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Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Boozy Jerky Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 8, 2024) – Todd Gilliland and the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse team return to the Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) this weekend for the 2.28-mile, 17-turn Roval. Boozy Jerky will partner with Gilliland for the 109-lap event and will debut a new scheme featuring their mascot, Tipsy.

This will be Gilliland’s third visit to the Roval and is looking to best his career-high finish of 23rd at the track. Gilliland has two Top-10 finishes at road courses this season, earning a 10th place finish at the Sonoma Raceway and a seventh-place finish at the Chicago Street Course.

This year, CMS reconfigured the track, extended the straight-away coming out of Turn 5 and created a new Turn 6, which will send Gilliland and the field toward a much sharper hairpin in Turn 7. Additionally, on the frontstretch, a sharper apex in Turn 16 of the final chicane was created.

The NASCAR Cup Series will kick the weekend off on Saturday, October 12th with practice and qualifying at 12:30 pm ET on USA Network. The Bank of America ROVAL 400 is scheduled for Sunday, October 13th at 2:00 pm ET. Fans can watch the action live on NBC or listen in via the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.

No. 38 Boozy Jerky Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER TODD GILLILAND:

“I like the road courses. It’s a nice change of pace from the oval tracks we normally run. Our road course program has improved this season, so I think we’ll have a pretty good shot on Sunday. The reconfiguration kind of puts everyone back to “square one”. It’s almost like a new track, and no one knows how it will race. I think that gives us an advantage.

“It’s great to see Boozy Jerky back on our Ford Mustang Dark Horse, and with a new paint scheme, too. Nothing can beat their jerky, everyone on the team loves it.”

CREW CHIEF RYAN BERGENTY:

“We have really amped up our road course program this year, and we have shown that at Sonoma and Chicago. Speed can only get us so far, though. We have to qualify upfront, execute all day, and minimize our mistakes. I think if we can do that, Sunday will be a good day.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

October 8, 2024
Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Love’s Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval Competition Notes

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (October 8, 2024) – Michael McDowell and the No. 34 team head back home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the infamous Roval for the final road course race of the season.

The No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse will feature Love’s Travel Stops colors this weekend as McDowell will make his seventh start at the 2.28-mile, 17-turn circuit. McDowell’s best finish at the Roval was 12th in 2019, but this year he has had three Top-10s in his last three road course races, recently a 7th place at Watkins Glen International in September.

The NASCAR Cup Series track activity at the Roval will start Saturday, October 12th with practice and qualifying at 12:30 pm ET on USA Network. The Bank of America ROVAL 400 race will be Sunday, October 13th at 2:30 pm ET. Fans can watch the action live on NBC or listen via the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM channel 90.

No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang Dark Horse:

DRIVER MICHAEL MCDOWELL:

“The ROVAL is one of my favorite races of the year. We haven’t had the best results there in the past, but I’m glad that there are some changes to the course. Anytime we get to race on a road course, it’s an opportunity again to try to go there and win. I am confident that the team and I can put together a solid run this weekend, especially with how we have been doing on road courses this season. I’m looking forward to it with our Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang Dark Horse.”

CREW CHIEF TRAVIS PETERSON:

“The Roval is super challenging because it’s not a typical road course. It’s a technical and tight layout especially with the changes they made. But it’s going to be a fun weekend because we’re always a threat on road courses. I have all the confidence in the world that this group can put together a great car for Michael.”

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

October 8, 2024
CORVETTE RACING AT ROAD ATLANTA: Plenty at Stake
Corvette teams aim for first Petit Le Mans win since ’10, Endurance Cup and Akin Award

DETROIT (October 8, 2024) – Corvette Racing and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R teams are set to close the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar season with the annual 10-hour Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in a highly anticipated finale.

Three of the first-year Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs will race in the series for a final time in 2024 – the No. 3 and No. 4 from Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports in GTD PRO along with the No. 13 GTD entry from AWA, each sporting talented lineups for the day-to-night race around the 2.54-mile, 12-turn Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta circuit:
- Antonio Garcia, Alexander Sims and Daniel Juncadella in the No. 3 Corvette
- Tommy Milner, Nicky Catsburg and Earl Bamber in the No. 4 Z06 GT3.R
- Orey Fidani, Matt Bell and Lars Kern in the AWA Corvette
There is plenty at stake at this year’s Petit Le Mans. For starters, Corvette Racing entries haven’t tasted victory in the event since 2010, the longest drought at any venue in the program’s 26-year history.

Of the nine Corvette drivers in this year’s race, only Sims (2018 GTLM), Bell (2014 GTD) and Juncadella (2023 GTD PRO) have won Petit Le Mans. Among those that haven’t are Corvette Racing veteran stalwarts Garcia and Milner.

Nevertheless, hopes and confidence is high going into this year’s running. A victory in GTD PRO would go a long way toward securing the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Manufacturers championship, which Chevrolet leads by two points going into Road Atlanta.

The Pratt Miller Corvettes have displayed strong performance at each of the four previous endurance rounds this season – Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Indianapolis. For Petit Le Mans, points will be awarded at the four-, eight- and 10-hour marks.

One of the biggest prizes at the end of Petit Le Mans may await AWA. Going into Saturday, full-season driver Fidani leads the standings for the Bob Akin Award, which goes to the highest-finishing, Bronze-rated driver at the end of each race and at the end of the season. Fidani, Bell and Kern scored maximum points in the last round at Indianapolis, and the No. 13 Corvette did the same in the race before that at VIR.

Should AWA retain its hold on the lead position following Petit Le Mans, Fidani and AWA will earn an automatic invitation to the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMGT3 class.

DXDT RACING ADDS TO CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R LINEUP IN 2025 IMSA GTD

Fresh off ending its GT World Challenge America season with 10 victories and second place in Pro points, DXDT Racing will enter a Corvette Z06 GT3.R for the full 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the GTD class.

It adds a fourth Corvette GT3 to the grid with Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports (GTD PRO) and AWA (GTD) already confirmed.

“We are thrilled to see multiple Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs in IMSA’s GTD class for 2025,” said Mark Stielow, Director, Chevrolet Motorsports Competition Engineering. “DXDT Racing proved itself this year in GT World Challenge with double-digit victories across the Pro and Pro-Am classes in the first year with our Corvette GT3. We’re proud to support David Askew and DXDT Racing as they continue pursuing their goals in becoming a well-established and successful team across multiple series in sports car racing.”

Petit Le Mans is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 12. The first three hours will air live on NBC starting at noon followed by USA’s coverage from 6-10:30 p.m. Live streaming starts at noon ET on Peacock inside the United States and IMSA.com outside the U.S. IMSA Radio will air all on-track sessions beginning with Thursday’s opening practice at IMSA.com with the race call also on XM 206 and SiriusXM Online 996.

CORVETTE RACING BY PRATT MILLER MOTORSPORTS PRE-EVENT DRIVER QUOTES

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “This is going to be really crazy with the traffic but good for the show! I’m looking forward to it. I think we are coming into it in strong shape. It’s nice to have Dani back so Alex and I can have a little bit of a rest in the race! Let’s see how it comes out. I’ve been racing a Corvette at Road Atlanta since 2009 and haven’t won this one yet. It’s time to make it up and fix that!”

ALEXANDER SIMS, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “With the number of GTP cars and the pace differences they have on the straights and not so much in the corners – plus the P2s – it’s going to be interesting among the different classes or cars, but the GTD PRO field is stacked in itself. It’s going to be super-hard from a driver point of view. There’s always mayhem. It’s the last race of the year and everyone is out to try to win championships or get the best positions they can. The racing is always pretty hard and fraught, but I love it. It’s an awesome place and really good fun with the undulation and nice, long backstraight for some overtaking opportunities.”

DANIEL JUNCADELLA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s pretty crazy that I have not been back in IMSA since Sebring. It’s good because I feel like I am way more prepared ahead of Petit Le Mans with my experience in WEC with Corvette. It goes without saying that I want to defend my title there from last year, and it was an amazing experience. Being back in the car with Antonio, who is such a successful Spanish driver in the U.S., but hasn’t won Petit Le Mans, I hope I can be part of that success that he deserves after so many years racing there. That’s the goal and dream for that weekend. It should be an exciting weekend because of the race, the track, the atmosphere… everything that involves Petit Le Mans has always been exciting to me. So I’m really excited to get back and race again with the Pratt Miller guys in our Corvette.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “It’s exciting to go to Petit Le Mans. We had a strong car in the IMSA race at Indianapolis. Road Atlanta is a track that I really enjoy and a place where the Corvette has gone well. We just don’t seem to have Lady Luck on our side there. I’d say we haven’t had a lot of luck this season in IMSA, so maybe we’re saving all of that for this race. We’ll have to work for it, that’s for sure. We’ve seen that all year long and know what it’s like in this championship. I haven’t won there, Antonio hasn’t won there, and Corvette Racing hasn’t won there in 2010. I can promise you without having to be asked the question that every man and woman at Corvette Racing is eager to have a good result there. We’ll put our absolute best effort forward to make that happen.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Petit Le Mans is a race that everyone looks forward to but also a race that not many of us in the team haven’t won before. So everyone badly wants to win but unfortunately for us so does the rest of the field. This race is similar to Sebring where things at the end of the race get slightly crazy. Hopefully things will be a little bit calmer than they have been. We need to focus on executing everything, not making mistakes and not getting any damage early on in the race. It’s always a bit crazy in terms of traffic, so I think we need to focus on being there for the end. It’s nice to have Earl as he is a very experienced driver and someone who fits in very well with our team. Hopefully we can finally get that well-earned win in the No. 4 Corvette this year! To do it at Petit Le Mans would be unbelievable.”

EARL BAMBER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I can’t wait. I did some simulator work a few weeks ago for the Corvette guys. It was really good to be back with the Corvette Racing guys back at the shop. I love the Z06 GT3.R and am looking forward to rounding out the year in it. The car has been quick. We had the pace and potential to podium earlier this year. It’s certainly quick. I hope we can achieve something cool at Petit Le Mans.”

MATT BELL, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “I love the Petit Le Mans event. It really is one of the hardest sports car races in the world. It’s a super intense race with one of the most packed fields of the season, but I always relish that challenge. It’s what makes it such an amazing event. We are coming here after an extremely competitive performance in the Battle On The Bricks, and our focus remains firmly centered on securing the Bob Akin Award and booking some plane tickets to France next year!”

OREY FIDANI, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “We’re ready to give one final push this year. Petit Le Mans is such a great race, the track is fast and technical, and it really puts you to the test as a driver. We know we can do well here, we finished on the podium in last year’s event and we had a successful couple of days of testing here recently. The car feels good, and I think we’re all extremely motivated and hungry for another great result to finish off the year and accomplish the goal we set for ourselves at the beginning of the season.”

LARS KERN, NO. 13 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06 GT3.R: “Petit Le Mans is one of the best IMSA events of the year, and obviously we want to end the season on a high. We had a great test at Road Atlanta and we feel well prepared for what will be a pretty busy 10-hour race. Our Corvette showed great reliability and performance at Indianapolis, so I’m confident for what’s up next. The team started the year being new to the Corvette itself and to the GTD class as a whole. You can only imagine how difficult and intense this route has been, but we’ve built such an amazing, talented group within AWA. It’s an absolute pleasure being a part of this team and I have great confidence for 2025. Here’s to hoping we can cut out the ‘Petit’ for one of the 2025 races.”

2024 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Points

GTD PRO Drivers Standings
1. Laurin Heinrich – 2887
2. Ross Gunn – 2788
3. Bryan Sellers/Madison Snow – 2668
4. Ben Barnicoat/Jack Hawksworth – 2659
5. Alexander Sims/Antonio Garcia – 2646
6. Nicky Catsburg/Tommy Milner – 2452
GTD PRO Teams Standings
1. No. 77 AO Racing – 2887
2. No. 23 Heart of Racing Team – 2788
3. No. 1 Paul Miller Racing – 2668
4. No. 14 Vasser Sullivan – 2659
5. No. 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 2646
6. No. 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports – 2452
GTD PRO Manufacturers Standings
1. Porsche – 2950
2. Aston Martin – 2828
3. Chevrolet – 2761
4. Lexus – 2730
5. Ford – 2681
GTD Drivers Standings
1. Philip Ellis/Russell Ward – 3006
2. Patrick Gallagher/Robby Foley – 2784
3. Mikael Grenier – 2513
4. Parker Thompson – 2213
5. Loris Spinelli/Misha Goikhberg – 2213
6. Matthew Bell/Orey Fidani – 2088
GTD Teams Standings
1. No. 57 Windward Racing – 3006
2. No. 96 Turner Motorsport – 2784
3. No. 32 Korthoff/Preston Motorsport – 2513
4. No. 78 Forte Racing – 2213
5. No. 34 Conquest Racing – 2204
6. No. 13 AWA – 2088
GTD Manufacturers Standings
1. Mercedes-AMG – 3217
2. BMW – 2646
3. Lamborghini – 2608
4. Porsche – 2607
5. Aston Martin – 2518
6. Chevrolet – 2360
CORVETTE RACING AT ROAD ATLANTA: By the Numbers
- 1: As in one program, one manufacturer and one car model for 26 years: Corvette Racing, Chevrolet and the Chevrolet Corvette
- 3: Tracks where Corvette Racing has competed in each of its 26 years: Sebring International Raceway, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and as of this weekend Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
- 5: Generations of Corvette Racing entries at Road Atlanta since 1999 – Corvette C5-R (1999-04) Corvette C6.R (2005-2013), Corvette C7.R (2014-2019), Corvette C8.R (2020-2023) and now the eighth-generation Corvette Z06 GT3.R, which made its Road Atlanta debut at September’s six-hour IMSA race in 2020
- 10: Number of Road Atlanta victories for Corvette Racing dating back to 2000 – eight of those at Petit Le Mans
- 10: Petit Le Mans wins for Chevrolet – eight in GT and two in Prototype. That ranks third among manufacturers in event history
- 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001
- 28: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Barber Motorsports Park, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen
- 53: Number of drivers in Corvette Racing entries since 1999. DXDT Racing’s Patrick Liddy and Blake McDonald joined the list at Indianapolis in GT World Challenge America
- 71: Years since Corvette was introduced to the world on Jan. 17, 1953 in New York City. A total of 300 cars were produced that year
- 138: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 116 in IMSA, nine at Le Mans, three in the FIA WEC and 10 in GT World Challenge America
- 307: Event starts by Corvette Racing entries since 1999, starting with that year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona. No. 300 came in early August at Road America in IMSA
- 42,306.48: Racing miles by Corvette Racing entries at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta since 1999. That represents 16,879 laps and more than 661 trips around Atlanta’s Interstate 285.
- 394,354.20: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles. That means Corvette Racing has raced to the moon and more than halfway back!
CORVETTE RACING AT MICHELIN RACEWAY ROAD ATLANTA (wins in bold)

1999 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/John Paul Jr. – 5th in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Scott Sharp – 4th in GTS

2000 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Chris Kneifel/Justin Bell – 3rd in GTS (Fellows pole)

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS

2001- No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Scott Pruett – 9th in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 1st in GTS (Pilgrim pole)

2002 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Oliver Gavin – 1st in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Andy Pilgrim/Kelly Collins/Franck Freon – 3rd in GTS (Pilgrim fastest race lap)

2003* – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 3rd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Oliver Gavin/Kelly Collins – 1st in GTS

2003 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Franck Freon – 5th in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Oliver Gavin/Kelly Collins/Andy Pilgrim – 3rd in GTS

2004 – No. 3 Corvette C5-R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 2nd in GTS

No. 4 Corvette C5-R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GTS (Gavin pole, fastest race lap)

2005* – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell – 1st in GT1 (O’Connell pole, fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin – 2nd in GT1

2005 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 6th in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1 (Beretta pole, Gavin fastest race lap)

2006 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Max Papis – 4th in GT1 (O’Connell pole)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen – 3rd in GT1 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2007 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 3rd in GT1

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Max Papis – 1st in GT1 (Gavin fastest race lap)

2008 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Ron Fellows/Johnny O’Connell/Jan Magnussen – 1st in GT1 (O’Connell pole, Magnussen fastest race lap)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Max Papis – 2nd in GT1

2009 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Johnny O’Connell/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GT2

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Oliver Gavin/Marcel Fässler – 4th in GT2

2010 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Johnny O’Connell/Antonio Garcia – 6th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen/Emmanuel Collard – 1st in GT (Magnussen fastest race lap)

2011 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Olivier Beretta/Tommy Milner/Antonio Garcia – 17th in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Jan Magnussen/Richard Westbrook – 4th in GT

2012 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 2nd in GT

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Richard Westbrook – 12th in GT

2013 – No. 3 Corvette C6.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 6th in GT (Garcia/Magnussen ALMS GT title)

No. 4 Corvette C6.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Richard Westbrook – 10th in GT

2014 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 8th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Ryan Briscoe – 4th in GTLM

2015 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Ryan Briscoe – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Ryan Briscoe – 3rd in GTLM

2016 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 3rd in GTLM (Gavin/Milner clinch GTLM title)

2017 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 2nd in GTLM (Garcia/Magnussen clinch GTLM title)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 4th in GTLM

2018 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Marcel Fässler – 8th in GTLM (Garcia/Magnussen clinch GTLM title)

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 2nd in GTLM

2019 – No. 3 Corvette C7.R: Jan Magnussen/Antonio Garcia/Mike Rockenfeller – 4th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C7.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 7th in GTLM

2020** – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor – 5th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 2nd in GTLM

2020 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 2nd in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner/Marcel Fässler – 4th in GTLM

2021 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 6th in GTLM

No. 4 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy/Alexander Sims – 4th in GTLM (Sims fastest race lap)

2022 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Nicky Catsburg – 5th in GTD PRO

2023 – No. 3 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Jordan Taylor/Tommy Milner – 7th in GTD PRO
- Two-hour, 45 minute races
** Six-hour race

About General Motors
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October 8, 2024
Interstate Batteries Racing: Ty Gibbs Charlotte Roval Advance

Ty Gibbs
Charlotte Roval Advance
No. 54 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing

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
● Format: Stage 1: 25 laps / Stage 2: 25 laps / Final Stage: 59 laps
● TV/Radio: NBC / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● The green colors of Interstate Batteries will adorn Ty Gibbs’ car one final time for 2024 this weekend at the Charlotte Roval. In all, Interstate Batteries will have 11 primary sponsorships on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2024 spread amongst the four Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) Cup Series drivers. The final race for Interstate Batteries this season will be in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway, when Christopher Bell will driver a co-branded car with Dewalt and Interstate Batteries sharing the space one final time this season on his No. 20 Camry. Bell has high hopes for making the Championship 4 for the third year in a row.

● Gibbs heads to the Charlotte Roval 13th in the driver standings with 2,144 points as the schedule heads to the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Roval with five races remaining in the 2024 season. Gibbs made the playoffs for the first time in 2024 but exited after the opening Round of 16.

● No Sophomore Slump for Gibbs: This weekend marks Gibbs’ third opportunity to race on the Charlotte Roval in a Cup Series car and also the North Carolina natives 83rd career Cup Series start. So far in 2024, Gibbs has had a strong season, bringing home one pole, eight top-five finishes and 12 top-10s in the 31 races contested so far this season. Gibbs has led 394 laps total – a career high – as he has come ever so close to his first victory in NASCAR’s top series.

● Roval History: Gibbs has made two career Cup Series starts on the Charlote Roval with a best career finish of fourth there last year in Interstate Batteries colors. Gibbs has also made two Roval starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, leading 24 laps before bringing home a best finish of second in 2022 en route to the Xfinity Series championship.

● At the age of 19 years, 9 months and 20 days, Gibbs made his first career NASCAR Cup Series start in the July 2022 race at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway for 23XI Racing. He became the 37th driver younger than 20 years of age to make a Cup Series start. He started at the rear of the field but completed all 160 laps on his way to an impressive 16th-place finish. Best of his 15 Cup Series in 2022 was his 10th-place result Aug. 7 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Since then, Gibbs has had a career high finish of third four different times in 2024, as he has come close to tasting victory at NASCAR’s top level.

● Dazzling Debut: Gibbs was victorious in his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the February 2021 race on the road course at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. He led 14 of the 56 laps and became the youngest driver to win an Xfinity Series road-course race at 18 years, 4 months and 16 days. The native of Charlotte, North Carolina, also became the second-youngest winner in Xfinity Series history behind Joey Logano, who won in June 2008 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta at the age of 18 years, 21 days.

Ty Gibbs, Driver of the No. 54 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry XSE

You have picked up incrementally everywhere you go this season. What is the reason for that, and what are your thoughts about racing at the Roval?

“I think that the experience is so big, especially for somebody like me who is so young and doesn’t have a lot of experience. It is so important and good to have. In your first years of experiencing something, you just learn so much as you keep going. The Roval has been a good place for me and I feel like we keep gaining there each time we go back. I’m hoping for another good run there and getting out front and having a chance at our first win. We have Interstate Batteries on our car this weekend and the first win would be extra special with them on board with us.”

What has been the biggest change for you in your move from the Xfinity Series to the Cup Series?

“I think you could say this is about all the top sports and motorsports in the world, talking to some of my friends that made the jump from college to pro football, it is just a huge jump, and everyone is so much better. It is a whole different environment. It is all different. It is all part of going from semipro to pro – you have to make that jump and that is hard. You just go every week and try to learn and you hope the end of these races play out the right way and we can bring home a win.”

Do you enjoy racing on the road courses?

“I really like the road courses. They’ve always been really fun, and the Roval is a place we were really strong at last year. I think this car is built for road courses. It is a lot of fun. I love going to Watkins Glen and the Roval. The Glen didn’t work out like we had anticipated, but hoping things do this weekend in Charlotte. We will see what happens.”

You’ve now raced on the Roval in the Xfinity Series and also the last two seasons in the Cup Series. What are your expectations for this weekend?

“Excited about the Roval. I do enjoy road-course racing, plus it is a home race, which will be nice. Good to have Interstate Batteries on the car for the final time this year. Norm (Miller, Chairman Emeritus) has been a longtime family friend, and Lain (Hancock, CEO/President) had been great, too. Always fun to have those guys on board with us any time we can. Hopefully we can give them a great run.”

How much more do you feel like you have this year when you go to your best tracks versus last year?

“I think just having more experience has really helped. The Charlotte Roval – I’ve had a bit more track time with Xfinity and running there with 23XI back in 2022. It is helpful to have experience there. I feel like it would be a lot different if we had more practice like they did years ago. You just have to use the valuable sim time you can get, study and go after it.”

No. 54 Interstate Batteries Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ty Gibbs

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Chris Gayle

Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas

Car Chief: Nate Bellows

Hometown: Fairfax, Vermont

Spotter: Tony Hirschman

Hometown: Northampton, Pennsylvania

Race Engineer: Kyle Abrahims

Hometown: Spring Grove, Pennsylvania

Race Engineer: Evan Karl

Hometown: Ballston Lake, New York

Road Crew Members

Truck Driver: Ben Smith

Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina

Mechanic: Ryan Towles Hometown: Salem, Virginia

Mechanic: Scott Eldridge

Hometown: Warsaw, Indiana

Truck Driver: Mike Yates

Hometown: Daytona Beach, Florida

Mechanic/Tire Specialist: Jeff Swearengin

Hometown: Elkhart, Indiana

Over-The-Wall Crew Members

Gas Man: Ian Anderson

Hometown: Pffattown, North Carolina

Jackman: Braxton Brannon

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Nick McBeath

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Front Tire Changer: Jackson Gibbs

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Kevon Jackson

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

October 8, 2024
Sedgwick and PT Autosport have plenty to play for at Road Atlanta

Wins and series vice championship finish is the goal for the sophomore team as they head to the Porsche Carrera Cup North America’s penultimate event

MILLVILLE, NJ (October 8, 2024) – PT Autosport with JDX Racing and driver Alex Sedgwick head to the penultimate Porsche Carrera Cup North America this weekend with a clear set of goals in mind: finish the season strong, add to the win column, and capture a hard-fought second place in the series championship.

For Sedgwick, who earned two podium finishes in the Carrera Cup weekend three weeks ago at Indianapolis behind the wheel of the No. 98 PT Autosport Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car, and competed in the Porsche Endurance Challenge by Yokohama two weeks ago at Sonoma Raceway, a recent test at Road Atlanta completed the clean sweep – recalibrating the 25-year-old Warwickshire, UK native’s top three favorite U.S. racetracks.

“Road Atlanta definitely became one of my top three US tracks,” said Sedgwick. “Indy was already up there, and Sonoma has been added as well! The Road Atlanta test went really well. I got up to speed with the track reasonably quickly – I’d had a conversation with Parker Thompson (2022 Carrera Cup champion with JDX Racing) earlier in the year that gave me some insights from someone who had been there for the first time previously in a Cup Car and he warned that it might take a bit of time to get up to speed. So to have hit the ground running and make the most of the test session hopefully bodes well. We had good pace and tried a few wildly different things with setup, and it seemed like a few different things that we might not have expected to work actually worked quite well. We’re looking forward to getting out there.”

The Carrera Cup title might be out of reach, but Sedgwick is focused on finishing second in the title chase and continuing to earn the notice of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship teams looking for a solid FIA Silver-ranked driver for their 2025 lineup.

“It’s important for me to continue to prove that I can compete here and am ready to move up for the 2025 season,” said Sedgwick. “I’m hopeful that my performances to date, as well as a strong finish to the season, will put me in a good spot to move forward in my career. This is of course all down to the support of PT Autosport, with a large part of the project being to collectively advance both my career and the awareness and presence of PT Autosport across the professional motorsport landscape. I would not be where I am at this point without PT, and I intend to keep working hard to ensure we meet our shared goal of being part of an IMSA entry in the very near future.

As PT Autosport team principal Jason Myers details, the team plans to continue the fight down to the final checkered flag – and beyond.

“We’re very excited to see Alex race at Road Atlanta for the first time,” said Myers. “He did well here during the test days and is confident in the car JDX has given him. Also, it’s a steep slope but he’s still within theoretical reach of the championship, though the leader is an amazing opponent, hasn’t put a wheel wrong this entire year and still has a commanding lead. We believe in Alex and know he will fight until the last lap of the last race at COTA in a couple weeks’ time. We are really proud of the season he has run this year and we’ve got more than a few pending deals on the table for 2025 – it’s just deciding which one is best for alignment with progressing Alex’s career and with PT Autosport and our partners.”

PT Autosport would like to thank partners STEAM Sports Foundation, Classic Car Club Manhattan and New Jersey Motorsports Park, as well as JDX Racing partners Byers/Porsche Columbus, and Renier Construction.

The Porsche Carrera Cup North America series will contest two races at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Race one takes the green flag at 5:05 p.m. Thursday, with race two Friday at 10:55 a.m. ET. The races will be broadcast live in the U.S., on IMSA.tv, the NBC Peacock streaming app and PorscheCarreraCup.us.

About PT Autosport — Discover Unique Talent. Develop Champions.

PT Autosport, based at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, NJ, campaigns rising star Alex Sedgwick (UK) in the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup North America series with JDX Racing, 2022 Aspiring Driver Shootout winner Henry Drury (UK) in the Toyota GR Cup North America series with Precision Racing LA.

PT Autosport is dedicated to providing merit-based motorsport industry opportunities for diverse individuals with high integrity, grit, and coach-ability, achieved through a development program for young aspiring drivers, engineers, mechanics, and other professionals. The first step of this process is applying for the annual Aspiring Driver Shootout, in which aspiring drivers aged 18-23 can compete for a team racing partnership with the team.

A rigorous evaluation process of applicants determines the final competitors for the driver shootout. The winner earns financial support of up to $250,000 ($50,000 guaranteed) to pursue their racing career. The review process also provides the team the chance to identify unique talent for other roles in motorsport, including race engineers, mechanics, and professionals.

PT Autosport is building a community that fosters the development of young talent to find a place where they can make an impact in the motorsport community as a career.

PT Autosport social media

Instagram: @pt_autosport
TikTok: @ptautosport
Twitter: @PtAutosport
Facebook: PT Autosport
YouTube: PT Autosport

October 8, 2024
Ford Performance NASCAR – 2024 Charlotte Roval Playoff Advance

CHARLOTTE ROVAL

Saturday, October 12 — NASCAR Xfinity Series, 4 p.m. ET (CW)
Sunday, October 13 — NASCAR Cup Series, 2 p.m. ET (NBC)

Four drivers will be eliminated in the NASCAR Cup and NASCAR Xfinity Series this weekend as the Round of 12 comes to a conclusion on the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. Ford has four drivers in contention for the Cup Series championship in Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric and Chase Briscoe while Cole Custer and Riley Herbst are still in it on the Xfinity side.

FORD DRIVERS IN THE CUP PLAYOFFS

Ryan Blaney – 6th (+25 above cut line)
Joey Logano – 9th (-13 below cut line)
Austin Cindric – 11th (-29)
Chase Briscoe – 12th (-32)
Note: Top 8 advance after Charlotte

FORD PLAYOFF DRIVERS ON THE CHARLOTTE ROVAL

Joey Logano: 6 starts, 0 wins, 2 top-10, 5 top-10
Ryan Blaney: 6 starts, 1 wins, 2 top-5, 4 top-10
Chase Briscoe: 3 starts, 0 wins, 0 top-5, 1 top-10
Austin Cindric: 2 starts, 0 wins, 0 top-5, 0 top-10

BUESCHER GOING FOR SECOND STRAIGHT ROAD COURSE WIN

Chris Buescher’s win last month at Watkins Glen International was his first career Cup Series win on a road course, but his record on road and street courses the past two years has been stellar. The Texas native has finished 10th or better in 13 of the last 15 events, including a streak of eight straight at one point. Buescher’s victory also marked Ford’s 35th all-time road course win and was the first since Michael McDowell’s triumph at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2022. Dan Gurney is Ford’s all-time road course leader with five career wins.

RYAN BLANEY: “I haven’t walked the track. I have done sim work. It’s a little different. The frontstretch chicane is a little bit tighter. I don’t think that’s the biggest change. Obviously, five, six, seven are the biggest changes. I think you opened up a passing zone in seven. It’s gonna be kind of a dive bomb central corner, for sure, just the way it’s shaped, so that will be interesting to see how it races. You’re gonna have to drive that corner very differently if you have pressure or not behind you, and, honestly, I think the frontstretch chicane is gonna be a slower corner, so I feel like you might have some more out-braking potential there. I think it’s good they changed it up. Whenever you add passing zones, that’s good for a race. It’s the same for everybody. It’s gonna be different for everyone and just who can adapt to it the quickest.”

MICHAEL MCDOWELL: “I have had an opportunity to study it and I’m looking forward to it. The Roval hasn’t been super strong for me and us and so I’m glad that there is some change because sometimes change is exactly what you need to turn the ship and get to where you want to be. But the Roval is super challenging. It’s not your typical road course. It’s a challenge technical, tight, twisty, big curbs, the turtles they call them. There are a lot of challenges at those places, so I’m looking forward to it. Anytime I get to race on a road course I’m happy about it and it’s an opportunity again to try to go there and win the race.”

AUSTIN CINDRIC: “I’ve definitely gotten a bit of a preview. I walked over to the speedway after playing some golf on Thursday and saw what was going on there. I’ve done some laps on the sim in prep for the weekend. Obviously, we won’t get to see the finished product until we get there for the track walk on the weekend, but I’m looking forward to it. The change will be interesting. Personally, I hated the old turn eight, just from my own personal experience – not for how it raced, it was my worst corner on the racetrack, so I’m cool with the changes.”

BLANEY CAPTURES INAUGURAL CUP ROVAL RACE

The debut of the Charlotte Roval didn’t disappoint as Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. wrecked each other in the final chicane heading to the checkered flag, allowing Ryan Blaney to sneak past both and win the inaugural Bank of America Roval 400. Blaney put himself in position to win thanks to some sound strategy that enabled him to stretch his fuel mileage and win Stage 2. He round himself in 25th place with 38 laps to go after a trip to pit road, but cycled his way back up to the front before being in the right place at the right time. That capped a weekend in which Ford won the pole and race in the NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Cup Series. In six career Roval starts, Blaney has four top 10 and two top 5 finishes.

CUSTER AND HERBST LOOKING TO ADVANCE

The first elimination race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season takes place this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Ford’s two championship contenders find themselves above the cut line. Defending series champion Cole Custer is third in the playoff standings and has a 37-point cushion while Riley Herbst is seventh overall and is 20 points ahead of ninth-place Justin Allgaier. In three career series starts on the Roval, Custer has registered finishes of seventh, eighth and second. Herbst has made four starts on the road course with his best finish coming a year ago when he was fourth.

FORD’S NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNERS ON THE ROVAL

2018 – Ryan Blaney

FORD’S NASCAR XFINITY SERIES WINNERS ON THE ROVAL

2018 – Chase Briscoe

October 8, 2024
WTRAndretti Acura ARX-06 GTP Teams Focused on Victory at MOTUL Petit Le Mans

BRASELTON, Georgia (October 8, 2024) – One final event remains on the schedule for the Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) pair of Acura ARX-06 GTP teams as they head to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. The iconic 10-hour endurance classic – MOTUL Petit Le Mans – will mark the end of the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. MOTUL Petit Le Mans will also mark the end of the four-year manufacturer partnership between WTRAndretti and Acura in the prototype category. Together, WTRAndretti and Acura tallied a Rolex 24 at Daytona victory, eight additional wins, 19 podiums and ten pole positions across the four years leading into this weekend.

Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque will be joined by their IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup co-driver and 2017 Petit Le Mans winner, Brendon Hartley, to tackle all ten hours of racing action. In 2023, the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 showed impressive speed around the 2.54-mile road course as the team started from pole position. Although the blue and black team are not in contention for the championship, the team can be proud to boost a win on the streets of Detroit as well as podium and pole position as highlights of their 2024 season.

For Jordan Taylor and Louis Delétraz, their trio will be complete with the return of 2024 IndyCar Vice Champion for Andretti Global, Colton Herta, to the lineup of the No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 for the MOTUL Petit Le Mans. Both Delétraz and Taylor have their own success at Road Atlanta with Delétraz earning pole position in 2023 as the IMEC co-driver in the sister No. 10 car while Taylor is a two-time MOTUL Petit Le Mans winner (2014, 2018). Like their teammates, the No. 40 crew is unfortunately out of reach of the championship title, but they have their impressive win at the Twelve Hours of Sebring and podium at the Rolex 24 at Daytona as accolades on the team’s inaugural GTP campaign.

Preparations from Road Atlanta for the WTRAndretti team will begin with three practice sessions on Thursday, October 10. Qualifying for the GTP field is set for 4:215 p.m. ET on Friday, October 11 on Peacock. The MOTUL Petit Le Mans will begin the 10-hour countdown at 12:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 12. NBC will open the broadcast from 12 p.m. ET to 3 p.m. ET while USA Network will go on air at 6 p.m. ET. Peacock will serve host to full event coverage for all 10 hours.

Wayne Taylor, Team Principal, WTRAndretti: “This one of the first years we’ve gone to Petit Le Mans without a chance to win the championship overall. This is also our last race with Acura and HRC, so our focus is going to be to try and win the race – I think we’ve won it three times before. We’ve got nothing to lose in terms of championship. We can just go and push as hard as we can to try to get a 1-2 finish for Acura and HRC and that will be a good way to close the season out.”

No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 GTP Drivers
Ricky Taylor: “We have always had a strong car at Petit Le Mans. I feel like without the pressure of the championship on the line we can focus on purely a race win and not look at anyone else which will be refreshing for us to enjoy the race again. It is one of the more historic races of the season. The track is very high commitment, but the race is one of the most intense towards the end with all teams and drivers generally putting everything on the line to win the race/championship.”

Filipe Albuquerque: “Petit Le Mans is one of the coolest races in the world. The race, the characteristics of the track is unique for racing with all the classes. It’s super wild because everyone is fighting for the championship, for the race win, so no one is holding back anything. It just makes it so unique. I’ve never won this race before, I’ve led the last hour, last 30 minutes many, many times but never concluded with winning. I know we will be competitive again with the No. 10 team. The question is if we are going to win it or not, so we’re going to give it our best again. We have nothing to lose. We’re not fighting for the championship; the championship contenders will have to manage while we’re all in. That’s our approach. We are not holding back, and second place is not enough for us.”

Brendon Hartley: “Petit Le Mans is one of the endurance classics and a race I always try to put on the calendar if there is an opportunity. The track has old school small run off vibes and good flow. You can expect everything. WTRAndretti have been quick all year, but things have not fallen our way, full focus on the win and finishing on a high.”

No. 40 DEX Imaging Acura ARX-06 GTP Drivers
Louis Delétraz: “Petit Le Mans is one of my favorite races of the year; the track, the fans, the atmosphere, everything is amazing. We tested at the track few weeks ago and we were competitive last year. Everyone has worked hard so the objective is clear: go win the race and finish the year on a high! Colton is back with us in the 40 and last time out as a trio was pretty good, so hopefully we can repeat that. I already can’t wait to be back on track with WTRAndretti and the Acura ARX-06.”

Jordan Taylor: “I think our team is really suited to these big, classic endurance events. When you look at the team’s history, they have a lot of success in the big key races like Petit Le Mans. We won Sebring this year, so it would be amazing to close off the year with another big win. Petit Le Mans has always been an iconic race ever since it started back in 1998. I think as a team it’s especially important since my dad won the inaugural event. It is also usually a very stressful event because the championship is often on the line. Unfortunately, we haven’t had the year that we have wanted, but at the same time that opens up our race strategy to purely race for the win.”

Colton Herta: “I’m really excited to be back with WTRAndretti in the No. 40 Acura ARX-06. Petit Le Mans is a huge bucket list race for me to win and I’m excited to able to go for that win with this amazing group.”

ABOUT WTRANDRETTI
Andretti Global and Wayne Taylor Racing announced a new, long-term partnership in 2023 that combines the resources of the two championship-caliber teams to compete in IMSA’s top classes. In 2024, Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti (WTRAndretti) has expanded to a two-car GTP program as well as competes in the GTD class. Coming off its 2023 championship winning effort, WTRAndretti continues its Driver Development Program competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series with a full stable.

WTRAndretti’s global motorsports enterprise boasts two IMSA driver championships (2013 and 2017), and back-to-back IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championships (2020, 2021) which contributed to nine IMSA manufacturer championships for Acura, Pontiac, Corvette and Cadillac. In its brief 17-year history, WTRAndretti has accumulated multiple victories in sportscar racing’s most iconic events: Rolex 24 At Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring, Petit Le Mans, Mid-Ohio, Road America and the Six Hours of The Glen. With its back-to-back PRO Class Championship wins (2022, 2023), WTR also has ten North America Lamborghini Super Trofeo Championship titles and a Lamborghini World Finals title.

Andretti Global, a Championship-winning motorsports organization, competes in additional racing categories worldwide, including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Extreme E, Australian Supercars and the Mexico SuperCopa Championship. Additionally, the racing enterprise commits to driver development through competition in INDY NXT by Firestone and through support of Sebastian and Oliver Wheldon’s racing careers.

October 8, 2024
Flying Lizard Motorsports Awarded Crew of the Year, Rookie of the Year at SRO America Finale

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., (October 8, 2024) – Sunday evening in Indianapolis at the SRO America end-of-the-year awards banquet, Flying Lizard Motorsports concluded their three-series championship efforts with the prestigious award of GT3 Crew of the Year, also with driver Damir Hot receiving the Rookie of the Year award.

“Running multiple cars in multiple classes made for an extremely busy 2024 season,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “Although we did not come away with a championship this year, we had multiple podiums and have great momentum as we go into the offseason. We already have a busy winter testing schedule set up and look forward to the start of the 2025 season.”

The season-finale weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway held five races for the Lizard’s four cars, beginning with the team’s two-car entry in the GT America series. Jason Bell concluded his first season in the GT3 ranks of the amateur-rated series with a strong fifth-place finish to add to his two podiums, bringing him to a total of four top-five results in his rookie GT3 racing season.

Damir Hot led the team charge in GT America’s GT4 class, finishing his rookie season with a pair of podium finishes, and closing the year out with a season-best result of second place. Racing the No. 5 Nissan Z, he once again picked up the Hard Charger award, given to the competitor who gains the most positions during a race. He finished in the top three for all four of his GT America races in 2024, earning the Rookie of the Year title at Sunday’s award banquet.

In GT4 America, Hot and co-driver Baptista showed great promise in the pair of 60-minute GT4 America races, but the cautions failed to play into the hands of the Nissan, though the pair closed out the season with a fifth-place result. With three podiums and an additional three top-five results, the pair showed a strong debut together in their first season of their GT4 America effort.

The Lizards had high hopes for their No. 8 BMW M4 GT3 in the weekend’s headlining Indianapolis 8 Hour. Drivers Elias Sabo and Andy Lee were joined by BMW works driver Nick Yelloly for their first endurance race as a pair, after only just a handful of races in their new BMW. The No. 8 entry showed great pace in the practice sessions, however, a mechanical issue during the race set the team back many laps in the first half of the race. Still eager to learn more about the machine and make the most of the track time, the Lizards continued the event, determined to finish what they started, completing the first Indianapolis 8 Hour for Sabo and Lee.

The team behind Bell’s No. 2 Aston Martin GT3 entry and Sabo’s Aston Martin and BMW GT3 racing effort earned the Phoenix-based team the GT3 Crew of the Year award, as voted by their peers.

Though Todd Parriott’s GT4 racing efforts, along with Tom Dyer, were not racing at the Speedway last weekend, the pair contributed to the Lizard’s success over the course of the 2024 season. Altogether, the team earned 10 podium finishes and 27 top-five results. After 20 years of racing, the team continues to grow, racing as many as seven entries in one weekend under the SRO America umbrella. Plans are already well underway for the 2025 season, which will be announced at a later date.

About Flying Lizard Motorsports

Based out of Sonoma, California, Flying Lizard Motorsports is one of the most iconic sports car teams in motorsports, having celebrated ten driver and team championships, as well as competed internationally at the 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times.

The Lizards burst on the American Le Mans Series scene in 2004, competing in the GT class until 2012. In 2013, the team moved to the GTC class, still competing in legendary events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2014, the team expanded its program to include running two Audi R8 LMS in the TUDOR Championship, and in 2015, again expanded the program to include two Porsches in Porsche Club racing. Flying Lizard closed out the season with a dominating win at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Toyo Tires, a win they repeated in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The 2020 season proved the team’s most successful to date, earning four titles in the GT4 America championship. Flying Lizard Motorsports has proven to be a championship contender no matter the race series or race car. For more information, visit lizardms.com.

About 5.11
With offices around the globe, 5.11 ABR Corp. and its subsidiaries, including 5.11, Inc., work with end users to create purpose-built apparel, footwear and gear designed specifically to enhance the safety, accuracy, speed, and performance of tactical professionals and technical enthusiasts worldwide. 5.11 products exceed rigorous standards, which have allowed the brand to establish a reputation for innovation and authenticity, and become the premier choice for those who always have to be ready. 5.11 products can be purchased online, through authorized dealers and retailers, as well as at 5.11 company-owned retail stores.

Learn more about 5.11’s best-selling gear and accessories at www.511tactical.com. Find a full list of 5.11 company-owned retail stores at https://www.511tactical.com/locations/. Connect with 5.11 on Facebook, Twitter @511Tactical and on Instagram @511Tactical and #511tactical

5.11 ABR Corp. is a subsidiary of Compass Diversified (NYSE: CODI).

5.11, 5.11 Tactical and Always Be Ready are registered trademarks of 5.11, Inc. All rights reserved.

About Apex Motor Club

Apex Motor Club is Arizona’s premier motorsports club located just 35 miles southwest of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and the only private motorsports club located within a major metropolitan area. APEX is the ultimate country club for automotive enthusiasts where car culture, racing and country club lifestyles converge. Enjoy an hour of track time in your latest acquisition, drive off track, into your privately-owned garage and join like- minded enthusiasts in the clubhouse for food, beverages, and activities.

To learn more about the newest racing circuit in the country, visit https://apexmotorclub.com

October 8, 2024
Erik Jones Foundation Kicks Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Paint the Wall Pink and ‘Window of Hope’

Charlotte, NC (October 8, 2024) – The Erik Jones Foundation kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness month supporting the Charlotte Motor Speedway ‘Paint the Wall Pink’ program and will continue to bring awareness to the disease throughout the month with the ‘Window of Hope’ program at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on Sunday, October 13.

On October 1, Erik Jones and members of the foundation joined Breast Cancer warriors at Charlotte Motor Speedway to not only paint the walls of the speedway pink, but most importantly to promote breast cancer awareness, early detection and support and treatment for all who have been affected by the disease.

“I’m really proud to be able to support such a great cause with ‘Paint the Wall Pink’ and the ‘Window of Hope’ programs to support breast cancer awareness,” said Jones. “This cause is one that is personal and important to not only myself, but also my foundation. For the second year we will be able to raise important funds for breast cancer screenings through our ‘Window of Hope’ program and help directly impact the lives of so many people. It’s important that we continue to raise awareness and encourage regular breast cancer screenings, as well as support those fighting this disease and offer support and strength together.”

Throughout the month of October, the Erik Jones Foundation will continue to support Breast Cancer Awareness by proving education on the importance of early detection and care, as well as supporting survivors, current fighters, and families of breast cancer patients.

For the second year in a row, the Erik Jones Foundation will host the ‘Window of Hope’ program at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This program features pink window nets, manufactured and donated by Thermal Control Products, on every Cup Series car entered in to the ROVAL race on October 13. Following the race weekend, the race used window nets will be signed by each driver and auctioned off to raise funds for breast cancer screenings and detection.

“The ‘Window of Hope’ program is truly amazing for so many reasons,” said Brent Nickola, Executive Director of the Erik Jones Foundation. “First, the window nets are so prominent during the race that we know we are raising awareness of the issue. Secondly, the program allows fans to support the cause and walk away with a cool item. I am probably most excited to see how the entire NASCAR industry has embraced the program this year.”

The ‘Window of Hope’ pink window nets can be bid on at www.erikjonesfoundation.org starting October 14 through October 21, 2024.

About the Erik Jones Foundation:

Established in 2021 by Byron, Michigan native and NASCAR driver, Erik Jones, the Erik Jones Foundation has three main pillars: igniting children’s passion for reading, encouraging early cancer detection and care, and promoting animal welfare. The three areas of focus all have a special meaning to Jones and have each played a role in his life.

For more on the Erik Jones Foundation, please visit www.erikjonesfoundation.org.

October 8, 2024
Toyota Clinches 2024 ARCA Menards Series Manufacturer Championship

PLANO, Texas (Oct. 8, 2024) – For the eighth consecutive year, and the ninth time in its history, Toyota has been crowned the manufacturer’s champion of the ARCA Menards Series.

Toyota has had another exception season in the ARCA Menards Series, winning 14 of the 20 races in the 2024 season. This includes three instances where Toyota won three races in a row, at the start of the year from Daytona International Speedway to Talladega Superspeedway, in the late summer stretch from the Illinois State Fairgrounds at Springfield to the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds and to end the season from Bristol Motor Speedway to Toledo Speedway.

“This racing season has been a year of milestones for Toyota, which includes another ARCA Menards Series manufacturer’s championship,” said Paul Doleshal, Group Manager, motorsports, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “We never take accomplishments like these for granted and will be sure to celebrate with our drivers, team members and partners that have contributed to this successful season. We’re grateful for their dedication and hard work in helping Toyota achieve our eighth-consecutive ARCA manufacturer’s title.”

Toyota supports two ARCA Menards Series teams, Venturini Motorsports (VMS) and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). Of the many successes Toyota experienced this season in ARCA Menards Series competition was the performance of Toyota Development Driver, William Sawalich, and his No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing team. The 17-year-old captured nine victories in the 2024 season, which included four race wins in a row, while also capturing his second consecutive ARCA Menards Series East championship.

Toyota also scored wins with Gus Dean at Daytona International Speedway, Jake Finch at Talladega Superspeedway and Tanner Gray in Charlotte Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway. Toyota Development driver, Brent Crews, scored his second career ARCA Menards Series victory at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds in only his seventh career start.

Toyota first entered the ARCA Racing Series in 2007 and has captured nine manufacturer’s titles (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) and eight driver’s titles (2009, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023). Toyota now sits at 162 national ARCA Menards Series wins.

About Toyota

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

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 24 electrified options.

October 8, 2024