Mayer to drive the No. 1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet at COTA and Iowa
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (March 5, 2024) – Roto-Rooter, the nation’s largest provider of plumbing, drain cleaning and water cleanup services, will join JR Motorsports as a primary partner for Sam Mayer and the No. 1 team in two NASCAR Xfinity Series events in 2024, the organization announced today. In addition to Roto-Rooter, key partners RIDGID®, Picote Solutions and MaxLiner® have all come on board to help kick off their new 2024 race program with JRM.
Mayer will carry the Roto-Rooter colors at Circuit of The Americas on March 23 and at Iowa Speedway on June 15. The brand will also be featured as an associate partner for the JRM driver at the Chicago Street Course on July 6.
“I am really looking forward to hopping behind the wheel of this No. 1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, “says Mayer. “It means a lot to have such a prime company join us for 2024 and I am extremely proud to be able to help welcome them into NASCAR and introduce them to the NASCAR Xfinity series. Hopefully we will give them a great show and fight for the win at both COTA and Iowa.”
The origins of Roto-Rooter can be traced back to 1933, when Samuel Blanc created a sewer-cleaning machine from a 1/6 HP Maytag washing machine motor, roller skate wheels and a 3/8-inch cable to turn the blades. The device was a combination of special blades to cut tree roots out of sewer lines where no digging was required. Just one year later, this prototype came to fruition and the name “Roto-Rooter” was born by virtue of Sam’s wife, Lettie.
“So excited for this race season and two iconic brands coming together,” stated Thad Reinhard, President of Roto-Rooter Corporation and Director of Plumbing. “I can’t wait to see where this partnership leads with Sam and JR Motorsports.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Roto-Rooter to JR Motorsports and to have them come on board the No. 1 car with Sam,” added JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “It’s great to be able to bring a new partner to JRM and I am really looking forward to getting this relationship started on a strong note when we hit the track in COTA.”
Tune in on FS1 as broadcast coverage for the Focused Health 250 at COTA begins at 5p.m. ET on Saturday, March 23, as well as on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
ABOUT ROTO-ROOTER: Founded in 1935, Roto-Rooter is the largest provider of plumbing, drain cleaning and water cleanup services in North America. In 1980, the Blanc family sold Roto-Rooter to Chemed Corporation, and Roto-Rooter moved its headquarters to Cincinnati but continued to manufacture the famous Roto-Rooter drain cleaning machines, cables, blades and other parts at its own factory in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Roto-Rooter operates businesses in more than 100 company-owned branch and independent contractor territories and approximately 400 independent franchise operations, serving approximately 90% of the U.S. population and parts of Canada. Master independent franchise operations have also been established in the Philippines and Indonesia.
ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 23rd year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also owns seven titles in regional Late Model divisions with consecutive championships in 2022-23 and a prized national title in 2020. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.
Austin, Texas — New from award-winning book publisher Octane Press, Trophies and Scars is the profoundly personal and remarkably revealing story of the life and times of NASCAR Hall of Famer Ray Evernham, as told to New York Times bestselling author Joe Garner. With forewords by motorsport legends Jeff Gordon, Rick Hendrick, and Roger Penske, the book will officially launch in March at one of the automotive world’s most celebrated events, The Amelia, with author signings and appearances scheduled across the weekend at the Golf Club of Amelia Island and Ritz Carlton hotel.
Trophies and Scars traces all the twists and turns of Ray Evernham’s fascinating life. A son of the Jersey Shore, he was dedicated to fulfilling his boyhood dream of becoming a professional race car driver, and by age eighteen, he was banging fenders with good success on the Northeast short track circuit. When his dreams of becoming an Indy car sensation literally crashed and burned, he turned to Roger Penske’s International Race of Champions (IROC), before another brutal crash forced him to give up his Indy dream for good.
It was time to change careers.
As a technical crew leader rather than driver, he developed new skills and strategies critical to building successful racing organizations. A brief, ill-fated, and downright volatile stint on Alan Kulwicki’s crew, turned into a “right place at the right time” scenario, sparking a seminal partnership with racing phenomenon Jeff Gordon. They would prove to be one of the most potent racing duos in history. Evernham shares previously untold tales of how the pair led the No. 24 team to three championships in four seasons (1995, 1997, 1998) and an astounding forty-seven wins in just 216 starts, revealing in candid detail how and why their storied relationship came to an end.
The book also details his time spearheading the return of Dodge to NASCAR, building Evernham Motorsports into one of the most successful NASCAR teams, as well as his transformation into a TV personality with roles as a NASCAR analyst for SPEED, ESPN, ABC, FOX, and NBC and as host to his own TV series, AmeriCarna, on the Velocity channel.
Throughout all these stories he reveals how he buried himself in work to cope with the struggles he was facing in his personal life: his son Ray J.’s battle with leukemia and later autism diagnosis, and many other painful challenges that ultimately brought rich rewards, such as the formation of the Evernham Family Racing for a Reason Foundation which funds the IGNITE education and training programs for young adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome, his loving marriage to Erin, and the birth of their daughter Cate.
You needn’t be a racing fan to appreciate Evernham’s inspiring journey of tireless persistence, radical determination, steadfast leadership, and fearless reinvention. For as he believes, a life lived to the fullest is inevitably packed with trophies—and scars.
With an official launch date of March 5, 2024, Trophies and Scars is available for order from Octane Press, or wherever books are sold. Book signings with the author are scheduled at The Amelia for Friday March 1 through Sunday March 3.
A Note from The Author
This book provides a unique journey into the intricacies of my life. Offering a firsthand account in my own words. It offers a candid exploration of the highs and lows, providing a true understanding of the motivations and decisions that have defined me.
During post-qualifying inspection, NASCAR viewed the in-car footage of his qualifying lap and noticed an “obviously concerning” detail.
“We have our safety cameras inside all the Cup cars, and we review them quite often during practice and qualifying, and we look for oddities,” Brad Moran, series director for the Cup Series, said.
The problem? SFI Foundation Inc., which sets the quality and safety standards for NASCAR equipment, doesn’t make gloves with webbing. The webbing of the left-hand glove was so obviously modified, it looked like a frog hand. In fact, it wouldn’t look out of place on the hands of Tsuyu Asui from “My Hero Academia.”
Webbing gives a driver more room to block the air, but it also hinders their ability to unbuckle their belts and window net. Which is a serious problem, if your car is on fire.
As a result, NASCAR dropped Logano to the back of the field for the start of the Atlanta race, along with a pass-through penalty after the green flag dropped. On Tuesday, NASCAR fined Logano $10,000 for violating the league’s safety code under “Driver Responsibilities & Driver Protective Clothing/Equipment.”
Team owner Roger Penske told Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press that he “didn’t like that at all,” and expressed his disappointment with the two-time Cup Series champion.
“It’s not good. Period. I told him,” Penske said. “He’s the leader of the team. Look, we are under so much scrutiny and the last thing we need to do is have any noise like that. It’s not good for us. It’s not good for him. We’ll take our punches.”
Well, it didn’t affect Logano’s qualifying run, Saturday, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wearing approved gloves, Logano clocked in a lap of 29.291 (184.357 mph) to win his second pole of the 2024 season.
Ford Performance Notes and Quotes NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 Qualifying | Saturday, March 2, 2024
FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE REMAINS PERFECT WITH THIRD STRAIGHT NASCAR CUP SERIES POLE TO START 2024
Joey Logano extended the Ford Mustang Dark Horse pole streak to three after putting his car on the pole for the second time this season.
This marks the first time since 2022 that Ford has won three straight series poles, dating back to when Ryan Blaney won three in a row at Phoenix, Circuit of the Americas and Richmond.
Ford Performance Top-10 Qualifying Results: 1st – Joey Logano 3rd – Austin Cindric 6th – Chase Briscoe 9th – Chris Buescher 12th – Michael McDowell 15th – Ryan Blaney 25th – Brad Keselowski 26th – Josh Berry 29th – Harrison Burton 30th – Noah Gragson 31st – Todd Gilliland 32nd – Kaz Grala 35th – Justin Haley 36th – Ryan Preece
JOEY LOGANO, No. 22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang Dark Horse – POLE-WINNING PRESS CONFERENCE
NASCAR SHOWED US YOUR GLOVE TODAY. ROGER SAID HE SPOKE TO YOU AND WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THAT. WHEN THE TEAM COMES TO YOU AND SAYS WEAR THIS GLOVE, YOU JUST SAY OK? “Yeah. That’s how a lot of things work. As a driver, you work with the team and, hey, I’m gonna take a portion of responsibility of that too, obviously. I should. I put the glove on. I didn’t build the glove or make it on my own. I can’t sew, but that’s what it was. We had conversations about it. What I’m proud about with this team is, yeah, that was a tough situation for us. It was hard to go through and embarrassing for sure, but the fact we got through it and just move on and focus on the next week. We showed that we have some speed in our race car and to be able to put it on the pole here, to me, is a statement type lap so I’m proud of that.”
DO YOU WANT TO SAY IF YOU WORE THE GLOVE AT DAYTONA? “No.”
DOES THAT MAKE THIS POLE MEAN ANYMORE BECAUSE YOU HAD SPEED? “I’ve got plenty of motivation, really ever since you said I wasn’t gonna make the playoffs this year. I’ve had plenty of motivation, so I’m in a good place.”
DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU PUT YOURSELF IN ANY KIND OF UNSAFE POSITION? “No. I personally did not. I would never have put myself in a situation where I feel unsafe. I have kids. I have a wife. I have a family that I care way more about than race cars, so, no, I didn’t feel concerned about what we did. I didn’t race with it. Qualifying on speedways is pretty simple.”
ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THIS POLE? “I didn’t expect it when I saw our short run speed in practice. I was like, ‘This might not be where we need to be.’ We showed that we had great long run speed. Our second run we made an adjustment and went back out and was like, ‘Oh, wow. We’re really competitive. The car is driving pretty good.’ So I felt good about that, but our short run, like fire off, we weren’t real fast and we weren’t far up the board. And then we barely made it through the first round just by the skin of our teeth. And then being able to make some adjustments. I was proud of what Paul and the guys were able to do to make an adjustment with the car driving closer to perfect and for the second round and being able to put it up here. I really didn’t think after the first round we had a chance of putting it on the pole, so I’m proud of the adjustments that we made there. We’ve got some work to do tonight, for sure, but the first pit stall is nice. Obviously, starting up front for the Pennzoil 400 in the Pennzoil Mustang is huge for our race team, so that makes dinner tonight a little bit easier for me, so that part is good and then we’ll fire off tomorrow and hopefully get a little bit more short run speed and we can make our long runs really good.”
DINNER WITH PENNZOIL? “Yeah.”
WE SAW YOU DO THIS LAST YEAR AND WE ALL KNOW HOW THE RACE WENT. HOW OPTIMISTIC ARE YOU ABOUT THE NEW BODY STYLE THAT YOU’LL HAVE THE LONG RUN SPEED? “We’re still uncertain of what the new Mustang Dark Horse will be like. It’s really challenging to unload at a track like Vegas with limited practice, where you can’t change many things. We can’t go throwing springs and stuff at this car and you’re going off of really not much physical notes with this car – some of what we had last year, but the aero numbers are different with this car and you’re putting a lot of trust into what the wind tunnel numbers spit out, and how much of it is real and how much of it is fabricated or different. There’s a lot of what ifs between sim world wind tunnel world to reality. There are a lot of things that can be different, so it’s really hard to make those changes to your car and getting that balance right. It took us a couple runs, obviously, to do that. We still have a lot to learn with the car, but it’s a good start for sure.”
DID THE WIND PICK UP IN ROUND TWO AND WAS ONE AND TWO THE DIFFERENCE? “I’ve got to think it’s wind that made the difference because the first run I was pretty slow through one and two all the way through the corner, so the only thing I could think of that changed for straightaway speed wasn’t our change by no means. It had to have been by the wind. Maybe I had a big gust that first run or something that held me back a little bit because it doesn’t seem to make sense. If we were really good through one and two on the second time. The first time we were horrible through there, you’re wide-open either way, so the only variable there is really the wind.”
IN REGARDS TO THE GLOVE, IS IT MORE IMPORTANT TO FEEL BETTER THAN TO WORRY ABOUT THE GLOVE TYPE SITUATION? “I didn’t feel better after it, I can tell you that much. Directionally better, how much better? Probably nothing. That’s the part that hurts the most. It isn’t even worth it. It didn’t do anything to speak of. It’s directionally an area that everybody goes to try to block that hole. You see everyone put their hand there. We just tried to cover more space.”
CHRIS BUESCHER, No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “That’s a great start for us with our Fastenal Ford Mustang. I’m happy with the speed we showed there. I was happier the first round. I don’t know. I thought we hit our marks a little better the second round. I was wide-open in one and two and really thought that was gonna be a better lap, but it looks like our speed crossed the line into turn one was down. You can’t use it for everything right now, but there’s no part of me that says wind did not play some kind of factor in this qualifying today. I’m a little bummed by that part of it, to be on the bottom half of that top 10, but knowing what we have and the capability in our race car gives me a lot of hope going into this thing tomorrow.”
CHASE BRISCOE, No. 14 Mahindra Tractors Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “It was a solid day for us. Starting off in practice our car was really close. There’s definitely some things we could do better from a balance standpoint, but it had speed. We were able to be the quickest in practice over all the Hendrick cars, so that’s something to be proud of for us. Qualifying was really good that first round. The second round, truthfully, I felt like the wind was a big part of why I didn’t go any faster, and then I kind of messed up a little bit in three and four, but for us to slow down as much as we did I feel like that’s got to be wind related. But we’ve got a really good starting spot for tomorrow. That’s gonna be critical with how hard it is to pass, so I’m excited from that standpoint. Our car could be a little bit better, I think, but it’s definitely gonna be in the mix all day tomorrow. That’s exciting.”
AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “It was a good step for us. I think Brian and the guys did a really great job with qualifying changeover. I think we made some smart adjustments from practice and even between round one and round two to even pick up, where I feel like it’s probably rare to pick up. I’m really proud of the effort there. The guys have done a really great job to start the year. It’s a good starting spot for the race, but it’s 400 miles with a lot different conditions. Hopefully, this wind calms down a little bit too.”
JOSH BERRY, No. 4 Mobil 1 Take 5 Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “Honestly, it felt pretty good. I feel like he made some good adjustments there for qualifying. Really, I just wish I could do it again. I felt like I gave up a little bit of time coming to the green, just getting up to speed, but the lap itself felt good. I feel like our car is solid. I’m not saying that we can drive through the field and dominate the race, but I feel we can have a solid day tomorrow and learn a lot.”
BRAD KESELOWSKI, No. 6 Solomon Plumbing Ford Mustang Dark Horse – DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE IN A HOLE POINTS-WISE? “Yes and no. I want to win races, so points don’t really mean anything once you win. I’m not where I want to be in points, but in a position to win races and that’s gonna pay off eventually.”
WHEN IS THE POINT YOU NEED TO START TAKING CHANCES TO WIN RACES? “We’re way too early for that. Right now, we just need to do what we can do and go out there and win races and be competitive.”
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR OUT OF THE NEW FORD BODY HERE? “Last year, we had a really good race, solid execution, great pit stops, great strategy, good restarts, but we just didn’t have the raw speed to win the race. We did everything you need to do, but were just lacking the raw speed. We’re looking for the Ford body to give us the raw speed to go with the execution that we showed here last fall. If we can do that, we can win.”
HARRISON BURTON, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “Not last weekend because we were able to at least keep going. When I first got clipped in the first wreck and spun, I was getting ready to ask that question, but I realized we didn’t have any damage so that was good. We ended up having a good day where we ran up front and got caught in the last wreck and were able to rebound again. In Daytona, I was asking that a little bit, but as long as we’re able to have a chance to overcome it, I’m happy still. Obviously, it was frustrating to maintain track position all day and lose it late, but that’s part of those races. If you can keep going, you’re normally pretty thankful.”
HOW DO THINGS FEEL GOING INTO THIS WEEKEND? “I think everyone in the garage is feeling like this is where the year starts and where we have to separate ourselves and see where we all are. The first two are wild cards and now we’re gonna really settle in. I’m excited to see how the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse drives.”
JUSTIN HALEY, No. 51 Ohanafy Ford Mustang Dark Horse – HOW HAVE THESE FIRST TWO RACES GONE FROM YOUR STANDPOINT? “it’s good. Everyone at RWR and RFK and Ford Performance has been awesome. I feel like I’ve been on the Ford simulator more than I ever have been in a Cup simulator before, and that just leads to preparation for this weekend. The transition has been smooth. I feel like this weekend isn’t life or death on where our pace is because I still feel like there’s a lot of potential to be unlocked for us. I feel like we’re not really in a position quite yet to see where our speed is at, so I’m just continuing to build and try to extract that potential each week.”
THERE HAVE BEEN GLIMPSES OF YOU AT THE FRONT EACH WEEK, SO HOW DOES THAT FEEL? “There’s a lot on the communication side of things with a new spotter and new crew chief. We definitely have had speed. I don’t feel like we’ve lacked speed up to this point, especially in the race. We just have to work on executing. Cup races are long and there are a lot of pit stops and a lot of execution, so we’ll just keep working hard.”
KAZ GRALA, No. 15 N29 Capital Partners Ford Mustang Dark Horse – “I think we got a taste of where the aero balance shift is on the new Ford body last week, so I’m glad that I did that race and was able to give the feedback. For the 15 team, I’m in it most of the season, but we’ll have a few different drivers through that car at various points, so for my crew chief the challenge that gives him is how can he keep up with feedback being different driver to driver. At least last week, the way I described the car feeling, we can use that for this week and have a direction for it. I think we figured out the differences in this new body. We’ve applied what we believe will balance that out for today.”
Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse, was involved in a practice accident during practice. Here are his comments after being evaluated and released from the infield care center. Preece will be going to a back-up Ford Mustang Dark Horse for tomorrow’s race.
RYAN PREECE, No. 41 HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang Dark Horse – ‘I don’t know if it bottomed out or what, but we lost all the grip there in one and two. It was pretty unexpected.”
NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone Set To Shine on Streets of St. Petersburg
INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, March 1, 2024) – It is that time of year when the winter freeze quickly turns into the heat of thrilling wheel-to-wheel action as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone launch their 2024 seasons on the palm tree-lined streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding.
NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule highlights include traditional favorites and, new to 2024, a made-for-TV $1 Million Challenge at The Thermal Club – a spectacular racing event set among extraordinary scenery just a short drive from world’s premier entertainment market, a return to historic Milwaukee Mile for a thrilling doubleheader, evening racing at Iowa Speedway and World Wide Technology Raceway and a supercharged season finale at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway.
Once again in 2024, St. Petersburg begins a season of double-digit telecasts on NBC. It is the first time in 20 years the INDYCAR SERIES schedule has featured three consecutive years of double-digit events on network television. Peacock will feature all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice sessions, qualifying and events after a 2023 season that featured the highest viewership in more than a decade.
The bright lights from TV cameras also will accompany production of season two of the docuseries “100 Days To Indy,” focusing on the dramatic countdown to the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Episode 1 will debut on The CW Network Friday, April 26.
“This is an era of tangible growth and tremendous opportunity for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “Rising attendance, combined with incredible fan engagement across our digital channels, increased merchandise sales and rising viewership and visibility are all signs of significant momentum. We look forward to continuing this rising tide, on and off the track, as the curtain rises on another intensely fought and captivating season.”
Personalities aside, all focus will be on another record-making season with numerous storylines:
INDYCAR’s Most Unique Season
While the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season awaits the arrival of the 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with hybrid technology after the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, teams will push the limit until then with enhanced possibilities of track records with lighter chassis components prepared for the hybrid addition. They include a lighter, 3D-printed titanium aeroscreen top frame. Without compromising overall strength and durability, the new INDYCAR top frame saves seven pounds from the previous model.
Additionally, a switch to a magnesium gearbox casing and bellhousing – located between the INDYCAR SERIES combustion engine and the gearbox and will house the hybrid assist unit – will provide additional weight savings.
2024_COMP_CHANGES_HYBRID.pngThe hybrid system is made up of the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and Energy Storage System (ESS). Teams will be free to use multiple strategies for regeneration and deployment as the power unit builds and transmits energy through the MGU before and after being saved in the ultracapacitor ESS. The additional horsepower is deployed through the same motor generator. The new powerplant unit will be used in addition to the traditional overtake (“push-to-pass”) option on road and street circuits. The combination of the traditional push-to-pass with the hybrid unit will provide over 100 additional horsepower.
Use of the new power unit will be available on ovals with manual and automatic regeneration options but only with manual deploy.
Since the start of on-track testing, 21,108 miles have been completed with the INDYCAR-specific hybrid unit.
To ensure a smooth and comfortable transition to the hybrid unit addition this summer, teams will not be assessed any grid penalties for unexpected hybrid unit changeouts.
Evolving Safety and On-Track Performance
An annual INDYCAR review has led to adjustments for the upcoming NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with an eye on safety, technical performance and rules.
From a safety perspective, 2024 will feature:
The addition of LEDs on rear wing end plates for better visibility for trailing drivers during rainy conditions
Redesigned brake rotors for improved cooling
Specific to racing on ovals, 2024 will feature:
The addition of a stronger front wheel bearing retaining nut to match the implementation of the updated rear wheel bearing retaining nut in 2023. The update followed a meticulous review of the incident at the 2023 Indy 500 involving the No. 27 car of Andretti Global and the No. 6 car of Arrow McLaren, which resulted in the loss of the left rear wheel assembly on the No. 27.
Stronger rear retaining ring
New and stronger rear uprights with wheel tethers mounted to the upright rather than caliper studs
Updates to the rear wing front clevis to better distribute impact loads into the attenuator.
Beginning with the Sonsio Grand Prix in May on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, an updated, lightweight PPG ballistic screen (aeroscreen), will be introduced featuring vents for increased overall driver cooling and a top front duct directing air to the drivers’ chest. The ducting is 3D printed in rubber to prevent hand injuries in an accident. The updated aeroscreen will only be used on the remaining road courses and street circuits in 2024.
From an officiating standpoint, updates for 2024 include:
Restart line
On restarts, drivers must remain in single file and are prohibited from passing until reaching a line designated in the last corner. Additionally, the EM Motorsports light panels positioned around the track will be illuminated green to supplement the traditional cloth flag waved at the start-finish line for both starts and restarts.
A split group practice on the Streets of St. Petersburg
Deployed on a trial basis in St. Petersburg, the field will be split into two groups following a 20-minute “All Cars” session to begin Practice 1. Following the 20-minute “All Cars” session, each group – split by odd and even numbered pit boxes – will receive two 10-minute segments on an alternating basis. As in qualifying, the clock in Segments One and Two will stop for the first red flag condition of each practice segment.
Updates for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge will be announced at a later date.
A 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season that featured 7,753 passes, including on-track passing records set at six racetracks, and the most laps and miles completed in a season in over a decade is expected to continue to its record-making trajectory in 2024.
“The last few seasons have been unprecedented in terms of records and milestones,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. “Between the massive effort by Chevrolet and Honda with the hybrid unit and the perpetual partnership and input from our owners, teams and drivers, 2024 is expected to be even more competitive and one of the most unique seasons and championships we’ve ever had. We cannot wait to get started in St. Petersburg.”
A Sustainable Return for 2024
The most sustainable era in INDYCAR SERIES history will continue as the series, its teams and events continue to work to develop green technologies. Highlights from 2023 included the first use of Shell’s 100% Renewable Race Fuel, continued use of renewable diesel for all INDYCAR team transporters supporting the series and use of Firestone Firehawk alternate race tires – on street circuits – made from guayule rubber.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was the first sport facility to achieve organizational certification through the Council for Responsible Sport while the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend achieved gold-level event certification.
Other announcements are expected throughout the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
NXT Up: INDY NXT by Firestone
After last year’s successful launch of a reimagined look for INDYCAR’s developmental series with continued integration with INDYCAR as a sanctioning body, INDY NXT by Firestone enters 2024 with even more energy and momentum. The pathway to North America’s premier open-wheel racing series is expected to feature over 20 drivers from seven countries in pursuit of a $1.4 million purse. It is set to have the most entries across the entire season for the developmental series in 16 years (2008).
Once again, the series champion will receive $850,000 to be applied to an oval test at Texas Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 Open Test and Rookie Orientation Program, an entry for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 and an entry for an additional 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES event. The 2024 championship team, again, will receive a prize of $35,000.
This season’s INDY NXT champion will have to earn it. The 2023 season featured 1,226 on-track passes for position, up 113% from the previous year. Lead changes were up 25% from 2022.
New for 2024, group qualifying will decide the starting grid on road and street circuits. Based on the best lap times from the practice session immediately preceding qualifying, the fastest driver in that session will choose which group will compete in the first of the two qualifying sessions.
With 12 minutes allotted for each group (with a guarantee of one timed lap), the fastest driver between the two sessions will be awarded pole position with the drivers who finished behind that driver, in order and in that group, occupying the odd-numbered starting positions (3, 5, 7, etc.) for the race and the drivers who finished in order from the other group occupying the even-numbered starting positions (2, 4, 6, etc.). One driver and entrant championship point will be awarded to the fastest car in each qualifying group.
Lineups for race weekend doubleheaders will be set by the entrant’s best lap determining their starting position for Race 1 and their second-best lap determining their starting position for Race 2. The procedure for qualifying on ovals (aggregate time of two consecutively timed laps) remains unchanged for 2024.
Also noteworthy, INDY NXT will celebrate its 500th race as INDYCAR’s top developmental series when the series competes on the streets of Detroit this summer.
“It is clear that incorporating this series with the rest of the INDYCAR paddock has paid dividends,” INDY NXT by Firestone Director Levi Jones said. “The rise in team participation and car count is proof of concept. It’s even more gratifying to see former champions Linus Lundqvist and Christian Rasmussen advance to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
“As the series grows and the competition becomes more fierce, we look forward to elevating the next generation of top INDYCAR SERIES racers.”
All 14 INDY NXT races will be available in the United States via Peacock with coverage on INDYCAR Live, INDYCAR’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, in those countries not covered by international agreements.
INDYCAR’s season begins March 8-10 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. Coverage of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season debut, Sunday, March 10 will be available at noon ET on NBC and Peacock. A Spanish language version will be available on Universo.
INDY NXT by Firestone’s season opener begins earlier in the day at 10 a.m. ET.
The award-winning INDYCAR Radio Network will provide coverage of both races, with audio available on SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif., February 28, 2024 – Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and co-owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, is among this year’s five inductees into the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame.
The El Cajon, Calif. competitor, winner of 83 NASCAR Cup Series events in 16 consecutive seasons and recent inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, will be joined for enshrinement by the late Dick Cobb, Las Vegas, Nev., winner of eight track championships over a 45-year racing career in Nevada and California; Eric Holmes, Escalon, Calif., winner of three NASCAR West (now ARCA Menards Series West) titles; Jimmy Vasser, Canoga Park, Calif., 10-time Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) winner, Indianapolis 500 co-owner champion and 2023 IMSA GTD championship co-owner; and Calvin (Cal) Wells III, NASCAR Cup Series race-winning team owner, Off-Road Hall of Fame inductee and current chief executive officer of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.
“I’m so honored to be inducted into the West Coast Stock Car/ Motorsports Hall of Fame,” said Johnson.”As I look back on my career, I was so proud to be from the West Coast, and early on there weren’t many of us competing in NASCAR at the time. I always have carried so much pride when being announced ‘from El Cajon, California”. Starting with Jeff Gordon, a group from the West Coast started to emerge in NASCAR. Jeff and a few others really opened the door in what was typically a Southern sport. I was able to win at California Speedway in my 13th start which just made everything come full circle for me. Winning in Fontana, six times was just so incredible, I had so many fans out there, it was always a homecoming of sorts. Winning at Sonoma Raceway was special too – the West Coast has a special place in my heart.”
Wells shared a similar sentiment. “I’m honored to be inducted into the West Coast Motorsports Hall of Fame with such an esteemed group of professionals. Growing up in Southern California, I, like Jimmie, was focused on off-road racing. I was blessed to partner with Toyota so early on and they carried me through many disciplines of motorsports. To be inducted with my longtime friend Jimmie Johnson is truly rewarding and again, such an honor.”
The Class of 2024 – the hall’s 21st – will be enshrined Thursday, June 6, during the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame’s induction gala, presented by World Wide Technology Raceway, at Sonoma Raceway’s Turn 11 Club VIP/Hospitality complex encircling the road course’s iconic Turn 11.
“Our Class of 2024 is second to none in diversity of competition,” said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame. “Jimmie Johnson, Eric Holmes and Dick Cobb mastered three different levels of NASCAR competition. Jimmy Vasser, a Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) champion and Cal Wells, an off-road racing Hall of Famer and team executive add two more racing disciplines to this year’s Class.
The organization also will induct its seventh Heritage class, comprised of individuals whose careers largely ended prior to 1971. The 2024 Heritage inductees will be named in March. Also to be named is the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame’s Pioneers of Speed, whose careers preceded or spanned the World War II era.
Televised highlights of the 2024 induction ceremonies will be broadcast later this summer; network, air dates and times to be announced.
Media Contact for West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame:
Owen A. Kearns okearns@bak.rr.com
About the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame: The West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame was conceived in 2001 as a means of recognizing significant contributors and contributions to the sport of stock car/motorsports competition. The mission of the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame is founded to preserve history and heritage of the important role west coast stock car and motorsports figures have played in the sport’s development and continuation and to recognize, through annual enshrinement, of outstanding individuals and groups within the sport such as, but not limited to, designers, engineers, mechanics, drivers, race track owners, promoters, publicists and members of the motorsports media. The Hall is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, dedicated to supporting a variety of organizations and groups from coast to coast. The Hall has raised more than $800,000 during the past six years for youth, health and safety, hospitals, animal rescue, military and other charitable causes.
About LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice “Maury” J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The CLUB competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series fielding the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE of John Hunter Nemechek, the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE of Erik Jones, and the No. 84 limited schedule entry for Johnson. LEGACY M.C. also competes in the Extreme-E Series. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty “The King” serves as Club Ambassador. With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ on Facebook, X, Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB on Facebook, X, and Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.
CONCORD, N.C. (Feb. 27, 2024) – In 2024, Hendrick Motorsports will enter 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series races with primary sponsorship from HendrickCars.com. Each of the organization’s four NASCAR Cup Series drivers will compete in the No. 17 Chevrolet Camaro this season, along with a special appearance by popular road racing veteran Boris Said.
The schedule will kick off March 9 at Phoenix Raceway with the first of four starts for 2024 DAYTONA 500 champion William Byron and crew chief Brandon McSwain, the lead engineer on the No. 24 Cup Series team. The remaining six races for the No. 17 team will be called by 2014 Xfinity Series champion crew chief Greg Ives, who has 15 NASCAR national series wins.
The No. 17 HendrickCars.com team made four Xfinity Series starts in 2022 and six in 2023. In 10 combined appearances, it has accumulated three pole positions, six top-five finishes and seven top-10s, including three second-place results.
“The No. 17 is a big part of our story, and it would be special to see it win – and win often – during our 40th anniversary season,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “The sponsorship has been a big success for HendrickCars.com and our dealerships, and we’re pleased to add more races and take it to another level in 2024. It’s victory lane or bust.”
The No. 17 car number has a rich history with Hendrick Motorsports. NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip drove it to nine wins for the team from 1987 to 1990, including in the 1989 DAYTONA 500. The car number was also driven by Ricky Hendrick in various races, including in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2000 and 2001. The HendrickCars.com paint scheme will again be based on the No. 17 truck driven by Hendrick during his 2001 rookie season.
HendrickCars.com is Hendrick Automotive Group’s online destination for new and pre-owned vehicle shopping, locating centers for service and collision repair, exploring career opportunities, and learning about vehicle investment protection. It also sponsors Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team, NHRA champion Greg Anderson and other racing efforts at the grassroots level.
March 9, Phoenix Raceway (William Byron) March 23, Circuit of The Americas (Kyle Larson) May 11, Darlington Raceway (William Byron) May 25, Charlotte Motor Speedway (Chase Elliott) June 8, Sonoma Raceway (Boris Said) June 22, New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Alex Bowman) July 6, Chicago Street Course (Kyle Larson) July 13, Pocono Raceway (William Byron) Aug. 31, Darlington Raceway (Chase Elliott) Sept. 14, Watkins Glen International (William Byron)
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 (302) and laps led (nearly 80,000). 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). Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024, the team fields four full-time Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 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.
ABOUT HENDRICK AUTOMOTIVE GROUP: Representing 131 franchises and 25 manufacturer nameplates from the Carolinas to California, Hendrick Automotive Group is the largest privately held automotive retail organization in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company employs more than 10,000 people in its 94 dealership locations, 21 collision centers and four accessories distributor installers in 13 states. For more information, please visit HendrickCars.com.
ABOUT HENDRICKCARS.COM: HendrickCars.com is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop thousands of new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protection programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.
STATESVILLE, N.C. (February 27, 2024) – LEGACY MOTOR CLUB today announced a partnership with D3O®, (pronounced Dee – three- oh) the world’s leading protection brand. D3O develops unique products used to protect against impact and dampen vibration. The iconic orange D3O material is used by global brands in sports, electronics, motorcycle, mountain bike, defense, law enforcement and industrial workwear.
D3O has recently been working in Formula 1 to enhance driver performance by optimizing the energy management properties of cars for multiple teams including the US team, Moneygram Haas. The partnership with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is D3O’s first foray into NASCAR.
“We are excited to partner with D3O to know that we are providing the best possible solutions for our athletes and engineering projects around impact protection,” said Joey Cohen, VP of Race Operations. “D3O has a strong belief in pushing the limits of what is possible and innovating to a higher standard. These values align very well with our race team and how we look to take those principles and apply them on the racetrack. LEGACY M.C. knows that D3O will continuously provide the CLUB with the edge we are looking for in NASCAR when it comes to the products and solutions they offer. We are excited to welcome them to the sport as a CLUB technology partner.”
D3O’s patented orange material available in many different forms is engineered for specific markets and applications and serves to protect athletes at all levels of the sport with low-profile impact protection that doesn’t compromise performance.
“Our new partnership with LEGACY M.C. marks D3O’s inaugural venture into NASCAR.” Said Richard Harfoot, Head of Motorsport at D3O. “LEGACY M.C. is utilizing our unique material to protect its drivers in an innovative way. By providing unrivalled protection against impact and vibration, D3O gives drivers a subconscious advantage by removing fear, allowing them to perform without distraction. We are excited about how D3O can support the LEGACY M.C. team this season and beyond”
“Gaining a technology partner like D3O is a huge advantage for the CLUB – especially when it comes to athlete safety,” said Jimmie Johnson, LEGACY M.C. co-owner. “Anytime we can bring cutting-edge technology like this into our sport is smart. Our engineering group is looking forward to this partnership and association.”
The first official outing for D3O in the LEGACY M.C. team was at Daytona International Speedway, with the ultimate test of D3O’s technology set to come at the Bristol Motor Speedway on March 17th.
ABOUT D3O: D3O is the world’s leading protection company. In a world hell-bent on harm, D3O’s iconic orange material protects people and the things they value against impact, vibration, and fatigue. Trusted by global brands that include Formula 1, NASCAR, Harley Davidson, US Department of Defense, and NASA, D3O pushes the limits of engineering so people leading active lifestyles can push the limits of possible.
ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice “Maury” J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. The CLUB competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series fielding the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE of John Hunter Nemechek, the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE of Erik Jones, and the No. 84 limited schedule entry for Johnson. LEGACY M.C. also competes in the Extreme-E Series. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty “The King” serves as Club Ambassador. With a unique title signifying a nod to car clubs of past eras, LEGACY M.C. is an inclusive club for all motorsport enthusiasts to celebrate the past and future legacies of its members, while competing for wins and championships at NASCAR’s elite level. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ on Facebook, X, Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA: To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB on Facebook, X, and Instagram and at www.LEGACYMOTORCLUB.com.
NASCAR’s Kyle Petty will lead 150 motorcycles more than 2,100 miles on a week-long trek from South Dakota to North Carolina, ending at Victory Junction to celebrate the camp’s 20th anniversary
CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 27, 2024 – Former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty is hitting the open road once again to lead the 28th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America – one of the most popular charity rides in the country. From May 4 – 10, 2024, Petty will lead 150 motorcycles across nine states on a seven-day trek, covering more than 2,100 miles in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with serious and chronic medical conditions.
Presented by Cox Automotive, the Ride will kick-off in Deadwood, South Dakota, on Saturday, May 4 and will end in Greensboro, North Carolina on Friday, May 10 with a celebratory homecoming at Victory Junction. Cox Automotive is the world’s largest automotive services and technology provider and is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. The company’s brands include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book and Manheim, which will host breakfast for the Ride at Manheim Indianapolis on Wednesday, May 8.
“Our team is beyond excited to host Kyle and the riders at Manheim Indianapolis for breakfast during their 28th Anniversary route,” said Chuck Werner, general manager for the Louisville-Indianapolis Market Center. “It means so much for us to be included in this inspiring event and we look forward to helping the Ride send many deserving kids to Victory Junction.”
Petty has a jam-packed route planned for the 2024 Ride’s 250 participants, including 30 new riders. In fact, Petty has coined this adventure “The AmerICON Ride,” to pay homage to the iconic American attractions featured on this year’s Ride. Some of the highlights include visiting Mount Rushmore National Monument, stopping at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, exploring Churchill Downs – home of the Kentucky Derby, touring the legendary National Corvette Museum, visiting Bristol Motor Speedway, and so much more.
Spectators along the 2024 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s seven overnight stops or daily pit stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia and make donations.
28th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:
Day 1, Saturday, May 4 – Deadwood, South Dakota to North Platte, Nebraska
Day 2, Sunday, May 5 – North Platte, Nebraska to Omaha, Nebraska
Day 3, Monday, May 6 – Omaha, Nebraska to Bettendorf, Iowa
Day 4, Tuesday, May 7 – Bettendorf, Iowa to Indianapolis, Indiana
Day 5, Wednesday, May 8 – Indianapolis, Indiana to Bowling Green, Kentucky
Day 6, Thursday, May 9 – Bowling Green, Kentucky to Bristol, Virginia
Day 7, Friday, May 10 – Bristol, Virginia to Greensboro, North Carolina
“This year marks the 20th Anniversary of Victory Junction, so I immediately knew we had to bring the Ride back to camp to celebrate this incredible milestone. After all, the Ride has been there since Victory Junction’s inception, as a founding supporter in 2004, and has remained the largest cumulative donor,” said Petty. “From riding the Black Hills of South Dakota and crossing the mighty Mississippi River to visiting iconic American landmarks, we are going to experience some truly incredible places on this year’s Ride, but none more so than ending back ‘home’ at Victory Junction – where we can see so many deserving kids light up with happiness and experience the magic that lives at camp.”
Victory Junction has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty and his family in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam. Since it first began in 1995, the Ride has raised more than $21 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities. As a result, the Ride has helped Victory Junction mobilize resources to provide over 115,000 camp experiences for children of all levels of abilities who are living with complex medical conditions at no cost to their families.
Among the celebrities participating in the 2024 Ride are NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Hershel McGriff; former NASCAR drivers Max Papis, David Ragan, Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace; former NFL great and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker; and TV personalities Rick Allen and Rutledge Wood.
The 2024 Ride is made possible by presenting sponsor Cox Automotive, as well as Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Dodge Law, Racing Electronics, WinCraft Racing, Petty Family Foundation, Headbands of Hope, Piedmont Moving Systems, Wiley X, Prevost, Blue Emu, Goody’s and Kelderman Manufacturing.
Keep up with Petty and the Ride on social media at the following accounts:
Led by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is an annual cross-country motorcycle trek that raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction. The Ride is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country. Since its inception in 1995, more than 9,100 riders have logged nearly 12.8 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $21 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.
Victory Junction is a year-round camping facility for children with serious illnesses and chronic medical conditions. Co-founded by Kyle Petty and his family in honor of his son Adam, Victory Junction provides life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a medically-safe environment, always free of charge. In addition to traditional camp sessions, Victory Junction’s REACH program takes camp experiences to children and their families at hospitals, clinics, and in Ronald McDonald Houses throughout North and South Carolina.
Since opening in 2004, Victory Junction has delivered more than 115,000 camp experiences and has served children from all fifty states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, as well as four countries. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of Camps founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the American Camp Association. To learn more, please visit victoryjunction.org.
Cox Automotive is the world’s largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, auto manufacturers, dealers, lenders and fleets. The company has 29,000+ employees on five continents and a portfolio of industry-leading brands that include Autotrader®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, vAuto®, Dealertrack®, NextGear Capital™, CentralDispatch® and FleetNet America®. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with $22 billion in annual revenue. Visit coxautoinc.com or connect via @CoxAutomotive on X, CoxAutoInc on Facebook or Cox-Automotive-Inc on LinkedIn.
Noah Gragson and Cole Custer To Represent Automotive Accessories Brand
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Feb. 26, 2024) –Fanttik, the trailblazing and award-winning brand in the automotive accessories industry, has partnered with Stewart-Haas Racing, the championship-winning NASCAR team co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart and Haas Automation founder Gene Haas.
The agreement will have Fanttik serve as the primary sponsor for two races – one in the NASCAR Cup Series with driver Noah Gragson and one in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with reigning champion Cole Custer.
Fanttik’s first race comes this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where Gragson will drive the No. 10 Fanttik Ford Mustang in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race. Fanttik will return as a primary sponsor with Custer and his No. 00 Fanttik Ford Mustang in the May 25 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
“Fanttik offers an array of high-quality and modern automotive and outdoor equipment that’s perfect for people on the go. Being in NASCAR and partnering with Stewart-Haas Racing allows us to reach an audience that aligns extremely well with our brand, where our motto is ‘Unleash Potential, Challenge Limits,’” said Bo Du, CEO, Fanttik.
“Fanttik products are sophisticated and convenient, allowing customers to venture off the grid and explore with confidence. We have everything from portable car vacuums, solar panels and spray washers to dash cams and tire inflators. If you think you need it, we’ve got it.”
Fanttik will tap into Gragson’s fan following in Las Vegas as the 25-year-old racer is a Las Vegas native who began his career racing Bandoleros as a 13-year-old at the nearby Bullring, a .375-mile oval in the shadows of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“I’m proud to represent Fanttik in my hometown of Las Vegas,” Gragson said. “They’ve got some really cool products that are perfect for when you’re camping at the track or going off-roading. I think our fans will take notice of our Fanttik Ford Mustang, check out their website, and see a bunch of items where they go, ‘Hey I could really use that.’”
When Fanttik rides with the 26-year-old Custer in May, the company will be represented by a 13-time Xfinity Series race winner who won the series title in 2023.
“When Fanttik joins us at Charlotte, it’s the unofficial start of summer,” Custer said. “It’s a time when folks go on vacation, head outdoors and get away from the office. Fanttik has a bunch of products that make summer road trips to the beach, the mountains, and everywhere in between easy and trouble-free. Our Fanttik Ford Mustang will serve as a loud reminder for our fans to gear up at Fanttik.com for their next adventure.”
Fanttik’s Stewart-Haas debut with Gragson Sunday at Las Vegas can be seen live at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX and heard on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
About Fanttik:
Fanttik is a youthful, dynamic brand dedicated to outdoor, household, sports and automotive products that cater to every need for the perfect adventure. In a short span of time, Fanttik has garnered extreme acclaim from enthusiasts, social media influencers, digital media and consumers. It has earned the internationally revered Red Dot Design Award multiple times, along with the prestigious IF Design Award. Fostering the motto, “We explore, we innovate and we make it happen,” Fanttik has brought trailblazing experiences in the automotive arena to the most diverse audience. For more information, please visit us online at Fanttik.com and on social at Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Reddit and Quora.
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 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.
