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  • Bass Pro Shops Racing: Martin Truex Jr. Las Vegas Advance

    Bass Pro Shops Racing: Martin Truex Jr. Las Vegas Advance

    Martin Truex Jr.
    Las Vegas Advance
    No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing

    Event Overview

    ● Event: South Point 400 (Round 33 of 36)
    ● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 20
    ● Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
    ● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
    ● Laps/Miles: 267 laps/400 miles
    ● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 80 laps / Stage 2: 85 laps / Final Stage: 102 laps
    ● TV/Radio: NBC / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Notes of Interest

    ● Four To Go: After a 21th-place finish last weekend on the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval, Truex sits 14th in the driver standings with 2,146 points heading to this weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    ● Truex has two wins, seven top-five finishes, 16 top-10s and has led a total of 317 laps in 25 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Las Vegas. Truex’s average Las Vegas finish is a strong 9.8, best among active drivers with Joey Logano a close second with an average finish of 9.9.

    ● Truex notched his most recent Las Vegas victory in September 2019, when he led 32 laps. It was his second win on the 1.5-mile oval and first at Las Vegas since joining Joe Gibbs Racing.

    ● Looking for 35: Truex’s July 2023 win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon was his most recent Cup Series win, the 34th of his career, tying him with 2004 champion Kurt Busch for 25th on the all-time Cup Series win list.

    ● Ahead at this Stage: Truex has accumulated 64 stage wins since the beginning of the stage era in 2017. He is the only driver with 10 or more stage sweeps, with his latest sweep coming at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn in August 2023. Truex scored his fourth stage win of the season last month at Watkins Glen, leading the field across the line at the end of Stage 1.

    Martin Truex Jr., Driver of the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota Camry XSE

    What are you expecting at Las Vegas this weekend with your No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Camry XSE?

    “I expect it to be a great race out in Vegas. I love going out there and it’s a great racetrack. Vegas is a great track that’s wide and you can run all over. We saw a lot of guys run high there the last couple of years and we’ve also gotten better as a team at being able to get through the bumps and moving around. I’ve won there before and I’m always confident we can go out there and run up front and have a shot to get our Bass Pro Shops Camry to victory lane.”

    Does “Sin City” still live up to its name when you race out there?

    “Not really. Honestly, for us on a two-day weekend, it’s all business. I don’t even leave the track when we go there. It’s not like the banquet – that was fun. When we go to racetracks, it’s all business for everyone. It’s just too serious. There is too much on the line and the commitment level and the focus it takes is higher than it has ever been.”

    How has the level of parity changed in the Cup Series?

    “I think it has changed a lot since I’ve been here. The last few years with the NextGen car has been the biggest change, I would say. It has constantly evolved since I’ve come into the sport as far as trying to tighten things up, but the NextGen car just has taken it to a new level. You are talking about everybody having the same parts and pieces – that’s never been a part of this sport. That’s definitely been the game changer.”

    Talk about tire strategy at Las Vegas, and how late-race cautions affect your strategy.

    “It’s an interesting place, it’s fast and high-speed and has tire falloff but, for whatever reason, it’s a place that has unique asphalt, and when the tires cool off, you can fire off and run one or two fast laps. These days, with these cars, if you can get that clean air and get those two to three car lengths out in front of guys who are on better tires behind you, and guys between you and the four-tire guys, you have a huge advantage for a few laps. It’s all about what the other guy does. You can be the only guy on two tires and you are a sitting duck, but if you have four to five guys behind you on two tires, you have a bit of a buffer, so it just depends on what goes on around you.”

    No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Team Roster

    Primary Team Members

    Driver: Martin Truex Jr.

    Hometown: Mayetta, New Jersey

    Crew Chief: James Small

    Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

    Car Chief: Chris Jones

    Hometown: Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia

    Race Engineer: Jaik Halpainy

    Hometown: Blockville, New York

    Spotter: Drew Herring

    Hometown: Benson, North Carolina

    Road Crew Members

    Underneath Mechanic: Ryan Martin

    Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Virgina

    Mechanic: Todd Carmichael

    Hometown: Redding, California

    Interior/Tire Specialist: Tommy DiBlasi

    Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

    Engine Tuner: Beau Morton

    Hometown: Lake Havasu City, Arizona

    Transporter Driver: Kyle Bazzell

    Hometown: Fairbury, Illinois

    Transporter Driver: Eddie DeGroot

    Hometown: Baldwinsville, New York

    Over-The-Wall Crew Members

    Gas Man: Matt Tyrrell

    Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

    Jackman: Caleb Dirks

    Hometown: Riverside, California

    Tire Carrier: CJ Bailey

    Hometown: Outer Banks, North Carolina

    Front Tire Changer: Thomas Hatcher

    Hometown: Middleburg, Florida

    Rear Tire Changer: Lee Cunningham

    Hometown: Leaf River, Illinois

  • RFK Advance | Las Vegas II

    RFK Advance | Las Vegas II

    Las Vegas II Event Info:
    Date: Sunday, Oct. 20
    Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
    Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
    Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
    Format: 267 Laps, 400.5 Miles, Stages: 80-85-102
    TV: NBC
    Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

    Weekend Schedule:
    Saturday: 4:35 p.m. ET, Practice (USA, NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
    Saturday: 5:20 p.m. ET, Qualifying (USA, NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
    Sunday: 2:30 p.m. ET, Race (NBC, NBC Sports App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

    Pace Laps:

    • Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts its annual fall race date this weekend with now just four races remaining in the 2024 NASCAR season.
    • Jack Roush has seven wins in the Cup Series alone at Vegas and 16 overall.
    • Last fall, Brad Keselowski led 38 laps and finished top five, while Chris Buescher qualified top five and finished 11th in this race.

    6 Team Info:
    Crew Chief: Matt McCall
    Partner: King’s Hawaiian

    17 Team Info:
    Crew Chief: Scott Graves
    Partner: Castrol Edge

    Keselowski at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
    Starts: 22
    Wins: 3 (2014, 2016, 2018)
    Top-10s: 13
    Poles: 2 (2013, 2017)

    • Keselowski is a three-time winner at LVMS, one of 11 tracks he has multiple wins at on the circuit. Overall he has an 11.6 average finish with 13 top-10s and nine finishes inside the top five in 22 starts.
    • Most recently he finished fourth last fall after leading 38 laps. This spring he ran 13th after starting 25th.
    • Keselowski first won in Las Vegas in 2014 after starting from the second position and leading 53 laps. He followed that with wins two years apart in 2016 and 2018.
    • The Michigan native has an average starting position of 12.6 with two poles (2013, 2017). Overall he has nine top-10 qualifying efforts.
    • Keselowski also has a win at Vegas in the Xfinity Series (2014) with four overall top-10s in 10 NXS starts. He also made one truck start back in 2005.

    Buescher at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
    Starts: 15
    Wins: —
    Top-10s: 1
    Poles: —

    • Buescher makes his 16th Cup start at Las Vegas this weekend, where he carries an average finish of 18.6 with one top-10 (ninth – 2020).
    • Most recently, Buescher had a strong run going earlier this year but lost a tire and finished 37th. He qualified ninth in that race and had already led a pair of laps through the opening 27 laps.
    • His best qualifying effort stands as the P5 starting spot last October. Overall he has a 20.9 average starting position.
    • Buescher made two Xfinity Series starts at Las Vegas and recorded a best finish of ninth (2014) in the No. 60 entry for Jack Roush.

    RFK Historically at Las Vegas
    Cup Wins: 7 (Mark Martin, 1998; Jeff Burton, 1999, 2000; Matt Kenseth, 2003, 2004; Carl Edwards, 2008, 2011)

    • Early JACKpot: RFK hit the Vegas jackpot right off the bat, winning the inaugural Cup event at Las Vegas in 1998. Mark Martin led 82 laps in the victory that served as a banner day for RFK.
    • Inaugural Sweep: RFK placed all five of its Cup entries inside the top 10 of that inaugural Las Vegas Cup race in 1998, including three inside the top five, four inside the top six, one in the winners circle and the runner up (6 – 1st, 99 – 2nd, 26 – 4th, 16 – 6th and 97 – 10th).
    • Continued Success: RFK won the first three Cup races at LVMS from ‘98-’00, with Jeff Burton winning back-to-back events in ’99 and ’00. RFK also took three of the first nine Xfinity Series events at LVMS.
    • Victory Lane at Vegas: In addition to the first three Cup races at LVMS, RFK again found the winners’ circle in 2003 and 2004 at the 1.5-mile track with Matt Kenseth. Carl Edwards took the checkered flag at the 2008 and 2011 events to give RFK seven Cup wins at Las Vegas with four different drivers.
    • Back to Back at Vegas: RFK has won back-to-back Cup races at LVMS on two separate occasions in ’99-’00 and ’03-04’ and once in the Xfinity Series in ‘99 and ‘00.
    • Across the Board at Vegas: All in all, RFK has tallied 16 total NASCAR wins, while turning 41,000+ laps in NASCAR action at LVMS for 61,000+ miles, while leading over 2,700 laps at the track in NASCAR’s top three divisions. At the same time the organization has finished inside the top-10 in nearly 50 percent of its 192 NASCAR starts at LVMS.

    RFK Las Vegas Wins

    1998 Martin Cup

    1999 Burton Cup

    2000 Burton Cup

    2003 Kenseth Cup

    2004 Kenseth Cup

    2008 Edwards Cup

    2011 Edwards Cup

    1999 Martin NXS

    2000 Burton NXS

    2002 Burton NXS

    2005 Martin NXS

    2009 Biffle NXS

    2012 Stenhouse NXS

    1997 Ruttman NGOTS

    1999 Biffle NGOTS

    2007 Kvapil NGOTS

    Last Time Out
    ROVAL: Keselowski was running well inside the top-10 for much of Sunday’s race at the ROVAL, but was spun midway through while running fourth, ultimately relegating him to 23rd. Buescher finished 17th.

  • EVENT RECAP: Wright Motorsports Petit Le Mans Podium Hopes Dashed in Final Hour Incident

    EVENT RECAP: Wright Motorsports Petit Le Mans Podium Hopes Dashed in Final Hour Incident

    BATAVIA, Ohio. (October 14, 2024) – Fresh off the high of securing the Fanatec GT World Challenge America championship title and winning the Indianapolis 8 Hour, Wright Motorsports entered Petit Le Mans with high expectations for a strong finish to the season. Unfortunately, their hopes of celebrating on the podium at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta were shattered in the final hour. An incident with less than one hour remaining in the ten-hour IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race sidelined the No. 120 Porsche 911 GT3 R with terminal damage. The contact ended an impressive first season in the championship for drivers Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer.

    “We came into Petit Le Mans with a lot of momentum and optimism, but racing can be cruel sometimes,” said Team Owner John Wright. “The crew put in a phenomenal effort, and our drivers were at their best. It’s hard to end the season like this, but I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved this year. The potential we showed today and throughout the season only makes us hungrier for next year.”

    Adelson began the final race of the year from 13th on the grid, determined to replicate the team’s stellar performance from the Indianapolis 8 Hour just weeks ago. A quick, efficient first pit stop by the crew vaulted the Porsche two spots to 11th, bringing them within reach of the top ten. Adelson continued his charge forward, closing out the first hour in eighth place.

    Jan Heylen, the No. 120’s endurance race specialist, then took over driving duties, maintaining the team’s momentum by climbing four more spots to fourth early into his first run. He completed his opening stint in second place, setting the stage for a strong run to the checkered flag. Skeer took over next, expertly bringing the Porsche to the lead during the second quarter of the ten-hour endurance finale.

    Throughout the remaining hours, the Wright Motorsports trio rotated through driving duties with flawless execution in the pits, keeping the No. 120 Porsche in the fight for a podium finish. However, with just under 52 minutes remaining and while running in the top five, the Wright Porsche was involved in contact with a stopped car on the track. The heavy damage forced an early end to what had been a promising day.

    Despite the disappointing finish, the team’s performance at Petit Le Mans capped off a remarkable rookie season for Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer. The duo secured two podium finishes at Sebring International Raceway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and earned a dominant victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    Wright Motorsports will return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2025, with further details to be announced in the coming months.

    Wright Motorsports
    Wright Motorsports is the premier Porsche race engineering facility in Ohio and a multi-series and international racing team known for superb car preparation, expert race strategy, and driver development. Located in Batavia, Ohio, it is owned and directed by John Wright, a certified Porsche factory-trained technician. As a crew chief John Wright has played a key role in winning eight driver and seven team championships in World Challenge, IMSA (ALMS) and the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Wright Motorsports won the team championship in Porsche GT3 Cup USA in 2012, 2013, and 2015, and went on to win the Pirelli World Challenge Overall, Sprint, Team, and Manufacturer’s titles in 2017. In 2020, the team captured the GT World Challenge America Am championship. In 2021, Wright Motorsports had a wildly successful season, capturing nine championships across their five racing efforts.

  • Bonanza Cabernet Racing: Ryan Preece Las Vegas Advance

    Bonanza Cabernet Racing: Ryan Preece Las Vegas Advance

    RYAN PREECE
    Las Vegas Advance
    No. 41 Bonanza Cabernet Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    Event Overview

    ● Event: South Point 400 (Round 33 of 36)
    ● Time/Date: 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 20
    ● Location: Las Vegas Motor 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 / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Notes of Interest

    ● Ryan Preece and the No. 41 Bonanza Cabernet Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing head west this weekend for the South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 267-lap race around the 1.5-mile oval will mark Preece’s 10th NASCAR Cup Series start at Las Vegas and his fourth with Stewart-Haas racing. Best among his previous nine outings was his 15th-place finish in March 2021, which came on the heels of his previous best finish of 19th in September 2020, both while driving for JTG Daugherty Racing. His first three outings with Stewart-Haas resulted in finishes of 23rd in the past two March races, and 26th in October 2023.

    ● Preece has three Las Vegas starts outside of the NASCAR Cup Series – two in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Best of his Xfinity Series outings was his sixth-place finish for Joe Gibbs Racing in September 2018, which bettered his 18th-place finish for owner Johnny Davis in March 2018. Preece’s lone Truck Series race at Las Vegas in March 2022 resulted in a fourth-place finish from the fifth starting position with three laps led in a David Gilliland Racing entry.

    ● Joining Preece at Las Vegas is Bonanza, a California Cabernet Sauvignon created by Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards. The wine’s name is inspired by the “bonanza” of the great state of California, where diverse vineyard land that produces delicious Cabernet can be found. Preece got to enjoy the fruits of his labor quite literally in June 2023 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway. Preece competed in the ARCA Menards Series West race and dominated from start to finish. He won the pole and led twice for a race-high 50 laps, including the final 32 tours around the 1.99-mile, 10-turn road course to take the victory by a commanding 9.675 seconds over runner-up Sammy Smith. It was Preece’s first ARCA victory and the first ARCA win for Stewart-Haas. From his race-winning chalice in victory lane, Preece sipped on Bonanza, soaking in the moment amid TV interviews and photographs.

    ● Chuck Wagner and his late parents, Lorna and Charlie Sr., opened Caymus Vineyards in 1972, starting off with 240 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. Based at its original “home ranch” in Rutherford, California – deep in the heart of Napa Valley Wine Country – Caymus Vineyards remains a hands-on family affair. In addition to their celebrated Cabernet Sauvignons, Chuck and two of his children – Charlie and Jenny – produce diverse wines from Napa Valley, other parts of California and beyond. Said Preece about partnering with Caymus Vineyards and its Bonanza brand: “Representing Caymus Vineyards and Bonanza at Sonoma allowed me to see just how hands-on the Wagner family is when it comes to their winemaking. It’s impressive, and it’s something I can really appreciate. I’m hands-on with my racecars because I want them to be the very best. They have the same mindset at Caymus. That’s why they’re a great partner for our race team.”

    Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 Bonanza Cabernet Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    You’ve had a good stretch of runs on intermediate-style tracks. Do you feel that bodes well for your prospects this weekend at Las Vegas?

    “Las Vegas is tricky because as much as the mile-and-a-half tracks are what people like to call cookie cutter, there are a lot of characteristics and other elements that play a factor in your setup, as well as how the car drives and what the strengths of it are. But I’m excited. I say that because I feel like, between Indy and Pocono and Kansas, we’ve been going down a good path that I think will benefit us going into Las Vegas. I do feel like we can go to Vegas and use it to continue building on a strong end to the year.”

    What sets Las Vegas apart from the other 1.5-mile ovals in the NASCAR Cup Series?

    “Vegas, with its tunnel turn and the bumps and all those things, I would say it’s definitely different from some of the other mile-and-a-halves. As grippy as it can be, it can be a challenge, so I would say it’s its own animal.”

    You’re down to the home stretch of the season with just four races remaining. What do you want to accomplish before season’s end?

    “We just need to continue focusing on consistency, getting the most out of practice and qualifying, and running well during the race. That means I’ve got to be on it, we’ve got to be on it with strategy and on pit road. All of it keeps coming together and, even though all of the results don’t show it, we’re getting there. This team is working really hard on putting it all together and capitalizing on that. We just want to be consistent all the way through to the end of the year.”

    Would you consider yourself a Las Vegas person – the kind who hits the blackjack table and finds a good restaurant each night, or are you the kind who tries to find quiet places while keeping your body clock on Eastern Time?

    “I think I’m a little bit of both. I’m somebody who likes the quiet, so when I do find a blackjack table or a roulette table, it’s pretty empty for the most part. I do enjoy playing your typical casino games. I’m a racecar driver, so I gamble every day of my life. It’s no different when I go to Vegas and decide to visit a casino to see if I can make some money.”

    No. 41 Bonanza Cabernet Team Roster

    Primary Team Members

    Driver: Ryan Preece

    Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

    Crew Chief: Chad Johnston

    Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

    Car Chief: Jeremy West

    Hometown: Gardena, California

    Engineer: Marc Hendricksen

    Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

    Spotter: Tony Raines

    Hometown: LaPorte, Indiana

    Over-The-Wall Members

    Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester

    Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

    Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

    Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

    Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

    Hometown: Tyler, Texas

    Jack Man: Sherman Timbs

    Hometown: Indianola, Mississippi

    Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore

    Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

    Road Crew Members

    Front End Mechanic: Joe Zanolini

    Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

    Interior Mechanic: Robert Dalby

    Hometown: Anaheim, California

    Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgeway

    Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

    Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife

    Hometown: Orange County, California

    Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues

    Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

    Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer

    Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

  • Texas A&M University Partners With Stewart-Haas Racing at Las Vegas and Phoenix

    Texas A&M University Partners With Stewart-Haas Racing at Las Vegas and Phoenix

    Gig ’em, Stewart-Haas
    Texas A&M University Partners With Stewart-Haas Racing at Las Vegas and Phoenix

    KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Oct. 14, 2024) – Texas A&M University has partnered with Stewart-Haas Racing, the championship-winning NASCAR team co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart and Haas Automation founder Gene Haas, to share its story of nearly 150 years of advancing knowledge and human achievement, preparing students to be lifelong learners and leaders, and its rich military heritage on NASCAR’s global stage.

    The partnership kicks off this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where Chase Briscoe will drive the No. 14 Texas A&M Ford Mustang Dark Horse in Sunday’s South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series race. Then in the season finale Nov. 10 at Phoenix Raceway, Josh Berry will drive the No. 4 Texas A&M Ford Mustang Dark Horse with a livery reflective of Texas A&M’s commitment to celebrating and serving our nation’s veterans. Both races will be broadcast live on NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

    “With millions of engaged fans, this partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing represents a fantastic opportunity to put the Aggie Spirit front and center and further show the nation what Texas A&M University stands for,” said R. Ethan Braden, vice president, chief marketing and communications officer at Texas A&M. “We look forward to cheering on Chase Briscoe in Aggie Maroon at Las Vegas and Josh Berry at the season finale in Phoenix, where we’ll showcase Texas A&M’s appreciation for our country and our military prior to Veterans Day. Texas A&M has a rich history of leadership and selfless service, and we are committed to serving well those who have served.”

    Texas A&M University is driven by a tradition of excellence and passion to continually improve. It is a destination of choice for those who serve or have served to pursue higher education. The link with NASCAR is an appropriate one as the sanctioning body has long honored its nation’s service members, most notably with its annual NASCAR Salutes program, a tenured initiative featuring important associations with Honor and Remember, which recognizes fallen service members and their families, and Sound Off, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce veteran suicide through free and anonymous mental health for veterans and service members.

    “We’re honored to partner with Texas A&M University, an institution that stands for respect, excellence and leadership,” said Joe Custer, president of Stewart-Haas Racing. “We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to help tell Texas A&M’s story, particularly its long history of supporting our nation’s veterans.”

    Recently named the top university in Texas and the No. 11 public university in the nation by The Wall Street Journal, Texas A&M’s forward momentum is evidenced by a number of recent recognitions. In a testament to its dedication to academic excellence and innovation, the College of Engineering was named a top-10 public engineering school by U.S. News & World Report, with the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering ranked best in the nation. The college also secured the top spot for engineering research expenditures in fiscal year 2023, with $444.7 million in spending. The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering – part of both the College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences – is also ranked No. 1 in the nation.

    In addition to providing an exemplary student experience, the university is also educating the next generation of leaders who will put Texas A&M’s Core Values into practice, as reflected by the remarkable number of Aggies leading America’s companies. Texas A&M is tied for No. 1 among the nation’s public universities and No. 5 overall for the number of graduates serving as CEOs of Fortune 500 companies today.

    Texas A&M Veteran Support

    With roots as a senior military college, Texas A&M has proudly supported our nation’s veterans and military-affiliated students for more than a century. In addition to currently educating nearly 1,300 student veterans, many of the university’s top leaders served in the military, including Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III, a retired four-star general and former chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force. Eight Aggies have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration.

    Through the Don and Ellie Knauss Veteran Resource and Support Center, Texas A&M offers resources to help students navigate the admissions process, maximize their Veteran Affairs education benefits, and meet their career and employment goals after graduation, setting the standard for student veteran support across the nation.

    Texas A&M is also home to the Corps of Cadets, the largest uniformed student body in the nation, outside of the military academies. Although there is no military obligation tied to being a member, the Corps consistently commissions more officers into the country’s armed forces than any other school in the country, outside of the services academies. The Corps develops well-educated leaders of character and offers programs specifically designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles in the U.S. military, corporate America, government service and the private sector.

    Stewart-Haas Racing

    Stewart-Haas Racing is the title-winning NASCAR team co-owned by three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation – the largest CNC machine tool builder in North America. The Kannapolis, North Carolina-based organization has won two NASCAR Cup Series titles, two NASCAR Xfinity Series championships and more than 100 NASCAR races, including such crown-jewel events as the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500. For more information, please visit us online at StewartHaasRacing.com and on social at Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

  • Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams and Mercedes-AMG Sweep All Six 2024 IMSA GT Daytona (GTD) Championships

    Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing Teams and Mercedes-AMG Sweep All Six 2024 IMSA GT Daytona (GTD) Championships

    After Season-Ending Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

    BRASELTON, Georgia – Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing teams and Mercedes-AMG completed a perfect six-for-six IMSA GT Daytona (GTD) class 2024 championship sweep Saturday in the season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Winward Racing’s steady run to eighth place as the highest finishing Mercedes-AMG GT3 of the three competing in Saturday’s 10-hour race put the final touch on a dominating season for the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 and Mercedes-AMG that led the team, driver and manufacturer standings all year after a season-long performance that was the best overall in the four-class IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series.

    The year started with Winward’s second Rolex 24 At Daytona GTD victory in four years when the full-season pairing of Russell Ward and Philip Ellis were joined by teammates Indy Dontje – the team’s IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) addition this season – and Daniel Morad in adding the victory to go along with 2021’s GTD win in America’s premier 24-hour race. Ward, Ellis and Dontje captured the “36 Hours of Florida” with another strong performance for the win one race later in the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the Winward Racing and Mercedes-AMG season-long run of success was on.

    Winward won the first sprint race of the season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in May and followed it with its third-straight Michelin Endurance Cup triumph in the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen in June.

    Amid Winward’s strong opening volley of four race wins – the most by a single team in any WeatherTech class in 2024 – in the year’s first five races, the No. 32 Korthoff Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 team stepped up to carry Mercedes-AMG’s honors in April’s Grand Prix of Long Beach with a third-place finish. In addition to Mercedes-AMG driver Maximilian Götz joining the team for the Rolex 24 opener, the No. 32 was driven in the full season this year by Mikael Grenier, Kenton Koch and Mike Skeen.

    The No. 32 team and drivers entered the championship conversation in both the WeatherTech Championship and IMEC with a late season-run of success that included the team’s first career IMSA win at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) in August and a third-place finish one race later in the six-hour race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    While Winward edged out the No. 32 team’s attempt to secure its second-straight IMEC GTD titles, the late surge elevated Grenier and the Korthoff Preston team to third place in the final full-season GTD driver and team championships.

    The No. 32’s third-place finish at Indy was also enough for Mercedes-AMG to clinch both the WeatherTech and IMEC GTD manufacturer championships one race before Saturday’s Petit Le Mans finale. The WeatherTech GTD championship was the first for Mercedes-AMG since entering North American competition in 2017 while the IMEC manufacturer crown was the second in a row and fifth for the Silver Star following previous titles last year and three straight from 2017 through 2019.

    With the manufacturer titles wrapped up, the four remaining GTD championships were on the line at Road Atlanta and Winward walked away with them all. Leaving nothing to chance, Winward raced to the finish in its most challenging event of the year even though both the WeatherTech GTD team and driver titles were mathematically clinched with the retirement of the first GTD competitor early in the race. Even if Winward would have been the next to retire, they still would have earned enough points to lock down the championships thanks to this year’s dominating season.

    As it was, Winward finished Petit Le Mans for the first time in four attempts to put the crowning touch on its first season of seeing the checkered flag at every race in the championship as well.

    Winward’s wrap up of the IMEC titles took a little longer to seal at Petit, but ultimately their nearest challengers – including Korthoff Preston – couldn’t amass enough points in the race’s three segments to surpass the slight edge Winward held going into the race.

    All four GTD championships – driver and team titles in both WeatherTech and IMEC – were firsts for Winward and its drivers in its third full-season of top-tier IMSA competition.

    In total, the Winward and Korthoff Preston teams combined for a WeatherTech Championship series-leading five Mercedes-AMG GT3 victories and four more podium finishes in this season’s 10 races.

    The most competitive Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing performance of the Petit Le Mans weekend came in Friday’s qualifying session that saw the trio of Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries in the race earn the pole and three of the top four qualifying positions. Ellis clocked in third fastest for Winward, Skeen was fourth quickest with Korthoff Preston, but the GTD pole went to Scott Andrews in a breakout performance in the No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.

    Contesting the five race IMEC championship this year, Andrews and Lone Star secured their first career IMSA poles, and the team was primed for its best race of the season in its Petit Le Mans debut. Andrews led the opening race laps from the pole only to have a hard-to-explain spin in turn five just minutes into the race. The No. 80 went two laps down after the incident and never had a decent chance of making up the gap as Saturday’s race was one of the most caution-free editions of Petit Le Mans on record. The team and drivers Andrews, Salih Yoluç and Rui Andrade fought to the end for a 10th place finish.

    The substantial haul of championship honors, as well as several performance awards for in-season achievements, were presented to the Winward and Korthoff teams and drivers and executives from Mercedes-Benz USA and Mercedes-AMG Motorsport in Sunday night’s WeatherTech Night of Champions at Chateau Elan near Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

    Christoph Sagemüller, Head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport: “First of all, congratulations to Winward Racing and our three drivers on winning the GTD class championship. This great success means a lot to us as a brand and concludes our most successful season in IMSA since the start of our Customer Racing program. With Korthoff Preston Motorsports, Lone Star Racing and Winward Racing, we have strong teams at our side in North America, who together are responsible for this success with every single result. Many thanks to everyone who represented our brand so well throughout the season.”

    Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing: “I’ve been at the Motul Petit Le Mans, and it was a great end to the season in a wonderful family atmosphere. I can only thank everyone involved. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 scored its victories at the beginning of the season, but also impressed with good results on more difficult race weekends. Last weekend was not only a very successful one in America, but also in Europe. In Barcelona, Winward Racing with Lucas Auer and Maro Engel won the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup driver and team championships in a thrilling finale.”

    Russell Ward, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “This is the first championship for Winward Racing here in the USA. It’s an amazing feeling. This is the end goal. You want to win and be competitive, but all of us have an eye on the championship. It is really a testament to the hard work of the crew. Lots of long nights, hard nights, and they deserve this after all of the non-stop work. Nobody sees that. We arrive at races and the car is well prepared, the trailer is organized and ready and everything looks good. They are constantly working 12 hours a day to keep everything perfect. We really have the easiest jobs. We just show up and drive, didn’t put a wheel wrong and had the Mercedes-AMG GT3 to do it, but the crew guys are the ones who really make it happen. This is for them.”

    Philip Ellis, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “I’m super thankful to be here with Winward Racing. The team made it really easy this year. They did such a perfect job. We always had a great car, a great strategy and they were always on it in the pit box. We were one step ahead of the competition, and as drivers we just had to bring it home. I think we did the heavy lifting earlier this year in the first part of the season, but we had some more difficult races at Indianapolis and also here at Petit Le Mans. We still kept it together. We didn’t really put a foot wrong and won the championship.”

    Indy Dontje, Driver – No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “It is just really cool to see what Winward Racing is today from how it started seven years ago. Winning an IMSA championship is an incredible achievement. I had a small part of it, only in the endurance cup, but to win that championship also, for me, is something really special. At the beginning of the year, we won almost every race. That was a big part of it and really helped a lot. All of the guys really did it in the opening endurance events, but the team and Russell and Philip really did a nice job in all of the sprint races. We were a bit on the back foot in the last two rounds, but we managed to do it and won the team and driver championships in both the full season and the endurance cup, so I am really happy for that.”

    Scott Andrews, Driver – No. 80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3: “Winning the pole, most importantly, was great for the morale of the team as we have had a really fast car but a difficult season. I was really privileged to get the opportunity to qualify the car, but I kind of went hero to zero in a bit of a way. That was pretty much the story of our whole year in the Michelin Endurance Cup. We had a rocket ship. AJ Petersen and all the boys all did such a good job with our Mercedes-AMG GT3. We all work really hard behind the scenes to make sure the car is really fast. This weekend we showed that, but we also showed how knife-edge it can be as well to have a fast setup here. We really don’t know what happened in turn five in the opening stint. The car just took a weird set to the right, I corrected it, and it just snapped back the other way. It was just really strange, really weird, but it was fun driving back through the field. We really needed a bunch of yellow flags to get back on the lead lap for good, but they never came. Then, unfortunately during the race with some traffic and whatever else, we got some damage, and the front splitter was basically just completely gone, not doing anything. It was just surviving after that, but we brought it home to the finish.”

  • Orion180 Insurance and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Announce New Multi-Year Partnership

    Orion180 Insurance and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Announce New Multi-Year Partnership

    Collaboration focused on the Drive for Precision, Agility, and Excellence

    Melbourne, Florida, Oct. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orion180, a leader in innovative insurance solutions today announced a multi-year partnership with the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team. The insurance trailblazer and America’s Formula 1 team will commence their multi-year partnership from the team’s home race, the United States Grand Prix, held at the Circuit of The Americas, on October 18-20.

    Orion180 has achieved unprecedented growth in the homeowners insurance market through proprietary technology, real-time data, compassion, and transparent underwriting to offer insurance solutions in even the highest-risk regions of the United States. The company provides significant value to customers and agency partners by offering customizable policies and exceptional customer service over the phone and through its easy-to-use MY180 app. Orion180’s unconventional data and customer-driven approach to insurance has earned them a place in the Inc. 5000 list for two consecutive years and a 4.9-star Google rating across the states it serves.

    Orion180 and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team have remarkable synergies as challengers in their respective lanes, capable of achieving more by focusing on innovation, efficiency, and performance. As part of the partnership, Orion180’s logo will adorn the VF-24 as well as race suits, and team kit from the 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The company will engage in cross-team collaborations and events, and a host of dynamic activations in marquee races across the United States.

    “I’m delighted to welcome Orion180, one of the fastest-growing and innovative U.S. insurers, as the latest long-term partner of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team,” said Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team. “Orion180 understands the value of charting a different course to compete with the top incumbents, something we fully understand competing at the pinnacle of motorsport. We welcome their trust in how we are evolving and look forward to delivering great value to them throughout our partnership.”

    “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, a team that perfectly reflects our own path to success and core values of precision, agility and excellence,” said Ken Gregg, CEO and Founder of Orion180. “We are winning against much larger and better-known brands through our thoughtful, more proactive and innovative insurance solutions that closely mirror what customers need today in a difficult homeowners market.”

    For more information on the official partnership between MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Orion180, visit www.orion180.com/HaasF1.

    MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, currently seventh overall in the Constructors’ Championship just three points off of sixth place (34-31pts), returns to home soil for Round 19 of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship – the United States Grand Prix, hosted at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, 18-20 October.

    About Orion180:

    Orion180 is a people-focused, technology-driven insurance brand that offers proprietary technology, real-time data, and straightforward underwriting practices, enabling independent insurance agents to provide their customers with a premier insurance experience.

    Orion180’s operating companies are:

    • Orion180 Insurance Co., a surplus lines (non-admitted) insurance company domiciled in Indiana and doing business in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.
    • Orion180 SelectInsurance Co., an admitted insurance company domiciled in Indiana that is approved to provide coverage in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Ohio.

    Orion180 has developed its own proprietary mobile application and technology platform, MY180, while also supporting third-party data integrations with insurance industry partners. Orion180’s vision is to be the global premier provider of insurance solutions. Our mission is to deliver an exceptional insurance experience through innovative technology, unparalleled customer service, and a comprehensive suite of product solutions.

    Info – www.Orion180.com

    About MoneyGram Haas F1 Team:

    MoneyGram Haas F1 Team debuted in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2016, becoming the first American Formula 1 team since 1986. Founded by industrialist Gene Haas, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is based in the United States on the same Kannapolis, North Carolina, campus as his championship-winning NASCAR team, Stewart-Haas Racing. Haas is the founder of Haas Automation, the largest CNC machine tool builder in North America, and he is chairman of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team.

    Info – www.haasf1team.com

  • Burton Finishes 20th at Charlotte

    Burton Finishes 20th at Charlotte

    Harrison Burton and the No. 21 DEX Imaging team avoided the potential pitfalls that come with racing on the ROVAL at Charlotte Motor Speedway and scored a 20th place finish in Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400.

    It was Burton’s 13th finish of 25th or better this season.

    Burton started the 109-lap race from 26th place and made his first pit stop, under the green flag, on Lap 20. He dropped from 25th to 31st place, but when other drivers pitted after the conclusion of the opening 25-lap Stage he moved up to 23rd place for the restart.

    The DEX Imaging team elected to pit at Lap 36 and again at Lap 45 in Stage Two before ending that 25-lap segment in 33rd place.

    Once again, he moved up when others pitted after the end of the Stage, and he restarted from 20th place.

    In the final segment of the race, he ran inside the top 25 for the majority of that run and made his final pit stop at Lap 77 from 11th place.

    He rejoined the race in 29th place and worked his way up to 20th at the finish.

    Burton and the No. 21 Wood Brothers team now turn their attention to Las Vegas Motor Speedway and next Sunday’s South Point 400.

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

    COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:
    Reducing Operating Costs
    Reducing Paper Consumption
    Increasing Productivity

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

    Wood Brothers Racing
    Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

  • Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Charlotte Roval

    Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Charlotte Roval

    Bank of America Roval 400: Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course
    Concord, N.C. – October 13, 2024

    Following post-race inspection at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the No. 48 has been disqualified for failing to meet the minimum weight requirement. By virtue of a 38th-place finish, the No. 48 team does not advance to the Round of 8 and the No. 22 team now advances.

    Stage finishes, race finishes and points positions reflect results following post-race inspection.

    AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 MENARDS/SYLVANIA FORD MUSTANG

    START: 5TH STAGE ONE: 10TH STAGE TWO: 6TH FINISH: 4TH POINTS: 10TH

    RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric finished a solid fourth in Sunday’s Bank of America Roval 400 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course but came up short of advancing to the semi-final round of the NASCAR Playoffs. Cindric rolled off the grid from the fifth position after a strong qualifying effort on Saturday and reported early on in the race that the car felt disconnected as he struggled with rear grip. With five laps remaining in the opening segment, Cindric made his first trek to pit road for four tires, fuel, wedge and air pressure adjustments. After crossing the stripe 10th to end Stage 1, the skilled road course racer stayed out at the break and restarted fifth. When debris brought out the yellow flag on Lap 36, Cindric informed his team that the car had improved slightly, but turn and drive remained pain points. He returned to the attention of the Menards/Sylvania pit crew for fresh tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. The Team Penske driver climbed back inside the top 10 as the laps clicked away, finishing Stage 2 in the sixth position and accumulating a handful of stage points. The No. 2 team opted to stay out and lined up fourth for the restart on Lap 55. With small improvements to the car, he continued to push forward, making his final pit stop of the day with just under 40 laps remaining. Cindric remained focused on the task at hand as the laps winded down, but ultimately finished fourth, shy of advancing to the Round of 8.

    CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “We had the speed and that is the encouraging thing and the exciting thing but today we needed it all. We had a great car. We had a great finish. My guys called a great strategy and we got points in both Stages, all the things that are hard to do in a Cup race, but we did those things and were capable of doing those things in the two prior races. That is what this format is. It is difficult. I think for us, having a better regular season, having a bit better of a buffer would definitely help. I am proud of everyone. I feel like we are getting into a rhythm here. I am proud of the team and looking forward to trying to spoil some races and support our teammates the rest of the way.”

    RYAN BLANEY No. 12 DISCOUNT TIRE FORD MUSTANG

    START: 14TH STAGE ONE: 4TH STAGE TWO: 5TH FINISH: 10TH POINTS: 5TH

    RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney advanced to the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs with a 10th-place finish at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval Sunday, marking his sixth-career trip to the semifinal round and fourth in as many seasons. Blaney enters the first race of the round fifth in the points standings and four points below the cut line as he continues on in his quest for back-to-back championships. The No. 12 Discount Tire Ford took the green flag from 14th before settling into 12th in the running order for the opening run of the 109-lap event. With pit strategies varying throughout the field in the closing laps of the stage, Blaney cycled to fourth on the leaderboard with three to go where he ultimately took the green and white checkered flag from in Stage 1. Following a four tire stop and a round of adjustments during under caution, Blaney lined up to restart Stage 2 from 30th before making his way back through the field to settle into the top-10 with 11 laps remaining in the segment. After a handful of the leaders hit pit road prior to the stage end, the 12 team opted to run the stage out again to come away with a fifth-place result in the second segment. Blaney was one of three cars to make the trip down pit road prior to the restart, miring him back in 30th to take the green flag for the final run of the afternoon. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler’s strategy call allowed Blaney to run longer than a majority of the field as he made his way up to sixth with 35 laps to go with green flag stops beginning to cycle. Blaney was eventually called to pit road with 33 laps to go while running fourth and rejoined the field just outside of the top-10. Blaney worked his way back into the top-10 with a formidable points cushion with 20 laps to go before crossing the start-finish line 10th to secure his spot in the Round of 8.

    BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “I thought our car was fast, we just were in the stage points game all day and we had to restart 30th every run to get back up to where we finished in 10th. To be honest, I wasn’t as aggressive on some of the restarts there in the back to weave our way through because we knew our objective today. I am proud of the effort of all the 12 boys to come out here and forget last week and focus on this week which really mattered.”

    “I feel like we are in a pretty decent spot. I was really happy with our speed at Kansas and I thought that was huge at a place we have struggled at. We hadn’t been the best there the last few years but to go there and have race-winning pace was really impressive for our group. Hopefully we can carry that over to Vegas and Homestead and learn from the spring at Martinsville. I think we are in a good spot. We just have to go perform. It is a new week next week and I am looking forward to getting started.”

    JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG

    START: 4TH STAGE ONE: 2ND STAGE TWO: 2ND FINISH: 8TH POINTS: 8TH

    RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano’s eighth-place finish in Sunday’s Round of 12 finale at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval came up just short of clinching a spot in the semifinal round at the time of the checkered flag, but a disqualification levied to the No. 48 team following post-race inspection advanced the No. 22 team to the Round of 8. NASCAR’s ruling is subject to appeal and a decision on whether an appeal will be submitted is expected on Monday, October 14.

    After starting fourth for Sunday’s 109-lap event, Logano settled into fifth for the opening run of the afternoon despite battling issues with rear grip in the early going. Crew chief Paul Wolfe made the call to run the opening stage to the end with every point making a difference on the playoff battle, allowing Logano to come away with a second-place finish in Stage 1. Following a four tire stop and a round of adjustments under caution, Logano lined up 27th to take the green flag for the second segment and quickly gained 11 spots while leading all other cars on his same strategy. The No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford charged back into the top-10 with 10 laps remaining in the stage as Wolfe kept Logano on track through the end of Stage 2 to come away with another second-place effort. Logano was kept on track during the stage break in an effort to maintain track position for the final run of the afternoon, taking the restart from the inside of row one with 55 laps to go. Wolfe called him to pit road from sixth with 39 laps to go for a four tire stop and enough fuel to make it to the end, allowing Logano to race back into the top-10 with 30 to go while scored five points above the cut line. Logano was locked into a tight battle with the No. 45 for the final transfer spot and worked his way up to fifth with 26 to go. The points lead began to shrink in the closing laps as the two were tied for the eighth and final spot with 12 laps remaining. Logano ultimately came away with an eighth-place finish and was scored four points below the cut line when the checkered flag waved.

    The NASCAR Cup Series opens the Round of 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 20. Coverage of the South Point 400 begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

  • Buescher Leads RFK with a 17th-Place Finish at the ROVAL

    Buescher Leads RFK with a 17th-Place Finish at the ROVAL

    Keselowski Finishes P23

    CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 13, 2024) – The RFK Fords had plenty of speed, but were sparce on luck during Sunday’s 109-lap Roval Cup event at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Chris Buescher ultimately led the way with a 17th-place finish; forced to battle back from getting spun out just over halfway through the race after having worked his way up to 12th.

    Brad Keselowski’s Castrol/TravelCenters Ford was one of the fastest in the field. The No. 6 driver qualified eighth and was running in the top five before getting spun out while running fourth on lap 38. Keselowski would work his way back through the field, only to get spun out once again by the same car with only a handful of laps remaining; relegated to the 23rd-place finish.

    “We had a really fast car,” said Keselowski after the race. “I hate that we didn’t get the finish that we deserved, but the effort was there and I’m proud of our team for bringing such a fast car to this track.”

    6 Recap
    Keselowski qualified eighth on Saturday and was running there when the team pitted for the first time on lap 19. He would ultimately finish the first stage ninth and restarted inside the top five when the field took the green for stage two. Keselowski had moved his Ford to fourth position with sites on third when the No. 77 made contact from behind and send him spinning around. By the time he collected his car, he was in 34th position.

    Patiently and methodically the NASCAR champion maneuvered his No. 6 Ford back through the field and was running in 12th position with 20 laps to go, before getting spun out on the backstretch chicane with a handful of laps remaining. He was able to collect his car and battle back to 23rd, picking up positions up until the final lap of the race.

    17 Recap
    Buescher and the No. 17 Fifth Third Team did not fare as well in Saturday’s qualifying and were forced to start the race from 28th position. However, the Prosper, Texas native wasted little time moving through the field. He finished stage one in the 21st position and restarted P16 for stage two.

    He moved all the way to 12th, before finishing stage two P20 after pitting late. He restarted stage three P14 and had moved to 13th, before getting spun on lap 63 and falling all the way back to 32nd. He eventually was able to rebound for the 17th-place finish.

    Up Next
    The Cup Series returns to Las Vegas Motor Speedway next weekend, with race coverage set for 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC, and radio coverage on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

    *The No. 48 was later disqualified in post race inspection, bumping Keselowski up to 23rd.

    About RFK Racing
    RFK Racing, in its 37th season in 2024, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.