Category: NASCAR Cup PR

Roush Fenway Heads North to Backyard of Ford, Jack Roush

In one of the most anticipated weekends on the schedule each year for Jack Roush, Roush Fenway Racing heads north to the backyard of its owner and Ford Motor Company as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) converges on the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway for the second time this season. Overall RFR Fords have 23 wins at MIS with 91 top-five and 151 top-10 finishes.

Michigan International Speedway

Sunday, August 11 | 3 p.m. ET

NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90
·         Ryan Newman, No. 6 Wyndham Rewards Ford Mustang
·         Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang

Home Sweet Home
Michigan International Speedway serves as ‘home’ for Jack Roush and Roush Fenway Racing, located just an hour from Roush Industries in Livonia, Michigan. MIS has naturally been one of the organization’s most successful tracks on the circuit, with the team earning a total of 23 wins across NASCAR’s three major touring series.

I Said Welcome to Detroit City

In 211 MENCS starts at Michigan, Roush Fenway has recorded 13 wins, 56 top-fives and 102 top-10 finishes with 2,452 laps led. Former driver Greg Biffle earned the organization’s most recent victory in June 2013 after starting 19th and leading 48 laps. Biffle’s win was also the 1,000th NASCAR victory for Ford Performance.

Roush vs. Everybody Else

Roush Fenway’s 13 wins in the MENCS at Michigan are the most of any track on the MENCS schedule. Five different drivers have earned victories for Roush Fenway at the two-mile oval with former drivers Mark Martin and Biffle both taking the checkered flag on four separate occasions. Roush Fenway drivers Matt Kenseth (two), Carl Edwards (two) and Kurt Busch (one) have also gone to victory lane for the organization in Michigan.

Consistency in the Motor City

Michigan ranks first overall among all tracks that Roush Fenway has competed on in the MENCS in top-five finishes, top-10 finishes and in average finish among tracks that they have run two or more races. Roush Fenway has recorded 56 top-fives, 102 top-10s and has an average finish of 14.3 at the two-mile oval.

Where They Rank

·         Newman enters Michigan tied with Jimmie Johnson for the final playoff spot. Just 12 points separate Clint Bowyer (15th) from Newman and Johnson, while the duo has a 23 point advantage over Daniel Suarez in 18th.
·         Teammate Ricky Stenhouse Jr., sits 20th in points, 17 back of 19th and 78 back of the final playoff spot.

Roush Fenway Michigan Wins
1990-2   Martin  Cup
1993-2   Martin  Cup
1993       Martin  NXS
1995       Martin  NXS
1997-2   Martin  Cup
1998       Burton  NXS
1998-1   Martin  Cup
1999       Biffle     Truck
2000       Biffle      Truck
2002-1   Kenseth Cup
2003-1   Busch    Cup
2004-2   Biffle     Cup
2005-1   Biffle     Cup
2006-2   Kenseth Cup
2007-1   Edwards Cup
2007       Kvapil    Truck
2008-2   Edwards Cup
2008       Edwards NXS
2008       Darnell  Truck
2009       Braun    Truck
2011       Edwards NXS
2012-2   Biffle     Cup
2013-1   Biffle     Cup

By the Numbers at Michigan International Speedway

Race      Win       T5           T10         Pole       Laps       Led        AvSt      AvFn     Miles

211         13           56           102         4              40255    2452       18.2        14.3        60382.5

59           5              27           37           4              6459       703         11.7        12.1        12918

21           5              8              12           1              2021       260         10.9        11.3        4042

291         23           91           151         9              48735    3415       16.4        13.6        77342.5

World’s Largest Retailer of Tires and Wheels Expands Commitment to Team with Multi-Year Agreement

Scottsdale, Ariz. (August 7, 2019) – Discount Tire renewed their commitment to Team Penske, enhancing their presence on the No. 2 Ford Mustang, driven by Brad Keselowski. The multi-year agreement will see Discount Tire as the primary sponsor for five additional NASCAR Cup Series races, including the Daytona 500, the Brickyard 400 and the season finale in Phoenix, for a total of 15 events.

Discount Tire will continue to be an associate sponsor of Team Penske drivers Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Cindric. The company will also continue its partnership with the Team Penske IndyCar Series program as an associate sponsor on both the No. 2 car, driven by Josef Newgarden, and the No. 22 car with driver Simon Pagenaud.

“We’re proud to continue our winning relationship with Roger and Team Penske,” said Michael Zuieback, chief executive officer of Discount Tire. “This partnership over the last decade has meant a great deal to our company, our team, and our customers. We look forward to celebrating more successes and championships as we expand our presence in the Cup series with Brad and all of Team Penske.”

Discount Tire and Team Penske first partnered in 2010, a season that culminated in an Xfinity Series Championship for Brad Keselowski and a series record of 26 top-five finishes for Team Penske. Since then, Discount Tire has been a key part of four Xfinity Series Owners’ Championships with Team Penske, including three consecutive titles between 2013-2015. In 10 seasons as a Team Penske partner, Discount Tire has won 35 races, including its first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Indianapolis in 2018.

“Team Penske’s partnership with Discount Tire continues to grow and is a bond that has reaped many benefits for both companies,” said Roger Penske. “When we won our first NASCAR Championship back in 2010, Discount Tire was a big part of our program and it has been exciting to build on our success together as the company transitioned to becoming a primary sponsor with Brad and the No. 2 Ford team in the Cup Series. Motorsports has helped build the Discount Tire brand, connecting with both employees and consumers, and we look forward to more success together as the company expands its role with our team in 2020 and beyond.”

Discount Tire will continue utilizing Team Penske drivers at store appearances across the country for meet-and-greets, autograph sessions with fans and tire-safety advocacy efforts.

“The team at Discount Tire has been an important part of my racing career over the last decade,” said Brad Keselowski. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together on and off the track and I’m excited that the partnership will continue to grow with Team Penske in the Cup Series starting next season.”

ABOUT DISCOUNT TIRE/AMERICA’S TIRE
Discount Tire, based in Scottsdale, is the world’s largest independent retailer of tires and wheels. Founded in 1960 by Bruce Halle, they serve customers at more than 1,000 stores in 35 states. The company does business under the trade name Discount Tire in most of the U.S., America’s Tire in parts of California, and Discount Tire Direct in markets outside the reach of retail stores. Discount Tire is a primary sponsor of the No. 2 Ford Mustang driven by Brad Keselowski in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the No. 22 Ford Mustang driven by Austin Cindric in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Discount Tire is also the official wheel and tire retailer of Monster Energy AMA Supercross. For more information, visit discounttire.com

ABOUT TEAM PENSKE
Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 530 major race wins, over 600 pole positions and 34 Championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition. Over the course of its 53-year history, the team has also earned 18 Indianapolis 500 victories, two Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win and overall victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Team Penske currently competes in the IndyCar Series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The team also races in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, in a partnership with Dick Johnson Racing, as DJR Team Penske. For more information about Team Penske, please visit www.teampenske.com.

Popular Retailer Teaming Up with No. 36 Ford Team and Surface Sunscreen for Multiple Races in 2019

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (August 7, 2019) – Stocking up for raceday essentials has been made even easier thanks to Meijer, Surface Sunscreen and Matt Tifft. Meijer is partnering with the Front Row Motorsports (FRM) driver to serve as primary sponsor for the No. 36 Ford Mustang in this weekend’s “Consumers Energy 400” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. Meijer will also serve as an associate sponsor for Matt Tifft next month at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Midwest grocery retailer will now feature a line of Surface Sunscreen products hitting shelves just in time for raceday. Surface Sunscreen, maker of purpose-built sun care products designed with athletes and action sports in mind, is a season-long partner of Matt Tifft and Front Row Motorsports.

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Meijer operates more than 245 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. Founded on strong family values and a commitment to strengthening communities, Meijer is focused on bringing families great food, great brands, great savings and great big smiles.

“It can sometimes be a hassle to shop for everything you need at the track,” said Tifft. “Meijer is the ultimate source for getting everything on your list, which should always include sun protection. I’m excited to debut this paint scheme at Michigan and to have Meijer on the car again in Indy.”

The No. 36 Meijer Ford Mustang will make its debut at Michigan International Speedway on Friday, August 9 for practice and qualifying. The “Consumers Energy 400” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race will air Sunday, August 11 at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Matt Tifft will make a special appearance at Meijer’s Jackson store (2777 Airport Road Jackson, MI 49202) to kick off the weekend at 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 8.

For more information about Meijer, visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

About Meijer
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates more than 245 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the “one-stop shopping” concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com, Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at
www.facebook.com/meijer.

About Surface Sunscreen
Sun protection is a very important part of your everyday life. So, Surface Products has developed a line of The World’s Most Comfortable Sunscreens that work with the lifestyle you live. Surface knows not everyone is looking for the same thing. So, we developed a Purpose Built line of products from our Original formulas to our Mineral, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide based sunscreens. All designed to leave you feeling comfortable and protected from the sun no matter what your adventure is. It’s Your Life, protect it!

About Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields three full-time entries – the No. 34 of Michael McDowell, the No. 36 of Matt Tifft and the No. 38 of David Ragan – from its Mooresville, N.C., headquarters just outside of Charlotte. The team’s partnership base includes CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Ford Performance, Love’s Travel Stops, Select Blinds, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Tunity, Surface and Speedco. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Jack Roush’s Fords to carry special ‘Thanks Larry’ decals in honor of late Sgt. Major Larry Hicks

CONCORD, N.C. (August 7, 2019) – On the afternoon of April 19, 2002, NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Jack Roush was celebrating his 60th birthday with friends, flying airplanes from a small air strip in south Alabama. Roush’s celebration ended in near tragedy when the small plane he was piloting stuck a power line and went down in lake outside Troy, Alabama. Former United States Marine Larry Hicks was sitting nearby, recovering from a recent bout with cancer and taking in the warm Friday afternoon on his porch. From there Hollywood could not have sculpted a more dramatic moment of fate.

After a lengthy series of medical issues, Larry Hicks passed away, ending his suffering on Saturday, August 3, 2019, a little over 17 years after that fateful encounter with Roush in the lake. Roush’s team will run a special ‘Thanks Larry’ decal on each of his Fords this weekend at Michigan International Speedway, a tribute to Roush’s own personal hero.

“I was sad to hear of the passing of Larry Hicks,” said Roush. “Larry was a dear friend, brave soldier and wonderful human being, and if not for his bravery and his heroism I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”

Despite the dangerous scenario and the water covered in harmful fuel, Hicks went in, pulled Roush free of the plane, and lifted him to the surface. Hicks grabbed the wing of the plane to hold himself up and, with his other arm managed to resuscitate the ailing Roush.

About 15 minutes later, emergency medical technicians arrived. While saving Roush from the lake, Hicks sustained burns to his skin and lungs from the fuel in the lake, but never hesitated from the task in front of him. Roush would recover from his injuries that day, winning his first NASCAR Cup title a year later.

“As fate would have it, Larry was a Marine, trained in underwater search and rescue,” said Roush. “Without hesitation or regard for his own wellbeing Larry went in the water, employed his skills learned in the service and pulled me out. Larry saved my life and he is the reason I’m still here and was able to do a lot of the things I’ve done in the last 15 years. Larry had no idea who was in the water. He only knew someone was in trouble and needed his help.”

“That was the kind of person he was,” added Roush. “We grew to be close friends over the years and we used to love to go turkey hunting together. The world was a better place having had him and I am not only here today, I am a better person as a result of our paths crossing all those years ago.”

Jack Roush would go on to win 188 NASCAR races and seven championships after being pulled from the lake by Hicks on his 60th Birthday in 2002, and in 2019 he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame; thanks in part to the heroic action of Sgt. Major Larry Hicks. Perhaps more importantly, he would go on to enjoy the arrival of five grandchildren into the world; amongst his most cherished accomplishments.

“God wasn’t finished with me yet and Larry was on the spot to make sure of that,” added Roush. “I’ll never understand why me, but I’ll always owe Larry Hicks a debt of gratitude that could never be re-payed. Larry Hicks memory will forever live in the hearts of all of those in the Roush family and he will forever hold a dear and special place in all we do, our legacy and our history.”

Team:                          No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang
Crew Chief:                 Brian Pattie
Twitter:                      @Stenhouse17Team @Stenhousejr and @RoushFenway

ADVANCE NOTES

Stenhouse Jr. at Michigan International Speedway

Stenhouse Jr. has 13 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) starts at Michigan International Speedway with an average starting position of 18.7 and average finishing position of 21.2.

The 2013 MENCS Rookie of the Year also has three Xfinity starts, earning one top-five and one top-10 finish.

Last Time at Michigan

After sustaining damage to the nose of the No. 17 Ford early on in stage two, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. battled back to earn a 19th-place finish in Monday’s rain delayed Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan Speedway.

Michigan Native

Dave McDonald, who serves as shock specialist on the No. 17 team, grew up in Clinton, Michigan, which is approximately 20 minutes from Michigan International Speedway.

Fastenal Racing Fan Club

Make sure to go join the new Fastenal Racing Fan Club to receive exclusive content and prizes.  https://www.fastenalracing.com/fanclub.html

On the Car

Fastenal is currently in its eighth season as a primary partner in the MENCS for Roush Fenway. They spent three years on the No. 99 before jumping over to the No. 17 entry, and were the primary partner on the No. 60 Xfinity team that captured the owner’s championship in 2011.

Stenhouse Jr. on racing at Michigan:

“I’m looking forward to this weekend at Michigan. We have made some improvements to our Fastenal Ford since the last time we raced there. This is the home track for Ford and Roush Industries so we always want to perform well in their backyards. Jack has had a lot of success at Michigan. Last weekend at Watkins Glen, we executed really so looking to carry that over to this weekend. I think if we can have another mistake free weekend, then we should leave Michigan with a solid finish.”

FedEx Racing Express Facts – Michigan International Speedway

Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Office Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing

Race Info:
Race: Consumers Energy 400
Date/Time: August 11/3:00 p.m. ET
Distance: 200 laps/400 miles
Track Length: 2 miles
Track Shape: Oval
Banking: 18 degrees
2018 Winner: Kevin Harvick

Express Notes:

Press Kit: Download the 2019 FedEx Racing press materials at www.fedexracing.com/presskit, including bios for Denny Hamlin, Chris Gabehart and Joe Gibbs Racing leadership, program highlights and statistics.

Watkins Glen Recap: Denny Hamlin kept the FedEx Cares Toyota in the spotlight all weekend long at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, culminating with a third-place finish Sunday at the high-speed road course. The result was his fourth straight top-five finish. Hamlin rolled off sixth and ran in the top five for much of the race, a 90-lap affair that only had four cautions and minimal opportunities to pass. The top three – Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr. and Hamlin – remained the same for the final 25 laps of the race. Elliott dominated to earn his second win while Joe Gibbs Racing cars took second, third and fourth (Erik Jones). The No. 11 Toyota’s special paint scheme at Watkins Glen showcased the launch of the FedEx Cares 50 by 50 initiative as well as FedEx’s long-time relationship with Safe Kids Worldwide, focusing on back-to-school pedestrian safety.

Michigan (Consumers Energy 400) Preview: The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series heads back to the Irish Hills of Michigan on Sunday, Aug. 11, for a 400-mile event at Michigan International Speedway. Hamlin and team earned an 11th-place finish earlier this season at the two-mile oval and will be seeking the team’s fourth win of the 2019 Cup Series.

Hamlin Michigan Statistics:
Track: Michigan International Speedway
Races: 27
Wins: 2 (2010, 2011)
Poles: 1 (2018)
Top-5: 7
Top-10: 12
Laps Led: 192
Avg. Start: 12.0
Avg. Finish 14.3

Hamlin Conversation:

Your team has shown some great speed this season. How is your team feeling heading into Michigan again for some high-speed racing?

“We actually didn’t race well there in June. We qualified up front, battled for the lead early and then, once I lost track position, it was over. But NASCAR has been working on opening up a third groove there, so I think the racing is going to be different this time. I’m looking forward to it.”

You have had four top-five finishes in a row. What are you doing to keep the momentum going?

“We’re certainly in a groove right now. Our team looks forward to each week’s challenge, and we’re going to prepare and put ourselves in the best position to win this weekend. Especially now that we are returning to tracks for a second time, Chris Gabehart and the team are making good corrections to help us be better in our second effort.”

FedEx Miami South District Along for the Ride at Michigan International Speedway: For the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway, the FedEx #11 will feature the letters D56 on its B-post to recognize the FedEx Miami South team for being the top district in the final results for FY19 President’s Club.

With Richard and Kyle Petty in attendance, special scheme pays tribute to Adam Petty

Wallace also pays visit to the Boys and Girls Club of the Pee Dee, visiting with family members of fallen police Sgt. Terrence Carraway

DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA (Aug. 6, 2019) – Visiting Darlington Raceway today to support the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500, Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Victory Junction and Richard Petty Motorsports unveiled the No. 43 Chevy that Wallace will drive in the race on September 1.

The 2019 throwback design honors the late Adam Petty, son of Kyle and grandson of Richard. Both Petty’s were on hand for the unveil.

“It’s truly an honor and top throwback that I’ve been a part of and knowing the history behind the Petty family and Adam’s vision and seeing it come to life at Victory Junction,” Wallace said. “I think this really speaks for Adam and what his vision was and I was too young to know him and I feel like we would have had a great time, to grow together and to bring this organization back to where it needs to be.” 

Wallace’s No. 43 Chevy will feature a Victory Junction throwback paint scheme honoring Petty.  The scheme is a tribute to Adam’s ARCA Racing Series victory at Charlotte on Sept. 20, 1998. It was his only career win in the series. Adam passed away in a practice crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2000. Both Kyle and Richard were in attendance at the car unveil.

“To be here, to have Bubba drive the car and for it to be my dad’s car and with Victory Junction on the car, it’s our 15^th anniversary, it’s hard to believe that he would have been 39 years old this year, so it’s hard to believe it’s been that long,” Kyle said. “But to have this car here, to have it at Darlington and for everything that Darlington means to our family, what it means to this sport, it was just the perfect time.”

This is the 70^th running of the Bojangles’ Southern 500, with this season’s throwback weekend paying tribute to the years 1990-94.

This will be the fifth season Darlington Raceway has hosted throwback weekend, with the event having grown into the official throwback weekend of NASCAR and of the most prized weekends on the circuit.

“To have Bubba Wallace and both Richard and Kyle Petty, and the folks at Victory Junction, here today with us, it’s an honor,” said Kerry Tharp, President of Darlington Raceway. “We’re closing in on our race weekend and this will be the fifth year of our throwback weekend and there is no better way to then to throw it back then to have Richard Petty Motorsports here today to honor the legacy of Adam Petty.”

Wallace also paid a visit to the Boys and Girls Club of the Pee Dee in Florence, SC. Wallace conducted a question and answer session for nearly 150 kids in attendance and also visited with family members of Florence Police Sgt. Terrence Carraway.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Pee Dee was a special place for Sgt. Carraway, who was a lifelong resident of Darlington and 30-year veteran of the Florence Police Department He was killed in the line of duty on October 3, 2018. He was a dedicated servant to the Darlington and Florence communities having been involved in a variety of community activities that benefited many residents, including children and teenagers. Carraway devoted countless volunteer hours to the Boys and Girls Club of the Pee Dee.

Darlington Raceway’s award-winning throwback campaign is The Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR featuring the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500® on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019 at 6 p.m. on NBCSN. The NASCAR XFINITY Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 will race on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 at 4 p.m. on NBC. Tickets are on sale now by calling 866-459-7223 or visiting DarlingtonRaceway.com.

You can keep up with all of the latest news from Darlington Raceway at DarlingtonRaceway.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DarlingtonRaceway and on Twitter at Twitter.com/TooToughToTame. Fans are encouraged to post their Bojangles’ Southern 500 stories and memories at, #BojanglesSo500 and #SportClips200.

Toyota Racing
This Week in Motorsports – August 5 – 11, 2019

Toyota Racing On-Track this Week

· MENCS/NGOTS: Michigan International Speedway (Brooklyn, Mich.) – August 10-11

· NXS: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, Ohio) – August 10

· Formula Drift: World Wide Technology Raceway (Madison, Illinois) – August 10

· Lucas Oil Midwest Short Course League: Bark River International Raceway (Bark River, Mich.) – August 9-11

NASCAR National Series – MENCS | NXS | NGOTS

Milestone Martin… Martin Truex Jr. makes his 500th career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) start on Sunday at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). Since rejoining the Toyota family in 2016, Truex has 20 wins, 56 top-fives and 78 top-10 finishes. Truex scored Toyota its second-ever Cup Series driver’s championship in 2017.

Toyota Drivers Running Strong… All five full-time MENCS Toyota drivers are running strong in recent events, riding impressive streaks heading into MIS. Kyle Busch retook the points lead after an 11th-place finish in Watkins Glen on Sunday. Busch has four more top-10 finishes (18 total) than any other driver in the series this season. Denny Hamlin is riding a streak of three-straight top-three finishes, while Erik Jones has had four top-four finishes in a row. Truex is tied for most wins in the series with four and has three straight top-six finishes. After scoring four top-10 finishes in his first 155 Cup starts, Matt DiBenedetto has had four top-10s in the last seven events.

Victories in the Motor City… Toyota has five MENCS victories at MIS. Former Toyota driver, Brian Vickers, scored the first win in the fall of 2009, starting a streak of four Toyota wins in five Michigan events, including two wins by Hamlin and an additional win by Busch. Former Cup champion, Matt Kenseth, scored Toyota’s most recent win at this race four years ago.

Looking for the First… Toyota is looking for its first win at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, one of three tracks on the current NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) tour that the manufacturer has yet to score a victory (Road America and the Charlotte Roval being the other two). Former Toyota driver Michael McDowell holds Toyota’s track-best result of second at Mid-Ohio’s first NXS race in 2013.

Bell on the Podium…Christopher Bell has finished first or second at the last four events on the Xfinity Series calendar, including earning his fifth win of the season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Bell has finished in the top three 12 times in 20 NXS events this season.

Familiar Territory for Tundras … Tundra drivers have won four of the last five races at Michigan International Speedway including last season with former Toyota driver Brett Moffitt. Moffitt took the lead on the final lap to notch the second win for Toyota at MIS. Busch and Johnny Sauter add one win each to complete the recent Toyota success in Michigan.

Positioning for Playoffs… On the strength of wins earlier this season, Austin Hill (Daytona) and Tyler Ankrum (Kentucky) have officially clinched spots in the eight-driver NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series playoffs. Both Todd Gilliland and Harrison Burton are looking to score victories this week to earn positions in the playoff field. Gilliland finished fifth in his MIS debut one year ago, while Burton makes his first start at the two-mile oval.

Formula Drift

Looking for the Title… With just three races remaining on the Formula Drift schedule, Fredric Aasbø has a slim two-point lead atop the point standings. One year ago, Aasbø had a clean sweep at World Wide Technology Raceway – earning the pole position and taking the race win.

Off-Road

Greaves Family Duo Leading the Pack… The Lucas Oil Midwest Short Course League has a three-race show this weekend at Bark River International Raceway. Reigning champion, CJ Greaves, holds down the points lead on the strength of two wins, while his father, Johnny Greaves, is coming off his first victory of the season and sits in third in the standings, just 17 points behind his son.