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Author: Official Release

  • A LOT ON THE LINE FOR PRO STOCK’S ERICA ENDERS AT TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS

    A LOT ON THE LINE FOR PRO STOCK’S ERICA ENDERS AT TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS

    ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 11, 2024) – Only one driver in Pro Stock history has ever won at Texas Motorplex three years in a row. Defending world champion Erica Enders has the chance to match legendary driver Warren Johnson with a victory at this weekend’s 39th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals, which would also enhance her championship prospects in the process.

    Enders, who is third in points, has won the Texas NHRA FallNationals in back-to-back years, with each win helping carry her to two straight championships. Last year’s victory made her the winningest female in motorsports and remains a special win for Enders, but another victory couldn’t come at a better time for the six-time world champion.

    She remains on the hunt for her 50th career national event win and is looking for her first victory since the season-opener in Gainesville in her Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage/Melling Performance/Scag Power Equipment car. Enders is also racing for her crew chief, Mark Ingersoll, who is recovering after a double lung transplant last week.

    That puts a lot on Enders’ mind heading into the key race in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, but a victory at her home track would be welcomed for a variety of reasons.

    “I am just focused on the task at hand,” Enders said. “We’ve got to go out there and we need to win here, honestly. Vegas is a really great track to me as well, so hopefully these next two races we’ll do some good and maybe get that 50th off our back. But, you know, mindset coming in here is, it’s kind of a lot of things. There’s a lot going on, there’s a lot on the table, and there’s a lot on our hearts. So, we just have to put our heads down and focus.

    “A win puts us right back in the mix. The first three races of the Countdown, it’s been the (same) four drivers (points leader Dallas Glenn, Aaron Stanfield, Greg Anderson and Enders) every semifinal. That kind of makes it hard take a step in front of somebody. We’ve won here the last two years in a row, so that would be pretty awesome to get three in a row and to do it for Mark.”

    Last season, Leah Pruett (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all collected NHRA wins in Dallas and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage airing at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday Oct. 13. It is the fourth of six races in the Countdown to the Championship and the 18th of 20 races during the 2024 season.

    A Texas-sized playoff showdown starts with “Friday Night Live,” which offers more than $40,000 in bonus money to the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The low qualifier under the lights on Friday night will net Top Fuel and Funny Car stars $15,000 each in bonus money, with $7,500 going to the quickest qualifier in Pro Stock and $5,000 in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

    That kickoff to the weekend is one of the many reasons Enders loves racing at Texas Motorplex. But the intensity will be at a fever pitch as she looks to make a move in the standings. After back-to-back wins, Glenn is back in the points lead, holding a 31-point advantage over Enders’ Elite Motorsports teammate, Stanfield. Enders is 90 points back and Anderson trails by 116 points, and Enders knows she has work to do. But she’s looking forward to the challenge at a facility she has always cherished.

    “I love it and it’s no secret that I’m extremely fond of Texas and I’m a proud Texan,” Enders said. “What the Meyer family does for our sport is pretty awesome. I love coming in here and feeling so welcome and blessed, and it’s that typical Texas hospitality. This race is different than any other. Friday night, it’s super fun for the “Battle of the Saddle,” and then obviously winning the race and getting the cowboy hat and the Corral Boots is always pretty epic, too, so I love it here.”

    In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Richard Gadson remains in hot contention after a strong start to his first experience in the Countdown to the Championship. A candidate for the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year, Gadson advanced to a pair of final rounds to open the playoffs before being tripped up in the second round in St. Louis.

    Still, the first-year rider in still in the thick of the championship mix on his RevZilla/Mission Foods/Vance & Hines Suzuki, entering this weekend’s race in Dallas third in points and 65 points behind teammate and reigning world champion Herrera. Gadson will look to make a move in Dallas, while also contending with the likes of Matt Smith, who is 34 points back of Herrera, 2023 NHRA Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant, Angie Smith, Reading winner Hector Arana Jr., Angie Smith and Jianna Evaristo.

    Top Fuel’s Pruett stepped out of her dragster at the start of the season and headed driving duties over to her husband and motorsports legend Tony Stewart. Stewart has a runner-up finish to his credit this season and will be looking for his first career Top Fuel win. He’ll be up against points leader and three-time champion Antron Brown, standout Justin Ashley, former champ Shawn Langdon and reigning champion Doug Kalitta.

    Hagan is the reigning Funny Car champion, and his 2023 Texas NHRA FallNationals was a major reason he grabbed his fourth title. If he wants to go back-to-back in Dallas, he’ll need to get by Funny Car points leader and class newcomer Austin Prock, Bob Tasca III, J.R. Todd, Ron Capps and Jack Beckman, who is driving for John Force.

    The Texas NHRA FallNationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which includes some of the sport’s top drivers and begins racing on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The weekend will include the exciting new Holley EFI Factory X category and the Jr. Dragster Shootout, as well as a jet dragster exhibition after nitro qualifying on Friday.

    Fans will also be treated to the JEG’s Allstar event, which pits sportsman racers from across the country against each other for the ultimate drag racing battle. After a successful first year at the famed Texas Motorplex in 2023, the unique specialty race is back as a major highlight of the 2024 Stampede of Speed as one of most highly-anticipated sportsman events of the year.

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

    As always, fans can get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun.

    NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 11, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 13. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday and as well as action from eliminations at 4 p.m.

    To purchase tickets to the Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, call 800-668-6775 or visit tickets.texasmotorplex.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.

    About Mission Foods

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

    About NHRA

    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.

  • AM Racing | Dylan Lupton Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course Xfinity Series Race Preview

    AM Racing | Dylan Lupton Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course Xfinity Series Race Preview

    AM Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
    Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course | Drive for the Cure 250

    Fast Facts

    No. 15 AM Racing Team:
    Driver: Dylan Lupton
    Primary Partner(s): Lupton Excavation | AirBox
    Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
    Crew Chief: Ryan “Pickle” London
    Spotter: Michael Fisher
    Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. X-79
    Engine: Roush-Yates Engines

    Notes of Interest:

    Final Stretch: Veteran race car driver Dylan Lupton will pilot AM Racing’s No. 15 Ford Mustang for the final five 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, including Saturday afternoon’s Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course.

    Lupton, a graduate of the NASCAR Next initiative, will also drive the team’s Ford Mustang at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, and the season finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway on Nov. 9, 2024.

    The former ARCA Menards Series West winner returned to NASCAR Xfinity Series competition for the first time since Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway last year on Oct. 5, 2024, at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

    Driving the No. 15 Sentinel Foundation | Nine Line Apparel Ford Mustang for AM Racing, Lupton contended for a top-10 finish before being collected in the “Big One” with three laps to go.

    To jumpstart his stock car racing career this year, Lupton returned to the ARCA Menards Series at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in mid-September when he piloted the No. 30 Lupton Excavation | Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang to a top-10 finish in the General Tire 100 at The Glen.

    The Californian has spent most of 2024 competing in select Late-Model events on the West Coast and in a limited Trans Am Series XGT Class schedule.

    Lupton has 61 starts across all three of NASCAR’s national divisions, with one top-five and five top-10 finishes.

    Welcome Aboard: For the 29th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season, AM Racing and Lupton welcome Lupton Excavation to the team as the primary partner on the No. 15 Ford Mustang for the 67-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

    Lupton Excavation Inc. was founded in 1987. The company provides excavation work and digs foundations.

    Serving Sacramento, Calif., and surrounding areas, Lupton Excavation Inc. also specializes in Earthwork and plumbing.

    Giving You Peace of Air: For the final road course race of the season, AirBox will serve in an associate partnership role on Lupton’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in Saturday afternoon’s Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

    In 2017, AirBox was established to focus on building the world’s best air purifiers for indoor occupied spaces. This coincided with people starting to wake up to issues with indoor air quality. With new challenges to air cleanliness, such as COVID-19 and wildfire smoke, people are looking for effective and proven solutions to ensure they receive cleaner air, at last.

    Their history in delivering clean air systems and services gives them an expertise that is unmatched. AirBox uses some of the most effective air filtration technologies that exist with Certified HEPA and Advanced Molecular Adsorption. Coupled with their Indoor Air Quality Assessment, AirBox is the total solution for all indoor air quality needs, ensuring their customers meet and exceed current and future ventilation standards.

    Today, AirBox filtration systems are used across the country, purifying the air and capturing harmful irritants to create healthier, safer spaces. They’ve become the trusted choice for hospitals, educational centers, offices, warehouses, construction zones, public assembly, sports facilities, and more.

    They’re proud to build all products to the highest standards in the USA at their North Carolina production facility. Every day, AirBox is working hard to give the American people the safer learning, working, and living environments they deserve — helping people breathe easy and live better.

    Catch Him On The Dial: Before Dylan Lupton straps into his No. 15 Ford Mustang on Saturday, the AM Racing driver will be featured on “The Frontstretch” on SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 90, with host Pat Patterson on Saturday morning, October 12, 2024, at approximately 9:30 a.m. ET.

    Lupton will preview the Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course and discuss his new opportunity with Statesville, N.C.-based AM Racing.

    Dylan Lupton NASCAR Xfinity Series Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Drive for the Cure 250 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway will mark Lupton’s inaugural Xfinity Series start at the newly reconfigured 17-turn, 2.28-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL™.

    The Xfinity Series driver will look to improve his overall road course average Xfinity finish of 22.1.

    Dylan Lupton NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: In 42 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Lupton has a career-best ninth-place finish after starting 16th for Athenian Motorsports at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August 2015.

    In addition to his Xfinity Series starts, he has achieved four NASCAR Cup Series starts and 15 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts to his credit.

    Thanks For Your Support: With 84 percent of the 2024 Xfinity Series season complete, AM Racing and Dylan Lupton would like to thank their marketing partners for their support: AirBox, Flying Circle, Mechanix Wear, Mobil 1 and WIX Filters.

    Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway | United Rentals 250 Race Recap: The 28th race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season kicked off in a return trip to Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

    Without the benefit of practice, Lupton qualified his No. 15 Sentinel Foundation | Nine Line Apparel Ford Mustang 36th, but quickly from the drop of the green flag, the Wilton, Calif. native navigated through the field and found himself inside the top 20 for most of the race.

    In Stage 3, Lupton pressed the attack, drafted his No. 15 AM Racing Ford Mustang inside the top-10, and contended for the team’s best finish of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series until he was collected in a massive “Big One.”

    The accident damaged Lupton’s race car on the right side. The team patched up his blue oval, allowing the 30-year-old to return to the race and finish a respectable 24th at the checkered flag.

    From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Ryan “Pickle” London is Dylan Lupton’s crew chief.

    He will be crew chief for his 29th NASCAR Xfinity Series race and his first on the Queen City road course.

    In his previous 28 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected two top-10 finishes, including a career-best ninth at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International with Joey Logano in September 2024 for AM Racing.

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

    For more on Dylan Lupton like him on Facebook (Lupton Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@luptondylan) and X | Twitter (@LuptonDylan).

    Dylan Lupton Quoteboard:

    On The Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course: “I’m hoping for another strong effort from our AM Racing team on Saturday. It’s a bummer that we did not get the finish we deserved at Talladega because we showcased a lot of speed, but we’ll have an opportunity to rebound on Saturday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

    “It’s an updated layout, so I feel like it will put me on a level playing field with the rest of the field as we utilize practice to get used to the new configuration and set you up for qualifying and race day.

    “I can’t thank everyone at AM Racing enough for this continued opportunity, and I look forward to a productive race.”

    Race Information:

    The Drive for the Cure 250 (67 laps | 152.76 miles) is the 29th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Saturday, October 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag shortly after 4:00 p.m. ET, with live coverage on the CW Network, the Performance Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

    About AM Racing:

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

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

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

  • Lone Star Racing Primed for Endurance Cup Breakthrough at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta’s IMSA Petit Le Mans

    Lone Star Racing Primed for Endurance Cup Breakthrough at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta’s IMSA Petit Le Mans

    Lone Star Racing’s 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Michelin Endurance Cup GTD Entry with IMSA Confirmed

    BRASELTON, Georgia (October 11, 2024) – Fast off a pair of races at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), Lone Star Racing arrives at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for yet another blockbuster endurance event with the team’s first running in the IMSA Motul Petit Le Mans.

    Completing the fifth and final round of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup is Lone Star Racing’s driving trio of Salih Yoluç, Rui Andrade and Scott Andrews in the No. 80 ACS Manufacturing/Sonangol/Visit Angola Mercedes-AMG GT3. All roads lead to Saturday, October 12th’s 10-hour race, with the green flag scheduled for 12:10 p.m. EDT. The race can be viewed in its entirety on the Peacock streaming network, with the opening three hours broadcast live on NBC, and the closing stint from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EDT on USA Network.

    Lone Star most recently competed at Indy in IMSA’s Battle on the Bricks in September and last weekend’s SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge Indianapolis 8 Hour.

    In the Indy 8 Hour, Lone Star rebounded for a third-place Pro-class finish despite never having a chance to fight for the victory. The team and drivers Luca Stolz, Fabian Schiller and three-time IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou persevered through electrical issues for the majority of the race but turned in a no-quit performance straight to the checkered flag in the No. 4 Mercedes-AMG Team Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.

    That Indy 8 Hour weekend included a GT2-class win in Friday’s GT America race from Lone Star Racing team owner and driver Dan Knox. The Indy title gave Knox a three-for-three-win record in the GT2 configuration of the Mercedes-AMG, adding to a pair of wins at Long Beach in April. All three convincing victories were flag-to-flag triumphs from the pole in the No. 10 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT2.

    A one-off Michelin Pilot Challenge GS appearance with Knox and Andrews also earned Lone Star Racing a solid result during the IMSA Indy weekend with a fifth-place finish while closing fast to the leaders in the final stages of the race in the No. 79 Lone Star Racing Mercedes-AMG GT4.

    “Dan achieved a clean sweep of the GT2 races he entered this year, and I’m really happy to see him having fun,” said Lone Star Racing Team Manager and Technical Director AJ Petersen. “Success follows that, and he’s relaxed when he is racing too. The fifth place in GS Dan and Scott had on the IMSA Indy weekend was punching above our weight class to be able to step in and do a one-off like that. We’ve got a great group of people, and when we’re all pulling in the same direction, it’s pretty magical.”

    Lone Star Racing is searching for a season-best result this weekend at Road Atlanta after a challenging Endurance Cup campaign. In the Indy IMSA six-hour race, Yoluç, Andrade and Andrews battled through wet and treacherous conditions for nearly the first half of the race but soon found some pace and grip in the dry. The race seemed to be coming to Lone Star in the closing hours only for the team to literally be knocked from contention by a GTD competitor more than 20 laps down. The No. 80 returned to the race after being retrieved from a gravel trap but was then four laps down after the needless delay.

    “I’m definitely hopeful that we get some good breaks in the Michelin Endurance Cup finale at Petit Le Mans,” Petersen said. “It’s a race that we haven’t campaigned as Lone Star Racing before, but we’re going into it with some experience in the event with different members of the crew. We always have a solid car, but honestly, I don’t know what to expect. We’re just going to give it our best and see what happens.”

    The team is ready to turn that luck around in the IMSA WeatherTech Series finale this weekend, and its drivers have a blueprint to complete the process. Andrade is a 2022 Petit race winner, having captured the LMP2 class with Tower Motorsports. Andrews most recent Road Atlanta win came at the 2021 Motul Petit Le Mans in the LMP3 class.

    Not only is Motul Petit Le Mans the final race of the Michelin Endurance Challenge, which included endurance races at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Indianapolis, but serves as a springboard for Lone Star Racing for 2025. Lone Star Racing was among 21 teams announced by IMSA on Thursday confirmed and committed to the IMSA WeatherTech competition. Lone Star is set for a return to the Endurance Cup next year, with a GTD driver line-up to be announced in the near future.

    The Motul Petit Le Mans weekend began with three practice sessions on Thursday, followed by Friday’s 3:25 p.m. EDT qualifying session. Racing begins at 12:10 p.m. EDT on Saturday afternoon.

    About Lone Star Racing: Based at Motorsport Ranch within the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area in Cresson, Texas, Lone Star Racing is competing in the No. 80 Lone Star Racing/ACS Manufacturing Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the 2024 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup in the GTD class. Lone Star Racing and its team members have won races across North America spanning sprint and endurance racing formats. The crew has worked together on many different teams and various types of cars, developing a strong bond and proven capability that gives them a competitive and winning advantage. Lone Star Racing competes with the support of primary partner ACS Manufacturing, Inc. (www.ACSManufacturing.com). Look for Lone Star Racing and team owner/driver Dan Knox on Facebook and follow the team on YouTube at Lone Star Racing, on Twitter and Instagram at @LSRTeam and on the official team web site at www.LoneStarRacingTeam.com.

  • TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Agree on Technical Partnership for the Future of the Automotive Industry

    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Agree on Technical Partnership for the Future of the Automotive Industry

    Providing Drivers, Engineers, and Mechanics Chances to Develop by Facing Challenges at the Pinnacle of Motorsports

    Toyota City, Japan, Oct 11, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team announced today that they have concluded a basic agreement on entering a technical partnership concerning MoneyGram Haas F1 Team vehicle development and collaborative efforts. Through this partnership, the two sides aim to contribute to the development of the automotive industry by creating an environment in which young Japanese drivers, engineers, and mechanics can gain experience and grow in the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1), the pinnacle of motorsports.

    TGR continues to compete in motorsports to hone the three essential elements of car manufacturing: people, pipeline*, and product. In the “driver-first” carmaking strongly advocated by Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda, aka Morizo, cars are repeatedly broken and fixed in the arena of motorsports, and professional driver feedback is thoroughly incorporated into the development of production vehicles. In recent efforts to strengthen this approach, there is a growing need to enhance people by developing drivers, engineers, and mechanics, to effectively use the pipeline of data analysis and utilization, and to apply insights gained to products through vehicle development. Through the technical partnership announced today, TGR intends to further strengthen people and learn MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s pipeline, which is one of the team’s strengths in F1, to accelerate the creation of ever-better motorsports-bred cars.

    Specifically, the agreement entails the participation in MoneyGram Haas F1 Team test drives by TGR training drivers, engineers, and mechanics. This will enable the drivers to gain driving experience in F1, and it will allow the engineers and mechanics to learn how to analyze vast amounts of data, such as driving data, to effectively operate a pipeline for such at TGR. The agreement also entails the participation of TGR engineers and mechanics in MoneyGram Haas F1 Team racing car aerodynamics development to cultivate human resources―by having participants design and manufacture carbon-fiber parts in simulated extreme operational environments―who can play active roles on the front lines of the pinnacle of motorsports and reflect the technology and knowledge acquired in production vehicles.

    Sharing a desire to contribute to motorsports and the automotive industry through human resource development, TGR and MoneyGram Haas F1 Team intend to continue their initiatives for strengthening their racing teams.

    *The know-how and infrastructure for multi-point sharing of vast amounts of data, such as ongoing-race driving data, immediately analyzing such data, and promptly utilizing it in strategic planning for the race at hand

    About Toyota

    Toyota strives to be a strong corporate citizen, engaging with and earning the trust of its stakeholders, and to contribute to the creation of a prosperous society through all its business operations.

    Our corporate principles form the basis of our initiatives, reflect values that enable action, and drive our mindset.

    For the latest Toyota-related news and information:
    https://tinyurl.com/ToyotaPressRelease

    News URL: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/93248/

    URL: https://plus.google.com/+toyotaglobal | Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ToyotaMotorCorporation/ | Twitter : https://twitter.com/TOYOTA_PR/ | Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/toyotajpchannel/ | Linkedin : https://linkedin.com/company/toyota

  • Rick Ware Racing: Corey LaJoie/Kaz Grala Charlotte Roval Advance

    Rick Ware Racing: Corey LaJoie/Kaz Grala Charlotte Roval Advance

    COREY LAJOIE | KAZ GRALA
    Charlotte Roval Advance
    Event Overview

    ● Event: Bank of America Roval 400 (Round 32 of 36)
    ● Time/Date: 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Oct. 13
    ● Location: Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval
    ● Layout: 2.28-mile, 17-turn road course
    ● Laps/Miles: 109 laps/252.88 miles
    ● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 25 laps / Stage 2: 25 laps / Final Stage: 59 laps
    ● TV/Radio: NBC / PRN / 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 sixth start at the Charlotte (N.C.). Motor Speedway Roval this Sunday. In five previous NASCAR Cup Series starts, LaJoie’s two most recent were his best – a 12th-place result in 2022 and 17th in 2023.

    ● The Roval marks the fifth and final road-course race of the 2024 season. LaJoie’s best road-course result of the year came at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, where he started 18th and finished eighth. It was a career-best result in 29 road-course races.

    ● In two starts with RWR, LaJoie has earned back to back top-20’s and set a new team-best finish at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City with a 15th-place effort.

    ● 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, Quebec, 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, driver of the No. 15 Meat N’ Bone Ford Mustang Dark Horse, will make his first Cup Series start on the 2.28-mile, 17-turn Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval in Sunday’s Bank of America Roval 400.

    ● Grala owns four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts on the Roval. He earned a top-five finish last October and a top-10 in his first start in 2018.

    ● In six Cup Series road-course starts, Grala has an average finish of 23.8. His only top-10 result came in his first Cup Series start in 2020 on the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway road-course layout.

    ● Meat N’ Bone returns to the No. 15 RWR Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the Roval. 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 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series is back in action with RWR Top Fuel racer Clay Millican set to compete at Texas Motorplex in Ennis Friday through Sunday. It’s the fourth event in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Millican is currently seventh in the standings with three events remaining.

    ● 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

    How do you expect the changes made to the Roval layout to affect the racing?

    “I think we’re going to see some carnage and some aggression. We’re taking away some passing zones and, I think, trying to create others, but I’m not sure that’s what will happen. But, I think it will accomplish what it’s meant to – tight racing and lots of excitement for the fans.”

    How much does the extended practice session this weekend help when learning how to get around the track?

    “I imagine a lot of teams will spend time trying to figure out the best way to get through those turns and where you can find speed and a passing zone. Handling is always important, but even moreso on the road courses. So, I think between finding your way through the new layout, especially turn six into seven and up onto the oval, and making sure the car is where it needs to be for that first stage, we’ll have a pretty detailed checklist to get through in practice.”

    Kaz Grala, Driver Q&A

    What are the biggest differences between the Roval and a traditional road course?

    “The Roval is tricky because it’s unforgiving – there’s very little runoff before you’re in trouble. I’ve always liked the discipline needed to squeeze the most lap time out of the car without making any mistakes, and this track rewards that more than anywhere else. I’ve run up front at the Roval in every Xfinity race I’ve done there, so I feel great about our chances on Sunday.”

    How do you expect the changes made to the layout to affect the racing?

    “The new configuration creates an additional passing zone, but one that looks like it will invite a lot of aggression and risk-taking. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the new turn seven be at the center of any carnage, so it will be important to gain an understanding of the corner during practice and know what to expect the next day.”

    It seems that track position has played a major role in success at the road courses this year. Because of that, how nice can you really be when you get an opportunity to gain position?

    “It’s so hard to pass nowadays that your entire weekend, including practice, is absolutely critical to your finishing result. A good Saturday directly translates to a good Sunday, and that requires total execution of every detail. We will be aggressive and take what we can get every lap, as will everyone else, but we’re up for the challenge. Having speed opens up your options and makes all of this easier, so that’s the goal going into the weekend.”

  • CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Chevy Test Day 1 Report

    CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT INDIANAPOLIS: Team Chevy Test Day 1 Report

    CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES
    INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
    INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
    TEAM CHEVY INDYCAR TEST DAY 1 REPORT
    OCTOBER 10, 2024

    TEAM CHEVY COMPLETES FIRST DAY OF NTT INDYCAR SERIES TESTING AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

    • Nolan Siegel, driving the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, completed the three-tier Rookie Orientation Program (ROP) during the morning session Thursday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
    • Team Chevy was represented on track in the afternoon test session by Pato O’Ward, driving for Arrow McLaren, and Josef Newgarden, driving for Team Penske on the first day of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES test at the 2.5-mile famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
    • Of the 495 total laps turned by four cars on track in the afternoon session, O’Ward and Newgarden combined for 234 laps for Team Chevy.
    • Santino Ferrucci, driving for AJ Foyt Racing, Christian Lundgaard, driving for Arrow McLaren, Ryan Hunter-Reay, driving for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Alexander Rossi, driving for Ed Carpenter Racing, Conor Daly, driving for Juncos Hollinger Racing, and Josef Newgarden, driving for Team Penske, will take to the track for the second of the two-day test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday.

    WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (QUOTES):

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

    On testing at Indianapolis…

    “Every lap you get around the speedway is super important. Is it going to be something completely different to when we test here in the past? No. I think we’re very lucky that we have a beautiful day today to test and get some running in today. We’re doing mostly tire stuff, so I would say in terms of what we can learn on the car, it’s a bit limited, more limited than usual. But, tomorrow for Christian (Lundgaard) in our car, he’ll be able to test that, go through the run plan. For us today, I think it’s more kind of helping Firestone kind of figure out where we want to take this tire or if it wants to change or not. That’s probably the purpose of doing these different tires. It’ll be fine. It’s always a good day being here at IMS.”

    On working with new teammate Christian Lundgaard…

    “I’m excited to have him on board. He’s obviously quick. He has enough experience to know what to expect, and now, I’m the old guy in the team having Nolan (Siegel) and Christian in there. It definitely feels a bit different, I would say. I’m not the baby anymore. Nah, we’re going to have a lot of fun.”

    How is it adjusting to the elder teammate role?

    “Wise guy, you know. Wise guy… I’m going to teach Nolan, teach Christian. I don’t know. Whatever they want to know.”

    Last time you were here, it was an emotional runner-up finish. How much do you still think about that, or do you?

    “No, we’re thinking of next year. Already thinking of next year. Just how we can make our month (of May) that much smoother and have another shot at it.”

    Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:

    Talk about your experience on the oval at Indianapolis and passing Rookie Orientation Program (ROP)…

    “It’s great, and it’s great to be here with Arrow McLaren. Obviously, it’s our first day here together and, while it’s still 2024, it’s kind of the first day of 2025. So, excited to get going. We’ve got some new people, and it was a lot of fun. We’re where we need to be. It went well. Everything went smoothly and we’re ready to go for the open test.”

    How big is it to be knowing you’re locked into and be on track with Arrow McLaren?

    “It’s huge. I’m super excited to be at Arrow McLaren. They’ve been super competitive everywhere, but here at the speedway especially. I’m excited about May, about the (Indianapolis) 500, and it feels good to just have some stability for myself and the team. So, we’re excited to move forward for the next couple of years and see what we can do.”

    What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from guys like your teammate Pato O’Ward?

    “There’s a lot and I’ve been lucky to have great teammates in INDYCAR so far with Pato (O’Ward), and Alex (Rossi) last year, obviously. Christian (Lundgaard) and I haven’t got to work together yet, but I’m sure I’ll learn from him as well. It depends on the track but places like (Indianapolis), there’s so much track-specific knowledge these guys have just from doing the races here. Obviously, I haven’t raced here yet so I’m going to lean on him a lot for some of the traffic management stuff, strategy, and I don’t know, we’ll see.”

    How much is last years’ experience at Indianapolis driving you? Does that change the way you approach the month of May?

    “Yes. It absolutely does. As much as that was a terrible feeling last year for me, I am in a way better spot going into the Indy 500 in 2025 than I would be had I not had that experience. I feel comfortable here. Really excited to be here in the Arrow McLaren car, and I think we’re going to be competitive right out of the gate. That experience is going to come in handy, for sure.”

    Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet:

    “It’s always great to be back here at Indianapolis. Certainly, it has changed in a positive way after finally converting two wins. Obviously, my team is pumped. They’re not new to that. They’ve won a lot of races around here, but new for me. It adds a little special element. I love being here. Excited to run today and get ready for 2025. Not just for ourselves, we’re here helping Firestone and INDYCAR out right now. We’re trying to get a good package for next year. A couple of new car configurations, so always exciting to be here at the speedway.”

    How much will the hybrid impact this race. We know it’s early days…

    “Look, the car is different. It weighs a little bit more, and the hybrid component is a factor. Next year, the complexity of this race, I don’t think it’s going to flip on its head but you’re going to have new elements that you weren’t used to last year. The hybrid will be a big part of that. You’re going to have to figure out how to utilize that and get the most out of it, especially at the end of the race. We’re learning about that today. We didn’t have that this year. So, I’m going to try and figure out what’s best for us, and the league is trying to figure out what’s best for everybody.”

    About General Motors

    General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

  • Speedway Motorsports and Rick Hendrick Announce New Ten Tenths Motor Club At Charlotte Motor Speedway

    Speedway Motorsports and Rick Hendrick Announce New Ten Tenths Motor Club At Charlotte Motor Speedway

    • Located adjacent to Charlotte Motor Speedway and Hendrick Motorsports, the Ten Tenths Motor Club is a new joint venture combining the unparalleled motorsports and automotive heritage of Speedway Motorsports and business leader Rick Hendrick.
    • Ten Tenths Motor Club will include the Ten Tenths Circuit, a multi-purpose lighted road course featuring three challenging configurations; the Ten Tenths Clubhouse, a 20,000-square-foot hospitality and special events facility with capacity for 1,500 people; a members’ garage for automotive enthusiasts and collectors featuring climate-controlled storage, lounge and mechanical service support; and expansive off-road trails for driving experiences.
    • With the Ten Tenths Circuit near completion and construction underway for the Ten Tenths Clubhouse and members’ garage and lounge, the complex will host its grand opening with the Smith Heritage Invitational automotive experience on April 4-5, 2025.

    CONCORD, NC (Oct. 10, 2024) – In a first-of-its-kind partnership combining unparalleled motorsports history, automotive heritage and business expertise, officials with Speedway Motorsports and business leader Rick Hendrick today announced the creation of the Ten Tenths Motor Club, a 100-acre complex designed to attract automotive enthusiasts and manufacturers from around the world. Operated by Speedway Motorsports, the Ten Tenths Motor Club will include the Ten Tenths Circuit, a purpose-built, lighted road course with three configurations for high-performance driving; the Ten Tenths Clubhouse, a 20,000-square foot special event facility; a members’ garage featuring secure, climate-controlled storage, cigar lounge, bourbon bar and putting course; and expansive off-road driving trails.

    “Our vision for Ten Tenths is to create an experiential destination that can be enjoyed by everyone from professional race car drivers to high-performance driving enthusiasts and car collectors,” said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports. “It’s the most expansive property development at Charlotte Motor Speedway since we built zMAX Dragway in 2008, and further enhances our desire to innovate for the future.

    “As the name Ten Tenths implies, we are going all out to create a place to celebrate the automobile unlike any other place in the world,” Smith added. “Our new project will become a centerpiece of community amongst individual automotive enthusiasts, commercial partners and manufacturers.”

    Located outside Turns 1 and 2 of Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Ten Tenths Motor Club will host its grand opening with the Smith Heritage Invitational automotive experience on April 4-5, 2025. Construction on the Ten Tenths Circuit is nearly complete, while work on the Clubhouse is underway.

    “In addition to a premier track design and driving experience, Ten Tenths will have unparalleled resources and infrastructure to support every customer and organization we touch,” said Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports. “Just 20 minutes from Charlotte’s center city, it’s accessible by major thoroughfares and two nearby airports while being situated amongst a variety of lodging, shopping and entertainment options. Through our local network of service and collision centers, the facility will offer concierge vehicle maintenance and repair for nearly every exotic or high-performance car on the market. It’s a combination of amenities that cannot be matched in North America.

    “The opportunity to partner with Marcus and his brothers on a passion project like this is incredibly rewarding,” added Hendrick, who is an avid car collector and preservationist. “I’ve had a special relationship with the Smith family for more than four decades. Not only do we share a love for automobiles and racing, we are aligned in our core values, our commitment to the local community and our overall vision for Ten Tenths. The collaboration thus far has been tremendous, and I can’t wait to see what our teams accomplish together as this exciting idea becomes reality.”

    “For decades, my brothers and I have been blessed to build not only a business relationship with Rick Hendrick, but also a true friendship,” said Smith. “It’s an honor for Speedway Motorsports to partner with him on this joint venture and to create something worthy of the high standards exhibited by our organizations.”

    Ten Tenths Circuit

    Designed by F1 veteran and two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Alexander Wurz, Ten Tenths Circuit includes three configurations: a seven-turn 0.567-mile inner loop; a 13-turn 1.1-mile short course; and a 19-turn, 1.7-mile full circuit, featuring 112 feet of elevation change between Turns 6 and 14. At an average of 42 feet wide and with generous runoff areas, the course promises to challenge drivers of all skill levels. The 1.7-mile circuit can be driven in both directions and split into two courses: the 0.567-mile inner loop and the 1.1-mile short course. The inner loop will be water-irrigated for optimized testing, drifting and driver training. The circuit will also feature lighting to maximize driving opportunities with three potential sessions a day: morning, afternoon and night.

    “The track itself in its beautiful landscape has a lot of ups and downs and enjoys a natural flow,” said former F1 driver and track designer Alex Wurz. “Every corner of the circuit has a different character. Altogether, it plays a symphony of drivers’ music. It wants to be driven very fast. You can rotate the car into the corners.

    “All of our expertise and passion has gone into this project,” added Wurz. “I’m terribly proud to be the designer along with Charlotte Motor Speedway of the new Ten Tenths Circuit.”

    Ten Tenths Clubhouse

    Modeled after the exquisite Turn 11 at Sonoma Raceway, Ten Tenths Clubhouse will be a 20,000-square-foot destination for corporate retreats, business summits, special events and entertainment. The building will feature the flexibility of three large individual hospitality rooms, which can be combined into one expansive hospitality space for showcase events. Hospitality rooms will also open to outdoor patios to expand capacity for up to 1,500 people. Ten Tenths Clubhouse will include conference rooms with video presentation capabilities and a catering kitchen.

    Ten Tenths Members’ Garage

    In addition to the circuit and clubhouse, Ten Tenths Motor Club will include a members’ garage designed to build camaraderie and community amongst the most passionate automotive aficionados. With an atmosphere created to celebrate a high-performance automotive lifestyle, the members’ garage will include secure gated access, climate-controlled storage, luxury lounge areas for meetings or relaxation, a cigar lounge, bourbon bar, and a putting course. Members will have convenient access from garage to circuit, as well as designated event days throughout the calendar year to drive the courses.

    Concierge Vehicle Service

    With a dedicated concierge located on site, Ten Tenths Motor Club will offer an unparalleled maintenance and reconditioning experience provided by Charlotte-based Hendrick Automotive Group, the largest privately held operator of car dealerships in the United States.

    Premium vehicle support, including white-glove pickup and delivery, will be available locally from 21 dealerships and five collision centers. Hendrick Collision Centers have the expertise to repair 30 different nameplates, including enthusiast brands such as Acura, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes, MINI, Porsche and Toyota.

    For information or business inquiries about the Ten Tenths Motor Club, visit www.TenTenthsMotorClub.com.

    About Speedway Motorsports:

    Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer, promoter and sponsor of motorsports entertainment in the United States. The company, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Texas Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. For more than 60 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway has been the flagship speedway for the company, setting the standard in motorsports entertainment for fans of all ages. Known as America’s Home for Racing, the 1,000-acre complex includes legendary Charlotte Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway, The Dirt Track at Charlotte and the Ten Tenths Circuit (opening 2025). For more information, visit www.speedwaymotorsports.com or www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

    About Hendrick Automotive Group:

    Representing 131 franchises and 25 manufacturer nameplates from the Carolinas to California, Hendrick Automotive Group is the largest privately held automotive retail organization in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company employs more than 10,000 people in its 93 dealership locations, 21 collision centers and four accessories distributor installers in 13 states. For more information, please visit www.HendrickCars.com.

  • NASCAR WEEKEND AT ROCKINGHAM SPEEDWAY TO INCLUDE ARCA MENARDS SERIES EAST

    NASCAR WEEKEND AT ROCKINGHAM SPEEDWAY TO INCLUDE ARCA MENARDS SERIES EAST

    Race Tickets go on sale November 1, Pre-Sale Ticket Opportunity Available

    ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 10, 2024) – The historic Rockingham Speedway will welcome back the roar of NASCAR in 2025. Today, event promoter Track Enterprises announced the ARCA Menards Series East will join the NASCAR XFINITY and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series on April 18-19, 2025.

    The ARCA Menards Series East features established veterans and NASCAR’s next stars who compete primarily on the East Coast as a top-tiered development series owned by NASCAR. The 2024 ARCA Menards East Series season concluded last month and crowned two-time series champion William Sawalich, who is expected to step into a full-time NASCAR National Series ride next year. Past ARCA East champions include NASCAR Cup Series stars Kyle Larson, Joey Logano and William Byron.

    “We are excited to showcase these great NASCAR development drivers and established teams on Saturday, April 19th along with the NASCAR XFINITY Series,” said Bob Sargent, President of Track Enterprises. “They all know the importance and impact of racing on the same day as the XFINITY Series, just like several teams will in Daytona in February. We also expect established ARCA Menards Series teams the likes of Joe Gibbs Racing and Pinnacle Racing Group to compete for the win at Rockingham Speedway.”

    The ARCA Menards Series held five races at The Rock starting in 1973 won by the legendary Charlie Glotzbach. The series returned in 2008 in an event won by Logano, the year after he captured the ARCA Menards Series East drivers championship. The most recent ARCA event in 2010 was won by 2011 ARCA Menards Series champion Ty Dillon.

    “Returning to Rockingham Speedway with the NASCAR Xfinity and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is a great opportunity for the ARCA Menards East,” said Ron Drager, president of ARCA. “We respect and appreciate the history and tradition associated with Rockingham, and we are excited to be a part of this new chapter.”

    Several facility upgrades will be completed in time for NASCAR’s return to The Rock, which last hosted the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series in 2013. That race was won by 2012 ARCA Menards Series East champion Kyle Larson in what was his first NASCAR National Series victory.

    The Saturday, April 19 ARCA Menards Series East race will precede the 43rd NASCAR XFINITY Series race to be held at Rockingham Speedway. Preliminary on-track activities for the two series are expected to take place on Friday, April 18, which is race day for the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

    “The positive reaction across the industry and here in Richmond County has been strong since our event was announced in late August,” added Sargent. “Rockingham Speedway owner Dan Lovenheim and his staff are working hard to be ready when we welcome back fans to Rockingham Speedway. We urge all NASCAR fans to log on to www.RaceTheRock.com right now to register to receive updates and pre-sale access to race tickets before they go on sale.”

    Tickets for NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway will go on sale Friday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. For ticket and camping information, sponsor inquiries, continuing details and updates, log on to www.RaceTheRock.com, the official NASCAR event website for the April 18-19, 2025 weekend at Rockingham Speedway.

    About Rockingham Speedway …
    Located in Richmond County, N.C., Rockingham Speedway opened as a flat, one-mile oval on Oct. 31, 1965. It was reconfigured to a one-mile (1.017 miles) high-banked, D-shaped oval in 1969. In 2018, a new ownership group took over the facility and renamed it Rockingham Speedway & Entertainment Complex. On Nov. 18, 2021, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper signed the 2021-2022 North Carolina state budget allocating $9 million to support reinvestment in the facility. The state funds, along with ownership investment, allowed for redevelopment of the racetrack including the racing surface and extensive repairs. Today, the facility hosts a wide variety of events including karting, road racing, endurance racing, concerts and more. In 2025, Rockingham Speedway will welcome the return of NASCAR for the first time since 2013.

    About Track Enterprises …
    Track Enterprises has been promoting motorsports events since 1985. Based in Macon, Ill., a dedicated staff, led by longtime promoter Bob Sargent, organize and promote upwards of 80 races a year across the eastern half of the United States. Track Enterprises was responsible for the highly-acclaimed return of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the Milwaukee Mile in 2023. In 2019, Track Enterprises merged with Charlotte, N.C.-based Spire Holdings and continues to promote high-profile motorsports properties on the national stage.

  • 21 Team Hoping To Fly Under the Radar at the ROVAL

    21 Team Hoping To Fly Under the Radar at the ROVAL

    Harrison Burton and the No. 21 DEX Imaging team are headed into this weekend’s Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway hoping to avoid being swept up in the drama that comes with a cut-off race in the Playoffs.

    The ROVAL 400 is the final event in the Round of 12 and there will be pressure on drivers and teams still in the Playoffs to get a finish that will put them in the Round of Eight. After Sunday’s race, the bottom four drivers in the Round of 12 will be eliminated from championship contention.

    “One thing about the Playoffs, the cut-off races for each round are sure to provide some drama, and I think the Roval probably tends to be the wildest,” said Jeremy Bullins, crew chief of the No. 21 DEX Imaging team. “Hopefully we can go have a solid weekend with our DEX Mustang Dark Horse and fly below the radar for a good finish.”

    In addition to the Playoff-related drama, drivers will have to adapt to some reconfiguration of the 17-turn, 2.28-mile ROVAL. According to a news release from the speedway, two new braking zones have been created. The release stated that “included in the reconfiguration, crews will extend the straight-away coming out of Turn 5 and create a new Turn 6, sending the field toward a much sharper hairpin in Turn 7. On the frontstretch, a sharper apex in Turn 16 of the final chicane will be created.”

    Bullins said that’s two big issues for teams and drivers to tackle.

    “With the playoff implications and the track configuration changes there will be a lot going on this weekend,” he said. “I feel like we have been making some progress with Harrison on the road courses and hopefully we can put together a good race and come away with a strong result.”

    Practice for the Bank of America ROVAL 400 is set for Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time to be followed by qualifying at 2 p.m. USA Network will carry the TV coverage.

    Sunday’s 109-lap, 248.52-mile race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 2 p.m., with the TV broadcast on NBC.

    Stage breaks are planned for Laps 25 and 50.

    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.

  • Forte Racing Looking for Repeat at 2024 Motul Petit Le Mans

    Forte Racing Looking for Repeat at 2024 Motul Petit Le Mans

    Braselton, Georgia (Thursday, October 10, 2024) – Forte Racing enters the final race of the season with some great momentum, similar to last year when they won the WeatherTech GTD class with their No. 78 Lamborghini GT3. They are hoping to ride that momentum to a repeat performance of their 2023 win.

    The team finished third at VIR and fourth at Indianapolis’ endurance race, and with two of last season’s winning drivers, Misha Goikhberg and Loris Spinelli, returning this year, the team is confident that they have a great chance of pulling off a repeat win.

    Misha Goikhberg is looking forward to the challenge of the upcoming 10-hour race, while reflecting on last year’s win. “Amazing, how quickly a year goes by,” Goikhberg said. “We still remember vividly last year’s win. It’s a long hard race, with crazy traffic flow, questionable weather, and running in great unlit darkness. Excited to test our entire team again and see what we can do.

    The unpredictability of endurance races is sure to make for an interesting 10 hours. Loris Spinelli considers last year’s win at Petit Le Mans a highlight of his career and feels that he and his teammates have what it takes to be competitive again this year. “Winning the race last year was one of the biggest thrills in my career”, Spinelli said, “and this year we will try to make it happen again. We are fast on the track and we are prepared to handle any situation. I am sure that with the team and my teammates we will be able to do a good job. I can’t wait to get going!”

    Devlin DeFrancesco, the team’s new endurance driver for the 2024, is confident that the team can have a good result this weekend as they carry their momentum from the 6-hour race at Indianapolis into the final race of the season. “Looking forward to the last race of the 2024 season with Forte Lamborghini,” DeFrancesco said. “After our strong form in the Indy 6 hour, I really feel we can close out the season with a strong result!”

    Team Principal Shane Seneviratne has high expectations going into the final race of the IMSA WeatherTech 2024 season this weekend at Road Atlanta. “The number one goal of this weekend would be to survive,” Seneviratne stated. “Last year we were fortunate enough to win this race and I know our expectations are high. To be grounded, I would like to first finish and retain our championship position of fourth place. It’s in all our minds to try and hone in and finish the race. I strongly believe we have the team and the driver lineup capable of accomplishing another race win. I believe it’s totally achievable by minimizing mistakes and penalties and avoiding any misfortunes.”

    You can see some snippets of the team in action at the Indianapolis race on IMSA’s “Win The Weekend Presented by Michelin | S2:E7 | Battle on the Bricks at INDY”, but make sure to also tune in to watch the team live on Saturday, October 12th. Coverage of the IMSA Petit Le Mans at Michelin Road Atlanta will begin at noon ET on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will carry the entire race from start to finish, while NBC will have coverage of the race from noon-3 p.m. ET.

    About Forte Racing (Formerly known as US RaceTronics)

    Forte Racing is a Los-Angeles based Motorsport team supported by Lamborghini Squadra Corse and competing in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, the IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series.

    Founded in 2023 and operated by US RaceTronics, the Italian-American team’s GT Daytona title contender is a Lamborghini Huracan EVO2 GT3 driven by Pro driver Loris Spinelli and Misha Goikhberg. The ream finished the 2023 season with four top-five finishes in the last five races of the season and included a 2nd-place finish at Indianapolis and a win at the season-finale Petit LeMans. The team finished an impressive rookie season fifth in the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship.

    The team line-up for the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship includes the team’s 2023 Petit LeMans winning driver Goikhberg and Spinelli along with NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver Devlin DeFrancesco for the five IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races.

    US RaceTronics (USRT) was founded by Shane Seneviratne in 2005 to compete in the Atlantic Championship, a formula race car series. The team finished 5th in points its first year and continued its success during the succeeding years, ultimately amassing a total of 21 podiums, 7 poles, 5 race wins and finishing 3rd in the 2009 Atlantic Championship. USRT was put on hold after series officials announced the Atlantic Series was put on hiatus.

    Seneviratne fully returned to racing in 2015 after receiving an invitation to manage the O’Gara Motorsport entries in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo North American (LBSTNA) Series. The team won the Team Championship, Dealership Championship, Pro Championship and Amateur Championship that season.

    The success of 2015 reignited Seneviratne’s passion for racing and he relaunched US RaceTronics to compete in the 2016 LBSTNA Series. The team has won multiple North American and World Championships and expects to add to their success as they enter their eighth season in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American Series. The team also competed in 2023 with one car each in the IMSA WeatherTech GTD Championship and the IMSA VP Challenge and will be expanding their entries in 2024.

    For more information on how to become a driver with US RaceTronics, learn more about the Series, or attend a race, visit www.usracetronics.com.

    About O’Gara Motorsport

    O’Gara Motorsport was founded in 2014 by owner Tom O’Gara and celebrated winning the 2015 North American Lamborghini Super Trofeo driver and team Championships. The team goal is to achieve victories in the Series as well as showcasing the brands of their sponsors both on and off the track. With a vertically integrated platform that starts at the dealership and accelerates to the top levels of professional sports car racing, everyone at O’Gara is dedicated to providing a comprehensive program for anyone, from the casually curious to the dedicated racer.

    About Change Racing

    Founded by Lamborghini Charlotte CEO and long time real estate developer, John E. Littlefield, Change Racing is the premier championship winning team. Claiming 18 titles in various classes; Change Racing has competed in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Series since its inception in 2013.

    Most recently claiming the 2021 Amateur World Championship in Misano, Italy. Change Racing also claimed all SIX 2020 North American Championships, including the Pro, Pro-Am, Am and LB Cup class championships as well as the Team and Owner championships.