The 992’s GT America arrival is well timed as Washington still rides the lingering momentum of a season-best second-place finish in the final 40-minute GT America race in May at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), the last SRO America event weekend before SRO America’s traditional early-summer pause.

“We definitely had some momentum going with Kyle in not only SRO America competition but several others series as well throughout May,” said GMG Racing Founder and Team Principal James Sofronas. “Kyle and Tom had their best GT World Challenge America results in just their second race weekend together at Sebring. Then Kyle won a Porsche Sprint Challenge West Masters class race in Utah the week before his season-best GT America runner-up finish at COTA in the last race before SRO America’s annual break. Having a new car, like the 992 No. 32 Porsche 911 GT3 R, always brings some energy with it, and I have no doubts all of that momentum will come right back to Kyle, Tom and everybody on the team once we get back on track in Virginia.”

Moses makes his second race-weekend start of the season at VIR after making his 2024 debut last April in the GT America doubleheader at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Moses earned a trip to Long Beach victory lane for the EBOOST Hard Charger Award for improving the most positions in Sunday’s race. He races uncontested in the GT2 class this weekend but will make the most of the VIR opportunity with some valuable seat time and on-track experience racing with both the top-tier GT3 competitors and the slower but still quick competitors in the GT4 class.

“My home track is VIR and it’s actually where I started my on track experience as a novice student with the Audi Club in 2000,” Moses said. “It is my favorite track for much the same reason as Paul Newman mentioned: it feels like heaven on earth! I enjoy it so much that my wife and I have contracted for one of the new Villas outside Turn 10. Having experience at the track and in the Audi GT2 allows me to focus on continuous improvement and enjoy the rolling countryside as fast as possible!”

Moses secured overall sixth and seventh place finishes in the GT2 Audi at VIR in 2022 after mixing it up with and even leading some GT3 competitors to the finish line in both races.

“It’s always a tough schedule for CJ to balance his busy work calendar with racing, but he had a good run at Long Beach in April and this is his third-straight year of being able to compete with us in the Audi R8 LMS GT2 at VIR,” Sofronas said. “That type of year-to-year continuity at a track is important for any driver, and we look forward to helping CJ continue to improve on what has been some steady progress over the years on his home track. Last year’s VIR race was a challenging weekend, but CJ was knocking on the door of an overall top-five two years ago and we will do all we can to help him mirror and even improve on that performance this weekend.”

The VIR race weekend also marks a milestone for GMG Racing, Sofronas, and his wife, Nargis Sofronas, as the family business is extending into the next generation with the national racing series debut of their son, Jenson Sofronas, in the Toyota Gazoo Racing North America (TGRNA) GR Cup Series. The younger Sofronas, under the watchful eye of his championship-winning father, tested the GMG Racing GR86 Cup Toyota last month at VIR and took the initial steps to earn a racing license in a USAC on-track testing and evaluation program at the Utah Motorsports Campus in May. Jenson Sofronas, 13, drives the No. 41 GMG Racing Toyota GR86 Cup in a GMG Racing collaboration with series race-winning team Lucas Racing.

All of the weekend’s racing action from VIR is livestreamed on SRO’s GT World channel on YouTube.com, beginning with the first 40-minute GT America race Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT straight through the second 90-minute Fanatec GT World Challenge race that closes out the weekend on Sunday with a 2:15 p.m. EDT green flag

About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a 30,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility located in Santa Ana, California in Orange County and with a trackside motorsports facility at 28,000 sq. ft. currently being built at The Thermal Club. The staff, attention to detail, and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped us support our customers to the highest level possible. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona and Spa, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.

TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Indianapolis

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
Indianapolis Motor Speedway / Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
July 19-21, 2024

 The final push towards the series-wide two-week break will see all three NASCAR national series head to the “Racing Capital of the World” of Indianapolis, Indiana, for the 11th tripleheader of the 2024 season. The weekend will feature the highly anticipated return of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) oval for the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) – highlighted by the 30th anniversary of the Brickyard 400. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) will kick-off the premier weekend of racing at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP), with Friday’s event marking the penultimate race of the series’ regular season.

 CHEVROLET’S WINNING WAYS AT IMS

Chevrolet’s deep-rooted history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway dates back to the track’s early races, where Chevrolet’s co-founder, Louis Chevrolet, and his brothers competed. This weekend will not only mark NASCAR’s return to the oval configuration at IMS, but the revival of one of the sport’s crown jewel events – the Brickyard 400. This weekend, IMS will celebrate the 30th anniversary since the inaugural Brickyard 400 – a race that saw career Chevrolet driver, Jeff Gordon, pilot his Hendrick Motorsports-prepared No. 24 Chevrolet Lumina to the victory.

That victory was just the start of Chevrolet’s success at IMS, with the Bowtie brand heading into the weekend with wins in 17 of the 27 NASCAR Cup Series races at the famed 2.5-mile oval – a record more than double the next leading manufacturer, Ford, with six wins. Chevrolet reeled off an impressive 12 consecutive victories in NASCAR’s top division at the track – recorded from Aug. 2003 to July 2014. The Bowtie brand last paid a visit to victory lane on the IMS oval in July 2017 with Kasey Kahne – ultimately marking his final NCS victory before retiring from full-time competition the following season.

GORDON BOOSTS

BRICKYARD RECORDS

NASCAR Hall of Famer and career Chevrolet driver, Jeff Gordon, has a storied history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Vallejo, California, native became the NASCAR Cup Series’ first winner on the IMS oval by picking up the victory in the inaugural Brickyard 400 (1994). The triumph came when Gordon was at the age of just 23 years, two days – a record that still stands as the series’ youngest winner at the track.

The records don’t stop there. In his 17 career NCS starts at IMS, Gordon tallied five wins, 12 top-fives and 17 top-10s – all of which are series-leading feats.

To help celebrate NASCAR’s 30th anniversary at IMS, the Chevrolet Racing Display in the fan midway will feature the actual No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy Lumina that Jeff Gordon drove to the victory in the inaugural Brickyard 400. In addition, Gordon is scheduled to appear at the Chevrolet Racing Display on Sunday, July 21, at 12:30 p.m. ET for a fan Q&A.

RICK HENDRICK NAMED HONORARY PACE CAR DRIVER FOR BRICKYARD RETURN

With NASCAR’s return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Rick Hendrick – owner of Hendrick Motorsports and Chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group – will serve as the honorary pace car driver to lead the NASCAR Cup Series to the green flag for Sunday’s Brickyard 400.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary season, Hendrick Motorsports has become the sport’s most successful organization, with every win and championship recorded in partnership with Chevrolet. Geoffrey Bodine put Hendrick Motorsports on the map in its founding season – giving the organization its first NCS win at Martinsville Speedway in April 1984. Fast forward to the 2024 season, the Chevrolet organization leads NASCAR’s top division with 14 championships and 309 points-paying wins.

“For all of us at GM and Chevrolet, as well as for our partners at IMS, it’s an honor to have Rick Hendrick lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag at this year’s Brickyard 400,” said Mark Reuss, President of General Motors. “Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports have had a storied history together over the past 40 years. Having Rick pace the 30th anniversary of this prestigious race is a special way to celebrate our partnership and the legacy he has built in NASCAR.”

Hendrick Motorsports is no stranger to success on the famed 2.5-mile oval, with the Chevrolet organization heading into the weekend with a series-leading 10 victories in the Brickyard 400, including the inaugural event in Aug. 1994 with Jeff Gordon. The organization’s anniversary season also saw Rick Hendrick make his debut as a team owner in the NTT INDYCAR Series, who partnered with Arrow McLaren to field the No. 17 Chevrolet INDYCAR entry for Kyle Larson in the Indianapolis 500.

Official press release is linked here: Rick Hendrick to Drive Pace Car at Brickyard 400

ALLGAIER CARRIES MOMENTUM TO THE HOOSIER STATE

At Pocono Raceway, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier netted yet another strong points day – driving his No. 7 Camaro SS to the Stage One win and a runner-up finish to maintain the second position in the NASCAR Xfinity Series points standings. The 38-year-old Illinois native has progressively moved his way up the points standings through the summer swing. Since his victory at Darlington Raceway in May, Allgaier has had top–10 results in seven of the past nine races – including a pair of runner-up finishes.

Looking to continue to build on that momentum, the Team Chevy driver will head to Indianapolis Motor Speedway with an extra boost of confidence as the only active full-time driver in the series with a win at the 2.5-mile oval. That victory came in Sept. 2018, which also marks Chevrolet’s third and most recent NXS victory on the track’s oval configuration.


With the Superspeedway Package:

The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval will see teams compete with the superspeedway package, which was previously utilized this season at Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. The package has fared well for Chevrolet this season, with the manufacturer earning the victory in each of those events – courtesy of Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill (Daytona, Atlanta) and Jesse Love (Talladega). In addition, each of those events saw the Camaro SS take six of the top-10 finishing positions – further solidifying the manufacturer’s superspeedway strength.

ENFINGER CAPITALIZING ON FINAL REGULAR SEASON PUSH

While CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger is still looking for his first trip to victory lane in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season, the Team Chevy driver is continually proving to be a top contender. The 39-year-old Alabama native came just shy of notching the win at Pocono Raceway last weekend, but a runner-up finish in his No. 9 Silverado RST adds yet another stout result through the series’ summer stretch. Enfinger earned his first runner-up finish of the season at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May, with the Team Chevy driver going on to tally top-six finishes in five of the past six NCTS races. Within that time span, he netted three podium results, including two runner-up finishes (North Wilkesboro, Pocono) and a third-place finish (Charlotte). With a 48-point day at Pocono Raceway, Enfinger was able to build a bigger cushion on the playoff cutline – now holding a 33-point advantage.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at IRP:

Friday’s TSport 200 will mark the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ 20th appearance at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Chevrolet earned the victory in the series’ first appearance at IRP in Aug. 1995 – a win recorded with Mike Skinner behind the wheel of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 Silverado. Grant Enfinger took Chevrolet to its series-leading 10th NCTS victory at IRP in July 2022, giving the Bowtie brand a win record that is double the next leading manufacturer, Ford, with five victories.


Season’s Short-Track Success:

Just two opportunities lie ahead for drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to win and secure a berth into the series’ 10-driver playoff field – both coming at a pair of challenging short-tracks (IRP and Richmond Raceway). NCTS’ points leader Christian Eckes has been an automatic favorite going into short-track events this season, with the Team Chevy driver earning victories in two of the series’ three events on short-tracks measuring .75-mile or less (Bristol, Martinsville). In three short-track races this season, Team Chevy drivers have taken the Silverado RST to at least six top-10 finishes in each event – highlighted by a podium sweep at Bristol Motor Speedway.

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· Chevrolet will pace the field during the tripleheader race weekend in Indianapolis. The Silverado RST will lead the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in Friday’s TSport 200 at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. At Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Camaro SS will lead the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Saturday’s Pennzoil 250 Presented by Advance Auto Parts; and the Camaro ZL1 will lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG.

· With 55 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 52.7% with 29 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – nine wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – 11 wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – nine wins).

· In 27 NASCAR Cup Series races on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Chevrolet has earned 17 victories – a record more than double the next leading manufacturer, Ford, with six victories. Of those victories includes a streak of 12-straight, recorded between Aug. 2003 to July 2014.

· Career Chevrolet driver, Jeff Gordon, leads the series with five Brickyard 400 victories, including the inaugural event in Aug. 1994.

· In 10 tripleheader weekends this season, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer to earn a weekend sweep – accomplishing the feat three times (Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway).

· In 93 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 46 victories – a winning percentage of 49.5%.

· With his victory at Sonoma Raceway, Kyle Larson is the second driver to hit a double-digit win record in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen era with 10 triumphs. Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron, leads the series’ all-time win record in the Next Gen era with 11 victories.

· With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 860 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.


FOR THE FANS:

· Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

· Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: Equinox Activ, Equinox EV, Blazer EV, Trailblazer RS, Silverado 2500 HD, Tahoe Z71, Colorado Trail Boss, Silverado 1500 ZR2, Traverse Z71, Corvette Z06.

· Fans can also view William Byron’s No. 24 Camaro ZL1 show car.

· Fans will also have a special viewing of the actual No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Lumina that Jeff Gordon drove to the victory in the inaugural Brickyard 400.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Saturday, July 20

· Austin Hill & Jesse Love: 10:15 a.m.

· Sam Mayer & Sammy Smith: 10:30 a.m.

· Brandon Jones: 10:45 a.m.

· Justin Allgaier & Carson Kvapil: 11 a.m.

Sunday, July 21

· Austin Dillon: 10:30 a.m.

· Daniel Suarez: 10:45 a.m.

· Kyle Busch: 11 a.m.

· Ross Chastain: 11:15 a.m.

· Chase Elliott: 11:30 a.m.

· Kyle Larson: 11:45 a.m.

· Ty Dillon: 12 p.m.

· Jeff Gordon: 12:30 p.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

· Friday, July 19: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

· Saturday, July 20: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

· Sunday, July 21: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 759
Toyota: 751 (-8)
Ford: 736 (-23)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 712
Toyota: 674 (-38)
Ford: 604 (-108)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 533
Toyota: 499 (-34)
Ford: 443 (-90)

TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Brickyard 400

Sunday, July 21, at 2:30 p.m. ET

(NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Pennzoil 250

Saturday, July 20, at 3:30 p.m. ET

(USA Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park

TSport 200

Friday, July 19, at 8:30 p.m. ET

(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)


QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Camaro ZL1

First time back on the Indy oval in several years, how do you think it will be?

“It’s good to be back on the oval. It’s a good change of pace. It’s the first time we’ll be on the oval with this version of the car. A couple of guys did the test there so they’ll probably have a little bit of an upper hand. It’s been a while since I’ve been on the oval but I know how challenging it can be. If we’re good at Pocono, we’ll probably be good at Indy.”

Do you feel racing at IMS should always be on the oval whether the racing is good or bad?

“It could be on the oval. It could be across town at IRP. As long as we are racing in Indianapolis, that’s all I care about.”

What do you expect racing at IRP in the truck?

“I don’t know. I haven’t been there since I made my first race in NASCAR. That was my first truck start. I’ve had desire to get back there and I’m finally getting there.”

Austin Dillon, No. 3 SENIX Camaro ZL1

What are your expectations going back to Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

“I’ve always enjoyed the oval at Indianapolis. The prestige behind it, the history. To me when you win the oval, that’s one of the crown jewels. It’s a giant racetrack that you know has so much history and you get to cross the bricks. The celebration that comes along with it. It’s a long race, it’s a lot of fun. My fondest memory of The Brickyard is probably when I was in Victory Lane with Kevin Harvick when he won the Brickyard 400 in 2003 and with Paul Menard in 2011. My brother won his Xfinity race there in 2014. I love those moments.”

Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Gainbridge Camaro ZL1

What are your thoughts on heading to the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend?

“Indy is a special place, and it’s a big weekend for our Spire Motorsports team. Everybody brings their absolute best to ‘The Brickyard,’ and our No. 7 team is no different. With Indianapolis being the home of Gainbridge, it’s even more of an incentive to have a great run.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Cheddar’s Patriotic Camaro ZL1

What are your thoughts about returning to the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

“I would like to think that we’ll be good out of the gate going back to Indy but who knows. It’s definitely a tough racetrack. It is so challenging to get right. I’ve had some really good runs there and some that were not so good, but the latest stretch, at the end of the oval time frame that we had in NASCAR, I was right there. I had a shot to win all of them, so I feel really good about going back there. I just want to make sure that our Cheddar’s Patriotic Camaro is as fast as it can be when we get there.”

In 2016, you won poles and races for both NXS and Cup races at Indy, the first time in NASCAR history a driver has accomplished the feat. You also dominated the weekend, leading 211 of a possible 233 laps. How much pride do you take in that accomplishment?

“The 2016 weekend was huge there at the Brickyard for me. Being able to win the pole and the race for both the Xfinity and Cup Series races just showed our strength as a team, but also my strength as a driver in figuring out what it takes to be good at Indy. That was certainly a highlight for me on the track during that period of time.”

Could you tell a big difference in the way the Next Gen car handled at Indy?

“There was a difference in the way the NextGen car handled at Indy. The NextGen car likes to be driven off the right-front tire and you can’t slip the right-rear. But at Indy, as you go through a tire run, you typically continue to get tighter so you need to be on the free side at the start of a run. When you do that with the NextGen car, it can make it very easy to crash.”

Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Cirkul Camaro ZL1

“We’ve got another super iconic racetrack that we get to return to: the Brickyard. This will be my second brickyard 400. There are certain racetracks we go to that feel extra special knowing that we’re fortunate to be a part of history, and this is one of those places. It’s a big weekend for us and Cirkul, our partner, and everyone involved. We know we’ve got quite a bit of work to do with the flatter race tracks, but everyone is working hard to keep moving this program forward. Hopefully we can do just that.”

Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1

Bowman on racing the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

“It’s going to be cool to be back at Indy (Indianapolis Motor Speedway). That’s going to be a really difficult race passing wise, so track position is going to be super key. Race strategy can play a huge role in any of that, so I’m excited for the challenge and to get back there (the oval).”

Blake Harris, Crew Chief, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1

Harris on calling the shots for the No. 48 team at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with five races to go until the playoffs:

“I think this weekend at Indy (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), will be like how Pocono (Raceway) was for us last weekend. Now that we have the win, we can take some more chances on strategy to put us in position to win (again). We’re also going to continue to focus on picking-up stage points and continue to creep up in the regular season standings and carry a few more bonus points with us (to the playoffs).”

Zane Smith, No. 71 Focused Health Camaro ZL1

What are you looking forward to at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this coming weekend?

“I’m excited to get to Indy this weekend. It will be my first time racing there and it is a super iconic track, so I’m looking forward to getting on the oval on Friday and seeing how it feels. My No. 71 Spire Motorsports team has been working hard day in and day out to bring fast race cars to the track and it has shown the last couple of weekends. Hoping for a solid race on Sunday.”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Camaro ZL1

What does it mean to you to race at a historic track like Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

“It means a lot and I’m pumped. I raced quarter-midgets there for years, and even drove one around the oval once. I remember thinking that it would be a dream come true to race a full-sized car competitively at “The Brickyard.” Indy has always been a dream, especially the (Indianapolis) 500, but with no Brickyard races for the last few years, this is an incredible opportunity. We’ve got a strong team and this track suits our racing style, so I’m very optimistic. Everyone’s excited – Luke (Lambert), Jeff (Dickerson), the whole team – and we’re ready for a good run.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway Insurance Camaro ZL1

Do you think about last year when an air hose caught under a fender and cost you a chance at winning the race?

“Last year was heartbreaking, but that’s part of the sport. All we can do is continue to push, continue to build race cars like we had at Indianapolis last year and keep on trying hard to win races. I mean, we win and we lose as a team, and that’s all I can say. The guys brought a very fast race car. I felt that maybe we were one adjustment behind in the first run with the back of the car, but then we made it a little bit better. But I felt like I was always one step behind Chase Elliott and Michael McDowell.”

Are you glad NASCAR is back on the oval at Indy?

“Well I liked the road course here. I thought we had an advantage, but it’s hard to argue against racing on the oval here. There is so much history. Winning here would be so exciting and something you would talk about the rest of your life.”

What are the keys to victory this weekend?

“We are going to have to learn about the track and our car during that Friday practice. That will be key. Obviously on Saturday, getting a good starting spot, and a good pit stall will help and on Sunday it will be about executing with no mistakes on the track and in the pits. I think we are going to put on a great show Sunday and I plan to be at the front.”

Sammy Smith, No. 7 Golden Harvest Silverado RST

You’ve made a pair of starts at IRP. The track is a different animal compared to anyone else. How do you attack getting around the track?

“I had the opportunity to run an ARCA car and a Late Model at IRP in 24 hours. It’s very low grip and restarts quickly go three and four-wide. You can run up near the wall, and you can run all the way on the apron. It provides really good racing. The trucks definitely drive differently than either of the other disciplines I’ve been in there. It will be fun to get rolling and should be a fun race. I’m excited to get back there on Friday night.”

You will be hopping out of the Xfinity car after practice at IMS and jumping right into the truck at IRP to practice and qualify just over an hour afterwards. How different will those experiences be?

“It will be different for sure. They are obviously two different vehicles at two completely different race tracks. The Xfinity cars will be going a lot faster at the big track, and the trucks will be going slower and sliding around a bit more with the low-grip surface. It will be an exciting day.”

Bayley Currey, No. 41 Niece Motorsports Silverado RST

You’ve said that IRP is one of your most-anticipated tracks this year. Why is that?

“I think it’s one of the best racetracks in the world. I’d put it up there with Iowa and Homestead. I got to test a little bit in the simulator last year before SVG hopped in the truck for the race, and I loved it. I’m really excited to race here; some of the best racing is at IRP. I think Cup should go there, Xfinity, IndyCar, everything should be racing here with the trucks. It’s going to be so much fun.”

Matt Mills, No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Silverado RST

What makes IRP such a fun track amongst all the drivers?

“IRP is great. Last year in my first time running at that track, I wasn’t really sure on what to expect, but it was a lot of fun learning how the track changed throughout the course of the race. We’re able to run on the bottom groove, in the middle, and all the way up to the fence. It was cool figuring out how to pass other guys and put them in uncomfortable positions. It just races like how a short track should feel like. Multiple lanes, having the option to change your line based off how the truck is handling, so I’m really looking forward to going back.”

Conor Daly, No. 44 Power Plus Silverado RST

This will be your first truck start on a short track, so what will be the biggest hurdle for you to get used to before Friday night?

“Thankfully, it’s a track that I have driven on before and won on. It’s been a while, but this experience in a heavy stock car on a short track will certainly be something that I’ll be learning every lap, every stint, and every stage. I’m going to learn as much as I can to be able to use it towards the end of the race. I’ve also tried to talk to Ross Chastain. He’s very experienced, so I have a really good teammate to learn from. I just have to take advantage of that and be as quick as I can be at the end of the race.”

Ross Chastain, No. 45 Alliance Highway Safety Silverado RST

How challenging is it to jump from the big track in Indy over to the short track at IRP?

“It’ll be a challenge for sure, but that’s part of the reason why I’m so excited to run at both tracks. I have fond memories of IRP; it’s where my career began, and I think the racing here is great. The two tracks are so different, so nothing will carry over, and I’ll have to use a different mindset as soon as I hop out of the Cup car in Friday’s practice. I’ve had a fun year racing for Al (Niece) and everyone at Niece Motorsports. Any time I get the chance to drive one of their trucks, I know we’ll have the pace to contend. I’m hoping to make this last start of the year a good one for all my guys on the No. 45 team.”

Rajah Caruth, No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Silverado RST

IRP was one of your best “all-around” performances last season. How are you looking to build on your solid day at the track last year?

“I think overall we have just gotten better, both myself and Chad (Walter). We have made some improvements. I have also gotten better at short tracks, which is something I have really been focusing on. That’s a spot I know I’ve needed to improve. IRP is a track I have a little experience at between ARCA and trucks, so hopefully that correlates to a good run this weekend.”

The progressive banking at IRP opens a variety of lines drivers can utilize and make time. Does this add to your excitement as a driver and which line do you prefer to run?

“IRP is interesting because the seams determine the banking of the racetrack. Meaning, the higher you go, the more banking the racetrack has. It’s really a testament to how well your truck works. If your truck is turning well, you can take the inner line with the least amount of banking that is the shortest way around. If your truck isn’t turning, you can use the banking on the higher side of the track to help make the corner. It’s a racetrack that’s a different animal with good tools to use no matter how the truck handles.”

Chase Purdy, No. 77 Bama Buggies Silverado RST

The playoffs are closing in and you find yourself battling at the cutline. What is your mindset heading into the weekend?

“We have one goal heading into this weekend. Win.”

The progressive banking at IRP opens a variety of lines drivers can utilize and make time. How does affect the way you can move through the field?

“The progressive banking makes it a multi-groove track. You can run as high or as low as you want, and still make speed. It makes it exciting as a driver and for the fans. The ability to move around and change lanes gives the driver a lot of options. It creates more opportunities to make passes.”


Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2023): 42

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2024 STATISTICS:

Wins: 9

Poles: 7

Laps Led: 1,627

Top-five finishes: 38

Top-10 finishes: 79

Stage wins: 12

· Chase Elliott: 1

· Kyle Larson: 8

· Ross Chastain: 1

· William Byron: 1

· Shane van Gisbergen: 1

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 860 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 750

Laps led to date: 250,802

Top-five finishes to date: 4,336

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,939

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,194

       Chevrolet: 860

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 833                                                           

       Ford: 733

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 187


About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

HaasTooling.com Racing: Ryan Preece Indianapolis Advance

RYAN PREECE
Indianapolis Advance
No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: Brickyard 400 (Round 22 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 21
● Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
● Layout: 2.5-mile rectangular oval
● Laps/Miles: 160 laps/400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 50 laps / Stage 2: 50 laps / Final Stage: 60 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / IMS / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Ryan Preece and the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse are ready for a highly anticipated return to the iconic 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval for the first time since 2020, when now-retired Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick scored his second of back-to-back dominating Brickyard 400 victories. Preece and his teammates would like nothing better than to keep the company’s Brickyard 400 win streak alive this weekend. The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the historic, rectangular oval after competing instead on the speedway’s 2.439-mile, 14-turn grand prix road circuit from 2021 through 2023.

● Preece has a pair of Brickyard 400s under his belt, driving for JTG Daugherty Racing in the 2018 and 2019 editions of the racing tradition that began in 1994. Preece finished 16th in the 2018 event before seeing his bid the following year ended by an accident just 14 laps into the race. The 33-year-old Berlin, Connecticut, native competed in two of the four races held on the Indy grand prix circuit, recording a 35th-place result for JTG Daugherty Racing after an accident 18 laps from the finish ended his day in 2021, and a 31st-place result last year in his No. 41 Stewart-Haas Ford.

● The No. 41 Ford for Stewart-Haas had back-to-back-to-back solid finishes in the last three Brickyard 400s from 2018 to 2020. Kurt Busch drove it to a sixth-place finish in 2018, Daniel Suarez drove it to an 11th-place finish in 2019, and Cole Custer drove it to a fifth-place finish in 2020. Before Harvick’s consecutive victories in 2019 and 2020 in the No. 4 Ford, Ryan Newman scored the company’s first Brickyard 400 win from the pole in 2013, driving the No. 39 Stewart-Haas entry.

● In addition to his Cup Series outings, Preece has a pair of NASCAR Xfinity Series starts on the Indianapolis oval. He made his series debut at the track for owner Johnny Davis in 2016, when he started 27th and finished 25th. Preece returned for the 2018 Xfinity Series race in a Joe Gibbs Racing entry, which he qualified third before an accident cut his race short 22 laps shy of the finish.

● Preece arrives at Indianapolis after a 30th-place result last Sunday at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. An accident ended his day on the 2.5-mile triangle 121 laps into the 160-lap race. He sits 27th in the Cup Series driver standings after best finishes this season of fourth at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway on June 30, and ninth at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on April 7.

● Joining Preece and the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse at Indianapolis is HaasTooling.com, the cutting tool division of Haas Automation. HaasTooling.com allows CNC machinists to purchase high-quality cutting tools at great prices. Haas cutting tools are sold exclusively online at HaasTooling.com and shipped directly to end users. Haas Automation, founded in 1983, is America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools. The company manufactures a complete line of vertical and horizontal machining centers, turning centers, rotaries and indexers, and automation solutions.

Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

The NASCAR Cup Series raced on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course at Indianapolis since from 2021 through 2023, but this weekend the series makes a highly anticipated return to its 2.5-mile oval. What are your thoughts heading into the weekend?

“I think racing there on the oval is what every racecar driver dreams of doing at some point in their career. It deserves a spot on our schedule. I enjoy road courses, and I think those racetracks suit my style of racing, but the oval, at Indianapolis, is just a special place. I’m excited for the opportunity to race there again, and hopefully we can grab a solid finish in our No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse.”

Sunday’s Brickyard 400 will mark the first time the NextGen car has raced on the oval at Indianapolis. What do you anticipate needing from your racecar to be quick this weekend?

“We’re still working really hard to roll off the truck better, and I feel like we did that last weekend. I think we can look at Pocono, take a lot of what was found there, and apply it at the Brickyard this weekend. Pocono and Indianapolis are as similar as two tracks could possibly be on our schedule. Indy is certainly a lot smoother than Pocono, but as far as the setup, there won’t be a lot of variation between the two racetracks. The racing product should be similar.”

Talk about your first race weekend at Indianapolis.

“It was certainly special. I ran my first race there in 2016, when I drove for JD Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. I remember riding into the speedway for the first time, knowing the history of the Brickyard and the legendary drivers that have raced there, it was a little intimidating. The racetrack has an aura about it, and I’m just thankful for the opportunities that have given me a shot to race at Indy.”

No. 41 HaasTooling.com Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ryan Preece

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Chad Johnston

Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

Car Chief: Jeremy West

Hometown: Gardena, California

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen

Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Spotter: Tony Raines

Hometown: LaPorte, Indiana

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Sherman Timbs

Hometown: Indianola, Mississippi

Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Front End Mechanic: Joe Zanolini

Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Interior Mechanic: Robert Dalby

Hometown: Anaheim, California

Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgeway

Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife

Hometown: Orange County, California

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer

Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

Custom stickers or car decals with D&A Customs

Car with Detailing
Photo by Geike Verniers on Unsplash

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Spire Motorsports TSport 200 Race Advance

  • In the team’s lone NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) start at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP), Layne Riggs drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to a third-place finish in 2023. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NCTS. 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.
  • The TSport 200 from IRP will be televised live on FS1 Friday, July 19, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 15th of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
  • Jason “LEFTurn” Leffler’s name will be displayed on the passenger-side name rail of all three Spire entries as a memorial to the late-racer. The 2007 NASCAR Xfinity Series victor at IRP was a Spire Sports and Entertainment client throughout his career. His son, Charlie, who resides in the Indianapolis area, will be a guest of the team at Friday night’s race.

Sammy Smith – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Sammy Smith will steer Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Golden Harvest Chevrolet Silverado in Friday evening’s TSport 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
  • Friday’s 200-lap event will mark Smith’s third of four NCTS starts this season, finishing eighth and fifth at Martinsville (April 5) and North Wilkesboro (May 19), respectively. He will round out his four-race slate at the Milwaukee Mile on Sunday, August 25.
  • Smith, who was 17 at the time, qualified on the pole and lead 89 laps en route to a runner-up finish in the 2022 ARCA Menards Series event at the Indiana oval with Kyle Busch Motorsports. One day later, he finished fourth in an ARCA/CRA Super Series event at the facility, placing behind Erik Jones and William Byron.
  • The talented teenager will be pulling double duty this weekend, piloting the No. 8 TMC Transportation Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). It will be his first start on the oval configuration at “The Brickyard,” but participated in last year’s NXS race on the road course at IMS.
  • Golden Harvest Seeds has been working with and listening to farmers with intention since 1973, offering in-depth seeds expertise combined with the local agronomic know-how of an independent Golden Harvest Seed Advisor to help identify custom solutions for every corn and soybean acre. Today, each Golden Harvest hybrid or variety is bred with the individual needs of hardworking farmers in mind. Golden Harvest® corn hybrids feature elite genetics with proven performance and the most complete above- and below-ground insect control solutions with the Duracade® and Viptera® trait stacks. Golden Harvest soybean varieties include the industry’s broadest trait choice and exclusive genetics that set a new standard for performance and yield potential.
  • In 61 NXS starts, the Johnston, Iowa, native has 10 top fives, 28 top 10s and claimed his first NASCAR national touring series victory at Phoenix last March.
  • The two-time ARCA Menards Series East champion has racked up eight wins across 15 starts in the regional stock car series. He won five of the seven East Series races while maintaining an average finish of 1.7 en route to his second-consecutive title in 2022.
  • The short track ace has earned wins in some of the country’s most notable late model races including the Winchester 400, Red Bud 400 and Florida Governor’s Cup. He earned a CARS Pro Late Model Tour victory in 2021 at Jennerstown (Pa.) Speedway and four pavement Super Late Model wins that same season. In 2022, Smith was victorious in a star-studded combination ARCA CRA Super Series/Southern Super Series race at North Wilkesboro.
  • After 14 races, the No. 7 team sits fifth in the 2024 NCTS owner point standings. The No. 7 team has compiled two wins with an average starting position of 9.1 and an average finish of 11.9 thus far this season. Kyle Busch led a race-high 33 laps en route the team’s first victory of 2024 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February and a race-high 112 laps in the team’s most recent triumph in Texas. In its most recent outing, Connor Mosack started 18th and finished 15th at Pocono Raceway.
  • In his first season at Spire Motorsports, crew chief Brian Pattie led the No. 7 team to two victories across the first seven events this season, both with Kyle Busch (Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway). The duo also won twice across five races last year with Kyle Busch Motorsports.
  • Jack Wood finished 18th in Pattie’s lone race calling the shots in Truck Series action at IRP last July. He has been atop the box for five races in the Xfinity Series at the Indiana oval, leading Reed Sorenson to third and second-place finishes in the 2005 and 2006 events, respectively.
  • Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-062 will be driven by the 19-year-old on Friday night, who piloted the truck in its previous two appearances. In 19 starts, the chassis has 10 top-10 finishes including a pair of runner-up finishes with Kyle Busch behind the wheel.

Sammy Smith Quotes
You’ve made a pair of starts at IRP. The track is a different animal compared to anyone else. How do you attack getting around the track?
“I had the opportunity to run an ARCA car and a Late Model at IRP in 24 hours. It’s very low grip and restarts quickly go three and four-wide. You can run up near the wall, and you can run all the way on the apron. It provides really good racing. The trucks definitely drive differently than either of the other disciplines I’ve been in there. It will be fun to get rolling and should be a fun race. I’m excited to get back there on Friday night.”
You will be hopping out of the Xfinity car after practice at IMS and jumping right into the truck at IRP to practice and qualify just over an hour afterwards. How different will those experiences be?
“It will be different for sure. They are obviously two different vehicles at two completely different race tracks. The Xfinity cars will be going a lot faster at the big track, and the trucks will be going slower and sliding around a bit more with the low-grip surface. It will be an exciting day.”
Golden Harvest is hopping aboard as the primary sponsor for your final two truck races this season. Are you excited to build on that previous relationship?
“I’m excited to have Golden Harvest onboard. They’ve been a great associate partner the last couple years on my Late Model stuff so it’s cool to see them get a primary. I’m looking forward to continuing that relationship and having a lot of farmers out at the racetrack.”

Rajah Caruth – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Rajah Caruth will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado in Friday night’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
  • Last week, Caruth started third and finished 10th at Pocono Raceway, claiming his third top-ten finish in the last four races.
  • 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 protections programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.
  • The Winston-Salem (N.C.) State University senior has one prior start in the NCTS at the 0.68-mile short track, qualifying fourth and finishing seventh in last year’s event. His lone ARCA start at the Indiana oval in 2022 concluded with an eighth-place finish.
  • The 21-year-old has seen plenty of success on short tracks, collecting Late Model wins at Greenville-Pickens (S.C.) Speedway and Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway early in his racing career.
  • In 11 short track starts in ARCA Menards Series (AMS) competition, Caruth has racked up five top-five and nine top-10 finishes. He also boasts four top 10’s on short tracks in a truck.
  • Caruth scored his career-best finish in 19 NASCAR Xfinity Starts at a short track, crossing the line 12th at the 0.5-mile Martinsville Speedway last fall.
  • The Washington, D.C., native is currently fifth in the NCTS championship point standings after 14 races. He has logged one pole, one win, seven top-10 and 11 top-15 finishes. He’s recorded an 11.1 average start, an 11.2 average finish and completed 97.5 percent of the laps contested this season.
  • With his first career NCTS win and pole position earlier this season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Caruth became the third African American driver, alongside NASCAR Hall of Famer, Wendell Scott and current NASCAR Cup Series regular Bubba Wallace, to win a NASCAR National Touring Series race.
  • Caruth raced his first full season in NCTS in 2023, earning four top-10 finishes and coming home 16th in the division’s championship point standings.
  • Crew chief Chad Walter has called the shots four prior times at IRP, all in Xfinity Series competition. During his stint at Team Penske, he guided Justin Allgaier to a top-ten finish at the track in 2010.
  • Walter has seen success all across “The Hoosier City.” He helped Sam Hornish, Jr., to a runner-up finish in the inaugural Xfinity Series race at IMS.
  • The No. 71 Silverado racing on Friday evening is identified as Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-003. Earlier this season, the truck finished seventh at Martinsville Speedway with Rajah Caruth behind the wheel. The chassis has been driven to victory lane twice by William Byron (Martinsville, 2022) and Kyle Larson (North Wilkesboro, 2023).

Rajah Caruth Quotes
IRP was one of your best “all-around” performances last season. How are you looking to build on your solid day at the track last year?
“I think overall we have just gotten better, both myself and Chad (Walter). We have made some improvements. I have also gotten better at short tracks, which is something I have really been focusing on. That’s a spot I know I’ve needed to improve. IRP is a track I have a little experience at between ARCA and trucks, so hopefully that correlates to a good run this weekend.”
The progressive banking at IRP opens a variety of lines drivers can utilize and make time. Does this add to your excitement as a driver and which line do you prefer to run?
“IRP is interesting because the seams determine the banking of the racetrack. Meaning, the higher you go, the more banking the racetrack has. It’s really a testament to how well your truck works. If your truck is turning well, you can take the inner line with the least amount of banking that is the shortest way around. If your truck isn’t turning, you can use the banking on the higher side of the track to help make the corner. It’s a racetrack that’s a different animal with good tools to use no matter how the truck handles.”

Chase Purdy – Driver, No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

  • Chase Purdy will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No.77 Bama Buggies Chevrolet Silverado in Friday night’s TSport 200.
  • The 24-year-old sits 14th in the NCTS driver points standings, 61 points behind the playoff cut line with two races remaining in the regular season.
  • Last week, Purdy started 16th and finished sixth in the CRC Brakleen 175 at Pocono Raceway.
  • The Meridian, Miss., native has two starts at IRP in Truck Series competition, logging a venue-best finish of 14th last year.
  • In his lone ARCA Menards Series start at the Indiana oval, Purdy started and finished fourth after pacing the field for 25 laps in 2018.
  • On a quest for his first win, the TSport 200 will mark Purdy’s 90th NCTS start and 15th behind the wheel of the No.77 Bama Buggies Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports.
  • Purdy finished third in the 11-race Sioux Chief Short Track Challenge series within the 2018 ARCA season. He racked up six top fives and nine top 10s while achieving a sixth-place average starting starting position and a 6.9 average finish.
  • While racing for Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2023, Purdy had the best statistical season of his career thus far. He racked up three top-five, 11 top-10 and 14 top-15 finishes while earning a career-best finish of second at Texas Motor Speedway (April 1) and claiming the first Truck Series pole of his career at Kansas Speedway (Sept. 8). He would snag his second pole two races later at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway (Sept.30), a race in which he led a career-high 11 laps.
  • Crew chief Jason Trinchere will make his debut atop the box at IRP, but has called the shots twice in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition down the road at the road course configuration at IMS. During his time at Kaulig Racing, he helped A.J. Allmendinger to a second-place finish in 2021.
  • Purdy will be piloting Spire Manufacturing chassis SMT-038 on Friday evening in its 31st start. The chassis has led nearly 900 laps, maintained an average finish of 6.5 and visited victory lane seven times, most recently at Texas Motor Speedway in 2021 with John Hunter Nemechek behind the wheel.

Chase Purdy Quotes
The playoffs are closing in and you find yourself battling at the cutline. What is your mindset heading into the weekend?
“We have one goal heading into this weekend. Win.”
The progressive banking at IRP opens a variety of lines drivers can utilize and make time. How does affect the way you can move through the field?
“The progressive banking makes it a multi-groove track. You can run as high or as low as you want, and still make speed. It makes it exciting as a driver and for the fans. The ability to move around and change lanes gives the driver a lot of options. It creates more opportunities to make passes.”
From the Top of the Box

Brian Pattie – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado

  • In his first season at Spire Motorsports, Brian Pattie has led the No. 7 team to two victories, both with Kyle Busch. The duo also won twice across five races last year at KBM.
  • Pattie also collected a victory with Ron Fellows at Watkins Glen International in 1999 to give him five career NCTS wins.
  • Pattie was atop the pit box for six wins across 14 seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series and has 11 career victories as a crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Chad Walter – Crew Chief, No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado

  • Chad Walter has over two decades of experience and began his career with Hendrick Motorsports in 1996.
  • Walter guided Caruth to his first NCTS win March 1, 2024 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
  • Some of his most notable accomplishments include a pair of Daytona 500 victories (2001 & 2003) with Michael Waltrip, along with Cup Series wins with Steve Park and Terry Labonte.

Jason Trinchere – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado

  • Jason Trinchere earned his Bachelor of Science from Penn State University and began his professional career in 2005 as the race engineer for the iconic No. 75 Spears Manufacturing NCTS team, owned by series’ pioneers Wayne and Connie Spears.
  • Notable accomplishments include Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 wins with both Ganassi Racing and Penske Racing. He was a key member of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Championship team with driver Joey Logano.

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.