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Travis Peterson Named Crew Chief for Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports No. 71 Chevy in 2025

By
Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 6, 2024) – Michael McDowell will have a familiar face atop the pit box in 2025.

Travis Peterson has signed a multi-year agreement and will join Spire Motorsports at the conclusion of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) season. Peterson will call the shots for McDowell and the No. 71 Chevrolet, filling out the team’s NCS crew chief lineup for the 2025 campaign.

Peterson, 33, has been paired with the 2021 Daytona 500 winner since 2023 combining for three pole positions, one win, four top-five and 14 top-ten finishes. The potent duo made headlines last July by snaring the checkered flag in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

“It’s exciting to have Travis Peterson join Spire Motorsports,” said Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt. “The first time Travis and I worked together was when Greg Ives and Travis came to Hendrick Motorsports to be the crew chief and the engineer for the No. 88 car with Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. I got to spend time with Travis there as a young engineer and it’s exciting to see how he’s grown into a leader and a crew chief. He’s going to add tremendous depth to our crew chief lineup and be a great compliment to Luke (Lambert) and Rodney (Childers). I’m really excited to see what those three can do together.”

Born in Wisconsin, Peterson moved with his family to the Charlotte metro at a young age when his father accepted a position at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). The younger Peterson would later work as a race engineer intern at JGR in the K&N Pro Series East ranks while working towards a mechanical engineering degree.

Upon graduating from the William States Lee College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in fall 2012, Peterson immediately went to work at JR Motorsports (JRM), where he was part of Chase Elliott’s three-win 2014 season that ultimately resulted in the NASCAR Xfinity Series title. Following a two-year run of success at JRM, the badger-state native moved to Hendrick Motorsports where he worked with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the famed No. 88 team from 2015-2018.

Peterson has proven to be one of the most promising young crew chiefs on pit road and has called 63 races in NASCAR’s premier division, to date. Prior to his time with McDowell and Front Row Motorsports, Peterson spent five seasons as a lead race engineer at Roush Fenway Racing.

“It is a very exciting opportunity,” said Peterson. “Michael (McDowell) and I had the opportunity to meet with Doug (Duchardt) and (Jeff) Dickerson and they really sold us on the vision of where Spire is going and how we could be big role players in building the organization. I think having that skin in the game was important to both of us. The opportunity in front of us has all the potential to be very rewarding. That was a huge part of it. I love the energy right now and the overall culture around Spire Motorsports. They’re investing in people and team ownership is highly engaged. The mindset is ‘We’re going to do what it takes to win and this is what we want to build. Here’s the vision, where we’re going, what we’re going to do to get there, and we want you to be part of it.’ That was the biggest selling point.”

McDowell is a veteran of 487 NCS starts and a two-time NCS race winner. He made his debut in 2008 and has since recorded three pole positions, 11 top-five and 43 top-10 finishes in NASCAR’s premier division.

“There are times when you meet people and you are immediately able to naturally communicate on a real level,” said Peterson of his relationship with McDowell. “I feel like we were that way from the start. We didn’t have to work at it. Our personalities, the way we openly communicate, and our honest nature helped us click from the start. We have no problem talking about hard stuff or easy stuff. We can be happy together when we win and be sad together when we lose. There is no red tape. We just work. It’s hard to recreate that. Staying together is a huge part in coming to Spire Motorsports for both of us. It’s hard to put a value on a driver/crew chief pairing, but there’s an intangible there. We just know it has been working, and if we can keep it going, we’re only going to get better over time. That’s what we’re chasing. We want to continue to grow and get better together.”

Spire Motorsports was founded in 2018 and has logged 354 Cup Series starts, posting one win, seven top fives and 14 top 10s.

Peterson will work alongside veteran NASCAR topkicks Rodney Childers and Luke Lambert in 2025 as the three-car Mooresville, N.C., team looks to capitalize on experience and depth, and build itself into a consistent challenger for race wins, top 10s and playoff berths.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Peterson continued. “Rodney (Childers) is a veteran of the sport. It is exciting for me to learn from a guy with that much success. Luke (Lambert) and I worked together when I was an engineer at Roush so we’re definitely familiar with one another. We have all seen each other around and we’ve all paid attention to each other. Combining all those ideas will be exciting. That is where a lot of strength is right now in the sport. The teamwork side of our group is going to be very valuable.”

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.

AO Racing’s Spike the Dragon Flies to First IMSA WeatherTech Podium

By
Official Release
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ST CHARLES, Ill., (August 6, 2024) – Last weekend in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, AO Racing put in a strong performance in the most recent round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Racing in front of their home crowd at Road America, AO Racing earned a first-ever podium finish for the No. 99 Oreca LMP2 prototype of Spike the Dragon with drivers PJ Hyett and Paul-Loup Chatin. The No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 Rawr, driven by Laurin Heinrich and Julien Andlauer, also put up a strong performance, earning a hard-fought fourth-place finish.

“What a home race,” said Team Principal Gunnar Jeannette. “For Spike to get his first podium at home is absolutely fantastic. We moved Roxy up from 10th to fourth, which given the challenges of the weekend, it feels like a podium. We were a little unlucky with the way the last yellows of the race went, but it was still a great result. All the crew did an amazing job, and we’re looking forward to finishing off the remainder of the season strong.”

Spike’s admirable home performance began with PJ Hyett’s fourth consecutive pole position in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Hyett and the purple and orange dragon have secured four of the five available pole positions this year, a remarkable feat in Hyett’s first year of LMP2 racing. He and Chatin celebrated their first WeatherTech podium of the season with their third-place finish, with team family and friends in attendance.

Roxy returned for her first event of the 2024 season, subbing in for her brother Rexy, who is enjoying his summer vacation at an undisclosed location. Drivers Laurin Heinrich and Julien Andlauer had a strong run in their first outing together as co-drivers, defending AO’s championship points lead. With the fourth-place result, the team holds a 76-point lead with three races remaining.

The team next heads to VIRginia International Raceway, August 23-25.

About AO Racing

Founded in 2022 by PJ Hyett and Gunnar Jeannette, AO Racing has swiftly risen to prominence in the world of professional sports car racing. With an unwavering commitment to on-track excellence and fan engagement, AO Racing commands attention with its fun liveries and fan-friendly presence, becoming a dynamic force in the sport. Central to AO Racing’s success is its unique blend of performance and personality. The iconic liveries of “Rexy” and “Roxy,” the T-Rex Porsche 911 GT3 Rawrs and “Spike” the LMP2 Dragon have captivated fans worldwide, earning AO Racing a dedicated following. With a focus on making racing accessible and enjoyable for enthusiasts of all ages, AO Racing has become a beloved favorite among motorsport lovers. The team has a global footprint, with strong efforts in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, and the FIA World Endurance Championship. With passion, precision, and a touch of flair, AO Racing is writing the next chapter in the annals of motorsport history.

Ford Performance NASCAR – 2024 Richmond 2 Advance

By
Official Release
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RICHMOND 2

Saturday, August 10 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, August 11 — NASCAR Cup Series, 6 p.m. ET (USA)

NASCAR returns to action after a two-week break for the Olympics with a doubleheader at Richmond Raceway featuring the NASCAR Craftsman Truck and NASCAR Cup Series. Both events will take place at night as the Truck Series concludes its regular season on Saturday and Chris Buescher looks to defend his Cup Series win from 2023 on Sunday.

BUESCHER TRYING FOR REPEAT

Chris Buescher enters this weekend’s event at Richmond Raceway as the defending winner of the Cup Series race and would like to repeat that on Sunday to clinch a spot in the playoffs. Buescher, who finished ninth in the spring race, currently sits 15th in the playoff standings and is 17 points above the cut line with four races remaining in the regular season. He used this race a year ago as a springboard to a strong regular season finish, leading 53 of the final 54 laps to claim his first win of 2023. Buescher went on to win the following week at Michigan International Speedway and again at Daytona International Speedway to close out the initial 26-week schedule.

RICHMOND ONE OF LOGANO’S BEST

It would be easy to look at Joey Logano’s two career wins at Richmond and say it’s got to be one of his best tracks on the circuit, but the statistics provide further proof. In 30 career starts, Logano has 14 top 5 and 19 top 10 finishes, which gives him an average finish of 9.7. That’s his best average finish on tracks where he’s run more than 10 races. He’s coming off a second-place run in the spring and has finished seventh or better in seven of the last eight Richmond races.

KESELOWSKI SOLE RICHMOND WINNER IN 2020

Richmond Raceway hosted two NASCAR Cup Series events a year from 1959-2019, but in 2020 the track had only one event due to COVID and Team Penske’s Brad Keselowski took the checkered flag in dominating fashion. Keselowski led 192-of-400 laps in recording his second career Cup win at the Virginia short track, and automatically advanced to the Round of 12. Overall, Ford led 297 laps on the night and had five drivers finish in the top 10, including Joey Logano (3rd), Kevin Harvick (7th), Aric Almirola (8th) and Clint Bowyer (10th).

REGULAR SEASON FINALE

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series concludes its regular season on Saturday night with Ty Majeski looking to win consecutive races after taking the checkered flag at Indianapolis Raceway Park. That officially clinched a spot in the 10-driver playoff field for the Wisconsin native while defending series champion Ben Rhodes is on the bubble. Rhodes is ninth in the playoff standings, 17 points ahead of 10th-place Tanner Gray and 22 points above the cut line. Matt Crafton (-43), Layne Riggs (-75) and Jake Garcia (-82) need a win in order to make the postseason.

FORD NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS

AT RICHMOND

1957 – Paul Goldsmith

1959 – Tom Pistone and Cotton Owens

1960 – Speedy Thompson (2)

1963 – Ned Jarrett (2)

1965 – Junior Johnson (1)

1968 – David Pearson (1)

1969 – David Pearson (1)

1970 – James Hylton (1)

1979 – Bobby Allison (2)

1980 – Bobby Allison (2)

1981 – Benny Parsons (2)

1984 – Ricky Rudd (1)

1986 – Kyle Petty (1)

1988 – Davey Allison (2)

1990 – Mark Martin (1)

1992 – Bill Elliott (1)

1993 – Davey Allison (1)

1994 – Ernie Irvan (1)

1995 – Rusty Wallace (2)

1996 – Ernie Irvan (2)

1997 – Rusty Wallace and Dale Jarrett

1998 – Jeff Burton (2)

1999 – Dale Jarrett (1)

2001 – Ricky Rudd (2)

2002 – Matt Kenseth (2)

2005 – Kurt Busch (2)

2013 – Carl Edwards (2)

2014 – Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski

2017 – Joey Logano (1)

2020 – Brad Keselowski

2022 – Kevin Harvick (2)

2023 – Chris Buescher (2)

Amthor International Partners with NASCAR Driver Spencer Boyd for Virginia Races

By
Official Release
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Mooresville, NC (August 6, 2024) – Amthor International, America’s leading custom tanker truck manufacturer, is thrilled to announce a dynamic new partnership with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Driver Spencer Boyd. This exciting collaboration celebrates the dedication of Amthor’s nearly 100-year legacy and highlights the hard work of its employees.

Under this partnership, Amthor International will proudly serve as the primary sponsor for Boyd’s No. 76 truck at the Martinsville, VA race in November. The association will debut with Amthor’s logo showcased on Boyd’s truck during the upcoming race at Richmond, VA on August 10, 2024.

“I made my NASCAR debut at Martinsville in 2016,” Boyd shared. “It holds a special place in my career. Partnering with a company that’s a local neighbor to the track allows us to celebrate the passionate NASCAR fans in Virginia. With the track and Amthor having storied histories, I’m excited to honor that legacy with a strong performance at the Paperclip.”

Amthor International, a fourth-generation, family-owned enterprise based in Gretna, Virginia, is also gearing up to open a new location in early 2025.

Brian Amthor, Executive Vice President of Amthor International, commented, “We are so excited to announce our entry into the NASCAR community and be a partner of Spencer Boyd and Freedom Racing Enterprises. This partnership allows us to connect with their passionate and loyal fan base while bringing our company and its products to the forefront of the racing world. We look forward to creating memorable experiences and driving growth together.”

In conjunction with supporting the new facility’s employee recruitment, Amthor will host a Job Fair and “trunk or treat” event at their Gretna location on October 31, 2024. This family-friendly event will feature a special “trunk” display with Boyd’s actual Martinsville race truck, courtesy of Freedom Racing Enterprises. Attendees will also have the chance to meet Spencer Boyd in person.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoff Race at Martinsville is set for Friday, November 1, 2024, at 6:00 PM. This crucial race will determine the final four drivers vying for the Truck Series Championship and promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

Connor Zilisch set for part-time NASCAR national series campaign in mid-2024, beginning with Truck return at Richmond

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by Ron Olds for SpeedwayMedia.com.

More than four months after generating an impressive NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Circuit of the Americas, Connor Zilisch returns to the series with a five-race plan throughout the final eight-scheduled events of the 2024 season that commences this upcoming weekend at Richmond Raceway.

The Charlotte, North Carolina, native, who celebrated his 18th birthday two weeks ago, will pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado RST entry for Spire Motorsports for his second career start in the Truck Series and his first at Richmond as he continues to make his early presence within NASCAR’s top three national touring series well-known across the NASCAR community for years to come.

Zilisch, who became the first American to win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy in 2020 before claiming both a Mazda MX-5 Cup Scholarship and Rookie-of-the-Year title over the next two seasons, commenced the 2024 season by being signed by Trackhouse Racing as a development competitor on a multi-year basis in early January. The development program from Trackhouse enabled Zilisch to make starts in the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series divisions along with ARCA, CARS Tour, Trans-Am and IMSA regions. He would proceed to emerge victorious at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in late January, which made him the second-youngest winner of the event at 17 years and 191 days old, before winning at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March, both in the LMP2 class with Era Motorsport.

In March, Zilisch, who currently competes full-time in the ARCA Menards Series East with Pinnacle Racing Group, was announced as the driver of Spire’s No. 7 entry at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, for his Truck debut. He was also signed to compete at Talladega Superspeedway and at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the latter event of which is set to occur in a separate entry, in October.

During his first NASCAR national touring series weekend at Austin, Zilisch stole the show by winning his first pole position with a pole-winning lap at 93.012 mph in 131.983 seconds and becoming the first competitor to win a pole in a Truck debut since Nick Sanchez made the last accomplishment during the 2023 opener at Daytona International Speedway. Despite losing the lead during the opening lap after locking up his front tires and sliding off the track in the first turn amid a three-wide battle, Zilisch, who then endured a roller-coaster event that included spinning shortly after the start of the second stage and being penalized multiple times for short-cutting the course, was able to methodically carve his way back towards the front and survive an overtime restart to finish in fourth place. Ironically, the day did not end for Zilisch, who then traveled to Pensacola, Florida, to compete in the 2024 ARCA Menards Series East season opener at Five Flags Speedway, where he recorded another fourth-place run.

A month after his Truck debut in Austin, Spire and Silver Hare Racing joined forces to add three Truck events to Zilisch’s schedule, including this upcoming weekend’s event at Richmond. He will also compete at Bristol Motor Speedway in September before making his sixth and final Truck start of the 2024 season at Martinsville Speedway in October.

Zilisch’s early presence across NASCAR’s top three national touring series does not conclude with the Truck Series in 2024 as the Charlotte native is also set to make his Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen International in September, where he will pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports. He will then return for three additional Xfinity events of this season including Kansas Speedway in September, Homestead-Miami Speedway in October and the season-finale event at Phoenix Raceway in November.

As he transitions back to the Truck Series spotlight, Zilisch carries another objective besides gaining more on-track experience within NASCAR’s top series. He also strives to keep the Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet team in contention for this year’s owners championship in this weekend’s event at Richmond which serves as the series’ regular-season finale.

Currently, Spire’s No. 7 entry is ranked fifth in the owner standings on the strength of two victories, both being recorded by two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch at Atlanta Motor Speedway in February and at Texas Motor Speedway in April. In addition, the entry secured two stage victories, five top-five results and nine top-10 results through 15 scheduled events, all while being piloted by Zilisch, Busch, Corey LaJoie, Sammy Smith, Connor Mosack, Andres Perez de Lara and Clint Bowyer. As for Spire’s two full-time Truck competitors that include Rajah Caruth (No. 71) and Chase Purdy (No. 77), Caruth is locked into the Playoffs and set to contend for the driver’s championship after he won at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March while Purdy is 44 points below the top-10 cutline to qualify for his first Playoff appearance.

With Spire’s No. 7 entry being 53 points above the top-10 cutline and looking to contend for the owners’ title over the eight-race Playoff stretch, Zilisch is one of three competitors left to keep the entry in contention for the organization’s first title in NASCAR. With Zilisch scheduled to compete in three of seven Playoff events, Sammy Smith will drive the No. 7 entry at the Milwaukee Mile for the Playoff opener in late August while Connor Mosack will compete at Kansas Speedway in September and at Homestead-Miami Speedway in October. A driver for the season-finale event at Phoenix Raceway in November is yet to be determined.

Amid his early starts in NASCAR, Zilisch is currently in contention to claim the 2024 ARCA Menards Series East title as he has recorded four victories and finished no lower than fourth through six of eight scheduled events. With two races remaining, he leads the ARCA East standings by 23 points over the reigning champion William Sawalich in a season where he is also three-for-three in the ARCA Menards Series division, with his victories occurring at Dover Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

While his racing plans for the 2025 season are not yet determined, there is unfinished business and plenty of potential surprises for Zilisch to add his early accomplished racing resume with a steady transcendence of his career to only grow bigger and brighter for years to come.

Connor Zilisch’s second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career start is scheduled to occur at Richmond Raceway for the Clean Harbors 250 on Saturday, August 10, with the event’s air commencement time to occur at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Cadillac Racing expanding Hypercar program

By
Official Release
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Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA to run two-car FIA WEC factory team starting in 2025

DETROIT (Aug. 6, 2024) – Cadillac Racing announced today that its FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar program will expand to a two-car factory program to be named Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA beginning with the start of the 2025 season.

“Cadillac is proud to be racing against the best in the world as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship, and that includes Hertz Team JOTA” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. “We are thrilled to welcome Hertz Team JOTA next year, bringing decades of racing and technical expertise together, to achieve continued success on the track and create new advocates for our brand around the globe.”

Added Sam Hignett, director and founder, Hertz Team JOTA: “JOTA has always strived to become a manufacturer team, so now joining forces with Cadillac is the realization of this goal. Having competed against the Cadillac V-Series.R for the last two seasons, we have experienced how competitive it is and we are genuinely honored to be entrusted with fielding its cars from 2025 onward. We are in the privileged position to have enjoyed record-breaking success in the FIA World Endurance Championship, especially at Le Mans, and we are very much looking forward to continuing this success with Cadillac and Hertz.”

Drivers of the No. 12 and No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R racecars, which are powered by the purpose-built Cadillac 5.5L DOHC V8 engine, will be announced in the future.

England-based Hertz Team JOTA, owned in part by affiliates of Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, sponsored by global car rental company Hertz and seven-time champion and entrepreneur Tom Brady, entered the Hypercar class as a privateer in 2023 and currently runs two cars in the WEC with another manufacturer. It registered a historic first overall victory for a private team in Hypercar on May 11 at the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps and was runner-up in the season-opening Qatar Airways Qatar 1812 KM. Hertz Team JOTA leads the FIA World Cup for Hypercar private teams.

Highlighting Cadillac Racing’s inaugural WEC season was the third-place finish in the centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R started the 2023 season with top-five finishes at Sebring, Portimão and Spa-Francorchamps.

Cadillac Racing, which also runs a two-car Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) factory program in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, swept the 2023 GTP full-season and IMSA Michelin Endurance cup manufacturer, team and driver championships with Action Express Racing and the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R.

Overall, Cadillac Racing has earned nine Manufacturer Championships, five IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Manufacturer Championships and 69 total sports car victories, including 30 in IMSA prototype competition since 2017.

Cadillac Racing will announce its 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship plans at a later date.

The Cadillac V-Series.R marks the third-generation Cadillac prototype racecar and the brand’s first hybrid electrified race car. Codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis constructor Dallara — the race car incorporates key Cadillac V-Series production car design elements, such as vertical lighting and floating blades.

About Hertz Team JOTA

Founded in 2000, Hertz Team JOTA is one of the most experienced and successful sports car teams in recent history, having finished on the podium in LMP2 at Le Mans 10 times, including second and third overall in 2017. Championship titles include the 2016 European Le Mans Series, 2017 Asian Le Mans Series and multiple vice championship titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Other achievements include overall wins in Blancpain Endurance and class wins in the Spa 24 Hours, Nürburgring 24 Hours and American Le Mans Series. In 2023, in partnership with sponsors Hertz, Singer Group, Brady Apparel and others, Hertz Team JOTA entered the highest level of Endurance motorsport globally and took a historic first victory for a private team in the Hypercar class at the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in May 2024. The 2024 driver line-up features team mainstay Will Stevens alongside Phil Hanson, Oliver Rasmussen, Callum Ilott and Norman Nato, as well as Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.

The Ultimate Guide to Using a Ball Joint Press for Car Repairs

By
SM
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Introduction

Maintaining your vehicle’s ball joints is crucial for safe and smooth driving. This guide will help DIY enthusiasts and novice mechanics understand and effectively use a ball joint press, ensuring successful removal and installation of ball joints.

Section 1: Understanding the Ball Joint Press

A ball joint press is a specialized tool used to remove and install ball joints. It consists of a C-frame, receiving tubes, and various adapters that work together to apply pressure and release or insert ball joints without damaging other suspension components.

Types of Ball Joint Presses

Ball joint presses come in different models and sizes, each designed for specific types of vehicles and ball joints. Some are manually operated, while others may use hydraulic pressure for easier operation.

Section 2: Preparing for the Task

Safety First

Safety is paramount when working on any vehicle repair. Always wear safety gear, including gloves and safety glasses, to protect against debris and injury. Make sure the vehicle is on a flat surface and that the parking brake is engaged.

Tools and Materials Needed

  • Ball joint press kit
  • Jack and jack stands
  • Wrenches and sockets
  • Penetrating fluid
  • Snap ring pliers
  • Torque wrench
  • Protective gear (gloves, safety glasses)

Vehicle Preparation

  1. Park and Secure: Park the vehicle on a flat surface, engage the parking brake, and use wheel chocks to prevent movement.
  2. Lift the Vehicle: Use a jack to lift the vehicle and secure it with jack stands. Ensure the vehicle is stable before starting any work.
  3. Remove the Wheel: Remove the wheel to gain access to the ball joint.

Section 3: Removing the Old Ball Joint

  1. Lift the Car: Safely raise the vehicle using a jack and support it with jack stands.
  2. Access the Ball Joint: Remove the wheel and locate the ball joint.
  3. Remove the Snap Ring: Use snap ring pliers to remove the retaining ring from the ball joint.
  4. Clean and Lubricate: Clean the area around the ball joint and apply penetrating fluid to loosen any rust or debris.
  5. Position the C-Frame: Select the appropriate receiving tube and position the C-frame over the ball joint.
  6. Press Out the Ball Joint: Tighten the ball joint press until the ball joint is removed from its socket.

Tips and Tricks

  • Apply penetrating fluid generously and allow it to sit for a few minutes to ease the removal process.
  • Use a breaker bar for additional leverage if the ball joint is stubborn.
  • Ensure the C-frame is properly aligned to avoid damage to surrounding components.

Section 4: Installing the New Ball Joint

  1. Select Receiving Tubes and Caps: Choose the correct size to fit the new ball joint. Refer to the vehicle’s manual for specifications.
  2. Position the C-Frame: Reverse the position of the C-frame to press the new ball joint into place.
  3. Align the New Ball Joint: Carefully align the new ball joint with the control arm or knuckle, ensuring it is correctly positioned.
  4. Press the Ball Joint In: Tighten the press to install the new ball joint. Ensure it is fully seated and aligned.
  5. Install the Snap Ring: Replace the snap ring to secure the new ball joint. Use snap ring pliers for a secure fit.

Ensuring Proper Installation

  • Double-check the alignment of the new ball joint.
  • Ensure all components are tightly secured.
  • Use a torque wrench to tighten bolts to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Section 5: Post-Installation Checks

  1. Verify Installation: Inspect the ball joint to ensure it is properly seated and secure.
  2. Reassemble the Vehicle: Reattach the wheel and lower the vehicle. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure even pressure.
  3. Test Drive: Take the vehicle for a test drive to ensure smooth operation and handling. Listen for any unusual noises or feel for any vibrations.

Conclusion

Regular maintenance of ball joints is essential for vehicle safety. With the right tools and knowledge, using a ball joint tool can be straightforward and effective. Embrace DIY projects with confidence and keep your vehicle in top condition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are common issues when using a ball joint press?

  • Misalignment of the press can lead to damage; ensure everything is correctly positioned before applying pressure.
  • Using the wrong size receiving tube can cause improper seating of the ball joint.

How often should ball joints be replaced?

  • It depends on driving conditions and vehicle usage, but regular inspections can help identify wear and tear early. Typically, ball joints should be inspected every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

Can I use a ball joint press on all vehicles?

  • Ball joint presses are versatile tools, but it’s essential to use the correct adapters and receiving tubes for your specific vehicle model.

What are the common signs of a failing ball joint?

  • Clunking noises, uneven tire wear, and poor handling are common symptoms. Regular inspections can help detect these issues early.

P&G Supports Our Military Racing: Josh Berry Richmond Advance

By
Official Release
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JOSH BERRY
Richmond Advance
No. 4 P&G Supports Our Military Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: Cook Out 400 (Round 23 of 36)
● Time/Date: 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 11
● Location: Richmond (Va.) Raceway
● Layout: .75-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps/300 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 70 laps / Stage 2: 160 laps / Final Stage: 170 laps
● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● After a two-week break from NASCAR Cup Series racing, Josh Berry heads to Richmond (Va.) Raceway, where the 33-year-old rookie is no stranger to speed. In his two previous starts on the .75-mile oval, Berry scored an impressive runner-up finish in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports entry in April 2023, driving for an injured Chase Elliott, then followed it up with an 11th-place result in his first race there in his No. 4 Stewart-Haas Ford Mustang Dark Horse this past April. He started 30th in both races before driving his way to the front, and led a total of 12 laps in the two events. Berry has made four starts at Richmond in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports. In those starts, he’s earned one top-five (third in 2023) and three top-10s with 64 laps led, an average starting position of 14.3 and an average finish of 10.3.

● NASCAR is bringing back the optional, soft-compound tire this weekend, which made its debut in the non-points All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway in May. Tire strategy also played a part when Berry and his fellow competitors faced evolving track conditions in their last appearance at Richmond in April, when wet conditions forced all teams to start the race on wet-weather tires. Berry was one of the biggest movers in the race, advancing to ninth from his 30th starting position by the end of the opening stage.

● During the NASCAR break for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Berry returned to his racing roots, piloting the No. 62 KHI Late Model car at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway on July 27. In that race, the short-track aficionado drove to a ninth-place finish. Berry first made a name for himself on short tracks, climbing the ranks to earn his seat in the Cup Series by dominating at the grassroots level. During his days driving for Dale Earnhardt Jr. as part of the JR Motorsports Late Model program, Berry amassed an impressive 95 victories in his 262 starts with the team, with 189 top-fives and 219 top-10s. He was also the NASCAR Weekly Series champion in 2020, finishing every race but one inside the top-10 that season.

● Crew chief Rodney Childers has 35 Cup Series starts atop the pit box at Richmond, including last April’s race with Berry. Sunday night’s race at Richmond will mark the first track Berry and Childers will return to since they were paired together this season. Across Childers’ previous 35 starts, his drivers have amassed six pole positions, one win (Kevin Harvick in August 2022), 12 top-five finishes, 18 top-10s, 319 laps led, an average starting position of 10.0 and an average finish of 14.3. Childers’ drivers have finished all 35 races.

● This Sunday, the No. 4 Ford Mustang Darkhorse welcomes a new partner – P&G – with a vibrant red, white, and blue scheme. P&G is proud to serve our U.S. Military at Commissary and Exchange locations worldwide. As a part of P&G’s “Shop Smart with Heart” platform, military shoppers are empowered to enjoy supporting the sport of NASCAR racing while bringing excitement to their military community by choosing unbeatable solutions from their Commissary and Exchange with a winning lineup of P&G’s superior products.

Josh Berry, Driver of the No. 4 P&G Supports Our Military Ford Mustang Dark Horse

What did you do during your two weeks away from the NASCAR Cup Series schedule? What is your mindset as we look ahead to close out the season?

“I spent the first weekend racing at Hickory Motor Speedway in the KHI Late Model car, which is something I always enjoy. I’ve said it a lot, but I just love to race, and to be able to have Kevin (Harvick) see my passion for racing and continue to support my career is really special to me. After we wrapped up the race, my family and I spent the week away at the beach to just enjoy some rest and each other. This schedule is a grind and takes a lot of our time across the whole program and SHR as a whole. So I took advantage and just unplugged, and I feel as motivated as ever to take on the last bit of the season. I know my team is fired up and ready to get back to the track and go compete for wins.”

This weekend, NASCAR is bringing back the soft, option tire. On the subject of tires, you found speed on the wet-weather tire last April at Richmond. What is your opinion of this weekend’s option tire, and how does your past success bode for your confidence?

“It is a good thing, I think, that Goodyear and NASCAR are taking chances and getting aggressive to find something that improves the racing we have as a series. Obviously, I did have speed there last time and did well in the No. 9 entry last year, so I think regardless of the situation, I just feel comfortable there. It has been a place, in general, where I have just felt like it fits my driving style and kind of sets up well for me. I feel confident we will have a good car and be able to run up front.”

This weekend, you have P&G on board the No. 4 Ford Mustang, promoting its Commissary and Exchange program. What does it mean to you to be able to have a partner that helps the U.S. Armed Forces?

“It’s always a special weekend when you can do something to help give back to the armed forces and all who protect our nation. Being able to help promote this program and having them come on board is neat, and meeting the people who support my team and my career is an opportunity that I hold close to my heart. Weekends like this with P&G remind me that sometimes what we can do is more than just racing, it’s helping impact lives across the country.”

No. 4 P&G Supports Our Military Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Josh Berry

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith

Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Dax Gerringer

Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Engineer: Billy Kuebler

Hometown: Saline, Michigan

Spotter: Eddie D’Hondt

Hometown: Levittown, New York

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Mason Flynt

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Jack Man: Brandon Banks

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal

Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Tyler Trosper

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Mechanic: Chris Capaldi

Hometown: Armada, Michigan

Tire Specialist: Zac Lupien

Hometown: Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt

Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Jake Zierhoffer

Hometown: Billerica, Massachusetts

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell

Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

RFK Advance | Richmond II

By
Official Release
-

Richmond Event Info:
Date: Sunday, August 11
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Format: 400 Laps, 300 Miles, Stages: 70-150-170
TV: USA
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 4:30 p.m. ET, Practice (NBC Sports App, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 5:35 p.m. ET, Qualifying (NBC Sports App, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 6 p.m. ET, Race (USA, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

  • Chris Buescher heads into Richmond this weekend as the defending race winner.
  • In the last six races (dating back to Iowa) Buescher has the fourth-best average finish of any driver – 13.5 – with two top five finishes int hat span.
  • Coming out of the two week break for the Olympics, RFK heads into the next month’s stretch as the defending winner at four-consecutive tracks, with Michigan, Daytona and Darlington on the slate to close out the regular season.

6 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Matt McCall
Partner: BuildSubmarines.com

17 Team Info:
Crew Chief: Scott Graves
Partner: Fastenal

Keselowski at Richmond
Starts: 29
Wins: 2 (2014, 2020)
Top-10s: 15
Poles: 2 (2014, 2019)

  • Keselowski, a two-time winner at Richmond, makes his 30th Cup start at the ¾-mile track on Sunday. He won the lone race at Richmond in 2020 after leading 192 laps.
  • More recently, Keselowski finished eighth in the spring race – one of three-straight top-10s – and is coming off a fall event last season where he led 102 laps and finished sixth.
  • He’s finished inside the top-15 in every Richmond race since the spring of 2015, and in that stretch has led laps in 11 different races. In total he’s led 1280 laps at Richmond in 14 different races, his most of any track on the circuit.
  • Keselowski won back in 2014 after starting on the pole, leading 383 of the 400 laps.
  • His 12.0 average finish holds as one of his best among all tracks with 15 top-10s overall and six finishes inside the top five.
  • He also has two poles – 2014 and 2019 – for an average starting position of 11th, also one of his best marks.
  • Keselowski made 17 Xfinity Series starts from 2006-17 earning four victories and 10 top-10s. He won his last NXS start there in 2017 and also went to victory lane in 2010 once and 2013 twice.

Buescher at Richmond
Starts: 16
Wins: 1 (2023)
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

  • Buescher is the defending winner of this race at Richmond, having led 88 laps en route to his first of three victories last season, and the first of three in a stretch of five weeks.
  • This spring he finished ninth after qualifying 14th.
  • Despite a 21.7 average finish at the track, Buescher has two top-3 finishes in the last four Richmond races. He finished third in the 2022 fall event, one of his four top-15 efforts in the last five outings at the ¾-mile track.
  • Buescher has a 20.0 average qualifying effort with a best effort of seventh (twice) last spring and in 2019.
  • Buescher made five NXS starts for Jack Roush from 2011-15, earning three top-10s with a best finish of seventh (2014).

RFK Historically at Richmond
Cup Wins: 6 (Mark Martin, 1990; Jeff Burton, 1998; Matt Kenseth, 2002; Kurt Busch, 2005; Carl Edwards, 2013; Chris Buescher, 2023)

  • History in the Commonwealth of Virginia: Overall, RFK has 368 starts at Richmond Raceway, earning a total of 16 wins, 91 top-five and 156 top-10 finishes. RFK Fords have sat on the pole 14 times and led 5,151 laps across NASCAR’s three major touring series.
  • To Xfinity and Beyond: RFK has earned nine victories, 43 top-five finishes, 66 top-10 finishes and an average finish of 11.8 at Richmond in the Xfinity Series. All in all, three different drivers are responsible for the nine victories at the Virginia short track (Edwards, Mark Martin and Jeff Burton).
  • Nine and Counting: RFK’s nine victories at Richmond rank fourth among all tracks the organization has competed on in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, trailing Darlington Raceway (15), Charlotte Motor Speedway (12) and North Carolina Speedway – formerly known as Rockingham – (11).
  • Tale of the Tape: RFK has started 227 NCS races at Richmond with 79 top-10 and 39 top-five finishes along with seven poles. Former drivers Mark Martin (1990), Jeff Burton (1998), Matt Kenseth (2002), Kurt Busch (2005), and Carl Edwards (2013) are responsible for RFK’s five Cup wins, with Buescher adding his name to that list in 2023, and a Jack Roush Cup Series Ford has led 2,633 laps at the .75-mile track.

Last Time Out & Where They Stand
Indy: Keselowski led with less than five to go in Indy two weeks ago, but ran out of fuel and went on to finish 21st. Buescher overcame two blown tires and finished 22nd.

Points Standings (6: 9th, 17: 12th): Keselowski is officially locked into the playoffs, still ninth, while Buescher continues his battle for a playoff position.

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