25-Year-Old Racer To Drive No. 10 Ford Mustang in NASCAR Cup Series
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Dec. 13, 2023) – Stewart-Haas Racing has signed driver Noah Gragson to a multiyear agreement that will see the 25-year-old Las Vegas native pilot the team’s No. 10 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2024.
Gragson is a 13-time winner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series – the stepping-stone division to the elite Cup Series – and has made 39 Cup Series starts over the course of two seasons (2022-2023) with a best finish of fifth in the 2022 regular-season finale at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
“Noah deserves to be in the NASCAR Cup Series and we’re very happy to have him as the driver of our No. 10 Ford Mustang,” said Tony Stewart, the NASCAR Hall of Famer who co-owns Stewart-Haas with Haas Automation founder Gene Haas. “Noah has performed at every level where he’s competed and has regularly been in championship contention. That’s the kind of driver we need at Stewart-Haas and that’s why Noah is a part of our team.”
In four fulltime seasons in the Xfinity Series (2019-2022), Gragson finished among the top-10 in points each year and made it to the Championship 4 twice, finishing third in 2021 and second in 2022 with a series-high eight victories.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity with Stewart-Haas Racing and while most people in the industry are happy that the offseason is here, I want to get started on 2024 and go racing as soon as I can,” Gragson said. “Stewart-Haas is filled with racers and I saw that and felt it as soon as I walked onto the shop floor. There are high expectations here and a strong desire to compete and win races. I have high expectations for myself and I want to deliver for Tony and Gene and everyone at Stewart-Haas.”
Before joining the Xfinity Series fulltime in 2019, Gragson competed in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2017 and 2018. He won twice and finished second in the 2018 championship. Those Truck Series results were a continuation of the kind of talent Gragson showcased in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. In 2015 and 2016, Gragson raced in this developmental league, regionally split into two divisions – K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West. Gragson won six races between the two entities and narrowly missed out on the 2015 West title by a scant seven points. Gragson also owns victories in two of the United States’ most prestigious Late Model races – the 2017 Winchester 400 at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway and the 2018 Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.
“I race to win and winning at the Cup level is what I’ve been working toward since I started racing Bandoleros as a 13-year-old at the Bullring in Las Vegas,” Gragson said. “To be with an established team with a history of winning is what every driver wants. I’ve got exactly that here at Stewart-Haas and I aim to make the most of it.”
Paired with crew chief Drew Blickensderfer, Gragson will make his debut in the No. 10 Ford Mustang during the non-points Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 4 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before kicking off his 36-race slate of points-paying events with the 66th Daytona 500 on Feb. 18 at Daytona. Both events will be broadcast live on FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
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.
Joe Gibbs Racing revealed its highly anticipated driver lineup for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season that will feature two new full-time additions, a notable veteran and a combination of new and familiar part-time faces that will result into a four-car expansion for the organization.
The organization’s first new addition features Sheldon Creed, who will be piloting the No. 18 Toyota GR Supra on a full-time basis. The 26-year-old Creed from Alpine, California, joins JGR following a two-year campaign at Richard Childress Racing, where he recorded seven runner-up results, 11 top-five finishes and 28 top-10 results during the stint. He also made the 2023 Xfinity Series Playoffs before settling in a career-best seventh place in the final standings.
The 2024 season is set to mark Creed’s first campaign driving a Toyota within NASCAR’s top three national touring series as he spent his entire career piloting a Chevrolet (2016-23). Having previously won the 2018 ARCA Menards Series and the 2020 Craftsman Truck Series championships, Creed approaches the 2024 season with aims of both achieving his first victory in the Xfinity circuit and returning to the Playoffs.
Another new full-time addition to JGR’s lineup for next season is Chandler Smith, who will be assuming the reigns of the No. 81 GR Supra. Smith’s move to JGR comes as the 21-year-old native from Talking Rock, Georgia, is coming off his first full-time campaign in the Xfinity circuit with Kaulig Racing, where he notched his first career victory at Richmond Raceway in April. He also claimed three poles, eight top-five results, 13 top-10 results, an average-finishing result of 15.6 and a spot in the 2023 Xfinity Playoffs, where he ended up in ninth place in the final standings. Despite being initially locked into a three-year deal with Kaulig, Smith ended up paying a buyout of his contract to depart the organization early, with the official announcement of his departure from Kaulig being made last October.
Smith’s move to Joe Gibbs Racing also marks his return to the Toyota Racing family following a one-year absence. He previously achieved 10 ARCA Menards Series victories with Venturini Motorsports (2018-20 & 2022) and five Craftsman Truck Series victories with Kyle Busch Motorsports (2021-22), all while piloting Toyota entries. With the 2024 season within the horizon, Smith, who ended up in the runner-up spot in the 2023 rookie standings, strives to return to the Playoffs and contend for both additional victories and the title in the Xfinity circuit.
With Creed and Smith locked in as full-time competitors, Joe Gibbs Racing will also be fielding two additional entries that will each be piloted by multiple competitors throughout the 2024 season.
The first All-Star entry features the No. 20 Toyota GR Supra that will be primarily split between Aric Almirola and John Hunter Nemechek.
The 39-year-old Almirola from Tampa, Florida, is coming off his 12th full-time campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series and sixth driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, where he settled in 22nd place in the 2023 final driver’s standings on the strength of two poles, two top-five results and five top-10 results. Despite announcing his retirement from full-time NASCAR competition following the 2023 season in late October, Almirola remained interested in pursuing a part-time campaign within the Xfinity circuit for the 2024 season.
Almirola’s upcoming part-time campaign with JGR reunites both parties as the Floridian commenced his NASCAR career with the organization between 2005 and 2007. Having achieved three victories in 460 career starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, Almirola has also made 104 career starts in the Xfinity circuit. During the span, he recorded a total of four victories, with his latest occurring at Sonoma Raceway in June as he delivered the first victory for RSS Racing. The move to JGR will mark his first campaign in a Toyota since the 2010-11 Truck Series seasons.
Meanwhile, Nemechek returns for his third Xfinity campaign with at least one start in the series for JGR. He will commence the 2024 campaign by competing in the series’ first two-scheduled events at Daytona International Speedway and at Atlanta Motor Speedway, both in mid-February, before returning to compete at Nashville Superspeedway in late June, all while sponsored by Pye-Barker Fire & Safety. The events at Daytona, Atlanta and Nashville are just three of 10-scheduled starts planned for Nemechek, with the remaining seven venues yet to be revealed. The 26-year-old Nemechek from Mooresville, North Carolina, is coming off a full-time campaign with JGR in the Xfinity Series, where he drove the No. 20 entry to a season-high seven victories, two poles, 17 top-five results, 24 top-10 results, 1,083 laps led and an average-finishing result of 9.5. He would also make the Playoffs and claim a Championship 4 berth, where he would settle in fourth place in the final driver’s standings. In addition to his part-time Xfinity campaign, Nemechek is set to compete in the Cup Series on a full-time basis for Legacy Motor Club.
For JGR’s second All-Star entry, the following names that include Joe Graf Jr., Taylor Gray, William Sawalich and Ryan Truex will be splitting driving responsibilities of the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra.
For Truex, the 31-year-old native from Mayetta, New Jersey, is coming off his second consecutive part-time campaign with JGR, where he achieved his first career victory both in the Xfinity circuit and within NASCAR’s top three national touring series at Dover Motor Speedway in April. He also recorded two additional top-five results in six total starts, all occurring in JGR’s No. 19 entry.
The 2024 season will mark Truex’s fifth part-time Xfinity campaign with JGR (2011-12, 2022-23). In 24 Xfinity starts with JGR, Truex has achieved one victory, six top-five results and 14 top-10 results. In total, he has made 90 career starts in the Xfinity Series, where he has accumulated eight top-five results and 30 top-10 results.
For Graf, the 25-year-old native from Mahwah, New Jersey, returns for a second part-time campaign with JGR after making his first six starts with the organization this past season. During the stint, he recorded two top-10 results while making the rest of his 27 series starts at RSS Racing as he ended up in 23rd place in the final standings. Currently, he has made 126 career starts in the Xfinity Series and has accumulated a total of five top-10 results.
For Gray, the 18-year-old native from Artesia, New Mexico, joins both JGR and the Xfinity Series as a newcomer, though his first part-time schedule with the organization has yet to be announced. In addition to the Xfinity Series, Gray is set to compete on a full-time basis in this year’s Craftsman Truck Series season with TRICON Garage after competing in nearly the entire schedule this past season, where he recorded six top-10 results and settled in 15th place in the final standings. He previously recorded nine victories across the ARCA Racing Series divisions, including three in the ARCA Menards Series.
Lastly, Sawalich, another newcomer to the Xfinity Series, will compete in the closing stretches of the upcoming Xfinity schedule once he turns 18 years of age on October 3. His schedule will involve the final three events at Homestead-Miami Speedway in mid-October followed by Martinsville Speedway and Phoenix Raceway, respectively, in early November.
The 17-year-old Sawalich from Eden Prairie, Minnestoa, is coming off a 25-race schedule across the ARCA Racing Series for JGR. Throughout his stint, Sawalich secured the 2023 ARCA Menards Series East championship on the strength of four victories and finishing no lower than fourth place throughout the eight-race schedule. He would also record four victories in the ARCA Menards Series and a single victory in the ARCA West finale at Phoenix Raceway in November.
In addition to his part-time Xfinity schedule, Sawalich will pilot JGR’s No. 18 entry for a majority of the 2024 ARCA Menards Series schedule as he will share the ride with Tanner Gray, who competes in the Truck Series for TRICON Garage.
The amount of races that will occur between Almirola, Graf, Gray, Nemechek and Truex between the Nos. 19 and 20 entries remain to be determined.
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.
“Over the last couple of months, we’ve been working diligently to put together our 2024 Xfinity program which will include the addition of a fourth team,” Steve DeSouza, EVP NASCAR Xfinity Series/Development at JGR, said. “Our 2024 roster has a great balance of experience, youth, wisdom, and talent. We believe the veteran drivers will continually benchmark our program, compliment, and challenge each other, as well as assist our younger drivers to further develop their skill set. We are also excited about our crew chiefs and the teams they have assembled. We take a lot of pride in not only our program’s on-track success, but also in the opportunity to develop and promote our team members.”
The crew chief lineup for JGR’s four-car entry will feature a bevy of first-timers alongside a notable name. Veteran Jeff Meendering returns for his sixth season with JGR as he will be paired with Chandler Smith and the No. 81 entry. Meanwhile, Tyler Allen, a former Xfinity and Cup engineer for JGR, will graduate to the role of crew chief for the No. 20 entry that will be split between Almirola and Nemechek while Seth Chavka, a former lead race engineer for JGR, will campaign in his first full-time season as a crew chief for the No. 19 entry that will be split between Graf, Gray, Sawalich and Truex. Lastly, Sam McAulay, who previously served as a lead race engineer for veteran Denny Hamlin in the Cup Series, will assume the role as crew chief for JGR’s No. 18 entry that will be piloted by Creed.
With the driver and crew chief lineup set, Joe Gibbs Racing’s campaign in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season is scheduled to commence at Daytona International Speedway for the United Rentals 300. The event’s broadcast time is scheduled to occur on February 17, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET on FS1.
STATESVILLE, N.C. (December 12, 2023) – LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ has signed Jason Burdett as crew chief of the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE driven by seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson in 2024. Burdett brings with him almost three decades of experience working with powerhouse teams and championship-winning drivers at NASCAR’s highest level.
Burdett’s racing journey began at local tracks near Watkins Glen, N.Y. In 1995, he moved to North Carolina to work at Robert Yates Racing as a tire specialist. Burdett was an integral member of Dale Jarrett’s 1999 Cup Series championship-winning team. In 2001, Burdett moved over to Hendrick Motorsports and won the 2001 championship with Jeff Gordon and the No. 24 team led by crew chief Robbie Loomis.
Burdett and LEGACY M.C. co-owner Johnson started working together in 2001 as the No. 48 team began to take shape. The “24/48” shop at Hendrick Motorsports operated under a “one team” philosophy which was started by crew chiefs Ray Evernham, Loomis and Chad Knaus. In 2007, Gordon and Johnson together dominated the competition, combining for 18 wins (out of 36) in a single season.
Opportunity struck in late 2007, as Burdett joined Michael Waltrip Racing, and reunited with Jarrett – but this time as his crew chief. He returned to Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 as the car chief on the No. 24 team alongside crew chief Steve Letarte. In 2011 Burdett moved with Letarte over to Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s No. 88 team until 2014. Once again, Burdett was an integral member of the team that propelled Johnson to win the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013 NASCAR Cup Series championships.
After the 2014 season, Burdett accepted a crew chief position in the Xfinity Series at JR Motorsports (JRM) with driver Regan Smith. He spent nine seasons at JRM – one with Smith, seven seasons with driver Justin Allgaier, and one with Brandon Jones. Through his tenure at JRM, Burdett called 293 races compiling 18 wins, 113 top-five, and 193 top-10 finishes. The 18 victories made Burdett the winningest crew chief in JRM history, leading his team to the “Championship 4” five times.
“I have a very long history of working with Jason at Hendrick Motorsports – we spent a lot of time together throughout the years,” said Johnson. “Jason is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in the sport, he’s solid and he’s created an amazing LEGACY for himself. I’ve always had a great working relationship with him, and I’m just genuinely excited he has joined the Club.”
Although Johnson’s schedule is limited, Burdett’s role will be full-time with LEGACY M.C., as the Club is transitioning manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota and his experience will be welcomed. Additionally, two more key roles on the No. 84 have been assigned as Evan Bensch will now serve as lead engineer (moving over from his engineering role on the No. 43 team) and Robbie Fairweather is returning for a second season as car chief.
“Jason comes to LEGACY M.C. at a great time,” said Joey Cohen, vice president, race operations. “Not only is he a perfect fit to lead our 84 team with JJ and their past experiences, but he also will help tremendously in the operational transition to Toyota and greatly assist the crew chiefs on the Nos. 42 and 43 teams. We are excited for Jason to begin his LEGACY and continue his winning ways with our Club. Additionally, Evan and Robbie bring consistency and experience to the Club and they will work great alongside Jason.”
“I’m excited to join LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and reunite with Jimmie,” said Burdett. “I was part of Jimmie’s team when it all began and witnessed his first win in 2002. I am amazed at the LEGACY Jimmie has created throughout the years, and I am honored to be a part of continuing that LEGACY with him. Partnering with Toyota and their successful history in motorsports is remarkable for our organization. I am dedicated to maximizing our success at the racetrack, to accomplish Cup Series win No. 84 with the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE and write a new chapter in our LEGACY.”
To date, just three of Johnson’s 2024 races have been announced. AdventHealth will be the primary partner on the No. 84 at Texas Motor Speedway, Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway (Coca-Cola 600), and Kansas Speedway in May. LEGACY M.C. plans to announce the full schedule for Johnson in early 2024.
ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (NCS) Jimmie Johnson. The club competes full-time in the NCS fielding the Nos. 42 and 43 Toyota Camry XSE entries, respectively, along with the No. 84 part-time entry for Johnson. Richard Petty “The King” serves as Club Ambassador.
In 2021, Gallagher acquired Richard Petty Motorsports and renamed the team to Petty GMS. With the addition of Johnson to the ownership structure in 2023, the organization rebranded to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ (LEGACY M.C.). 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.
14-TIME NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPIONS WILL WEAR CASTORE EXCLUSIVELY DURING RACE WEEKENDS
CONCORD, N.C. (Dec. 12, 2023) – Global apparel brand Castore has joined Hendrick Motorsports as its official performance sportswear and at-track teamwear provider. Beginning in 2024, the winningest organization in NASCAR Cup Series history will be clothed by Castore throughout race weekends. In addition, the team’s elite pit crew athletes will be outfitted exclusively in Castore’s premium performance sportswear.
Running through 2028, the new partnership with Castore will for the first time make Hendrick Motorsports replica kits – mirroring what team members wear at the track – available to fans.
Licensed Castore products are now available for pre-order exclusively via the Hendrick Motorsports online store. In 2024, other official channels will offer the new line, including Castore.com, trackside merchandise transporters and the team’s brick-and-mortar store in Concord, North Carolina. Replica kits will include stylized car numbers and feature sponsor-specific branding and colors.
“Like Hendrick Motorsports, Castore is a brand that never stops innovating and is constantly seeking ways to make its athletes better,” said Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports. “With their commitment to elite quality and utilizing advanced engineering to develop products, we see many commonalties between our two organizations. As Hendrick Motorsports enters our 40th anniversary season, we look forward to working with Castore to elevate the look and performance of our track apparel and the sportswear used by our pit crews. Our fans have been asking for official team kits, and we’re excited to offer them for the very first time.”
Castore’s partnership with Hendrick Motorsports represents its first in NASCAR and most high-profile to date in the U.S. market. The brand has worldwide relationships in Formula 1, INDYCAR, soccer, tennis and a variety of other sports. Castore’s focus on auto racing highlights shared values of constant development, engineering and material exploration alongside human performance.
“We are beyond delighted to announce our partnership with Hendrick Motorsports,” said Tom Beahon, co-founder of Castore. “The team not only has a constant ambition to be the best, but they also match our own desires to challenge sports at the elite level through technical perseverance. Castore is developing an ever-growing presence within motor sports, partnering with some of the highest-profile teams across the world. We are incredibly proud to partner with another hugely successful team and our first in NASCAR. Hendrick Motorsports has an outstanding history within an extremely competitive sport, and we’re looking forward to playing a part in the brand’s next chapter.”
The new Castore look for all four Hendrick Motorsports teams will debut Feb. 4 with the Clash at The Coliseum exhibition race in Los Angeles. NASCAR’s regular season will then kick off with the running of the DAYTONA 500 on Feb. 18. Both events will be broadcast live on FOX.
ABOUT CASTORE: Based in Manchester, England, Castore is a global apparel brand with a mission to create expertly engineered precision sportswear and teamwear for every athlete worldwide. We demand better. Obsession is at the heart of what we do – and the relentless pursuit of innovation lies in our DNA. Since our inception, every achievement emerged not from the comfort of familiarity but the bravery to push into the unknown. Collaboratively we fight normal, remain honest and obsess over function and form. Through technological advancements, we provide performance athletic wear that uplifts athletes with the edge they need to reach their highest potential. From initial stages to delivery, we push the boundaries of hybrid sportswear – seeking innovative ways to challenge our athletes’ limits. We seek gains through innovation and partnerships with ambitious teams and exceptional athletes in order to do this. Visit www.castore.com.
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 (301) and laps led (more than 79,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 39 different seasons, including an active streak of 38 in a row (1986-2023). 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 and X.
Michigan Native Carson Hocevar to Pilot No. 77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet Camaro
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (December 11, 2023) – Today, Zeigler Auto Group held a press conference at Zeigler Motorsports to announce it will sponsor Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with Michigan native Carson Hocevar handling the driving chores in nine NASCAR Cup Series races, beginning with the 66th running of the Daytona 500.
Zeigler.com and Zeigler Auto Group will be showcased as the team’s primary sponsor in seven NCS races and co-primary sponsor in two events in 2024.
“We are excited to partner once again with Spire Motorsports for 2024. We know Carson will do a phenomenal job representing Zeigler Auto Group on and off the track. Having Carson behind the wheel of the new Zeigler.com No. 77 Camaro was a perfect fit with him being from Michigan, our home state for Zeigler,” said Aaron J. Zeigler, president and CEO of Zeigler Auto Group and Zeigler Racing.
The easily recognized yellow and black Zeigler paint scheme will be featured aboard Hocevar’s No. 77 Chevy Camaro at the following NCS races in 2023:
Daytona International Speedway – February 18 (Co-Primary)
Talladega Superspeedway – April 21
Charlotte Motor Speedway – May 26
World Wide Technology Raceway – June 2
Nashville Superspeedway – June 30
Chicago Street Course – July 7
Indianapolis Motor Speedway – July 21
Michigan International Speedway – August 18 (Co-Primary)
Homestead-Miami Speedway – October 27
Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all the domestic and majority of the imported manufacturers. The family-owned and -operated organization has been a regular on the NCS tour since 2019, previously partnering with Spire Motorsports and the No. 77 team for 15 races in 2022.
Hocevar, 20, is a Portage, Mich., native and four-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race winner. He made his NCS debut for Spire Motorsports June 4 at World Wide Technology Raceway and has since competed eight more times in NASCAR’s premier division.
He earned an impressive career/series best 11th-place finish at the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway in just his fourth start. He earned a berth in the 2023 NCTS Championship 4 and ultimately finished fourth in the season-ending point standings.
“It’s pretty exciting to be able to partner with Zeigler Auto Group and be able to show some hometown pride in 2024,” said Hocevar. “It’s a dream come true for a kid from Michigan to be supported and sponsored by a company from Kalamazoo. I grew up in Portage, just a few miles south of Zeigler’s headquarters, so that makes the partnership personal. I can’t thank Aaron Zeigler enough for the opportunity and for taking a chance on me. We’re going to do our very best to make everyone from Zeigler proud.”
In addition to his NCS debut, Hocevar made four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts for Spire Motorsports in 2023, with a pair of top-10 finishes coming in May at Darlington Raceway (sixth) and Charlotte Motor Speedway (eighth).
“This is a big moment for Spire Motorsports and Carson Hocevar,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “It’s important to have partners that can identify with their driver and vice versa. I think we’ve found exactly that. It feels like the perfect match. I got to know Aaron Zeigler and his team when we worked together in 2022 and we’ve become great friends. They see the same potential in Carson that we do.”
The 66th running of the Daytona 500 will be televised live on FOX, Sunday, February 18 beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The first of 36 races on the 2024 NCS schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
About Zeigler Auto Group Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.
Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.
The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.
Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2022.
The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor’s 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2023, and among Glassdoor’s top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.
For more information please visit zeiglerracing.com or follow us on @zeigler_racing on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Linkedin.
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.
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 May 20, 2023, when Kyle Larson took the checkered flag in the Tyson 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Industry-Leading Convenience Store Pizza Brand to Serve as a Primary Sponsor on the No. 22 Ford Mustang in 2024
MOORESVILLE, NC (December 9, 2023) – Team Penske and Hunt Brothers® Pizza today announced a new multi-year partnership that will feature the leading convenience store pizza brand on the No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang driven by two-time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Champion Joey Logano for select races beginning in 2024. Hunt Brothers Pizza will also be an associate sponsor on defending NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Ford Mustang for the 2024 season.
“With their long history of commitment towards winning in NASCAR, we welcome Hunt Brothers Pizza to our Team,” said Team Penske President Tim Cindric. “As they continue to utilize motorsports to promote their brand, we are really excited to have them on board as we work with them to carry that tradition forward.”
Since its founding in 1991, the family owned and operated company has grown to over 9,000 locations across 32 states while staying committed to providing top quality ingredients and exceptional flavor. Hunt Brothers Pizza represents a legacy in the convenience store industry with its team of pizza professionals supporting store partners nationwide to provide the best pizza in towns across the United States. The new partnership with Team Penske will add to the history and heritage of Hunt Brothers Pizza in NASCAR racing. The 2024 season represents the 17th year that Hunt Brothers Pizza will serve as a committed and dedicated team partner in the NASCAR Cup Series.
“We are thrilled to team up with Joey Logano and Team Penske, a winning team and driver who both share our company’s values and commitment to being the best in our respective industries,” said Scott Hunt, CEO of Hunt Brothers Pizza. “NASCAR continues to be a popular sport among convenience store customers, and we look forward to continuing to engage fans and provide additional marketing value for our convenience store partners in the years to come.”
Hunt Brothers Pizza will partner with Logano as he begins his 16th season in the Cup Series with the veteran driver racing for his third career NCS title in 2024. Following his 2022 NCS championship season, Logano produced the 32nd win of his distinguished career in 2023 with his first-ever victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March. The win extended Logano’s streak to 12 consecutive seasons with at least one Cup Series victory as he raced his way into the NCS Playoffs for the 10th time in 15 seasons.
“We’re excited and honored to bring Hunt Brothers Pizza on board next season,” said Logano. “Their commitment to excellence both on the track and in the marketplace – in addition to their longstanding support of motorsports – makes Hunt Brothers Pizza a perfect fit at Team Penske. I look forward to racing the No. 22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford Mustang in 2024 and we hope to see those popular red and green colors in Victory Lane next season.”
The 2024 NCS season begins on Sunday, February 4 with the Clash at the Los Angeles Coliseum as the West Coast exhibition race opens the series schedule for the third-consecutive year. The 66th running of the Daytona 500 will be held on Sunday, February 18.
The specific races where Logano will drive the No. 22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford in 2024 will be announced at a later date.
About Hunt Brothers Pizza:
With more than 9,000 locations across the country, Hunt Brothers Pizza is the nation’s largest brand of made-to-order pizza in the convenience store industry. Hunt Brothers Pizza offers original and thin crust pizzas available as a grab-and-go Hunk A Pizza®, perfect for today’s on-the-go lifestyle, or as a customizable whole pizza that is an exceptional value with All Toppings No Extra Charge®. Hunt Brothers Pizza is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and is family owned and operated. For additional information, visit www.HuntBrothersPizza.com or download the app.
About Team Penske Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 620 major race wins, over 680 pole positions and 44 championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car competition. Entering its 58th season in 2024, Team Penske has also earned 19 Indianapolis 500 victories, three Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win, victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, along with a win in Australia’s legendary Bathurst 1000 race. In 2024, Team Penske will compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, NASCAR Cup Series, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship. For more information about Team Penske, please visit www.teampenske.com.
Toledo, Ohio (Dec. 6, 2023) – The 2024 ARCA Menards Series East and West schedules include a combined total of 20 races, eight for the East and 12 for the West. The West season opener is set for Friday, March 8 at Phoenix Raceway, a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series, while the East season kicks off on Saturday, March 23 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.
The East will have five combination races with the ARCA Menards Series while the West will have one.
The Highlights:
Stand-alone races for the East include stops at Five Flags Speedway, Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, and for the second year in a row, Flat Rock Speedway. The race at Five Flags Speedway will run in conjunction with the ASA STARS National Tour.
The combination races for the East include Dover Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, The Milwaukee Mile, and Bristol Motor Speedway.
Tri-City Raceway in West Richland, Washington returns to the West schedule for the first time in 20 years; the 0.555-mile paved oval hosted nine races from 1968 through the most recent in 2003.
Three venues will host a pair of West races, with Irwindale Speedway and Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway joining Phoenix Raceway, which will once again host the season opener in March and the championship round in November. The season-opener at Phoenix will be a combination race with the ARCA Menards Series.
Back-to-back road course races are slated at Portland International Raceway and Sonoma Raceway
Three tight California bullrings, Shasta Speedway, Madera Speedway, and All American Speedway, return to the West schedule.
The complete ARCA Menards Series East schedule:
March 23
Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola, Fla.
FloRacing
April 26
Dover Motor Speedway, Dover, Del.
FS1
May 11
Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Nashville, Tenn.
FloRacing
May 18
Flat Rock Speedway, Flat Rock, Mich.
FloRacing
June 14
Iowa Speedway, Newton, Ia.
FS1
July 19
Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Brownsburg, Ind.
FS1
Aug. 25
The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, Wis.
FS1
Sept. 19
Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.
FS1
The complete ARCA Menards Series West schedule:
March 8
Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Ariz.
FS1
March 30
Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, Calif.
FloRacing
April 20
Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Bakersfield, Calif.
FloRacing
May 31
Portland International Raceway, Portland, Ore.
FloRacing
June 7
Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, Calif.
FloRacing
July 4
Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, Calif.
FloRacing
July 27
Shasta Speedway, Shasta, Calif.
FloRacing
Aug. 10
Tri-City Raceway, West Richland, Wash.
FloRacing
Sept. 21
Madera Speedway, Madera, Calif.
FloRacing
Oct. 5
All American Speedway, Roseville, Calif.
FloRacing
Oct. 26
Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Bakersfield, Calif.
FloRacing
Nov. 8
Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Ariz.
FloRacing
All dates are tentative and are subject to change.
Combination races for both East and West will be televised live on FS1. All stand-alone races will be streamed live on FloRacing.
For further information please visit ARCARacing.com; for up-to-the-minute updates follow @ARCA_Racing on Twitter.
About ARCA
The Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA), founded in 1953 by John and Mildred Marcum in Toledo, Ohio, and acquired by NASCAR in April 2018, is the leading grassroots stock car sanctioning body in the United States. Bridging the gap between NASCAR’s top three national touring series and weekly racing all across the country, the organization administers more than 100 events annually, including the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, ARCA Menards Series West, plus weekly racing at Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways. For more information about ARCA visit www.arcaracing.com, or follow ARCA on Facebook (@ARCARacing) and Twitter (@ARCA_Racing).
STATESVILLE, N.C. (December 5, 2023) — LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ today announced the Club will join forces with AdventHealth in 2024 to field the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE for driver Erik Jones in six NASCAR Cup Series races including the season-opening 2024 DAYTONA 500. Additionally, AdventHealth will compete in three events with seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel of the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE at Texas Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and in the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway in 2024.
“We are thrilled to partner with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and drivers Erik Jones and Jimmie Johnson and are looking forward to a winning 2024 race season. AdventHealth has been a sponsor in the sport since 2015 and we appreciate the opportunity to provide care for this team and the passionate NASCAR fan base. Together we can make a tremendous impact in our communities and ensure more people have the opportunity to access whole-person care,” said Terry Shaw, president/CEO for AdventHealth.
The announcement came as Jones and the No. 43 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB team participated in a NASCAR test session at Phoenix Raceway on Dec. 5 and 6. This day marks the inaugural on-track outing for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB since its manufacturer switched from Chevrolet to Toyota.
With more than 50 hospitals in nine states, racetracks like Daytona International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, and Atlanta Motor Speedway are all located within an AdventHealth market and near an AdventHealth facility.
“This is a great partnership for me on the professional and personal level,” said Jones. “Healthcare is one of my key pillars in the Erik Jones Foundation and when I met with the leadership of AdventHealth our values aligned instantly. I hope we can forge a great path together in this new relationship and do many things to positively impact the community both around the tracks and across the U.S.”
“This is a wonderful day for LEGACY M.C.,” said co-owner Johnson. “AdventHealth believes health should be measured in terms of the whole person — body, mind and spirit. This partnership is a natural fit for our Club and I know we will do great things together. I can’t wait for this season to get started.”
In addition to the race team sponsorship, AdventHealth has enjoyed a relationship with the Daytona track since 2015. As the Official Healthcare Partner of Daytona International Speedway, AdventHealth cares for more than 6,000 patients each year on-site. In addition, the faith-based not-for-profit healthcare system serves as the Official Health Care Provider for Kansas Speedway and the inaugural Chicago Street Course, which took place in July of this year.
The AdventHealth injector – or gate entrance – at the Daytona Beach, Florida track is a 20,000-plus-square-foot oasis within a concrete jungle. The hospital system’s injector features messages of health, well-being, and wholeness, as well as interactive games that naturally tie the sport of racing to health and wellness, testing race fans’ hand-eye coordination – a vital skill on the racetrack.
The 2024 NASCAR season kicks off on Feb. 4, 2024, at the L.A. Coliseum with the “Clash” exhibition event, followed two weeks later with 2024 Daytona Speedweeks presented by AdventHealth on Feb. 14 with DAYTONA 500 qualifying.
About AdventHealth: With a sacred mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth is a connected system of care for every stage of life and health. More than 90,000 team members across hundreds of care sites including physician practices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, home health agencies and hospice centers provide individualized, wholistic care. A shared vision, common values, focus on whole-person health and commitment to making communities healthier unify the system’s more than 50 hospital campuses in diverse markets throughout nine states. For more information about AdventHealth, visit AdventHealth.com/news.
ABOUT LEGACY MOTOR CLUB:
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is a professional auto racing club owned by businessman and entrepreneur Maurice J. Gallagher and seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (NCS) Jimmie Johnson. The club competes full-time in the NCS fielding the Nos. 42 and 43 Toyota Camry XSE entries with John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones respectively, along with the No. 84 part-time entry for Johnson. Richard Petty “The King” serves as Club Ambassador.
In 2021, Gallagher acquired Richard Petty Motorsports and renamed the team to Petty GMS. With the addition of Johnson to the ownership structure in 2023, the organization rebranded to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY M.C.). 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.
Chris Buescher’s 2024 Fastenal Scheme On-Track This Week at Phoenix Test
CONCORD, N.C. (Dec. 5, 2023) – As Chris Buescher hits the track for two days of testing at Phoenix Raceway this week, RFK and Fastenal unveils its new and improved Fastenal scheme for Buescher’s 2024 No. 17 Ford, the first unveil of its kind among the Ford Performance teams.
“First off, we’re thankful to Fastenal’s continued years of dedication to our race team and our continued success,” said Buescher, who has four wins in the last two NASCAR Cup Series seasons. “Fans across the country have grown to recognize and appreciate the iconic Fastenal blue scheme, and we’re excited to roll out a new look on that car this week in Phoenix. 2024 is already off and running, and we can’t wait to officially hit the track next February.”
Ford will have a familiar yet fresh look in 2024 as the Mustang Dark Horse heads to the top level of NASCAR. The street model of the Dark Horse was unveiled as a street car in late 2022, marking the seventh generation of the Mustang nameplate. Now, the improved look features a sleek new nose on the front end, coupled with character lines that stretch from the fenders to the door. RFK is the first known team in the NCS to unveil a 2024 scheme on the new Ford body.
Fastenal enters its 14th season as a partner of RFK in 2024 with Buescher behind the wheel for his ninth Cup season. He advanced to the Round of 8 in this season’s NASCAR Playoffs, and ultimately finished seventh in the final points standings, setting career highs in every statistical category.
The two-day Phoenix test gets underway Tuesday morning with six cars on track, and Buescher joining 2023 NASCAR Cup Champion Ryan Blaney as the two Ford participants. Stay tuned to @RFKRacing on social for coverage from Phoenix.
About RFK Racing RFK Racing, entering its 37th season in 2024, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.
New Logo Unveiled Along with Plans to Celebrate Legacy with Fans
LEVEL CROSS, N.C. (December 4, 2023) – The Petty family will celebrate 75 years of racing in 2024. Off the cusp of NASCAR’s own diamond anniversary in 2023, the Petty family will now highlight their own memories from their first 75 years, which began in 1949.
Lee Petty, the family patriarch, and his wife Elizabeth began their stock car business after Lee learned NASCAR was hosting its first sanctioned race in Charlotte, N.C. Lee finished 17th that summer day and began an enterprise spanning across four generations.
Over the past seven decades, the Petty family helped define the sport. From behind the wheel and under the hood, to the garage and front office, the Petty’s paved the way and gave opportunities to many individuals – drivers, crew chiefs, mechanics, fabricators and more – to hone their skills and go on to become leaders in their respective trades. Their innovation, dedication, philanthropy and passion helped grow NASCAR into a national sport, all while staying true to their small-town roots. Their legacy has left countless memories, stories and tales to share with fans for years to come.
“My father is a walking encyclopedia of NASCAR,” said Kyle Petty. “He was there with my grandfather, grandmother and uncle Maurice at the first NASCAR race in Charlotte in 1949 and our family has been going ever since. There isn’t anything our family hasn’t seen in NASCAR.”
“75 years in the sport is an incredible milestone for our family, especially when it all began as a family business,” said “The King” Richard Petty. “Spending 2024, celebrating the success and contributions to the sport of racing that started with my mom and dad, then my brother Maurice, cousin Dale Inman, then to Kyle, Timmy, Ritchie, Mark, onto Adam and now Thad. We are all looking forward to sharing these stories with the fans.”
Ritchie Petty, son of Maurice, has seen the Petty family evolve in the sport.
“It’s special because it took the whole family to make it all work with such a huge amount of success,” said Ritchie. “Nobody in the family was more important than any other and from my grandfather to my dad and all my cousins, we felt involved in the success and the growth of the Petty family and NASCAR.”
The Petty’s 75th Anniversary in racing includes the debut of a new commemorative logo that will be featured prominently next year at all Petty-related events and at the track on all LEGACY MOTOR CLUB race cars in 2024.
The year-long celebration will also include exclusive digital and social media content never seen before from the Petty family photo and video archives. This unique content will be featured on the @therichardpetty, @pettybrothersracing, @kylepetty, @pettymuseum and @pettysgarage social media accounts as well as a soon-to-launch YouTube channel.
