Home Blog Page 975

Toyota Racing Weekly Preview 06.05.24

By
Official Release
-

This Week in Motorsports: June 3 – 10, 2024

· NCS/NXS/ARCA WEST: Sonoma Raceway – June 7-9
· NHRA: Bristol Dragway – June 7-9

PLANO, Texas (June 5, 2024) – NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity Series are back on the west coast at Sonoma Raceway, with the weekend culminating with the Toyota/Save Mart 350. The two series will be joined at the California circuit by the ARCA Menards Series West, who’s back in action after Portland last weekend. NHRA heads to Bristol Dragway for the eighth race of their 2024 season.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS

Toyota takes over manufacturer’s points lead … After Sunday’s race at Gateway, Toyota is now the Cup Series manufacturer’s points standing leaders going into Sonoma this weekend. This is the first time Toyota has led the standings this season as it seeks its first manufacturer’s championship since 2016.

Hamlin’s top-five streak continues … A second-place finish last weekend in Gateway now makes it five consecutive top-fives for Denny Hamlin. The Cup Series points leader has four career top-fives at Sonoma and is the defending pole-winner as he seeks another high finish to retain and extend his points lead with 11 races remaining in the regular season.

Truex returns to favorable Sonoma … Currently fourth in the Cup Series points standings, Martin Truex Jr. is back at Sonoma Raceway where he’s been ultra-successful of late. The New Jersey native has four wins in the last seven races on the 1.99-mile road course, including a victory last year. Another triumph would be Truex’s first of the 2024 season as he looks to officially lock himself into the Playoffs.

Smith, Creed hold steady in points top-10 … Following a wild race at Portland last weekend, Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chandler Smith and Sheldon Creed continue inside the top-10 of the Xfinity Series points standings in third and eighth, respectively. Smith has already locked himself into the Xfinity Series Playoffs via his two wins earlier this season and Creed seeks to do the same this weekend at Sonoma with 12 races remaining in the regular season.

Nemechek back in Xfinity Series … For the first time since COTA back in March, John Hunter Nemechek is back in the Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing, piloting the No. 20 GR Supra this weekend. Nemechek has made one career Xfinity Series start at Sonoma (last season) and is looking for his second win of 2024 to couple his Las Vegas triumph from March.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA West

Toyota well represented at Sonoma … For this weekend’s ARCA Menards Series West race, Toyota’s driver development program will once again be well represented. Gio Ruggiero, Isabella Robusto and Brent Crews will all be running Toyota Camrys for Venturini Motorsports this weekend, while William Sawalich, coming off his win at Portland, will once again drive for Joe Gibbs Racing. Sawalich looks for his third win in the first four ARCA Menards Series West races this season.

NHRA – Top Fuel | Funny Car

Top Fuel win streak now at eight … Following Doug Kalitta’s thrilling win at Epping last weekend, Toyota has now won eight consecutive Top Fuel events on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series circuit, including the first seven races of 2024. Toyota’s six Top Fuel racers will have ideal chances to extend the streak to nine this weekend at Bristol Dragway, including category points leader, Justin Ashley, who goes for a personal three-peat at the Tennessee drag strip.

Toyota seeks Bristol Funny Car four-peat … Bristol Dragway has been a favorable spot for Toyota’s Funny Car program with this weekend offering a chance for a fourth consecutive win. Ron Capps enters the weekend as the two-time defending winner of the Thunder Valley Nationals and Alexis DeJoria was victorious in 2021. Another triumph by either would be paramount at this point in the season, as well as for J.R. Todd who’s in the middle of the Funny Car championship fight.

500 career round wins on the table for Torrence … Should he advance to at least the semifinals this weekend at Bristol, Steve Torrence will have 500 round wins in his historic NHRA career. A semifinals appearance, and more, would mean wonders for Torrence who currently sits fourth in the Top Fuel points standings as he looks to close in on his Toyota teammates ahead of him in search of his fourth world championship.

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.

JR Motorsports — NXS Sonoma Preview

By
Official Release
-

JR Motorsports Team Preview
TRACK – Sonoma Raceway (1.99 mile road-course)
NXS RACE – Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 (79 laps / 156.95 miles)
TUNE IN – FS1, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 8:00 p.m. (ET)

Sam Mayer
No. 1 MyRTIC Personalization Chevrolet
Mayer 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 13
Wins: 1
Top 5s: 5
Top 10s: 6
Laps Led: 62
Avg. Finish: 18.2
Points: 12th

  • Sam Mayer heads to Sonoma Raceway looking for his fourth career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory on a record course.
  • The young driver will be making only his second start at the 1.99-mile road course as he is coming off a 10th-place finish in this event last season.
  • The Franklin, Wis. native earned his first NXS Pole Award of the 2024 season at Portland last Saturday and was running in the top-three late in the event before suffering a flat left-ear tire.
  • The No. 1 MyRTIC Personalization Chevrolet will carry the RTIC Outdoors Father’s Day Sweepstakes winner, Steve Wolfe, above the passenger-side door for Saturday’s event.

Sam Mayer

“I am eager to get back to Sonoma and top our 10th-place effort from last season with yet another road-course victory. This No. 1 JR Motorsports team has given me absolute rocket ships this season and I know with all the hard work and time these guys have put in we will get back in Victory Lane very soon. Really excited to have our friends at RTIC back on board with a brand-new MyRTIC Personalization paint scheme.”

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Proud BRANDT Partners Chevrolet
Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 13
Wins: 1
Top 5s: 4
Top 10s: 6
Laps Led: 473
Avg. Finish: 15.2
Points: 4th

  • Justin Allgaier finished seventh in last season’s inaugural NXS event at Sonoma.
  • Overall, in his NXS career on road courses, Allgaier has scored a combined three wins, 19 top-fives and 33 top-10’s in 55 starts.
  • Last weekend at the road course in Portland, Allgaier swept both stages en route to a runner-up finish.
  • This weekend, Allgaier’s familiar No. 7 Chevrolet will feature the brands of BRANDT Professional Agriculture, TradeMark Nitrogen, Rev1 Energy and Precision Build.

Justin Allgaier

“We were really strong last weekend in Portland and I feel extremely confident that we will be just as quick in Sonoma. We were in position for a solid top-five here last year before we had some power steering issues, and I know that we will be just as capable of running even better when we get to the track on Friday. This group is ready to go and hopefully we can put on a great show for everyone at BRANDT Professional Agriculture, TradeMark Nitrogen, Rev1 Energy and Precision Build.”

Sammy Smith
No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet
Smith 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 13
Wins: 0
Top 5s: 2
Top 10s: 8
Laps Led: 50
Avg. Finish: 15.7
Points: 10th

  • Sammy Smith heads to Sonoma for the second time coming off a third-place finish at Portland last weekend.
  • In 12 career starts in the NXS on road courses, Smith has scored three top-fives and five top-10’s.
  • Smith finished ninth at Sonoma in 2023 for his first time on the 1.99-mile road-course.
  • Pilot Flying J will share the TV panel with Cheema Freightlines LLC, a trucking company originating in Lathrop, CA who is dedicated to delivering excellence for their customers.

Sammy Smith

“Having two third-place finishes in a row is a great confidence boost for this No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet team. We’ve been running well but to finally break into the top-five is a great feeling as we head back to the West Coast for our second consecutive road course. We hope to get Pilot Flying J where they belong in Victory Lane.”

Brandon Jones
No. 9 Menards / JELD-WEN Chevrolet
Jones 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 13
Wins: 0
Top 5s: 1
Top 10s: 5
Laps Led: 20
Avg. Finish: 17.8
Points: 13th

  • Brandon Jones has made 42 starts on road courses in the NXS and has accumulated five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. His best finish of second came at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course during the 2020 season.
  • After qualifying on the pole last weekend in the ARCA Menards Series at Portland, the 27-year-old Georgia native will be making his sixth road-course start this weekend.
  • JELD-WEN, a global manufacturer of interior and exterior building products, will be making a repeat appearance on the hood of Jones’ No. 9 Chevrolet this weekend. The company was previously featured earlier this season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Brandon Jones

“After the tough time we had at Portland I am looking forward to going back to Sonoma this weekend. I know this No. 9 team is putting in the work this week to give me another fast car and Phillip (Bell, crew chief) and I have been working on our strategy, so I am hoping for a good race and to be in contention for the win at the end.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Sonoma Raceway: JR Motorsports has competed at Sonoma Raceway a combined four times with the NXS since its first trip there in 2023. In those starts at the 1.99-mile road course, the organization has recorded two top-10s, with an average finish of 17.8.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, Brandon Jones will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Saturday, June 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. PT.

ABEL Motorsports trio back in action at Road America

By
Official Release
-
Indianapolis, IN - during the INDYCAR Sonsio Grand Prix in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Jones | IMS Photo)
  • Jacob Abel holds a 25-point INDY NXT by Firestone championship lead heading into the second of two successive race weekends
  • Yuven Sundaramoorthy (Wisconsin) and Jordan Missig (Illinois) both consider Road America their home track

SPEEDWAY, Ind. (5 June 2024) – ABEL Motorsports heads to this weekend’s INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Road America with plenty of storylines, and a driver trio that includes the points leader (Jacob Abel) and two local drivers (Yuven Sundaramoorthy and Jordan Missig).

All three drivers have a great deal of experience on the historic 4.048-mile road course termed “America’s National Park of Speed” through their junior formula careers and, in Missig’s case, his sports car career as well.

Born in Oconomowoc, Wis., Sundaramoorthy figures that between June Sprints, F1600 Championship races, and the USF Pro Championships, he has raced at Road America 20 times. His family moved to China for his father’s work when he was three years old, then moved near Albany, NY when he was 10, but Wisconsin remained a mythical figure in his life.

“Growing up, I would always say that I was from Wisconsin. My parents always bought me Badger stuff growing up because I was into the Wisconsin sports. It’s always been a faint memory in the back of my mind, and I knew I wanted to go to college there.”

Graduating from the University of Wisconsin at Madison last year with a degree in computer science, Sundaramoorthy came away from school with much more than just a degree – his time in Formula SAE gave him practice, real-world knowledge that he puts to use as a race car driver.

Sundaramoorthy will drive the Formula SAE electric vehicle he helped build while studying computer science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The student team will compete for the electric vehicle championship title at Michigan International Speedway, against as many as 119 university-based teams from all over the world.

“Working with the Formula SAE team gave me so much valuable experience, including ways to use my computer science knowledge with a connection to racing. Through the FSAE team, I got to understand more of the intricacies of a race car, more of the physics side of the car, which has given me more of an understanding of the details behind the car – instead of just being the driver.”

With such a short turnaround between Detroit and Road America, the ABEL team was grateful to come away from last weekend’s street fight with very little damage and for Abel, still holding the points lead. With two podiums and four top fives in six junior formula races at Road America (including last year’s INDY NXT second place finish), Abel considers the scenic road course to be one of his best. It’s also the very first racetrack he visited.

“I feel as though last year’s race was a win that got away from us,” said Abel. “We got unlucky in qualifying and started back in the field but drove up to second. It’s one of our best tracks so I’m looking forward to it. It’s also one of my best memories – it’s the very first track I attended. I was in fourth or fifth grade and my grandfather took me out of school to go see my dad in the vintage races there. I’ve been going there at least 15 years so it holds a very special place in my heart.

“Last year was a crucial year at Road America, because of the new surface,” continued Abel. “We were all still learning the Firestone tires last year and they adapted to that new surface well, so it’s a high-speed, high grip track now. You just have to have confidence out there and as a third-year driver in the series, I’m confident with the car and tire at Road America.”

Missig, from Joliet, Ill. returns to the team for what he considers to be his home race.

“This track has meant a lot to me over the years – it’s given me a lot of wins and a lot of great finishes so I’m hoping to deliver more of that kind of results this weekend,” said Missig, who earned two Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series victories at Road America in 2021, on his way to a third-place finish in the championship. “But this weekend is also special because most of the crew from Autobahn Country Club is coming up to support me, including executives and members. It will be fun to be racing in front of the hometown fans and people who are important to me, on the biggest stage that I’ve been on.”

ABEL Motorsports thanks partners ABEL Construction Company, Advance Ready Mix, Boyd Cat®, S Team Motorsports and OMP for their continued support.

The INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Road America takes the green flag Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET. The race will be streamed live in the U.S. on Peacock, while international viewers can watch via INDYCARLIVE, with INDYCAR Radio available at indycar.com and on Sirius XM.

About ABEL Motorsports: Team principal Bill Abel began racing motocross in 1972, earning numerous championship titles as he continued the family racing tradition. In 2015, ABEL Motorsports was launched, starting in the USF2000 series and building up the junior open wheel ladder. The team captured the inaugural Formula Regional Americas Championship with driver Kyle Kirkwood in 2018.

ABEL Motorsports currently competes in the INDY NXT by Firestone series, the official development series for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, led by third-generation driver Jacob Abel. The team made its INDYCAR debut in 2023 with driver RC Enerson in the Indianapolis 500. For more information visit the official team website at abelmotorsports.com.

About Abel Construction Company: ABEL Construction is one of the largest general contractors in Kentucky, holding licenses in thirteen states. The company has offices in Lexington, Kentucky and Indianapolis, Indiana, with the corporate office in Louisville. Their expertise spans many areas, including general contracting, construction management, design-build, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and facilities maintenance.

Abel Construction has helped build some of the region’s most recognizable landmarks. Their projects cover diverse sectors, including automotive, healthcare, post-secondary education, commercial, food/beverage, tech, and industrial/manufacturing. They prioritize client satisfaction, focusing on efficient project delivery regardless of size or cost. The company’s skilled professionals utilize cutting-edge technology and software to ensure successful outcomes. abelconstruct.com/.

ABEL Motorsports social media

Facebook: ABEL Motorsports
Twitter/X: ABEL Motorsports
Instagram: ABEL Motorsports

RFK Unveils Collaborative Scheme with BuildSubmarines.com, Boston Red Sox

By
Official Release
-

No. 6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford to Carry Red Sox Colors in New England Region

CONCORD, N.C. (June 5, 2024) – RFK Racing has unveiled a unique scheme for the upcoming race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, showcasing the team’s ties to the Boston Red Sox and BuildSubmarines.com assets.

BlueForge Alliance (BFA), the non-profit integrator for the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base (SIB), owns and operates BuildSubmarines.com, a recruiting platform for maritime manufacturing careers and training opportunities. Starting with the 2024 season, BFA has teamed up with the Boston Red Sox to showcase career opportunities at more than 1,600 industrial base suppliers across the six-state New England region during the MLB season.

This includes careers at General Dynamics Electric Boat, a prime shipbuilder of Navy submarines, located in Groton, Connecticut. Electric Boat will also be on the hood of the No. 6 Ford Mustang for the Loudon NASCAR race.

“Our partnerships with RFK Racing and the Boston Red Sox are highlighting skilled trades careers in the maritime industry which contribute to the construction of Navy submarines,” said Kiley Wren, Co-Founder and Chief Executive, BlueForge Alliance. “With NASCAR’s annual visit to New England, and our collaboration with one of the region’s most storied sports franchises, we are creating a prime platform to present these stable, family-sustaining, purpose-filled jobs to millions of NASCAR and baseball fans in the region and across the country. We look forward to knocking this out of the park with our friends at RFK and the Red Sox.”

Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 car will feature a prominent Red Sox livery for race weekend in Loudon later this month, a look that throws back to the scheme Carl Edwards made famous in 2007 in the No. 99 Ford. In addition to the car graphics, Keselowski’s firesuit for the weekend will also resemble that of a baseball uniform, as the team has also changed the No. 6 number font to match the scheme from 2007.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway is the site of two wins for Keselowski as the track stands as his best on the circuit statistically with a 9.8 average finish. Overall, Keselowski has finished inside the top-10 in 16 career events at New Hampshire, 10 of which were top five results.

Track activity at New Hampshire begins Saturday (June 22) with practice and qualifying, with race coverage set for Sunday (June 23) at 2:30 p.m. ET (USA, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

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

Stewart-Haas Racing: Sonoma NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

By
Official Release
-

COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Sonoma NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

  • Event: Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 (Round 14 of 33)
  • Date: Saturday, June 8
  • Location: Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway
  • Layout: 1.99-mile, 10-turn road course
  • Time/TV/Radio: 8 p.m. EDT on FS1/PRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

  • “Stone” Cole Custer, who is known for his trademark beer-smashing victory celebrations, will gladly trade the beer for one of Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway’s signature wine toasts in victory lane this weekend as he heads to Wine Country for Saturday’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250. The Ladera Ranch, California native will return to his home state for the first time this season after welcoming nearly 100 family members to the track for last weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway. Custer started fourth for the 75-lap event at Portland and ran in the top-10 for a majority of the race, picking up a total of 13 points through his finishes in the opening two stages. While some pit stop issues put him back in the field as the race was nearing its end, Custer was able to fight his way back into the top-10 in the closing laps. His Ford Mustang crossed the finish line sixth, marking his 10th top-10 of the 2024 season, all coming in the last 11 races. While he is still searching for his first win of the season, Custer has had his eye on the back-to-back road-course events at Portland and Sonoma after scoring his first win of 2023 at Portland.
  • Saturday’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 will mark the second time that Custer will race at Sonoma in the Xfinity Series. Custer can still claim a leg up on his fellow fulltime competitors at the 1.99-mile, 10-turn circuit though with two NASCAR Cup Series starts there, three in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, and one in the ARCA Menards Series West. The 26-year-old driver earned a best Cup Series finish of 20th in June 2021. His best K&N Series finish was fourth in June 2019, while he earned an 18th-place result in his lone ARCA start. In his first Xfinity Series start there last June, Custer finished sixth after rebounding from a 26th-place qualifying effort.
  • Leaving Portland last Saturday, the Xfinity Series saw a new points leader – Cole Custer. Despite having yet to score his first win of the season, the driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse has used his consistency, strong runs, and stage points to climb to the top of the standings for the first time since he won the 2023 Xfinity Series championship in November. He has an 18-point advantage over second-place Austin Hill. With 13 races to go until the playoffs begin Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Custer is currently seventh in the playoff standings, highest among winless drivers and 167 points above the top-12 cutline. With the mantra of “Win and you’re in,” Custer and the team would like nothing more than to score a win so the points racing can be put aside. Still, he and the team seem to be in a good position to point their way into the playoffs and snatch not only the regular-season championship trophy, but the 15 valuable playoff points that go with it.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

  • Las Vegas native Riley Herbst is excited to stay out on the West Coast for the Xfinity Series’ second of back-to-back road-course weekends, featuring Saturday’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 at Sonoma. The driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing showed off more of the speed he’s had all season in last Saturday’s 75-lap event at Portland. After posting the fastest lap in his first-round qualifying group, Herbst went on to grab the third spot in final qualifying. At the drop of the green flag, Herbst wasted no time passing front-row starters Sam Mayer and Shane Van Gisbergen in the first turn. He held the lead for the first 15 laps – his first career laps led at Portland – before Justin Allgaier got by him. Herbst finished second in Stage 1 to earn nine bonus points, then finished seventh in Stage 2 to earn an additional four bonus points. While several spins and issues put him back in the pack in the final stage, Herbst showed his perseverance and drove his way up to 10th place by the checkered flag. It was his fifth top-10 of the season and his first at Portland. He looks to carry that momentum into this weekend’s outing in Wine Country.
  • Saturday’s race at Sonoma will be Herbst’s second at the track in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In the series’ inaugural race last season, he rebounded from his 23rd-place qualifying effort to finish 15th. While the series has only visited the 1.99-mile, 10-turn road course just once, Herbst has two starts there in other series – one in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and one in the ARCA Menards Series West. His K&N start came in June 2016 at the age of 17, when Herbst started 10th and finished the 64-lap race fifth in the No. 19 car for owner Bill McAnally. During last year’s inaugural Xfinity Series race weekend, Herbst added some extra seat time in the ARCA race, qualifying sixth for the 64-lap race and running in the top-five for a majority of it. He finished third behind runner-up Sammy Smith and race-winner Ryan Preece.
  • Knowing the summer months of the Xfinity Series schedule can make or break a driver and team’s chances of locking in a spot in the playoffs, Herbst and the No. 98 Monster Energy team will be highly focused on the championship picture. After just barely missing the top-12 cutoff last season, Herbst is on a mission for redemption as he heads into the final 13 races of the regular season, many of which he struggled at last season. His 10th-place finish at Portland last weekend bested by far his 32nd-place finish there in 2023. Herbst heads to Sonoma seventh in the driver standings, just two points behind sixth-place A.J. Allmendinger, and with a 24-point advantage over eight-place Sheldon Creed. Herbst is ninth in the playoff standings, third-highest of the winless drivers, with a 70-point advantage to the top-12 cutline. To help secure his position in the standings, Herbst has collected a total of 117 stage points throughout the season so far, the third highest among Xfintiy Series regulars, only behind Austin Hill and Allgaier.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Saturday’s race will mark the second Xfinity Series race at Sonoma, but you’ve raced there several other times in the NASCAR Cup Series and the ARCA Menards Series West. Throwing in a curveball this season, however, is the Sonoma repave that happened after last year’s race. What are you expecting for this weekend’s race, given your experience at the track and your overall success on road courses in the past?

“I don’t think anyone knows how this repave will affect the cars. No one has really been on it, yet, to test it out. Thankfully, we get an entire practice session on Friday to try to learn it and get our cars set up just right for Saturday’s race. It’s one of the few times that we get a full practice session throughout the season, so I’m excited. With all that said, Sonoma is now my home track in NASCAR with Auto Club Speedway being taken off the schedule. It’s always fun going back to California to race. On top of that, we’ve had some strong runs at Sonoma in the past. I know we struggled in qualifying last year, but I think you’ll see us riding some momentum from Portland. We’ll have a shot at parking our No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse in victory lane as long as we can stay out of trouble and put together a good race. It’ll be difficult, but I have faith in this team that we can get it done.”

Heading into the summer months, you’ll be faced with the challenge of racing non-stop until the July 20 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway at a variety of racetracks. Is there a certain style of track that you’re looking forward to more so than the others?

“We really do touch almost every kind of track during this stretch of summer months. We’ll go from back-to-back road courses to a short track, to an intermediate, and then throw in a curveball with the Chicago Street Course, which also drives so much differently from a traditional road course. I can’t say that I’m more excited for one than the other, though. We’ve built a really good notebook in the Xfinity Series at Stewart-Haas for every kind of track, so I’m confident when we roll into each race weekend. You always put more expectations on the races you’ve won before, but it’s also exciting to go back to Iowa after a few years away and we’re going back to the traditional Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. There’s going to be a lot of good races coming up and I know we can be competitors each and every weekend.”

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse

You’re heading into your second of back-to-back road courses before you then head to a short track, and then intermediate tracks. Each type of racetrack comes with its own challenges, but which ones are you looking forward to the most this summer?

“As a driver, you obviously have to be ready for whatever type of track is heading your way. Still, I’m definitely excited for Iowa and Nashville coming up. Those have always been fun tracks for me. Iowa was where I got my first Xfinity Series start back in 2018 and I finished sixth. Obviously, there was a lot to learn in that race, but it’s also fun to go back to a place like that when it has that memory. Nashville will be a fun one, too. I’ve been fast there in the past, but last season it was where Davin (Restivo, crew chief) first joined the team. We ended up second and, while we had some bad luck in the summer months, we also learned a lot to help us get my first win later that season at Las Vegas. I think the No. 98 Monster Energy team will be strong competitors at all of the tracks, but those are definitely ones that I’m excited for as a driver.”

While you’ve only been to Sonoma once in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, you do have some experience there in the ARCA Menards Series West, formerly known as the K&N Pro Series West. What did you learn last year in both the ARCA and Xfinity race that you can carry over into Saturday’s race?

“It always helps a lot to have that extra time on the track in other series. Sonoma didn’t quite go our way last year, so it was frustrating. I had a strong day on Friday in the ARCA race, but then we didn’t qualify well in the Xfinity Series and it felt like we were playing catchup all day. Now, we’re heading into that same track, but with a repave. Thankfully we’ll get another full practice session on Friday to help us not only learn the track but get our setup just right. It’ll help me learn and prepare. Full practice sessions are still so rare in NASCAR after the pandemic. While it makes the weekends shorter, it definitely is a struggle for drivers who are just getting to a track and learning it for the first time. I’ve seen us really strive when we have time to get our setup better, so I’m excited for it. I know Sonoma can be a tricky road course, so we’ve been working hard to prepare for it, but we also have a chance to get better in that practice session. We had speed at Portland, so I’m hoping that carries over into Sonoma.”

Meyer Shank Racing To Wrap Three-Race INDYCAR Stretch With Trip to Road America

By
Official Release
-

Pataskala, Ohio (2 June 2024) – Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) bounced back in Detroit after a tough Indianapolis 500 run, as Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 AutoNation / SiriusXM Honda) rebounded from a troublesome Detroit qualifying that left him 22nd on the grid to finish a hard-fought eighth, gaining 14 positions over 100 laps.

Now as the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season nears the halfway point, MSR will look to continue moving up the standings at a classic American road circuit as the series heads to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin and the annual date at the fabled Road America circuit.

Sunday’s XPEL Grand Prix at Road America takes place at the 4.048-mile Road America circuit that winds through Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine region and features elevation changes, a mix of high- and lower-speed corners and some of the most intriguing passing opportunities on the IndyCar calendar.

Helio Castroneves (No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda) will be back behind the wheel of the No. 66 AutoNation / Arctic Wolf Honda, after making his first road-course start of the year a week ago in Detroit. The veteran has eight INDYCAR starts at Road America but has brought his mounts home in the top 10 in four of those starts. He started from pole at Road America in 2017, finishing third after leading 17 laps.

MSR has had strong qualifying efforts at Elkhart Lake, earning top-three starting positions with Jack Harvey in 2020 and 2021 and had a top-10 session result with Simon Pagenaud in ’22, but the Ohio-based squad has yet to earn a top-10 finish at Road America in its previous eight starts.

Rosenqvist will look to break that streak as the Swedish veteran has three top-10 race results in his five previous starts, including a 2020 victory that saw him come from seventh on the starting grid to take the win. He is currently in ninth place in the series standings, just is just 10 points behind fifth.

This weekend’s XPEL Grand Prix at Road America will wrap up a march of three races in three weeks for MSR. Teams will qualify Saturday at 3:25 p.m., with Sunday’s 55-lap race starting at 3:30pm ET. The race will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock. SiriusXM will also host live INDYCAR Radio coverage on XM Ch. 218.

Meyer Shank Racing Driver Quotes:

Felix Rosenqvist: “I’m super excited to get back to a smooth road course after a bumpy weekend in Detroit. Road America has been kind to me and we have a lot of things to be excited for going into the second half of the season. It’s been a few years since I got a win at Road America and with the moment that myself and MSR have had so far this season, I don’t see why we can’t aim for the same this weekend.”

Helio Castroneves: “I’m excited to get back in the drivers seat at Road America which is such a great track and one that I have enjoyed racing on. We unfortunately did not have the weekend we would have liked to have had in Detroit, so we’re looking to get back on our feet at Road America and have a solid weekend.”

Front Row Motorsports Extends Agreement with Todd Gilliland

By
Official Release
-

Rising Star Signs Multi-Year Extension with Team

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 5, 2024) – Front Row Motorsports (FRM) confirms that Todd Gilliland, a rising star for the team, has signed a multi-year contract extension to continue to race for the organization for years to come. Gilliland will return to one of FRM’s three NASCAR Cup Series teams in 2025.

Gilliland has continued to improve each season in the NASCAR Cup Series and has only started to show his true potential at NASCAR’s highest level. This year, Gilliland has led a career-high 101 laps and has been up front in all races this season.

The 24-year-old driver has been with FRM since the inception of its NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program and has followed in his father’s footsteps as a driver with FRM. Todd has come into his own at the team and is now able to lead the organization during its next stage of growth.

“Todd (Gilliland) and his family have been with my family and the team for a very long time,” said Bob Jenkins, Owner, Front Row Motorsports. “We’ve watched him grow, mature, and show all his potential behind our truck and car. It’s now his time to lead us into our next phase of winning races and being a consistent playoff contender.”

The team now focuses on extending and building new business relationships for Gilliland in 2025.

“We want to build on his momentum, rising star power, and continue our partnerships and build new ones that will allow him to compete for wins,” said Jerry Freeze, General Manager, Front Row Motorsports. “Announcing our recent intentions for our growth in 2025 and extending Todd’s contract for multiple years allows our focus to aggressively build an even better program for Todd.”

Gilliland is a two-time ARCA Menards Series East Champion, two-time ARCA Series winner, three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series winner, and a seven-time top-10 finisher in the NASCAR Cup Series in his first 87 starts. Gilliland feels at home with FRM and is ready to help lead the growth of the organization.

“I want to be at Front Row Motorsports, and I want to be a part of what’s happening right now,” said Gilliland. “This is the time to join as a partner, a fan, and watch our next chapter. It’s really cool to see it all happening, and I have to thank Bob Jenkins and Jerry Freeze for their commitment in taking the steps to make us a consistent winning and playoff organization. It’s never easy, but I feel confident in our direction. I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Any announcements of car numbers and additional drivers will come later once finalized.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Josh Williams to make 200th Xfinity career start at Sonoma

By
Andrew Kim
-
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

In his eighth season with at least one start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Josh Williams is scheduled to achieve a milestone start. By taking the green flag in this weekend’s Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 at Sonoma Raceway, the driver of the No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet Camaro will make his 200th career start in the Xfinity circuit.

A native of Port Charlotte, Florida, Williams made his inaugural presence in the Xfinity Series at Michigan International Speedway in June 2016. By then, Williams, who grew up competing in go-karts before ascending to Legends cars and stock cars, had made 89 career starts in the ARCA Menards Series and a single start in the Craftsman Truck Series, which occurred at Martinsville Speedway in March 2014 as most of his start occurred with his family-owned team. Driving the No. 79 Jimmy Means Racing Chevrolet as a start-and-park driver, Williams started 40th and finished 38th in his Xfinity debut. He would make a second start of the season at Kentucky Speedway in September and in the No. 92 Chevrolet for King Autosport, where he ended up in 37th place.

The following season, Williams made a total of seven Xfinity starts between the Nos. 90 and 92 entries for team owner Mario Gosselin. During the season, he recorded a season-best 22nd-place at Bristol Motor Speedway in April. He then competed in 20 Xfinity events for Gosselin in 2018, where he achieved a season-best 20th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September.

In January 2019, Williams transitioned to pilot DGM Racing’s No. 36 Chevrolet for all 33 Xfinity Series events. Despite not qualifying for the Xfinity event at Richmond Raceway in April, the Floridian achieved his first top-10 career result after finishing eighth at Talladega Superspeedway in mid-April. His next best result were a pair of 14th-place finishes that occurred during both Texas Motor Speedway scheduled events in April and October, respectively, as he also led four laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in September before settling in 17th place. Ultimately, he would notch a total of seven top-15 results and 17 top-20 results before settling in 17th place in the final standings. By then, he boosted his average-finishing result from 26.7 during the previous season to 20.6 during the 2019 season.

Williams would compete in every event of the 33-race Xfinity schedule in DGM Racing’s No. 92 Chevrolet during the 2020 season. After notching his first top-10 result of the season at Auto Club Speedway with a 10th-place run in March, Williams would proceed to finish in the top 10 five additional times as he would finish ninth at Bristol Motor Speedway in June, ninth at Daytona in August, seventh at Talladega Superspeedway, a career-best sixth at Kansas and ninth at Texas, with the latter three occurring in October. To go along with a total of 13 top-15 results and 20 top-20 results, Williams settled in a career-best 15th in the final driver’s standings and with a career-best average-finishing result of 18.6.

The following season, Williams, who remained at DGM Racing, recorded only a single top-10 result, which was a 10th-place finish at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in June. His next best results were a pair of 11th-place runs at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course and at Martinsville Speedway in October. Aside from not competing in the series’ inaugural event at Circuit of the Americas in May, the Floridian recorded 18 top-20 results throughout the 2021 Xfinity season before settling in 18th place in the final standings and with an average-finishing result of 20.7. By then, he had surpassed 100 career starts in the Xfinity Series.

The 2022 season was an eventful year for Williams, who parted ways from DGM Racing and joined BJ McLeod Motorsports at the start of the season. After not qualifying in four of 21-scheduled events while only managing to finish in the top 20 three times, Williams returned to DMG Racing, beginning at Darlington Raceway in September as he split driving roles between the team’s Nos. 92 and 36 entries. For the final 10 events on the schedule, he earned a 19th-place result at Talladega Superspeedway in October before notching a season-best 15th-place run in the 2022 Xfinity Series finale at Phoenix Raceway in November. Despite missing five events, Williams’ average-finishing result was 25.8.

Retained by DGM Racing to pilot the No. 92 entry on a full-time basis in 2023, Williams commenced the season by finishing 15th at Daytona followed by finishing 16th at Auto Club Speedway in February. Three races later at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Williams gained national attention that started when he sustained right-front damage to his No. 92 entry after being involved in a Lap 26 incident involving Jeb Burton and Brett Moffitt. After drawing another caution five laps later due to debris that came off of his damaged car, Williams was parked by NASCAR for the rest of the event under a provision in the Damaged Vehicle Policy standard. In response, Williams parked his damaged car across the start/finish line in the frontstretch, climbed out and walked to pit road, where he saluted the fans before making the trip to the infield care center. Eventually, NASCAR suspended him from competing in the series’ following event at Circuit of the Americas in March due to his actions at Atlanta. Returning at Richmond Raceway in April, Williams would proceed to record a total of three top-10 results, including a season-best eighth-place run at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in July, and a total of 15 top-20 results before ending up in 21st place in the final standings and with an average-finishing result of 23.3.

Twelve days after the 2023 season concluded, Williams was announced as the driver of the No. 11 Chevrolet Camaro for Kaulig Racing for the 2024 Xfinity Series season, where he replaced Daniel Hemric as Hemric moved back up to the Cup Series with Kaulig. Currently, Williams has achieved three top-10 results through the first 13 events of the season and is coming off a seventh-place result at Portland International Raceway. He is ranked in 18th place in the driver’s standings and trails the top-12 cutline to make the 2024 Xfinity Series Playoffs by 109 points with 13 regular-season events remaining.

Through 199 previous starts in the Xfinity Series, Williams has achieved 14 top-10 results, 19 laps led and an average-finishing result of 22.6 as he continues his pursuit for both his first Xfinity victory and Playoff berth.

Josh Williams is scheduled to make his 200th Xfinity Series career start at Sonoma Raceway for the second annual running of the Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 on Saturday, June 8. The event’s broadcast time is slated to occur at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.

Cadillac at Le Mans: Test day the first step

By
Official Release
-

Second-year Hypercar program taking aim at overall win after successful return

DETROIT (June 5, 2024) – Following a successful return to Circuit de la Sarthe in 2023 after a 21-year absence, Cadillac Racing enters the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a shared mindset of standing on the top step of the new podium platform June 16.

The nascent three-car program turned heads last year with strong qualifying efforts and third-, fourth- and 17th-place overall finishes. Now the iconic American luxury brand is back for the 92nd edition of the endurance classic with three hybrid racecars, more knowledge, experience and desire to succeed.

“For endurance racing, it’s the pinnacle and something we’re always looking forward to,” said Justin Taylor, race engineer for the No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R and a two-time Le Mans overall winner.

“From the moment you finish the race you are starting the preparation for next year. You’re trying to use the lessons learned in the immediate to try to help you in the future. Though I was on a different team last year, I was thinking about this year already. I’m happy to go back and looking forward to putting forth our best effort.”

The Nos. 2 and 3 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R and No. 311 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R will participate in the June 9 Hypercar test sessions on the 8.46-mile (13.626-kilometer) road course.

The six hours of track time provides the opportunity for manufacturers and teams in the 23-car field to formulate a chassis set-up baseline in preparation for qualifying practice June 12. The top eight cars in the 60-minute session advance to the 30-minute Hyperpole on June 13.

“We are excited to have this test day to take advantage of as much on-track as possible because no one can test on the circuit until they come to the Le Mans event,” GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser said. “We have each of the three cars on different test plans so that we can maximize the amount of information that we can gather for the program. It also gives the opportunity to test all the equipment that runs behind the scenes.”

Running in another series

Cadillac Racing’s stout driver lineup across its three Hypercar entries includes six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and teammate, reigning and two-time champion Alex Palo. The drivers will not participate in the test day because of their commitment to the IndyCar race at Road America.

Both drivers will join the program in time for the June 12 sessions. Dixon was the winner of the June 2 race on the streets of Detroit.

Additionally, Jack Aitken will be competing in the DTM doubleheader this weekend at Zandvoort but return to Le Mans to take part in the morning test session before returning for the second DTM race.

Vautier tapped as reserve driver

Tristan Vautier will serve as reserve driver for the Chip Ganassi Racing-run teams that will field the Nos. 2 and 3 Cadillac V-Series.Rs in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“We are pleased to have Tristan join us as a reserve driver for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Tristan has been part of the Cadillac family in the past and has been friends of CGR for quite some time,” said Mike O’Gara, Chip Ganassi Racing director of operations. “With a race as important as Le Mans, you can never be over prepared. Having Tristan on stand-by will only make our program stronger.”

What they’re saying

No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R

Alex Lynn: “Last year was a great result for the team. We were on the podium last year overall and led laps for the first time with Cadillac. We’re very proud of that fact, but with that being said, we’re determined to do even better. The competition is really strong, so we have to stay humble, do our job and really see what we can do.”

Earl Bamber: “I’m looking forward to going back to Le Mans. We want to improve on where we were last year, which was on the podium. I think we have all the potential to do it with Cadillac and Chip Ganassi Racing. I’m also looking forward to having Alex join our crew. He’s been quite formidable in INDYCAR and he’ll be a great addition to our team in one of the biggest races in the world.”

Alex Palou: “Going to Le Mans is an amazing opportunity and a big challenge, as well. We have a chance to win it overall and that is our biggest goal. I’m excited to be back in the Cadillac and join Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn. They had success there last year and the cars were quite fast, so with our recent pace at Daytona I can’t wait to go there and win. It’s going to be a tight calendar and it’s my first time there. This feels super close to a home race, being just a few hours from where I used to live with my parents. It’s a big race, I’ve always wanted to be a part of it, and I think we have a good shot with Cadillac. I’ve been fortunate enough to have tested and raced the Cadillac V.Series-R in Daytona, where we couldn’t get the result we wanted, but we were fast, and it was super fun. I can’t wait for Le Mans.”

No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R

Renger van der Zande: “It’s a classic, it’s heroic, it’s long and it’s amazing. Once you get to racing it’s the most fun you can get. If you look at last year, I think we performed very well. But, at the same time, you have to keep an eye on the competition. I think we were better prepared that everybody else, but this year everybody else will be better prepared than they were last year. I think the competition will be strong than last year because of reliability, not because of speed. Teams have their cars and systems better sorted, so from that perspective it will be more interesting. I think we’re going to see a lot of high-level duels on track where you need to be on top of your game from the moment you start racing to when you see the checkered flag. That’s what we come for – to race against the best in the world and to win the race. We’re ready for that challenge. I think it’s amazing what we did this past year with the Cadillac program finishing third and fourth. That was a testament to the development and everyone’s hard work in the first year of the program. We have really strong teammates, really strong teams and partners to make this all work to go for the win.”

Sebastien Bourdais: “Obviously, it’s a huge challenge but we’ve had some very promising findings and learnings from last year. I think we definitely have a very competitive car with our Cadillac V-Series.R to be able to contend. Hopefully, we can give it a shot to get that win that is missing on my resume. It’s obviously one that means a ton to me and I’m looking forward to going back there to give it another go.”

Scott Dixon: “I love this race; it’s one of the biggest and the toughest in the world. We all know it is definitely a privilege to even be invited, so I’m excited to go back with Sebastien, Renger, Cadillac and everybody involved. I feel like the team did a tremendous job last year. We had some issues here and there but to go third and fourth was pretty spectacular. Hopefully, we can have a closer fight this year but it’s one I love to do. I’m very fortunate to be able to do this with the team and to be a part of it. It’s never easy to fit into a schedule, but everyone being on the same team makes that more possible.”

No. 311 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R

Pipo Derani: “We’re happy to go back to Le Mans, and winning the IMSA championship in a way cemented our way back to Le Mans, which is a nice way to go back. The fact that we were there, made a full event of experience and now we’re able to go back with all that knowledge is exciting. Last year we had an incident right at the beginning but there was a lot of promise shown during the race. We had good pace despite being laps down. If we can use all that knowledge that we accumulated last year and make a few things better, then we should have a good weekend. There are so many details that you don’t know when you haven’t been there; it was the first for the team. So, to have that experience and put it to use will be fantastic.”

Jack Aitken: “I think it’s always a privilege to go to Le Mans. We’re going to go back into an even more competitive field than last year. For one, I’m keen on going back and try to show that we can compete for the overall win. It is a special race and everyone is excited to go back and compete.”

Felipe Drugovich: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans is impossible to define in words, such is its magic and importance for cars in general and motor racing in particular. I am having the opportunity to live this 100 years history for the first time with AXR and Cadillac. “What a privilege having another dream coming true.”

What to Do If You Experience a Flat Tire While Driving

By
SM
-
Photo by Bernd Dittrich on Unsplash

A flat tire can be an unsettling experience, especially if it happens while you’re driving. Knowing how to handle the situation safely and efficiently can make a significant difference. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do if you experience a flat tire while driving.

Stay Calm and Stay Safe

The most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Panicking can lead to abrupt decisions that may jeopardize your safety. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure you handle the situation correctly.

Step 1: Recognize the Signs

Understanding the signs of a flat tire is crucial. You might notice:

  • A loud flapping noise.
  • Difficulty steering.
  • The car pulls to one side.
  • A vibration in the steering wheel.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to act quickly but safely.

Step 2: Don’t Brake Suddenly

Abrupt braking can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and let the car slow down gradually. Use the brakes gently if needed.

Step 3: Steer to Safety

Safely guide your car to the side of the road. Aim for a flat, straight stretch of road away from traffic. If you’re on a highway, look for an emergency lane or a wide shoulder.

Step 4: Turn on Hazard Lights

Turn on your hazard lights as soon as you realize you have a flat tire. This alerts other drivers that you are having an issue and helps prevent accidents.

Step 5: Park Safely

Once you’ve found a safe spot, put your car in park and apply the parking brake. Turn off the engine and ensure you and any passengers exit the vehicle from the side away from traffic.

Step 6: Use Safety Equipment

If you have safety cones, reflective triangles, or flares, set them up behind your car to increase visibility. This is especially important if you are on a busy road or it’s dark outside.

Step 7: Gather Your Tools

You’ll need a few tools to change the tire. These typically include:

  • A spare tire
  • A car jack
  • A lug wrench
  • The owner’s manual (to locate and use the tools properly).

Most vehicles come with these tools stored in the trunk or under the rear cargo area.

Step 8: Loosen the Lug Nuts

Using the lug wrench, loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Do not remove them completely at this stage; just break the initial resistance. Turning the wrench counterclockwise should do the trick.

Step 9: Jack Up the Car

Consult your owner’s manual for the proper jack points to avoid damaging your car. Place the jack under the appropriate spot and raise the car until the flat tire is off the ground.

Step 10: Remove the Flat Tire

Finish unscrewing the lug nuts and carefully remove the flat tire. Place it under the car as a precaution while you work, in case the jack fails.

Step 11: Mount the Spare Tire

Align the spare tire with the wheel studs and push it onto the vehicle. Hand-tighten the lug nuts as much as possible.

Step 12: Lower the Car and Tighten the Lug Nuts

Lower the car slowly using the jack until the spare tire is just touching the ground. Then, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure even pressure. Once all the nuts are tight, lower the car completely and remove the jack.

Step 13: Check the Spare Tire Pressure

Ensure the spare tire is properly inflated before you drive. If it’s under-inflated, drive slowly to the nearest gas station to inflate it to the recommended pressure.

Step 14: Visit a Professional

Remember, a spare tire is a temporary fix. As soon as possible, visit a professional tire shop to get a proper replacement or repair for the flat tire. If your flat tire was the result of someone else’s negligence, speak to an accident attorney like those in Chicago to discuss your case. 

Preventing Future Flat Tires

While some flats are unavoidable, you can reduce the risk by:

  • Regularly checking tire pressure
  • Inspecting tires for wear and tear
  • Avoiding driving over debris
  • Rotating your tires as recommended

Experiencing a flat tire while driving can be daunting, but knowing how to handle it can make a big difference. By following these steps, you can ensure your safety and get back on the road quickly. Always prioritize safety and don’t hesitate to call for professional help if needed. Safe travels!

1...974975976...6,687Page 975 of 6,687