Category: Truck Series PR

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Press Release

  • Toyota Racing – NCTS Darlington Post-Race Report – 05.10.24

    Toyota Racing – NCTS Darlington Post-Race Report – 05.10.24

    HOWARD LEADS THREE TRICON TOP-10 FINISHES AT DARLINGTON
    Heim wins first two stages before being involved in an on-track incident

    DARLINGTON, S.C. (May 10, 2024) – In just his second start of the season, Colby Howard ran an impressive race – running nearly the entire final stage inside the top-10 before finishing seventh. For the South Carolina-native, it is his second-best career Truck Series finish – just behind a top-five run in the Daytona season opener last year.

    Howard’s seventh was the first of three top-10 finishes for TRICON Garage with Taylor Gray in eighth and Tanner Gray in 10th.

    Fellow TRICON Garage driver Corey Heim started second and led 77 of the first 93 laps, while picking up two Playoff points before being involved in an on-track incident in the early part of the third stage that also ended the night for his teammate, Dean Thompson.

    Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
    NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
    Darlington Raceway
    Race 9 of 23 – 147 Laps, 200.802 Miles

    TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
    1st, Ross Chastain*
    2nd, Nick Sanchez*
    3rd, Ben Rhodes*
    4th, Christian Eckes*
    5th, Ty Majeski*
    7th, COLBY HOWARD
    8th, TAYLOR GRAY
    10th, TANNER GRAY
    13th, TIMMY HILL
    14th, STEWART FRIESEN
    28th, COREY HEIM
    29th, DEAN THOMPSON
    *non-Toyota driver

    TOYOTA QUOTES

    COLBY HOWARD, No. 1 Coastal Sports Cards Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

    Finishing Position: 7th

    Can you tell us about this strong run and that final restart?

    “It was an uphill battle all night with our Coastal Sports Cards Tundra. We started in the midpack, and we drove our way up to 13th, and we had a bad pit stop – the jack dropped – and we went back to about 20th. We drove all the way back up there through all of these guys out here, and dodged a pretty big wreck coming off of (turn) two – that was huge for us. That really put us in a good position. We were just running it out, and had that late caution, and people were just not using their heads. It could have been a really special night.”

    COREY HEIM, No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

    Finishing Position: 28th

    What happened out there?

    “It is certainly disappointing. I felt like we had a really good Safelite Tundra TRD Pro. We made it a lot better throughout the race. I thought we got really tight in stage one, and we made it better in stage two and was looking forward to making it better in stage three and kind of running away with that one. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy. We got taken out, and that is part of it.”

    DEAN THOMPSON, No. 5 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

    Finishing Position: 29th

    What happened?

    “The truck just got really free. These trucks race so free on restarts, and hard racing turned into a wrecked truck. TRICON Garage brought me a really good Thompson Pipe Group Tundra. We got some stage points, and ran really well in stage two. I feel like we could have finished well too, just hard racing.”

    About Toyota

    Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.

    Toyota directly employs more than 49,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 34 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 10th 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 28 electrified options.

    Through its Driving Possibilities initiative, the Toyota USA Foundation has committed to creating innovative educational programs within, and in partnership with, historically underserved and diverse communities near the company’s U.S. operating sites.

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

  • Young’s Motorsports Darlington Raceway – Truck | Xfinity Team Preview

    Young’s Motorsports Darlington Raceway – Truck | Xfinity Team Preview

    Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series
    Darlington (S.C.) Raceway | Buckle Up South Carolina 200

    Fast Facts
    No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:
    Driver: Mason Massey
    Primary Partner(s): Young’s Building Systems | Randco Industries Inc.
    Manufacturer: Chevrolet Silverado RST
    2024 Driver Points Position: 23rd
    2024 Owner Points Position: 26th
    Engine: Ilmor Racing Technologies

    Notes of Interest:

    Settled In: In February, Young’s Motorsports announced that Mason Massey will compete full-time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series this season aboard the team’s flagship, No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST, which will continue with Friday night’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

    Massey arrived at Young’s Motorsports after running a limited NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule last season for SS-GreenLight Racing, including a top-10 performance at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

    The Douglasville, Ga. native started his 2023 Truck Series season with Reaume Brothers Racing and competed in seven races with a season-high 11th place finish at Texas Motor Speedway, but later shifted his presence to Xfinity for five races throughout the 33-race season.

    About Mason: Massey has over 20 years of experience behind the wheel, launching his racing career at age five. Since then, he has garnered over 200 feature wins, 11 championships, and 10 track records across multiple series, including the U.S. Legends Pro National Championship.

    Amongst the many Late Model victories to Massey’s credit during his tenure in the Bill Elliott Racing Development Program is the 2012 triumph in the Alabama 200. He eventually graduated to NASCAR in 2019, competing in the Truck Series before advancing to the Xfinity Series in 2020.

    After part-time Xfinity stints in 2020 and 2021, respectively, the Georgian captured the attention of many with an impressive sixth-place finish in the spring 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series contest at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway in front of the hometown crowd.

    With 40 more NASCAR starts to his resume since his first career NASCAR top-10 effort, Massey has landed with Young’s Motorsports, a longtime fixture in the Truck Series, hoping to impress and land the organization back in Victory Lane this season.

    All-Aboard!: For the ninth of 23 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races this season, Young’s Building Systems and Randco Industries Inc. return to serve as the co-primary marketing partners on the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST for the 147-lap race on Friday night.

    Since 1981, Young’s Building Systems has been providing West Texas with all their metal building needs. This family-owned and operated business has become an industry favorite due to the experience gained and the professional results completed. Young’s Building System is a division of Randco Industries, Inc. We have expanded into a company that has the ability to erect any type of building, from a small single story to a city high-rise.

    Our customers have multiple uses for our buildings, including commercial, residential, agricultural, industrial, skid-mounted buildings and compressor station buildings.

    We also have a team that specializes in stairs and railings of all shapes and sizes. Young’s Building Systems is fully insured for your peace of mind, so we carry workmen’s compensation and general liability coverage that goes above and beyond State requirements.

    Our company is fully equipped with moving and lifting equipment along with compressors, generators and welding equipment. We have the tools and equipment needed to support large, demanding projects. Our work ethic is based on the principles of quality, promptness, and customer experience.

    Young’s Building Systems continuously raises our standard of excellence and works hard to make sure that each and every one of your needs are met.

    Mason Massey Truck Series Darlington (S.C.) Raceway Stats: Friday night’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200 will mark Massey’s first Truck Series start at the 1.33-mile South Carolina oval.

    However, Massey does own four NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Darlington for B.J. McLeod Motorsports, DGM Racing and Rick Ware Racing, respectively.

    In 2021, Massey delivered his Xfinity-track best finish of 18th after starting 26th in the Sport Clips | VFW Help A Hero 200 for Rick Ware Racing.

    Mason Massey Truck Series Career Stats: Entering Darlington, Massey has 22 career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races to his credit. He has earned a career-best 11th-place finish twice, most recently at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway after starting 29th in the Long John Silver’s 200 for Young’s Motorsports.

    Massey also finished 11th at Texas Motor Speedway after starting 27th in the 2023 edition of the SpeedyCash.com 250 for Reaume Brothers Racing.

    Since 2019, he has carried an average finish of 24.5.

    Kansas Speedway | Heartland of America 200 Race Recap: In the eighth race of the 2024 Truck Series season, Young’s Motorsports and Massey searched for another solid finish in the Midwest.

    After encountering a mechanical issue late in practice, the Young’s Motorsports team forfeited their qualifying attempt to make the necessary repairs for the race. From his 33rd-place starting position, Massey blasted his way through the field and continuously made gains throughout the 134-lap to find himself contending for a top-20 finish.

    Following his final pit stop under green flag conditions, Massey was able to maneuver some of the fastest laps on the track but unfortunately ran out of laps to surge inside the top 20 and settled for 21st at the checkered flag.

    In 2024, Massey has delivered one top-15, three top-20s, and five top-21 finishes, highlighted by a career-best outing at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, where he steered the team’s flagship truck to an 11th-place finish.

    Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ 15th NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts at the track dubbed “Too Tough To Tame.”

    The organization posted a team-best 10th-place finish at the track on May 12, 2023, with Kaden Honeycutt at the wheel in the 2023 Buckle Up South Carolina 200.

    Since 2020, the Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports team has had an average starting position of 27.3 and an average finish of 25.1 in 14 Darlington Raceway starts overall.

    Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series History: Since entering the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series in 2012, the Mooresville, N.C., – based organization has logged 484 starts from 63 drivers, resulting in solid performances that include two victories (Talladega Superspeedway 2019 and 2021), seven top-five finishes and 33 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 23.0 and an average finishing position of 22.0.

    Follow on Social Media: For more on Mason Massey, please visit masonmassey.com, like him on Facebook (Mason Massey Racing), and follow him on Instagram (@mason_massey) and X |Twitter (@mason_massey).

    For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

    Mason Massey Pre-Race Quote:

    On Darlington Raceway: “Darlington is one of the coolest, most challenging tracks we go to. I’ve always felt like I get around there pretty well, but racing a truck there will be a new challenge.

    “We’ve had a pretty solid few weeks as a team, and we’re hoping to just keep building on this momentum!”

    Race Information:

    The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 (147 laps | 200.8 miles) is the ninth of 23 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races on the 2024 schedule. The one-day show begins with practice on Friday, May 10, from 3:05 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. Qualifying immediately follows practice, beginning at 3:35 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 7:30 p.m., with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

    Young’s Motorsports | NASCAR Xfinity Series

    Darlington (S.C.) Raceway | Crown Royal Purple Bag Project 200

    Fast Facts

    No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Team:

    Driver: Leland Honeyman Jr.

    Primary Partner(s): Young’s Building Systems | Randco Industries Inc.

    Manufacturer: Chevrolet Camaro

    Crew Chief: Andrew Abbott

    2024 Driver Points Position: 19th

    2024 Owner Points Position: 22nd

    Engine: Earnhardt-Childress Racing

    Movin’ on Up!: In January, Young’s Motorsports announced it would graduate from the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time in 2024 with rising star Leland Honeyman Jr. behind the wheel of the team’s No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro for the entire 33-race season continuing with Saturday afternoon’s Crown Royal Purple Bag Project 200 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.

    About Leland: The Phoenix, Ariz. native began honing his racing skills at the tender age of two racing Quads. By four years old, he moved into Trophy Karts and then collected three series championships in off-road racing Trophy Karts.

    After an instrumental tenure in Go Karts, he moved into the Bandolero competition in 2015 and was crowned a Bandolero National Champion two years later. From there, he moved into Limited Late Models before graduating to the Carolina Pro Late Model Series division in 2021, where he earned championship-runner-up honors and picked up an astounding victory in the annual Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway Fall Brawl.

    Honeyman, 19, returns to the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization, where he ran an impressive ARCA Menards Series East Series campaign, finishing third in the 2022 championship standings.

    During the 2023 season, he made eight NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, highlighted by a 21st-place finish at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course.

    Throwback Alert: Traditionally, the spring NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Darlington Raceway has served as the official “NASCAR Throwback” weekend allowing teams to flaunt their favorite “throwback” paint scheme from all forms of Motorsports.

    This year, Young’s Motorsports and Honeyman Jr. have chosen the famed “Mellow Yellow” paint scheme driven by Kyle Petty during the 1993 NASCAR Cup Series season for SABCO Racing.

    Ironically, Petty, the son of seven-time Cup Series champion Richard Petty, boasted the popular neon green and red colors aboard the No. 42 Pontiac Grand Prix for the 30-race season, which included a win at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.

    Honeyman is in his rookie season aboard the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports.

    All-Aboard!: For the 11th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season, Texas-based Young’s Building Systems and Randco will partner with the Mooresville, N.C.-based team as the primary partners on the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for the 147-lap race on Saturday afternoon.

    Since 1981, Young’s Building Systems has been providing West Texas with all their metal building needs. This family-owned and operated business has become an industry favorite due to the experience gained and the professional results completed. Young’s Building System is a division of Randco Industries, Inc. We have expanded into a company that has the ability to erect any type of building, from a small single story to a city high-rise.

    Our customers have multiple uses for our buildings, including commercial, residential, agricultural, industrial, skid-mounted buildings and compressor station buildings.

    We also have a team that specializes in stairs and railings of all shapes and sizes. Young’s Building Systems is fully insured for your peace of mind, so we carry workmen’s compensation and general liability coverage that goes above and beyond State requirements.

    Our company is fully equipped with moving and lifting equipment along with compressors, generators and welding equipment. We have the tools and equipment needed to support large, demanding projects.

    Our work ethic is based on the principles of quality, promptness, and customer experience.

    Young’s Building Systems continuously raises our standard of excellence and works hard to make sure that each and every one of your needs are met.

    Leland Honeyman Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Series Darlington (S.C.) Raceway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Crown Royal Purple Bag Project 200 will mark Honeyman’s inaugural Xfinity Series start at the 1.33-mile speedway, one of the most unique tracks on the Xfinity Series tour.

    Leland Honeyman Jr. NASCAR Xfinity Career Stats: Entering Darlington, Honeyman has 18 career NASCAR Xfinity Series races to his credit, earning a career-best fourth-place finish at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway after starting 33rd in the Ag-Pro 300 for Young’s Motorsports in April 2024.

    Since 2023, he has carried an average finish of 22.8.

    Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway | BetRivers 200 Race Recap: In the 10th race of the 2024 Xfinity Series season, Young’s Motorsports and Honeyman searched for another solid finish at the Monster Mile.

    After starting his No. 42 Young’s Building Systems | Randco Industries Inc. from the 28th position, Honeyman utilized patience and good adjustments from crew chief Andrew Abbott to make a steady climb through the field.

    With his sights set on a top-20 finish, a chaotic restart in overtime kept Honeyman at bay, but the rookie Xfinity Series driver did capture a respectable 21st-place finish at the checkered flag.

    Calling the Shots: Guiding Honeyman Jr. as crew chief of the No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro is longtime crew chief Andrew Abbott.

    On Saturday, he will be crew chief in his 108th NASCAR Xfinity Series race. In his previous 107 races, he has four top-five and 12 top-10 finishes.

    The season’s 11th race will be his sixth tango in the Palmetto State as crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

    Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series at Darlington Raceway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Darlington Raceway.

    Nevertheless, the Mooresville, N.C.-based team has 14 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts at historical South Carolina race track.

    The organization posted a team-best 10th-place finish at the track on May 12, 2023, with Kaden Honeycutt at the wheel in the 2023 Buckle Up South Carolina 200.

    Since 2020, the Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports team has had an average starting position of 27.3 and an average finish of 25.1 in 14 Darlington Raceway Truck Series starts overall.

    Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR Xfinity Series History: Since entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, the Mooresville, N.C. – based organization has logged 10 starts and maintains an average starting position of 27.8 and an average finish of 20.7.

    Follow on Social Media: For more on Leland Honeyman Jr., please visit LelandHoneymanRacing.com, like him on Facebook (Leland Honeyman Racing) and follow on Instagram (@lelandhoneymanjr) and X |Twitter (@lelandhoneyman3).

    For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

    Leland Honeyman Jr. Pre-Race Quote:

    On Darlington Raceway: “I’m excited to head to Darlington Raceway after a weekend off. It was not fun being off this past weekend, but I am ready to get back at it at the track called Too Tough To Tame.

    “For it being a throwback race, I’m even more excited to be representing Kyle Petty and this special paint scheme with my Young’s Motorsports team.”

    Race Information:

    The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project 200 (147 laps | 200.8 miles) is the 11th of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Fri., May 10, 2024, from 5:05 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow, beginning at 5:35 p.m. The field will take the green flag on Sat., May 11, 2024, shortly after 1:30 p.m., with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

  • Spire Motorsports Buckle Up South Carolina 200 Race Advance

    Spire Motorsports Buckle Up South Carolina 200 Race Advance

    • The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 will mark just the second time Spire Motorsports will field a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) entry at Darlington Raceway. Corey LaJoie drove the team’s No. 7 Chevy Silverado to a 16th-place finish in the 2023 edition of the Buckle Up South Carolina 200. Spire Motorsports fields the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NCTS. An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth drives the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets in the No. 77.
    • The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 will be televised live on FS1 Friday, May 10, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The ninth of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR RaceDay’s pre-race coverage on FS1 will take the green flag at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

    Kyle Busch – Driver, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

    • Kyle Busch will make his fifth and final NCTS start of 2024 for Spire Motorsports in Friday’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200. Across his four starts for Spire this season, he has compiled two wins, 263 laps led and three top-five finishes. The Las Vegas native opened his Spire tenure with a win in February at Atlanta Motor Speedway and was also victorious at Texas Motor Speedway in his most recent start.
    • Despite having 174 career starts in the Truck Series, this will be Busch’s first time trying to tame ‘The Lady in Black’ in NASCAR’s Truck Series. He has visited Victory Lane at 20 different venues in NCTS action across his illustrious career.
    • Busch has one win in the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington (2008) and two wins (2011 & 2013) in NASCAR Xfinity Series action.
    • BAMF Enterprises will serve as the primary sponsor on Busch’s No. 7 Silverado for Friday night’s 147-lap event. BAMF is a commercial real estate company that focuses on buying existing warehouse facilities and modernizing them to meet Ecommerce demands in the marketplace. The bedtop will feature The Samantha and Kyle Busch Foundation, which is dedicated to advocating for infertility education and awareness and removing financial barriers by granting monetary awards to couples who require fertility treatments to have their own bundle of joy.
    • In addition to being the winningest driver in Truck Series history with 66 wins, Busch also leads the series all-time with an average finish of 6.4 and ranks second in laps led (8,050).
    • ‘Rowdy’ has won 37.9% (66/174) of the Truck Series races he has entered and finished first or second in 57.4% (100/174). Over his last 33 NCTS starts, he has posted an average finish of 2.8, while registering 17 wins and 29 top-three finishes during that span.
    • With his win at Atlanta earlier this year, he extended his series-best streak of winning at least one race to 12 consecutive Truck Series seasons (2013-2024).
    • After eight races, the No. 7 team ranks third in the 2024 NCTS owner point standings. The team has complied an average starting position of 5.1 and an average finish of 10.1 while leading 268 laps this season.
    • In his first season at Spire Motorsports, crew chief Brian Pattie has led the No. 7 team to two victories across the first eight events this season, both with Busch (Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway). The duo also won twice across five races last year at Kyle Busch Motorsports.
    • In last year’s NCTS race at Darlington, Pattie guided William Byron to a fourth-place finish.

    Kyle Busch Quotes
    Are you excited to be racing a truck for the first time at Darlington?
    “I’m looking forward to Friday night’s Truck Series race at Darlington. The Truck Series has only raced at Darlington I think maybe 10 times or so and just started going regularly the last five years, but it never worked out for me on my truck schedule. I remember when Darlington came back on the schedule when we first started KBM it was on a Cup off weekend and we had a vacation planned already, so Kasey Kahne got in our truck at KBM and went out and won the race. For whatever reason, the last several years whether it was a Triple Truck Challenge race, or we had other drivers of the 51 that wanted that race, like last year with William Byron, I always kind of got what was leftover on the schedule and Darlington never was one of those. We’ve got a new sponsor onboard with BAMF Enterprises. The truck looks great. We’re also thankful to them for allowing us to raise awareness for The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund by putting the logo on the bedtop. Hopefully, we can go out and get them to Victory Lane their first time being a sponsor in NASCAR and end my 2024 Truck Series schedule on a high note.”

    Rajah Caruth – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

    • Rajah Caruth will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 71 HENDRICKCARS.COM Chevrolet Silverado in Friday night’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway.
    • Caruth started fourth and finished 10th in last week’s race at Kansas Speedway.
    • HENDRICKCARS.COM is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop thousands of new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protections programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.
    • Caruth has one prior NCTS start and one additional NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the 1.33-mile egg-shaped oval and looks to better his venue-best sixth-place finish in Friday night’s 200-miler.
    • The Winston-Salem (N.C.) State University senior is currently sixth in the NCTS championship point standings after eight races. He has logged one pole, one win, five top-10’s and eight top-15 finishes. He’s recorded a 10th place average start, a 8.4 average finish and completed 100 percent of the laps contested this season.
    • With his first career NCTS win and pole position earlier this season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Caruth became the third African American driver, alongside NASCAR Hall of Famer, Wendell Scott and current NASCAR Cup Series regular Bubba Wallace, to win a NASCAR National Touring Series race.
    • The 21-year-old started racing professionally online for the first time in the eNASCAR Ignite Series. He finished 20th in points. Caruth still races with iRacing for recreation.

    Rajah Caruth Quotes
    Darlington is one of a kind. How do you prepare yourself for the challenge of the track known as “Too Tough to Tame?”
    “I am very excited to go to Darlington. This racetrack is a lot of fun to drive and fortunately I’ve had speed there in the past. It’s a super technical and hard racetrack to drive but we’re all up to the challenge. I’ve raced late models down the street in Florence, so this area is always near and dear to my heart. Hopefully, we can get back on our game this week and continue to get back to where we left off in March.”

    Chase Purdy – Driver, No.77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado

    • Chase Purdy will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No.77 Bama Buggies Chevrolet Silverado in Friday night’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200.
    • Purdy heads to Darlington Raceway 17th in the NCTS driver point standings. He started on the pole and finished 28th last weekend at Kansas Speedway.
    • In four NCTS starts at Darlington Raceway, Purdy has an average start of 18th and an average finish of 29.5. The Meridian, Miss., native has completed 424 of the 601 laps he’s contested (70.5 percent) at the “Track Too Tough To Tame.”
    • The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 will mark Purdy’s 84th NCTS start and his ninth behind the wheel of the No.77 Bama Buggies Chevrolet.
    • Purdy’s Gasman, Brandon Chapman, was a part of Wake Forest University football program from 2018-2021. In 2021, he played for Clemson University where he recorded one reception for 11 yards. After his college tenure, he had a professional tryout with the NFL’s Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts in 2022. This is his second full-time season in NASCAR.
    • Purdy’s Crew Chief Jason Trinchere has six starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Darlington Raceway with Kaulig Racing. In Trinchere’s six starts, he has called two top 10s, including a pole in 2021 with AJ Allmendinger.

    Chase Purdy Quotes
    What are your thoughts going into Darlington?
    “Excited to get to Darlington! Always a unique place to race at and has a very prestigious history. We had good speed there last year before we had issues and I hope we can come back even stronger this year and shake off last week’s mishaps.”
    From the Top of the Box

    Brian Pattie – Crew Chief, No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado

    • In his first season at Spire Motorsports, Brian Pattie has led the No. 7 team to two victories, both with Kyle Busch. The duo also won twice across five races last year at KBM.
    • Pattie also collected a victory with Ron Fellows at Watkins Glen International in 1999 to give him five career NCTS wins.
    • Pattie was atop the pit box for six wins across 14 seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series and has 11 career victories as a crew chief in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

    Chad Walter – Crew Chief, No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado

    • Chad Walter has over two decades of experience and began his career with Hendrick Motorsports in 1996.
    • Walter guided Caruth to his first NCTS win March 1, 2024 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
    • Some of his most notable accomplishments include a pair of Daytona 500 victories (2001 & 2003) with Michael Waltrip, along with Cup Series wins with Steve Park and Terry Labonte.

    Jason Trinchere – Crew Chief, No. 77 Chevrolet Silverado

    • Jason Trinchere earned his Bachelor of Science from Penn State University and began his professional career in 2005 as the race engineer for the iconic No. 75 Spears Manufacturing NCTS team, owned by series’ pioneers Wayne and Connie Spears.
    • Notable accomplishments include Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 wins with both Ganassi Racing and Penske Racing. He was a key member of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Championship team with driver Joey Logano.

    About Spire Motorsports …
    Spire Motorsports is a NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race team co-owned by long-time NASCAR industry executives Jeff Dickerson and Thaddeus “T.J.” Puchyr. In 2024, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Corey LaJoie, Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar, respectively. The team will also field the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth will drive the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets in the No. 77.

    Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

  • Layne Riggs and the No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150

    Layne Riggs and the No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150

    Darlington (S.C.) Raceway Competition Notes

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 8, 2024) – Layne Riggs travels south to the infamous Darlington (S.C.) Raceway for Throwback Weekend. This will be the rookie driver’s debut at the track “The Track Too Tough to Tame”.

    Riggs will race the No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Throwback F-150 at the 1.3-mile asphalt track, paying homage to his father, Scott, who raced the scheme during the 2000 season for Impact Motorsports. In his limited schedule that year, Scott Riggs had seven top-10s in 15 starts, including a 5th-place finish at Richmond (V.A.) Raceway.

    It’s a one day show for the Infinity Communications Group crew with track activity kicking off with practice and qualifying at 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 10th. The 147-lap event will take place Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the action live on FS1 or listen in from the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM Channel 90.

    No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150:

    DRIVER LAYNE RIGGS:

    “Darlington is a brutal track. They don’t call it “Too Tough to Tame” for nothing. I have to take each corner with near perfection to not chew up my tires. It kind of brings me back to my late model days where I had to learn the tire management game and old school racing style. I saw a lot of progress out of this group last week even though the results didn’t show it. I’m confident going into his weekend, for sure.”

    CREW CHIEF DYLAN CAPPELLO:

    “This is a tough track without a doubt, but we’re prepared. Darlington is all about tire management, and with Layne’s short track background, I know he’ll be able to handle it. He’s been logging laps in the simulator, and I’ve been building a fast Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150. We’ll be ready.”

    ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

    Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

  • Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Advance: Darlington

    Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Advance: Darlington

    NIECE MOTORSPORTS
    NCTS RACE ADVANCE: DARLINGTON RACEWAY
    Race: Buckle Up South Carolina 200 (147 laps / 200.8 miles) | Race 9 of 23
    Track: Darlington Raceway
    Location: Darlington, South Carolina
    Date & Time: Friday, May 10th | 7:30 PM ET
    Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | Motor Racing Network (MRN) | Sirius XM Ch. 90

    No. 41 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado RST
    Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman, Jr.
    Bayley Currey
    @BayleyCurrey
    @BayleyCurrey05

    • Currey’s Darlington Stats: Bayley Currey has made a pair of NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts before at Darlington Raceway, featuring a best result of 12th in 2020. Currey has also competed in six Xfinity Series races at the historic South Carolina track, posting a best finish of 19th in 2022. He did not make a start here last year.
    • Hillman’s Darlington Stats: Mike Hillman, Jr. has called seven Truck Series races at Darlington Raceway, including a win in his first start as a crew chief here back in 2010. On that day, Germain Racing’s Todd Bodine led the final 47 laps en route to his 20th-career NCTS victory, and Hillman’s 18th. In total with the trucks, Hillman has two top-fives and three top-10 finishes at this track, and most recently finished 13th last year with Ross Chastain. Hillman has also made two Xfinity Starts, earning one top-10 with Brandon Jones (ninth) in 2016.
    • Hillman hits 400: Friday’s Buckle Up South Carolina 200 will be a milestone for Mike Hillman, Jr. as he makes his 400th-career NCTS start as a crew chief. The two-time Truck Series championship-winning crew chief (both won with Todd Bodine in ’06 and ’10) has garnered a total of 23 race wins in the series (sixth, all-time) with drivers Bodine, Jeb Burton, Kyle Busch, and Rafael Lessard.
    • On the Truck: Currey’s No. 41 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from AutoVentive and Precision Vehicle Logistics.
    • Honoring Charles “Chuck” Efaw: The No. 41 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet will feature a unique “throwback” paint scheme as a tribute to Charles “Chuck” Efaw, the late father of Niece Motorsports General Manager, Cody Efaw. This paint scheme is reminiscent of Efaw’s ZERO Dirt Late Model that raced and won several times in the grassroots ranks at Lakeville Speedway and Wayne County Speedway throughout the 1980’s.
    • Recapping Kansas: After starting in the 21st position, Bayley Currey quickly was able to advance through the field in Kansas. Following a 15th place finish at the end of stage one, Currey made up three spots to secure 12th in stage two. Towards the end of the race, it appeared that he was on his way to the first top-10 finish of the season, but ultimately had to settle for 11th.
    • Points Rundown: With Currey’s solid finish at Kansas, the driver of the No. 41 was able to gain one spot in the points standings where he currently resides in 13th position. The battle for the final eligible spot in the NCTS Playoffs has tightened up, with Currey now being shown only 23 points below the cutline.
    • Quoting Currey: Does the excessive tire falloff help overcome the battle for clean air or does that make it more important?

    “I think it makes it that much more important. Without the clean air, you’re using mechanical grip more than you’re using aero, so you’re just shredding your tires even more. You have to get that track position early while you have the grip, because once you lose it, it’s pretty much impossible.”

    • Quoting Hillman: Do you think Bayley thrives on these tracks where the grip is low and tire falloff is high?

    “I think that places where you have to use the brake pedal a little bit – say the Darlingtons, the Nashvilles, the Homesteads, and places like that – he really thrives at. But I also think that Niece has a really good baseline package when we go to those types of tracks. So with that being said, I’ve been really looking forward to going here this week.”

    • About AutoVentive: AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.
    • About Precision Vehicle Logistics: Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

    No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
    Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Jon Leonard
    Matt Mills Racing
    @MattMillsRacing
    @MattMillsRacing

    • Mills’ Darlington Stats: Matt Mills will be making his first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at Darlington Raceway on Friday night. In eight starts with the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Mills has recorded two top-25 finishes including a best result of 22nd place in September, 2020. Last season, he produced finishes of 27th and 28th in the NXS events held at the 1.366-mile track.
    • Leonard’s Darlington Stats: Jon Leonard has competed in two prior Truck Series races at Darlington with driver, Stewart Friesen. In 2021, he guided Friesen and team to a strong third-place finish after starting fourth in the fall event. Leonard has also made one start in the Southern 500, noting a 24th-place result with Kasey Kahne in 2018.
    • On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra.
    • Recapping Kansas: Matt Mills qualified the best out of the Niece Motorsports camp, starting his No. 42 Chevrolet from 15th. Fighting the handling, Mills slipped to 21st in stage one and 22nd in stage two, but from there, the crew was able to get his truck dialed in with adjustments. During a green flag pitstop, Mills was dealt a speeding penalty which ultimately made him lose a lap. He brought the No. 42 home in 23rd in Kansas.
    • Points Rundown: Mills gained a spot in the championship points standings following his 23rd-place run at Kansas. Entering race nine of the 2024 calendar, the driver from New Philadelphia, OH is 27th in points, only 11 markers behind Stefan Parsons in 26th and 12 behind Spencer Boyd in the top-25.
    • Quoting Mills: How difficult is it to run inches from the wall here in Darlington?

    “Darlington will be a new one for me as far as going there in a truck. I’ve got Xfinity starts there, and in those cars, you can be a little bit more aggressive running the wall because the composite body can take more of a beating. So, the truck will be a little more interesting there, I’ll definitely have to watch out for the risk vs. reward for sure.”

    • Quoting Leonard: Do you feel that Darlington is one of the toughest races to prepare for in terms of handling?

    “Darlington is tough, mainly because the two ends of the track are so different. Turns 3-4 are much slower, and turns 1-2 is a lot more aggressive where you’ve got to run up near the fence. You have options in turns 3-4, you can either run up by the fence or down at the bottom, and there’s been guys that have had success doing it both ways. Tires fall off a lot there, so it’s as much tire conservation and trying to maintain your balance over a long run. It’s a lot on the driver and it’s a lot on the teams to find that happy balance to get the truck to handle well on both ends.”

    • About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.
    • About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

    No. 45 Buckle Up South Carolina Chevrolet Silverado RST
    Driver: Ross Chastain | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
    Ross Chastain
    @RossChastain
    @RossChastain

    • Chastain Returns: NASCAR Cup Series star Ross Chastain will step back into the seat of Niece Motorsports’ No. 45 Chevrolet for the next two upcoming races at Darlington Raceway and North Wilkesboro Speedway. This Friday will be Chastain’s second planned start of five this year, coming off a fifth-place finish in his last outing at Circuit of the Americas. In addition to the next two, Chastain will drive the No. 45 in back-to-back events at Pocono Raceway on July 12th and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 19th.
    • Chastain’s Darlington Stats: Chastain has two Truck Series starts under his belt at the track dubbed “Too Tough to Tame”, both of which came driving for Niece Motorsports. His best result in the trucks was a 13th-place effort in last year’s event. Ross has also made nine Cup Series starts at Darlington, posting a pair of top-fives with a personal best of third in 2021. In nine Xfinity Series races, Chastain has one top-five (second in September, 2020) and three top-10 finishes. He also won his first-career Xfinity Series pole here in 2018.
    • Gould’s Darlington Stats: Phil Gould owns three top-five finishes in five Truck Series starts as a crew chief at Darlington Raceway, all of which were delivered by Carson Hocevar. Hocevar finished runner-up in the 2022 event, and was fifth here last year. Gould has also called six Xfinity Series races at this track with a best finish of 11th by drivers Brian Scott and Elliott Sadler in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
    • On the Truck: Chastain’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, highlighting their Buckle Up South Carolina ‘Click It – Don’t Risk It’ campaign. His Niece Motorsports entry will carry the same branding as the race entitlement sponsor for the Buckle Up South Carolina 200.
    • Recapping Kansas: Kaden Honeycutt delivered a statement effort which resulted in a career-best run at Kansas Speedway. Despite starting the furthest behind of all his Niece Motorsports teammates in 23rd, he aggressively made up ground early on. By the end of stage one, the No. 45 team had positioned themselves in fifth place, and gained a spot the following run to finish fourth in stage two. Honeycutt would hold onto his track position and bring the Niece Products of Kansas Chevrolet in fourth place at the checkered flag.
    • Mosack Victorious in Kansas: Part-time No. 45 driver Connor Mosack took home his second-career ARCA Menards Series victory over the weekend while driving for his family-owned team, Pinnacle Racing Group. Mosack plans to make his second start for Niece Motorsports in the upcoming race at WWT Raceway on June 1st.
    • Owner Points Outlook: Coming off their best finish of the year in Kansas, the No. 45 team has jumped into the top-10 in owner points. Currently 10th in the standings, the entry is holding onto the final spot in the NCTS owner Playoffs by a mere seven points over ThorSport Racing’s No. 88 team.
    • Quoting Chastain: Of all the tracks on the Truck Series calendar, why did you choose to add Darlington to your schedule?

    “Darlington has always been one of my favorite tracks because of how challenging it is on us drivers. I love the tracks that you have to manage all the little details because it feels so rewarding when you hit everything right. Phil Gould and this team have shown a lot of speed at this place over the past few years. Every time I get the chance to drive for Al Niece, I feel confident that we have a shot to contend for the win, but even more so especially at a track where they’ve had recent success at. I’m looking forward to racing there and encouraging everyone to buckle up.”

    • Quoting Gould: With all of Ross’ experience at Darlington, are you able to get more aggressive in terms of the setup for him here?

    “Yeah, for sure, and we have a lot of good history there. Working with Carson the past few years, that was one of his best tracks and he was really good there. I feel like a lot of our notes that we made over the years working with him can be translated with Ross driving that will make us just as competitive, if not even more competitive.”

    • About the South Carolina Department of Public Safety:
      The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.

    SCDPS has approximately 1,300 employees serving across the state, providing a wide range of public safety services focused on making South Carolina a safer place to live, work and raise a family.

    About Niece Motorsports:
    Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth 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 X @NieceMotorsport.

  • Layne Riggs Pays Homage to Father in Darlington Throwback Scheme

    Layne Riggs Pays Homage to Father in Darlington Throwback Scheme

    Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150 Features 2000’s Look

     MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 7, 2024) – Layne Riggs will honor his family’s rich racing heritage at the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway with his throwback paint scheme.

    The No. 38 Infinity Communications Group Ford F-150 will pay homage to Riggs’ father, Scott, who raced the featured scheme during the 2000 season for Impact Motorsports. In his limited schedule that year, Scott Riggs had seven top-10s in 15 starts, including a 5th-place finish at Richmond (V.A.) Raceway.

    “It’s really cool to go [to Darlington] and pay homage to my dad,” Riggs said. “I’ve raced some of his schemes in the past, but this one is really cool because it was his first full time opportunity at the national level, and this is my first full time opportunity at the national level.”

    “Darlington is a pretty gnarly track from what I’ve seen, I’m excited to get on it. It’s going to be a tough race, but it brings me back to my roots in tire management and old school racing.”

    In addition to the scheme, Riggs will be carrying the Orange County Speedway track logo on the name rail, his hometown track.

    “It’s surreal to me to be watching Layne in the truck series at the same tracks I’ve raced in this scheme,” Scott Riggs said. “The paint scheme is older than Layne. It means a lot to have Infinity Communications Group support this scheme and let me relive those memories while also supporting my son.”

    Riggs will race Friday night at the Darlington Raceway with track activity starting with practice and qualifying at 3:00 pm ET. The 147-lap event will take place that evening at 7:30 pm ET.

    ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

    Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 34 and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 38 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series team from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

  • LIUNA Named Entitlement Sponsor of NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race at the Milwaukee Mile

    LIUNA Named Entitlement Sponsor of NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race at the Milwaukee Mile

    LIUNA 175 to Open NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs

    WEST ALLIS, Wis. (May 7, 2024) – LIUNA and the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council have announced an agreement with NASCAR event promoter Track Enterprises for the return of NASCAR to the historic Milwaukee Mile on Sunday, August 25th. The 17th running of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race at the 1.015-mile track will be known as the “LIUNA 175.”

    The intensity of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series playoffs starts in Milwaukee and will be on full display, as eight eligible drivers will be racing for the LIUNA 175 winner’s trophy and a ticket to the next round of the Playoffs, and ultimately, the championship. In the grandstands will be upwards of 1,000 Wisconsin LIUNA members cheering on their LIUNA sponsored driver, Tyler Ankrum, and the thrilling on-track action the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series continues to produce.

    “On behalf of the 9,000 skilled, working men and women of the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council, who build our state’s infrastructure, we are honored to have NASCAR return to the Milwaukee Mile and be the title partner for this year’s LIUNA 175,” said Kent Miller, President/Business Manager of the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council. “We felt the power of our membership last year with almost 600 strong in the grandstands, and this year we expect over 1,000 members and their families to attend and cheer on our union brother, Tyler Ankrum, in the No. 18 LIUNA Chevrolet Silverado.”

    LIUNA, the Laborers’ International Union of North America, is no stranger to sports sponsorship or motorsports. LIUNA sponsors two-time NCTS playoffs driver Tyler Ankrum and has sponsorships of sports teams and organizations around the country.
    Ankrum, the 2019 NCTS Rookie of the Year, and race winner, is off to a promising start to the 2024 season with his new team, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. The team is co-owned by Stratford, Wisconsin businessman, Bill Hilgemann and California native Bill McAnally. Ankrum, who has led a career-high 62 laps this season, has secured three top-five and four top-10 finishes in just the first eight starts of 2024.

    “We are extremely excited to have LIUNA and its proud Wisconsin LIUNA members join us and become our title sponsor for the return of NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the Milwaukee Mile,” said Bob Sargent, President of Track Enterprises. “It takes a lot of effort to promote the kick-off race in the Truck Series playoffs, and our fans deserve it after last year’s successful event. Sunday, August 25th will be a special race day with all of the Wisconsin LIUNA members and their families in the grandstands to witness the LIUNA 175. It’s going to be exciting!”

    LIUNA 175 race ticket and event information can be found online at TrackEnterprises.com/MilwaukeeMileRacing

    The LIUNA 175 from the Milwaukee Mile will be televised live on FS1 Sunday August 25, beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The 17th of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

    About LIUNA …
    The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) partners with public and private entities, elected officials, community groups, and responsible contractors to build and maintain the infrastructure needs of communities throughout the United States and Canada, while providing residents a career in the construction industry. For more information on LIUNA, visit www.liuna.org.

    About the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council …
    The Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council is an affiliation of five LIUNA local unions, representing nearly 9,000 construction craft laborers throughout Wisconsin. The Laborers are the most diverse trade in the construction industry, servicing over 900 employers in transportation infrastructure, building, sewer and water, utility distribution, demolition, asbestos removal, and related sectors. For more information on the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council, visit liunawisconsin.org.

    About Track Enterprises at The Milwaukee Mile …
    Track Enterprises has been promoting motorsports events since 1985. Based in Macon, Ill., a dedicated staff led by Bob Sargent organize and promote upwards of 80 races a year across the eastern half of the United States. Sargent took a strong interest in promoting races at The Milwaukee Mile, first in 2019 with ASA and grassroots races, then brought national television back to the historic oval with the ARCA Menards Series in 2021. This is the second straight year the NASCAR Truck Series, with Sargent’s determination evident in the sizable crowd that welcomed NASCAR back to The Mile after a 14-year absence in 2023. For more information on the August 25 “LIUNA 175” event weekend and the promoter group, visit www.trackenterprises.com/milwaukeemileracing.

  • Bayley Currey’s No. 41 AutoVentive/Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet to Honor Charles “Chuck” Efaw at Darlington Raceway

    Bayley Currey’s No. 41 AutoVentive/Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet to Honor Charles “Chuck” Efaw at Darlington Raceway

    Salisbury, N.C. (May 6, 2024) – Bayley Currey’s No. 41 AutoVentive/Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado will honor Charles “Chuck” Efaw, the late father of Niece Motorsports General Manager Cody Efaw, this week at Darlington Raceway.

    The No. 41 will sport a white, black, red, orange and yellow scheme reminiscent of the ZERO Dirt Late Model that Chuck raced at Lakeville Speedway and Wayne County Speedway, in the May 10 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event at Darlington.

    This year’s throwback theme at Darlington Raceway is, ‘Celebrate our Roots through Grassroots Racing’, and will honor the racing origins of drivers, owners, team members, and NASCAR as a whole.

    “When Jason [Wilson] with Precision suggested this scheme, I was honored,” said Cody Efaw. “My dad was my hero, and I definitely get my love of racing from him. Some of my best memories are in the shop and at the track with my dad. To be able to run this paint scheme at one of my favorite tracks on the circuit is extremely special to me. A huge thank you to everyone at AutoVentive and Precision Vehicle Logistics for the opportunity to honor my dad and his time behind the wheel of a race car.”

    Chuck was born on June 19, 1950 in Fairmont, West Virginia and moved to Ohio as a child. He always had a passion for cars and enjoyed spending time at the race track.

    After graduating high school, Chuck worked for Borg Warner, manufacturing hydraulic pumps and valves. He remained with the company after that location was acquired by Rexroth, putting in over 30 years.

    It was not until after Chuck was married that he began his racing career. Chuck found victory lane at Wayne County Speedway and Lakeville Speedway on many occasions.

    The scheme that the No. 41 honors won numerous times at both tracks in the mid ‘80s.

    In addition to driving, Chuck spent many years working with John Mason’s race team, Mason Racing. Chuck worked on the crew at the track, installed engines, and even drove the team’s toterhome.

    Chuck was forced to retire from racing due to the strain on his heart. He hung up his helmet in 1988, after his first open heart surgery for mechanical heart valves. He began racing again in 1994, but stopped again for good in 1996. Though not in the driver’s seat, Chuck remained a passionate race fan for the remainder of his life.

    “Passion for this sport is created in many ways, and from the time I have known Cody and the entire Efaw family, the clear passion for racing has been evident,” said Jason Wilson, Vice President of Precision Vehicle Logistics. “That seed was planted, years ago by Charles, and had been passed on to Cody and his brother Chuck through the years. Both have applied that passion to the Niece Motorsports shop over the years, and along with Cody’s wife Amanda, and the team they have constructed alongside of them, Niece Motorsports is a better shop today because of them.

    “Knowing how humble Cody and the Efaw family are, and the likelihood that Cody would never suggest this on his own for himself, Precision/AutoVentive wanted to take this opportunity to capitalize on the weekend theme of “grass roots” to recognize the Efaw family contribution to this sport. It’s our way of saying thank you to Niece Motorsports, the Efaw family, to include Cody’s mother Betty and sister Christy, and every Niece Motorsports team member, who have always treated our company, and our people like a part of the Niece Motorsports family.

    “By default, Precision/AutoVentive will get to participate in this throwback weekend, and benefit from a great story of a grass roots racer, and how he shaped the lives and direction of a family who has found success in today’s NASCAR. We look forward to Bayley piloting the No. 41 Precision/AutoVentive Chevrolet with these colors at Darlington for the throwback weekend.”

    Cody has overseen Niece Motorsports since 2016, now in its eighth full-time season. Since its first full-time season in 2017, Niece Motorsports has advanced to NASCAR’s version of the Playoffs four times, including the last three consecutive seasons.

    The organization has advanced to the final round of the Playoffs on two separate occasions. In addition, Niece Motorsports drivers have earned eight victories and led over 1,300 laps.

    “It’s cool to run a throwback that means so much to someone in our organization,” said Currey. “Chuck embodied grassroots racing and Cody has obviously followed in his dad’s footsteps. I love racing at Darlington and am looking forward to a strong run in this special scheme.”

    Currey has two NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at the track nicknamed ‘Too Tough to Tame’, with his best finish of 12th coming in 2020. In addition, Currey has six NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the South Carolina track.

    In his first full time season in the Truck Series, Currey has four top-15 finishes through the first eight races of the year.

    The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 from Darlington Raceway will take the green flag on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET, airing live on FS1, The Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

    • About AutoVentive: AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.
    • About Precision Vehicle Logistics: Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.
      About Niece Motorsports:
      Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth 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 X @NieceMotorsport.
  • Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Recap: Kansas Speedway I

    Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Recap: Kansas Speedway I

    NIECE MOTORSPORTS
    NCTS RACE RECAP: KANSAS SPEEDWAY
    Race: Heart Of America 200 (134 laps / 201 miles) | Race 8 of 23
    Track: Kansas Speedway
    Location: Kansas City, Kansas
    Date & Time: Saturday, May 4th | 8:00 PM ET

    No. 41 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado RST
    Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman, Jr.
    Bayley Currey
    @BayleyCurrey
    @BayleyCurrey05

    Start: 21st
    Stage 1: 15th
    Stage 2: 12th
    Finish: 11th
    Driver Points: 13th
    Owner Points: 17th

    • Key Takeaway: After starting in the 21st position, Bayley Currey quickly was able to advance through the field. Following a 15th place finish at the end of stage one, Currey made up three spots to secure 12th in stage two. Towards the end of the race, it appeared that he was on his way to the first top-10 finish of the season, but ultimately had to settle for 11th.
    • Bayley Currey’s Post-Race Thoughts:

    “This was a step in the right direction for our No. 41 team. We had speed and we drove up into the top-10 late. Our pit crew was on it tonight, we always made some good adjustments to get me better. I really wanted to get that first top-10 tonight for the AutoVentive / Precision Chevy Silverado, but it just wasn’t meant to be. We just got too tight there at the end, got caught up in some lapped traffic, and lost it right at the end. I was trying everything I could to make my way around but just couldn’t make it work. It is what it is, I’m happy with the gains we made and the speed we had, and bringing back a clean truck is good for this five-race stretch. Moving onto Darlington.”

    • About AutoVentive: AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.
    • About Precision Vehicle Logistics: Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

    No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
    Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Jon Leonard
    Matt Mills Racing
    @MattMillsRacing
    @MattMillsRacing

    Start: 15th
    Stage 1: 21st
    Stage 2: 22nd
    Finish: 23rd
    Driver Points: 27th
    Owner Points: 32nd

    • Key Takeaway: Matt Mills qualified the best out of the Niece Motorsports camp, starting his No. 42 Chevrolet from 15th. Fighting the handling, Mills slipped to 21st in stage one and 22nd in stage two, but from there, the crew was able to get his truck dialed in with adjustments. During a green flag pitstop, Mills was dealt a speeding penalty which ultimately made him lose a lap. He brought the No. 42 home in 23rd tonight.
    • Matt Mills’ Post-Race Thoughts: “On the first restart, I chose to go to the middle lane and felt like we were a little too free for us to move forward. A couple restarts after that, we were still free, and that’s what we fought throughout the first two stages. It felt like we kept getting free on the long run as the race went on, and had to battle through that all night trying to tighten it up. Honestly, lap time wise, our J.F. Electric Chevy was pretty good, but we didn’t have the track position we needed. It looked like we were building up to have a good day, but a speeding penalty on my behalf cost us another top-15, possibly even a top-10. Just got to clean up the mistakes; it’s been a learning year and I learned some more tonight.”
    • About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.
    • About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

    No. 45 Niece Products of Kansas Chevrolet Silverado RST
    Driver: Kaden Honeycutt | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
    Kaden Honeycutt Racing
    @KadenWHoneycutt
    @KadenHoneycutt10

    Start: 23rd
    Stage 1: 5th
    Stage 2: 4th
    Finish: 4th
    Driver Points: 19th
    Owner Points: 10th

    • Key Takeaway: Kaden Honeycutt delivered a statement effort which resulted in a career-best run tonight at Kansas Speedway. Despite starting the furthest behind of all his Niece Motorsports teammates in 23rd, he aggressively made up ground early on. By the end of stage one, the No. 45 team had positioned themselves in fifth place, and gained a spot the following run to finish fourth in stage two. Honeycutt would hold onto his track position and bring the Niece Products of Kansas Chevrolet in fourth place at the checkered flag.
    • Kaden Honeycutt’s Post-Race Thoughts: Interviewer: We saw Kaden Honeycutt come up through the field early on and put up those aggressive numbers. You were the quickest truck on the racetrack for several laps; the job that the team did here tonight, what can you say about this?

    “I can’t say enough about Phil Gould, Frank, Cole, Devon, Tanner; all my guys for building an amazing truck. You know, obviously I wanted to be better there myself, just needed to clean up on pit road. I lost too much time on pit road, so I’ll just go back and look at it and see where I can be better. I just wanted to thank – first of all, I wouldn’t even be here without Al Niece, Cody Efaw, Tony Valento for all the support that I get from them. My mom and dad as well, without them I wouldn’t be here at Kansas or doing any truck racing whatsoever. I just wanted to thank them and also, Niece Products of Kansas, Chevrolet, R.D.C. Shoe Company. Darren Davis, I know he’s really excited for Charlotte; that will be a heck of a race. Myself, I’m getting better. It sucks, it definitely sucks to come that close and not finish it off. But still, a great run. You’ve got to crawl before you walk, right? This is the start of something of our part-time schedule, so hopefully we can click off our first win in Charlotte in a couple of weeks.”

    • About Niece Equipment:
      For over 30 years, Niece Equipment has provided clients with reliable products at competitive prices. Our reputation is built on service, integrity and dependability.

    Each of our water and fuel/lube trucks are engineered with quality and durability in mind. Our capability ranges from 2,000 gallon water trucks to 12,000 gallon water towers. The fuel/lube trucks we offer range from 600 to 4,000 gallons.

    About Niece Motorsports:
    Niece Motorsports is owned by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2024, Niece Motorsports enters its ninth 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 X @NieceMotorsport.

  • Toyota Racing – NCTS Kansas Post-Race Report – 05.04.24

    Toyota Racing – NCTS Kansas Post-Race Report – 05.04.24

    HEIM CLAIMS SECOND WIN OF 2024 IN DOMINANT WIN AT KANSAS
    TRICON Garage driver leads 79 of 134 laps on the way to victory

    KANSAS CITY, Kan. (May 4, 2024) – Coming from the 13th starting spot, Corey Heim drove his No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro to a statement win Saturday night in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Kansas Speedway, his second triumph of the 2024 season and the seventh of his career. The Georgia native led 79 of the race’s 134 laps, along with the Stage 1 win, on the way to victory lane at the night’s end. This result also marks at least a top-10 finish in all races so far this season for Heim, and in 23 of the last 24 Truck Series races.

    With the victory, Heim reclaimed the Truck Series points lead heading to Darlington next weekend – holding a seven-point lead.

    Heim was joined inside the top-10 tonight by his TRICON Garage teammates, Brett Moffit (fifth) – making his first Trucks start of 2024 – Tanner Gray (seventh) and Dean Thompson (ninth). The finishes for both Gray and Thompson were their best so far of the 2024 season.

    Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
    NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
    Kansas Speedway
    Race 8 of 23 – 134 Laps, 201 Miles

    TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
    1st, COREY HEIM
    2nd, Zane Smith*
    3rd, Christian Eckes
    4th, Kaden Honeycutt
    5th, BRETT MOFFITT
    7th, TANNER GRAY
    8th, DEAN THOMPSON
    22nd, TIMMY HILL
    25th, STEWART FRIESEN
    27th, TAYLOR GRAY
    *non-Toyota driver

    TOYOTA QUOTES

    COREY HEIM, No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

    Finishing Position: Winner

    Your crew chief, Scott Zipadelli, said you carried your team to a win. How disciplined did you need to be tonight?

    “Well that’s pretty humbling. This is a phenomenal truck out of the TRICON Garage stable. All of those guys deserve most of the credit if I’m being honest. It’s a brand-new truck out of their shop and we ran top-five both times in their trucks last year. We just needed an edge, just a little bit to get better and it was just that. Scott’s (Zipadelli, crew chief) a humble guy, does a great job and so does everyone top-to-bottom on this No. 11 crew and everyone back at TRICON Garage. What a phenomenal race truck we have here. So happy for everyone back at the shop and everyone involved. A great day.”

    This is your first win at a traditional mile and a half oval. How important is this win for you?

    “It’s huge, I feel like we’ve been so close. I feel like we were the best truck all year at mile and half race tracks last year, just weren’t able to close the deal. To get this one feels so good and I think we have many more ahead of us.”

    BRETT MOFFITT, No. 1 Concrete Supply Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

    Finishing Position: 5th

    Can you take us through your race?

    “These guys at TRICON Garage brought me a great truck tonight. We struggled for track position early, which put us in a hole late. Then, I feel like we had a mishap on the last, stage 3 restart. We finally got track position, but lost some and went back. I don’t know if we could’ve gotten up to third or fourth, and if we would have had anything for the 91 (Zane Smith) or 11 (Corey Heim), but we were really good. It was fun to race with them and look forward to more.”

    TANNER GRAY, No. 15 Dead On Tools Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

    Finishing Position: 7th

    How was your night overall?

    “Yeah, I thought it started a little bit rough for us. Fired off and it felt a little too free there on the first run and I fought some handling through the first two stages. But, the pit crew did a great job getting us some track position and Jerame (Donley, crew chief) made great adjustments on each stop. Honestly, a pretty uneventful race for us. Tried to execute the best we could, make up for time on that green flag stop and not make too many mistakes. It feels good to get out of here with a top-10. I don’t think feel like this has been one of my better mile and a halfs. Not an over-exciting day for us, but a good one. Take the points and move onto Darlington.”

    DEAN THOMPSON, No. 5 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

    Finishing Position: 8th

    A top-10 run tonight, how would you describe your race?

    “It was a good night. Started off really, really free. Then, we started chipping our way at it and ended off pretty good. Felt like I had a really fast truck, but I sped on pit road. I never had a speeding penalty, expect for once. If I don’t do that, feel like we’re in a good spot to finish a little better in the top-five.”

    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 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 26 electrified options.

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