Author: Official Release

  • Josh Berry Returns to AM Racing for Indianapolis Motor Speedway Xfinity Series Race

    Josh Berry Returns to AM Racing for Indianapolis Motor Speedway Xfinity Series Race

    SPEEDWAY, Ind: Building off their NASCAR Xfinity Series debut together last weekend at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, NASCAR Cup Series rookie Josh Berry will drive the No. 15 AM Racing Ford Mustang in Saturday afternoon’s Pennzoil 250 presented by Advance Auto Parts at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    Together, the Statesville, N.C.-based team and driver will tackle the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, eyeing the team’s second top-10 finish in the last three Xfinity Series races.

    Last weekend at Pocono, Berry showcased speed in the team’s No. 15 Viva Tequila Seltzer Ford Mustang, practicing inside the top-15 and delivering the team’s best qualifying effort of the season in 14th.

    Unfortunately, the team was plagued with a series of flat tires early in the race, which hindered the team’s track position and ability to climb back through the field. Still, many positives were gained by exiting the “Tricky Triangle,” which the team looks forward to capitalizing on in the 20th Xfinity Series race of the season.

    “I’m really excited to get to Indianapolis and experience the oval for the first time,” said Berry. “I feel like we showed a lot of potential at Pocono and can apply things we learned there to Indianapolis to have a solid day and finish.”

    The Henderson, Tenn. native eyes his 97th career Xfinity start filled with five wins, 28 top-five and 52 top-10 finishes.

    Team partner Klutch Vodka will support Berry in his Xfinity Series debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval for their third primary partnership role with the family-owned team this season.

    “We are happy to continue to support AM Racing and be paired with Josh Berry behind the wheel of the No. 15 Klutch Vodka Ford Mustang at Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” offered Klutch Vodka CEO Anthony S. Quattrochi and his Co-Founder, fiancé Brandy Wong.

    “His experience and talent, which he has showcased in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will continue to be a great asset to the AM Racing team this weekend. Indianapolis is such an iconic race facility and will undoubtedly introduce the Klutch Vodka brand to new race fans.”

    Last July, AM Racing earned a 10th-place finish after starting 23rd with Brett Moffitt on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

    For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

    For more on Josh Berry, please visit joshberryracing.com, like his Facebook page (Josh Berry), or follow him on Instagram (@joshberry88) and X | Twitter (@joshberry).

    The Pennzoil 250 presented by Advance Auto Parts (100 laps | 250 miles) is the 20th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 1:05 – 1:55 p.m. Qualifying follows on race day, Saturday, July 20, at 12:05 p.m. The 38-car field is set to take the green flag later in the day, shortly after 3:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on the USA Network, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

    About AM Racing:

    AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

    Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

    The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and various Dirt Modified events in its eighth year of competition.

  • Young’s Motorsports Indianapolis Truck | Xfinity Team Preview

    Young’s Motorsports Indianapolis Truck | Xfinity Team Preview

    Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series
    Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park | TSport 200

    Fast Facts

    No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:

    Driver: Mason Massey

    Primary Partner(s): BRUNT Workwear | Anderson Power Services

    Manufacturer: Chevrolet Silverado RST

    2024 Driver Points Position: 24th

    2024 Owner Points Position: 28th

    Engine: Ilmor Racing Technologies

    Notes of Interest:

    Settled In: In February, Young’s Motorsports announced that Mason Massey will compete full-time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series this season aboard the team’s flagship, No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST, which will continue with Friday night’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

    Massey arrived at Young’s Motorsports after running a limited NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule last season for SS-GreenLight Racing, including a top-10 performance at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

    The Douglasville, Ga. native started his 2023 Truck Series season with Reaume Brothers Racing and competed in seven races with a season-high 11th place finish at Texas Motor Speedway, but later shifted his presence to Xfinity for five races throughout the 33-race season.

    About Mason: Massey has over 20 years of experience behind the wheel, launching his racing career at age five. Since then, he has garnered over 200 feature wins, 11 championships, and 10 track records across multiple series, including the U.S. Legends Pro National Championship.

    Amongst the many Late Model victories to Massey’s credit during his tenure in the Bill Elliott Racing Development Program is the 2012 triumph in the Alabama 200. He eventually graduated to NASCAR in 2019, competing in the Truck Series before advancing to the Xfinity Series in 2020.

    After part-time Xfinity stints in 2020 and 2021, respectively, the Georgian captured the attention of many with an impressive sixth-place finish in the spring 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series contest at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway in front of the hometown crowd.

    With 46 more NASCAR starts to his resume since his first career NASCAR top-10 effort, Massey has landed with Young’s Motorsports, a longtime fixture in the Truck Series, hoping to impress and land the organization back in Victory Lane this season.

    All-Aboard!: For the 15th of 23 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races this season, BRUNT Workwear returns to serve as the primary marketing partner on the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST for the 70-lap race on Friday night.

    BRUNT is a brand here to redefine everyday work gear for blue-collar workers and everyday guys that have never had the convenience, pricing, or quality available to them from traditional brands.

    Founded by Eric Girouard, BRUNT aims to support the American workers through their work day by delivering the tools you wear to get the job done.

    Longtime Massey supporter Anderson Power Systems will also be an associate partner for the series’ lone trip to the Circle City.

    Anderson Power Services specializes in supplying, installing, repairing, and replacing residential and commercial generators all throughout Georgia, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina.

    Mason Massey Truck Series Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Stats: Friday night’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park will mark Massey’s inaugural Truck Series start at the vastly popular 0.686-mile oval.

    The event, part of a doubleheader under the Friday night lights with the ARCA Menards Series, will mark Massey’s sixth career short-track race in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series.

    Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park marks the fourth race of the second half of the 2024 Truck Series season.

    Mason Massey Truck Series Career Stats: Entering Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Massey has 28 career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races to his credit. He has earned a career-best 11th-place finish twice, most recently at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway after starting 29th in the Long John Silver’s 200 for Young’s Motorsports.

    Massey also finished 11th at Texas Motor Speedway after starting 27th in the 2023 edition of the SpeedyCash.com 250 for Reaume Brothers Racing.

    Since 2019, he has carried an average finish of 24.4.

    Pocono Raceway | CRC Brakleen 175 Race Recap: In the 14th race of the 2024 Truck Series season, Young’s Motorsports and Massey searched for another solid finish at Pocono Raceway.

    Upon arrival at the 2.5-mile triangular speedway, the teams had to dodge Mother Nature for most of the weekend, including practice and qualifying.

    With Mother Nature winning the battle for time trials, Massey would start the race from the 29th position.

    Throughout the race, Massey would hunt for a solid pace around the “Tricky Triangle.”

    Fighting through intermediate showers, especially late in the race, Massey wrestled with the grip of his No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet but persevered to a lead lap 24th place finish at the checkered flag.

    The solid effort allowed Massey to climb to 23rd place in the championship standings with nine races remaining.

    In 2024, Massey has delivered two top-15, five top-20s, seven top-21 finishes and eight top-22 efforts, highlighted by a career-best outing at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, where he steered the team’s flagship truck to an 11th-place finish.

    Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ seventh and eighth NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series start at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

    The organization posted a team-best 15th place with former driver Jesse Little at the wheel in the TSport 200 on Friday, July 29, 2022.

    Since 2022, the Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports team has had an average starting position of 27.8 and an average finish of 27.2 in six Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park starts.

    Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series History: Since entering the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series in 2012, the Mooresville, N.C., – based organization has logged 493 starts from 65 drivers, resulting in solid performances that include two victories (Talladega Superspeedway 2019 and 2021), seven top-five finishes and 33 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 23.0 and an average finishing position of 22.0.

    Follow on Social Media: For more on Mason Massey, please visit masonmassey.com, like him on Facebook (Mason Massey Racing), and follow him on Instagram (@mason_massey) and X |Twitter (@mason_massey).

    For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

    Mason Massey Pre-Race Quote:

    On Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park: “I’ve always wanted to race at IRP. It looks like a fun place and a track that fits my driving style. We’ve circled this one for a while, so hopefully, we can have a solid day.

    “We’ve been trying to improve our on-track performance, and I think this will be a good place for us to show that.”

    No. 46 Young’s Motorsports Team:

    Driver: Thad Moffitt

    Primary Partner(s): Joe Jurgielewicz and Son – America’s Tastiest Duck

    Manufacturer: Chevrolet Silverado RST

    2024 Driver Points Position: 30th

    2024 Owner Points Position: 33rd

    Engine: Ilmor Racing Technologies

    Notes of Interest:

    Welcome: Just past the half point of the 2024 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes Thad Moffitt to the organization set to compete in the team’s second entry in Friday night’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

    Young’s Motorsports has obtained the ownership rights of Faction46 Racing and will field the No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado throughout the remainder of the season with Moffitt at the helm.

    This weekend’s race is just the seventh time the organization has fielded a second entry this season.

    About Thad: Moffitt, 23, just finished his first entire season in the Trans Am Series TA2 class. Racing for TeamSLR, he finished seventh in the championship standings and second in the rookie standings. He had six top-10 finishes.

    Moffitt, the grandson of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Richard Petty, returned to the NASCAR ranks this season after having success in the ARCA Menard Series, finishing fourth in the series championship standings in 2021.

    Entering the season, Moffitt has four starts in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series with a best finish of 18th at the Daytona International Speedway in 2022.

    In 2024, Moffitt has participated in 13 Truck Series races thus far, matching a career-best 18th place finish at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway in May.

    All-Aboard!: For the 15th of 23 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races this season, Joe Jurgielewicz and Son Ltd. – America’s Tastiest Duck returns as the primary marketing partner on the No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado RST for the 200-lap race on Friday night.

    Based in Hamburg, Pa., Joe Jurgielewicz and Son Ltd. – America’s Tastiest Duck is an A-Grade whole duck that is ready for your family to enjoy at your next meal directly from our family farm.

    Each duck is minimally processed, USDA inspected and graded to ensure the healthiest and highest quality duck.

    Jurgielewicz and Son Ltd. has been a leading provider of premium fresh and frozen duck to the food service industry, retailers and home consumers.

    Additional Support: In addition to Joe Jurgielewicz and Son Ltd. Joining Moffitt for Friday’s short track battle, the Young’s Motorsports team welcomes Franklin Road Apparel Company as a major associate partner for this weekend’s showdown.

    Franklin Road Apparel Company is a men’s and women’s fashion store on Franklin, Tennessee’s iconic Main Street that evokes the easy-going lifestyle of the South with the sophisticated styling of city life.

    Thad Moffitt Truck Series Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park Stats: Friday night’s TSport 200 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park will mark Moffitt’s inaugural Truck Series start at the vastly popular 0.686-mile oval.

    The event, part of a doubleheader under the Friday night lights with the ARCA Menards Series, will mark Massey’s sixth career short-track race in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series.

    Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park marks the fourth race of the second half of the 2024 Truck Series season.

    Thad Moffitt Truck Series Career Stats: Entering Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Moffitt has 17 career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races to his credit. He has earned a career-best 18th-place finish twice, most recently at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway after starting 32nd in the Buckle Up South Carolina 200 for Faction46.

    Since 2022, he has carried an average finish of 28.1.

    Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ seventh and eighth NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series start at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

    The organization posted a team-best 15th place with former driver Jesse Little at the wheel in the TSport 200 on Friday, July 29, 2022.

    Since 2022, the Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports team has had an average starting position of 27.8 and an average finish of 27.2 in six Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park starts.

    Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series History: Since entering the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series in 2012, the Mooresville, N.C., – based organization has logged 493 starts from 65 drivers, resulting in solid performances that include two victories (Talladega Superspeedway 2019 and 2021), seven top-five finishes and 33 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 23.0 and an average finishing position of 22.0.

    Follow on Social Media: For more on Thad Moffitt, please visit thadmoffitt.com like him on Facebook, (Thad Moffitt Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@thadmoffitt46) and X |Twitter (@thadmoffitt).

    For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

    Thad Moffitt Pre-Race Quote:

    On Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park: “I love IRP. It is a fast, short track with a lot of different racing grooves. The racing is great because you can move around, race people, and put on a great show for the fans.

    “I love racing every weekend, but I am pretty pumped up about IRP because I have more experience there and have had good runs. I think we can have our best finish of the year pretty easily if everything goes to plan.”

    Race Information:

    The TSport 200 (200 laps | 137.2 miles) is the 15th of 23 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:05 p.m. Qualifying will follow from 4:05 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The 35-truck field will take the green flag later that night shortly after 5:30 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (ET).

    Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR Xfinity Series

    Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Pennzoil 250

    Fast Facts

    No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

    Driver: Leland Honeyman Jr.

    Primary Partner(s): Distributor Wire & Cable Co.

    Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

    Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

    2024 Driver Points Position: 21st

    2024 Owner Points Position: 24th

    Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

    Movin’ on Up!: In January, Young’s Motorsports announced it would graduate from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time in 2024 with rising star Leland Honeyman Jr. behind the wheel of the team’s No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro for the entire 33-race season continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    About Leland: The Phoenix, Ariz. native began honing his racing skills at the tender age of two racing Quads. By four years old, he moved into Trophy Karts and then collected three series championships in off-road racing Trophy Karts.

    After an instrumental tenure in Go Karts, he moved into the Bandolero competition in 2015 and was crowned a Bandolero National Champion two years later. From there, he moved into Limited Late Models before graduating to the Carolina Pro Late Model Series division in 2021, where he earned championship-runner-up honors and picked up an astounding victory in the annual Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway Fall Brawl.

    Honeyman, 19, returns to the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization, where he ran an impressive ARCA Menards Series East Series campaign, finishing third in the 2022 championship standings.

    During the 2023 season, he made eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, highlighted by a 21st-place finish at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course.

    All-Aboard!: For the 20th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season, Young’s Motorsports welcomes back Distributor Wire & Cable Co as the primary partners on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 100-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

    Distributor Wire & Cable is a leading master distributor of wire and cable products for industrial, commercial, residential and utility industries.

    Distributor Wire & Cable is focused on making your specialty wire and cable transactions seamless and successful. Throughout the life cycle of each order, we’re laser-focused on providing great service and ensuring everything we do for you is accurate, on time, and easy to manage.

    From your initial quote to the final delivery, DWC maximizes efficiencies that save you time, increase your profits, and eliminate hassles.

    Leland Honeyman Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Series Indianapolis Motor Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will mark Honeyman’s inaugural Xfinity Series start at the historic 2.5-mile speedway located in Speedway, Indiana.

    This weekend is part of a double-header with the NASCAR Cup Series in NASCAR’s return to the 2.5-mile oval for the first time since the 2019 season.

    Indianapolis will mark Honeyman’s fourth career Xfinity Series start on a track larger than 2.0 miles long.

    The Xfinity Series rookie driver will look to improve his overall average finish of 19.7.

    Leland Honeyman Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Career Stats: Entering Indianapolis, Honeyman has 27 career NASCAR Xfinity Series races to his credit, earning a career-best fourth-place finish at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway after starting 33rd in the Ag-Pro 300 for Young’s Motorsports in April 2024.

    Since 2023, he has carried an average finish of 24.0.

    Pocono Raceway | Explore The Pocono Mountains 225 Race Recap: In the 19th race of the 2024 Xfinity Series season, Young’s Motorsports and Honeyman searched for another solid finish in the team’s inaugural Xfinity Series trip to the Pocono Mountains.

    After showcasing a good pace in practice, Honeyman qualified his No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. 28th.

    From the drop of the green flag, Honeyman battled for grip at the 2.5-mile speedway, which combated the handling of his race car.

    Constant adjustments from crew chief Andrew Abbott allowed Honeyman to make gains on the race track, especially in Stage 3, where Honeyman steered to a respectable 25th-place finish at the checkered flag.

    Calling the Shots: Guiding Honeyman Jr. as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

    On Saturday, he will be crew chief in his 117th NASCAR Xfinity Series race. In his previous 116 races, he has four top-five and 12 top-10 finishes.

    The season’s 20th race will be his second tango in Indianapolis as crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

    Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series History: Since entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, the family-owned organization has logged 19 starts and maintains an average starting position of 26.1 and an average finish of 24.0.

    Follow on Social Media: For more on Leland Honeyman Jr., please visit LelandHoneymanRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Leland Honeyman Racing) and follow on Instagram (@lelandhoneymanjr) and X |Twitter (@lelandhoneyman3).

    For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

    Leland Honeyman Jr. Pre-Race Quote:

    On Indianapolis Motor Speedway: “It’s a dream come true to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I am confident we can have a successful race with our No. 42 Distributor Wire & Cable Chevrolet Camaro.

    “The Xfinity series is so competitive right now, but we are right in the middle of the fight, and we will continue to go out there, leave nothing on the table, and try to bring home a strong finish on Saturday afternoon!”

    Race Information:

    The Pennzoil 250 (100 laps | 250 miles) is the 20th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 1:05 – 1:55 p.m. Qualifying follows on race day, Saturday, July 20, at 12:05 p.m. The 38-car field is set to take the green flag later in the day, shortly after 3:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on the USA Network, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

  • Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Indianapolis

    Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Indianapolis

    5 KYLE LARSON

    Age: 31 (July 31, 1992)

    Hometown: Elk Grove, California

    Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

    Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels

    Standings: 2nd

    No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    FIVER: Kyle Larson is second in the NASCAR Cup Series standings with five races to go in the regular season, just three points behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott. Larson is tied for the most wins (three) and top-five finishes (eight) this season while he tops the series in laps led (755), average running position (9.29) and pole positions (five). In fact, this is the second-most laps led for Larson through 21 races in his career, only trailing his championship season of 2021 when he paced the field for 1,441 circuits in the first 21 events.

    INDY RETURN: This weekend, the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will sport Fan Appreciation livery with a touch of papaya color. It is the same paint scheme Larson was scheduled to race at Charlotte Motor Speedway earlier this year as part of the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 double dubbed the #H1100. At Indianapolis, Larson posted the fastest-ever qualifying speed for a rookie in the historic event. He then finished 18th following a pit-road speeding penalty during the rain-delayed 200-lap race. The Elk Grove, California, native was voted rookie of the year for the annual Memorial Day weekend event. Images of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro can be viewed here.

    BACK TO THE OVAL: In six Cup starts on the 2.5-mile oval layout at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Larson has three top-10 finishes with a best result of fifth in 2016. Sunday’s event will mark his first Brickyard 400 driving for Hendrick Motorsports.

    BIRTHDAY BREAK: On July 31, during the two-week break in the Cup Series season, Larson will celebrate his 32nd birthday.

    STAGE LEFT: Larson has earned 218 stage points this season, 25 more than second place. The 2021 Cup Series champion has run the most laps in the top five (2,891) while his 13.65 average finish ranks sixth. Since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021, the driver of the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet has 40 stage wins – 12 more than any competitor.

    CHASING LEGENDS: In just his fourth year driving for Hendrick Motorsports, Larson has 20 wins for the 14-time Cup Series champions. The 2014 rookie of the year trails only team vice chairman Jeff Gordon (93) and Jimmie Johnson (83) in victories for the organization. Gordon has a record five Cup wins at the famed Indianapolis oval, while Johnson has four.

    AWAY BUT ALWAYS AVAILABLE: In 2024, the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team recognizes “home” events by wearing white firesuits and “away” with blue. Its home races come at tracks with nearby Hendrick Automotive Group car dealerships. This weekend, the No. 5 team races “away” in the Indianapolis market. However, its easy to pick up a new set of keys from any one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 94 dealerships nationwide. Customers can also shop from the convenience of home by selecting the category, make, model and vehicle packages important to them from the nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks and SUVs available at HENDRICKCARS.COM.

    HENDRICK AUTOMOTIVE GROUP IS HIRING: Join the more than 10,000 people nationwide who work at Hendrick Automotive Group. The company is hiring technicians and other positions at its dealerships throughout the country. Positions are open for all skill levels and offer tuition and training reimbursement. Individuals who are interested can apply at HENDRICKCARS.COM.

    9 CHASE ELLIOTT

    Age: 28 (Nov. 28, 1995)

    Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia

    Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia

    Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson

    Standings: 1st

    No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    REGULAR SEASON UPDATE: Following his strong run at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, Chase Elliott now leads the NASCAR Cup Series regular season standings by three points over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson in second. He has one win (Texas Motor Speedway), seven top-five finishes and 10 top-10s in 21 starts this season. Elliott’s 10.52 average finish leads the field and is his second-best through 21 races behind only 2022 when he won the regular season championship. He also has the third-best average running position (10.92) among full-time premier series drivers. Across the last five races, the Dawsonville, Georgia, native has garnered the third-most overall points (156).

    CHASE-ING HISTORY: Elliott and Martin Truex Jr. are the only two drivers to make it to the finish of every race this season. Elliott joins Kurt Busch as the only other driver in series history to have raced all but one lap (or less) through 21 races. The spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway is the only event in which the 2020 Cup Seies champion didn’t finish on the lead lap. However, he still earned an eighth-place finish. Busch finished every lap of the first 22 races of 2016.

    RETURN OF THE OVAL: This weekend, the Cup Series takes to Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s legendary oval after three years on the facility’s road course layout. Elliott has six starts in the Brickyard 400 with a best effort of ninth as well as 26 laps led. He also made three starts on the oval in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with one top-five finish and two top-10s, including a best effort of fourth in 2018.

    BUILDING ON A LEGACY: If Elliott were to win Sunday, it would mark the first time a father-son duo won the crown jewel event in Indianapolis. Chase’s father Bill Elliott won the Brickyard 400 in 2002. A 6-year-old Elliott was in attendance to kiss the bricks alongside his dad.

    VIEW FROM THE TOP: Veteran crew chief Alan Gustafson has plenty of experience at the 2.5-mile oval in Indianapolis, including a Brickyard 400 win in 2014 with Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon. Gordon led 40 laps en route to the victory. In addition to the win, across 16 total starts in the crown jewel event, Gustafson has led his team to five top-five finishes, nine top-10s and 163 laps led.

    FASTEST FIVE: The No. 9 pit crew continues to hold the fastest average four-tire pit stop time through 21 events this season (10.683 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).

    GET UP AND GO: The white-based NAPA Auto Parts scheme is back on board the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this weekend at Indianapolis. The Atlanta-based company has been the primary partner for Elliott in all six of his Cup Series races on the Indianapolis oval. Get a look at all the angles of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet here.

    24 WILLIAM BYRON

    Age: 26 (Nov. 29, 1997)

    Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

    Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina

    Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle

    Standings: 5th

    No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    POCO-YES: After securing a third-place finish in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race, William Byron lined up on the front row for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway. After running up front for the majority of the event and scoring crucial stage points in stage one and stage two, Byron went on to pick up his seventh top-five finish of the season, crossing the line in the fourth position.

    24 IN ‘24: Byron’s 2024 season started off hot with three wins (tied for the most) including the DAYTONA 500. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has 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 – tied for the fourth-most. After 21 races, he has moved up to fifth in the 2024 Cup Series regular season standings with 16 playoff points.

    BACK AT THE BRICKYARD: With three Cup Series starts in the illustrious Brickyard 400, this weekend’s return to the oval has been circled on Byron’s calendar for a while. His best finish came in 2019 when he powered his way to a top-five result, taking the checkered flag in fourth. NASCAR has not run the oval layout since 2020.

    HISTORY MAKER: In 2017, Byron made his first trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. While battling for a championship, he became the youngest driver to win a major race at the historic track at 19 years, 7 months and 23 days. Byron is not only the youngest driver to win a NASCAR race at the 2.5-mile oval but is the third-youngest winner in any series, behind two INDYCAR Light Series drivers.

    WHAT’S IN A NUMBER?: Byron would love to kiss the bricks again this weekend, and if he does, he will add to the already lengthy legacy the No. 24 team has at Indianapolis. The No. 24 car number ranks first overall with Brickyard 400 wins at the historic track with five, all coming with Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon dating back to the inaugural race in 1994. If Byron were to capture the win this weekend, he would extend the lead the No. 24 has over the second-ranked No. 48, which has four Indy oval wins.

    PIT ROAD PROWESS: After 21 races in 2024, the No. 24 pit crew continues to find success. The five-person crew ranks sixth for the fastest average four-tire pit stop (10.984 seconds). The No. 24 pit crew 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: Last month, 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 from its traditional two races to eight races in 2024 and six in 2025 through 2029. This weekend’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will be Valvoline’s fourth 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

    PLAYING BACK POCONO: Coming off his eighth career win in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Chicago Street Race, Alex Bowman carried strong momentum to Pocono Raceway. Bowman led all Chevrolet drivers to score a third-place finish at the “Tricky Triangle.” On Saturday, the Ally Racing driver advanced to the second round of qualifying and scored a sixth-place starting position for the 400-mile race. Bowman ranked sixth in the first stage and seventh in the second stage, earning valuable stage points in both. In the final stage, he restarted 14th then advanced 11 positions by the checkered flag to earn his sixth top-five finish of the season.

    PUSHING TO THE PLAYOFFS: Following the 21st points-paying race of 2024, Bowman joined Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott (first), Kyle Larson (second) and William Byron (fifth) inside the top 10 of the regular season standings. The 31-year-old driver currently sits 10th, 107 markers behind Elliott. With his victory from the Windy City, Bowman is all but locked in for the 2024 postseason.

    BUILDING MOMENTUM: Only five races remain until the start of the 2024 playoffs, and the No. 48 Ally Racing team is building momentum. In the last five races, Bowman is in a three-way tie for the fourth-most points earned (151). He has ranked as the best-finishing Hendrick Motorsports driver in four races this season, including each of the last two. He also claims the fifth-best average finish (13.29) of 2024, his best through 21 races in any season. Bowman has one win, one runner-up finish and 17 lead-lap finishes. He is tied with Byron for the second-most top-10s (12) this year.

    BACK TO THE BRICKYARD: After three seasons, NASCAR returns to the 2.5-mile oval at historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400. Bowman will make his sixth start in the Cup Series at the Indiana track Sunday, looking to kiss the bricks for the first time.

    KOKER’S GARAGE: Koker’s garage is back! Ally Racing fans have the opportunity to design the real No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that will compete Sept. 29 at Kansas Speedway. How? Visit kokersgarage.com to design and submit up to five paint schemes. The contest period will end on July 24 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Then Bowman and Danny Koker will review the submissions and choose two finalists. A public vote will be hosted by Ally on X, and the winning design will see action in the 2024 playoff race at the “Sunflower State” venue.

    ADOPT LIKE ALEX: Last Friday, Bowman made a special trip to the New York SoHo Best Friends Life Saving Center to celebrate his and primary sponsor Ally’s fourth year of supporting Best Friends. The visit celebrated the more than $650,000 the pair has donated and Best Friends’ new “Bring Love Home” campaign. Not to mention, Bowman recently rescued a golden retriever mix puppy named Huck. Every race weekend, Ally and Bowman donate a total of $4,800 to help homeless pets at a local shelter. This weekend, the charitable donation will go to Lucci’s House Bully Rescue. If you’re in town for the race, check out their animals available for adoption at the shelter located less than a 30-minute drive just 15 miles southeast of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    FOUR TIRES AND FUEL: The Ally Racing pit crew ranks ninth on pit road for the best average four-tire stop this year (11.047). 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. Holman, Grier and Bridgeforth earned their first win in the Cup Series following the team’s victory in Chicago. Learn more about Bridgeforth’s NASCAR journey and “home race” last weekend in Pennsylvania here.

    WIN YOUR WHEELS: 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 Chevrolets will be manufactured and the other 39 will be 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 /

    2024All-TimeIndianapolis
    Races211,36627
    Wins8*309*10*
    Poles6*252*5**
    Top 528*1,260*27*
    Top 1044*2,156*42*
    Laps Led1,18380,940*1,071*
    Stage Wins101081

    *Most **Most (tie)

    INDIANA PACER: Behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick will serve as the honorary pace car driver for Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hendrick’s organization has won a record 10 NASCAR Cup Series races on the 2.5-mile oval, which is double the next-best team.

    JUST THE FACTS: In addition to its all-time best 10 Brickyard 400 wins, Hendrick Motorsports holds the Indianapolis oval records with 27 top-five finishes, 42 top-10s and 1,071 laps led in Cup Series competition. It also has five pole positions, which is tied for the most with Joe Gibbs Racing.

    IN THREES: Hendrick Motorsports has won three of the last nine Brickyard 400s with three different drivers: Jimmie Johnson in 2012, Jeff Gordon in 2014 and Kasey Kahne in 2017. The Cup Series then competed on the oval for three years – 2018, 2019 and most recently 2020 – before running the facility’s road course three times from 2021-2023. Hendrick Motorsports has never gone more than three Brickyard 400 races without a victory.

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARIES: While Hendrick Motorsports celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024, this weekend Indianapolis Motor Speedway will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Brickyard 400. The inaugural race was won by Hendrick Motorsports driver Gordon on Aug. 6, 1994, marking the first of a record five for the NASCAR Hall of Famer. Gordon still ranks as the youngest Brickyard 400 winner at 23 years and 2 days old.

    STAND UP: With five races remaining in the regular season, Hendrick Motorsports has all four of its teams among the top 10 in the Cup standings. Chase Elliott goes into the Brickyard 400 leading the series by three points over teammate Kyle Larson. William Byron ranks fifth and Alex Bowman 10th. Each has recorded at least one victory this season, all but locking the entire Hendrick Motorsports stable into the 2024 Cup Series playoffs.

    QUOTABLE /

    Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the No. 5 paint scheme for Brickyard 400: “Fans were really excited for this design to run back in May (at Charlotte Motor Speedway), and I was, too. Justin (Allgaier) did a great job driving the car (filling in for Larson), but with all the build-up and merch and everything around it, I asked HENDRICKCARS.COM if we could run it this weekend at Indianapolis and give the fans a chance to see me drive it. I’m grateful they agreed. Excited to get to run the scheme to say thanks to the fans for all the support.”

    Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on returning to the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: “It’s going to be a lot of fun. We loved the road course, but there is nothing more historic and special in all of racing than the Indianapolis (Motor Speedway) oval. To go back there with Kyle after his experience there this year will be fun and just cool to hear his feedback about the differences with the INDYCAR compared to the HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet. Of course, he’s been around the oval before in a Cup car, but it will be nice to have the 50-minute practice on Friday and try to execute a great race on Sunday.”

    Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the crown jewel he’d most like to win: “That’s so tough because they are all a big deal. The one that is more meaningful to me is the Brickyard, just because I was old enough when my dad won to just very vaguely remember a few little things about it, and then to be in the photos and whatnot I thought was really cool. That one really hits closest to home for me, personally.”

    Elliott on returning to the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: “I totally understand why we left racing on the oval, and I think it was great to try the road course. I feel that a lot of people just felt like it didn’t have the same meaning or the same feeling as racing on the oval up there. So I’m totally good either way. I think to be able to kiss the bricks and to say you won a Brickyard event would be really cool, whether it was on the road course or on the big track.”

    Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on returning to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval this weekend: “I’m super happy to be back on the oval. It’s a place that I love to go race. I love the history. I love the track, the facility — everything about it is just top notch. So I’m looking forward to it, looking forward to the challenge, and getting up there and racing. I think that there are a lot of unknowns and a lot of things that we’re all going to have to work out, but certainly feel like we’re in a position to do really well. All the guys and gals at Hendrick Motorsports are working hard and team collaboration is at a super high level. We’re going to bring four great cars and teams to the track and compete at our best. And if we do that, then yeah, I think we have a good shot.”

    William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his feelings of returning to the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: “I’m really happy that we’re returning to the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I think it’s too iconic not to run. I liked the road course, but I think the oval is the way to go and many drivers agree. I’ve had some success there, winning my first time seeing the track in the (NASCAR) Xfinity Series. It was a bit of an adjustment when I got to the Cup level but I really think we were hitting our stride before it was taken off the schedule. Things will be a bit different now racing there with the Next Gen car, but I like the challenge.”

    Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what he expects with running the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: “I actually haven’t crew chief’d a race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the oval configuration, just the road course. I’ve been at the oval testing a long time ago but that’s it. So I don’t know a ton about all of it. I think a lot of Pocono (Raceway), like the stage lengths, the fuel mileage and the length of the track, will all be similar. The thing about Indy, though, is that the tire wear is usually higher. So we’ll have to see what that is like Friday. We’ll have a game plan for that 50-minute practice to get our car dialed in and then move forward. We’ve been studying the notes from the past few tests there to steer us in the right direction.”

    Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: “It’s going to be cool to be back at Indy. That’s going to be a really difficult race passing-wise, so track position is going to be super key. Race strategy can play a huge role in any of that, so I’m excited for the challenge and to get back there (the oval).”

    Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on calling the shots for the No. 48 team at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with five races to go until the playoffs: “I think this weekend at Indy will be like how Pocono (Raceway) was for us last weekend. Now that we have the win, we can take some more chances on strategy to put us in position to win. We’re also going to continue to focus on picking up stage points and continue to creep up in the regular season standings and carry a few more bonus points with us (to the playoffs).”

  • Rick Ware Racing: Justin Haley/Cody Ware Indianapolis Advance

    Rick Ware Racing: Justin Haley/Cody Ware Indianapolis Advance

    JUSTIN HALEY | CODY WARE
    Indianapolis Advance
    Event Overview

    ● Event: Brickyard 400 (Round 22 of 36)
    ● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 21
    ● Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
    ● Layout: 2.5-mile rectangular oval
    ● Laps/Miles: 160 laps/400 miles
    ● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 50 laps / Stage 2: 50 laps / Final Stage: 60 laps
    ● TV/Radio: NBC / IMS Radio / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Justin Haley, Driver of the No. 51 Fraternal Order of Eagles Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    ● Ninety-seven miles north of Indianapolis Motor Speedway sits the town of Winamac, Indiana. The seat of Pulaski County boasts a population of just over 2,300 that lives in a 1.36-square-mile area. It’s where Rick Ware Racing (RWR) driver Justin Haley grew up and started his racing career. At just 9 years old, Haley began racing quarter midgets at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway. By 2011, he was traveling across the Midwest, racing in the CRA Late Model Series at tracks like Toledo (Ohio) Speedway and Winchester (Ind.) Speedway.

    ● Haley’s first break came in 2014 when he was given the chance to run a six-race stint in the ARCA Menards Series for Venturini Motorsports. He earned his first pole in his second start, at Elko (New Market, Minnesota) Speedway, and picked up his first top-five finish. Overall, he finished with four top-10s in his limited first season. He also made three starts that year in the ARCA Menards Series East (formerly K&N Pro Series East), earning a seventh-place finish at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway. Haley made the move to the East Series fulltime in 2015 and, in 2016, was name the East Series champion with two wins, 13 top-fives and 14 top-10s in 14 races.

    ● At 18 years old, Haley’s next move was a fulltime ride in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He had already made six starts in a truck and earned a top-10 finish at Phoenix Raceway. In his first season with GMS Racing, Haley earned three top-fives and 12 top-10 finishes, in addition to his first pole in the Truck Series, earned in October 2017 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Haley returned to the team in 2018, won three races and made it to the Championship Four in the playoffs. He finished his final full Truck Series season third in the championship with 18 top-10 finishes over 23 races.

    ● Just 10 years into his racing career, Haley had already made it to the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He joined Kaulig Racing fulltime in 2019, and in his five years and 104 starts in its Xfinity Series program, he earned four wins, 24 top-fives and 69 top-10 finishes. Haley also made his Cup Series debut that year and become the second-youngest Cup Series winner in Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway history when he took home the win in the July 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400. Three years later, Haley helped Kaulig launch its fulltime Cup Series program and earned seven top-fives and 10 top-10s for the team in two seasons.

    ● Haley announced in June 2023 that he would join RWR fulltime for the 2024 season. In just 21 races with the team this season, he has earned two top-10 finishes – ninth-place results at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Prior to Haley joining RWR, the team had earned eight top-10s across 590 starts. Haley has also bettered or equaled the team’s best finish at nine different tracks thus far.

    ● The Fraternal Order of Eagles driver is set to make his first Cup Series start on the Indianapolis oval this Sunday. Haley has one previous start on the oval, which resulted in a fifth-place finish in the 2019 Xfinity Series race. The following year at the iconic Speedway, NASCAR switched to its infield road-course layout, on which Haley finished second to fellow Indiana native Chase Briscoe to mark the first time Hoosiers finished one-two at Indy. He also owns three Cup Series starts on the Indy road-course layout, earning a best finish of eighth in 2021.

    Cody Ware, Driver of the No. 15 AFT Peoria Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    ● Cody Ware will also make his first start on the Indianapolis oval after two starts on the road course layout, on which his best finish was a 24th-place effort earned in 2022.

    ● The No. 15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse will feature the logo for the next round of the American Flat Track (AFT) series, set to take place at Peoria (Ill.) Motorcycle Club on July 28. RWR competes in AFT with Singles riders Kody Kopp and Shayna Texter-Bauman, and Mission SuperTwins rider Briar Bauman. Nineteen-year-old Kopp is the two-time defending series champion who has already claimed five wins and nine podiums through the first 10 events of the season. He currently holds a 32-point advantage in the championship standings. Earlier this season, Kopp surpassed Texter-Bauman’s record as the winningest rider in Singles history. In Mission SuperTwins, Bauman is fourth in the standings with two podiums, including a win at Venture Short Track in Chico, California. The 25-year-old rider is looking to claim his third SuperTwins title.

    ● The Brickyard 400 marks Ware’s fourth start of the season. The 28-year-old driver was on track for his best finish of the season last weekend at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway when his No. 15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse was struck with debris during a multicar accident on lap 128 while running in the top-25. Ware’s team worked quickly to repair a hole in the radiator, and he returned to the track to finish the race and secure a 26th-place finish.

    Rick Ware Racing Notes

    ● The NHRA Drag Racing Series visits Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington, for this weekend’s Northwest Nationals. RWR’s Clay Millican looks for his first win and fifth semifinal appearance of the season. The schedule kicks off with Friday qualifying under the lights and continues with final eliminations Sunday.

    ● 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

    You raced on the Indianapolis oval in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, but being an Indiana native, have you been hoping for a chance to race on the oval in the NASCAR Cup Series?

    “Yeah. I’m excited. It’s definitely going to be different than what we experience at some other places. It’s a fast track and obviously different than anything else we run. I spent a lot of time at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a lot of time racing late models and street stocks and stuff at Lucas Oil (Raceway) just down the road. I’ve always appreciated the Brickyard layout, this really big, flat track with long straightaways. It’s something that means a lot to any driver but especially those of us from Indiana. It’s a big deal to make it to the Cup Series. It’s not easy to do. But then to get to come back to Indiana and run the Brickyard is pretty cool. The track is historic and the race itself is so iconic. I mean, we have the Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400. You know it’s big when there’s no other name needed.”

    Do you have a favorite childhood memory of Indianapolis?

    “My grandpa was involved in motorsports, and he sponsored a car owned by Sam Schmidt in the Indy 500. Obviously, it’s not NASCAR, but that is one of the experiences when I think of Indianapolis that always stands out. Going there with my family and seeing my grandpa’s company on one of the cars.”

    Cody Ware, Driver Q&A

    NASCAR returns to the Indianapolis oval for the first time since 2020. Are you excited to be on the original layout?

    “I’m super excited to be racing on the oval this weekend at Indy. I remember my first time with my dad there was back when we were in the Xfinity Series in 2012 with Jeffrey Earnhardt driving. I’ve always wanted to race the Brickyard and be there in a stock car. I’m just super stoked to get away from the road course this year, back on the Brickyard for the 400 and really excited to see how these Next Gen cars adapt to this race.”

    What does it mean for a driver to be able to compete in the Brickyard 400?

    “Being able to race at a place like Indianapolis is just a really awesome experience as a driver. There’s so much history there, over 100-plus years of racing between IndyCar, NASCAR, and Formula One, with the Brickyard 400 being one of the crown jewels in NASCAR for a long time, and now it’s coming back this year. So, to be able to go to one of the meccas of racing and be there in a Cup car is definitely an honor. Anytime you have a chance to race at Indy, it is definitely a really cool experience.”

  • PRO STOCK POINTS LEADER DALLAS GLENN RETURNS TO PACIFIC RACEWAYS FOR HOME RACE

    PRO STOCK POINTS LEADER DALLAS GLENN RETURNS TO PACIFIC RACEWAYS FOR HOME RACE

    SEATTLE (July 18, 2024) – Pro Stock points leader Dallas Glenn is ready to travel west to Seattle for his home race at Pacific Raceway for this weekend’s 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals.

    Glenn, originally from Covington, Wash., will take on all the top names in the Pro Stock field at the NHRA Northwest Nationals as the category returns to Seattle after a year away. Glenn, for one, is ready to return to the scenic facility in his RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro for the fan-favorite event in the Pacific Northwest.

    “I grew up one exit down from Pacific Raceways so to get a win here would be really awesome,” Glenn said. “I don’t know if I would call it extra pressure for what I’m feeling coming into racing at my first home track, but I would definitely call it excitement.”

    Glenn currently leads the points thanks to his two wins in Pomona and Chicago and three runner-up finishes during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. His teammate Greg Anderson sits in second, thanks to his two wins in 2024. Reigning champion Erica Enders is currently third while Aaron Stanfield is fourth, thanks to his back-to-back wins in Richmond and Norwalk.

    “I think we can attribute our success so far this season to just building off our awesome season last year,” said Glenn. “I know we didn’t end up as high as we wanted in the points last year after leading the majority of the regular season, but it gave me something to work towards this season. I want to lead the points, but I also want to make sure I’m doing what I can to put myself in a better position for the Countdown (to the Championship) to bring home that championship at the end of the year.”

    In 2023, Steve Torrence (Top Fuel), Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) claimed victories in Seattle. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1 and the FOX, including eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 21. It marks the 11th of 20 races during the 2024 NHRA season, kicking off the second half of the season, as the weekend in Seattle will feature all four pro classes for the first time in history and the popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge specialty race on Saturday.

    Glenn made it his goal to compete in all Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenges in 2024, a feat he has achieved thus far. With his runner-up finish to Stanfield in Norwalk, he’ll again be entered into the Challenge, hoping for a win in the specialty race on Saturday.

    Glenn will meet up with Mason McGaha for a rematch of the Norwalk semifinals while Stanfield will again take on Cristian Cuadra.

    “I love having another race day on Saturday for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty event,” Glenn said. “I feel like it gives me another opportunity to get up on the wheel and it only benefits me for the actual race day on Sunday.”

    In Top Fuel, Torrence would love a repeat win in Seattle as he takes on the likes of points leader Doug Kalitta, who is also the reigning world champion, Shawn Langdon, Antron Brown, Tony Schumacher, Brittany Force, Clay Millican and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart.

    Funny Car veteran Wilkerson retired after the 2023 season and handed driving duties to his son Daniel. D. Wilkerson finished runner-up in Charlotte and will be seeking his first NHRA win this weekend. He’ll be up against the likes of Funny Car points leader Austin Prock, Norwalk-winner Bob Tasca III, reigning champ Matt Hagan, J.R. Todd and multi-time Seattle winner Ron Capps.

    Herrera has dominated the Pro Stock Motorcycle division and won last year’s NHRA Northwest Nationals en route to sweeping the Western Swing and winning the world title. He is undefeated in 2024, while other riders in the class to watch are the six-time champion Matt Smith, Richard Gadson, Angie Smith and Chase Van Sant.

    The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, featuring some of the top drivers in the sport. The weekend includes the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Shootout and Drag & Drive Shootout, which is a must-see for any car enthusiast.

    The weekend kicks off with a fan fest at Auburn Outlets Collection on Thursday, July 18 at 5 p.m. PT, where fans can meet their drag racing heroes. On Friday between qualifying sessions, fans can take part in a special SealMaster Track Walk and an autograph power hour in the pro pits, while the nitro at night qualifying session will give fans an opportunity to win a unique wristwatch from Ben Bridge Jewelers TAG Heuer.

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

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

    NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 3:30 p.m. and 8:15 PT on Friday, July 19 and two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, July 20 at 1:30 and 3:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday, July 21. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday, 1 p.m. on Sunday, and then eliminations on FOX at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday.

    To purchase tickets to the NHRA Northwest Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com or call 800-884-6472. For more information about NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com.


    About Mission Foods

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

    About NHRA

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

  • CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT TORONTO: Team Chevy Race Advance

    CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT TORONTO: Team Chevy Race Advance

    CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
    ONTARIO HONDA DEALERS INDY TORONTO
    STREETS OF TORONTO
    TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
    TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE
    JULY 19-21, 2024

    CHEVROLET HEADS TO TORONTO CARRYING MOMENTUM WITH SEASONAL SUCCESS AND PAST TRACK TRIUMPH

    • Chevrolet holds seven wins in 12 events on the 11-turn, 1.786-mile temporary street course in the heart of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
    • Team Chevy additionally holds seven earned NTT P1 pole awards on the Streets of Toronto.
    • Chevrolet has 627 laps led and 19 podium finishes at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
    • Chevrolet looks to go four-for-four in 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 with hybrid technology victories at Toronto after winning the debut in Mid-Ohio, Iowa 1, and Iowa 2.

    DETROIT (July 18, 2024) – After a stellar weekend in America’s heartland that saw a sweep of the doubleheader and a podium lockout in Race One and a double podium in Race Two, Chevrolet and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES head north of the border for the 13th event of the season as well as the 13th event on the Streets of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

    “Chevrolet is three-for-three on victories in the new NTT INDYCAR SERIES hybrid technology era with the 2.2-liter V6 engine, and this is certainly a testament to the hard work and dedication by our engineers, teams, and drivers, as well as collaboration by the series and manufacturers,” said Mark Stielow, Director of Motorsports Competition Programs at General Motors. “The Streets of Toronto give a tight and tricky track that will be a challenge for all competing this weekend. We’re looking forward to adding to our winning ways both this season as well as in Toronto.”

    The fourth race of the 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 era with hybrid technology after its debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course two weeks ago, this will be the first test of the new technology on a temporary street circuit. Chevrolet is three-for-three with victories at Mid-Ohio with Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, and Iowa with Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin and Will Power, respectively.

    On the 11-turn, 1.786-mile temporary street course, Chevrolet holds seven wins in the 12 events held during the V6 era since 2012, in addition to seven NTT P1 pole awards, 19 podium finishes, and 627 laps led. Additionally, Chevrolet swept the podium three races in a row at Toronto, during 2014’s Race 1, 2014’s Race 2, and 2015.

    Overall, Chevrolet holds seven NTT INDYCAR SERIES victories in the 12 events held so far this season including the prestigious Indianapolis 500, in addition to four earned NTT P1 pole awards. Team Chevy looks to Toronto to continue their streak of momentum.

    The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto kicks off with its first practice on Friday, July 19 at 3 p.m. ET. Saturday sees the second practice at 10:30 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying and the Firestone Fast Six at 2:45 p.m. ET. The 85-lap, 151.81-mile main event Sunday takes the green flag live on Peacock at 1 p.m. ET. All practice and qualifying sessions are broadcast with Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 218.

    WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):

    Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:

    “I would say having a good short oval weekend is just a confidence booster for the championship. I’d think Toronto you’re basing off of how good we did in Detroit, which we qualified in the top 10 and finished inside the top 10 as well. So, from that perspective, I’m very confident about Toronto. As far as Iowa goes, it gives you confidence because there’s four more short oval races before the season’s over. I think what is important (on street courses) is being consistent, staying out of trouble, running all the practice laps and getting a good balance on the car. Trying to minimize our mistakes. I think all of that’s really important.”

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

    “We’ve been building this momentum the last few races and have been progressively getting better in the racing scenarios. Getting back in the car for Toronto, I think is the best thing for me just because when you get kicked off the saddle that hard, you want to jump back on as soon as you can — just to get back in the swing of things and keep that momentum going. I’m very excited that I get to do that this weekend.”

    Larry Foyt, Team President of AJ Foyt Racing:

    “It’s been a very positive season thus far. While we haven’t had any podiums or victories to solidify the overall feeling, our week-to-week competitiveness on all the different types of circuits INDYCAR offers has been a great step forward for the team. Understanding the competitiveness of Indy car racing currently, we still felt Santino and the 14 group could finish the season in the top 10 in the Championship. We have just moved into that spot, so it is still a possibility and one we are striving towards. As well, we thought it possible for the 41 group and Sting Ray to put that entry back inside the INDYCAR Leaders Circle (where they currently are). They are fighting hard for this, and it looks like it will come down to the last few races.”

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

    “Toronto historically hasn’t been our best weekend, so I’m determined to create some good memories there. The last time I feel like I had a good race there was in 2018 in INDY NXT. It’s just a matter of time before we have a strong weekend in Toronto, so I’m looking forward to getting out there in this wonderful city.”

    Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

    “I’m feeling good going into this weekend in Toronto. It’s one of my favorite tracks and weekends of the year. I’ve been racing here since my days in the junior series and know the track well, so it’s always nice to go to somewhere familiar. Iowa was a really good weekend, so we’re going to keep building on that and see if we can get a new best result with the No. 6 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet team.”

    Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

    “I’m really excited to get up to Toronto for our final street course race of the year. We’ve had a lot of pace the past few events, but have struggled to get things to go our way. This weekend will be all about execution as we compete for the last round before the summer break.”

    Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:

    “We close out this stretch of four races in three weekends with our last street race of the season in Toronto, a place I love coming back to. It’s always special getting to race in the place you grew up in, and we’re excited that we’ll have such a strong partner presence with us this weekend. We’ve strung together some strong results as of late, but as always, there’s more to find. Our aim is to continue improving each and every race weekend. As long as we do that, we’ll continue to find ourselves fighting for the top spot on the podium.”

    Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

    “First of all, I am excited to be back in the No. 20 GuyCare Chevrolet for Toronto! We will work to build on the momentum we have had going for the past few weekends on the road courses, we are definitely heading in a good direction. I am looking forward to going back to Toronto, it will be my first time driving there since 2019. I have good memories from there, I won my first pole position and earned my first ever Road to Indy win. A place that I am excited to go back to!”

    Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:

    “I am very excited to go to Toronto! I like the city a lot, it’s so nice to be up there. I love the atmosphere surround the race and the track itself, there’s so much to look forward to this weekend! It feels very good to be getting back in the car so soon after we had such a such a strong weekend in Iowa. We are ready to continue the good results in Toronto!”

    Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

    “Toronto is a great city, and the fans are always outstanding. It’s also going to be our first hybrid experience on a street course and not an easy street course. A lot to learn and to work on but so far, we have done well on street course in 2024.”

    Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet:

    “Toronto is the last street course of the season and the first time that we will be with the hybrid system on a track of this nature. Last year was a great race for us where we finished very close to the top-10, so we are going to Canada with confidence.”

    Chevrolet in Toronto (since 2012, V6 era, pre-hybrid):

    Wins at Toronto: 7

    2012: Ryan Hunter-Reay

    2014 Race 1: Sebastian Bourdais

    2014 Race 2: Mike Conway

    2015: Josef Newgarden

    2016: Will Power

    2017: Josef Newgarden

    2019: Simon Pagenaud

    Earned Pole Awards at Toronto: 7

    2014 Race 1: Scott Dixon

    2014 Race 2: Helio Castroneves

    2015: Will Power

    2016: Scott Dixon

    2017: Simon Pagenaud

    2018: Josef Newgarden

    2019: Simon Pagenaud

    Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Toronto (V6 era since 2012, pre-hybrid): 19

    *Chevrolet has swept the podium three times – 2014 Race 1, 2014 Race 2, and 2015

    Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Toronto (V6 era since 2012, pre-hybrid): 627

    2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:

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

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

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

    115: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.

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

    1: 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.

    28: 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.

  • Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Racing: Noah Gragson Indianapolis Advance

    Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Racing: Noah Gragson Indianapolis Advance

    NOAH GRAGSON
    Indianapolis Advance
    No. 10 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    Event Overview

    ● Event: Brickyard 400 (Round 22 of 36)
    ● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 21
    ● Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
    ● Layout: 2.5-mile rectangular oval
    ● Laps/Miles: 160 laps/400 miles
    ● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 50 laps / Stage 2: 50 laps / Final Stage: 60 laps
    ● TV/Radio: NBC / IMS / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Notes of Interest

    ● The seeds of the Brickyard 400 were planted on Monday, June 22, 1992. It was the first of a two-day tire test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the viability of racing NASCAR Cup Series stock cars on Indy’s 2.5-mile rectangular oval was explored. Just a day removed from his victory in the Miller Genuine Draft 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Davey Allison joined eight of his Cup Series counterparts – Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott, Darrell Waltrip, Ricky Rudd, Ernie Irvan, Mark Martin and Kyle Petty – to run full-bodied stock cars on a track that was specific to low-slung, open-wheel Indy cars and the iconic Indianapolis 500. On the second day of the test, the nine drivers raced in a pack to simulate drafting, all while an estimated 40,000 fans looked on. Elliott in his Ford Thunderbird was fastest on both days, yet his best lap was still 63 mph slower than Roberto Guerrero’s pole-winning speed of 232.482 mph for that year’s Indianapolis 500. The speed discrepancy didn’t matter. Big American iron thundering around the famed Brickyard whetted appetites, and on April 14, 1993, NASCAR president Bill France Jr. and Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George announced that the inaugural Brickyard 400 would be held on Saturday, Aug. 6, 1994. It would be the first race other than the Indianapolis 500 to be held at the Speedway since 1916. Rising star and Indiana icon Jeff Gordon won the race to score the second of his 93 career victories, beating Brett Bodine by .53 of a second. For the next 26 years, the Cup Series raced on the oval before a three-year sojourn on Indianapolis’ 2.439-mile, 14-turn infield road course. It was not the same, and with the current-generation car putting on great shows at intermediate-style tracks across the nation, the decision to return to Indy’s 2.5-mile oval was made. The 2024 Brickyard 400 will mark the 28th Cup Series race on the big track, but the first since 2020.

    ● Noah Gragson doesn’t have a NASCAR Cup Series start on Indy’s 2.5-mile oval, but he does have one NASCAR Xfinity Series start on the big track. The driver of the No. 10 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing made his Indy debut in 2019 and finished third after starting 13th.

    ● Gragson raced at Indy three other times in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, but they were all on the road course. From 2020 through 2022, Gragson never finished outside of the top-10. His best finish came in his first road-course start at Indy – third in 2020. He finished fifth in 2021 and 10th in 2022.

    ● Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, site of last weekend’s NASCAR event, shares some similarities to Indianapolis. Its 2.5-mile layout boasts just three corners, with its turn two, best known as the Tunnel Turn, modeled after the corners at Indianapolis, with just eight degrees of banking. Gragson has made four Xfinity Series starts at Pocono, with three finishes of sixth or better. In fact, his last Xfinity Series start at Pocono was his best. On July 23, 2022, the Las Vegas native started ninth but worked his way to the lead after 25 laps. He wound up pacing the field three times for a race-high 43 laps, including the final 22, to take the win by .281 of a second over runner-up Ty Gibbs.

    ● DYK?: The last NASCAR Cup Series team to win on Indy’s 2.5-mile oval was Stewart-Haas Racing. In fact, the team co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart and Haas Automation founder Gene Haas won the last two Brickyard 400s, each courtesy of Kevin Harvick. And not since 2017 has a manufacturer other than Ford won the Brickyard 400, as Brad Keselowski drove a Ford to victory lane in the 2018 Brickyard 400 before Harvick’s back-to-back Brickyard wins in 2019 and 2020.

    ● The “Stewart” in Stewart-Haas owns two Brickyard 400 victories. The Hoosier hotshoe grabbed a coveted Indy win in 2005 before securing a second triumph in 2007. Both victories came with Joe Gibbs Racing.

    Noah Gragson, Driver of the No. 10 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    This year marks a return to the oval at Indy. While you don’t have any NASCAR Cup Series starts on the 2.5-mile oval, you do have one NASCAR Xfinity Series start on the oval (2019, when you finished third). So, what’s it like to race on the most renown oval in all of motorsports?

    “It’s tough. It’s like the Tunnel Turn at Pocono, you’ve just got to be good with your timing. It’ll be different with all the horsepower and everything in the Cup cars. We ran the high-downforce, drag package where you drafted the whole time and pretty much ran close to, if not wide open, all the way around there. Our speeds probably weren’t as high at the end of the straightaways, but definitely drafting and getting pretty tight behind guys, so some of that stuff might be applicable for this weekend. But it’s all about timing and getting around that racetrack and maximizing your corner speed.”

    Indy is big, flat and fast. How do you make a fast lap around that place, and then duplicate that fast lap 159 more times?

    “You’ve just got to try and maximize your exit speed and get the car to turn and pointed correctly, and get on the gas early to make straightaway speed.”

    You get a 50-minute open practice on Friday of the Indy race weekend. What are you able to do in that session that you aren’t able to do in your typical 20-minute practice session prior to Cup qualifying?

    “Just get way more laps on the track to get comfortable with it. You get to make some changes, more adjustments, than you normally would.”

    Indiana in July is hot and humid. How do you deal with the heat, and how far out before a race weekend begins do you start preparing yourself for the heat?

    “You start hydrating Wednesday, Thursday if your race is on Sunday, drink Pedialyte and just sit outside a little bit more than you would during the week. I’ve felt good during the hot races. Obviously, they’ve been hot and it takes a long time to cool off after them, but inside the car I’ve felt good, and that’s what matters.”

    What’s the hottest race you’ve ever competed in? What were some of the things you were dealing with in that race?

    “Probably the worst shape I’ve ever been in in a racecar, as far as, ‘Man, I don’t know if I can keep doing this,’ it’d probably be Gateway or Iowa back in 2018. It was really hot, but I think I’ve just gotten more used to it now. With my experience, I feel like I’d be able to get back in that same race and it’d probably be no big deal. I’ve definitely fine-tuned my hydration plan, and I have more reps at longer races. I don’t know if I just wasn’t acclimated back in the Xfinity Series, but it was pretty tough. With my experience and reps behind the wheel now, it wouldn’t be a piece of cake, it still would be hot, but I would be able to bear it a lot better.”

    No. 10 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Team Roster

    Primary Team Members

    Driver: Noah Gragson

    Hometown: Las Vegas

    Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer

    Hometown: Decatur, Illinois

    Car Chief: Jerry Cook

    Hometown: Toledo, Ohio

    Engineer: James Kimbrough

    Hometown: Pensacola, Florida

    Spotter: Andy Houston

    Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina

    Over-The-Wall Members

    Front Tire Changer: Ryan Mulder

    Hometown: Sioux Center, Iowa

    Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White

    Hometown: Arlington, Texas

    Tire Carrier: Tyler Bullard

    Hometown: King, North Carolina

    Jack Man: Sean Cotten

    Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

    Fuel Man: James “Ace” Keener

    Hometown: Fortuna, California

    Road Crew Members

    Mechanic: Chris Trickett

    Hometown: Grafton, West Virginia

    Mechanic: Beau Whitley

    Hometown: Carmel, Indiana

    Tire Specialist: Jacob Cooksey

    Hometown: Westbrookville, New York

    Engine Tuner: Matt Moeller

    Hometown: Monroe, New York

    Transporter Co-Driver: Steve Casper

    Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

    Transporter Co-Driver: Matt Murphy

    Hometown: Augusta, Georgia

  • Lexus LBX Adds a New High Performance Variant, the LBX “MORIZO RR”

    Lexus LBX Adds a New High Performance Variant, the LBX “MORIZO RR”

    • A compact car transcending its class allowing the discerning customer to return to being their true selves, offering a new value in luxury
    • A high-performance model that offers an exhilarating out-of-the-ordinary experience featuring refined performance and a sophisticated design
    • 1.6-litre in-line three-cylinder intercooled turbocharged engine (G16E-GTS), extensively developed vehicle fundamentals by racing drivers
    • A design rooted in high performance, maintaining compact yet commanding proportions
    • The “Bespoke Build” program offers a wide range of options, including yellow brake calipers, enabling customers to create a truly unique vehicle

    Toyota City, Japan, July 18, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – LEXUS unveiled the Japan domestic specifications of the new LBX MORIZO RR on Thursday, July 18, which was originally exhibited at the Tokyo Auto Salon held in January 2024. Orders for the Japanese market will be accepted starting today, with the release planned for late August. Additionally, 100 units of the LBX MORIZO RR “Bespoke Build” will be available through a lottery. Applications for the lottery can be submitted at Lexus dealerships within Japan starting from Thursday, July 18, to Wednesday, July 31. Winners will be notified by the dealership.

    The new LBX MORIZO RR was developed alongside master driver Akio Toyoda, also known as Morizo, to deliver the refined signature LEXUS driving quality and sophisticated design. This high-performance model is designed to enhance the dialogue between driver and car, evoke spontaneous smiles, and provide an exhilarating out-of-the-ordinary experience. Equipped with a 1.6L inline-three intercooler turbo engine (G16E-GTS), it delivers exhilarating torque and power. To fully utilize this power, the fundamental characteristics of the car were thoroughly refined. A dedicated platform was developed in order to achieve a balance between agility and power. To ensure a high level of control on various road surfaces, the Response-Enhancing Damping Structure (REDS), a world-first(1), was adopted on the front lower arms, enhancing responsiveness while dampening. Furthermore, in pursuit of the distinctive quietness that is characteristic of LEXUS, source control measures were thoroughly implemented to suppress noise and vibration even during sporty driving. To maximize vehicle performance, features such as a Direct Shift 8AT and a LEXUS*2 first, 6-speed iMT (Intelligent Manual Transmission), have been adopted. Additionally, an electronically controlled full-time AWD has been incorporated to enhance the sporty driving experience. In terms of design, the aim was to express both luxury and a presence transcending the size hierarchy of the LBX. Drawing from the design concept of “Premium Casual,” which encourages customers to casually use the vehicle in their daily lives, we pursued a design backed by high performance. Exterior features such as exclusive front and rear bumpers, 19-inch forged wheels, colored arch moldings and colored rocker moldings emphasize the low center of gravity and wide stance. For the interior, the aim was to create a sportier space fostering a seamless connection between the driver and car, aiming to enhance the sense of unity with the vehicle and provide an unforgettable driving experience. This was achieved by incorporating dedicated sports seats, aluminum pedals, and interior accents to enhance the joy of driving.

    In the “Bespoke Build” program, customers can craft their own unique vehicle from a wide range of variations. Special custom options, such as dedicated brake calipers in Morizo’s signature yellow, are available to enhance the personalized experience for the customer. The goal was to create a casual luxury vehicle that customers would eagerly drive on weekends, much like a favorite pair of sneakers.

    MAIN PRODUCT FEATURES OF THE NEW LBX MORIZO RR

    Exceptional driving performance made possible by extensively developing the vehicle fundamentals alongside a racing driver

    • A dedicated platform designed to balance agility and power for a sporty AWD experience
    • A driving position and package crafted to pursue seamless unity between driver and car
    • Adoption of the world-first*1 Response-Enhancing Damping Structure (REDS) in the front lower arms
    • Distinctive quietness of a LEXUS, with a focus on source control measures to suppress noise and vibration
    • Maximized aerodynamic performance to enhance driving dynamics and design aesthetics

    Delivering driving pleasure with motorsport-inspired performance and smooth acceleration

    • An intercooled turbocharged 1.6-liter engine engineered to push sports driving performance to the limits
    • Two transmission options: the Direct Shift-8AT for maximizing vehicle performance and sports driving, and a 6-speed iMT, a first for LEXUS(2)
    • Electronic control full-time AWD contributes to safe, secure, and sporty driving
    • Adoption of a braking system that maximizes driving performance potential
    • The design balances compactness and striking presence, backed by high-performance
    • Tire-conscious and dynamic proportions, unrestricted by the compact body size
    • Based on the premise of the cooling, aerodynamic and dynamic performance required when driving at the limit, such as on circuits, the special bumpers and grills focus a more dynamic and high-performance image
    • The rear design reflects a simple solid mass with low centre of gravity and dual mufflers evoke a sense of spirited driving
    • Addition of aluminum pads on each pedal to enhance sportiness
    • Specially designed front seats with integrated foam construction are adopted to provide firm support for the body even during sports driving

    Customers can create their own custom vehicle from a wide range of options offered by the “Bespoke Build” ordering system

    • The “Bespoke Build” custom order system allows customers to choose interior colors, seat materials, belt colors, and stitching from a wide range of options to create a truly unique vehicle
    • Brake calipers colored in Morizo’s signature yellow are available as an exclusive option

    KUNIHIKO ENDO, LEXUS LBX MORIZO RR CHIEF ENGINEER

    With LBX, we aimed to transcend traditional size hierarchies, offering a blend of casual luxury that allows those who appreciate authenticity to reconnect with their true selves, driving comfortably and confidently. For the “LBX MORIZO RR,” our goal was to create a vehicle beloved by genuine car enthusiasts like Morizo―a driving companion that deeply engages with the sensory delights of sound and scent, ultimately bringing a smile to their faces. Developed extensively at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama and various circuits alongside professional driver Masahiro Sasaki, this car typically provides a relaxed, casual driving experience. Yet, when you press the accelerator for a spirited drive, it delivers performance that exceeds expectations. Stay tuned for this high-performance model that fosters enjoyable dialogue with the car, evoking smiles and an exhilarating sense of the extraordinary.

    MASAHIRO, RACING DRIVER

    If LBX’s HEV model is like a sneaker, then MORIZO RR can be likened to an all-purpose athletic shoe that you can wear anytime, anywhere―even capable of becoming spikes when you’re ready to move. You’ll feel the joy of driving and the thrill of acceleration from its powerful engine and Direct Shift-8AT, complemented by delightful sounds. With LBX MORIZO RR, our focus was on refining the motorsports based powertrain developed by GR while ensuring it is still infused with the distinctive Lexus refinement. Through agile development and extensive testing, both the car and the people involved in its creation experienced significant growth. We remain committed to crafting Lexus vehicles filled with excitement and playful spirit that car enthusiasts like Morizo will find truly exhilarating.

    PROFILE

    Racing driver from Iwate Prefecture. Participated in the 2019 Nürburgring 24 Hours race with an A90 Supra from TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. Since 2021, has been competing in the Super Taikyu series with ROOKIE Racing, driving the hydrogen engine Corolla Sport alongside Morizo. Involved in the development of driving performance for GR and Lexus vehicles, and helped produce the RZ special edition model “F SPORT Performance”. Also contributed as a development driver for LBX, pursuing driving experiences that bring smiles to car enthusiasts.

    LBX MORIZO RR Specs

    (1) World’s first application on suspension systems
    (2) In the Japanese market

    News URL: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/91830/

    Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/LexusJP | Twitter : https://twitter.com/lexusint | Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/LexusGlobal

  • Three Entry GMG Racing Effort Ready to Resume 2024 SRO America Season this Weekend at VIRginia International Raceway

    Three Entry GMG Racing Effort Ready to Resume 2024 SRO America Season this Weekend at VIRginia International Raceway

    • Kyle Washington Co-Drives New Porsche 911 GT3 R with Tom Sargent in Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS and Solos in GT America Powered by AWS in GMG Racing’s Second No. 32 Type 992 Porsche
    • CJ Moses Returns to 2024 GT America Competition for First Time Since Long Beach for Third-Straight VIR Appearance in the No. 58 GMG Racing/CrowdStrike/AWS Audi R8 LMS GT2

    DANVILLE, Virginia (July 17, 2024) – Ready to roll after SRO America’s two-month break from competition, GMG Racing and its three-car and three-driver entry of Fanatec GT World Challenge powered by AWS and GT America powered by AWS contenders returns to VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) for a full weekend of racing that kicks off the second half of the 2024 season at VIR, July 19 – 21.

    First-year co-drivers Kyle Washington and Tom Sargent look to start the stretch-run of the year’s final-four race events with season-best Fanatec GT World Challenge America finishes this weekend in the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R. Washington also drives solo in a second No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R alongside teammate CJ Moses in his No. 58 GMG Racing/CrowdStrike/AWS Audi R8 LMS GT2 in this weekend’s pair of GT America powered by AWS sprint races.

    Washington and Sargent raced to a pair of season-best fourth-place Pro-Am-class finishes in early May at Sebring International Raceway, and reaching the podium in the doubleheader 90-minute GT World Challenge races is the main goal this weekend. In their corner will be a brand new Type 992 Porsche 911 GT3 R that will be the team’s primary GT World Challenge mount for the rest of the season.

    The 992 Porsche 911 GT3 R Washington and Sargent shared in the year’s first three races now shifts to GT America where Washington will use it as his new primary car in that series. The 992’s GT America arrival is well timed as Washington still rides the lingering momentum of a season-best second-place finish in the final 40-minute GT America race in May at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), the last SRO America event weekend before SRO America’s traditional early-summer pause.

    “We definitely had some momentum going with Kyle in not only SRO America competition but several others series as well throughout May,” said GMG Racing Founder and Team Principal James Sofronas. “Kyle and Tom had their best GT World Challenge America results in just their second race weekend together at Sebring. Then Kyle won a Porsche Sprint Challenge West Masters class race in Utah the week before his season-best GT America runner-up finish at COTA in the last race before SRO America’s annual break. Having a new car, like the 992 No. 32 Porsche 911 GT3 R, always brings some energy with it, and I have no doubts all of that momentum will come right back to Kyle, Tom and everybody on the team once we get back on track in Virginia.”

    Moses makes his second race-weekend start of the season at VIR after making his 2024 debut last April in the GT America doubleheader at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Moses earned a trip to Long Beach victory lane for the EBOOST Hard Charger Award for improving the most positions in Sunday’s race. He races uncontested in the GT2 class this weekend but will make the most of the VIR opportunity with some valuable seat time and on-track experience racing with both the top-tier GT3 competitors and the slower but still quick competitors in the GT4 class.

    “My home track is VIR and it’s actually where I started my on track experience as a novice student with the Audi Club in 2000,” Moses said. “It is my favorite track for much the same reason as Paul Newman mentioned: it feels like heaven on earth! I enjoy it so much that my wife and I have contracted for one of the new Villas outside Turn 10. Having experience at the track and in the Audi GT2 allows me to focus on continuous improvement and enjoy the rolling countryside as fast as possible!”

    Moses secured overall sixth and seventh place finishes in the GT2 Audi at VIR in 2022 after mixing it up with and even leading some GT3 competitors to the finish line in both races.

    “It’s always a tough schedule for CJ to balance his busy work calendar with racing, but he had a good run at Long Beach in April and this is his third-straight year of being able to compete with us in the Audi R8 LMS GT2 at VIR,” Sofronas said. “That type of year-to-year continuity at a track is important for any driver, and we look forward to helping CJ continue to improve on what has been some steady progress over the years on his home track. Last year’s VIR race was a challenging weekend, but CJ was knocking on the door of an overall top-five two years ago and we will do all we can to help him mirror and even improve on that performance this weekend.”

    The VIR race weekend also marks a milestone for GMG Racing, Sofronas, and his wife, Nargis Sofronas, as the family business is extending into the next generation with the national racing series debut of their son, Jenson Sofronas, in the Toyota Gazoo Racing North America (TGRNA) GR Cup Series. The younger Sofronas, under the watchful eye of his championship-winning father, tested the GMG Racing GR86 Cup Toyota last month at VIR and took the initial steps to earn a racing license in a USAC on-track testing and evaluation program at the Utah Motorsports Campus in May. Jenson Sofronas, 13, drives the No. 41 GMG Racing Toyota GR86 Cup in a GMG Racing collaboration with series race-winning team Lucas Racing.

    All of the weekend’s racing action from VIR is livestreamed on SRO’s GT World channel on YouTube.com, beginning with the first 40-minute GT America race Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT straight through the second 90-minute Fanatec GT World Challenge race that closes out the weekend on Sunday with a 2:15 p.m. EDT green flag

    About GMG Racing: Founded in 2001, GMG Racing quickly established itself as North America’s premier performance tuning facility. What began as a small 1,200 sq. ft. shop, maintaining two race cars, has grown into a 30,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art performance tuning, racing and service facility located in Santa Ana, California in Orange County and with a trackside motorsports facility at 28,000 sq. ft. currently being built at The Thermal Club. The staff, attention to detail, and passion are what make GMG the choice of professionals and enthusiasts worldwide. GMG, in its early years, was located directly across the street from Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA). This close proximity allowed GMG to build a strong relationship with the legendary racing brand which has helped us support our customers to the highest level possible. From club racing to Sebring, Daytona and Spa, GMG can take you as far as you want to go. More information can be found at www.gmgracing.com.

  • TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Indianapolis

    TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Indianapolis

    TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
    Indianapolis Motor Speedway / Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
    July 19-21, 2024

     The final push towards the series-wide two-week break will see all three NASCAR national series head to the “Racing Capital of the World” of Indianapolis, Indiana, for the 11th tripleheader of the 2024 season. The weekend will feature the highly anticipated return of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) oval for the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) – highlighted by the 30th anniversary of the Brickyard 400. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) will kick-off the premier weekend of racing at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP), with Friday’s event marking the penultimate race of the series’ regular season.

     CHEVROLET’S WINNING WAYS AT IMS

    Chevrolet’s deep-rooted history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway dates back to the track’s early races, where Chevrolet’s co-founder, Louis Chevrolet, and his brothers competed. This weekend will not only mark NASCAR’s return to the oval configuration at IMS, but the revival of one of the sport’s crown jewel events – the Brickyard 400. This weekend, IMS will celebrate the 30th anniversary since the inaugural Brickyard 400 – a race that saw career Chevrolet driver, Jeff Gordon, pilot his Hendrick Motorsports-prepared No. 24 Chevrolet Lumina to the victory.

    That victory was just the start of Chevrolet’s success at IMS, with the Bowtie brand heading into the weekend with wins in 17 of the 27 NASCAR Cup Series races at the famed 2.5-mile oval – a record more than double the next leading manufacturer, Ford, with six wins. Chevrolet reeled off an impressive 12 consecutive victories in NASCAR’s top division at the track – recorded from Aug. 2003 to July 2014. The Bowtie brand last paid a visit to victory lane on the IMS oval in July 2017 with Kasey Kahne – ultimately marking his final NCS victory before retiring from full-time competition the following season.

    GORDON BOOSTS

    BRICKYARD RECORDS

    NASCAR Hall of Famer and career Chevrolet driver, Jeff Gordon, has a storied history at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Vallejo, California, native became the NASCAR Cup Series’ first winner on the IMS oval by picking up the victory in the inaugural Brickyard 400 (1994). The triumph came when Gordon was at the age of just 23 years, two days – a record that still stands as the series’ youngest winner at the track.

    The records don’t stop there. In his 17 career NCS starts at IMS, Gordon tallied five wins, 12 top-fives and 17 top-10s – all of which are series-leading feats.

    To help celebrate NASCAR’s 30th anniversary at IMS, the Chevrolet Racing Display in the fan midway will feature the actual No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy Lumina that Jeff Gordon drove to the victory in the inaugural Brickyard 400. In addition, Gordon is scheduled to appear at the Chevrolet Racing Display on Sunday, July 21, at 12:30 p.m. ET for a fan Q&A.

    RICK HENDRICK NAMED HONORARY PACE CAR DRIVER FOR BRICKYARD RETURN

    With NASCAR’s return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Rick Hendrick – owner of Hendrick Motorsports and Chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group – will serve as the honorary pace car driver to lead the NASCAR Cup Series to the green flag for Sunday’s Brickyard 400.

    Celebrating its 40th anniversary season, Hendrick Motorsports has become the sport’s most successful organization, with every win and championship recorded in partnership with Chevrolet. Geoffrey Bodine put Hendrick Motorsports on the map in its founding season – giving the organization its first NCS win at Martinsville Speedway in April 1984. Fast forward to the 2024 season, the Chevrolet organization leads NASCAR’s top division with 14 championships and 309 points-paying wins.

    “For all of us at GM and Chevrolet, as well as for our partners at IMS, it’s an honor to have Rick Hendrick lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to the green flag at this year’s Brickyard 400,” said Mark Reuss, President of General Motors. “Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports have had a storied history together over the past 40 years. Having Rick pace the 30th anniversary of this prestigious race is a special way to celebrate our partnership and the legacy he has built in NASCAR.”

    Hendrick Motorsports is no stranger to success on the famed 2.5-mile oval, with the Chevrolet organization heading into the weekend with a series-leading 10 victories in the Brickyard 400, including the inaugural event in Aug. 1994 with Jeff Gordon. The organization’s anniversary season also saw Rick Hendrick make his debut as a team owner in the NTT INDYCAR Series, who partnered with Arrow McLaren to field the No. 17 Chevrolet INDYCAR entry for Kyle Larson in the Indianapolis 500.

    Official press release is linked here: Rick Hendrick to Drive Pace Car at Brickyard 400

    ALLGAIER CARRIES MOMENTUM TO THE HOOSIER STATE

    At Pocono Raceway, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier netted yet another strong points day – driving his No. 7 Camaro SS to the Stage One win and a runner-up finish to maintain the second position in the NASCAR Xfinity Series points standings. The 38-year-old Illinois native has progressively moved his way up the points standings through the summer swing. Since his victory at Darlington Raceway in May, Allgaier has had top–10 results in seven of the past nine races – including a pair of runner-up finishes.

    Looking to continue to build on that momentum, the Team Chevy driver will head to Indianapolis Motor Speedway with an extra boost of confidence as the only active full-time driver in the series with a win at the 2.5-mile oval. That victory came in Sept. 2018, which also marks Chevrolet’s third and most recent NXS victory on the track’s oval configuration.


    With the Superspeedway Package:

    The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval will see teams compete with the superspeedway package, which was previously utilized this season at Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. The package has fared well for Chevrolet this season, with the manufacturer earning the victory in each of those events – courtesy of Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill (Daytona, Atlanta) and Jesse Love (Talladega). In addition, each of those events saw the Camaro SS take six of the top-10 finishing positions – further solidifying the manufacturer’s superspeedway strength.

    ENFINGER CAPITALIZING ON FINAL REGULAR SEASON PUSH

    While CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger is still looking for his first trip to victory lane in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season, the Team Chevy driver is continually proving to be a top contender. The 39-year-old Alabama native came just shy of notching the win at Pocono Raceway last weekend, but a runner-up finish in his No. 9 Silverado RST adds yet another stout result through the series’ summer stretch. Enfinger earned his first runner-up finish of the season at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May, with the Team Chevy driver going on to tally top-six finishes in five of the past six NCTS races. Within that time span, he netted three podium results, including two runner-up finishes (North Wilkesboro, Pocono) and a third-place finish (Charlotte). With a 48-point day at Pocono Raceway, Enfinger was able to build a bigger cushion on the playoff cutline – now holding a 33-point advantage.

    Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at IRP:

    Friday’s TSport 200 will mark the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ 20th appearance at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Chevrolet earned the victory in the series’ first appearance at IRP in Aug. 1995 – a win recorded with Mike Skinner behind the wheel of Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 Silverado. Grant Enfinger took Chevrolet to its series-leading 10th NCTS victory at IRP in July 2022, giving the Bowtie brand a win record that is double the next leading manufacturer, Ford, with five victories.


    Season’s Short-Track Success:

    Just two opportunities lie ahead for drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series to win and secure a berth into the series’ 10-driver playoff field – both coming at a pair of challenging short-tracks (IRP and Richmond Raceway). NCTS’ points leader Christian Eckes has been an automatic favorite going into short-track events this season, with the Team Chevy driver earning victories in two of the series’ three events on short-tracks measuring .75-mile or less (Bristol, Martinsville). In three short-track races this season, Team Chevy drivers have taken the Silverado RST to at least six top-10 finishes in each event – highlighted by a podium sweep at Bristol Motor Speedway.

    BOWTIE BULLETS:

    · Chevrolet will pace the field during the tripleheader race weekend in Indianapolis. The Silverado RST will lead the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in Friday’s TSport 200 at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. At Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Camaro SS will lead the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Saturday’s Pennzoil 250 Presented by Advance Auto Parts; and the Camaro ZL1 will lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 Presented by PPG.

    · With 55 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 52.7% with 29 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – nine wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – 11 wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – nine wins).

    · In 27 NASCAR Cup Series races on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, Chevrolet has earned 17 victories – a record more than double the next leading manufacturer, Ford, with six victories. Of those victories includes a streak of 12-straight, recorded between Aug. 2003 to July 2014.

    · Career Chevrolet driver, Jeff Gordon, leads the series with five Brickyard 400 victories, including the inaugural event in Aug. 1994.

    · In 10 tripleheader weekends this season, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer to earn a weekend sweep – accomplishing the feat three times (Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway).

    · In 93 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 46 victories – a winning percentage of 49.5%.

    · With his victory at Sonoma Raceway, Kyle Larson is the second driver to hit a double-digit win record in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen era with 10 triumphs. Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron, leads the series’ all-time win record in the Next Gen era with 11 victories.

    · With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 860 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.


    FOR THE FANS:

    · Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    · Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: Equinox Activ, Equinox EV, Blazer EV, Trailblazer RS, Silverado 2500 HD, Tahoe Z71, Colorado Trail Boss, Silverado 1500 ZR2, Traverse Z71, Corvette Z06.

    · Fans can also view William Byron’s No. 24 Camaro ZL1 show car.

    · Fans will also have a special viewing of the actual No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Lumina that Jeff Gordon drove to the victory in the inaugural Brickyard 400.

    Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

    Saturday, July 20

    · Austin Hill & Jesse Love: 10:15 a.m.

    · Sam Mayer & Sammy Smith: 10:30 a.m.

    · Brandon Jones: 10:45 a.m.

    · Justin Allgaier & Carson Kvapil: 11 a.m.

    Sunday, July 21

    · Austin Dillon: 10:30 a.m.

    · Daniel Suarez: 10:45 a.m.

    · Kyle Busch: 11 a.m.

    · Ross Chastain: 11:15 a.m.

    · Chase Elliott: 11:30 a.m.

    · Kyle Larson: 11:45 a.m.

    · Ty Dillon: 12 p.m.

    · Jeff Gordon: 12:30 p.m.

    Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

    · Friday, July 19: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

    · Saturday, July 20: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    · Sunday, July 21: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

    Manufacturer Points Standings

    Chevrolet: 759
    Toyota: 751 (-8)
    Ford: 736 (-23)

    Manufacturer Points Standings

    Chevrolet: 712
    Toyota: 674 (-38)
    Ford: 604 (-108)

    Manufacturer Points Standings

    Chevrolet: 533
    Toyota: 499 (-34)
    Ford: 443 (-90)

    TUNE-IN:

    NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    Brickyard 400

    Sunday, July 21, at 2:30 p.m. ET

    (NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

    NASCAR Xfinity Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

    Pennzoil 250

    Saturday, July 20, at 3:30 p.m. ET

    (USA Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

    NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park

    TSport 200

    Friday, July 19, at 8:30 p.m. ET

    (FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)


    QUOTABLE QUOTES:

    Ross Chastain, No. 1 Moose Fraternity Camaro ZL1

    First time back on the Indy oval in several years, how do you think it will be?

    “It’s good to be back on the oval. It’s a good change of pace. It’s the first time we’ll be on the oval with this version of the car. A couple of guys did the test there so they’ll probably have a little bit of an upper hand. It’s been a while since I’ve been on the oval but I know how challenging it can be. If we’re good at Pocono, we’ll probably be good at Indy.”

    Do you feel racing at IMS should always be on the oval whether the racing is good or bad?

    “It could be on the oval. It could be across town at IRP. As long as we are racing in Indianapolis, that’s all I care about.”

    What do you expect racing at IRP in the truck?

    “I don’t know. I haven’t been there since I made my first race in NASCAR. That was my first truck start. I’ve had desire to get back there and I’m finally getting there.”

    Austin Dillon, No. 3 SENIX Camaro ZL1

    What are your expectations going back to Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

    “I’ve always enjoyed the oval at Indianapolis. The prestige behind it, the history. To me when you win the oval, that’s one of the crown jewels. It’s a giant racetrack that you know has so much history and you get to cross the bricks. The celebration that comes along with it. It’s a long race, it’s a lot of fun. My fondest memory of The Brickyard is probably when I was in Victory Lane with Kevin Harvick when he won the Brickyard 400 in 2003 and with Paul Menard in 2011. My brother won his Xfinity race there in 2014. I love those moments.”

    Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Gainbridge Camaro ZL1

    What are your thoughts on heading to the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend?

    “Indy is a special place, and it’s a big weekend for our Spire Motorsports team. Everybody brings their absolute best to ‘The Brickyard,’ and our No. 7 team is no different. With Indianapolis being the home of Gainbridge, it’s even more of an incentive to have a great run.”

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

    What are your thoughts about returning to the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

    “I would like to think that we’ll be good out of the gate going back to Indy but who knows. It’s definitely a tough racetrack. It is so challenging to get right. I’ve had some really good runs there and some that were not so good, but the latest stretch, at the end of the oval time frame that we had in NASCAR, I was right there. I had a shot to win all of them, so I feel really good about going back there. I just want to make sure that our Cheddar’s Patriotic Camaro is as fast as it can be when we get there.”

    In 2016, you won poles and races for both NXS and Cup races at Indy, the first time in NASCAR history a driver has accomplished the feat. You also dominated the weekend, leading 211 of a possible 233 laps. How much pride do you take in that accomplishment?

    “The 2016 weekend was huge there at the Brickyard for me. Being able to win the pole and the race for both the Xfinity and Cup Series races just showed our strength as a team, but also my strength as a driver in figuring out what it takes to be good at Indy. That was certainly a highlight for me on the track during that period of time.”

    Could you tell a big difference in the way the Next Gen car handled at Indy?

    “There was a difference in the way the NextGen car handled at Indy. The NextGen car likes to be driven off the right-front tire and you can’t slip the right-rear. But at Indy, as you go through a tire run, you typically continue to get tighter so you need to be on the free side at the start of a run. When you do that with the NextGen car, it can make it very easy to crash.”

    Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Cirkul Camaro ZL1

    “We’ve got another super iconic racetrack that we get to return to: the Brickyard. This will be my second brickyard 400. There are certain racetracks we go to that feel extra special knowing that we’re fortunate to be a part of history, and this is one of those places. It’s a big weekend for us and Cirkul, our partner, and everyone involved. We know we’ve got quite a bit of work to do with the flatter race tracks, but everyone is working hard to keep moving this program forward. Hopefully we can do just that.”

    Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1

    Bowman on racing the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

    “It’s going to be cool to be back at Indy (Indianapolis Motor Speedway). That’s going to be a really difficult race passing wise, so track position is going to be super key. Race strategy can play a huge role in any of that, so I’m excited for the challenge and to get back there (the oval).”

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

    Harris on calling the shots for the No. 48 team at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with five races to go until the playoffs:

    “I think this weekend at Indy (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), will be like how Pocono (Raceway) was for us last weekend. Now that we have the win, we can take some more chances on strategy to put us in position to win (again). We’re also going to continue to focus on picking-up stage points and continue to creep up in the regular season standings and carry a few more bonus points with us (to the playoffs).”

    Zane Smith, No. 71 Focused Health Camaro ZL1

    What are you looking forward to at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this coming weekend?

    “I’m excited to get to Indy this weekend. It will be my first time racing there and it is a super iconic track, so I’m looking forward to getting on the oval on Friday and seeing how it feels. My No. 71 Spire Motorsports team has been working hard day in and day out to bring fast race cars to the track and it has shown the last couple of weekends. Hoping for a solid race on Sunday.”

    Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Camaro ZL1

    What does it mean to you to race at a historic track like Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

    “It means a lot and I’m pumped. I raced quarter-midgets there for years, and even drove one around the oval once. I remember thinking that it would be a dream come true to race a full-sized car competitively at “The Brickyard.” Indy has always been a dream, especially the (Indianapolis) 500, but with no Brickyard races for the last few years, this is an incredible opportunity. We’ve got a strong team and this track suits our racing style, so I’m very optimistic. Everyone’s excited – Luke (Lambert), Jeff (Dickerson), the whole team – and we’re ready for a good run.”

    Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Freeway Insurance Camaro ZL1

    Do you think about last year when an air hose caught under a fender and cost you a chance at winning the race?

    “Last year was heartbreaking, but that’s part of the sport. All we can do is continue to push, continue to build race cars like we had at Indianapolis last year and keep on trying hard to win races. I mean, we win and we lose as a team, and that’s all I can say. The guys brought a very fast race car. I felt that maybe we were one adjustment behind in the first run with the back of the car, but then we made it a little bit better. But I felt like I was always one step behind Chase Elliott and Michael McDowell.”

    Are you glad NASCAR is back on the oval at Indy?

    “Well I liked the road course here. I thought we had an advantage, but it’s hard to argue against racing on the oval here. There is so much history. Winning here would be so exciting and something you would talk about the rest of your life.”

    What are the keys to victory this weekend?

    “We are going to have to learn about the track and our car during that Friday practice. That will be key. Obviously on Saturday, getting a good starting spot, and a good pit stall will help and on Sunday it will be about executing with no mistakes on the track and in the pits. I think we are going to put on a great show Sunday and I plan to be at the front.”

    Sammy Smith, No. 7 Golden Harvest Silverado RST

    You’ve made a pair of starts at IRP. The track is a different animal compared to anyone else. How do you attack getting around the track?

    “I had the opportunity to run an ARCA car and a Late Model at IRP in 24 hours. It’s very low grip and restarts quickly go three and four-wide. You can run up near the wall, and you can run all the way on the apron. It provides really good racing. The trucks definitely drive differently than either of the other disciplines I’ve been in there. It will be fun to get rolling and should be a fun race. I’m excited to get back there on Friday night.”

    You will be hopping out of the Xfinity car after practice at IMS and jumping right into the truck at IRP to practice and qualify just over an hour afterwards. How different will those experiences be?

    “It will be different for sure. They are obviously two different vehicles at two completely different race tracks. The Xfinity cars will be going a lot faster at the big track, and the trucks will be going slower and sliding around a bit more with the low-grip surface. It will be an exciting day.”

    Bayley Currey, No. 41 Niece Motorsports Silverado RST

    You’ve said that IRP is one of your most-anticipated tracks this year. Why is that?

    “I think it’s one of the best racetracks in the world. I’d put it up there with Iowa and Homestead. I got to test a little bit in the simulator last year before SVG hopped in the truck for the race, and I loved it. I’m really excited to race here; some of the best racing is at IRP. I think Cup should go there, Xfinity, IndyCar, everything should be racing here with the trucks. It’s going to be so much fun.”

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

    What makes IRP such a fun track amongst all the drivers?

    “IRP is great. Last year in my first time running at that track, I wasn’t really sure on what to expect, but it was a lot of fun learning how the track changed throughout the course of the race. We’re able to run on the bottom groove, in the middle, and all the way up to the fence. It was cool figuring out how to pass other guys and put them in uncomfortable positions. It just races like how a short track should feel like. Multiple lanes, having the option to change your line based off how the truck is handling, so I’m really looking forward to going back.”

    Conor Daly, No. 44 Power Plus Silverado RST

    This will be your first truck start on a short track, so what will be the biggest hurdle for you to get used to before Friday night?

    “Thankfully, it’s a track that I have driven on before and won on. It’s been a while, but this experience in a heavy stock car on a short track will certainly be something that I’ll be learning every lap, every stint, and every stage. I’m going to learn as much as I can to be able to use it towards the end of the race. I’ve also tried to talk to Ross Chastain. He’s very experienced, so I have a really good teammate to learn from. I just have to take advantage of that and be as quick as I can be at the end of the race.”

    Ross Chastain, No. 45 Alliance Highway Safety Silverado RST

    How challenging is it to jump from the big track in Indy over to the short track at IRP?

    “It’ll be a challenge for sure, but that’s part of the reason why I’m so excited to run at both tracks. I have fond memories of IRP; it’s where my career began, and I think the racing here is great. The two tracks are so different, so nothing will carry over, and I’ll have to use a different mindset as soon as I hop out of the Cup car in Friday’s practice. I’ve had a fun year racing for Al (Niece) and everyone at Niece Motorsports. Any time I get the chance to drive one of their trucks, I know we’ll have the pace to contend. I’m hoping to make this last start of the year a good one for all my guys on the No. 45 team.”

    Rajah Caruth, No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Silverado RST

    IRP was one of your best “all-around” performances last season. How are you looking to build on your solid day at the track last year?

    “I think overall we have just gotten better, both myself and Chad (Walter). We have made some improvements. I have also gotten better at short tracks, which is something I have really been focusing on. That’s a spot I know I’ve needed to improve. IRP is a track I have a little experience at between ARCA and trucks, so hopefully that correlates to a good run this weekend.”

    The progressive banking at IRP opens a variety of lines drivers can utilize and make time. Does this add to your excitement as a driver and which line do you prefer to run?

    “IRP is interesting because the seams determine the banking of the racetrack. Meaning, the higher you go, the more banking the racetrack has. It’s really a testament to how well your truck works. If your truck is turning well, you can take the inner line with the least amount of banking that is the shortest way around. If your truck isn’t turning, you can use the banking on the higher side of the track to help make the corner. It’s a racetrack that’s a different animal with good tools to use no matter how the truck handles.”

    Chase Purdy, No. 77 Bama Buggies Silverado RST

    The playoffs are closing in and you find yourself battling at the cutline. What is your mindset heading into the weekend?

    “We have one goal heading into this weekend. Win.”

    The progressive banking at IRP opens a variety of lines drivers can utilize and make time. How does affect the way you can move through the field?

    “The progressive banking makes it a multi-groove track. You can run as high or as low as you want, and still make speed. It makes it exciting as a driver and for the fans. The ability to move around and change lanes gives the driver a lot of options. It creates more opportunities to make passes.”


    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: 9

    Poles: 7

    Laps Led: 1,627

    Top-five finishes: 38

    Top-10 finishes: 79

    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: 860 (1949 to date)

    Poles won to date: 750

    Laps led to date: 250,802

    Top-five finishes to date: 4,336

    Top-10 finishes to date: 8,939

    Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

           General Motors: 1,194
    
           Chevrolet: 860
    
           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.