Category: NASCAR Cup PR

CHASE BRISCOE
Michigan Advance
No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: FireKeepers Casino 400 (Round 24 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 18
● Location: Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn
● Layout: 2-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 200 laps / 400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 45 laps / Stage 2: 75 laps / Final Stage: 80 laps
● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● The FireKeepers Casino 400 is round No. 24 on the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, and it will mark Chase Briscoe’s fourth career start at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. The driver of the No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang has made three previous starts at the 2-mile, D-shaped oval, with his best result coming in his first Cup start at the track in 2021 when he finished 11th. Luck has been fleeting in the Irish Hills region of Michigan since then, with Briscoe logging results of 20th and 31st in his last two Cup starts at the track.

● Briscoe enjoyed solid results at Michigan prior to racing there in the NASCAR Cup Series. He has three starts at Michigan outside of the Cup Series – one each in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series. He scored top-10 finishes in all of them, with his best result coming in his Michigan debut when he finished second in the 2016 ARCA race, where he also led 31 laps. When Briscoe returned to Michigan in 2017, he was driving a Ford F-150 for Brad Keselowski Racing. Despite going from a Ford Fusion in ARCA to an F-150 in the Truck Series, Briscoe maintained his front-running ways by finishing ninth after leading four laps. His last Michigan start before getting promoted to the Cup Series came in the Xfinity Series in 2019 when he finished seventh in a Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas. In those three non-Cup Series starts at Michigan, Briscoe completed 100 percent of the 225 laps available.

● Joining Briscoe at Michigan is HighPoint.com, a leading provider of technology infrastructure solutions that is headquartered in Sparta, New Jersey. HighPoint has been a partner of Briscoe and Stewart-Haas since 2020 when the company supported Briscoe’s NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign, a collaboration that netted a season-best nine victories and earned Briscoe a promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series. HighPoint has climbed the NASCAR ladder with Briscoe and has helped Stewart-Haas maximize its IT investments. Said Briscoe about the partnership: “Even though we race stock cars, there’s nothing stock about what we do. The science of our cars is impressive, but the technology that goes into building our Ford Mustangs and then making them perform is even more advanced. Our IT needs are pretty complex, and we demand a lot from our technology every day, whether it’s at the shop or at the track. HighPoint provides efficiency and security. They’re more than just a sponsor – HighPoint is a partner that helps us perform.” As an IT Solutions Integrator focused on all things that connect, HighPoint helps its customers with the selection and supply of network infrastructure, mobility, collaboration, data center, security solutions and the risk-mitigated implementation and management of their technology. The company, founded in 1996, is a minority-owned business that serves markets in its nearby Tri-State Region (New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware) and the southeastern United States via its presence in Charlotte, North Carolina, as well as globally with offices in Amsterdam and London. To learn more about HighPoint’s solutions, please visit HighPoint.com.

● The story of how HighPoint.com came together with Briscoe and Stewart-Haas is one that could’ve been scripted in Hollywood. In November 2019, while walking to dinner after attending the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Kevin Briscoe was stopped by a stranger who noticed his No. 98 Stewart-Haas hat. The man was Mike Mendiburu, founder and CEO of HighPoint.com, and he said he was a big fan of Chase Briscoe, then a young NASCAR Xfinity Series driver from Mitchell, Indiana, who was driving the No. 98 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas. Kevin informed Mendiburu that Chase was his son and the two carried on a conversation like they were old friends. The two walked away with Kevin accepting Mendiburu’s business card, just in case the Briscoes ever needed anything. Months passed and Chase Briscoe was told that he may not have a ride in the No. 98 for the 2020 season if funding couldn’t be found. So, Stewart-Haas was given Mendiburu’s information and an agreement was reached for HighPoint.com to sponsor Briscoe. That chance encounter in Las Vegas led to a nine-win season in 2020. In October of that year, midway through the playoffs, Briscoe arrived at Tony Stewart’s house in Indiana for what he thought was a discussion with his team owner about whether HighPoint.com would be returning as his sponsor for the next season. The group sat down for dinner and Briscoe, joined by his parents, was informed a decision had already been made – he would be leaving the No. 98 Xfinity Series program to become the next driver of the team’s No. 14 Cup Series entry, the car Stewart himself wheeled during his driving tenure at Stewart-Haas. “I wouldn’t have a career if it wasn’t for Mike and everyone at HighPoint.com,” Briscoe said. “Going into 2020, I was going to be done. They literally came in the fourth quarter with 30 seconds left on the clock and kept things going. Without them, I think my career would’ve been over.”

Chase Briscoe, Driver of the No. 14 HighPoint.com Ford Mustang

Michigan is a fast, 2-mile, D-shaped oval. Do you feel the sensation of speed there more than you do at other tracks?

“It definitely feels like you’re hauling the mail at Michigan. Michigan is one of those places where you know you’re going fast and if you hit something, it’s not going to feel good. It definitely gets your attention.”

Michigan marks a return to a high-speed, high-banked, intermediate track after running a variety of tracks through the summer. Can the knowledge learned earlier in the year at Las Vegas – or even at places that we’ve raced at more recently like Kansas and Charlotte – be applied to Michigan, or were those races so long ago that it’s no longer applicable?

“I think you can take a little bit from those races, but Michigan is kind of different than all the other ones. It’s not got a lot of tire falloff, it’s extremely fast, it’s smoother through the corners, and the banking and things are different, so Michigan is kind of its own racetrack that stands out among the rest. You can apply some of the stuff you’ve learned at mile-and-a-half racetracks from an aero standpoint, but when you go to Michigan, all that stuff is amplified, so you’ve got to be really on your game from an aero standpoint and an engine standpoint. It has been a while since we’ve run a mile-and-a-half-style track. I feel like it’s always a fresh reset when we get to Michigan and try to figure out who’s going to be good.”

We’ve heard the adage of, “Slow down to go fast,” and that seems to be used a lot at Michigan. What does that mean and how does it apply to Michigan?

“Because you’re going so fast down the straightaway driving in, and the straightaways are so long there that you’re really just trying to set up for the exit of the corner, so sometimes when you try to start slowing down, you start backing your entry up and you start getting on the gas earlier and making the straightaway longer, and you end up going faster. It’s funny, a lot of times you see guys actually start going faster when they’re saving fuel there just because they’re making the straightaways a lot longer. I’m pretty guilty of driving in too deep there. Hopefully, this year I can do a lot better job of that.”

Oftentimes, Michigan races have come down to fuel mileage. How does a driver try to save fuel when they’re still trying to outrun other racecars?

“It’s a hard balance trying to keep those guys behind you. I think the biggest thing is just being a lot smoother on the gas pedal and not only pushing it down, but even letting up, and then just lifting earlier in the corner, getting back to the throttle a little bit later. There are a lot of things you can do, including shutting it off. Guys will even do that sometimes under green getting into the corner. There are a lot of things you can do, fuel mileage-wise, especially at the bigger racetracks like Michigan. There are a lot of games played, for sure, on the fuel side.”

Has there been a fuel-mileage race where at the end of it you’ve said, “I did a really good job of saving fuel and got us the best finish possible?’, or have there been races where you’re left scratching your head wondering what you could’ve done differently?

“Nashville earlier this year would definitely be one where I thought I was doing a really, really good job of saving and doing everything I needed to do, and somebody who had essentially three laps less fuel than me made it and I didn’t. I don’t know, it’s definitely hard. I think the big thing is you can save all you want under caution, but sometimes under green you’re burning more if you’re faster, or you’re burning less if you’re a little bit slower than some other guys. So, it’s just hard to say really what you’ve got. Nashville would certainly be the one that stands out above the rest. I thought I did a really good job under caution, and even looking back at stuff, I thought I did a really comparable job to everybody, but then you still don’t have enough at the end.”

When you’re trying to save fuel, is it easier to make a mistake because you’re sort of out of your rhythm, or do you just adapt into a new rhythm?

“I feel like you just adapt. You’re always doing something different trying to get more and more fuel saved. It’s easier to drive the car when you’re fuel saving just because you’re not pushing the car as hard, but there’s still a rhythm and a technique of trying to maximize your time while saving fuel. It’s kind of a new rhythm that you find, but it’s also constantly evolving as you’re trying to save more fuel.”

Do you put an asterisk next to a fuel-mileage win, or are you of the opinion that a win’s a win, no matter how you get it?

“They all pay the same amount of points and pay the same amount of money. For me, from a pride standpoint, it’s a little bit different if you know you lucked into one in the sense of fuel mileage. But at the same time, you still did a better job than everybody else. A win’s a win in my book. You still get to take home a trophy and enjoy victory lane, so it doesn’t really matter to me how you get them, it’s just a matter of getting them.”

No. 14 HighPoint.com Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Chase Briscoe

Hometown: Mitchell, Indiana

Crew Chief: Richard Boswell

Hometown: Friendship, Maryland

Car Chief: J.D. Frey

Hometown: Ferndale, California

Engineer: Mike Cook

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Spotter: Joey Campbell

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala

Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

Rear Tire Changer: Dakota Ratcliff

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Tire Carrier: Jon Bernal

Hometown: Holland, Michigan

Jack Man: Kapil Fletcher

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fuel Man: Corey Coppola

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Road Crew Members

Underneath Mechanic: Stephen Gonzalez

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Interior Mechanic: Trevor Adams

Hometown: Plymouth, Wisconsin

Tire Specialist: Keith Eads

Hometown: Arlington, Virginia

Shock Specialist: Brian Holshouser

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Jon Phillips

Hometown: Jefferson City, Missouri

Transporter Co-Driver: Todd Cable

Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina

Transporter Co-Driver: Dale Lackey

Hometown: Taylorsville, North Carolina

JUSTIN HALEY | CODY WARE
Michigan Advance
Event Overview

● Event: FireKeepers Casino 400 (Round 24 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 18
● Location: Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn
● Layout: 2-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 200 laps / 400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 45 laps / Stage 2: 75 laps / Final Stage: 80 laps
● TV/Radio: USA Network / MRN Radio / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Justin Haley, Driver of the No. 51 Fraternal Order of Eagles Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Justin Haley, driver of the No. 51 Fraternal Order of Eagles Ford Mustang Dark Horse, will make his fourth NASCAR Cup Series start Sunday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. The 25-year-old has completed 599 of 600 available laps in his three previous starts at the 2-mile, D-shaped oval with a best finish of 17th earned in August 2022.

● In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Haley competed at Michigan twice, earning a 10th-place finish in his first race there in 2019. Haley also owns two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts there, leading three laps in 2017 en route to a 10th-place finish, then returning in 2018 to finish ninth.

Cody Ware, Driver of the No. 15 Parts Plus Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Cody Ware will also make his fourth NASCAR Cup Series start at Michigan. Ware finished 22nd in his last race at the track in 2022 – his best finish and the best result for RWR in 24 total starts at Michigan.

● The Parts Plus brand, part of The Pronto Network, is the largest and the most diverse automotive program distribution group in North America, will make its debut on the No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse this weekend as co-primary partner. Parts Plus began 2024 with an expansion of its partnership with RWR and its Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Clay Millican.

Rick Ware Racing Notes

● The Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series returns to action this weekend at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway. RWR’s Top Fuel driver Clay Millican is currently seventh in the standings. In the most recent event July 26 – 28 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway, Millican was the second-fastest qualifier but wasn’t able to advance past the first round of eliminations. However, at the Northwest Nationals the week prior at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington, the Parts Plus dragster was knocked out of contention for the Wally after advancing to the semifinals.

● American Flat Track takes a week off after two events last week. In Tuesday’s event at Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, South Dakota, AFT Singles rider Kody Kopp finished third, his 11th podium finish to that point. He followed that up on Sunday with his sixth win of the season, extending his podium streak to eight straight top-three finishes and increasing his lead to 34 points in the championship standings. Mission SuperTwins rider Briar Bauman finished second to earn his fourth podium of the year and advance to third in the standings.

● Rick Ware has been a motorsports mainstay for more than 40 years. It began at age six when the third-generation racer began his driving career and has since spanned four wheels and two wheels on both asphalt and dirt. Competing in the SCCA Trans Am Series and other road-racing divisions led Ware to NASCAR in the early 1980s, where he finished third in his NASCAR debut – the 1983 Warner W. Hodgdon 300 NASCAR Grand American race at Riverside (Calif.) International Raceway. More than a decade later, injuries would force Ware out of the driver seat and into fulltime team ownership. In 1995, Rick Ware Racing was formed, and with wife Lisa by his side, Ware has since built his eponymous organization into an entity that fields two fulltime entries in the NASCAR Cup Series while simultaneously campaigning successful teams in the Top Fuel class of the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, Progressive American Flat Track and FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX), where RWR won the 2022 SX2 championship with rider Shane McElrath.

Justin Haley, Driver Q&A

What are some of the characteristics of racing at Michigan?

“Fast and edgy. You really have to commit when you’re headed into turn one. It’s so fast and the groove isn’t as wide as some other places, so that’s usually where you’ll see guys have problems. You get just a little bit out of line and it could be bad. We haven’t been terrible on the bigger tracks, so I feel like we’ll be OK this weekend and hopefully we can get back on track with top-20 results.”

Ford has won nine consecutive Cup races at Michigan. Does that add a bit of confidence?

“It’s like going to superspeedways. The Fords were always so good and it was something I was really looking forward to when I moved over to the Ford camp. It does add some confidence to know that Ford is the one to beat, but you also know everyone is trying to match that and take the win this time.”

Cody Ware, Driver Q&A

What are your expectations for the No. 15 team heading to Michigan?

“Michigan is a place where we have had decent success as a small team in the past, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we have progressed there with our RFK Racing alliance. Staying clean on restarts is the most important thing, because that’s where 99 percent of the chaos happens there.”

There are just three races before the playoffs begin and there seems to be more desperation among drivers sitting below the cutline. Do you have to adjust your race plan to account for more aggressive driving throughout the field?

“I don’t think so. We still want to run our own race and be as aggressive as we can without making mistakes. Obviously, if we see certain cars around each other, we probably want to be on our toes, but other than that I feel like our strategy at Michigan will be pretty straightforward. We just need to get the best finish possible and bring home a clean car.”

5 KYLE LARSON

Age: 32 (July 31, 1992)

Hometown: Elk Grove, California

Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels

Standings: 1st

No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

MICHIGAN MAN: Kyle Larson earned his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Michigan International Speedway in 2016, a win that was part of a streak of three consecutive triumphs in the Irish Hills (the last three wins for Chevrolet at this track). In his 15 starts at Michigan, Larson has three victories, seven top-five finishes, nine top 10s, has led 222 laps and completed 2,770 of 2,876 laps run.

WIN-DIANAPOLIS: In July, Larson earned Hendrick Motorsports’ record-extending 11th Brickyard 400 victory, his first on the famed oval and his series-high fourth win of 2024. With 27 career victories, Larson now ranks 32nd on the Cup Series wins list. The crown-jewel win at Indianapolis marked his 11th victory in the Next-Gen car, tying him with Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron for the most.

FOLLOW THE LEADER: With three races remaining in the regular season, Larson leads the Cup standings by five points. The Elk Grove, California, native, tops the series with four wins, five poles and 28 playoff points. He is tied for second with nine top-five finishes and is in second alone with 780 laps led. That total is the second highest through 23 races in Larson’s career, behind only his 2021 championship season in which he paced the field for 1,468 laps in the first 23 events.

UP FRONT IN THE GREAT LAKE STATE: The driver of the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet has a streak of four consecutive top-10 finishes at Michigan. In that span, he has an average finish of 4.5 while pacing the field for 72 laps.

WELL DEFENDED: Last weekend at the Knoxville Nationals, Larson led all 50 laps to capture his third victory in the famed sprint car event. It marked the second consecutive year he led wire-to-wire at Knoxville Raceway.

AWAY BUT ALWAYS AVAILABLE: In 2024, the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team recognizes “home” events by wearing white firesuits and “away” with blue. Its home races come at tracks with nearby Hendrick Automotive Group car dealerships. This weekend, the No. 5 team races “away” in the Irish Hills market. However, it’s easy to pick up a new set of keys from any one of Hendrick Automotive Group’s 94 dealerships nationwide. Customers can also shop from the convenience of home by selecting the category, make, model and vehicle packages important to them from the nearly 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and certified cars, trucks and SUVs available at HENDRICKCARS.COM.

HENDRICK AUTOMOTIVE GROUP IS HIRING: Join the more than 10,000 people nationwide who work at Hendrick Automotive Group. The company is hiring technicians and other positions at its dealerships throughout the country. Positions are open for all skill levels and offer tuition and training reimbursement. Individuals who are interested 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

SEASON UPDATE: With three races remaining in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, Chase Elliott heads to Michigan International Speedway third in points, only six markers behind the leader, Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson. The 28-year-old has one win (Texas Motor Speedway), seven top-five finishes and 12 top 10s. Elliott’s 10.43 average finish leads the field and is the second-best mark through 23 races in his career behind only the 2022 season in which he won the regular season championship. He also has the third-best average running position (10.98) and the fourth-most laps spent inside the top 10 (3,410).

HISTORY MADE: With his ninth-place finish last weekend at Richmond Raceway, Elliott is the first driver in Cup Series history to complete all but one lap through 23 races in a season. The previous record was all but two laps, a mark set by Kevin Harvick (2020), Greg Biffle (2012) and Matt Kenseth (2003). The only race this season in which Elliott didn’t finish on the lead lap was at Bristol Motor Speedway in the spring, though he still finished eighth.

IRISH HILLS READY: Elliott holds the best average finish (10.15) among active drivers with more than three starts at Michigan and the third-best all-time behind Carl Edwards (9.4) and Cale Yarborough (9.61). He has placed inside the top 10 in 10 of his 13 career Cup Series starts at the 2-mile oval – tied for his third-most top 10s on active tracks behind Kansas Speedway and Martinsville Speedway (11 each). The Dawsonville, Georgia, native has also led 144 laps and collected three top-five finishes at the Irish Hills track – all of which were runner-up results.

STOUT GROUP: Elliott is in good company as one of five drivers with three or more runner-up finishes at Michigan before earning a win. Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon earned three second-place results before visiting victory lane at the 2-mile oval in 1998. Elliott joins Brad Keselowski and NASCAR Hall of Famer Terry Labonte with three runner-up results without a win at Michigan. Martin Truex Jr. has four.

700 STARTS FOR AG: On Sunday, Alan Gustafson is set to make his 700th start in his 20th season as a Cup Series crew chief. The 49-year-old is the longest tenured crew chief in the history of Hendrick Motorsports. He has earned 39 premier series victories – tied for the second-most among active crew chiefs – 201 top-five finishes and 349 top 10s with over 11,000 laps led. In addition to Elliott, Gustafson has worked full seasons with NASCAR Hall of Famers Gordon and Mark Martin as well as Kyle Busch and Casey Mears. The Ormond Beach, Florida, native captured the 2020 Cup Series championship with Elliott.

GREAT GUSTAFSON: Gustafson will call his 36th Cup Series race at Michigan on Sunday. In 35 prior starts with five drivers, Gustafson has collected two wins (Martin in 2009 and Gordon in 2014), five top-five finishes and 17 top 10s, with 370 laps led. Gordon started from the pole in 2014 and his qualifying lap stands as the fastest qualifying speed that did not occur at a superspeedway.

FASTEST FIVE: With 23 races complete, the No. 9 pit crew holds the fastest average four-tire pit stop time (10.687 seconds). The over-the-wall squad laid down the fastest four-tire pit stop (9.076 seconds) of the season at Texas in April, according to data from Racing Insights. 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).

GET UP AND GO: NAPA Auto Parts is back on the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this weekend. The Atlanta-based company has been the primary partner for Elliott for all but three of his Cup starts on the 2-mile oval, including all three of his runner-up finishes. Get a look at all the angles of the 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: 7th

No. 24 RAPTOR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

24 IN ‘24: William Byron’s 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season started off with three wins in the first eight races including the DAYTONA 500. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has seven top-five finishes (tied for fourth) and 12 top 10s (tied for third). Byron ranks 10th in laps spent in the top five with 1,406 and eighth with 2,894 laps in the top 10. With three races remaining in the regular season, Byron is seventh in the Cup Series points with 16 playoff points.

MICHIGAN MINUTES: Byron will make his 12th NASCAR national series start at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. Of those 11 races, nine came in a Cup car with a best starting position of third in 2019 and a best finish of second in 2021. The 26-year-old has one Xfinity Series start at the 2-mile D-shaped oval, qualifying fourth and coming home second in 2017. He also made a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series appearance in 2016, starting third and finishing fourth with crew chief Rudy Fugle on the box.

OH SO CLOSE: Sunday will mark Fugle’s fourth Cup Series event at Michigan. The Livonia, New York, native has a track-best finish of second coming with Byron in 2021. Fugle has seven Truck Series starts at Michigan with has six top-five showings including three runner ups. His only finish outside the top four came in a 15th-place result in 2019. Fugle’s drivers have an average starting position of 5.4 and an average finish of 4.6 at Michigan in the Truck Series.

PIT ROAD PROWESS: After 23 races, the No. 24 crew ranks fourth for the fastest average four-tire pit stop (10.892 seconds). The squad, consisting of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire carrier) and Landon Walker (fueler) had the fastest four-tire stop during last week’s race at Richmond at 9.442 seconds.

RAPTOR® TOUGH: 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 that is 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.

48 ALEX BOWMAN

Age: 31 (April 25, 1993)

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Resides: Concord, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Blake Harris

Standings: 10th

No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

THREE TO GO: With three races remaining in NASCAR’s regular season, Alex Bowman’s eighth career NASCAR Cup Series win at the Chicago Street Course locked the No. 48 Ally Racing driver into the postseason. Following the completion of 23 points-paying races this season, Bowman has six top-five finishes and 17 lead-lap finishes. His 12 top 10s are tied for third most and are already more than he recorded in 2023. Following competition at Richmond Raceway, Bowman continues to defend the 10th spot in the point standings, 164 markers behind leader and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson.

MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY: This Sunday, the Tucson, Arizona, native will make his 15th start at Michigan International Speedway. In 14 previous starts, Bowman has three top 10s, and 19 laps led. He has also completed 93.5% of the laps run in those events. Bowman’s best Michigan finish came in a ninth-place showing in 2022.

BIKING AT WATKINS GLEN: On Aug. 14, Bowman made a special trip to Watkins Glen International Speedway for “Bike at the Glen.” He joined fans and took a lap around the 2.45-mile historic New York road course on a bicycle. He also spoke to fans and guests about his racing career, making healthy choices, and his passion for helping rescue animals. Read more about the event here.

BOOKS WITH DETROIT GIRL SCOUTS: On Friday, Aug. 16, Bowman will visit the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan headquarters. The No. 48 team’s primary sponsor Ally, a digital bank, is an advocate for financial literacy, especially when it comes to youth. Ally volunteers read to thousands of kids each year. Bowman will read with children for a third time this year, picking up “Emma and the Cosmophone” to share with a group of Daisy and Brownie scouts. Bowman will then lead a round of “Jeopardy!” to encourage active learning and boost the scouts’ financial fundamentals. Previous readings this year included a visit to Clara Love Elementary School near Texas Motor Speedway and University Meadows Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina.

ALEX IN THE FAN ZONE: On Sunday, fans can visit Bowman in the fan zone at the Ally Activation footprint. At 11:05 a.m., the driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro will participate in a Q&A. While in Ally’s space, fans can play games to win “Bowman Bucks” for prizes and enter to win the “Win Your Wheels” sweepstakes sponsored by Ally and HENDRICKCARS.COM.

ANYONE CAN WIN WITH ALLY: To celebrate Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary, Ally and HENDRICKCARS.COM are giving away a special edition Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE to one lucky fan through the “Win Your Wheels” sweepstakes. Only 40 of these Chevrolets will be manufactured and the other 39 will be sold exclusively through select Hendrick Automotive Group Chevrolet dealerships. Enter to win at Ally.com/sweepstakes/nascar. The promotion ends Sept. 20, 2024.

MAKE A FURRY FRIEND IN MICHIGAN: Over four years, Bowman and Ally have donated over $650,000 to Best Friends shelters and their vast network of partners. Every race weekend, the pair donates $4,800 to help homeless pets at a shelter local to the track. This weekend, the charitable donation will go to Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, a shelter in north Michigan serving pets and the people who love them since 1951.

ALLY RACING PIT CREW: The Ally Racing pit crew joins Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 9 team and No. 24 team pit crews in the top 10 for the best average four-tire stop this year (11.031). The 14-time championship winning organization’s No. 48 crew is composed of jackman Allen Holman, tire carrier Brandon Grier, front-tire changer Donnie Tasser, rear-tire changer Andrew Bridgeforth, and gasman Jacob Conley.

FIRST LAP: This Sunday, Ally Financial, the Official Consumer Bank of NASCAR, will invite a group of first-time racegoers to Michigan. In conjunction with Ally Racing’s First Lap program – a unique experience where Ally partners with local community groups to invite new, diverse fans into racing – Ally welcomes their Diverse Abilities Employee Resource Group (ERG) to the track. This group consists of over 1,600 members nationally who are committed to raising awareness and acceptance for persons with disabilities or other physical/mental differences within the workplace. In the U.S., around 1 in 4 adults have some type of disability – including 12% who have difficulty with walking or climbing stairs, 6% who have difficulty with hearing and nearly 13% with cognition difficulties. There are also more than 40 million American adults who have an anxiety disorder, and nearly 53 million people serving as a caregiver.

HENDRICK
MOTORSPORTS /

2024	All-Time	Michigan
Races	23	1,368	77
Wins	9*	310*	8
Poles	6*	252*	11*
Top 5	29*	1,261*	55
Top 10	48*	2,160*	111*
Laps Led	1,214	80,971*	2,697*
Stage Wins	10	108	1

*Most **Most (tie)

MICH-AGAIN: On Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports will seek its ninth Michigan International Speedway win and the team’s first at the track since 2014. Five drivers have won NASCAR Cup Series races for car owner Rick Hendrick at the 2-mile venue: Jeff Gordon (three wins), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two), Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Ricky Rudd. Gordon recorded Hendrick Motorsports’ most recent win there on Aug. 17, 2014, nearly 10 years ago to the day.

THE HALL CALLED: The NASCAR Hall of Fame has launched “Hendrick Motorsports: 40 Years,” an exhibit presented by NAPA Auto Parts that showcases the history of the 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champions. The exhibit brings the organization’s storied history to life by providing an in-depth look at the race team and the people who built it. Milestones from its earliest days to the current 2024 season are showcased through the artifacts and photographs, many of which have never been seen by the public. Six cars, six 80-inch video monitors, descriptive graphic panels, more than 75 individual artifacts, and 160 photographs comprise the exhibit, which will be on display through May 2025. Click here to learn more.

LEADER OF THE PACK: A Hendrick Motorsports driver has led the Cup Series regular season standings following 17 of 22 races thus far in 2024. The organization has also seen its drivers ranked 1-2 eight times this year. Hendrick Motorsports is the only team with four drivers inside the top 10 in regular season points.

THE LAST 35: Over the last 35 Cup Series events, Hendrick Motorsports has not gone more than three races without a win. In that span, the team has logged 13 victories (most by five), 42 top-five finishes (most by three) and 73 top 10s (most by 10). At least one Hendrick Motorsports driver has finished inside the top 10 in 34 of the 35 races.

QUOTABLE /

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Michigan International Speedway: “I’ve always enjoyed racing at Michigan and I’ve had a lot of success there, including my first Cup win. We have three races left in the regular season and we’re working hard to win the regular season championship and get those 15 extra points that go along with it. I would love to get another victory at Michigan — for the HENDRICKCARS.COM team and for Chevrolet in their backyard.”

Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on outlook at Michigan International Speedway: “We’re looking forward to going back to Michigan – an intermediate track with a lot of speed. It’s a great track to showcase all the good things of Hendrick Motorsports. We’ve got great Hendrick horsepower and our cars are competitive. Kyle is always great here and, again, we’re just looking forward to getting back to a big, fast place. Strategy, how you call the race and the very last green-flag pit cycle are always very important.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what it would mean to win at Michigan International Speedway: “I’ve never done it, but I have to imagine it’d be pretty cool, with it being a home race for Team Chevy and with Michigan being what it is. I think that would be a huge deal and I’d love to check that box for them. And I know every driver does for every manufacturer, whoever you’re driving for. It would be a really cool thing, and I’d love to add that to the list of accomplishments.”

Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the keys to performing well at Michigan: “The biggest thing about Michigan is you have to have stability. You have to be able to really carry a lot of pace with this car into the corner and really have comfort to do that. And if you can do that, you can kind of load the car and the exit is important. The old car was a little bit opposite. You wanted to get this real big arc and this huge drive off and this big run down the back straightaway. It seems this car has transitioned to where we carry a lot of throttle down into the corner. That was always the irony about Michigan. If you can use a lot of throttle you burn a lot of gas and that’s why I think that races traditionally come out to a fuel mileage race or can be, because the guys who are really good are just in the gas a lot so burn a lot of fuel, use a lot of throttle. That always comes into play.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the importance of winning at Michigan International Speedway: “This is always a big race for us being in Chevrolet’s backyard. Everyone wants to be able to bring the win home for them at Michigan. It’s about bragging rights for the manufacturers and we want to be the ones that help them do that. We’ve had decent success there before but I think we have a good setup to bring there this time around. I’m excited to get there and see what we can do, especially to build momentum before we get started in the playoffs.”

Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on why he enjoys racing at Michigan International Speedway: “Michigan is one of my favorite race tracks. It’s a track where sometimes the fastest car doesn’t always win and you can have some different strategy plays that can happen. Overall though it’s a really wide race track with multiple grooves. You usually want to be good on the bottom and then move to the middle-to-high lane which becomes the fastest as your tires wear out. It means you really need to bring your A-game, and what better place to do it the Detroit area where the manufacturers are located.”
​

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Michigan International Speedway: “It will be nice to get back to Michigan International Speedway. We were super-fast there last year before the No. 48 crashed, so looking forward to getting back there and hopefully we are even stronger there than we were last year.”

Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on competition at Michigan International Speedway: “We return to the track this weekend looking to build some momentum. We had a rough weekend in Richmond, so we look to come back better in Michigan. We ran a pretty good pace last year. Unfortunately, we were having to call the race to either win or not. We currently sit in a pretty tight points battle remaining in the top 10 for (the) regular season. We want to collect as many playoff points as possible and hopefully go for another shot to win on Sunday.”

This Week in Motorsports: August 12 – 18, 2024

· NCS/NXS: Michigan International Speedway – Aug. 17-18
· NHRA: Brainerd International Raceway – Aug. 16-18
· ARCA: Michigan International Speedway – Aug. 16 Illinois State Fairgrounds – Aug. 18

PLANO, Texas (Aug. 14, 2024) – NASCAR is back in the Midwest and Michigan International Speedway where the Cup and Xfinity Series take battle as both regular seasons continue to wind down. The ARCA Menards Series holds two races this weekend, one at Michigan on Friday and the other at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Sunday. The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series is back in action at Brainerd International Raceway with two races remaining before the Countdown to the Championship.

NASCAR National Series – NCS | NXS

Reddick, Hamlin make up ground on points lead … The fight for the all-important regular season championship is heating up with just three races remaining before the Cup Series Playoffs. After their top-five finishes at Richmond Sunday night, Tyler Reddick (second) and Denny Hamlin (fourth) both made up ground to the points lead heading to Michigan this weekend. Reddick is now just five points behind the championship lead, while Hamlin sits just 21 points back. Christopher Bell jumped a few spots to sixth in the points standings after a Stage 1 win Sunday night and is joined by Martin Truex Jr. (eighth) and Ty Gibbs (11th) inside the provisional playoff field. Bubba Wallace also continued his strong run of late with a fourth-place finish at Richmond and is now inside the playoff field, sitting three points above the cutline.

Reddick continues his top-10 streak … With his strong third-place run at Richmond, Reddick now has six consecutive top-10 finishes and nine in the last 10 races as he’s methodically carved his way up the points standings to second position, which is a career-best. In total, he has 16 on the season, the most in the Cup Series. Another such finish this weekend in Michigan may propel the California-native to the points lead depending on how the race shakes out.

Hamlin seeks another strong Michigan run … Like most tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, they bode well for Hamlin and the No. 11 Camry XSE team, and Michigan is no different. The 43-year-old has six consecutive top-10s at Michigan International Speedway and 11 in the last 16 races heading into the weekend. Like Reddick, another such finish or better would be monumental as Hamlin looks to cement himself as the regular season champion in a few weeks’ time.

Smith, Creed still well within Xfinity Playoffs … As the Xfinity Series returns for the first time since the Olympic break, Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chandler Smith and Sheldon Creed are both well within the Playoff field with six races remaining in the regular season. Smith is already locked in the Playoffs with his two wins earlier this season and sits fourth in the points standings, while Creed sits in eighth position, 69 points above the cutline.

Earnhardt back in No. 26 GR Supra … For the first time since Talladega Superspeedway, Jeffrey Earnhardt is back behind the wheel of the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing. Earnhardt has made two starts so far this season in the No. 26, including an eighth-place finish at Atlanta back in February. Saturday will be Earnhardt’s 171st career Xfinity Series start and his sixth at Michigan International Speedway.

NASCAR Regional Series – ARCA Menards Series

Breaking barriers … Across the two ARCA Menards Series races this weekend, Venturini Motorsports will be making NASCAR history with four female drivers piloting their Toyota Camrys, the first time four women drivers have raced for the same team in the same race. Toni Breidinger and Amber Balcaen will partake in both races with their full-time duties, while Isabella Robusto and Taylor Reimer will challenge the Illinois State Fairgrounds race on Sunday. For Reimer, this will be her second career ARCA Menards Series start, making her debut at the fairgrounds last year and finishing eighth. She’s also coming off a late model race win at Hickory Motor Speedway last weekend. Robusto makes her third ARCA Menards Series start on Sunday, looking for her third top-10 finish of the season also.

Sawalich looks to continue winning ways … In his eight ARCA Menards Series starts this season, William Sawalich has five victories, including three-in-a-row heading to the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Sunday. The Minnesotan has also finished inside the top-five in all but one race so far this season. He makes his second start at the fairgrounds this weekend where he finished fifth a season ago.

NHRA – Top Fuel | Funny Car

Kalitta makes history at Brainerd … This weekend marks a monumental occurrence for Doug Kalitta, Kalitta Motorsports and the NHRA as the defending Top Fuel world champion makes his 600th career start, the first time anyone has reached that number in Top Fuel history. Kalitta seeks to make the milestone weekend another triumphant one, going for his fourth win of the season and to extend his category points lead, which currently stands at 125 over teammate, Shawn Langdon, with just two races before the Countdown to the Championship.

Brown, Capps seek Brainerd repeats … Antron Brown and Ron Capps roll into Brainerd International Raceway with hopes of repeat victories in Top Fuel and Funny Car this weekend. Both former world champions currently sit fifth in their respective points standings, and a win by either or both would be enormous as they look to build momentum heading into the U.S. Nationals and the Countdown to the Championship.

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.

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
Michigan International Speedway
August 17-18, 2024

 Chevrolet’s drivers and teams in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will head to the Irish Hills of southeastern Michigan this weekend for NASCAR’s annual appearance at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). After sitting idle for nearly a month, the NXS will return to regular season competition in Saturday’s Cabo Wabo 250 to kick off the doubleheader weekend. The NCS will cap off the weekend with the FireKeepers Casino 400, where Chevrolet will be vying to bring the prestigious Michigan Heritage Trophy back to Detroit.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan International Speedway:

Located just outside of Detroit – the home of General Motorsports’ headquarters – Michigan International Speedway has over 55 years of experience hosting NASCAR’s top division, with Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 marking the series’ 107th appearance at the track. Chevrolet’s first NCS victory at MIS came courtesy of Cale Yarborough in June 1977, and the manufacturer has since collected 26 all-time NCS triumphs at the track. Among the list of Chevrolet’s past winners at MIS includes Kyle Larson, who has tallied three wins at the venue throughout his storied career – a record that leads the series’ active drivers.

Battling for the Michigan Heritage Trophy:

An additional award will be up for grabs at the conclusion of Sunday’s 400-mile event: the prestigious Michigan Heritage Trophy. Unique to Michigan International Speedway, the award was introduced to the series in 2013 to recognize and honor the winning manufacturer of each NASCAR Cup Series race. Since its debut, Chevrolet has brought the Michigan Heritage Trophy back to Detroit six times. Jimmie Johnson delivered the Bowtie brand its first trophy in June 2014, with Jeff Gordon (Aug. 2014) and Kurt Busch (June 2015) giving the manufacturer three-straight victories. The honors returned to Chevrolet when Kyle Larson drove the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet to the win – his first in NASCAR’s top division – in Aug. 2016. The Elk Grove, California, native went on to make it three-in-a-row with a sweep of the victories in 2017.

LOOKING BACK ON LARSON’S ‘FIRST’

For Kyle Larson, a trip to ‘Motor City’ in Aug. 2016 ended with the Chevrolet driver becoming a first-time winner in NASCAR’s top division. The victory came in the Elk Grove, California, native’s 99th career NASCAR Cup Series start. Behind the wheel of the No. 42 Chevrolet for car owner Chip Ganassi, Larson led 42 laps en route to the victory over his now Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott. To date, Larson is one of only two drivers in series’ history to claim their first career NCS win at Michigan International Speedway – joining the likes of NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett. Returning to the two-mile oval to sweep both NCS races the following season, Larson is one of just 10 drivers to record consecutive wins at MIS.

In addition to his three trips to victory lane, Larson has tallied seven top-fives and nine top-10s in his 15 career NCS starts at MIS. Consistency has been key for the former series champion at MIS over recent seasons – collecting results no worse than seventh in his last four starts at the track.

HOCEVAR HEADS HOME WITH ROOKIE STANDINGS LEAD

Chevrolet’s Carson Hocevar is on the horizon of his first career NASCAR Cup Series start at his home track of Michigan International Speedway this weekend. The 21-year-old Portage, Michigan, native has just one start in the NASCAR national ranks at his home track, which came in a Spire Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last season.

Hocevar enters the Michigan race weekend with an extra boost of confidence after a strong performance at Richmond Raceway – netting an eighth-place result to match his career-best finish in NASCAR’s top division. The result was enough to move Hocevar to the top of the series’ rookie points standings, with the Chevrolet driver now sitting at a two-point advantage over fellow ‘Rookie of the Year’ contender Josh Berry.

ALLGAIER LOOKING TO CLOSE IN ON REGULAR SEASON TITLE

With a trio of off-weekends in the rearview mirror, the NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to action this weekend with Saturday’s Cabo Wabo 250 – marking the six-race countdown to the end of the series’ regular season. Heading into the Michigan race weekend, eight drivers have already claimed a win and a playoff berth, with five coming from the Chevrolet camp: Kaulig Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen; Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill and Jesse Love; and JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier and Sam Mayer.

Earning his 12th top-10 finish of the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Allgaier was able to maintain the second position in the series’ regular season points standings with a 56-point deficit to reigning champion Cole Custer. The two-mile Michigan oval has proven to be a strong track for the No. 7 JR Motorsports Camaro SS team, with Allgaier tallying three top-fives and seven top-10s in 12 career NXS starts at the track.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Michigan International Speedway:

The NASCAR Xfinity Series turned its first laps at Michigan International Speedway in Aug. 1992 – an event that saw Todd Bodine power Chevrolet to the inaugural victory. Since then, the Bowtie brand has reeled off victories in 17 of the series’ 31 appearances at the track – earning a winning percentage of 54.8%. Among those victories includes three-in-a-row by Richard Childress Racing (Austin Dillon – June 2018; Tyler Reddick – June 2019), and most recently, AJ Allmendinger and Kaulig Racing in Aug. 2021.

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· Chevrolet will pace the field in the doubleheader race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. The Camaro SS will lead the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Saturday’s Cabo Wabo 250, and the Camaro ZL1 will lead the NASCAR Cup Series in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400.

· With 60 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 51.7% with 31 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – 11 wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – 11 wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – nine wins).

· In 106 NASCAR Cup Series races held at Michigan International Speedway, Chevrolet has recorded 26 victories and 27 poles.

· Since the Michigan Heritage Trophy was introduced to the series in 2013, Chevrolet has taken the honor six times, with the last three courtesy of Kyle Larson’s three-peat (Aug. 2016, 2017 sweep).

· NASCAR Cup Series victories by active Chevrolet drivers at Michigan International Speedway:

Kyle Larson – three wins (2016, 2017 sweep)

Kyle Busch – one win (2011)

· In 95 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 48 victories – a winning percentage of 50.5%.

· Team Chevy’s Kyle Larson and William Byron are the only two drivers with a double-digit win record in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen era – each recording 11 victories since the vehicle’s competition debut in 2022.

· With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 862 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

 
FOR THE FANS:

• Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Michigan International Speedway.
• Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: Traverse Z71,Tahoe Z71, Silverado 1500 ZR2, Silverado 2500 LTZ Diesel, Colorado Trailboss, Equinox EV RS, Corvette Z06, Equinox, Trax, Silverado EV.
• Fans can also view William Byron’s No. 24 Camaro ZL1 show car.

Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:

Friday, August 16

• Andres Perez: 3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Lavar Scott: 4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
• Connor Zilisch: 4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 17

• AJ Allmendinger: 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Jeremy Clements: 12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Shane van Gisbergen: 1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Sunday, August 18

• Zane Smith: 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Daniel Suarez: 11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
• Ross Chastain: 11:25 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.
• William Byron: 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Kyle Busch: 12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

• Friday, August 16: 12 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, August 17: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Sunday, August 18: 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 839
Toyota: 821 (-18)
Ford: 796 (-43)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 745
Toyota: 708 (-37)
Ford: 644 (-101)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 603
Toyota: 561 (-42)
Ford: 523 (-80)
 
TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series

FireKeepers Casino 400

Sunday, August 18, at 2:30 p.m. ET

(USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Cabo Wabo 250

Saturday, August 17, at 3:30 p.m. ET

(USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

 
QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Busch Light Peach Camaro ZL1

What can we expect at the Michigan race?

“There are some unknowns going into Michigan because we only go there once a year. I’ve been there virtually this week with the simulator and we see a lot of speed. This is our third trip there with this car and last year we led some laps there early and were in the mix so we hope that we take more steps forward. We’ve had two at-bats at Michigan with this version of the car and we hope to continue to make our cars faster.”

What is the racing like at Michigan?

“We are always evolving. A lot will depend on the weather. The cooler the temperatures, the more on throttle time we will have and high speeds. We basically want to end the race almost out of fuel and tires about as old as you can stand and still compete for the win. When you lose grip at Michigan there’s no catching it. There’s no sliding – it’s either all grip and going fast or sliding somewhere you don’t want to be.”

Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Garner Trucking Camaro ZL1

You brought home a solid finish in last season’s trip to Michigan. How do you look to build on that this time around?

“Last year we finished 15th and had some speed in our No. 7 Chevy. I’ve had a lot of solid runs there in the past, so I’m looking forward to getting out there. Thanks to Sherri (Garner) and everyone at Garner Trucking for hopping on board this weekend. Hopefully we can bring home a good finish for them.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Lucas Oil Camaro ZL1

Is there any track on the schedule that you can compare to Michigan International Speedway? Auto Club Speedway was similar.

“Fontana was the closest just because it was a two-mile racetrack. It was special to win the last Cup race there in our Lucas Oil Camaro, but the asphalt, grip level, and banking level is entirely different between Michigan and Fontana. Kansas has really aged well and has progressive banking from the bottom to the top so you can run all over the racetrack. You can run to the top, right up against the wall for the majority of the day at Kansas. Michigan is not quite there yet. I’m not really sure anywhere compares entirely to Michigan.”

How big of a factor is the draft at Michigan?

“Over the last couple of years with this new Next Gen car, the draft at Michigan has become less effective in my opinion. These cars don’t quite suck up on the straightaways the way the old cars could.”

Is it refreshing to race at a place like Michigan where you can move around the track and find a line that works?

“Michigan over the years has been pretty lane dominant, but with the addition of the traction compound through the corners, it has led itself to widening out and allowing you to try different grooves. It still isn’t as wide as it once was back in 2013 when you could race along the wall, but it’s getting better and going in that direction.”

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Camaro ZL1

“I’m looking forward to running both races at Michigan this year. On the Cup side of it last year, I had a lot of fun driving the car. It’s a lot of speed, a lot of on throttle time and if you get the car right, you’re running wide open. It’s a race track you definitely have to get you courage up for. We had good speed last year, so I’m looking forward to that. On the Xfinity side of it, winning in 2021 will always be a great memory. This year will be a little different with the aero package. It will be new with learning what we have to do to race the racetrack but it’s a fun place, I always enjoy going there and I think we can have a couple of good runs.”

Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Poppy Bank Camaro ZL1

“Michigan is a place that we all look forward to going to. It’s a track where you get to truly feel the speed, grip, and all the things that make NASCAR racing what it is. This will be my first trip there in this car, so I’m really excited to get on track. It’s always a battle of manufacturers and bragging rights, so hopefully all of us on team Chevy can do our part.”

Zane Smith, No. 71 Focused Health Camaro ZL1

Michigan is the site of your first NASCAR national series victory. How special is the venue to you and your career?

“It’s going to be awesome to get back to Michigan this weekend. I haven’t been back there since my first Truck Series win in 2020. That track is a special place to me, and it holds a lot of great memories that I will always remember. I’m really excited to race there in the Cup car and see what my No. 71 Focused Health Spire Motorsports team can accomplish. Looking forward to Sunday’s race.”

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

Sunday will mark your first NCS race at your hometown track. What are your expectations and what are you looking to accomplish?

“Michigan is a place that has been calling my name for a while. I love the thrill of racing there. Last year, I only got a few competitive laps in the Xfinity race before a wreck, but I have been having a blast in the simulator getting ready for this weekend. We’ve put a ton of effort into this race, especially with setup. Hailing from Michigan, and with Ziegler Auto Group and Premier Security involved, there’s a lot of hometown pride. We know anyone can win on the right day, so we’re giving it our all. Our cars are strong, and if we can get the perfect setup and opportunity, nothing can hold us back.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Jockey Infinite Cool Underwear Camaro ZL1

What do you think of NASCAR offering option tires?

“Richmond was a fun race! If NASCAR and the fans didn’t like the option tires, I don’t know what they would like because they were amazing. The strategy played a huge role in what everyone was doing; what we were doing and everyone’s different agenda. It was fun.”

Momentum going to Michigan:

“We had a really good run in Richmond. We were fast in practice on Saturday and again on Sunday. My guys did a good job with the strategy on Sunday. It was good to be leading laps. That’s two top-10s in a row. We need to be hitting our stride right now because we have three races remaining before the playoffs begin.”

What are your thoughts on Michigan?

“I like Michigan. It’s a very fast track and I feel like we have had great cars there lately. We have big expectations on Sunday. We came close to winning the second stage last year and in 2022. There is a lot of racing left in 2024.”

 
Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics

Manufacturers Championships:

Total (1949-2023): 42

First title for Chevrolet: 1958

Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15)

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023

Drivers Championships:

Total (1949-2021): 33

First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)

Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)

Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021

Event Victories:

Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)

2024 STATISTICS:

Wins: 11

Poles: 7

Laps Led: 1,801

Top-five finishes: 41

Top-10 finishes: 88

Stage wins: 13

· Chase Elliott: 1

· Kyle Larson: 8

· Ross Chastain: 1

· William Byron: 1

· Shane van Gisbergen: 1

· Daniel Suarez: 1

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 862 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 750

Laps led to date: 250,956

Top-five finishes to date: 4,339

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,948

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,196

       Chevrolet: 862

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 833                                                           

       Ford: 733

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 187

 

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.

CLUB NOTES

The NASCAR Cup Series speeds along to its next stop – Michigan International Speedway (MIS). FireKeepers Casino 400 which will ignite on Sunday, August 18, at 2:30pm EST on USA Network.

The LEGACY Continues: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced Tuesday, August 13, that NASCAR Cup Series veteran, Erik Jones has entered into a multi-year contract renewal. Jones will continue to pilot the coveted No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season and beyond.

There’s No Place Like Home: A Byron, Mich. native, Jones will look for a win at his home track. The NASCAR Cup driver will begin the day with a send-off in downtown Byron, Mich. supported by friends, family, and fans – a tradition now at every Michigan International Speedway (MIS) visit. Upon arrival, Jones will host an “Erik Jones Experience” outside of the track. This private tailgate will include a DJ, fun and games, and participants will even get to have a “fireside chat” with both Jones and The King himself, Richard Petty. Jones grew up going to races with his family and enjoys coming back to MIS. The second part of the No. 43 duo – Dave Elenz, also calls Michigan home. Although there is some distance between Elenz’s hometown and Jones’, the two look to add a win at MIS to their accomplishments.

Pulling a Double: Nemechek will make his final scheduled start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Michigan this weekend. He enters this week’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race as the defending winner. During his 10 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year, he has accumulated two victories, three top-five’s and five top-10’s, plus led a total of 214 laps.

JHN History at MIS: John Hunter Nemechek comes into Michigan International Speedway with two previous NASCAR Cup Series starts, both coming during the 2020 season. In addition to his NASCAR Cup Series starts, the 27-year-old has seven additional starts across the NASCAR Truck Series (5) and the NASCAR Xfinity Series (4).

EJ at Michigan: Jones has a reputable stat sheet regarding finishes at MIS. Out of ten starts, he has acquired six top-15’s, his best finish being 3rd in 2017 – his first full-time Cup series season. He has not finished outside the top-10 at the previous two trips to the Michigan track. The No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE wheelman is determined to add a Sunoco black and white checkered flag to his collection.

Elenz at Michigan: Crew chief of the coveted No. 43 car, Elenz has spent the majority of his crew chief days in the Xfinity series. However, out of full-time season starts in both the Xfinity and Cup series, Elenz has never finished outside of the top 10 at MIS.

Guest Designer: This week’s King’s Hat design was partly created by Erik Jones alongside Richard Petty. Jones wanted to commemorate memories he had growing up with family at his home track. The King’s Hat will be in the Fan Zone at Michigan International Speedway.

Partner Spotlight: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB partner, Blue Compass RV has over 100 full-service RV dealerships and more than 1,000 service bays across America from coast to coast. To find a location closest to the track, visit www.bluecompassrv.com.

Going for G.O.L.D.: Partners Dollar Tree and Family Dollar will honor store #6936 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 #6936 is located in Brooklyn, Mich.

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 racetracks across the country.

This Week in Petty History: It was Aug. 12, 1967, when “The King’s” 10 race win streak started; this was also his 66th career victory. Petty has three additional victories during this week coming at Bowman Gray Stadium, West Virginia International Speedway and Starkey Speedway.

CLUB QUOTES

John Hunter Nemechek, Driver of the No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE:

“I am optimistic going into Michigan this weekend. It’s not only a track that I have had success at, but our No. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team has shown some speed over the last several weeks, particularly at the larger speedway’s. Qualifying is going to be very important for us to get that track position and hopefully get our Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE up front and contend like we know we can. Running in the [NASCAR] Xfinity race on Saturday, I am hopeful that I can learn a little bit about the track that will help us on Sunday.”

Ben Beshore, Crew chief of the No. 42 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry XSE:

“Hopefully we can take some of the positives we learned at Pocono (Raceway) and Indy (Motor Speedway) and transfer those to Michigan (International Speedway). In practice we’ll work on getting the balance of the car as good as we can get it in multiple lanes on the track. Qualifying will be big since Michigan tends to be heavy on strategy, so you’ll want to be as close to the front as possible to give yourself more options from a strategy standpoint.”

“I think it always helps getting more laps and figuring out the best places to pass. The track is another year older and figuring out the grip level and where on the track to make speed usually transfers to the NASCAR Cup Series car.”

Erik Jones, Driver of the No. 43 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE:

“Racing at home is always pretty fun. Getting to come back and spend some time at home is nice. When we get the good turnouts down at the track with friends and family down there has been fun for a lot of years. It’s always kind of a busy weekend but getting to be down there and racing with everybody there and have everyone come out, which they don’t always get to come to a lot of races, is pretty fun.

Michigan is pretty different as far as intermediates go. Kind of unique to itself, being two miles, it’s now the only two mile real speedway that we go to so it’s kind of different but it makes it pretty fun. It’s a fast place, been pretty fast since the repave and still continues to be fast. It started to widen out here in the last few years and have some more options as far as what we can do, as far as lane choice and where we can run. I think that’s been really good for the racetrack, being able to have some better races.

The strategy always changes quite a bit each week and each year at Michigan with being two and four tires. I think tires have become more and more important here as the years have started to age on the track a little bit, but you also have to be mindful of what you need to take as far as fuel getting to the end. Last year we saw some strategy play out with the leaders coming in and how much fuel they had to take and who was able to get out in front at the end of the day to be in contention to win. It makes it fun, that strategy is always makes it exciting and how you can call these races a little differently than the next guy to be in contention to win and in a spot to be leading at the end of the day and play offense and defense and where you want to be in position.”

Dave Elenz, Crew chief of the No. 43 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE:

“Excited to get back to Michigan, be back at home. We ran good there last year. Had a lot of speed at the last couple intermediate tracks. Hopefully, that translates over to Michigan. I know Erik is going to be excited to perform in front of his hometown, friends and family. It’s a big weekend for us.”

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

During the Cook Out 400, Erik Jones had a little extra help getting into his pit box that resulted in sending his No. 43 Family Dollar Toyota Camry XSE coming to a stop in a non-traditional position for the stop. The LEGACY MOTOR CLUB pit crew continued to perform the stop and sent Jones on his way. (Photo Courtesy, NKP for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB)

BROADCAST INFO

MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 @ 2:30 PM ET

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS

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 www.DollarTree.com.

ABOUT MOBIL 1: For 50 years, Mobil 1 has been trusted by drivers to keep their engines running longer. Our products combine the latest technology and innovation to exceed the toughest standards of vehicle manufacturers and tuning shops—so consumers can get the most out of their time behind the wheel, both on the road and on the track. Turn every day into an adventure with Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand. Learn more at www.mobil1.us or and follow @Mobil1Racing on Instagram and X. Join us. For the love of driving.

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 www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.

RYAN PREECE
Michigan Advance
No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Event Overview

● Event: FireKeepers Casino 400 (Round 24 of 36)
● Time/Date: 2:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 18
● Location: Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn
● Layout: 2-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 200 laps / 400 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 45 laps / Stage 2: 75 laps / Final Stage: 80 laps
● TV/Radio: USA / MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Sandwiched between the tight confines of Richmond (Va.) Raceway last weekend and the wide-open speedfest two weekends hence at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway is Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, where Ryan Preece and his fellow NASCAR Cup Series competitors will get to stretch their racing legs this weekend before heading to “The World Center of Racing” for the penultimate race of the regular season.

● The driver of the No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Stewart-Haas Racing will be making his sixth career NASCAR Cup Series start on the 2-mile, D-shaped oval nestled in the Irish Hills of Michigan, where he owns a best Cup Series finish of seventh, earned in August 2019 behind the wheel of a JTG Daugherty Racing entry. In his first start there for Stewart-Haas in August 2023, Preece started 37th and finished 22nd.

● Outside of the NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan, Preece has one career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the track, a 19th-place finish from the 24th starting position, driving for team owner Johnny Davis in June 2016. Preece had a pair of stout Xfinity Series outings at Michigan’s former sister track, the 2-mile, D-shaped oval at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, where he started eighth and finished ninth in March 2018 for Joe Gibbs Racing, and started seventh and finished eighth in March 2019 for JR Motorsports.

● Joining Preece at Michigan is United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI), the largest equipment rental company in the world. United Rentals has an integrated network of 1,449 rental locations in North America, 13 in Europe, 27 in Australia and 19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The company’s approximately 24,700 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers approximately 4,700 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $19.3 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Barron’s 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index®. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Additional information about United Rentals is available at UnitedRentals.com.

Ryan Preece, Driver of the No. 41 United Rentals Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Michigan is a fast, 2-mile, D-shaped oval. Do you feel the sensation of speed there more than you do at other tracks?

“It’s all pretty relative. In my eyes, it doesn’t matter if you’re at Texas or Michigan. The speed is the speed, I would say, just the amount of throttle you carry through the corner. With how wide the corners are, you still don’t feel it, though. Hopefully we’re pretty good.”

Michigan marks a return to a high-speed, high-banked, intermediate track after running a variety of tracks through the summer. Can the knowledge learned early in the year at Las Vegas – or even at places that we’ve raced at more recently like Kansas and Charlotte – be applied to Michigan? Or were those races so long ago that it’s no longer applicable?

“Things are changing constantly. I think the fundamentals of it all are the same, but at the same time you’re trying to get the car as low to the ground as possible without hitting the right-rear limiter. At that point, it’s how much travel can you get.”

We’ve heard the adage, “Slow down to go fast,” and that seems to be used a lot at Michigan. What does that mean and how does it apply to Michigan?

“In my opinion, it’s just car capability, aerodynamics. We’re all dealing with kind of the same things. Nobody’s car is typically ever perfect, but if a car is capable of carrying that extra 3 or 4 miles an hour through the center of the corner – which sounds slow but it’s really not when you’re going 170 or 175 miles per hour through the center of the corner – to me, at a place like Michigan, it’s about having a car that’ll roll good speed through the center. That way you can make your straightaways as long as possible.”

Oftentimes, Michigan races have come down to fuel mileage. How does a driver try to save fuel inside the racecar when they’re still trying to outrun other racecars?

“That’s a great question. I think there are multiple ways to try and do it, whether it’s efficient or not I don’t know. But at a place like Michigan, where you’re on the throttle a lot, I think it’s more or less trying to carry 70 or 80 percent throttle instead of going full throttle, and really just depending on how much fuel you need to save. That’s why the guys on top of the box have to coach you and really help you understand how much fuel you need to save and what’s the most efficient way to do it without losing lap time.”

Has there been a fuel-mileage race where at the end of it you’ve said, “I did a really good job of saving fuel and got us the best finish possible?” Or have there been races where you’re left scratching your head wondering what you could’ve done differently?

“I thought at Pocono in 2021 we ended up seventh or so by saving fuel, doing some of those things, as well as Michigan in around the same period, I think I ended up seventh, as well. Fuel saving isn’t as much of an issue as long as you understand the entire picture and how much you need to be saving.”

When you’re trying to save fuel, is it easier to make a mistake because you’re sort of out of your rhythm, or do you just adapt into a new rhythm?

“You just adapt to a new rhythm. It’s something to where you find different ways to make speed, where if you’re giving up some of that straightaway speed, you’re upping your corner speed and making the same lap time. A little less brake here and there and a little less throttle down the straightaway, but at the same time carrying a little more through the corner at a smaller throttle percentage. Those little things matter.”

Do you put an asterisk next to a fuel-mileage win, or are you of the opinion that a win’s a win, no matter how you get it?

“A win’s a win no matter how you get it. Doesn’t matter if you run 25th all day long and make a strategy call to be on the front row for a green-white-checkered, at the end of the day you’ve still got to do your job, so I don’t care how you do it.”

No. 41 United Rentals Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Ryan Preece

Hometown: Berlin, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Chad Johnston

Hometown: Cayuga, Indiana

Car Chief: Jeremy West

Hometown: Gardena, California

Engineer: Marc Hendricksen

Hometown: Clinton, New Jersey

Spotter: Tony Raines

Hometown: LaPorte, Indiana

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Devin Lester

Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

Rear Tire Changer: Austin Chrismon

Hometown: China Grove, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

Hometown: Tyler, Texas

Jack Man: Sherman Timbs

Hometown: Indianola, Mississippi

Fuel Man: Dwayne Moore

Hometown: Griffin, Georgia

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Joe Zanolini

Hometown: Sybertsville, Pennsylvania

Interior Mechanic: Robert Dalby

Hometown: Anaheim, California

Tire Specialist: Matt Ridgeway

Hometown: Carrollton, Georgia

Engine Tuner: Jimmy Fife

Hometown: Orange County, California

Transporter Co-Driver: David Rodrigues

Hometown: Santa Clarita, California

Transporter Co-Driver: Charlie Schleyer

Hometown: Youngsville, Pennsylvania

• In 10 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) starts at Michigan International Speedway (MIS), Spire Motorsports has logged one top-15 and three top-20 finishes. Corey LaJoie, driver of the No. 7 Garner Trucking Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, earned a team-best 15th-place finish in 2023 at the two-mile oval. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NCS with LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively.
• The FireKeepers Casino 400 from Michigan International Speedway will be televised live on USA, Sunday, Aug. 18th, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The 24th of 36 races on the 2024 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Countdown to Green on USA will take the green flag at 2 p.m. EDT.

Corey LaJoie – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Corey LaJoie will pilot the No. 7 Garner Trucking Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
• In 10 previous starts in the Irish Hills, the 32-year-old has recorded one top-15, two top-20 and six top-25 finishes. In the rain-delayed 2023 event, LaJoie started 31st and earned a venue-best 15th-place finish.
• Garner Trucking is a family-owned and -operated business started in 1960 by Vern and Jean Garner. In 2012, daughter Sherri Garner Brumbaugh became President/CEO/Owner. Headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, Garner is a woman-owned dry-van truckload, retail and distribution for-hire motor carrier. Garner is known for its excellent safety record and on-time delivery performance. Since 2017, Garner Trucking has been named a Best Fleet to Drive For trucking company in North America, recognized in 2022 as the overall Best Fleet for small carriers becoming Hall of Fame status in 2023 and 2024.
• The Ohio-based trucking company will be featured on the hood of the No. 7 Camaro for the fifth time and for the second of two appearances in 2024. In four previous starts in the black and red Garner colors, the third-generation racer has logged four top-20 finishes and completed all 1,098 laps.
• Last time out, LaJoie started 24th and finished 34th at Richmond Raceway.
• The 32-year-old’s best finish on a two-mile oval came in the series’ last stop at the Auto Club Speedway in 2023. LaJoie qualified 12th and brought home a 14th-place finish on that February afternoon.
• Over 259 NCS starts, the father of three has earned four top-five and nine top-10 finishes and led 161 laps in NASCAR’s premier division.

Corey LaJoie Quotes
You brought home a solid finish in last season’s trip to Michigan. How do you look to build on that this time around?
“Last year we finished 15th, and had some speed in our No. 7 Chevy. I’ve had a lot of solid runs there in the past, so I’m looking forward to getting out there. Thanks to Sherri (Garner) and everyone at Garner Trucking for hopping on board this weekend. Hopefully we can bring home a good finish for them.”

Zane Smith – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Zane Smith will make his first NASCAR Cup Series appearance at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday driving the No. 71 Focused Health Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports.
• Last week at Richmond Raceway, the California native rolled off 20th and crossed the line in the 23rd position.
• The 25-year-old scored his first NASCAR national series victory in NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series competition at MIS in 2020. After rolling off seventh, he made a last-lap pass on Christian Eckes to take the checkered flag in his GMS Racing Silverado. Smith has also made two ARCA Menards Series starts at the two-mile D-shaped oval.
• Over the last five races, the California native has scored the 20th-most points of all Cup Series drivers.
• Focused Health is a national health insurance agency that assists consumers and employers in navigating the myriad of health insurance options in the government programs space. The company partners with payors and employers to deliver health insurance solutions for individuals and families. For more information visit AtFocusedHealth.com.
• Crew chief Stephen Doran is no stranger to Victory lane at MIS. During his tenure as an engineer for Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing, Doran racked up five wins and 11 top-five finishes.
• Join Smith for a Q&A at the NASCAR Experience Stage in the midway on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. local time.

Zane Smith Quotes
Michigan is the site of your first NASCAR national series victory. How special is the venue to you and your career?
“It’s going to be awesome to get back to Michigan this weekend. I haven’t been back there since my first Truck Series win in 2020. That track is a special place to me, and it holds a lot of great memories that I will always remember. I’m really excited to race there in the Cup car and see what my No. 71 Focused Health Spire Motorsports team can accomplish. Looking forward to Sunday’s race.”

Carson Hocevar – Driver, No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Carson Hocevar will make his first Cup Series start at Michigan International Speedway in Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400, piloting the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports. The effort will be backed by two Michigan-based companies, Premier Security and Zeigler Auto Group, in a co-primary role.
• Last week at Richmond Raceway, Hocevar rolled off the grid 19th and brought the No. 77 Camaro home in eighth, matching his NCS career-best finish. The finish marked his third top 10 of the year.
• In his first and only race behind the wheel at MIS, Hocevar started seventh in the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series event. The Portage, Mich. native was involved in a Lap-12 incident while positioned within the top 10. His No. 77 Premiere Security Chevrolet would suffer extensive damage, but he continued to battle throughout the day, ultimately finishing 32nd.
• From the famous bricks of Saginaw Street in Flint, Mich., to industrial, residential, and commercial sites across North America, Premier Security Solutions has built an unmatched standard of security. Today, Premier has taken steps to advance technology and utilize new tools to combat theft and become an anti-crime organization. Premier’s Global Security Operations Center is a state-of-the-art facility, working around the clock to protect assets, corporations, schools, and families. Premier deploys more than 1,000 guards around the country and protects homes, families, executive- level leaders, and major corporations. Premier’s team of retired law enforcement professionals protects more than 50 school buildings and high net-worth families, delivering an unparalleled level of service. Premier prides itself on a standard of service ensuring its customers receive the protection and peace of mind they deserve.
• Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers. Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top one percent of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2023. The family-owned and -operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor’s 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2024, and among Glassdoor’s top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.
• LoJack, a Solera brand, redefines vehicle security with cutting-edge solutions. Our advanced tracking ensures swift recovery, seamlessly integrated with smart devices. With unrivaled cybersecurity, we set the standard in safeguarding vehicles. The user-friendly interface and expanded global coverage showcase our commitment to unparalleled security. LoJack delivers a powerhouse of innovation, providing unmatched peace of mind to vehicle owners worldwide.
• Over the last 10 races, Hocevar has compiled an average finish of 15.4, a six-position improvement from the opening 13 races on the year (21.6).
• The youngest NCS driver in the field ranks 22nd in the division’s championship point standings. Over the course of the season’s first 23 races, Hocevar has notched three top-10 and seven top-15 finishes.
• Hocevar made his name in Super Late Model competition at nearby Berlin Raceway. He is a two-time winner of the Money in the Bank 150, taking the crown in back-to-back years in 2020 and 2021. Earlier this month, he scored his first victory in the Tekton 250 Battle at Berlin, holding off Erik Jones and Late Model stand out Bubba Pollard. In 2018, he started on the pole and finished fourth in his lone ARCA Menards Series start at the 0.4375-mile oval.
• Crew chief Luke Lambert was atop the box for four top-10 finishes at Michigan during his time at Richard Childress Racing, highlighted by a fourth-place finish with Ryan Newman in Aug. of 2017. He also chiefed Noah Gragson to a third-place finish after starting on the pole in the 2022 Xfinity Series event.
• Zeigler and LoJack will be hosting a meet and greet with Hocevar on Friday, Aug. 16 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Zeigler Motorsports, located at 5001 Park Circle Drive, Kalamazoo, Mich.
• Fans can receive a Carson Hocevar autograph at the NASCAR Classics merchandise trailer on Saturday from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.
• Sunday Turn 4 Club ticket holders will have an opportunity to meet Hocevar from 11 to 11:15 a.m.

Carson Hocevar Quotes
Sunday will mark your first NCS race at your hometown track. What are your expectations and what are you looking to accomplish?
“Michigan is a place that has been calling my name for a while. I love the thrill of racing there. Last year, I only got a few competitive laps in the Xfinity race before a wreck, but I have been having a blast in the simulator getting ready for this weekend. We’ve put a ton of effort into this race, especially with setup. Hailing from Michigan, and with Ziegler Auto Group and Premier Security involved, there’s a lot of hometown pride. We know anyone can win on the right day, so we’re giving it our all. Our cars are strong, and if we can get the perfect setup and opportunity, nothing can hold us back.”
From the Top of the Box

Ryan Sparks – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Ryan Sparks serves in a dual role as both Spire Motorsports competition director and crew chief for driver Corey LaJoie and the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro in the NCS.
• Sparks, a Winston-Salem, N.C., native, has been paired with LaJoie since 2020.
• Combined, Sparks and LaJoie have earned four top-five and seven top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place finish in the 2024 Daytona 500.

Stephen Doran – Crew Chief, No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Stephen Doran is in his first full season as a Cup Series crew chief leading Zane Smith and the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet team.
• In 2006, Doran got his start in NASCAR at Petty Enterprises.
• Prior to his arrival at Spire Motorsports, Doran worked at Stewart-Haas Racing as an engineer, most recently on the No. 4 car driven by Kevin Harvick.

Luke Lambert – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

• Luke Lambert is the crew chief for Spire Motorsports’ No. 77 team with 2024 NCS Rookie of the Year candidate Carson Hocevar.
• The 2005 North Carolina State graduate has led the competition efforts for some of the sport’s most notable names including Jeff Burton, Ryan Newman, Elliott Sadler and Chris Buescher.
• In 2014, Lambert led Newman to a berth in the Championship 4, and ultimately a runner-up finish in the NCS championship point standings.

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 campaigns the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively. The team also fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth drives the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Silverados in the No. 77.

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 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 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.