Author: Official Release

5 KYLE LARSON

Age: 32 (July 31, 1992)

Hometown: Elk Grove, California

Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels

Standings: 1st

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

WIN-DIANAPOLIS: Prior to the NASCAR’s recent two-week break for the Summer Olympics, Kyle Larson earned Hendrick Motorsports’ record-extending 11th Brickyard 400 victory – his first on the famed oval and his series-high fourth win of 2024. With 27 career Cup Series victories, Larson now ranks 32nd on the wins list in NASCAR’s premier series.

TYING A TEAMMATE: Larson’s crown-jewel event win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway marked his 11th victory in NASCAR’s Next Gen car. He is tied with Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron for the most wins since the introduction of the current Cup Series race car.

FOLLOW THE LEADER: With four races remaining in the regular season, Larson leads the Cup standings by 10 points over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott. The Elk Grove, California, native, tops the series with four wins, five pole positions, 28 playoff points and nine top-five finishes (tie) while he is second in laps led (763). It is the second-highest laps led total for Larson through 22 races in his career, behind only his 2021 championship season in which he paced the field for 1,441 laps in the first 22 events.

FIVE-TIME HISTORY: Going into Sunday’s race at the 0.75-mile Richmond Raceway, Larson has captured the pole position for the past three short-track races. The last driver to secure four consecutive short-track poles was Geoff Bodine, who won five straight between 1985 and 1986 in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports entry.

SHORT-TRACK MASTERY: In 2024, Larson has accumulated the most points on short tracks with 170. Over the last 10 short-track races, the 2021 Cup Series champion has secured two wins, three poles, eight top-five finishes and nine top 10s. He has finished in the top six in nine of those 10 events.

EXTRACURRICULAR: In addition to his full-time Cup Series schedule, Larson frequently races dirt. During the two-week Olympic break, he swept the Ironman 55 weekend at I-55 Raceway in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and, on Monday, he won the 29th annual Front Row Challenge at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Larson is now gearing up for another busy week as he looks to defend his title at the Knoxville Nationals.

BIRTHDAY BREAK: Larson celebrated his 32nd birthday on July 31. Since making his first Cup Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 12, 2013, he has accumulated one Cup Series championship (2021), 27 career wins, 21 pole positions, 113 top-five finishes, 175 top 10s and 8,319 laps led. Only three drivers in NASCAR history have led more laps before age 32: Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon and Kyle Busch.

HENDRICKCARS.COM IS HOME: Larson and the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM crew will wear their white “home” fire suits this weekend at Richmond. Every HENDRICKCARS.COM home race this season will feature a unique hat released the week of the event that is exclusively available for purchase at trackside merchandise haulers or to win on HENDRICKCARS.COM. Less than 100 of each limited-edition hat will be made available. Check out this weekend’s Richmond hat here. The No. 5 team celebrates home races in markets where Hendrick Automotive Group car dealerships are located.

SHOP THIS SUMMER: Considering upgrading your vehicle this summer? Shop one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 95 dealerships nationwide, including the Richmond, Virginia, market, which is home to Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond. Customers can also shop from the convenience of home by visiting HENDRICKCARS.COM. The website offers searches by category, make, model and vehicle packages from nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks, and SUVs.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT

Age: 28 (Nov. 28, 1995)

Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia

Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia

Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson

Standings: 2nd

No. 9 Coca-Cola Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

GET TO THE POINT: With only four races left in the regular season, Chase Elliott heads to Richmond Raceway second in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, just 10 points behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson. The 28-year-old driver has one win (Texas Motor Speedway), seven top-five finishes and 11 top 10s in 22 starts this season. Elliott’s 10.5 average finish leads the field and is his best through 22 races behind only the 2022 season when he won the regular season championship. He also has the third-best average running position (10.96) and the fourth-most laps spent inside the top 10 (3,246). The Dawsonville, Georgia, native is tied for both the fourth-most top-five finishes and the fifth-most top 10s.

CHASE-ING HISTORY: Elliott and Martin Truex Jr. are the only two drivers to make it to the finish of every race this season. The 2020 Cup Series champion joins Kurt Busch as the only other driver in series history to have raced all but one lap (or less) through 22 races. The spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway is the only event in which Elliott did not finish on the lead lap. However, he still earned an eighth-place result. Busch completed every lap of the first 22 events in 2016 before an on-track incident kept him from finishing the 23rd race.

SHORT TRACK SAVVY: In 2024, Elliott is the only driver to finish all four short-track events inside the top 10. He’s earned 158 points on tracks less than 1 mile in length this season, second to teammate Larson. His best finish on this track type in 2024 came at Martinsville Speedway where he placed third. In all, he’s made 49 Cup Series short track starts, with one win (Martinsville in November 2020), 17 top-five finishes, 27 top 10s, two pole awards and 1,649 laps led.

RICHMOND RECORD: On Sunday, Elliott will make his 17th Richmond start in the Cup Series. In 16 previous races on the 0.75-mile oval, he collected six top-five finishes, including a runner-up result in April 2018, and seven top 10s. Most recently, Elliott led five laps en route to a fifth-place Richmond finish in March. Additionally, he has made four starts at the Virginia venue in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, never finishing outside the top five and earning a win in 2015.

GREAT GUSTAFSON: On Sunday, No. 9 team crew chief Alan Gustafson is set to call his 37th Richmond race in his 20th season in the Cup Series. His previous 36 starts have come with five different drivers (Kyle Busch, Casey Mears, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Elliott) with a combined 16 top-five finishes, 20 top 10s and 630 laps led. Gustafson has five runner-up results at Richmond.

HOMETOWN BOY: Richmond is the home track for No. 9 team primary race engineer Mark Ziegler. The 28-year-old graduate of West Virginia University is from Glen Allen, Virginia, located approximately 10 miles from the venue. Ziegler has been in the sport for eight years and joined Hendrick Motorsports as an engineer on the No. 9 team in 2023 before being promoted to his current role for the 2024 season.

FASTEST FIVE: The No. 9 pit crew continues to hold the fastest average four-tire pit stop time through 22 events (10.695 seconds). The over-the-wall squad laid down the fastest four-tire pit stop (9.076 seconds) of 2024 at Texas in April. The 2021 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew award-winning group is comprised of Chad Avrit (rear-tire changer), Jared Erspamer (tire carrier), John Gianninoto (fueler), Nick O’Dell (front-tire changer) and T.J. Semke (jackman).

A CRISP AND REFRESHING SCHEME: Coca-Cola will be on board the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Richmond this weekend, marking the first time the Atlanta-based company has served as a primary sponsor for Elliott and the team. Coca-Cola first joined as an official partner of Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 9 team in 2023. Get a look at all the angles of the No. 9 Coca-Cola Chevrolet before it takes to the track.

24 WILLIAM BYRON

Age: 26 (Nov. 29, 1997)

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle

Standings: 6th

No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

24 IN ‘24: William Byron’s 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season started off hot with three wins (tied for the second most) including at the DAYTONA 500. Before the two-week Olympic break, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native earned seven top-five finishes (tied for the fourth-most) and 12 top 10s (tied for the second-most). He has the second-best average starting position (9.67) and the third-best average finish (12.81). In fact, in the last five races, Byron has scored 151 points, which is tied for fourth. After 22 races, he has moved up to sixth in the 2024 Cup Series standings with 16 playoff points.

COUTDOWN IS ON: With four races remaining in the regular season, three tracks have already appeared on the 2024 Cup Series schedule: Richmond Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and Darlington Raceway. In those three races, Byron collected 124 points – the most of any driver.

READY FOR RICHMOND: Sunday will mark Byron’s 13th Cup Series start at Richmond Raceway, where he has a personal-best finish of third that came in April 2022 after starting on the front row and leading 122 laps. Byron came close to picking up a victory at the 0.75-mile track in 2023 when he won stage one and led 117 laps before being involved in an on-track incident that left him with a 24th-place finish. In the Next Gen race car at Richmond, Byron has run 666 laps in the top five (fifth overall) and has led 239 laps – third-best of all drivers and the third-most he’s led at a single track.

RUDY AT RICHMOND: Crew chief Rudy Fugle has seven NASCAR national series starts at Richmond Raceway, including five in the Cup Series, one in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and two in the Xfinity Series. His best Cup Series start at the short track came in April 2022 when Byron and the No. 24 team had their weekend to date at Richmond, qualifying second, leading 122 laps and ultimately finishing third after being passed for the win with four laps to go.

PIT ROAD PROWESS: After 22 races in 2024, the No. 24 pit crew continues to find success, ranking fifth for the fastest average four-tire pit stop (10.967 seconds). The five-person team consists of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire carrier) and Landon Walker (fueler).

VALVOLINE RETURNS: In June, Valvoline Global, a worldwide leader in automotive and industrial solutions creating future-ready products and best-in-class services for partners around the globe, announced that it has expanded and extended its strategic partnership with 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports through 2029. The brand will increase its presence on Byron’s No. 24 car from its traditional two races to eight races in 2024 and six in 2025 through 2029. This weekend’s race at Richmond Raceway will be Valvoline’s fifth appearance as the primary sponsor of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in 2024. Established in 1866, the company’s heritage spans more than 150 years, during which time it has developed powerful brand recognition across multiple product and service channels. Valvoline ranks as the No. 3 passenger car motor oil brand in the DIY market by volume.

48 ALEX BOWMAN

Age: 31 (April 25, 1993)

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Resides: Concord, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Blake Harris

Standings: 10th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

BACK FROM BREAK: Coming off NASCAR’s two-week Olympic break, Alex Bowman is looking to extend his strong 2024 season. Last month, the 31-year-old driver earned his eighth win in the sport’s premiere Cup Series at the Chicago Street Course. Back in February, Bowman also earned a runner-up finish in the prestigious DAYTONA 500. With four races remaining until the playoffs, the No. 48 Ally Racing driver ranks 10th in the standings, 143 points behind the leader.

PUSHING TO THE PLAYOFFS: In 22 points-paying races this season, Bowman has six top-five finishes, 12 top 10s (second-most of all drivers) and 17 lead-lap finishes – all tied for personal bests at this point in a season. The Tucson, Arizona, native’s Chicago win clinched a spot in the 2024 playoffs, and his focus now is to accumulate more playoff points to position the No. 48 team for a deep post-season run.

RETURNING TO RICHMOND: On Sunday, the Cup Series returns to Richmond Raceway, where Bowman will make his 17th start. In his previous 16 appearance at the 0.75-mile track, he has one top-five finish, four top 10s, 19 laps led and has completed 99.5% of his laps attempted. In April 2021, Bowman won at the Virginia venue, marking his first of four points-paying victories that season. His best qualifying effort of 2024 came at Richmond, where he started fourth in March.

SHORT-TRACK SUCCESS: Bowman’s 2021 victory at Richmond isn’t his only short-track win. In October 2021, he led the field to the checkered flag at Martinsville Speedway. This season, his talent continues to show with three top-10 finishes in the last four short-track races. In 2024, Bowman has earned the seventh-most points (124) on short tracks, 46 behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate and leader Kyle Larson.

HARRIS HAS CHOICES: This weekend at Richmond, Ally Racing crew chief Blake Harris has choices when it comes to Goodyear tires on the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. In addition to the standard “prime” tire, teams will be allotted three sets of “option” tires – one for practice and two for the race. The option tires are composed of the same compound as wet weather tires used on ovals. Harris also faced decisions on tires at the Chicago Street Course, where weather shortened the event. As the track dried, Harris opted to keep his driver on the racing surface with wet weather tires while the front runners pitted for prime tires. The move resulted in valuable track position, which Bowman was able to use in the final laps to score the victory.

REVVED UP FOR THE REMAINDER: Following Richmond, NASCAR will visit Michigan International Speedway, Daytona International Speedway and Darlington Raceway before the 2024 playoffs begin. Of the three tracks remaining in the regular season where NASCAR has competed already this year (excluding Michigan), Bowman has earned the fifth-most points in 2024 (107), just 17 behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate and leader William Byron.

VIRGINIA IS FOR BEST FRIENDS: Over the last four years, Bowman and sponsor Ally have donated more than $650,000 to Best Friends Animal Society and its vast network of partners. Every race weekend, the pair donates a total of $4,800 to help homeless pets at a shelter local to the track. This weekend, the charitable donation will go to SPCA of St. Petersburg & Colonial Heights. Animals available for adoption can be seen at the shelter located just 28 miles south of Richmond.

ALLY RACING PIT CREW: The Ally Racing pit crew ranks eighth on pit road for the best average four-tire stop this year (11.059). The No. 48 crew is composed of jackman Allen Holman, tire carrier Brandon Grier, front-tire changer Donnie Tasser, rear-tire changer Andrew Bridgeforth and gasman Jacob Conley.

WIN THE KEYS TO A CHEVROLET CAMARO: To celebrate Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary, Ally and HENDRICKCARS.COM are giving away a special edition Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE to one lucky fan. Only 40 of these cars will be manufactured with the other 39 sold exclusively through select Hendrick Automotive Group Chevrolet dealerships. Enter to win at Ally.com/sweepstakes/nascar. The promotion ends Sept. 20, 2024.

HENDRICK
MOTORSPORTS /

2024	All-Time	Richmond
Races	22	1,367	80
Wins	9*	310*	12
Poles	6*	252*	19*
Top 5	29*	1,261*	69*
Top 10	46*	2,158*	126*
Laps Led	1,192	80,949*	4,621
Stage Wins	10	108	2

*Most **Most (tie)

RICHMOND RICHES: Seven Hendrick Motorsports drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway, the most of any team. Jimmie Johnson (three wins), Terry Labonte (three), Jeff Gordon (two), Tim Richmond, Joe Nemechek, Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman have a combined 12 wins for the organization at the 0.75-mile track.

VIRGINIA ROOTS: Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick was raised on a tobacco farm in Palmer Springs, Virginia, which is 100 miles southwest of Richmond Raceway. Since 1984, his teams have won 41 Cup Series races in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including 12 at Richmond. Hendrick Motorsports is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024.

FOLLOW THE LEADER: A Hendrick Motorsports driver has led the NASCAR Cup Series regular season standings following 16 of 22 races thus far in 2024. The organization has seen its drivers ranked 1-2 in the standings eight times this year, including after each of the last seven races. Hendrick Motorsports is the only team with four drivers inside the top 10 in regular season points.

SHORT-TRACK STACK: With 58 wins, Hendrick Motorsports leads all active teams in victories on short tracks. It has 10 more than next-best Joe Gibbs Racing and 24 more than third-place Team Penske.

THE LAST 34: Over the last 34 Cup Series events, Hendrick Motorsports has not gone more than three races without a win. In that span, the team has logged 13 victories (most by five), 42 top-five finishes (most by four) and 71 top 10s (most by 10). At least one Hendrick Motorsports driver has finished inside the top 10 in 33 of the 34 races.

QUOTABLE /

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the break and getting back to racing: “We got to enjoy some time off after the Brickyard win, but it was good to get back into racing (a sprint car) last weekend and we’re looking forward to Knoxville and Richmond (Raceway) this weekend. We had a good run at Richmond earlier this year and want to continue that this weekend. We’ve got four races left in the regular season and we want to make the most of them prior to the playoff stretch.”

Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on Richmond challenges: “The goal is to have a solid weekend at Richmond like we had in the springtime. The HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet had good pace and balance for Kyle earlier this year. Richmond is always temperature-sensitive, so the conditions will be much different this weekend. And we have the prime and option tire for the weekend, so strategy will be key and there will be a lot to learn throughout the weekend. There are a lot of variables for the field to try to get right. It’s a hometown track for me, so looking forward to seeing family and friends and hopefully have a solid weekend.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on Coca-Cola serving as primary sponsor: “I’m excited to have Coca-Cola on board this weekend. There’s a lot of history with Coca-Cola, with myself and my family, and it couldn’t be a more natural fit. Richmond hasn’t particularly been a strong track for me, but we had a good finish there in the spring, so I’m looking forward to getting back there and seeing what we can do. It’d be great to get this Coca-Cola scheme to victory lane.”

Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the option tire at Richmond Raceway: “It’s going to be really interesting. We ran this tire at North Wilkesboro, but North Wilkesboro had just been repaved so the falloff wasn’t super significant. I think that kind of hurt what NASCAR was trying to do with the option tires. The fact that the tire falloff at Richmond is significant, I think is really good. Ultimately, none of us really know how they’re going to respond there. So, it’s really hard to say what is going to be the optimal strategy or what is going to put you in the best position. So, that all is going to be fun to kind of discover as we go. I’m excited to see with as much fall off there typically is at Richmond and how valuable new tires are, how it’s going to work with the variable of the option tire. I think it’s going to be cool. We’ll see.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on tire options at Richmond Raceway: “We have had some really good runs at Richmond (Raceway) lately and I think we are in a good position to continue that this weekend. The option tires are going to possibly throw a new wrench in things, but with everyone in the same boat, the playing field is even. Getting the most out of practice on Saturday will be crucial to prepare strategy-wise for Sunday. I’m interested to see how it will play out and hopefully we come out on the good end of it.”

Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the importance of practice at Richmond Raceway: “Practice is going to be even more crucial this weekend at Richmond (Raceway) than it has been all season with the different tire options. While we ran the option tires at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the All-Star Race, we don’t think that they will run the same at Richmond given the difference in racing surfaces. Even with the unknowns, we have a lot of strategy options that we can plan ahead of time and then once we have practice on Saturday, we can adjust from there before Sunday.”
​

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Richmond Raceway: “It’s been refreshing to have the Olympic break … but I’m certainly ready to get back racing. It’s always nice to compete at Richmond (Raceway). We got a win there back in 2021 and this spring Blake (Harris) and I qualified well. I think we learned a few things and hopefully we can use that knowledge to perform well this Sunday in the night race.”

Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the summer race and tire choice at Richmond Raceway: “I thought we had a pretty good No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro in the spring Richmond race. We had a really good Saturday and qualified well. I’m looking forward to this weekend and fine tuning some things that we think we have found to improve since then. The option tire will certainly be interesting. There are not enough tires to the point that you would have to run them. It looks like Saturday is clearing up but we should get some practice on it and see how it runs.”

After taking the past two weeks off while NASCAR’s broadcast partner NBC focused on the Olympics, the Cup Series is back in action with Sunday evening’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.

Jeremy Bullins, crew chief of the No. 21 DEX Imaging Mustang Dark Horse driven by Harrison Burton, said the break was refreshing, but he’s anxious to get back to work with the No. 21 race team.

“I have to admit, the two-week break has been great, and we were all able to hit the reset button and get prepared for the end of the season,” Bullins said. “It was nice to spend some time away, but I’m definitely ready to get back to the race track with our DEX Mustang.”

The 400-lap run on the three-quarter-mile Richmond oval is unique in that it will feature two different tire compounds, much like the recent All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

One choice of tires, which will be referred to as Primes, is the standard compound that was used at Richmond earlier this year. The Option tire has more grip – and therefore more speed – initially but is expected to fall off as the laps go by. Teams will have a total of eight sets of tires allotted for the race, six Primes and two Options.

Bullins said that will give him plenty to think about on the pit box as Sunday’s race plays out.

“This week should offer some interesting challenges with the addition of the Option tire that was used at the All-Star race,” he said. “With only having two sets of them for the race, it’ll add some variety to the race strategies based on when teams choose to use them.”

Practice for the Cook Out 400 is set for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to be followed by qualifying at 5:35. The NBC Sports App will carry the coverage of practice and qualifying.

Sunday’s 300-mile, 400-lap race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 6 p.m., with Stage breaks planned for Laps 70 and 230. USA Network will carry the live TV broadcast.

About DEX Imaging
DEX Imaging is the digital document imaging division of Staples, the world’s largest business solutions provider. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions, such as HP, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kyocera and numerous others.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:
Reducing Operating Costs
Reducing Paper Consumption
Increasing Productivity

DEX Imaging has been the recipient of virtually every industry award since the company’s inception, including the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Customer Experience, the prestigious ProTech Service award by Konica Minolta, the Diamond Premier Dealer Award by Kyocera, and the Elite DEALER Award by ‘ENX’ magazine. Other accolades include being named ‘Best Place to Work’ by numerous business journals in the markets DEX serves.

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. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE

Richmond Raceway
August 10-11, 2024

 With the two-week Olympic break in the rearview mirror, the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) will return to competition this weekend – taking on the .75-mile, D-shaped oval of Richmond Raceway. Drivers and teams of NASCAR’s top division have already made a stop at the Virginia short-track earlier this season – an event that saw Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson lead Team Chevy with a podium finish. For the NCTS, this weekend will mark its first and only appearance at Richmond Raceway this season, with “The Action Track” set to host the final race of the series’ regular season.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond Raceway:

The green flag for Sunday’s Cook Out 400 will mark the NASCAR Cup Series’ 136th appearance at Richmond Raceway. Throughout the series’ rich history at the .75-mile Virginia short-track, 17 different drivers have delivered Chevrolet a combined 40 victories to lead its manufacturer competitors.

Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson is credited for Chevrolet’s one victory in the series’ Next Gen era – recorded in the April 2023 event. The 32-year-old Elk Grove, California, native is one of three active Team Chevy drivers with a win at Richmond Raceway in NASCAR’s top division, with Larson joining the likes of his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Alex Bowman, with one victory, and the track’s winningest active driver, Kyle Busch, with six wins.

Chevrolet also owns the record for the manufacturer with the longest streak of consecutive wins at the Virginia short-track. The record was set nearly 16 years ago after four different drivers earned a combined six-straight victories for Chevrolet at “The Action Track” – recorded from May 2006 to Sept. 2008. Seven-time NCS Champion Jimmie Johnson is credited with three of those victories, with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer also each tallying a triumph that led to the Bowtie brand’s record-setting streak.

FOUR SPOTS REMAIN WITH FOUR-TO-GO

Richmond Raceway will mark the NASCAR Cup Series’ final four-race stretch towards the end of its regular season. There have been 12 different drivers that have already earned a victory and a playoff berth this season, with five coming from the Chevrolet camp, including all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers (Kyle Larson – four wins; William Byron – three wins; Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman – one win each) and Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez. Heading into the weekend, four positions remain up for grabs to complete the series’ 16-driver playoff field. Of the four drivers that currently sit above the playoff cutline includes Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, who will head to Richmond Raceway in the 16th position and seven-points above the cutline.

Among the four different tracks left in the NCS’ regular season, Chevrolet has earned at least one victory in the Next Gen era at three of those venues. In addition to Larson’s victory at Richmond Raceway in April 2023, the Next Gen Camaro ZL1 has made three trips to victory lane at both Daytona International Speedway and Darlington Raceway – the most among its manufacturer competitors since the vehicle’s competition debut in 2022. Two of those victories came from Team Chevy drivers that currently sit in a must-win situation to solidify a playoff spot: Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon (Daytona – Aug. 2022) and JTG Daugherty Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Daytona – Feb. 2023).

Rowdy at Richmond:

Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch may be sitting on the outside looking in, but the series’ seasoned veteran will look to capitalize on his playoff pressure experience to secure one of the final four postseason positions. The 39-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada, native is one of only two drivers to earn multiple championship titles in the series’ elimination era. In addition, Busch holds the record for the most consecutive appearances in the Championship Four with five over the last 10 years.

Faced with a must-win scenario, Busch will have a boost of confidence as the Team Chevy driver heads to a track that has fared statistically well for him throughout his storied career. Busch is the series’ winningest active driver at Richmond Raceway with six trips to victory lane in 37 career starts. The two-time champion has earned top-10 finishes in 11 of his last 13 starts at the track – a stretch that also includes a sweep of the wins in the 2018 events and four podium finishes. Busch also leads the series’ active drivers in runner-up finishes (seven), top-fives (19) and top-10s (28).

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS’ ANNIVERSARY SEASON BOOSTING STRONG STATS

While celebrating its 40th anniversary, Hendrick Motorsports is on track to putting together one of its best seasons yet. The organization’s four drivers have earned a combined nine wins in 22 points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races – a winning percentage of 41 percent on the season. Since Hendrick Motorsports’ inaugural season in 1984, the Chevrolet organization has earned the highest winning percentage in nine different seasons. Topping the list is the 2007 season when Jeff Gordon, Casey Mears, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson collected a combined 18 wins and a winning percentage of 50%. The organization’s current driver lineup has added to this record once in 2021, with Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron and Alex Bowman securing a combined 17 victories that season.

WHITE FLAG FOR NCTS REGULAR SEASON

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ 16-race regular season will come to a close at Richmond Raceway this weekend, with Saturday’s Clean Harbor 250 determining the final three drivers that will earn a playoff berth and a shot at the championship title. Among the seven drivers that have already solidified a spot in the postseason includes five drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations.

Three of Team Chevy’s full-time NCTS drivers have contributed to the manufacturer’s series-leading nine victories thus far this season, including McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes (three wins), Rev Racing’s Nick Sanchez (one win) and Spire Motorsports’ Rajah Caruth (one win). After collecting top-five finishes in the series’ last race at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Eckes’ teammate Tyler Ankrum and CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Efinger both punched a ticket into the postseason.

While entering the weekend on the outside looking in, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Daniel Dye sits just five-points below the playoff cutline. The 20-year-old DeLand, Florida, native has seen a strong improvement in his sophomore season – earning five top-10 finishes this season, including a career-best runner-up finish at Nashville Superspeedway earlier this summer.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Richmond Raceway:

Richmond Raceway has hosted 15 events for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, with Chevrolet leading the way with seven victories – a win count more than double its manufacturer competitors combined (Ford – three wins; Toyota – three wins). Among those wins includes both the series’ inaugural and most recent events at the .75-mile Virginia oval, with Terry Labonte (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) earning the Bowtie brand’s first victory at the track in Sept. 1995, and Carson Hocevar (No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet) scoring the win in July 2023.

Eckes Leads in Regular Season Battle:

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes is closing in on his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular season title, with the 23-year-old Middletown, New York, native entering the Richmond race weekend with a 50-point lead over second-place Corey Heim. Week-after-week, the Team Chevy driver has proven to be a title contender. In 15 races this season, Eckes’ three victories have been accompanied by nine top-fives and a series-leading 14 top-10s. Eckes will head to the Virginia short-track with momentum from four-straight podium finishes, including a win at Nashville Superspeedway and a pair of runner-up finishes (WWTR and IRP). Eckes also leads the series with 698 laps led in 2,281 laps completed – earning an incredible laps led percentage of 30.6 percent on the season.

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· With 58 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 51.7% with 30 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – 10 wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – 11 wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – nine wins).

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

Kyle Busch: six wins (2018 sweep, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)

Kyle Larson: two wins (2023, 2017)

Alex Bowman: one win (2021)

· In 94 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 47 victories – a winning percentage of 50%.

· Team Chevy’s Kyle Larson and William Byron are the only two drivers with a double-digit win record in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen era – each recording 11 victories since the vehicle’s competition debut in 2022.

· Among the seven drivers that have already secured a playoff berth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series includes five drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations (McAnally-Hilgemann Racing – Christian Eckes and Tyler Ankrum; Rev Racing – Nick Sanchez; Spire Motorsports – Rajah Caruth; CR7 Motorsports – Grant Enfinger).

· With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 861 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: 799
Toyota: 786 (-13)
Ford: 770 (-29)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 745
Toyota: 708 (-37)
Ford: 644 (-101)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 568
Toyota: 527 (-41)
Ford: 483 (-85)
 
TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series

Cook Out 400

Sunday, August 11, at 6 p.m. ET

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

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Clean Harbors 250

Saturday, August 10, at 7:30 p.m. ET

(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

 
QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Jockey Infinite Cool Underwear Camaro ZL1

What do you think about running the option tire at Richmond?

“It does create another option for us and we are going to have to use the 45-minute practice session on Saturday to learn these tires. It’s going to put a lot on us as race teams, but I think it will make for a more entertaining race on Sunday and that’s what we are all about.”

What did you think about how the option tire worked looking back at North Wilkesboro?

“I thought it was good. The softer tire lasted a whole lot longer than we thought. Obviously, those tires won the race. The trick is learning how long the soft tires will last. If you figure that out, you will have a leg up on everyone.”

You’ve talked about speed and grip, has something changed from last year or is it just the continued evolution of the Cup Series and the cars?

“We came out of the box strong with this car and we are continuing to push the edge and try and be the fastest in the top level of our sport. It’s tough to stay on top. What I am experiencing is it’s very challenging. We’re still putting in the work, we’re still showing up and working hard to get it back.”

What do you think about running the new Jockey paint scheme this weekend at Richmond?

“The new paint scheme is a cheeky way to showcase the incredible comfort of Jockey Infinite Cool underwear. Racing in the summer heat can be intense, and knowing I’ve got the best cooling gear on makes all the difference. I can’t wait to hit the track and see the fans’ reactions!”

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Camaro ZL1

Where does Richmond rank on your short-track favorites?

“In my opinion, Richmond Raceway is one of the best short tracks in the country. It is fast, it is a fun track, and it is also one of the most challenging for a driver to keep up with the track conditions as rubber lays down and the temperature drops throughout the day. It is very difficult to keep the car’s balance the entire time. As a race fan, it is a good place to enjoy a race, and it is fun to watch the strategy part of 400 laps play out during the race. Some guys will take multiple sets of tires during a stage, while others will only take one set of tires and try to make a full run on that one set. The racing action is slick and enjoyable.”

Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Advisor Advantage / Clear Spring Camaro ZL1

How is the option tire going to influence the competition over the course of the weekend?

“We have four opportunities to punch our ticket to the playoffs. The option tire will be a new variable and a new challenge for the teams to overcome. I’m ready to get back to work after the break and finish the year strong.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Cheddar’s Patriotic Camaro ZL1

The spring race at Richmond started on wet weather tires. What can be done to make the wet weather racing better on a short track?

“I thought NASCAR did a good job getting the race started at Richmond in the spring while being on the wet weather tires. I felt like there were some guys that went hard to start and burn their tires up and other guys who kind of came on a little bit stronger later. I would say the only thing that I didn’t like was that the run was too short for the guys that were better on the long run to shine versus those who took off and ran too hard to start.”

The start time for this race at Richmond will be in the early evening with a finish after dark. How big of a factor are those changing temperatures and track conditions?

“I think the night racing at Richmond is the best racing at Richmond. I don’t know that it’ll really make that big of a difference besides the sun going down and being a little bit blinding into turn three but once you get past that into darkness, it’s just a normal Richmond race.”

This race will have a tire strategy element similar to the All-Star race. What effect do you think that will have in the race?

“I think adding in some variable and some differences to some of our races isn’t such a bad thing. It will definitely lend itself to those that want to be aggressive and use their soft tires earlier versus later in the race. The other difference in how the night will flow will obviously be based off of how The natural cautions fall.”

Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Cirkul Camaro ZL1

“The short tracks have been a bit of a tall task for us figure out in this car, but everyone has been working hard to identify the areas we need to improve on. I think Richmond will be a challenge for us, but it’s one we are up for. I’m excited to be back from our two-week break and get back to normal business, which is racing every weekend from now until Phoenix.”

Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1

Bowman on racing at Richmond Raceway:

“It’s been refreshing to have the Olympic break.. but I’m certainly ready to get back racing. It’s always nice to compete at Richmond (Raceway). We got a win there (Richmond Raceway) back in 2021 and this spring Blake (Harris) and I qualified well. I think we learned a few things and hopefully we can use that knowledge to perform well this Sunday in the night race.”

Blake Harris, Crew Chief, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1

Harris on the summer race at Richmond Raceway and the prime versus wet tire choice at Richmond Raceway:

“I thought we had a pretty good No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro in the spring Richmond race. We had a really good Saturday and qualified well. I’m looking forward to this weekend and fine tuning some things that we think we have found to improve since then. The option tire will certainly be interesting. There are not enough tires to the point that you would have to run them- it looks like Saturday is clearing up but we should get some practice on it and see how it runs.”

Zane Smith, No. 71 Focused Health Camaro ZL1

Second half of the season is here, how are you feeling after the two-week break, heading into Richmond?

“I enjoyed the two-week break and feel recharged heading into the second half of the season. We have had a lot of positive momentum on our side the last couple of races and continuing to build off that should set us up for some really good finishes. I am thankful for my 71 Spire Motorsports team and all the hard work they put into making the car better and better every weekend. Looking forward to getting back to Richmond this weekend!”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Delaware Life Camaro ZL1

You had a chance to reset during the break, and you are returning to a track in which you’ve visited victory lane. Do you feel ready to go this week at Richmond?

“I’m excited to go racing, especially because we ran well the last few weeks before we went on break. To be able to finally go back racing is going to be a lot of fun for our group. My last showing at Richmond wasn’t what we wanted, but the transition from trucks to Cup is a whole new level. Knowing what it takes to run solid and win at Richmond still applies. I’m hoping we can bounce back and show what we’re really capable of at this track.”

You won a micro-sprint race at Millbridge Speedway in Salisbury, N.C., during the two-week break. Does racing in other classes help you sharpen your skills in a Cup car?

“I see it as a positive to be able to race whenever possible. It’s fun to go race, and it helps me stay sharp during the time off. Not being in a race car for two full weeks feels super weird, so being able to compete, race and even win is beneficial for me. It gets me ready to go back to racing the rest of the season.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Choice Privileges Camaro ZL1

How was your trip to Brazil?

“It was pretty eventful. I got to marry the love of my life and celebrate with friends and family. Being able to do that was such a cool moment. As for racing, it was great, it was a lot of fun to race at Interlagos and learn a lot about the race, about the cars, about the drivers and about the rules too. Overall, it was a very positive weekend. I hope that one day I can come back and race again.”

What do you think of the new tire rule at Richmond?

“I’m a big fan of this. Because you’re going to see different options. You’re going have to play around with different tires a little bit more and I think that doesn’t make them feel even more.

Right now, it’s not a secret that it’s not easy to pass, like in the old five years ago. […] It takes more work to be able to do something like that. So, I feel like having option tires is one more thing into the equation of the stride and I am a big fan of that.”

What are your thoughts looking back on the Brickyard 400?

“My team did a great job with the strategy. Our car wasn’t horrible, we just never had the track position that we wanted to, to show the speed of the car. We needed to be faster on the straightaways. But all-in-all, I felt like we had a decent Chevy. Still have some work to do, but the team executed a great strategy, so we will take it.”

Connor Zilisch, No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Silverado RST

How have you been preparing for your first truck race on an oval?

“Richmond will be a good challenge for me. I’ve run a lot of ovals in ARCA and late models, so I feel like I’ve been preparing myself all year. We were good in the truck at COTA, but the truck will race a lot differently on an oval. I am excited to get out there.”

Is there any track you’ve raced at this year that compares to Richmond?

“It is somewhat similar to IRP, and you can draw comparisons from Pensacola. But for the most part, nothing is quite like Richmond. The biggest thing I have focused on is my preparation. I wanted to make sure when I show up on Saturday, I know what I’m getting myself into.”

What are your expectations for the weekend?

“I’ve been running well on the ovals and learning quickly. My goal for the year has been to continue to prepare myself each week for the next oval, most of which I’ve never seen before. I believe as long as I prepare, I can be just as successful as anyone else. I’ll show up Saturday ready to go, and hopefully we can put the No. 7 Silver Hare Silverado in victory lane.”

Bayley Currey, No. 41 DQS Silverado RST

What are some differences between driving a truck vs. a Xfinity car at Richmond?

“Mainly just the corner speed, there’s a lot more corner speed in a truck there compared to the Xfinity car. There’s a little less wheel spin, too. Trucks at Richmond, like a lot of these places, are momentum-based so you have to try and keep that up while not smoking the tires off. That’s a big deal here especially for us.”

Matt Mills, No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Silverado RST

What is it about Richmond that tends to fit your driving style?

“Richmond is one of those tracks that you have to be disciplined the whole race. What you do and how you drive the truck on lap one is going to affect how it drives on lap 40. So, just being aware of that and how big the tire falloff is there is important. You have to balance when it’s time to get positions and when you have to manage your tires. Honestly, it’s not a track for an aggressive driving style, and I think that mine is more calculated, so that helps. It’s a home track for me since I was born in Lynchburg, VA, so that has always added some extra motivation as well. It’s been a good rhythm track for me.”

Kaden Honeycutt, No. 45 Moore’s Venture Foods Silverado RST

Do you think having all the recent late model experience will tend to help you save tires on Saturday?

“I think for Richmond, if you’re fast at the start, you’re going to be fast for the whole race; but if you’re not, you’re just not going to be quick at all from start to finish. From what I’ve seen in the past, if you can take off quick on the short run and be able to manage your stuff throughout the whole stage, you’re going to be good. You don’t want to push it too much, especially if you spin the right rear tire. If you do that, you’re just going to make it mad, and you’ll be very free just like a late model. So, you just have to manage that throughout the night. That’s the way to go.”

Rajah Caruth, No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Silverado RST

Richmond is your home track, the place you saw your first race and the site of your first national series start. How special is the venue to you?

“It’s been 10 years since the first race I ever went to. I even have the date, September 5, 2014, tattooed on me. It’s pretty surreal to look back on. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. I remember I was 12-years-old and was surprised with tickets to my first NASCAR race, the Xfinity Series race that fall. Then you look at this season, with how well things have gone and to be in the mix for a championship, it has been quite a ride. I just feel really good about this weekend at this place that is pretty special to me. Hopefully we can have some good momentum to bring into Milwaukee and the playoffs.”

The playoffs start next time out at Milwaukee. How are you getting prepared to go racing for a championship?

“I’m honestly not doing much different. I’ve been mentally getting into the mindset since Nashville. I haven’t taken much time off these last two weeks. Everything is just amplified and everyone is getting excited. I’d be a lot more stressed if we were trying to lock in, but since we got our win and are fifth in points, we are in a really good spot. I’m just ready to compete for a championship and try to be one of the final four at Phoenix.”

Chase Purdy, No. 77 Bama Buggies Silverado RST

In a must win situation, how are you going to attack the weekend?

“We have to remain focused and execute on everything we can. It is all or nothing. We have to put ourselves in position to win and make zero mistakes.”

You’ve run well at Richmond in the past, what about the track suits your driving style?

“Richmond is hard on tires, and a tough place to race, in general. It is a place I’ve had speed at. It is a great place to have an opportunity to capitalize on Saturday night.”

 
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: 10

Poles: 7

Laps Led: 1,649

Top-five finishes: 39

Top-10 finishes: 82

Stage wins: 12

· Chase Elliott: 1

· Kyle Larson: 8

· Ross Chastain: 1

· William Byron: 1

· Shane van Gisbergen: 1

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 861 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 750

Laps led to date: 250,804

Top-five finishes to date: 4,337

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,942

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,195

       Chevrolet: 861

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 833                                                           

       Ford: 733

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 187

 

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.

JUSTIN HALEY | RILEY HERBST
Richmond Advance

Event Overview

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

Justin Haley, Driver of the No. 51 Pinnacle Home Improvements Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Justin Haley, driver of the No. 51 Pinnacle Home Improvements Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing (RWR), will make his eighth NASCAR Cup Series start at the .75-mile Richmond (Va.) Raceway. In the series’ last outing at Richmond in March, Haley finished 32nd. He has a best finish of 21st at the short track, earned in August 2022.

● Haley also owns two runner-up finishes at Richmond in five career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the track, earned in 2020 and 2021, and has another pair of top-10 results. He made one start at Richmond in the ARCA Menards Series East in 2015, finishing 12th in a 35-car field.

● Since the last Cup Series visit to Richmond in March, Haley has earned two top-10 finishes and seven top-20s for RWR. He’s earned the team’s best results at 10 different tracks, including setting a new team-best result with a ninth-place effort at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in May.

● With 22 races completed so far, Haley is ranked sixth among all drivers in laps and miles completed. He sits 29th in the driver standings.

● Pinnacle Home Improvements, headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, is a direct-to-homeowner provider of home improvement services, with a focus on roof replacement, window replacement and other exterior services for existing single-family homes. With additional offices in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, Tennessee, as well as Charlotte, North Carolina, the company’s existing service footprint covers a range of attractive Southeast U.S. markets, with planned expansion into new Southeastern markets.

Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 15 Monster Energy Zero Sugar Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Riley Herbst returns to the No. 15 Monster Energy Zero Sugar Ford Mustang Dark Horse for his fifth Cup Series start and first at Richmond. Herbst’s last Cup Series start for RWR was six weeks ago at Nashville Superspeedway. Overall, Herbst owns two Cup Series top-10s, including a best finish of ninth last October at the 2.66-mile Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway oval, and 10th in his Cup Series debut in the 2023 Daytona 500 with RWR.

● The 25-year-old racer from Las Vegas is the most recent winner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, having collected his second career victory three weeks ago at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Herbst started on the front row, second to his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Cole Custer, and led 30 laps on his way to victory and the right to kiss the Yard of Bricks.

● Herbst owns three Xfinity Series starts at Richmond, which resulted in two top-fives and four top-10s. He earned back-to-back top-fives at the track in 2021 and 2022.

● Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, the company supports the scene and sport. Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports partnerships, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans.

Rick Ware Racing Notes

● RWR’s Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) drivers, Briar Bauman, Kody Kopp and Shayna Texter-Bauman are gearing up for Sunday’s Arrowhead Brass Sturgis TT Presented by Rick Ware Racing and The CAT Rental Store, their second race of the week after competing Tuesday at Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, South Dakota. On Tuesday, AFT Singles rider Kopp earned his 11th podium in 12 races run this season. He leads the championship standings by 25 points with five wins. Mission SuperTwins rider Bauman earned his second win of the year July 28 in the SC2 Peoria TT at Peoria (Ill.) Motorcycle Club.

● Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age six when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that fields two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), where RWR won the 2022 SX2 championship with rider Shane McElrath.

Justin Haley, Driver Q&A

This weekend at Richmond, NASCAR is making the option tire available to teams after first experimenting with them during All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. Will the softer tire option provide any kind of change in the racing we see at Richmond?

“I’m not sure. I think we saw that some people could use it to their advantage at North Wilkesboro, but it was really dependent on their situation. For the most part, I think we’ll see what we always see at Richmond. Everyone will kind of stick to the same strategy until there’s a late caution and a chance to take a risk to make up some ground. But, who knows. Maybe the racing will be completely different and we’ll see the option tire play a bigger role than we anticipate.”

The No. 51 team has come a long way since the last race at Richmond, which occurred on March 31. How has that prepared you for this weekend?

“I think things have just started to come together. When we first went to Richmond, we were still a new team. The guys at RWR have put in a lot of work to improve and it’s worked out to our advantage. We had a couple of weeks off, which was great for them since they work nonstop during the week to make sure we’re ready. So, I’m excited to get back to it with a bit of a reset. I think we can pick up where we left off and keep making progress during these last 14 races of the year.”

Riley Herbst, Driver Q&A

While the NASCAR Xfinity Series is off this week, you will be hopping behind the wheel for your final Cup Series start of 2024. What have these races taught you for the future?

“These select races in the NASCAR Cup Series over the past few seasons have been a whirlwind of an experience. You know the NextGen is different from the Xfinity cars, but you never really know just how much until you’re behind the wheel of one. We’ve had some highs with top-10 finishes at Daytona and Talladega, but we’ve also had some humbling moments as I’m still learning. It’s not as easy to do well in the NASCAR Cup Series anymore, and a lot of rookies struggle because of how different the cars are. Every single race the last two seasons has been a learning experience for me. It’s been preparing me for my future and for the day that I hopefully drive in the NASCAR Cup Series fulltime. I can’t thank Rick Ware Racing and Monster Energy enough for giving me a chance to race on a few Sundays the past two seasons.”

Richmond is one of your favorite tracks in the Xfinity Series. How do you think the NextGen car will handle there?

“You know, that’s the unknown for me. I haven’t gotten any track time in the NextGen car on a short track like Richmond, so I can’t tell you how they’ll handle differently. Still, Richmond is probably my favorite track on the schedule, so I’m excited to get some seat time there in a NextGen car. As a driver, I have a lot more confidence heading into a short track because there is more that you can control. I grew up racing on short tracks, so it’s what I know best. In my past few Xfinity Series races at Richmond, I’ve run up front there and actually looked to be a favorite to win last year. Different things took us out of contention, but I’m always excited to head to this track. It’s one of the best on the NASCAR schedule, so I’m thankful to get a chance to run it in the Cup Series.”