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Trans Am Pros, Additional All Stars Confirmed for SpeedTour All-Star Race at Lime Rock Park

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Official Release
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Casey Mears, Andy Lally, Todd Bodine and Adam Andretti Added to All-Star Race Lineup

CHARLOTTE (July 3, 2024) – Parella Motorsports Holdings (PMH) and Lime Rock Park have confirmed that four additional drivers will join the star-studded SpeedTour All-Star Race, July 19-20. An unprecedented gathering of motorsports icons, the weekend will not only feature 19 pairings of racing legends with today’s Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli stars, but it will also celebrate the first IROC event in more than 20 years, as several original IROC competitors reunite with cars raced in the iconic series.

“We’re thrilled to add even more All Stars to our already impressive lineup for this year’s SpeedTour All-Star Race,” said Tony Parella, CEO of PMH. “If the only element to this event was the All Stars, that’d be impressive, but then we’re adding some of our best drivers in Trans Am’s CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series and TA class, and including the first IROC event in over 20 years. The fans in New England have been such great supporters of SpeedTour events; I can’t think of a better place to host the SpeedTour All-Star Race than at Lime Rock Park.”

Joining the SpeedTour All-Star Race will be Adam Andretti, Todd Bodine, Andy Lally and Casey Mears. The group represents some of the best-known names in racing, but also represents a myriad of accomplishments in their own right—including five championships and countless race wins, some of which were achieved in the most prestigious races in the world.

Andretti, Bodine, Lally and Mears complete a star-studded field that includes Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 champions, IROC winners and drivers who have stood atop the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nürburgring, and Daytona. In total, the All-Star drivers are responsible for 11 NASCAR championships, an INDYCAR championship, 13 road racing championships, an IROC championship, three USAC championships and four Rallycross championships.

The SpeedTour All-Star race pairs each legendary All-Star driver with one of the stars from Trans Am or TA2 Club in a spec CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series racecar for the 60-minute race. Drivers will not only be racing for a trophy, as a $50,000 winner-takes-all prize will also be on the line for the race-winning team. The reward has attracted some of the top talent from today’s entrants, with many of the drivers recognized as stars themselves, accounting for nearly 800 starts in Trans Am cars, 48 wins, 221 top fives, 398 top 10s and five championship titles. Expected driver pairings, include:

  • AJ Henriksen with Adam Andretti
  • Barry Boes with Greg Biffle
  • John Atwell with Todd Bodine
  • Tom Sheehan with Geoff Brabham
  • Ethan Barker with Ron Fellows
  • Alan Davison with Davey Hamilton
  • Jim Gallaugher with Ron Hornaday Jr.
  • Sam LeComte with Davy Jones
  • Thomas Merrill with Bobby Labonte
  • Brent Crews with Andy Lally
  • Amy Ruman with Pippa Mann
  • Edward Sevadjian with Casey Mears
  • Adrian Wlostowski with Paul Menard
  • Thomas Annunziata with Ryan Newman
  • Boris Said Jr. with Boris Said
  • Scott Lagasse Jr. with Ken Schrader
  • Ryan Gemmell with Mike Skinner
  • Tristan McKee with Scott Speed
  • Paul Ruth with Danny Sullivan

The SpeedTour All-Star Race weekend kicks off on Friday, July 19, with All-Star drivers taking to the track for a 30-minute practice session, followed by qualifying that afternoon. Fans will have a chance to meet their favorite drivers during the All-Star Autograph Session at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, or during the Pre-Race Fan Walk on Saturday, July 20 at 12 p.m. ET. The SpeedTour All-Star Race will go green at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday.

In addition to the SpeedTour All-Star race, the two-day event will include an IROC exhibition, as well as racing from Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), Prototype Sprint Series Association presented by Hankook (PSSA) and Canada’s Nissan Sentra Cup.

Tickets are on sale now, with advanced ticket discounts for spectator tickets and camping packages at LimeRock.com. Kids 12 and under will be admitted free with the purchase of an adult ticket. All active-duty military and veterans with a valid military ID will also gain free admission.

About SpeedTour: SpeedTour hosts motorsports festivals encompassing America’s top road racing series at the most prestigious race tracks in North America. Competition includes the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli (Trans Am), Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas), Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.), Prototype Sprint Series Association presented by Hankook (PSSA), Ligier JS F4 Series, TA2 Club and more. With 24 events on the 2024 schedule, SpeedTour will exceed 6,000 entries. Between racing, concerts and car shows, SpeedTour events often attract more than 25,000 spectators. Additional marketing and promotional opportunities for SpeedTour are available through SpeedTour Quarterly, a magazine delivered in both print and digital formats, and on SpeedTour TV, a live streaming platform. Learn more about SpeedTour by visiting SpeedTour.net.

NHRA REVEALS FUTURE BUILDING PLANS FOR LUCAS OIL INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK

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Official Release
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Multi-phase plan to include new Wally Parks Tower, renovated suites, new entrance and shifting of pit areas

INDIANAPOLIS (July 3, 2024) – The NHRA announced its future building plans at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, unveiling a multi-phase plan for the legendary facility that includes a new Wally Parks Tower, renovated suites, a new entrance for fans and moving the professional pits to the west side of the facility.

As part of an overall reinvestment into the facilities the NHRA owns and operates, the reimaging of Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park will be a multi-year project and begins this year. The project will take place over three phases:

  • Phase 1: New Wally Parks Tower and Renovated Suites
  • Phase 2: Fan Enhancements, New Entrance, New Restrooms, New Ticket Office and Ditch Relocation
  • Phase 3: Shifting the Pro Pits to West Side of the Facility

The new Wally Parks Tower is set to be completed in time for the 2025 NHRA U.S. Nationals and will be an impressive three-story facility that will feature race control, media center, television broadcasting capabilities and three suites on the third floor.

The open-air covered roof will include an overview area and an event space that can host more than 500 people. The state-of-the-art tower will also have dedicated bathrooms, staircase and an elevator and will sit in the same area as the previous tower.

“We’re very excited to introduce these plans for Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. The U.S. Nationals is the hallmark of our schedule and we’re investing for the long-term to continue to make this the crown jewel on the NHRA schedule and as a facility on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour,” NHRA Vice President of Track Management and Operations Kasey Coler said.

“This project is the start of a multi-phase approach and it’s a project that will provide improvements for all the stakeholders involved in the sport: race teams, fans, sponsors, media and race officials. There’s going to be something for everyone and we’re so thrilled to see this project come to life.”

Along with the new tower, a major overhaul on the current eight suites above the west side grandstands will begin in November. Each suite will receive a full remodel and new elevators for the suites will also be installed.

From there, the focus during the second phase will move into creating a new entrance on the west side of the track, aligning with the new road that was built by the city of Brownsburg to lead into the property. The ditch relocation will be part of this phase, as well several different fan enhancements, including a new ADA parking lot, upgraded parking and transportation options, new and renovated restrooms and food and beverage buildings, an updated ticketing building and more.

With that in place, the third phase will include bringing the professional pits, the manufacturers midway and the fan experiences to the west side of the track, which will be paved. Fan parking will also shift to that side of the track, allowing fans easier access to the pro pits and a more fan-friendly way to enjoy both sides of the track. A road will also be placed at the top end of the track, allowing traffic to both sides of the facility.

Racers in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will move to the east side of the pits (where the professional classes currently are parked), helping better serve all the racers competing at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

That phase will also include an investment in a new ADA parking lot, enhanced parking options and updated transportation options, as well as renovated restrooms, food and beverage buildings, an updated ticketing building and much more.

“There will be a lot of updates to the fan amenities, either refreshing what we have or introducing new options,” Coler said. “It’s exciting to see what the future holds for this great facility.”

Full renderings of the new Wally Parks Tower and upcoming renovations will also be on display at the upcoming 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, which takes place Aug. 28-Sept. 2 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

To purchase tickets to the 70th annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information on NHRA, including the 2024 schedule, please 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

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.

Spire Motorsports Grant Park 165 Race Advance

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Official Release
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  • In last year’s inaugural Chicago Street Race, Spire Motorsports finished 14th and 35th with drivers Corey LaJoie and Ty Dillon. In 2024, Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NCS with LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
  • The Grant Park 165 from Historic Grant Park in downtown Chicago will be televised live on NBC Sunday, July 7, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 20th of 36 races on the 2024 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

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

  • Corey LaJoie heads to the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend behind the wheel of the No. 7 Celsius Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
  • The Grant Park 165 will mark LaJoie’s second start at NASCAR’s Chicago Street Course. LaJoie started 19th and finished 14th in last season’s inaugural event.
  • CELSIUS® is a better-for-you, premium alternative to sugary energy drinks. Made with 7 Essential Vitamins, CELSIUS has the perfect balance of flavor and energy that serves as an awesome pick-me-up for active lifestyles. CELSIUS was created to help people LIVE FIT, exceed their goals and elevate their everyday lives.
  • In addition to Sunday’s Grant Park 165, CELSIUS will also be showcased as LaJoie’s primary sponsor later this summer at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
  • LaJoie recorded a series-best 11th-place finish in road-racing competition in the 2023 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
  • LaJoie started 21st and finished 20th in last weekend’s Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway. The 32-year-old, father of three has led 38 laps in 2024 and is currently 29th in points.
  • Over 255 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
You raced your way to the front of the field last weekend at Nashville and while your finish wasn’t reflective of your overall performance, it was still a good run. Now, we flip the script from an oval to the Chicago Street Race. What’s your perspective heading into this weekend?
“We ran 14th at the Chicago Street Course last year and our goal is to better that this weekend. Our road course program has been solid so we’re looking to have a great run in the Celsius Camaro. There’s no margin for error on the race track so we have to be perfect all weekend. I’m looking forward to going back to Chicago this weekend and putting on a great show.”

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

  • After posting a career best second-place finish at Nashville Superspeedway Sunday night, No. 71 Focused Health Chevrolet driver Zane Smith hopes to continue that momentum Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series’ second running of the Chicago Street Race.
  • The Spire Motorsports driver survived a record-breaking five overtime attempts, battled three abreast with the leaders in the final turn before falling just 0.068 seconds short of capturing his first checkered flag in NASCAR’s premier division.
  • Smith’s runner-up finish at Nashville Superspeedway marked Spire Motorsports’ second top-two effort since its 2019 inception. Justin Haley earned the team’s lone NCS win when he took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019.
  • The rookie driver makes his 29th-career Cup Series start on Sunday but has never raced on a street course. He’s enjoyed two of his best results this season on road courses, a 19th-place finish at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas in March and a 16th-place finish at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in June.
  • Focused Health is a National Health Insurance agency founded by industry veterans with over 60 years combined industry experience. Primarily focused on the government programs space, Focused Health partners with payors and employers to deliver health insurance solutions for individuals and families. For more information visit AtFocusedHealth.com.
  • Race fans can order Focused Health No. 71 Zane Smith merchandise at Zanesmithracing.com.

Zane Smith Quotes
Career best second-place finish last weekend in Nashville. How does that feel and how will you carry this momentum with you?
“It feels so good to put a solid weekend together. It was an awesome result and obviously it stinks to be 0.068 seconds away from my first Cup victory. You never know when you might get a shot at that again. But, so proud of my team for pulling the second-place finish off and the strategy we chose. We know what our cars are capable of now. Going to build off this momentum and continue to learn and get better. I’m looking forward to getting to Chicago this weekend. I’ve heard how cool of an event it was last year and I’m excited to make my first start on a street course.”

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

  • Carson Hocevar will make his first NCS start on the Chicago Street Course this weekend in the Grant Park 165 driving the No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports.
  • Hocevar started 15th and finished 16th in last Sunday’s Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway.
  • 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.
  • Over the course of the season’s first 19 races, Hocevar has notched two top-10 and five top-15 finishes.
  • Hocevar has two NCS roadcourse starts on his resume and has recorded an average start of 15.5 and an average finish of 19.5. The Portage, Mich., native finished 22nd at Circuit of the Americas in March and 17th last month at Sonoma Raceway.
  • Hocevar will be a guest on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 Saturday at 11 a.m. Central Time.
  • Fans can also join Hocevar on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Chevy Display in the Fan Plaza.

Carson Hocevar Quotes
Even though it’s your debut at the Chicago Street Race, you’ve been putting in extra prep time since last year. Has that extra effort made you feel more ready heading into race week?
“I did a lot of prep work in the SIM. It’s kind of weird to say, I’ve gotten a ton of laps on the Chicago Street Course but I’ve never raced there, so I’m really looking forward to just getting on the actual race track. The SIM was interesting last year without all the buildings, it was just completely bare so I’m excited to go and see the actual Chicago skyline everyone keeps talking about. The extra time makes me feel good about this week. I feel pretty good. I think we are going to have a fast car and I know we can continue to build and get better at road courses.”
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.

CrowdStrike by Riley Victorious at CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa

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Official Release
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Kurtz, Braun, Catsburg, and James secured a Pro-Am victory in the No. 4 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3, marking a triumphant second year for CrowdStrike as the title sponsor of SRO Motorsports’ premier race.

STAVELOT, Belgium (July 3, 2024) – CrowdStrike by Riley and the No. 4 CrowdStrike Mercedes-AMG GT3 claimed victory in the Pro-Am category of the centenary CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa – outlasting and out-racing the competition in one of the most prestigious endurance events.

George Kurtz, Colin Braun, Nicky Catsburg and Ian James teamed up for a hard-fought victory in the world’s premier GT3 race, the crown jewel on the SRO Motorsports calendar. The quartet completed 472 laps in a race marked by challenging weather and a high rate of attrition in the 66-car field.

Kurtz claimed his second 24 Hours of Spa victory in three years, while Catsburg secured back-to-back Pro-Am class wins. Braun and James celebrated their first career triumphs at the event.

CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa Race Overview

Kurtz, Braun, Catsburg, and James drove a steady and clean race, moving up from their starting positions of fifth in Pro-Am and 60th overall.

The team fought its way through the field, taking its first class lead in the 11th hour, just before rain soaked the Spa circuit. At that point, it became a contest between the CrowdStrike Mercedes-AMG and the No. 100 McLaren. The two entries swapped the lead back and forth during the final eight hours, but the speed and reliability of the CrowdStrike Mercedes-AMG proved too much to overcome. The No. 4 finished first in the Pro-Am cup, and 29th overall.

The Fanatec GT World Challenge America season resumes for CrowdStrike by Riley at Virginia International Raceway on July 19-21, with full race and qualifying coverage available on SRO Motorsports’ official YouTube channel.

CrowdStrike by Riley Driver Race-Winning Quotes from CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa

George Kurtz: “The entire team did a fantastic job all week. The CrowdStrike by Riley guys gave the four of us a great Mercedes-AMG. It really was a war of attrition, so staying out of trouble was the name of the game. We were able to keep circulating and stay out of trouble more than our competition. We kept cranking off laps, so hats off to my co-drivers and team for doing a great job.”

“Until the race is over, anything can happen. I’ve been close in many long races and seen them slip away. Colin, Nicky and Ian did a great job to make sure we could make it to the finish for the win. Winning at Spa for the centenary running is definitely a big honor and bucket-list race to win. It’s one of the world’s biggest events, and I’m grateful to the CrowdStrike and Riley guys for giving us a great effort.”

Colin Braun: “What a great day and great result for CrowdStrike by Riley. With CrowdStrike being the title sponsor of the race, it’s extra special to win it. These guys all did a great job. Our guys on pitlane did a super job on every pit stop and nailed every one. George, Ian and Nicky all drove flawlessly. When you have a race where you execute like that, put it together and get rewarded with the win, that’s all being right with the world.”

Nicky Catsburg: “This is awesome. These days, winning races like this doesn’t come easy. You don’t really win the Spa 24 Hours so easily, so I’m super thankful to these guys for doing such a good job. It wasn’t easy. During the night we had some crazy weather conditions, but we kept it on the track which was really important. Thanks to them and the whole team. I’m really happy to be here.”

Ian James: “To win a fantastic race like the Spa 24 Hours and doing it with friends, there’s no better feeling. I’m really happy with the effort from the whole team.”

The CrowdStrike CXO Experience

The race result was the perfect finish for CrowdStrike, which served as the event’s title sponsor for the second consecutive year. The Spa weekend featured abundant CrowdStrike branding, exclusive hospitality, and unique VIP access, enhancing the CrowdStrike experience.

A highlight of the weekend was the latest in CrowdStrike’s series of CXO Summits. These invitation-only networking events, held around significant motorsports races, provide CrowdStrike executives an opportunity to engage with VIP guests and discuss the latest protections against modern cybersecurity threats.

At the Spa CXO Summit, CrowdStrike CSO Shawn Henry and Angelo Comazzetto, OCISO at AWS, led a private roundtable with C-level peers to discuss the most pressing issues in cybersecurity today.

The Spa weekend also featured Riley garage tours, hot laps around the Spa circuit and tours of Mercedes-AMG’s trackside engineering support unit. Celebrating the CrowdStrike by Riley victory capped off an unforgettable event experience.

For more information, visit CrowdStrikeRacing.com. Follow #CrowdStrikeRacing on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for updates.

About CrowdStrike

CrowdStrike (Nasdaq: CRWD), a global cybersecurity leader, has redefined modern security with the world’s most advanced cloud-native platform for protecting critical areas of enterprise risk — endpoints and cloud workloads, identity and data.

Powered by the CrowdStrike Security Cloud and world-class AI, the CrowdStrike Falcon® platform leverages real-time indicators of attack, threat intelligence, evolving adversary tradecraft and enriched telemetry from across the enterprise to deliver hyper-accurate detections, automated protection and remediation, elite threat hunting and prioritized observability of vulnerabilities. Purpose-built in the cloud with a single lightweight-agent architecture, the Falcon platform delivers rapid and scalable deployment, superior protection and performance, reduced complexity and immediate time-to-value.

CrowdStrike: We stop breaches.

Learn more: https://www.crowdstrike.com/
Follow us: Blog | X | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
Start a free trial today: https://www.crowdstrike.com/free-trial-guide/

Josh Berry to Join Famed Wood Brothers Racing Team in 2025

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Official Release
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Longest-tenured team tabs new driver in multi-year agreement for No. 21 Ford

CONCORD, NC (July 3, 2024) – Josh Berry, a five-time winner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and a current Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate in the NASCAR Cup Series, will pilot the famed No. 21 Ford Mustang for Wood Brothers Racing in 2025.

Berry will become the latest driver on an extensive list of legendary names that have competed for the Wood Brothers when he takes the helm beginning with the DAYTONA 500 on February 16, 2025.

The Hendersonville, Tennessee, native, who received his first go-kart at just eight years old, began to make a name for himself competing locally in a Legend Car as a teenager before ultimately taking his racing skills online. Berry’s talent caught the attention of Dale Earnhardt Jr., which ultimately led to a successful tenure driving Late Model Stock Cars for JR Motorsports.

There, he collected a myriad of wins and numerous championships, including the 2017 CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car championship, the 2019 Valley Star Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway – the most prestigious Late Model Stock Car race in the United States – and the 2020 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national title.

“When you think of the history and legacy of NASCAR, it’s hard to not think of the Wood Brothers and the incredible impact they’ve made on the sport. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a small part of carrying on that legacy,” said Berry. “To be able to add my name to the list of drivers who have piloted the iconic No. 21 is something I don’t take lightly.”

Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active NASCAR team and one of the winningest teams in series history. The team currently has 99 victories in NASCAR’s premier series, with the likes of David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Neil Bonnett, Dan Gurney, AJ Foyt and Buddy Baker all visiting victory lane with the team. The organization also currently enjoys a technical relationship with Team Penske, which will continue, along with major support from Ford Performance.

“Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with a multitude of successful drivers, and now having the opportunity to add Josh Berry to that list is a significant milestone for our team,” said Jon Wood, president, Wood Brothers Racing. “Josh brings a wealth of talent and determination, evident thorough his success in every level of competition, from grassroots NASCAR to present day. He fits the values of our team, and we believe that with Josh behind the wheel, we will achieve great things together on the track.”

Further details regarding the 2025 Cup Series season and sponsorship for the No. 21 Ford Mustang will be announced at a later date. The team will continue to receive support from Ford Motorcraft/Quick Lane.

About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.

About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.”

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

About Ford Performance
Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with RedBull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.

Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop.

Toyota Racing Weekly Preview 07.03.24

By
Official Release
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This Week in Motorsports: July 1 – 7, 2024

  • NCS/NXS: Chicago Street Race – July 6-7
  • ARCA WEST: Irwindale Speedway – July 4 & 6

PLANO, Texas (July 3, 2024) – NASCAR returns to the streets of Chicago for the second time with the Cup and Xfinity Series on Independence Day Weekend. The ARCA Menards Series West holds two races this weekend at Irwindale Speedway out in California.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS

Bell takes over Playoff points lead … Sunday’s frantic race in Nashville further shook up the NASCAR Cup Series points as the Playoffs continue to get closer. After sweeping the stages Sunday afternoon, Christopher Bell now leads the Playoff standings with 24 playoff points and sits sixth in the overall championship points going into the weekend. The Oklahoma native has the most Cup Series stage wins (nine) to go along with his three race victories so far this season.

Hamlin looks for Chicago pole repeat … Capturing his 42nd career pole in Nashville, Denny Hamlin will look for his second straight this weekend in Chicago, where he grabbed the inaugural pole position last season. Hamlin had three poles on road courses last season and looks to add a third pole in 2024 to go along with those he captured in Nashville and Phoenix.

Reddick seeks to continue top-10 streak … Coming up just short of his second win this season, Tyler Reddick finished third in Nashville, earning his fifth top-10 finish in the last six races. The result also gave Reddick his 12th top-10 this season, which is the most in the Cup Series. Reddick showed promise on the streets of Chicago a season ago, starting second and leading eight laps as he looks to extend his streak this weekend.

Three-peat on the line at Chicago … Following the dominant victory by John Hunter Nemechek last Saturday in Nashville, Toyota and the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing GR Supra each seek three consecutive NASCAR Xfinity Series wins this weekend in Chicago. Nemechek followed up Bell’s win in New Hampshire two weeks ago as the No. 20 team now has five victories in 2024, also entering victory lane earlier this year with Ryan Truex and Aric Almirola. Nemechek will once again pilot the No. 20 this weekend on the Chicago streets, where he finished second last year in the rain-shortened race.

Karam returns to No. 26 … For the first time since Portland back in June, Sage Karam is back behind the wheel of the No. 26 GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing. Karam ran on the streets of Chicago a year ago where he started 11th and finished 22nd. The Pennsylvania native looks to improve upon his best finish so far this season of 17th at COTA.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series West

Robusto eager to continue top-10 streak … Heading into the doubleheader weekend at Irwindale Speedway, Isabella Robusto looks to keep her top-10 streak alive to start off the 2024 ARCA Menards Series West season. The 19-year-old has been inside the top-six specifically in all three ARCA West races thus far, including a third-place finish at Portland.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 28 electrified options.

Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

ALEX LABBE TO RETURN TO XFINITY SERIES AT CHICAGO WITH FLOOD BROTHERS DISPOSAL

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Official Release
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MOORESVILLE, NC, July 3, 2024 – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Alex Labbe announced he will compete in this Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 110 at Chicago Street Race.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Flood Brothers Disposal Co. will join Labbe as the primary marketing partner on the No. 07 Chevrolet Camaro of SS-GreenLight Racing.

“We are thrilled to partner with Alex Labbe for the NASCAR Xfinity Series street race in Chicago this weekend. As a local, five-generation family-owned and operated waste and recycling company, we understand the importance of dedication, hard work, community support, and above all, teamwork—values that Alex embodies on and off the track,” said Kevin Flood, CEO of Flood Brothers Disposal Co.”

“This sponsorship is not only an exciting opportunity for Flood Brothers Disposal but also a way to engage with our community and promote our commitment to sustainability and excellence. We look forward to a thrilling race and are proud to support Alex and his team in their pursuit of victory.”

Flood Brothers Disposal Co. is a fifth-generation, family-owned, and operated waste and recycling provider proudly serving the Chicagoland area. With over a century of commitment to our community, they deliver exceptional waste management solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Their comprehensive services include residential, commercial, and industrial waste disposal, along with innovative recycling programs designed to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Rooted in their family’s legacy of integrity, reliability, and customer-centric service, Flood Brothers Disposal Co. combines modern technology with traditional values to ensure efficient, eco-friendly waste management. Their dedicated team works tirelessly to maintain the highest standards of service, fostering long-lasting relationships with the communities they serve. Choose Flood Brothers Disposal Co. for dependable, responsible waste and recycling solutions backed by generations of experience and a genuine passion for keeping Chicagoland clean and green.

“I’m looking forward to returning to the Chicago Street Race. It is a really fun course racing through downtown Chicago,” said Labbe. “I’m thrilled to represent Flood Brothers Disposal this weekend. They are such an innovative company with a long history of service in the greater Chicago area.”

The Loop 110 (50 laps | 110 miles) is the 18th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity

Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice begins on Saturday, July 6, 2024, from 9:00 – 9:50 a.m.

Qualifying immediately follows at 10:00 a.m. The field is set to take the green flag later in the day

shortly after 2:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. ET) with live coverage on NBC, the Motor Racing

Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Central).

For more information on Alex Labbe, visit https://alexlabberacing.com/ or follow him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AlexLabbe36), X (https://twitter.com/AlexLabbe36) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alexlabbe36).

Overstock.com Racing: Josh Berry Chicago Street Race Advance

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Official Release
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JOSH BERRY
Chicago Street Race Advance
No. 4 Overstock.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

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

● A year ago, Josh Berry was part of the 38-car field taking part in the inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series race on the streets of downtown Chicago. A relative road-racing novice, making his 11th of 15 career Xfinity Series appearances on circuits with left and right turns, Berry rolled down South Columbus Drive for the start of the race from his 23rd grid position. He was in that very same position when the race was ultimately called due to weather after completing just 25 of the scheduled 55 laps. In his 15 career Xfinity Series road-course starts, Berry has claimed four top-five finishes and nine top-10s.

● Heading to Chicago, the 33-year-old NASCAR Cup Series rookie is 19th in the 2024 driver standings, 53 points behind the 16th and final playoff position. Berry sits atop the Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings, 25 markers ahead of second-place Carson Hocevar.

● Crew chief Rodney Childers is a veteran of 54 road-course races atop the pit box in the NASCAR Cup Series. In those starts, Childers’ drivers have tallied one win – Kevin Harvick in June 2017 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway – eight top-five finishes and 17 top-10s. Two of those starts came with Berry at the wheel of the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this season at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and Sonoma.

● Overstock.com adorns Berry’s No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the streets of the Windy City, but with the patriotic red, white, and blue colors to commemorate the Fourth of July. The partnership amplifies the recent relaunch of Overstock.com, home of crazy good deals that offer quality and style for less. Overstock.com is for the savvy shopper who loves the thrill of the hunt and it includes product categories customers know and love, like patio furniture, home furniture and area rugs, while reintroducing jewelry, watches and health-and-beauty products.

Josh Berry, Driver of the No. 4 Overstock.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

You turned laps on the Chicago Street Course in last year’s weather-shortened Xfinity Series race. What were you able to learn in those 25 laps that might help you this Sunday in the Cup Series race?

“Chicago is really tight, and I remember it just being a place that takes a lot of attention to get around there. With the corners being pretty heavy braking zones and everyone trying to make the corners, keeping your car clean is really important. It’s tough to pass there, so being patient and methodical is something that will help make it to the end of the race. It’s no secret that I am not great on road courses, so this will be another opportunity for me to learn and just get experience in the NextGen car.”

This is another weekend for you in the NextGen car on a road course. What are some of the things that have helped you adapt this year to this car that is somewhat new to you?

“For me, it’s all about getting comfortable with how the NextGen car handles, what I need as far as the balance goes, and then just learning what it takes to race in the Cup Series. All the different tracks have characteristics that make them unique and require different things and, for me, it’s just getting time in the car and taking in as much as I can each race. I knew my rookie year was going to be hard and I took on this challenge with the mindset that I need to be patient with myself and just try to grow each week. That is the goal again this weekend at a place that I know is a challenge for me, considering my lack of road-course-racing experience.”

The No. 4 team has developed a process for preparing for the weekend – does that change with a place that you don’t have as much experience at?

“No, not really. We try to keep it pretty similar each week – it’s hard to get a really good feel on the simulator just because it’s not the actual car. Ford has a really good simulator and we definitely utilize their tools to get ready each week, but the best thing is just seat time. We also don’t want to put certain races on the backburner because they all are important to me, especially in my rookie season. For us, we weren’t going to shortchange Nashville for Chicago because they are both places that we will need to prepare for. So, no, our process doesn’t really change.”

No. 4 Overstock.com Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Josh Berry

Hometown: Hendersonville, Tennessee

Crew Chief: Rodney Childers

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Robert “Cheddar” Smith

Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin

Engineer: Dax Gerringer

Hometown: Gibsonville, North Carolina

Engineer: Billy Kuebler

Hometown: Saline, Michigan

Spotter: Eddie D’Hondt

Hometown: Levittown, New York

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Daniel Coffey

Hometown: Granite Falls, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Daniel Smith

Hometown: Concord, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Mason Flynt

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Jack Man: Brandon Banks

Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

Fuel Man: Evan Marchal

Hometown: Westfield, Indiana

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Tyler Trosper

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Mechanic: Chris Capaldi

Hometown: Armada, Michigan

Tire Specialist: Zac Lupien

Hometown: Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Engine Tuner: Robert Brandt

Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

Transporter Co-Driver: Jake Zierhoffer

Hometown: Billerica, Massachusetts

Transporter Co-Driver: Stephen Mitchell

Hometown: Woodville, Ohio

Kaulig Racing Weekly Preview | Chicago Street Course

By
Official Release
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Race Notes

Chicago Street Course
Grant Park 165
NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Sunday, July 7, at 4:30PM EDT
USA | MRN | SiriusXM
Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing earned a runner-up finish last year in the inaugural Grant Park 220 at the Chicago Street Course, after leading a total of 23 laps with Justin Haley.
  • So far in the 2024 NCS season, Kaulig Racing has earned six top 10s, 16 top 20s and led 40 laps.

AJ ALLMENDINGER

“I really liked the racetrack last year in Chicago. I thought it was really ‘racey’ for a street course. We definitely didn’t have the result we wanted to, but I’m pumped up to get back there and run both races. I believe with the things we have learned on the road courses, especially with the Cup car, we’ll be better there and have a great weekend.” – AJ Allmendinger on Chicago Street Course

No. 13 Benesch Camaro ZL1

  • AJ Allmendinger will make his second NCS start at the Chicago Street Course and his eighth NCS start of the 2024 season.
  • So far in the 2024 NCS season, Allmendinger has earned three top-10 finishes and led 13 laps.

SHANE van GISBERGEN

“Chicago is a special place for me and I am excited to get back there! The event last year was so impressive, and it was the first-ever street race for NASCAR plus my first time racing in the series. I’m looking forward to seeing what my Wendy’s Saucy Nuggs Chevrolet can accomplish this weekend. It’s not going to be easy; it’s going to be a challenge but it’s going to be fun and hopefully better weather! Thankful for everyone at Trackhouse Racing, Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet and Wendy’s for making this all possible.” – Shane van Gisbergen on Chicago Street Course

No. 16 Wendy’s Camaro ZL1

  • No. 16 Wendy’s Chevrolet driver, Shane van Gisbergen, returns to the streets of Chicago on Sunday to defend his 2023 Chicago Street Race victory.
  • Last year, the 35-year-old Auckland, New Zealand driver became the first driver in 60 years to win in his NCS debut. He also became one of six foreign-born drivers to win a NCS race.
  • The No. 16 Chevrolet is a collaboration between Kaulig Racing and Trackhouse Racing with Travis Mack as the crew chief.
  • The race marks Van Gisbergen’s fourth NCS start of the 2024 season and sixth-career NCS start.
  • Wendy’s® will serve as the No. 16’s primary sponsor on Sunday as it did at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April. Van Gisbergen’s paint scheme will feature Wendy’s Saucy Nuggs® livery as he looks to capture another Chicago victory.

DANIEL HEMRIC

“I haven’t made a ton of laps at Chicago, since the Xfinity Series race was shortened last year, but Kaulig Racing always has a really good road-course program. I’m looking forward to Chicago and learning a lot from my teammates, SVG and AJ. I feel really good about our simulator sessions we’ve had, so hopefully this will be one of our better road-course races this year.” – Daniel Hemric on Chicago Street Course

No. 31 Cirkul Camaro ZL1

  • Daniel Hemric will make his first NCS start at the Chicago Street Course this weekend.
  • Last year, Hemric finished seventh in the first-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race at the Chicago Street Course.
  • After finishing ninth last weekend in Nashville, Hemric has earned three top 10s, eight top-20 finishes and has led 14 laps so far in the 2024 season.

 
Race Details

Chicago Street Course
The Loop 110
NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
Saturday, July 6 at 3:30PM EDT
NBC | MRN | SiriusXM
Team Notes

  • Kaulig Racing earned two top-10 finishes in the inaugural NXS race at the Chicago Street Course in 2023.
  • On road courses in 2024, Kaulig Racing has earned two wins, five top-10 finishes and 84 laps led.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS season, Kaulig Racing has earned two wins, six top fives, 16 top-10 finishes and led 111 laps.

JOSH WILLIAMS

“The atmosphere at Chicago is really cool. It’s a change of pace for us in NASCAR, and I’m happy that the series was able to put it all together again for this season. Hopefully we can run the whole race this time instead of just 25 laps.” – Josh Williams on Chicago Street Course

No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet Camaro

  • Josh Williams finished 36th in the inaugural race for the NXS at the Chicago Street Course.
  • Williams sits 18th in the NXS points standings with three top 10s and 14 laps led.

AJ ALLMENDINGER

 ”I really liked the racetrack last year in Chicago. I thought it was really ‘racey’ for a street course. We definitely didn’t have the result we wanted to, but I’m pumped up to get back there and run both races. I believe with the things we have learned on the road courses, especially with the Cup car, we’ll be better there and have a great weekend.” – AJ Allmendinger on Chicago Street Course

No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet Camaro

  • AJ Allmendinger will make his first NXS start at the Chicago Street Course in The Loop 110.
  • In 2023, Allmendinger earned a 17th place finish in the NCS race at the Chicago Street Course.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS season, Allmendinger has earned three top fives, eight top-10 finishes and led 32 laps. Allmendinger currently sits seventh in the NXS driver standings.

SHANE van GISBERGEN

 ”I’m looking forward to racing the Xfinity car on this Chicago Street Course, obviously I have already raced the Cup car here, but these cars [Xfinity and Cup] are not comparable. So, it is going to be another massive challenge for me but [Crew Chief] Bruce [Schlicker] and my 97 Kaulig Racing team always bring fast cars to the track. Happy to have WeatherTech on board with us this weekend in their home city and hopefully park it in victory lane!” – Shane van Gisbergen on Chicago Street Course

No. 97 WeatherTech Chevrolet Camaro

  • Shane Van Gisbergen and the No. 97 WeatherTech team head to the Windy City this weekend for the second-running of the Chicago Street Race.
  • Although Saturday marks Van Gisbergen’s first NXS start at the sport’s only street course, last year he became the first driver in 60 years to win in his NCS debut at the Chicago Street Race.
  • The victory helped propel the three-time Supercars champion to switch to NASCAR and embark on a full-time effort with Kaulig Racing in the NXS in 2024.
  • So far in the 2024 NXS season,Van Gisbergen has earned two wins, one pole award, three top five and four top-10 finishes. He currently sits 13th in the driver standings.
  • The No. 97 will sport the white and red WeatherTech livery. For decades, WeatherTech has delivered on its promise of quality and craftsmanship through a commitment to American-made auto, home and pet products. More information can be found at weathertech.com.


 
About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 23 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries, with a part-time fourth entry at select events. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

JR Motorsports — NXS Chicago Preview

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Official Release
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TRACK – Chicago Street Race (2.2 mile street course)
NXS RACE – The Loop 110 (50 laps / 110 miles)
TUNE IN – NBC, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 3:30 p.m. (ET)

Sam Mayer

No. 1 – PCI Pharma Services Chevrolet

Mayer 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 17

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 9

Laps Led: 118

Avg. Finish: 15.8

Points: 10th

  • Sam Mayer heads back to Chicago, Illinois for his second run at the Chicago Street Course on the heels of a top-10 finish at Nashville Superspeedway.
  • At this course last season, Mayer was on a fast track to the front until the rain delayed chaos subjected the young driver to an 18th-place effort.
  • The Franklin, Wis. native is no stranger to road courses as he scored three victories on tracks of this kind last season, including the first win of his NASCAR Xfinity career at his home track, Road America.
  • Mayer and JRM welcome new partner PCI to ride along side the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro in the streets of Chicago.

Sam Mayer

“I am for sure ready for a change of pace in tracks so I am pumped to get back to the Chicago Street Course. Last season at this course, it was hard to really get a feel for the track with all of the different weather hurdles we faced. Road courses have been really good to us in the past so I am looking forward to getting our left and right turns in at Chicago this weekend. Hopefully we get a chance to drive this No. 1 PCI Chevrolet into Victory Lane.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet

Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 17

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 5

Top 10s: 9

Laps Led: 487

Avg. Finish: 14.5

Points: 3rd

  • Illinois native Justin Allgaier scored a third-place finish in last year’s inaugural NXS event on the streets of Chicago.
  • Overall, Allgaier has earned a total of three wins, 19 top fives and 34 top 10s in 56 career starts on road courses in the NXS.
  • Two of Allgaier’s three road-course victories have come behind the wheel of a JRM Chevrolet, with both taking place during the 2018 season at Mid-Ohio and Road America.
  • In three starts on road courses thus far in 2024, Allgaier has amassed one top five and two top 10s, with a best finish of second coming at Portland last month.

Justin Allgaier

“It’s great to be going back home to Illinois this weekend and to be racing in Chicago once again. The atmosphere last year was incredible and I think it will be even better this weekend. We had a really quick BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet here last year; we just didn’t get a chance to really show everything we had due to the weather. Hopefully this weekend the weather will stay clear and we can go out and put on a great show. I know that everyone on this No. 7 team is fired up, especially Jim (Pohlman, crew chief). It’s a home race for both of us and there’s nothing we would like more than to go to Victory Lane on Saturday.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Allstate Peterbilt Group Chevrolet

Smith 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 17

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 3

Top 10s: 9

Laps Led: 53

Avg. Finish: 16.6

Points: 11th

  • Sammy Smith finished sixth in last year’s inaugural race on the streets of Chicago.
  • According to NASCAR’s loop data statistics, Smith ranks second among all drivers in quality passes in the “Windy City”.
  • On road courses 2 miles or longer in length, the 20-year-old has four starts since his debut as a full-time NXS driver in 2023.
  • Allstate Peterbilt Group has been an associate on the No. 8 JRM Chevrolet all season but this weekend in Chicago will be its first of two primary races of the 2024 season.

Sammy Smith

“We’re looking forward to getting to the streets of Chicago this weekend and seeing what we can do. It’s definitely a unique experience to be racing on a street course, but I know that we will have a good game plan when we hit the track. It’s also great to have our friends at Allstate Peterbuilt Group on board our No. 8. Hopefully we can go out there and give them a good show.”

Brandon Jones

No. 9 Menards / Fisher Chevrolet

Jones 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 17

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 1

Top 10s: 5

Laps Led: 20

Avg. Finish: 19.6

Points: 14th

  • Brandon Jones has made 43 career starts on road courses in the NXS and has recorded five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. His best finish of second came at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course in 2020.
  • The 27-year-old earned his first and only road course victory at Watkins Glen International back in 2022 in the ARCA Menards Series where he started second and led the most important lap, the last one, to claim the top spot.
  • Fisher, a leading supplier of nut products for 100 years, will be making its first appearance at Chicago on the hood of Jones’ No. 9 Chevrolet this weekend.

Brandon Jones

“I am really looking forward to going back to Chicago this weekend after the rain put a damper on our day last year. We have been working hard in the sim and at the shop to make sure we are prepared to unload a fast car on Saturday. Hopefully we can keep the car clean and be in contention for the win at the end. This No. 9 team has been putting in the work all season and they deserve a strong finish.”

Connor Mosack

No. 88 Porter Pipe & Supply Chevrolet

Mosack 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 0

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 0

Laps Led: 0

Avg. Finish: N/A

Points: N/A

  • Connor Mosack will make his NXS debut for JRM this weekend at the Chicago Street Course, driving the No. 88 Porter Pipe & Supply Chevrolet under crew chief Andrew Overstreet.
  • The 25-year-old Charlotte, N.C. native has excelled on road circuits in his NXS career, finishing fifth at Watkins Glen in 2023 for his best career NXS finish.
  • Mosack returns to JRM after spending a season with the team’s championship-winning Late Model program. In 24 career starts in JRM equipment, Mosack recorded six top-five and 11 top-10 finishes.
  • Illinois-based Porter Pipe & Supply will make its first start with JRM this weekend in the streets of the Windy City.

Connor Mosack

“I’m looking forward to going to Chicago this weekend with Porter Pipe and JR Motorsports. I’ve raced with JRM before and they do a first-class job as evidenced by the success this No. 88 team has had so far in 2024. Porter Pipe & Supply is an Illinois-based company and racing on your partner’s home turf is always fun. This is a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to see what we can do in the Windy City.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Chicago Street Race: JR Motorsports has competed at the Chicago Street Course a combined five times in the NXS since its first trip there in 2023. In those starts at the 2.2-mile street course, the organization has recorded one top-five and one top-10, with an average finish of 17.4.

In last season’s inaugural event at the Chicago Street Course, JR Motorsports scored a best finish of third with driver Justin Allgaier.

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