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  • CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT MILWAUKEE: Team Chevy Race Advance

    CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT MILWAUKEE: Team Chevy Race Advance

    CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
    HY-VEE MILWAUKEE MILE DOUBLEHEADER
    MILWAUKEE MILE
    WEST ALLIS, WISCONSIN
    TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE
    AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

    CHEVROLET RETURNS TO THE MILWAUKEE MILE WITH MOMENTUM
    Will Power Coming Off of Win in Portland and Looking to Continue His Championship Charge

    • Racing to victory in Portland as well as World Wide Technology Raceway, Chevrolet returns to the Milwaukee Mile with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES seeking a third-in-a-row victory, and 10th of the year, as the season sees three races remaining to the championship.
    • Will Power and the No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet team are looking to capitalize on Power’s previous Milwaukee success, as well as his most recent win in Portland, to continue the charge for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship.
    • Returning to the Milwaukee Mile for the first time since 2015, Team Chevy looks to add on to the four wins in four races during the 2.2-liter twin turbo V6 era since 2012, as well as three NTT P1 pole awards, and 11 podium finishes.
    • Chevrolet swept the podium in three of the four races in the V6 era, including in 2012, 2013, and 2014, while claiming the top two steps on the podium in 2015. In 2012, the Bowtie brand claimed the top six finishing positions, in 2013 the top five, and in 2014 the top four.
    • Additionally, Chevrolet has led 796 of 975 laps led from 2012 to 2015, accounting for leading 81.6% of laps at the historical one-mile oval.
    • Chevrolet looks to score a sixth victory at in five events at Milwaukee in the new V6 with hybrid technology era after winning the debut in Mid-Ohio, sweeping the Iowa doubleheader, World Wide Technology Raceway, and Portland.
    • Team Chevy has nine victories, including the prestigious 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500, six earned NTT P1 Pole Awards, 11 podium finishes, and 992 laps led in 2024 with three races remaining.
    • Overall, Chevrolet has captured 120 race wins since 2012 in the V6 era, in addition to 135 earned NTT P1 pole awards, and 319 podium finishes.

    DETROIT (August 29, 2024) – As the NTT INDYCAR SERIES marches on towards the championship round in Nashville, three races remain for Team Chevy including the Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile doubleheader this weekend. Heading into the event, Chevrolet carries both victorious momentum as well as a winning history at the historical one-mile oval located at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.

    Returning to the Milwaukee Mile for the first time since 2015, Chevrolet holds four victories in the four events held in the 2.2-liter twin turbo V6 era since 2012, in addition to capturing the earned NTT P1 Pole Award three times (2013, 2014, 2015). Of those four events, Team Chevy additionally swept the podium in 2012, 2013, and 2014, while claiming the top two steps in 2015. In 2012, Team Chevy finished first through sixth, with claiming the top five finishing positions in 2013 and top four in 2014.

    “Returning to the Milwaukee Mile this weekend will be exciting,” said Chevrolet INDYCAR Program Manager Rob Buckner. “With three races remaining in the championship, including two this weekend, and the ever-tight, competitive racing, it’s sure to be a show. The track races more like a road course despite it being a short track oval, and with winning history and momentum, we’re looking forward to potentially sweeping another doubleheader weekend like Iowa.”

    So far in 2024, the Bowtie brand has raced to nine victories, including the prestigious 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Starting on pole six times this year, Chevrolet additionally holds 11 podium finishes and 992 laps led.

    The Milwaukee Mile this weekend presents a special milestone for two Team Penske drivers, including Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet and most recent winner on the circuit, making his 300th career start in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Saturday, his 214th for Team Chevy. Power’s teammate Josef Newgarden, driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet, will make his 200th consecutive start.

    Since the beginning of the V6 era in 2012, Chevrolet has raced to victory 120 times as well as captured 135 earned pole awards in 213 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races. In the new hybrid era introduced to competition at Mid-Ohio this season, Team Chevy has captured five wins in six races and looks to continue that momentum with three races left in 2024.

    The Hy-Vee Milwaukee Mile doubleheader race weekend kicks off with practice on Friday, Aug. 30 at 3:35 p.m. ET. Saturday sees qualifying at 2:15 p.m. ET, followed by the 250-lap, 250-mile Race 1 at 6 p.m. ET on Peacock. The second of two 250 lap events, Race 2, takes the green flag at 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday on USA Network. All practice and qualifying sessions broadcast with Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 218.

    WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):

    Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

    “Winning the pole was a massive morale boost, not just for myself, but for the entire team. Just showed how hard we’ve been working; how competitive we are and now the next step is to start collecting some trophies from the races.

    The approach for this weekend, since I’ve never raced here before, will be to have a consistent car. I think we learned a lot from the test, and obviously we want to win on one of these ovals, and I think we’ll have a great shot here at Milwaukee.”

    Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

    “Milwaukee is a very unique track. It’s flat and short and very low grip. So my approach this weekend is just going to be push the limits as much as possible early and get used to driving different lines with the car. It’s going to be hard to race there with the lanes being kind of single file. I think we’ll have a fairly good race car based on our oval experience so far this year. That doesn’t mean anything in INDYCAR racing because the field is tight. Really looking forward to finishing out strong and hopefully getting a couple more top tens. Our test there went okay, and with the application of what we learned, we should be good.”

    Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

    “This will be my first time racing at the Milwaukee Mile, so this will be a new challenge this weekend. Every day we’ll be learning something new, but I’m looking forward to seeing what this weekend has in store for us.”

    Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

    “I’m excited to get back to some short-oval racing in Milwaukee. The ovals have been really strong for us so far and I’m confident that we’ll be competitive. I’m hoping to get back to the form we were in at Gateway and fight for a podium this weekend.”

    Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

    “Doubleheader weekends are always exciting, and this has been a long-anticipated one with the return of the Milwaukee Mile. We need a perfect three races to finish the season and that starts this weekend.”

    Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

    “We’re hopping back to the Milwaukee Mile with exciting low-banked short-oval racing on tap for the first time in over a decade. We’ve been pouring over the data and brewing up some setup tweaks since we tested here in June and, as always, we’ll be aiming to leave the other cars in our draught come Saturday and Sunday in the Brew City.”

    Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

    On finishing the season on the Milwaukee and Nashville ovals…

    “First and foremost, I am incredibly thankful to Ed (Carpenter) for providing me this opportunity. I am excited to drive the No. 20 in the remaining three races and I am fully committed to giving the team my absolute best. While I haven’t raced at Milwaukee or Nashville before, my past performances on ovals have been strong and I’m eager to add these tracks to the list!”

    Ed Carpenter, Team Owner of Ed Carpenter Racing, on Christian Rasmussen finishing the season on the Milwaukee and Nashville ovals…

    “First off, this was a very difficult decision for me to make. I want to make it clear that this is not a retirement announcement. However, the reality is, I have not performed to the level that I expect of myself for the team. Christian (Rasmussen) tested at (World Wide Technology Raceway) prior to the race, and he showed me that he deserves this expanded opportunity. He also had such a strong performance during the Month of May and has earned the chance to continue his development. I am excited to watch him finish the season out strong for the No. 20 crew and the entire ECR team.”

    Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

    “I am very excited for Milwaukee this weekend and the continuation of the oval season! It should be a good weekend. Chevy has won every oval race this season so we’re happy to have Chevy power taking us to the front! We are hoping to continue our Top 11 streak, aiming to get a Top 5 and move closer to the Top 10 in the championship. It will be busy with the doubleheader, but I am looking forward to it!”

    Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

    “Excited to discover Milwaukee. Made some good progress at World Wide Technology Raceway on short ovals and looking to take those learnings to Milwaukee for the double-header weekend.”

    Chevrolet at Milwaukee (V6 era since 2012, pre-hybrid):

    Wins at Milwaukee: 4

    2012: Ryan Hunter-Reay

    2013: Ryan Hunter-Reay

    2014: Will Power, from pole position

    2015: Sebastian Bourdais

    Earned Pole Awards at Milwaukee: 3

    2013: Marco Andretti

    2014: Will Power

    2015: Josef Newgarden

    Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Milwaukee (V6 era since 2018, pre-hybrid): 11

    2012: Chevrolet swept the top six positions.
    2013: Chevrolet swept the top five positions.
    2014: Chevrolet swept the top four positions.
    2015: Chevrolet claimed the top two steps on the podium.

    Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Milwaukee (V6 era since 2018, pre-hybrid): 796 of 975 from 2012-2015 for 81.6%

    2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:

    6: NTT INDYCAR SERIES race as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration.

    5: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration since mid-2024.

    213: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR.

    120: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.

    135: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 138 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather.

    3: Earned pole in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration.

    8: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.

    7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.

    13: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    6: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era.

    34: Number of times Chevrolet has swept the podium in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era. In total, a manufacturer has swept the podium 54 times since 2012.

    29: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer.

    9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver.

    46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.

    *Will Power’s career total of 70 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in INDYCAR.

    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.

  • Chandrasoma, Reger and Lamborghini Austin in IMSA Super Trofeo Doubleheader at Circuit of The Americas

    Chandrasoma, Reger and Lamborghini Austin in IMSA Super Trofeo Doubleheader at Circuit of The Americas

    • Shehan Chandrasoma and Nikko Reger Motivated for More Victories on COTA Home Track Following First Win of the Season at Watkins Glen in June in the No. 21 Lamborghini Austin Lamborghini Huracan Evo2
    • Mark Brummond Makes TPC Racing Debut in No. 02 Tons of Gas Auto Collection Lamborghini Huracan Evo2

    AUSTIN, Texas (August 29, 2024) – A more than two month break between races has done little to diminish the podium and race-winning momentum TPC Racing and the No. 21 Lamborghini Austin Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2 team, and co-drivers Shehan Chandrasoma and Nikko Reger, bring to a “home game” this weekend for an IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America doubleheader at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), August 30 – September 1.

    On Friday and Saturday, June 21 – 22, TPC Racing and the Lamborghini Austin team broke through for their first all-podium and race-winning weekend in TPC’s first appearance at the Upstate New York Watkins Glen road course since 2022. The Glen Pro-Am class race win and podium sweep for Chandrasoma and Reger was their first in North American competition since the No. 21 duo paired up with TPC Racing a year ago. The No. 21 team and drivers won Friday’s first race at The Glen and followed it up with a third-place finish in Saturday’s second 50-minute sprint.

    Now TPC Racing and its Texas-based drivers and Lamborghini dealership partner look for more podium and race-winning success in a city and on a track the No. 21 team drivers and their dealership partner call home. Chandrasoma and his family live in Austin while the Lamborghini Austin premier dealership obviously calls the Capital City of Texas home. Reger also helps keep Austin wheeled as a resident of South Austin.

    The Glen victory was also the first for TPC, Chandrasoma and Reger since the final race of 2023 at Vallelunga, Italy, and a repeat win in either of this weekend’s races would be the first time TPC Racing and its drivers pulled off back-to-back race weekend wins in a season.

    The TPC Racing onslaught at COTA also includes new team driver Mark Brummond bringing his LB Cup campaign over to the team for the remainder of the season. Brummond and his previous team actually paddocked under the TPC Racing awning at Watkins Glen where they secured second-place finishes in both weekend races. Now Brummond and his No. 02 Tons of Gas Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2 will be fully entered and operated by TPC at COTA and beyond.

    Despite missing the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca event in May, Brummond is still in the hunt in the LB Cup title race after The Glen runner-up showings and a victory in the opening race of the year in Sebring last March. He arrives in COTA tied for third place in the LB Cup championship standings, just three points behind the second place competitor.

    A three-day race weekend, the COTA Super Trofeo schedule gets underway with morning and afternoon practice sessions on Friday. Saturday begins with qualifying at 9:30 a.m. CDT with the weekend’s first 50-minute race scheduled to start later that afternoon at 6:10 p.m. CDT. Sunday’s final race of the weekend is set to go green at 10:50 a.m. CDT.

    Both races stream live on NBC’s online Peacock Network in the U.S. while international viewers can watch free flag-to-flag coverage on IMSA.TV.

    Harris Levitas, TPC Racing Director of Race Operations: “We are really excited to get back to Circuit of The Americas. This will be our third trip there this year, and we have achieved a lot of success at that track in the past. We had the opportunity to run the Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2 platform at COTA in Super Trofeo competition earlier this year, so I feel like we already have a bit of a head start despite missing the Lamborghini supported test at the track more recently. The team knows what direction to go in to get the drivers off to a good start to do well. We are coming off of a very good weekend at Watkins Glen, with a victory for Shehan Chandrasoma and Nikko Reger, and we hope to keep that momentum going. This is the home track for both Shehan and Nikko and, of course, the home track for Lamborghini Austin. We welcome Mark Brummond in the No. 02 entry, and we are very excited to have him under our tent for the remainder of the season. He has done extremely well in the LB Cup class, and I know with the right support behind him, and what we have available for him at TPC Racing, he will succeed.”

    Shehan Chandrasoma, Driver, No. 21 TPC Racing/Lamborghini Austin Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO2: “This is my home track and I grew up watching it built from dirt to what it is today. This now my third year in Super Trofeo and I am becoming stronger, enjoying the tracks and getting to know the car. We are working with the right team, a great car and, with my co-driver Nikko Reger, I’m looking forward to the rest of the 2024 season. Huge thank yous to TPC Racing, IMSA and Lamborghini Squadra Corse for putting such a great program and a great racing series together. We are looking forward to bringing a win home for all of my family and friends!”

    About TPC Racing: TPC Racing is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier maintenance, service, tuning and modification center dedicated solely to Porsche sportscars. TPC Racing specializes in R&D and sales of high-performance modifications for Porsche sports cars and race cars, offering a wide range of vehicle upgrades. Best known for a line of forced induction solutions for the Porsche 911, Cayman and Boxster, a long-time focus on only one make, Porsche, has enabled TPC Racing to become experts in Porsche service, tuning, and racing. In 2000, TPC Racing began entering races under its own banner, scoring an SGS-class Championship in 2004 in the Grand-American Rolex Series and was a class winner in the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona, and captured the 2013 and 2016 IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA Gold Cup Championships. More information can be found at www.TPCRacing.com.

  • Two Tri-Cities & Northeast Tennessee Racing Families’ Lineage Takes Another Crucial Step This Weekend

    Two Tri-Cities & Northeast Tennessee Racing Families’ Lineage Takes Another Crucial Step This Weekend

    BLUFF CITY, TN (Aug. 28, 2024) – When Tri-Cities native Nate Monteith made a series of starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, it was the culmination of a dream, and a proud moment for the Mountain Empire. Furthermore, when Sevierville native Blake Jones raced in the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series, it was yet another statement about the racing talent grown in northeast Tennessee.

    This weekend, both families will converge to further the career of another racing generation. Under the guidance of Blake Jones and Nate Monteith, Brayden Monteith will make his first full-size stock car start at the Birthplace of the Stars, Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina, driving a pro late model against some of the discipline’s toughest teams. Hickory has been the launchpad for many famous racing families careers including the Earnhardts, Jarretts, Pettys, Houstons and dozens more.

    “I won’t lie, I’m a little nervous simply because he’s my son and I have all the feelings any dad would in this situation,” said Nate Monteith, who most recently raced in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series across the years of 2007-2013. “But this is what he wants to do, and he has put in the work and done the things he needs to be successful, and that says a lot to me, especially for him being only 12 years old.”

    Monteith will be racing in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series on Saturday night at Hickory, against teams with backing from national driver development programs and NASCAR Cup Series teams. The series is one of the more popular feeder series in the region, leading many of its competitors directly into the ARCA Menards Series and ultimately the NASCAR National Series. One of the drivers Monteith will be competing against on Saturday has already signed a development contract with Joe Gibbs Racing, a NASCAR Cup Series team which fields four cars for drivers such as Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell.

    “I’ve worked with a lot of kids since I got away from racing full-time years ago, but his ability to adapt to a pro late model after never being in a full size stock car was what caught my attention,” said Blake Jones, who has two years of NASCAR Cup Series starts from 2018-19 and is serving as Monteith’s spotter and driver coach. “With how quick he found speed and ran consistent laps, his raw speed was very impressive.

    “You wouldn’t think a kid as young as he is would be able to test only three or four times and be ready to race,” he continued. “It’s usually a long transition from Legends or Bandoleros or karts, or whatever you’re racing, to a full size car. It’s usually a lot because of the physical demands, mental toughness, the speed, and the fact it’s a lot heavier car, but I believe he’s ready for this next step.”

    In private testing, Monteith’s lap times were on pace or faster than pole speeds from previous Carolina Pro Late Model Series events at Hickory over the past season. Before jumping into the pro late model, Monteith raced traditional-style karts across the country and outlaw wing karts on dirt. Other drivers who began their careers on a similar path include Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs and more. He also has spent time in INEX Bandoleros, a stepping stone used by drivers such as Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and dozens more before they ascended to the NASCAR Cup Series. Brayden became the youngest winner in Kingsport (TN) Speedway history with a win in Bandolero competition early in his career.

    “We’ve raced for 20 years after starting the moonshine business, keeping Blake too busy to race, so we have missed going to the track,” said Teddy Jones, Blake’s father and car owner for Monteith’s first career stock car start. “When Brayden started racing in the lower classes, we kind of caught the bug again after seeing him race; we have raced long enough to know talent when we see it. Like the great Dale Earnhardt once said, ‘They either have it or they don’t; you can’t put it in them and you can’t take it out,’ and this kid has definitely got it. Who knows where this ends, the last time we made it to the Cup level with Blake. Only time will tell if Brayden is the next superstar.”

    Adding more resources to the team, the Jones family has secured the expertise of former and multi-time Kingsport Speedway track champion Wade Day, who has his own record of success with two NASCAR Xfinity Series Starts in 2005. Day is considered by many within the industry to be a late model expert and will serve as crew chief and another mentor for the young racer during this stage of his career.

    “The sky’s the limit,” the younger Jones commented. “Nate and I have always been close, he helped guide me a bit as I was working up through my starts in the Xfinity Series and the Cup Series, and from that there is so much knowledge we can point toward kids like Brayden. Ultimately, it’s all about securing sponsorship. Brayden could be in the Cup Series in ten years. We’ve been there and know what it takes, we just have to get all the pieces of the puzzle together at the right time. If he continues to put the work in and stays hungry, anything is possible.”

    The upcoming Carolina Pro Late Model Series race with Brayden can be seen LIVE with a subscription to Pit Row TV (pitrow.tv) and viewed through the channel’s various apps and OTT platforms.

  • Overstock.com Racing: Josh Berry Darlington Advance

    Overstock.com Racing: Josh Berry Darlington Advance

    JOSH BERRY
    Darlington Advance
    No. 4 Overstock.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    Event Overview

    ● Event: Cook Out Southern 500 (Round 26 of 36)
    ● Time/Date: 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Sept. 1
    ● Location: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway
    ● Layout: 1.366-mile oval
    ● Laps/Miles: 367 laps/501.32 miles
    ● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 115 laps / Stage 2: 115 laps / Final Stage: 137 laps
    ● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Notes of Interest

    ● Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway marks the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale. It’s also the site of Josh Berry’s best finish this season, a third-place drive in the Goodyear 400 when the Cup Series first visited the quirky, 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval in May. Berry scored another third-place finish five races later in June at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. Both were one spot shy of Berry’s career-best Cup Series finish of second, earned in only his sixth career start on April 2, 2023 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.

    ● When Berry finished third at Darlington in May, it came in just his 25th career NASCAR Cup Series start. It also allowed Berry to avenge his Darlington debut from the year before when he finished 30th while subbing for the injured Alex Bowman in Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 48 entry.

    ● Last Saturday at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Berry started the Coke Zero Sugar 400 fifth in the 40-car field and scored his first career stage win. He was running second in the closing laps of the race when he was involved in a multicar accident that ended his race six laps short of the finish.

    ● Berry has a pair of top-fives and four top-10s in six career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Darlington, best among them being a runner-up effort in May 2021 for JR Motorsports (JRM). Berry finished fifth in his most recent Xfinity Series outing at Darlington in September 2023, also for JRM.

    ● The Southern 500 will be Childers’ 24th race as a crew chief at Darlington. In his 23 previous races there, Childers has won three times, all with driver Kevin Harvick. The first victory came in the 2014 Southern 500 where Harvick won the pole and led a race-high 238 laps. The second came in the May 2020 400-mile race where Harvick led a race-high 159 laps. The third victory came in the 2020 Southern 500 where Harvick led 32 laps. Only nine times has a Childers-led driver finished outside of the top-10 at Darlington.

    ● Overstock.com adorns Berry’s No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend at Darlington. The partnership amplifies the recent relaunch of Overstock.com, home of crazy good deals that offer quality and style for less. Overstock.com 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

    This is the last race of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series regular season in your rookie campaign, and it’s at a track you have historically done well at. How are you approaching this weekend knowing you can potentially punch your ticket into the playoffs?

    “The biggest thing is to stay focused on our process and not get complacent. This No. 4 team gives me all the tools and support and confidence each weekend to go run hard and try to win races and, this weekend, yes there is more on the line, but as a group we are looking at it as a chance to show our potential as a group. We learned a lot in the spring and we know this weekend is a long race and the track will evolve, so it’s just preparing to react accordingly, keeping the car clean, and trying to maximize on what we do well to get ourselves into the playoffs.”

    This Sunday’s race is 500 miles, and transitions from day to night. How do you mentally prepare for a long race at a track that requires a lot of focus to avoid the “Darlington Stripe.”

    “It’s definitely a challenge to stay focused for such a long race and it is certainly easy to get into the wall a little bit, so doing all you can to just stay sharp and lean into your team during the race is helpful. We all know it’s a long event with a lot of chaos, especially late in the race, so just trying to stay ahead of the eight ball when it comes to not getting too relaxed helps. I think it’s a balance because it’s easy to be too intense and wear yourself out early, but I enjoy short-track racing, so I am kind of used to the long days.”

    NASCAR announced it will race in Mexico City next year. What is your take on that addition to the schedule?

    “I think we need to applaud NASCAR for putting our sport on an international stage. This is the first step for our sport to see what we can do to grow and showcase what NASCAR is to new fans, and I am excited to be a part of the group of drivers that gets the opportunity to build the sport that I love. Hopefully, I can keep learning how to race at road courses so I can be competitive when we go there next June.”

    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

  • TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Darlington Raceway

    TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Darlington Raceway

    TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
    Darlington Raceway

    The NASCAR Cup Series will conclude its 26-race regular season at Darlington Raceway this weekend with one of the sport’s oldest and most prestigious events – the Cook Out Southern 500. Two battles will lie within the crown jewel race. Team Chevy’s Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott are set to compete in a three-way battle for the series’ regular season title. For those drivers on the outside looking in, 500 grueling miles around “The Lady in Black” will fill the final three playoff positions and join Team Chevy’s Larson, Elliott, William Byron, Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez in the chase for the championship title.

    The Darlington doubleheader weekend will get underway with the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200. Coming off yet another top-10 finish that earned him a spot at the top of the series’ points standings, Team Chevy’s Justin Allgaier will look to cap off a season sweep at the South Carolina circuit.

     
    Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington Raceway:

    Sunday will mark the 75th running of the Cook Out Southern 500, with Chevrolet looking to go three-in-a-row in the crown jewel event. One year ago, former series champion Kyle Larson collected his first career Southern 500 victory – also delivering the Hendrick Motorsports engine department its milestone 500th all-time NASCAR national series victory. Prior to that, Petty GMS claimed its first victory in NASCAR’s top division with a playoff upset victory by Erik Jones (Sept. 2022). Undefeated in the Next Gen era, the Bowtie brand leads the series with 29 all-time Southern 500 victories – a record that holds a double-digit advantage over the next leading manufacturer, Ford, with 16.

    The Next Gen Camaro ZL1 has earned victories in three of its five appearances at Darlington Raceway, with Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron, collecting the victory in the series’ May 2023 event. Overall, 23 different drivers have recorded a combined 44 all-time Cup Series victories in a Chevrolet-powered machine at the historic South Carolina venue.

    PLAYOFF PICTURE WITH ONE-TO-GO

    With 25 races complete, just one opportunity lies ahead for the remaining playoff hopefuls to either win or point their way into the final three postseason positions. Among the 13 different drivers that have already solidified their title contentions includes five from the Chevrolet camp: Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron and Alex Bowman, and Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez.

    Of the five winless drivers that remain mathematically in reach of pointing his way into the playoff includes Ross Chastain, who will enter the regular season finale in the 18th position and 27-points below the cutline. The 31-year-old Alva, Florida, native has a pair of top-five finishes in 10 career Cup Series starts at Darlington – one of which came last season in the series’ annual Labor Day event, where he brought home a fifth-place result. While facing a pressure-packed weekend, Chastain does have a boost of confidence on his side, with the Team Chevy driver making a recent trip to Darlington’s victory lane in the Truck Series with Niece Motorsports (May 2024).

    Six Team Chevy drivers will face a ‘must-win’ scenario this weekend to remain in title contention. Among that list includes Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch, who is one of just two drivers still in search of a playoff berth that has a Cup Series victory at Darlington on his resume. While having just one top-10 finish in the Next Gen era at the track, the 39-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada, native will head to Darlington with a strong wave of momentum since returning from the two-week Olympic break – recording back-to-back top-fives, including a runner-up finish at Daytona last weekend.

    AND THE REGULAR SEASON TITLE GOES TO…

    Team Chevy’s Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott will compete in a three-way battle with Tyler Reddick for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Regular Season Championship. While all three drivers endured a challenging race at Daytona last weekend, the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Camaro ZL1 team was able to collect points in both stages and salvage a 21st-place finish to jump back up into the second position in the standings and close the gap to the points lead to just 17 points. Despite suffering a race-ending accident in Stage Two, Elliott still sits third in the standings and 18 points from the lead heading into the regular season finale. The pair of Hendrick Motorsports teammates each have one regular season title to his name, with Larson earning the honors in his championship season (2021) and Elliott taking the title in 2022.

    Of those three drivers, Larson is the only one to have a Cup Series victory at Darlington on his resume – recorded in the series’ crown jewel event one year ago. In 13 career starts at “The Lady in Black”, the 32-year-old Elk Grove, California, native has accumulated three runner-up finishes and an average finish of 9.417 – stats that rank second-best among the series’ active drivers.

    CHEVROLET’S CROWN JEWEL KINGS

    On top of the already heightened playoff pressure comes the challenging task of nabbing a victory in a crown jewel event. Among the series’ active drivers includes 14 that have earned a victory in one of NASCAR’s four crown jewel events (Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500). Second on the list of active drivers sits Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch with four career crown jewel victories – one of which came in the Southern 500 in 2008. At a track that favors veteran experience, mixed with the stellar speed displayed by the No. 8 team since the Olympic break, Busch is a leading candidate to capitalize on his ‘must-win’ scenario to claim a playoff berth. Former crown jewel victors that also sit on the outside looking in on the playoffs includes Busch’s teammate, Austin Dillon, with two wins (2018 Daytona 500, 2017 Coca-Cola 600), and JTG Daugherty Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2023 Daytona 500).

    While already securing a playoff berth this season, Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and William Byron have each earned a spot on the elite list of active crown jewel winners. Larson sits third with three victories – two of which have come over the last year (2023 Southern 500, 2024 Brickyard 400). Byron is one of the most recent drivers to accomplish a crown jewel feat with his victory in the 2024 Daytona 500.

    ALLGAIER AT THE TOP

    Netting yet another stage sweep and his 14th top-10 finish of the season, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier propelled himself into the top position of the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ points standings with four races remaining in the regular season. Looking to close in on his second career regular season title, Allgaier is carrying the momentum of seven-straight top-10 results to a track where he has found great success. In the series’ last seven appearances at Darlington Raceway, the 38-year-old Riverton, Illinois, native has posted finishes no worse than seventh, including three trips to victory lane (May 2021, May 2022, May 2024).

     
    Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Darlington Raceway:

    In May, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier added yet another victory to Chevrolet’s already series-leading win record at Darlington Raceway – delivering the manufacturer its 23rd all-time NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at “The Lady in Black”. The victory also marked Chevrolet’s sixth victory in the past seven Xfinity Series races at the South Carolina venue – a run that dates back to Allgaier’s first of now three career victories at the track in May 2021. Five of those victories have come with a JR Motorsports-prepared Camaro SS, with the pairing of Kyle Larson and Kaulig Racing taking the victory in May 2023.

    ECKES’ PODIUM STREAK CONTINUES

    To no surprise, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes found his way back to the top of the points standings following the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ playoff opener at the Milwaukee Mile Speedway. The 23-year-old Middletown, New York, native netted a 52-point day by driving his No. 19 Silverado RST to his sixth-straight podium finish and 16th top-10 result in 17 races. The result allowed Eckes to build a 16-point lead in the championship points standings, as well as a 60-point advantage over the playoff cutline.

    With the first of three races in the Round of 10 complete, five of Team Chevy’s six playoff contenders continue to sit above the cutline, with Eckes leading Nick Sanchez in fourth (+34), Tyler Ankrum in sixth (+13), Daniel Dye in seventh (+9) and Grant Enfinger in eight (+2). The series will remain idle for three weeks, with playoff competition returning under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway with the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m. ET.

    BOWTIE BULLETS:

    · Chevrolet will pace the field for the doubleheader race weekend at Darlington Raceway. The Camaro SS will lead the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200; and the Camaro ZL1 will lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500.

    · With 65 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has earned a winning percentage of 49.2% with 32 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – 11 wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – 12 wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – nine wins).

    · Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Darlington Raceway:

    Kyle Larson – one win (2023 Southern 500)

    William Byron – one win (May 2023)

    Kyle Busch – one win (2008 Southern 500)

    · In 126 NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 44 victories. In five events in the series’ Next Gen era, Chevrolet has earned three victories – recorded in consecutive events by Erik Jones (Sept. 2022), William Byron (May 2023) and Kyle Larson (Sept. 2023).

    · In 97 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 48 victories – a winning percentage of 49.5%.

    · With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 862 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: 909
    Toyota: 895 (-14)
    Ford: 868 (-41)

    Manufacturer Points Standings

    Chevrolet: 819
    Toyota: 783 (-36)
    Ford: 708 (-111)

    Manufacturer Points Standings

    Chevrolet: 637
    Toyota: 593 (-44)
    Ford: 563 (-74)
     
    TUNE-IN:

    NASCAR Cup Series

    Cook Out Southern 500

    Sunday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. ET

    (USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

    NASCAR Xfinity Series

    Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200

    Saturday, August 31, at 3:30 p.m. ET

    (USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

     
    QUOTABLE QUOTES:

    ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 BUSCH RETRO CAMARO ZL1

    Of the races remaining this season, which track do you look forward to the most?

    “Darlington is at the top of my list of all of the track we race at. I love driving down to Darlington. I like racing at the track in any series there. Obviously got the win in the truck there earlier this year. That was a huge a deal for me personally because I love Darlington so much.”

    What’s your outlook for Sunday?

    “We need to gather a lot of points Sunday night and win. The math is the math. If we have a fast car that will obviously increase our chances. I love Darlington so I can’t think of a better place to be going this weekend. We’ll all know Sunday night if I’m in the playoffs or not. No matter what though, we’re going to keep working hard and going for wins the rest of the season.”

    COREY LAJOIE, NO. 7 CHILI’S CATCH-A-RITA CAMARO ZL1

    Darlington is one of NASCAR’s oldest tracks with a rich history of the sport’s roots. What does it mean to roll off the grid in this historic race?

    “This is a race I circle on the calendar every year. I have so many great memories here as a kid watching my dad race. I’m excited to give our Chili’s Camaro another great run in Darlington.”

    KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 MORGAN & MORGAN CAMARO ZL1

    Do you think you can win at Darlington this weekend?

    “We certainly want to. We ran good there the first time I ran with these RCR guys early last year, but we struggled mightily earlier this year. We’ll just have to go with hopefully a really good package that works and get our job done.”

    What were your first impressions about racing at Darlington as a Xfinity Series rookie in 2003?

    “I would say my first impressions of Darlington in 2003 were just how narrow the track was for how fast you were going around there and the lack of grip. It was pretty intimidating for an 18-year old to go into a place like that and run right up next to the wall but make sure you take care of your right side and not hit the wall hard enough to have damage.”

    Is Darlington a track where you benefit from running either a Truck or Xfinity Series car before the Cup race?

    “I do think that Darlington is a track that you can benefit from running the Trucks or the Xfinity race because you can get that extra seat time. You can feel out to where the wall is, the grip level, and just being able to anticipate how things will change throughout a run or the race and how to stay on top of it.”

    DANIEL HEMRIC, NO. 31 CIRKUL CAMARO ZL1

    “The Southern 500 is one of those crown-jewel events that’s always a privilege to be a part of. I’m excited to be able to spend some time with my family and see a lot of great fans fill that racetrack for one of the biggest races of the year. I think we have a good opportunity to build off what we had in the spring, so hopefully we have the opportunity to showcase that.”

    ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1

    Bowman on the race track characteristics and his goals at Darlington Raceway:

    “Darlington (Raceway) has always been one of the most challenging tracks on the circuit. It’s a very unique, tactical and demanding track for the driver. Being the last race remaining before the playoffs, our team would like to secure some additional playoff points and build strong momentum before Atlanta (Motor Speedway). Looking forward to kicking off the last month of the “Win Your Wheels” sweepstakes at the Ally Activation stage in the fan zone on race day as well.”

    BLAKE HARRIS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1

    Harris on the final points-paying race at Darlington Raceway before the playoffs.

    “If we could win and have the opportunity to carry some bonus points into the playoffs that would be our number one priority. But really, we just need to put together a full race and bring home a decent finish. We’ve had really good race cars the past month or so and not a ton of great finishes to show for it. Some of it due to circumstances out of our control but hopefully we can put together a good race and carry some good momentum into Atlanta (Motor Speedway).”

    ZANE SMITH, NO. 71 FOCUSED HEALTH CAMARO ZL1

    Now you have a Cup Series start at Darlington under your belt, how do you feel going into the weekend?

    “Darlington is a super tough track, hence its name, but it’s also such a historic place that means so much to this sport. I feel more prepared for the race on Sunday night with the experience from the May race. Looking forward to continue the momentum my No. 71 Spire Motorsports team has been carrying this second half of the season and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish this weekend.”

    CARSON HOCEVAR, NO. 77 BON SECOURS/SWAMP RABBITS CAMARO ZL1

    You’re headed to Darlington this week while on a hot streak the past five races. You finished 26th in the spring, what needs to change to keep the hot streak alive?

    “I’m excited to go to Darlington. It’s a place I feel like we’re capable of running well. We struggled in the spring, but I’ve always been fast there. We had a good run last year in the Xfinity car and even in the No. 42 Cup car last year with Luke (Lambert). I know the team put in a lot of work to do better this fall, and so did I. We struggled in Richmond in the spring, and we just finished eighth so I know it’s possible to have improved results.”

    DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 FREEWAY INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1

    Are You Ready for Darlington?

    “Oh yes. I think if you are a NASCAR driver you respect and want to do well at Darlington. It’s such a challenge. It’s a tough track, you have to respect it and race the track as much as you race the rest of the field. Running five hundred miles there isn’t just a mental challenge but a physical challenge as well. If you win there you know you have done something special. We want to win Sunday and get a stage point or two.”

    With the recent string of good runs, is the No. 99 peaking in time for the 2024 NASCAR Playoffs?

    “We hope so. That’s been our plan all along was to try some things early in the season and then be running well when the playoffs start. We aren’t exactly where we want to be at the moment, but we are running better. You always want to do better. Daytona wasn’t much fun but we were running well before we had the fire issue which was kind of freak occurrence. We are excited about our chances in the playoffs and can’t wait for Atlanta to get here. Right now, I’m focused on Darlington.”

     
    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: 11

    Poles: 7

    Laps Led: 1,948

    Top-five finishes: 44

    Top-10 finishes: 96

    Stage wins: 14

    · Chase Elliott: 1

    · Kyle Larson: 8

    · Ross Chastain: 1

    · William Byron: 1

    · Shane van Gisbergen: 1

    · Daniel Suarez: 1

    · Kyle Busch: 1

    CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

    Total Chevrolet race wins: 862 (1949 to date)

    Poles won to date: 750

    Laps led to date: 251,103

    Top-five finishes to date: 4,342

    Top-10 finishes to date: 8,956

    Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

           General Motors: 1,196

       Chevrolet: 862

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 834                                                           

       Ford: 734

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 188

     

    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.

  • Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Colortech Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Colortech Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    Darlington (S.C.) Raceway Competition Notes

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 28, 2024) – Michael McDowell and the No. 34 prepare to face the Lady in Black at Darlington for the Southern 500.

    This race is the final chance for McDowell to lock himself in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff with a win. The 39-year-old has three Top-10s at Darlington, two in the 2022 season and recently a 10th-place finish in May’s Throwback race.

    This weekend the No. 34 will debut a new scheme and sponsor, Colortech. Founded in 1981, Colortech, Inc. is a family-owned, North American-based manufacturer of color and additive concentrates for the plastics industry. As a leading supplier of high-quality polymer concentrates, Colortech plays an integral role in producing a wide range of items, from household goods to industrial materials. With headquarters in Morristown, Tennessee, and manufacturing locations in Tennessee and Ontario, Colortech fosters innovation, achieves high performance, and builds trust-based partnerships that facilitate success. More information can be found at colortech.com.

    The Cup Series will kick off the weekend with practice and qualifying on Saturday, August 31st at 12:30 p.m. ET. The Southern 500 will run Sunday, September 1 at 6:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the action live on USA Network or listen in from the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.

    No. 34 Colortech Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

    DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

    “While we don’t have a win like we did last year through this point, the speed and performances have been there. Darlington is tricky with how you dial the car in with it’s different profiles of corners, but the key to success is finding that perfect balance between the two. If we can do that like we did in May, we will have a good chance to run up front and get the win.”

    CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

    “The Southern 500 is a special race on the NASCAR schedule, especially with it being the cutoff for the regular season. We have had good cars and opportunities all season, just haven’t been able to put it all together to win. Darlington is a very difficult track to plan for, but it’s an exciting challenge. We were able to get a Top-10 back in May, so we have a good plan to get Michael up front.”

    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.

  • NHRA AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Chevy Race Advance | Notes & Quotes

    NHRA AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Chevy Race Advance | Notes & Quotes

    CHEVROLET IN NHRA
    2024 TOYOTA NHRA U.S. NATIONALS
    LUCAS OIL INDIANAPOLIS RACEWAY PARK
    CLERMONT, INDIANA
    TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE | NOTES & STATS
    AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 2, 2024

    CHEVROLET LOOKS TO RACE TO THE HISTORIC NHRA U.S. NATIONALS WINNER’S CIRCLE WITH JOHN FORCE RACING AT INDIANAPOLIS

    • Team Chevy looks to race to the Winner’s Circle this weekend at the crown jewel event of the year, the 2024 Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
    • Austin Prock, driver of the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, enters the Indianapolis race weekend with a stronghold on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship standings, leading Bob Tasca, III by 218 points in second and Matt Hagan by 230 in third.
    • The first to clinch a spot in the Countdown to the Championship in Seattle, Prock has already raced his way to the Winner’s Circle in his debut Funny Car season four times, and a fifth at the season-opening PRO Super Star Shootout event at Bradenton.
    • Racing on behalf of John Force, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, Jack Beckman, a two-time U.S. Nationals winner (2015, 2020).
    • Beckman, who is a decorated 33-time event winner and 2003 Funny Car champion, returns to the seat after a hiatus since 2020 and will accumulate points on behalf of the 16-time champion and is seeking a 17th championship title for Force.
    • While still seeking her first victory since Las Vegas 2 in 2022 and her first U.S. Nationals Wally trophy, Brittany Force, driver of the Chevrolet Accessories Top Fuel dragster, looks to turn around her season at the “Big Go” and shift momentum through the Countdown to the Championship. She currently sits 10th in the points standings heading into the U.S. Nationals.
    • Appropriately, a special Chevrolet Accessories paint scheme will be featured on Brittany’s Top Fuel dragster with John Force Racing, competing in the biggest event of the year.
    • Featured on Force’s Top Fuel dragster for the biggest event of the year, Chevrolet Accessories will adorn her John Force Racing ride for the Indianapolis event.
    • KB Titan Racing holds steady to the first and second positions in the Pro Stock championship standings, with Dallas Glenn leading Greg Anderson by 184 points, while Elite Motorsports’ Erica Enders sits third behind Glenn by 206 points.
    • Additionally in competition this weekend, the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown COPO Camaros as well as the Factory X Team Chevy teams, will compete for the season’s biggest prize, the prestigious U.S. Nationals Wally trophy.

    Quotes:

    AUSTIN PROCK, DRIVER OF THE CORNWELL TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

    “I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of my Cornwell Tools Chevy Camaro SS. It’s been good to reset after a tough weekend and ready to get back on track! We had a great test session and have been hard at it at JFR to make sure we’re prepared to win! We would love to put Team Chevy in the winner’s circle at our biggest event of the year.”

    JACK BECKMAN, DRIVER OF THE PEAK ANTIFREEZE AND COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:

    “The last year that I raced, (in 2020), the world as falling apart. There were four National events at Indy…but only one U.S. Nationals, and I left with the trophy. Fast Forward four years, and now I am strapped into a Chevy Camaro that I think is the baddest racecar in the pits, driving for the coolest car owner, at the biggest race of the year. We have a realistic shot at winning ‘The Big Go’ for PEAK.”

    BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF THE CHEVROLET ACCESSORIES TOP FUEL DRAGSTER:

    “We are at the final race before this countdown kicks off and the biggest of our season. It is going to be a fight for this Chevrolet Accessories team to stay in the top 10 and give ourselves the best shot at chasing down the title this season. We’ve been very successful over the last few seasons in Indy. We have been to the finals in recent years and hope to continue that tradition in 2024 and take home the Wally.

    “The U.S. Nationals race is the event that everybody wants to win. It is our most prestigious race on the circuit and it is the home to our JFR race team. I feel this team has put in such a great effort over the last two years. Winning this week would be redemption.”

    How to Watch:

    The Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals from Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park airs first with qualifying on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. ET with FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Sunday additionally sees the Pep Boys NHRA Funny Car Callout at 5 p.m. on FOX followed by additional qualifying coverage at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Race day Monday sees Finals airing at 12 p.m. ET on FS1 followed by coverage shifting to FOX at 2 p.m. ET. Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

    TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:

    1,461: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time). (One round win was captured by Jack Beckman in Brainerd, 2024 while racing on behalf of Force who is currently recovering from an on-track incident in Richmond, 2024).

    626: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 631.

    167: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time).

    165: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967.

    84: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time). Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) is fifth with 88.

    85: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro SS body.

    47: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force.

    28: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. This is the seventh-consecutive award and ninth in 11 seasons. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.

    26: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car.

    20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA.

    16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force.

    7: Number of Funny Car driver championships.

    2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships.

    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.

  • Stewart-Haas Racing: Darlington NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

    Stewart-Haas Racing: Darlington NXS Advance (Cole Custer | Riley Herbst)

    COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
    Darlington NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
    NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

    • Event: Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 (Round 23 of 33)
    • Date: Saturday, August 31
    • Location: Darlington (S.C.) Raceway
    • Layout: 1.366-mile oval
    • Time/TV/Radio: 3:30 p.m. EDT on USA/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Cole Custer Notes of Interest

    • Cole Custer and the No. 00 Haas Automation team are hoping to rebound after bad luck struck in last Friday’s race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. In the rearview mirror for Custer is a superspeedway where anything can happen as he looks to Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, a track he’s tamed in the past. Custer started 14th at Daytona after a qualifying session shortened by lightning. He ran in the top-10 in the first stage of the race before finishing it just outside the points-paying position. During the stage break, he made contact on pit road with the his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Riley Herbst’s No. 98 Ford Mustang, forcing Custer to pit multiple times to repair damage and putting him a lap down for the start of the second stage. He was able to get his lap back and was running in the top-20 again when he was caught up in a multicar accident on lap 77. The No. 00 team attempted to repair the significant damage, but ultimately ran out of time on the DVP (Damage Vehicle Policy) clock. Custer was forced to retire his Ford Mustang and settle for 32nd-place. Most importantly, it cost him his regular-season points lead, dropping him to second in the standings, 33 points behind new leader Justin Allgaier. Four regular-season races remain.
    • Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 at Darlington will mark Custer’s seventh career Xfinity Series start at the track nicknamed “Too Tough to Tame.” Despite never having led a lap there until this May, the native of Ladera Ranch, California, was credited with the Xfinity Series victory in August 2019, when he crossed the finish line .602 of a second behind apparent race-winner Denny Hamlin, who was subsequently disqualified for a ride-height violation in postrace inspection. It was Custer’s eighth of 14 career Xfinity series victories. In the September 2018 race at Darlington, Custer was runner-up to Brad Keselowski by .738 of a second. Custer finished ninth in his Xfinity Series debut at Darlington in September 2017. Custer has not finished worse than ninth there. In his most recent visit to the track in May, Custer looked to be well on his way to another victory after starting from the pole and leading 21 laps. He ultimately was forced to settle for a third-place result after pit road issues.
    • Custer has an additional seven starts outside of the Xfinity Series at Darlington, all in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2020 to 2022. His best outing there was an 11th-place effort in the September 2021 Southern 500. He’s scored two other Darlington top-15s in the Cup Series – a 12th-place finish in September 2020 and a 14th-place finish in his most recent Cup Series start last September.

    Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

    • Riley Herbst heads to Saturday’s Sports Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in hopes of keeping the No. 98 Monster Energy team’s momentum rolling. After starting eighth in last Friday’s Daytona 250 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, Herbst appeared to be on his way to a third career victory in the final laps of the scheduled 100-lap race. sitting fourth in the second row on the final overtime restart. He was making a charge for the lead when the caution flag flew on the final lap, ending the race under caution. He had to settle for a fourth-place finish, but given damage sustained in a pit road incident after Stage 1, Herbst’s rebound for a top-five was significant in the regular-season standings. Earlier in the race, he finished second in Stage 2 to earn nine bonus points.
    • Saturday’s 200-mile race will mark the 10th Xfinity Series start at Darlington for Herbst. While he’s experienced a variety of results at the track affectionately known as the “Lady in Black,” he’s also earned some of his career-best finishes there. In his nine prior starts at the track, Herbst has earned four top-10 finishes with a best of third, earned in the May 2022 race on the 1.366-mile, egg-shaped oval. While his return there in September 2023 was an up-and-down day of emotions as he was racing to make the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, he came emerged with a sixth-place finish after starting 15th. In his most recent start at the track in May, Herbst started ninth and ended up with a solid seventh-place result. He’ll be seeking his first career Darlington win with the Stewart-Haas team that has been victorious twice there in the Xfinity Series – August 2019 with Cole Custer and May 2020 with Chase Briscoe.
    • With just four races to go until the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs kick off Sept. 28 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Herbst is locked into the 12-driver postseason for the fourth time in five fulltime seasons. His win on July 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway secured his playoff berth, and Herbst has been on a roll ever since. He has collected a total of two stage wins, 176 stage points, and 10 top-10s in the 22 races run so far this season. Currently, he sits sixth in the regular-season standings, just nine points behind sixth-place AJ Allmendinger. Herbst has earned the fourth-most stages points of all Xfinity Series drivers – only eight fewer than his teammate Custer. He has four regular-season races left to improve his position in the standings and accumulate more playoff points to carry over into the opening Round of 12. He is sixth in the playoff standings with seven playoff points.

    Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    Darlington is a difficult track where a lot of drivers struggle to find success. Yet, you’ve earned a win, five top-fives and six top-10s at the 1.366-mile oval in your six career starts. What’s your secret to navigating the track?

    “Darlington is called ‘Too Tough to Tame’ for a reason. It’s such a difficult track for a driver. If your car isn’t set up just right, it can make for a bad race, which we definitely don’t need right now. I’ve been lucky to have some good runs there and continue to score top-10s at such a difficult track, but to put it into perspective as to just how hard this track is, I didn’t lead my first laps until this past May. I got the win in 2019, but that was in such unprecedented fashion. I want to win outright by running up front and crossing the finish line first. We’ve been close, but we just need that little bit more. Luckily, J.T. (Jonathan Toney, crew chief) and the guys have been working hard on it since May, and I know they’ll bring me a fast racecar once again. We’ve been good here, but I know we can be the best of the best.”

    While the NASCAR Cup Series regular season-finale is this week, the Xfinity Series still has four races to go. You’re second, only 33 points behind new leader Justin Allgaier. What do you need in order to get the points lead back?

    “Honestly, we just need to leave the bad luck behind us. Michigan and Daytona were just miserable. In such a good season, we were forced to park our car early in incidents outside of our own doing. Those days are tough as a driver. You replay what you could’ve done differently in your head, but you can’t dwell on it too long. This stretch here is so weird with so many superspeedway races in a month-and-a-half. We’ve got one of my best tracks with Darlington, though, and I’m planning to use that to my advantage. We lost the points lead last weekend, which is hard. We still have a shot to fight for it, though. We just need to get back to where we were. Luckily, we’re locked into the playoffs, but I’m hoping to find our way back to the top of the leaderboard again.”

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

    Darlington has been one of those tracks where you run well but often find bad luck. What do you need to do in order to not only stay out of trouble Saturday, but also find your way to victory lane?

    “Honestly, this racetrack is all about being patient. You can’t get too heated if you’re working your way through traffic or it’ll come back to bite you – which I’ve learned the hard way. I’ve had some of my best runs at Darlington and some of my worst. I’ve made some mistakes and gotten back in the pack, which ended up not working out in my favor and a lot of times ended my day way too early. Bad luck can hit you hard there, and I can say that I’ve seen both the good side and bad side of this track. If we can just keep focused and stay out of bad luck’s way, I know the No. 98 team can find its way to victory lane at Darlington. When it’s been good, it’s been great. We’ve had the speed all year at intermediate tracks, but it’s just about staying out of trouble. I’m excited to get back to Darlington this weekend.”

    With four races to go in the regular season, you are locked into the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs thanks to your July 20 win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Talk about that feeling of being able to prepare for the final regular-season races without having to worry about points racing.

    “It’s like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. We don’t have to watch that points race and can just focus on getting better for the playoffs. We can take those risks to get stage wins and race wins to help us collect playoff points. That’s something that we’ve never really been able to do in the past, and it’s such a good feeling. This No. 98 Monster Energy team has brought me fast cars each and every weekend, so I have no doubt that we can do the same at Darlington. We just have to stay out of trouble and be there at the end. I’m excited to finally be in this spot. We’re able to also experiment and see what will work for the playoffs and what won’t. It’s a good spot.”

  • Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    Darlington (S.C.) Raceway Competition Notes

     MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 28, 2024) – Todd Gilliland returns to the Darlington (S.C.) Raceway for the famed Southern 500. Long John Silver’s will partner with Gilliland for the crown-jewel event.

    Gilliland heads to the 1.3-mile track facing a must-win situation in order to make the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Gilliland has a career best finish of 11th at the “Track too Tough to Tame” in the Cup Series, and a 4th place finish in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. He finished 15th in the May Cup race at Darlington.

    The weekend will kick off on Saturday, August 31 with practice and qualifying at 12:30 pm ET. The Southern 500 is scheduled for Sunday, September 1 at 6:00 pm ET. Fans can watch the action live on the USA Network. Fans can also listen in from the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.

    No. 38 Long John Silver’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

    DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

    “This is our last chance to make the playoffs. Daytona feels like a missed opportunity but that’s just how things shook out. I have to put it in the past, keep my eyes forward, and focus on the task at hand. I think we can get it done on Sunday, but we aren’t going to hang our heads if we don’t. There is still a lot of races left to show the world what we got.”

    CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

    “We had a solid run at Darlington in May, but we didn’t execute as a team to put Todd in contention to win. Our progression since then has really taken off and we’re all proud of that. We’re executing and building fast race cars, we just need to qualify up front and stick to our plan.”

    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.

  • CLARIOS AND OPTIMA BATTERIES ANNOUNCE INDY NXT MILWAUKEE SPONSORSHIP WITH RISING STAR YUVEN SUNDARAMOORTHY

    CLARIOS AND OPTIMA BATTERIES ANNOUNCE INDY NXT MILWAUKEE SPONSORSHIP WITH RISING STAR YUVEN SUNDARAMOORTHY

    The battery industry powerhouses plan to support Wisconsin driver at ‘hometown” INDY NXT event in Milwaukee

    GLENDALE, WI (Aug. 28, 2024) – Clarios, the world’s largest supplier of low-voltage batteries and solutions, as well as the company behind OPTIMA Batteries, has announced an exciting new collaboration with INDY NXT driver Yuven Sundaramoorthy. With the next round of the INDY NXT series near Clarios’ and OPTIMA Batteries’ headquarters, the team looks to debut a new look for hometown hero Sundaramoorthy’s car on the starting grid at the Hy-Vee Milwaukee 100 race on August 31.

    Clarios and OPTIMA Batteries are slated to support INDY NXT rising star Yuven Sundaramoorthy.

    INDY NXT, formerly known as Indy Lites, is an explosively popular open-wheel racing series that feeds directly into INDYCAR, the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States. Featuring a lineup of 16 or more cars, INDY NXT is part of the Road to Indy developmental program. It is the final step for drivers before joining the elite ranks of INDYCAR, with 14 races on America’s most challenging raceways.

    Yuven Sundaramoorthy rose rapidly through the ranks of USF Pro 2000, USF2000, F1600 and karting to become the first Indian-American driver to win an INDYCAR-sanctioned event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2021 and again in 2022 as part of the USF2000 Championship. In 2024, Sundaramoorthy continues his INDY NXT push as a full-time driver for Abel Motorsports, now with support from Clarios and Optima Batteries. Most recently, he claimed his first-ever podium finish in INDY NXT at Worldwide Technology Raceway in St. Louis, Missouri, on August 18.

    The Abel Motorsporrts car driven by Sundaramoorthy will feature a new Clarios-Optima livery for the upcoming round of Indy NXT in Milwaukee.

    The upcoming Hy-Vee Milwaukee 100 race on August 31 will showcase the debut of the Clarios-Optima Batteries-backed Abel Motorsports car driven by Sundaramoorthy.

    “The heart of OPTIMA Batteries is with motorsports and enthusiasts,” said Marketing Director of OPTIMA Batteries Cameron Douglass. “We are constantly looking for new ways to align with drivers and race teams to help take our products to the next level.”

    Fans can see the Clarios-Optima INDY NXT race car in person at the Milwaukee 100 in West Allis, Wisconsin, or live exclusively on Peacock starting at 2:50 p.m. CT on Saturday, August 31. In addition to roaring around the racetrack, the CLARIOS-OPTIMA INDY NXT car will also be at a variety of events.

    For more information on how to see Sundaramoorthy and the CLARIOS-OPTIMA Batteries INDY NXT car in action, click here.

    About Clarios
    Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility. Our batteries and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle and are found in 1 of 3 cars on the road today. With around 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous sustainability focus – advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. We work to ensure 100% of our products sold are recyclable, and we recycle 8,000 batteries an hour in our network. Clarios is a Brookfield portfolio company.

    About OPTIMA® Batteries
    OPTIMA high-performance automotive, marine and heavy-duty AGM batteries are manufactured by Clarios, LLC, the world’s largest manufacturer of automotive batteries. OPTIMA REDTOP®, YELLOWTOP® and BLUETOP® batteries feature state-of-the-art SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY®. This patented design allows OPTIMA batteries to deliver superior performance in both starting and deep cycling applications. The OPTIMA product family also includes a line of Digital Chargers, with advanced multi-stage charging to charge and maintain a variety of vehicle batteries, maximizing battery life and performance. The newest additions to the OPTIMA YELLOWTOP line are now offered in DIN group sizes H6 and H7. This offering allows a variety of modern vehicles, ranging from late-model domestic performance to European models, to experience the power and performance of OPTIMA Batteries. To learn more or to purchase OPTIMA products, please visit www.optimabatteries.com, call 1-888-8OPTIMA (1-888-867-8462) or find @OPTIMABatteries on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.