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Author: SM Staff

  • The Future of Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake and Rebranding

    The Future of Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake and Rebranding

    During the 2023 F1 Season, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake has largely remained unnoticed in terms of podium finishes. However, their performance this season doesn’t discount their progress towards closing the gap between the internet and Formula 1 through sponsorships and consistency. Whilst the outcomes of races are uncertain, the team itself has a clear path for the foreseeable future.

    Sponsorships

    Earlier this year, Alfa Romeo’s title sponsor became Stake, who has ownership of the quickly exploding website kick.com. To the average fan, this sponsorship may be yet another source of income for the team, but it’s also no secret that live-streaming platforms massively boost the popularity of any sport, team, activity, or game.

    This is good news for Alfa Romeo F1 Team and Stake. While Alfa Romeo F1 Team seeks financial backing, Stake may count on name recognition. The Stake brand has been around for a while and can be found on lists such as a list of sweepstakes casinos, but further exposure will be extremely beneficial to the company.

    Whether this sponsorship continues in the coming years has yet to be announced, but we will be keeping a close eye on how the team performs leading up to the team’s rebranding at the end of this season, and 2026.

    Rebranding

    At the end of this season of F1, Alfa Romero F1 Team Stake will rebrand itself as Sauber going forward for two years until 2026. In 2026, the team will be joining forces with Audi to make their grand entry into Formula 1, with their new team being named: Audi Works.

    Audi’s introduction to Formula 1 should be very exciting with their electric and sustainable engines powering the team’s car. Audi has stated the Sauber team is perfect for their introduction due to their rich history in the sport.

    As it stands currently, we are unsure of what seats will remain open for the team going forward, but as of now, we can reasonably expect both drivers to continue their careers with the team during the transition.

    Since their arrival to the team in 2022, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have helped achieve more consistency for the team, increasing their standings by three positions for the 2022 season. Following up the following year, the not-so-rookie Guanyu has more than earned his place among other F1 Drivers in terms of consistency and performance.

    While there have been rumors of seat changes for the team, neither Zhou Guanyu nor Valtteri Bottas has explicitly stated that they intend to exit the team. Going further, in a recent interview, Bottas did explicitly state that he intends to stick with Alfa Romeo in the long term and be a part of their change to Audi in 2026.

    Whether or not they’re making headlines, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake has an exciting long-term plan ahead of them. With current plans to continue with the title sponsor with ties to one of the most popular live streaming platforms, and joining up with a new introduction to motorsports, we can’t wait to see future seasons progress for the drivers and team alike.

  • Chase Purdy- No. 4 Bama Buggies Silverado Craftsman Trucks Texas Preview

    Chase Purdy- No. 4 Bama Buggies Silverado Craftsman Trucks Texas Preview

    Chase Purdy: Driver, No. 4 Bama Buggies Chevrolet

    NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:
    Event: SpeedyCash.com 250, Race 5 of 23, 167 Laps – 77/45/45; 250.5 Miles
    Location: Texas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile, quad-oval)
    Date/Broadcast: April 1, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

    ‘Chase’n Checkers:

    Chase Purdy and the No. 4 Bama Buggies team head to Texas Motor Speedway Saturday for the SpeedyCash.com 250. Purdy will be looking to rebound from a tough day at Circuit of the Americas where he was relegated to a 27th-place finish after getting spun late. Taking to a mile-and-a-half track could be just what the doctor ordered for Purdy, who is one of just three drivers to finish inside the top 10 in the Truck Series first two events at mile-and-a-half tracks this season. Most recently, he started ninth, led two laps and finished seventh at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Earlier this season he started third and finished eighth at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 23-year-old driver enters this week’s race at Texas 11th in the Craftsman Truck Series point standings, 61 tallies behind points leader Zane Smith.

    The Mississippi native is in his third full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and first with KBM. He enters Saturday’s race having totaled seven top-10 finishes and 18 laps led across his 56 career Truck Series starts. He posted a career-best sixth-place result in 2021 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. Purdy finished 16th in the Truck Series standings in 2022 after competing in 22 of the 23 events. He posted two top-10 finishes and nine laps led, with a season-best finish of seventh coming at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in October.

    In his three prior Truck Series starts at Texas, Purdy has compiled an average finish of 16.7, achieving a track-best 12th-place finish in 2020. KBM’s nine Texas wins are the most the organization has at any track they’ve raced at. Owner-driver Kyle Busch has four Texas wins (2010, 2014, 2019 & 2020), while John Hunter Nemechek (2021), Greg Biffle (2019), Christopher Bell (2017), William Byron (2016) and Erik Jones (2015) all have one Texas triumph. Martinsville ranks second on the KBM track wins list, with the organization collecting eight victories at the Virginia venue.

    Purdy will be looking to etch his mark in the KBM historical archives this weekend at Texas as he looks to collect the organization’s 100th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory. KBM-owner driver Kyle Busch collected the KBM’s record-extending 99th-career victory with his dominant victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway leaving his organization one shy of the century mark. William Byron collected KBM’s record-breaking 51st Truck Series victory in July of 2016. Overall, 18 different drivers have won at least one race behind the wheel of a KBM truck, led by Busch’s 47. Four drivers rank second on the list with seven victories: Byron, Christopher Bell, Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek.

    Jimmy Villeneuve is atop the pit box for Purdy and the No. 4 Chevrolet team this season. Prior to being promoted to crew chief for the 2023 season, Villeneuve served as a Truck Chief at KBM since the 2017 season and in that role was a part of 18 wins, a driver’s championship with Christopher Bell in 2017 and the 2019 owner’s championship with the No. 51 team. Prior to joining KBM the New Hampshire native served as a truck chief at Athenian Motorsports in 2015 when the team won with John Wes Townley at Las Vegas. He was promoted to crew chief five races into the 2016 season. Saturday’s race will be Villeneuve’s third race atop the pit box at Texas. His best result was a 17th-place finish with Townley in 2016.

    Bama Buggies, your one-stop shop for all the biggest names in powersports and utility vehicles, will be the primary sponsor on Purdy’s No. 4 Chevrolet Saturday and for the majority of the events on the 2023 schedule. They are Central Alabama’s powersports experts, serving as an authorized dealer of Polaris, Slingshot, and Seadoo.
    Chase Purdy, Driver Q&A:

    With the speed you’ve shown at the mile-and-a-half tracks are you looking forward to Texas this weekend?
    “We’ve had really good speed at the first two races this year on mile-and-a-half tracks. KBM has done a really good job of bringing really dominant trucks to those places, not just this year, but years prior. I think this will be an opportunity for me to correct the mistakes I’ve made in the first two mile-and-a-half races and really put it all together and show that our Bama Buggies team can go out and starting contending for wins.”

    How does racing at Texas compare to the other mile-and-a-half tracks on the Truck Series schedule?
    “It’s less wide open. Turns Three and Four if your stuff is good you are going to want to be wide open, but Turns One and Two you are going to have to lift and with no substance down in the other lanes I feel like it is going to be one-lane dominant. Traditionally at mile-and-a-half tracks you can move around, but this one not so much. I think that is something to be aware of. With no live pit stops, track position is going to be more important so that will make qualifying even more important than it usually is.”

    Will the earlier start time affect the handling of the trucks?
    “It’s not going to be as hot as it would be if we were racing there in June, so I’m not sure that starting earlier will affect it that much. Normally when it is hot it makes it slicker. I think it will still be slick because nobody has been racing on it and we are going to be the first ones on track. I think that causes people to wreck when they try to get off the bottom and run up a little bit into the old substance that is there from before, but we won’t know until we get there.”

    Chase Purdy Career Highlights:

    • Across 56 career Truck Series starts, has produced 18 laps led and seven top-10 finishes. Posted career-best sixth-place result at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in 2021.
    • Finished 16th in Truck Series championship standings in 2022.
    • Finished fourth in the 2018 ARCA Menard’s Series championship standings after recording 84 laps led, 10 top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.
    • Earned the 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East rookie of the year honors and finished fourth in the championship standings after posting four poles, 200 laps led, five top-five and eight top-10 finishes across 14 starts.
    • Won the prestigious Snowflake 100 Pro Late Model race at 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., in Dec. of 2018.

    Chase Purdy’s No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado RST:

    KBM-73: The No. 4 Bama Buggies team will unload KBM-73 for Saturday’s Speedycash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway. KBM-73 has two prior starts, both with John Hunter Nemechek last season. Nemechek finished third with the truck last year at Charlotte and then was relegated to a 35th-place finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

    KBM-73 Performance Profile:
    KBM Notes of Interest:

    • KBM drivers have collected nine wins, four poles, 1065 laps led, 20 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 10.8 across 59 starts in the Lone Star State. KBM’s nine Texas wins are the most the organization has at any track.
    • Owner-driver Kyle Busch’s has four Texas wins for his organization (2010, 2014, 2019 & 2020). John Hunter Nemechek (2021), Greg Biffle (2019), Christopher Bell (2017), William Byron (2016) and Erik Jones (2015) all have one Texas triumph.
    • KBM holds the Craftsman Truck Series records for most career wins (99) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). With his victory at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway last year, Corey Heim became the 18th different driver to win a Truck Series event for KBM. In addition to collecting a series-record seven Owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
    • The No. 4 has 18 career victories at KBM and was the number for both of the organization’s driver championships.
  • Connor Mosack Adds NASCAR Xfinity and ARCA Series Races With Joe Gibbs Racing

    Connor Mosack Adds NASCAR Xfinity and ARCA Series Races With Joe Gibbs Racing

    Have Helmet, Will Travel

    Connor Mosack Adds NASCAR Xfinity and ARCA Series Races With Joe Gibbs Racing to Existing 20-Race Xfinity Series Slate With Sam Hunt Racing; 23-Year-Old Racer Will Also Return to his Roots With a Trans Am Series Race for TeamSLR Along With Select Late Model Races

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 2, 2023) – With 20 NASCAR Xfinity Series races for Sam Hunt Racing already on his 2023 schedule, Connor Mosack is bolstering that lineup with an additional slate of races driving for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR).

    The 23-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, will pilot JGR’s No. 19 Toyota GR Supra in three Xfinity Series races – July 1 at the Chicago Street Course, July 22 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and July 29 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin – while also competing for JGR in six ARCA Menards Series races. Mosack’s ARCA schedule begins Feb. 18 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and then continues May 6 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, May 26 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, July 21 at Pocono, Aug. 4 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn and Sept. 8 in the series’ second trip to Kansas.

    Amid these added events is a return to Mosack’s roots. He will drive a Super Late Model in the World Series of Asphalt Feb. 10-18 at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway for team owner Jamie Yelton. Mosack will then revisit the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli on Feb. 26 when he drives for TeamSLR in the TA2 division’s season opener at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway.

    Mosack ran the full CARS Tour in 2020 and promptly won its rookie-of-the-year title. He then augmented his Late Model schedule that year with four Trans Am races before committing to the full TA2 schedule in 2021 and 2022. In those two seasons with TeamSLR, Mosack never finished outside of the top-four in the championship standings, scoring two wins and earning five poles. When he wasn’t turning left and right in Trans Am, Mosack was getting more oval experience in ARCA. In 13 career ARCA starts, Mosack scored nine top-10s, eight of which were on ovals. His best finishes came on successive weekends last June – second on June 4 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway (road course) and third on June 11 at Iowa Speedway in Newton (oval).

    “I made my Xfinity Series debut with JGR last June at Portland and from the moment I made my first lap in their racecar, I realized why they’ve been so successful,” Mosack said. “Their equipment was second to none and the resources they had in terms of people and their knowledge was incredible.

    “Jason Ratcliff was my crew chief at Portland and he’s got a ton of experience. I was able to learn from him before we even went to the track. Just in our time in the simulator, we made some great changes. So, to be back with him for three Xfinity races is going to be really valuable.

    “And when it comes to JGR’s ARCA program, it’s the class of the field. After having to race against JGR cars, I’m really looking forward to racing with a JGR car. No matter what track they were on, they were always up front competing for wins. To have that chance in 2023 is pretty special, and I aim to make the most of it.”

    When the 2023 racing season concludes, Mosack will have competed in more than 40 races, with 23 of them being in the Xfinity Series, the stepping-stone division to the elite NASCAR Cup Series.

    “I’ve learned the more seat time you can get, the more you learn and the faster you learn,” Mosack said. “I’ve spent the last two years racing fulltime in Trans Am and running a decent amount of ARCA and Late Model races. It got me prepared to make my NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series debuts last summer, and that’s led to these opportunities with Sam Hunt Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing. It’ll be the most racing I’ve ever done in a single season, and I’m genuinely stoked about it. This is what I want and NASCAR is where I want to be.”

    You could say Mosack is making up for lost time. He didn’t start racing until he was 18, bucking the trend of drivers who begin their careers at age four or five in go-karts. Instead, Mosack enjoyed a well-rounded and worldly childhood. He played football and lacrosse in middle school and high school, and volunteered with Open Eyes on a mission trip to Rwanda and Uganda in 2017. It wasn’t until his senior year in high school that Mosack was introduced to Legends cars. As soon as he sat behind the wheel, Mosack knew it was where he belonged. After winning five Legends car championships, Mosack transitioned to Late Model stock cars in 2019. All the while, Mosack balanced racing with school, graduating from High Point (N.C.) University in 2021 with a degree in business entrepreneurship. This past November, Mosack was honored with the university’s Ten Under Ten Young Alumni Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in a graduate’s chosen profession.

    “Growing up, I’ve always been into cars, but I never really thought racing was something realistic for me. I didn’t know anybody in the sport, and nobody in my family had ever raced. I didn’t know that anybody could just show up at a local racetrack and rent somebody’s car, or buy their own racecar and go out there and run it. So when that was introduced to me, I thought it was really cool and I got a little taste of it, and that’s when I really fell in love with it. Once we knew that was an option, we decided to pursue it to see where it could go,” Mosack said.

    “The first year I ever drove something was really just a blur, and I really didn’t know much. Year two, we started to kind of get the hang of things and understand where we could go and what it would take. We’ve been kind of building on that ever since.”

    Mosack’s 20-race Xfinity Series schedule with Sam Hunt Racing begins March 11 at Phoenix Raceway.

  • Cash in on the Action: The Best Payment Options for Online Gambling in Canada

    Cash in on the Action: The Best Payment Options for Online Gambling in Canada

    Online gambling is a popular pastime for many Canadians, and with the rise of online casinos, it’s never been easier to play your favorite games from the comfort of your home. However, with so many different payment methods available, choosing the best one for you is challenging. Therefore, let’s take a look at the ten best payment methods for online casinos in Canada, their pros and cons, and what you need to know to use them safely and effectively.

    Top 10 payment methods for online casinos in Canada

    Here is a list of the top ten payment methods for online casinos in Canada: 

    1. Credit/Debit Cards—Credit and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are common and convenient choices for online casino players. They offer instant deposits and fast withdrawal times, with high deposit limits. One downside is that some online casinos may charge a fee for credit card deposits, and there may be withdrawal restrictions. Click here to check the list of the best $5 minimum deposit casinos in Canada accepting credit/debit card deposits, as ZH Casinority might be the best place to find casinos that accept popular payment methods in Canadian online casinos.
    2. e-Wallets—e-Wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are popular among online casino players for their convenience, security, and fast transaction times. They allow players to keep their banking information separate from their online gambling activity and offer high deposit limits. However, some online casinos may charge a fee for e-Wallet deposits, and there may be withdrawal restrictions.
    3. Bank Transfer—It is a reliable and secure way to make online casino deposits and withdrawals. However, it may have slower withdrawal times than other methods, and some online casinos may charge a fee for bank transfer deposits. It’s a good option for players who prefer traditional banking methods and have no issues waiting for the process to complete.
    4. Bitcoin—It is a decentralized digital currency that offers fast transaction times and high deposit limits. It is an anonymous way of making transactions and provides more privacy than other payment methods. However, not all online casinos accept Bitcoin, and the value of Bitcoin can be volatile. It’s an excellent option for players who value their privacy and are comfortable with the cryptocurrency market.
    5. Paysafecard—It is a prepaid card that players can use to make online casino deposits. It’s an easy and convenient option for players who don’t want to use their credit or debit cards online. Paysafecard can be purchased at various retail outlets and used to fund online casino accounts. However, it has low deposit limits, and not all online casinos accept Paysafecard.
    6. EcoPayz—It is an e-wallet that is becoming increasingly popular with online casino players. It offers high deposit limits and fast transaction times, making it a convenient option for players who want to move money in and out of their casino accounts quickly. However, some online casinos may charge a fee for EcoPayz deposits, and there may be withdrawal restrictions.
    7. Interac—It is a Canadian-based e-Transfer service that is widely accepted at online casinos. It’s secure, fast, and offers high deposit limits. It’s a great option for Canadian players who want to use a payment method that is familiar and widely used in Canada. However, some online casinos may charge a fee for Interac deposits, and there may be withdrawal restrictions.
    8. iDebit—It is a Canadian-based e-Transfer service that is becoming increasingly popular with online casino players. It offers high deposit limits and fast transaction times, and it’s widely accepted at online casinos. It’s a great option for Canadian players since they can make real-time payments directly from their online banking accounts without worrying about delays. However, some online casinos may charge a fee for iDebit deposits.
    9. Instadebit—It is a Canadian-based e-transfer service that is widely accepted at online casinos. It’s a convenient option for Canadian players since it allows them to instantly deposit their funds into their online accounts and immediately withdraw them. This dramatically reduces processing times, allowing the players to keep playing without disturbing their play session. But some casinos may charge fees for using this payment method.
    10. Trustly—It is a popular e-wallet service that is widely accepted at online casinos. It allows instant deposits and fast withdrawal times and offers high deposit limits. It’s an excellent option for players who want a fast, secure and widely accepted e-wallet service. However, some online casinos may charge a fee for Trustly deposits, and there may be withdrawal restrictions.

    Using payment methods in Canadian online casinos

    Regarding using payment methods in Canadian online casinos, safety, speed, and ease of use are all crucial factors to consider. Before choosing a payment method, it’s essential to do your research and make sure that the method you choose is accepted at the online casino you’re using and that it meets your needs in terms of deposit and withdrawal limits, fees, and transaction times.

    With that said, here is a table listing crucial factors for each of the payment methods mentioned above:

    Payment MethodMin DepositMax DepositMin WithdrawalMax WithdrawalWithdrawal Fee
    Credit/Debit Cards$10No limit$20No limit0-2%
    e-Wallets$10No limit$20No limit0-2%
    Bank Transfer$50No limit$50No limit0-2%
    Bitcoin$10No limit$20No limit0-2%
    Paysafecard$10$100N/AN/AN/A
    EcoPayz$10No limit$20No limit0-2%
    Interac$10No limit$20No limit0-2%
    iDebit$10No limit$20No limit0-2%
    Instadebit$10No limit$20No limit0-2%
    Trustly$10No limit$20No limit
    0-2%

    Note: The information in the table is generic and might vary from casino to casino.

    Ending thoughts

    In conclusion, there are many payment methods available for online casinos in Canada, each with its pros and cons. By considering safety, speed, and ease of use, you can choose the best payment method for your needs and make the most of your online gambling experience. 

  • Upping your Motorsports Gambling Enjoyment

    Upping your Motorsports Gambling Enjoyment

    The infamous down season of racing is in full swing and there isn’t much to do besides twiddling our thumbs, or is there? As the famous saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree was two weeks ago, the second-best time is today”. Planning for the upcoming Formula 1 and NASCAR seasons can be a fantastic and financially beneficial use of time during the down season. Continue reading to learn about methods to make motorsports gambling more enjoyable.

    Try Out Foreign Casinos

    Foreign casinos are a great way to add a new level of livelihood to your online motorsport bets. The online environment of a foreign casino could be vastly different from what’s offered in your country and allows for a refreshing experience. The main benefits of using a foreign casino include the following:

    • Additional options to bet on local racing events within that country
    • Increased participation if that style of racing is not as popular in your country
    • New types of races to bet on
    • Quick payouts when using cryptocurrencies

    Another benefit of using foreign online casinos is their ability to circumvent self-exclusion restrictions. An example of a popular self-exclusion program many British people use is Gamstop. When using a foreign casino, a bettor can bypass the gambling restriction because Gamstop has no jurisdiction over casinos outside the United Kingdom. There are plenty of services to help find casinos that are not on Gamstop, and you can find a comprehensive list at The News Minute.

    Prepare an Extensive Plan

    Financial success and preparation go hand-in-hand, and while it is possible gambling can generate wealth without preparation, an extensive plan can go a long way. Elements of a solid betting plan include contingency, risk management, and an exit strategy.

    The good news is that motorsports offer plenty of ways to allocate your time to research. This research includes racetrack history, team composition, engine strength, driver performance history, rules, and weather. Knowing what to expect on race day is essential in creating a good plan that allows for contingencies and low risk.

    Planning also requires knowledge of all the betting options provided by your casino/sportsbook. A good plan completely utilizes your betting strategies alongside your casino of choice.

    Lastly, knowing when you should exit is essential. If you have had poor-performing race days and lost a lot of money, you should reassess your overall strategies and recreate a new one from scratch. Inversely if you end up gaining more than you planned, do not throw away your winnings at risky bets. Instead, pocket what you won and continue with your plan.

    Joining Fantasy Motorsports

    Fantasy motorsports is a refreshing alternative for those seeking more motorsport gambling for a few reasons. The first reason is that motorsport fantasy events happen daily, meaning down seasons are non-existent. The second reason is that fantasy motorsport is not truly gambling, skill and knowledge are incredibly useful and chance is barely prevalent. Lastly, it is much more user involved as it allows you to create your teams and setups and pit them against other players.

    Companies and organizations have created plenty of fantasy motorsport apps and it is something down and play even today. At the time of writing, GridRival had a recent launch back in October and is a potential option for those that want to get involved.

    Remember to gamble and play responsibly and let us all hope to have another fantastic race series in 2023!

  • Rookie Season is a Beautifully Immersive Look into What it Means to be a Racecar Driver

    Rookie Season is a Beautifully Immersive Look into What it Means to be a Racecar Driver

    Motorsports is an incredibly compelling spectator sport full of exhilarating action. An often-overlooked aspect of motorsports is the emotional ups and downs a team will experience during any given series. Most of the time, the media focuses on the champions and the race itself, and it is rare to see a candid look into what it takes to be a part of a motorsports team.

    Rookie Season is a feature-length documentary filmed, directed, and edited by Adrian Bonvento that brilliantly showcases the emotions, strategy, cohesion, and willpower required to succeed in a sport against impossible odds. The documentary covers Rebel Rock Racing’s rookie season during IMSA’s 2019 Michelin Pilot Challenge with the focus being on drivers Frank DePew and Robin Liddell.

    The bar for the film is set high during the opening sequence. It was nothing short of a completely immersive environment. Immediately, the camera places you directly inside the car alongside Robin Liddell, and the only dominating sounds are the loud engine and an anxiety-riddled conversation between Liddell and his fellow team members. Scenes like this within the cockpit are littered throughout the film and are used to create suspense and unease. I truly felt like I was there and shared the anxiety with the Rebel Rock Racing crew during these moments. The team’s successes filled me with adrenaline and joy causing me to celebrate with the Rebel Rock Racing team when they achieved their goals. In contrast, the team’s failures weighed significantly on me and left a lingering emotional investment throughout the film.

    Coinciding with the previously mentioned failures, Rookie Season was never afraid to display the emotional toll failure has on the individual and the team. The cinematography director Adrian Bonvento used throughout the film was a brilliant medium to showcase the levels of emotion. It felt incredibly personal. As if I was there as a fly on the wall and the driver and team were just colleagues and friends discussing and doing whatever it takes to achieve success. The scenes featuring calm preparation with voiceover narration allowed me to decompress between the exhilaratingly stressful and visceral scenes from within the cockpit. The film perfectly captivates and caters to the average viewer. I did not need any sort of knowledge about the actual involvement of a racing team to relate with the Rebel Rock Racing team. While there are plenty of documentaries about racing, I feel strongly that this one accurately encapsulates the psychology behind the scenes of motorsports.

    I typically do not watch much coverage of IMSA and was unsure of what to expect when going into this film. However, Rookie Season does not require the viewer to have extensive motorsport knowledge to enjoy what it offers. For anyone on the fence and who wishes to understand what it takes to be a racecar driver; you need to watch Rookie Season.

    For those with an Amazon Prime membership, you can watch Rookie Season on prime video with one click to immediately begin watching. Additionally, Rookie Season is available on many streaming services like YouTube and Google Play. You can find all the information you need at RookieSeasonFilm.com.

  • Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Phoenix

    Hendrick Motorsports Media Advance: Phoenix

    Phoenix Raceway
    Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022
    1-Mile Oval
    3:00 PM ET
    Location: Avondale, Arizona
    TV: Fox
    Event: NASCAR Cup Series (36 of 36)
    Radio: SiriusXM, PRN

    5 KYLE LARSON

    Age: 30 (July 31, 1992)

    Hometown: Elk Grove, California

    Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

    Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels

    Standings: 7th

    No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be available to members of the media at the Phoenix Raceway media center on Friday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. local time.

    FINAL FOUR: While Kyle Larson is seventh in the NASCAR Cup Series driver point standings and could climb as high as fifth following the season finale at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team is still competing for the owner’s championship. Following its win at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Oct. 23, the No. 5 team secured one of the four spots that will battle for the owner’s title this weekend.

    TOTAL TEAM EFFORT: Last November at Phoenix, Larson led the final 28 circuits to capture his first Cup Series championship. The No. 5 pit crew’s final performance of 2021 – a 12.345-second four-tire stop on lap 285 – moved Larson from fourth to first for the final restart and propelled the Elk Grove, California, native to his fifth win in 10 playoff races.

    SIX PACK: In his last seven starts at the Arizona track, Larson has posted six top-10 finishes. Overall, his nine top-10s at the 1-mile facility rank as the second-most at a track for the driver of the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, trailing only Dover Motor Speedway where he has 11.

    WEST COAST WINNER: Since the start of 2021, there have been 10 races on the West Coast in NASCAR’s top division. Larson has been victorious in 40% of those races with wins at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Phoenix in 2021 plus a victory at Auto Club Speedway earlier this year.

    MOVING ON UP: With wins at Homestead, Watkins Glen International and Auto Club in 2022, Larson now has 19 career wins in NASCAR’s premier series. The 2014 rookie of the year is currently tied with Fonty Flock, Buddy Baker, Davey Allison and Greg Biffle for 43rd in all-time wins. Larson’s next trip to victory lane could move him into a tie for 42nd at only 30 years old.

    BAKER’S DOZEN: With his win at Homestead, the 2021 champion now has 13 points-paying victories since joining Hendrick Motorsports last season. In that span, Larson has collected six more triumphs than second in that statistical category. Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman rank second and third with seven and five wins, respectively.

    YOUR CAR NEEDS: This weekend, Larson will drive the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. From the convenience of home, customers can select the category, make, model and vehicle packages that are important to them from the nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks and SUVs available at HENDRICKCARS.COM. The website also makes it easy for customers to find one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 94 dealership locations nationwide.

    9 CHASE ELLIOTT

    Age: 26 (Nov. 28, 1995)

    Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia

    Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia

    Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson

    Standings: 1st-Tied

    No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be available to members of the media at the Phoenix Raceway media center on Friday, Nov. 4, following NASCAR Cup Series practice. Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be available to members of the media at the Phoenix Raceway media center on Saturday, Nov. 5, following NASCAR Cup Series qualifying.

    RUNNIN’ FOR A TITLE: Chase Elliott will compete for his second NASCAR Cup Series title in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway this weekend. It marks his third consecutive appearance in the Championship 4, and he is the only driver in this year’s quartet who ran for the title in 2021. Elliott secured his first Cup Series championship at Phoenix in 2020 and finished fourth in the standings last season.

    GOING FOR TWO: Elliott is seeking to become the second active Cup Series driver with multiple championships, joining Kyle Busch. The 26-year-old would become the second-youngest driver to win at least two titles in the Cup Series – behind only NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon – and the 17th driver to be crowned a multi-time Cup Series champion.

    WHERE HE STACKS UP: In the series’ most recent start on the desert oval in March, Elliott was the best running driver of the Championship 4 for 236 of the 312 laps. He led 50 laps on the day and finished inside the top five in the first two stages en route to an 11th-place result after a late-race spin. Overall at Phoenix, Elliott has the best average finish of the Championship 4 at 10.69 and his two stage wins at the track are second to only Joey Logano. At just 26 years of age, Elliott is the youngest of the Championship 4 drivers.

    WINNING MOMENT: Elliott’s 2020 Cup Series championship was secured after the Dawsonville, Georgia, native piloted his way to the victory at Phoenix in the season finale. Elliott started at the back and drove to the front, leading a race-high 153 laps en route to the win.

    PHOENIX STATS: The driver of the No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will make his 14th Cup Series start at Phoenix this Sunday. In his previous 13 races at the track, he’s amassed one win (November 2020), five top-five finishes and eight top-10s. The five top-five results are tied for his third-most at a track and his top-10s are tied for his fourth-most. Additionally, Elliott’s 546 laps led there are his second-most among active courses on the circuit. The 2020 Cup champion’s average start of 5.62 is his best on a track with more than two starts.

    BEST IN SHOW: Elliott’s 2022 season has seen him atop the series in wins (five), laps led (857) and average finish (12.03). He won the regular-season title and is aiming to be the fourth driver to win both the overall championship and regular-season championship in the same season – teammate Kyle Larson was the most recent to do it last year.

    GUSTAFSON AT PHOENIX: On Sunday, Alan Gustafson will call his 36th Phoenix race as a Cup Series crew chief. In his previous 35 starts there, he has collected four wins, 12 top-five results, 23 top-10s and 977 laps led. Gustafson’s four wins are tied with Chad Knaus for the second-most by a crew chief at Phoenix and came via four different drivers: Busch in 2005, Mark Martin in 2009, Gordon in 2011 and Elliott in 2020. This weekend, he’s seeking to become the 16th different crew chief to win multiple championships and would join Adam Stevens as the only other active crew chief with more than one title.

    HOMECOMING: No. 9 team fueler John Gianninoto, who grew up in Tucson, Arizona, will compete in front of his home-track crowd on Sunday. Gianninoto graduated with honors from Catalina Foothills High School and went on to play as an offensive lineman for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2006 – earning his first letter in 2007 and becoming a team captain in 2010. In 2012, he participated in training camp with the National Football League’s Carolina Panthers before signing with Hendrick Motorsports that September. Gianninoto set a Guinness World Record in 2018, teaming with Sunoco for the most vehicles refueled by an individual in one hour (148).

    24 WILLIAM BYRON

    Age: 24 (Nov. 29, 1997)

    Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

    Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina

    Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle

    Standings: 6th

    No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    OH SO CLOSE: Last Sunday at Martinsville Speedway marked the final race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs Round of 8 before the Championship 4 was locked into the season finale. After qualifying 25th, William Byron tried to make up track position throughout the 500-lap event, reaching seventh by the time the checkered flag came out. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to advance him into the next round of the playoffs. With points reset prior to the race at Phoenix Raceway, Byron now sits sixth in the driver point standings, 11 points behind fifth place.

    PLAYOFF POWER: Even though he was eliminated from the 2022 playoffs following the race at Martinsville, Byron holds an average finish of 9.33 through the nine playoff races – second-best behind Denny Hamlin (6.44).

    PIT ROAD PROWESS: In the first nine races of the 2022 playoffs, the No. 24 pit crew has an average four-tire pit stop time of 11.045 seconds – the best average in the field in the same timeframe. The No. 24 pit crew consists of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire carrier) and Landon Walker (fueler).

    VENTURING TO THE VALLEY OF THE SUN: Heading to a track that he has found success at, Byron will return to Phoenix for the 10th time in his Cup career. Across his nine Cup Series starts at the 1-mile oval, Byron has a track-best finish of eighth (March 2021). In fact, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native has four top-10 Cup Series finishes – tied for the fourth-most at a track for Byron. The driver of the No. 24 also has two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Phoenix on his résumé, both coming in 2017. He started on the front row and finished in the top-four in both races, including a win in November. With that victory, he became the youngest winner ever at Phoenix in the Xfinity Series at 19 years, 11 months and 13 days.

    DYNAMIC DUO OUT WEST: In 2016, Byron was behind the wheel for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at the 1-mile oval with crew chief Rudy Fugle atop the pit box. The duo won the pole and went on to lead 112 laps. Unfortunately, an engine failure while Byron was leading with 10 laps to go ended his night early and his chances to advance on to the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway – where they ended up finding redemption and winning.

    RUDY’S PHOENIX PERFORMANCE: Heading to Phoenix for the fourth time in his Cup Series crew chief career, Fugle has a series-best finish of eighth that came in the spring of 2021. Aside from those three Cup Series starts, the Livonia, New York, native has eight Truck Series races and three Xfinity Series events under his belt at the Arizona venue. In the eight Truck Series starts, he has four pole awards and his drivers have led a total of 471 laps. While only notching one win at Phoenix (Erik Jones, 2013), Fugle has two runner-up results, four top-five finishes, and six top-10s. In fact, his Truck Series drivers have only finished worse than ninth two times.

    AT IT AGAIN WITH AXALTA: Heading to the 2022 season finale, Axalta will be back on board Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Sunday’s race. Now in its 30th year of partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, this is Axalta’s fifth season as a primary partner on Byron’s No. 24.

    48 Alex Bowman

    Age: 29 (April 25, 1993)

    Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

    Resides: Concord, North Carolina

    Crew Chief: Greg Ives

    Standings: 15th

    No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN: After being medically cleared to return to racing, Alex Bowman will get behind the wheel of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season finale at Phoenix Raceway this Sunday. It will also mark the last race for the pairing of Bowman and crew chief Greg Ives of the No. 48 Ally Racing team. Ives announced in August that he will be stepping down at season’s end to spend more time with his family.

    BEST IN THE WEST: Bowman has tallied two wins in the Cup Series at tracks on the West Coast since the start of the 2020 season. The 29-year-old driver took home his first victory in that span at Auto Club Speedway in March 2020. In that race, Bowman won the first stage and finished second in the second stage, leading 110 laps en route to his second Cup Series victory. The No. 48 driver scored his other West Coast win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March 2022. In that event, he won the first stage and led 16 laps, all but securing his spot in the 2022 Cup Series playoffs.

    COMING HOME: Bowman heads to his home state to take on Phoenix for the 15th time in his Cup Series career. The Tucson, Arizona, native has one top-10 finish at the 1-mile facility, which came in 2016 after he started from the pole position, led a race-high 194 laps and spent 272 laps inside the top two for an average running position of 1.9. The Hendrick Motorsports driver also has six NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the venue with a best finish of eighth (2017) and one NASCAR K&N Pro Series West start (now known as the ARCA Menards Series West) in 2011 when he led 23 laps en route to a second-place result.

    WINNING WAYS: Since the start of the 2021 season, Bowman has the third-most wins of all drivers in the Cup Series. The No. 48 driver trails only teammates Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, who have seven and 13, respectively.

    OUR FEARLESS LEADER: Ives has had a storied eight-year career as a crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports. Heading into his final race atop the pit box, the 43-year-old Bark River, Michigan, native has 285 Cup Series starts with 10 wins, 50 top-five finishes, 107 top-10s and 75,464 laps completed. As a crew chief, he has worked with four different drivers in NASCAR’s premier series: Bowman, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Noah Gragson. Prior to his Cup career, Ives also served as a crew chief for Regan Smith and Elliott at JR Motorsports. In his brief stint with JRM, Ives had 65 starts, five wins, 23 top-five finishes, 44 top-10s and won the 2014 championship with Elliott.

    DYNAMIC DUO: Bowman and Ives have seven wins under their belt in their five full-time seasons together – tied for fifth-most of all active driver-crew chief combinations in the Cup Series.

    BEST FRIENDS UPDATE: Each week of the 2022 Cup Series schedule, Bowman and Ally team up to donate $4,800 to a Best Friends Animal Society network partner in each race market they visit, accompanied with a decal that bears the name of the recipient of the donation. So far, Bowman and Ally have donated $182,800 – including a $10,000 donation for his win at Las Vegas. This weekend, the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will have Saving One Life Animal Rescue and Sanctuary on the decklid – a no-kill shelter for at-risk dogs and cats.

    CHASING 15: Chase Elliott will be going after Hendrick Motorsports’ 15th NASCAR Cup Series driver championship on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway. The organization has won a sport-best 14 Cup Series titles with five drivers (most among all teams in the series) taking home the honors. Jimmie Johnson is tied with a series-best seven championships (2006-2010, 2013 and 2016), Jeff Gordon has four (1995, 1997-1998 and 2001) and Terry Labonte (1996), Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021) each have one. Since the start of the 1995 season, Hendrick Motorsports has won 54% of all the Cup Series crowns.

    IN THE OWNER’S MIX: The driver’s championship is not the only title the organization is in pursuit of. The No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team and Larson have an opportunity to win the owner’s championship for the second straight season. Should Larson and the No. 5 team accomplish that feat, it would mark the third time the driver and owner championships were split. This also occurred in 1954 and 1963.

    NUMERICAL NOMENCLATURE: To date, Hendrick Motorsports’ 14 titles are divided up among four car numbers: No. 48 with seven, No. 24 with four, No. 5 with two and the No. 9 with one. The four different car numbers to win a championship for one team is a Cup Series record.

    CREW COUNT: A record six crew chiefs are responsible for the 14 Cup Series championships for the Concord, North Carolina, based squad. Chad Knaus has won seven, while Ray Evernham has three. Gary DeHart, Robbie Loomis, Alan Gustafson and Cliff Daniels each have one. Gustafson and Daniels are after titles this season in the driver and owner’s races, respectively.

    CHAMPIONSHIP 4 SCORE: Elliott’s third straight Championship 4 appearance marks the sixth time that a Hendrick Motorsports driver has reached the final round since the elimination-style format was adopted in 2014. Among the previous five instances, the Rick Hendrick-owned organization has won the championship in three of those: Johnson in 2016, Elliott in 2020 and Larson in 2021. Elliott and Larson’s title-clinching victories came at Phoenix in the two years that the 1-mile track has hosted the championship coronation.

    DOUBLE-DIGITS: In 2022, Hendrick Motorsports set a new record for the most seasons with 10 or more points-paying Cup Series wins. Including its 11 victories this year, the organization has hit the double-digit mark 12 times since it was founded in 1984. Hendrick Motorsports was previously tied with Petty Enterprises, which posted 11 seasons with 10 or more wins.

    LEADING THE WAY: With 11 wins through the 35 NASCAR Cup Series races in 2022, the four-car team has earned the most victories so far this season. It is the only team to see all four drivers win a race this season. On top of that, Elliott and William Byron rank first and second in laps led this year.

    PLAY IT OFF: Hendrick Motorsports holds the all-time record for Cup Series playoff race wins with 55, which is 20 more than second-place Joe Gibbs Racing.

    DASHING IN THE DESERT: Eight different drivers are responsible for the team’s 12 wins at the Arizona venue. Johnson’s four victories top the board followed by Gordon with two. Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin, Labonte, Elliott and Larson each have one triumph at the 1-mile track.

    SUCH A FINE SIGHT TO SEE: In races run out west, Hendrick Motorsports has 41 wins in its history. In the past 14 races in that location of the country, the organization has won seven times with two of those victories coming at Phoenix.

    CLOSING TIME: The storied team has won the last race of the season eight times. The three most recent of those victories resulted in Cup Series championships in 2016, 2020 and 2021.

    QUOTABLE /

    Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on competing for the owner’s championship at Phoenix Raceway: “We still have a lot riding on the race this weekend – this HENDRICKCARS.COM team really wants to win that 15th championship for Mr. Hendrick. We ran pretty good there earlier this year before the mechanical issue, and I expect we’ll be better this weekend. We have been executing well recently as a team and we have a win and a second-place finish in the last two races. Hopefully, we’re in the battle for the win again on Sunday.”

    Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the strategy this year with the Next Gen car compared to last year: “I think the biggest thing we saw in the spring, if I’m not mistaken, is that some teams stayed out while some took two tires and some took four tires. I don’t remember who was on what strategy, but I think the winner was on [right-side tires]. Last year in the championship race, everyone was on four (new tires). That could be different for the whole field this year. With a late caution, how do you handle that?”

    Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the biggest strength going into the championship race this weekend: “The biggest thing for us, our strengths, are just our entire team. I feel like it’s really solid. Our group puts in a lot of work. The amount of effort they’re willing to put in and the late nights and the things that they’ve done throughout this year to be good as a group is really impressive. For me personally, it’s just about them and they have always made me look better than I really am and I really appreciate their efforts and wanting to try to make me better. I just hope I can be half as good as the people I have around me and we’ll be just fine.”

    Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the performance of the team and the mindset heading into Phoenix: “I feel good about it. The one-race championship is a different feel, different setup. I don’t know how to describe it. Once you’re here, anything can happen. Our goal is always to just give ourselves this opportunity. That’s what you want to do. I know Phoenix (Raceway) is a really good track for us and we had a good car there in the spring. I feel really good about going back there, having fun with it and just cutting it loose and letting it rip. I think that suits our team well.”

    William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the importance of closing the season strong: “It’s unfortunate that our playoff run came to an end last weekend, but there’s still more for us to fight for this weekend. We have a shot to finish fifth in both the driver and owner’s points and that’s still something to be proud of. We’ve had a bit of an up-and-down season. We started strong getting wins early on, and then tried a few things during the summer that didn’t work out like we wanted. We really got back to the basics and that showed in our playoff run. We have one more race to put a solid weekend together and head into the offseason on a high note.”

    Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what he expects at Phoenix: “I’m curious to see how the race this weekend at Phoenix (Raceway) is going to play out. Typically in the past, you head to the final race and it seems like the Championship 4 drivers are on a different level and you’re racing for fifth. But with the Next Gen car, we’ve seen that the playing field is a bit more even. That could really shake things up, plus with the way the resin was applied differently, there’s more unknowns than normal. It’s going to be nice to have a full 50 minutes of practice to be able to make bigger changes you may not have normally made, but it also gives you time to overthink and go too far. We all want to end the season on a high note, and that’s what we plan to do.”

    Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on returning to Phoenix this Sunday: “I am excited to get back in the car and I am glad I can do one more race with Greg (Ives). We both wanted one more race together and for that to happen at Phoenix (Raceway) is really exciting. To this day, we both feel like we have unfinished business from 2016 and the whole crew is more motivated than ever to get it done this Sunday. We have one race left and I plan to make the most of it and leave it all out there when the green flag waves.”

    Greg Ives, crew chief of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on getting one more race with Alex Bowman at Phoenix: “Alex (Bowman) did a great job getting healthy and working hard to be in the car for Phoenix (Raceway) and to be able to go race together one more time is really special. I’ve spent most of my NASCAR Cup Series career with Alex and I am glad he was cleared to race this weekend so we can go to Phoenix and try to get one more win. Our whole team is working hard on the No. 48 Ally Chevy like they have done the whole season and I feel like we are all hungry for a win this weekend. I’ve said it all year and it holds true this weekend, we just have to keep maximizing on our opportunities and take it one stage at a time. If everyone plays their part, we have a really good shot at winning on Sunday.”

  • Hemric touts Celsius Energy sponsorship ahead of Talladega

    Hemric touts Celsius Energy sponsorship ahead of Talladega

    If Daniel Hemric has an extra skip in his step this weekend, there’s a reason for it. He will climb into his No. 16 Kaulig Racing Cup Series machine with a new primary sponsor: Celsius Energy.

    However, the organization has been a longtime partner with Kaulig Racing, and the company recently served as Justin Haley’s primary partner during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Now, it’s Hemric’s turn to showcase its sugar-free content while trying to score his second career top-five finish at Talladega Superspeedway.

    “First and foremost, it’s an honor to carry them on our No. 16 Kaulig Racing car at Talladega this weekend. They’ve been a partner with Kaulig long before I came along. In fact, this is my first time actually being active with them, wearing their brand on my uniform, and having a full sponsorship on the car at the Cup level,” Hemric told Speedway Media.

    “It’s cool to see them, to be able to take that next step in our partnership. Being a primary sponsor on a Cup car is a big deal for any company to take, so it’s a big deal. It’s a beautiful car. It’s gonna be special to spend time with them this weekend and hopefully, we’ll give them a good showing.”

    Kaulig Racing is in its first full season at the Cup level, but the team has exemplified that its superspeedway program is up to par. Haley finished seventh at Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this season, and Hemric qualified third at Talladega in the spring. However, reminiscent of most teams, being there at the end of a superspeedway race is a common struggle. Hemric finished 36th in that race after an engine issue triggered a multi-car incident.

    Similarly, both Haley and Hemric, the reigning Xfinity Series champion were contenders at Daytona during the regular-season finale when the pair became casualties of the infamous rain crash that took out 13 cars. Now the two teammates will try to keep their noses clean until the end of Sunday’s YellaWood 500. If all goes to plan, the Kaulig wheelmen could find themselves within the grasp of victory.

    “I wouldn’t say I’m one of the few, but put me on the side of thoroughly enjoying the thrill of superspeedway racing and the chaos of not knowing what’s next. In superspeedway races, it’s a lot of the same guys [winning]. As much as people get caught up in hearing people talking about the unknown of plate racing and not being able to control your own destiny.

    “A lot of the same guys win a lot of these races and that’s not by coincidence. To be able to go and hone and develop your craft to be one of those guys, that’s what I thoroughly enjoy about it. This is a big opportunity for us. I approach it the same as any other weekend, and that’s a chance to go win a race.”

    In seven Cup series starts in 2022, Hemric has an average finish of 23rd.

  • BUESCHER STILL IN DISBELIEF HE WON THE TRADITION-RICH BRISTOL NIGHT RACE, THE ONE HE SAID WAS AT THE TOP OF HIS LIST

    BUESCHER STILL IN DISBELIEF HE WON THE TRADITION-RICH BRISTOL NIGHT RACE, THE ONE HE SAID WAS AT THE TOP OF HIS LIST

    RFK owner Keselowski says the Night Race is a race that champions win

    BRISTOL, Tenn. (Sept. 20, 2022) – Chris Buescher is still pinching himself. He really can’t believe he just won America’s Night Race.

    Buescher, who snapped a 222-race winless streak in the NASCAR Cup Series by taking the checkered flag in Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race, was beaming as he looked at the huge BMS trophy and held up his BMS Gladiator Sword on Bristol’s legendary rooftop Victory Lane.

    There was no need to ask Buescher if he considers the Bristol Night Race as one of the sport’s crown jewels. For Buescher, it is THE Crown Jewel.

    “This has been No. 1 on my list for a really long time,” Buescher said. “I actually love this racetrack. I’ll take this win over a Daytona 500, a Coke 600, this is my big race, right here.

    “I don’t know if I believe this yet.”

    The Texas driver held off Chase Elliott, William Byron and Christopher Bell to take the hard-earned victory, in a race that was the cut-off in the Round of 16. Buescher became the season’s 19th different winner and also was the third-straight non-playoff driver to win in the first round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

    He said for him, it has always been a love at first sight situation with Bristol Motor Speedway.

    “This place has that special feel,” Buescher said. “The excitement I got walking through that tunnel yesterday and seeing concrete, clean concrete, was really big.

    “It’s always special coming here. Fans were jacked up, and we had fantastic weather. Fans showed up in huge numbers, and it was great to see the fans packing the stands here at Bristol again. All that just adds to this being my favorite racetrack. And I’m not saying that because I’m sitting here at Bristol. I’ve got in trouble at a lot of different racetracks for saying that on their stages beforehand and gotten yelled at, but it’s the truth.

    “This is the one, the one we’ve been looking forward to for a really long time, and it’s just a special place, unlike anywhere we go.”

    Buescher’s team owner, Brad Keselowski, the 2011 Night Race winner who led two times for 109 laps Saturday and ultimately finished 13th, was very proud of his driver who pilots the No. 17 RFK machine.

    “Chris deserves a lot of credit, this is not an easy race to win, it never has been,” Keselowski said. “The Bristol Night Race is a race that champions win.”

    “This is a big moment for Chris and a big moment for our company to be able to win races like this,” Keselowski continued. “This is a different type of win. This is a legacy type of win. There’s some tracks that winning is always great, don’t get me wrong, but there’s some tracks that winning is just not as special as others. Bristol is right up there at the top of being special. This is a big moment for us.”

    The 2023 Bass Pro Shops Night Race returns to Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 16, once again as an elimination race in the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 16 Playoffs. For more information, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com or call 423-BRISTOL to speak to a BMS ticket sales representative.

  • Long-time NASCAR Partner Sunoco Named Watkins Glen NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Entitlement Partner

    Long-time NASCAR Partner Sunoco Named Watkins Glen NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Entitlement Partner

    SUNOCO Go Rewards 200 at The Glen to be the Centerpiece of Saturday’s NASCAR action

    WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 16, 2022) – Watkins Glen International today announced long-time NASCAR and track partner Sunoco as the entitlement partner for this month’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race as the SUNOCO Go Rewards 200, which will take place on Saturday, August 20.

    Sunoco has been the Official Fuel of NASCAR since 2004, providing fuel for all three NASCAR national series. In fact, more than 20 million NASCAR miles have been driven on Sunoco Green E15 fuel.

    “We’re proud to have a prominent brand and long-time partner such as Sunoco associated with our NASCAR Xfinity Series race at The Glen,” said Watkins Glen International president Michael Printup. “Some of the most recognizable names in NASCAR have won this race at Watkins Glen since the Xfinity Series first came to the track in 1991, so it only makes sense that one of the most known brands in NASCAR is now on the trophy they’ll take home.”

    The NASCAR Xfinity Series first came to Watkins Glen in 1991, and NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte tallied the first of his four Xfinity Series wins at the track in the debut. Since then, the series has raced 27 times at The Glen, with 16 different drivers posting wins in the race. Marcos Ambrose is tied with Labonte for the most wins at four apiece.

    “This event is the perfect opportunity to introduce fans to our new loyalty based mobile app, Sunoco Go Rewards, which gives members savings on fuel,” said Director of Marketing Fred McConnell. “Watkins Glen sits in the heart of the Sunoco footprint, and we are proud to present the Sunoco Go Rewards 200 to NASCAR fans and our customers.”

    Sunoco Go Rewards allows users to earn a discount of three cents per gallon every time they fuel up. Fuel up just twice a month to keep your discount going; the more you fuel, the more you save. Download the app to find your closest participating Sunoco station.

    Ty Gibbs, who currently leads the NASCAR Xfinity Series standings with five wins on the season, will return to Watkins Glen to defend his victory from a year ago on the historic Central New York road course. Recent previous winners of the Xfinity Series race at The Glen include this year’s Daytona 500 champion Austin Cindric (2021), 2018 NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano (2015, 2016, 2018) and two-time Cup champion Kyle Busch (2017).

    Watkins Glen hosts the NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen race weekend August 17-21, with racing action beginning with the ARCA Menards Series race on Friday, August 19. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will compete on Saturday, August 20, in the SUNOCO Go Rewards 200 at The Glen, and the Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR Cup Series race will cap off the weekend on Sunday, August 21.

    Sunday’s race will help the NASCAR Cup Series set the field for the Playoffs, as only one race will remain in the regular season following the road course battle in New York. Kyle Larson, the defending NASCAR Cup Series champion, won last year’s Go Bowling at The Glen race.

    To purchase NASCAR race tickets or for camping and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or visit TheGlen.com. Fans can view the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series schedules and purchase tickets at nascar.com/tickets.

    About Watkins Glen International

    Located within five hours and 300 miles of 25 percent of the U.S. population, Watkins Glen International is the premier road racing facility in North America, four-times voted “Best NASCAR Track” by readers of USA Today. Keep up with The Glen on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For tickets, camping, and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or visit www.TheGlen.com and get all of the latest information by downloading the NASCAR tracks app at www.theglen.com/nascar-tracks-app.

    2022 Watkins Glen International Schedule

    April 9-10 – Opening Weekend

    May 20-22 – Ferrari Challenge North America

    June 3-5 – SCCA Majors Super Tour

    June 23-26 – IMSA Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen

    July 7-10 – Finger Lakes Wine Festival; Masters Historic Racing Weekend

    July 21-24 – GT World Challenge America

    August 17-21 – NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen

    September 8-11 – Hilliard U.S. Vintage Grand Prix

    October 28-29 – Finger Lakes Beer Festival Presented by Chemung Canal Trust Co.

    2022 Watkins Glen International NASCAR Weekend Schedule

    August 19 – ARCA Menards Series Race

    August 20 – SUNOCO Go Rewards 200 at The Glen – NASCAR Xfinity Series Race

    August 21 – Go Bowling at The Glen – NASCAR Cup Series Race

    About Sunoco

    Sunoco LP (NYSE: SUN) is a master limited partnership with core operations that include the distribution of motor fuel to approximately 10,000 convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors located in more than 40 U.S. states and territories as well as refined product transportation and terminalling assets. SUN’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET).