Category: Featured Headline

KEY RACES LEAD INTO PRIME VIDEO’S 2025 BROADCAST SLATE

CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 8, 2025) – Amazon’s Prime Video has joined Hendrick Motorsports as a new sponsor of driver Chase Elliott and his No. 9 NASCAR Cup Series team through 2027. The relationship includes three primary races annually, complemented each year by full-season associate sponsorship.

In 2025, the No. 9 Prime Video Chevrolet will debut at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27, followed by Kansas Speedway on May 11 and the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 18. The new car livery was revealed today on social media.

Prime Video’s three primary events with Elliott will lead directly into the streamer’s five-race Cup Series broadcast slate, which kicks off with the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25. Prime Video is NASCAR’s first fully direct-to-consumer media partner.

“We’re thrilled to work with Hendrick Motorsports and Chase as we begin our NASCAR coverage in 2025,” said Stacey Rosenson, Head of U.S. Sports Marketing, Prime Video. “It represents an exciting extension of our new NASCAR relationship. Chase is a wildly popular, championship-winning driver, and we can’t wait to see the No. 9 Prime Video team in action as we approach our streaming debut.”

In addition to exclusively streaming five races to conclude the first half of the Cup Series season, Prime Video will present exclusive coverage of practice and qualifying for almost the entire first half of the Cup schedule (excluding the Busch Light Clash, Duel at Daytona, DAYTONA 500, and the NASCAR All-Star Race). Fans in the United States will be able to watch NASCAR live at home or on the go, and across hundreds of compatible devices, streaming from the web, or using the Prime Video app on smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, game consoles, and connected TVs.

“Welcoming Prime Video to our team is a proud moment,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “They’ve committed to our sport in a big way and are taking an innovative approach to delivering world-class broadcasts and content to our fans. Hendrick Motorsports is ready to support their efforts, and we look forward to building something special together over the next three years.”

Elliott, 29, has 19 points-paying Cup wins and has been voted by fans as the series’ most popular driver for seven consecutive years (2018-2024). Last season, the Dawsonville, Georgia, native earned his eighth career playoff berth, including 2020 when he won the series championship.

“It’s great to see Prime Video come into NASCAR and now join us at Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 9 team,” Elliott said. “They’re leaders in entertainment and technology, and I think that’s a perfect fit on a lot of levels. Seeing a fresh perspective on our sport is cool, and I’m happy to be a part of the effort and have their support.”

ABOUT PRIME VIDEO SPORTS:
Prime Video supports a growing lineup of live sports globally, including Thursday Night Football, NBA, NASCAR, the New York Yankees, Overtime Elite, and Premier Boxing Champions in the United States; the NWSL, the WNBA, and ONE Championship in the United States and Canada; NHL Prime Monday Night Hockey in Canada; UEFA Champions League football in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom & Ireland; Roland-Garros in France; Wimbledon in Germany and Austria; Premier League in Sweden and Denmark; New Zealand Cricket in India; ICC Cricket in Australia; Copa do Brasil football, Serie A football and the NBA in Brazil; boxing and the 2023 World Baseball Classic in Japan; and Chivas in Mexico. While availability varies by marketplace, fans can also subscribe to streaming services such as Eurosport, FOX Sports (Mexico), Viaplay Sport, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NBA TV, DAZN (Germany and Spain), and Premiere FC (Brazil) through Prime Video add-on subscriptions. This is in addition to a selection of Amazon Original documentaries including Kelce, Bye Bye Barry, Coach Prime, Giannis, and the Amazon Original All or Nothing franchise, including All or Nothing: Arsenal, All or Nothing: Juventus, All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs, and All or Nothing seasons with various NFL teams, as well as the NCAA’s Michigan Wolverines football team.

ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. At the sport’s premier level, the organization holds the all-time records in every major statistical category, including championships (14), points-paying race victories (312) and laps led (more than 82,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 40 different seasons, including an active streak of 39 in a row (1986-2024). The team fields four full-time Chevrolet entries in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Headquartered on more than 100 acres in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs approximately 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

Three National Series Move to Simplified Starting Lineup Process;
DAYTONA 500 Pre-Qualifying Practice Added to Weekend Schedule

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 12, 2024) – NASCAR today announced that its three national series – the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series – will adjust the practice and qualifying (P&Q) procedures for the 2025 season. The updated P&Q schedule will include more practice time, consistency in procedure across all three series and a return to simplified starting lineup rules. With the exception of the superspeedway events, each qualifying session will be one round, with each vehicle’s starting position determined solely by its qualifying results.

In addition, NASCAR announced that a practice session prior to DAYTONA 500 qualifying has been added to the Daytona International Speedway weekend schedule. The 50-minute pre-qualifying practice is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 10:05 a.m. ET. The annual DAYTONA 500 Media Day will also take place Wednesday, Feb. 12, starting at noon and ending at 7 p.m. ET. DAYTONA 500 Busch Light Pole Award Qualifying will follow at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Next season, FOX Sports will broadcast P&Q for The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, the DAYTONA 500, the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Raceway, as well as P&Q for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Prime Video will broadcast NASCAR Cup Series P&Q for the first half of the season excluding the events outlined above; TNT Sports will broadcast P&Q on Max and truTV for the second half of the NASCAR Cup Series season. Details for NASCAR Xfinity Series P&Q sessions airing on CW platforms will be announced at a later date.

Below are the procedures for each track type.

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Standard P&Q

• 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2
  • Groups and qualifying order are determined by metrics (70% based on previous race finish by owner; 30% based on owner points position. The best scoring cars in metrics will be placed in Group 2.)
• Qualifying will be one lap, one round
• Tracks: Las Vegas 1-2, Phoenix-1, Miami, Darlington 1-2, Texas, Kansas 1-2, Charlotte, Nashville, Michigan, Pocono, WWTR, New Hampshire

Short Track P&Q

• 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2
• Qualifying will be two laps, one round
• Tracks: Martinsville 1-2, Bristol 1-2, Dover, Iowa, Richmond

Superspeedway Qualifying

• Qualifying will be one lap, two rounds
• Fastest 10 cars in first round advance to final round
• Starting positions 1-10 will be based on fastest qualifying time in final round; remainder of field will start based on qualifying results in first round.
• Tracks: Atlanta 1-2, Talladega 1-2, Daytona-2

Road Course P&Q

• 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2
• 20-minute qualifying for Group 1, multi cars on track; 20-minute qualifying for Group 2, multi cars on track
• One round of qualifying
• Tracks: Chicago Street Race, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, Charlotte Roval

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

Standard P&Q

• 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2
• Qualifying will be one lap, one round.
• Tracks: Phoenix-1, Las Vegas 1-2, Miami, Darlington, Texas, Kansas, Charlotte, Nashville, Pocono

Short Track P&Q

• 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2
• Qualifying will be two laps, one round.
• Tracks: Martinsville 1-2, Bristol 1-2, Dover, Iowa

Superspeedway Qualifying

• Qualifying will be one lap, two rounds
• Fastest 10 cars in first round advance to final round
• Starting positions 1-10 will be based on finish in final round; remainder of field will start based on qualifying results in first round.
• Tracks: Atlanta 1-2, Talladega 1-2, Daytona-2

Road Course P&Q

• 50-minute practice for all cars
• 20-minute qualifying for Group 1, multi cars on track; 20-minute qualifying for Group 2, multi cars on track
• One round of qualifying
• Tracks: COTA, Chicago Street Race, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, Portland, Charlotte Roval

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES

Standard P&Q

• 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2
• Qualifying will be one lap, one round.
• Tracks: Las Vegas, Miami, Texas, Kansas, Charlotte, Nashville, Pocono, Darlington

Short Track P&Q

• 25-minute practice for Group 1; 25-minute practice for Group 2
• Qualifying will be two laps, one round.
• Tracks: Martinsville 1-2, Bristol 1-2, North Wilkesboro, Lucas Oil IRP, Richmond

Superspeedway Qualifying

• Qualifying will be one lap, two rounds
• Fastest 10 trucks in first round advance to final round
• Starting positions 1-10 will be based on finish in final round; remainder of field will start based on qualifying results in first round.
• Tracks: Atlanta, Talladega

Road Course P&Q

• 50-minute practice for all cars
• 20-minute qualifying for Group 1, multi cars on track; 20-minute qualifying for Group 2, multi cars on track
• One round of qualifying
• Tracks: Watkins Glen, Charlotte Roval

Expanded Practice Weekends

The following weekends will have an expanded practice session.

NCS: The Clash, DAYTONA 500, COTA*, All-Star Race, Mexico City, Indianapolis, Phoenix Championship

NXS: Daytona-1, Rockingham, Mexico City, Indianapolis, WWTR, Phoenix Championship

NCTS: Daytona, Rockingham, Michigan, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, New Hampshire, Charlotte Roval, Phoenix Championship

Note: The NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Circuit of the Americas will use the same practice format as Watkins Glen and the Charlotte Roval in 2024, where cars will be assigned to two groups, with two 20-minute practices for each group (40 minutes total per car). The COTA practice session will lead into qualifying.

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 Series, 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.

Relationship Spans Across the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series

WELCOME, N.C. (November 25, 2024) – Titan Risk Solutions will continue their multi-year, multi-car partnership with Richard Childress Racing in 2025 with sponsorship in both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The partnership includes sponsorship of Austin Dillon in the No. 3 Titan Risk Solutions Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with Austin Hill and Jesse Love in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for select races.

Titan is a “one stop shop” for today’s trucking companies. With career trucking professionals as the founders, Titan Risk Solutions provides the very best in insurance, and insurance related services. Titan successfully debuted their relationship with RCR earlier this year at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Ty Dillon raced the No. 33 Titan Risk Solutions Chevrolet in the Brickyard 400.

“We’ve already seen the power of our partnership with Richard Childress Racing and have thoroughly enjoyed introducing Titan’s real-time platform of trucking solutions through our team partnership,” said Tim Smith, president of Titan Risk Solutions. “We’re all looking forward to future success together both on and off the track in 2025 and beyond.”

Titan Risk Solutions, based out of Overland Park, Kansas has representatives located around the U.S. to assist those in the trucking industry. With the ability to provide insurance quotes or customer support in a matter of minutes, Titan has positioned themselves as market leaders for motor carriers across the country.

“Titan Risk Solutions offers a dynamic platform of insurance, safety compliance, and driver training within the trucking industry,” said Torrey Galida, president of RCR. “Their one-stop solution is a great fit for a number of our industry partners. We’re couldn’t be happier to continue working with Tim and everyone at Titan Risk Solutions, and to have the opportunity to help them achieve their business goals.”

For more information or to contact Titan, visit www.titantruckins.com

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

Titan Risk Solutions is your one-stop shop for everything related to the trucking industry. Founded by dedicated insurance professionals that understand the frustrations of today’s marketplace, Titan was built to eliminate many of the stresses America’s truck drivers face every day. Whether you are needing help with insurance, safety compliance, or driver training, Titan is here to help! With representatives located all across the U.S. and a 24/7 service hotline, there is always a live person to assist you!

Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2025 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Jesse Love (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).

Charlotte, N.C. – Chase Elliott returned to victory lane and the playoffs this year, delighting his fan base that once again rewarded him with the National Motorsports Press Association’s Most Popular Driver award.

Elliott was announced as the award’s recipient Friday night during the annual NASCAR Awards Ceremonies at the Charlotte Convention Center. It is the seventh consecutive year Elliott has been voted the winner. The Dawsonville, Ga., native has won the award in seven of his nine seasons as a NASCAR Cup Series driver.

The only major NASCAR award determined solely by the vote of race fans, Elliott received 266,363 votes. Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson finished second in the voting, while Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney placed third.

Elliott’s father, NASCAR Hall of Fame member Bill Elliott, holds the record for the most award wins at 16. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the award 15 times.

“That award is a reflection of the entire (Elliott) story, not just about me,” Elliott said. ‘I’ve tried to pay my respect that way.”

A driver must have declared for NASCAR Cup Series points to be eligible for the award.

The Most Popular Driver award has been presented to either an Elliott or an Earnhardt for 34 consecutive years.

The NMPA Most Popular Driver Award is one of the longest-running awards presented annually by the National Motorsports Press Association.

NASCAR Cup Series Team Formerly Known as JTG Racing Welcomes in a New Era of Racing Excellence

[Harrisburg, NC] — Hyak Motorsports welcomes in a new era of racing for the iconic No. 47 team with a rebrand, new name and ownership. Effective immediately, the team will shift from JTG Racing to Hyak Motorsports with Gordon Smith, who became the principal owner at the end of the 2023 season, at the helm. Hyak Motorsports will continue to carry out Smith’s plan to bring a fresh, new energy to the team and show his commitment to advancing the team’s legacy both on and off the racetrack.

The change starts with the name “Hyak” which means “fast” in Chinook Jargon, which is a trade language of the Pacific Northwest that incorporates terms from Chinook, Chehalis, and many other local languages. The ownership transition promises to fuel Hyak Motorsports with a competitive edge by enhancing its approach to performance, innovation, and fan engagement. Smith is joined by co-owners Brad Daugherty, Mark Hughes and Ernie Cope, who remain dedicated to maintaining the team’s high standards while introducing updated strategies and resources to help bring the team to a new level.

“Becoming the owner of Hyak Motorsports brings an exciting opportunity,” said Gordon Smith, Team Owner/CEO. “I look forward to building on the team’s accomplishments, investing in its future, and driving toward new successes in partnership with our fans, sponsors, and team members.”

The team’s commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering thrilling performances will continue in the 2025 season starting with the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray on February 2, 2025, at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

“I’m really excited about 2025 as our company continues to evolve,” said Brad Daugherty, one of the four owners of the team. “Our goal is to compete and win races at the highest level of NASCAR. The name change signifies that commitment and desire to be our very best.”

“2025 will begin a new era for this company,” said Ernie Cope, team co-owner. “We’re still committed to being a winning team with Ricky and the entire No. 47 crew. This is just the next step in elevating the team to another level.”

2025 will mark the team’s third season in NASCAR under the current management. The team has scored a win in each of the last two years and plans to continue this trajectory. Its pinnacle Daytona 500 win came on February 19, 2023, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr who will continue to pilot the No. 47 Chevrolet Camaro next season.

“This rebrand is exciting for the team and myself,” said Ricky Stenhouse Jr, driver for the No. 47 Chevrolet Camaro. “I’m excited for everyone to see the rebrand this offseason and in 2025. The team has won the most iconic of races with the Daytona 500 so this is just a continuation of building its legacy.”

More updates will follow in the NASCAR offseason as the team works to build upon its foundation and look ahead to the 2025 season.

Bullins Reunites with Driver Brad Keselowski for 2025 and Beyond

CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 21, 2024) – RFK Racing has announced that Jeremy Bullins, veteran crew chief in NASCAR, has joined the organization, reuniting with driver/co-owner Brad Keselowski to lead the No. 6 team beginning in 2025.

“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with BK again, this time in the iconic No. 6 car with RFK,” said Bullins. “We were able to accomplish a lot as a team previously, but we had a couple of unfinished goals like a Daytona 500 win and a championship together and I’m ecstatic we get the opportunity to compete together again. From the outside looking in it’s been obvious the trajectory RFK is on, and I look forward to being part of the growth and future success of the team.”

Bullins – a winner of 31 races in the sport – joins RFK after a decade-plus stint in the Cup Series with Wood Brothers Racing and Team Penske, working with drivers Ryan Blaney, Keselowski, Austin Cindric, and Harrison Burton. He most recently led the No. 21 team, earning the organization’s famed 100th victory at Daytona this summer.

Prior, he was paired with Austin Cindric and the No. 2 team, which came on the heels of Keselowski’s departure of Team Penske at the end of the 2021 campaign. Together, Bullins and Keselowski finished second in the 2020 points standings, and won five races in the Cup Series in the 2020-21 seasons.

Bullins’ debut in Cup came in 2014 with 2023 Cup Champion Ryan Blaney, as the two were successful from 2014-19, winning three races with the No. 12 team. Prior to Cup, the Walnut Cove, North Carolina native was atop the box for several drivers at Penske. In total, he amassed 21 victories in the Xfinity Series in just 100 starts.

Bullins attended North Carolina State University studying Mechanical Engineering.

Keselowski enters his 16th full season in Cup in 2025, and fourth as Co-Owner/Driver at RFK. He’s fresh off his 10th appearance in the current NASCAR Playoffs format and will enter the 2025 campaign third amongst active drivers in total wins (36).

About RFK Racing
RFK Racing, in its 38th season in 2025, 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.

Steps into No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (November 19, 2024) – Todd Gilliland will enter the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season with new, yet familiar colors. Gilliland will pilot the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports (FRM). Todd will follow in his father, David’s, footsteps in representing the Love’s colors at FRM.

As Love’s enters its 13th consecutive season with FRM, it was David Gilliland who first raced the Love’s livery in the 2013 Daytona 500. David went on to race for the company in 2014 and 2015, giving the FRM partner their first pole and top-five finish.

Todd first began racing for Love’s, under the Speedco banner, in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series beginning in 2020 and again in 2021. Heading into the 2025 season, the 24-year-old driver now steps into the # 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford and is FRM’s longest tenured driver.

“It is really humbling to race the No. 34 Love’s Travel Stops Ford Mustang beginning next season,” said Gilliland. “It’s just another cool moment in my career to race for a company that represented my father at FRM. The 34 Ford is what started FRM in the Cup Series and there is a lot of history with Love’s, FRM, and my family. I still remember watching my dad race the Love’s Ford.”

“I do not take this next step lightly,” continued Gilliland. “I have seen the rise of the team and the new level of expectations. It is an honor that Love’s is putting their trust in me to continue to grow this team and compete for wins and get into the playoffs. I am gracious for this opportunity and look forward to 2025.”

Love’s will once again be the premier partner of the team and will adorn the No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for more than half of the season, beginning at the Daytona 500.

The crew chief and other partners will be announced before the start of the 2025 season.

You can visit www.loves.com to learn more about Love’s Family of Companies.

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.

ABOUT LOVE’S

Love’s has been fueling customers’ journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with nearly 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company’s core business is travel stops and convenience stores with 651 locations in 42 states. Love’s continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love’s serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company’s award-winning culture.