Home Blog Page 986

Stewart-Haas Racing: Chicago Street Race NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

By
Official Release
-

COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Chicago Street Race NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

  • Event: The Loop 121 (Round 18 of 33)
  • Date: Saturday, July 6
  • Location: Chicago Street Course
  • Layout: 2.2-mile, 12-turn street course
  • Time/TV/Radio: 3:30 p.m. EDT on NBC/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

  • Cole Custer and his NASCAR Xfinity Series counterparts are trading in the oval tracks for the unpredictability of the Chicago Street Course in Saturday’s The Loop 121 in downtown Chicago. The Ladera Ranch, California native who scored his second of three wins of 2023 in the inaugural Chicago Street Race a year ago, hits town riding a streak of consistency. He’s scored top-10s in 14 of the past 15 races, including each of the last five, starting with his sixth-place finish June 1 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway and culminating with his ninth-place finish last Saturday at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway. At Nashville, he qualified second, just .051 of a second shy of his third pole earned this season. He led twice for 64 laps and tallied a total of 15 stage points throughout the race. While he fell back in the final stage due to struggles with his long-run speed, he was able to hold on for a solid ninth-place result, equaling his previous best at the track, earned in June 2023. Custer’s 14th top-10 of the season was his second in a row at Nashville, and he leads the regular-season points standings with a 15-point advantage over Chandler Smith. He’s dealt with the difficulty of the summer heat and rain storms in recent weeks, and now he’ll be presented with a different challenge during NASCAR’s return to the streets of Chicago for the second year in a row.
  • Custer was up for the challenge in last year’s inaugural event, posting the fastest lap in practice before earning the pole for the race. The 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion led all 25 laps prior to a torrential downpour that brought out the red flag and eventually led NASCAR officials to call the race before its halfway point, giving Custer his second win of 2023 in unprecedented fashion.
  • Custer will sport the bright and vibrant colors of Andy’s Frozen Custard once again this weekend in the company’s second of three races as primary partner in 2024. Founded in 1986 in Osage Beach, Missouri by Andy Kuntz’s parents John and Carol Kuntz, Andy’s Frozen Custard has been providing the freshest frozen custard in the business for 38 years, giving ice cream the “cold shoulder” by scooping, mixing and presenting handcrafted frozen custard treats with speed and a smile. Since the beginning, the family members have had one dream: to share what makes them happiest with everyone else, and to warm hearts one scoop of frozen custard at a time. With a focus on product quality, customer service and community involvement, Andy’s has grown into the nation’s largest frozen custard-only business, with 150 stores across 15 states proudly serving the World’s Finest Frozen Custard. Andy’s has been committed to supporting developing drivers of all ages from their first race throughout their racing career for more than 30 years, an extension of the family’s lifelong commitment to motorsports. Andy’s is the “Official Frozen Treat” of Texas Motor Speedway.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

  • Riley Herbst is ready for the electricity of downtown Chicago during Saturday’s The Loop 121 on the Chicago Street Course. The driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang Dark Horse will bank on his family roots of racing SCORE International Trophy Trucks in the deserts of Mexico and the Desert Southwest while learning to navigate the city streets of Chicago. While the two types of racing are significantly different, both are full of unknowns, but Herbst showed his propensity to overcome the unknown when he piloted the Herbst Motorsports Trophy Truck to a third-place finish in the November 2022 Baja 1000, and a win in last November’s renewal of the iconic event. He’s looking to channel that positive mojo this weekend on 2.2-mile, 12-turn Chicago Street Course as he looks to extend his streak of three consecutive top-10s. His latest run started with a runner-up finish June 15 at Iowa Speedway in Newton, an eighth-place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, and a sixth-place result last Saturday at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway after battling his way into race-winning contention on the final restart. Herbst’s Nashville effort, waged in extreme heat and humidity, was all the more impressive as his coolsuit malfunctioned early in the race and necessitated an extended pit stop that sent him to the back of the field. He persevered through the extreme conditions in driving to his eighth top-10 of the season.
  • In last year’s inaugural Chicago Street Race, Herbst started 15th and worked his way into the top-10 before pitting to repair damage sustained when he was collected by a spinning car in the opening laps. He worked his way back toward the front until the No. 98 Monster Energy team opted to pit when the caution flag flew on lap 24, dropping him out of the top-20. Lightning then brought out the red flag on lap 25 and the race never resumed due to torrential rain and standing water. When it was declared official the next day, Herbst was credited with a 24th-place finish despite the speed he had shown during the weekend.
  • With just nine races to go before the Xfinity Series Playoffs kick off Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Herbst looks to be in a good position to make the 12-driver postseason field. While he has yet to score his first win of the season that would lock him into the playoff field, his consistency and stage points have put him 103 points above the top-12 cutline. In the regular-season standings, he is currently fifth, 118 points behind his first-place teammate Cole Custer and 40 points behind fourth-place Austin Hill. After missing the playoffs last season, Herbst not only went on to score his first victory during the Round of 8 at his home track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but he scored more points than any other driver during that round. He followed up his Las Vegas win with a runner-up finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway and fourth-place finish at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Andy’s Frozen Custard Ford Mustang Dark Horse

You’re returning to the place where you got your second win of the 2023 season in a rain-shortened inaugural event at the Chicago Street Course. You won the pole and led all 25 laps before the torrential downpour came. What’s your confidence level this weekend, knowing the field includes some road course ringers?

“I won’t lie – the competition is going to be stiff this weekend. The Xfinity Series field will have both of the inaugural Chicago Street Course winners racing with myself with SVG (Shane van Gisbergen). That’s just crazy, but it’s a challenge that myself and the No. 00 team are ready for. We have proven that we can compete with the best of them at road courses and hopefully that holds true this weekend. Of course, there’s always extra pressure heading into a race that you had previously won, but I’m excited. I enjoyed this track last year, and to be the inaugural winner meant a lot. We’ve been close to a win the past few weekends, but it’s all about putting it all together and having a great race. We’re close to that win, but we just need that little bit more.”

Andy’s Frozen Custard is back on your No. 00 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend. Talk about that relationship and what it means to have their support this season with their long history in motorsports.

“It means a lot to have the support of Andy’s Frozen Custard on the No. 00 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this year. They’ve been in this sport as a supporter for so long, so to have them on my car just proves that they think I can go win another championship. I met Andy Kuntz (owner) on the streets on Nashville during the NASCAR Awards and immediately gave him my business card. A couple of months later, they were on my car at Texas. It’s a dream come true to have a custard company as a sponsor, and I’m thankful for their support. It was a perfect match and, hopefully I’ll be able to get them a good run at Chicago.”

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

After three strong weekends on intermediates and short tracks, you’re heading back to the Chicago Street Course. What are your expectations for the weekend?

“Honestly, Chicago was one of those races we struggled at last year, so I think our goal this weekend is to just have the same speed we’ve shown all season. We’ve been a top-five car every weekend except two – COTA and Sonoma. Even at those tracks, though, we outperformed for a good portion of the race. We just lacked speed. Still, we were fast at Portland, so hopefully we can see that again at Chicago. It’s such a unique race given its location, and I want to do well there. I’m confident in my No. 98 Monster Energy team and ready for the challenge.”

You’ve found a stride in the summer months during the same timeframe you were having difficulties last season. Describe what you’ve gone through this season to be sitting where you are in the points.

“I think it’s super interesting, to be honest with you, because Iowa and New Hampshire actually gave us our first back-to-back top-10s of the year, which was a big surprise to me. That just kind of shows how fast we are to get stage points and help get us to fifth in points, so I feel like if we could finish where we’ve been running, we would probably be first or second in points, but we’ve had some awful finishes, some of our own doing and some not. It just shows how much speed we’ve had on the No. 98 Monster Energy team because last year we finished really bad, and we were really bad in points. This year, we’re finishing bad and we’re still pretty high in points, so that just means we have to execute and put everything together and I think we can close in on the gap. I believe in this team, though, and I’m having fun right now.”

Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 gener8tor Ford Mustang Dark Horse

By
Official Release
-

Chicago Street Race Competition Notes

 MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 2, 2024) – The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the streets of Chicago for the Grant Park 165. gener8tor will return with Todd Gilliland for the 75-lap event, showcasing the same fan-favorite scheme from last week’s race at the Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway.

This will be the Cup Series third road-course race of the season, most recently competing at the Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway, where Gilliland scored a 10th place finish.

The weekend will begin with practice and qualifying on Saturday, July 6th at 12:30 p.m. ET. Sunday’s race will be at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Fans can also listen in on the action live from Sirius XM and the Motor Racing Network.

No. 38 gener8tor Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“Chicago is a big race for us, it’s one I have had circled on my calendar. We left Sonoma with a Top-10, which is a huge confidence booster. We showed a lot of speed in practice last year, we just have to translate that into qualifying and get a good starting spot. I think it will be a good weekend for us.”

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“I think we have a really solid chance of bringing home a win and punching our ticket to the playoffs this weekend. We have been working nonstop to get this car ready, double checking everything. We have a lot of positive momentum heading into Chicago from how we performed at Sonoma, we just have to bring another fast gener8tor Ford Mustang Dark Horse and execute.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Chicago White Sox Ford Mustang Dark Horse

By
Official Release
-

Chicago Street Course Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (July 2, 2024) – Michael McDowell and the No. 34 team will head to the Windy City to tackle the streets of Chicago, in the second edition of the Chicago Street Race.

McDowell will be carrying a hometown team on his Ford Mustang Dark Horse as the Chicago White Sox will serve as the primary sponsor for the weekend. The Major League Baseball club will be joined by SKIL, an innovative electric power tool brand founded in Chicago in 1924. Celebrating 100 years of innovation including the original worm drive Saw that Built America and current lineup of cordless power tools and outdoor power equipment, SKIL will be featured as an associate sponsor aboard McDowell’s No. 34 entry.

McDowell finished seventh in last year’s rain-shortened, inaugural race after qualifying sixth. The 39-year-old also has a Top-5 finish on a road course this season, finishing second at Sonoma Raceway, back in June.

The weekend will begin with practice and qualifying on Saturday, July 6th at 12:30 p.m. ET on USA Network. Sunday’s race will be at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Fans can also listen in on the action live from Sirius XM and the Motor Racing Network.

No. 34 Chicago White Sox Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“I think we can be as confident as possible going into the weekend. The Street Course is a really fun track, definitely a challenge. We need to be smart and execute, but I think we can have a good weekend. Also, I’m excited to have the Chicago White Sox on the car, especially with family ties to the Chicago area, so it will be a fun weekend for us and the fans for sure.”

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

“Chicago is going to be a very important race for us. We have been strong on the road courses, and we look at this event as another great opportunity to get a win and get in the playoffs. It’s a very unique track and weekend, but we are looking forward to the challenge and opportunity of it!”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

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

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Race Preview | Chicago Street Race

By
Official Release
-

CLUB ENTRY LIST

JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
POINT STANDINGS: 27th

ERIK JONES
POINT STANDINGS: 28th

CLUB NOTES

With its inaugural start in the 2023 season, the Chicago Street Course has its second annual race this weekend on Sunday, July 7th.

WINNER WINNER: Last week in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS), LEGACY MOTOR CLUB driver, John Hunter Nemechek went to victory lane at Nashville Superspeedway piloting the No. 20 Pye-Barker Fire & Safety GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. This was Nemechek’s second NXS victory of season, and his 11th of his career.

TRAINING FOR CHICAGO: Erik Jones had the opportunity to test for Chicago with Skip Barber Racing School at VIRginia International Raceway.

“Making some laps with Skip Barber was good. Just being able to talk to those guys and pick their brain about road course racing and what they focus on, how they find lap time, and how they adjust to what the track is doing was helpful for me and I was able to take away some good notes and some good things to focus on and be able to work through. Hopefully we can take some of that to Chicago, focus on some different things that I hadn’t always looked at and make it worthwhile.”

Double the Street Fun: Nemechek will once again be pulling double duty at Chicago Street Course this weekend. He will pilot the No. 20 for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NXS and the No. 42 for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.

JHN on the Chicago Streets: This year will mark Nemechek’s first Cup Series start on the Chicago Street course. Last year, he piloted the Joe Gibbs Racing NXS entry to a runner-up finish with his current Cup crew chief, Ben Beshore on top of the pit box.

Erik Jones at Chicago: Erik Jones will drive the No. 43 UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE through the streets of downtown Chicago this Sunday, July 7. Jones finished last year’s race with a top-20, finishing in 16th position.

Elenz at Chicago: Dave Elenz, Crew Chief of the No. 43 UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE, led the sole Chicago Street Course race with Erik Jones last year. The duo finished 16th after moving up five spots throughout the race.

Partner Spotlight: This weekend in Chicago, the No. 42 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE piloted by John Hunter Nemechek will carry vendor partners, Tyson, Unilever, Bic, and Coca-Cola on their LEGACY MOTOR CLUB entry.

AdventHealth joins UChicago Medicine to partner with the No. 43 for this weekend at Chicago. UChicago Medicine and AdventHealth will team up with Erik Jones to get involved with the community before the race on Sunday. The Sun Bus will make an appearance Friday morning at the UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Cancer Institute, providing free cancer screenings – an initiative that AdventHealth and Jones are passionate about. Later Friday afternoon, Erik Jones will visit the UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital for a book reading and to hand out hero cards.

Going for G.O.L.D.: Partners Dollar Tree and Family Dollar will honor store #4215 this weekend as a part of the company’s “Go for G.O.L.D.” (Grand Opening Look Daily) program. The Dollar Tree and Family Dollar primaries will highlight these stores on the deck lid of all three LEGACY M.C. entries throughout the race season. Store #4215 is located in Chicago, Ill.

CLUB QUOTES

John Hunter Nemechek, Driver of the No. 42 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE:

“I think it’s really cool being able to race downtown, Chicago. It’s a different market that brings new fans into the sport. If you’re somebody walking on the street, we’re going to be able to see racing right there. It’s a pretty cool weekend with all of the events and the music that is planned; it brings a different atmosphere to the city of Chicago. With this being the only city course that [NASCAR] has, it’s unique in itself so it’s a really neat venue and I am glad that we’re going back this year. I hope that we can run well.”

“With me running the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year that should help. I also I think there were some track trends and different things that I learned last year, like getting the scope of the layout. Last year we ran in the wet and the dry in the [NXS] car, so I felt like I’ve learned quite a bit but I’m not really sure what to expect going into the Cup race. Last year was pretty crazy for sure so battle of attrition and being there at the end; helpfully it doesn’t turn out this way again, but if it does you need to keep your nose clean and be there at the end and be one of the last one standing.”

Ben Beshore, Crew chief of the No. 42 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE:

“With John Hunter running the NASCAR Xfinity Race, getting some laps prior to the Cup race should give him a better idea of braking markers and certain driving techniques that will cross over to the Cup car. Chicago is a tight street course, so trying to avoid mistakes and limit your time on pit road generally will put you in a good position for a solid finish.”

Erik Jones, Driver of the No. 43 UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE:

“Looking forward to Chicago. I thought last year’s event went really well and the rain hampered some of it. Overall, I thought it was one of our better road courses last season, as far as the car we had and how we ran. I think everybody will be a bit better this year. I think we all learned what it takes to race on a street course and what you have to focus on and what you have to be good at, like track layout and what grip levels are like.”

Dave Elenz, Crew chief of the No. 43 UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE:

“It’s pretty neat going to Chicago and having the race downtown, definitely a different environment. Last year we had a really exciting show with all of the rain and a lot of passing and a lot of different things going on. We had a pretty good car last year and some circumstances kept us out of a good finish, but hopefully we can build on that – we had a good run at Sonoma, and we just continue to take that momentum and finish good at Chicago.”

PETTY 75TH ANNIVERSARY

ABOUT PETTY 75th: The 2024 season marks a significant milestone in the history of the Petty family as they have helped define stock car racing for 75 years. Their commitment to the sport and the people who make it possible – behind the wheel, under the hood, in the back office, and beyond – has shaped the growth and success of NASCAR. Their LEGACY lives on with the countless fans, drivers, technicians, and team members they touched. Throughout 2024, LEGACY M.C. will celebrate the Petty family and share countless memories with friends and fans at race tracks across the country.

This Week in Petty History: Happy Birthday to The King himself – Richard Petty! On July 2, The King turns 87-years-old.

On July 4, 1984, Richard Petty won his 200th win, the final of his career, at the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

The King’s Hat and Q&A: The King’s Hat will be located in Butler’s Field all weekend for photo ops. Additionally, Richard Petty will be conducting a Q&A on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. at the NASCAR Experience.

BROADCAST INFO

CHICAGO STREET RACE
SUNDAY, JULY 7TH @ 4:30 PM ET

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

ABOUT DOLLAR TREE, INC.: Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 16,622 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of October 28, 2023. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice “Maury” J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The CLUB competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series fielding the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE of John Hunter Nemechek, the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE of Erik Jones, and the No. 84 limited schedule entry for Johnson. LEGACY M.C. also competes in the Extreme E Series. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty “The King” serves as CLUB Ambassador. With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ on Facebook, X, Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.

Ford Performance NASCAR – 2024 Chicago Street Race Advance

By
Official Release
-

CHICAGO STREET RACE

Saturday, July 6 — NASCAR Xfinity Series, 3:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Sunday, July 7 — NASCAR Cup Series, 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

The streets of Chicago will be filled with sights and sounds of stock cars making left and right-hand turns as the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Xfinity Series visits the city for a second straight year. Weather dominated last year’s inaugural event, which included Ford’s Cole Custer winning the rain-shortened The Loop 121.

LOGANO CLINCHES PLAYOFF BERTH

Joey Logano’s dramatic victory on Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway, in which he went the final 110 laps without pitting and survived five overtimes, was Ford’s fifth win in the last eight weeks. Logano, who captured the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May, joins Team Penske teammates Austin Cindric and defending Cup champion Ryan Blaney in the playoffs, along with RFK’s Brad Keselowski.

CLIMBING THE FORD WIN LIST

Logano’s victory was the 33rd of his NASCAR Cup Series career and 31st with Ford, which is fourth on the all-time Blue Oval win list. The only three drivers ahead of him are Ned Jarrett (43), Bill Elliott (40) and Mark Martin (35).

ALL-TIME FORD WIN LIST (TOP 5)

Ned Jarrett (43)
Bill Elliott (40)
Mark Martin (35)
Joey Logano (31)
Dale Jarrett (30)

CLOSING IN ON 100

In addition to being fourth on Ford’s all-time win list, Logano has also won more races for Team Penske with Ford than any other driver. His win on Sunday marked the organization’s 96th with the manufacturer. Rusty Wallace scored the first win when he won at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, NC, in 1994. Team Penske won 27 races from 1994-2002 and then returned to Ford in 2013 with Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano. Since then, they’ve added a third car with Ryan Blaney and have won 69 times. Seven different drivers have won at least one race with Team Penske and Ford with Logano leading the way (31).

TEAM PENSKE ALL-TIME FORD WINNERS

Joey Logano (31)
Brad Keselowski (26)
Rusty Wallace (23)
Ryan Blaney (10)
Jeremy Mayfield (3)
Austin Cindric (2)
Ryan Newman (1)

RYAN BLANEY: “I am looking forward to Chicago. I’m looking forward to hopefully having good weather that weekend. It can’t get much worse than what it was last year. That city deserves it. I feel like the hype around that race last year was through the roof and the amount of people that still came even though the weather was what it was, I think if it all goes good this year weather-wise it’s just gonna be an absolute spectacle to see, so I’m excited to go back.”

MICHAEL MCDOWELL: “Chicago was a lot of fun and really cool. I think they did a great job with the track. It’s fun to drive and challenging. There are different types of corners that some are off camber and some aren’t, plus you’re driving on a street course that is not shaped for race cars. They’re shaped for street cars and to have water shed off of it, so there’s some tricky areas for sure, but I thought they did a great job with the design. It’s fun to drive and you’ve got a cool back setting there. The rain made it challenging, but I feel like overall the weekend was really good.”

TODD GILLILAND: “I think there’s still a lot of notes that we can look back on, whether it’s the dry practice and dry qualifying, stuff you’ve seen on other cars and how it reacts, stuff you want to achieve going back, I don’t know that it’s usually that easy, but I still think there’s some worth in the notes from last year, for sure, just as far as everyone went there with their best guess and then you’re gonna see the window of setups probably cut in half every single time we go back to a place like that. I think that’s the biggest thing is you’ll probably see guys be a lot closer.”

SOLDIER FIELD CUP HISTORY

NASCAR hosted one Cup Series race inside historic Soldier Field on July 21, 1956. The 200-lap race was held on a half-mile track and Fireball Roberts led a Ford Motor Company sweep of the top three positions as only five cars finished on the lead lap. Roberts drove to victory in a ‘56 Ford while Jim Paschal was second in a ‘56 Mercury and Ralph Moody third in a ‘56 Ford. Both Roberts and Moody were driving for owner Pete DePaolo, winner of the 1925 Indianapolis 500, as part of Ford’s first full season of factory-backed stock car racing. The end result that season was 14 series victories and Ford’s first manufacturers’ championship.

SOLDIER FIELD CONVERTIBLE HISTORY

In addition to the Cup Series race, NASCAR also held three convertible races at Soldier Field – two in 1956 and one more in 1957. NASCAR Hall of Famers Curtis Turner and Glen Wood both drove their respective ‘56 Fords to victory during that time. Turner, driving for DePaolo, led a race-high 329-of-500 laps while teammate Joe Weatherly led the other 171 circuits to give Ford a 1-2 finish on Sept. 9, 1956. Wood beat Possum Jones on June 29, 1957 as those were the only two drivers to take the checkered flag on the lead lap.

CUSTER GOING FOR REPEAT

Cole Custer became the first NASCAR driver to win on the streets of Chicago when he captured the rain-shortened The Loop 121 last year. Custer started on the pole and led all 25 laps before rain and standing water forced the race to be called three laps before the scheduled 55-lapper would have been official. The win was Custer’s second of the season and second straight on a road/street course after taking the race in Portland a few weeks earlier.

FORD’S NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS

AT CHICAGO

2023 — Cole Custer

HSR Announces NASCAR Classic Presented by Petty’s Garage Series for Growing Historic Stock Cars Category

By
Official Release
-
  • New Series Debuts with the HSR NASCAR Classic at the IMSA Michelin GT Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway, August 23 – 24
  • Additional 2024 Events Include Watkins Glen International for the HSR NASCAR Classic at the NASCAR Go Bowling at the Glen, September 13 – 14, and the HSR NASCAR Classic at the NASCAR Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, October 11 – 12

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (July 2, 2024) – Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) officials announced today the introduction of the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage, a racing series for HSR’s growing Group 8 Historic Stock Cars division. The NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage debuts at VIRginia International Raceway, August 23 – 24, with the HSR NASCAR Classic at the IMSA Michelin GT Challenge at VIR.

Open to stock cars that have been retired from active competition, the introduction of the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage is a direct response to the increasing popularity of the Group 8 Historic Stock Cars category with HSR competitors and fans alike. The interest has been further bolstered by HSR’s partnership with the Historic Stock Car Racing Association (HSCRA) that has produced several successful event weekends at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen International and other top U.S. racing circuits in recent years.

“The across-the-board support for and the rapid growth of the HSR Classic Stock Cars category made starting a dedicated series around the division an easy decision,” said HSR President Chris Ward. “NASCAR stock cars of all generations are perhaps the most identifiable category of race cars in the U.S. to motorsports enthusiasts, competitors and even mainstream audiences. We have experienced this incredible growth and popularity with several HSR Historic Stock Cars showcase events in the last few years, particularly in partnership with the HSCRA. We can’t thank enough HSCRA Founders Chris Evans and Carlus Gann and all of the HSR Group 8 competitors, and we look we forward to continuing to race with them in the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage series for many more years to come.”

Eligible NASCAR Classic cars include those built to previous NASCAR rule book specifications for Cup, Xfinity, Truck and ARCA competition. Current editions of the rules-eligible cars in each series, such as the Cup series Generation 7 chassis, are not eligible in NASCAR Classic competition.

Additionally, all rules eligible cars must carry authentic and period-correct liveries previously seen in NASCAR competition over the years. A maximum of 30 select entries will be accepted by HSR for each of 2024’s HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage rounds.

The Petty’s Garage presenting sponsorship is a perfect fit for the HSR NASCAR Classic at a more than appropriate time. With one of Stock Car racing’s “First Families” celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2024, the NASCAR Classic partnership adds an on-track competition component to the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the legendary Petty family that has been in full swing all year.

The VIR event date was part of 2024’s full-season schedule unveiled last year, but the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage announcement coincides with two new race additions to this year’s calendar.

HSR Historic Stock Cars now return to Watkins Glen for the second-straight year for a support race on the New York track’s NASCAR weekend, September 13 – 14, which will now be known as the HSR NASCAR Classic at the Go Bowling at the Glen.

The other addition is the HSR NASCAR Classic at the NASCAR Bank of America ROVAL 400, October 11 – 12, which is HSR’s first appearance at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

For more information on the HSR NASCAR Classic presented by Petty’s Garage, and HSR overall, please visit https://www.hsrrace.com/.

The VIR HSR NASCAR Classic – the first time HSR has been part of an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race weekend – is the next event on HSR’s 2024 schedule of events, August 23 – 25. Spectator tickets are available at https://virnow.com/.

About HSR: Now an IMSA property, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a “time machine” of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions 10 vintage and historic racing events at some of the world’s most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR’s website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/ and on Twitter and Instagram at @HSR_race.

Trans Am Series Star Thomas Annunziata Takes on the Chicago Street Course With JD Motorsports

By
Official Release
-

Gaffney, NC—Road courses can be some of the most challenging tracks for NASCAR drivers, and the Chicago Street Course is even more difficult than most.

That’s why Trans Am Series and ARCA Series regular Thomas Annunziata will once again team up with JD Motorsports for an exciting NASCAR Xfinity Series race, and this time they’re headed to the windy city.

The New Jersey native driver is pursuing a full-time career in the upper echelons of NASCAR, and he’ll be getting another taste of it behind the wheel of the Opti-Coat No. 6 Chevy Camaro for the second annual The Loop 110 this Saturday. The 19-year-old Italian-American may have gotten a late start in racing compared to many other drivers, but he’s impressed many around the garage even in his short time in the sport.

“We’ve heard the buzz around Thomas and we’ve seen it up close for ourselves,” said team owner Johnny Davis. “He’s got a very unconventional story, and I’m excited to help him write this chapter.”

To make this all happen, Annunziata and JD Motorsports have partnered with Opti-Coat Ceramic Coating, The Daily Downforce’s YouTube channel, Chicago Food Guide, America’s Vet Dogs and BOOSTane to send him to Chicago with a sleek finish and a fresh style.

“Opti-Coat and the other partners really have delivered me a slick-looking car,” said Annunziata. “I love the Daily Downforce YouTube videos, and they’re even bringing along some of their friends to join me. So Chicago is going to be a blast.”

The Chicago Food Guide, one of the windy city’s most popular food content creators, is excited to put its mark on a race car as well.

“Thomas and Johnny are bringing this incredible NASCAR show to Chicago,” said Amin Tomalieh of the Chicago Food Guide, “and I’ll be with them to make sure Chicago delivers them some incredible food.”

Tune in to watch the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Chicago Street Course on Saturday, July 6, at 2:30 p.m. The race will be broadcast on USA, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90).

About Opti-Coat

Opti-Coat’s permanent bonding Silicon Carbide Automotive Ceramic Coatings provide The Ultimate™ protection for your vehicle. A one-time application Opti-Coat Pro provides long term protection without the need for waxes, sealants, coating toppers or refreshers. Opti-Coat enhances the gloss, shine and beauty of your vehicle’s paint to help keep it looking better than new. Your vehicle will look better, stay clean longer, be easier to maintain and have unmatched protection from the elements.Our mission is to provide vehicle owners with superior car care products and services that enhance the beauty and extend the life of automotive surfaces to maximize value and driving pleasure. Furthermore, we strive to offer products that are safe for our customers and the environment. https://www.opticoat.com/

JD Motorsports

Team Owner Johnny Davis first began fielding the No. 4 car in what is now the Xfinity Series in 1983, with Joe Henry Thurman as the driver. From 1983-1985, Davis and Thurman competed in 41 races and put the JD Motorsports name on the map. Although JDM has seen a sharp rise in on-track performance in the past few years, success is nothing new to this team. Years of good drivers and excellent runs have paved the way for what JDM is today. www.teamjdmotorsports.com

A.E. Engine (Sales and Marketing Partner)

A.E. Engine is a full-service sports sales, marketing, and content creation company. Founded in 2005 by sports publishing and marketing executives, A.E. Engine has earned a reputation for conceiving, creating, and delivering high-quality, premium content and programming for passionate fans.
www.ae-engine.com

POCONO RACEWAY TO RAISE MEN’S HEALTH AWARENESS DURING NASCAR WEEKEND

By
Official Release
-

POCONO RACEWAY PARTNERS WITH MAN CAVE HEALTH, THE PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION, LEHIGH VALLEY HEALTH NETWORK TO RAISE MEN’S HEALTH AWARENESS DURING NASCAR WEEKEND

  • Free prostate screenings will take place in the Raceway’s Fan Zone during the July 12-14 NASCAR tripleheader race weekend.
  • Former Philadelphia Eagles great Jeremiah Trotter and his son, Eagles rookie Jeremiah Jr., will make a special appearance at the display on Sunday, July 14.

LONG POND, Pa. (July 2, 2024) – Pocono Raceway is partnering with Man Cave Health, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, HNL Lab Medicine and The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) to promote men’s health and prostate screening during its July 12-14 NASCAR race weekend.

The free PSA screenings will take place on the weekend days of The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA – Saturday (July 13) and Sunday (July 14) – at the Man Cave Health display in the Raceway’s Fan Zone area. The hours will be from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET daily.

The display will be supported by the phlebotomists from HNL Lab Medicine along with educational support from The Prostate Cancer Foundation. The overall display footprint will look to mimic your favorite “man cave” by including a lounge area, food sampling, roof deck and, most importantly, the opportunity to seek preventative care at no cost.

Philadelphia Eagles fans who go through the screening Sunday will receive an additional perk as well. Former Eagles great Jeremiah Trotter and his son Jeremiah Jr., the team’s fifth-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, will make a special appearance beginning at 10:30 a.m. in support of Man Cave Health and their mission.

Focused on breaking the silence surrounding sensitive health topics for men, Man Cave Health’s mission is to raise funds to construct, equip, staff and operate Man Cave facilities in cities across the country, offer free health fairs, and free cancer screening events throughout the year. Their mission provides both an opportunity for resources and refuge for men to get the latest in education, diagnosis and treatment. Through fundraising and support, Man Cave Health is committed to changing the landscape of men’s health.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Pocono Raceway, Prostate Cancer Foundation, and Lehigh Valley Health Network for the upcoming NASCAR race at ‘The Tricky Triangle,’” Man Cave Executive Director Chris Masters said. “This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our commitment to men’s health, offering PSA screenings in a setting that is both exciting and educational to race enthusiasts.

“At Man Cave Health, we believe that creating a fun and inviting environment can greatly enhance the experience of health screenings. Knowing your PSA score is not just a number—it’s a potentially lifesaving measure. We’re proud to provide this crucial service to race fans, blending the thrill of racing with the critical importance of early detection in prostate cancer.”

“We are excited to collaborate with Man Cave Health, Lehigh Valley Health Network, and Pocono Raceway for this important event,” said Gina Carithers, President of The Prostate Cancer Foundation. “Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) funds the world’s most promising research on the biology and treatment of prostate cancer, accelerating the discoveries into therapies and strategies that improve quality of life and survival. Offering free PSA screenings at a venue like Pocono Raceway allows the empowerment of men to take control their health. Early detection is key, and we are proud to support this initiative that combines education, screening, and fun experience for attendees.”

The Pocono Raceway three-day weekend will feature a NASCAR national series race each day. The CRC Brakleen 175 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race will open the action Friday, July 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET. The Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 will follow Saturday, July 13, at 3 p.m. The weekend will be highlighted by The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA Cup Series race Sunday, July 14, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

For ticket information and news on the NASCAR race weekend, please visit www.poconoraceway.com.

###

About Pocono Raceway

Pocono Raceway, also known as ‘The Tricky Triangle,’ is family-owned and situated in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. In business for over 60 years, the Raceway hosts multiple, national motorsports events including the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series events each year. The facility’s calendar also consists of over 200 events including Elements Music & Arts Festival, Tough Mudder and a wide range of 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.

About Man Cave Health

Driven by the notion that “men take better care of their cars than they do their bodies”, Man Cave Health is breaking the silence surrounding sensitive health topics for men. There are approximately 3.7 billion men in the world, and they will die on average, almost five years earlier than women because they are less likely to seek preventive care for themselves. Nearly 81% of men remember the make & model of their first car, but barely half remember their last doctor visit. Man Cave Health is committed to changing these statistics, and that means changing the landscape of men’s health. For more information, please visit www.mancavehealth.org.

About Lehigh Valley Health Network

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) includes 15 hospital campuses, four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in Macungie, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Dickson City, one in Gilbertsville and one in Lehighton, Pa.; 29 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 21 ExpressCARE locations, including two Children’s ExpressCAREs which are the only in the area; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children, burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance (MSK Cancer Alliance), an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the community’s first and most trusted children’s hospital, provides access to the most pediatric specialties in the region and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) is ranked 27th in the country for orthopedic care and among the top 10 hospitals in Pennsylvania by U.S. News & World Report. LVH is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the top hospital in the Allentown metro area for the 10th year in a row. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the region’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting LVHN.org or following us on Facebook , LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world’s leading philanthropic organization dedicated to funding life-saving prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993 by Mike Milken, PCF has been responsible for raising more than $1 billion in support of cutting-edge research through more than 2,250 research projects at 245 leading cancer centers, with a global footprint spanning 28 countries. Since PCF’s inception, and through its efforts, patients around the world are living longer, suffering fewer complications, and enjoying better quality of life. PCF is committed to the mission of ending death and suffering from the disease. Learn more at www.pcf.org.

Bass Pro Shops Racing: Martin Truex Jr. Chicago Street Race Advance

By
Official Release
-

Martin Truex Jr.
Chicago Street Race Advance
No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing

Event Overview

● Event: Grant Park 165 (Round 20 of 36)
● Time/Date: 4:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 7
● Location: Chicago Street Course
● Layout: 2.2-mile, 12-turn street course
● Laps/Miles: 75 laps/165 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 20 laps / Stage 2: 25 laps / Final Stage: 30 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● The Grant Park 165 on the streets of downtown Chicago will be just the second go-around on a street-course in the NASCAR Cup Series’ 76-year history. Drivers will speed past some of the city’s most renowned landmarks, from Michigan Avenue to South Lake Shore Drive, with the start-finish line near Buckingham Fountain.

● Qualifying for the Grant Park 220 takes place on Saturday, and it’s where Sunday’s 75-lap race around the 2.2-mile, 12-turn temporary street circuit could very well be won. Track position will be paramount, as those starting up front are far more likely to stay up front.

● The Grant Park 165 Sunday on the streets of downtown Chicago is the third of five road-course races on the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), finished 10th in the series’ first road-course race of the year March 24 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. He then placed 27th in the series’ second road-course stop June 9 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway after running out of gas on the last lap while running in second place. After Chicago, the next road-course race is Sept. 15 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, with the final road-course race coming Oct. 12 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval.

● Where We Stand: The New Jersey native sits fifth in the driver standings with 591 points, 73 behind leader Kyle Larson. All four JGR entries are currently inside the top-10 in the standings, with Denny Hamlin third, Christopher Bell sixth and Ty Gibbs 10th as the series heads to the Windy City this weekend.

● Road-Course Ace: Truex has five road-course victories in his Cup Series career – four at Sonoma and one at Watkins Glen. He has a total of 14 career top-five finishes, 25 top-10s and 356 laps led in 54 career road-course races.

● 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 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE

Did you enjoy racing in the rain in Chicago last year?

“For whatever reason, I did a lot better racing in the wet than I did in the dry last year. That’s kind of odd because most guys like the dry better. It was a unique experience and I’m glad we got to race at a street course at some point in my career. For the fans, though, it would be fun to see it without the rain and have everyone enjoy the weekend without the historic rain. It’s neat just to be able to walk to the racetrack from the hotel we stayed at. Just things that you don’t do normally and, of course, the crowd was great, too, and I expect the fans to be excited again this year.”

What is the first thing that goes through your head when you think about heading back to Chicago and the street-course race this weekend?

“We really didn’t get to run the race straight up last year, so I still think it has a chance to be really crazy even if it’s dry. It’s going to be fun, though, to get to do something that’s still fairly new. Every time they’ve brought in something new the last several years, we all have been apprehensive. Just saying, ‘I don’t know about this,’ and then we do it and it’s turned out to be pretty cool. Just trying to stay open-minded and just trying to look forward to the challenge. It’s a difficult track, but that’s what makes it fun and I think it worked out better than we all expected last year.” Hoping we qualify our Bass Pro Shops Camry up front, stay there, and have a shot in the end.”

Do you look at the Chicago Street Race sort of like the Roval, then, with you being apprehensive at first, but maybe had more fun once you did it a couple of times and knew what you needed to do?

“I think so. I can remember I was one of the first guys to test the Roval before there were any curves. It was just the infield road course with grass all around. I was thinking that was too small and narrow and how are we going to race on this thing? As it turned out, it was quite the show. Like I said, you have to be open-minded and embrace the challenges and try to do what you can with it.”

What do you think of the concept of racing in Chicago now for the second time and continuing to expose new fans to the sport?

“I think it’s a good idea. I can’t even imagine what goes into it. On the race fan side, it seems like was really cool last year once the weather cleared, I know that was a big challenge for everyone last year with how much it rained during the weekend. Hopefully it continues to be a good turnout and it goes off well and weather isn’t an issue this time. I enjoy tracks that are unique and challenging and it’s always a good challenge to keep learning the place and hoping to have a whole weekend where we are just battling how to make our car better and the fans have a good time.”

No. 19 Bass Pro Shops 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

AO Racing Welcomes Back Louis Deletraz for Chevrolet Grand Prix

By
Official Release
-

ST. CHARLES, Ill., (July 2, 2024) – AO Racing heads north of the border for the Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park next week. Louis Deletraz will join his AO Racing teammates in North America for another flight with Spike the LMP2 Dragon, subbing for full-season driver Paul-Loup Chatin. Chatin will be unavailable for the July 12-14 event as he competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship round at Interlagos.

“I’m excited to be at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park with AO Racing,” said Deletraz. “It’s a new track for me, but everyone says good things about it. It’s high-speed, and we’ll be the top class there with no GTP running. It will be nice to have the opportunity to win an overall race in LMP2. I’m really looking forward to it after Le Mans and to sharing the car with PJ and all the crew.”

Deletraz, who races with ORLEN Team AO by TF in the European Le Mans Series also raced with AO by TF in the 24 Hours of Le Mans last month, securing Hyperpole and a second-place finish in the LMP2 Pro Am class. He and PJ Hyett will once again share the wheel of the No. 99 Oreca LMP2 for the two-hour, 40-minute race on July 14th. Three of the five IMSA WeatherTech classes will race in the event, and fans attending will be able to see both Spike and Rexy, the Porsche 911 GT3 Rawr competing.

The Chevrolet Grand Prix begins on Sunday, July 14 at 11:05 AM ET, airing live on Peacock in the USA, and on IMSA’s YouTube page for all fans outside the States.

1...985986987...6,745Page 986 of 6,745