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Author: Official Release

Justin Allgaier, BRANDT Return to JRM in Multi-Year Renewal

Allgaier Makes Announcement at Homestead-Miami Speedway

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 25, 2024) – As announced during Friday afternoon’s media availability session at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Justin Allgaier and cornerstone partner BRANDT Professional Agriculture are returning to JR Motorsports in a multi-year renewal that will run through the 2026 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. As the second-longest tenured-partner for JRM at ten years, BRANDT will assume the role of primary partner for Allgaier and the No.7 Chevrolet for 20 events during the 2025 and 2026 NXS seasons, as well as receive associate placement on the remaining races.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Justin, the Brandt family and everyone at BRANDT Professional Agriculture,“ said JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “BRANDT and Justin have become synonymous with JRM both on and off the track and Rick (Brandt)’s passion for this program remains unwavering. We are honored to continue to carry their brand. That No. 7 team has consistently been one of the strongest teams in the garage year after year, and I know that that is going to continue moving forward.”

Founded in central Illinois, BRANDT is a fast-growing, family-owned company and a leader in global agriculture. Specializing in innovative products and services to help growers get maximum crop yield and a positive return on their crop inputs, BRANDT supplies customers in 49 states and more than 80 countries.

“On behalf of everyone at Team BRANDT, we are beyond happy to extend our decade-long partnership with Justin and JR Motorsports for the next two seasons,” said Rick Brandt, President and CEO of BRANDT. “Our philosophy has always been to win in the field and on the track, and this partnership has helped us do just that. But before we start looking ahead to next year, there’s still one thing left to do this year: Let’s go win that 2024 championship.”

BRANDT has had a long-standing presence in NASCAR, having first partnered with Allgaier in 2011. The pairing joined JRM for the 2016 NXS season, and Allgaier has been a perennial title contender ever since, qualifying for the playoffs every year since their inception, and advancing to the Championship 4 in six of the last eight seasons, finishing runner-up in both 2020 and 2023.

“It feels great to be returning to JRM and to continue our partnership with BRANDT Professional Agriculture,” said Allgaier. “BRANDT has played such an integral part in my career and I am extremely proud of everything that we have accomplished thus far together. I’m honored to be able to continue to drive this No. 7 Chevrolet for Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) and Kelley and compete for race wins and championships. Hopefully we can get this renewal jump started on a strong note and finish off these playoffs in the best way possible.”

Allgaier currently sits atop the point standings heading into tomorrow’s NXS event at Homestead, 32 points above the playoff cutline with two races remaining in the Round of 8.

Catch Allgaier and the No. 7 Precision Build / BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet take to the high banks of Homestead on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 3:30 p.m. ET on The CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

ABOUT BRANDT:
A leading agricultural company, BRANDT serves growers and farmers around the globe. Founded in 1953 by Glen Brandt and his sister Evelyn Brandt Thomas to help Illinois farmers adopt new and profitable technologies, the company has experienced aggressive growth under the leadership of President and CEO Rick Brandt. BRANDT’s focus is providing the products and services that give growers the best opportunity for maximum return while building a stronger, healthier and more abundant food supply. For more information, visit BRANDT on the web at www.brandt.co.

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 23rd year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also owns seven titles in regional Late Model divisions with consecutive championships in 2022-23 and a prized national title in 2020. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

October 25, 2024
Frankie Muniz Homestead Media Availability

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Baptist Health 200 Media Availability | Homestead-Miami Speedway
Friday, October 25, 2024

Frankie Muniz announced earlier this week that he will be driving full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next season with Reaume Brothers Racing. He visited the infield media center at Homestead-Miami Speedway before today’s practice and qualifying session to talk about the move with reporters.

FRANKIE MUNIZ, No. 33 Reaume Brothers Ford F-150 – CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY AND WHAT THAT MEANS TO YOU? “I’m absolutely thrilled, obviously, that we got to make the announcement to be driving for Reaume Brothers next year full-time. I mean, my plans for this year definitely changed from what we thought it was gonna be and being part-time is not easy. It’s hard to watch, but it’s also hard knowing that I just need experience to play catch-up to all of the people I’m competing against, and to be out of the car or truck as much as I was this year was tough. So, I was super excited to get my deal done early. We’ve known that I was gonna sign with them for a while now and be able to announce it to where I’m literally starting today is prepping for next year. Even for my wife and my life and my son to know, here is where we’re gonna be when, it just makes it so nice to plan ahead.”

DO YOU LIVE IN THE CHARLOTTE AREA NOW? “I live in Scottsdale, Arizona. I will be based out of Charlotte during the season next year. That’s the plan. I want to put myself into every situation I can to be better as a race car driver, so if that’s spending more time with the team, if that’s going over stuff with engineers and watching past races and with my spotter and being in the simulator that I’m lucky enough that Ford really gives me a lot of access to, great, but let’s do it. Going back and forth is not easy and I just want to fully immerse myself in being a NASCAR driver and the best way to do that is to really be by the team in Charlotte.”

WHAT KEPT YOU GOING THIS YEAR WITHOUT HAVING AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES AS YOU HAD HOPED? “It was definitely hard, especially the races that we did do weren’t great. We had either bad luck or I just wasn’t good. Like in Phoenix this year I was awful, so I take it to heart because I want to be out there. I want to prove that I can do it, but how can I even prove it to myself if I’m not out there doing it. It’s hard on my family because this year we thought was gonna be one thing and it wasn’t, so there’s a lot of me having down days of just thinking like, ‘Man, I was gonna do this or I thought I was gonna be here.’ The plan changing so much to where my wife went to Italy by herself this year because I couldn’t commit to going with her because I needed to be available for something that we thought was gonna happen and didn’t happen. I want to be a better husband for her. One reason I said I went racing in general was to be an inspiration for my son, but if I’m not doing that, then what am I doing? So, that’s why it was really important for me to start focusing on 2025 and kind of get everything shored up. I don’t want to be thinking about where I’m gonna be next week because it takes away from focusing on where you are right then. Fortunately, I don’t have to do that next year.”

DID YOU EVER THINK THIS MIGHT NOT WORK OUT? “I’m definitely not a quitter. I jumped into stock cars for the first time last year and I wanted to look back at this experience, good or bad, whatever it is, and feel like I tried my best. I gave it a fair shot. I don’t want to do it and go, ‘I wonder if I did one more season’ or ‘I wonder if I kept going what could we have done?’ If you asked me what my plan is for 2026, I couldn’t tell you. I really want to give next year a full blown effort and see where we stack up and make the decision based on what we see we do.”

YOU GOT SICK OVER THE SUMMER. DID THAT AFFECT WHAT YOU WERE PLANNING TO DO ON THE TRACK? “Not necessarily. I got really sick. I was sick for almost six weeks, like literally in bed. I lost 30 pounds. It was bad. I got some crazy parasite in Mexico, so I’m not going there anytime soon, but it didn’t – to be honest. I was supposed to be full-time this year and then when that happened I was gonna do 10 races in Xfinity and a bunch of Truck races and it just kept evolving. With the situation I had it’s tough because I’m so grateful to be a Ford driver, but there’s not a ton of seats and obviously at midseason they’re full, so where do you go? What do you do? So, trying to figure that out but still doing at least enough races to keep used to it so that if the opportunity does come up I can do it. It’s hard to watch. It’s really hard to watch on TV as a driver. You want to be out there competing and especially for me. I want to keep learning. I know I’ve said that for two years. I said it last year in ARCA, but I still have so much that I need to experience for the first time and that’s really the goal for these last two races. I’m doing Miami. I’m doing Phoenix. Not that we’re using it as a test session, but we’re using it to gel as a team and then figure out what I need or me figure out what I need, put myself in situations for the first time with these drivers and just be better prepares so when we show up at Daytona we’re head down and trying to be as competitive as possible.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS SET FOR NEXT SEASON? “I think a realistic goal, obviously as a race car driver I say I want to win. I want to be the best, but realistically the series is tough. There are a lot of good drivers and a lot of good teams, but I think if we could consistently be in the top 20 that would be a huge achievement for us. I know that Josh Reaume is ultra motivated. That’s what I really love about him. There are some teams that you talk to that they’re kind of not stuck in their ways, but just accept where they are and he is not that at all. He wants to bring the team to be the highest level it can possibly be, and I think what I can bring to that is my relationship with Ford. They’re now gonna be an actual Ford team and get the support from Ford as a manufacturer, which in itself is gonna help the performance, and the access that we get to all that stuff. So, I’m excited to help build the team with them and I know they’re excited to have me, so I think we’re gonna work really well together.”

WHAT DO YOU FEEL PROUD OF THIS YEAR, SOMETHING THAT WAS A LEARNING MOMENT? “As a driver, I don’t want to sound negative, but I’ve tried to forget most of what I did this year, to be honest. I’m just being 100 percent honest. There’s nothing I can say, ‘Well, that was good’ or ‘That built my confidence.’ The Truck races that I did, I feel really good with even though we didn’t have the result we wanted. We had a puncture behind the pace car in Kansas. We literally went down two laps before the race even started, so I haven’t felt like I’ve gotten the opportunity to even try to race with people. I’m like, ‘I’m on my own. Just try not to wreck anybody.’ It’s a weird mindset to be in, but at the same time I take those experiences and the speed that we did have when we were running and go, ‘OK, I can do this. I can compete with these guys.’ I obviously need to get better at our qualifying – the single lap qualifying thing. I’ve never been so nervous in my life – the fact that you have to perform in that one moment. In ARCA, you had a 20-minute session, but we’d always go out and do two laps. I know in my mind you have another try, so getting better at that and pit stops – weird things like that that I just haven’t experienced much to be ready for next season. I guess the positive to bring is that I did go to Josh and get that first try in the truck at Nashville and realized I love it and now I know what I’m doing next year, so I guess that’s the positive.”

ARE YOU 100 PERCENT FROM THE SUMMER? “I’m 100 percent. There’s no effects from being sick anymore. I’m ready to put my head down and go fast.”

DOES THIS CLOSE THE WINDOW ON ACTING BECAUSE DURING YOUR ARCA SEASON THERE WAS A MOVIE YOU DID? “Yeah, I think that movie is coming out the week before Daytona. That’s what I heard, so that’s gonna be interesting. But, no, my focus is 100 percent being a race car driver. There are gaps, but I’m not trying to fill them with other things. Obviously, you don’t know what’s gonna happen. As an actor, you don’t know what opportunity may come up where you go, ‘Hey, it’s a week. We have three weeks off. Yeah, let me do it.’ So, I’m not closing the door 100 percent to it, but I don’t want people to think I’m just doing this part-time or I’m just doing this as a hobby. I’m kind of doing it on the side. No, those three weeks are gonna be used to prep for the next six races in a row or whatever it may be, so that’s the focus.”

YOU WANT TO BE THE RACE CAR DRIVER THAT ACTS SOMETIMES VERSUS THE OTHER WAY AROUND? “Yeah. When you are competing – everyone out there this is their lives. Everyone in the Truck Series, they’re trying to make it to the Xfinity Series or they’re trying to make it to the Cup Series. They are dedicating every waking moment to being the best driver they can be, so how could I think that I could come in and do it halfway? You can’t, especially I think this weekend is my 25th oval race of my life. I didn’t grow up racing late models or have tons of experience, so I have to focus even more on learning and improving just to catch up. That’s my focus. That’s my goal. I don’t want people just to hear that I’m a race car driver or me to just say that I’m a race car driver, I want people to believe it and the only way to get them to believe it is to go out there and do it and impress. Racing is not subjective. You’re either at the top of the leaderboard or you’re not, so you kind of see where you stand and what you need to work on and that’s what I’m gonna do.”

IS IT HARDER THAN YOU THOUGHT TO LAND SPONSORSHIP FOR RACING? “I think what’s surprising is there are a lot of big brands on race cars. One thing, and this is nothing against it, but a lot of companies you see on a lot of cars are family members or dads or friends companies and stuff like that. I would say that it has surprised me, like even this week with the announcement. I didn’t know how well it would be received, but it kind of went everywhere. I was watching Sportscenter and they were talking about me joining the Truck Series, so it’s great in the sense that maybe it’s getting eyeballs to the series that don’t watch, and I hope so. But, at that same time I go, my phone isn’t ringing off the hook with potential sponsors. That’s part of the job. You’re constantly searching for funds. I would say 90 percent of being a race car driver is finding funding to continue to do it, so that said we’re great for next year. Obviously, we would love to add more partners because then I could do more races. I could add ARCA races. We can do other things just to keep getting as much experience as possible and that’s our goal as a team.”

THERE HAS TO BE A BIG MALCOLM FAN OUT THERE, RIGHT? “I’m sure Elon Musk watched. I bet that SpaceX truck would look really good. A lot of it is relationships and finding someone who believes in what you’re trying to do and that’s what we’re trying to tell the story of what we’re trying to achieve and what we can offer to them. It’s got to be a win-win for everybody and that’s what we try to do as a team and me as a driver to make sure that they’re not just writing a check and it’s having me go racing. They’re actually benefiting from what we’re doing on the racetrack.”

October 25, 2024
Toyota NXS Homestead Quotes – William Sawalich – 10.25.24

Toyota Racing – William Sawalich
NASCAR Xfinity Series Quotes

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (October 25, 2024) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver William Sawalich was made available to the media on Friday prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

WILLIAM SAWALICH, No. 19 Starkey Soundgear Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Can you talk about the announcement that you’ll be driving full-time in the Xfinity Series next year?

“Yeah, I’ll be driving the No. 18 (car) for Joe Gibbs Racing next year in the Xfinity Series, so it’s going to be really cool to do that with them. I’ve been with them for two years and going on the third year next year, so that’ll be exciting to build that relationship with them.”

How much of a birthday present is it to make your Xfinity Series debut this weekend?

“Yeah, I mean, it’s pretty cool. I’d say it’s a little bit of a late birthday present. But I’m going to soak it all in like a sponge and use it all for the next year to come, as well as the next two races to come – Martinsville and Phoenix, and to build a relationship with Seth (Chavka), my crew chief, and hopefully everything today and tomorrow goes well.”

What makes the Xfinity Series the right next step in your career?

“Yeah, like I said, I’ve had a good relationship with everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and so, it feels like home right now. I feel like I’m ready to make the jump. I’ve run the ARCA car the last two years and have had good success with them. Kind of following the Xfinity path that Ty (Gibbs) and Sammy (Smith) (did).”

What do you see as the biggest challenges you’ll face in the Xfinity Series?

“Yeah, I don’t know all of them yet until I get into the car. But, obviously, a different car. I’ve been doing short tracks in the Trucks and ARCA cars only, so I’m going to be new to the mile-and-a-halfs, and Daytona and Talladega. I did the Talladega race in Trucks and got the pole. But only made it through Stage 1 as we had issues after. Yeah, I just getting experience in those certain areas of racing that I’m not used to. Also, just learning the competition level of all the other drivers.”

Have you been on the sim much and what have you noticed?

“Yeah, we’ve had a lot of sim time. Probably close to 25 hours of time for Homestead alone in the Trucks and Xfinity cars. Definitely a lot of time on there and hopefully it compares really well. Have also run a couple other tracks in the Xfinity car to get that experience as much as I can since you can’t test or anything like that. So, this will be the first time in the Xfinity car. I’m going to have the Truck race, qualifying and practice to get a little warmup.”

Will you have any family or friends here this weekend?

“Yeah, definitely a lot of friends and family. I don’t know the exact count, but it’ll be the most that have been to a race before and everyone’s super excited for it. Hopefully, we can put on a good show for them. They’re coming in tonight and obviously will be here tomorrow.”

Which family members will be here?

“Just about anyone you can think of – my mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, a few cousins, a few friends, (as well as) a few buddies I went to school with. So, just good to have them here.”

When’s the last time they’ve seen you race?

“A lot of them saw me race in Elko (Elko Speedway) for the ARCA race since it was an easy race to go to. Some went to Iowa (Iowa Speedway) as well. Just all the close, Midwest races, people went to.”

Any good luck charms or wishes they’ve given you?

“Yeah, just a lot of texts. Everyone’s been supporting me and it’s cool to have everyone behind me in the family, so can’t appreciate their support enough.”

Is it a challenge to do the Trucks and Xfinity races back-to-back tomorrow?

“Yeah, honestly, I feel like it’d be tougher to do the Xfinity Series debut just on a standalone race, just only doing that race, as I’ll get the warmup with the Truck race (tomorrow). Get the green flag stop in, the run of pit road, getting used to pit road. I mean, I’m still kind of new to that. I’ve only run 10 Truck races, or 12 Truck races total, so still new to that and getting a feel for everything as it’s a lot different from ARCA because I’ve done the ARCA doubles multiple times and got used to those pretty quickly, switching back-and-forth.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 30 electrified options.

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

October 25, 2024
Treyten Lapcevich Reflects on 2024 CARS Tour Season Despite Rough North Wilkesboro Finish

North Wilkesboro, N.C.: While Canadian standout Treyten Lapcevich and his Chad Bryant Racing team did not end their 2024 zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Tour season the way that they had hoped this past Saturday night, the duo is still reflecting on many positives from the season.

The anticipation to return to the historic North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway for Lapcevich and his team were high considering the team was the most recent winner at the famed North Carolina short track earlier this year.

Their fall trip to sweep the season, though, hit a major roadblock when Lapcevich retired from the ECMD 125 due to engine failure.

Before the expiration, Lapcevich and his Chad Bryant-led team were in contention for a strong finish in this year’s zMAX CARS Tour Late Model season finale.

“North Wilkesboro was certainly disappointing for our team with an engine failure ending our race early,” said Lapcevich.

“We had good speed all weekend long, started a little deeper in the pack than we would’ve liked to after being the first one out in qualifying, but when it came race time – we had a lot of speed and were making positions up very quickly.

“I felt as if we had speed capable of riding up the elevator for a second time this year, but unfortunately didn’t get the chance to find out.”

With back-to-back hardship finishes, Lapcevich still reflected on 2024, when the team showcased their ability to overcome bad luck early in the season with positivity and consistency.

“I am still very proud of our team for the amazing year that we had,” expressed Lapcevich. “We’ve encountered a lot of bad luck these last two weeks, but I still don’t think that hinders what we were able to accomplish this year as a team.

“We came a long way since the beginning but turned into a consistent threat at the front of the field.”

Unofficially, finishing sixth in the zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Tour championship point standings, Lapcevich expressed extreme gratitude for his partners who assisted in making the 2024 racing season possible.

“I really want to send a huge thanks to my sponsors for providing me with this opportunity,” added Lapcevich.

“Evirum, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and Allrem Racing have put a lot of belief in me, which I’m extremely grateful for. Thank you to the Chad Bryant Racing team for all of their hard work all season long.”

“Overall, being surrounded by great people, I learned so much and grew as a driver that I think will make us an even bigger threat heading into next year.”

After 17 races, Chad Bryant Racing unofficially finished seventh in the championship owner standings with one win, six top-five and 12 top-10 finishes with an average finish of 8.2 with Lapcevich at the helm.

Lapcevich’s plans for the 2025 season will be announced in due course.

For more on Treyten Lapcevich, like him on Facebook (treyten.lapcevich) and follow him on Instagram (@treytenlapcevich) and X | Twitter (@TreytenL).

About Allrem Sports and Entertainment:

Allrem Sports & Entertainment, a company of Allrem group of companies, is the powerhouse behind all sports and entertainment endeavors within the Allrem group of companies, with a strategic focus on ensuring optimal business development, brand awareness, and marketing opportunities for the entire Allrem group of companies and its partners.

Through the collective power of its diverse subsidiaries (Allrem Racing, BKFC, Les Pétroliers de Laval), Allrem Sports & Entertainment delivers unparalleled value to its sponsors and the Allrem group of companies. We provide our partners with business development opportunities, corporate hospitality programs, targeted brand awareness initiatives and innovative sponsorship activations. We ensure that all our partners receive maximum exposure and tangible returns on their investment to meet their objectives.

Learn more at allremsae.com

About Evirum:

Evirum, part of the Allrem group of companies, is a Canadian residual materials management brokerage offering eco-responsible solutions across North America to minimize environmental impact and promote recycling and other innovative practices. Evirum is committed to providing companies, events and industries with the best sustainable practices and services.

Learn more at evirum.com

About BKFC:

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), the World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion, in which Allrem is a shareholder, is the first entity sanctioned to hold regulated bare-knuckle events in the United States since 1889. BKFC is based in Philadelphia (PA) and headed by President and Founder David Feldman.

Learn more at bkfc.com

October 25, 2024
Opti-Coat partners with Bommarito Automotive Group and NASCAR team Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Memphis, TN (October 25, 2024) — Jeb Burton is ready to shine because Burton and Opti-Coat are hitting the NASCAR Xfinity Series with speed, precision, and unstoppable protection!

Opti-Coat, a leader in vehicle protection solutions, is proud to sponsor the No. 27 car, driven by two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series winner Jeb Burton at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Partnering with the Bommarito Automotive Group as a co-sponsor on the Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Chevrolet Camaro, Opti-Coat brings its innovative silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic coatings to the world of NASCAR. This collaboration highlights Opti-Coat’s commitment to high-performance protection and excellence in motorsports.

Opti-Coat, a leading innovator in advanced vehicle protection solutions, specializes in ceramic coatings and paint protection films designed to enhance the longevity and appearance of vehicles. Since its establishment in 2006, Opti-Coat has been at the forefront of the automotive detailing industry with its cutting-edge silicon carbide (SiC) technology, offering superior protection against scratches, chemicals, and environmental damage. With a commitment to innovation and quality, Opti-Coat continues to set new standards in automotive surface protection, providing customers with durable, high-performance products that maintain a vehicle’s gloss and shine for years.

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is a dynamic NASCAR Xfinity Series team founded by driver Jordan Anderson and John Bommarito. Fielding the No. 27 car with driver Jeb Burton, the team is known for its competitive edge and strong performance on the track. A major highlight came on April 2, 2022, when the team secured its first Xfinity Series win at the Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway.

“As a company built on performance and precision, we’re thrilled to bring Opti-Coat’s advanced protection to NASCAR. Just like our ceramic coatings deliver unbeatable durability and shine, we’re confident Jeb Burton and the No. 27 team will push the limits on race day. Partnering with the Bommarito Automotive Group and Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is the perfect way to showcase the power of innovation, both on the track and in vehicle care,” said David Ghodoussi, Founder and CEO of Opti-Coat.

“We’re excited to have Opti-Coat on board for this weekend’s race. Their cutting-edge technology is all about performance and protection, which is exactly what we need to keep Jeb Burton’s No. 27 looking good all race long. The racing surface at Homestead makes it one of the most abrasive tracks we go to all season long so I couldn’t think of a better place for us to debut Opti-Coat and the protection it provides on a race car,” said Jordan Anderson.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Opti-Coat for this exciting race, as their dedication to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence at Bommarito Automotive Group and Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport. Working with Opti-Coat has been a fantastic experience, and I hope this collaboration is just the beginning,” said John Bommarito, President of Bommarito Automotive Group.

Opti-Coat is an excellent program for car dealerships. It offers long-lasting ceramic coatings that protect vehicles and keep them looking new. With its advanced silicon carbide technology, it provides superior protection against scratches and environmental damage, enhancing the value of dealership offerings. This not only boosts customer satisfaction but also creates opportunities for dealerships to offer premium protection packages, increasing revenue and customer loyalty.

Tune in to watch the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, October 26, at 4 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90).

Jeb Burton – No. 27 Opti-Coat/Bommarito Automotive Group
Chevrolet Camaro SS

About Opti-Coat

Opti-Coat’s permanent bonding Silicon Carbide Automotive Ceramic Coatings provide The Ultimate™ protection for your vehicle. A one-time application of Opti-Coat Pro provides long-term protection without the need for waxes, sealants, coating toppers, or refreshers. Opti-Coat enhances the gloss, shine, and beauty of your vehicle’s paint to help keep it looking better than new. Your vehicle will look better, stay clean longer, be easier to maintain, and have unmatched protection from the elements. Our mission is to provide vehicle owners with superior car care products and services that enhance the beauty and extend the life of automotive surfaces to maximize value and driving pleasure. Furthermore, we strive to offer products that are safe for our customers and the environment. https://www.opticoat.com/

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport is a NASCAR team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group President, John Bommarito. Established in 2017 the organization is fueled by an incredible, close-knit team of employees, fans, and sponsors with a focus on integrity in the pursuit of excellence. Our goal is to embrace the journey we’re on and to never give up – whether on the track, in the pits, or in life. Every single team partner, and fan of ours, is what keeps our race cars running strong and our team performing at the highest level.

About A.E. Engine (Sales and Marketing Partner)

A.E. Engine is a content and marketing solutions company specializing in motorsports and enthusiast markets. In addition to custom publishing, branded content, and digital marketing development, A.E. Engine offers expertise in event marketing and sports partnership sales and management. A.E. Engine connects brands with NASCAR fans through websites, social media, content creation, and magazines, helping businesses boost brand visibility and develop or amplify customer loyalty in the NASCAR universe. Learn more at www.ae-engine.com.

October 25, 2024
As Clock Winds Down on 2024, NASCAR Cup Series Driver Chase Briscoe Winds Up his Signature Watch From Fleddermann von Rieste

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 25, 2024) – NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Briscoe knows time is of the essence. The 29-year-old racer from Mitchell, Indiana, is always up against the clock, trying to shave seconds from his lap times as he races at 200 mph.

In a sport where performance reviews come via a stopwatch, it’s appropriate that Briscoe has his own signature watch.

The two-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner partnered with Fleddermann von Rieste, an independent Indiana-based watch brand, to serve as the company’s first brand ambassador and its growing line of watches. As part of that growth, Briscoe has unveiled two versions of his signature Hanoverian Sport Watch – the Southern Nights Black edition and its Back Home Again Blue counterpart – both designed by Briscoe and the Fleddermann von Rieste team and carefully assembled in their home state of Indiana.

Southern Nights Black features a black carbon fiber textured dial with an exhibition case back that showcases the Cerakote-plated, Chase Briscoe-branded oscillating weight with high-beat movement. The higher oscillation frequency allows for enhanced accuracy and greater precision, while making it less susceptible to shock and other forces. Also included is a durable and comfortable FKM rubber strap that is resistant to chemicals, oils, heat and wear, but also flexible and tough to withstand extreme conditions without losing shape or strength.

Back Home Again Blue draws inspirations from Briscoe’s Hoosier heritage and the colors of its state flag. Its blue carbon fiber textured dial is a direct contrast to the Southern Nights Black edition while keeping the same sleek lines. To see and learn more about both watches, please visit vonrieste.com.

“I still view myself as just a kid from Indiana, and it’s a pinch-me moment to have my own signature watch,” Briscoe said. “I started racing for the love of it, and that’s why you put so much time, energy and effort into your craft. You love it and you take pride in what you do and how you do it. My Hanoverian Sport Watches from Fleddermann von Rieste are made the same way.”

The center of each of Briscoe’s Hanoverian Sport Watches has a 41mm black PVD coated 316 stainless steel case, and they are paired with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal that is water resistant to 100 meters. This sapphire crystal protects the exquisite carbon fiber textured dial that features Briscoe’s personal logo and the watch industry’s standard–defining Swiss BGW9 Super LumiNova.

“Ensuring that Chase’s style and personality were intricately woven into the architecture of the watch was of the utmost importance to us during the design process,” said Dr. Adam Fleddermann, CEO, Fleddermann von Rieste. “Chase never just sticks a toe in the water to test something. He dives in head first, and his signature watch is no exception. Chase was intimately involved in all stages of the development of his watch, from initial brainstorming, to the review of design renders, and the finalization of the design, packaging and product launch. Chase’s passion toward this project was unwavering. We’re proud to bring Chase’s watch to his fans and watch enthusiasts.”

Briscoe is a third-generation racecar driver who has advanced from winning grassroots dirt track events in his home state of Indiana to competing at the highest level of North American motorsports, the NASCAR Cup Series.

“Being someone who has always been attracted to watches and what they symbolize as not only a tool for keeping time but also a piece of family pride, I was naturally drawn to the Fleddermann von Rieste brand,” Briscoe said. “Their Hoosier heritage and faith-based family approach to business made them a perfect fit for me and the brands I want to represent. The Fleddermann family has already become part of my extended family, and I’m excited to introduce their high-quality products to my fans and the entire racing industry.”

Since he was 13, Briscoe has followed in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps, racing sprint cars on the rough and tumble bullrings of the Midwest. Briscoe has since expanded his family’s name into NASCAR. After winning the NASCAR Cup Series rookie-of-the-year title in 2021, Briscoe won in just the fourth start of his sophomore season. On March 13, 2022 at Phoenix Raceway, Briscoe took the checkered flag in just his 40th career NASCAR Cup Series start. The victory secured Briscoe’s place in the NASCAR Playoffs and earned him the honor of being the 200th Cup Series winner in NASCAR history. Most recently, Briscoe won the 75th edition of the Southern 500 on Sept. 1 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, considered one of NASCAR’s crown-jewel races.

“Similar to the same attributes teams put into their cars to win at the top level of our sport, I can respect the incredible attention to detail and overall craftsmanship the Fleddermann von Rieste team puts into every watch they design. The watches they produce are attention-grabbing pieces that you truly want to cherish for generations,” Briscoe said.

Learn more about Briscoe by visiting vonrieste.com/ambassadors.

About Fleddermann von Rieste:

Fleddermann von Rieste is an independent Indiana-based watch brand that assembles watches with an American Watchmaker and Clockmaker Institute (AWCI) certified watchmaker and his apprentice in Kokomo, Indiana. Arriving in the 1840s, the Fleddermann family is proud of their longstanding Indiana heritage, with their earliest ancestor arriving in Southeastern Indiana from Rieste, Germany. Appreciative of their Indiana and German roots, the family believes in producing attainable luxury timepieces inspired by their ancestry in Germany, produced with passion and skill in their home state of Indiana. Fleddermann von Rieste offers a growing line of watches ranging in styles and pricing from under $500 to $1,600. All have mechanical or automatic movements and have passed the stringent bench testing of AWCI watchmakers before finding a home on your wrist. When you purchase a Fleddermann von Rieste watch, you’re not only purchasing a watch, but also an extension of your personality as you take another step forward on the journey toward your legacy.

October 25, 2024
RCR Race Preview: Homestead-Miami Speedway

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway… In 72 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has 12 top-five and 30 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C., based team has five second-place finishes at the 1.5-mile speedway: Kevin Harvick (2003 and 2008), Jeff Burton (2009), Ryan Newman (2014) and Tyler Reddick (2021). The team has reeled off five consecutive top-10 finishes entering this weekend’s 400-mile event (2019 – present). Austin Dillon led RCR one year ago at Homestead-Miami Speedway with a 10th-place finish.

RCR in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Homestead… RCR owns four NASCAR Xfinity Series wins at Homestead-Miami Speedway, highlighted by Tyler Reddick’s championship-clinching victory in 2019. Myatt Snider grabbed his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at the track in 2021. Jeff Burton rallied from a 30th-place starting position to win in 2007, leading the final 26 laps. Kevin Harvick scored a dominating win in 2003, leading 108 of 203 laps. Austin Hill led RCR’s NASCAR Xfinity Series effort in 2023 with a fourth-place finish.

Catch the Action… The NASCAR Xfinity Series Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit Card 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, October 26, beginning at 4 p.m. ET on the CW. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Follow Sunday’s Action…The NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, October 27, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Austin Dillon has 10 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway and has completed 100 percent of the laps run at the 1.5-mile oval. His best Cup Series finish at the track is a fourth-place result he earned in the fall of 2022. Dillon finished 10th most recently at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2023. Dillon has four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, acquiring three top-five finishes, including a best finish of second in 2015 after leading 16 laps. In three NASCAR Truck Series starts, Dillon won the pole in 2010 and earned a best finish of 10th in 2011.

Fond South Miami Memories… Dillon clinched the 2011 NASCAR Truck Series Championship and the 2013 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway and considers the track amongst his favorites on the NASCAR schedule.

About Bass Pro Shops… Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations, and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops united with Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations, and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.” Bass Pro Shops has a long relationship with NASCAR, dating back to 1998. For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com/.

Congratulations, Cowboys… Last week in Las Vegas, the Carolina Cowboys concluded their third season of competition by advancing to the championship game in the PBR Team Series Championship Finals at T-Mobile Arena. Ultimately finishing the season second overall, the Cowboys owe a great deal of their success to team general manager Austin Dillon, who plays an integral role in all aspects of team operations.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:

What are your thoughts on Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“I love racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It’s my favorite track that we race at. Homestead-Miami Speedway is a driver’s racetrack. It’s so much fun to run right up against the fence. You have to be disciplined in how you drive and save your tires. It’s an epic race. It’s always intense. We can move around in the corners to find the best line and it’s a track that’s been good to me in my career. We ran well at Homestead-Miami Speedway last year and finished fourth in 2022. The Miami atmosphere is just one of the things I love about this time of year, and I can’t wait to get on track in the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Kyle Busch will make his 20th career NASCAR Cup Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The driver of the Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet has two wins at the 1.5-mile speedway, earning victories in 2015 and 2019. He is one of just three active drivers with multiple wins at the track. Busch has racked up 10 top-10 finishes in the last 12 races at Homestead, dating back to 2012.

Did You Know? Busch owns the all-time race record at Homestead-Miami Speedway, averaging 142.654 mph on his way to winning the 2019 event and his second NASCAR Cup Series championship. Busch completed the 400-mile distance in just 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 47 seconds.

About Rebel® Bourbon… Distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, by Lux Row Distillers Master Distiller John Rempe, Rebel Bourbon features a wheated mash bill that is true to its original recipe dating back to 1849. Known for its smoother, sweeter flavor, highlighted by delicious caramel and vanilla flavor notes, Rebel celebrates the “Rebel spirit in all of us” – especially those who embrace freedom, defiance and a little attitude. In 2023, Rebel Bourbon 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was awarded a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Double Platinum ASCOT award. The brand’s Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was awarded gold medals at the 2023 SIP and ASCOT awards.

About Luxco®… Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco® is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP® Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from four distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers®, home of Ezra Brooks®, Rebel®, Blood Oath®, David Nicholson® and Daviess County®; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery®, maker of Yellowstone® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case® Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch® Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor®, Exotico® and Dos Primos®; and Ross & Squibb® Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Remus® Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union® Straight Rye Whiskey are produced. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Penelope® Bourbon, Everclear® Grain Alcohol, Pearl® Vodka, Saint Brendan’s® Irish Cream, The Quiet Man™ Irish Whiskey, Green Hat® Gin and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

How challenging is practice at Homestead-Miami Speedway? There are so many different lines you can use to improve the balance of the car but you only have 20-minutes of track time.

“You have to go into practice at Homestead with a gameplan. There are so many different lines you can run at Homestead and we have such a short time frame that it can certainly be challenging for sure. The line that you’re going to use for the race is going to be significantly different than the line you use for qualifying so figuring out both of those with the short amount of time you have is very, very difficult.”

How different is racing in the daylight at Homestead-Miami Speedway compared with track conditions at night?

“Track conditions at Homestead in the daytime are significantly different than what the conditions will be at night. I have always been much stronger at Homestead racing at night than during the day.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Jesse Love will make his inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Homestead-Miami Speedway this Saturday. Friday’s practice session will mark the 19-year-old’s first lap on the South Florida surface.

Points Check… With two races remaining in the Xfinity Series Playoffs Round of 8, Love currently holds the sixth position in the driver championship point standings. The Menlo Park, California native is 13 points behind the cutline for the Championship 4.

About Whelen Engineering… Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce.

Meet Love… On Saturday, October 26 at 1:30 p.m. local time, Love is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stop by to meet the young gun and purchase new No. 2 team gear.

JESSE LOVE QUOTE:

With two races remaining in this round, what is the outlook of the No. 2 team?

“We knew that the Round of 8 was going to be hardest round to get through and it’s shaping up to be a battle. Our Whelen team had a solid weekend in Las Vegas and started this round on a strong foot with a sixth-place finish. With two races to go, our focus has been squarely on Homestead-Miami since we left the track last Saturday. Between multiple sim sessions and studying film this week, we are prepared. The guys on our Richard Childress Racing team worked extremely hard this week to turn around the same car from Las Vegas, because we feel like it’s our best piece that took adjustments well. We are going to continue taking each race as it comes, but the goal is the same – to maximize the day, get as many stage points as possible, and finish well.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway… Austin Hill has made two career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Homestead-Miami Speedway, earning a career-best fourth-place result (2023) and never finishing worse than the ninth position. The Winston, Ga. native has claimed top-10 starting positions for both Xfinity Series events while piloting the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Hill also has five NASCAR Truck Series starts at the Florida speedway, capturing one victory in 2019 and one pole in 2020.

Pushing for the Final Four… With two races remaining in the Xfinity Series Playoffs, Hill currently sits in the fifth position in the driver championship point standings. The 30-year-old driver is eight points below the Championship 4 cutline.

About Bennett Family of Companies… McDonough-Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies is a woman-owned, Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified, diversified transportation and logistics company. Through its 14 affiliated operating companies, the Bennett Family of Companies delivers integrated transportation and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Bennett has 4,625 drivers/owner-operators, over 1,000 employees and 600 agents located across the United States. For more information, visit www.bennettig.com.

Meet Hill… On Saturday, October 26 at 1 p.m. local time, Hill is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Stop by to meet the nine-time Xfinity Series winner and purchase new No. 21 team gear.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

What are your thoughts about racing at Homestead-Miami Speedway?

“In the Truck Series, I would run the bottom quite a bit. We were really fast and able to wrap the bottom so well that I never ran close to the wall. In the Xfinity Series, when the top lane comes in, you need to be up there to gain speed. Running up against the fence is something that you have to trust yourself with doing. The past two years, our No. 21 Chevrolet has led laps and finished inside the top-10, so I hope that our car has speed in it once again. The main goal for the weekend is to extend our points lead above the cutline as much as possible. If we can win the race, we will do everything in our power to do so. But if we can’t, we need to earn stage points and get the best finish possible before heading into Martinsville Speedway next week.”

October 25, 2024
CONGRUITY NHRA PRO MOD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TO COME DOWN TO THE WIRE AT LAS VEGAS

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 24, 2024) – The Road to the Championship in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ hits the finish line next weekend in Las Vegas and only one thing is certain: the championship picture is wide-open and loaded with contenders.

With 16 drivers still mathematically alive in the title chase, an epic finale is in store for the thrilling class as part of the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

It is the last of 10 events during the 2024 season in the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ and the championship could come down to the final run of the season on Sunday in Las Vegas. Former world champion Khalid Al Balooshi is the current points leader, but there’s a host of contenders all within striking distance, especially with the points-and-a-half scenario in play in Vegas.

Round wins are worth 30 points and a there’s a maximum of 179 points available at the final race of the year. Justin Bond is just 12 points behind in second, with Jordan Lazic, who advanced to the semifinals in St. Louis, just 24 points out of first. Ken Quartuccio is only two points behind Lazic, with Mason Wright rounding out the top at just 35 points – or just more than one round – behind Al Balooshi.

Minus Al Balooshi, all four drivers are seeking their first NHRA Pro Mod world championship. Bond and Lazic have been remarkably consistent in the loaded category, while Quartuccio picked up a thrilling win at the world’s biggest drag race, the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indy. Wright, meanwhile, picked up the victory in Epping and was also runner-up at the most recent Pro Mod event in St. Louis.

But they’re hardly the only contenders. Former world champion Kris Thorne (-38) and Kevin Rivenbark (-50) are both within two rounds of Al-Balooshi, with the likes of Billy Banaka, Dmitry Samorukov, and former champions Mike Castellana and Jose Gonzalez close behind. Castellana clinched the title last year in Vegas, picking up the event win in the process and he’s hoping for another spectacular finish in 2024.

Thorne has advanced to three final rounds, winning in Bristol, while Gonzalez won the season-opener in Gainesville and Rivenbark took the victory at the category’s first-ever appearance in Phoenix. To add even more drama to the mix, just getting into the field will be difficult, as 23 cars are on the entry list in Las Vegas.

From there, it should be a spectacular and intense finish among the contenders, with each driving willing to do whatever it takes to finish with a championship.

Featuring the world’s fastest doorslammer race cars, the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ offers something unique and exciting for every drag racing fan. The class continues to grow in popularity and is highlighted by historic muscle cars and a variety of late-model American muscle cars, as well as a number of different power adders.

The Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ will kick off with two qualifying rounds on Friday, Nov. 1 at 11 AM and 5:10 PM PT, with the final two qualifying rounds set for 10:45 AM and 5:10 PM on Saturday, Nov. 2. The first round of eliminations is slated for 8:40 AM PT on Sunday, Nov. 3.

To purchase tickets to the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, call 800-644-4444 or visit www.lvms.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free in general admissions areas with a paid adult. For more information about NHRA, visit www.nhra.com.

Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series Points Standings

1 Khalid Al Balooshi 956
2 Justin Bond 944
3 Jordan Lazic 932
4 Kenneth Quartuccio Jr 930
5 Mason Wright 921
6 Kristopher Thorne 918
7 Kevin Rivenbark 906
8 Billy Banaka 887
9 Dmitry Samorukov 881
10 Mike Castellana 876
11 Jose Gonzalez 875
12 Stan Shelton 858
13 JR Gray Jr 855
14 Michael Stavrinos 836
15 Lyle Barnett 796
16 Mike Thielen 780
17 Nicholas Januik 751
18 Tony Wilson 715

About Ford Performance

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

About NHRA

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

October 24, 2024
OPEN WHEEL RACING GOES ALL IN AT 2024 OPEN WHEEL SHOWDOWN LAS VEGAS

LAS VEGAS — The BITNILE.com Open Wheel Showdown Las Vegas is fast-approaching with the most lucrative pavement open wheel event in motorsports, November 14-16 at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Winged Sprint Cars will compete for $50,000 to win for the second annual event, along with $5,000 to win Super Modifieds and $5,000 to win Modifieds. Over 125 teams are registered for the $200,000+ event that will be broadcast live on Speed Sport TV.

Aaron Willison won the inaugural Winged Sprint Car 100-lap feature in 2023 ahead of Bobby Santos III in second and event promoter Davey Hamilton, Jr. in third for a talent-laden podium. They will square off against a 70-car entry list – the largest ever assembled on pavement. JoJo Helberg makes his anticipated return to pavement open wheel racing while 2023 Little 500 winner Jake Trainor makes one of his first career winged starts.

Modifieds were added to the Open Wheel Showdown in 2024 and they have responded in force with nearly 40 entries spanning the western states. West Coast champions such as Scott Winters, Eddie Secord, and Ian Elliott will battle with the champion drivers from both The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Rocky Mountains in a 75-lap feature for $5,000 to win.

Super Modifieds are headlined by the returns of Kenny and Davey Hamilton in search of the $5,000 prize after 40-laps of feature racing. 2024 SpeedTour champion Randy Anderson of Tacoma, Washington, multi-time race winners Jim Birges and Nathan Byrd, and many others make up the entry list of two dozen teams.

Action kicks off Thursday with optional practice. On Friday, the Winged Sprint Cars and Modifieds will qualify and compete in heat races. Following heat race action will be the Winged Sprint Car C-Main and pole shuffle.
All three divisions will compete in main events on Saturday evening as well.

For more information, visit www.openwheelshowdown.com Tickets and RV reservations are available via the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Pit Passes will be sold at the gate and include grandstand access.

October 24, 2024
Rick Ware Racing: Corey LaJoie/Kaz Grala Homestead Advance

COREY LAJOIE | KAZ GRALA
Homestead Advance

Event Overview

● Event: Straight Talk Wireless 400 (Round 34 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 27
● Location: Homestead-Miami Speedway
● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 267 laps/400.5 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 85 laps / Final Stage: 102 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Corey LaJoie, Driver of the No. 51 Schluter Systems Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Corey LaJoie, driver of the No. 51 Schluter Systems Ford Mustang Dark Horse, will make his eighth career Homestead-Miami Speedway start in Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400. His best finish at the 1.5-mile oval is a 20th-place effort earned in the October 2023 event.

● In honor of 50 years of the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), the Steger Family of Indiana will be riding along on LaJoie’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse. The Steger family have been residents of the RHMC Northeast Indiana since April 2024. When Ambuhr Steger was 26 weeks pregnant she contracted COVID-19 that turned into pneumonia. She was intubated and in the ICU for two weeks, and her health complications lead to an early delivery. On April 16, her son Hendrix was born weighing one pound, 10 ounces, and measuring 11.5 inches long. Ambuhr’s husband Chris and their four other children moved into the RHMC Northeast Indiana. “It was a perfect spot to be with my family and be close to Ambuhr and Hendrix,” said Chris. “It was nice to know my kids were having fun, doing something new, meeting other kids in a similar situation,” said Ambuhr. “Thank you for the security, comfort, reassurance, and the support. You don’t have to do this, but you do, and it’s beautiful.”

● The North Carolina native also owns four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Homestead, three resulting in top-20 finishes. Best of those was a 16th-place finish in November 2014.

● In last Sunday’s South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, LaJoie drove to a 14th-place finish. It was his best result in 14 starts at the 1.5-mile desert oval and the best finish for RWR at Las Vegas. The result was also the second top-15 and third top-20 for LaJoie in four starts with RWR this season.

● Schluter Systems joins LaJoie for the third time this year and first as the primary partner on the No. 51 RWR Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Schluter Systems provides innovative, easy-to-use installation systems to support the durability, integrity and design of tile installations. With more than 8,000 products within its growing portfolio, Schluter Systems is continuously improving the landscape of the tile industry. Its educational workshops and intuitive approach to product design supports Schluter’s position as an industry leader in quality and service. Schluter Systems services North America with multiple training, distribution and manufacturing facilities in Plattsburgh, New York, Montreal, Reno, Nevada, and Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit www.schluter.com.

Kaz Grala, Driver of the No. 15 Meat N’ Bone Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Kaz Grala returns to the No. 15 Meat N’ Bone Ford Mustang Dark Horse for his first Cup Series start at Homestead. In nine starts on intermediate tracks, the Boston native has an average finish of 27.7 and a best result of 18th earned May 12 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

● Grala’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse will carry the Jackson family of RMHC of the Piedmont Triad. The Jackson family had the opportunity to stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Winston Salem, N.C., after their baby girl, Raelyn, was admitted to the NICU weighing five pounds in November 2023. She was born five weeks early and spent nine days in the NICU, including Thanksgiving. Staying at the Ronald McDonald House allowed the family to be close to Raelyn and visit her daily while she was in the hospital. “We are forever grateful for the RMHC staﬀ and volunteers who treated us like family, provided a beautiful Thanksgiving meal, and helped to keep our spirits high.”

● In the Xfinity Series, Grala has two starts at Homestead with a best finish of 18th earned in November 2018.

● Grala has 21 Cup Series starts this season and will pilot the No. 15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RWR in the final three events of 2024 beginning this weekend at Homestead.

● Meat N’ Bone is an online butcher shop offering premium quality meats delivered locally and shipped nationally. Customers can order from more than 300 products, including USDA Prime and Wagyu A5, and have it delivered fresh to their door. Meat N’ Bone also offers local pickup and a personalized retail experience in its boutiques.

Rick Ware Racing Notes

● The 2024 FIM World Supercross Championship season begins Saturday with the WSX Canadian GP at BC Place in Vancouver. RWR announced a four-rider lineup for the season that features two Americans, the 2021 Australian Pro Motorcross 450cc champion, and a Brazilian rookie.

● Mitch Oldenburg joins RWR after a 2023 WXS season that saw the Texas native compete in both the WSX 450 and SX2 250 classes. Oldenburg began the season in SX2 and finished fourth overall at the WSX British GP, the first event on the schedule. Following the event, he moved up to the WSX category where he finished second overall at the WSX Austrailian GP. Oldenburg, who finished ninth overall in the standings despite missing the first round of the season, will complete his first fulltime season in the WSX premier class.

● Luke Clout moves up to the premier class with RWR after a third-place showing in the 2023 SX2 250 class. The 2021 Australian Pro Motocross 450cc champion finished on the podium behind champion Max Astie and Shane McElrath, who won the 2022 SX2 title for RWR.

● Enzo Lopes made his WSX SX2 debut last year, finishing third at the WSX British GP after he dislocated his shoulder in practice. The return to SX2 marks the Brazilian’s return to fulltime racing after being sidelined for the majority of the 2024 supercross season due to injury. Lopes’ resume includes fifth-place finishes in the AMA Supercross East standings in 2020 and 2022, and a fourth-place finish in the AMA Supercross West standings in 2023.

● Coty Schock, a native of Dover, Delaware, will make his SX2 debut in Vancouver after a standout season in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East division. The 36-year-old finished third in the regional championship standings, a vast improvement from his 10th-place finish in 2023.

● 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.

Corey LaJoie, Driver Q&A

You earned your best finish with RWR last Sunday at Las Vegas. Is there anything you can use from last week as you prepare for Homestead?

“We had a good run at Las Vegas that I think we can definitely use to our advantage. We’re carrying a lot of momentum into another mile-and-a-half and another track where you have a lot of options to move around and find speed. Similar to Vegas, it’s easy to have a decent car and not get the finish you deserve at Homestead. You just have to maximize the day, through strategy or track position or whatever is working in your favor.”

Homestead has an older surface where there is a lot of tire wear, and with the heat it can be a slick track. How does that affect the racing and what you’re looking for in your car?

“It creates an interesting race. Your first lap or two is going to be completely different than what you’ve got on lap 15 or 16. It’s why you need those other lines to move around and find what works best for you as a driver. This is track where it really comes down to what a driver can do. Your car is never going to be perfect, but if you can get it to a place where you’re in control of it and can put it where you’ve got good speed, you’ll be okay.”

Kaz Grala, Driver Q&A

This weekend at Homestead is the last time this year you’ll be making your first Cup Series start at a track. Are you looking forward to Sunday’s race?

“Yeah, Homestead is one of my favorite tracks. There are a lot of lines you can use to find speed, though typically you’ll see guys trying to ride right up against the wall. I feel like RWR has come a long way with our mile-and-a-half program, so I’m excited to see what we’ve got this weekend.”

You’ll finish out the season with two tracks that you’ve got a good amount of experience at between the Cup and Xfinity series. How does that affect your mindset leading into Martinsville and Phoenix?

“It’ll be interesting to go back to Martinsville and Phoenix. It’ll be a good way to judge how much progress we’ve had as a team and I’m looking forward to going back to those tracks with more experience under my belt. When we visited those tracks earlier in the season, I was still working to understand the Cup car and where it differs from the Xfinity car. I feel like I’ve got a pretty good handle on it now and will be able to better assess what I need throughout a race. So, hopefully with that, we can finish out the season on a high note.”

October 24, 2024