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Toyota NCS Pocono Quotes – Martin Truex Jr. – 07.13.24

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Official Release
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Toyota Racing – Martin Truex Jr.
NASCAR Cup Series Quotes

LONG POND, Pa. (July 13, 2024) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. was made available to the media on Saturday prior to this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway.

MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 19 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

Is Pocono a track you’d like to see get a second date?

“Yeah, it’s kind of crazy how much things have changed over the years with the schedule, especially and all of the new tracks we’ve gone to in the past few years. Yeah, this place has been a staple for a long time, I enjoy coming here and been coming up this way for a long time. I don’t know, I feel like the future is one race everywhere and not two anymore. Yeah, it’s great that we still come here. It’s unique track and a lot of fun.”

How much energy does a track like this take out of you?

“I would say this probably one of the easier ones from a standpoint of wear and tear on a driver with the long straightaways, you can kind of relax. It’s kind of laid-back racing, besides on the restarts. They’re more mentally challenging than anything. But the physicality of this place is on the lower side compared to the other tracks we go to.”

What are the emotions coming here potentially for the last time and your thoughts on that first win here?

“Yeah, for sure, all the wins over the years are great wins. That one was definitely big one for our team. That really jumpstarted a good couple of years together. Really good memories of that one and I think in 2018 as well with that same group. Got a lot of great memories here, have a lot of heartbreakers as well, a few that go away over the years. But last year, we were very strong and looking forward to hopefully getting a checkered flag tomorrow. That’s what we’re here for and I feel very good about it. Feel great about our team and what we’ve been doing lately. We’ve had a lot of speed, just got to capitalize on it and hope we can do that tomorrow.”

Did you see your name is printed on the start/finish line?

“Yeah, I saw watching the Trucks race yesterday. It was very cool.”

Have you embraced tributes like these?

“I’d say I’m ready to embrace it. I think I was actually pretty surprised seeing that two days ago. You know, as a driver, you don’t ever feel like you’re really deserving of things like that. For Pocono to do that, it’s really special for me, my family. Definitely cool to see and hope we’re the first to cross it (start/finish line) tomorrow.”

How much confidence do you have coming into the weekend?

“For sure, it’s been a tough month-and-a-half, finish-wise. Speed-wise, aside from maybe last week and Iowa, we’ve been solid. Just need to capitalize on that and execute. It takes a lot of things to win races, lead laps, stay upfront and have fast cars, so hope we can put it all together this weekend. But I feel good about it. Yeah, just kind of been in a slump for a little while now.”

Anything to pinpoint for the slump?

“It’s been multiple things, frustrating for sure. You name it across the board, it’s happened. The last three races, we’ve been crashed at the end by someone, and that’s frustrating. Dealt with a lot of things like rain and crazy things like that. Yeah, hopefully this is a normal, strai ghtforward weekend. Hoping for a good day today and execute tomorrow, be upfront tomorrow and be in good shape.”

How do you view Richmond and your success there?

“Well the wins stick out as usual. Everywhere, the wins are huge. But yeah, that place has been really, really good for us. And also very frustrating with the amount of times when we’ve dominated and came up short, including this season. Yeah, just always look forward to going there. It’s a very unique track, very old school track. Tire wear, you have to manage your stuff and that really plays into my strengths. It’s going to be different this time around. They’re changing the tire combination from what we had in the spring. Going to have to figure out how to recapture it and hopefully come up with something that worked like it has in the past.”

What will the Olympic break be like?

“Yeah, it’s going to be interesting. Not very often, we get two weeks off. It’s definitely great for the crew guys. They work so hard, so many hours, they just don’t stop. So it’s a grind and it’ll be good for them to spend a little time with their families. As a team, you kind of regroup, recharge with the Playoffs coming up, the end of the season and all that goes into that with the pressure. It’ll be nice break for everyone. I’d say I get more of a break than those guys, so it’s nice to see they get it as well. It should be fun.”

What race in your career stands out the most to you?

“That’s a tough question. Probably the Coke 600 when we lead pretty much the whole thing, besides the green flag pit stop laps. That’s something that probably won’t happen again and it’s cool to be on the sheets for something no one else has done.”

Are you able to relax down the long straightaways here at Pocono?

“Yeah, there’s a lot to think about. What you’re doing next week, where you’ll be fishing (laughs). No, honestly, just it gives you time to think about your car, what’s going on in the race. A lot of times, you’re just in such traffic. Concentration, really focused on what you’re doing and a place like this, you have some time to think about things, so it makes it a little easier from a mental standpoint to kind of understand of how things are going on around you, how your car is doing, what you need. Time to talk to your crew. At Bristol, you can barely hear what they’re even saying, barely have time to even hit the button. So, definitely different there.”

What conversations have you had with Ryan before his race today?

“Not a lot, really. He does a lot of stuff with sim work and working with his team. Last time he raced here, I think it was in Trucks and he ran second, so he has some confidence this week on the simulator. Hopefully he has a good day. He’s had a decent year, obviously that win at Dover was huge again for him. So hopefully, we’re trying to put together more races for him next year. He’s done a great job jumping around a few teams at JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing) and preforming well.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th 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 26 electrified options.

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

Austin Cindric Pocono Media Availability (7-13-24)

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Official Release
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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series Media Availability
The Great American Getaway 400 | Pocono Raceway
Saturday, July 13, 2024

Austin Cindric, driver of the No. 2 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske, met with the media Saturday afternoon ahead of on-track action in the NASCAR Cup Series. Cindric talked about the last few weeks of the season, his season to date, and preparations for the upcoming NASCAR Playoffs.

AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 2 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford Mustang Dark Horse

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY IS OF CHICAGO AND STREET RACING IN GENERAL AND NASCAR?

“I’ve always loved street course racing, but I think as an industry, we definitely proved that it’s something we can do for the future, really. I don’t think there’s a driver in the field that doesn’t enjoy the uniqueness of that event, being in the city, having the city embrace us for the weekend and it kind of being a bit of a different blip in the schedule as far as your normal day-to-day transitions. Even the crew guys, in a lot of ways, get to explore a little bit more than maybe you would on a normal weekend. As far as the racetrack it is big enough for us to go racing each time. So I just hope that we can go there one year and not have the crazy weather and time limitations and all that. I could easily see it being a classic race on the schedule.”

THIS IS YOUR 100TH CUP START HERE THIS WEEKEND. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU GOING INTO THAT?

“It means time flies, I guess. In some ways, I feel like I’m pretty new to all this. It’s crazy to kind of think of 100 starts. But yeah, it’s been fun. Gotta get keep getting better though. The first hundred’s been good, but we need to make the next hundred great.”

WITH THE CUP SERIES SCHEDULE UNIQUENESS, WE HAVE A STREET RACE, POCONO, THE BRICKYARD 400 NEXT WEEK. WHAT IS YOUR MENTALITY, WEEK TO WEEK, ESPECIALLY WITH PLAYOFFS COMING UP, HOW DO YOU ADJUST ON A WEEK TO WEEK BASIS?

“It’s interesting as far as how it relates to the playoffs. There aren’t too many tracks that we’ve been going to that benefit us from preparing for the playoffs. You don’t really have a Pocono or an Indy or a Chicago street course. I mean maybe the Roval is somewhat close to it, but otherwise I wouldn’t say it was an overly productive couple weeks for preparing for the playoffs other than just getting reps as a team. You will get to you know Richmond and Michigan and tracks like that and kind of wind down the regular season at tracks that I feel like all will be very relevant. I think that’s what makes watching this sport fun, is that you have something completely different each Sunday that you’re going to tune into and watch. If we made new fans last week in Chicago by going there, they’re going to tune in this weekend at Pocono and look at the TV and figure out why this looks so different than what they watched last weekend. I feel like you’ll have that week-to-week with what we get to do. I feel like that’s what makes it fun with a race fan with that many races on the schedule.”

YOU’RE THE LAST FORD DRIVER TO MAKE IT TO VICTORY LANE HERE IN XFINITY IN 2021 IN THE CUP SERIES. NO FORD HAS WON SINCE 2020 AND THEN DATING BACK TO 2017 BEFORE THAT. WHAT DOES YOUR TEAM THINK ABOUT GETTING THE BLUE OVALS BACK TO VICTORY LANE HERE?

“Well, it’s our goal every weekend but it’s a place that I’ve always really liked since my first ARCA race here. I see no reason for us not to be in contention this weekend. I feel like there’s a few drivers that really stand out as you go to this track, and I think for me getting a handle on a few specific areas on the racetrack since we’ve gone to the NextGen car have been pretty important and been a lot of our focus for this weekend. I think today will tell the story for tomorrow.”

WHAT HAS MADE THIS TRACK SUCH A CHALLENGE FOR FORD AND SPECIFICALLY TEAM PENSKE?

“I can’t speak for any year before 2022 but for us with the NextGen car, the bumps are a pretty big challenge. You have a lot less tools in the toolbox as far as how to make a race car compliant because you have linear springs on all four corners, and you have height limitations. So these cars are also very sensitive to not being sealed off to the ground with the diffuser and how sensitive the aero is. Those are all things that bumps are not very good for. I’d say for us that’s been one of the biggest challenges, the tunnel turn and connecting your run from turn one to turn three and that’s where I’m hoping to see us make some progress today from a motor side. I’m not sure how some of that connects, and from an aero side, not sure how some of that all connects, but from a race team side, I see that’s where we can make progress this weekend.”

BETWEEN USING THE RAIN TIRES AT RICHMOND, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND CHICAGO, DO YOU FORESEE THAT BECOMING AN EVEN BIGGER PART OF THE TRAINING REGIMEN IF IT ISN’T ALREADY?

“As far as simulating rain conditions, it’s very hard to do. I mean, it’s the same reason why iRacing has probably just recently come out with something like that. The challenge of racing in the rain isn’t necessarily like the loss of surface grip, it’s all the variables. It’s the drying conditions, it’s how wet is the racetrack. What are you going to do when the track dries out? What are you going to do when the track gets wetter? How those lines change around, standing water on a track like Chicago where there’s a lot of bumps and you can collect water. All those things have to be modeled correctly for them to be really relevant to the driver, let alone even in a controlled environment with a dry racetrack. Sometimes it’s hard to get the simulator tools exactly how it would need to feel in the car. So maybe from a driver training perspective, perhaps, but I feel like I’d be able to learn just as much going to the go-kart track and running on a rainy day. So and I don’t mean that to devalue go-kart racing, but it’s probably just as much a valuable tool as far as from a real-world experience just dealing with those challenges.”

WHEN YOU SEE THE RACES ENDING WITH A TIME, A SPECIFIC TIME FOR IT TO END. WHAT’S THAT LIKE FOR THE DRIVER IN THE COCKPIT AND HOW DO YOU CHANGE YOUR MENTALITY? DO YOU LIKE IT? IT’S EXCITING TO WATCH, BUT WHAT’S IT LIKE TO NAVIGATE?

“It’s interesting that it came up in the Truck Series race last night as well. It hasn’t really come up too many times before last weekend. I think NASCAR’s ability to kind of adjust from what happened last year with the end of the race. There were teams, including myself, in the 2023 Chicago race that kind of took a gamble knowing that sunlight was going to be an issue, and we benefited from it. Other teams were upset because it wasn’t clear. I think NASCAR made it very, very clear what the guidelines were for the end of the race. Everyone was able to really understand what the strategy would look like. So from there, it was much more about just planning on what tires you’re gonna have on for the end of the race because I think some guys kept rain’s on had an advantage and some guys that put dry’s on there or the back of the field like myself had an advantage. So I think NASCAR couldn’t be any more clear about how they did that. I would think that’s probably gonna the guidelines moving forward. As soon as they know I think they’ll make it pretty clear to the race teams.

DO YOU LIKE IT?

“It doesn’t really matter to me. I don’t really get to have an opinion, but your restrictions are your restrictions as far as from light and any other factors. It doesn’t really change my day at all. I know times versus laps, it’s all kind of one and the same, depending on how you do the math. Caution flags, I feel like put the biggest variable on a timed race because if that race wouldn’t have had all those cautions at the end, there would have been a lot more green flag laps and dry tires probably would have had more of an advantage at the end of the race. That’s just how it goes.”

WITH ALL THREE OF YOU SEALING YOUR PLAYOFF SPOT, HOW CONFIDENT DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TEAM PENSKE DEFENDING THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND DO YOU FEEL THIS IS YOUR TIME TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

“The first step to winning a championship is making the playoffs, and all three of us are in the playoffs. It’s not that I’m not a goal setter, but I don’t like setting a result-based goal. for me, the only goal for the season was to make the playoffs because it is your only avenue, your only way to win a championship. As a team, we’ve won the championship with Joey and Ryan the last two years, and it’s all about using that system to be able to get to the next round each time. Whether if that’s winning races late in the playoffs or having enough points, our guys have been able to really execute in that round of eight and propel themselves into a position to be in the championship four. That’s all just about having your best day. I think for us, it’s about maximizing each opportunity with each playoff track and being able to understand where our strengths and weaknesses are. Apart from that, the biggest way to win the championship is to be in it.”

CHEVROLET NCS AT POCONO: William Byron Media Availability Quotes

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Official Release
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
POCONO RACEWAY
JULY 13, 2024

 WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 RAPTOR HIGH HEAT CAMARO ZL1 AND THE NO. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO SS, met with the media in advance of racing double duty in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series at Pocono Raceway.

Media Availability Quotes:

When you race in the Xfinity Series nowadays, what is the mindset for you? Is it really just go there and win, and anything else is not acceptable? How do you approach today, specifically?

“I mean, it’s hard not to have that mindset, for sure. You want to go win, but you have to take the steps before that to get there. So just trying to remember all the little details about the car; shift points, braking markers, all those things that will be different. There’s not a lot that applies, I don’t think, to the Cup car. But just getting a general feel for the track; getting comfort with the rhythm of the racetrack are all good things and then some of the restart things give you reps to anticipate. Yeah, I think it’s all those things. And yeah, the goal is to win, for sure. But we have to see what we have and kind of where we are when we get out there.”

You’ve done double duty before, so this is nothing new for you, and you’ve done it with the Gen-7 car. Is it tougher now with this platform, going from Xfinity to Cup and Cup to Xfinity, or do you think it’s kind of second nature at this point?

“Yeah, I mean it’s tougher, but you know, we’re adaptable as drivers. At least for me, when I get back into a Xfinity car, I remember some of the things and nuances. So yeah, it may take me a few more laps than what it would have in the past with the Gen-6 car. But going to run late model races and things, it still takes a similar amount of time.. just maybe, like I said, some of the nuances with the car like you would have back in the day. You just have to learn those nuances as you go. Yeah, maybe a little bit more time.”

What do you feel like the No. 24 team needs to do to find more consistency at this point? It seems like you guys still have plenty of speed, but what do you feel like this team is missing, in terms of consistency?

“I mean, I thought last week was good with starting from the back, so I was really happy with that and our result there. Yeah, I mean I think you just have to see what the weekend brings here. I think we’ve always been pretty fast here and hopefully that translates to Indy, as well, if we’re fast here this weekend. Yeah, I think just try to approach each weekend with a clean slate and manage the weekend. We’ve done all the preparation that we can do coming into this weekend with sim, conversations and just trying to be as prepared as we can be. Just really have to see what you fight when you get here to the track. That’s one part of it. And then, executing the race, strategy, restarts and just general execution items will take over on Sunday. So yeah, if we can do all those things on Sunday, I think we can have a positive result, for sure, and maybe string together three good results in a row going into the break would be nice.”

You mentioned the break, William. Do you have plans? What is your mindset going into the break? What does it mean to have two solid weeks off before we get back into the grind of it as an athlete, as a driver?

“Yeah, it’s really nice. I was thinking about it though this week.. I feel like we’re in a really good rhythm with the season this year, so I kind of don’t want it to stop. I kind of feel like I have my routine. I feel like I’m in good shape. I feel like I’m not tired after the races. So I, selfishly, kind of want it to keep going. But I think once I get to the break, I will kind of turn it off and be able to think about some other things. I’m going on a trip with my family, so that will be fun. Just try to experience everything and enjoy the time off because we don’t get that every year, where you get a chance to get two-and-a-half, three weeks off. So it will be really nice.”

We’re finally back on the oval next weekend in Indianapolis. What are you most looking forward to for that race, in general, just being back on the oval? It’s going to be the 30th anniversary of the Brickyard, so it seems kind of fitting that we’re going back to driving down the right way on the front straightaway, as drivers like to say?

“Yeah, I mean I’m super excited. I think this was a decision that a lot of drivers wanted. I think it will be difficult to pass, which isn’t abnormal with this car. But I think it will come down to strategy and execution; your qualifying and everything.

I’m excited for it. I think the track is fun to make laps on. I’m sure it will be tricky with the Next Gen car.. probably a little bit edgy. But I think it will be everything we want as drivers, to be back on the oval with the history that it has.”

 

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.

HEIM TIME: TRICON GARAGE DRIVER DOMINATES NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES CRC BRAKLEEN 175

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TRICON Garage driver Corey Heim celebrates in Victory Lane after winning Friday’s CRC Brakleen 175 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Pocono Raceway. Photo credit: Pocono Raceway.

Corey Heim sweeps all the stages and leads a race-high 55 laps for his series-leading fifth win of the season.

LONG POND, Pa. (July 12, 2024) – Corey Heim arrived at Pocono Raceway with a vengeance and left with a victory.

Heim, who lost on the final lap in last season’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at “The Tricky Triangle,” rebounded with a dominant victory in the CRC Brakleen 175. The 22-year-old TRICON Garage driver swept all the stages and led a race-high 55 laps as he earned his series-leading fifth victory of the season.

It also was his third top-five finish in as many starts at Pocono Raceway, with the victory following a runner-up effort to Kyle Busch last season and a fourth in 2022.

“It was such a big deal (to win this one) because I feel like I gave the race away (last year here),” Heim said. “There have been races we’ve lost where it’s been more circumstantial, and it’s like ‘well, there’s nothing you could have done,’ but at the end of the day that was my race to lose and I lost it.”

“Coming back here this year, reviewing that and understanding what I could have done better was big for me even though there was never really another time where I had to play that scenario out. I knew I was going to have to be aggressive from the first lap and it all worked out in the end. I don’t know if there is another race that I feel like I brutally messed up and wanted to redeem myself, but this was probably the top of the list for me since (last year) it was the last lap and second to the last corner, so it definitely tops the charts there.”

Heim was never seriously challenged and the only drama remaining was when the 70-lap, 175-mile race was red flagged for wet conditions due to a light intermittent rain with eight laps remaining. The field returned with Heim at the point for two caution laps before the red flag was thrown again for the wet conditions. After a brief delay, Heim led the field back out for two more caution laps before going green with three to go.

Heim took the outside and Christian Eckes of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing took the inside on the restart. Heim got a great restart while Eckes spun but made a great save to continue. He quickly opened up a .85 of a second lead on second-place Grant Enfinger of CR7 Motorsports on the first lap. He was never threatened the remainder of the way as he posted his fourth win in the last seven races.

With same-day qualifying cancelled due to light intermittent rain, Eckes, the points leader, started on the pole and Heim beside him on the front row.

Eckes came out strong as he led the first 11 laps of the opening stage before Heim overtook him on the ensuing lap. He would lead the final four laps to capture the first stage and set the tone for the remainder of the race.

The 15-lap second stage was all Heim as he led every lap and was never threatened for the lead. The only blemish came at the opening of the third and final stage when ThorSport Racing’s Jake Garcia stayed out to gain the lead briefly. Garcia led four laps before Heim made the pass, leaving the only slim chance the field had at catching him was when the red flag came out.

NEXT UP: Saturday’s activities will feature NASCAR Cup Series practice (Noon) and qualifying (12:45 p.m.), followed by the Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 (3 p.m., TV: USA Network, Radio: MRN, SiriusXM).

For tickets or additional information about The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA, please visit www.poconoraceway.com.

About Pocono Raceway

Pocono Raceway, also known as ‘The Tricky Triangle,’ is family-owned and situated in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. In business for over 50 years, the Raceway hosts multiple, national motorsports events including the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series events each year. The facility’s calendar also consists of over 200 events including Elements Music & Arts Festival and a wide range of non-motorsports entertainment, car clubs and racing schools. Pocono Raceway is recognized as the world’s first, privately-owned solar-powered sports facility. Their 25-acre, three-megawatt solar farm provides the energy needs of the Raceway, as well as, adds electricity to the local power grid. Each member of our raceway staff is committed to creating exciting experiences and lifelong memories. For more information, please visit www.poconoraceway.com.

Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Recap: Pocono Raceway

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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE RECAP: POCONO RACEWAY
Race: CRC Brakleen 175 (70 laps / 175 miles) | Race 14 of 23
Track: Pocono Raceway
Location: Long Pond, Pennsylvania
Date & Time: Friday, July 12th | 5:30 PM ET

No. 41 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Cody Efaw
Bayley Currey
@BayleyCurrey
@BayleyCurrey05
Website
Start: 20th
Stage 1: 32nd
Stage 2: 22nd
Finish: 17th
Driver Points: 18th
Owner Points: 22nd

  • Key Takeaway: As rain washed away the Pocono qualifying session, Bayley Currey would start mid-pack in 20th position. On the first lap of the race, contact with the left rear tire forced the No. 41 Chevy to pit, resulting in a 32nd-place run in stage one. Currey rose to 22nd in stage two, and made up a handful of positions to finish in 17th.
  • Bayley Currey’s Post-Race Thoughts: “Lackluster day for sure, we had a solid truck but got hit in the left rear on lap one. I came down pit road with it smoking real bad in the corners and thought the tire was going down. That put us behind all day. I was trying to fight for track position and make up spots on pit road, but it was tough. We came down at the end and put some tires on it to salvage a decent top-20 finish. I was hoping for a top-15; it was there, but I just didn’t capitalize enough in the last corner. But, that’s automobile racing, I guess. It seems like everything that can happen will happen to us, but the truck came home pretty straight. When we got out front, it handled really well and we were running as fast as the leader. It was just hard to keep track position. Big thanks to DQS, Masked Owl Technologies, AutoVentive, Precision, and everyone on our No. 41 Chevy team.”
    DQS Solutions & Staffing Mission Statement: The core mission of DQS Solutions & Staffing is to attain unparalleled excellence in our specialized domains, specifically staffing and security. Simultaneously, we maintain the flexibility required to collaborate closely with our clients in the creation of innovative products and services within the framework of DQS.

No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Jon Leonard
Matt Mills Racing
@MattMillsRacing
@MattMillsRacing
Website
Start: 13th
Stage 1: 13th
Stage 2: 10th
Finish: 11th
Driver Points: 21st
Owner Points: 25th

  • Key Takeaway: Thanks to his top-10 finish at Nashville, Matt Mills would start the highest of the Niece Motorsports drivers in 13th after qualifying was canceled. Mills showed promise throughout the race as he gained confidence in his truck. Following a 13th-place run in stage one, Mills climbed to 10th in stage two to pick up a point. Before the red flags came out for rain, the No. 42 was slated to finish sixth, but ultimately dropped to eleventh. Still, a solid showing for the team.
  • Matt Mills’ Post-Race Thoughts: “Overall, it was a good day for us. It was a nice change to start up front with that track position. We just fired off a bit loose and built tight throughout the race. Jon (Leonard) made some good calls to keep us in track position. I thought we still had a good truck even with it getting tight. I learned a lot today manipulating the air, but didn’t learn enough by the end there. I cost us a couple of spots just trying to be greedy and making aggressive moves, but overall, I learned a lot. It’s another good day, we have another clean J.F. Electric/Utilita Chevy, and we built up a pretty good notebook for next year.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

No. 45 Mar-Del Watermelon Association Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Ross Chastain | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Ross Chastain
@RossChastain
@RossChastain
Website
Start: 27th
Stage 1: 16th
Stage 2: 7th
Finish: 5th
Driver Points: N/A
Owner Points: 10th

  • Key Takeaway: By virtue of the qualifying metric, Ross Chastain started the deepest in the field of the Niece Motorsports drivers in 27th position. He did not stay there for long, however, as he made quick work early on to pick up track position. A 16th-place finish in stage one propelled him to a seventh-place run in stage two, enabling Chastain to fight for the win in the closing laps of the race. With just a handful of laps to go, his truck began to stumble, but held on following both red flags to come home with a top-five finish.
  • Ross Chastain’s Post-Race Thoughts:
    Interviewer: You had some issues on your truck there at the end. On the restart, were the issues still there?
    “No, it made it! I’m happy. I mean, we gave up one spot, I didn’t get attached to the No. 19 well, so I didn’t give him the push he deserved. I got to him too late with the No. 77 pushing me and knocked our nose in. For all things considered, I’m happy with fifth. Our Mar-Del Watermelon Association Silverado was fast today, and it’s always fun to race these trucks for Al (Niece), Cody (Efaw), and Phil (Gould).”

About Mar-Del Watermelon Association: Established in 1965, the Mar-Del Watermelon Association is an organization that works to increase demand for Maryland and Delaware watermelons and the agriculture industry for their farmers, brokers, and industry suppliers. The voluntary, elected board of directors strives to make a positive difference in the business and lives of its members while working closely with National Watermelon Association and National Watermelon Promotion Board.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as X @NieceMotorsport.

Toyota Racing NCTS Post-Race Recap – Pocono 07.12.24

By
Official Release
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COREY HEIM CAPTURES 10TH CAREER TRUCKS VICTORY, FIFTH OF 2024, AT POCONO
Toyota Development Driver dominates 70-lap race at the “Tricky Triangle”

LONG POND, Pa. (July 12, 2024) – Corey Heim and his No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota Tundra TRD Pro were the class of the field Friday afternoon in the NASCAR Truck Series race at Pocono Raceway, which resulted in his fifth trip to the winner’s circle in 2024, the most in the series this season, and the 10th win of his Truck Series career. Heim led 55 of the 70 laps run on Friday and swept both stages on the way to victory. The stage wins give Heim six this season, also the most in the Truck Series.

The Georgia native started from the second position with qualifying canceled Friday afternoon, but fell back on the start, before driving back up the order swiftly and winning Stage 1 after 15 laps. And even with weather delays, including a red flag, towards the end of the race, Heim never looked back and snatched the checkered flag by the race’s conclusion.

Heim’s teammate, Taylor Gray, had an impressive drive from the 19th starting position to finish fourth, his fourth top-five and eighth top-10 of the season. Joining him inside the top-10 were Stewart Friesen in seventh and Dean Thompson in ninth.

The Truck Series returns to action next Friday, July 19, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Coverage begins on FS1 at 8:30 p.m. EST.

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Pocono Raceway
Race 14 of 23 – 70 Laps, 175 Miles

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, COREY HEIM

2nd, Grant Enfinger*

3rd, Christian Eckes*

4th, TAYLOR GRAY

5th, Ross Chastain*

7th, STEWART FRIESEN

9th, DEAN THOMPSON

19th, TANNER GRAY

23rd, TIMMY HILL

26th, KRIS WRIGHT

28th, JUSTIN CARROLL

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

COREY HEIM, No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: Winner

How good was your truck today?

“Yeah, no doubt. Another week, another good truck with these TRICON Garage guys. They do such a good job week in and week out, bringing me fast Tundra TRD Pros. Today was no short of that. I feel like it was the truck to beat today, all the way through practice and if we qualified, would’ve been right there. And of course in the race, we put it to them today. Such a good feeling when you have trucks as good as these and you can manage a race like that. It was crazy with the rain and the fuel mileage and all that stuff, but we overcame it and are here in victory lane.”

What was that last restart like (after the red flag)?

“Just a lot of emotion with getting out of the truck and having to reset. But again, so thankful for Safelite, Toyota Racing, TRICON Garage. Without them, I wouldn’t be here right now, so it’s an awesome day for us.”

At the start, you fell back a little bit. When did you know you had a strong truck today?

“Probably by the end of the first lap (laughs). Yeah, Rajah (Caruth), thought he pushed me there, but he ended up splitting me three-wide, but I probably would’ve done the same thing. Able to route and gauge our way back to the front, and within three or four laps, I think we were leading again, so wasn’t a big deal. Just such a great day for our TRICON Garage boys.”

TAYLOR GRAY, No. 17 Place of Hope Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: 4th

Take us through your race today.

“ Yeah, we really had the truck to do it all day. Got caught up with some strategy stuff. We were really on target to just go for a race win and had some troubles on pit road, so got a little behind. But, have to thank my TRICON (Garage) guys for bringing me a fast Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Feel like if we could’ve gotten some clean air and a little more track position there, we would’ve finished a little better. But good job to Corey (Heim). They were really fast all day. Just have to keep working and get back on track.”

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.

Download Video With Duplichecker Video Downloader – A Complete Guide

By
SM
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Photo by Beau Carpenter on Unsplash

With the rise in the prevalence of digital content, videos are dominating other type of content. Nowadays, shorts, tutorials, vlogs, and many different types of video content have grown significantly in prominence. People love to watch videos from their favorite creators.

Along with enjoying them personally, many users wish to share those videos with their social circle to vibe collectively. However, the restriction on downloading videos directly from nearly all popular and less mainstream platforms acts as a hurdle for them to do so. 

This is where video downloaders come into play. These online resources allow you to save videos from any website to your device. However, a simple Google search for such tools shows hundreds of options, making it tricky to decide what to choose and ignore.

Well, among the many options available on the internet, Duplichecker video downloader allows users to download videos from any site. 

In this article, we will explore how you can get started with this video-downloading tool. Also, we will see why this downloader is the best choice. So, make sure you read this article till the end.

Steps To Save Videos Using Duplichecker Video Downloader

Where the downloading procedure of other tools frustrates users, Duplichecker Video Downloader offers a smooth video downloading journey. This streamlined tool is specially developed taking user convenience into account.

No matter whether you are a professional who wants to save videos for curation or a normal user who just wishes to enjoy offline viewing, this downloader is easy to use for everyone. Here are the simple steps you need to navigate through to download any video you want.

1. Access The Duplichecker Video Downloader

To put it simply, the first thing you need to do to save a video is to access the Duplichecker Video Downloader on your device. No matter what device you use, this diverse video-downloading tool is easily accessible through every type of device.

So, whether you use an Android or iOS-supported device, just pick up your device, open any browser, and search for the downloader by its name. As you will hit the search button, this amazing downloader will appear at the top of the results. Then, you only need to click its web URL to reach this tool.

2. Input The URL Of Video You Want To Download

Once you access this video downloader, the next step is to input the link to the video you wish to save to your device. So, access the website from where you want to download the video like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc. Fortunately, this feature-rich tool is compatible with nearly all sites.

Therefore, you don’t need to worry about whether your video will be downloaded or not. Rather, navigate to your favorite clip on any site and copy its URL carefully. After that, return to Duplichecker Video Downloader and paste the URL in the highlighted input box on its web interface.

3. Fill in The CAPTCHA And Press “Download Video” 

Now that you have input the video URL, it is time to proceed with downloading. For this purpose, you have to first pass through reCAPTCHA verification which takes just a few seconds. After you verify that you are human, click the “Download Video” button placed just below the reCAPTCHA button.

As you hit the button, this video downloader starts utilizing the power of its advanced algorithms to fetch the video from the intended site. As a robust tool, it grabs the video from the respective site within seconds and displays the video preview. So you don’t have to keep waiting for a long period.

4. Select The Video Preferences And Hit “Download”

As mentioned earlier, in a few blinks of your eye, this tool provides you with the required video’s preview with different settings. If the intended video is available in 360p to 4K resolution, this versatile downloader will facilitate you with all the available quality options.

Not only this, but it also allows you to choose between different video formats, including MP4, WebM, and MKV. So, it is up to you which quality and format you prefer to download as per your needs. After you decide on video preferences, hit the “Download” button and let this downloader start downloading the video to your device.

5. Find The Downloaded Video In Your Device

After you hit the download button, the video will start to download to your device. With the support of a fast internet connection, this downloader takes a very short period to save the video. However, if your internet speed is slow, the downloading process may rise from several seconds to minutes.  

Therefore, if you want to enjoy a quick downloading experience, make sure your internet connection is good. Once the video gets downloaded, you can easily find it in the default download folder. After that, you are free to watch the saved video at your ease. Then, it’s your choice whether you use it to send it to your friends or save it to watch when an internet connection is not available.  

To Sum Up

To put it concisely, Duplichecker Video Downloader is a great web resource for those who eagerly want to video downloading solution. Its capabilities to save videos in multiple formats and qualities from any site make it stand out from others. Most importantly, it is an entirely user-friendly tool.

Above, we have mentioned the easy-to-navigate steps that you need to follow to download videos using this tool. We hope that its downloading procedure seems convenient to you. So, without delaying further, start benefiting from this tool today and enjoy your favorite videos on your device.

Are Casinos Fashionable in Kenya?

By
SM
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Kenya has seen a critical rise in the popularity of casinos and betting. As the business grows, the question arises: Are casinos fashionable in Kenya? This trend can be credited to a few factors enticing a diverse population segment, from young professionals to prepared gamblers. This exposition investigates the different components that add to the fashionable status of casinos in Kenya.

Urbanization and the modern way of life

Kenya’s fast urbanization has critically impacted the growing casino culture. As urban communities like Nairobi and Mombasa create, they carry a modern way of life that embraces diversion and leisure activities. Casinos, with their glitzy environments and luxurious atmospheres, fit impeccably into this urban way of life. They offer a sophisticated and refreshing form of diversion that requests the metropolitan elite and middle class to look for novel ways of investing their leisure energy. The feeling of casinos, combined with the excitement of betting, gives a unique encounter that becomes progressively fashionable.

Influence of media and popular culture

The influence of media, including updates and popular culture, should be addressed while analyzing the rise of casinos in Kenya. International media, TV programs, and music recordings frequently portray casinos as glamorous venues where the elite accumulate for diversion and socialization. This depiction emphatically affects Kenyan audiences, who try to emulate this way of life. As seen on screen, the allure of the casino environment interprets it as a longing to encounter it firsthand. Thus, visiting casinos has become trendy, especially among young grown-ups and professionals.

Economic factors and disposable income

Economic development in Kenya has prompted an expansion in disposable pay for some individuals. With more money, individuals are searching for diverse ways of partaking in their riches. Casinos offer a dual chance for diversion and the possibility of winning large sums of money, making them an attractive choice. The economic upswing has additionally prompted the foundation of additional casinos, further inserting them into the country’s social fabric. This availability, along with the potential for financial gain, has added to the fashionable status of casinos.

Social interaction and networking

Casinos are not just about betting; they act as social center points where individuals can communicate and arrange. Casinos offer some Kenyans a space to meet new individuals, socialize with companions, and construct proficient connections. The environment of a casino, with its blend of games, dining, and diversion options, gives sufficient chances for social interaction. This part of casinos requires individuals to network and socialize, further upgrading their allure as fashionable venues.

Technological headways and online casinos

The advent of technology has changed the betting business, making casinos more open than ever. Online casinos have become progressively popular in Kenya, permitting individuals to gamble from the solace of their homes or in a hurry. The coordination of mobile payment systems, which is standard in Kenya, has also smoothed out the cycle, making it simpler for individuals to participate in casino activities. 

Official laws and legal framework

The Kenyan government has established a regulatory framework that directs the betting business, guaranteeing that it operates legally. This guideline has legitimized casinos, making them a protected and satisfactory form of diversion. The presence of a legal framework gives consolation to potential patrons, empowering more individuals to investigate casinos unafraid of legal repercussions. 

The growing popularity of casinos in Kenya is a diverse peculiarity influenced by urbanization, media, economic factors, social interaction, technological progressions, and unofficial law. As the business keeps advancing, the allure of casinos will almost certainly increase, further inserting them into the nation’s cultural and social landscape. For some Kenyans, casinos address a spot to gamble; however, they symbolize modernity, excitement, and social engagement.

Corey Heim dominates Pocono for 10th Truck Series career victory

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Kirk Schroll for SpeedwayMedia.com.

Corey Heim struck back amid Christian Eckes’ lap-by-lap win at Nashville Superspeedway by claiming a dominant NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory in the rain-delayed CRC Brakleen 175 at Pocono Raceway on Friday, July 12.

The 22-year-old Heim from Marietta, Georgia, led twice for a race-high 55 of 70-scheduled laps in an event where he started alongside Eckes on the front row based on a qualifying metric formula due to rain canceling the event’s on-track qualifying session. Despite getting quickly shuffled out of the top five and nearly getting turned on the opening lap, Heim made up the rough start by returning to the runner-up spot on the sixth lap. Then after taking the lead from Eckes for the first time on Lap 12, Heim quickly made himself and his No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota team forces to be reckoned with as the driver proceeded to win the event’s first two stages, all while stretching his fuel tank through both periods.

After pitting for the first and only time prior to the final stage period, Heim quickly cycled his way past Jake Garcia to reassume the lead following a restart with 34 laps remaining. With the event eventually being red-flagged twice under the final 10 laps due to a steady increase of on-track precipitation before having enough sunlight to finish its scheduled distance, Heim capitalized on a three-lap shootout to muscle away from Grant Enfinger, Eckes and the field to cruise to his fifth Truck victory of the 2024 season and his first at Pocono, the track dubbed “The Tricky Triangle.”

With on-track qualifying that was scheduled to occur on Friday canceled due to precipitation, the starting lineup for the main event was determined through a qualifying metric formula. As a result, Christian Eckes, winner of the previous Truck event at Nashville Superspeedway two weeks ago and the fastest during Friday’s practice session, was awarded the pole position and he shared the front row with Corey Heim.

Prior to the event, rookie Layne Riggs started at the rear of the field in a backup truck after he wrecked his primary truck during Friday’s practice session. Bryan Dauzat and Justin Carroll also started at the rear of the field due to unapproved adjustments made to their respective entries.

When the green flag waved and the race started, the field fanned out to multiple lanes through the frontstretch as Christian Eckes, who started on the outside lane, retained the lead through the first turn before navigating his way through Long Pond Straightaway. Behind, teammate Tyler Ankrum and Ty Majeski charged their way up to second and third, respectively, as Daniel Dye, Grant Enfinger and Rajah Caruth, the latter of which made a three-wide attempt for the lead from third place, followed suit. Meanwhile, Corey Heim, who started on the inside lane from the front row, was backsliding as he nearly got turned through the Long Pond Straightaway. As the field continued to jostle for early spots through the Tunnel Curve before entering a final turn, Eckes proceeded to lead the first lap followed by Ankrum as Majeski, Enfinger, Stewart Friesen and Heim followed suit in the top six while Caruth found himself backsliding.

Over the next three laps, Eckes extended his advantage to a second over Ankrum as Heim, who lost four spots at the start, charged his No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro back up to third place as he tried to close in on Ankrum for the runner-up spot. Eckes would proceed to lead the fifth lap mark by eight-tenths of a second over Ankrum with Heim closing in from third place as Daniel Dye and Majeski trailed in the top five. Behind, Grant Enfinger was in sixth place ahead of Stewart Friesen and Nick Sanchez while Ben Rhodes and the Gray brothers of Tanner and Taylor followed suit.

Through the first 10 scheduled laps, Eckes continued to lead in his No. 19 NAPA Chevrolet Silverado RST by a tenth of a second over a hard-charging Heim, who overtook Ankrum’s No. 18 LiUNA! Chevrolet Silverado RST for the runner-up spot four laps earlier and made up a second deficit to Eckes. Behind, Ankrum trailed in third place by two seconds while Dye, Majeski, Enfinger, Sanchez, Friesen and the Gray brothers of Tanner and Taylor were in the top 10. Meanwhile, Rhodes was mired in 11th ahead of Jake Garcia, Chase Purdy, Matt Mills and Rajah Caruth while Ross Chastain, Matt Crafton, Dean Thompson, Connor Mosack and Lawless Alan were racing in the top 20 ahead of Bret Holmes, Kris Wright, Ty Dillon, Luke Fenhaus and Timmy Hill.

Shortly after, a tight side-by-side and crossover battle between Eckes and Heim ignited, with the former retaining the top spot by an advantage before the latter, who fended off a crossover move by Eckes through the Tunnel Curve, led for the first time on Lap 12. After assuming the lead on Lap 12, Heim, who wheeled his truck from the left to right to break off Eckes’ draft and run through the frontstretch, would stretch his advantage to nine-tenths of a second over Eckes by Lap 13.

When the first stage period concluded on Lap 15, Heim captured his fifth Truck stage victory of the 2024 season. Eckes followed suit in second along with Ankrum, Dye and Enfinger while Majeski, Sanchez, Taylor Gray, Friesen and Tanner Gray were scored in the top 10.

Under the stage break, some including the top-six competitors that included Heim, Eckes, Ankrum, Dye, Enfinger and Majeski remained on the track while the rest led by Sanchez pitted. Among those who also remained on the track without pitting included Friesen, Taylor Gray, Caruth, Lawless Alan, Luke Fenhaus and Bayley Currey. During the pit stops, Mason Maggio had a tire roll away from his pit stall and was penalized while Zane Smith received a long service due to his pit crew addressing a broken right-rear shock to Smith’s No. 91 SpeedyCash.com Chevrolet Silverado RST.

The second stage period started on Lap 20 as Heim and Ankrum as occupied the front row. At the start, most of the field remained in two-by-two formation through the frontstretch and entering the first turn as Heim retained the lead. Behind, Eckes charged his way back to second as he was pursued by Daniel Dye while Ankrum slipped to fourth, all while the field behind jostled entering Long Pond Straightaway. Amid the battles around Pocono’s tricky turns, Heim retained the lead for the following lap while Eckes, who opted to restart on the second row before reclaiming the runner-up spot during the restart, followed suit along with teammate Dye, Ankrum, Enfinger and Majeski. Behind, Sage Karam’s No. 21 CRC Brakleen Ford F-150 was smoking amid contact with Ty Dillon, but the race remained under green flag conditions.

By Lap 25, Heim extended his advantage to more than a second over runner-up Eckes while Dye, Enfinger and Ankrum trailed in the top five and by five seconds. Behind, sixth-place Taylor Gray trailed by six seconds ahead of Majeski, Friesen, Chastain and Tanner Gray while Matt Mills, who was racing on four fresh tires after he pitted during the first stage break period, was in 11th place ahead of Caruth, Sanchez, Holmes, Rhodes, Connor Mosack, Chase Purdy, Fenhaus, Dean Thompson and Garcia.

With nearly three laps remaining until the second stage’s conclusion, Taylor Gray and Nick Sanchez peeled off the racetrack to pit their respective entries under green. Meanwhile, Heim remained on the track as he was leading by nearly two seconds over Eckes as Dye and Enfinger battled for third place in front of Ankrum.

When the second stage period concluded on Lap 30, Heim notched his second Truck stage victory of the day and sixth of the 2024 season. Eckes trailed in second place by three seconds while Dye, Enfinger, Ankrum, Majeski, Chastain, Friesen, Tanner Gray and Matt Mills were scored in the top 10. By then, 29 of 36 starters were scored on the lead lap.

During the stage break, nearly the entire field led by Heim pitted while select names including Jake Garcia, Thad Moffitt and Nick Sanchez remained on the track. Amid the pit stops, Bayley Currey was penalized for having crew members over the pit wall too soon while Eckes, who entered pit road in second place, plummeted back to within the top 20 following a slow pit service. Not long after, Moffitt, who recently joined Young’s Motorsports, pitted, which left both Garcia and Sanchez strapped on the front row.

With 34 laps remaining, the final stage commenced as Garcia and Sanchez occupied the front row. At the start, the field fanned out as wide as four lanes through the frontstretch as Garcia was being challenged by Mills for the lead entering Turn 1. Despite fending off Mills through the first two turns, Heim, who restarted fifth, quickly charged right to the rear bumper of Garcia through Long Pond Straightaway. Then after trailing Garcia through the Tunnel Curve, Heim used a bold move on the outside lane through the final turn to reassume the lead as he led the following lap. As Heim both retained and started to stretch his advantage on his four fresh tires, Garcia retained second ahead of Sanchez and Enfinger while Eckes zipped his way back into the top five following his slow pit service as he was battling Chastain for fifth place. Not long after, Garcia, who made on-track contact with Sanchez, pitted his No. 13 Quanta Services Ford F-150 under green with 31 laps remaining. Amid Garcia’s pit service, where he lost a bevy of spots and time due to a slow service, Heim retained the lead by nearly two seconds over Chastain with 30 laps remaining.  

With 26 laps remaining, the caution flew due to Caruth spinning his No. 71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Silverado RST in Turn 1 after he got loose underneath teammate Mosack while racing for ninth place, though Caruth was able to prevent his truck from hitting the wall. At the time of the caution, Heim had stabilized his advantage to nearly two seconds over Chastain while Enfinger, Eckes, Purdy, Mills, Dye, Thompsons, Mosack and Taylor Gray were scored in the top 10. Meanwhile, Sanchez, who pitted two laps earlier to top off on fuel, was mired back in 27th place as Garcia was down in 29th place. During the caution period, some led by Dye and including Mosack, Rhodes, Taylor Gray, Ankrum, Bayley Currey, Timmy Hill, Ty Dillon, Caruth and Garcia pitted while the rest led by Heim remained on the track.

With the event restarting with 22 laps remaining, where Heim and Enfinger occupied the front row, the field jumbled out and then fanned out through the frontstretch as Heim was pushed by Chastain to retain the lead. Behind, Enfinger retained second over Chastain while Eckes, Mills and Purdy followed suit in the top six through Long Pond Straightaway. With more jostling of spots occurring within the field, Heim continued to lead by three-tenths of a second over Enfinger with 20 laps remaining while Chastain was fending off Eckes for third place. Behind, Mills and Purdy retained fifth and sixth, respectively, while Majeski was racing in seventh place ahead of a tight battle between teammates Thompson and Taylor Gray.

Down to the final 15 laps of the event, Heim stretched his advantage to a second over Enfinger as Eckes, Chastain and Taylor Gray followed suit in the top five. Behind, Mills occupied sixth place ahead of Purdy, Thompson, Sanchez and Friesen while Holmes, Crafton, Tanner Gray, Rhodes and Mosack were in the top 15 ahead of Caruth, Fenhaus, Dye, Ankrum and Currey. Meanwhile, Majeski, who made an unscheduled pit stops two laps earlier due to a power issue and needing a new battery to his No. 98 Soda Sense/Curb Records Ford F-150, was mired back in 32nd place as he also lost two spots in the process.

With 10 laps remaining, Heim stabilized his advantage to nine-tenths of a second over runner-up Enfinger as both third-place Chastain and fourth-place Eckes trailed by within 10 seconds. Eckes would then overtake Chastain for the runner-up spot shortly after as Chastain nearly got loose in Turn 1.

A lap later and amid a rapid decrease in temperature, the caution flew due to rain falling on the Pocono circuit. Another lap later, the field led by Heim was directed to pit road and the event was placed in a red flag period due to the on-track rain. Ten-and-a-half minutes later, the red flag was lifted and the field led by Heim returned to the track under a cautious pace amid a light drizzle before the continuation of the drizzles forced the field to return to pit road and placed in a second red flag period after just one caution lap. Approximately 24 minutes later, the red flag was lifted and the race resumed under a cautious pace with six laps remaining.

During the caution period, select names including Currey, Fenhaus, Garcia, Timmy Hill, Zane Smith, Layne Riggs, Lawless Alan and Sage Karam pitted while the rest led by Heim remained on the track.

The start of the next restart period with three laps remaining featured a brief side-by-side battle between Heim and Eckes through the frontstretch until Eckes nearly got turned sideways by Chastain entering the first turn. This allowed Heim, who was getting pushed by Enfinger as Enfinger opted to restart behind Heim, to muscle ahead from the outside lane and lead through the first two turns. Behind, Enfinger battled Eckes for second place in front of Chastain and Taylor Gray through Long Pond Straightaway. With more battles and competitors fanning out to multiple lanes ensuing through the Tunnel Curve before navigating through the final turn, Heim began to stretch his advantage as he was leading by six-tenths of a second over Enfinger and a hard-charging Eckes.

When the white flag waved and the final lap started, Heim remained as the leader by nine-tenths of a second over Enfinger, who was trying to fend off Eckes for the spot in his No. 9 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet Silverado RST. With the latter two unable to generate a final lap charge nor decrease Heim’s large deficit, Heim was able to cruise his No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro around the Pocono circuit for a final time before he cycled back to the frontstretch and emerged victorious for his fifth checkered flag of the 2024 season.

With the victory, Heim, who was overtaken by former team owner/teammate Kyle Busch for the Pocono victory a year ago, notched his 10th Craftsman Truck Series career win in his 55th series start, his first since winning at World Wide Technology Raceway in early June and his eighth as a driver for TRICON Garage, with the organization claiming its fifth victory of the 2024 season.

The Pocono victory validated the strong driver-crew chief bond shared between Heim and Scott Zipadelli, the 2018 Truck Series championship-winning crew chief who claimed his 23rd series’ victory, as both continue to gain more bonuses prior to the start of the 2024 Playoffs two races from now, where both will attempt to contend for this year’s series title at Phoenix Raceway in November.

“[Scott Zipadelli and I]’ve had such a close bond,” Heim said on FS1. “He just does a phenomenal job giving me fast Safelite Tundra TRD Pros every week. This week wasn’t any different. This [truck] was badass. Got a badass crew, badass truck week in and week out. So proud of these guys. [I] Can’t say enough about five wins. It’s something that I never thought I’d achieve in a single season, but here we are and we got many more to go, so I’m pumped. It’s awesome…We’re focused on 2024. We got all the potential in the world right now. Just a phenomenal day for us.”

Grant Enfinger settled in second place for the second time of the 2024 season while Christian Eckes ended up in third place after leading the first 11 laps. Taylor Gray rallied from wrecking out at Nashville Superspeedway to finish in fourth place for his fourth top-five run of the season while Ross Chastain, the 2019 Truck Series winner at Pocono, survived to finish in fifth place in his fourth Truck start of the year.

Chase Purdy, Stewart Friesen, Matt Crafton, Dean Thompson and Rajah Caruth completed the top 10 in the final running order.

Notably, Nick Sanchez settled in 13th place in front of Tyler Ankrum, Daniel Dye ended up in 16th place, Tanner Gray settled in 19th place behind Ben Rhodes, Zane Smith finished in 20th place in front of Jake Garcia and Ty Majeski ended up in 31st place, two laps down, following his late power issues.

With his 16th-place result, Daniel Dye, who notched top-four finishes during the event’s two stage periods and accumulated critical stage points, holds a one-point advantage over Tanner Gray for the 10th and final transfer spot to the 2024 Truck Series Playoffs with two regular-season races remaining on the schedule. As Ty Majeski, Tyler Ankrum, Grant Enfinger, Taylor Gray and Ben Rhodes join Dye in being above the top-10 cutline based on points, others including Stewart Friesen, Matt Crafton, Chase Purdy, Jake Garcia, Dean Thompson and rookie Layne Riggs join Tanner Gray as competitors currently scored outside the cutline.

There were three lead changes for three different leaders. The race featured four cautions for 17 laps. In addition, 29 of 36 starters finished on the lead lap.

Following the 14th event of the 2024 Craftsman Truck Series season, Christian Eckes leads the regular-season standings by 32 points over Corey Heim.

Results.

1. Corey Heim, 55 laps led, Stages 1 & 2 winner

2. Grant Enfinger

3. Christian Eckes, 11 laps led

4. Taylor Gray

5. Ross Chastain

6. Chase Purdy

7. Stewart Friesen

8. Matt Crafton

9. Dean Thompson

10. Rajah Caruth

11. Matt Mills

12. Bret Holmes

13. Nick Sanchez

14. Tyler Ankrum

15. Connor Mosack

16. Daniel Dye

17. Bayley Currey

18. Ben Rhodes

19. Tanner Gray

20. Zane Smith

21. Jake Garcia, four laps led

22. Luke Fenhaus

23. Timmy Hill

24. Mason Massey

25. Ty Dillon  

26. Kris Wright

27. Mason Maggio

28. Justin Carroll

29. Thad Moffitt

30. Layne Riggs, one lap down

31. Ty Majeski, two laps down

32. Lawless Alan, two laps down

33. Sage Karam, three laps down

34. Bryan Dauzat, five laps down

35. Stephen Mallozzi – OUT, Transmission

36. Spencer Boyd – OUT, Hub

Next on the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series schedule is the TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Brownsburg, Indiana. The event is scheduled to occur next Friday, July 19, and air at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Roe Completes the Cycle for Andretti Global at Iowa

By
Official Release
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Roe Completes the Cycle for Andretti Global at Iowa

NEWTON, Iowa (Friday, July 12, 2024) – James Roe knew what he accomplished Friday at Iowa Speedway, but he didn’t immediately know the spoils that came with it.

In addition to winning the first INDY NXT by Firestone pole of his career, the Irishman set a track record with a two-lap qualifying average of 170.625 mph.

If that wasn’t enough, Roe led a 1-2-3 sweep of qualifying for Andretti Global.

“I didn’t know (all) that – there you go,” Roe said.

The series’ track-record speed had stood since 2017 when Colton Herta ran 163.835 mph. Friday, 17 drivers eclipsed with the help of repaved corners.

Driving the No. 29 Topcon machine, Roe will lead the Andretti Global contingent comprised of Louis Foster, whose second lap in the No. 26 Copart/Novara Technologies entry fell off just enough for him to settle for the No. 2 starting position. Jamie Chadwick qualified third in the No. 28 VEXT car.

Michael Andretti’s three drivers will lead the 18-car pack to the green flag in Saturday’s INDY NXT by Firestone at Iowa Speedway (2 p.m. ET, Peacock, INDYCAR Radio Network). They had the only cars to complete the two-lap qualifying runs with average speeds in excess of 170 mph. Foster’s average was 170.601 mph while Chadwick posted 170.387 mph.

The only other pole of Roe’s professional career came in 2021 in the Indy Pro 2000 race at World Wide Technology Raceway driving for Turn 3 Motorsport.

“I can’t thank these guys enough,” Roe said of Andretti Global. “It’s been a hell of a few weeks. Yeah, here we are. We’ve got a rocket ship. So, let’s get the job done tomorrow.”

Roe qualified fourth for last year’s INDY NXT by Firestone race at this track. He finished ninth. He also has never won a race in this series. He is ninth in the season standings.

“We were strong here last year,” Roe said. “We knew that our (qualifying) car was mega, so it was a matter of just putting it together. Honestly, we guessed a little bit on setup. I left the pits and said I’m holding it flat … to the checkers.”

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