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TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: World Wide Technology Raceway / Portland International Raceway

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Official Release
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TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
World Wide Technology Raceway / Portland International Raceway
June 1-2, 2024

For the first time this season, a tripleheader weekend for NASCAR’s three national series will be contested at two different venues. The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) will pair up for the journey to World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR), where Chevrolet returns to the track as the reigning winner in both series. The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will make its longest trek of the season to Portland International Raceway for the second road course race of the series’ 33-race schedule.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway:

World Wide Technology Raceway earned a spot on the NASCAR Cup Series’ schedule for the first time in 2022, making the 1.25-mile oval one of the newest additions to the circuit. In just the series’ second appearance at WWTR (2023), Chevrolet earned its first trip to victory lane in NASCAR’s top division at the track, courtesy of a victory by Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at World Wide Technology Raceway:

Contrary to the NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has a much longer history at WWTR with Saturday’s Toyota 200 marking the series’ 24th race at the track. The 1.25-mile oval nestled in Madison, Illinois, first played host for the NCTS in 1998 – an event that saw Rick Carelli take the victory behind the wheel of a Chevrolet. Since then, Chevrolet has become the winningest manufacturer in series’ history at WWTR with 12 victories, with six of those triumphs coming in the series’ last seven races at the track. Grant Enfinger was the most recent Team Chevy driver to claim a NCTS victory at WWTR (2023) – a monumental victory that earned GMS Racing the title as the winningest Chevrolet team in NCTS’ history.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Portland International Raceway:

Saturday’s Pacific Office Automation 147 will mark the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ third-ever appearance at Portland International Raceway. In the series’ debut at the 1.97-mile, 12-turn road course circuit in 2022, road course ringer AJ Allmendinger took Chevrolet to victory lane. The triumph in the series’ inaugural event was celebrated by a sweep of the top six finishing positions – recorded by drivers from four different Chevrolet teams. One year ago, the Bowtie brand came just one spot short of defending its race winning title, but still grabbed four of the top five positions in the final running order.

BUSCH BOASTS SERIES-LEADING STATS AT WWTR

While seeking his first win of NASCAR Cup Series season, Team Chevy’s Kyle Busch is heading to a track that fares statistically well for the two-time champion. The 39-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada, native has earned the series’ best average finish of 1.500 at World Wide Technology Raceway – recording a runner-up finish in 2022 and, most recently, a victory in 2023. Busch has tallied the most laps led in each of the series’ two appearances at the 1.25-mile oval – logging 66 laps led in 2022 and 121 laps led in 2023. Proving to be a contender in each event, Busch has also earned a series-best average running position of 3.024 heading into the series’ third consecutive trip to the track.

SANCHEZ ADDS TO SILVERADO’S INTERMEDIATE STRENGTH

This weekend’s trip to World Wide Technology Raceway will mark the five-race countdown to the end of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ regular-season. Last weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rev Racing’s Nick Sanchez became the series’ third repeat winner of the season – delivering Chevrolet its series-leading eighth victory in 11 NCTS races.

Among its victories this season, intermediate-style ovals have proven to be a strong suit for the Bowtie brand. In five races on non-drafting, intermediate-style ovals, the Silverado RST has picked up four victories – each earned by a different Team Chevy driver (Rajah Caruth – Las Vegas Motor Speedway; Kyle Busch – Texas Motor Speedway; Ross Chastain – Darlington Raceway; and Nick Sanchez – Charlotte Motor Speedway). In addition, each of those victories saw the Bowtie brand earn at least 50 percent of the top-10 finishing positions.

Perez Set for NCTS Debut

Rev Racing’s Andres Perez will make the jump into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this weekend for the first time in his young career. The 19-year-old Mexico City, Mexico, native will make his series’ debut behind the wheel of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Silverado RST. Perez, who is a part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program, currently competes full-time behind the wheel of a Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series. The 2024 season marks just his second full-time season competing at the national level. In six ARCA Menards Series races this season, the Team Chevy driver sits as the series’ points leader with two top-fives and five top-10s.

ALLMENDINGER, MAYER HIGHLIGHT NXS’ ROAD COURSE RINGERS

Returning to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time this season, Kaulig Racing’s AJ Allmendinger will return to Portland International Raceway for the first time since his victory in the series’ inaugural event at the circuit. The 42-year-old Los Gatos, California, native has earned an impressive 13 career road course victories at the NASCAR national level – 11 of which have come in the NXS, making Allmendinger the only driver in series’ history to earn a double-digit win count on road courses.

JR Motorsports’ Sam Mayer became a first-time winner in the NXS last season at his home track of Road America. The 20-year-old Franklin, Wisconsin, native quickly became a series frontrunner on road courses when the Team Chevy driver took his No. 1 Camaro SS to three-straight road course triumphs with wins at Watkins Glen International and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro SS

Inaugural NXS Race Win at Portland

June 4, 2022

Sam Mayer, No. 1 JR Motorsports Camaro SS

First Career NXS Win – Road America

July 29, 2023

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· With 38 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 57.9% with 22 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – seven wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – seven wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – eight wins).

· In eight tripleheader weekends this season, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer to earn a weekend sweep – accomplishing the feat three times (Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway).

· Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway:

Kyle Busch – one win (2023)

· In 86 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 44 victories – a winning percentage of 51.2%.

· Team Chevy’s William Byron is the only driver to have a double-digit win record in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen era – with his victory at Martinsville Speedway marking his 11th all-time victory in the Next Gen Camaro ZL1.

· With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 858 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 511
Toyota: 510 (-1)
Ford: 473 (-38)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 450
Toyota: 425 (-25)
Ford: 375 (-75)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 423
Toyota: 385 (-38)
Ford: 351 (-72)
 
TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway

Enjoy Illinois 300

Sunday, June 2, at 3:30 p.m. ET

(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series at Portland International Raceway

Pacific Office Automation 147

Saturday, June 1, at 4:30 p.m. ET

(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at World Wide Technology Raceway

Toyota 200

Saturday, June 1, at 1:30 pm. ET

(FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

 
QUOTABLE QUOTES:

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 Busch Light CAMARO ZL1

How challenging is track like Gateway that has completely opposite corners?

“It’s exactly that. You get to one end and drive it completely different at the other end. Long straightaways, tight corners, really flat turns 3 and 4, a little more banking and a unique line in turns 1 and 2. It’s a one of one track. There’s nowhere else like Gateway. I’ve been there in the truck series before. I remember watching truck races way back in the day, Xfinity Series races way back in the day. Gateway was a staple of those series and for some reason I really remember that track. Everything about it makes it a one of one.”

How do you find speed at Gateway?

“If I knew that, I would be in victory lane every time. I don’t know. You can’t drive a slow car fast. You want your car to be turning well. I’m a simple man. I want the car to turn. I want it to do what I ask it to do and not have to manipulate it so much inside. It needs to do something similar in both ends. You can’t get in turns 1 and 2 with the extra banking doing one thing and then getting down to the other end and it be another.”

Can you take me back to your first time driving at Gateway?

“My first time driving at Gateway was in a truck for Jay Robinson. The Xfinity Series was off and he asked me if I wanted to go drive a truck and run it until it’s out of gas, get laps on the track. We actually made second round of qualifying back then. It was a crazy memory to have that and then come back the next year and win the race in the No. 45 truck.”

Why does it seem to race much more like a short track than an intermediate?

“The straightaways are longer and the corners are shorter than intermediates. It’s more like a paperclip versus a tri-oval or quad-oval that we run on the intermediate.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 REBEL BOURBON CAMARO ZL1

How different is World Wide Technology Raceway versus other superspeedways?

“I feel like the racetrack lends itself to a different challenge than what we’re accustomed to. A lot of times you run these racetracks and both ends of the track are very similar. You have to drive World Wide Technology Raceway differently than other places we go. As a driver, that’s fun and gives you a different challenge. It’s also unique because it’s not quite a short track but it’s not quite a superspeedway. It’s egg-shaped and drives like a short track. There’s a big, heavy braking moment getting into Turn 1, a really tight corner in 1 and 2, and then a long, sweeping, and much faster corner in 3 and 4. We’ve been fast the last couple of years and we want to make sure we do it again this weekend.”

You have performed well in both Cup races at World Wide Technology Raceway and enter this weekend at the defending race winner of the Enjoy Illinois 300.

“The last couple of years there have been great. Last year we started up front and we were able to make the most of that and score the win. We had a couple of delays in that one so it went a little later in the night and we finished under the lights. I hope we can go there with the same speed that we had last year and we can go after a win again. World Wide Technology Raceway is the home track for my crew chief, Randall Burnett, so It was really cool to have a special weekend for him last year and to be able to score that win.”

DANIEL HEMRIC, NO. 31 POPPY BANK CAMARO ZL1

“I haven’t been to Gateway since 2016, so I’ve never run on the repave. I’ve had a chance to do a little bit of simulation to get used to shifting as much as you do there. I’m pretty fired up to get there and hopefully have a solid race after showing the speed we did in Charlotte.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 CHOICE PRIVILEGES CAMARO ZL1

Can you repeat last year’s performance in St. Louis?

“Last year the entire weekend was very solid for us. We barely missed the second round in qualifying and really, we missed it because of me and not because of the car. The car was capable of advancing. In the race, the car was strong right away. I hope we are as strong again this weekend.”

What are your thoughts preparing for the playoffs in September?

“This is what I told my team: We have two months to figure it out. Two months to figure it out, and I say two months because I would like to have one month before the playoffs, to have the mentality of playoffs. Because if we think that we’re going to go into the playoffs and flip a switch and just be great, that won’t happen. No matter who it is, that doesn’t exist. So we have to just be ready when the time comes.”

BAYLEY CURREY, NO. 41 DQS SILVERADO RST

Do you use shifting to your advantage here as an offensive or defensive move?

“I think shifting is just something that you have to do here, really. You slow down so much in turns one and two that you can use that option. Depending on where you downshift, you can change the balance of what your truck’s doing. If you’re tight, you can downshift earlier to get the rotation through the center. If you’re on a long run like how we had last year, you can shift in turns three and four as well. It’s a good tool for the drivers to use.”

MATT MILLS, NO. 42 HAMLIN & ASSOCIATES SILVERADO RST

With it being a home race for your sponsors, how much emphasis do you put on running well at Gateway specifically?

“Gateway is definitely a big race for us. J.F. Electric is on our truck all year, but this is a race that they go all-out with on the hospitality aspect. All the men and women that are their employees really want to see their truck run well in their backyard, so we’ve been putting a lot of time in the sim to prepare for it. For us, it’s one of the biggest races of the year.”

CONNOR MOSACK, NO. 45 CHEVY ACCESSORIES SILVERADO RST

What are some of the benefits and challenges of racing for two different teams in the Truck Series?

“I think the challenges come from the fact that once you’re getting into the rhythm of how one team operates, that stops, and you have to give yourself a restart with the other team. You feel like you still have the momentum in the series with the trucks, but each team does things a little differently. The communication changes and some of the small details make a difference. I think full-time drivers have the advantage of gaining speed by keeping in that rhythm with everybody. The crew chief knows exactly what they’re asking for and vise-versa. Some of the benefits are learning what each team does that the other team doesn’t do. You can apply the differences whether that be through prep or debrief after the race, so there’s definitely some benefits as well.”

 
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2023): 42

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2024 STATISTICS:

Wins: 7

Poles: 5

Laps Led: 1,384

Top-five finishes: 27

Top-10 finishes: 54

Stage wins: 10

· Chase Elliott: 1

· Kyle Larson: 7

· Ross Chastain: 1

· William Byron: 1

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 858 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 748

Laps led to date: 250,559

Top-five finishes to date: 4,325

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,914

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,192

       Chevrolet: 858

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 829                                                           

       Ford: 729

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 186

 

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

FUNNY CAR CHAMP MATT HAGAN ROLLING INTO NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS WITH MOMENTUM AND MUSTACHE

By
Official Release
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EPPING, N.H. (May 29, 2024) – Already riding a massive wave of momentum after back-to-back victories, reigning Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan has plenty of reasons to feel great heading into this weekend’s 11th annual NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway.

Hagan’s four wins in Epping are the most for any NHRA driver at the historic track, and each victory has been accompanied by his New England Dragway good luck charm in the form of a handlebar mustache.

The Funny Car points leader will have the mustache this weekend in Epping, along with an 11,000-horsepower Rush Truck Centers Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat that has been on point the last two races. Hagan and his team have won back-to-back races in Charlotte and Chicago, vaulting him atop a loaded Funny Car category and putting him in a strong position to try and win three straight races – and a fifth at Epping – for the first time in his standout career.

“We’ve won four times (in Epping) and had a (mustache) four times there. I didn’t do it last year and it bit me in the (butt),” Hagan said. “Coming off of back-to-back wins is big momentum for Epping. Epping has been very kind to me, having won four races there. I think I’ll grow the handlebar mustache again and try to bring that juju back. It’s so tough to win one race in a nitro Funny Car. To win back-to-back races is a massive feat, so to be able to win three in a row would be pretty awesome. We’re rolling into the weekend with a lot of data to go off of and positive vibes.”

Last year, Justin Ashley (Top Fuel) and Bob Tasca III (Funny Car) won the New England Nationals, though the race finished in Bristol the following week due to weather. This year’s race will be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 1 and 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, and also includes the return of Pro Stock to the event. It is the seventh of 20 races in 2024, and Hagan and his team, led by longtime crew chief Dickie Venables, are rolling, having found their groove in Charlotte.

He went to the final quad at the four-wide race in Las Vegas the event before and was also the Pomona runner-up to John Force, putting together a strong recent run. Hagan and company have performed well on raceday in all conditions, which bodes well for a team trying to win their fifth Funny Car world championship.

Hagan picked up his milestone 50th career win in Charlotte and added his 51st in Chicago, but a third straight victory is no easy task against a group that also includes Funny Car newcomer Austin Prock, J.R. Todd, Tasca, Force, Cruz Pedregon, Alexis DeJoria and Daniel Wilkerson.

Hagan will also race in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday, taking on Blake Alexander with the other semifinal rematch featuring Force and Wilkerson. In Chicago, Hagan became the first two-time Funny Car winner of 2024 and four qualifying sessions in Epping – including a must-see primetime session on Friday night – gives the team another opportunity to hone in what’s been a winning combination as of late.

“Having four qualifying sessions is always good. Four sessions make it nice to gather more data and have more information to go off of,” Hagan said. “I think Dickie did a great job in Chicago, since he was able to get a handle on a hot-weather racetrack in a lane we didn’t have the most competitive advantage in. We had to dig out of a hole a little, so the confidence is big.

“Dickie is a great racer on Sunday. I’m excited anytime we get more runs. I like getting to play in my racecar and burn nitro, but the biggest thing is more data acquisition. There are a lot of heavy-hitters in the class, so every race is very competitive. We have to stay aggressive. It’s nice to have the points lead right now, but as fast as that comes, it can go. We have to stay on top of things.”

Top Fuel points leader Ashley looks to continue his strong 2024 and get a repeat New England Nationals win. Standing in his way is a host of stars, including Shawn Langdon, who has two wins in 2024, reigning champ Doug Kalitta, Antron Brown, Brittany Force, Steve Torrence and Top Fuel newcomer and racing legend Tony Stewart.

Returning to the New England Nationals this year is the Pro Stock class. The loyal fans of the New England area will be treated to the performance the 500 cubic-inch factory hot rods. Stars like reigning champion Erica Enders, multi-time champion Greg Anderson, Jeg Coughlin Jr., and standouts Aaron Stanfield and points leader Dallas Glenn will be on track and ready to return to New England Dragway.

Also slated in Epping is the special Drag and Drive exhibition event featuring HOT ROD Drag Week competitors in eight-second cars. This special feature marks the first time Drag Week competitors have attended the historic facility in Epping. The selection of cars includes boosted and naturally aspirated engine combinations of varying power levels, from 700 hp to over 2,000 hp. The weekend also includes competition in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+.

Fans will also be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at New England Dragway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners.

As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Epping. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 5 and 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, May 31 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, June 1 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 2. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, 7 p.m. on Saturday, along with a special Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge episode at 8 p.m. on Saturday, and then eliminations action from 1-2 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. ET on Sunday.

To purchase tickets to the NHRA New England Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.

About Mission Foods

MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/

About NHRA

Headquartered in San Dimas, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown™, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X and Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal™. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA’s Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA’s streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California. For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Todd Gilliland No. 38 Ruedebusch Development & Construction Ford Mustang Dark Horse

By
Official Release
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World Wide Technology Raceway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – The famed blue and white Ruedebusch Development & Construction scheme returns with Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse to the World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.

Finishing 17th in the rain shorted Coca-Cola 600, Gilliland enters the “Dog Days of Summer” 22nd in the championship points standings. Gilliland has two previous starts at the 1.2-mile asphalt oval with a best finish of 15th in 2023.

NASCAR Cup Series activity will begin on Saturday, June 1st with practice and qualifying at 9:30 a.m. ET. Sunday’s 300-mile race is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised live on FS1. Fans can also listen in from the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM channel 90.

No. 38 Ruedebusch Development & Construction Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“Last week was frustrating, not being able to complete all of the laps, but it was out of our control and it’s time to shift our focus to Gateway. I left there with a Top-15 last year, but I think we can do better than that this year. We’ve shown a lot of promise the past few races, so I think our time is due.”

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“We’re entering the summer stretch now, and I know it won’t get easier with the warmer weather. We have to continue to fight and keep bringing Todd (Gilliland) fast race cars. We have shown our potential, we just have to execute on 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.

Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Siteman Cancer Center Ford Mustang Dark Horse

By
Official Release
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World Wide Technology Raceway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is proud to announce a new collaboration with Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, for the NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology (WWT) Raceway. Siteman will be the primary sponsor aboard Michael McDowell’s No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

This is Siteman’s first such collaboration involving NASCAR and is an extension of the cancer center’s presence as a track sponsor of WWT Raceway and of community outreach and education efforts aimed at reducing the burden of cancer in Missouri and Illinois. By promoting awareness of and access to mammograms and colonoscopies, Washington University physicians at Siteman are improving earlier detection of breast cancer and colorectal cancer, respectively, when the diseases are most treatable.

“Cancer prevention and early detection are vitally important to the health of individuals, families and communities,” said Lannis Hall, MD, an associate professor of clinical radiation oncology at Washington University, director of Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Research and vice chair of the Clinical Research Committee at Siteman Cancer Center. “Whether it’s on Michael McDowell’s No. 34 car or at GetScreenedNow.com, Siteman Cancer Center is here to remind everyone about screening tests that can, and do, save lives.”

To further drive home the prevention message, Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, which is the pediatric cancer program of Washington University and Siteman Cancer Center, will promote sun safety at WWT Raceway with on-site sunscreen dispensers.

McDowell shares in the excitement of bringing a new sponsor on board his Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Siteman, especially to raise awareness about cancer prevention and early detection,” McDowell said. “Siteman and the many dedicated Washington University physicians who provide cancer care are committed to improving the lives of individuals and communities, including race fans. I hope, together, we can save lives and bring home a win on race day.”

WWT Raceway has proven to be a good track for McDowell. He led 34-laps in the inaugural race in 2022 and finished ninth-place last season. The 39-year-old has an average finish of 13.5 at the 1.25-mile oval.

The Siteman Cancer Center Ford Mustang Dark Horse will debut during the qualifying session Saturday, June 1. The race is scheduled for Sunday, June 2, at 3:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the action live on FS1 or listen to the Motor Racing Network.

No. 34 Siteman Cancer Center Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“This is a track where we know a good finish is possible. We were fast last year, but we just need to close it out. It’s the little things in these races that really determine so much. Just having a clean race should put us in a good spot at the end and execute well. Happy to have Siteman Cancer Center on our Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend, they do so much for the St. Louis community, we’re looking forward to running up front and give them a good showing.”

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

“Gateway has been a good track for us, we had a good car there last year and got a Top-10. We consistently have good speed at a lot of tracks right now and just need to keep working on getting the finishes where we run most of the race. This weekend will be an important race to carry momentum through the summer stretch.”

ABOUT SITEMAN CANCER CENTER

Siteman Cancer Center is one of only a few cancer centers to receive the highest rating of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) – “exceptional.” Comprising the cancer research, prevention and treatment programs of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Siteman treats adults at six locations, including an inpatient hospital, and partners with St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the treatment of pediatric patients at Siteman Kids. An outpatient facility scheduled to open in September 2024 on the Washington University Medical Campus will become the newest Siteman location to offer patient-focused, multidisciplinary care driven by scientific breakthroughs and powered by Washington University Physicians.

Siteman is Missouri and southern Illinois’ only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and only member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Through the Siteman Cancer Network, Siteman Cancer Center works with regional health systems and hospitals to improve access to highly specialized cancer care and reduce the incidence of cancer through initiatives in cancer prevention, treatment and research.

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.

Layne Riggs and the No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150

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Official Release
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World Wide Technology Raceway Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – Layne Riggs and the No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150 make their World Wide Technology Raceway debut this weekend for a 160-lap event at the 1.2-mile asphalt oval.

Earning stage points and a third-place result in his last three NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, Riggs now sits 18th in the Driver Championship points standings and leads the Sunoco Rookie of the Year battle.

The Truck series will kick off the weekend with practice and qualifying on Friday, May 31st at 6:00 p.m. ET. Saturday’s event is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET and will be televised live on FS1. Fans can also listen in on the action from the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM channel 90.

No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150:

DRIVER LAYNE RIGGS:

“Everything seems to be clicking for us these past couple weeks, we just can’t seem to make it to the end of the race without something going wrong. I’m not worried, though. Dylan (Cappello) and the team have been working day and night to bring speed to the track, and I am confident they will continue to, it’s just a matter of staying out of trouble and getting the results we want.”

CREW CHIEF DYLAN CAPPELLO:

“We’re entering the summer stretch in a pretty good spot. Layne (Riggs) is starting to consistently fight within the Top-10, it’s just a matter of getting this bad luck off our back. We’ve shown that we belong up front, we just need to continue to bring fast Ford F-150s and execute on all fronts.”

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.

NTT INDYCAR XPEL Grand Prix Presented by AMR Takes Center Stage at Road America, June 6-9

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Official Release
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ELKHART LAKE, Wis., May 29, 2024 – Get ready for high-speed thrills as the XPEL Grand Prix presented by AMR takes center stage at America’s National Park of Speed from June 6-9. This exhilarating event showcases the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, featuring a roster of international drivers competing in one of the world’s most challenging and diverse racing circuits.

This year’s XPEL Grand Prix promises intense competition on a course that tests every driver’s physical endurance and mental agility. Alex Palou, returning after a triumphant third victory last season, and Josef Newgarden, fresh off his second consecutive win at the Indianapolis 500, are among the top contenders. Last year’s record-setting 444 on-track passes, including 386 for position, promises an intense battle for road course supremacy.

The weekend is packed with more than just INDYCAR action. The Radical Cup series, INDY NXT by Firestone, USF Pro 2000, and USF 2000 the junior development series’ will all be in the spotlight, showcasing the rising stars of motorsport. Furthermore, as a nod to the storied past of INDYCAR, the Vintage Indy™ exhibition will display a fascinating collection of vintage racing vehicles. Fans can explore the evolution of these incredible machines and enjoy parade laps, bringing history to life right before their eyes.

For an extra dash of excitement, don’t miss the Road America Challenge at Plymouth Dirt Track. Just a short ride from Road America, this winged sprint car doubleheader starts on Saturday evening, June 8th, featuring the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series. Meet INDYCAR stars Graham Rahal, Pietro Fittipaldi, and Christian Lundgaard as they will sign autographs from 5-6 p.m. Seal the deal with an advance purchase before June 3rd and receive a complimentary pit pass. Ticket pricing will increase to $30 on June 3rd. Road America Challenge advance tickets will also feature a scannable QR code, allowing fans to enjoy a generous $15 discount on their Sunday Ticket for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES XPEL Grand Prix. Grab tickets at this link – https://bit.ly/24RAChall

The XPEL Grand Prix, presented by AMR at Road America, will be the seventh round of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and will air live on June 9 at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Audio coverage will be provided by the INDYCAR Radio Network, SiriusXM channel 218, and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

With kids 16 and under entering free with a paying adult and racing guaranteed rain or shine, Road America is set to provide an unforgettable weekend for families and racing enthusiasts alike. For tickets and more information, visit www.roadamerica.com or call 800-365-7223. Join us for a weekend where memories are made at every turn!

Spire Motorsports Enjoy Illinois 300 Race Advance

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Official Release
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  • In four NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) starts at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR), Spire Motorsports has logged one top-25 finish. Last season, Ty Dillon raced the No. 77 Chevy to a 25th-place showing in the Enjoy Illinois 300. The Mooresville, N.C., team fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NCS with LaJoie, and fellow drivers Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
  • The Enjoy Illinois 300 from World Wide Technology Raceway will be will be televised live on FS1 Sunday, June 2, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 15th of 36 races on the 2024 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR RaceDay’s pre-race coverage on FS1 will take the green flag at 2 p.m. EDT.

Corey LaJoie – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Corey LaJoie heads to World Wide Technology Raceway behind the wheel of the No. 7 Chili’s® Grill & Bar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
  • Chili’s is a leader in the casual dining industry and the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT). Chili’s is known for its big mouth burgers, Chicken Crispers®, full-on sizzling fajitas and hand-shaken margaritas. Chili’s takes its food seriously – but not themselves – because dining out should feel like a celebration even if there is nothing to celebrate. Chili’s passion is making everyone feel special, and every day, ChiliHeads make it their job to spread #ChilisLove across almost 1,600 restaurants in 27 countries and two territories. And Chili’s cares. Chili’s hosts local Give Back Events to support kids, education and hunger and has raised more than $100 million benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through generous Guest donations. Find more information about Chili’s at chilis.com, follow on Twitter or Instagram, like them on Facebook or join Chili’s on TikTok.
  • Sunday’s Enjoy Ilinois 300 will mark LaJoie’s third NCS start at World Wide Technology Raceway and 251st career start.
  • LaJoie has two previous NCS starts at the uniquely-configured Madison, Ill., oval. and earned a venue-best 21st-place finish last season when he filled in for Hendrick Motorsports behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet.
  • Lajoie started 21st and finished 35th in last weekend’s rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Concord, N.C., native has led 38 laps in 2024 and is currently 30th in the NCS championship point standings.
  • Over 250 career NCS starts, Lajoie has earned four top-five and nine top-10 finishes and led 161 laps in NASCAR’s premier division.

Corey LaJoie Quotes
The NASCAR Cup Series schedule is long and can be filled with a lot of ups and downs. How do you distance yourself from a disappointing weekend and get ready for the race ahead with a fresh set of eyes?
“After a disappointing result last weekend, we’re ready to move on to World Wide Technology Raceway in our Chili’s Camaro. Last year was definitely a non-traditional one, subbing for Chase in the No. 9 car, so I’m excited to get back to St. Louis in my familiar seat and execute the weekend like we know we can.”

Zane Smith – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Zane Smith will make his second NASCAR Cup Series start at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis on Sunday but his first driving the No. 71 Ambetter Health Chevrolet Camaro for Spire Motorsports.
  • The race marks the rookie driver’s 15th Cup Series start for Spire Motorsports and his 24th career start.
  • In 2022, Smith made his Cup Series debut at 1.25-mile oval, driving the No. 17 RFK Racing entry. He started 32nd and finished 17th, earning his first top 20 in NASCAR’s premier division.
  • Smith owns five NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) career starts at the track, including a win in 2020. He’s led 112 laps and posted three top-10 finishes at WWTR.
  • This will be Smith’s second race driving the Ambetter Health paint scheme. Ambetter Health is on a mission to get everyone affordable, high-quality health insurance. Our drive to break down barriers and help make insurance more accessible to all has made us America’s No. 1 Marketplace health insurance. Learn more about how we are paving the way to better coverage at ambetterhealth.com.
  • Going back to Gateway this weekend, it will be your first race back since you made your Cup Series debut here in 2022. How are you feeling?

“It’s so crazy to look back on that day and see where I’m at now, two years later. That was the craziest 24- plus hours I had ever experienced. Gateway will always be special to me because of that. It was my first ever Cup Series start and it’s exciting to go back this weekend for the first time since I made that start in the No. 17. That day opened a lot of doors for me and allowed me to learn. I had a lot of fun in the process. I got a Truck win in 2020 and have had some success at that track. So, I’m looking forward to racing there this weekend with my No. 71 Spire Motorsports team and seeing what we can accomplish.”

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Carson Hocevar will return to the home of his first NCS start this weekend in Sunday afternoon’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at WWTR driving the No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports.
  • Hocevar started 20th and finished 21st in last Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • Hocevar made his NCS debut in last year’s Enjoy Illinois 300 where he finished 36th while subbing for Corey LaJoie. Hocevar was fast throughout the day but a mechanical issue sidelined him on Lap 91 while running just outside the top 15.
  • In four NCTS starts at the 1.25-mile oval, Hocevar has logged a 9.5 average start and a 12.8 average finish. He led eight laps and completed 99.8 percent of the laps contested.
  • Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers. Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top one percent of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2023. The family-owned and -operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor’s 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2024, and among Glassdoor’s top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.
  • The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender is currently 24th in the division’s championship points. Over the course of the season’s first 14 races, Hocevar has notched one top-10 and three top-15 finishes.
  • Hocevar is featured on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. ET following each race to discuss his NCS rookie season

Carson Hocevar Quotes
WWT is home to your first Cup race. How are you feeling about this weekend to head back there after your series debut last season?
“I’m pretty excited, honestly. We ran really good last year in the No. 7 so I’m excited to go in the No. 77 this time with my team. We’re a great team so far and I’m excited to have those notes along with what we’ve learned this year to make our car better. A year difference means a lot so, hopefully, we’re much better, we make the right adjustments and right tweaks and can make our car better throughout the race.”

WWT is such a unique track. You’ve put in a lot of time in the sim this week leading up, so how is your mindset going into this race?
“You can’t take a lot of set-up info from any other tracks for WWTR. We’ve put a lot of time in this week to really get everything as perfect as we want it, because we don’t have notebooks as long as some other teams. I have very smart people I trust around me so that eases my mind and I know we can run good this weekend.”

From the Top of the Box

Ryan Sparks – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Ryan Sparks serves in a dual role as both Spire Motorsports competition director and crew chief for driver Corey LaJoie and the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro in the NCS.
  • Sparks, a Winston-Salem, N.C., native, has been paired with LaJoie since 2020.
  • Combined, Sparks and LaJoie have earned four top-five and seven top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place finish in the 2024 Daytona 500.

Stephen Doran – Crew Chief, No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Stephen Doran begins his first full season as a Cup Series crew chief leading Zane Smith and the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet team during the 2024 season.
  • In 2006, Doran got his start in NASCAR at Petty Enterprises.
  • Prior to his arrival at Spire Motorsports, Doran worked at Stewart-Haas Racing as an engineer, most recently on the No. 4 car driven by Kevin Harvick.

Luke Lambert – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

  • Luke Lambert is the crew chief for Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 team with 2024 NCS Rookie of the Year candidate Carson Hocevar
  • The 2005 North Carolina State graduate has led the competition efforts for some of the sport’s most notable names including Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler and Chris Buescher.
  • In 2014, Lambert led Newman to a berth in the Championship 4, and ultimately a runner-up finish in the NCS championship point standings.

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 will campaign 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 will also field 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 will drive the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets 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 took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Clint Bowyer to Pilot Spire Motorsports No. 7 NCTS Entry at Nashville Superspeedway

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Official Release
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Emporia, Kansas Native to Reunite with Crew Chief Brian Pattie

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – One of NASCAR’s most engaging personalities and 16-year Cup Series veteran Clint Bowyer will pilot Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.

Bowyer, who retired from full-time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) competition following the 2020 season finale at Phoenix Raceway, is currently an analyst for NASCAR on FOX. He is a 10-time NCS race winner who also boasts three NCTS checkered flags.

The 44-year-old will reconnect with crew chief Brian Pattie who guided Bowyer’s NCS efforts from 2012-2015. Pattie led the affable racer to three wins in 2012 and ultimately a runner-up finish in the NCS championship point standings when the potent duo was paired together at Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR).

“For me, it’s the tie between working with (Brian) Pattie and the good old days,” said Bowyer. “Putting the band back together, so to speak, and having some fun. Nashville is a cool racetrack that has meant a lot to me over the years. Separate from that, it’s about the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. That’s a really fun series. It’s a fun vehicle to drive. There’s a lot of drag and you can drive them hard and get away with it. You can really hustle a truck. This race should be right in my wheelhouse.”

Bowyer made his second career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 1.33-mile oval in 2004 tallied nine total starts from 2004 – 2008. The Emporia, Kan., native has one win over those nine starts and parlayed those efforts into an uber-impressive 2.8 average finish on NASCAR’s junior circuit.

“Nashville means a lot to me. Fate is the only thing that I can attribute to this opportunity coming about,” Bowyer added. “My career in NASCAR happened because of Nashville. My first race win in NASCAR was at Nashville. It takes me back to my first ARCA race in 2003. I’ve always raced well there. Not to put pressure on myself, but I have. I’ve never finished outside the top five at Nashville Superspeedway, and I think I’ve got close to a second-place average finish. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything but what’s important is the opportunity to get back together and work with Brian Pattie. I had so much fun racing with him during the MWR days. We about won a championship together.”

In 14 NCTS starts from 2006 – 2016, Bowyer recorded two pole positions, three wins, nine top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. While he hasn’t competed in a NASCAR sanctioned event since dropping the window net for the final time in November 2020, Bowyer made three Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) starts last season and while winless, was a threat for the win in each outing.

“I’ll have one run on a set of tires to knock the rust off and then I’ll have to go qualify,” said Bowyer. “It’s going to be a pretty important lap to start up front and have a shot at winning. It has been so long, so I’ll have to get reacquainted with the track a little bit. I feel like I can get the fundamentals back pretty quickly. I ran those SRX races last year and I was pretty quick right off that bat. I actually surprised myself. I had a ton of fun and was competitive.

After 11 races, the No. 7 team sits fifth in the 2024 NCTS owner point standings after earning two wins and compiling five top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Kyle Busch earned the team’s first victory of 2024 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and led a race-high 112 laps in Busch’s most recent triumph in Texas. Last weekend, Connor Mosack started seventh and finished eighth at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Given their history and past success, it’s no wonder Pattie is looking forward to the reunion.

“Clint and I had a lot of success winning races and coming close to a Cup Series championship, so it’ll be a lot of fun to work with him again,” said Pattie. “We’ve been trying to get him in one of our trucks since early last year, so I’m excited to see it finally come together and I’m confident that we can go out and compete for the win.”

The Rackley Roofing 200 from Nashville Superspeedway will be televised live on FS2 Friday, June 28, beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 13th of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

“Having Clint Bowyer drive our No. 7 at Nashville Superspeedway just demonstrates how committed Spire Motorsports is to having a true all-star lineup in that truck,” said Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt. “Clint is part of an exclusive club of drivers who have won in the Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Cup Series. When you see his track record at Nashville, it almost makes you shake your head. It’s pretty incredible. He’s a great personality and, as Brian (Pattie) well knows, he’s a lot of fun. We’re grateful to have him and we think he gives us a great shot at winning the race.”

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 will campaign 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 will also field 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 will drive the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets 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.

Front Row Motorsports Announces Purchase of New Charter

By
Official Release
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Organization to Expand to Three NASCAR Cup Series Teams in 2025

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – Executing its next stage of growth, Front Row Motorsports (FRM) will compete with three chartered Ford Mustang Dark Horses in the NASCAR Cup Series entries in the 2025 season while maintaining its championship NASCAR Ford F-150 team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

“We have a very positive outlook on the future of NASCAR and as the sport plans for success, so do we,” commented Bob Jenkins, Owner, Front Row Motorsports. “Today that means having a plan for expanding back to three cars in the NASCAR Cup Series. I always have the vision to continue to grow and improve our team and that commitment and desire never changes. I am committed to the sport and its passionate fans and partners.”

The team is aware of the work ahead, but excited for the growth.

“It is good to get the news out now as we have a lot of work to do to prepare a new team,” said Jerry Freeze, General Manager, Front Row Motorsports. “All of us on the leadership team will be working through that, obtaining the parts and pieces needed for the new team. And, most importantly, adding to the dedicated and talented staff and culture that exists today within our organization.

“Starting a new team from scratch is always a challenge, but with the opportunities in front of us, the talent we have in our leadership, and a bit of a runway to get there, I am confident that we can produce three competitive programs out of the box for the 2025 season. We haven’t lost sight of what our goals for 2024 are, to get our teams into the playoffs for both series. If we can keep up the speed on track and have a little bit of luck to come our way, we can achieve our objectives.”

Today’s announcement comes off the news earlier this year of FRM extending and increasing its relationship with Ford Performance and a competition alliance with Team Penske.

Announcements regarding drivers will come later.

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.

Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Advance: World Wide Technology Raceway

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Official Release
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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE ADVANCE: WWT RACEWAY
Race: Toyota 200 (160 laps / 200 miles) | Race 12 of 23
Track: World Wide Technology Raceway
Location: Madison, Illinois
Date & Time: Saturday, June 1st | 12:30 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX | Motor Racing Network (MRN) | Sirius XM Ch. 90

No. 41 DQS Solutions & Staffing Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman, Jr.
Bayley Currey
@BayleyCurrey
@BayleyCurrey05

  • Currey’s Gateway Stats: Bayley Currey has made one prior start at WWT Raceway which came in last year’s Truck Series event. Currey qualified 11th for that race and finished 17th after a late-race spin.
  • Hillman’s Gateway Stats: Mike Hillman, Jr. has called 13 NCTS races at Gateway before, posting a total of four top-fives and nine top-10 finishes. Hillman has scored one victory here with Germain Racing’s Todd Bodine in 2006, and most recently finished 17th with Currey last year.
  • On the Truck: Currey’s No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from DQS Solutions & Staffing along with Masked Owl Technologies. Gateway will be the first race for both of these partners as co-primary sponsors this season. DQS is the parent company of Foundation for Pops, which was on Currey’s truck last race in Charlotte.
  • Recapping Charlotte: Bayley Currey and the No. 41 team fired off well after securing a top-10 starting position in Charlotte. Currey would hold his track position through stage one where he finished 11th, but dropped to 17th in stage two following an unscheduled return to pit road. In the final stage, Currey sustained heavy damage when a competitor blew a tire directly in front of the No. 41 Foundation for Pops Chevrolet, hindering his competitiveness. He finished the race in the 26th position.
  • Points Rundown: Following Currey’s 26th-place result in Charlotte, he dropped one position in points, now shown in 16th. He is 20 points behind his nearest competitor, Chase Purdy, in 15th place, and 75 points below the Playoffs cutline.
  • Quoting Currey: Do you use shifting to your advantage here as an offensive or defensive move?

“I think shifting is just something that you have to do here, really. You slow down so much in turns one and two that you can use that option. Depending on where you downshift, you can change the balance of what your truck’s doing. If you’re tight, you can downshift earlier to get the rotation through the center. If you’re on a long run like how we had last year, you can shift in turns three and four as well. It’s a good tool for the drivers to use.”

  • Quoting Hillman: With how much clean air means at Gateway, could we see any two-tire stops throughout the race?

“I think Gateway is a place that gives you the option to short pit or get off-sequence. Two-tire stops might have to be an option to consider, and looking at how some of the past races have been won here, I’d say it’s not a bad option at all. We’ll just have to look at where we’re running throughout the day and see if that is a risk worth taking for us. We need to make up some points, so it’ll be something to pay attention to and see what strategy option works best for us.”
DQS Solutions & Staffing Mission Statement: The core mission of DQS Solutions & Staffing is to attain unparalleled excellence in our specialized domains, specifically staffing and security. Simultaneously, we maintain the flexibility required to collaborate closely with our clients in the creation of innovative products and services within the framework of DQS.

No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Jon Leonard
Matt Mills Racing
@MattMillsRacing
@MattMillsRacing

  • Mills’ Gateway Stats: Matt Mills has made one prior start at WWT Raceway which came in last year’s Truck Series event. Mills qualified 29th, and made up 10 spots to finish 19th in the race.
  • Leonard’s Gateway Stats: Jon Leonard has made a pair of starts on top of the box at Gateway before, both of which came while working with Stewart Friesen. In both races (2021 and 2022), Friesen brought his truck home with a fourth-place finish.
  • On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra.
  • J.F. Electric’s Home Race: Mills’ primary sponsor, J.F. Electric, calls the St. Louis region its home base. Located just over 15 minutes from the racetrack in Edwardsville, IL, J.F. Electric will host a large contingent of its employees at the race on Saturday. On Thursday, Mills will visit the company’s headquarters for an employee day showcasing the the No. 42 race hauler.
  • Welcoming New Partners: The bedtop of Mills’ No. 42 truck this week will feature two new partners that are local to WWT Raceway. Moussalli’s Prime, a well-known steakhouse in Edwardsville, IL, will be branded alongside Lux Nova Laser Studio, a beauty salon also located in Edwardsville.
  • Mills Secures Best-Career Finish at Charlotte: Matt Mills and the No. 42 team put forth a great effort in Charlotte. Mills started the race from 15th, and quietly finished in 18th position at the conclusion of stage one and two. The team came alive late in the going of stage three, and following a late-race pitstop, Mills rocketed into the top-five. Where he initially crossed the line fifth, a disqualification was made through tech inspection. Mills would later be classified in the fourth position, which is his best-career finish in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.
  • Points Rundown: With Mills’ fourth-place finish at Charlotte, he continued his four-race streak of gaining one spot in the points standings. Entering the 12th race of the season, Mills sits in 24th position, seven points behind Mason Massey in 23rd. He is currently 27 points behind Ty Dillon which would break him into the top-20.
  • Quoting Mills: With it being a home race for your sponsors, how much emphasis do you put on running well at Gateway specifically?

“Gateway is definitely a big race for us. J.F. Electric is on our truck all year, but this is a race that they go all-out with on the hospitality aspect. All the men and women that are their employees really want to see their truck run well in their backyard, so we’ve been putting a lot of time in the sim to prepare for it. For us, it’s one of the biggest races of the year.”

  • Quoting Leonard: What makes Gateway such a difficult track to set your truck up for?

“I like to think of this track as being pretty similar to Darlington in that both ends are so different, but there’s not as much tire falloff here. You can shift, but you don’t have to. It’s a big flat track, and a big short track. I think getting the truck to turn on the flat end will be important. I think our short track package is pretty good, so we’ll stick to that and roll with it.”

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

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

No. 45 Chevy Accessories Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Connor Mosack | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

  • Mosack Returns: Rookie Connor Mosack returns to Niece Motorsports for the second start of his part-time schedule in the No. 45 Chevrolet. Mosack last drove for the team at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he finished in 19th. He has also spent time driving for Spire Motorsports in the No. 7 Silverado RST, and plans to make sporadic NASCAR Xfinity Series starts for JR Motorsports later this year. The driver from Charlotte, NC has made a handful of ARCA Menards Series starts this season for Pinnacle Racing Group and recently secured his second-career victory at Kansas Speedway. He competes full-time in the Trans Am National Championship for Silver Hare Racing.
  • Mosack’s Gateway Stats: Connor Mosack will make his first NASCAR Truck Series start at WWT Raceway on Saturday. Though this will be his first start on the oval, Mosack has raced before on Gateway’s road course layout. Three weeks ago, Mosack finished sixth in the Trans Am TA2 event held on the 2.0-mile course.
  • Gould’s Gateway Stats: Phil Gould has called five NASCAR Truck Series races at WWT Raceway, resulting in four top-10 finishes. In 2019, Gould navigated Ross Chastain to victory lane at the 1.25-mile track, marking Niece Motorsports’ second NCTS win. Last season, while working with Carson Hocevar, Gould’s No. 42 team finished in fourth position here.
  • On the Truck: Mosack’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Chevy Accessories. Visit chevy.com/accessories to browse the latest accessories to personalize and enhance your vehicle.
  • Recapping Charlotte: Kaden Honeycutt and the No. 45 team experienced a roller coaster-like eventful day at Charlotte. In practice, Honeycutt damaged the right side of his truck after contact with another competitor. The crew repaired the truck well enough to qualify in the top-10, and after starting ninth, he began to march to the front. Honeycutt would make it up to second at the end of stage one (later credited with the win), and backed up the performance with a fourth-place run in stage two. Issues on pit road forced Honeycutt to the rear of the field on two occasions, but he was able to rally back to a seventh-place finish.
  • Mosack’s Best-Career Finish: While driving for Spire Motorsports at Charlotte last week, Mosack earned his best-career finish in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series with an eighth-place run. The result was his first top-10 in just his fifth start in the series.
  • Owner Points Outlook: Honeycutt’s strong outing in Charlotte resulted in two positions gained for the No. 45 team in the owner points standings. The team currently sits seventh, seven points behind TRICON Garage’s No. 17 team. With Chastain’s win in Darlington, the truck is locked into the owner points Playoffs.
  • Quoting Mosack: What are some of the benefits and challenges of racing for two different teams in the Truck Series?

“I think the challenges come from the fact that once you’re getting into the rhythm of how one team operates, that stops, and you have to give yourself a restart with the other team. You feel like you still have the momentum in the series with the trucks, but each team does things a little differently. The communication changes and some of the small details make a difference. I think full-time drivers have the advantage of gaining speed by keeping in that rhythm with everybody. The crew chief knows exactly what they’re asking for and vise-versa. Some of the benefits are learning what each team does that the other team doesn’t do. You can apply the differences whether that be through prep or debrief after the race, so there’s definitely some benefits as well.”

  • Quoting Gould: How difficult is it to rotate through different drivers on a weekly basis in the No. 45 truck?

“It’s hard, but it’s probably harder on the drivers since our team is racing every week, no matter who’s driving. We have a bit of a unique situation on the No. 45 team with having these drivers hop in-and-out of the truck and the series as a whole. So from that aspect, it’s harder on them to get up-to-speed if they’re not used to driving the truck every week. I’ve gotten used to all of them now, but it’s all about finding out their personalities and what suits them best so we can give them the most comfortable feel out there.”

About Chevrolet:

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

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

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