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Featured headlines from SpeedwayMedia.com

Ankrum rallies from off-track excursion to win at Mid-Ohio

LEXINGTON, Ohio — Tyler Ankrum led 20 of the 42 laps to score his maiden ARCA Menards Series victory at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Now if you read that lede without watching the SmartCoat 150, Friday, you’d think he all but put on a clinic.

Except he ran off-course.

With 18 laps to go, Ankrum out-braked himself and veered off into the gravel trap in Turn 1. Which he thought would work, because he did the same thing on the first restart.

Tyler Ankrum (02:46):

“So I’m thinking, ‘OK, I got more grip because I’ll be on the bottom, I’ll be in the rubber,’” he said. “And the further you can get close to the curb, the less uncambered the pavement is.”

Instinctively, he throttled up and escaped the kitty litter. If he didn’t, it was game over.

“I was probably going to lose a lap or two and my race would be done.”

He trailed the leader, however, by seven seconds. So barring a late caution, Ankrum needed the drive of a lifetime to win.

“I mean, in order to do that, you have to be not only really good on brakes, but you also have to be turning really good and have drive off,” he said.

Fortunately for Ankrum, he worked on doing just that over the “past couple of years,” and cut the deficit by seven seconds over the course of 12 laps.

Then with five laps to go, he made his move on Dean Thompson in the keyhole.

BACK TO THE FRONT!@TylerAnkrum has raced his way back to the lead after going off track!@Mid_Ohio | #Zinsser150 pic.twitter.com/RFCBV3Ed4R
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) July 7, 2023

Ankrum drove away from the field and crossed the line to win.

And with a car he thought didn’t have the speed to reel in the leaders.

“It wasn’t until about a lap or two later, I passed one or two cars already and I could still see the leader when we’re coming out in Turn 2,” he said. “And I was thinking to myself, ‘I’ve got the car to do this. I can do this myself. At the least, I’ll make it back to the top-three.”

Of course, as one-off, this probably won’t have major championship implications. Jessie Love leaves Mid-Ohio with a 43-point lead.

July 8, 2023

New Season of SRX Series Racing Brings “Thursday Night Thunder” Back to ESPN Beginning July 13

Twelve Champion-Level Drivers Square Off in Identically-Prepared Race Cars in Six-Week Series

Two-time NASCAR Champion Joey Logano Joins Telecast as Guest Analyst for First Race

Kicking off six consecutive Thursday nights of prime time racing action, the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) Series makes its debut on ESPN on Thursday, July 13, at 9 p.m. ET, bringing “Thursday Night Thunder” back to ESPN. The Camping World SRX Series pits champion-level drivers from different racing series against each other in identically-prepared race cars, competing on some of America’s iconic short tracks.

ImageThe first event will be at the half-mile Stafford (CT) Motor Speedway and will include 12 drivers from NASCAR and IndyCar racing in competition. Previous NASCAR Cup Series champions Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Bobby Labonte and Brad Keselowski will be in the field racing against former IndyCar stalwarts Marco Andretti, Tony Kanaan and Paul Tracy. Rising star Hailie Deegan also will be in competition as will NASCAR Daytona 500 winners Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman and former NASCAR stars Clint Bowyer and Ken Schrader.
Two-time NASCAR champion Joey Logano will serve as guest analyst for the first race, joining lap-by-lap announcer Allen Bestwick in the booth to call the action. ESPN SportsCenter anchor Nicole Briscoe will host the telecast while Matt Yocum will report from the pits.

The event launches a new, multi-year media rights agreement between SRX and ESPN that will see the series air exclusively on ESPN, bringing back the Thursday Night Thunder branding.

Thursday Night Thunder, which originally aired on ESPN in the 1980’s, saw legends of racing, including SRX co-founder Stewart, launch their careers.

The 2023 Camping World SRX Series Schedule (all times Eastern)

Date	Track	Time	Network
Thursday, July 13	Stafford Motor Speedway (Stafford Springs, CT)	9 p.m.	ESPN
Thursday, July 20	Thunder Road Speedbowl (Barre, VT)	9 p.m.	ESPN
Thursday, July 27	Motor Mile Speedway (Radford, VA)	9 p.m.	ESPN
Thursday, Aug. 3	Berlin Raceway (Grand Rapids, MI)	9 p.m.	ESPN
Thursday, Aug. 10	Eldora Speedway (New Weston, OH)	9 p.m.	ESPN
Thursday, Aug. 17	Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO)	9 p.m.	ESPN

About SRX:

Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) was created by Sandy Montag and The Montag Group, Investor and former NASCAR COO, George Pyne, NASCAR Hall of Famer and legendary driver Tony Stewart, and NASCAR Hall of Fame Crew Chief and Owner Ray Evernham. Over the first two seasons of SRX, the six-race series has featured drivers from a variety of racing backgrounds with an emphasis on champion-level drivers. SRX has seen some of the sport’s biggest names compete including: Tony Stewart, Bill Elliott, Chase Elliott, Tony Kanaan, Paul Tracy, Bobby Labonte, Willy T. Ribbs, Hailie Deegan, Ryan Blaney, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Marco Andretti, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Josef Newgarden, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Helio Castroneves, and many more.

In 2022, the series field featured a total of five NASCAR Cup Series Championships, three IndyCar Series Championships, four Daytona 500 Winners, five Indianapolis 500 Winners and four NASCAR Hall of Fame Drivers. Tony Stewart claimed the inaugural SRX Championship in 2021 and Marco Andretti claimed the 2022 Championship.

About Motorsports on ESPN:

ESPN’s motorsports coverage over the years has included nearly every form of racing – NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula One, drag racing, sports car racing, motorcycles and more. Production values and sheer volume of content set ESPN apart very early in the game.

ESPN aired its first race on Oct. 7, 1979, exactly one month after the network went on the air. The race was a USAC event taped the previous summer in Salem, Ind. In March of 1981, ESPN aired its first NASCAR Cup race, a tape-delayed event from Rockingham, N.C., and on June 7, 1981, the network aired its first live race, a CART event at Milwaukee.

Currently, the full Formula 1 World Championship airs on ESPN platforms. F1 returned to its original U.S. television home in 2018 – the first race ever aired in the country was on ABC in 1962. F1 races also aired on ESPN from 1984-1997.

July 6, 2023

Chicago Cup Series Street Race is NBC Sports’ Most-Watched NASCAR race in Six Years
Grant Park 220 Averages Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 4.795 Million Viewers; Most-Watched Cup Series Race Since 2023 Daytona 500

First City Street Race in Series History is NBC Sports’ Most-Streamed NASCAR Race Ever

NBC Sports’ 2023 Two-Race Average is Best Since 2017

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 3, 2023 – NBC Sports’ coverage of the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series city street race from Chicago averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 4.795 million viewers (6:32-9:45 p.m. ET) on NBC and Peacock, resulting in numerous viewership milestones, according to Fast National data provided by Nielsen:
- Most-watched NASCAR Cup Series race on NBC in six years, since Indianapolis in 2017 (5.647 million) and NBC Sports’ eighth-most watched race under its current rights agreement;
- Most-watched NASCAR Cup Series race on any network since Daytona 500 (FOX; Feb. 19; 8.173 million);
- Projected to be the most-watched sporting event of the weekend;
- Up 144% vs. NBC Sports’ second Cup Series race of the 2022 season (USA Network; 1.962 million; Road America)
- Up 72% vs. NBC Sports’ 2022 Cup Series average on NBC (2.784 million)
- Most-streamed NASCAR Cup Series race in NBC Sports history with 163,500 viewers across Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms
Despite a weather delay at the start and a shortened race due to sunset (from 100 to 75 laps), excitement for the Grant Park 220 in Chicago never dampened and was bolstered by the improbable victory of New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen, who became the first driver to win a race in his first NASCAR Cup Series start in 60 years. He entered the race as part of Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program.

Viewership peaked at 5.383 million TV-only viewers from 9:15-9:30 pm ET when van Gisbergen took the checkered flag. Chicago delivered a 9.29 rating and is expected to lead all markets once final local data is completed. The rating is more than three times what the market did for this year’s Daytona 500 (2.99 on FOX).

Through two races, NBC Sports is averaging a TAD of 4.009 million viewers, its best start for the NASCAR Cup Series since 2017 (4.202 million). Last week, NBC Sports’ coverage of the Ally 400 from Nashville Superspeedway averaged a TAD of 3.230 million viewers, making it NBC Sports’ most-watched season opener in three years.

NBC Sports’ NASCAR coverage continues this week with NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series races from Atlanta Motor Speedway on USA Network.

–NBC SPORTS–
July 3, 2023
New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen wins Chicago Street Race in NASCAR debut

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen wins Chicago Street Race in NASCAR debut

CHICAGO—When the Grant Park 220 turned topsy-turvy at the 49-lap mark, the change didn’t slow New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen, the first driver to win a race in his first NASCAR Cup Series start since Johnny Rutherford accomplished the feat 60 years ago.

Driving the No. 91 Chevrolet under the aegis of Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91 program, the three-time Supercars champion charged from eighth on a Lap 61 restart to the front of the field and won the series’ first-ever street race on the Chicago Street Course in overtime.

Asked whether he thought victory was possible in his NASCAR debut, Van Gisbergen chuckled.

“No, of course not, but you always dream of it,” he said. “Thank you so much to the Trackhouse team and (sponsor) Enhance Health, Project91. What an experience in the crowd out here. This was so cool. This is what you dream of. Hopefully, I can come and do more.”

What changed the tenor of the race dramatically was NASCAR’s decision near the midpoint of the event to shorten the race from the scheduled 100 laps to 75, putting a large group of cars that had pitted on Lap 43 inside their fuel window.

After the previously dominant cars of Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick pitted with others for tires and fuel on Lap 47—Van Gisbergen among them—Justin Haley, Austin Dillon and Chase Elliott led the field to green on a single-file restart on Lap 49. At the time Van Gisbergen was 18th, but not for long.

“Wow, when we had that back strategy back to 18th, I started to worry a bit, but the racing was really good,” said Van Gisbergen. “Everyone was respectful. It was tough, but a lot of fun.”

The Kiwi passed Haley for the lead on Lap 71 and beat him to the finish line by 1.259 seconds, after the sliding car of Bubba Wallace knocked Ricky Stenhouse’s Chevrolet into the Turn 1 tire barrier to cause the ninth caution on Lap 74 and force overtime.

The decision to shorten the race was a saving grace for Elliott, who had crashed his No. 9 Chevrolet during qualifying and started from the rear of the field in a backup car. Elliott held third after the final restart and finished ahead of Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch, who were fourth and fifth, respectively.

“Once they changed that race distance, we got pretty fortunate to end up being able to make it on gas,” Elliott said. “We kind of inadvertently flipped the strategy.”

Haley, who started 36th after crashing in practice on Saturday, said he was beaten by a world-class driver on 16-lap better tires.

“Yeah, it was tough,” Haley said. “I put it in the tire barrier yesterday and we stayed up all night. I stayed with the guys through the rain and rewrapped this thing, put a new body on it…

“Obviously congrats to Project91. It sucks, obviously, where we are right now we don’t have a… we aren’t in position to win every week, so coming that close obviously is not what you want.

“But just really proud of everyone at Kaulig Racing and what an awesome event. Can’t wait to come back next year.”

Shortening the race wasn’t what Bell wanted or needed. He had overtaken Reddick for the lead on Lap 9 and won the first 20-lap stage by a comfortable margin. After a cycle of green-flag pit stops, Bell held an advantage of nearly nine seconds before Noah Gragson’s third adventure into the Turn 6 tire barrier caused the third caution on Lap 29.

By then, drivers had transitioned from wet tires at the start of the event to slicks as the racing line dried out.

Bell survived two subsequent cautions and won Stage 2 under yellow after Alex Bowman stopped on the track at the exit from Turn 5 because of engine issues. By then, Larson had worked his way into the second position and was hounding Bell before the caution.

After the field flipped, Bell finished 18th, thanks to a late spin into a tire barrier.

Delayed for nearly 75 minutes by rain, the historic race was eventful from the start. As soon as the green flag waved, Reddick pulled even with pole winner Denny Hamlin. The drivers raced side-by-side until Reddick cleared Hamlin through Turn 5.

Aric Almirola spun near Turn 6 on the opening lap. Erik Jones drove too deep into Turn 6 and collected Brad Keselowski and Gragson. All three drivers extricated themselves from the tire barrier and continued.

On Lap 2, Hamlin slid sideways into the tire barrier on the outside of Turn 2 and lost 11 positions. A lap later, Busch lost control while making a move off the racing line and plowed nose-first into the tire barrier, causing the race’s first caution.

After a safety crew pulled Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet from the barrier with a tether, Busch rejoined the field without losing a lap. On Lap 13, Gragson buried the nose of his No. 42 Chevy into the barrier in Turn 6, which proved an early trouble spot on the wet street course.

Hamlin never recovered from his accident and finished 11th. Busch, on the other hand, took advantage of his early pit stop to come home fifth.

Austin Cindric, Michael McDowell, Joey Logano, Ty Gibbs and Chris Buescher completed the top 10.

NASCAR Cup Series Race – Grant Park 220
Chicago Street Race
Chicago, Illinois
Sunday, July 2, 2023
(3) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet, 78.
(37) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 78.
(26) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 78.
(7) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 78.
(18) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 78.
(31) Austin Cindric, Ford, 78.
(6) Michael McDowell, Ford, 78.
(9) Joey Logano, Ford, 78.
(12) Ty Gibbs #, Toyota, 78.
(15) Chris Buescher, Ford, 78.
(1) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 78.
(24) Aric Almirola, Ford, 78.
(22) William Byron, Chevrolet, 78.
(19) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 78.
(28) Ryan Preece, Ford, 78.
(21) Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 78.
(10) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 78.
(4) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 78.
(25) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 78.
(16) Chase Briscoe, Ford, 78.
(8) Jenson Button, Ford, 78.
(34) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 78.
(27) Josh Bilicki(i), Chevrolet, 78.
(20) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 78.
(23) Noah Gragson #, Chevrolet, 78.
(30) Andy Lally, Ford, 78.
(5) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 78.
(2) Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 78.
(35) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 78.
(32) Harrison Burton, Ford, 78.
(14) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 78.
(11) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 77.
(17) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 77.
(36) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 77.
(33) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, Suspension, 67.
(29) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, Accident, 62.
(13) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, Accident, 40.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 60.281 mph.

Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 50 Mins, 48 Secs. Margin of Victory: 1.259 Seconds.

Caution Flags: 9 for 21 laps.

Lead Changes: 7 among 5 drivers.

Lap Leaders: D. Hamlin 0;T. Reddick 1-8;C. Bell 9-24;S. Van Gisbergen 25;T. Gibbs # 26;C. Bell 27-47;J. Haley 48-70;S. Van Gisbergen 71-78.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): Christopher Bell 2 times for 37 laps; Justin Haley 1 time for 23 laps; Shane Van Gisbergen 2 times for 9 laps; Tyler Reddick 1 time for 8 laps; Ty Gibbs # 1 time for 1 lap.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 20,45,91,19,34,99,5,16,54,15

Stage #2 Top Ten: 20,5,45,91,34,54,99,19,16,14

July 2, 2023
Cole Custer declared winner of rain-shortened Chicago Xfinity race

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

Cole Custer declared winner of rain-shortened Chicago Xfinity race

CHICAGO—Drenching rain and standing water on the Chicago Street Course forced NASCAR to declare Cole Custer the winner of The Loop 121 NASCAR Xfinity Series race three laps short of halfway and five laps short of the completion of Stage 2.

Custer had led all 25 laps of NASCAR’s first-ever street course race before lightning strikes in the area on Saturday caused NASCAR to red flag the race and then to postpone completion until Sunday morning. But the rain persisted, forcing NASCAR’s hand.

“It’s been an awesome weekend overall,” said Custer, who drives the No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. “The whole event, the whole thing that NASCAR’s put on here—the whole city—it’s been pretty unreal… The course is such a blast to drive.

“Today, we definitely wish we could have run all the laps. We don’t want to win it this way, but at the end of the day, we had a really fast car. I think everybody knew that.”

This marks the first time NASCAR has declared a winner short of the halfway point or the end of the second stage, the two benchmarks for an official event (with the second criterion in effect starting in 2020 after the advent of stage racing, which was introduced in 2017).

NASCAR issued a statement explaining the decision to curtail the race:

“With standing water and flooding a significant issue at the race track and throughout the city, there was no option to return to racing prior to shifting to NASCAR Cup Series race operations. Throughout the entire planning process for the Chicago Street Race, our relationship with the City of Chicago has been strong and among the most valuable assets in reaching this historic weekend.

“In the spirit of that partnership, returning on Monday for the completion of a NASCAR Xfinity Series event two laps short of halfway was an option we chose not to employ. Based on several unprecedented circumstances, NASCAR has made the decision to declare Cole Custer the winner of the race.”

The victory was Custer’s second of the season, the 12th of his career and his 10th straight top-10 finish this season.

John Hunter Nemechek finished second and leads the series standings by 16 points over Austin Hill, who was credited with a fifth-place result. Nemechek clearly was impressed with the spectacle of NASCAR’s first street race.

“Racing downtown on the streets of Chicago was pretty amazing,” he said. “The whole experience, the atmosphere and how many fans were here — I give a lot of props to everyone at NASCAR. Everyone involved with the Chicago Street Course did an amazing job. Riding around under caution yesterday, being able to see all of the fans lined up three or four rows deep along the fence with no open spots was incredible. Probably one of the best attendances we’ve had so far this year in the Xfinity Series.

“The race went OK for us. I ran P2 from the drop of the green flag until lap 25 when they called it (Saturday). We needed a good stop to be able to make an adjustment and have a shot to contend with Cole for the win and just never had that opportunity. We’ll take that second place, and we’ll move on from it.”

Justin Allgaier finished third and Brett Moffitt fourth. Sammy Smith, Daniel Hemric, Chandler Smith, Parker Kligerman and Kaz Grala earned positions six through 10, respectively.

–30—

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – The Loop 121

Chicago Street Race

Chicago, Illinois

Saturday, July 1, 2023

(1) Cole Custer, Ford, 25.
(3) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota, 25.
(6) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 25.
(7) Brett Moffitt, Ford, 25.
(5) Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 25.
(8) Sammy Smith #, Toyota, 25.
(9) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 25.
(16) Chandler Smith #, Chevrolet, 25.
(10) Parker Kligerman, Chevrolet, 25.
(25) Kaz Grala, Toyota, 25.
(2) Sheldon Creed, Chevrolet, 25.
(13) Preston Pardus, Chevrolet, 25.
(17) Miguel Paludo, Chevrolet, 25.
(32) Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, 25.
(18) Alex Guenette, Chevrolet, 25.
(26) Parker Chase, Toyota, 25.
(29) Blaine Perkins #, Chevrolet, 25.
(14) Sam Mayer, Chevrolet, 25.
(31) Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 25.
(37) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 25.
(19) Alex Labbe, Toyota, 25.
(11) Sage Karam, Chevrolet, 25.
(23) Josh Berry, Chevrolet, 25.
(15) Riley Herbst, Ford, 25.
(24) Ryan Sieg, Ford, 25.
(33) Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, 25.
(34) Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 25.
(22) Spencer Pumpelly, Chevrolet, 25.
(21) Parker Retzlaff #, Chevrolet, 25.
(30) Brandon Jones, Chevrolet, 25.
(20) Ryan Ellis, Chevrolet, 25.
(27) Brad Perez, Chevrolet, 25.
(35) Joe Graf Jr., Ford, 25.
(38) Brent Sherman, Ford, 25.
(4) Connor Mosack, Toyota, 25.
(36) Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 22.
(28) Andre Castro, Chevrolet, Accident, 16.
(12) Justin Marks, Chevrolet, Engine, 3.

Average Speed of Race Winner: 52.66 mph.

Time of Race: 1 Hrs, 2 Mins, 40 Secs. Margin of Victory: Caution Seconds.

Caution Flags: 3 for 9 laps.

Lead Changes: 0 among 1 driver.

Lap Leaders: C. Custer 1-25.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): Cole Custer 1 time for 25 laps.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 00,20,21,7,19,25,18,11,48,16

Stage #2 Top Ten: 00,20,7,25,21,18,11,16,48,26

July 2, 2023
Chicago Street Race to Introduce NASCAR Cup Series Drivers as Part of Special Event Prior to The Chainsmokers Headlining Concert on July 1
Chicago Street Race to Introduce NASCAR Cup Series Drivers as Part of Special Event Prior to The Chainsmokers Headlining Concert on July 1

Two-day Sports and Music Festival Showcasing Chicago Food, Art, and Culture to

Bring a Fan Experience Unlike Any Other to Downtown Chicago

CHICAGO, Ill. (June 26, 2023) – As fans head to Grant Park for the inaugural Chicago Street Race Weekend on July 1-2, they’ll have the opportunity to participate in a two-day sports and music festival unlike anything seen before in NASCAR’s 75-year history. On Saturday, July 1, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race will feature a significant historical moment as the NASCAR Cup Series field will be introduced as part of a special event on the concert stage prior to The Chainsmokers headlining set. The moment will include exciting fan elements including the sport’s largest crowd selfie and the Cup Series field photo to remember the moment in time of the first-ever Cup Series Street Race alongside Chicago fans.

The Chicago Street Race will feature the first-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 121 and Cup Series Grant Park 220 to cap off a unique Fourth of July celebration in downtown Chicago, complete with a music festival featuring global headliners The Black Crowes, Charley Crockett, Miranda Lambert, local favorites The JC Brooks Band, and a special appearance by all of the NASCAR Cup Series drivers during a feature set by The Chainsmokers.

“Whether you’re a long-time NASCAR fan or a first-time racegoer, this weekend is going to be the can’t-miss event of the summer,” said Julie Giese, Chicago Street Race President. “With the racing action, concerts, driver appearances, NASCAR Experience activations, and our free entertainment in Butler Field that is open to the public – NASCAR is all about putting fans close to the action in a way that no other sport can, and to do it in Chicago during the best time of the year is going to make this weekend a true bucket-list sporting event.”

To download the Chicago Street Race logos, click here.

With excitement reaching a fever pitch throughout Chicago, the festivities began more than a week in advance of race weekend in every neighborhood across Chicago. From NASCAR Night at Navy Pier on Tuesday, June 27 to Bubba’s Block Party at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Washington Park on Wednesday, June 28 to NASCAR Night with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday, June 29, NASCAR will host events and activations for fans to get involved throughout race week.

“For a race as big as this, we’re pulling out all the stops here in Chicago,” said Pete Jung, NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer. “This is an incredible opportunity to show all the ways in which NASCAR engages in the community, and we have planned a full week of fun, family-friendly opportunities to take part in this historic event.”

Race Weekend Activities

Racegoers will be able to enjoy an exclusive walkthrough NASCAR’s 75-year history, NBC Sports’ live broadcast at Buckingham Fountain, and a local food hall serving legendary Chicago cuisine. The NASCAR shopping experience will include one large merchandise location as well as a premium location for fans to purchase race team merchandise, in addition to smaller merchandise locations available in the Pit Shop throughout the course.

Throughout Grant Park, there will be special NASCAR photo locations to capture a memory to stand the test of time. There will be photo moments including the Chicago Street Race logo at the north entrance, Chicago Street Race and NASCAR flag processional leading to Buckingham Fountain, race flag tunnel into the Lakefront Green, NASCAR 75 icon on the Buckingham Fountain Table, NASCAR diamond icon by the President’s Paddock Club, and more.

For a more elevated view, attendees can ride the Ferris Wheel, originally called the Chicago Wheel when it debuted in 1893, for unparalleled views of the Chicago Street Course and Lake Michigan.

On the Lakefront Green, the Main Stage will host The JC Brooks Band, The Black Crowes, and all the NASCAR Cup Series drivers and the winner of NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 121 during The Chainsmokers concert on Saturday, July 1, in addition to sets from Miranda Lambert and Charley Crockett on Sunday, July 2.

In-between sets, fans can visit the Tavern for a cold beer, glass of wine or a craft cocktail while watching live race feeds or play yard games before heading over to watch the race from along the track.

NASCAR Village at Butler Field – Free Experience

The NASCAR Village will be a free-to-the-public experience for fans that will be staged in Butler Field adjacent to all the action. The free experience will open at 9 a.m. on July 1-2.

The NASCAR Village will feature viewing areas into the NASCAR Cup Series garage and haulers, displays from the Field Museum, NBC’s Hot Wheels Ultimate Challenge, Oakley, the United States Air Force, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Community Van and tire swing photo op, MRN Radio, McDonald’s, the United States Navy, NASCAR merchandise, water refill stations, the NASCAR Box Office, entertaining and educational information on NASCAR, and concessions for purchase.

In addition, there will be a live painting demonstration by Paint The City, an artist-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect local artists of color with local businesses to Heal the City Through Art with beautification projects that also help financially support artists of color. Chicago-area artists from local non-profit After Schools Matters will also feature a 200-foot NASCAR-themed mural, which was designed for the inaugural Chicago Street Race weekend.

Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult, 21-years and older and may be asked to present a valid ID. The NASCAR Village at Butler Field will close at the checkered flag each day.

Race Weekend Schedule (all times local)

Saturday, July 1

9 a.m. | Gates Open

10 – 10:50 a.m. | Practice – NASCAR Xfinity Series

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Qualifying – NASCAR Xfinity Series

12 – 12:30 p.m. | Pre-Race Concert Featuring JC Brooks Band

12:30 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. | Practice – NASCAR Cup Series

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Qualifying – NASCAR Cup Series

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Pre-Race Concert Featuring The Black Crowes

3:30 p.m. | Driver Intros

4 p.m. | The Loop 121 – NASCAR Xfinity Series Race

7 p.m. | REV UP: NASCAR Chicago Street Race Kickoff at Concert Stage

7:30 p.m. | Post-Race Concert Featuring The Chainsmokers

Sunday, July 2

9 a.m. | Gates Open

12 – 1 p.m. | Pre-Race Concert featuring Charley Crockett

1:30 – 3 p.m. | Pre-Race Concert featuring Miranda Lambert

4 p.m. | Driver Intros

4:30 p.m. | Grant Park 220 – NASCAR Cup Series Race

Post-Race | Rouff Mortgage Victory Lane Celebration

Race Week Activities
- June 27, 5 – 9 p.m. | NASCAR Night at Navy Pier (Aon Grand Ballroom, 804 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL)
  - The free event – open to the public – will give Chicagoans and visitors a chance to virtually drive the Chicago Street Course on the same official iRacing simulators that NASCAR drivers are using to prepare for the first-of-its-kind event. In addition, NASCAR will host a livestream of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series race on the Chicago Street Course with special guest Matt Bussa, eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series driver for William Byron eSports. Fans will also have a chance to take a photo with the official Grant Park 220 and The Loop 121 trophies, have a first-look at Chicago Street Race merchandise, get a snapshot with the NASCAR Next Gen show car, and jump in the 360-degree photo booth. Registration is not required.
- June 27, 6 – 8:30 p.m. | Leading from the Front: A conversation with the women of NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race Weekend (Chicago Athletic Association, Eighth floor, 12 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603)
  - On Tuesday, June 27, join WISE Chicago and NASCAR to get a behind-the-scenes look at the event and meet and learn more from those bringing the event to life as we host the panel discussion, Leading from the Front: A Conversation with the Women of NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race Weekend. Space for the event is limited so make sure you register early.
- June 28, 5 – 9 p.m. | Bubba’s Block Party (DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL)
  - Bubba’s Block Party is a community-focused initiative that aims to drive awareness, access, and engagement to the sport among the Black community while generating excitement around the race weekend. The family-friendly eventincludes local Black-owned food truck vendors, live musical performances, and an introduction to NASCAR through activities and games.
- June 28, 6 – 9 p.m. | NASCAR Chicago Street Race and The NASCAR Foundation’s “Fueling the Fight to End Hunger” to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository (Steak 48, 615 N. Wabash, Chicago)
  - NASCAR drivers, celebrities and Chicago notables will be in attendance for the Fueling the Fight to End Hunger fundraiser to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a Chicago-based non-profit organization that strives to end hunger by connecting neighbors with healthy food and advancing solutions that address the root causes of hunger, visit NASCARfoundation.org/Chicago. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit NASCARChicago.com.
- June 29, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Columbus Park Teen Center Pit Stop (Columbus Park Teen Center, 500 S. Central Ave., Chicago IL)
  - NASCAR Chicago Street Race “pit stop” giving teens the opportunity to get up close with official pace car and check out NASCAR Cup Series driver Aric Almirola’s fire suit, as well as talk to NASCAR team members about careers in motorsports. Larenz, Larron, and Lahmard Tate will be on hand to engage teens with a surprise for the Chicago Street Race.
- June 29, 7:05 p.m. | NASCAR Night at Wrigley Field (1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL)
  - Before the weekend’s race, come out to Wrigley Field, which will be filled with high-octane NASCAR activations, music, and appearances from participating drivers! Most importantly, there is a NASCAR Day Special Ticket Offer – which includes a ticket to the Cubs-Phillies game at Wrigley Field and a special-edition NASCAR themed bobblehead.
Chicago Street Race

As part of NASCAR’s 75^th anniversary season, the first-ever Chicago Street Race Weekend will feature the NASCAR Cup Series’ Grant Park 220 and NASCAR Xfinity Series’ The Loop 121 competing on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile street course, along with full-length concerts by The Chainsmokers and Miranda Lambert with the support of The Black Crowes and Charley Crockett over Fourth of July Weekend on July 1-2.

General admission and reserved tickets are on sale for the Chicago Street Race. Two-day general admission tickets start at $269 and reserved tickets that offer an array of opportunities including reserved seating and a wide variety of premium experiences start at $465. To purchase tickets, fans can log onto NASCARChicago.com or call 1-888-629-7223.

The Grant Park 220 will be nationally broadcast on NBC on Sunday, July 2 at 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT and The Loop 121 will be broadcast nationally on USA Network at 5:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. CT.

To stay up to date with the Chicago Street Race, fans can subscribe to receive exclusive Chicago Street Race emails, follow @NASCARChicago on Twitter and Facebook and download the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest real-time updates on all aspects of the event.

About Chicago Street Race

The Chicago Street Race is the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series street race. Located in downtown Chicago, the event will take competitors past and through many of the city’s most renowned downtown landmarks on Michigan Avenue, South Columbus Drive, South Lake Shore Drive and the start-finish line near Buckingham Fountain. The Cup Series will be joined by the NASCAR Xfinity Series as part of a one-of-a-kind sports and entertainment festival headlined by Miranda Lambert, The Chainsmokers, Charley Crockett, and The Black Crowes over the Fourth of July Weekend on July 1-2, 2023. For more information, visit NASCARChicago.com.

About NASCAR

Celebrating its 75^th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty’s Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).
June 26, 2023
Carson Hocevar Earns his Second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Victory at Nashville Superspeedway

Lebanon, Tenn. (June 24, 2023) – Carson Hocevar crossed the finish line first for the second time this season in his No. 42 WWEX Racing Chevrolet, earning the victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Nashville Superspeedway on Friday night.

“This Niece Motorsports team has been on a roll lately,” said Hocevar. “We’ve been running up front and close to Victory Lane so many times over the last couple of months in our Worldwide Express Chevrolet.

I’m proud of everyone at this organization for their hard work. I’m thankful to be behind the wheel of these fast Chevys and ready to get to Mid-Ohio in a few weeks. Thanks to Al Niece and Phil Gould and all of our partners in the WWEX Racing program. We couldn’t do it without their support.”

The win comes in Hocevar’s 67th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start. It marks Hocevar’s second win of the 2023 season; his first coming in April at Texas Motor Speedway. It is the sixth win for Niece Motorsports in only its seventh full-time season.

Dating back to Darlington Raceway in May, Hocevar has not finished outside of the top-five, earning three consecutive fourth-place finishes in the last three races. Hocevar and the No. 42 WWEX Racing team have earned 235 points over the last five races – the most of any driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series during that time frame.

“We’re one team at Niece Motorsports, it takes every single person at this organization to be successful, and it means a so much when it all comes together,” said Niece Motorsports General Manager Cody Efaw. “Carson drove a smart race and Phil [Gould] and the entire 42 team executed well. We’re proud to build our own chassis and bodies in house, it’s a labor of love to get these Chevrolets to the race tracks, and means the world when they get to Victory Lane. We appreciate Al Niece for giving us the opportunity to do what we love. We’re not done yet.”

Hocevar kicked off the day as the fastest truck in the lone practice session, and followed it up with a seventh-place qualifying effort for the Rackley Roofing 200. Hocevar collected stage points in the first and second stage, running a fairly uneventful race.

Hocevar took the lead on Lap 111, and never looked back. A caution with less than 10 laps remaining in the race shuffled the running order, but Hocevar and team opted to stay out on the track instead of visiting pit road.

Hocevar kept the lead on the restart and was able to hold off a late charge from the No. 38, on his way to Victory Lane.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will return to action on Saturday, July 8 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Hocevar finished third at the road course last season.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 at Mid-Ohio will air live on FS1, The Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on July 8 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

About Niece Motorsports:
Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2023, Niece Motorsports enters its eighth season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Niece also owns Niece Equipment, which has for over 40 years provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Niece Equipment’s reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability. The company provides water and fuel/lube trucks that are engineered with quality and durability in mind for the construction and mining industry. Follow the team on Facebook and Instagram @NieceMotorsports as well as Twitter @NieceMotorsport.

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com | www.niecemotorsports.com

About Worldwide Express:
The WWEX group of brands, which comprises Worldwide Express, Unishippers and GlobalTranz, offers full-service logistics expertise to more than 115,000 customers across the country. With access to industry-leading small package, truckload, less-than-truckload and managed transportation solutions, its customers benefit from enhanced visibility and value for their supply chains. The company is the second-largest privately held freight brokerage and largest non-retail UPS Authorized Reseller® in the U.S., with an annual systemwide revenue nearing $5 billion through a network of company-owned, franchise and agent locations. A highly selective carrier portfolio, proprietary technology, unique data assets and business intelligence capabilities provide clients with unmatched options and flexibility to meet their shipping needs. The WWEX Racing initiative was borne of a desire to address the complex but underserved logistic needs of the performance motorsports industry, using the unique combination of capabilities offered by the three brands’ combined 80+ years of insight. To learn more about the WWEX Racing program, visit www.wwexracing.com. For media inquiries, contact racing@wwex.com.

June 24, 2023
Josh Berry Marches #4Ward

Stewart-Haas Racing Names Berry the Successor of its No. 4 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series, Replacing the Retiring Kevin Harvick in 2024

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 21, 2023) – One of the most coveted seats in the NASCAR Cup Series has been filled.

Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has named Josh Berry the driver of its No. 4 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning with the 2024 season. He will replace the retiring Kevin Harvick, whose 23-year Cup Series career will come to an end following the season finale Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway.

“I can’t imagine a better opportunity for me – to get in a car that’s been as successful and iconic as the No. 4,” Berry said. “Kevin is a future NASCAR Hall of Famer, and it’s going to be a challenge trying to come after someone so successful. But I know I’m going to have an amazing group of people around me, led by Rodney Childers, to where we can hit the ground running.”

Harvick and his crew chief, Childers, have combined for 37 points-paying wins since their pairing in 2014, when they came out of the gate in impressive fashion by winning the 2014 Cup Series title.

“We’re incredibly proud to have Josh Berry begin the next chapter of his racing career in our No. 4 Ford Mustang,” said Tony Stewart, co-owner of SHR with Haas Automation founder Gene Haas. “Kevin Harvick has obviously set a very high bar, but Josh brings maturity, experience and, above all, a winning record to Stewart-Haas Racing. He is the right driver, at the right time, for the No. 4 team and our organization.”

Berry currently competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the stepping-stone division to the elite Cup Series. The 32-year-old from Hendersonville, Tennessee, is a five-time Xfinity Series race winner who advanced to the Championship 4 in 2022. Berry’s on-track exploits have made him the go-to solution for Cup Series teams in need of an interim driver. He has already made 10 Cup Series starts, highlighted by a second-place finish April 2 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway while subbing for the injured Chase Elliott.

“Josh Berry has proven himself in the Xfinity Series and this year showed how quickly he can adapt to the cars and the level of competition in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Greg Zipadelli, chief competition officer, SHR. “He’ll be a rookie in our racecar next year, but he drives like a veteran. He puts in the work to ensure that he’s always ready for the opportunities that come his way, and we’re very happy that his next opportunity is with Stewart-Haas Racing.”

Just as Berry earned his 2024 seat with SHR via strong and consistent performances in the Xfinity and Cup Series, Berry earned his spot in the Xfinity Series by dominating Late Model racing across a variety of grassroots series.

While winning six Legend Cars championships as a teenager, Berry also competed in iRacing, and it was during online racing sessions where Berry caught the attention of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt offered a Late Model test to Berry and he seized the moment. Berry joined JR Motorsports’ Late Model program in 2010 and soon delivered wins and championships, most notably the 2017 CARS Late Model Stock Tour championship and then the 2020 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series championship.

Earnhardt’s belief in Berry had been duly rewarded, so Earnhardt double-downed on his faith in Berry by promoting his protégé to one of JR Motorsports’ Xfinity Series entries, albeit on a limited schedule. In just his 13th career Xfinity Series start, Berry won on April 11, 2021 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The site of one of Berry’s most prominent Late Model victories – the 2019 ValleyStar Credit Union 300 – became the site of his breakthrough NASCAR moment. A second Xfinity Series victory was earned on Sept. 25 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, setting the stage for a three-win campaign in 2022 where Berry competed for the championship in his first full-time season.

“I’m really proud of how I’ve gotten to this point and earned this opportunity,” Berry said. “I don’t like to use the word luck. It’s also been about preparation meeting opportunity.

“The Xfinity Series win at Martinsville changed my career and allowed us to point toward a full-time season for 2022 where we competed for the championship.

“It’s also been very meaningful to get some opportunities in the Cup Series this year. I’m proud of how they went, but I cannot wait to drive a Cup car that’s got my name on it.”

After subbing for race-winning drivers in the Cup Series, most notably Elliott and Alex Bowman, Berry will indeed get his own racecar in 2024, but one that has been driven for a decade by Harvick.

“Late Model racing is where I came from, and I think it’s the best place to learn and prepare to eventually race in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Harvick, who is an ardent supporter of Late Model racing and its presence as a feeder system to NASCAR’s Truck, Xfinity and Cup Series. “Josh is a really good example, and probably the best and most recent example, of applying all that he’s learned in Late Models to what he’s doing in the Xfinity Series.

“Winning the CARS Late Model Stock Tour championship and the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series championship requires a lot of skill and an equal amount of determination. Josh did both and won a lot of races along the way. That experience allowed him to be fast and successful right off the bat when he got to the Xfinity Series, and when he had his opportunities to race in the Cup Series earlier this year, he again showed speed and an ability to race at the front.

“I’m very happy for Josh and proud to see him get this opportunity. He’s going to be a really good fit with Rodney and the No. 4 team.”

In May, Harvick partnered with Earnhardt, Jeff Burton and Justin Marks to purchase the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, the same series Berry ran from 2015 through 2022, winning 22 races and the 2017 title.

“When I was racing the Late Model car, I just wanted to be the most bad-ass short-track racer that you could be, and that’s how we progressed,” Berry said. “We won a ton of races, a national championship and a CARS Tour championship. We had a list of things that we wanted to accomplish and big races we wanted to win, and we’d go out there every time with the intent of checking things off that list.”

Childers can relate to Berry’s Late Model ambitions. Before becoming a successful crew chief, Childers was a successful Late Model driver.

“I think one of the many things that’s made Kevin and I work so well together is our history in Late Model racing and our respect for it,” Childers said. “Late Model racing is a really great proving ground, and Josh showed that he was the best of the best when it came to pavement Late Model racing. And when he got to the Xfinity Series, he kept on winning. To be the guy who will help Josh get his first Cup win is something I’m really looking forward to.”

A road that began with karting in his home state of Tennessee that segued to iRacing with Dale Earnhardt Jr., which landed Berry a shop job at JR Motorsports as a parts washer while he worked to make a name for himself in Late Models and then the Xfinity Series, has finally culminated with a full-time drive in the Cup Series.

“I wouldn’t change anything about how I got here. It made me who I am,” Berry said. “Throughout my teenage years, it was a fight just to keep racing, to get to the next race.

“The timing of Dale and I getting together, that was crucial. If that doesn’t happen, I don’t know that I would’ve ever raced a stock car, or how much more I would’ve raced at all, just because racing overextended us financially. And when you race that way, it’s hard to set any kind of a long-term goal. But your goals just change as you grow.

“Those years of racing and winning, and the people I was around and worked with, prepared me for the opportunities that I’ve gotten, and they’ve prepared me to capitalize on this opportunity with Stewart-Haas Racing. Even without knowing where it would ultimately take me, I’d do it all over again.”

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, one NASCAR Xfinity Series championship and nearly 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, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

June 21, 2023
Unleash the Thrill of NASCAR Racing in NASCAR Arcade Rush, Launching on Consoles & PC Later this Year
Get in the driver’s seat for intense arcade races on iconic NASCAR tracks reimagined like never before

MINNEAPOLIS – June 20, 2023 – Put the pedal to the metal in NASCAR Arcade Rush, launching later this year on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. This new arcade-style racing game revs up the heart-pumping, high-speed competition and action of one of the world’s top motorsports with wildly reimagined spins on NASCAR’s most legendary tracks.

Experience the high-octane thrill of NASCAR racing in a completely new way with intense arcade races on iconic NASCAR tracks, totally reengineered with jaw-dropping twists, hair-raising turns, gravity-defying jumps, nitro boosts and other surprises. Customize your car and driver as you compete to take the top position across a variety of game modes, including the Career NASCAR Cup Series plus online and local multiplayer.

Key Features
- Iconic Tracks, Wild Twists: Experience iconic NASCAR tracks like Talladega Superspeedway, Daytona International Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and more in all-new ways that will thrill your imagination and deliver a new level of playability within the vaunted NASCAR video game franchise.
- Race Your Way: Choose from a full array of vehicles spanning 75 years of stock car racing history and horsepower. Customize your car and driver to suit your style with new paint schemes, rims, spoilers, visual effects, suits, helmets and more, with thousands of combinations to discover.
- Robust Racing Modes: NASCAR Arcade Rush features expansive single-player modes including the Career NASCAR Cup Series, Quick Race and Time Attack. Take on your friends in thrilling head-to-head local multiplayer, or race rivals around the world in 12-player online multiplayer.
NASCAR Arcade Rush is available to preorder now for $49.99 at major retailers.

Fans can also look forward to the NASCAR Project-X Bundle for NASCAR Arcade Rush for $59.99. This digital-exclusive will include not only the full base game, but is also loaded with extra NASCAR Project-X playable content featuring:

● A hovercraft car model developed as part of Project-X

● Project-X paint scheme, rims, wheels, and spoiler

● Project-X themed drivers suit and helmet

● Project-X team sponsorship option

● Project-X vehicle FX package

● A set of four additional in-game emojis to showcase your style

NASCAR Arcade Rush is published by GameMill Entertainment.

About NASCAR

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty’s Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).

About GameMill Entertainment

GameMill Entertainment, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a third-party publisher of console and mobile games for passionate fans around the world. Development platforms include PC, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft consoles including the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Sony consoles including the PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4, and mobile devices. With development across the globe, GameMill is a source of entertaining and fun games for all ages. For more information, visit https://gamemill.com, as well as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.
June 20, 2023
Stewart-Haas Racing Shuffles Crew Chief Lineup

Richard Boswell Moves to Crew Chief for Chase Briscoe and No. 14 Cup Series Team;
Davin Restivo Replaces Boswell as Crew Chief for Riley Herbst and No. 98 Xfinity Series Team;
John Klausmeier Transitions to SHR’s Vehicle Performance Group

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 20, 2023) – Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has made select organizational changes to its crew chief lineup that will be in effect beginning with the upcoming Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway race weekend June 24-25.

Richard Boswell, the main steward of SHR’s NASCAR Xfinity Series program since its inception in 2017, is now the crew chief for driver Chase Briscoe and the No. 14 team in the NASCAR Cup Series. Boswell had been the crew chief for SHR’s No. 98 Xfinity Series team and driver Riley Herbst. Boswell won eight Xfinity Series races with Briscoe over a three-year span (2018-2020), including an impressive six-win campaign in 2020, before becoming the crew chief for Herbst in 2021.

John Klausmeier, the former crew chief for the No. 14 team, remains at SHR and has transitioned to the company’s vehicle performance group.

Replacing Boswell as crew chief for the No. 98 Xfinity Series team is Davin Restivo. Since 2022, Restivo has been the lead engineer for the No. 10 team and driver Aric Almirola in the Cup Series. Prior to his time with the No. 10 outfit, Restivo was the lead engineer for driver Cole Custer, first in the Xfinity Series (2019) and then moving up with Custer to the Cup Series (2020-2021). Before joining SHR in 2019, Restivo was an engineer at Chip Ganassi Racing.

“We made these changes in the best interests of the entire organization,” said Greg Zipadelli, chief competition officer, SHR. “Different people in new positions brings new perspectives. There’s still a lot of racing left to do this year, which means there’s still a lot of opportunity. We need to seize these opportunities and make the most of them, and fresh perspectives from the top of the pit box to the preparation inside the shop will help us do that.”

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, one NASCAR Xfinity Series championship and nearly 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, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

June 20, 2023