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Spire Motorsports inks Rodney Childers to multi-year agreement to lead No. 7 Chevrolet

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Official Release
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Ryan Sparks Shifts to Competition Director Duties Full Time Next Season

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 9, 2024) – Rodney Childers, a 40-time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race winning crew chief and one of the sport’s most respected tacticians, will lead Spire Motorsports No. 7 team and driver Corey LaJoie in 2025.

Ryan Sparks, who currently serves in a dual role as both Spire Motorsports competition director and crew chief for LaJoie, will transition from his duties atop the pit box for the No. 7 team to a singular role as the organization’s Competition Director at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Childers, 48, led Kevin Harvick to the 2014 NCS championship and is the winningest active crew chief in NASCAR’s premier division. The Mooresville native called 37 wins from 2014 – 2023. Prior to the over three dozen victories with Harvick, Childers is credited with leading drivers David Reutimann and Brian Vickers to Victory Lane.

The agreement was finalized last night in private at the team’s Mooresville headquarters with Childers’ wife Katrina and twin sons Brody and Gavin in attendance.

“We are beyond excited to announce Rodney Childers as the crew chief for Corey LaJoie and Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 team beginning in 2025,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “There are decisions that professional racing teams make daily that take courage, require deep thought, and have some element of rolling the dice. To be clear, this wasn’t one of them. Rodney is a hall-of-fame worthy, championship-winning crew chief with 40 wins. He is one of the best in the garage and when a guy like Rodney is available, it would be malpractice if we did anything but our absolute best to bring him into our growing organization. He will make us better the moment he walks into our shop, and we look forward to his contributions to our collective success.

“Ryan Sparks is an amazing leader and has been a huge part of our organization since the first moment he clocked in,” Dickerson continued. “As he transitions from managing two roles to focusing on Spire Motorsports as a whole, it’s important to point out that he was one of the first guys who talked to me about bringing Rodney in. Lots of guys say they’ll put the team first but there aren’t a lot of guys who follow through and that speaks to the type of competitor and human Ryan is. He has been balancing being a crew chief and the competition director the last couple seasons. This move will allow him to focus solely on the competition director role. As we continue to grow, his knowledge and leadership will become even more instrumental to our success.”

Childers led Harvick to eight NASCAR Playoff berths over 10 seasons including five appearances (three consecutive) in the NASCAR Championship 4 between 2014-2019.

Separate from the 40 wins, the 20-year-veteran has called 34 poles, 178 top-five and 298 top-10 finishes in 660 races on NASCAR’s senior circuit.

Meanwhile, he boasts triumphs at some of NASCAR’s most cherished venues and iconic races and includes wins at Bristol Motor Speedway (2), Charlotte Motor Speedway (2), Darlington Raceway (3) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2) as some of his most celebrated accomplishments.

“I think the biggest thing is seeing how Spire Motorsports has grown over the last couple of years,” said Childers. “They are investing in people, and that’s what makes a difference these days. We all buy the same chassis, bodies and parts. What makes a difference is the people. Spire continues to invest in the people within the team and they seek out good people to add depth to an already strong group. Corey (LaJoie) is a veteran of the sport and I think we have a tremendous opportunity in front of us.”

“Spire has been on my radar for the past year. I had quite a few guys from the No. 4 team go over there and they keep telling me how much they enjoy it, what the culture is like and how well everybody gets along. That started it from my side. The rest was the way Jeff (Dickerson) and Doug Duchardt (Spire Motorsports President) handled my situation. They told me how much I was wanted and how I could make a difference. For anybody in this world, all you want is to feel wanted and loved, and I felt that through them. I also see it as a place that can be good for my family, long term. My kids are three years from graduating high school. With the truck teams there, it’s somewhere they can grow, learn and possibly work one day.”

Sparks, a Winston-Salem, N.C., native, has been paired with LaJoie since 2020. Combined, Sparks and LaJoie have earned three top-five and six top-10 finishes, including a pair of top fours in 2023 and a fourth-place finish in this year’s Daytona 500. Last season, the 40-year-old veteran crew chief led LaJoie to his first career top-25 points showing in NASCAR’s premier division.

He previously served as race engineer in multiple capacities at Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Sparks played key roles in RCR’s 2011 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and 2013 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship-winning seasons. In addition to his championship pedigree, he celebrated a host of wins during his 13-year tenure at RCR, including victories in the 2017 Coca-Cola 600 and the 2018 Daytona 500.

“Our motto has been brick-by-brick for the last four years and this is another key component to building higher degrees of success,” said Sparks. “When you have the opportunity to bring in a championship-caliber crew chief like Rodney Childers, you have to capitalize. This is an incredible opportunity for the company and the bottom line is we’re all in this to put Spire Motorsports first. For me, this is an opportunity to be an asset across the board. There’s going to be a little bit of a transition but I’m excited to help all three teams and the company, as a whole. This move makes the whole group stronger.”

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

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

Interstate Batteries Racing: Martin Truex Jr. Pocono Advance

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Official Release
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Martin Truex Jr.
Pocono Advance
No. 19 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing

Event Overview

● Event: The Great American Getaway 400 (Round 21 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 14
● Location: Pocono (Pa.) Raceway
● Layout: 2.5-mile triangle
● Laps/Miles: 160 laps/400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 30 laps / Stage 2: 65 laps / Final Stage: 65 laps
● TV/Radio: USA Network / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Outrageously Dependable for 33 Years and Counting: Interstate Batteries has 11 primary sponsorships on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2024, a similar number of schemes to last year’s expanded presence among all four Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Toyota Camry XSEs. Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs were slated to run the majority of the Interstate Batteries races with eight primaries in all between the two drivers. Denny Hamlin piloted the Interstate Batteries machine for two races this season and now Martin Truex Jr. is carrying the primary Interstate Batteries sponsorship for the one and only time this season at Pocono in the midst of his final season as a fulltime Cup Series driver.

● Where We Stand: The New Jersey native sits fifth in the driver standings with 601 points, 70 behind leader Kyle Larson. All four JGR entries are currently inside the top-10 in the standings with Denny Hamlin fourth, Bell eighth and Gibbs ninth as the series heads to the Pocono Mountains this weekend.

● Truex has two wins, seven top-five finishes and 15 top-10s and has led a total of 257 laps in 34 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Pocono. Truex’s average Pocono finish is 14.1.

● Truex notched his second and most recent Pocono win in June 2018, when he led 31 laps along the way. The New Jersey native’s first win at Pocono came in June 2015, when he led a race-high 97 laps on his way to his maiden win at the “Tricky Triangle.”

● Helpful Tips: An avid fisherman, Truex uses the marine battery line from Interstate in all his boats. Fans are advised to do the following before they head out on the water:

Make sure the battery has a charge by testing it before going out on the water.
Clean off any corrosion around battery terminals and ensure a proper connection.
Check the battery box seal and terminal boots. If a replacement deep cycle or cranking battery is needed, choose what the pros use and get an Interstate.
● Looking for 35: Truex’s win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon in July 2023 was his most recent Cup Series win, the 34th of his career, tying him with 2004 champion Kurt Busch for 25th on the all-time Cup Series win list.

● Ahead at this Stage: Truex has accumulated 63 stage wins since the beginning of the stage era in 2017. He is the only driver with 10 or more stage sweeps, with his latest sweep coming at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn last August. Truex scored his second stage win of the season at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway in April, leading the field across the line at the end of Stage 1.

Martin Truex Jr., Driver of the No. 19 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry XSE

Are you looking forward to Pocono after having a strong run there last year, even though it didn’t work out in the end?

“Really looking forward to going to Pocono this weekend in our Interstate Batteries car. It’s one of our home tracks, as they say. I’ve won there a couple of times. But really excited to get back with the fast racecars James (Small, crew chief) and all the 19 guys have been bringing to the track lately. We’re fired up and hope we can get another win at Pocono, but this time with Interstate Batteries on board with us.”

With Interstate Batteries being a founding partner of JGR dating back to its inception in 1992, what does it mean to have Interstate on your car at Pocono this weekend, knowing what the company has meant to JGR all these years?

“It means a lot to be able to drive the Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry. I’ve been watching Interstate cars go around the racetrack about my whole life. Since JGR started, I’ve been watching NASCAR, and Interstate has been an iconic paint scheme in the series, so it was an honor to drive for them the last couple of years, and we get to do it again this weekend at Pocono one more time. I’ve been working with them the last couple of years on appearances and other things – a lot of great people and hard-working people who have treated me well. We almost got them a win at Pocono last year, so it would be great to get those guys to victory lane at a place I’ve already won at a couple of times.”

What does it take to be successful at Pocono?

“Pocono really tests every aspect of your car – horsepower, downforce, you name it. You’ve got to make your car work in all three corners and each one is so different, it’s a challenge. The setup has to be spot on because all three corners are unique. It’s really hard to make your car work around there. Track position is key, so you have to qualify well and you have to have a fast car, but you have to have the right strategy, too, because if you get off strategy and lose track position, it’s going to be a tough day. The NextGen car has been even more track-position sensitive than before, so you have to try to stay near the front all day. You have to have a good racecar there and I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of them over the years there and we’ve had some success. I know the guys will bring a good car this weekend and would love to get Interstate Batteries to victory lane there.”

You went to Pocono as a kid with your dad when he ran the road course there. What are your early memories of going to Pocono?

“I remember going there as a kid and my dad ran the Race of Champions there. They ran that weird pit-road track. I was so young I really don’t remember a lot about it. I remember seeing the street stocks and they were squealing the tires and running into each other and crashing like crazy. I remember the street stocks there and those were my early memories of Pocono, and never raced there again until I was in the Cup Series. It was definitely a different time. I remember staying in hotels that had heart-shaped hot tubs as a kid and they’re probably still there, so that was pretty crazy.”

What are your memories from your first Pocono win back in 2015, when you were with Furniture Row?

“The 2015 win was huge because we had been in a drought for a couple of years. We had a new group of guys, which ended up being our championship group. At that point, we were still a young team and things were feeling like they were coming together. We had been in position to have a chance to win a few races that season up to that point, so it was really good to get our first win together. It was a big deal for all of us. I think it just kind of got the ball rolling for us and, in 2014, everybody knows how bad we struggled. It was a huge deal for all of us, and for Barney (Visser, team owner) – being his second win. It was the first time that we were competitive each and every week and we were up front a lot, leading laps and doing a lot of good things, so it was cool to check that off the list. And who would have thought how the next few years would have gone. It was an incredible run and the start of a really special group.”

No. 19 Interstate Batteries Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Martin Truex Jr.

Hometown: Mayetta, New Jersey

Crew Chief: James Small

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Car Chief: Chris Jones

Hometown: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

Race Engineer: Jaik Halpainy

Hometown: Blockville, New York

Engineer: Jeff Curtis

Hometown: Fairfax Station, Virginia

Spotter: Drew Herring

Hometown: Benson, North Carolina

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Ryan Martin

Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Virgina

Mechanic: Todd Carmichael

Hometown: Redding, California

Interior/Tire Specialist: Tommy DiBlasi

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Engine Tuner: Beau Morton

Hometown: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Transporter Driver: Kyle Bazzell

Hometown: Fairbury, Illinois

Transporter Driver: Eddie DeGroot

Hometown: Baldwinsville, New York

Over-The-Wall Crew Members

Gas Man: Matt Tyrrell

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Jackman: Caleb Dirks

Hometown: Riverside, California

Tire Carrier: CJ Bailey

Hometown: Outer Banks, North Carolina

Front Tire Changer: Thomas Hatcher

Hometown: Middleburg, Florida

Rear Tire Changer: Lee Cunningham

Hometown: Leaf River, Illinois

FORMER POCONO WINNERS LEAD “TRICKY 5” STORYLINES FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN GETAWAY 400 PRESENTED BY VISIT PA NASCAR RACE WEEKEND

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Official Release
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Denny Hamlin’s seven career wins at Pocono Raceway are his most at one track during the Joe Gibbs Racing driver’s 20-year career. Photo credit: Pocono Raceway.
  • Four-time Pocono Cup Series winner Kyle Busch looking to punch his ticket for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with a return to Victory Lane at “The Tricky Triangle.”
  • Pocono Raceway among Denny Hamlin’s best-performing tracks in his entire career.

LONG POND, Pa. (July 9, 2024) – The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA at Pocono Raceway on Sunday is the first of six remaining regular-season races that will finalize the 16-driver field for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

Twelve different drivers already have earned a win through the first 20 races and The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA presents the next opportunity for someone to provisionally join the coveted Playoff field for the 10-race, post-season format that begins Sept. 8 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Nine of those come from three organizations – Hendrick Motorsports (Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman), Team Penske (Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric) and Joe Gibbs Racing (Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell). The other three are Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing, Daniel Suarez of Trackhouse Racing and Brad Keselowski of RFK Racing.

Of the 12, Hamlin, Larson, Byron and Bell are guaranteed Playoff berths with multiple wins on the season.

There are several prominent names in search of a victory – most notably former Cup Series champions and Pocono winners Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. – heading into this weekend’s event that will feature all three of NASCAR’s national series.

The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series opens the racing with the CRC Brakleen 175 on Friday (5:30 p.m. ET, TV: FS1, Radio: MRN, SiriusXM) and will be followed by Saturday’s Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 (3 p.m., TV: USA Network, Radio: MRN, SiriusXM). The weekend is highlighted by The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA Cup Series race on Sunday, beginning at 2:30 p.m. (TV: USA Network, Radio: MRN, SiriusXM).

Here’s a look at the “Tricky 5” storylines for The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA:

  1. Two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch of Richard Childress Racing is still looking to extend his streak of 19 consecutive seasons of at least one win and, more importantly, secure a Playoff berth.

Busch sits 19th in the playoff picture – 98 points behind Chris Buescher who is currently in the 16th and final position – and Pocono Raceway arrives at a time to possibly turn around his season with a much-needed victory. He owns just two top-five finishes through 20 races and Sunday’s ninth-place finish in the Chicago street race was his first top-10 performance since Kansas Speedway on May 5.

Busch’s four career wins at “The Tricky Triangle” have all come in his last 11 starts, with the most recent coming in 2021, but all came while competing for Joe Gibbs Racing. Last season with RCR, he qualified 25th and finished 21st, and the lone start could be an anomaly given his overall success at Pocono.

Busch’s victory total ranks tied for fourth all time (second among active drivers), his four poles are tied for second and he has recorded top-10 finishes in half of his 36 career starts, including 11 among the top five.

Busch has qualified for the Cup Series Playoffs 16 times, which includes a run of five consecutive Championship 4 Round appearances from 2015-2019.

  1. Martin Truex Jr. of Joe Gibbs Racing also may lean on Pocono Raceway to provide his first win of the season or, at the very least, provide more valuable points in his effort to make the Playoffs.

Truex Jr. is in a much better position than Busch, currently ranking 13th in the post-season outlook and the top-ranked driver among those who have yet to record a win. He is a two-time Pocono winner (2015-1, 2018-1) and has finished among the top 10 in five of his last seven visits, including third last season. He also has qualified well recently, starting among the top eight in his last three Pocono races including second last year.

The 2017 Cup Series champion, in his final season, is a 10-time Playoff qualifier and tied for the most Championship 4 Round appearances with five. He also has finished runner-up in the championship standings in three of the last six seasons (2018, ’19 and ’21).

  1. Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing has not found “The Triangle” very tricky over the course of his career and could be a spoiler for any Playoff hopefuls.

Hamlin collected his seventh career win at Pocono Raceway last season to break a tie with NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon for the track record. Three of those have come in his last seven starts and it would have been four if not for the disqualification in the 2022 race.

In a 20-year career highlighted by 54 victories and 42 poles, Pocono Raceway ranks among his best-performing tracks. The seven wins are the most he has recorded at a single Cup Series track, with Martinsville Speedway and Richmond Raceway ranking second at five each. He also has collected four pole positions at Pocono, which is tied for first with Martinsville, Dover Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway in his career.

In 34 career starts at Pocono, he has an average starting position of 7.6 and finishing position of 11.5.

  1. Team Penske enjoyed a June boon for its Playoff fortunes. The organization began the month with no drivers qualified for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and left with all three firmly entrenched with pivotal victories.

Team Penske won three of June’s five races, beginning June 2 with Austin Cindric at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Ryan Blaney, who ran out of fuel entering the final lap at WWT Raceway to give his teammate the victory, rebounded with a June 16 win at Iowa Speedway.

Joey Logano, who did win the non-points NASCAR All-Star Race in May, closed out the month in fashion by winning the five-overtime thriller at Nashville Superspeedway on June 30.

Two of the three Team Penske drivers have won previously at Pocono Raceway, with Logano winning in 2012 and Blaney in 2017. Logano’s win came with Joe Gibbs Racing while Blaney’s first career Cup win came with the Wood Brothers.

  1. Stewart-Haas Racing announced May 28 that the organization would cease operations at the conclusion of this season. The decision suddenly left the team’s four Cup Series drivers – Chase Briscoe, Josh Berry, Ryan Preece and Noah Gragson – without rides for 2025 and utilizing the remainder of the season as an opportunity to audition for potential landing spots.

On June 25, Briscoe was the first to announce a move for next season as he will be heading to Joe Gibbs Racing to replace the retiring Truex Jr. Last week, Berry’s plans for next season were solidified when the Wood Brothers announced he would be replacing Harrison Burton.

Gragson, 23rd in points, recorded his sixth top-10 finish of the season two races ago at Nashville Superspeedway. He followed with a 14th-place effort in Sunday’s street circuit race in Chicago. Preece, 26th in points, also responded at Nashville by finishing fourth for his first top-five effort on the season.

For tickets or additional information about The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA, please visitwww.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.

Pratt Miller Motorsports Announces New Partnership with Haas Automation

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Official Release
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New Hudson, MI – July 9, 2024 – Pratt Miller, an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, is pleased to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Haas Automation, the leading manufacturer of CNC machine tools. This collaboration marks Haas Automation’s first foray into the world of sports car racing, aligning with the iconic yellow Corvettes of Pratt Miller Motorsports.

The partnership with Haas Automation is set to revolutionize the precision and efficiency of machine work at Pratt Miller’s state-of-the-art facility in New Hudson, MI. Haas CNC machines are renowned for their exceptional performance, reliability, and innovation, making them the perfect complement to Pratt Miller’s commitment to excellence in motorsports engineering.

“We are thrilled to welcome Haas Automation to the Pratt Miller Motorsports family,” said Brandon Widmer, Motorsports Vice President at Pratt Miller. “Their reputation for producing world-class CNC machines aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver the highest quality and performance for our race team as well as our other Mobility and Defense business units.”

“We are excited to enter the sports car racing arena with Pratt Miller Motorsports,” said Peter Zierhut, Haas Automation Vice President. “Our CNC machines are designed to deliver precision and efficiency, and we are excited to explore the world of IMSA with one of the most iconic teams. We look forward to a successful collaboration.”

Modern car seat manufacturing emphasizes accuracy and flexibility, enabling the use of materials like leather and fabric, as well as advanced features such as heating and sensor technologies. This approach helps meet diverse vehicle needs while improving overall comfort and user experience.

This partnership marks a significant milestone for both Pratt Miller Motorsports and Haas Automation as they join forces to elevate the Corvette Racing program. The integration of Haas CNC machines will not only enhance Pratt Miller’s manufacturing capabilities but also pave the way for future innovations in sports car racing.

For more information about Pratt Miller Motorsports and Haas Automation, please visit www.prattmiller.com and www.HaasCNC.com/motorsports 

About Pratt Miller

Founded in 1989, Pratt Miller, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Defense, is a ground-breaking product development company that solves its customers’ most technical and complex challenges in the Motorsports, Defense, and Mobility industries.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs approximately 17,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Hinowa, Power Towers, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

HighPoint.com Racing: Chase Briscoe Pocono Advance

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Official Release
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CHASE BRISCOE
Pocono Advance
No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VisitPA.com (Round 21 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 14
● Location: Pocono (Pa.) Raceway
● Layout: 2.5-mile triangle
● Laps/Miles: 160 laps/400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 30 laps / Stage 2: 65 laps / Final Stage: 65 laps
● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Pocono (Pa.) Raceway is known as the “Tricky Triangle” for its three distinct corners connected by three straightaways, including an enormously long 3,740-foot frontstretch. It is the only triangle-shaped track on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar, and its layout was designed by two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Rodger Ward, who modeled each of its three turns after a different track. Turn one, which is banked at 14 degrees, is from the legendary Trenton (N.J.) Speedway. Turn two, banked at 8 degrees, is a nod to the turns at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And turn three, banked at 6 degrees, is based on the corners at The Milwaukee Mile. The first race on the 2.5-mile triangle occurred in 1971, but it wasn’t until Aug. 4, 1974 that NASCAR visited, with the inaugural race won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty.

● The Great American Getaway 400 will serve as Chase Briscoe’s fifth career NASCAR Cup Series start at Pocono. The driver of the No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing has found that there is indeed truth in advertising when it comes to Pocono’s tricky nature. His best Cup Series result at Pocono is 15th, earned in 2021. His other three finishes have all been in the 20s. However, Briscoe can claim a 100 percent lap-completion rate, for he has finished on the lead lap in all four of his Cup Series races at Pocono, a tally that currently stands at 590 laps (1,475 miles).

● Briscoe’s time at Pocono hasn’t always been a challenge. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the Mitchell, Indiana native made three starts at Pocono, and while his first race ended in a crash just past the halfway mark, he rebounded in his next two Xfinity Series starts at the track. Briscoe finished third in 2019 and then performed the equivalent of a mic drop in 2020, winning in his last Xfinity Series race at Pocono. He qualified third and led twice for 24 laps, including the final nine, to take the victory by 1.015 seconds over runner-up Ross Chastain.

● Before Briscoe came to Pocono in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he made one start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. In 2017, Briscoe qualified fifth and then drove his Ford F-150 to a solid ninth-place finish.

● Briscoe’s first taste of Pocono came in the ARCA Menards Series. He made two starts in this developmental division, both of which came in 2016. In June of that year, Briscoe drove to a respectable 10th-place finish. When he came back to the track in July, Briscoe upped his game significantly, qualifying second and leading 51 of the race’s 60 laps, winning by a whopping 4.651 seconds over runner-up John Wes Townley.

● Before Briscoe arrives at Pocono, he will make a trip north of the border to Ohsweken Speedway, a 3/8-mile dirt track in Ontario Canada, where he will compete in his first NASCAR Canada Series race. Briscoe will drive for Jacombs Racing, which is a multiple championship-winning team in the series whose crew chief, Don Thomson, Jr., is a five-time NASCAR Canada Series champion. Briscoe’s NASCAR Cup Series team owner, Tony Stewart, is very familiar with Ohsweken. Stewart won his first career World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature at the track on July 27, 2011. Stewart won another World of Outlaws A-Feature at Ohsweken on July 31, 2012, his third in the series.

● Back with Briscoe this weekend at Pocono is HighPoint.com, a leading provider of technology infrastructure solutions that is headquartered just 60 miles east of Pocono in Sparta, New Jersey. HighPoint has been a partner of Briscoe and Stewart-Haas since 2020, when the company supported Briscoe’s NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign, a collaboration that netted a season-best nine victories and earned Briscoe a promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series. HighPoint has climbed the NASCAR ladder with Briscoe and has helped Stewart-Haas maximize its IT investments. Said Briscoe about the partnership: “Even though we race stock cars, there’s nothing stock about what we do. The science of our cars is impressive, but the technology that goes into building our Ford Mustangs and then making them perform is even more advanced. Our IT needs are pretty complex, and we demand a lot from our technology every day, whether it’s at the shop or at the track. HighPoint provides efficiency and security. They’re more than just a sponsor – HighPoint is a partner that helps us perform.” As an IT Solutions Integrator focused on all things that connect, HighPoint helps its customers with the selection and supply of network infrastructure, mobility, collaboration, data center, security solutions and the risk-mitigated implementation and management of their technology. The company, founded in 1996, is a minority-owned business that serves markets in its nearby Tri-State Region (New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware) and the southeastern United States via its presence in Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as globally with offices in Amsterdam and London. To learn more about HighPoint’s solutions, please visit HighPoint.com.

● The story of how HighPoint.com came together with Briscoe and Stewart-Haas is one that could’ve been scripted in Hollywood. In November 2019, while walking to dinner after attending the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Kevin Briscoe was stopped by a stranger who noticed his No. 98 Stewart-Haas hat. The man was Mike Mendiburu, founder and CEO of HighPoint.com, and he said he was a big fan of Chase Briscoe, then a young NASCAR Xfinity Series driver from Mitchell, Indiana, who was driving the No. 98 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas. Kevin informed Mendiburu that Chase was his son and the two carried on a conversation like they were old friends. The two walked away with Kevin accepting Mendiburu’s business card, just in case the Briscoes ever needed anything. Months passed and Chase Briscoe was told that he may not have a ride in the No. 98 for the 2020 season if funding couldn’t be found. So, Stewart-Haas was given Mendiburu’s information and an agreement was reached for HighPoint.com to sponsor Briscoe. That chance encounter in Las Vegas led to a nine-win season in 2020. In October of that year, midway through the playoffs, Briscoe arrived at Tony Stewart’s house in Indiana for what he thought was a discussion with his team owner about whether HighPoint.com would be returning as his sponsor for the next season. The group sat down for dinner and Briscoe, joined by his parents, was informed a decision had already been made – he would be leaving the No. 98 Xfinity Series program to become the next driver of the team’s No. 14 Cup Series entry, the car Stewart himself wheeled during his driving tenure at Stewart-Haas. “I wouldn’t have a career if it wasn’t for Mike and everyone at HighPoint.com,” Briscoe said. “Going into 2020, I was going to be done. They literally came in the fourth quarter with 30 seconds left on the clock and kept things going. Without them, I think my career would’ve been over.”

Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang

What makes a lap at Pocono so challenging?

“I think the challenging thing about Pocono is just the fact there are three different corners, so your car’s not going to drive good in one of them or maybe even two of them. So you just know that going in and hope that your car’s somewhat balanced in all three, but know there’s a good possibility your car’s probably not going to drive good in one of them. That’s the kind of fun part, but challenging part, of running at Pocono.”

What makes the Tunnel Turn so difficult?

“I think the Tunnel Turn is probably the most difficult corner just due to the fact that it feels super flat, it’s extremely high-speed, it’s the tightest-feeling corner, and it’s by far the roughest corner. You go over the tunnel and the asphalt is kind of moving all over the place, so it’s got a lot of content to it, and that makes it a real challenge to go through there.”

How big of a deal is aero at Pocono, specifically, battling through dirty air when you’re in traffic?

“Everywhere we go, dirty air is certainly a struggle, but at Pocono, it’s one of the worst ones just because of the speed you’re going. And then also due to the fact that your car’s not going to handle very good in a couple of the corners, just from a setup standpoint, and the dirty air just makes it that much worse. You’re drafting down the straightaways and it’s just hard to get away from people there because the draft is so big and there aren’t a ton of lane options. So you’re just kind of limited in where you can go to get clean air, which makes Pocono a challenge.”

Pocono seems to have a road-course element to it – some flat, fast corners, some bumps, plenty of shifting. Does that make it a track that puts more of the race in your hands?

“A little bit. It’s a place where there’s always a lot out of your control, in general, just with the strategy and how much is going on, kind of the bigger picture of the race outside of what I’m doing inside the car. The pit crew and the crew chief play a huge role in your day at Pocono in just trying to play the strategy right and catching cautions and things like that. I feel like winning at Pocono is one of the harder things to do because it takes an entire day from start to finish. You can’t really be off from a setup standpoint, from a strategy standpoint, really from any standpoint, if you’re going to have a good day at Pocono.”

You won at Pocono in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In fact, you did it in your third and final Xfinity Series start there. Was that win a result of your experience at Pocono, because you knew what you needed in your racecar, or was it just a matter of taking a really good car and delivering with it?

“Our car was definitely really, really good that day. Some things also went our way that day, as well. It’s the hard thing about Pocono – you can be the best car there and one untimely caution during a green-flag cycle can really set you behind. So it just goes back to having everything go your way, because it’s so hard to be fast and so hard to get through the field. But having a fast racecar makes it way easier at Pocono.”

What, if anything, is applicable from your time in the Xfinity Series at Pocono to your time there now in the NASCAR Cup Series?

“I feel like Pocono is one of those tracks where, no matter what car you’re in, there are tricks to that racetrack, and what makes each car go fast around there is kind of the same thing. I definitely think there’s stuff you can take away more from there in other series than there is anywhere else we go. Plus, you don’t get a whole lot of laps at Pocono, in general. It’s a 50-something-second lap, so in practice you don’t get a lot of laps in, and even in the race, it’s not like it’s a super-long race. Just getting more laps at Pocono is always something that’s beneficial, and I also feel like it’s one of those places where you just have to have an open mindset going into it and really embrace what it is.”

Pocono is the home track for your primary partner, HighPoint.com. You want to win everywhere you go, but is there added incentive to win in HighPoint.com’s backyard?

“Yeah, for sure. Any time you go to one of your sponsor’s home races, you always want to go and perform in front of their home crowd. HighPoint always has a ton of employees and guests out there, so it’s important to run well. It’s always fun to go up to Pocono and be in HighPoint’s backyard.”

Before you race at Pocono, you’re going to make your first career start in the NASCAR Canada Series on Thursday night at Ohsweken Speedway, a 3/8-mile dirt track in Ontario, Canada. What are your thoughts going into that race?

“I have absolutely no idea what I’m getting myself into. I don’t know the team and I’ve never been to the racetrack. I’ve watched videos of the racetrack before with the World of Outlaws and stuff like that, but I have no idea what the car is like, what it has for a motor, what it drives like, anything. All I know is it’s a dirt race and I’ve always enjoyed running the Truck Series and the Cup Series on dirt. They reached out and asked if I had any interest in doing the Canada Seriesrace up there and I’ve always enjoyed going to Canada, so I said, ‘Why not?’ The few times I’ve been up there to race in IMSA and the Truck Series, the fan base has always been incredible. I’m excited to go up there, but I have no idea what I’m getting myself into. It’ll be fun, I’m sure. Any time you can go run a dirt race, it’s going to be fun.”

It sounds like that race will get you out of your comfort zone. Does doing that make you a better NASCAR Cup Series driver?

“Any time you feel uncomfortable, it helps you. The more you can make yourself uncomfortable and put yourself in different situations, I feel like that makes you more versatile and makes you better on Sundays. That’s the reason I go and run the sprint car and late models and midgets, just trying to get out of my comfort zone and just do something that I don’t do every single week. I feel like it definitely makes me better on Sundays.”

No. 14 HighPoint.com Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Chase Briscoe

Hometown: Mitchell, Indiana

Crew Chief: Richard Boswell

Hometown: Friendship, Maryland

Car Chief: J.D. Frey

Hometown: Ferndale, California

Engineer: Mike Cook

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Spotter: Joey Campbell

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala

Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Dakota Ratcliff

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Tire Carrier: Jon Bernal

Hometown: Holland, Michigan

Jack Man: Kapil Fletcher

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fuel Man: Corey Coppola

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Stephen Gonzalez

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Interior Mechanic: Trevor Adams

Hometown: Plymouth, Wisconsin

Tire Specialist: Keith Eads

Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Shock Specialist: Brian Holshouser

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Jon Phillips

Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri

Transporter Co-Driver: Todd Cable

Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Dale Lackey

Hometown: Taylorsville, North Carolina

RFK Advance | Pocono

By
Official Release
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Pocono Event Info:
Date: Sunday, July 14
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Long Pond, Pennsylvania
Format: 160 Laps, 400 Miles, Stages: 30-65-65
TV: USA
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 12 p.m. ET, Practice (USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 12:45 p.m. ET, Qualifying (USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 2:30 p.m. ET, Race (USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • The NASCAR Cup Series heads north to Pocono Raceway for the 21st points race of the season as ‘The Tricky Triangle’ hosts its lone race date on the calendar.
  • Just one race remains following Pocono (Indianapolis) before the two-week pause in the schedule for the Olympics.
  • Jack Roush has four Pocono wins all-time, while the three-turn track stands as one of Brad Keselowski’s best (former winner in 2011). Pocono was also the site of Chris Buescher’s first victory in the Cup Series, way back in 2016 in one of his first seasons in Cup.

6 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Matt McCall
Partner: NEXLIZET

17 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: BuildSubmarines.com

Keselowski at Pocono
Starts: 26
Wins: 1 (2011)
Top-10s: 15
Poles: 1 (2016)

  • Keselowski enters the weekend in line for his 27th Cup start at Pocono. He carries a 10.9 average finish, his second-best of any track on the circuit.
  • Most recently he finished 16th a season ago, and 14th in 2022. Overall he has 15 top-10s, 11 of which were in the top five, with one win at ‘The Tricky Triangle’ in 2011.
  • Keselowski has led laps in 14 different Cup races in Pocono, including a race-best 95 in 2014 when he ran second. That marked one of four P2 finishes at the track, with the other runner-up results coming in 2015, 2016 and 2019.
  • Keselowski has finished top-10 in five of the last eight Pocono races, and in 11 of the last 15.
  • He has one pole all-time (2016) with an average starting position of 11.9 and 11 starts inside the top-10.
  • Outside of Cup action, Keselowski made one start each in the Xfinity and Truck Series, winning the 2017 Xfinity race in the No. 22.

Buescher at Pocono
Starts: 13
Wins: 1 (2016)
Top-10s: 2
Poles: 1 (2021)

  • Pocono marks the site of Buescher’s first-ever Cup win, which came in 2016 while driving at Front Row Motorsports. After weather played a factor with 133 laps completed, NASCAR red-flagged and ultimately called the race early, giving Buescher his first-career victory in NASCAR’s top series.
  • Overall at Pocono, Buescher has two top-10s in 14 starts with an average result of 20.6. He finished 18th a season ago.
  • Buescher’s average qualifying effort stands at 19.5 with two career top-10 starting spots – including the pole in 2021 when NASCAR inverted the field after race one of a doubleheader, and in 2022 when he qualified fifth.
  • Buescher also made four ARCA starts at Pocono in 2011-12, recording one runner-up finish followed by a third-place run and two fifth-place finishes.

RFK Historically at Pocono
Cup Wins: 4 (Carl Edwards, 2005, 2008); Kurt Busch (2005); Greg Biffle (2010)

  • It’s Tricky, it’s Tricky (Tricky) Tricky (Tricky): RFK has run 222 Cup races at ‘The Tricky Triangle’ dating back to 1988. An RFK Ford has visited victory lane on four occasions in the Cup series, with the first coming in 2005 with Carl Edwards. Kurt Busch followed with a win in the July race of that same year, one of his three victories for Jack Roush in 2005. Three years later, Edwards found winners circle again in 2008, and Greg Biffle carded the organization’s most recent win at the 2.5-mile track back in 2010.
  • Runner-Up: RFK has finished in the second position 13 times at Pocono with six different drivers. All in all, RFK has finished first or second 17 times at the triangular track.
  • Tale of the Tape: Overall RFK has 73 top-10 and 45 top-five results at Pocono along with three poles and the four wins. Mark Martin earned back-to-back poles in 1990 and 1991, before capturing his third in 1996.

RFK Pocono Wins

2005-1 Edwards Cup
2005-2 Busch Cup
2008-2 Edwards Cup
2010-2 Biffle Cup

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Chicago: Joey Hand – piloting the Stage 60 Ford – led RFK with a P4 finish Sunday at the Chicago Street Course. Keselowski restarted third inside five to go and was in line for a top-10, but was spun on the final lap to finish 18th. Buescher finished 20th.

Points Standings (6: 10th, 17: 13th): Keselowski sits P10 with a two-point gap to ninth, while Buescher is eight points off P12.

Cadillac at Brazil: Aiming for strong finish

By
Official Release
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No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R takes Hyperpole momentum to Interlagos

DETROIT (July 9, 2024) – Capitalizing on speed displayed in qualifying and race pace is an objective for the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R this weekend in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) race in São Paulo, Brazil.

The Cadillac Racing Hypercar has qualified second the past two races, with seventh place June 16 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans the best result. Additionally, Alex Lynn qualified seventh in Hyperpole in the season opener in Qatar. The team finished fourth, though the result was vacated because of a technical infraction.

The Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo – the fifth round of the WEC season – poses another opportunity for Lynn and Earl Bamber to score a podium spot after teaming with two-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou to lead 23 laps and finish in the top seven for the second consecutive year at Circuit de la Sarthe.

It’s been 10 years since the WEC last competed at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, so the 2.677-mile (4.409 km), 15-turn circuit will be new to most of the drivers in the 37-car field. Car will also run counterclockwise on the hilly road course opened in 1940.

“The WEC not having raced at Interlagos for a number of years it will be a clean sheet for almost everybody,” Lynn said. “We’re improving a lot, which we showed at Le Mans. The car has a lot of strong points, and we aim to utilize them on the Interlagos circuit.”

Drivers and teams will attempt to quickly find their car’s balance on the variable terrain circuit that requires power combined with fast and slow corners that are traction dependent. A pair of 90-minute free practice sessions Friday will be followed by a 60-minute free practice Saturday that precedes qualifications and the 10-minute Hyperpole.

MotorTrend TV will air the race live with streaming coverage on the FIA WEC app and the MAX app in the U.S. Radio Le Mans will broadcast coverage of Saturday’s final practice and qualifying plus the race.

That iconic sound

What makes the Cadillac V-Series.R sound so incredible? The propulsion team behind the 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 explains what gives Cadillac Racing its roar. WATCH

What they’re saying

Alex Lynn: “The WEC not having raced at Interlagos for a number of years it will be a clean sheet for everybody. A new place, new race for us and excited to get there, explore a bit and have a great race. We’re improving a lot, which we showed at Le Mans. The car has a lot of strong points, and we aim to utilize them on the Interlagos circuit.”

Earl Bamber: “Interlagos is a track that I always dreamed of going to, so I’m looking forward to it and the passionate fans. I think the track will race fantastically with these cars. How everyone’s cars will go, I don’t think anyone has a solid idea. It really is a blank slate, and I think with our two-driver strategy it will be to our benefit with the limited practice and everyone having to learn the track. (progress) “We were in the fight at Spa. We were in the fight at Qatar. We had an off weekend at Imola, but I think the learnings from Imola has made us understand our car even better, which has helped us go forward at Spa and Le Mans.”

THE TIPO 6 LMH COMPETIZIONE SETS ITS SIGHTS ON A NEW GOAL: THE 6 HOURS OF SÃO PAULO

By
Official Release
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After an extraordinary performance at the La Sarthe circuit, the Isotta Fraschini Duqueine Team is ready to give their best on the historic Brazilian track on Sunday, July 14.

São Paulo (Brazil), July 9, 2024 – Following their best placement of the season at their debut on the Le Mans circuit during the 24 Hours, the Tipo 6 LMH of the Isotta Fraschini Duqueine Team is gearing up for a big return to the top category of the World Endurance Championship at the fifth round: the 6 Hours of São Paulo, scheduled from July 12 to 14 at the historic Autódromo José Carlos Pace.

After an exceptional performance at Le Mans, the team returns to “normal operations” in South America with only two categories on the track, HYPERCAR and LMGT3: 19 cars in the premier category, 18 in the GT class. The challenge is open, and anything can happen on the Interlagos circuit, where Jean-Karl Vernay, Carl Wattana Bennett, and Antonio Serravalle, driving the number 11, are ready to unleash all the adrenaline that has been building up in the Italo-French team’s pits since their great result in France.

Jean-Karl Vernay: “I am excited to return to Brazil, where I have already been twice: the first time during the WEC in 2013, and the second in Stock Car in 2018. Both were unforgettable experiences. The circuit is incredible, full of history, especially with the iconic Senna Chicane at the first corner. The atmosphere in São Paulo is always fantastic, with thousands of passionate fans ready to show their support. Our goal is to build on the momentum of the fantastic 24 Hours of Le Mans, aiming to make continuous progress and achieve great results. We are here to work hard, have fun, and reach great milestones together.”

“São Paulo is an iconic circuit, and it is a pleasure to go to Brazil with the FIA WEC,” said Team Manager Max Favard. “After a great success for the Isotta Fraschini Duqueine Team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a very busy schedule, we are happy to get back on track and look forward to the start of another great race week.”

And the start is just around the corner: on Friday, July 12, the race weekend will begin in São Paulo, Brazil, with the first two 90-minute free practice sessions. Saturday will feature Free Practice 3 and the much-anticipated qualifying sessions. The race is set for Sunday, July 14, starting at 11:30 AM local time.

Stay tuned!

The Essential Guide to Shin Guards

By
SM
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Explore the essential guide to shin guards, covering types, materials, sizing, and tips for choosing the best protection for sports.

Shin guards are an important piece of safety gear for people who play contact sports like hockey, soccer, and martial arts. Intense physical exercise can hurt your shins, but these shoes protect them. Picking the right shin guards can make a big difference in how safe you are and how well you do. This easy-to-follow guide will help you to know about the best shin guards.

The Importance of Shin Guards

Wearing shin guards will lower your risk of breaking bones and getting bruises from kicks, falls, and crashes. Furthermore, they add an important layer of defense for your shins, which are prone to damage in numerous sports. Wearing shin guards and knowing you are protected can enhance your confidence, enabling you to perform at your peak.

Types of Shin Guards

Shin guards come in different styles, and each style is better for a different sport or level of play. Most people know these types:

Slip-In Shin Guards

Slip-on shin guards are light and simple to put on. Most people wear them under socks, and the tight fit of the socks or the compression sleeves keep them in place. Players of football who wish to maintain their moves as smooth as possible like these guards.

Ankle Shin Guards

With padding around the ankles, ankle shin guards offer extra safety. They’re great for smaller players or people who hurt their ankles a lot. The straps or Velcro on these guards keep them in place while you play.

Full-Length Shin Guards

Offering the most complete protection, full-length shin guards cover the ankle as well as the shin. In sports with a high impact risk, like as hockey and martial arts, they are often used. Usually fastened with straps, these guards offer great coverage.

Choosing the Right Size

Usually, shin guards are sized by how tall the person is. To determine the correct size for you, go to the maker’s size chart.

Material Matters

Shin guards are made from different materials, and each one protects and feels good in a different way. Some common materials are:

Plastic

Plastic shin guards are easy to carry and protect well against hits.

Foam

Shin guards made of foam are great at absorbing shock, and they are often mixed with other materials to make them even safer. Due to their lightweight and ease, many athletes choose to wear them.

Carbon Fiber

Pro players choose carbon fiber shin guards over any other type. They are very strong and light, so they protect you better without making it harder to move around. Despite that, they cost more than other kinds.

Comfort and Fit

When it comes to shin guards, comfort is very important. Buy guards that have a soft lining on the inside that wicks away sweat and keeps you from burning. It should fit close, but not too close. In this manner, your movement is unhindered by the shin guards. Straps that you can adjust can help you get a good fit.

Maintenance Tips

Maintaining your shin guards will make them last longer and guarantee they keep offering enough protection. Sweat and grime should be removed from them with a moist towel after each use. Before keeping them somewhere cold and dry, let them air dry entirely. Long periods in your sports bag might cause bacteria to proliferate and leave them smelling bad.

A necessary piece of your athletic equipment, shin guards protect your ankles and shins. Find the ideal pair of shin guards to keep you safe on the field or in the ring by knowing the many kinds, selecting the appropriate size and material, and making sure they fit comfortably. Remember to look after your shin guards, and they will look after you so you may concentrate on playing your best.

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin aims for a Top 5 at the only 2024 dirt race of the NASCAR Canada series

By
Official Release
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EventFreshstone Brands Dirt Classic
TrackOhsweken Speedway, Ontario – July 11th, 2024
BroadcastTSN + app (live) | TSN (tape delayed) | RDS (tape delayed) | FloRacing (USA)
Race7:30 PM E.T. – nascar.ca/race-center/

Trois-Rivières (Quebec), July 8th, 2024.- Trois-Rivières (Quebec), July 8, 2024.- Only ten days after the end of the races in the Maritime Provinces and less than two weeks before a new tripleheader in the West, the NASCAR Canada series presents this Thursday evening the only dirt race of the 2024 season, on the oval track of Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario.

A very special event, prepared with a mixture of discovery and optimism by the series’ triple champion Louis-Philippe Dumoulin. At the wheel of car #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare | Omnifab, Dumoulin will try to repeat, and even do better, the Top 6 clinched last year.

Basically, the cars in the NASCAR Canada series are not designed to compete on dirt. Adapting them to this surface therefore constitutes a challenge for the drivers and their teams. If the technical structure of Dumoulin Compétition had succeeded in its bet last year, Louis-Philippe knows that anything can happen on this type of surface. “I really admire racing on dirt. It’s a fantastic show to watch, especially with the vehicles specifically built for this type of racing. With our NASCAR Canada cars, it’s more difficult to perform as well as we would like, but I will take part of this event with the desire to take advantage of the slightest situation to gain positions and offer a good result to our team #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare | Omnifab” adds the driver.

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin has currently four Top 5 finishes in five races contested this season, which places him fourth in the championship standings, in the contenders for the title. “The important thing will be to score big points at Ohsweken to remain among the leaders in the championship before the Western events and then the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières” mentions the driver, who adds: “Last year , I fought with DJ Kennington to get a Top 5 after gaining ten places from my starting position. It’s an excellent memory and it pushes me to be confident for the race this Thursday evening.”

This will be the third year that the NASCAR Canada series will present a race at the Ohsweken track. Drivers will have only thirty minutes of free practice before starting the qualifying rounds. The start of the grand final will be given around 7:30 p.m. “This sixth event of the season is a great challenge in terms of setting up the car and adapting to a surface used only once a year. Some drivers in the series are much more experienced than me on dirt but, considering our good results last year at this track and since the start of the season, I think we can do very well at Ohsweken” concludes the driver of car #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare | Omnifab.

ABOUT PARTNERS

WeatherTech is committed to designing, engineering and manufacturing the finest products possible for your vehicle, home and your pet. From the industry leading FloorLiner to the 100% non-toxic Pet Feeding System, WeatherTech has dedicated itself to exceed customer expectations of quality, craftsmanship and environmental sustainability for over 30 years. To see the full line of automotive, home and pet products that are guaranteed for life, visit weathertech.ca

Groupe Bellemare is a 3rd generation family business that has been serving clients since 1959. Today, the company has more than 500 employees and provides them with an innovative work environment facilitating work-family balance and a healthy and safe quality of life. With over a half century of experience and its sustained R&D efforts, the Company offers high-quality products and services in areas as diverse as concrete, abrasives and minerals, dimensional load transportation, and recycling. Groupe Bellemare is also very involved in its industry and attaches great importance to its social and environmental role as a member of the business community. Groupe Bellemare makes a positive contribution to the quality of life of citizens in the communities it serves by supporting numerous social causes and promoting local purchasing through its responsible procurement practices. For more information, visit groupebellemare.com

Omnifab has joined Dumoulin Compétition in June 2023.In less than twenty years, Omnifab has made its place in the mechanical manufacturing industry in Quebec. They have earned this place by offering a unique turnkey solution to large companies and SMEs that want to modernize their production line or have their industrial equipment repaired. No matter your industry, you can count on Omnifab team to manufacture custom industrial machinery or solve your mechanical problems with great precision, in a timely manner and with quality components, as pledged. Visit omnifab.ca for more information.

Rousseau Metal has been manufacturing high-quality products for 70 years. Over the years the company become known as a leader in storage solutions. The quality, durability and reliability of their products have earned them a reputation as being among the best in the industry. Over the years, the quality of Rousseau products and excellence of the company’s business practices have been recognized through various certifications and membership in industrial and automotive organizations. To learn more about the company and its products, visit rousseau.com

Dumoulin Competition

Jean-François and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin founded the Dumoulin Competition Race Team in 2009. Working with financial, marketing, logistics and sports management experts, they built up a solid business structure. Dumoulin Competition prepares its own race cars in-house since 2016. Their motto: “Passion – Performance – Partnerships” expresses their will to perform on the track and offer their partners maximum visibility and profitability in return for their commitment. Their vision: To become Canada’s leader in motorsports through on-track performance, an entrepreneurial spirit and human values. dumoulincompetition.com

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