Category: Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous news and information from SpeedwayMedia.com

  • TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Unveils “GR H2 Racing Concept” at Le Mans 24 Hours

    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Unveils “GR H2 Racing Concept” at Le Mans 24 Hours

    Toyota City, Japan, June 9, 2023 – (JCN Newswire) – At a press conference of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) at Circuit de la Sarthe in western France on June 9, Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda revealed for the first time the hydrogen engine vehicle prototype “GR H2 Racing Concept”.

    Developed with future competition in its sights, the prototype’s unveiling was spurred by a recent announcement by the ACO, the organizer of Le Mans 24 Hours, that it would allow hydrogen-engine vehicles to compete–in addition to fuel cell electric vehicles–in the race’s hydrogen category.

    Speaking at the press conference, Toyoda congratulated the ACO on the centenary of the Le Mans 24 Hours (Le Mans) endurance race and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to hone cars through the race.

    Toyota has been competing using a hydrogen-engine Corolla in the Super Taikyu Series since Round 3 of the 2021 season and raced the same car in the IDEMITSU 1500 SUPER ENDURANCE 2022 at Thailand’s Chang International Circuit in December 2022. By doing so, it has been honing its technologies in the harsh environment of motorsports and, with like-minded partners in and outside the automotive industry, accelerating its efforts for producing, transporting, and using hydrogen toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society. Toyota intends to further advance such efforts for making ever-better motorsports-bred cars and realizing a carbon-neutral society and it looks forward to taking on the challenge of a new generation of Le Mans 24 races.

    The “GR H2 Racing Concept” will be on display at ACO’s “H2 Village” at the venue of Le Mans during the race. (Exhibition period: Friday, June 9, from 9:30 a.m. local time to Sunday, June 11).

    For more information, visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/39298048.html.

  • Peugeot Hybrid Hypercar With Gentex Digital Vision System Ready for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

    Peugeot Hybrid Hypercar With Gentex Digital Vision System Ready for the 24 Hours of Le Mans

    LES MANS, France, June 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), an official supplier partner of Peugeot Sport and leading provider of vision-related technologies to the global automotive industry, has equipped Peugeot’s all-new 9X8 Hybrid Hypercar with an intelligent rear vision system designed to optimize the vehicle’s rearward view during the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans and for the FIA World Endurance Championship.

    With a focus on performance and safety, Peugeot Sport and Gentex partnered to implement a state-of-the-art digital rearview mirror that will enhance the driver’s visibility and situational awareness during the race. The system is an enhanced racing version of Gentex’s Full Display Mirror (FDM), a digital rearview mirror available on more than 90 passenger vehicles around the world. The technology captures video from a rearward-facing camera and streams it to a mirror-integrated LCD display, providing drivers with a wide, unobstructed view behind the vehicle.

    “The Gentex mirror has really changed the game for us, especially in endurance racing in these closed-cockpit cars that we have today,” said Gustavo Menezes, racing driver at Peugeot Sport. “You always had cars in your blind spot and had to assume when to leave the space. Now, fighting through traffic, the moment you see the car that you’ve just overtaken in the Gentex display mirror, you already know that you are clear and can move back to the racing line.”

    To highlight the benefits of a digital rear view, Gentex and Peugeot Sport produced a short video featuring interviews with driver Gustavo Menezes and François Coudrain, head of powertrain for Peugeot Sport’s WEC program.

    The passenger-vehicle version of the Gentex digital rearview mirror offers bi-modal functionality. In mirror mode, the product functions as a standard rearview mirror. But with the flip of a lever, the mirror enters display mode, and a clear, bright, LCD display appears through the mirror’s reflective surface, providing a wide, unobstructed rearward view.

    The Peugeot 9X8 Hypercar is a high-performance racing car designed to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). This season, after a 12-year absence from the Le Mans 24 Hours, the French carmaker is looking forward to following in the footsteps of the brand’s famous endurance models, the Peugeot 905 and Peugeot 908, winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1992 and 1993, and in 2009 respectively.

    The flagship race of the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is one of the world’s oldest motor races and is admired around the globe. Started in 1923 as a showcase for car manufacturers to prove the durability of their vehicles in competition it has become the ideal testing ground for a multitude of technology developments which can be subsequently applied across the motor industry. The century of the Le Mans 24 Hours race will take place on 10 – 11 June 2023.

    About Peugeot Sport
    For more than 10 years, Peugeot Sport has been perfecting its mastery of Hybrid-Electric technology in competition and on the road. After the 908 HY, 908 HYbrid4, 308 R Hybrid and 208 FE projects, neo-performance is now available to everyone with the launch of the new PEUGEOT SPORT ENGINEERED line, which will be supported from 2022 by a new World Endurance Championship (WEC) program.

    About Gentex
    Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) is a supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for aviation markets, and fire protection products to the fire protection market. Visit the company website at www.gentex.com.

  • RACE OF CHAMPIONS SUPER STOCK SERIES CARRYING ON THROUGH THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE “BIG 10” SUPER STOCKS THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

    RACE OF CHAMPIONS SUPER STOCK SERIES CARRYING ON THROUGH THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE “BIG 10” SUPER STOCKS THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

    The 2023 Spencer Speedway Season to be presented by Wilbert’s U-Pull-It, Billy Whittaker Ford and Ferris Mowers

    Williamson, N.Y. – (June 8, 2023) – The Race of Champions Super Stock Series will join the Race of Champions Modified Series this Friday night. It is a date of great significance for Super Stock competitors throughout the region as the Race of Champions Super Stock Series, carrying on the legacy of the Big 10 Super Stock program will be celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary.

    Joe Mancuso of Buffalo, N.Y., started the Series based on his desire to keep the division alive 10-years ago and the Series will once again be celebrated this Friday at the 68th Annual Spencer Speedway opening event with $1,000-to-win 25-lap event.

    “We were able to start something that has grown and been carried on,” stated Joe Mancuso, who will be in competition this Friday at Spencer Speedway. “It was a dream to start the Series so we could keep our style of racing going in the region and then we were able to partner with the Race of Champions and let them guide it forward so I could focus on racing, which is what I truly enjoy. The Series has presented incredible competition and we are looking forward to another great year.”

    The Rocket Performance Race of Champions 602 Modified Series along with the wild action of the Wilbert’s U-Pull It Four Cylinder and Wilbert’s U-Pull It Super Six Series will also join Friday night’s racing card at Spencer.

    The “Food Truck Frenzy” featuring local food trucks and tastes from the area will also make its return with some unique additions. In addition to standard fare from the Ontario Volunteer Fire Department, there will be BBQ truck joining us as well as an Ice Cream truck along with the Williamson Apple Blossom Festival selling fried dough and more, along with the new addition of a popcorn truck .

    Advanced discount tickets will be available online as well as at Wilbert’s U-Pull It locations and Billy Whittaker Ford in Williamson, with tickets going on sale next Tuesday, May 31. Skip the lines by purchasing tickets on the Ticket Hoss App and pit passes available on the PitPay App.

    The gates for the 68th Annual season opener will swing open for fans at 5:00pm with qualifying at 7:15pm.

    Where: Spencer Speedway, Williamson, N.Y.

    When: Friday, June 9, 2022

    Tickets: $27 General Admission; $22 Senior/Military (65-years and older. Military with proper identification); Children 15-10 years of age will be admitted for $17. Children under the age of 10 will be admitted Free for this event.

    Directions: The track is located just fifteen minutes east of Rochester, N.Y., at 3020 Route 104, Williamson, NY 14589

    What: 68th Annual Season Opener; Race of Champions Modified Series, Race of Champions Super Stock Series, Rocket Performance Race of Champions 602 Series; Wilbert’s Four Cylinders and Wilbert’s Super Six Division.

    More Information: www.rocmodifiedseries.com

    The Race of Champions is a sanctioning body presenting Modified and Stock Car racing on asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey with primary marketing partners Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Lucas Oil Products, MAVTV, MAVTV Plus, Airport Collision, Rocket Performance, Waddell Communications, Image X Design, Sherwood Racing Wheels, DirtTrackDigest.com and Speed Sport. The 72nd and 73rd annual Race of Champions weekend will take place in 2023 at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pennsylvania and is the second longest consecutive auto-racing event in North America, second only to the Indianapolis 500.

  • NASCAR and Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR) Announce Multi-Year Partnership Extension

    NASCAR and Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR) Announce Multi-Year Partnership Extension

    Focus on Innovation and Enhancing the Fan Experience Will Include New Ticketing Partner RFP Process

    Daytona Beach, Fla. / Foxborough, Mass. (June 8, 2023) – NASCAR and Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR), a leading technology and consulting services firm within sports and entertainment, today announced the renewal and extension of their groundbreaking partnership. The multi-year commitment highlights the impact of the organizations’ work together the past two years and reaffirms their continued focus on revolutionizing the racing industry through data-driven strategies and cutting-edge fan technology to create unforgettable experiences for fans across the world.

    “NASCAR is fiercely committed to evolving the fan experience through deeper data insights and we have loved partnering with them since 2021 on this journey to transform their consumer data capabilities,” said Jessica Gelman, KAGR CEO. “We look forward to the continued collaboration, from enhancing personalized experiences and expanding NASCAR’s first-party database to driving data application across the NASCAR ecosystem and setting the foundation for sustainable growth well into the future.”

    As part of the extended partnership, KAGR will consult with NASCAR through a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) process to identify a best-in-class ticketing sales and fulfillment engine. This initiative will enhance the ticketing platform and contribute to a more streamlined and enjoyable experience for fans attending NASCAR events.

    “We are delighted to renew our partnership with Kraft Analytics Group,” said Tim Clark, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer. “As the gold standard in the industry, KAGR’s expertise in consumer data and strategic consulting has driven significant growth and innovation within our organization already, and we’re excited about what we can continue to build together in this space.”

    Since 2021, KAGR has worked closely with NASCAR leadership, including Clark and Vice President of Data Strategy Kari Gritton, to define the necessary resources and organizational structure to centralize data competencies and foster analytical rigor throughout all aspects of the business following NASCAR’s merger with International Speedway Corporation.

    “NASCAR is in a unique position as a league-level sanctioning body that also owns and operates multiple tracks,” said Gritton. “It’s critical we take advantage of that opportunity through data analytics and advanced technologies to gain deeper understanding of our fans’ mindsets and behaviors. KAGR is a tremendous resource in helping us unlock that full potential and, together, we hope to harness the power of data to redefine the very essence of sports in the digital age.”

    KAGR will continue to provide strategic consulting services to NASCAR’s consumer data team, supporting the expansion of its capabilities and reach through increased investments in data and technology. KAGR will empower NASCAR to grow its first-party database, enabling the organization to gain deeper insights into its fan base and identify opportunities to better serve them. These services will encompass refining and enhancing critical processes related to data acquisition, customer segmentation, and personalized lifecycle engagement across various channels such as marketing, content, and in-venue experiences.

    KAGR has also collaborated with NASCAR to analyze historical fan demand and attendance trends on a market-by-market basis, resulting in the development of a comprehensive long-term ticket pricing strategy for each race. This strategy, combined with tailored “tools-to-sell” recommendations, has been instrumental in stimulating event demand.

    Going forward, KAGR will extend its ticket pricing analysis to encompass a broader market analysis, utilizing consumer insights and analysis to help inform NASCAR’s long-term schedule evolution.

    About KAGR:

    Kraft Analytics Group (KAGR) is a progressive technology and service company providing data management, advanced analytics, and consulting services for the sports and entertainment industries. Whether leveraging its proprietary technology platform or partnering with its strategic services team, KAGR helps organizations become data-driven and uses those analytics to grow the bottom line. KAGR is a team of the brightest minds in sports, entertainment, and technology focused on finding insights for their clients who span across all the major six U.S. sports leagues, college athletics, and other key industry players. For more information, visit www.kagr.com.

    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’).

  • Camaro Motorsports Heritage Grows with ZL1 Garage 56 Edition

    Camaro Motorsports Heritage Grows with ZL1 Garage 56 Edition

    DETROIT – While three of the world’s most accomplished drivers are set to pilot the Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend, 56 enthusiasts will get to own a car inspired by this incredibly special race car. The production 2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition, which will be available later this year, celebrates the legendary effort to run a NASCAR Cup Camaro ZL1 at Le Mans.

    The Garage 56 project is a collaboration between NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, Goodyear and IMSA — bringing together the winningest team, manufacturer and tire in NASCAR’s 75-year history.

    “Even though Chevrolet has been racing since its inception in 1911, we’ve never done anything quite like Garage 56,” said General Motors President Mark Reuss.

    Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

    The race car vision began when NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France recognized an opportunity to showcase the capability of the NASCAR Next Gen car before a global audience. Garage 56, introduced at Le Mans in 2012 as a single-entry class reserved for innovative and extraordinary vehicles, provided the right venue for a NASCAR Cup Series car built to withstand 24 hours of maximum-effort driving to compete.

    Longtime Chevrolet partner Hendrick Motorsports, all-time leader in NASCAR Cup Series championships and race wins, was selected to field the team and construct the Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 race car. Renowned drivers Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion; Jenson Button, 2009 Formula One World Champion; and multi-time Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller will drive the Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 at Le Mans.

    Goodyear, both the official tire of NASCAR and the tire manufacturer for all sixth generation Camaro variants, provides Goodyear Eagle tires for the Garage 56 race car.

    Chevrolet’s Motorsports Competition Engineering team brought more than two decades of Le Mans knowledge, experience and success with Corvette Racing to help optimize the Garage 56 race car.

    Chevrolet engineers are also heavily involved in what may be the most memorable aspect of the Garage 56 Camaro: the throaty, all-American roar produced by the R07 Small Block V-8. The R07 serves Chevrolet teams in the NASCAR Cup Series, and the variant used in Le Mans was developed and tested to maximize performance and durability for the 24-hour race.

    Converting the Cup Camaro ZL1 to the Garage 56 race car required specific functional lighting, new aero treatments and a standout livery. The GM Motorsport Design Studio executed this vision with help from Hendrick Motorsports to bring Camaro’s signature proportions to the racetrack.

    2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition

    Renderings of the 2024 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition were shown publicly for the first time today in France during a “Meet the Team” event at Le Mans highlighting the race program and the race car.

    During talks between leadership from Chevrolet and collaborators at NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Goodyear and IMSA, it quickly became clear that such a special race car needed to be accompanied by a production car representing yet another significant accomplishment in Camaro’s storied motorsports heritage. Chevrolet’s Performance Design Studio was again tapped to distill the essence of the race car into a limited-edition road car.

    “When adapting a race car appearance into a production car, you want to showcase themes, proportions and colors without making the car look out of place on the street,” said Marc Mainville, senior manager, GM Motorsport Design Studio. “The Garage 56 Edition captures the feeling of the race car while allowing the car’s athletic lines to be in the forefront.”

    The design starts with the new-for-2024 Riptide Blue exterior color and adds a graphics package that pulls in colors and themes from the race car, including thin gold stripes that accent a larger white stripe running from hood to rear decklid. On the hood, just beyond the nose of the Camaro, is the NASCAR 75th Anniversary logo — matching the logo’s prominent placement on the race car. The gold and white stripes become an accent to the monochromatic stars and stripes visuals that start on the engine cowl on the hood and extend to the roof.

    A special Garage 56 badge is located on the front fenders, replacing the Camaro badging, and a Hendrick Motorsports logo is added to the sail panels in a similar position to the ones on the race car. Satin mirrors and a black fuel door with carbon fiber inserts are additional exterior highlights, while the interior receives Garage 56 emblems on the floormats and a Garage 56 steering wheel badge.

    Each car will come with three additional graphics that buyers can choose to equip their Garage 56 Editions with that represent the collaborators and are drawn from their decal positions on the race car: a NASCAR windshield header decal, white Goodyear front wheel arch decals and door decals displaying 24, the number run on the race car.

    The Garage 56 Edition also features unique aero, with the front fascia of the Camaro ZL1 1LE featuring dive-planes like the race car, and a NASCAR Cup car-style wicker bill spoiler on the decklid.

    Like the race car, the production car’s power comes from the Small Block engine family. The Camaro ZL1’s 650hp LT4 V-8 is under the hood, and the Camaro rides on Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar rubber.

    In the spirit of Garage 56, the Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition will be in a class of its own with only 56 cars to be produced for the U.S. market.

    Hitting the track and the showroom

    After months of testing, the Garage 56 Camaro ZL1 will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, beginning at 10 a.m. ET, Saturday, June 10.

    The Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition will enter production later this year at GM’s Lansing Grand River Assembly facility in Michigan1.

    About Chevrolet

    Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in nearly 80 countries with nearly 2.7 million cars and trucks sold in 2021. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

  • WIGHT MOTORSPORTS LOOKING TO REPEAT AT CHAUDIÈRE

    WIGHT MOTORSPORTS LOOKING TO REPEAT AT CHAUDIÈRE

    (June 8, 2023) One year ago Wight Motorsports Inc (WMI) scored the team’s first victory of the season with Andrew Ranger holding off the competition in a late restart at the Autodrome Chaudière in Vallée-Jonction, Quebec. This coming Saturday during round three of the 2023 NASCAR Pinty’s Series they’ll be looking for another win.

    The victory last season was Ranger’s second at the track near Quebec City but that doesn’t mean the team is resting on the accomplishment. New cars were built for this year and the WMI staff has been working feverishly to prepare both the #27 for Ranger and the #0 for Glenn Styres.

    The WMI team wanted to ensure that everything was performing as it should before the race this weekend and both drivers and cars turned laps in testing at the quarter mile track recently and showed plenty of speed. Following the meticulous preparation, the team is looking forward to positive results from both drivers.

    Weekend Race Event Preview
    Saturday June 10th 5:30PM ET
    Bud Light 300
    Race three of 14 in 2023
    This is the eighth NASCAR Pinty’s Series race at Autodrome Chaudière

    The Track:
    .25-mile banked, paved oval

    Best finish: Ranger race winner 2018 & 2022, Styres 23rd.

    Quotes:
    “We had a very good test day at Chaudière, it was a long journey but well worth it. We found a couple of issues that would have bitten us during the race, but we had time to get them fixed up and everyone on the team feels very positive and that we’re in a good position for success heading into this weekend. Preparations at the shop are almost complete and we’ll finishing loading the haulers for the weekend”.
    -Jeff Wilcox, WMI Director of Competition

    TV & Live Streaming
    All races will be streamed live on TSN+ and through FloRacing in the United States. The Bud Light 300 will also air on TSN Sunday on RDS2 date TBD.

    The 2023 NASCAR Pinty’s Series will consist of 14 total races in five provinces on a mixture of oval tracks along with road and street courses.

    Race fans can get the latest information regarding WMI and the drivers on these social media channels:

    Wight Motorsports Inc Twitter @Wightmotorsport Instagram @wightmotorsport

    Andrew Ranger: Twitter @AndrewRanger51 Instagram @andrew_ranger27

    Glenn Styres: Twitter @GlennStyres Instagram @glennstyres

  • Increasing Tax Benefits from Gifts to Charities

    Increasing Tax Benefits from Gifts to Charities

    As a freelancer or 1099 worker, it may be difficult to keep track of your tax deductions and ensure that you’re taking full advantage of the tax savings that are available. But one way you might be able to lower your tax obligation is by making charitable donations. In addition to feeling good about helping a cause or giving back to your community, you might be able to lessen your tax obligation.

    Charitable donations are eligible for tax breaks.

    The IRS has the authority to deduct a taxpayer’s charitable gifts’ value from their taxable income, thus reducing their tax obligation. For the purpose of claiming a charitable gift deduction, the above requirements must be met:

    A recognized organization must be a charity: The IRS maintains a list of certified organizations to whom charitable donations are eligible for tax deductions. These include nonprofits, temples, educational institutions, and a few government agencies.

    A gift must be provided within the tax year: Contributions made in the most recent tax year are the only ones that are eligible for a deduction.

    A monetary or valuable present must be given: Tax deductions are limited to donations of money or property. Tax deductions cannot be claimed for donated time or services.

    It is necessary to itemize a taxpayer’s deductions: To claim a charitable contribution deduction, the taxpayer must itemize their deductions on their tax return rather than taking the standard deduction.

    The taxpayer is obliged to keep documents in order to: To substantiate the deduction, the taxpayer must keep records of their charitable contributions, like receipts, bank statements, or letters they have sent to charities.

    Maximization of tax benefits associated with charity donations

    It’s important to understand how to maximize the tax advantages of your charitable contributions because they may be a fantastic way to help a cause you care about. Considering the following suggestions will help.

    Plan out your donations: Despite the temptation, it can be best for your tax situation if you spread out your presents over the year. Giving consistently over the course of the year may help you avoid having a big tax bill when the time comes to file your tax return.

    donating a valuable item Any valued stocks, mutual funds, or other assets might be donated to a worthy organization rather than being sold. By doing this, you may deduct the assets’ fair market value at the time of the donation and keep the appreciation free of capital gains tax.

    Observe a donor-advised fund: When you give money or other assets to a donor-advised fund, you immediately receive a tax benefit. This sort of charitable giving account allows you to do both. Consequently, future funding proposals for the organizations you support might be made.

    Make a donation to an established charity: As previously mentioned, tax benefits are only allowed for donations made to registered charities. Make sure the charity is reputable before giving by doing your research.

    Keeping meticulous records 

    To be eligible for a tax deduction for charitable contributions, you must have supporting paperwork. For the purpose of demonstrating your deduction, save all receipts, bank records, and communication from the charity.

    Making charitable contributions while organizing your taxes

    Your overall tax preparation strategy may include a large amount of charitable giving. By planning your donations over the course of the year and considering other tax-saving strategies like making contributions to a retirement account or taking advantage of business deductions, you may be able to reduce your tax bill and keep more of your hard-earned money.

    The fact that tax rules are frequently changed makes it imperative to stay informed of any changes that can have an effect on your tax situation. Making sure you’re using all available tax-saving strategies and adhering to the tax rules may be made easier by working with a tax specialist.

    Remarks at the end:

    Giving to charity not only makes you feel good about supporting your community, but it may also enable you to save as much money as possible on taxes. Knowing the requirements for claiming a charitable gift deduction and following the recommendations for maximizing your tax savings can help you make the most of your charitable donation and perhaps lower your tax obligation.

    Maintain detailed records of your charitable contributions and arrange your gifts throughout the year to avoid any last-minute surprises when it comes time to submit your tax return. By incorporating charitable giving into your overall tax planning strategy, you may be able to both lower your tax obligation and support causes that are important to you.

    The fact that charitable donations shouldn’t only be made for tax benefits must always be kept in mind. Supporting causes that align with your values and improve your community is essential. It’s possible to benefit from a tax cut while feeling good about the difference you’re making.
    In conclusion, taxpayers, particularly independent contractors, stand to gain from maximizing tax savings through charitable donations. By carefully considering your donations, maintaining meticulous records, and comprehending the regulations for claiming a deduction, you may be able to lower your tax obligation while still supporting organizations that are dear to you. Keep track of any changes to the tax code that might affect your charitable giving or refund, and always seek the advice of a tax professional for your unique situation.

  • Six Markets That Make Wagering on NASCAR a Blast

    Six Markets That Make Wagering on NASCAR a Blast

    NASCAR is one of the most popular sports in the United States and North America. Every week, millions tune in to watch some of the most talented drivers on the planet go head-to-head. Watching these incredibly skilled drivers zoom across speedways around the country is an experience that can be augmented by wagering on the events. Many bettors worldwide love placing bets on NASCAR races as the sport has an exciting simplicity for bettors.

    But whether you are sports betting in Quebec or Tallahassee, you need to familiarize yourself with the different NASCAR markets before you can win big. These markets are the different outcomes sportsbooks allow bettors to wager on within a NASCAR race or the league overall. Let’s look at the top markets to know when NASCAR betting.

    Futures

    The NASCAR Cup Series features 36 races, and eventually, when it is all said and done, there will be one driver that has collected the most points in the standings. That driver is the NASCAR Cup Series champion. Futures is a form of betting where gamblers wager on long-term outcomes within a league. For NASCAR, this would mean wagering on which driver will end the season as the overall champion.

    Outright Betting

    As we’ve mentioned, there are 36 races on the calendar in a typical NASCAR season. These highly competitive, hotly contested races will end with one driver in front. Outright betting is wagering on which driver will end up winning the race. For bettors watching an event, this is the most common form of betting. Each driver will have odds to win before the race begins, and typically, the outright market will have large payouts for gamblers.

    Place Betting

    Outright betting can be a little risky because, ultimately, only one driver is going to end up winning the race. That is why the payouts tend to be high. But if you want to be slightly more conservative, try place betting. Place betting is wagering on bettors to place rather than win. Bettors can choose to bet on several different kinds of place markets. The most common option is podium betting, where bettors wager on whether a driver will finish top three, but there is also top-five betting.

    Head-to-Head Betting

    The typical NASCAR race will feature 40 entrants, so there aren’t too many individual rivalries. However, some sportsbooks will manufacture these rivalries by creating a market centered around pitting two drivers against each other. Before the race begins, some sportsbooks offer head-to-head markets, where they will pick two drivers that are at similar positions in the standings and allow bettors to wager on which one will place higher in the race. This market is completely manufactured but adds a fun element to a race.

    Prop Betting

    A lot goes on in a typical race. For many bettors, the fun isn’t just about wagering on which bettor will win or place; it is about wagering on the many different unique outcomes that will transpire in a typical NASCAR event. Prop betting is a form of wagering where bettors can place bets on outcomes that go beyond the typical. These can include things like betting on which bettor will have the fastest lap and so on. Prop bets are essentially outcomes within the race that may not define who wins overall.

    Live Race Betting

    If you forget to get your wagers in before the race begins, it can be frustrating. But just about every sportsbook will allow bettors to place their bets on live events even after they are underway. Most sportsbooks have an odds algorithm that adjusts according to what is happening live, so bettors can continue to bet on NASCAR races even after the drivers have roared out of the gates.

  • Toyota Gazoo Racing Driver and Team Principal, Kamui Kobayashi, to Make NASCAR Debut at Indianapolis Road Course for 23XI Racing

    Toyota Gazoo Racing Driver and Team Principal, Kamui Kobayashi, to Make NASCAR Debut at Indianapolis Road Course for 23XI Racing

    E MANS, France (June 7, 2023) – Toyota and 23XI Racing announced today that famed Toyota Gazoo Racing driver and WEC (World Endurance Championship) team principal, Kamui Kobayashi will make his NASCAR debut in the No. 67 Toyota Genuine Parts Camry TRD at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on August 13.

    “NASCAR is something different in the culture of motorsports compared to Japan and Europe – as a driver, it’s the American dream,” said Kamui Kobayashi, Toyota Gazoo Racing driver and WEC team principal. “I was lucky to be able to race in IMSA the last couple of years. It’s a different form of racing, but I think the racing technology is at a high level. I really appreciate this opportunity from TRD, U.S.A. and of course Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Gazoo Racing. Toyota has been racing in NASCAR for a long time, but I don’t think any other Japanese driver has raced a Toyota in the Cup Series. I’m very proud of this opportunity.”

    Kobayashi started his racing career karting in Japan and after winning several titles, he won a scholarship to join Toyota’s Young Drivers program and made the transition into single seater race cars. This portion of his career also started in Japan and later into Europe, which led to being hired as Toyota’s Formula 1 driver. In 2008, Toyota signed Kobayashi as their third driver resulting in his debut during the 2009 season at the Brazilian GP. Kobayashi was active until 2014 in the highest level of racing in the world, Formula 1. Following his Formula 1 career, Kobayashi returned to Japan where he switched to the Supra Formula Series, a class he still actively competes in today. Kobayashi also competed as part of the IMSA Series for the Lexus Racing program in 2022 at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park when he filled in for the injured Jack Hawksworth. Kobayashi is now a driver and team principal with the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

    “It’s truly an honor to have Kamui want to participate in our NASCAR Cup Series program, and we’re thrilled that we could work with our partners at 23XI Racing to give him a competitive Camry TRD for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course event.” said David Wilson, President of TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development). “Kamui shares the passion for motorsports that all of us at Toyota and TRD, U.S.A. live every day so it will be exciting to show him our NASCAR program with him behind the wheel of one of our TRD Camrys.”

    “We are thrilled to support Kamui in his first NASCAR Cup Series start as we field another competitive Toyota for the race in Indianapolis,” said Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing. “This race will also serve as a great opportunity for our team to compete with and learn from a highly accomplished driver. Earlier in the season the No. 67 team did a great job preparing and executing at the Daytona 500 and we look forward to the same with Kamui. We are also excited to introduce Kamui’s many international fans to 23XI and our sport.”

    Toyota began competing in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2007 and since that first event, have gone on to accumulate 174 victories across 17 seasons. In addition, Toyota drivers have earned three driver championships – Kyle Busch (2015, 2019) and Martin Truex Jr. (2017). Toyota has also claimed three manufacturer championships (2016, 2017 and 2019). In 2023, Toyota drivers have won four races with four different drivers. Those victories have allowed four Toyota drivers to secure their positions in this year’s championship Playoffs, including 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick.

    The NASCAR Cup Series will compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on Sunday, August 13 at 2:30 PM ET.

    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 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 45 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th 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 22 electrified options.

    Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.

    About 23XI Racing

    23XI Racing – pronounced twenty-three eleven – was founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin in 2020. With rising NASCAR star Bubba Wallace selected to drive the No. 23 Toyota Camry TRD, the team made its NASCAR Cup Series debut in the 2021 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Wallace made history on October 4, 2021, when he captured his first career Cup Series win, becoming just the second African American to win in the Cup Series, and earning 23XI its first-ever victory. 23XI expanded to a two-car organization in 2022 with Cup Series Champion Kurt Busch driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry TRD. With a win at Kansas Speedway in May of 2022, Busch earned 23XI the team’s first-ever playoff berth. 23XI currently features the lineup of Bubba Wallace in the No. 23 Toyota and Tyler Reddick in the No. 45 Toyota.

  • Overview of the Reliable Sports Betting and Casino Gaming Platform Indibet 2023

    Overview of the Reliable Sports Betting and Casino Gaming Platform Indibet 2023

    Introduction

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