Ford Performance Notes and Quotes NASCAR Cup Series Advent Health 400 Post Race| Sunday, May 5, 2024 Kansas Speedway
FORD PERFORMANCE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
2nd – Chris Buescher
9th – Noah Gragson
10th – Michael McDowell
11th – Brad Keselowski
12th – Ryan Blaney
14th – Todd Gilliland
15gth – Josh Berry
18th – Justin Haley
21st – Chase Briscoe
28th – Ryan Preece
34th – Joey Logano
35th – Riley Herbst
36th – Harrison Burton
37th – Austin Cindric
CHRIS BUESCHER, No. 17 Castrol Edge Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Finished 2nd)
THAT WAS THE CLOSEST FINISH IN NASCAR HISTORY, 0.001 SECONDS. WALK US THROUGH THAT LAST LAP: “We got a great push. Chase got us a good restart and we got into the corner. We were able to run the bottom pretty well and we had some good momentum down the back but Kyle (Larson) certainly had a run. I was trying to cover what I could but we just left too much space around the top side. Unfortunately, that ended up getting us, and it hurts. It was a good race. We were banging doors all the way to the checkers. I knew it was going to be close but certainly it hurts to be that close and miss out. The photo I have seen, I can’t make out anything from the photo finish at this point. Maybe we will see something a little bit clearer and get a better understanding.”
YOUR CREW WAS CELEBRATING AND THOUGHT YOU HAD THE WIN. WHAT WERE THEY TELLING YOU ON THE RADIO? “We were celebrating down the backstretch and looked at the pylon and we were P1 up there. Everything we had said we had gotten it. Obviously not. Like I said, the only thing I have to go off of is a grainy photo right now and at this point it just sounds like I am complaining, and I guess I am because I don’t see it in that. I don’t understand how the timing system can read it out one way and not the other. We just gotta understand it better.”
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW AS YOU DIGEST IT? “I don’t really know what to say right now. All I have seen is the picture and I sure can’t see it in that picture. It sucks to be that close. It was a great finish though. We had a really strong day with a lot of speed in this Castol Edge Ford Mustang and we really needed that. We needed a win more. I thought we had that one. We had a lot of speed there firing off, we were really good all day. I am really proud of that. We had good strategy to get us back up there and I tried to cover what I could but I gave him half a lane too much I suppose. That was a good hard race there down to the line. It hurts.”
YOU MENTIONED THE SPEED. HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT GOING FORWARD? “Yeah, speed is good. Wins are better. We need to be in that situation again and need to get some trophies and checkered flags and put ourselves in a much better spot.”
WAS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK YOU COULD HAVE DONE ON THE LAST RESTART? “Yeah, it was a great restart for us. Our Mustang was really good firing off and I certainly could have blocked more but at the end of the day I felt like I was pretty defensive on it. I felt like I was going to make a drag race out of it coming to the finish line. We got to banging doors there a little bit and lost some momentum and I was aggressive trying to cover it. I just needed a draft to keep speed up down the straightaway. I am really proud of that work. I just watched the replay and I just can’t see it right now. It hurts to see the pylon say we get it and then not.”
WHAT ARE THE EMOTIONS LIKE WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAVE IT AND THEN YOU DON’T? “It sucks to celebrate on the backstretch and then pull up to the front straightaway and be told no. I don’t know how everything transpired honestly. Not right now. It sucks in a lot of ways. Second hurts, a whole lot worse than third. To be that close a couple of times this year now and not be able to get the win, the speed is great and we did a good job today and was a good recovery from the end of Stage 2 there but we don’t have a trophy right now.”
NOAH GRAGSON, No. 10 Bass Pro Shops Winchester Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Finished 9th)
“I thought we had a really good Mustang all weekend. We qualified third and was fourth in practice and then come home ninth tonight. Overall a really good weekend. We were trying some strategy stuff there at the end swinging two-tires at it with about 60 to go at that caution. It kinda hurt us on that short run but we were able to run them back down on the long run, which, I would have thought it would have been the opposite. I am super thankful for everybody at Bass Pro Shops and Winchester and Ford. Everybody has been working really hard and this is our third top-10 finish in a row. We were third at Talladega, sixth and Dover and now ninth here. 3-6-9, damn I guess we are doing fine. Still want a little bit more, but these have been good days compared to what our goals were at the start of the year.”
AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 2 Snap-On Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Involved in accident on lap 184)
WHAT HAPPENED FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE? “A lot of cars there trying to overdrive the corner to try to get in front of one another. The 22 slid up on the 20, the 20 slid up on the 11 and I was the first thing to hit before the wall. I tried to back out when I saw the situation the 11 was getting put in. It is just racing. Nobody I can really be frustrated with. It is unfortunate. I felt we had a really solid run going, nothing overly spectacular but I thought the guys did a really good job all weekend and executed a great race up until that point.”
LOOKED LIKE YOU GUYS WERE HOPEFUL TO FIX IT AT FIRST. WHAT PUT YOU OUT? “Never give up but I had a right-rear toe linc broken and the the upper control arm was broken on the left front. The car was killed. I would drive it if they let me.”
WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU GUYS LEARNED FOR THE 1.5 MILE TRACKS THIS WEEKEND? “Quite a lot to be honest. We have played a lot with a very similar package, at least for us, and this was probably our best intermediate, if we aren’t counting Dover. it is definitely our best just on the 2 car. As a company obviously it was a bit of a struggle today and I think we have learned a lot. Just not good enough.”
Toyota Racing – Christopher Bell NASCAR Cup Series Quotes
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (May 4, 2024) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell was made available to media after earning the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Kansas Speedway.
This is Christopher’s 11th career pole, third at Kansas Speedway, and his first of 2024. Bell has the most pole positions in the Next Gen car era.
CHRISTOPHER BELL., No. 20 Yahoo! Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing
How critical is starting up front for tomorrow’s race?
”Well, it’s incredibly nice to have some success. And my name’s Christopher for those who have forgotten (laughs). But yes, it’s nice to have success, but what happens on Saturday has no dictation on what happens Sunday. We’ve got a great starting spot and we’re in prime position to win some stage points. But 267 laps is a long time and I fully believe that we can have a great race tomorrow and definitely believe I can be talking to all of you guys in 24 hours after the race too. It just all has to come together and honestly at this point, I’m not looking for a race win, guys. I’m literally looking to see the checkered flag. And I know my car has great capabilities. If I just see the checkered flag with a clean car, we’re going to have a solid day and that’s what we’re after tomorrow.”
What is the thrill like running a lap like that?
”I mean, I love the high-speed places where you’re right on the verge of being wide open and not being wide open. The intermediates have been good for us. My team has done a really good job giving me the balance that I need in the car to be able to commit at the high-speed places. It’s a thrill like no other and I live for those qualifying moments.”
You took a different line than others on that lap. Is that correct?
”I honestly don’t know. I just did what I’ve done here in the past and it’s worked out.”
Who’s kept you confident over the last few weeks with the adversity you’ve faced?
“I don’t know, I feel like I’ve been pumping up everyone around me. We’ve all just been in the dumps, man. After Martinsville, we had a tire issue that lost us multiple laps. Then we go to Texas, and I spin out. Then at Talladega, we get caught up in a crash. Then at Dover, I spin out in qualifying, get caught up in a crash in the race. It’s just been one thing after another. We have debriefs every Monday, right? And after Martinsville, it was like ‘ah, it’s fine, we’ll get them next week.’ And then after Texas, it was like ‘man, this stinks. We’re two in a row, but we’re still alright.’ We go to Talladega and have a wreck, and it’s like we’re on this snowballing, downhill and this one was bottom of the barrel after Dover. It was bad. But the good news and positive out of it was every single time we go to the race track, we know that our cars are going to be fast and we’re going to have capability in our team. So we knew going into Dover, that could’ve been the week that it turned around. Obviously, it wasn’t, but it could be this week. We don’t know what’s going to happen in 267 laps, but whatever happens in 267 laps, I know that when we go to Darlington, we have another opportunity and I’m going to have a fast car underneath me.”
What are your thoughts about Darlington next weekend? Do you like that track?
“I love Darlington. I love the challenge of getting the car around the track. But with the time we’re in, the situation we’re in, passing has become extremely difficult and honestly, at Darlington, it’s become a place where after the restarts, where you land, it can be pretty hard to pass cars in front of you or get passed. So, I love the challenge of getting around the race track. I hate the challenge of making passes, and if you have a problem, it’s pretty tough to overcome. Yeah, qualifying is going to be important to start up front and then limiting mistakes and not losing track position is at an all-time high, especially at a place like Darlington.”
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 26 electrified options.
Ford Performance Notes and Quotes NASCAR Cup Series Advent Health 400 Qualifying | Saturday, May 4, 2024 Kansas Speedway
Ford Performance Results: 3rd – Noah Gragson 7th – Austin Cindric 8th – Michael McDowell 10th – Chase Briscoe 11th – Joey Logano 12th – Chris Buescher 17th – Josh Berry 25th – Todd Gilliland 26th – Ryan Blaney 30th – Brad Keselowski 31st – Harrison Burton 32nd – Ryan Preece 35th – Justin Haley 37th – Riley Herbst
NOAH GRAGSON, No. 10 Bass Pro Shops Winchester Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Qualified 3rd)
“I feel like our Bass Pro Shops Mustang Dark Horse is really good in race trim and we have good speed in qualifying we just missed it a little bit to get the pole. I can’t say enough about our pickup from the first round to the second round and the hard work from all these guys. A lot of Dark Horses in the second round, so that is cool to see. Now we are ready to go attack it tomorrow.”
YOU SEEM TO BE BUILDING A LOT OF MOMENTUM: “I feel like we keep on stacking chips every weekend. We are enjoying learning with this group of guys and bonding and getting better each and every race. It is a lot of fun. Drew Blickensderfer, my crew chief, really challenges me to get better each week, and we keep growing on those processes and steps. I am trying to fine tune that right now and just keep building each and every week. I am extremely grateful for Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops who has been a big supporter of mince. We have a fast Bass Pro Mustang this weekend.”
AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 2 Snap-On Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Qualified 7th)
“The guys did a really good job between practice and qualifying. We didn’t quite have the speed we wanted there in practice and have a lot to look at before tomorrow. I am proud of the speed of our Ford Mustang in qualifying. High commitment here but the car looks great for this weekend with this new Snap-On Tools paint scheme and hopefully we will have good pit seleciton and get us on the right foot for Sunday.”
MICHAEL MCDOWELL, No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Qualified 8th)
“It was a good effort. We hoped for more right there. Anytime you make it into the final round, you want a shot at the pole. I am proud of everyone on the team. We had good speed. That last run just got a little bit tight and we missed 1 and 2 a little bit. It was a good effort and will be a good starting spot. We will see if we can keep a Ford up front.”
Toyota Racing – Denny Hamlin NASCAR Cup Series Quotes
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (May 4, 2024) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin was made available to the media prior to practice for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday.
DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing
Have you reflected on your win here a year ago and your battle with Kyle Larson?
”I haven’t reflected on it much this week other than highlights. Yeah, it was a fierce battle. The best two guys. He got out to a lead there and I was just chasing him down there towards the end when I saw he was getting loose. It’s so race-to-race, I can’t just go back. We got a different car, especially a different Camry these days and certainly, we have a new tire coming into this race, so there’s not much I can really put together besides thinking ‘how can I attack this track to get speed?’”
In holding longevity over the course of your career, is the key staying healthy throughout each season?
”Yeah it certainly is the biggest obstacle to longevity of my career for sure. But I feel like I’m in a decent spot, for sure. Even when I don’t feel great out of the car, I do in the car which is the most important thing to keeping this thing going. Age stinks like all of us in this room know, so it’s just part of it. Sometimes, you just need to suck it up. But otherwise, I’ve put in a lot of work to keep this thing going as long as I can.
As far as Chris Gabehart (crew chief, Joe Gibbs Racing), what would you say is the reason you guys have had so much success?
”Yeah, I think constant communication is part of it. He does a really good job, in my opinion, of asking the right questions and thought-provoking questions that maybe I can bounce back off of him. So I think we’re asking each other the right things and that’s equaling working on the right stuff because of that. I think it’s really easy nowadays to kind of get off track and next thing you know, you’ve kind of lost the ball if you don’t find it. Once we get a home base of where we feel comfortable at a certain track, we stay pretty close to that and we make sure we continue to prepare the way we prepare each and every week. Chris (Gabehart) does a great job going to get the next bit of speed, wherever it might be. And then, for me personally, it’s continuing to work on all of the flaws I got.”
Are you calling your shot again this weekend like you did for Dover?
”I thought Chris (Gabehart) gave me the task of winning one of the next three races before we had the All Star break, and we got the first week. Now, from here on out, I think we can be in a good mood once we get to the All Star break. Certainly, these next two tracks, are set up really nicely for us. So, I’m certainly encouraged by it. You don’t want to use up all of your promises too early on in the season, so I’ll try to save a few.”
How do the owners stay united through the charter negotiations?
”I feel like we have been. I think it’s just a tough situation. Every team does want a little different things here and there. There’s four basics we all feel like we deserve. But, each team, and how they prioritize those top four, might be different. But the four things really encapsulate what all the teams want and what would make all the teams happy. But I think, you know why this is such an important thing is we’ve had 11 teams go out of business since 2016. That’s not good. And certainly, if we continue on the trend on a couple stakeholders doing really well and one not, that will continue and that’s not good for our sport.”
Where would you say is NASCAR’s most difficult oval?
”Darlington is probably the most difficult oval. Just because of how much focus it takes to run fast there and the conditions are always changing. The grip level and track changes, how close you need to run to the wall to make you car run quick. Just all those things. The difference between turns one and two to three and four. All those things are just really difficult to wrap your head around. That’s why it takes some guys a long time to be good there.”
Carl Edwards is a finalist for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. What makes him worthy of a selection?
”Yeah, I think what makes him a Hall of Famer is his results, statistics, the amount of wins he has across multiple series. He was a champion in the Xfinity Series. He was just always fast. When I think of Carl (Edwards), I think of Kurt Busch. Someone who got to the next level, just performed really well really quickly. It didn’t take them time to get it, they just got it right away. So I just think he was one of the most gifted drivers that you could put in any type of car and he would adapt ultra quick. As far as talent level, I think his talent level far exceeds what his win total was. In my mind, I regard him really high.”
Speaking of Darlington, what makes you so good there?
”I think it suits my style. I think typically how I approach a race weekend at that track, it fits how I finesse a car around a track. It’s hard to place it into words, but it’s a track where I can manipulate the car by taking a different line, I feel good at the track. And that’s a track where if you move down a lane, you move up a lane or two, you really car change the way your car reacts and I like the task of those conditions. Every lap, those conditions are changing, the heat is changing and how fast can you adapt to that to make the lap time. I think it’s just something I’ve been good at for a while.”
Can you see 23XI Racing expanding or are you comfortable as a two-car team?
”I think it would have to align perfectly, but certainly with the climate that ownership is in right now, with the uncertainties of what Jim (France, chairman & CEO, NASCAR) decides to do, it’s way too early for that.”
Regarding Erik Jones’ injury, and with your back injury in the past, are there any tracks it hurts worse than others?
”Yeah, I think we went through the toughest one at Dover. That one seems to be the one where the driver goes through a serious amount of load. But each injury seems to be a little different between mine, Alex (Bowman)’s and his and some others that have had that type of injury. Looks like Erik (Jones) is going to be back quicker than what I was. I think they’re all different, but I just really fought the feel of the race car for quite some time. Obviously if I was out for a longer period of time, mine probably was a little more extensive than his, so hopefully he’s able to come back and have that same feel he had a few weeks ago.”
With shorter weekends, would you want them to make starts in feeder series on weekends like this?
”I would say that I lean more towards it doesn’t matter, although I feel like the Trucks are a better indication of what the Cup car is like than what the Xfinity car would. And then the dynamic is just so different now. The Xfinity races were filled with 20-some Cup guys at one point. I think it’s really hard to evaluate talent nowadays in the lower series because it’s just really hard to tell until they really make the jump into Cup. But all the track time you can get is certainly going to be an advantage, especially if you’re green and don’t have a whole lot of NASCAR starts in general. So, certainly learning how to race craft in whatever series it might be is a valuable tool before you get to Cup for sure.”
What are some of the things you’ve learned with the new Toyota Camry XSE?
”I think that it’s adapted well. I’m really encouraged by the new Toyota so far this year. It’s been good at all types of race tracks. Speedways is the one where we haven’t qualified well. That’s the only thing that, I wouldn’t even say worrisome, as I was like dead last in Daytona qualifying and thought I had a race-winning car. So, I’m really happy with overall performance of it for sure. It’s doing everything we hoped it would do for sure and a lot of that is because this is the first time we’ve been able to design a Camry around a rules package we knew was not going to be changing in the offseason. When we designed the Camry for the first Next Gen, it was designed for a big spoiler on the back, then in the offseason, they cut the spoiler down. That really changed the characteristics of the car. We knew that the package we had this year, we designed the car around that and we’re seeing optimized results around that.”
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 26 electrified options.
Toyota Racing – Tyler Reddick NASCAR Cup Series Quotes
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (May 4, 2024) – 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick was made available to the media prior to practice for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on Saturday.
TYLER REDDICK, No. 45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE, 23XI Racing
What have you learned racing with 23XI Racing here compared to years prior?
”I think, guess the biggest thing is just staying in the hunt. You know, those two races we had here last year, I wasn’t thrilled with the overall speed we had, necessarily. But, we just stayed in the mix and get good finishes out of them. Certainly, like last fall for example, we were pretty solid, but the 11 (Denny Hamlin) was a little bit better. Was nice to be that close, but yeah, the situation ended up unfolding and we had an opportunity to pit, and we were able to execute that late race caution and come away with a win. So it was nice to go win a race like that. Typically, they’ve been pretty straightforward so that was one of the first times on a mile and a half that I was able to take away.”
What makes Toyota so good at Kansas?
”I think it’s our boss (Hamlin). He’s just really great. We hear Freddie Kraft (spotter, 23XI Racing) talk about it all the time. I think that’s just a big part of it. Denny’s (Hamlin) just great, so we’re great too.”
What do you feel like you’ll take away from today’s practice and qualifying?
”I think places like Kansas that do have some fall off, you get an idea of what your race car is going to do over 10, 20, 30 laps if you have the opportunity to run that long, which you should unless you’re making a lot of adjustments or experiencing some sort of issues. Yeah, a place like this, you get a good feel of what you got, I think, for the most part, you can see where the field stacks up as well. This is normally one of the more beneficial practice sessions we have. Outside of that, the weather will be a little bit different tomorrow than it is today. I know that’s been changing, a couple days ago, it was supposed to be raining right now, so good that it’s clearing up a bit. Yeah, certainly, day-to-day the weather being a little bit different can determine how much you take away from it. But a place like this, with the fall off you experience for example, it does become very beneficial. Last weekend at Dover, I mean, there wasn’t anything to take away as we weren’t laying any rubber and going so fast compared to what we were running the next day with higher temperatures.”
How much confidence does it give you being the most recent winner here?
”It certainly helps. I think for me, it’s always in a good place going to a mile and a half. I think so far this year, at the mile and a halfs, we’ve been really strong. Atlanta is a little bit different, but Texas, Las Vegas, we were very fast. I didn’t lead a lot of laps at Las Vegas, but we were right there with (Kyle) Larson. Yeah, looking at the last two, and again, we were able to steal one away last year, but I know there were some things we didn’t really like in our race car that we were able to learn from and make some better changes coming back. I know that we can always be better and know we can be better than what we were, so confidence from that last fall and the other mile and a halfs certainly has me in a good spot.”
Looking forward to Darlington next weekend, what are your thoughts and feelings?
”I love Darlington. It’s certainly one of my favorites. You know, when I was coming into the Cup Series, it was when we started having more than the one race there, and I think during the COVID year, we ran there like three times or something, so I was eating that up and really enjoyed it. Yeah for me, it’s a track I’ve always really enjoyed. As it’s changed, I still love it a lot, but when we had to redo turn two, I was a little sour about that. But, it’s still a very difficult race track and a lot of fun to race. You’re racing your competitors out there, but you have to battle the race track every lap. I’m really excited for Kansas, but Darlington always gets me really excited. Throwback weekend makes it one of the most fun weekends of the year, seeing all the different schemes the teams come up with and how elaborate they get with putting them all together. And then, we get to go to North Wilkesboro and Charlotte, so it’s really fun stretch of the year for our team.”
Where would you say is NASCAR’s most difficult oval?
”Texas is really tricky. But, from just racing the track to how narrow it is and how hard you have to fight to make passes and stay out of trouble, I feel like Darlington is one of the most difficult. You can get yourself into the wall in almost every part of the race track, honestly. In turns one and two with the shape and the approach you have to have in those corners, you kind of have to thread the needle by the wall every lap to have a good arc and angle for your exit of turn 2 and then just how turns 3 and 4 are shaped. And the wall, it’s a bit wavy. If you go into the corner really chasing the wall, you’re going to end up hitting it about a third of the way around. So it really, some of the nature it has the first time you go there can really throw you off. You think ‘oh I can just run up by the wall and run it,” and boom, you hit it. Darlington is another one of those tracks, turn four can really sneak up on you in any race there. It’s easy to think you’re good there, until you get a push off of turn four and you hit the wall right where it comes in. So to me, I think Darlington takes that.”
What’s the experience like racing at North Wilkesboro?
”It was amazing. Being there the multiple days that we were getting to see what the late model guys were doing, the Truck race, and just being there for multiple days. Being close to home is also really nice. But yeah, I can’t tell you I’ve passed it on the way to Bristol Motor Speedway and just get a little sad, right? It’s just sitting there every time I go by it and nature taking its course with it, right? But, it’s really cool to get back and race there. I’ve obviously never got to see a race there, I was alive, but I’ve gotten to back and watch a few races, even before I knew we were going to go back and race there, it was just really cool. There were some big moments that have happened there and yeah, the track has a lot of character. We talk about a place like Darlington, right? North Wilkesboro is one of those that you know, it’s not perfectly flat, the corners aren’t perfectly round. It’s just got character and really glad we’re back racing there honestly.”
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 26 electrified options.
JIMMIE JOHNSON, No. 84 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
Back in the car for consecutive weeks, how much does that help you adjust to finding the right feel behind the wheel?
”Yeah, it’s really helped me inside the car and I look forward to expanding on that this weekend. And then coming back for the (Coke) 600 and a lot more mile-and-a-half tracks that I’ll run this year. I know it doesn’t show it now, but being in the car is going to help our competition department as well. This year has been more challenging for us in a lot more ways that we anticipated. But I do think we’re getting closer to a consistent pace that we hope to have week in and week out. There’s a real evolution taking place right now and I’m hopeful that we can show that on track this weekend as a group.”
Can you elaborate on why it’s been more challenging?
”Yeah, I mean it’s tough to change manufacturers. We have amazing support from Toyota, an amazing collaboration and partnership working with them. But the offseason is short and we’re a small team. Our resources and people have had a lot more work items on the list than work hours in the day or week. We’re systematically working through it all and growing as a company. It’s tough to just compete with Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing) and Hendrick (Hendrick Motorsports) and all these big teams. But we’re making steps forward and I’m excited about the future.”
What’s it been like working with Jason Burdett (crew chief)?
”It’s been great! Jason and I started together on the 48 car and was my car chief back in 2002. I’ve always kept a close eye on him and we’ve always had a good friendship. This is his first attempt at Next Gen racing, so there are a lot of new things he’s dealing with as am I. But his leadership certainly helps within our walls with the race team, and I think I’m at nine Cup races, so at the other events and his weekly duties, helping the other two teams is quite helpful. It’s been a great fit, and you know we’re more focused on today and the competition aspect that we have. Dover was more challenging than we would have hoped, but there were a few bright spots, but more challenging than we hoped. But, excited for this weekend.”
What were the conversations with Erik Jones like this week?
”Yeah, I don’t envy his position, but I really do appreciate his willingness to hear us out. It’s not a fun process, and as far as he’s concerned, he should have never missed a race. He’s just eager to do it. I’ve played hurt before, so I get it and have seen both sides of it. My concern is that we’re at a fast track and an impact like that could happen again, and is his body really ready for that? And that’s kind of the question he came to his own answer on and realized that it’s probably early. There’s a lot of other bits and pieces to that, but ultimately, he feels great and is moving around really well. He was able to get in the gym and exercise, but you know to really take a shot like you can at this place, it’s just early. Hopefully next week’s the week.”
With Erik missing some time, how does it change your expectations for the team?
”Missing a race truly takes us out of an opportunity to make the Playoffs on points. So if it’s one race, and this was part of our conversation with Erik, if it’s one race, two races or three races, that window unfortunately closes and it becomes about winning a race. So when he’s back in the seat, it’s not that we never wanted to win, but it really gives us that one lane of making the Playoffs. We really feel like Erik on points would have been able to make it in the top 16. I hate that opportunity has closed on him, for our team, our partners, but it’s not over and our team is very capable of winning races. We just need everything under him and hopefully we can as the summer gets here and hopefully, we can get him in under a waiver.”
What were your impressions from Corey last week at Dover and heading into this weekend?
”Yeah, Corey’s done a great job. I think us naming him as our backup driver to start the year has given us as a group time to get to know each other. He’s been doing sim work for us and he’s in our system, and I’ve been able to get to know him and get to watch him, and have been impressed with the questions he’s asked, how’s he able to articulate what he’s and experiencing feeling in the car in a concise manner. To roll all that up into last weekend, and to be able to see more of that. Without a doubt, he’s a guy that’s not afraid to stand on the gas, but his job is to more than that and to see him really work on those other facets, interacting with the team and our partners, at a young age, he’s well-rounded and has a very bright future, and he’s excited to be here this weekend. Hopefully, he can get a good result.”
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Buescher, RFK Teammates Pack Hundreds of Meals at Second Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte
CONCORD, N.C. (May 3, 2024) – Chris Buescher and RFK Racing celebrated Fifth Third Day by packing meals at Second Harvest Food Bank Metrolina Friday morning, all part of the Bank’s initiative to tackle food insecurity across its nationwide footprint.
The Bank has recognized 5/3 on the calendar as Fifth Third Day since 1991, and since 2012 the Bank and its employees have worked toward a common goal to fight hunger. For the last several years, Fifth Third has collaborated with Feeding America and partner food banks to serve communities.
RFK has been a longtime supporter of Fifth Third Day, as once again Buescher and a host of RFK employees visited the Charlotte community to give back.
“We’re obviously thrilled to again be partnering with our friends at Fifth Third to play a very small role in giving back to our local community,” said Buescher, driver of the No. 17 Ford. “Fifth Third has always done a great job of being active and visible in the community, and Fifth Third Day is yet another reminder of the impact they’re making both here in Charlotte and across the country.
“Tackling food insecurity is something that’s very real all around us even though we may not notice it, and our hope is that these small initiatives prove to be much larger in impact.”
$1 helps to provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local partner food banks. For those not within the Bank’s 11-state retail footprint, RFK is once again selling #53Day shields for $1 (purchase here, which provides 10 pounds of food each. #ShowYourShield by purchasing direct from RFK or at a local Fifth Third branch.
Buescher will be in the No. 17 Fifth Third Bank Ford again next weekend at Darlington Raceway for the annual #NASCAR Throwback race (May 12, 3 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
About RFK Racing RFK Racing, in its 37th season in 2024, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway… In 101 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has one win (Kevin Harvick, 2013) along with five top-five and 28 top-10 finishes. The victory was Harvick’s first at the Midwest intermediate track and came in dominating fashion after winning the pole and leading the most laps in the race. RCR owns three pole positions at Kansas: Harvick (2013), Daniel Hemric (2019) and Tyler Reddick (2022).
Loading Three Cars… RCR has three Cup Series cars entered into Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway. NASCAR Xfinity Series championship contender Austin Hill will make his second start of the 2024 Cup Series season and the eighth of his young career, joining Cup Series regulars Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch for the race.
Catch the Action… The AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, May 5, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on FS1. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Kansas Speedway… Dillon has made a total of 21 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway, earning his best finish of sixth twice in May and October of 2016. In the spring race in 2023, Dillon finished in the 10th position. The North Carolina native has also made five NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the track, earning one pole award (2013) and a best finish of second (2012). In three NASCAR Truck Series races, Dillon has posted one pole award (2011) and a best finish of fourth (2014).
Remember When… In 2011, Dillon made his career-first start in the NASCAR Cup Series at Kansas Speedway, driving the No. 98 Chevrolet to a 26th-place finish.
Delivering Performance on the Track and For the Planet… Dillon will race the Get Bioethanol Chevy at Kansas Speedway, showcasing the performance benefits of racing with earth kind and engine-smart bioethanol blended fuel, Sunoco Green E15. Whether it’s delivering cleaner and cooler high-octane on the racetrack or a more affordable option for summer road trips, plant-based bioethanol makes a positive impact on our planet. NASCAR drivers have now officially raced 23 million NASCAR miles driven on Sunoco Green E15, a notable milestone for the environment as NASCAR’s partnership with Get Bioethanol has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent across its three national touring series while also increasing horsepower on the track. Learn more about bioethanol at getbioethanol.com.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
How is Kansas Speedway unique compared to some of the other 1.5-mile tracks?
“We’ve run well at Kansas Speedway in the past and picked up a 10th-place finish in 2023. Kansas Speedway has done a really good job with its banking. There’s a line right up by the fence that has a little extra grip. There’s an angle up there that I don’t think many tracks have figured out yet, but Kansas got it right. It’s all about taking gambles and doing what we can to win. I’m looking forward to driving the No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet this weekend. Our RCR team has worked hard on the mile-and-a-half program, and I’ve spent a lot of time on the sim to prepare. I’m excited to see what our teams can do in Kansas.”
Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Kansas Speedway… Kyle Busch will make his 33rd NASCAR Cup Series start at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, the most by any active premier series driver. Busch enters the weekend with two wins at the Midwest oval, both coming in spring races. The Las Vegas native scored his first victory at Kansas Speedway in 2016, leading 69 laps in his 17th start at the 1.5-mile circuit. Win number two for Busch came in 2021, where the veteran driver claimed his first victory of the season on his birthday (May 2). With that special milestone, Busch joined NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough as the only two drivers to win multiple Cup Series races on their birthdays. Busch has also racked up 10 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes, including a seventh-place effort in the 2023 fall race. In addition, Busch has four NASCAR Xfinity Series victories (2007, 2014, 2015, 2016) and three NASCAR Truck Series wins (2014, 2017, 2021) at Kansas Speedway.
Pole Winner… One week ago at Dover Motor Speedway, Busch won the pole position, securing his first pole of the 2024 campaign and second at the one-mile concrete oval. Busch has now captured 34 poles in his career, moving him past Fonty Flock and into 22nd on the all-time pole winner list. The veteran driver became the seventh different pole winner in the Cup Series this season.
Strong Performance at Dover… Busch enters Kansas Speedway on the heels of a robust performance last weekend at Dover Motor Speedway. He led twice for 34 laps on the way to a fourth-place finish, his second top-five and fourth top-10 result of the season. Busch ran well throughout the 400-mile event, logging an average running position of 5.12.
The Points Chase… Busch rolls into Kansas Speedway in the 11th position in the NASCAR Cup Series driver championship point standings. He moved up six point positions after Dover’s strong result and currently sits 27 points outside of the top-10.
About Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen… Cheddar’s serves American classics and homestyle comfort food in a feel-at-home atmosphere. Guests get a lot, for not a lot with homemade entrees like hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, homemade Chicken Pot Pie and slow-smoked Baby Back Ribs so big, they almost fall off the plate. To kick off a memorable meal, every Guest is welcomed with a warm Honey Butter Croissant on the house. Cheddar’s operates more than 180 restaurants in 27 states and employs more than 15,000 friendly and passionate team members. Cheddar’s is open for lunch and dinner, now featuring new weekday lunch specials, starting at just $8.59. For more information or to locate the nearest restaurant, visit Cheddars.com. Fans can like or follow Cheddar’s on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:
You ran well in the spring race last year at Kansas Speedway. How did that affect your performance in the fall event where you scored a seventh-place finish?
“We had a really good car in the spring race at Kansas Speedway last year. I felt like we were a top three car for sure and to be able to bring that same speed back the second time to Kansas was really helpful. I think we learned a lot in the first race we had there last year.”
What is so challenging about Turn 2 at Kansas Speedway? There have been eight cautions at that end of the track over the last three races.
“Kansas Speedway is tough all around and a lot of it has to do with the wind. The wind can really play havoc on the car’s handling by which direction it’s blowing. I would say that you are trying to maximize your speed at all areas of the track and sometimes when you’re running high against the wall you overstep those bounds and get in trouble.”
Austin Hill and the No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Kansas Speedway… Austin Hill will make his inaugural NASCAR Cup Series start at Kansas Speedway this Sunday. While Hill has not raced in the premier series at the Midwest circuit, the 30-year-old has made three career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, earning a pair of second place finishes in 2020 and 2023 respectively. Hill has also competed in six NASCAR Truck Series races at Kansas Speedway, claiming one win (2020), four top-five and five top-10 results.
Two of Four… Sunday’s start at Kansas Speedway will mark the second of four scheduled events for Hill in the 2024 Cup Series schedule. With a goal of expanding his scope of experience in the premier series, the Winston, Georgia native will have back-to-back Cup Series starts at intermediate tracks for the first time in his career.
Rearview Mirror… Last month at Texas Motor Speedway, Hill climbed back into the driver’s seat of the No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro for the first time since 2022. After consistently gaining positions both on the track and pit road throughout the opening 100 laps, Hill led the field and was scored inside the top-five when steering issues plagued the United Rentals machine. The mechanical issue ended the day early for the team.
About United Rentals… United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world. The company has an integrated network of 1,504 rental locations in North America, 38 in Europe, 23 in Australia and 19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 26,300 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners, and others. The company offers approximately 4,800 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $20.66 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index® and is headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Additional information about United Rentals is available at unitedrentals.com.
Turns for Troops… Through their Turns for Troops program, United Rentals will make a $50.00 donation for each lap that Hill completes in his United Rentals Chevrolet Camaro during the Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. Funds from the Turns for Troops program support military veterans and their families through Operation Homefront.
Meet Hill… On Saturday, May 5 at 11:05 a.m. local time, Hill is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Trailer located in the Midway at Kansas Speedway. Stop by to meet the United Rentals driver and purchase new gear.
AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:
You’ve seen success at Kansas Speedway in both the Truck and Xfinity Series. Are you looking forward to making your first Cup Series start there?
“I personally like Kansas Speedway. I have enjoyed racing there both in the Truck and Xfinity Series. With our day being cut short at Texas Motor Speedway a few weeks ago, I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet. Practice and qualifying will be important for our group and hopefully, we will find speed in our United Rentals Camaro. The Cup Series cars are so different than the Xfinity Series cars, but crew chief Keith Rodden and I were learning each other’s communication styles in the opening stage. He was able to take my feedback and adjust to make the car better, while I was also learning how to drive these cars. If we didn’t have the mechanical issue, I really think we could have had a top-15 day in our first outing together. The goal this weekend will be the same.”
COREY HEIM for ERIK JONES OWNER POINT STANDINGS: 23rd
JIMMIE JOHNSON
CLUB NOTES
EJ Update: As announced earlier today, Erik Jones has been cleared to race by doctors and approved to return by NASCAR, but out of an abundance of caution, the team has opted for Jones to rest for another event. Corey Heim will drive the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE at Kansas Speedway this weekend. Jones will attend the race at Kansas Speedway to support crew chief Dave Elenz and the No. 43 team and plans to return to the driver’s seat next weekend at Darlington Raceway – a track where he has two NASCAR Cup Series victories.
Last Kansas: Jones and the No. 43 earned the highest finish for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB last season. Jones qualified 19th at Kansas Speedway in the Fall and progressively moved up on the day. By the conclusion of regulation, Jones was on the front row with Dave Elenz, making the bold decision to take two tires before the overtime restart. Jones started the two-lap shootout from the second position, earning the highest finish in the short history of LEGACY M.C. with a third-place result.
AdventHealth 400: Primary partner AdventHealth has the entitlement for this weekend’s race at Kansas Speedway. The AdventHealth 400 will feature trackside activations in hopes of promoting whole-person care and sun safety.
Sun Safety: The Erik Jones Foundation and AdventHealth have teamed up to bring back the Sun Bus for this weekend’s race. The Sun Bus is a mobile skincare unit used to detect skin cancer while educating visitors on sun safety. Last year, during championship weekend, the Sun Bus ran more than 250 screenings, finding 65 suspicious for skin cancer, one of these on Jones. Once the Sun Bus team finds anything suspicious of skin cancer, their team will refer the patient to a medical center in their hometown for treatment options.
Heim holds his own: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB reserve driver Corey Heim made his Cup Series debut in Dover, filling in for Jones. Heim qualified 32nd for the 400-mile contest and quickly learned the nuances of the NextGen car, making 72 green flag passes, ranking second in the race only behind Christopher Bell. Heim finished his first Cup Series Race 25th.
Seat time: Johnson is back in the seat for this weekend’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas marking his first back-to-back appearance on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit since 2020.
Winning pedigree: LEGACY M.C. co-owner Johnson and competition advisor Matt Kenseth know how to win at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series. Johnson has three wins, three pole positions, nine top-five and 19 top-10 finishes, leading 601 laps across his 29 starts. Competition advisor Matt Kenseth has two wins, seven top-fives, 13 top-10s, and three poles leading 774 laps across the 27 starts he made at the 1.5-mile speedway in his NASCAR Cup Series career.
EJ First Start: Kansas Speedway holds a special spot in Erik Jones’s heart. He made his first NASCAR Cup Series start there in 2015 as he filled in for Kyle Busch. At age 18, Jones qualified 12th and led one lap before finishing 40th. Ironically, that day, Jimmie Johnson edged out Kevin Harvick for one of his three wins at Kansas.
Nemechek at Kansas: John Hunter Nemechek has two victories in three attempts at Kansas Speedway in the Xfinity Series. Nemechek has an average start of 11.7 and an average finish of 3.3. Nemechek has never finished outside of the top-10 in the Xfinity Series at Kansas, leading for 218 laps.
Three in a Row: Nemechek had three consecutive poles at Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR Truck Series, starting with the fall race in 2022 and sweeping both races in 2023. Nemechek has only finished outside the top 10 once across his six attempts at the track, earning four top-five and five top-10 finishes. In his most recent Truck Series attempt in 2022, Nemechek led 88 laps from the pole and brought the checkered flag home.
First of Many: Heim took home his first-ever ARCA win at Kansas Speedway in October 2020. After starting 9th, Heim moved up as quickly as possible, finding the front row less than 20 laps into the race. From there, Heim never backed down, leading for 82 of the possible 100 laps, marking his first of nine ARCA wins.
Double Down: Heim will perform double duty this weekend while also running in the No. 11 Toyota Tundra for TRICON Garage. Heim has an average start of 8.0, and an average finish of 11.5 in four Truck Series attempts. Heim has led 71 laps across three of his four races at the 1.5-mile track, earning two top-five and three top-10 results. Heim only owns one finish outside of the top-10 at Kansas Speedway.
Thinking of DC8: All LEGACY M.C. entries will run a decal this weekend in support of Dollar Tree Distribution Center 8 (DC8) in Marietta, Okla. DC8 was impacted by the devastating tornadoes that hit the Oklahoma region last weekend. Although the distribution center was severely damaged, fortunately, none of the 456 associates employed by the distribution center were injured by the disaster.
Family Dollar Gold Star: Partner Dollar Tree will honor store #8396 this weekend as a part of the company’s “Go For G.O.L.D.” (Grand Opening Look Daily) program. The Dollar Tree and Family Dollar primaries will highlight these stores on the deck lid of all three LEGACY M.C. entries throughout the race season. Store #8396 is located in Independence, Mo.
Homecoming: Director of Pit Operations Chris Hall is a native of Springfield, Mo., and Kansas Speedway is his home track. Hall returns to the track that he called “The Motherland,” where he will have friends and family in attendance to cheer on their native son.
CLUB QUOTES
John Hunter Nemechek
Driver of the No. 42 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE:
“Kansas is one of my favorite places to go to. Just being able to run multiple lines and run the top as the racetrack rubbers up you can move around quite a bit. As a driver it’s nice to have a lot of options and I have had success there in everything I have driven so far. It’s a track that suited my style pretty well over the years. We learned a lot at Vegas and Texas as far as our intermediate package goes, so I’m looking for improvement from there and a good finish in the No. 42 Family Dollar Toyota Camry.”
Ben Beshore
Crew chief of the No. 42 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE:
“Kansas is a little more similar to Vegas without the bumps where you tend to migrate more towards the wall quicker, it’s a little warmer than the first Vegas race. Kansas is a pure mile and a half, somewhat smooth, where you are just ripping every lap to get as much as you can out of the car every lap. John Hunter is very good at managing a car at Kansas so we are looking forward to this weekend.”
Corey Heim
Driver of the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE:
“My first Cup race was a great learning experience. Dover was certainly a tough task to make my first start, but I’m looking forward to Kansas, where I have a lot more seat time in other series. I’m grateful to LEGACY M.C. for giving me another shot this week while Erik is recovering.”
Dave Elenz
Crew chief of the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE:
“Kansas has always been a fun track for me. My first Cup Series win in the sport came there in 2003 with John Hunter’s dad, Joe Nemechek. So, that place has always been pretty special for me. It has been a fun track. There are a lot of options for tire strategy, potentially two tires to get to the end of the race. We won that race back in 2003 on two tires, so hopefully, we can do the same thing this week.”
Jimmie Johnson
Driver of the No. 84 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE:
“Kansas is a really fun racetrack. Having a car with versatility that can run from the white line to the wall is important. You need the team to be hitting on all cylinders but for a driver, it’s a really fun racetrack, one of the best mile-and-a-halfs on the circuit and I am excited to be able to race it twice this season. Toyota has been really strong there the last few years and its an honor for me to be racing the AdventHealth Toyota in the AdventHealth 400.”
Jason Burdett
Crew chief of the No. 84 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE:
“I’m happy with the progress we have made in the last two races and the goal is the same, to finish the race, and to improve across the board. We made some strides in Texas and understanding what we need to come to the racetrack with setup-wise and build on key learnings.”
PETTY 75TH ANNIVERSARY
ABOUT PETTY 75th: The 2024 season marks a significant milestone in the history of the Petty family as they have helped define stock car racing for 75 years. Their commitment to the sport and the people who make it possible – behind the wheel, under the hood, in the back office, and beyond – has shaped the growth and success of NASCAR. Their LEGACY lives on with the countless fans, drivers, technicians, and team members they touched. Throughout 2024, LEGACY M.C. will celebrate the Petty family and share countless memories with friends and fans at race tracks across the country.
KP at KS: Kyle Petty made seven starts at Kansas Speedway starting in 2002, one year after the track opened. Petty led two laps in his first attempt driving the No. 45 for Petty Enterprises.
This Week in Petty History: Ritchie Petty made his first NASCAR Cup Series start at Talladega Superspeedway on May 2nd, 1993. Ritchie ran the No. 53 for his father, Maurice Petty; he qualified 34th and finished 25th, running alongside his cousin Kyle, who finished 18th on the day.
Grand Marshal: “The King” will be honored as the Grand Marshal for this weekend’s AdventHealth 400, taking responsibility for the most famous words in racing and other pre-race festivities for the first race weekend in Kansas of the 2024 season.
BROADCAST INFO
KANSAS SPEEDWAY SUNDAY May 5th @ 3:00 PM ET
ABOUT OUR PARTNERS
ABOUT AdventHealth: With a sacred mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth is a connected system of care for every stage of life and health. More than 90,000 team members across hundreds of care sites including physician practices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health agencies and hospice centers provide individualized, wholistic care. A shared vision, common values, focus on whole-person health and commitment to making communities healthier unify the system’s more than 50 hospital campuses in diverse markets throughout nine states. For more information about AdventHealth, visit AdventHealth.com/news
ABOUT DOLLAR TREE, INC.: Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operated 16,622 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of October 28, 2023. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit DollarTree.com
ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice “Maury” J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The CLUB competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series fielding the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE of John Hunter Nemechek, the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE of Erik Jones, and the No. 84 limited schedule entry for Johnson. LEGACY M.C. also competes in the Extreme E Series. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty “The King” serves as CLUB Ambassador. With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ on Facebook, X, Instagram and at LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com
FIVE FOR 5: Last Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson led 39 laps en route to a runner-up finish. That marked his fifth top-five finish of 2024, tops in the NASCAR Cup Series. Larson continues to lead the points standings, 15 markers ahead of the competitor in second place.
ON THE POINT: The 2021 Cup Series champion has topped the points standings after six of 11 races in 2024. He is the only driver to lead after three consecutive events and his current streak is at four.
OUT FRONT: Larson has led at least one lap in eight of 11 races this season for a total of 570 – 35 more laps out front than the nearest competitor. He has led 2,476 of 7,293 laps raced on 1.5-mile tracks – which is 34% – since joining Hendrick Motorsports and last year he led 184 laps at Kansas Speedway, 87 more than second place in that statistical category.
STAGE LEFT: The driver of the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has six stage victories through 11 races this season. If Larson wins a stage this weekend at Kansas, he will become the first driver to win seven stages through 12 races during a season in NASCAR’s premier series. The Elk Grove, California, native has won 32% of all stages run on 1.5-mile tracks in the Next Gen car (11 of 34).
MILE-AND-A-HALF MUSCLE: With wins in two of the last four races on 1.5-mile tracks, Larson is one of four drivers with multiple victories in the Next Gen era on tracks of this length. Since 2022, he has the most wins (three) and second-most points (592) on this track length behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron (600). This season, Larson has a win on a 1.5-miler (Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March), led the most laps (258) – 205 more than the next competitor – and scored the second-most points (86).
STREAKING: Larson has posted a top-10 finish at Kansas in all four starts in the Next Gen race car at the 1.5-mile track. His streak of five consecutive top-10s at the Midwest track is tied with one other driver for most among active drivers. If he secures another top-10 this weekend, it will tie his personal career-best of consecutive top-10 finishes at a single track (Phoenix Raceway). Over 18 starts at the Kansas City, Kansas, track, Larson has one win (October of 2021), seven top-five finishes and 10 top-10s. His 639 laps led at this track are his fourth-most at any Cup Series track on the schedule and among all drivers at the 1.5-mile facility.
STANDBY: Last week at Dover, it was announced that Kevin Harvick would be the standby driver for Larson if the 31-year-old driver was unable to participate in practice at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Friday, May 17, because of commitments with the Indianapolis 500. Due to NASCAR rules, there are no other scheduled plans for Harvick to fill in for Larson the remainder of the weekend.
HENDRICKCARS.COM IS HOME: This Sunday’s race is a home race for the HENDRICKCARS.COM team. The Kansas City, Kansas, area has three Hendrick Automotive Group dealerships. Respectively, the No. 5 driver and crew can be found in their white firesuits this weekend. For every HENDRICKCARS.COM home race this season, there is a unique hat released the week of the race and only available for sale on the trackside merchandise haulers or available to win on HENDRICKCARS.COM. Less than 100 of each limited-edition hat will be available to the public. This week’s Kansas-themed hat will be revealed Thursday and can be seen here.
WE’RE HIRING: Hendrick Automotive Group is hiring more than 300 technicians at its dealerships throughout the country. Positions are open for all skill levels and offer tuition and training reimbursement. Interested people can apply at HENDRICKCARS.COM.
9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 28 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: 3rd
No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
FOUR IN FIVE: The No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts team has been on a heater over the last five NASCAR Cup Series races. Driver Chase Elliott has propelled the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to four top-five results, including a win last month at Texas Motor Speedway. In the premier series’ most recent race (at Dover Motor Speedway), the 2020 Cup Series champion started 29th and rallied to a fifth-place result, earning top-10 finishes in each stage. Elliott’s average finish in those five races is 5.80, the best among the Cup Series field.
RUNNING STRONG: Elliott has posted impressive numbers in 2024. After 11 races, he sits third in the points standings, just 33 markers behind the leader, Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson. Elliott has secured one win (Texas) and is in a six-way tie that includes teammates William Byron and Alex Bowman for the second-most top-five finishes (four). He ranks fourth in laps run in the top five (954) and top 10 (1,893). Additionally, Elliott holds the second-best average finish (10.27) and the fourth-best average running position (10.80) among series regulars.
KANSAS RUNDOWN: This weekend, the Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway, where Elliott won in the fall of 2018. He led 44 laps en route to the win. Across his 16 premier series starts at the 1.5-mile oval, the Dawsonville, Georgia, native has six top-five finishes, 10 top-10s and 249 laps led. He’s finished seventh or better in eight of his last 11 starts at the 1.5-mile venue, including seventh and sixth-place results last season. Elliott’s six top-five results are tied for his second-most at a track (with Martinsville Speedway and Richmond Raceway) on the Cup circuit and his 10 top-10s are also tied for his second-most (with Dover and Michigan International Speedway).
1.5-MILE PERFORMANCE: In 80 career Cup Series starts on mile-and-a-half tracks, Elliott has three victories (Kansas in 2018, Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2020 and Texas earlier this year), 23 top-five finishes – eight of which are runner-up results – and 39 top-10s. He’s paced the field for 1,080 laps on this track length in his Cup career. This season on 1.5-mile tracks, Elliott is tied for the second-best average finish with Byron (6.50) and has the third-most points earned (75).
NEXT GEN NUMBERS: Since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022, Elliott has earned six wins, placing him in a three-way tie for the fourth-most victories. In that span, he holds the best average finish (12.38), just ahead of Byron.
GUSTAFSON AT KANSAS: On Sunday, Alan Gustafson will call his 33rd Kansas race in his 20th season as a Cup Series crew chief. In his previous 32 starts at the track with five different drivers (Kyle Busch, Casey Mears, Elliott and NASCAR Hall of Famers Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon), Gustafson has accumulated two wins – one with team vice chairman Gordon (2014) and one with Elliott (2018) – 10 top-five finishes, 18 top-10s and 367 laps led.
FOUR TIRES FAST: On lap 84 at Texas, the No. 9 pit crew laid down the fastest four-tire pit stop (9.076 seconds) of the 2024 season, according to data from Racing Insights. The over-the-wall squad has remained the same since 2018 and currently holds the fastest average four-tire pit stop time (10.750 seconds) this season. The 2021 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew award-winning group is comprised of Chad Avrit (rear-tire changer), Jared Erspamer (tire carrier), John Gianninoto (fueler), Nick O’Dell (front-tire changer) and T.J. Semke (jackman).
BACK HOME: Semke, the No. 9 jackman, hails from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, less than 40 miles from the track in Kansas City, Kansas. Semke was a part-time bounty hunter before stepping on the football field at the University of Kansas in 2012. The 31-year-old was a defensive lineman for the Jayhawks for three years. Semke signed with Hendrick Motorsports in October of 2016 and joined the No. 9 team in 2018.
GET UP AND GO: NAPA Auto Parts is back as the primary partner on the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this weekend at Kansas, marking the 12th time the Atlanta-based company’s colors have been onboard Elliott’s Cup Series ride in “The Sunflower State.” This weekend, NAPA’s special, white-based scheme returns for its third race of the 2024 season. After its debut at the Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in February, the look returned for the March race at Circuit of The Americas. Look at all the angles of the white No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet here.
24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 26 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: 6th
No. 24 RAPTOR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
24 IN ’24: William Byron’s 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season has been impressive. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native is tied for the series lead in wins (three), is in a six-way tie for second in top-five finishes with Hendrick Motorsports teammates Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman (four) and a two-way tie for the most top-10s (seven). He’s spent 708 laps running in the top five (ninth-most) and 1,526 laps in the top 10 (sixth-most). Byron is also fifth in average finishing position among series regulars (12.09) and sixth in the 2024 Cup Series points standings after 11 races.
NEXT GEN DUO: Since the Next Gen Cup Series car was introduced in 2022, Byron and crew chief Rudy Fugle have a series-leading 11 wins. Byron also has the second-best average finish (13.11) behind Elliott in the Next Gen car. Overall, Fugle and Byron rank fourth for the most wins by an active driver and crew chief pairing with 12 victories.
1.5-MILE MAGIC: Byron is no stranger to success on mile-and-a-half tracks during his Cup Series career. Since the start of 2021 (not counting races on Atlanta Motor Speedway after its reprofiling for 2022), he has three wins, two runner-up finishes, 10 top-fives and 18 top-10s in 25 races on 1.5-mile tracks. In the Next Gen car, Byron has two wins (second to teammate Kyle Larson’s three) and has collected 600 points on mile-and-a-half tracks – the most of all drivers. He also has five consecutive top-10 finishes on 1.5-mile tracks – the longest active streak by a driver – and eight top-10s in his last nine races on that track length. This season alone, Byron is tied for the sixth-most points on 1.5-milers (63), tied for the second-best average finish (6.50) with Elliott and is one of only two drivers to finish in the top 10 in both of those races.
MIDWEST MOJO: Byron has 12 Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway. While he faced bad luck in his first three races there, he has turned that around. In his last nine starts at the 1.5-mile track, Byron has collected one pole award, two top-five finishes and seven top-10s (second-most among all drivers in that span). It is also the track where Byron has the most top-10 finishes in his premier series career (seven), tied with Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE KANSAS: Looking to make his seventh start as a Cup Series crew chief at Kansas, Rudy Fugle’s six Cup Series races at the Midwest track have resulted in one pole award, one top-five finish, four top-10s and 101 laps led with the No. 24 team. Aside from those six Cup Series starts, the Livonia, New York, native has 12 previous starts at the 1.5-mile oval, with 10 coming in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. In those 10 Truck Series starts, Fugle’s drivers have started from the top spot four times, led 391 laps, collected two wins (2016 and 2018), five top-five finishes and six top-10s. His 2016 win came with Byron, who captured his first Truck Series victory in their fourth start together.
PIT ROAD PROWESS: After 11 races in the 2024 season, the No. 24 pit crew has been one of the best on pit road. The five-person crew ranks third for the fastest average four-tire pit stop (10.980 seconds). 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).
RAPTOR® TOUGH: For the first time since his win at Circuit of The Americas, Byron will sport his RAPTOR paint scheme that will run the majority of the season on the No. 24 Chevy. RAPTOR® is a durable protective coating designed to tolerate the toughest climatic conditions and can be applied to a wide range of items, including truck beds, lawnmowers, outdoor furniture and more. With 16 pre-mixed colors available, it’s easy to personalize anything you want to protect. RAPTOR® is available at local paint distributors, auto parts stores and online retailers. For a better look at Byron’s No. 24 RAPTOR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, click here.
48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 31 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Resides: Concord, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: 9th
No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
DOVER DOWNLOW: Alex Bowman made his 300th start in the NASCAR Cup Series last weekend at Dover Motor Speedway. The 31-year-old driver spent the majority of the race in the top 10. Approaching the end of the second stage, Bowman raced from the runner-up position, competing for the stage win with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson. Upon the checkered flag at the “Monster Mile,” Bowman finished eighth for his second straight top-10 result.
MOVING UP THE STANDINGS: Following the 11th race of the season, Bowman gained a spot in the Cup Series driver points standings, currently ranking ninth, 108 points behind the leader, Larson. Bowman has four top-five finishes this year, placing him in a six-way tie for second with teammates Chase Elliott and William Byron. It is also the driver of the No. 48’s most top-fives through 11 races in a season. The Tucson, Arizona, native has also earned six top-10s, which ranks tied for third-most in the series with two competitors and it is also his second-most top-10 results at this point in a season (his most are seven in 2022). Bowman holds the eighth-best average finish (13.64) among drivers who have started every points-paying race.
CRUNCHING KANSAS NUMBERS: Kansas Speedway has been one of Bowman’s strongest tracks in the Cup Series. In 16 starts, he has three top-five finishes, including a runner-up finish in the spring of 2019. These results place the 1.5-mile track in a four-way tie (alongside Bristol Motor Speedway, Circuit of The Americas and Las Vegas Motor Speedway) for housing Bowman’s second-most top-five finishes at a single venue in the Cup Series behind Dover (five). Bowman’s eight top-10 finishes are his most at any track on the schedule. Additionally, he has led the field for 183 laps at “The Sunflower State” track, his third-most laps led at any track, trailing only Charlotte Motor Speedway (228) and Phoenix Raceway (195).
THROWBACK REVEALED: On Tuesday, Ally released the No. 48 team’s scheme for the “Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR” at Darlington Raceway. The No. 48 Ally Throwback Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will compete at the South Carolina track on Sunday, May 12. The blue and yellow scheme pays tribute to the early seasons of the championship-winning, NASCAR Hall of Fame duo of driver Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus in the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet. The scheme celebrates this iconic car number’s past and the success that has followed during Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary in the sport’s premier series.
PIT ROAD ALLIES: The Ally Racing pit crew moved up a spot to claim the sixth-fastest average four-tire stop this season (11.186 seconds). The five-person crew is composed of Andrew Bridgeforth (rear-tire changer), Jacob Conley (fueler), Brandon Grier (tire carrier), Allen Holman (jackman) and Donnie Tasser (front-tire changer).
CLOSE TO HOME: Conley, the team’s gasman, is from Omaha, Nebraska, and considers both Kansas Speedway and Iowa Speedway his home tracks on the circuit. Both tracks are approximately two and a half hours from his hometown. The 34-year-old played four years of collegiate football at Doane University in Crete, Nebraska, before being recruited by the Hendrick Motorsports pit crew department. Conley has been with the 14-time championship-winning organization for 12 years and this year marks his eighth season with the No. 48 team. Outside of racing, Conley enjoys spending time with his wife, three kids and two rescue dogs.
FIRST LAP RETURNS: Ally’s First Lap program returns this weekend in Kansas. In its second year, the program focuses on introducing motorsports to new fans. In honor of May being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Ally will host members of the National Association of Asian American Professionals’ Kansas City chapter this weekend at the track. These first-time race-goers will receive a tour of the garage and the No. 48 hauler, an exclusive pre-race experience, meet Bowman and other Hendrick Motorsports key personnel and much more.
ADOPT A PET IN KANSAS CITY: Looking to adopt a fluffy friend? Visit the Pet Resource Center of Kansas City this weekend, located less than a 30-minute drive from the track. For a fourth consecutive year, Bowman and Ally are supporting Best Friends Animal Society and their vast network of partners. The pair is committed to a combined weekly donation of $4,800 to a Best Friends network partner local to each weekend’s race.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS /
2024
All-Time
Kansas
Races
11
1,356
36
Wins
5*
306*
8**
Poles
4*
250*
6*
Top 5
17*
1,249*
44*
Top 10
23*
2,135*
82*
Laps Led
892
80,649*
2,116*
Stage Wins
7
105
7
*Most **Most (tie)
FABULOUS 40: In 2024, Hendrick Motorsports is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Among the categories that the organization holds the NASCAR Cup Series record for are all-time wins (306), poles (250), laps led (80,649) and championships (14). Their next top-five finish will be its 1,250th and mark the first time that a team has reached that milestone.
HENDRICK HOMECOMING: On May 24 and 25, Hendrick Motorsports will hold “Hendrick Homecoming.” The free fan event, taking place over the same weekend as the Coca-Cola 600 and Indianapolis 500, will celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary and feature autograph sessions with past and present drivers, games, displays, giveaways and more. For more information on the schedule of appearances (as they are announced) and how fans can register to enter the raffle for autograph sessions, click here.
WINNING TRIO: In 2024, William Byron (three wins), Chase Elliott (one win) and Kyle Larson (one win) have combined to tally five wins through the first 11 races of the season. The Concord, North Carolina, based squad has won at least five races in a year in 22 of the last 24 seasons. The five-victory start to this year matches the team’s second-best start (in 1997 and 2022), with 2007’s eight wins through 11 races as the best start to a campaign in organizational history.
SCORING STAGE WINS: Since the advent of stage racing in 2017, Hendrick Motorsports has two of the three drivers that have recorded six stage wins through the first 11 races of a season. Byron earned six stage wins in 2023 and Larson joined that list with a stage victory at Dover Motor Speedway last Sunday. No driver has ever had seven stage wins through 12 races.
PIT POWER: Based on Racing Insights data, all four Hendrick Motorsports pit crews rank in the top six among Cup Series teams for the fastest average four-tire pit stop. The No. 9 pit crew tops the board (10.750 seconds), followed by the No. 24 pit crew in third (10.980 seconds), the No. 5 pit crew in fourth (10.983 seconds) and the No. 48 pit crew is sixth (11.186 seconds).
POWER IN THE PLAINS: With eight wins, the team is tied for the most victories among all Cup Series organizations at Kansas Speedway. Team vice chairman Jeff Gordon won the first race at the track in 2001 and earned three wins in total at the 1.5-mile oval. Jimmie Johnson also posted three wins at the Kansas City, Kansas, venue. Elliott and Larson each have one triumph. The team’s 2,116 laps out front at the facility are also the best among all teams in the series.
HEY HEY HEY: Last year in the two races at Kansas, the team tallied a series-best three top-five finishes, six top-10s and 246 laps led. Larson finished in the top five in both events, while Elliott placed in the top 10 in each race. Byron scored a pole and a top-five finish in the spring, while Alex Bowman earned a top-10 in the fall. Larson (81) and Elliott (71) ranked third and fifth, respectively, in points scored.
KICKING IT AT KANSAS: Kansas has hosted four Cup Series races since the debut of the Next Gen car in 2022. In that span, Larson is one of two drivers to finish inside the top 10 in each race. Bowman has finished in the top 10 in all three races he’s run — he missed the spring race last year due to an injury. Over those four races, Larson has the most laps led (213) and Bowman has the third-most circuits out front (107). Since 2022, all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers are in the top 10 of average finish at the 1.5-mile track (among drivers with more than one start) — Larson is second (4.00), Bowman is third (7.66), Byron is fifth (10.00) and Elliott is 10th (13.25). When it comes to points per race, the quartet is also all in the top 10 at Kansas — Larson ranks second (38.5), Bowman is sixth (33), Elliott holds down seventh (32.5) and Byron sits 10th (30.5).
NEXT GEN NUMBERS: Team owner Rick Hendrick’s seven wins on 1.5-mile tracks in the Next Gen car lead all organizations in the Cup Series, with the next closest teams having three triumphs. Two of those victories have come in both races this season on 1.5-mile tracks, with Larson at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Elliott at Texas Motor Speedway. Since 2022, Larson has a series-best three wins on 1.5-mile tracks, while Byron has had two victories and they are two of the four drivers with multiple victories on that track length. Bowman and Elliott have each had one triumph on this track length in this period. Over the last 11 races on 1.5-milers, Larson and Byron are the only repeat winners. In addition, Byron (600) and Larson (592) rank one-two in points earned on 1.5-milers in the Next Gen era.
SWEEP SENSATIONS: In four of Hendrick Motorsports’ seven Next Gen wins on 1.5-mile tracks, a driver has swept the stages en route to the win. Larson did this in all three of his victories on 1.5-mile tracks (Homestead-Miami Speedway in October of 2022 and Las Vegas in October of 2023 and March of 2024) and Byron accomplished it in one of his wins (Las Vegas in March of 2023).
QUOTABLE /
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what he looks for at Kansas Speedway: “Kansas (Speedway) is a track where I’ve run well since my first trip there. You can run the wall, which is the line I prefer. The tire fall off means you are searching all over the track for grip.”
Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what have been the keys to success at Kansas for the team: “We’re excited to go back to Kansas (Speedway). It’s a place that Kyle (Larson) always runs really well and our team seems to click really well at an intermediate track of that style. You can move around. There’s a lot of lanes. Kyle does a good job of running by the wall and it is just a lot of fun to watch. Hopefully, we can make the right adjustments throughout the weekend, keep up with the track, watch Kyle move all over the place and have a good, fun race. It will certainly be about executing at the end. There always seems to be a late-race yellow and if we can put ourselves in position, hopefully we will have a good day.”
Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what makes Kansas a good track to race at: “I enjoy going to Kansas (Speedway). I think that the track has really aged well since they did the repave. It’s a place that offers some room to race and has some different lanes to choose from. That is really all you can ask for from a driver’s perspective is just to have some options, so we’re not all married to the same spot all the time on track.”
Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the team’s gains on mile-and-a-halfs: “Mile-and-a-half tracks are certainly a place that we needed to improve upon and yeah, so far, so good. Kansas (Speedway) has been a strong track, historically for us. Hopefully, we can take the improvements we’ve made over this season at the mile-and-a-halfs, apply them to Kansas, get a really good result, be competitive and race at the front all day. Even though we’ve been good there, I certainly don’t take it for granted. We’ll work hard at it.”
William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Kansas: “Kansas (Speedway) is a place where you spend a lot of time running up against the wall, which is always a risk. I feel like it’s a track that has had a lot of great finishes lately due to tire fall off and how easily the balance of cars can change throughout the run. Restarts are intense and you can really fan out to pick up positions. At the same time, you don’t want to go too hard early on, so you can save some of what you have to have something left on the long run. I think that’s why the finishes end up being so close in the end because you see a lot of late-race charges from those who saved.”
Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the importance of the next stretch of races: “Starting this weekend, the upcoming stretch of races before the two-week break are all a build up to the playoffs. These are all mainly mile-and-a-half or high-speed tracks that you will then see again in the playoffs. You want to make sure you’re continuing to learn and grow and getting better, so you’re bringing your best cars when it counts. At the same time, this stretch of races has new tracks but also tracks with repaves, so there are still a lot of unknowns. Some setups may transfer over some weeks, but the races in the next month hold the most opportunities for notes that will carry over after the summer stretch.”
Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the roots of his success at Kansas: “Kansas (Speedway) was one of the first intermediate tracks I got to race at way back in the ARCA (Menards Series). I got a lot of laps there and for whatever reason, have been pretty naturally successful there right off the bat, even in the (NASCAR) Cup (Series) car. Obviously, we haven’t won there, but we’ve had a lot of good days there. I’m looking forward to getting back to Kansas. It’s a fun racetrack that I enjoy going to.”
Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the team’s momentum heading to Kansas: “I think our team has had some good intermediate runs this year. Our No. 48 Ally Racing team has carried mostly good momentum the past couple of months and we don’t expect anything different this weekend at Kansas (Speedway). I’d say Kansas is easily one of Alex (Bowman)’s top-five (performing) tracks. I know he really enjoys going there, has had some good runs and led some laps. We expect to go compete in the top five this weekend and aim for a shot to win.”
