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Category: NASCAR Cup PR

NASCAR Cup Series Press Release

  • Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Michigan

    Team Penske NASCAR Cup Series Race Report – Michigan

    FireKeepers Casino 400: Michigan International Speedway
    Brooklyn, Mich. – August 19, 2024

    AUSTIN CINDRIC No. 2 DISCOUNT TIRE FORD MUSTANG

    START: 23RD STAGE ONE: 27TH STAGE TWO: 30TH FINISH: 28TH POINTS: 19TH

    RACE RUNDOWN: Austin Cindric finished 28th in the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway Monday afternoon, concluding an extended weekend in the Irish Hills due to inclement weather disruptions. Cindric started 23rd on Sunday after Saturday’s time trials were canceled. The driver of the No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang provided his first bit of feedback under caution on Lap 38, informing the team that the car “freed up after the first 10 laps and then stabilized.” He pitted for four tires, fuel and a small adjustment and restarted 23rd on Lap 42. As rain loomed, Stage 1 came to a close and the No. 2 finished 27th. A fierce band of rain moved in over the two-mile track, ultimately leading to the postponement of the remainder of the race to Monday morning. Shortly after returning to green-flag racing, Cindric got into the wall on Lap 81, sustaining slight damage to his Discount Tire Ford Mustang. He pressed forward until crew chief Brian Wilson called him to pit road for two right-side tires and fuel, electing to wait until later to fully assess the damage. A caution for debris late in the segment allowed the 25-year-old driver to return to pit road for a four-tire service, and an additional time for the team to diagnose and put the damage repair plan into action. Cindric was scored 30th as Stage 2 finished under caution. Following a fuel-only stop under the break, Cindric restarted 29th for the final segment, eventually gaining one position in the running order before the checkered flag flew.

    CINDRIC’S THOUGHTS: “Yeah, it was a bit of a frustrating day at Michigan because I felt like it was going to be a good opportunity for us. I felt like we had a top-10 car with the Discount Tire Ford Mustang, but we just had to get there. We had solid track position at times but I got in the wall and got some damage. The team did a great job trying to work on the car, but that was on me just losing the back of the car.”

    RYAN BLANEY No. 12 MENARDS/DUTCH BOY FORD MUSTANG

    START: 8TH STAGE ONE: 1ST STAGE TWO: 10TH FINISH: 18TH POINTS: 5TH

    RACE RUNDOWN: Ryan Blaney settled for an 18th-place finish Monday afternoon following a weather-impacted weekend for the Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway. After rain impacted the start of the 400-mile event Sunday afternoon, Blaney battled inside the top-10 for the opening run before making his way up to fifth on the leaderboard by the time of the first caution on lap 38. Crew chief Jonathan Hassler made the call to leave Blaney on track while several of the leaders hit pit road, allowing the No. 12 to assume the lead as the field lined up to take the green with three laps to go in Stage 1. Blaney powered his way to the front from the outside lane on the restart and went on to take the green-and-white checkered flag for his third stage win of the season. A second band of rain made its way to the track prior to the start of Stage 2 as officials waved off the restart before the race was suspended on lap 52 and scheduled to resume at 11 a.m. Monday. Under clear skies Monday morning, Blaney took the green flag from 24th and quickly made his way up the leaderboard over the course of the long, green flag run. Hassler opted to run long during the pit cycle, allowing Blaney to take the lead on lap 94 before the Menards/Dutch Boy Ford hit pit road with 20 to go in the stage for four tires and a round of adjustments. Blaney rejoined the field without losing a lap and the caution came out shortly after on lap 109 while scored 13th. Hassler called in a two-tire stop under yellow as Blaney was third off pit road and lined up to restart ninth as a handful of the leaders stayed out to go after the stage win. After taking the green with three to go in the segment, a multi-car incident in the middle of the pack unraveled off of turn four to bring the stage to an end under caution with Blaney scored 10th. Blaney cycled to fourth in the running order after staying on track during the stage caution and battled inside the top-five during the ensuing run. A scheduled four tire stop under green with 37 laps remaining resulted in Blaney cycling to eighth on the leaderboard with 11 to go before the caution flag flew with just six laps left, setting up a green-white-checkered finish. A single-car incident on the backstretch during the first attempt brought the field back together one last time and Blaney lined up from the outside of row four. After taking the white flag, Blaney found himself on the outside of a three-wide battle into turn one when the No. 9 slid up a made contact with the left front, causing him to lose his momentum before taking the checkered flag 18th.

    BLANEY’S THOUGHTS: “The finish doesn’t show the type of day we had, for sure. We had a solid Menards/Dutch Boy Ford all weekend and executed our strategy in both stages to gain some ground points-wise. We’re looking forward to getting to Daytona and building some more momentum heading into the final stretch.”

    JOEY LOGANO No. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL FORD MUSTANG

    START: 14TH STAGE ONE: 16TH STAGE TWO: 29TH FINISH: 33RD POINTS: 15TH

    RACE RUNDOWN: Joey Logano was involved in a multi-car incident in the closing laps of Stage 2 that brought the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford’s day to an early end at Michigan International Speedway, resulting in a 33rd-place finish Monday. The green flag waved on the FireKeepers Casino 400 Sunday afternoon after rain delayed the original start time as Logano maintained his starting position of 14th for a majority of the opening stage. Following a caution on lap 38, Logano took the green flag from 14th with three laps to go in the stage before coming away with a 16th-place result. After staying out during the stage break, rainfall again approached the track as the Stage 2 restart was waived off and cars were brought down pit road on lap 52, ultimately delaying the remainder of the race until Monday morning. When the action resumed at the two-mile oval shortly after 11 a.m., Logano worked his way into the top-10 despite a tight-handling condition in the corners. Crew chief Paul Wolfe made the call to run long during the green flag cycle before bringing Logano down pit road on lap 95 while running second for four tires, fuel, and a round of adjustments. Just over 10 laps into the ensuing run, Logano had a right rear tire go down off of turn two and the caution came out shortly after. However, Logano was penalized for too fast entering on pit road and went a lap down as a result. On the opening lap of the following restart – with Logano starting at the tail-end of the field – the No. 5 spun in front of the pack in turn four to set off a multi-car incident as the No. 22 suffered front-end damage while trying to check up. After Logano brought the Shell-Pennzoil Ford to pit road, the 22-team found terminal damage to the radiator to bring their day to an abrupt end.

    LOGANO’S THOUGHTS: “We had that right-rear tire go flat right before [the wreck], which put us back there down a lap and then I think [Kyle Larson] just spun out in front of me and kind of caused a big wad and a Daytona-type crash. There was nowhere to really go. I couldn’t steer it left, so I just committed to maybe if I could slow it down enough, I could center punch it, and it wouldn’t be that bad. That was my only option there. Unfortunately, we got knocked out a little early. We were fighting for probably a top-10. We weren’t that great. If there were more wrecks we could maybe have ended up with a top-five but we will move on.”

    The NASCAR Cup Series returns to action on Saturday, August 24, for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 under the lights at Daytona International Speedway. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

  • RFK Finishes 5th/6th in Michigan

    RFK Finishes 5th/6th in Michigan

    Buescher Overcomes Midrace Incident To Salvage Solid Result

    DETROIT (Aug. 19, 2024) – RFK Racing left Michigan International Speedway with a pair of top-6 finishes Monday as Brad Keselowski earned a 5th-place result, while teammate Chris Buescher fought back for P6.

    Like last season’s race at Michigan, inclement weather proved to be an issue at the 2-mile track on raceday. Persistent rains Sunday afternoon allowed only 51 laps to be completed, pushing the remainder of the 200-mile race to Monday.

    Inclement weather also cancelled qualifying on Saturday, as the field was determined by NASCAR’s metric. That put the No. 6 Castrol Edge Ford P15 to start, and Buescher’s Fifth Third Bank Ford P18.

    6 Recap
    Keselowski’s opening laps allowed for an early strategy play on Sunday, as the opening 38 laps ran under green with the No. 6 in 13th. He remained on track in the first caution as the field split strategies. He restarted fifth because of it, and would finish seventh to end stage one (lap 45).

    Rain set in at that point, which ultimately suspended activity for the day. When action picked back up Monday, Keselowski found himself on the opposite side of track position, restarting 30th.

    He remained on track until lap 103, stretching the pit cycle, inheriting the lead for a pair of laps in the sequence. The yellow was displayed just a few laps later, again opening the door for strategy. Keselowski remained on track, setting him up fourth on the restart with just five laps left in the stage. A yellow ultimately ended the stage, but Keselowski benefitted, finishing fourth, earning more stage points.

    From there, Keselowski hardly left the top-5 as just one pit stop remained in the final 75 laps. His came with 39 laps to go from fourth, before a caution reset the field with six laps remaining.

    The field attempted one green-white-checkered finish with a caution waving just a lap in, before NASCAR Overtime eventually determined the finish, with Keselowski crossing the stripe fifth.

    17 Recap
    Buescher and the 17 team were resilient Monday afternoon, overcoming a multi-car crash that warranted extensive repairs, and a drive back through the field.

    Rewind to Sunday’s opening 50 laps and Buescher had one of the fastest cars on track, working all the way to third when the field restarted for the shootout to end stage one, where he finished fifth.

    Like Keselowski, Buescher restarted Monday deep in the field, firing back off 25th. He was back in the top-15 when the field restarted with 10 laps remaining in stage two, before a multi-car crash at lap 116 occurred. A car behind the initial incident made contact with Buescher and others, causing damage mainly on the left side of Buescher’s machine. After extensive repairs, the team patched up the Fifth Third machine and didn’t lose a lap, putting him back in the pack for the final 70 laps.

    From there he began his climb forward, as a two-tire call under the caution with four to go aided his efforts in track position. He lined up ninth on the final restart and fought to sixth, salvaging a solid day despite the earlier crash.

    Up Next
    Daytona International Speedway hosts the NASCAR Cup Series next weekend with race coverage set for 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday night on NBC, and radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

    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.

  • BRIGHT LIGHTS AND FAST NIGHTS: CROWN JEWEL BASS PRO SHOPS NIGHT RACE SET TO ENTERTAIN FANS AT ICONIC BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

    BRIGHT LIGHTS AND FAST NIGHTS: CROWN JEWEL BASS PRO SHOPS NIGHT RACE SET TO ENTERTAIN FANS AT ICONIC BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

    BRISTOL, Tenn. (Aug. 19, 2024) – The Bass Pro Shops Night Race, one of NASCAR’s much-anticipated crown jewel races, is primed to deliver guests a weekend full of high-horsepower action, both on the track and off, when the throttle is cranked to maximum overdrive Sept. 19-21 at iconic Bristol Motor Speedway.

    Since the lights were first turned on at Bristol’s late summer race in 1978, America’s Night Race has become one of the can’t-miss big events on every NASCAR fan’s calendar. Amplified greatly by the Dale Earnhardt-Terry Labonte saga, parts one and two, in 1995 and 1999, the Night Race has grown into an event that takes place with great anticipation every season.

    With all of the fun to be had for thousands of passionate fans and the epic challenge on the high-banked bullring that awaits drivers in front of packed grandstands, along with all of the major NASCAR history that has been unfolded at the unique short track throughout the decades, and the strong sense of patriotism that fills the air throughout the weekend makes America’s Night Race a crown jewel unlike any other.

    While racing is always the main course that’s served inside The Last Great Colosseum, guests should be aware of a full menu of memory-making opportunities guaranteed to boost the fun-meter on the overall experience.

    Keep on reading so you won’t miss a minute of the fun that’s on the docket for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race weekend:

    * Dale Jr. Rides Again: For the second consecutive year Dale Earnhardt Jr. will compete in the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday evening of the race weekend. Last year he led 47 laps on the all-concrete high banks and looked like he was on his way to victory before a wire shorted-out late in the race. He ultimately finished 30th, but as a team owner he made it to victory lane to celebrate with Justin Allgaier, who drove JRM’s No. 7 Chevy to the win. This year Earnhardt will try once again to race to victory in the Xfinity Series regular season finale at the controls of his No. 88 Hellmann’s Chevy.

    * Epic Anniversaries: Speaking of Earnhardt Jr., 2024 is the 20th anniversary of origin of the track’s mantra, It’s Bristol Baby!  In August 2004, after winning the Xfinity Series race the night before, Earnhardt Jr. became the first driver in track history to sweep both races. He was so excited in Victory Lane after winning America’s Night Race, he let out a yell that has taken on a life of its own. When TV reporter Bill Weber asked him why winning this race was so special, Earnhardt Jr. screamed “It’s Bristol, baby!” Since then, the track has adopted that phrase and made it a part of the overall experience at Bristol. There’s a monument erected that recognizes the phrase in the track’s north lot, at BMS Entrance 1.

    * Farewell, champ: Bristol Motor Speedway fans who attend the race weekend will get to wave goodbye to Martin Truex Jr., one of the best to ever put on a pair of driving gloves and race helmet. Although the New Jersey native didn’t have the best luck at Bristol in his Cup career, he was able to capture an Xfinity Series win in 2008 and tamed the dirt high banks in a Craftsman Truck in 2021. Truex, the 2017 Cup Series champion, has come close to winning a few Bristol Cup Series races, including this past March when he finished second to Denny Hamlin in the Food City 500. He would love nothing more than to go out on a high note with the Bass Pro Shops Night Race trophy in his hands.  

    * Dazzling Doubleheader: The race weekend will have a sizzling start with a dynamic doubleheader on Thursday evening. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics and the opening act of the Bush’s Beans 200 ARCA Menards Series will showcase some of the most talked-about up-and-coming racing talent in the world of stock car racing. If you are a new fan or a veteran fan, this race should be one that you don’t want to miss. For the low cost of $30 per adult ticket and even lower free price for kids 12 and under, it’s an absolute steal. Two of the hottest rising stars in stock car racing will pull double duty during this race, and a former winning IndyCar racer also will do the double and add to the fun. Connor Zilisch and William Sawalich will be joined by Marco Andretti, as the three will set out to accomplish what only Sam Mayer has done, sweep both races. They will be challenged by tons of talent in both series, including defending Truck champ Ben Rhodes, Corey Heim, Christian Eckes and Ty Majeski, all of whom are past Bristol winners. In the Bush’s Beans 200, Andres Perez, Lavar Scott, Greg Van Alst and Kris Wright will be the top contenders. After all the action on the track, DJ Sterl the Pearl will entertain guests into the night with the exhilarating BMS Foam Party.

    * Fan Zone on steroids: There’s so much to do during the weekend around the grounds of Bristol Motor Speedway, including making a stop in the Fan Zone. There’s music, games, food, rides, exhibitions, stunts, souvenir haulers, appearances by drivers, legends and other celebrities, autograph sessions and more.  Some of those attractions include Axe throwing, fan-interactive inflatables, a race car simulator, the Thunder Dome with RC cars, pit stop challenge and NASCAR arcade games and the always busy Fan City Fan Zone Stage. Guest Welcome Villages are positioned strategically to offer guest assistance.

    * United We Race: You won’t find a place that’s more patriotic, that honors, celebrates and cherishes American virtues and values better than Bristol Motor Speedway. From timeless performances of the National Anthem, to powerful military flyovers, the red white and blue can be seen everywhere around BMS property. And on Saturday, the National Anthem performance featuring the MRO children’s choir is certainly a longtime Bristol tradition that shouldn’t be missed.

    * Now that’s a TV: OK, it does look like a spaceship up there. Fortunately, it’s not. One of the coolest experiences when attending a race at Bristol is having the opportunity to view the unbelievable entertainment provided by Colossus TV, the world’s largest center-hung stadium video display. Completed in April 2016, Colossus TV has the highest viewing quality of any permanent outdoor stadium display in the world, featuring 2880 x 1350 lines of resolution. Compare that to the average home HD TV screen at 1920 x 1080. It currently hosts nearly 54 million LEDs and 18 million pixels. Watching Colossus TV is like sitting in your living room with the state-of-the-art digital experience, but still having the live race action going on right in front of you.  

    * Pre-Race Infield Experience: Country music singer and songwriter Tim Dugger will pump up the crowd on Saturday during the pre-race concert. Dugger and his band will perform on the Pre-Race Infield Experience Stage at 5:30 p.m., just before Bristol’s famed driver introductions, where each driver enters the Colosseum to the music of his choice. DJ Sterl the Pearl will provide the jams. Fans of the music and those guests seeking to get closer to all the pre-event action can now purchase the new Pre-Race Infield Experience upgrade for Saturday evening at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race. Fans will be able to access the area at 5 p.m. and can stay inside the infield until the last driver is introduced, just prior to the Bass Pro Shops Night Race green flag.

    * Trackside Live gets it all started Saturday at 4 p.m.: On Saturday in the BMS Fan Zone you won’t want to miss NASCAR’s Trackside Live with hosts Kenny Wallace, John Roberts and Jose Castillo taking place on the Food City Fans Zone Stage at 4 p.m., prior to the start of the race. Trackside Live offers interviews with drivers, celebrities and other recognizable figures in the world of sports and entertainment. With Wallace and Roberts involved you never know exactly what you are going to get, but you know it’s going to be fun. The duo brought their Raceday Live show back to Bristol in the spring of 2023 and then took it on the road for several more Speedway Motorsports races. This will be their second Night Race appearance since their return.

    * DJ Sterl the Pearl leads Thursday night BMS Foam Party: Speaking of entertainment, fans will get to party the night away after the conclusion of the Thursday night double-header with mic-master DJ Sterl the Pearl on the Food City Fan Zone Stage while gallons upon gallons of foam spews out onto the wild fans in the audience. DJ Sterl the Pearl, a former football player at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, brings the energy to UT football and basketball games throughout the year and he continues to pump out the jams at Bristol for what promises to be another epic Thursday night party. 

    * Friday night after-party features Kid Kentucky: Speaking of entertainment, following Friday night’s Food City 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race Kid Kentucky will take the Food City Fan Zone Stage by storm to entertain race fans until the early morning hours. Kid Kentucky, widely known as Kid Rock’s biggest fan, pays homage to his idol by delivering the best Kid Rock tribute experience possible. Kid Kentucky offers the total package – the music, the show, the look and the songs. It’s as close as you can get to the real thing.

    * Did we say Playoffs: There’s so much fun to be had and we’ve barely mentioned the real star of the show. Yes, it’s Bristol, baby! Some of the most memorable moments in NASCAR history have taken place during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on the super-challenging .533-mile high-banked oval. NASCAR’s best drivers will beat and bang on each other – NASCAR Playoff style – and only the strongest will survive 500 laps of mayhem inside the high-banked bullring. In the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, you’ll get to see all of your favorite drivers doing what they do best.  You’ll see all of the stars, including red-hot Denny Hamlin, winner of the last two Cup races at BMS. Other Playoff eligible contenders are Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, and Bristol All-Star Race winner Chase Elliott. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics will serve as the second Playoff race in the opening Round of 10. Regular season champ Corey Heim will lead the charge, followed by Bristol spring winner Christian Eckes, Ben Rhodes, Nick Sanchez and Rajah Caruth, to name a few. This season the Food City 300 Xfinity Series race has moved back to serve as the regular season finale and will lock in the 12 drivers who will compete for a season championship.

    * Fan Track Walk always a fun stroll: The Fan Track Walk, which takes place on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m., just a few hours prior to the running of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race, returns to give enthusiasts the rare opportunity to walk along the iconic high-banked concrete track where so much NASCAR history has taken place. Fans who are a part of this upgrade activity will get to enter the stadium at 3 p.m. to enjoy their walk around the historic half-mile bullring. Just prior to the green flag, participants will have the opportunity to see, touch and feel the racing surface where all of the legends of NASCAR have battled throughout the years. To participate in the Fan Track Walk, please visit the BMS website, BMS app or call 423-BRISTOL for more information.

    * Bring your own stuff: Guests are allowed and encouraged to bring refreshments and food in a soft sided cooler that doesn’t exceed 14x14x14. Fans can also bring another bag not to exceed 18x18x14 to accommodate other necessary supplies like sunscreen, hats, sun glasses, seat cushions and ear protection. To review a complete list of items that are allowed and a few that aren’t, please check the BMS website. 

    * Family bonding: The race is the perfect opportunity for parents to share their love of NASCAR with their children. Talk about the science of racing, pick favorite drivers, share some laughs and also some ooohs and aaahs when the powerful race cars speed around the track. And for families, BMS is offering free kids tickets on Thursday and Friday, and on Saturday kids tickets are only $10.

    * Tailgating and camping: Sometimes it’s nice to just get outside and become one with nature. Bristol Motor Speedway provides you with the perfect opportunity to access your inner outdoors enthusiast during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race. BMS owns and operates five campgrounds around the facility and each provides a variety of amenities. Whether you drive a modernly-mobile RV or prefer to anchor a tent in the ground, BMS has you covered. New for this season is the Swaggerty’s Tailgate Zone, a popular spot where guests can gather to park and enjoy the atmosphere before racing begins. Once you are here camping, you will have easy access to the grounds and all of the excitement going on inside the stadium. Your ticket to fun is merely a quick walk away. 

    * Tickets are going fast: Demand is at an all-time high and this historic race weekend is positioned to generate one of the biggest crowds in BMS history. We hope you will be a part of it!

    The weekend begins with Ben Rhodes and defending winner Corey Heim battling for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory Thursday night in the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics (Sept. 19, 8 p.m., FS1, MRN Radio). The rising stars in the ARCA Menards Series, including rising stars William Sawalich and Connor Zilisch and former IndyCar racer Marco Andretti, also will take on the challenging half-mile bullring in the Bush’s Beans 200 as part of a titan Thursday night doubleheader (Sept. 19, 5 p.m., FS1, MRN Radio).  

    On Friday, Sparks are sure to fly in the Food City 300, as NASCAR Xfinity Series favorites Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, Cole Custer, Sheldon Creed and Riley Herbst will be fighting hard in the Xfinity Series regular season finale (Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m., The CW, PRN Radio). Also, remember, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is also going to make his Bristol return at the Food City 300 driving the blue and yellow No. 88 Hellmann’s Chevy.

    Finally, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will take to the track on Saturday for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m., USA Network, PRN Radio), you’ll get to see all of your favorite drivers racing hard in the Round of 16 to advance in the first elimination race of the Playoffs.

    To purchase tickets, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com or call the BMS Ticket Sales Center at (866) 415-4158. Fans can also purchase tickets at any Food City location through Sept. 13.

  • RCR NCS Race Recap: Michigan International Speedway

    RCR NCS Race Recap: Michigan International Speedway

    Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Dow MobilityScience™ Chevrolet Team Continue Momentum with Strong Effort at Michigan International Speedway

    Finish: 17th
    Start: 10th
    Points: 29th

    “Overall it was a solid day for our Dow MobilityScience™ team at Michigan International Speedway. We ran consistently inside the top-15 for the majority of it and earned extra points in Stage 2. Justin (Alexander) used pit strategy throughout the race, but a couple of those late race cautions didn’t fall our way. Before the second overtime attempt, we came down pit road for four tires and an adjustment to free up the car. We restarted in the high line and drove back up to 17th-place. At the end of the day, our No. 3 Camaro was probably a top-10 car though. We will keep building off the speed we’ve had these last couple of weeks and race for a win next weekend at Daytona International Speedway.” -Austin Dillon

    Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet Team Score Fourth-Place Finish at Michigan International Speedway

    Finish: 4th
    Start: 13th
    Points: 17th

    “It was a good day overall for our Lucas Oil team. We maybe needed a tick more speed, but it was a good top eight car and we got a little bit more out of that. It was a good pit strategy by Randall (Burnett) and the guys to keep our track position and keep us up front there. We took two tires at the end and that wasn’t ideal on those short restarts. We hung on though and got a top-five finish out of it. We ran inside the top-10 for the majority of the day and won a stage so that’s good for our No. 8 team.” -Kyle Busch

  • Stewart-Haas Racing: FireKeepers Casino 400 from Michigan

    Stewart-Haas Racing: FireKeepers Casino 400 from Michigan

    STEWART-HAAS RACING
    FireKeepers Casino 400
    Date: Aug. 18-19, 2024
    Event: FireKeepers Casino 400 (Round 24 of 36)
    Series: NASCAR Cup Series
    Location: Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn (2-mile oval)
    Format: 200 laps, broken into three stages (45 laps/75 laps/80 laps)

    Note 1: The race’s first 51 laps were run on Sunday, but rain forced the remainder of the race to be run on Monday.
    Note 2: Race extended six laps past its scheduled 200-lap distance due to a green-white-checkered finish.

    Race Winner: Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing (Toyota)
    Stage 1 Winner: Ryan Blaney of Team Penske (Ford)
    Stage 2 Winner: Kyle Busch of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)

    SHR Finish:

    ● Ryan Preece (Started 26th, Finished 11th / Running, completed 206 of 206 laps)
    ● Noah Gragson (Started 25th, Finished 12th / Running, completed 206 of 206 laps)
    ● Josh Berry (Started 16th, Finished 22nd / Running, completed 206 of 206 laps)
    ● Chase Briscoe (Started 21st, Finished 31st / Accident, completed 157 of 206 laps)

    SHR Points:

    ● Chase Briscoe (18th with 491 points, 323 out of first)
    ● Josh Berry (23rd with 427 points, 387 out of first)
    ● Noah Gragson (24th with 425 points, 389 out of first)
    ● Ryan Preece (26th with 387 points, 447 out of first)

    SHR Notes:

    ● Preece earned his seventh top-15 of the season and his second top-15 in seven career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Michigan.
    ● Gragson earned his 12th top-15 of the season and his first top-15 in two career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Michigan.
    ● Gragson has finished among the top-20 in five of the last six NASCAR Cup Series races.
    ● Berry led once for four laps – his first laps led at Michigan.

    Race Notes:

    ● Tyler Reddick won the FireKeepers Casino 400 to score his seventh career NASCAR Cup Series victory, his second of the season and his first at Michigan. His margin of victory over second-place William Byron was .168 of a second.
    ● There were seven caution periods for a total of 41 laps.
    ● Twenty-four of the 36 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.
    ● Reddick leaves Michigan as the new championship leader with a 10-point advantage over second-place Chase Elliott.

    Sound Bites:

    “I think it was a good ending. I didn’t think we were going to finish 11th today. I think if everything went our way, maybe we could’ve finished 16th, 17th, so that was a net gain for us. Certainly we have some strengths. We’ve made gains, we’ve just got to continue to make gains on those weak areas, but I feel like we’re getting closer. Hopefully, these final 12 (races) we can finish out on a positive note.” – Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    “I got kind of lucky there with that caution at the end and put tires on. It was a good rebound. We just struggled with the balance all day. It was super tight, and then we got on the other side of it and it started getting loose. Yeah, we kind of struggled all weekend. We’ll go back to the shop and look over everything and see where we can make gains and figure out how to be better for the future.” – Noah Gragson, driver of the No. 10 Overstock.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    “This weekend was tough. We just missed it on the setup and had to work on it to try to get better. We started really loose and struggled to get tightened up, but Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and the team did a good job trying to get the No. 4 Overstock.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse in a better spot. It just didn’t work out this weekend. We will fight hard in Daytona.” – Josh Berry, driver of the No. 4 Overstock.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    “I don’t know, we were kind of ripping around the very top and then all of a sudden everybody just started spinning out up ahead of us. I don’t know what happened, to be honest with you.” – Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    Next Up:

    The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. The race begins at 7:30 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by NBC and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

  • Kaulig Racing Race Recap | FireKeepers Casino 400

    Kaulig Racing Race Recap | FireKeepers Casino 400

    DANIEL HEMRIC
    No. 31 Poppy Bank Camaro ZL1

    • Per the rulebook, Daniel Hemric started the FireKeepers Casino 400 in 32nd, after qualifying was canceled at Michigan International Speedway, due to inclement weather.
    • Despite handling a touch tight in traffic, Hemric made his way into the top 25 and up to 23rd by lap 38, before the first caution of the day came out. Crew chief Trent Owens made the call to pit under caution for four tires and fuel, before restarting 26th with three laps to go in the stage. Hemric finished the opening stage in 25th place.
    • Hemric stayed out during the stage break and was set to restart 18th, before the race was red-flagged for weather. When the race resumed on Monday, Hemric elected not to pit and restarted 16th. After falling back to 22nd, Hemric radioed that the No. 31 Poppy Bank Chevy was tighter than when the race started on Sunday. As the green-flag pit stops began, Hemric made it as high as fifth place, before making a scheduled pit stop on lap 94 for four tires and fuel. Once the green-flag stops were complete, Hemric sat 21st, before avoiding three cars with cut tires, which brought out the caution. Hemric pitted under caution from 18th place for tires and fuel and restarted in 21st on lap 115. A wreck on the following lap brought out another caution, and Hemric was forced to the grass to avoid the wreck. The second stage ended under caution, and Hemric finished 24th.
    • During the second stage break, Hemric came down pit road twice to clean off the grille and work on the damaged splitter, followed by a third trip to top off with fuel. He restarted 26th on lap 126. After making up six spots on the restart, the next caution came out just 10 laps later. Hemric pitted for four tires and fuel, before restarting 20th on lap 141. As the final green-flag stops began, Hemric made it as high as third place before making his final, green-flag stop for right-side tires and fuel with 19 laps remaining. The race stayed green until six laps to go. Owens made the call to pit for fresh tires and an adjustment to finish out the race, and Hemric restarted 23rd with two laps remaining. The field went just one lap, before another, overtime-inducing wreck brought out the yellow. Hemric narrowly avoided the spinning No. 1 car and sat 18th for the second overtime attempt and went on to finish 23rd.

    “We showed a lot of speed and potential throughout the weekend. Unfortunately, after avoiding a wreck at the end of stage two and driving through the grass, the splitter got messed up and grass got into the air box, so we just didn’t have the speed or power we had in the first two stages of the race.” – Daniel Hemric  

    AJ ALLMENDINGER
    No. 16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1

    • Per the rulebook, AJ Allmendinger started the FireKeepers Casino 400 in 35th, after qualifying was canceled at Michigan International Speedway, due to inclement weather.
    • The No. 16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevy quickly moved through the field, gaining 10 spots in the first 10 laps. On lap 18, Allmendinger was scored in 24th and reported the car fired off tight. Seven laps later, Allmendinger was running in 22nd and reported that the overall balance of the car was good, but he needed more confidence in the rear. The team came to pit road for four tires, fuel and a wedge adjustment during the caution on lap 39. Allmendinger went on to finish the opening stage in 18th.
    • Allmendinger stayed out at the stage break to gain track position and was scored in 13th. Due to weather, the cars were brought to pit road and the remainder of the race was postponed until Monday. When the race resumed, Allmendinger restarted in 13th for the second stage. By lap 82, he reported his car was tighter than it was on Sunday and he had more rear security. As leaders began to pit under green, the No. 16 stayed on track until lap 92, when he came to pit road from sixth place for four tires and fuel. By lap 104, Allmendinger was back up to 13th place. On lap 108, the No. 16, as well as two other cars, cut a tire, and the caution came out for debris. After needing to be towed to pit road, Allmendinger was four laps down and went on to finish the second stage in 32nd.
    • Allmendinger restarted the third stage in 32nd. The team battled the handling of the No. 16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevy for the remainder of the race, and Allmendinger went on to finish 30th.

    “We had a really good No. 16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevy this weekend. That was a lot of fun to drive, until we cut a tire. Proud of my guys for all their effort. We’re going to keep working hard to bring competitive cars to the track every weekend.” – AJ Allmendinger  

     
    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 23 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, with a part-time fourth entry at select events. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

  • Toyota Racing – NCS Michigan Post-Race Report – 08.19.24

    Toyota Racing – NCS Michigan Post-Race Report – 08.19.24

    REDDICK CLAIMS FIRST MICHIGAN WIN, DELIVERS HERTIAGE TROPHY TO TOYOTA
    With the victory, Reddick takes over the points lead for the first time in his career

    BROOKLYN, Mich. (August 19, 2024) – Tyler Reddick had as strong Toyota Camry XSE late in the running of the rain-delayed NASCAR Cup Series race in Michigan International Speedway and had a great overtime restart to score the victory. It is Reddick’s second victory of the season, and his seventh straight top-six finish. With the win, Reddick has taken over the points lead for the first time in his NASCAR Cup Series career. It is also the first time that 23XI Racing has ever led the NASCAR Cup Series standings.

    Ty Gibbs (third) had a strong run and finished third overall and helped Reddick to the win with a great push on the final restart. With the finish, Gibbs expanded his advantage over the cutline to 39 points.

    Toyota Post-Race Recap
    NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
    Michigan International Speedway
    Race 24 of 36 – 200 Laps, 400 Miles

    TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

    1st, TYLER REDDICK
    2nd, William Bryon*
    3rd, TY GIBBS
    4th, Kyle Busch*
    5th, Brad Keselowski*
    9th, DENNY HAMLIN
    16th, ERIK JONES
    24th, MARTIN TRUEX JR.
    26th, BUBBA WALLACE
    29th, JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK
    35th, CHRISTOPHER BELL
    *non-Toyota driver

    TOYOTA QUOTES

    TYLER REDDICK, No. 45 McDonald’s Toyota Camry XSE, 23XI Racing

    Finishing Position: 1st

    Can you talk about how you got to the front?

    “We went into Sunday night kind of scratching our heads on our McDonald’s Toyota Camry. Everyone at 23XI did a really good job. We had a good mindset coming into today on what we need. I love running high, and I couldn’t yesterday. I knew that it was important for us to work on that coming into the race today. The group did a really good job at that, and we made great adjustments. Honestly, going into stage three we had a tough go of it on pit road, but they had a great catch. Great way to get redemption from one year ago here.”

    Can you talk about that last restart and how you were able to get the advantage?
    “Well I was pretty pissed. The caution came out with five or six to go, and then William (Bryon) did a really good job of staying with me on the bottom with Brad (Keselowski) closing in when he did. I had to be more focused on him than side drafting William. He got control of it there. I’m really thankful for Ty Gibbs. Great teammate. The Toyota Racing family took care of each other today, that’s for sure.”

    You are the points leader now. What does that mean for momentum?

    “We are going to go to Daytona, and hopefully don’t crash. Last time we were there, we won the Duels, so hoping to walk away from Daytona with the points lead. If we can do that, it will set us up really good to close it out in Darlington.”

    What does it mean to you to deliver the Heritage Trophy to Toyota?

    “They dump so much into this sport and really just elevates all of the Toyota Camrys on the race track. They believe in me. They believe in Denny (Hamlin), Michael Jordan – the vision of this race team. It is just really great to have their cooperation and support. One final thing as well. It is really cool to get to victory lane today. Just thinking of Scott Bloomquist and his family and his friends. I think this one should be dedicated to him. He has meant a lot to me. He’s one of those that played a huge role in getting me to this stage. I wouldn’t be here without him,”

    TY GIBBS, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

    Finishing Position: 3rd

    Can you walk me through the final restart?
    “Yeah, I feel like we definitely were in contention for sure. I needed to get up sooner off of two to clear the 24 (William Bryon). Just missed it by a little bit. After that, it takes a lap to get momentum. I appreciate my guys bringing me a great car, Interstate Batteries, Monster Energy, Toyota. Thank you to everybody that’s a part of this deal. Definitely a little frustrating, but we’ll take it. It was a good day. Thanks to everybody that helps my program out.”

    You came into this race 18 points above the cut line. You leave 39 points above the cut line heading to Daytona. Does that make you sleep better?

    “Yeah, for sure. It definitely is good to have a good points day.

    Definitely wish we could have won and locked ourselves in. Winning usually takes care of everything. Thankful to be here and thankful to have a good day.”

    CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 Rheem Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing

    Finishing Position: 35th

    What did you see that got you in this incident?

    “Yeah, I just saw (Kyle) Larson started to spin, and you are so bunched up it is hard to get everybody to slow down at the same time, and I was just caught up in a wreck in our Rheem Camry.”

    Did you see the wreck start?
    “Yeah, I saw him (Kyle Larson) spin, and we were so bunched up that once one car gets sideways, there is not much that you can do.”

    Was there nowhere to go?

    “Yeah, I started slowing up, and if I remember right, someone else got turned from behind me, and slid into me. Just a product of restarts.”

    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.

  • CHEVROLET NCS AT MICHIGAN: Post-Race Report

    CHEVROLET NCS AT MICHIGAN: Post-Race Report

    NASCAR CUP SERIES
    MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
    FIREKEEPERS CASINO 400
    TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE REPORT
    AUGUST 19, 2024

     Byron, Busch Leads Chevrolet to Overtime Finish at Michigan International Speedway

    • The NASCAR Cup Series returned to Michigan International Speedway this afternoon after inclement weather forced the postponement of the Firekeepers Casino 400 with just 51 laps complete.
    • Chase Elliott and the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL1 team lined up at the front of the field to take the green-flag for the remainder of the 200-lap event. The Team Chevy driver showed early speed in his Hendrick Motorsports-prepared Camaro ZL1, with Elliott being the only driver of those in the regular season title battle to earn points in Stage One.
    • With a caution flying nearing the end of Stage Two, Hendrick Motorsports’ Crew Chief Cliff Daniels called the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Camaro ZL1 to pit road to implement a four tire strategy. Larson was the fifth car off pit road, but the first with a fresh set of Goodyear tires – lining up 11th for the restart. Shortly thereafter, Larson was caught up in an accident that forced the team’s early departure from the race.
    • Following what ultimately ended up being the final green-flag cycle of the race, William Byron and the No. 24 RaptorTough.com Camaro ZL1 team cycled back up into the runner up spot when a late-race caution forced the event under an overtime finish. Byron elected to take the inside lane of the front-row for the first attempt. With a masterful start, Byron was able to surge his Chevrolet-powered machine to the front to edge out Tyler Reddick before another caution flew.
    • Teetering on fuel to make it to the end, Crew Chief Rudy Fugle immediately told Byron to save fuel – ultimately choosing to forgo pit road to remain in contention for the win. At the choose cone, Byron took the top lane as the control car for the green-flag of the second overtime attempt. Lacking a push from behind, Byron fell into the second position – maintaining the spot to the checkered flag to recorded the team’s eighth top-five finish of the season.
    • The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season continues at Daytona International Speedway with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, August 18, at 2:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on the USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

    TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL TOP-10:
    POS. DRIVER
    2nd William Byron
    4th Kyle Busch7th Zane Smith
    8th Daniel Suarez
    10th Carson Hocevar

    WITH 24 NASCAR CUP SERIES RACES COMPLETE:
    Wins: 11
    Poles: 7
    Top-Five Finishes: 41
    Top-10 Finishes: 88
    Stage Wins: 13

    UP NEXT: The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season continues at Daytona International Speedway with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday, August 24, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

     TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE QUOTES:

    William Byron, No. 24 RaptorTough.com Camaro ZL1

    Finished: 2nd

    WE HAD TWO OVERTIME RESTARTS. YOU WERE ON THE BOTTOM FOR THE FIRST AND CHOSE THE TOP ON THE SECOND. DID YOU MAYBE WISH YOU WOULD HAVE RETHOUGHT THAT AT THE END?

    “Yeah, I mean ultimately, that was the difference. But he (Tyler Reddick) was really fast, and his car was really good. He did a good job on the long runs, so he had us beat. The restarts gave us a chance, but we weren’t able to make the right choice and have the right push and all that. So, I’ll always look back at that, but proud of the effort today. It was good.”

    WITH THIS RESULT AFTER A SUMMER SLUMP, DO YOU THINK THIS COULD PROPEL YOU IN THE PLAYOFFS?

    “Yeah, we have just been up and down. I feel like since we have come back from the break, we have had a good mindset and have been executing well. Pit crew has been doing a good job and we have been making good decisions. We’ve just been communicating well. We had a few things during the break that we could go to work on and it has just really come together. Just proud of the fact that we have stayed together through this, and I feel like we are in a good spot going into the playoffs.”

    Kyle Busch, No. 8 Lucas Oil Camaro ZL1

    Finished: 4th

    “It was a good day overall for our No. 8 team. Maybe needed a tick more speed, but it was a good top-eight car, so we got a little bit more out of that with the Lucas Oil Chevrolet. It was a good pit strategy by Randall (Burnett) and the guys to keep our track position and keep us upfront there. We took two tires there at the end and it wasn’t going to be ideal on those short restarts. We hung on OK and got a top-five out of it.

    Zane Smith, No. 71 Focused Health Camaro ZL1

    Finished: 7th

    “It was definitely a good recovery. I’m still mad at myself after we sped on pit road once we finally had some good track position. I knew that we were making gains on our Chevy. Once we had to start at the back, I was able to get through a lot of them right away. I felt like we learned a lot there getting back through the field, and we made our car even better. That last restart, I kind of learned something from being back there earlier in the race and was able to apply that to that last restart. I was able to get a few rows and maintain. And then obviously had help from the No. 99 (Daniel Suarez) with a push to get us to seventh there at the line. That was much appreciated.

    It’s been a long weekend, but all-in-all, it was a great day with our No. 71 Focused Health Chevy. We’ll take the momentum and head to Daytona.”

    Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Jockey Infinite Cool Camaro ZL1

    Finished: 8th

    “It was an OK day for the No. 99 Jockey Infinite Cool Chevy team. I don’t feel like I did a great job today. For some reason I feel like the car was actually very different from yesterday to today. I struggled a lot on the short runs for a while, but we got it better there at the end. I thought we had decent speed, just not quite good enough. Overall, I think the team did a good job; good calls on tires at the end and we were able to be on offense and it was a decent top-10. I feel like we deserved a top-10 today. I am happy with a top-10, but I don’t feel like I did a good job today.”

    Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Premier Security / Zeigler Camaro ZL1

    Finished: 10th

    “We were able to get a top-10 after falling to 35th on Sunday. We had a few mechanical problems that were kind of a freak deal, but we were able to really reset and get our No. 77 Premier Security / Zeigler Chevy handling good today. We put together a really strong run for the No. 77 team. Really great to finish good at home, but also to have two top-10s, back-to-back. That’s no small feat. We were able to do it at home with a lot of friends and family. We just had a super strong car and it’s great to have good momentum heading into Daytona, where anything can happen.”

    Kyle Larson, No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Camaro ZL1

    Sidelined by damage sustained in an accident at the end of Stage Two.

    Finished: 34th

    Take us through what happened from your vantage point.

    “Yeah, I just messed up. You try to get all you can on restarts. I was just trying to funnel myself up the racetrack. I didn’t want to get stuck on the bottom three-wide. Just got myself in an awkward aero spot and lost it. It’s unfortunate. I made a mistake and cost ourselves a lot of points today.”

    When you’re out there, how much are you aware of what position you’re in because of the way the air changes so much. Did you feel like there was any warning of where you were at before that went around?

    “Yeah, I mean you get a little bit of warning right before you start spinning. But once these Next Gen cars step out, it’s really hard to save it. I was just doing what I thought would be right to funnel our way up and just put myself in bad spot.”

    You were the first car on four tires. Was that the right call?

    “Yeah, I think so. If I would have just done a better job of executing the right way on that first lap, I think we would have ended up fine. Similar to the first stage, Chase (Elliott) was the first on four (tires) and did a really good job to make it up to second. I was hopeful that I could make the right decisions and have that work out, but I just messed up.”

    Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Garner Trucking Camaro ZL1

    Finished: 32nd

    Scary incident down the backstretch. What occurred between you and the No. 10 when you went down the backstretch?

    “That’s just about how the year has gone. We have a good car and I find a way to flip it upside down. Twice this year, we’ve been upside down and I hadn’t been upside down my whole career. That’s just unfortunately how the year for the No. 7 team has been all year. We’ve had speed, just haven’t been able to put it together.

    The No. 10 (Noah Gragson) chopped me a couple of times, especially off (turn) two when I’d have a run. I hadn’t seen a replay yet.. if he pulled it off the wall when I was trying to get to his left rear to slow him down. But it was a ride, buddy. There were sparks, dirt and all sorts of stuff coming in. I just hate that our Garner Trucking Camaro got a little beat and banged up. I think we had a top-10 to 12 car today, but we ended up on our roof.”

    When you’re racing the No. 10 (Noah Gragson), how hard was it to get off of him? I saw that coming off turn two, it’s really hard with the aero..

    “Well, you’re trying to pack air on him. You’re trying to formulate runs. He closed the door pretty late on me a couple of different times, and I was trying to get by him. Just misjudged it and wrecked.”

     

    About Chevrolet

    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

  • RFK Teammates Lead Ford in Monday Cup Race at Michigan (Post Race Quotes)

    RFK Teammates Lead Ford in Monday Cup Race at Michigan (Post Race Quotes)

    Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
    NASCAR Cup Series
    Firekeepers 400 NCS Post Race Quotes | Michigan International Speedway
    Monday, August 19, 2024

    FORD UNOFFICIAL FINISHING RESULTS

    5th – Brad Keselowski
    6th – Chris Buescher
    11th – Ryan Preece
    12th – Noah Gragson
    14th – Harrison Burton
    18th – Ryan Blaney
    19th – Michael McDowell
    20th – Justin Haley
    21st – Cody Ware
    22nd – Josh Berry
    28th – Austin Cindric
    31st – Chase Briscoe
    33rd – Joey Logano
    36th – Todd Gilliland

    BRAD KESELOWSKI, No. 6 Castrol Edge Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Finished 5th)

    WHAT HAPPENED DOWN IN TURN 1 ON THAT LAST RESTART? “Yeah, we just had a couple of issues today with the engine shutting off. It was frustrating, but it was just part of our day. We were probably that fourth or fifth-place car, and the way the race played out, the 45 got by us, and he was really fast. He deserved to win the race. We were in position, but we just really couldn’t make anything count. I am really proud of our effort. It was really good execution today and a little more speed than we have had. We just need one more step to be able to win these races.”

    WE ALL KNOW HOW BAD YOU WANT TO WIN HERE. YOU WERE CLOSE TODAY. WHAT IS THE EMOTION LIKE?

    “Yeah, we are just waiting for something good to happen to us. We were in position, it just hasn’t happened yet.”

    CHRIS BUESCHER, No. 17 Fifth Third Bank Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Finished 6th)

    YOU WERE 18TH ON THE FINAL TWO RESTARTS ALL THE WAY UP TO SIXTH: “It was a good strategy call and a good move to pit there and do something different for us. Ultimately our chance at winning this thing had gone away. I had been caught up in whatever happened in that early accident, and we have damage on all four corners of this Fifth Third Bank Ford Mustang. We were still fast but the balance was not near as good. It was a lot of fun before that. We had a chance to win this race. So it was a good call to do something different and take the right side tires and we were able to pass a ton of cars. It was wild but a heck of a way to salvage a day that should have been better.”

    HOW DIFFERENT WAS THE CAR ONCE YOU GOT THE DAMAGE? “It freed up a lot and probably just sealed that splitter down to the ground. Things happen in front but to me I just feel like if you see an accident, start checking up. It seems like not a lot of people do that right now. It is just chaos when these yellows come out. That happened a little quicker than I really realized but it is still frustrating to be involved in that and take away the pace we had in this Mustang. It was just so good. I had such a fun time the first half of this race between yesterday and today and this is a heck of a recovery ultimately on the day.”

    CONSIDERING HOW BAD THE DAY COULD HAVE BEEN, YOU LEAVE 16 POINTS ABOVE THE CUT LINE. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT GOING INTO DAYTONA? “That is the first I have seen it. I am adamant that we are not points racers but when our chance to win this thing was gone, ultimately that was some of the mentality, to figure out how to make the best of our day. We had seen troubles from some of the other cars that were on the bubble. I wouldn’t say we weren’t aggressive on restarts, though. We were moving, but we were also trying to be smart and methodical about it and not put ourselves in a really bad spot. It was on our mind there at the end. It is what you have to do once you aren’t in contention to win the race.”

    RYAN PREECE. No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse (Finished 11th)

    “That was a good ending. I didn’t think we were going to finish 11th today. I thought if everything went out way we would finish maybe 16th or 17th, so that was a net gain for us. Certainly, we have some strengths and have made gains. We need to make gains on those weak areas. I feel like we are getting closer, so hopefully these final 12 we can finish out on a positive note.

    JOEY LOGANO, No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    (Retired early due to multi-car accident on Lap 116)

    WHAT DID YOU FEEL? “We had that right-rear tire go flat right before that, which put us back there down a lap, and then I think the 5 just spun out in front of me and kind of caused a big wad and a Daytona-type crash. There was nowhere to really go. I couldn’t steer it left, so I just committed to maybe if I could slow it down enough, I could center punch it, and it wouldn’t be that bad. That was my only option there. Unfortunately, we got knocked out a little early. We were fighting for probably a top-10. We weren’t that great, if there were more wrecks we could maybe have ended up with a top-five but we will move on.”

    TODD GILLILAND, No. 38 Grillo’s Pickles Ford Mustang Dark Horse

    (Retired early due to multi-car accident on Lap 116)

    WHAT HAPPENED? “I am not too sure. We were fighting for the Lucky Dog and I thought we were in a pretty good position. I ran to the bottom into Turn 3 and I was trying to get up all the way back to the wall. I am pretty sure I was just looking in my rearview camera, and everybody wrecked. I am not too sure. I was trying to get up into a hole, and the next thing I knew, we were all in a wreck. It is unfortunate. I thought we were clicking away.”

  • Richard Childress Racing and Dow Announce Partnership Extension

    Richard Childress Racing and Dow Announce Partnership Extension

    Innovative Technology and Science-Based Partnership Continues in 2025 with 2018 Daytona 500 Champion Austin Dillon Driving the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing

    BROOKLYN, Michigan (August 18, 2024) – Dow (NYSE: DOW) and Richard Childress Racing (RCR) announced today an extension of their partnership, reinforcing a commitment to advancing high-performing mobility through materials science innovation.

    “We believe in the power and science of sport and its ability to push the bounds of innovation, particularly through purpose-based partnerships,” said Carlos Padilla II, Head of Global Sports Partnerships at Dow, “so we’re thrilled to be continuing our collaboration on the NASCAR circuit with RCR, working together to help drive a higher-performing future of automotive, both on the racetrack and our everyday roads.”

    Dow has been partnered with Dillon and RCR for major milestones in the Welcome, North Carolina driver’s NASCAR career, including the return of the No. 3 to the NASCAR Cup Series, Dillon’s historic Daytona 500 pole as a rookie in 2014, his first win in the NASCAR Cup Series in one of NASCAR’s “Crown Jewel” races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2017, and a Daytona 500 win in 2018.

    “Dow’s relationship has been one of the most personal and authentic relationships of my motorsports career,” said Dillon. “I’ve really enjoyed meeting Dow employees globally, some of which have become close friends. We’ve seen first-hand the power of the partnership with programs such as the Dow Salutes Veterans program growing each year, and customers from a variety of businesses finding value in their relationship with Dow through their at-track experience. Dow has supported me since day 1 in the NASCAR Cup Series, and it means a lot to know that Dow scientists are working behind the scenes to extract every ounce of speed we can from our Chevys. I’m proud to be associated with one of the world’s foremost materials science companies and will do my best to represent Dow both on and off track.”

    Dow brings a science and engineering crew who is driven by limitless curiosity and collaboration to the RCR team. Backed by the power of data analysis and virtual modeling, Dow develops and manufactures high-performance components and materials custom-made for the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet. In recent years, Dow has used their race team partnership to help launch Dow MobilityScience™ – the company’s one-stop shop for all things automotive – and has used the star power of Dillon and the RCR crew to give back to the community and Dow employees with important initiatives such as river cleanups, Habitat for Humanity builds and special initiatives for Dow Employee Resource Groups.

    “Collaboration is key when it comes to innovation,” said Jennifer Kempf, Commercial Vice President of Dow MobilityScience™, “and in a world where mobility is ever-changing and the need for more rapidly evolving options on our roads is paramount, it’s teamwork and real-time testing with like-minded partners such as RCR that’s helping bring to life the advancements necessary for progress.”

    “Whether it’s corporate citizenship, sustainability initiatives, or celebrating the science of speed through ongoing technological collaborations between RCR engineers and Dow scientists, our relationship with Dow has always been about more than the diamond on the hood of the car,” said Torrey Galida, President of RCR. “Together, we’ve accomplished a lot both on and off the track, and we’re looking forward to building on our strong relationship with continued collaborations.”

    Dow and RCR’s partnership has expedited innovation and shortened testing time in the automotive industry by using one of the most extreme environments – the racetrack – as a real-time testbed. Stay up to date with Dow’s exciting developments at www.dow.com/sports, and follow them on X (@DowSports) and LinkedIn (Dow Sports Marketing Solutions).

    For more information on all that is going on at RCR, visit rcrracing.com.

    Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employ approximately 35,900 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $45 billion in 2023. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

    Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2024 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Jesse Love (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).