Category: NASCAR Cup PR

Historic team to commemorate 75th anniversary with multiple initiatives

STUART, Va. (December 13, 2024) – Wood Brothers Racing, the oldest active team in NASCAR and one of the winningest organizations in league history, will celebrate a diamond anniversary in 2025 as it enters its 75th season in competition with multiple fan-focused initiatives planned.

The season-long celebration will include a fan day at the team’s museum in Stuart, Virginia, special paint schemes, merchandise, digital content, an exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, and more as the team honors its heritage and the fans who have been loyal supporters over the years.

“As we prepare for 2025, we’re reflecting on the moments that have shaped our team over the past 75 years while also looking to the future,” said Jon Wood, president, Wood Brothers Racing. “We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with our fans, partners, and those in the NASCAR community who have contributed to our story over the years.”

Wood Brothers Racing was founded in 1950 by Glenn Wood, whose humble beginnings were marked by determination and resilience. Glenn, along with his brothers Leonard, Delano, Clay, and Ray Lee, worked on their race cars under a giant beech tree on the family homestead in Buffalo Ridge, Virginia.

The Woods are widely credited for their development of the modern pit stop as their efficient, choreographed routines dramatically reduced the time it took to service a car on pit road, giving the team a competitive edge that changed the sport forever. As a result, Ford Motor Company brought in the Wood Brothers crew for the 1965 Indianapolis 500, where their techniques helped Jim Clark’s Ford-powered Lotus win open-wheel racing’s signature event.

Since those early days, the team has amassed 100 wins in the NASCAR Cup Series (eighth on the all-time wins list), including an impressive five triumphs in the prestigious DAYTONA 500, as well as victories in other marquee events. Many of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers have raced under the Wood Brothers banner, with several being enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame along with team patriarchs Glenn (2012) and Leonard (2013).

“The Wood Brothers Racing story is one of passion and perseverance. We’ve seen NASCAR evolve through the decades, and we’re proud to have played a role in shaping its history,” said Leonard Wood. “Celebrating 75 years gives us a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and to thank the fans who have supported us every step of the way.”

Wood Brothers Racing remains a predominantly family-run operation, with the second and third generations proudly carrying on the family tradition. The team continues to focus on racing, business, and fan engagement, honoring its storied past while maintaining a forward-looking vision for the future.

More details regarding 75th-anniversary celebrations will be announced in the near future.

About Wood Brothers Racing
Founded in 1950 by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood in Stuart, Virginia, Wood Brothers Racing holds a special place in NASCAR history as the sport’s longest-running team. Over seven decades, the team has earned 100 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with 120 poles, and remains proud of its longstanding relationship with Ford Motor Company, fielding only Ford products since its inception. Glenn’s brother, Leonard Wood, played a key role in shaping modern racing by developing the techniques behind today’s pit stops. With a rich legacy rooted in innovation and tradition, Wood Brothers Racing continues to honor its heritage while adapting for the future as it competes in NASCAR’s premier series.

Team Names Multiple-Race Winner Mike Cook as Technical Director; Lands Aussie Andrew Dickeson as Crew Chief for Ty Dillon and Reunites Veteran AJ Allmendinger with Crew Chief Trent Owens

WELCOME, N.C. (December 5, 2024) – The winds of change continue to sweep through Kaulig Racing, as it announced major competition leadership moves for the upcoming 2025 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) season.

Mike Cook joins the burgeoning team as Technical Director following more than a decade as a winning, lead engineer at Stewart-Haas Racing with drivers Kurt Busch, Aric Almirola and Chase Briscoe.

Australian native Andrew Dickeson has been named Crew Chief for Kaulig Racing’s No. 10 Chevrolet with driver Ty Dillon. Dickeson joins the team after years as engineer at Richard Childress Racing.

Long-time crew chief Trent Owens will reunite with three-time NCS winner AJ Allmendinger in support of the Californian’s return to full-time Cup series competition. Allmendinger won the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race at Las Vegas in October, launching him into the championship race for the second time in his career.

“I think this is the most impressive competition leadership group we have ever had,” said Kaulig Racing President Chris Rice. “We have such a great core team with all the men and women of Kaulig Racing, and bringing in smart people with fresh eyes will really help us compete on the track.”

“After a decade of learning and honing my craft, I am really excited to contribute to the continuing growth of Kaulig Racing,” said Cook, winner of the 2017 Daytona 500. “Nothing in racing happens overnight, but I know I have the tools and the support I need to bring immediate impact.”

“Andrew has the demeanor and stability that I think will give Ty the best opportunity he has ever had at the Cup level,” continued Cook. “AJ and Trent are just in sync and have a great working relationship. Both drivers are hungry and dedicated, so I know that team is going to be strong and impress some people in 2025.”

Owens has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, accumulating a win in each of NASCAR’s top series, one NCS win, five NXS wins, and one NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) win.

Dickeson brings a wealth of engineer experience, developed while racing in Australia in the V8 Supercars Super2 Series and the United States. Dickeson most recently worked for Kaulig Racing’s technical alliance partner Richard Childress Racing.
 
About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 27 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

Matt McCall Named Director of Vehicle Performance, Dax Gerringer Tabbed Technical Director

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (November 25, 2024) – Today, Spire Motorsports announced two key appointments to its competition staff.

Veteran crew chief Matt McCall has been named Director of Vehicle Performance and accomplished race engineer Dax Gerringer has been named Technical Director for the Mooresville organization’s three-car NASCAR Cup Series teams, effective immediately.

McCall comes to Spire Motorsports from RFK Racing where he spent the last three seasons serving as crew chief for 2012 Cup Series Champion and RFK co-owner Brad Keselowski. The Denver, N.C., native is an 11-year-veteran crew chief in NASCAR’s premier division and has called race wins for both Keselowski and 2004 Cup Series titlist Kurt Busch.

“This is a great addition for our team and one that means a lot to me, personally,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “Matt is a longtime friend, one of my first handful of NASCAR clients I had when I was a young agent, and we’ve always shared the same view of how race cars work and race teams operate. I’m happy the stars finally aligned for us to work together, and I look forward to adding him to an already impressive group for 2025.”

Gerringer carved out nine seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing where he most recently served as lead race engineer supporting the No. 4 team’s Cup Series’ efforts.

McCall and Gerringer will be tasked with working across Spire Motorsports Cup Series teams and directly with Competition Director Ryan Sparks on competitive development, R&D and further fortifying the team’s relationship with Chevrolet and General Motors. Both will service all three teams and provide additional resources for crew chiefs Rodney Childers, Luke Lambert and Travis Peterson.

In its initial season as a full-time three-car operation in NASCAR’s premier division, Spire Motorsports collected four top-five and 13 top-10 finishes with drivers Justin Haley, Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and 2024 Sunoco Rookie of the Year Carson Hocevar.

“I am really excited and grateful for this opportunity,” said McCall. “Spire Motorsports’ upward trajectory has been impressive and I look forward to becoming part of the success. I’ve had a long relationship with (Jeff) Dickerson and I’ve known him for close to 25 years. I got to know him when he was doing driver representation, and I was trying to carve out a career as a driver. We built a great relationship and have always stayed in communication. The way things panned out, there was an opportunity to come to Spire. We always wanted to work together, and the timing was right. That was a big part of my decision. Knowing what’s being built here and what the future looks like is exciting.”

Over the course of 11 seasons calling Cup Series races, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte alumnus, has tallied two poles, four wins, 47 top-five and 134 top-10 finishes.

McCall’s most recent win came in May’s Goodyear 500 at Darlington Raceway where Keselowski led the race’s final eight circuits to capture the checkered flag at the legendary “Track Too Tough To Tame.” During his three seasons leading RFK’s No. 6 squad, the McCall/Keselowski duo posted one pole, one win, 17 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes while pacing the field for 881 laps.

Prior to his time with RFK, McCall spent seven seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing where he handled pit boss chores for Busch and Jamie McMurray and led the organization to playoff berths in six of the seven years he was with the team.

He also served as race engineer for Richard Childress Racing and played a key role in the team’s runner-up finish with driver Ryan Newman during the 2014 NASCAR Playoffs.

Separate from his positions as a crew chief and race engineer, McCall had a successful driving career, earning over 60 late-model stock car wins. He has also made seven starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and two in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Gerringer, who holds a master’s degree in engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, spent the last nine seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing alongside Childers as Lead Engineer for the No. 4 team with 2014 Cup Series Champion Kevin Harvick and most recently Josh Berry.

From 2016-2022, the Gibsonville, N.C., native collected 29 wins including back-to-back victories (2019-2020) at the famed Brickyard 400.

“I am honored and thankful to join the Spire family and contribute to the rising momentum of this young race team,” said Gerringer. “The atmosphere Jeff (Dickerson) created with his race team and the support I felt from management to accept the challenge of a new role is ultimately what attracted me to Spire Motorsports. They stressed team effort with everyone pulling the rope in the same direction and that creates a great working environment. With over 20 years in the sport and 34 wins at the Cup Series level, my goal is to join this talented group and bring the best possible product to the racetrack to elevate Spire Motorsports’ performance.”

Prior to his time with Stewart-Haas, Gerringer worked with Childers and Spire Motorsports’ CRAFTSMAN Truck Series crew chief Brian Pattie at Michael Waltrip Racing, where the father of two earned race wins with David Reutimann and Clint Bowyer, including a second-place points finish during the 2012 championship chase.

He began his professional career at Bill Davis Racing where he worked closely with drivers Dave Blaney, Jeremy Mayfield, Michael Waltrip and Scott Wimmer.

“The addition of Dax Gerringer continues to demonstrate the priority Spire Motorsports places on adding technical depth to our team,” said Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt. “Dax is a talented engineer who was highly sought after in the industry. We are very fortunate to add him to our roster. I look forward to seeing him work with Matt McCall and our crew chiefs. We have complete confidence their collective efforts will result in fast race cars and a very competitive on-track product.”

About Spire Motorsports …
Spire Motorsports is a NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2024, Spire Motorsports campaigned the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Justin Haley/Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively. The team also fielded the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (November 22, 2024) – Retiring TRD U.S.A. president David Wilson was honored at the annual NASCAR Awards ceremony this evening with the Bill France Award for Excellence, one of the highest honors in NASCAR. The award recognizes those who have made a significant impact on the sport.

“To be called up on stage by my dear friend, Jim France, and to be recognized – and as I said, and what I believe and what is in my heart – again, on my very best day, I’m simply a reflection of a wonderful team that has supported me, that has trusted me, that has empowered me to serve,” said Wilson. “I’m still soaking it in. I had no idea. I’m beyond humbled, and incredibly grateful.”

This is just the 29th time this prestigious honor has been given. Goodyear’s Rich Kramer was honored last year, while Toyota team owners Jimmie Johnson (2020) and Joe Gibbs (2019) are previous recipients.

Wilson announced his impending retirement at his home track – Richmond Raceway – earlier this season. The Army veteran earned a mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Tech University and has played a significant role in many achievements within TRD over the past 35 years. Wilson’s leadership has been evident over the last 11 seasons in Toyota’s racing efforts as the President of TRD. During his tenure, Wilson has overseen Toyota’s first three NASCAR Cup Series championships with Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. and first Daytona 500 wins with Denny Hamlin. His legacy will continue on through his passion for the celebrated Toyota Driver Development (TD2) program, which has seen many drivers, including multi-time Championship 4 driver Christopher Bell, achieve lifelong dreams in motorsport.

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 47 million cars and trucks at our 12 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 13th 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 29 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.