Testing SpeedwayMedia.com

Category: Featured Headline

Featured headlines from SpeedwayMedia.com

  • Herta Rebounds with First Pole of Season at Hectic Detroit

    Herta Rebounds with First Pole of Season at Hectic Detroit

    DETROIT (Saturday, June 1, 2024) – Less than one week ago, Colton Herta’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge ended in 23rd place after he struggled following contact with the SAFER Barrier in the first half of the race.

    What a difference six days makes.

    Herta earned his first NTT P1 Award of the season by taking the top spot Saturday for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on the streets of Detroit. Herta drove to his 12th career pole with a lap of 1 minute, .5475 of a second in the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda fielded by Andretti Global w/Curb-Agajanian.

    “A complete 180 and just super happy for the team,” Herta said of his rebound from Indianapolis disappointment. “They worked their tails off in the Month of May. To come back with some redemption, it feels good.”

    The pole continued a strong weekend for Herta. He led practice Saturday morning and set a track record with his session-leading lap of 1:00.2304 in the Round of 12 qualifying that preceded the Firestone Fast Six. Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood set the previous track record of 1:01.5305 in June 2023, the first year for this nine-turn, 1.645-mile temporary street circuit in downtown Detroit.

    Up next is a 30-minute race warm-up session at 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday (Peacock, INDYCAR Radio Network). Live coverage of the 100-lap race starts at noon ET Sunday on the USA Network, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

    Reigning NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and current points leader Alex Palou will join Herta on the front row after qualifying second at 1:00.6995 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Palou won this race last year.

    Reigning two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden celebrated his contract renewal with Team Penske by qualifying third at 1:00.9607 in the No. 2 Hitachi Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet. His teammate Scott McLaughlin will join him in Row 2 after qualifying fourth at 1:01.3344 in the No. 3 Gallagher Team Penske Chevrolet.

    Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon will start fifth after a best lap of 1:01.3905 in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

    Kirkwood rounded out the Firestone Fast Six at 1:04.2926 in the No. 27 AutoNation Honda. He was third on the provisional grid, but his best two laps were erased as a penalty for overshooting Turn 1 and stalling on his final flying lap, triggering a red flag.

    That red flag with slightly more than one minute to go gave the remaining five drivers in the Firestone Fast Six one final lap to gain ground. But none improved upon their existing times due to the difficulty of finding open track during a last-gasp dash on the tight, bumpy circuit.

    “This qualifying session is so difficult here at this track,” Herta said. “Obviously, it’s hard to pass, but also it’s so hard to just get a clean lap. It’s probably the most aggressive place we go to as far as bumps and walls, so it feels good to get this one.”

    Theo Pourchaire was the top-qualifying rookie, a career-best seventh at 1:00.7342 in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet in his fourth NTT INDYCAR SERIES start.

    Formula 2 champion Pourchaire just missed earning a spot in the Firestone Fast Six for the first time by .0287 of a second. His previous best starting spot was 18th at the Sonsio Grand Prix last month on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

    Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Qualifying Results

    DETROIT – Qualifying Saturday for the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear NTT INDYCAR SERIES event on the 1.645-mile streets of Detroit circuit, with qualifying position, car number in parentheses, driver, engine, time and speed in parentheses:

    1. (26) Colton Herta, Honda, 01:00.5475 (97.808)
    2. (10) Alex Palou, Honda, 01:00.6995 (97.563)
    3. (2) Josef Newgarden, Chevrolet, 01:00.9607 (97.145)
    4. (3) Scott McLaughlin, Chevrolet, 01:01.3344 (96.553)
    5. (9) Scott Dixon, Honda, 01:01.3905 (96.464)
    6. (27) Kyle Kirkwood, Honda, 01:04.2926 (92.110)
    7. (6) Theo Pourchaire, Chevrolet, 01:00.7342 (97.507)
    8. (12) Will Power, Chevrolet, 01:00.7612 (97.464)
    9. (28) Marcus Ericsson, Honda, 01:00.8505 (97.320)
    10. (14) Santino Ferrucci, Chevrolet, 01:01.0351 (97.026)
    11. (45) Christian Lundgaard, Honda, 01:01.1663 (96.818)
    12. (5) Pato O’Ward, Chevrolet, 01:03.0479 (93.929)
    13. (20) Christian Rasmussen, Chevrolet, 01:01.3930 (96.461)
    14. (15) Graham Rahal, Honda, 01:01.1336 (96.870)
    15. (77) Romain Grosjean, Chevrolet, 01:01.4933 (96.303)
    16. (30) Pietro Fittipaldi, Honda, 01:01.3684 (96.499)
    17. (7) Alexander Rossi, Chevrolet, 01:01.5905 (96.151)
    18. (78) Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet, 01:01.5566 (96.204)
    19. (21) Rinus VeeKay, Chevrolet, 01:01.6040 (96.130)
    20. (11) Marcus Armstrong, Honda, 01:01.7406 (95.917)
    21. (8) Linus Lundqvist, Honda, 01:01.6297 (96.090)
    22. (60) Felix Rosenqvist, Honda, 01:01.7441 (95.912)
    23. (4) Kyffin Simpson, Honda, 01:01.7770 (95.861)
    24. (41) Sting Ray Robb, Chevrolet, 01:01.8454 (95.755)
    25. (51) Tristan Vautier, Honda, 01:02.2091 (95.195)
    26. (66) Helio Castroneves, Honda, 01:01.9687 (95.564)
    27. (18) Jack Harvey, Honda, 01:02.1185 (95.334)
  • Newgarden inks new multi-year contract extension with Team Penske

    Newgarden inks new multi-year contract extension with Team Penske

    Josef Newgarden has inked a new multi-year contract extension to continue to pilot the No. 2 Dallara-Chevrolet for Team Penske in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, beginning in 2025.

    The news comes as the two-time IndyCar Series champion from Hendersonville, Tennessee, is coming off his second consecutive triumph in the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he led 13 of 200 laps and overtook Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward on the final lap en route to the victory. As a result, Newgarden is the first competitor in 22 years to win back-to-back Indianapolis 500s, a feat last made by Helio Castroneves between the 2001 and 2002 seasons, and he delivered the record-setting 20th Indy 500 victory for team owner Roger Penske.

    “Driving for Roger Penske and this iconic team is a dream that I never thought I would realize,” Newgarden said in a statement. “I’m thankful for the opportunities that I’ve been given during my time at Team Penske. I have a great amount of respect for the individuals that comprise our group, incluidng the partners who support us. Our time together has been filled with hard work, teamwork and dedication; and I’m so excited that we will continue on for many more years to come. I’m sure we can achieve much more in the future. I still believe we haven’t reached our full potential together just yet.”

    Newgarden, who first competed in IndyCar in 2012, was announced as a Team Penske competitor for the 2017 season in early October 2016. Three races into the 2017 season, he secured his first victory as a Penske competitor at Barber Motorsports Park. He would proceed to claim three additional victories and a total of nine podiums while contending for the driver’s championship throughout the 17-race schedule. With a runner-up finish in the season-finale event at Sonoma Raceway, Newgarden claimed the title by 13 points over teammate Simon Pagenaud and became the first American competitor to win an IndyCar championship since Ryan Hunter-Reay made the last accomplishment in 2012.

    In the six-plus years that follow since winning his first championship during his first season with Team Penske, Newgarden recorded a second IndyCar title in 2019 after beating Pagenaud for a second time, this time by 25 points. He also achieved his first Indianapolis 500 victory in 2023 after overtaking and fending off the 2022 Indy 500 champion Marcus Ericsson during a one-lap dash to the finish. As a result, he became the 75th competitor overall and the first American competitor since Alexander Rossi made the last accomplishment in 2016 to win the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” event at Indianapolis.

    To date, Newgarden has recorded 27 victories, 17 poles, 43 podiums, 3,432 laps led and an average-finishing result of 7.7, all while competing for Team Penske. With his three other victories occurring between CFH Racing and Ed Carpenter Racing between the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Newgarden sits in 13th place on the all-time IndyCar wins list at 30.

    “Josef Newgarden is a true winner, and we are excited that he will continue as a part of Team Penske for years to come,” Roger Penske added. “What he did Sunday in the Indianapolis 500 shows how Josef consistently delivers for our team and our partners on the track, and he is just as impressive off the track as well. We are proud to have Josef continue with our organization as his skill and passion embody what it means to be a Team Penske driver.”

    Newgarden is currently ranked in seventh place in the 2024 driver’s standings, where he trails the points lead by 61 points. His second Indy 500 victory rallies him and the No. 2 team from their disqualification from winning the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg for violating the sport’s push-to-pass regulations in February, an issue that also affected Team Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin.

    With his future set, Josef Newgarden’s quest to win a third NTT INDYCAR Series championship in 2024 continues with this weekend’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix at the Streets of Detroit, Michigan, where he is set to start in third place after posting the third-fastest qualifying lap at 97.145 mph in one minute, 0.9607 seconds. The event is scheduled to commence on Sunday, June 2, and air at noon ET on USA Network.

  • MCDOWELL SETS TRACK RECORD IN EARNING NASCAR CUP SERIES POLE FOR ENJOY ILLINOIS 300

    MCDOWELL SETS TRACK RECORD IN EARNING NASCAR CUP SERIES POLE FOR ENJOY ILLINOIS 300

    • Michael McDowell of Front Row Motorsports breaks the World Wide Technology Raceway track qualifying record for his third pole of the season.
    • Enjoy Illinois 300 will be televised Sunday on FS1, beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT.

    MADISON, Ill. (June 1, 2024) – Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell broke the NASCAR Cup Series track qualifying mark en route to collecting the pole position during Saturday’s qualifying session for the Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

    McDowell recorded a pole-winning lap of 138.598 miles per hour (32.468 seconds) in his No. 34 Ford to break the previous record of 138.274 mph established by Chase Briscoe in the inaugural 2022 race. The pole was the third of the season for McDowell and gave him a share of the Cup Series lead with Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports.

    McDowell will lead the 36-car field to the green flag for the 240-lap Enjoy Illinois 300 at 2:30 p.m. Sunday (TV: FS1, Radio: MRN, SiriusXM, WNOI 103.9 FM).

    “Today we executed well and did everything we needed to do,” said McDowell, who is looking for his first win of the season. “If we do that tomorrow, we’ll have a shot at winning the race. But to win a Cup race you have to be perfect.

    “We know what we have to do. We’ve been in this spot before as far as needing a win to get in the playoffs and having speed. We have to rise to the occasion, and I think we will.”

    McDowell, whose previous best start at World Wide Technology Raceway was 17th in 2022, was followed by the Team Penske duo of Austin Cindric and Ryan Blaney.

    Cindric (138.134 mph / 32.577 secs.) will start on the front row beside McDowell while Blaney will start third (137.982/32.613). Both have earned top-10 starting positions in all three Cup Series races at World Wide Technology Raceway.

    Rounding out the top five were Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell (137.669/32.687) and 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick (137.585 / 32.707), respectively. Defending Enjoy Illinois 300 winner Kyle Busch will start 10th (137.02 / 32.842).

    For more information on the NASCAR race weekend, please visit www.wwtraceway.com.

  • MAJESKI WINS NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES TOYOTA 200 POLE FOR SECOND SEASON IN A ROW

    MAJESKI WINS NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES TOYOTA 200 POLE FOR SECOND SEASON IN A ROW

    • ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski becomes the first NCTS driver in World Wide Technology Raceway history to win consecutive poles.
    • Toyota 200 is set for 12:30 p.m. CT Saturday and will be televised live on FOX.

    MADISON, Ill. (May 31, 2024) – Ty Majeski of ThorSport Racing became the first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver in World Wide Technology Raceway history to win back-to-back poles when he captured the top spot during Friday’s qualifying for the Toyota 200.

    Majeski posted a lap of 138.568 miles per hour (32.475 seconds) on the 1.25-mile oval in his No. 98 Ford to capture his series-leading third pole of the season and eighth of his career. His other two this season came at Daytona and Martinsville.

    With his second career pole at World Wide Technology Raceway, Majeski joins Greg Biffle (1998, 2000) and Ted Musgrave (2001, ’05) as the only multiple pole winners at the venue.

    Majeski will lead the 32-truck field to the green flag at 12:30 p.m. CT Saturday for the 160-lap Toyota 200 (TV: FOX, Radio: MRN, SiriusXM, WNOI 103.9 FM locally).

    “Hit it good today,” said Majeski, who is fourth in the NCTS points standings but still looking for his first win of the season. “Had a pretty good history qualifying here. I think we sat on the pole here last year as well. Similar setup. Hopefully, we can close the weekend off this year.

    “We had a good team meeting this morning. Try to collectively get everybody moving in the right direction. The speed is there. That is not a concern. We just have to make better decisions when it counts. These races will come together. When you have speed like that it’s inevitable.”

    McAnally Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes, the series points leader, was 0.124 of a second off Majeski’s pace to earn the other front-row spot with a lap of 138.041 mph/32.599 seconds. It will be his seventh top-10 starting position in as many races at World Wide Technology Raceway.

    Rev Racing’s Nick Sanchez (137.994 mph/32.610) will start third, TRICON Garage’s Dean Thompson (137.961/32.618) fourth and teammate Tanner Gray (137.489/32.730) rounds out the top five. The top four drivers were separated by .143 and the top 23 drivers by less than a second (0.976).

    World Wide Technology Raceway will serve as the second leg of the three-race CRAFTSMAN Truck Series’ Triple Truck Challenge. Sanchez won the first leg last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

    Eligible drivers who have elected to earn series championship points will receive a $50,000 bonus for one win. If a driver wins two out of the three races, they will be awarded $150,000. If a driver wins all three Triple Truck Challenge races, a $500,000 prize will be awarded.

    In addition to the Toyota 200, the NASCAR Cup Series will be on track Saturday with opening practice and qualifying. Practice will run from 8:30-9:15 a.m. and be immediately followed by pole qualifying. The two-round format will be single-vehicle, one-lap qualifying runs.

    For more information on the NASCAR race weekend, please visit www.wwtraceway.com.

  • MAVTV to Broadcast Special of the 2024 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony Presented by Toyota Racing

    MAVTV to Broadcast Special of the 2024 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Induction Ceremony Presented by Toyota Racing

    • Inductees included Jimmie Johnson, Scott Dixon, John Surtees, Paul Newman and Five Other Legendary Figures Whose Contributions Have Significantly Shaped Motorsports
    • Two-Hour Special is the First Time the Ceremony Will Air on MAVTV

    DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (May 30, 2024) – MAVTV – the world’s premier media platform for passion-fueled motorsports, powersports and automotive programming – will bring racing fans a 2-hour special of the 36th Annual Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by Toyota Racing. This marks the first time the prestigious event will be aired on television, celebrating the outstanding achievements and contributions of iconic figures in motorsports. The ceremony took place on March 11 – 12 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

    “Only the best of the best earn a spot in the Motorsports Hall of Fame,” said MAVTV President CJ Olivares. “MAVTV is delighted to offer motorsports fans a front-row seat to celebrate and honor these legends of the racing world. Sharing their stories and contributions is at the heart of our love for motorsports and its culture and we’re excited to connect fans with the rich history of the sport for the very first time on TV.”

    The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is the only hall that honors all facets of American motorsports including cars, motorcycles, airplanes, off road and powerboats. Its mission is to honor the values central to American motorsports: leadership, creativity, originality, teamwork and the spirit of competition. The annual induction ceremony is a special event dedicated to recognizing the achievements and innovations of the people that have propelled the sport forward.

    “Each year, our 200 voters, half of them historians and other motorsports experts, the other half inductees themselves, select nine of the most extraordinary figures in the racing world for induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America,” said President of the Motorsports Hall of Fame America George Levy. “This year’s inductees included all-time greats like Jimmie Johnson, multi-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and Hollywood icon and racing champion Paul Newman. It was an amazing event, and we are grateful to MAVTV for bringing this celebration to fans everywhere.”

    2024 MSHFA Class of Inductees:

    • Jimmie Johnson, Seven-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion
    • Scott Dixon, Six-Time IndyCar Series Champion
    • John Surtees, the only Person to win World Championships on Both Two and Four Wheels
    • Paul Newman, Academy Award-Winning Actor and National Champion Driver and Owner
    • Austin Coil, History’s Winningest Top Fuel Funny Car Crew Chief
    • Downing & Hubbard, Pioneers in Revolutionary Racing Safety Technologies
    • Bud Ekins, Hollywood Stuntman and Multi-Time Motorcycle Racing Gold-Medalist
    • Phil Walters, War Hero and Acclaimed Sports Car Racer of the 1940s and 1950s
    • Earl B. Gilmore, Promoted Racing Excellence from Los Angeles to Bonneville to the Indy 500

    Other honorees at this year’s induction were Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson and Edsel B. Ford II, who were the first dual recipients of the Bob Russo Heritage Award, the MSHFA’s highest honor next to induction. The Owner and President of In-N-Out Burger, Snyder-Ellingson was recognized for her vast efforts to preserve the future of drag racing in the United States. Ford, widely known as the “Godfather” of Ford Motor Company’s racing efforts, was honored as a leading and prominent ambassador for the sport of auto racing globally.

    The 2024 Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony special will air on MAVTV Thursday, June 6 at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT. For additional information, visit www.MAVTV.com.

    About MAVTV: MAVTV is the only linear television network and media platform dedicated exclusively to the global culture of motorsports and powered by a passion for speed. Offering an unparalleled line-up of exclusive and live racing, and narrative programming, MAVTV explores the people, vehicles, races and places within global motorsports: on pavement, dirt and water, and from Stock Cars to Rally, Drag Racing to Late Model Dirt, Trans Am to Sprint, Superbike to Enduro, and everything in between.

    MAVTV goes beyond racing with a curated collection of documentary and “build” series and specials that inspire, inform and grow our community of race fans and auto enthusiasts with compelling storytelling. With a presence in more than 22 million households in North America (DIRECTV, Spectrum, YouTube TV, FuboTV and more), FAST channels across 24 countries and more than 300 million connected devices, the network is on a rapid growth trajectory.

    For more information, visit www.MAVTV.com – and follow MAVTV on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.

    About the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America: The MSHFA is the only hall that honors all American motorsports: cars, motorcycles, airplanes, off road and powerboats. Its mission is to celebrate and instill the American motorsports values of leadership, creativity, originality, teamwork and spirit of competition. Founded by Larry G. Ciancio and led by first President Ronald A. Watson, it held its first induction in 1989. Watson spent the next 30 years tirelessly building it into the nation’s premier such hall until his passing in 2019. The original museum in Novi, Mich., relocated to Daytona Beach, Fla., in 2016 and greets more than 100,000 guests a year. MSHFA is operated by the nonprofit Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation, Inc.

    The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MotorsportsHOF/ and Instagram and X (Twitter) at @MotorsportsHOF. More information and admission tickets are available at www.MSHF.com where supporters can also donate to the Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation.

  • Star Athletes Share Their Mental Health “Rituals,” Encouraging Fans to Prioritize Their Mental Health

    Star Athletes Share Their Mental Health “Rituals,” Encouraging Fans to Prioritize Their Mental Health

    11 Professional Sports Leagues and Organizations Join Forces with the “Love, Your Mind” Campaign this Mental Health Awareness Month

    NEW YORK (May 30, 2024) – Today, 11 professional sports leagues and organizations teamed up with the national “Love, Your Mind” campaign to announce a comprehensive mental health partnership with the premiere of a series of public service advertisements (PSAs). The series, titled “The Rituals We Share,” features star athletes sharing their “rituals,” or steps they take, to care for their minds on and off the field – encouraging sports fans across the country to prioritize their mental health and explore free resources from LoveYourMindToday.org.

    The “Love, Your Mind” campaign from Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council is dedicated to encouraging a more open, accepting and proactive society when it comes to mental health. That message is being amplified at the culmination of this Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond through the convening of sports leagues and organizations, including:

    • Major League Baseball (MLB)
    • Major League Soccer (MLS)
    • National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR)
    • National Basketball Association (NBA)
    • National Football League (NFL)
    • National Hockey League (NHL)
    • National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)
    • Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)
    • United States Tennis Association (USTA)
    • Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
    • World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

    “Our country is facing a pervasive mental health crisis. We can help one another by talking about the rituals we embrace to support our mental health,” said Dr. William A. Smith, chief executive administrator at Huntsman Mental Health Institute. “So many sports fans look up to their favorite athletes, so we’re honored to partner with many of them today to share their mental health rituals and stories to normalize talking about and taking care of our minds.”

    “At NASCAR, we constantly witness the impact the human mind can have on physical performance, and we know this intersection of mental health and overall wellness applies to everyone in our community, not just those behind the wheel,” said NASCAR SVP, Chief Marketing Officer and Ad Council Board Member Pete Jung. “We’re excited to team up with the ‘Love, Your Mind’ campaign to encourage open conversations and proactive steps toward mental wellness, and we look forward to leveraging NASCAR platforms to ensure our fans and the entire racing community feel empowered to prioritize their mental well-being.”

    Per the Ad Council’s model, the PSAs will run nationwide in time and space donated by media outlets across TV and digital media platforms. The participating sports leagues and organizations will also extend the partnership throughout 2024 and beyond by providing social media amplification, support on their owned media channels, media partnerships and more. To learn more about their ongoing commitment to this partnership and mental health, visit LoveYourMindToday.org/Sports.

    “This partnership with the best of sports is truly extraordinary because it offers a unique opportunity to reach millions of dedicated sports fans across the country,” said Lisa Sherman, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “The sports leagues and organizations we’ve partnered with share our goal of encouraging people everywhere to make their emotional well-being just as much of a priority as their physical health.”

    The series of PSAs features beloved athletes sharing the practices and routines that make up their mental health rituals, including:

    • Lexie Brown of the L.A. Sparks
    • Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports
    • Cam Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers
    • Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers
    • Madison Keys, professional tennis player
    • Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards
    • Brandon Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays
    • Liv Morgan and Cody Rhodes of the WWE
    • Tim O’Connell of the PRCA
    • Cari Roccaro of the Chicago Red Stars
    • Zack Steffen of the Colorado Rapids

    The series was developed pro bono by creative agency Walton Isaacson and helmed by highly acclaimed director Nina Meredith of the Oscar-winning production company RadicalMedia. It builds on the “Love, Your Mind” platform originally developed by volunteer creative agencies FCB New York and FCB Chicago. The PSAs feature the hit song “Home” from U.K. duo Good Neighbours.

    “We wanted to harness the power that sports have on influencing culture and move the dial on how we all perceive mental health,” said Aaron Walton, CEO and founder of Walton Isaacson. “Some routines may seem just for fun, but there’s a deeper lesson here: just as athletes leverage rituals to improve their performance, we can also lean into them to center ourselves and help us love our minds.”

    This effort is the latest from Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council’s ongoing “Love, Your Mind” campaign, with previous collaborations including Black Players for Change, Stephen A. Smith, Sesame Workshop and the American Farm Bureau. Since launching in October 2023, the “Love, Your Mind” campaign has driven more than 650,000 visits to LoveYourMindToday.org for free mental health resources. Additionally, of those who are aware of at least one of the campaign’s PSAs, 74% agree that taking care of their mental health is a top priority, compared to only 58% of those not aware.

    For more information about the “Love, Your Mind” campaign, visit LoveYourMindToday.org or follow the campaign on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok.

    About Huntsman Mental Health Institute

    Huntsman Mental Health Institute brings together 75 years of patient care, research and education into one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers focused on mental health. Nestled in the campus of University of Utah, Huntsman Mental Health Institute serves the community with 1,600 faculty and staff in 20 locations providing inpatient and outpatient services for youth, teens, and adults as well as a comprehensive crisis care model which includes the nationally recognized SafeUT app and the 988 Crisis hotline for Utah. Our mission is to advance mental health knowledge, hope, and healing for all. Learn more at: www.huntsmanmentalhealthfoundation.org/hmhi/ and join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X and LinkedIn.

    About The Ad Council

    The Ad Council convenes creative storytellers to educate, unite and uplift audiences by opening hearts, inspiring action and accelerating change around the most pressing issues in America. Since the non-profit’s founding, the organization and its partners in advertising, media, marketing and tech have been behind some of the country’s most iconic social impact campaigns – Smokey Bear, A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste, Love Has No Labels, Tear the Paper Ceiling and many more. With a current focus on mental health, gun safety, the opioid epidemic, skill-based hiring and other critical issues, the Ad Council’s national campaigns encompass advertising and media content, ground game and community efforts, trusted messenger and influencer engagement, and employer programs, among other innovative strategies to move the needle on the most important issues of the day.

    In November 2022, the Ad Council announced a Mental Health Initiative, uniting brands, marketers, media companies and nonprofits to address the mental health crisis throughout the U.S. at scale. With a founding donation from Huntsman Mental Health Institute, the multi-year initiative aims to change social norms and create a society that is more open, accepting and proactive when it comes to mental health.

    To learn more or get involved, visit AdCouncil.org, join the Ad Council’s communities on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X, and view campaign creative on YouTube.

    About NASCAR

    The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

    For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and Snapchat.

  • Clint Bowyer to Pilot Spire Motorsports No. 7 NCTS Entry at Nashville Superspeedway

    Clint Bowyer to Pilot Spire Motorsports No. 7 NCTS Entry at Nashville Superspeedway

    Emporia, Kansas Native to Reunite with Crew Chief Brian Pattie

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – One of NASCAR’s most engaging personalities and 16-year Cup Series veteran Clint Bowyer will pilot Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway.

    Bowyer, who retired from full-time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) competition following the 2020 season finale at Phoenix Raceway, is currently an analyst for NASCAR on FOX. He is a 10-time NCS race winner who also boasts three NCTS checkered flags.

    The 44-year-old will reconnect with crew chief Brian Pattie who guided Bowyer’s NCS efforts from 2012-2015. Pattie led the affable racer to three wins in 2012 and ultimately a runner-up finish in the NCS championship point standings when the potent duo was paired together at Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR).

    “For me, it’s the tie between working with (Brian) Pattie and the good old days,” said Bowyer. “Putting the band back together, so to speak, and having some fun. Nashville is a cool racetrack that has meant a lot to me over the years. Separate from that, it’s about the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. That’s a really fun series. It’s a fun vehicle to drive. There’s a lot of drag and you can drive them hard and get away with it. You can really hustle a truck. This race should be right in my wheelhouse.”

    Bowyer made his second career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 1.33-mile oval in 2004 tallied nine total starts from 2004 – 2008. The Emporia, Kan., native has one win over those nine starts and parlayed those efforts into an uber-impressive 2.8 average finish on NASCAR’s junior circuit.

    “Nashville means a lot to me. Fate is the only thing that I can attribute to this opportunity coming about,” Bowyer added. “My career in NASCAR happened because of Nashville. My first race win in NASCAR was at Nashville. It takes me back to my first ARCA race in 2003. I’ve always raced well there. Not to put pressure on myself, but I have. I’ve never finished outside the top five at Nashville Superspeedway, and I think I’ve got close to a second-place average finish. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything but what’s important is the opportunity to get back together and work with Brian Pattie. I had so much fun racing with him during the MWR days. We about won a championship together.”

    In 14 NCTS starts from 2006 – 2016, Bowyer recorded two pole positions, three wins, nine top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. While he hasn’t competed in a NASCAR sanctioned event since dropping the window net for the final time in November 2020, Bowyer made three Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) starts last season and while winless, was a threat for the win in each outing.

    “I’ll have one run on a set of tires to knock the rust off and then I’ll have to go qualify,” said Bowyer. “It’s going to be a pretty important lap to start up front and have a shot at winning. It has been so long, so I’ll have to get reacquainted with the track a little bit. I feel like I can get the fundamentals back pretty quickly. I ran those SRX races last year and I was pretty quick right off that bat. I actually surprised myself. I had a ton of fun and was competitive.

    After 11 races, the No. 7 team sits fifth in the 2024 NCTS owner point standings after earning two wins and compiling five top-five and seven top-10 finishes. Kyle Busch earned the team’s first victory of 2024 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and led a race-high 112 laps in Busch’s most recent triumph in Texas. Last weekend, Connor Mosack started seventh and finished eighth at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

    Given their history and past success, it’s no wonder Pattie is looking forward to the reunion.

    “Clint and I had a lot of success winning races and coming close to a Cup Series championship, so it’ll be a lot of fun to work with him again,” said Pattie. “We’ve been trying to get him in one of our trucks since early last year, so I’m excited to see it finally come together and I’m confident that we can go out and compete for the win.”

    The Rackley Roofing 200 from Nashville Superspeedway will be televised live on FS2 Friday, June 28, beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 13th of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

    “Having Clint Bowyer drive our No. 7 at Nashville Superspeedway just demonstrates how committed Spire Motorsports is to having a true all-star lineup in that truck,” said Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt. “Clint is part of an exclusive club of drivers who have won in the Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Cup Series. When you see his track record at Nashville, it almost makes you shake your head. It’s pretty incredible. He’s a great personality and, as Brian (Pattie) well knows, he’s a lot of fun. We’re grateful to have him and we think he gives us a great shot at winning the race.”

    About Spire Motorsports …
    Spire Motorsports is a NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2024, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively. The team will also field the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth will drive the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets in the No. 77.

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

  • Front Row Motorsports Announces Purchase of New Charter

    Front Row Motorsports Announces Purchase of New Charter

    Organization to Expand to Three NASCAR Cup Series Teams in 2025

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 29, 2024) – Executing its next stage of growth, Front Row Motorsports (FRM) will compete with three chartered Ford Mustang Dark Horses in the NASCAR Cup Series entries in the 2025 season while maintaining its championship NASCAR Ford F-150 team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

    “We have a very positive outlook on the future of NASCAR and as the sport plans for success, so do we,” commented Bob Jenkins, Owner, Front Row Motorsports. “Today that means having a plan for expanding back to three cars in the NASCAR Cup Series. I always have the vision to continue to grow and improve our team and that commitment and desire never changes. I am committed to the sport and its passionate fans and partners.”

    The team is aware of the work ahead, but excited for the growth.

    “It is good to get the news out now as we have a lot of work to do to prepare a new team,” said Jerry Freeze, General Manager, Front Row Motorsports. “All of us on the leadership team will be working through that, obtaining the parts and pieces needed for the new team. And, most importantly, adding to the dedicated and talented staff and culture that exists today within our organization.

    “Starting a new team from scratch is always a challenge, but with the opportunities in front of us, the talent we have in our leadership, and a bit of a runway to get there, I am confident that we can produce three competitive programs out of the box for the 2025 season. We haven’t lost sight of what our goals for 2024 are, to get our teams into the playoffs for both series. If we can keep up the speed on track and have a little bit of luck to come our way, we can achieve our objectives.”

    Today’s announcement comes off the news earlier this year of FRM extending and increasing its relationship with Ford Performance and a competition alliance with Team Penske.

    Announcements regarding drivers will come later.

    ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

    Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

  • Stewart-Haas Racing News: Joint Statement from Tony Stewart and Gene Haas

    Stewart-Haas Racing News: Joint Statement from Tony Stewart and Gene Haas

    KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (May 28, 2024) – The following is a joint statement from Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, the co-owners of Stewart-Haas Racing, regarding the future of their NASCAR team following the 2024 season.

    “We have made the difficult decision to close Stewart-Haas Racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season. It is a decision that did not come easily, nor was it made quickly.

    “Racing is a labor-intensive, humbling sport. It requires unwavering commitment and vast resources, with a 365-day mindset to be better than everyone else. It’s part of what makes success so rewarding.

    “But the commitment needed to extract maximum performance while providing sustainability is incredibly demanding, and we’ve reached a point in our respective personal and business lives where it’s time to pass the torch.

    “We’re proud of all the wins and championships we’ve earned since joining together in 2009, but even more special is the culture we built and the friendships we forged as we committed to a common cause – winning races and collecting trophies.

    “That is the same commitment we made to our personnel, our partners and our fans coming into this year, and that commitment will remain through the season finale at Phoenix.

    “We have tremendous respect and appreciation for all of our employees, and we will work diligently to assist them during this transition to find new opportunities beyond the 2024 race season.”

    About Stewart-Haas Racing:

    Stewart-Haas Racing is the title-winning NASCAR team co-owned by three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation – the largest CNC machine tool builder in North America. The Kannapolis, North Carolina-based organization has won two NASCAR Cup Series titles, two NASCAR Xfinity Series championships and more than 100 NASCAR races, including such crown-jewel events as the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and Southern 500. For more information, please visit us online at StewartHaasRacing.com and on social at Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

  • Indianapolis 500 Purse Soars to New Heights

    Indianapolis 500 Purse Soars to New Heights

    Back-to-Back Winner Newgarden Receives Largest Payout in ‘500’ History

    INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, May 27, 2024) – The Indianapolis 500 purse record was shattered for the third year in a row after a weather-delayed 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, with two-time race winner Josef Newgarden of Team Penske earning $4.288 million from a total purse of $18,456,000.

    After record-breaking payouts in 2022 and 2023, this is the largest purse and largest winner’s payout in the century-plus history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The year’s average payout for NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers was $543,000, which also exceeds last year’s average of $500,600.

    In 2023, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $17,021,500, and the year’s winner payout was $3.666 million. In 2022, the Indianapolis 500 purse was $16,000,200, and the winner earned $3.1 million. Prior to 2022, the largest Indianapolis 500 purse was $14.4 million for the 2008 Indianapolis 500.

    Second-place finisher Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren took home $1,050,500, exceeding the take-home prize for last year’s second-place finisher.

    “The Indianapolis 500 is the greatest race in the world, and this record-breaking purse is reflective of just how monumental competing in and winning at Indy is for these drivers,” Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles said. “Despite weather challenges, the Month of May featured packed grandstands and intense on-track action. Presenting this purse is the ideal end cap to an epic month.”

    NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson earned Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year honors for his performance during the Month of May. Larson, driving for Arrow McLaren/Rick Hendrick, made his first attempt to complete “The Double,” by racing both the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600. Larson earned a $50,000 bonus for being named Rookie of the Year, adding to a total take-home prize of $178,000.

    The Indianapolis 500 purse consists of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and NTT INDYCAR SERIES awards, plus other designated and special awards. Purse awards are presented annually at the Victory Celebration, held this year at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis Monday night.

    Newgarden’s purse included a $440,000 rollover bonus from BorgWarner for earning back-to-back wins in the “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The jackpot increases by $20,000 each year but has only been awarded one other time since its inception when Helio Castroneves won the Indy 500 in both 2001 and 2002.

    The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on Sunday, June 2 on the streets of Downtown Detroit. The race will be broadcast live on USA Network, Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network starting at noon (ET).