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Featured headlines from SpeedwayMedia.com

Jones Prevails In Thrilling ECMD 125 At North Wilkesboro
“Butterbean” Captures zMAX CARS Tour LMSC Crown
- Conner Jones (zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock), Kaden Honeycutt (zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Models) and Justin Bonsignore (SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic) scored victories on Saturday at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- Fans can buy tickets to upcoming speedway events, including Sunday’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race and the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race, by visiting www.northwilkesborospeedway.com/
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (Oct. 19, 2024) – An action-packed Saturday tripleheader at North Wilkesboro Speedway saw three champions – Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, Kaden Honeycutt and Luke Baldwin – crowned after a thrilling night of racing on North Wilkesboro’s iconic, five-eighths-mile oval.

Carson Kvapil dominated Saturday’s ECMD 125 zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car nightcap from the pole, but Conner Jones reeled in Kvapil after a Lap 101 restart, took the lead with 15 laps to go and sped to victory. Behind Jones, Kvapil and third place Mini Tyrrell, however, was a frantic battle for the series title.

Queen had a nine-point lead over Connor Hall heading into the LMSC season finale and his odds of winning the crown skyrocketed after Hall incurred front-end damage in the opening laps due to a chain reaction. Hall’s team kept his machine in the hunt with some repairs – enough to even pass Queen for fourth at the finish – but not enough to keep Queen from wrapping up the night in fifth place with the champion’s trophy in tow.

“It’s something I never knew would happen,” Queen said. “Coming up a few points short of this championship last year was tough for all of us, but I’m so grateful for the two years I’ve had here with Lee Pulliam Performance. We’re going to spray some champagne and find some waffles.”

It took more than 100 laps for someone to firmly wrestle the lead from Kvapil. Jones wasn’t sure he’d be the man to do the job until he’d already done it.

“I felt like we were better when we were low on gas,” Jones said. “I guess we just needed to get the car light on gas and snug it up. I’m just really happy. This is a big race and a big place to win at. We’ve had an up-and-down year, so it feels good to end the year with two wins.”

Spencer Davis entered the zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model finale leading Kaden Honeycutt by six points, but Davis’ bid for a championship fell by the wayside less than 10 laps into the 100-lap opening feature. Honeycutt sprinted out front from the start, while Davis and T.J. DeCaire made contact in Turn 1 on Lap 5, leaving Davis’ No. 29 entry with a damaged track bar. Things got worse after Davis stopped on track to bring out a caution – and, per CARS Tour rules, gave the presumptive favorite a three-lap penalty from which he could never recover.

Out front, Honeycutt was hardly challenged in a caution-filled opening 60 laps. With 21 to go, Tristan McKee nudged Honeycutt from the point and led to the Lap 80 caution. The restart, however, didn’t go McKee’s way. McKee spun his tires and joined Gio Ruggeiro in the Turn 1 wall, ending both drivers’ nights. The accident occurred after Caden Kvapil took the lead, but Kvapil was penalized and sent to the rear of the field for taking the top spot before the leader, McKee, crossed the line to take the green flag.

Honeycutt found himself back out front with 20 to go. Given new life, Honeycutt held off a last-gasp attempt from DeCaire to win the race, the PLM championship and a free ride on Wilkesboro’s elevator to Victory Lane.

DeCaire ended up second with Cameron Bolin, Jimmy Renfrew Jr. and Max Reaves completing the top five. Davis rallied to 14th at the finish – enough to capture the owners’ championship – but he fell short of the drivers’ title to Honeycutt.

“That’s so awesome,” an emotional Honeycutt said in the winner’s circle. “I wouldn’t be here without such an awesome team. It’s such a dream come true to win at North Wilkesboro. I just don’t know what to say. Thanks to all the fans who came out. This will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s just amazing. I can’t thank these guys enough.”

Five drivers – Carson Loftin, Luke Baldwin, Danny Bohn, Burt Myers and Ryan Newman – entered Saturday’s SMART Modified Tour presented by Pace-O-Matic race with a shot at the championship.

Myers and Bohn were near the front of the field with 36 to go, when John Holleman – on older tires – got loose, forcing a stack-up behind him that sent Myers into Bohn, both contenders into the wall and out of the title chase.

Baldwin, an 18-year-old series rookie, spent much of the night running in the top five. Only Justin Bonsignore and Matt Hirschman could match Baldwin’s pace over the closing laps as Baldwin maintained a significant advantage over fourth-place Jake Crum as the 99-lap race wound to a close.

Bonsignore kept Hirschman and Baldwin at bay over the final laps, speeding to the win while Baldwin leaned on a third-place result to clinch the SMART championship.

“Matt Hirschman’s the ultimate on these tire-saving races and he was charging hard those last couple of laps,” Bonsignore said. “I knew we had to pounce early and get to the lead. If it was anybody other than Matt on that last lap, we probably end up in the fence. Kudos to him for racing us clean.”

Crum and Austin Beers rounded out the top five. Bobby Labonte finished sixth with Loftin seventh, Newman eighth, Joey Coulter ninth and Sammy Rameau 10th. While Bonsignore claimed the winner’s trophy, the night belonged to Baldwin – the son of Daytona 500-winning crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr.

“Just four years ago, I was sitting in my room, playing iRacing, dreaming of a moment like this,” Baldwin said. “I’ve said it before but I don’t know if I’d be racing right now if it weren’t for Hermie Sadler and Bill Stanley. The main goal was to go out and get experience (this season). We did that, for damn sure.”

Racing continues on Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway, with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour rolling in for the Brushy Mountain Powersports 150.

MORE INFO: Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race and all events at North Wilkesboro by following on X and Instagram, or becoming a Facebook fan.
October 20, 2024
Kevin Harvick Inc. and Rackley W.A.R. Announce Partnership for 2025 Season

Kevin and Keelan Harvick Join Driver Line-up for Rackley W.A.R.

Harrisburg, N.C. (October 18, 2024) – Forging a new path, Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) and Rackley W.A.R. announced today a partnership for 2025 that will focus on continuing to build and elevate Rackley W.A.R.’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Late Model programs. The partnership will bring together Rackley W.A.R. co-owners, Willie Allen and Curtis Sutton, with NASCAR Champion driver and owner, Kevin Harvick.

Through the partnership, both Kevin and Keelan Harvick will join the driver line up for Rackley W.A.R.’s Super Late Model and Pro Late Model programs. In addition, Harvick will serve as a consultant to Rackley W.A.R.’s Truck Series program where development driver Dawson Sutton will transition to full-time Truck Series competition in 2025.

“Although KHI had some success this year in the Late Model Stock world, the Pros and Supers are different animals,” Kevin Harvick said. “We still plan to have a presence in the CARS Tour next year, but Rackley W.A.R. has a solid and proven track record that will drastically improve the learning curve for Keelan and I in the Super and Pro Late Models. In return, I hope that my years of owning and operating a championship winning truck program will help shorten Dawson’s learning curve in his rookie truck season and positively impact their truck program. We look forward to working with Willie and the Sutton family in 2025.”

Led by co-owner and 2007 Truck Series Rookie of the Year and Nashville Fairgrounds 2015 Pro Late Model Track Champion Willie Allen, the Rackley W.A.R. driver development program has helped mold some of today’s biggest names in NASCAR and continues to provide a winning seat for the next generation of racers. Most recently, Dawson Sutton took over the driving duties of the No. 25 truck and earned his best finish in the series with a fifth-place finish at Kansas Speedway, while continuing to compete and win in Late Model competition. With a roster that has included 2024 Daytona 500 winner William Byron, Ross Chastain, Josh Berry, Timothy Peters and Connor Zilisch, the future of Rackley W.A.R.’s driver development and Late Model programs will only continue to grow as the organization adds both Kevin and Keelan Harvick to the list.

“Teaming up with Kevin Harvick is a game-changer for us at Rackley W.A.R.,” said Rackley W.A.R. co-owner Willie Allen. “His experience as a champion driver and owner brings an incredible amount of knowledge that will help elevate our truck program to the next level. Having Keelan and Kevin join our Late Model team next season is just as exciting. We’re not just building a partnership—we’re building a future. There’s no doubt this collaboration will drive success, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.”

Through the partnership, Harvick will bring decades of championship winning experience on and off the track to elevate Rackley W.A.R. to the next level of competition. Harvick’s knowledge of team ownership, his competitive nature, valuable racing knowledge and desire to win is unparalleled.

“It’s exciting to have this opportunity present itself,” said Curtis Sutton, co-owner of Rackley W.A.R. “In our fifth year as an organization, Rackley W.A.R. is taking strategic steps for a successful 2025 and beyond. Kevin is the first link of many more to come. He will help Willie and I guide the Late Model and NASCAR Truck Series team for long term success.

“As you strive to grow any business, you have to surround yourself with exceptional people and winners,” continued Sutton. “Kevin and his family have both traits. Kevin has been a winner in everything he has done. I know this is going to be a great partnership for Rackley W.A.R. and KHI’s employees, drivers, vendors, sponsor’s and all of our fans.”

The 2025 NASCAR Truck Series season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 14, with Dawson Sutton starting his rookie campaign and first season of full-time NASCAR competition.

Kevin and Keelan Harvick’s Late Model schedule will be announced at a later date.

About Kevin Harvick Inc.

Established in 2001 by NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana, Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Truck Series and ARCA Series through the 2011 NASCAR season. During that time, KHI earned 10 Xfinity Series wins, 45 Truck Series wins and three Truck Series championships, including two championships with NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday, Jr. Following the 2011 season, KHI stepped away from full-time competition until its return in 2023.

About Rackley W.A.R.

Rackley W.A.R. offers motorsports competition, development, marketing, management, and a suite of other industry-related services for professional race car drivers, race teams and industry sponsors. Rackley W.A.R. competes nationally in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as well as operating a driver development program based at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in regional Super and Pro Late Model events. Rackley W.A.R. is headed and co-owned by Curtis Sutton (Rackley Roofing, Inc.) and Willie Allen (Willie Allen Racing and W.A.R. Shocks, LLC).

October 18, 2024
Fight in Full Throttle: NASCAR Car Hits the Track for Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Las Vegas, NV. (October 16, 2024) – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Myatt Snider and BB Printing Company are proud to announce a special initiative as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At this weekend’s playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, fans and attendees will have the chance to be part of a unique tribute, the “Sign for Strength” campaign, by signing Myatt Snider’s #07 car in support of breast cancer fighters and survivors.

Fans are invited to sign the car at the garage from 2:30 to 2:45 pm on Saturday. Each name signed on the pink areas of the car will symbolize a contribution to the fight against breast cancer, helping to drive awareness and support across the finish line. Every name fuels the fight!

In collaboration with primary Sponsors, both women owned in Tennessee, BB Printing Company and The Riley Gaines Center, the #07 Greenlight Racing Chevrolet will sport a bold pink tribute scheme, featuring the renowned pink ribbon and pink sections where fans are invited to leave their signatures. This initiative is a tribute to anyone who has faced the battle with breast cancer, and each signature will symbolize the strength, courage, and resilience of those who have been touched by this disease.

“This is more than just a race,” said Myatt Snider. “This is an opportunity to give a voice to those who’ve fought or are still fighting the battle with breast cancer. By inviting people to sign the car, we’re honoring their stories and driving awareness on one of the biggest platforms in motorsports. Every name we add gives strength to the cause and carries hope across the finish line.”

With NASCAR’s massive audience and passionate fanbase, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway provides the perfect stage to share this message. The high visibility and reach of the sport allow the campaign to make an impact far beyond the track, raising awareness for breast cancer research, support, and advocacy. The speed, intensity, and excitement of NASCAR align with the perseverance and determination seen in the fight against breast cancer.

Amber with BB Printing Company added, “We’re honored to be part of this initiative. NASCAR is all about community and rallying behind a common cause, and we believe there’s no better platform to unite people in the fight against breast cancer. The ‘Sign for Strength’ campaign ensures that each person knows they are not alone, and that their name and their story hold significant meaning.”

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Amber Kerby
BB Printing Company
Phone: (615)330.5959
Email: amber@bbprintingco.com
Website: www.bbprintingco.com

October 17, 2024
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING UNITES WITH TOYOTA NORTH AMERICAN MOTORSPORTS

Toyota Racing to change name to Toyota Gazoo Racing North America in 2025

PLANO, Texas (October 17, 2024) – Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) announced today that its racing division, Toyota Racing, will formally become Toyota Gazoo Racing North America prior to the start of the 2025 motorsports season with all of its motorsports efforts competing under the global Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) banner. TRD, U.S.A., a subsidiary of TMNA, will continue its technical and engineering support across Toyota motorsports efforts throughout the U.S.

“The transition to Toyota Gazoo Racing is an opportunity for our world class racing program to better align with Toyota’s global motorsports efforts while simultaneously continuing the championship-level results we’ve earned under the previous banner here in the U.S.,” said Paul Doleshal, Group Manager, motorsports, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “Globally, the efforts of GR Company and Toyota Gazoo Racing, is a philosophy of utilizing motorsports to build ever-better production vehicles, pushing machinery to the limits on track so the production cars are more capable and reliable. We look forward to having our motorsports program continue to be on a global stage and contributing even further to the development and engineering of exciting-to-drive vehicles.”

Toyota has a rich 60-year heritage in motorsports, winning nearly every significant motorsports championship and racing event across the globe under various brand names globally. TGRNA will specifically focus on delivering excitement to motorsports fans while continuously pushing all boundaries on-track to create better driving cars on the road.

Toyota’s NASCAR Cup Series entries will continue to carry the Camry nameplate, while its Xfinity Series entries race in GR Supras. NHRA teams in both Top Fuel and Funny Car already race under the TGR banner as well as Toyota’s Formula DRIFT drivers competing in the GR Corolla Hatchback, GR Supra and the GR86, while GT4 drivers in IMSA and SRO field the GR Supra GT4 EVO. The Toyota GR Cup will begin its third season of the signature spec series in 2025, racing the Toyota GR86. The GR badge on these vehicles represents Toyota’s dedication to producing exciting, race-inspired vehicles.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Toyota Tundras will continue to carry the TRD Pro badge and Toyota Off-Road Racing vehicles will continue to compete with the TRD nameplate.

The 2025 racing season officially kicks off at Daytona International Speedway, first with GR Supras taking the track in a four-hour GT4 race on Friday, January 24, 2025. The NASCAR season kicks off shortly after with the Cup Series Clash, making its debut at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Sunday, February 2, 2025, before the regular season kicks off in Daytona from February 12 to 16, 2025.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 12 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 13^th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 29 electrified options.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

October 17, 2024
Statement from Kaulig Racing on the crew chief for the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Statement from Kaulig Racing:
Travis Mack will no longer serve as crew chief for the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, effective immediately. We appreciate the commitment Travis made to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season and wish him well in the future. Darian Grubb will serve as the No. 16 crew chief this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with driver Shane van Gisbergen. More announcements regarding the position will be made in the near future.

About Kaulig Racing

Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time, multi-car NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by award winning entrepreneur, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016, Kaulig Racing™ has earned 23 NXS wins, made the NXS Playoffs consecutively each season since the playoff system started, and won two regular-season championships. In 2021, the team competed in select NCS events, before expanding to a two-car, full-time NCS team in 2022 and adding a third, part-time entry during the 2023 season. Since its first NCS start in 2021, the team has earned two wins. Kaulig Racing is currently fielding two full-time entries in the NCS and continues to field three full-time NXS entries, with a part-time fourth entry at select events. To learn more about the team, visit kauligracing.com.

October 16, 2024
Roto-Rooter to Return to JR Motorsports

Leading Plumbing Company to Partner with Multiple JRM Entries in 2025

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 16, 2024) – JR Motorsports announced today that Roto-Rooter, a leading innovator in the plumbing and drain cleaning industry, will return to the organization as primary partner for both Connor Zilisch and the No. 88 Chevrolet, and Carson Kvapil and the No. 1 Chevrolet for two races each during the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. In addition to their return to the NXS, Roto-Rooter will also be part of JRM’s heralded Late Model program as a full-season associate next year.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Roto-Rooter back to JRM in 2025,” said JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “It’s great to see how much our partnership has grown already in the short time that we’ve been together and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

The origins of Roto-Rooter can be traced back to 1933, when Samuel Blanc created the first electric sewer-cleaning machine from a 1/6 HP Maytag washing machine motor, roller skate wheels and a 3/8-inch cable to turn the blades. The device could cut tree roots out of sewer lines where no digging was required. Just one year later, this prototype came to fruition and the name “Roto-Rooter” was born by virtue of Sam’s wife, Lettie. Roto-Rooter became one of the earliest franchisors in the country.

“Roto-Rooter is grateful to be associated with JR Motorsports for another year,” says Roto-Rooter President, Thad Reinhard. “This partnership brings together two hard working household names and leaders in their respective industries. We thank Dale and Kelley for building such a phenomenal team and we look forward to another exciting season on the track with such deserving, young race car drivers.”

In addition to the extension into 2025, Roto-Rooter will be featured as primary partner with Zilisch in his first NXS start at Homestead-Miami Speedway this October on board the No. 88 JRM Chevrolet.

Zilisch and the No. 88 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet are set to take the green at Homestead on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. ET on the CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

ABOUT ROTO-ROOTER:

Founded in 1935, Roto-Rooter is the largest provider of plumbing, drain cleaning, and water cleanup services in North America. Many locations offer no-dig sewer repair or replacement. Residential and commercial services are provided by more than 120 company-owned territories and 300 franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Roto-Rooter service technicians, plumbers, and water cleanup specialists benefit from a solid career with on-the-job training and high earnings potential. Roto-Rooter technicians work with the best equipment available, using proprietary sewer and drain cleaning machines, cable, and blades that are manufactured in Roto-Rooter’s plant in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Roto-Rooter has one of the most famous jingles in advertising history: “Call Roto-Rooter, that’s the name, and away go troubles down the drain!”

ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:

JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 23rd year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also owns seven titles in regional Late Model divisions with consecutive championships in 2022-23 and a prized national title in 2020. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

October 16, 2024

Las Vegas Motor Speedway NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series Preliminary Entry Lists

Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts its annual fall race date this weekend, with four races remaining in the 2024 NASCAR season.

NASCAR Cup Series Preliminary Entry List

7th Annual South Point 400 – NASCAR Cup Series – Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Entry	Veh#	Driver	Organization	Crew Chief	Veh Mfg	Sponsor
1	1	Ross Chastain	Trackhouse Racing	Phil Surgen	Chevrolet	Worldwide Express
2	2	Austin Cindric	Team Penske	Brian Wilson	Ford	Autotrader
3	3	Austin Dillon	Richard Childress Racing	Justin Alexander	Chevrolet	Boot Barn
4	4	Josh Berry	Stewart Haas Racing	Rodney Childers	Ford	Mobil 1 Take 5
5	5	Kyle Larson	Hendrick Motorsports	Cliff Daniels	Chevrolet	HendrickCars.com
6	6	Brad Keselowski	RFK Racing	Matt McCall	Ford	King’s Hawaiian
7	7	Justin Haley	Spire Motorsports	Ryan Sparks	Chevrolet	Gainbridge
8	8	Kyle Busch	Richard Childress Racing	Randall Burnett	Chevrolet	FICO
9	9	Chase Elliott	Hendrick Motorsports	Alan Gustafson	Chevrolet	NAPA Auto Parts
10	10	Noah Gragson	Stewart Haas Racing	Drew Blickensderfer	Ford	Fanttik
11	11	Denny Hamlin	Joe Gibbs Racing	Chris Gabehart	Toyota	Yahoo!
12	12	Ryan Blaney	Team Penske	Jonathan Hassler	Ford	MenardsGreat Stuff
13	14	Chase Briscoe	Stewart Haas Racing	Richard Boswell II	Ford	Texas A&M University
14	15	Cody Ware	Rick Ware Racing	Billy Plourde	Ford	Evel Knievel-Parts Plus/Pronto
15	16	Shane Van Gisbergen (i)	Kaulig Racing	Travis Mack	Chevrolet	Wendy’s Spicy Chicken
16	17	Chris Buescher	RFK Racing	Scott Graves	Ford	Castrol Edge
17	19	Martin Truex, Jr.	Joe Gibbs Racing	James Small	Toyota	Bass Pro Shops
18	20	Christopher Bell	Joe Gibbs Racing	Adam Stevens	Toyota	Rheem
19	21	Harrison Burton	Wood Brothers Racing	Jeremy Bullins	Ford	DEX Imaging
20	22	Joey Logano	Team Penske	Paul Wolfe	Ford	Pennzoil
21	23	Bubba Wallace	23XI Racing	Robert Barker	Toyota	Leidos/U.S. Air Force
22	24	William Byron	Hendrick Motorsports	Ryan Fugle	Chevrolet	RaptorTough.com
23	31	Daniel Hemric	Kaulig Racing	Trent Owens	Chevrolet	South Point Hotel and Casino
24	34	Michael McDowell	Front Row Motorsports	Travis Peterson	Ford	Love’s Travel Stops
25	38	Todd Gilliland	Front Row Motorsports	Ryan Bergenty	Ford	gener8tor
26	41	Ryan Preece	Stewart Haas Racing	Chad Johnston	Ford	Bonanza Cabernet
27	42	John Hunter Nemechek	LEGACY MOTOR CLUB	Brian Campe	Toyota	Pye Barker Fire & Safety
28	43	Erik Jones	LEGACY MOTOR CLUB	Ben Beshore	Toyota	Massey Motor Freight
29	45	Tyler Reddick	23XI Racing	Billy Scott	Toyota	Jordan Brand
30	47	Ricky Stenhouse	JTG Daugherty Racing	Michael Kelley	Chevrolet	Scott Brand
31	48	Alex Bowman	Hendrick Motorsports	Blake Harris	Chevrolet	Ally
32	51	Corey LaJoie	Rick Ware Racing	Chris Lawson	Ford	Mighty Fire Breaker
33	54	Ty Gibbs	Joe Gibbs Racing	Chris Gayle	Toyota	Monster Energy
34	71	Zane Smith	Spire Motorsports	Stephen Doran	Chevrolet	Focused Health
35	77	Carson Hocevar	Spire Motorsports	Luke Lambert	Chevrolet	Delaware Life
36	84	Jimmie Johnson	LEGACY MOTOR CLUB	Gene Wachtel	Toyota	Dollar Tree/Family Dollar
37	99	Daniel Suárez	Trackhouse Racing	Matt Swiderski	Chevrolet	Tootsies Orchid Lounge

“* equals withdrawn from the event
(i) equals ineligible for driver championship points

NASCAR Xfinity Series Preliminary Entry List – Numerical

7th Annual Ambetter Health 302 – NASCAR Xfinity Series – Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Entry	Veh#	Driver	Organization	Crew Chief	Veh Mfg	Sponsor
1	0	Cole Custer	Stewart Haas Racing	Jonathan Toney	Ford	3D Systems
2	1	Sam Mayer	JR Motorsports	Mardy Lindley	Chevrolet	10X Health
3	2	Jesse Love	Richard Childress Racing	Danny Stockman	Chevrolet	Whelen
4	5	Anthony Alfredo	Our Motorsports	Joshua Graham	Chevrolet	Dead On Tools
5	7	Justin Allgaier	JR Motorsports	Jim Pohlman	Chevrolet	BRANDT
6	8	Sammy Smith	JR Motorsports	Phillip Bell	Chevrolet	Pilot Flying J
7	9	Brandon Jones	JR Motorsports	Adam Wall	Chevrolet	Menards/Pelonis
8	10	Daniel Dye (i)	Kaulig Racing	Philippe Lopez	Chevrolet	Trackside
9	11	Josh Williams	Kaulig Racing	Eddie Pardue	Chevrolet	Alloy Employer Services
10	15	Dylan Lupton	AM Racing	Ryan London	Ford	AirBox
11	16	AJ Allmendinger	Kaulig Racing	Alex Yontz	Chevrolet	Modern Day Garage
12	18	Sheldon Creed	Joe Gibbs Racing	Sam McAulay	Toyota	Friends of Jaclyn Foundation
13	19	Taylor Gray (i)	Joe Gibbs Racing	Seth Chavka	Toyota	Operation 300
14	20	Aric Almirola	Joe Gibbs Racing	Tyler Allen	Toyota
15	21	Austin Hill	Richard Childress Racing	Andy Street	Chevrolet	Global Industrial
16	26	Corey Heim (i)	Sam Hunt Racing	Kris Bowen	Toyota	Synergy Modular
17	27	Jeb Burton	Jordan Anderson Racing	Shane Whitbeck	Chevrolet	Puryear Tank Lines
18	28	Ryan Sieg	RSS Racing	Matt Noyce	Ford	Sci Aps
19	29	Blaine Perkins	RSS Racing	Steve Addington	Ford	VIVID EV
20	31	Parker Retzlaff	Jordan Anderson Racing	Chad Kendrick	Chevrolet	FUNKAWAY
21	35	Akinori Ogata (i)	Joey Gase Motorsports	Mike Hillman Sr	Chevrolet	Moon
22	38	Matt DiBenedetto	RSS Racing	Kevin Johnson	Ford	ReMA
23	39	Kyle Sieg	RSS Racing	Joe Williams	Ford	The Thomas Group
24	42	Leland Honeyman Jr	Young’s Motorsports	Andrew Abbott	Chevrolet	LH Waterfront Construction
25	43	Ryan Ellis	Alpha Prime Racing	Keith Wolfe	Chevrolet
26	44	Brennan Poole	Alpha Prime Racing	Frank Kerr	Chevrolet	Macc Door Systems
27	48	Parker Kligerman	Big Machine Racing	Patrick Donahue	Chevrolet	Big Machine Spiked Coolers
28	51	Jeremy Clements	Jeremy Clements Racing	Mark Setzer	Chevrolet	First Pacific Funding
29	81	Chandler Smith	Joe Gibbs Racing	Jeff Meendering	Toyota	QuickTie
30	91	Kyle Weatherman	DGM Racing	Mario Gosselin	Chevrolet
31	92	Dawson Cram (i)	DGM Racing	Bryan Berry	Chevrolet	Trade With the Pros
32	97	Shane Van Gisbergen	Kaulig Racing	Kevin Walter	Chevrolet	WeatherTech
33	98	Riley Herbst	Stewart Haas Racing	Davin Restivo	Ford	Monster Energy
34	107	TBA	SS-Green Light Racing	Paul Clapprood	Chevrolet	BBPrintingCO.com
35	114	JJ Yeley	SS-Green Light Racing	Jason Miller	Chevrolet
36	145	Garrett Smithley	Alpha Prime Racing	Kase Kallenbach	Chevrolet
37	153	Joey Gase	Joey Gase Motorsports	Mike Tyska	Chevrolet	TBA
38	174	Ryan Vargas	Mike Harmon Racing	Mike Harmon	Chevrolet

October 16, 2024

‘Yung Money’ Banks Another ROVAL Victory

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 13, 2024) – One of the world’s best racing drivers delivered a virtuoso performance on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Kyle Larson, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, dominated his NASCAR Cup Series competitors and earned a convincing win in the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400.

Larson beat runner-up Christopher Bell to the checkered flag by 1.511 seconds on the reconfigured 17-turn, 2.28-mile circuit for his second career ROVAL™ victory and his sixth win of the season. William Byron was third, followed by Austin Cindric in fourth and Chase Elliott in fifth.

After Larson’s previous ROVAL™ victory in 2021, Larson went on to win his only NASCAR Cup Series championship.

After the cutoff race to enter the Round of 8, Larson, Bell, Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Stage 2 winner Alex Bowman, Denny Hamlin and regular season champion Tyler Reddick advanced into the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series championship playoffs with four races remaining. William Byron secured advancement prior to Sunday’s race.

Cindric, Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano and Daniel Suarez were eliminated from championship contention following the race. All four eliminated drivers were below the playoff threshold entering the race. Logano missed out to Reddick, the Stage 1 winner, by four points for the final spot in the Round of 8.

With Larson leading a race-high 62 laps, much of the late drama centered on the race between Reddick and Logano for the final advancement spot. Even though Logano finished eighth and Reddick ended up 11th, Reddick’s 14-point advantage entering the race proved to be just enough cushion to keep his championship dreams alive.

Reddick was hampered early in the second stage when he bumped into Hamlin going around the treacherous new Turn 7, and suffered some crippling mechanical damage. With fresh tires and solid pit work entering Stage 3, Reddick managed to work his way through the field enough to keep his championship dreams alive.

Larson completed the 109 laps in 3 hours, 0 minutes and 3 seconds for an average speed of 82.817 mph on his way to his 29th career NASCAR Cup Series win. Six drivers exchanged the lead seven times, with five caution periods taking up 13 laps.

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET (RACE WINNER): “It was cool to win here at home and have everyone here in Victory Lane celebrating. The crew’s families and kids, that’s what makes it special to win in Charlotte. It was a great day. Hendrick Motorsports is just two minutes away. It makes it great when you can win here. Everyone sacrifices so much time, when they have these photos from today it’ll be great for them to look back on. It’s extra special to win here for sure.

“[There are] no statements that we’re trying to send. I think the field knows we are strong. It’s nice to win and gain five more points into the next round. I’m excited to get through today and help ourselves in the next round.”

CLIFF DANIELS, NO. 5 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET (WINNING CREW CHIEF): “We have a strong amount of respect for all the teams in the Round of 8. I think our No. 1 competitor is ourselves. Yes, the competition is going to be there. We need to stay tunnel visioned. The opening race in each round haven’t been kind to us. It’s going to take handling the little details. The No. 5 is always the beneficiary of the other three teams working together so well. It always evolves. I’ve been thankful to be in this position with Kyle and the No. 5 team. We’ve been surrounded by some great leadership along the way. Having four teams in the Round of 8 doesn’t happen by accident. I’m very thankful to be a part of it.

[Larson has] had the intensity and desire to be as good as ever right now. He was very determined to go in [the simulator]. I was the one trying to get him out of it. He wanted to find the cadence of hitting each corner. He came in with a mission that day and it certainly paid off. … Phoenix, for Hendrick Motorsports, started the day after Phoenix last year. It hurt last year to get beat for the championship. The day after that race, we started coming up with plans [to win].”

RICK HENDRICK, NO. 5 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET (WINNING TEAM OWNER): “You always talk about getting them into the Round of 8, but it’s so hard to do. You saw people above and below [the cutline] have trouble. The next three tracks are very good for us. Kyle set a blistering pace and we got everyone into the next round. Every year, you want to get better and better. Our teams have been better together. Bill France said, ‘Your mind will take you places your body won’t go,’ and I’m getting there. I’m living a dream. Nothing fuels you more than getting to that championship race and not winning.

“Every race this year, we’ve been looking toward Phoenix. We talked about it in the off-season, early in the season, and now, we want to finish the job. … Having all four in the final eight was the goal and we accomplished it. Now, we have to go out and win races and do the best we can. I’m thinking about the next three races right now.”

CHRISTOPHER BELL, NO. 20 JOE GIBBS RACING TOYOTA (RUNNER-UP): “It was good but not great. It’s weird. You wouldn’t think dirty air is a big deal on these road courses but it is. Hopefully, we get a re-do in Phoenix.”

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET (THIRD PLACE): “It was kind of all we had. It was a good day, but I definitely wanted more. It feels good [to finish third]. I mean, we’ve always been pretty good in this round. The way it’s laid out, I really don’t know why, but we’ve executed really well and not made many mistakes. That’s the key and I feel like in this next round, continuing to bring more speed will be critical. We’ll see where we are from there.”

Additional Quotes:

FIFTH PLACE: CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET: “Really proud of everyone in Hendrick Motors[ports to have four of the last eight standing. I hope everyone is really proud because that’s a hard thing to do. Obviously I’d love to win the race but I was pretty proud of that effort. We had to take the stage points but you put yourself in an uphill battle. Glad to be moving on. You get to the Round of 8, it’s anyone’s ballgame.”

EIGHTH PLACE: JOEY LOGANO, NO. 22 TEAM PENSKE FORD: “We fought hard, for sure. We just didn’t get quite enough at the end. Tyler did a good job going up through the field. Congrats to them, they fought hard. It just wasn’t meant to be. You can think through the season and find four points in a lot of places.”

10TH PLACE: RYAN BLANEY, NO. 12 TEAM PENSKE FORD: “We were in a decent spot coming into the game. We did the stage-point game. Appreciate everyone on this No. 12 team. I look forward to the next three weeks. I think they line up for us well.”

11TH PLACE: TYLER REDDICK, NO. 45 23XI Racing TOYOTA: “Me and my boss [Hamlin] got together [in the second stage]. This thing was absolutely destroyed. A big thank you to the team. We kept working on it and got it better for Stage 3. You just have to stay calm and focused. It’s so easy to lose track of what you can control. It just worked out for us and got us to the good side of the cutline.”

14TH PLACE: DENNY HAMLIN, NO. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing TOYOTA: “Seven is the same as 100. It’s such a tough spot to be in when you were up like we were. You can’t be as aggressive as you want to but you can’t give away positions, either. Great job by our team.”

TICKETS:

Tickets to upcoming speedway events, including the Nov. 6-9 World of Outlaws World Finals, are available at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on X and Instagram, becoming a Facebook fan or downloading the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

October 13, 2024
NASCAR to Expand Campus Lab Program Starting Next Semester at Winston-Salem State University

The Initiative Launched in 2023 at Daytona-based HBCU Campus will be Available in Florida and North Carolina Starting in 2025

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct. 13, 2024) – After a successful kick-off semester at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, NASCAR announced today the expansion of the Campus Lab Program. Starting in the spring semester of 2025, students at Winston-Salem State University will also have the opportunity to join the program that targets highly motivated students interested in pursuing careers in the fast-paced sports industry and will provide them with hands-on experience through a specialized curriculum.

“The goal of the NASCAR Campus Lab Program is to provide exposure to the motorsports industry, and we were able to accomplish that over the past year and a half since launching the program”, said Caryn Grant, Senior Director of NASCAR Diversity and Inclusion. “As a result, we’ve introduced career opportunity, experience and guidance that has positively impacted participants, including a student from the inaugural cohort at Bethune-Cookman University who earned a spot in the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program and was then hired at NASCAR. We look forward to continuing to develop future professionals at Winston-Salem State University and making a similar impact.”

Winston-Salem State University is located in North Carolina. It is the only HBCU and only public university to offer a motorsports management degree program. Currently, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth is a full-time student at WSSU pursuing a degree in motorsports management. He made history earlier this year as the third Black driver to win a NASCAR national series race.

Students accepted to the NASCAR Campus Lab Program will get real-world experience developing a marketing activation while managing a set budget provided by NASCAR, compete in a case study competition, get a behind-the-scenes view of careers throughout the industry, be paired with a mentor from NASCAR’s Black employee resource group, and receive resume and interview tips from human resources professionals.

Upon completion of the program, NASCAR will provide participating students with a scholarship prize, and at least one eligible student will earn a spot in the highly competitive NASCAR Diversity Internship Program for the upcoming summer. NDIP was launched in 2000 and since then more than 500 college students have participated in the industry’s longest-running diversity initiative.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with NASCAR in establishing this innovative campus lab, which will provide our students with hands-on exposure to the motorsports industry,” said WSSU Chancellor Bonita Brown. “This partnership opens the door to unique career opportunities, allowing our students to engage in STEM fields, business, and marketing. Together, we’re breaking new ground and paving the way for a more diverse future in racing while positioning our students for successful careers in the motorsports industry.”

The NASCAR Campus Lab Program is open to sophomores and juniors at Winston-Salem State University within the college of arts, sciences, business and education who have a demonstrated interest in working in the sports industry. Applications for the spring 2025 cohort will open October 8 and close November 1.

About NASCAR

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

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

About Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU’s curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Founded in 1892, WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region, and beyond. It is ranked the No. 1 university in North Carolina for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report. Guided by the motto, “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment. For more information, visit www.wssu.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.

October 13, 2024
Mayer Cures NASCAR Playoff Woes, Captures Another ROVAL Victory

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 12, 2024) – Sam Mayer’s championship dreams looked to be dashed – just before a mad dash of his own gave him another shot at a title.

On a day that started with a black flag – and almost ended with a second-place finish – perseverance was the key for Mayer, who passed fellow NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff driver Parker Kligerman on the next-to-last lap during a green-white-checkered overtime finish and held on to win Saturday’s Drive For The Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC on the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL™.

Driving the No. 1 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, the 21-year-old from Franklin, Wisc., earned his seventh career NASCAR Xfinity Series win and his second consecutive ROVAL™ triumph. Mayer overcame a 13-point playoff deficit to start the day after expertly moving past Kligerman during an overtime finish which came after NASCAR ruled a late caution period came just before Kligerman, leading at the time, took the white flag during regulation.

For Kligerman, who finished sixth after suffering a tire rub in overtime, all he could do was sit in his window and watch Mayer’s celebratory burnout from pit road.

A.J. Allmendinger was second, with pole winner Shane Van Gisbergen in third, Austin Hill in fourth and Chandler Smith in fifth.

Kligerman, Van Gisbergen, Sheldon Creed and Riley Herbst were eliminated from championship contention, leaving eight drivers left to battle for the title over the season’s final four races. Justin Allgaier, who finished seventh, joined Mayer as drivers who began the day outside the championship field but raced their way in. Allmendinger won Stage 1 while Allgaier took Stage 2.

Mayer was shown the black flag while leading after the first lap for a start violation.

SAM MAYER, NO. 1 JR Motorsports CHEVROLET (RACE WINNER): “Luckily, [the caution light] came on early. The last restart was unbelievable. I just turned underneath [Kligerman] on the exit of Turn 7. It worked out really well. We wanted to defend our race win from last year. This one is definitely sweeter with all the road-course aces in the field. This was probably the toughest Xfinity [Series] field on the ROVAL™ and we came out on top, so I’m super proud of that. I said this morning, ‘If you’re in my way in Turn 7, you’re not going to have a good day,’ and I kind of meant that for everyone except [Kligerman]. I was able to put him in a bad spot there [after the last restart] and then kind of drive away, but we raced each other clean. I think this was one of the cleanest Xfinity races on the ROVAL™ in a long time, too.”

A.J. ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 KAULIG RACING CHEVROLET (RUNNER-UP): “We were on the line of, we were in, but if we crashed we were out. I feel bad for Parker. I thought he got it at the line there. I thought [Mayer] and [Kligerman], for what was at stake, I thought it was pretty fair. It was cleaner than I expected.”

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN, NO. 97 KAULIG RACING CHEVROLET (THIRD-PLACE FINISHER): “Our car speed was really, really good. I didn’t know what the points [standings] were in the car [as the race unfolded]. I was doing the best I could. [If] you’re relying on people to take each other out, I don’t want to win that way.”

TICKETS:

The action continues Sunday with the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400. Tickets are available at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in for just $10.

MORE INFO:

Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on X and Instagram, becoming a Facebook fan or downloading the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

October 13, 2024