Category: NASCAR Cup PR

CONCORD, NC (May 25, 204) — Mount Pleasant High School graduate Logan Quinn and West Cabarrus High School graduate Bronwen Bates were named recipients of the Jimmie Johnson Scholarship, Charlotte Motor Speedway officials announced ahead of this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600.

Established in October of 2020 to honor seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and future Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson, the $4,800 scholarship is granted to a deserving Cabarrus County high school senior pursuing a career in fitness, nutrition or exercise science. The award will be distributed annually to a prospective college student.

This marks the first time in the scholarship’s history that the committee agreed upon awarding two worthy applicants with the prize.

Quinn, who plans to attend Wingate University in Wingate, North Carolina, has high hopes of working for a professional sports organization and making an impact within the community.

In addition to his four years on the Mount Pleasant Tigers varsity soccer team, Quinn was also a member of the National Beta Club, the National Technical Honor Society, and the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society.

“It meant a lot for me to be selected,” said Quinn, who accepted the award in front of a packed crowd during the weekend’s STEAM Expo. “When you apply for something like this you don’t necessarily think you’re gonna win, but I was extremely excited.”

The win was made even sweeter by the fact that Quinn’s father is a longtime fan of Johnson – it’s part of the reason Quinn’s parents were the first people he told when he found out he would be one of the recipients.

Bates, who is attending the UNC Charlotte following his graduation, believes the impact of the scholarship will be monumental to his educational experience.

“As an individual on the autism spectrum, there were a lot of difficult things growing up, but academics were not one of them,” said Bates in his scholarship application essay. “Winning this award would help pay a portion of my tuition at UNCC where I can continue my education and move into a field where I can further help others.”

As well as being a student of the International Baccalaureate Program during the entirety of his high school career, Brown is a member of the National Honor Society, National Senior Beta Club, IB Executive Committee, and was named junior marshal just last year.

Charlotte Motor Speedway created the Jimmie Johnson Scholarship to honor the legendary driver’s passion for physical fitness. Johnson – the speedway’s all-time most successful NASCAR Cup Series driver with eight points wins – joined his wife, Chandra, in launching the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in 2006 to support K-12 public education. The scholarship in Johnson’s name represents the speedway’s efforts to mirror Johnson’s foundation in positively impacting students’ academic aspirations.

NASCAR CUP SERIES
CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MAY 25, 2024

 Chase Elliott, Driver of the No. 9 NAPA Patriotic Camaro ZL1 and the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Camaro SS, met with the media in advance of racing double duty in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Media Availability Quotes:

Talk about running double duty… not the same extent of Kyle Larson, but in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series. Hope helpful is it or are you just doing it for the fun of it?

“Yeah, basically it was as simple as – Chad (Knaus) came to us over the winter last year and said that they were going to likely be keeping the No. 17 Xfinity car going for another handful of races this year, and we’re probably going to start incorporating some more ovals into that, so that was appealing to me. They just kind of sent out – hey, these are the races we’re thinking.. what do you guys have interest in? And if any of our interested races clashed, then we would figure out how to sort them out. We were all pretty laid back about it. It wasn’t a huge thing. so just the way it worked out.

Charlotte (Motor Speedway) fit my schedule and it fit their schedule. I wanted to get some more laps here, and I felt like it would be a good weekend to do that. It was on the calendar, so it worked out really well. I’m excited about it.”

Greg Ives, putting him in a position where he can build that team, but also mentor people who come in different areas of the team and try to get them Cup ready for Hendrick Motorsports. How important is it to have somebody like Greg in that role?

“Yeah, I think it’s extremely important. You touched on it, but that’s the biggest piece of doing the No. 17 car in-house.. it is challenging to make sure that our team members have the proper amount of reps at the racetrack. During a practice environment, it goes by really quick; performing to the expectation and to the level of what a Cup crew chief expects of their guys. It’s just hard to get those guys reps if they’re new, or if we have someone come off the road or any personnel change. So it’s a really good opportunity for Hendrick Motorsports to kind of groom their own people in their own way; have people ready in case maybe a guy misses a weekend. Then you have somebody that can jump in that has a little bit of experience; know what to expect and just how to execute a proper practice and things like that. So that’s really been the biggest reason why I think it’s continued, and ultimately I think is a really good decision for the company to make sure – not just the drivers getting some extra reps here and there, but it’s also important for the crew members to, as well.”

NASCAR fined Ricky Stenhouse Jr. $75,000 for the fight, the most they’ve ever fined a driver…

“$75,000? Wow.. I heard he got fined, but I didn’t know it was $75,000.

Yeah, $75,000.. I was going to ask if you thought it was appropriate. I don’t know if you’ve thought about it much, but do you think that’s a lot?

“Yeah, that’s a lot.. that’s a lot of money. That seems wild to me.

Yeah, that seems like a lot for that situation. You’re going to fine him, but you’re going to promote with it.. like what are we doing? That’s a little strange to me. That’s just the first thought that comes to my mind, is that’s a lot of money to fine a guy. It’s not OK, but we’re going to blast it all over everything to get more clicks. I don’t really agree with that.”

You haven’t been able to do much Xfinity Series racing over the last couple of years. What do you enjoy about being able to take a step back into the series that kind of launched you and your career into the Cup level?

“Yeah, for sure. Those two years, 2014 and 2015.. particularly 2014, was a really big year for me. Just the way the timing all worked out and whatnot. It was really last minute that we even raced full-time that year. There was a really good shot that we were just going to run five or six (races), and I would have been thrilled with that. All the pieces of the puzzle fit together at the right time with NAPA and everything else. To your point, yes – two extremely important years for my career, particularly 2014. I kind of felt like that was my opportunity to either do something or not, especially when it became a full-time season versus five or six races that we had talked about doing.”

Denny Hamlin recently said that he’d rather win a lot of races and no championships, rather than a few races and championships. You’ve done both – you’ve won a lot of races and you’ve won a championship. Which of those two elements of the sport are you most proud of – the wins or the championship?

“That’s a good question. I think it depends on where you’re at in your life, honestly. Like when I get done racing and I look back, I’m going to be proud that we won a championship. I’m also proud of the wins, for sure. But I think having a lot of wins means that you’ve had a lot of good days spread out through a long period of time. So I just think that general satisfaction that you get from a race win or a day going your way – if those wins are in large quantities like that, I think ultimately that means that you’ve had a lot of good days leaving the racetrack and a lot of satisfaction in performance, in yourself and your team.

I can understand his argument on that, for sure, because races happen weekly. A championship only happens one time a year. I think the championship thing is something that probably sticks with you more after you get done and that type of gratification. But certainly, being in the moment and being in the heat of the battle, I think winning a lot can certainly make your overall satisfaction of how you’re doing with your job more enjoyable and happier.”

With Kyle Larson’s experience in Indy, how closely have you been following what he’s been doing and how the No. 5 team has been reacting to it, as well? How tuned-in will you be on Sunday as that race is going on?

“Yeah, I’ve tried to keep up, for sure. It’s been fun to watch, what I have been able to keep up with. It seems like they’ve been doing a great job at Indy. Obviously I work closely with Cliff (Daniels) – I hear a lot from him and whatnot, way more than the INDYCAR side, so I’m hearing most of it from him. He’s an extremely well-prepared guy. I know he’s going to do his part to make sure his side of the picture goes really well. So I wouldn’t be concerned about that at all, if I was Kyle (Larson) or anybody else.

But yeah, I think they seem to be handling it all extremely well. It seems like just the logistics, the plans and the backup plans and all that stuff with the aviation group and everything else; they’re all just top-notch people. At Hendrick Motorsports, Rick (Hendrick) does a really good job of choosing the people that work in different departments. Everyone is excited about it, and I think it’s really cool for everyone involved. Everyone is playing a role in making it happen. It’s such a team effort to make sure he can get back and forth and do all the right things. I think any time that you have an opportunity like that to tie-in more people that already work at the company, I think is super healthy because it gives people the opportunity to be a part of something that they might not normally be on a given weekend, which is fun.”

 

About Chevrolet

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Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Coca-Cola 600 Advance | Friday, May 24, 2024

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske, is coming off a win in last weekend’s NASCAR All-Star Race. He stopped by the Charlotte Motor Speedway infield media center earlier today to talk about National Mobility Awareness Month and this weekend’s race.

JOEY LOGANO, No. 22 Shell/Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse – CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE YOU HAD DRIVING WITH TORSTEN GROSS AND EXPERIENCING A CAR EQUIPPED FOR DRIVERS WHO CAN ONLY USE THEIR HANDS? “This is a really neat program that Pennzoil is partnering up with Torsten and his foundation and really just giving everyone the ability to drive their vehicle when their mobility isn’t quite the same as everybody here. They have a great way of trying to help everybody get in a vehicle and drive with just your hands and with no feet. It was a neat experience. The hand controls bolt right into a car. We had a stock Dark Horse Mustang right there and they bolted it all in there pretty quickly. The throttle, you turn it. The brakes, you push it in and then you strap your hand in on the other end of the steering wheel and off you go. It’s definitely a really neat experience, challenging to learn how to do it because you’re initial reaction is to hit the brakes with your feet, or the gas, but he tied my feet up to the door so I couldn’t even use my feet. We had a good laugh about that and then we tried driving it around the Roval here. It was cool. I wasn’t very smooth for a while. I eventually got a little bit more of a handle on it, but the point is it’s really neat that he races and that he can compete. Think about it. There aren’t other sports where a paraplegic can compete with somebody who has normally functioning legs and be able to compete together in the same league. He does that weekly, so how neat is that to be able to do that. He was very good at it, much better than me with as smooth as he was, but definitely a really neat experience. That’s something neat Pennzoil has done to really show how their pushing forward in a lot of different areas and just a fun experience, for sure. The long version of the video is really fun. I would say go to You Tube and find it on Pennzoil’s channel. It’s pretty neat.”

DO YOU THINK THIS COULD OPEN UP TO WHERE IT WOULD BE ALLOWED IN NASCAR DOWN THE ROAD? “Honestly, I don’t see a reason why it couldn’t. It’s all about comfort and reps. That’s what I realized as I was driving. I was like, ‘OK, I could see how this is something that can make sense.’ Getting the car set up for that would be the biggest thing. Our cars have pretty stiff steering. You’d need a little bit easier steering rack to be able to steer. You should see how you have to get your arm in there. There are a couple extra braces to be able to steer it, but I think if you get all of that right, I don’t see why you couldn’t. The upper body strength that you need is ridiculous to be able to steer with one hand for a long period of time. You aren’t ever putting your other hand back on the wheel. You can’t. To be able to drive for a long period of time, I think would be hard. I don’t think it’s impossible. I just think it would be really, really hard to do that. I think it definitely can happen, though, if the opportunity arose.”

WHY DID YOU GET YOUR CDL? “So, I grew up around trucks. My father had a trucking company growing up, so I always drove trucks. I still like driving trucks all the time, but I need to do it legally, so I went to school. This morning, we woke up and I drove up to Statesville and took my test up there at the DMV and I passed it, so that’s good. I’m officially a CDL license holder, so I’m sure now that anytime we get in a bind I’m gonna be ready to truck. I want to be the first one in a long time to drive their truck to the racetrack, so that would be kind of cool to do. It was a bit of a process the last few weeks of going to school and learning and driving around on the road. I had a lot of fun. It’s challenging to do it. It’s not the easiest thing in the world. I was nervous. I told the guy doing the test with me I said, ‘Listen, I drive in high-pressure situations every single weekend. You’re making me nervous.’ He’s over there and ‘every time I make a turn you’re writing something down.’ I said, ‘You’re wigging me out.’ We were laughing, but I was able to do it. I made the obstacle course and got it done.”

WOULD YOU RATHER WIN A LOT OF RACES AND NO CHAMPIONSHIP OR A FEW RACES AND MANY CHAMPIONSHIPS? “Championships. In any sport, that’s mainly what you’re measured by. You think of basketball or football, they don’t ask ‘what was your winning percentage or how many wins did you have?’ How many rings do you have? That’s what everybody asks. With that said, race wins are a lot harder than football wins. I don’t want that to come across the wrong way and I’ll explain why. A football game is a 50-50 chance. We’re 1 in 40. You think about that and race wins are gonna be worth more because it’s harder to do. The odds are not in your favor to go out there and win every single week. A good season is six wins, especially these days, so it’s really hard to accomplish a lot of wins. I think you can measure somebody for sure for their success on how many wins they have, for sure, but I think the championship thing has always been a really big deal, I think, in sports in general.”

DO YOU FEEL THE FINE FOR RICKY STENHOUSE JR. WAS APPROPRIATE? “I’m not gonna get in the middle of that one, to be honest with you. I’m glad I’m not in the middle of it. I think, really, what we all want is consistency and knowing what the rule is and what’s OK and what’s not OK. That’s really all you ask for. Whether it’s the car or restarts or altercations apparently, just let me know the rules is what I want to know. What is the price I’m about to pay if I make this decision and is it worth it? That’s really how it’s got to be is just looking for consistency in that to where it’s the same all the time, and I know it’s hard to do. That’s a lot to ask for because every situation could be a little bit different. It’s a judgment call. There’s no black and white. When you look at a post-race altercation at what point is sometimes it’s OK and sometimes it’s not? I don’t know. I’d like to have a little bit more clarity on it to be honest with you, but I don’t know the answers.”

NASCAR PUSHED LAST WEEK’S START ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER TO ACCOMMODATE KYLE LARSON. IF THEY DO THAT THIS WEEK IS THAT OK? “I think as long as it’s within reason. There’s a lot of different things that go into this and, as a driver who has been in the sport for a long time, I see that there’s more to it than just me driving the race car. When you think about it, the start time for the race has been promoted for a certain time. Pushing it back a little bit, I’m sure, doesn’t really affect much. Pushing it back a lot does affect it a lot. Are we willing to give up ratings to get somebody here that chose not to be here to go race the Indy 500? That’s fine and really cool, don’t get me wrong. It’s really cool, but it was his choice to do that, so I don’t know at what point is out of reason to wait, but I don’t think we should race very, very long by any means because I don’t want it to hurt the rest of our sport for somebody that showed up late for the race. I don’t think I can call in and say, ‘Hey, I’m stuck in traffic because I left my house late. Can you wait for me?’ It’s not gonna happen. I also think this is a different scenario because of the cool factor and how it is good for motorsports all the way through. I just think at some point there’s got to be a point where we’ve got to start the race. I don’t know exactly where that’s at.”

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE EXPERIENCE WITH TORSTEN AND HOW HAS IT INFLUENCED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON DRIVING AND MOBILITY? “Some of the things I learned the most about Torsten by being with him wasn’t even in the car. It was just how he talked out of the car and his attitude on life, his approach on life. After his accident, you really could have gone one or two ways. He could have been in a really bad spot for the rest of his life and instead he just looked at it as an opportunity and, as odd as this sounds, he seemed thankful for his accident because of what came because of that opportunity and what he’s made of it. That was the number one thing I took out of the day. Outside of the car. Outside of all the other stuff attitude is everything in life and to see a situation where I think I would be pretty down for a long, long time and I’m sure he was for a while, but he’s just one of those people that’s gonna make the best of any situation that’s dealt to him and there aren’t many worse from a mobility situation. He’s been able to grow something out of nothing. He didn’t race before. This is all new to him, so to see that, I think that’s the number one thing I took and learned from him.”

HOW EYE-OPENING WAS IT TO REALIZE THIS IS THE ONLY SPORT WHERE SOMEBODY IN A WHEELCHAIR CAN COMPETE AGAINST SOMEBODY WHO IS ABLE-BODIED ON THE SAME LEVEL? “Very eye-opening. To be honest with you, I never thought about it. We’ve done a lot of things at the Paralympics before with the sled hockey stuff years ago. There’s no way that they would be able to compete in the NHL, but with this scenario I do believe with enough practice and God given talent and determination if there is somebody that can get good enough driving just with their hands there’s no reason they can’t compete on Sunday with us.”

HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT DRIVING WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO USE YOUR FEET AND HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO GET USED TO IT? “Honestly, it’s like anything else. The first bit is really easy. To drive down the road, I wouldn’t have a problem at all, just like everybody else can drive down the road here today. But when you try to push a car to its very extreme, that’s where it changes. When I started, of course I’m gonna try to push it. They didn’t want me to. I didn’t listen. I was gonna go. They put me on a racetrack in a Mustang what do you think is gonna happen? Let’s be real here, so I throttled her up and I just wasn’t smooth. Driving a car fast it’s very important – all of your inputs are very slow. You get the car loaded, you get onto the brakes easy, you do all those things and I was just choppy. The hard part is you use throttle, you twist the throttle The brake you push. You can do both at the same time. You don’t want to, but you can be on the gas and hitting the brakes and getting the car all in a bind. I did that a few times until you can kind of figure that out, so you’ve just got to use muscle memory to figure out how to do that. The other thing is just the steering you’ve got one hand on it, so the fine-tuning turning that we do just to find increments I couldn’t do that as quickly. When you see our hands in their they’re moving just a little bit at a time. We feel that we’re moving there. It was kind of like bigger motions when I was doing it, but I think some of that is just muscle memory getting better at it and I was getting tired to be honest with you. I ran a few laps there and my shoulders were tired, just a bunch of muscles I never use, so it was definitely a lot different.”

CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF WORKING WITH THIS PARTNERSHIP FOR A WHILE? “Quite possibly. You never know where life brings you sometimes. Really, all I do is I just go with the flow on a lot of things. You’d be surprised. It’s really cool as a race car driver. There are a lot of things that show up your way and I’ve learned this probably from Kyle Petty more than anybody else. He just doesn’t say no and you’d be surprised the amount of stories and things that you can do in life if you just say yes and go to the event, or when something comes your way and you just give it a shot. There are a lot of really cool things that happen. Nobody does it better than Kyle. That’s why I brought his name up. He’s the one I think of all the time. He’s like that movie Yes, Man. That’s who that guy is. I try to be like that as much as I can, not as much as him, but I try a little bit and so you never know what comes up next and where I end up. If you told me 10 years ago we’d be sitting where we are today, parts of it I would believe and not all of it.”

HOW MUCH OF A KICKSTART CAN THE WIN LAST WEEK BE FOR YOUR SEASON AND WHAT HASN’T GONE RIGHT UP UNTIL THIS POINT? “It was great to go up there and grab a win. I wish it was points, for sure, but a million bucks is still pretty dang good. I don’t think anyone in here would complain about that, so I’m not going to either. It happened to be one of those weekends where everything went perfect. The car was fast. Qualifying was good. We led all of the laps. Everything you can ask for. We haven’t had that this year. We’ve had something happen in almost every race, where things are going well and then, ‘uh’ that happened or we just didn’t go fast. Odds and ends, different things. It’s just been that kind of year for us. There’s a long ways to go. We’re halfway to the playoffs. We have time to make up and get out of the hole that we’re in, but we’re in a hole. There’s no doubt about that, so we’ll keep attacking and getting after it. The good thing is that win does help the momentum of the team. It helps the confidence. We got them all together a couple nights ago at my house and we had a lot of fun and celebrated a win. We came down to the concert last night and we had a little bit of fun down there as well, so there’s a lot of good things that come along with that and a lot of momentum and attitudes that are a lot happier, and I do think that helps performance all the way through. I feel like we kind of needed this good uptick, a lot of good things happening right now in everybody’s life, so that’s a good place to be.”

YOU FLEW IN AN F-16 DURING YOUR MISSION 600 VISIT. HOW DID THAT CHANGE THE WAY YOU VIEW THIS SUNDAY IN THE 600? “I would say I’ve been very fortunate to the point of saying yes to things, to go on some USO Tours in my life and visit other military bases and we do the Mission 600 thing every year and get to go visit a military base and speak to our military. At this point, for me, I understand it – at least as much as a civilian can – to realize that these guys are just real bad asses that are far superior than me, and 99 percent of the world out there. These people, I can’t put it into perspective. I wish everyone got to go and do some of these things because you would appreciate your country even more than you already do. It is absolutely incredible to see the commitment, the discipline that these men and women have to put it all on the line for strangers, and when they go to combat, even if they come back OK, they’ve gone through a lot and their families that are at home for that long period of time, I’m sure there are some military families in this room that understand some of this a lot more than me, but I don’t like leaving my family for two days at a time. I couldn’t imagine months or years at a time. That’s the craziest thing I ever heard. I couldn’t help but think about that when I’m there and speaking to them at the Shaw Air Force Base. That’s their home, so they’re at home at the moment, so I was able to meet some of their families too, and even when I was in the jet itself we were flying around and doing all of these incredible maneuvers and I was thinking, ‘Imagine if someone was trying to shoot me right now.’ That’s a whole different game, or whatever the mission may be and you have to make those really, really hard decisions – hard decisions – not whether we should pit and and put two tires on or stay out. That’s a very small decision in comparison to what these people are doing. That’s why I love this weekend so much. I really do appreciate it and my perspective changed years ago because of these things and I wish that everyone would get to experience that, but I think we do a good job here at Charlotte with the speedway and Coca-Cola together trying to not only honor our military because they deserve it, but help our country understand a little bit more of what they go through and helps reminds us that every Memorial Day Weekend, but we should be reminded every day and I think that’s hard to do sometimes because we’re in our little world. We’re in our little NASCAR world and we think about going in circles every day and we think that’s a big deal, but in the grand scheme of things it’s the smallest thing in the world when you think about what these guys are doing for sure. It’s a really cool weekend that we can do that. Thank you Charlotte Motor Speedway for doing that, and Coca-Cola. It’s a really neat thing to do for sure, and it scared the hell out of me, just so you know.”

WILL YOU BE PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO HOW KYLE LARSON DOES IN THE INDY 500 AS SOMEONE WHO IS REPRESENTING THE NASCAR SIDE OF MOTORSPORTS THERE AS WELL? “Absolutely, yeah. Honestly, I hope he finishes fourth. I really do. I can say that, right? That would be awesome. Obviously, I want a Penske car to win. Those are my guys. This is our team, but I want Kyle Larson to do good, and he already has, let’s be real. No matter what happens in the race, at this point he’s been pretty impressive with what he’s done there. I don’t know if there are many other drivers that can do what he’s doing. He’s just got a ton of natural talent that he can just jump in and do this type of stuff. I think it’s awesome he’s doing it. Don’t get me wrong with what I said earlier. What he’s doing is awesome, really, really cool. It’s great for motorsports in general. I think it’s just as good for NASCAR as it is for IndyCar to have him there, so I think for motorsports it’s great. It’s a huge storyline. People are talking about it. I hope it all works out. I hope the weather and all of it works the way it’s supposed to. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. But, at this point, I’d say you’ve got to call it a success.”

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway… Richard Childress Racing has earned eight NASCAR Cup Series victories on the oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The team has six 600-mile wins to their credit (Dale Earnhardt – 1986, 1992, 1993, Kevin Harvick – 2011, 2013, and Austin Dillon – 2017). Both Kyle Busch (sixth) and Austin Dillon (ninth) scored top-10 finishes in the 2023 Coca-Cola 600.

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway… RCR has also found success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway with five victories, most recently when Tyler Reddick captured the checkered flag in 2019. Dillon swept both spring and fall races on the 1.5-mile layout in 2015. Jeff Green gave the Welcome, N.C., based company its first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in 2002 (spring). In 2023, Austin Hill led the RCR stable with a fourth-place finish at the Concord, N.C. facility.

Honor and Remember… As a tradition like none other on Memorial Day weekend, RCR is honored to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Everyone at RCR, led by Richard Childress, expresses deep gratitude to those who have paid the price for this country both near and abroad. During the Coca-Cola 600, please take a moment to remember their loved ones left behind as each life will not be forgotten.

In Memory of Patrick Gottsch… All five RCR cars entered this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway will carry a special decal to remember the life of Patrick Gottsch. Gottsch dedicated his time to building Rural Media Group, parent company to RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, The Cowgirl Channel, and Rural Radio SiriusXM. Launching in 2017, The Cowboy Channel became the first 24-hour network dedicated to western sports and the western lifestyle. Gottsch suddenly passed away on May 18 and was survived by his wife, Angie, and three daughters, Raquel, Gatsby, and Rose.

RCR in the News… Earlier this week, two exciting partnerships for Dillon and the No. 3 Cup Series program were announced. On Tuesday, Marine Toys for Tots®, America’s premier children’s Christmastime charity, joined the storied race organization to highlight the charity’s year-round programs. Watch the No. 3 Toys for Tots Chevrolet on track at Darlington Raceway in September. On Wednesday, a unique design was unveiled as Dow and their partners, Ducks Unlimited and Rivers Are Life, teamed up to support healthy ecosystems that benefit communities and the planet. The Dow Water and Nature Camaro will take to the track at WWT Raceway in June.

Catch the Action on Saturday… The BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, May 25 beginning at 1 p.m. ET on FOX. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Follow Sunday’s Action at Charlotte… The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, May 26 beginning at 6 p.m. ET on FOX. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Austin Dillon and No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway… Austin Dillon earned his career-first NASCAR Cup Series win with a victory in the Coca-Cola 600 in May 2017. A native of North Carolina, Dillon has raced in 15 NASCAR Cup Series events at his home state track, posting five top-10 results. Dillon has completed 96 percent of the laps competed on the 1.5-mile racetrack and is a two-time winner at the speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

About Bass Pro Shops… Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations, and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops united with Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations, and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.” Bass Pro Shops has a long relationship with NASCAR, dating back to 1998. For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com/.

Supporting Our Heroes… Bass Pro Shops has a strong affinity for the armed forces and their families, a value that starts with the noted conservationist and visionary founder, Johnny Morris. His lifelong respect and gratitude to servicemen and women was strongly shaped by his father, John A. Morris, a decorated World War II veteran who proudly served his country in the Battle of the Bulge. There is no adequate way to properly thank our military and veterans, but Bass Pro Shops strives to honor their sacrifices and celebrate their heroism every day. Bass Pro Shops proudly employs over 4,000 Veteran Outfitters across North America.

Red, White, and Blue… Dillon’s Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Camaro features a special patriotic scheme for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 race. To honor all United States armed forces, both past and present, the No. 3 Chevrolet will sport red, white, and blue colors.

Honoring Captain Jennifer Moreno… As part of NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance program, the windshield header on the No. 3 Chevrolet will feature the name of United States Army Captain Jennifer Moreno. Moreno lost her life on October 6, 2013 in the Zhari district of Afghanistan. She served as a nurse and was part of the Army Special Operations Command attached to Bravo Company of the 3rd Ranger Bn. She was killed while trying to reach Sgt. Tom Block, who had been severely injured by a female suicide bomber. As a nurse, Moreno’s first response was to rush to the aid of Sgt. Block and other wounded Rangers. As she ran forward, she set off an IED and was killed. Moreno was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain and was also awarded a Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart after her death in the line of duty. Sgt. Block, the ranger who Moreno rushed to aid, was the son of Timothy Collins, the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Hunting Lead in Owatonna, Minn.

Meet Dillon… On Saturday, May 25 at 11 a.m. ET, Dillon is scheduled to make an appearance at Boot Barn, located at 7940 Lyles Lane NW, Concord, N.C. 28027. On Sunday, May 26 at 12:15 p.m. ET, the veteran racer will participate in a question and answer session at the Speed Street Fan Zone Stage at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Stop by to hear Dillon, John Roberts, and Kenny Wallace.

Questions, Please… Dillon is scheduled to join BetMGM head of partnerships Kyle Wachtel to discuss this weekend’s race and RCR’s partnership with BetMGM on Saturday, May 25 at 3:45 p.m. The media availability will take place on Speed Street in front of the BetMGM display. Media are invited to stop by to learn more about BetMGM.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:

Where does the Coca-Cola 600 rank on your list of favorite races on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule?

“The Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 are two of my favorite races of the year. The Coca-Cola 600 is one of the toughest races on the calendar. It’s a rough track. It is a challenge to run 600 miles, but I enjoy challenges, so I always look forward to the race. I was able to win the Coca-Cola 600 in 2017 and we were close last year and finished ninth.”

What does racing on Memorial Day weekend mean to you?

“This weekend is about remembering those who gave everything to our country. It’s great to see the impact the 600 Miles of Remembrance program has on service members’ families. Captain Jennifer Moreno will race with me on the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Boats Chevrolet this weekend and I’m very proud to honor her and her family at Charlotte Motor Speedway. There’s nothing like the National Anthem during the Coca-Cola 600. It’s a weekend of freedom.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 zone Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway… Kyle Busch will make his 36th NASCAR Cup Series start on the 1.5-mile oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Busch won the 2018 Coca-Cola 600 in one of the most dominating performances of his career. The Las Vegas native started from the pole and led 377 of 400 laps on the way to his first win at the Concord, N.C. facility. His average running position in that race was a staggering 1.21 and Busch was the only driver to run all 400 laps inside the top-10. In 35 Cup Series races, Busch has 22 top-10 finishes, scoring a top-10 result in 62.85 percent of his starts – including six of his last seven at the speedway. Busch also has earned three pole positions – 2008 (spring), 2014 (fall), and 2018 (spring).

Stats of the Week… Among active Cup Series drivers, Busch sits second all-time in laps led (1,487) and is tied for the most top-five finishes (16) on the oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Points Update… Busch currently holds the 13th position in the Cup Series driver championship point standings, 34 points behind 10th-place.

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Honoring LCPL Jacob Levy… The windshield header on the No. 8 zone Chevrolet will feature the name of LCPL Christopher Phoenix-Jacob Levy, who lost his life on December 10, 2011 in Landstuhl, Germany – two and a half days after being wounded in Kajaki, Afghanistan. Jacob, as he was known to family and friends, made up his mind that he wanted to join the military when he was just nine years old to help get the perpetrators of the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers. He joined the USMC JROTC in middle school, the Army JROTC in high school, and became a proud member of the Lumbee (Tuscarora/Waccamaw-Siouan) tribe of N.C. During his first deployment, Levy and his platoon were just outside the perimeter of where Bin Ladin was killed. He returned home on Mother’s Day 2011. Levy desired to be a part of something bigger than himself and make a difference. Not only did he pay the ultimate sacrifice, but he was an organ donor and seven people are living better lives today because of his donation.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

You have five top-five finishes in the last seven Coca-Cola 600 races. Why does that race fit your driving style so well?

“The Coca-Cola 600 has been pretty good for me over the years. I’ve really just enjoyed that race. I’m probably one of the few guys left that have run the 600 miles for as long as I have, versus the rest of the guys only doing 400 mile races lately. You definitely know that you have to be ready for a long, long day. I used to think that running Xfinity and Truck races in the same weekend would allow your longevity to be longer for a 600 miler but I don’t get to run those as much. I don’t think that plays as much into the races currently.”

Last year the Coca-Cola 600 was rain-delayed to Monday and was then briefly stopped again before being completed. How mentally challenging is that for a driver to manage?

“Anytime you have rain delays it’s always tough. It’s not really what you set yourself up for but it’s a part of our sport. Being used to it and being around for 20 years, it gives you the opportunity to just have that experience of getting back going whenever the race does get back going. I think it’s a little bit frustrating when you’re starting the race and you know weather is coming and you run 20 laps even though you know the weather is coming. We might as well just not race at all and just postpone it. That saves the fans’ day, that saves the drivers’ day, the families’ day, everything in that respect plus it’s a 600 mile race. It’s long anyway so let’s not make it longer.”

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Camaro SS at Charlotte Motor Speedway… Jesse Love will make his inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday. Despite not having NASCAR race experience at the Concord, N.C. facility, the 19-year-old is already a race winner at the speedway. Last May in the ARCA Menards Series event, Love started from the pole position, led 67 laps, and secured the victory.

Testing 1, 2, 3… Prior to the start of the 2024 Xfinity Series season, Love was able to participate in a rookie test at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Menlo Park, California native turned his first laps behind the wheel of the No. 2 Chevrolet on that day in January and spent hours making laps around the 1.5-mile oval.

Points Check… Love currently sits in the fourth position in the Xfinity Series driver championship point standings, 57 points behind points leader Austin Hill. in addition, Love continues to be ranked first in the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Point standings, 138 points above Shane van Gisbergen.

Manufactured in America… The No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet will sport a special red, white, and blue paint scheme this Memorial Day weekend to honor those who have and are currently serving our country and local communities. As a company that is “Trusted to Protect First Responders,” Whelen proudly manufactures all products in America and is committed to providing reliable products that keep first responders and their communities safe.

About Whelen Engineering… Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce.

Meet Love… On Saturday, May 25 at 10:15 a.m. ET, Love and his teammate Austin Hill are scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Stop by to get your No. 2 gear and meet the rookie sensation.

JESSE LOVE QUOTES:

One year ago, at Charlotte Motor Speedway, you won the ARCA Menards Series race from the pole and led the most laps. What about Charlotte do you think fits your driving style and made you so comfortable? “I perform well at tracks like Charlotte Motor Speedway that are banked and have a lot of grip. Going to a big and fast race track is good for me and suits my driving style really well. Race tracks like Kansas Speedway, Pocono Raceway, and Charlotte Motor Speedway really work with my driving style.”

How does your experience in the ARCA Menards Series car translate to the NASCAR Xfinity Series car? Do you think it has shortened your learning curve? What has that adjustment been like? “The ARCA time really helped to shorten my learning curve. The biggest thing was knowing how to drive a car on an intermediate sized track. The Xfinity car is definitely different from anything I’ve ever driven, but I wouldn’t say that it’s any harder. It suits my driving style, but overall driving the ARCA cars last year was a big advantage to me this year.”

Your first time in a NASCAR Xfinity Series car was at Charlotte Motor Speedway during a test and you had the opportunity to spend eight hours on the track. How is that experience going to help you going into this race? “It gives us a little bit of an advantage. Just knowing how the car is going to trend and how to unload in Charlotte, because I have laps there, is super important. Other races this year have shown that we can already unload fast, but now I know how the car will trend over the course of the run. We also have the qualifying run there, so going back there for a second time is a big advantage.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet Camaro SS at Charlotte Motor Speedway… Austin Hill has made three career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway oval, posting a fourth-place result one year ago while driving the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. The Winston, Ga. native has also competed in two NASCAR Truck Series races and one ARCA Menards Series event at the 1.5-mile speedway.

Top of the Hill… For the third time this season, Hill has returned to the top of the Xfinity Series driver championship point standings. The 30-year-old currently has a three-point lead over second-place Cole Custer.

Love Country. Love Trucking… Hill’s Bennett Transportation and Logistics Camaro will feature a special design at Charlotte Motor Speedway, highlighting Bennett Family of Companies’ patriotism core value and representing the hundreds of United States Military Veteran truck drivers in their fleet. The scheme showcases various specialized trucks hauling military freight, with the motto “Love Country. Love Trucking.” and highlights Bennett’s strong commitment to support the missions of our government to protect our country and advance freedom. For over 20 years, Bennett has been a tier one supplier to the United States government, with their team of secure truck drivers safely moving military vehicles, aircraft parts in support of the F-35 program, arms, ammunition, and explosives to bases across the country.

About Bennett Family of Companies… McDonough-Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies is a woman-owned, Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified, diversified transportation and logistics company. Through its 14 affiliated operating companies, the Bennett Family of Companies delivers integrated transportation and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Bennett has 4,625 drivers/owner-operators, over 1,000 employees and 600 agents located across the United States. For more information, visit www.bennettig.com.

In Memory of Uncle Duane… The Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet will carry a special in memory decal at Charlotte Motor Speedway, as Hill and the RCR team help honor Maurice Duane Green. Green, the uncle of Bennett Family of Companies’ Vice President, Lynette Mathis, was a loyal race fan and supporter of Hill, who loved cheering on the No. 21 each week.

Meet Hill… On Saturday, May 25 at 10:15 a.m. ET, Hill and his teammate Jesse Love are scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler located in the Fan Zone at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Stop by to get your No. 21 gear and have Hill sign the items purchased.

AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:

Talk about your Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway one year ago.

“Last year, it took a handful of laps for our car to come in at the beginning of a run, but once we got going, the handling would come alive. We made gains all day and made it better on the short run. Before our final pit stop under green, I was starting to run a couple guys down when they got to battling, but every time I would get closer to them, our car would get really tight. The track went through a change and our car would get loose. We played a pit strategy, thinking that the leaders wouldn’t be able to make it on fuel. Somehow, they did, but overall to get a top-five finish was good for our No. 21 team. I look forward to going back to Charlotte Motor Speedway again, especially with the Bennett Love Country. Love Trucking. military scheme. Our armed forces are the lifeline of our country and to honor them on this Memorial Day weekend is special.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 33 Rebel Bourbon/BetMGM Chevrolet Camaro SS at Charlotte Motor Speedway… Kyle Busch will make his 27th NASCAR Xfinity Series start on the Charlotte Motor Speedway oval. In 26 previous starts, Busch has nine wins (2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2020) and 22 top-10 results. Along with scoring a top-10 in 84.6 percent of his starts, Busch has an average finish of 6.40 and completed 96.5 percent of competed laps. In the veteran racer’s last Xfinity Series victory at the Concord, N.C. speedway in 2020, Busch led 94 laps and edged Daniel Hemric in NASCAR Overtime to secure the checkered flag.

Stat Leader… Busch leads all active NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers in every major statistical category at Charlotte Motor Speedway – wins (9), top-fives (19), top-10s (22) and laps led (1,475).

Did You Know? On May 24, 2003, Busch made his first-career Xfinity Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway, scoring a second-place finish and leading 33 laps.

About Rebel® Bourbon… Distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, by Lux Row Distillers Master Distiller John Rempe, Rebel Bourbon features a wheated mash bill that is true to its original recipe dating back to 1849. Known for its smoother, sweeter flavor, highlighted by delicious caramel and vanilla flavor notes, Rebel celebrates the “Rebel spirit in all of us” – especially those who embrace freedom, defiance and a little attitude. In 2023, Rebel Bourbon 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was awarded a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Double Platinum ASCOT award. The brand’s Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was awarded gold medals at the 2023 SIP and ASCOT awards.

About Luxco®… Founded in St. Louis in 1958 by the Lux Family, Luxco® is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Merged with MGP® Ingredients, Inc. in 2021 (Nasdaq: MGPI), Luxco operates as MGP’s Brands Division and manages all MGP/Luxco brands. This extensive and award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from four distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers®, home of Ezra Brooks®, Rebel®, Blood Oath®, David Nicholson® and Daviess County®; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery®, maker of Yellowstone® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case® Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch® Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor®, Exotico® and Dos Primos®; and Ross & Squibb® Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Remus® Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union® Straight Rye Whiskey are produced. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Penelope® Bourbon, Everclear® Grain Alcohol, Pearl® Vodka, Saint Brendan’s® Irish Cream, The Quiet Man™ Irish Whiskey, Green Hat® Gin and other well-recognized brands. For more information about the company and its brands, visit luxco.com.

About BetMGM… BetMGM is a market-leading sports betting and gaming entertainment company, pioneering the online gaming industry. Born out of a partnership between MGM Resorts International and Entain Group, BetMGM has exclusive access to all of MGM’s U.S. land-based and online sports betting, major tournament poker, and online gaming businesses. Utilizing Entain’s U.S.-licensed, state-of-the-art technology, BetMGM offers sports betting and online gaming via market-leading brands, including BetMGM, Borgata Casino, Party Casino, and Party Poker. Founded in 2018, BetMGM is headquartered in New Jersey. Always Bet Responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:

For the first time in your career, you will drive a RCR Xfinity Series car this weekend. How special is it and why was this opportunity so appealing?

“I’m definitely looking forward to running the Rebel Bourbon/BetMGM Camaro this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I think it’s going to be fun. I’m grateful for the opportunity from Richard Childress and everybody in the Xfinity shop. It’s been pretty good to talk with crew chiefs Danny Stockman and Andy Street to get their insight and try to help them with some ideas and concepts to be ready to roll. This opportunity is appealing not only to get out there and run in the Xfinity Series again, but also to help RCR’s development.”

What are your expectations for the race?

“Our expectation is obviously to win. I’ve won 102 of these races, so it shouldn’t be too foreign to me to get into another car, try to go out there and win the race. There’s obviously going to be some stiff competition. I’m looking forward to working with Austin Hill and Jesse Love. They’ve been fast at the mile-and-a-half tracks this season and they’ve done a good job. I’m just excited to see what it’s all about.”

Will you be able to work closely with RCR drivers Jesse Love and Austin Hill? Can you teach rookie Jesse Love something at this level?

“Jesse Love is so new and fresh to it that the opportunity of his learning and asking questions is wide-open. He probably has more questions than I have answers, but he’s learned a lot already and done a really good job for as young as he is. Austin Hill has been around the Truck and Xfinity Series long enough now that there’s probably not too much to tell him. It’s all about car feel and my description of everything to the crew chief and to the team. How they describe might be different than what I do. Even if we have the same setup, we could say it different ways.”

5 KYLE LARSON

Age: 31 (July 31, 1992)

Hometown: Elk Grove, California

Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels

Standings: 1st

No. 5 HendrickCars.com/McLaren Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

DOUBLE DAY: On Sunday, Kyle Larson will attempt to become the fifth driver to complete “The Double” by competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Arrow McLaren will field the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet in a car owned by Rick Hendrick. The effort, dubbed the #Hendrick1100, is sponsored by HENDRICKCARS.COM. Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 airs at 12:45 p.m. ET on NBC, followed by the Coca-Cola 600 at 6 p.m. ET on FOX.

FIFTH IN THE FAST SIX: Larson continued his Indianapolis 500 preparation on Sunday with Arrow McLaren at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. During the Fast 12 qualifying session, the 31-year-old driver posted a four-lap average speed of 232.788 mph, securing a spot in the Fast 6. On his single attempt in the final round at the 2.5-mile track, Larson’s speed of 232.846 mph earned him the fifth starting position for INDYCAR’s most prestigious event.

ALL-STAR PERFORMANCE: Following a late caution at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Larson maneuvered to a fourth-place finish in Sunday’s non-points NASCAR All-Star exhibition race. The top-five finish came despite starting at the rear of the field due to his absence from qualifying while participating in Indianapolis 500 time trials.

FACTS ON THE FIVE: Larson and his No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM team are having a strong NASCAR Cup Series season. Through 13 races, he leads the standings by 30 points. The Elk Grove, California, native is one of three drivers with multiple wins in 2024 (Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway) and has series-best marks in top-five finishes (six), laps led (649) and stage wins (seven).

CHARLOTTE STATS: Larson has achieved notable success at the 1.5-mile layout of Charlotte Motor Speedway. In 14 starts, he has one win, two top-five finishes, six top-10s and 399 laps led. Over the last six races on the oval, he has led the most laps of any driver (379). In 2021, Larson won the Coca-Cola 600 in a dominant performance, leading 327 laps – the fifth-highest total in the event’s history. The victory marked the 269th Cup Series win for Hendrick Motorsports, surpassing Petty Enterprises as the winningest team in Cup Series history.

1.5-MILE MUSCLE: Larson’s dominance on intermediate layouts has been impressive with three victories in the last five races, including two in 2024. On 1.5-mile tracks since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021, he has secured eight victories, tallied the most stage wins (21) and holds the longest active streak of races led (11).

HONOR AND REMEMBER: As part of this weekend’s 600 Miles of Remembrance, each car in the field will carry the name of a fallen service member on the windshield. U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone is honored on the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. You can check out every angle of the scheme, featuring Basilone’s name on the windshield, here.

PUTTING IN WORK: In the Cup Series, the No. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM pit crew has the season’s fifth-best average four-tire pit stop time (10.966 seconds). The five-person crew is comprised of Blaine Anderson (front-tire changer), R.J. Barnette (tire carrier), Brandon Harder (fueler), Brandon Johnson (jackman) and Calvin Teague (rear-tire changer).

HENDRICKCARS.COM IS HOME: The Coca-Cola 600 is a home race for the HENDRICKCARS.COM team, which will wear its “home” white firesuits this weekend. Hendrick Automotive Group is headquartered in Charlotte with numerous dealerships located throughout North Carolina. For the week of every HENDRICKCARS.COM home race this season, there is a new hat released and only available for purchase at trackside merchandise haulers or to win at HENDRICKCARS.COM. Less than 100 of each limited-edition hat will be available to the public. This week’s #Hendrick1100-themed hat was revealed Tuesday and can be seen here. Fans can enter for a chance to win one of five sets of the special edition hats autographed by Larson.

WE’RE HIRING: Hendrick Automotive Group is hiring more than 300 technicians at its dealerships throughout the country. Positions are open for all skill levels and offer tuition and training reimbursement. Interested people can apply at HENDRICKCARS.COM.

9 CHASE ELLIOTT

Age: 28 (Nov. 28, 1995)

Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia

Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia

Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson

Standings: 4th

No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Patriotic Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be available to members of the media in the Charlotte Motor Speedway media center on Friday, May 24, at 2:45 p.m. local time.

KEEP IT ROLLING: Chase Elliott has been impressive this season. After 13 NASCAR Cup Series races in 2024, the Dawsonville, Georgia, native sits fourth in the standings, just 49 points behind the leader, Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson. Elliott has secured one win (Texas Motor Speedway), and his five top-five finishes are in a three-way tie for second in the Cup field. His average finish of 9.85 is the best in the series and ranks as his best average finish through 13 races since 2019 (9.62). Additionally, Elliott ranks sixth in laps run in the top five (959), fourth in laps run in the top 10 (2,009) and fourth in average running position (11.71). The driver of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the only driver to finish inside the top 20 in all 13 events and has completed all but one lap of competition in 2024, tied for best.

BIG 3-0-0: At just 28 years old, Elliott will make his 300th career Cup Series start Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 2020 NASCAR Cup champion is in his ninth full-time season in the premier series, with 19 points-paying wins, 98 top-five finishes, 158 top-10s, and one All-Star Race victory.

QUEEN CITY PERFORMANCE: Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 will mark Elliott’s 13th start in a points-paying Cup event at Charlotte. In his previous 12 races at the 1.5-mile track, the six-time National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award winner has five top-five finishes, six top-10s and 338 laps led. Elliott has three second-place results at the track – including two runner-ups in the Coca-Cola 600 – and a victory in the 208-lap Thursday night premier series event in 2020. The Hendrick Motorsports driver holds the longest active streak of oval races led at Charlotte, having paced the field in each of the last six events. He led 223 laps across those races, third-most in the series.

1.5-MILE PERFORMANCE: In three premier series starts on 1.5-mile tracks this season, Elliott has one win (Texas), two top-five finishes and two top-10s. His average finish of 5.33 across those starts is best among series regulars, and he’s tied for the third-most points earned (110). Elliott has 81 career Cup Series starts on mile-and-a-half tracks, with three victories (Kansas Speedway 2018, Charlotte 2020 and Texas 2024), 24 top-five finishes and 40 top-10s. He’s paced the field for over 1,000 laps on 1.5-milers in his Cup career.

NEXT GEN NUMBERS: Since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022, Elliott has earned six wins, placing him in a three-way tie for the fourth-most victories. In that span, he holds the best average finish (12.26).

FAST FIVE: Last month at Texas, the No. 9 pit crew laid down the fastest four-tire pit stop (9.076 seconds) of any team in the 2024 season. The over-the-wall squad has remained the same since 2018 and currently holds the fastest average four-tire pit stop time (10.643 seconds) this season. The 2021 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew award-winning group is comprised of Chad Avrit (rear-tire changer), Jared Erspamer (tire carrier), John Gianninoto (fueler), Nick O’Dell (front-tire changer) and T.J. Semke (jackman).

DOUBLE DUTY: Before Elliott takes the green flag for the Coca-Cola 600, he will strap into the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Camaro for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday afternoon at Charlotte. It will mark his first of two starts this season for the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports team (with Darlington Raceway on Aug. 31), which will reunite Elliott with his former Xfinity Series crew chief Greg Ives. The duo won the series championship in 2014 during Elliott’s rookie season. In five Xfinity Series starts at Charlotte, Elliott has three top-10 finishes.

A HERO REMEMBERED: In Sunday’s Memorial Day weekend race at Charlotte, the windshield of Elliott’s No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will don the name of U.S. Army Technician 5th Grade Clifford Strickland, who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during World War II. Strickland entered the U.S. Army Air Forces from Colorado and was a member of the 803rd Engineers Battalion, Philippine Department, tasked with defending the Philippine Islands and training the Philippine Army. He was captured following the American surrender of the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942, and forced on the Bataan Death March. He was interned in the notorious Cabanatuan Prison Camp in Nueva Ecija Province, where he died July 29, 1942. Strickland’s remains were accounted for Dec. 20, 2023, and will be laid to rest in Colorado in June.

SALUTE TO OUR FALLEN: NAPA Auto Parts will trade out its classic blue, yellow and white scheme for a grayscale digital camouflage livery on the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the Memorial Day weekend race. Get a look at all the angles of the patriotic scheme here.

24 WILLIAM BYRON

Age: 26 (Nov. 29, 1997)

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle

Standings: 5th

No. 24 Liberty University Patriotic Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, will be available to members of the media in the Charlotte Motor Speedway media center on Saturday, May 25, at 4:15 p.m. local time.

HOME SWEET HOME: Charlotte, North Carolina, native William Byron is one of only a handful of drivers born and raised in the “home of NASCAR.” After visiting U.S. Legend Cars International headquarters with his father in 2012, Byron found himself behind the wheel for the first time the next year competing in the Young Lion Division. Winning 33 of his 69 legend car events across the United States in 2013, he went on to lock up the U.S. Legend Car Young Lions national championship and the Thursday Thunder Young Lion title at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The next season, he progressed to the Legend Car Pro Division and signed with JR Motorsports’ developmental program. From that point, Byron hasn’t slowed down as he climbed the ranks before making it to the top-level NASCAR Cup Series in 2018.

CUE CHARLOTTE: Byron has seven career Cup starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 1.5-mile oval, with six of them being the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend. In just his second Charlotte start in 2019, he became the event’s youngest pole sitter at 21 years, 5 months and 24 days. On the oval, Byron has three pole awards, two top-five finishes and three top-10s with 153 laps led, including a personal-best Charlotte finish of second in last year’s 600-miler. Byron has led four consecutive races on the oval – tied for the second-longest active streak – and is one of four drivers to finish both 2023 Charlotte Cup events (the oval and ROVAL) in the top 10 after scoring a pair of runner-up results. At Charlotte, the 25-year-old driver also has two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts and one NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series appearance.

24 IN ‘24: Byron’s 2024 Cup Series campaign has been impressive. He is tied for the series lead in wins (three) and top-10 finishes (eight) while having the fourth-best average finish (12.46). After 13 points-paying races, the driver has spent 1,838 laps in the top 10 (sixth overall) and sits fifth in the season standings.

NEXT GEN DUO: Since the Next Gen car was introduced in 2022, Byron and crew chief Rudy Fugle have 11 wins, which lead the Cup Series. Byron also has the second-best average finish (13.14) in the Next Gen car behind only teammate Chase Elliott. In night races during the Next Gen era, he has three wins (most), five top-five finishes (tied for the third-most) and 10 top-10s (tied for most).

1.5-MILE MAGIC: During his Cup career, Byron is no stranger to success on intermediate tracks. Since the start of 2021, he has three wins, two runner-up finishes, 10 top-fives and 18 top-10s in 26 races on 1.5-milers (not counting events held at Atlanta Motor Speedway after its reprofiling). In fact, Byron’s two Next Gen wins on 1.5-milers rank second to teammate Kyle Larson.

RUDY RUNS CLT: Sunday will mark Rudy Fugle’s fourth time atop the pit box for the Coca-Cola 600 as he looks to build on the No. 24’s team’s runner-up showing in 2023. In his three previous starts, the crew chief has three top-five starting positions, including one pole award, with two top-five finishes and two top-10s. The Livonia, New York, native has also called eight Truck Series races at the Charlotte oval with two wins (2013 and 2019), two poles, four top-five finishes and six top-10s. In trucks, his drivers have led 29% of all laps raced (310 of the 1,077) and completed 100% of the laps. One start came with Byron in 2016 when the duo won the pole and led 25 laps en route to a 10th-place finish.

LIBERTY U PATRIOTIC SCHEME: Liberty University will be back on Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this weekend for the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. As part of NASCAR’s annual “NASCAR Salutes” program, the Liberty University Chevy will sport a special patriotic paint scheme as a part of the 600 Miles of Remembrance to honor those who have served and continue to serve in branches of the U.S. military. The special scheme includes blue and gray digital camouflage down the sides of the car. To see Byron’s scheme for this weekend’s race, click here.

MAJOR TOBY LEWIS: This weekend, the No. 24 Liberty University patriotic paint scheme will feature a tribute to Marine Corps Maj. Tobin’s service began in 2008, and he received numerous awards including the National Defense Service Medal. He was selected to the MV-22 Osprey and was deployed in the Red Sea, the Philippines and Australia. Prior to his time in the Marines, Lewis attended Liberty University where he was a Military Aviation major who also walked on the school’s soccer team.

PIT PROWESS: After 13 points races in 2024, the No. 24 pit crew continues its success from last year. The five-person crew ranks third in the Cup Series in the category of fastest average four-tire pit stop (10.849 seconds). It consists of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire carrier) and Landon Walker (fueler).

HOME TRACK FEEL: In addition to Byron, two other No. 24 crewmembers are North Carolina natives who claim Charlotte Motor Speedway as their home track: mechanic Jacob Bowman from Pilot Mountain and jackman Bishop from Pinehurst.

48 ALEX BOWMAN

Age: 31 (April 25, 1993)

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Resides: Concord, North Carolina

Crew Chief: Blake Harris

Standings: 9th

No. 48 Ally Patriotic Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

CLT ON TAP: This weekend, NASCAR races at Charlotte Motor Speedway where driver Alex Bowman has one top-five finish, four top-10s and 228 laps led in 12 Cup Series starts. In the last six Charlotte oval races, the 31-year-old driver has led the second-most laps (228) behind only Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson (379). In the 2020 Coca-Cola 600, Bowman led 162 of 400 laps but finished 19th following a late-race strategy call.

2024 NUMBERS: The No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team sits ninth in the Cup Series standings, 121 points behind the leader. Bowman has posted four top-five finishes in 2024: at Daytona International Speedway (second), Bristol Motor Speedway (fourth), Circuit of The Americas (fourth) and Talladega Superspeedway (fifth).

HALFWAY THERE: At the midpoint of the 2024 Cup Series regular season, Bowman’s eighth-place performance at Darlington Raceway on Mother’s Day marked his fourth consecutive top-10 finish to give him eight in 13 races. Bowman is tied for the series lead in top-10s with Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron. It matches his personal best for most top-10s through 13 starts, set in 2022. The driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet ranks sixth in average finish among series regulars (12.7) and is tied for third in top-five finishes (four).

ALLY PATRIOTIC: For the fourth consecutive year, primary sponsor Ally has developed a patriotic paint scheme with Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports in support of NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance. On Sunday at Charlotte, the No. 48 Ally Patriotic Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will honor Army Capt. Arthur “Bo” Felder, who passed away while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. Described as a “gentle giant” at 6’4” and 290 pounds, Felder joined the Army while in high school. Raised in a family with military service dating to World War I, he was deployed to Bosnia and Honduras before going to Iraq where he served as command of Headquarters Company of the 39th Infantry Brigade of the Arkansas National Guard.

LIVE FROM THE DRIVER’S SEAT: Join Bowman with views from his driver’s seat this weekend during NASCAR’s longest race. On Sunday, fans can ride along for all 600 miles of competition by tuning into NASCAR’s in-car camera on the No. 48 Ally Patriotic Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Visit nascar.com/drive to experience the race from Bowman’s perspective.

PACKAGES FOR OUR TROOPS: On Wednesday, Bowman, the No. 48 team, sponsor Ally and United Service Organizations (USO) volunteers held a fifth annual packing event (2019, 2021-2024) for soldiers ahead of the Coca-Cola 600. The group assembled approximately 2,000 care packages for deploying service members from the state of North Carolina as they wait to be sent to their assignment. Packages included cards, snacks and hygiene kits for those serving overseas.

FOUR TIRES FAST: In 2024, the Ally Racing team ranks fourth in the Cup Series in four-tire pit stop average at 10.958 seconds, giving Hendrick Motorsports three of the top-four spots. The five-man 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.

SAVE A (FURRY) LIFE THIS MEMORIAL DAY: 2024 marks the fourth consecutive year Ally and Bowman have supported Best Friends Animal Society and its vast network of partners. This weekend’s beneficiary of the pair’s $4,800 donation is the Charlotte Humane Society, located just 22 miles southeast of Charlotte Motor Speedway. To learn more, visit the shelter this weekend or go online to view its dogs and cats available for adoption.

HENDRICK
MOTORSPORTS /

2024	All-Time	Charlotte
Races	13	1,358	75
Wins	6*	307*	21*
Poles	4*	250*	19
Top 5	19*	1,251*	70*
Top 10	28*	2,140*	113*
Laps Led	973	80,730*	6,026*
Stage Wins	8	106	8*

*Most **Most (tie)

1,100 MILES: For the first time in his NASCAR Hall of Fame career, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick will be a car owner for the Indianapolis 500, doing so with the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet driven by Kyle Larson. The entry, fielded through a unique partnership with the Arrow McLaren INDYCAR Team, will see the 2021 Cup Series champion become the fifth driver to attempt “The Double” by racing the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

HENDRICK HOMECOMING: On Friday and Saturday, Hendrick Motorsports will hold “Hendrick Homecoming” to celebrate the team’s 40th anniversary in NASCAR. The free fan event, which takes place over the same weekend as the Coca-Cola 600 at nearby Charlotte Motor Speedway, will feature appearances by past and present drivers, along with games, displays, giveaways and more. For information on the two-day event, click here.

FABULOUS 40: In 2024, Hendrick Motorsports is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The organization holds the all-time NASCAR Cup Series records in every major statistical category, including championships (14), points-paying race wins (307), pole positions (250) and laps led (80,730).

WINNING TRIO: Hendrick Motorsports drivers William Byron (three wins), Larson (two) and Chase Elliott (one) have tallied six Cup Series victories through the first 13 points-paying events of 2024. Based in Concord, North Carolina, the organization has won at least six races in 19 of the last 24 seasons. Six victories matches the team’s second-best total (1996 and 1997) at this point in a season. Hendrick Motorsports’ best start came in 2007 when it recorded nine wins in the first 13 races.

PIT POWER: Hendrick Motorsports holds four of the top-five spots for the fastest average four-tire pit stop in 2024. The No. 9 team leads the way (10.643 seconds), with the No. 24 team in third (10.849 seconds), the No. 48 team in fourth (10.958 seconds) and the No. 5 team rounding out the top five (10.966 seconds).

MILE-AND-A-HALF MOJO: In this season’s three races on 1.5-mile intermediate tracks, Hendrick Motorsports has been victorious every time. Larson won at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March and Kansas Speedway in May. Elliott went to victory lane at Texas Motor Speedway in April. Across the three events, Hendrick Motorsports tops the board for all teams in laps led (378) and stage wins (four).

NEXT GEN NUMBERS: Hendrick Motorsports’ eight wins on 1.5-mile tracks in the Next Gen car is more than double the total of any other Cup Series team (three wins). Since 2022, Larson has a series-best four wins on 1.5-mile tracks and Byron two, making them two of the four drivers with multiple wins on intermediates. Teammates Alex Bowman and Elliott have each earned one Next Gen triumph on this type of track. Over the last 12 races on 1.5-milers, Larson and Byron are the only repeat winners.

BLACKJACK: Hendrick Motorsports has 21 wins at the Charlotte Motor Speedway oval, tied for the third-most Cup Series victories at any track by an organization. The team also holds the top-two spots on the list with its win totals at Martinsville Speedway (29) and Dover Motor Speedway (22).

DEEP SIX: Six drivers have combined for Hendrick Motorsports’ record 12 wins in the Coca-Cola 600. Jimmie Johnson’s four wins (2003, 2004, 2005 and 2014) are part of his track-best eight wins on the oval. Next on the list is Jeff Gordon, now the team’s vice chairman, with three victories (1994, 1997 and 1998). Darrell Waltrip was the first Hendrick Motorsports driver to win the prestigious event, which he did back-to-back in 1988 and 1989. Casey Mears (2007), Kasey Kahne (2012) and most recently Larson (2021) each have one win.

HISTORICAL HIGHS: In the 2021 edition of the Coca-Cola 600, Hendrick Motorsports earned its 269th Cup Series win, passing Petty Enterprises to become the all-time winningest team in the sport’s top series. Hendrick Motorsports finished first, second, fourth and fifth that night, marking the first time a single organization placed four drivers in the top five in the Memorial Day weekend event.

600 MILES OF REMEMBRANCE: The Memorial Day weekend race at Charlotte Motor Speedway remembers the men and women who gave their lives in service while defending the United States of America. The name of a fallen service member will appear on the windshield of every Cup Series car in the Coca-Cola 600 field.

QUOTABLE /

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on “The Double”: “We had a good qualifying session at Indy last weekend and we’ll get one final practice in on Carb Day (Friday). It’s cool, and I want to thank Hendrick Motorsports for getting the (No.) 5 team up here (to Indianapolis) Friday to be a part of it. Hopefully, the weather cooperates this weekend. We want to be sure to get in a good practice and qualifying on Saturday at Charlotte so we have a great chance to battle for the win at the end of 600 miles Sunday night.”

Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on Charlotte prep: “We are certainly looking forward to getting to Charlotte for the 600. What a special weekend and what an awesome opportunity for really everyone on the (No.) 5 team, everyone at Hendrick Motorsports that’s part of the Cup effort, and of course, a part of the INDYCAR effort as well. Yeah, just a lot to look forward to. It’s a big challenge, and we certainly want to prove that we’re up for the challenge. A lot of belief in our team is in our process and the work ethic we’re putting in to make sure we can have a successful weekend and give Kyle a good car to go race with for 600 miles on our end. Wishing everybody up there in Indy a lot of luck for the 500 and really pulling for those guys.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on his approach to the Coca-Cola 600: “Hopefully we can have a good run this year and have pace. But more than anything, I would like to just finish one of these things (the Coca-Cola 600) and get to the end. It is such a long race and a lot can happen in 600 miles. I’ve been a part of some (600s) where they’re really wild and crazy, and I’ve been a part of a couple where we’ve ran the whole thing almost green. I would just like to have a good, clean race and log a lot of laps and make it to the end.”

Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing the Coca-Cola 600: “I think the biggest thing is just how long it is, and the extra stage points available are a big deal. The last two years we crashed out early and I think that probably put us on the back foot a little. So, focusing on getting qualified well and having a good car and being able to execute, stay up front and get as many stage points as possible is the key focus for us. It’s a long race and a race of attrition in a lot of ways. All those things make it difficult and hopefully, for us, we’ve learned from our recent experiences, which will help us navigate things on Sunday.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the importance of execution at Charlotte this weekend: “We’ve had the (Coca-Cola) 600 circled for this year for sure. We have really high hopes but more recently we want to get back on track. We want to start the weekend strong and then finish strong. We don’t want to over extend ourselves or make mistakes that take us 10 spots back. We’re preparing for a chance to win, and I think there’s a good chance we will. Everyone is approaching this race that way though. We hope we’re that team, but if not we just really need to execute the weekend. That’s generally our strong suit, but we’ve gotten off track a little. We’re going to put that gritty mindset to work and finish the best we can.”

Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on why the Coca-Cola 600 is special: “It’s a huge weekend being Memorial Day weekend. The Coca-Cola 600 is a hometown race for William, and it’s in the backyard of Hendrick Motorsports. This is our longest race of the year on top of that, but to me it’s almost easier to run the extra miles because we get the extra stage. Every stage is the same, not one stage being significantly longer than the others like we typically have. It’s pretty straightforward. You can really get in a good rhythm. I don’t really notice the difference in length other than sitting on the box a little bit longer. You just want this one more than some of the others.”
​

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Charlotte: “It’s always special to race here in Charlotte. It’s such a big week ahead of the Coca-Cola 600, and there’s a ton going on at the Hendrick Motorsports campus with Hendrick Homecoming, especially with it being our company’s 40th anniversary. In honor of Memorial Day, this weekend we recognize Army Capt. Arthur “Bo” Felder on the windshield of our No. 48 Ally Chevy. The 600 is a challengingly long race, but I’m excited to return to tackle it. Hopefully our Ally Racing team can qualify well Saturday and we can get a good run at it Sunday.”

Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the team’s approach for this weekend: “We had a pretty good run last year (at Charlotte Motor Speedway). It was Alex’s first race back after his injury. We didn’t get to practice or qualify that race — got kind of boxed in and had a difficult day on pit road trying to get around people. I think if we can go back there and qualify well and get a good pit stall, we should have some high expectations for this weekend.”

Lumafield to Implement Industry-Leading Neptune Industrial X-Ray CT Scanner Technology

CONCORD, N.C. (May 23, 2024) – RFK Racing is excited to announce a new official partnership with Lumafield, which will join the RFK TeK Alliance family of partners. Lumafield will equip RFK Racing with its industry-leading Neptune Industrial X-Ray CT Scanner technology. This advanced technology will enable RFK Racing to gain a deeper understanding of part quality, proactively identifying potential issues and flaws before they impact performance on the racetrack.

Combined with Lumafield’s innovative Voyager software, this system provides RFK Racing’s engineers with unprecedented insight into blind assembly issues, material and manufacturing flaws, and many other aspects previously beyond the reach of existing technologies. Additionally, the introduction of Atlas, an AI co-pilot for engineers, will further enhance the sophistication and accuracy of these insights, marking a new era of innovation in motorsports.

“This partnership represents a monumental leap forward for RFK Racing as we strive to become the technological leaders in motorsports,” said Kevin Kidd, RFK’s Director of Software and Analytics. “Lumafield’s unparalleled products offer capabilities that are second to none, and access to these innovations gives us a significant advantage in the current era of NASCAR racing. We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Lumafield.”

“We are excited to partner with RFK Racing, a team that shares our dedication to speed, performance, and engineering excellence,” said Eduardo Torrealba, Co-Founder and CEO of Lumafield. “Lumafield exists to help engineers do their best work, faster than ever, and we look forward to helping RFK set new standards both on and off the track.”

About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 37th season in 2024, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.

During the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the NASCAR community through its 600 Miles of Remembrance program once again will honor the memory of those who laid down their lives in service to the United States of America.

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 DEX Imaging team has chosen to honor the memory of Navy SEAL Christopher George Campbell, who died on Aug. 6, 2011, when the Chinook helicopter carrying him and 29 others was shot down by insurgents as it was returning from a mission in Afghanistan.

There were no survivors, and the loss of life was the most ever in a single incident in Naval Special Warfare history.

The DEX Imaging Mustang Dark Horse will have Campbell’s name on the windshield and also will carry a patriotic red, white and blue paint scheme this weekend.

Crew chief Jeremy Bullins said he’s proud of the way the team is honoring Chief Petty Officer Campbell and those who died in service to their country.

“The design group knocked it out of the park this week with our red, white and blue DEX Mustang Dark Horse,” Bullins said. “It’s an honor every year for us to proudly display the name of a service member that gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation.

“It certainly puts things in perspective for us as a race team, and I hope we can have a great race in their honor.”

According to news reports, Campbell grew up in Jacksonville, N.C., and was a 1993 graduate of White Oak High School.

Even at an early age, Campbell was known to have no fear and had an adventurous nature. Few were surprised when he became a Navy SEAL.

Campbell, who was a Special Operations Capability Specialist at the time of his death and had earned numerous medals for his actions, is survived by his wife Angelina and daughter Samantha, along with other relatives. He had told his family that if he died in the line of duty, he wanted them to request donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps wounded service members recover from their service-related injuries.

Campbell was 36 years old at the time of his death. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Practice for the Coca-Cola 600 is set for Saturday at 5 p.m. Eastern Time to be followed by qualifying at 5:50.

FOX Sports 1 will televise practice and qualifying.

Sunday’s 600-mile, 400-lap race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 6 p.m., with TV coverage on FOX.

Stage breaks are planned for Laps 100, 200 and 300.

About DEX Imaging
DEX Imaging is the digital document imaging division of Staples, the world’s largest business solutions provider. DEX sells and services the broadest selection of copiers, printers and data management solutions, such as HP, Konica Minolta, Canon, Kyocera and numerous others.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES:
Reducing Operating Costs
Reducing Paper Consumption
Increasing Productivity

DEX Imaging has been the recipient of virtually every industry award since the company’s inception, including the JD Power & Associates Award for Best Customer Experience, the prestigious ProTech Service award by Konica Minolta, the Diamond Premier Dealer Award by Kyocera, and the Elite DEALER Award by ‘ENX’ magazine. Other accolades include being named ‘Best Place to Work’ by numerous business journals in the markets DEX serves.

Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Harrison Burton in the famous No. 21 racer.

JUSTIN HALEY | KAZ GRALA
Charlotte Advance
Event Overview

● Event: Coca-Cola 600 (Round 14 of 36)
● Time/Date: 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 26
● Location: Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway
● Layout: 1.5-mile oval
● Laps/Miles: 400 laps/600 miles
● Stage Lengths: Stage 1: 100 laps / Stage 2: 100 laps / Stage 3: 100 laps / Final Stage: 100 laps
● TV/Radio: FOX / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Justin Haley, Driver of the No. 51 The Cleaning Authority Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Justin Haley, driver of the No. 51 The Cleaning Authority Ford Mustang Dark Horse, is riding a wave of momentum into the longest race of the year – the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The 25-year-old earned his best finish of the season two weeks ago at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, a ninth-place result that was also the best finish for Rick Ware Racing (RWR) on a non-superspeedway-type track. He then placed his Ford Mustang Dark Horse on the front row during qualifying for last weekend’s non-points All-Star Open at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway before rain began to fall with the final two cars on track, forcing officials to set the starting grid per the NASCAR rulebook. After starting 16th, Haley powered through the field to finish fourth.

● Sunday’s race will mark Haley’s fourth NASCAR Cup Series start on Charlotte’s 1.5-mile oval. He recorded his best Charlotte Cup Series finish of 15th last year in a Monday of racing that, due to weather Saturday and Sunday, turned out to be round two of a 900-mile Memorial Day doubleheader. Prior to the Cup Series race, Haley started sixth in the 200-lap, 300-mile NASCAR Xfinity Series race and finished 12th.

● Haley has made four total NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Charlotte with a best finish of fifth earned in 2019. He also made two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts on the intermediate oval, earning a best finish of 14th in 2018.

● With 13 Cup Series races complete this season, Haley ranks seventh in the series – and first among Ford drivers – in percentage of laps completed this year at 99.6 percent. He’s run all but 15 of the 3,854 available laps this season.

● As part of #NASCARSalutes and the 600 Miles of Remembrance initiative during the Coca-Cola 600, the No. 51 The Cleaning Authority team is honoring United States Army Sargeant First Class Jeanne Balcombe. Balcombe enlisted in 1982 as a parachute rigger and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. She made countless jumps over her first four years of service until she sustained a knee injury on her final jump and was reclassified into the Military Police Corps. After serving in the U.S. for 10 years, Balcombe served as part of the 55th MP Company, charged with running the protection and security of the entire base alongside South Korean troops. In Balcombe’s final selfless act, she placed herself, unarmed, between an armed drunken soldier and another soldier during a dispute. She was shot and killed. For this action she was awarded The Soldier’s Medal – the highest peace time award. Additionally, Fort Knox honored Balcombe by naming a barracks complex after her. She is also represented on the police memorial in Washington, D.C., and Camp Humphrey in Korea named its new Law Enforcement Complex in her honor. In 2000, the MANSCEN NCO Academy at Fort Leonard Wood announced the naming of the Military Police ANCOC Leadership Award, the “Sergeant First Class Jeanne M. Balcombe Leadership Award.”

Kaz Grala, Driver of the No. 15 N29 Capital Partners Ford Mustang Dark Horse

● Boston native Kaz Grala will make his second start in the Coca-Cola 600 following an 11th-place finish in the non-points All-Star Open last weekend at North Wilkesboro and an 18th-place performance the previous weekend at Darlington – a finish that bested the previous best result for RWR at the 1.336-mile egg-shaped oval. It was Grala’s third top-20 finish of the year and the fifth race in 10 events run for RWR in which he finished on the lead lap.

● Grala finished 23rd in his first Cup Series start on the 1.5-mile Charlotte oval. He also has two Xfinity Series starts at Charlotte with a best finish of 10th in 2018. He finished 30th with only 70 laps complete in his one and only Truck Series start at the track.

● As part of #NASCARSalutes and the 600 Miles of Remembrance initiative during the Coca-Cola 600, the No. 15 N29 Capital Partners team is honoring United States Army Staff Sargeant Ryan Knauss. Knauss was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 7, 1998, and his parents, Greg and Paula, raised him and his older brother, Tyler, on land in the Gibbs area of Corryton, Tennessee. It was quite evident from birth that Knauss was strong, funny, smart, driven, and brave. All his life, Knauss prepared himself to become a military soldier for our country. Playing paintball and air soft for many years in the fields with his brother and friends, countless hours of war video games, rigid eating regimens, and intense workouts helped prepare Knauss for his greatest life mission. After five years of service with the 82nd Airborne and 9th PSYOP Special Operations Battalion, Knauss was prepared for his second overseas deployment to Afghanistan in what was supposed to be a humanitarian relief effort at the end of the 20-year war that began as a result of the events on Sept. 11, 2001. Unfortunately, the enemy did not cease to cause chaos as a bomb exploded only a week and half after Knauss’ five-man Special Operations PSYOPS team arrived. As the last United States military member killed in the 20-year war, the family moves forward with Knauss’ foundation, The Respect and Remember Foundation, also known as The R2Factor, honoring the sacrifices of heroes like Knauss, who willingly laid down his life for our country. Amidst the hills of Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 60, lies a hero who laid down his arms and rests.

Rick Ware Racing Notes

● In last week’s Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) event at Silver Dollar Short Track in Chico, California, AFT Singles rider Kody Kopp picked up his third win of the year. The defending, back-to-back champion leads the standings by 22 points after six events.

● 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

A lot of people questioned your move to Rick Ware Racing. Do you feel any satisfaction from the runs the team is producing now and how that backs up your decision?

“I’ve said time and time again why I made the decision. The picture might start to be more clear now to the general public than it was when I first made the decision. I went off internal knowledge I had at the time. Rick Ware and Robby Benton gave me this opportunity and wanted me to come in and drive to the best of my ability and try to improve the race team, and I feel like the work we’re all putting in is starting to show. For the most part, this is still the same RWR team from years past. There’s not much difference at all. We haven’t added too many new people, maybe one or two including Chris Lawson (No. 51 crew chief). The team is still in the same shop and we’re still working with the same parts and pieces, but it comes down to how you assemble everything. We’ve had some great runs, but it’s a learning process every week.”

Are you reaching the point you feel you should be at after 13 races with RWR?

“I think the mountain we’re climbing was probably a little bigger than I anticipated, but the Cup Series is harder at this moment than it’s ever been. I’m not trying to take away from the past and guys who came before us, but there’s not really a slow car out there anymore. It’s pretty tough, so we’re just continuing to improve each and every week and focus on ourselves . We’ve cleaned up a lot of the issues we had at the start of the year. We’re trying to get our stuff faster and get the crew working more efficiently. Besides some pit-road stuff we need to work on, I feel like we’re doing well. We just go out each week and do the best we can.”

What is your outlook for the Coca-Cola 600 after strong runs the last few weeks?

“I’m really looking forward to Charlotte. I’m really confident in our car. We had good runs at Kansas, Darlington and North Wilkesboro. I think like Kansas, Charlotte’s surface starts to wear down a little more each year and obviously that changes the racing. The Coca-Cola 600 is such a big race and it’s a big purse race, which is something that can go a long way for a team like ours. Maybe some people don’t look forward to the long race, but I’m blessed to be here, to be at this stage in my career, and I’m just having fun and enjoying the good runs as they come.”

Kaz Grala, Driver Q&A

How does your preparation change, if at all, for the longest race of the year?

“No doubt, the driver’s preparation for the Coca-Cola 600 is more important than any other race of the year. You have to be more intentional with your hydration and nutrition, and make sure your workouts throughout the week push you hard but give you enough time to recover for the weekend. We’ll have to make sure our in-race plan is in place, as well, for drink bottle exchanges and snacks during pit stops.”

This race having four stages provides a unique opportunity for a big points day. Do you go for stage points early in the race, or are you focusing on getting comfortable and getting your car right for a decent finish at the end of the night?

“I did the 2022 Coca-Cola 600, which was the first year of NextGen, so I have an idea of how challenging a race this long is. It’s our only four-stage race of the year, which I personally like a lot because, as a young, inexperienced driver, it gives me more time to figure these cars out before the end of the race. Hopefully by the time the pay window opens at the end, we’ll be ready to capitalize on a great finish.”

What kind of impact does Kyle Larson running the Indy 500 have for NASCAR?

“I love that Larson is doing the Double this year. The last time it was done by Kurt Busch, I actually went to both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in person and got to see him race in both. It will be cool this time around to be in one of the races while a driver attempts the same feat. The Sunday before Memorial Day has always been my favorite day of the year. Since I was a little kid, I’ve watched Monaco, the Indy 500, and the Coca-Cola 600 in a row, and this year will be no exception. I’ll certainly be watching Larson a little more closely in the Indy 500 and rooting for him to carry the flag for NASCAR over there. I think it will be great for the sport in general to have that storyline to follow throughout the day.”

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE: CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Concord, North Carolina
May 24-26, 2024

 HEADING HOME FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TRIPLEHEADER

One of the most anticipated race weekends of the season is up next as all three NASCAR national series will reconvene at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the traditional Memorial Day weekend tripleheader. An annual staple on the NASCAR schedule, the 1.5-mile oval commonly known as “America’s Home for Racing” will feature three action-packed days of competition, kicking off Friday night with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ (NCTS) North Carolina Education Lottery 200 – the 11th race of the NCTS season. The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will return from an off-weekend with the BetMGM 300 on Saturday afternoon, with Chevrolet looking to go three-straight in the series at the Charlotte oval. The weekend will be capped off by the 65th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday evening, where Team Chevy’s Kyle Larson will look to make history by competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s 600-mile crown jewel event.

 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway:

Located near the home of many NASCAR teams, Charlotte Motor Speedway has hosted 125 all-time points-paying races for NASCAR’s premier series. The series’ deeply rooted history at the 1.5-mile oval dates back to June 1960 with the inaugural World 600, which saw Joe Lee Johnson take Chevrolet to victory lane. Over its nearly 65-year history at the track, the Bowtie brand has tallied 47 all-time NASCAR Cup Series victories to lead its manufacturer competitors. Of those victories include eight trips to victory lane by Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team – the most in series’ history. Team Chevy’s Austin Dillon is one of just 10 drivers who recorded their first career victory in NASCAR’s top division at Charlotte Motor Speedway – a victory earned in the series’ 600-mile event in the 2017 season.

REMINISCING ON THE LAST

Chevrolet’s most recent victory in NASCAR’s 600-mile crown jewel event came in the 2021 season with Kyle Larson and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet team. The victory came after a dominating performance by the Elk Grove, California, native – driving his Chevrolet to a sweep of all three stages and ultimately leading a race-high 327 laps en route to the victory. The victory delivered Chevrolet its series-leading 25th Coca-Cola 600 triumph.

The crown jewel victory marked a milestone moment for Hendrick Motorsports, with Larson delivering the Chevrolet organization its 269th all-time NASCAR Cup Series win – a record that gave team owner, Rick Hendrick, and Hendrick Motorsports the prestigious title as the winningest organization in series’ history. To date, the organization has only extended that record by tallying 307 all-time NCS victories – all recorded in partnership with Chevrolet.

MASTERING THE MILE-AND-A-HALF

Heading into the Charlotte Motor Speedway weekend, Chevrolet remains undefeated on 1.5-mile non-drafting ovals this season with three victories. Each of those victories have come courtesy of a Hendrick Motorsports-prepared Camaro ZL1 – led by Kyle Larson with two wins (Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway) and Chase Elliott with one win (Texas Motor Speedway).

Larson’s history-making victory at Kansas Speedway extended Chevrolet’s series-leading win record on 1.5-mile non-drafting tracks in the Next Gen era, with the Camaro ZL1 earning nine victories in 17 races on the intermediate-style track – a winning percentage of 53%.

Chevrolet’s Next Gen Wins on Non-Drafting 1.5-Mile Tracks:

• Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Alex Bowman (Mar. 6, 2022)
• Texas Motor Speedway – Tyler Reddick (Sept. 25, 2022)
• Homestead-Miami Speedway – Kyle Larson (Oct. 23, 2022)
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway – William Byron (Mar. 5, 2023)
• Texas Motor Speedway – William Byron (Sept. 24, 2023)
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Kyle Larson (Oct. 15, 2023)
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Kyle Larson (Mar. 3, 2024)
• Texas Motor Speedway – Chase Elliott (Apr. 14, 2024)
• Kansas Speedway – Kyle Larson (May 5, 2024)

LARSON EYEING HISTORY-MAKING WEEKEND WITH “H1100”

After months of preparation, Team Chevy’s Kyle Larson will look to make history this weekend by becoming just the fifth driver in history to accomplish the Memorial Day weekend “Double” – a feat last accomplished by former NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch in 2014. Other drivers that complete the elite list include John Andretti, Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon.

Unique to its competitors, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer that competes in the two U.S.-based crown jewel events that makeup the “Greatest Day in Motorsports”. Along with its series-leading 25 Coca-Cola 600 victories, Chevrolet also has a history of success in the Indianapolis 500 with 12 victories.

“It’s great to be able to be in a Chevy for the Indianapolis 500,” said Larson. “I’ve been with Chevrolet my whole pavement career. It’s great that they invest in so many different forms of motorsports and there are those opportunities along the way if you search for them.”

Larson officially secured a starting spot in the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 by laying down a four-lap average speed of 232.56 mph in the first round of qualifying – an effort that placed him sixth on the speed chart to advance the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet into the Fast 12. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion ultimately advanced into the Fast Six, with a run at 232.846 mph earning the Team Chevy driver a fifth-place starting position for the crown jewel event. The qualifying effort made Larson the second-fastest rookie on a four-lap average in series’ history – behind Tony Stewart’s record of 233.100 mph set in 1996.

Of those that have attempted “The Double”, Stewart is the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles. A victory in either crown jewel event would be history-making feat among those that have completed “The Double”. The 31-year-old Elk Grove, California, native has one Coca-Cola 600 victory on his resume (2021), while also heading into the weekend with two victories in NASCAR’s top division on 1.5-mile ovals this season.

ALLGAIER WITH WINNING MOMENTUM TO DEFEND CHARLOTTE TITLE

JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier and the No. 7 Camaro SS has an extra boost of confidence heading into the Charlotte Motor Speedway race weekend. The Team Chevy driver will hit the track as the series’ most recent winner after making his first trip to victory lane of the season at Darlington Raceway two weeks ago. On top of that, the 37-year-old Illinois native also returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway as the series’ most recent winner at the track – a victory that gave JR Motorsports and Chevrolet back-to-back trips to victory lane in the annual event. Allgaier’s triumph marked Chevrolet’s 23rd all-time NXS victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Elliott, Busch Set for Double Duty

A pair of former NASCAR Cup Series champions are set to do double duty in NASCAR’s top two divisions this weekend.

On the horizon of making his 300th career NCS start in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, Chase Elliott will get behind the wheel of the No. 17 HENDRICKCARS.COM Camaro SS for Saturday’s NXS event. This will mark Elliott’s first of two scheduled NXS starts in the Hendrick Motorsports-prepared entry, with the Team Chevy driver also set to compete in the series’ event at Darlington Raceway in August. Elliott made just one NXS start last season, where he piloted the No. 17 Camaro SS to a third-place finish at Pocono Raceway. In 83 career starts in the series, the 28-year-old Dawsonville, Georgia, native has tallied five victories, 35 top-fives and 67 top-10s. Elliott also made history as the first rookie to win a championship in the NASCAR national ranks when he captured the series’ title in 2014.

Kyle Busch will make his first NXS start of the season this weekend behind the wheel of the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SS. The start will mark Busch’s first-ever start in the series with the Chevrolet organization, but it’s a series in which the 39-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada, native has found much success. Busch has earned the title as the winningest driver in series’ history with 102 victories in 366 career starts. The Team Chevy driver has also amassed 226 top-fives and 266 top-10s, as well as one series title (2009).

ECKES MAINTAINS TOP-10 STREAK, POINTS LEAD

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes turned in a valiant effort in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at North Wilkesboro Motor Speedway last weekend – driving his No. 19 Silverado RST to a sixth-place result and extending his top-10 streak to eight-straight. The 23-year-old New York native started from the pole position after inclement weather forced the series’ qualifying session to be canceled. Eckes went on to score points in each stage en route to the top-10 finish, ultimately allowing the Team Chevy driver to maintain the series’ points lead by four markers heading into the Charlotte Motor Speedway race weekend.

In 21 NCTS appearances at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Chevrolet has found victory lane a series-leading 11 times – most recently in 2022 with NASCAR Cup Series’ regular Ross Chastain behind the wheel of a Niece Motorsports Silverado RST.

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· With 35 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 57.14% with 20 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – seven wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – six wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – seven wins).

· In seven tripleheader weekends this season, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer to earn a weekend sweep – accomplishing the feat three times (Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway).

· Victories by active Chevrolet drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway:

Kyle Larson – one win (2021)

Chase Elliott – one win (2020)

Kyle Busch – one win (2018)

Austin Dillon – one win (2017)

· Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 25 all-time Coca-Cola 600 victories, most recently by Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson (May 2021).

· 10 drivers in series history recorded their first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Charlotte Motor Speedway – most recently by Team Chevy’s Austin Dillon (No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet) in the 2017 Coca-Cola 600.

· In 85 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 44 victories – a winning percentage of 51.8%.

· Team Chevy’s William Byron is the only driver to have a double-digit win record in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen era – with his victory at Martinsville Speedway marking his 11th all-time victory in the Next Gen Camaro ZL1.

· With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 858 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 Charlotte Motor Speedway.

· Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles at the Team Chevy Racing Display including: Tahoe High Country, Colorado ZR2, Silverado 1500 Trailboss, Silverado 2500HD ZR2 Bison.

NCTS Driver Autograph Session at the Team Chevy Racing Display:

Friday, May 24: 3:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

· McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes, Tyler Ankrum, Daniel Dye and Jack Wood

· Spire Motorsports’ Rajah Caruth and Chase Purdy

· Rev Racing’s Nick Sanchez

· CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger

Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation:

· Friday, May 24: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

· Saturday, May 25: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

· Sunday, May 26: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 477
Toyota: 470 (-7)
Ford: 438 (-39)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 410
Toyota: 397 (-15)
Ford: 345 (-65)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 383
Toyota: 350 (-33)
Ford: 319 (-64)
 
TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series

Coca-Cola 600

Sunday, May 26, at 6 p.m. ET

(FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

BetMGM 300

Saturday, May 25, at 1 p.m. ET

(FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

North Carolina Education Lottery 200

Friday, May 24, at 8:30 pm. ET

(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

 
QUOTABLE QUOTES:

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 JOCKEY X FOLDS OF HONOR CAMARO ZL1

There’s a huge military presence in Charlotte for Memorial Day weekend, what is it like seeing all of that and being around it?

“I don’t think it’s ever enough. We can always do more but to give the families something to smile about I think that’s what’s so great about live sports is they can just take a couple of hours and watch their car with their family members name on it race and hopefully they can forget about all of the bad in this world for a moment and cheer for a car going in circles. Its as simple as that. Whether we win, lose, crash or whatever, celebrate the fact they’re family members name is on it and be proud of that.”

Growing up was the Coca-Cola 600 a marquee event in your mind?

“Growing up for me it was the Daytona 500 and even the 400 there because we actually went to the July race more than the Daytona 500 because we had plants in the ground then. The World 600, Brickyard 400, Southern 500 and the two Daytona races all stood out to me growing up. And now as driver, they’re still the marquee events in my mind.”

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS CAMARO ZL1

“The Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 are two of my favorite races of the year. The Coca-Cola 600 is one of the toughest races on the calendar. It’s a rough track. It is a challenge to run 600 miles, but I enjoy challenges, so I am looking forward to the race. I was able to win the Coca-Cola 600 in 2017 and we were close last year and finished ninth. This weekend is about remembering those who gave everything to our country. It’s great to see the impact the 600 Miles of Remembrance program has on service members’ families. Captain Jennifer Moreno will race with me on the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off-Road Chevrolet this weekend and I’m very proud to honor her and her family at Charlotte Motor Speedway. There’s nothing like the National Anthem during the Coca-Cola 600. An American flag is flying, giving it a real sense of freedom. It’s a weekend of freedom.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 ZONE CAMARO ZL1

You have five top-five finishes in the last seven Coca-Cola 600 races. Why does that race fit your driving style so well?

“The Coke 600 for me has pretty good over the years. I’ve really just enjoyed that race. You know maybe it’s that I’m probably one of the few guys now that have run the 600 miles for as long as I have versus the rest of the guys only doing 400-mile races lately. You definitely know that you have to be ready for a long, long day. I used to think that running Xfinity and Truck races in the same weekend would allow your longevity to be longer for a 600-miler but I don’t get to run those as much. I don’t think that plays as much into the races currently.”

Last year the 600 was rain-delayed to Monday and was then briefly stopped again before being completed. How mentally challenging is it for a driver to manage all that?

“Anytime you have rain delays it’s always tough. It’s not really what you set yourself up for but it’s a part of our sport. Being used to it and being around for 20 years gives you the opportunity to just have that experience of getting back going whenever the race does get back going. I think it’s a little bit frustrating when you’re starting the race and you know weather is coming and you run 20 laps even though you know the weather is coming. We might as well just not race at all and just postpone it. That saves the fans’ day, that saves the drivers’ day, the families’ day, everything in that respect plus it’s a 600-mile race. It’s long anyway so let’s not make it longer.”

DANIEL HEMRIC, NO. 31 CIRKUL CAMARO ZL1

“Every time I get a chance to race at my home track where I grew up and made so many memories throughout my younger days of racing is super special. There was a time I didn’t know if I’d ever run another Coke 600, so I’m not taking it for granted. The way that race goes from late day to night, the track transition, and the multiple grooves you have to run, just makes for one of the most fun endurance races of the year.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 FREEWAY INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1

How important is Sunday’s race to you?

“The Coca-Cola 600 is a very special race for many different reasons. We get to remember all the people that have paid the ultimate sacrifice and give us the freedoms we have in the most amazing country in the world. I come from a different country. To come here and enjoy these freedoms, to enjoy what I am able to do, it’s not by magic.”

Will this weekend mean more to you now that you passed your citizenship test?

“I think so. I have learned a lot during this process and have enjoyed learning about America. I’m proud of Mexico and I am proud I have come to America and enjoyed the opportunities this country has given me. It was a long process but I am very proud and thankful to the men and women who have given their lives to have such a country as this.”

What is the key to success in such a long race as the Coca-Cola 600?

“First I feel like we had a very fast car there last year before we got some damage. So I am hopeful we can be just as fast this year. As a driver, your goal is to be as fresh at the end of the race as you are at the beginning. That’s important. It isn’t about making it to the end of the race. It’s about being at your best at the end and taking advantage of other drivers who are tired.”

How do you prepare for Sunday?

“As a human being, you try and perform at 100 percent the entire time, but when you’re running a marathon, you’re not going to be as strong in the last 30 minutes. That’s normal. Fatigue is setting in, your muscles are tired, you’re running out of fluid, and you’re hungry. Racing is the same way, especially in the Coca-Cola 600. We start running out of energy and you’re mind gets tired after four hours of racing. But I look to this race as a marathon, and you have to be on top of your game for the last part of this race. So, I always try to keep that in my mind when I’m in the car. This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 33 BETMGM / REBEL BOURBON CAMARO SS

For the first time in your career, you will be driving a RCR Xfinity car this weekend at Charlotte. How special is that and why was that opportunity so appealing?

“I’m definitely looking forward to running the Rebel/BetMGM Camaro this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I think it’s going to be fun. I’m grateful for the opportunity from Richard and everybody at the Xfinity shop. It’s been pretty good to talk with Danny Stockman and Andy Street (NXS crew chiefs at RCR) to get their insight and try to help them with some ideas and concepts and get ready to roll. This opportunity is appealing not only to get out there and run Xfinity but also to help RCR’s development.”

What are your expectations for the race?

“Our expectations are obviously to win. I’ve won 102 of those races so it shouldn’t be too foreign to me to get into another car and try to go out there and win that race. There’s obviously going to be some stiff competition. I’m looking forward to working with Austin Hill and Jesse Love. They’ve been fast at the mile-and-a-half tracks this season and they’ve done a good job. I’m just excited to see what it’s all about.”

Will you be able to work closely with RCR drivers Jesse Love and Austin Hill and those teams? Can you teach Jesse Love something at this level?

“Jesse is so new to it and so fresh to it that the opportunity of his learning and asking questions is wide-open. He probably has more questions than I have answers but he’s learned a lot already and done a really good job and as young as he is, he’s doing well. Austin Hill has been around the Truck and Xfinity stuff long enough now that there’s probably not too much to tell him. It’s all about car feel. It’s all about my description of everything to the crew chief and to the team and how they describe might be different than what I do. Even if we have the same setup, we say it different ways.”

BAYLEY CURREY, NO. 41 FOUNDATION FOR POPS SILVERADO RST

What are some of the most challenging characteristics about racing in Charlotte?

“The bumps in turn three, no doubt. Those seem to always get worse every time I race at Charlotte, but in reality, they’re probably still the same. You just have to be able to get through those and maintain speed. Charlotte is one of the few mile-and-a-half tracks in a truck where you’ll have a lot of off-throttle time, so that’s fun. I’m looking forward to that.”

MATT MILLS, NO. 42 J.F. ELECTRIC / UTILITRA SILVERADO RST

Does Al Niece’s military background make you more appreciative to race for him this weekend?

“Yeah, for sure. You know, Charlotte has always been one of my favorite racetracks, and we’ll be going there with our J.F. Electric red, white, and blue colors. I think my truck looks very patriotic this year, so to have that connection with Al as a Marine veteran as well as my dad, that military aspect is very cool to me. It’s definitely one that I’ve had on my list because it’s always a very special race for us.”

KADEN HONEYCUTT, NO. 45 R.D.C. SHOE COMPANY SILVERADO RST

How much of a benefit has it been to lean off Ross Chastain over the past two weeks that you haven’t raced?

“I definitely have learned a lot from Ross. Him and I have had some great conversations that help validate why the truck handles a certain way. I haven’t raced at Charlotte before, but I know that our truck is going to be good. It’s the same one we raced with at Kansas, and Phil and the guys have been really good here the last three years, so it’s up to me to learn how to go fast out there. I need to be able to give the right info we need to make the right adjustments and have a shot to win it.”

 
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: 7

Poles: 5

Laps Led: 1,321

Top-five finishes: 26

Top-10 finishes: 49

Stage wins: 9

· Chase Elliott: 1

· Kyle Larson: 7

· Ross Chastain: 1

CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:

Total Chevrolet race wins: 858 (1949 to date)

Poles won to date: 748

Laps led to date: 250,496

Top-five finishes to date: 4,324

Top-10 finishes to date: 8,910

Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:

       General Motors: 1,192

       Chevrolet: 858

       Pontiac: 154

       Oldsmobile: 115

       Buick: 65



       Ford: 829                                                           

       Ford: 729

       Mercury: 96

       Lincoln: 4



       Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467

       Dodge: 217

       Plymouth: 191

       Chrysler: 59



       Toyota: 185

 

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.

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Coca-Cola 600 Advance | Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Jonathan Hassler, crew chief for Ryan Blaney and the No. 12 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the NASCAR Cup Series, registered his first victory as a crew chief in last year’s Coca-Cola 600. He answered questions from the media earlier today as the series prepares for its annual Memorial Day Weekend event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

JONATHAN HASSLER, Crew Chief, No. 12 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse – HOW DO APPROACH THIS YEAR’S 600 AFTER WINNING A YEAR AGO? “It’s certainly exciting to be going back to Charlotte. I think it’s an interesting scenario being one of the few tracks that we only race once a year and having so many other mile-and-a-half tracks in between to try and learn. You’re kind of stuck in a scenario trying to recreate maybe what you had, but certainly know that you’ve learned a lot since then and trying to make those decisions.”

PENALTIES FOR THE INCIDENT AFTER THE ALL-STAR RACE CAME OUT TODAY. A COUPLE CREW MEMBERS WERE SUSPENDED AND AS THE CREW CHIEF HOW DO YOU ADDRESS A SITUATION LIKE THAT WITH YOUR TEAM? “We’ve definitely tried to talk through the scenarios here at Team Penske globally and not just for the 12 team. Our position tends to be that we’ll protect our ground and our driver around our car and our hauler, but we’re certainly not gonna be the ones to initiate any sort of action.”

DOES THIS SERVE AS A REMINDER FOR THE TEAM? “Yeah, every time those things happen, good or bad, we watch all of the things going on in our sport and try to learn from them and make sure that if the same thing comes up for us that we handle it for what we think is appropriate.”

HOW MUCH DOES WINNING MAKE A DIFFERENCE FROM A MOMENTUM ASPECT AND WHAT DID IT DO FOR YOU LAST YEAR BY WINNING THE 600? “Winning the 600 last year, honestly, I think it just gave us a little bit of freedom to go out and experiment with some different setups and different concepts in the last half of the regular season last year. A lot of it was trial by error. There were things that didn’t work. We were able to hit on a couple things that did and put all of that together as the playoffs came around and really made sure that we were at our best. I think without that win, you’re stuck at times being a little conservative trying to go get a bit of a base hit, if you will. Getting that win just really opens up your box.”

IF YOU DON’T HAVE A WIN AND IT’S GETTING LATER, WHY NOT DO THAT TRIAL AND ERROR AND BE MORE AGGRESSIVE? “As you get further out of that points picture and more desperate I think you definitely have to be willing to try things that will close the gap in a hurry.”

THIS WEEK IS EXTRA SPECIAL BECAUSE IT’S A HOME RACE FOR MOST OF THE TEAMS. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU NOTICE WITH YOUR CREW MEMBERS AS FAR AS EMBRACING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE EXTRA TIME AT HOME? “Yeah, it’s a good thing. I definitely enjoy the extra little bit of time with my family as well, but it’s a little bit of a challenge as the leader because guys have routines week in and week out and certainly that routine is a little different when you’re at home, so you have to balance the good with the bad and make sure that the job gets done as well.”

IS THERE EXTRA EMPHASIS ON THIS WEEKEND WITH GUYS WANTING TO WIN IN FRONT OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY? “No. We really approach each and every week the same, trying to put our best foot forward and be as competitive as we can be. We just try to keep a consistent approach from week to week, regular season race to playoff race, from the start of the year to the end of the year.”

YOU HAVE A NEWBORN, SO HOW ARE THINGS GOING AROUND THE HOUSE. ALL GOOD? “Things are really good. Our baby girl is very healthy and growing and more awake each and every day. It’s been a lot of fun.”

WHAT SKILLS DID YOU LEARN AT PURDUE THAT HAS HELPED YOU AS A CREW CHIEF AND WHAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT? “I would just say that general problem solving and data analysis is probably the biggest tool that I use probably day to day, just to make decisions and continue to try to lead the 12 team and the Penske organization in a positive direction. I try to reach out. I have a lot of college students that will reach out to me through the year and I try to field as many of those questions as I can and the one thing I tell a lot of those people is to take any and every opportunity to get your hands dirty and get in the middle of it. More than just analyzing data, get in there and do the physical work and get that appreciation for the sport.”

WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE ON THE TIRE SITUATION LAST WEEKEND WITH THE OPTION TIRE? “I talked to somebody last week about how I thought it was gonna go and, honestly, I think it played out kind of similar. I really compared it to how the PJ1 works. You see at some tracks they’ll put the PJ1 down and treat the track and we’ll have this one period of the race where you’ve got two equal lanes, but then the slightest change will shift the primary groove to one specific lane. Similarly, we had the track rubber up, cool down and it was just enough of a shift that in practice it looked like you were gonna have a ton of passing and there was gonna be this trade off period where the red tires were gonna fall off and the yellow tires were gonna probably be stronger on a long run, but, like I said, the slightest change in conditions and that changed in the race to where the red tires were just pretty much good from start to finish.”

DID WINNING LAST YEAR FEEL DIFFERENT SINCE IT WAS A HOME RACE IN CHARLOTTE COMPARED TO ANOTHER TRACK? “I think each and every win you’re thankful for, and I think you try to embrace them for what they are. To say it felt different, it was different in that it wasn’t a playoff race and it changed what we could do, like I said, through the rest of the year and our approach. What was also different was that it was on a Monday. With it being on a Monday, we were right back up to work bright and early the next Tuesday and focused on the next week. I think it took us a little bit of time as a group to be able to pencil some time in to celebrate it, but we definitely did that and I’m thankful for the way it all turned out.”

HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION FROM YOUR COMMAND CENTER AND POTENTIALLY MAKE A CALL THAT GOES AGAINST WHAT MIGHT BE SUGGESTED? “I think the best way I would describe that command center is just a lot of eyes and ears trying to watch each and everything that’s going on in the race, and kind of having an open dialogue and line of communication between all of the different teams as well as that command center of how we think things are changing and what we might do to react to that. The All-Star Race is a great example. That first caution came out and we all discussed that we were pretty sure there were gonna be a lot of guys that came in and took yellows. That instance with us pretty much running last it was an easy decision to stay out and try to gain. We counted the positions that we’d gain. We were gonna gain 12 and we thought that was a risk worth taking. We go out and run 100 laps and kind of maintained our track position and as we’re getting closer to that mandatory caution, there was a lot of discussion among all the boxes and within that war room of what we needed to do next. At first, you talk through the ideas and how you think it’s gonna play out. Certainly, some idea sound more far-fetched originally, but there are some that are far-fetched, but as you talk through them they start to make a little more sense.”

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH MAKING THOSE DECISIONS WITH SO MANY EYES AND EARS ON YOU? “I think the key to that is we try to think through and talk through the scenarios before the race and have some idea of how things are gonna play out and then when those conversations arise during the race, they are there for good reason. Most likely it’s not something off the wall that’s not gonna happen or doesn’t make sense, so you’ve got a lot of good people here at Team Penske and it’s certainly worth listening to those people and trying to understand their position on everything. As far as how long it took me to get used to the number of voices in my ear, it’s definitely taken some time, but I’ve certainly gotten used to it.”

HAS THERE BEEN MORE DISCUSSION BETWEEN CREW CHIEFS AND THE R&D CENTER ABOUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE SHORT TRACK PACKAGE? “I wouldn’t say that I’ve actively, as a crew chief, been involved in what changes we need to make to the short track package. I will say there were certainly some positives to take away from North Wilkesboro. I think that combination and what they did with the track there was really good. I don’t think the softer tire was negative by any means. I think at times the cars ran a little bit closer, so there’s definitely things we can continue to do and I think we’ll continue to work as a sport to try and make it better.”

DO YOU HAVE A WAY TO TELL IF THE TIRE ON THE NEXT GEN CAR IS MORE TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE THAN THE TIRES ON THE GEN 6 MODEL? “I think tires being temperature dependent is something that you’re probably not ever going to escape. It’s more or less the physics of the whole scenario, so I think just understanding it better. I think Bristol is a great example to talk back through. We go to Bristol and this year we have a race in the coolest conditions. I think we probably missed maybe as a sport by bringing the tire that was brought, and I think that responsibility falls on everybody, so we just need to understand that is a big driver. The conditions are a huge factor for the tire and just have to stay on top of that.”

BUT DO YOU HAVE A FEELING FOR WHETHER THE TIRE ON THE NEXT GEN CAR IS MORE SENSITIVE TO TEMPERATURE THAN THE PREVIOUS SITUATION? “I think that’s always been something that we’ve had and something that you’re always gonna have.”

SO YOU’RE SAYING THEY’RE COMPARABLE FROM A DEGREE STANDPOINT? “Yeah, I think it’s comparable. I think you’ve had similar scenarios in the past.”