Category: Truck Series PR

HEIM CLAIMS REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP
Corey Heim continues his incredible streak with his ninth straight top-10 finish

RICHMOND, Va. (July 29, 2023) – Corey Heim earned the regular season championship in his first full-time season in the NASCAR Truck Series after the completion of the first stage this evening in Richmond. The Toyota development driver is the first driver in NASCAR history to earn a regular season title despite missing a race (Gateway, illness) and earning a Playoff waiver. Heim, the reigning Truck Series Rookie of the Year, leads the series in top-10 finishes and average finish. Heim has an impressive 13 top-10 finishes in 15 starts this year. The Georgia-native will be the no. 1 seed in the Playoffs and goes into the playoff opener at Indianapolis Raceway Park on a streak of nine consecutive top-10 finishes.

Heim also led Toyota this evening with a sixth-place run, while his teammate William Sawalich started a career-best third and earned his second top-10 finish in just his third start.

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Richmond Raceway
Race 16 of 23 – 250 Laps, 187.5 Miles

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, Carson Hocevar*

2nd, Ty Majeski*

3rd, Zane Smith*

4th, Jake Garcia*

5th, Matt Mills*

6th, COREY HEIM

10th, WILLIAM SAWALICH

13th, TYLER ANKRUM

14th, TAYLOR GRAY

16th, TANNER GRAY

23rd, TIMMY HILL

25th, DEAN THOMPSON

27th, STEWART FRIESEN

30th, RYAN VARGAS

*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

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

Finishing Position: 6th

Regular season champion. What does that mean to you and this team?

“Yeah, it really means a lot. With TRICON Garage and Toyota Racing, we’ve come such a long way from the beginning of the year. I really felt like we had a lot of progress to make in the first four or five weeks and we’ve really been improving ever since. Tonight, it was a rough night at Richmond. It is kind of a unique race track. On the normal tracks, we’ve been really consistent. Still a good finish for us, but definitely want to do better leading into the Playoffs.”

Who are you leaning on with your first Playoff run?

“For sure, (crew chief) Scott Zipadelli. He has Playoff experience with a lot of different drivers and he’s won a championship. Just learning what that is like – it’s really my first time competing in a Playoff format, so leaning on him and leaning on my crew who is also full of experience, along with a lot of people in the shop. Once again, just hats off to everyone at TRICON Garage, Toyota Racing, JBL and Safelite.”

Does being the regular season champion make you one of the favorites to be the champion in Phoenix?

“I would certainly say so. We’ve been about the most consistent these last two or three months. If we can carry that into the Playoffs, we will be tough to beat. Definitely have to improve on tonight, but it’s a different track – unique. We’ve got a couple more short tracks coming up and I think we will be good.”

WILLIAM SAWALICH, No. 1 Starkey/Soundgear Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, TRICON Garage

Finishing Position: 10th

Third Truck Series start, and second top-10. Can you take us through your run tonight?

“We were really strong in the long run. We had really fast Soundgear Toyota Tundra. Everything we did was good. I think I executed well for myself. I learned a few things here and there. That long run in the end kind of killed us there with trucks passing us, and that ended up a net loss of time. I did the best I could trying to gain as much time and ended up in the top-10 there.”

STEWART FRIESEN, No. 52 Halmar International Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, Halmar Friesen Racing

Finishing Position: 27th

Can you take us through your run tonight and what you can look forward to for the rest of the season?

“I don’t know. Thanks to Halmar – like I said earlier – for sticking with us, and thanks to Ferris Mowers for being on-board this season. Looking forward to going to Milwaukee and representing them. We brought a dull knife to a gun fight tonight.”

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 24 electrified options.

Matt Mills: Driver, No. 51 J.F. Electric Chevrolet

 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:

Event: Worldwide Express 250, Race 16 of 23, 250 Laps – 70/70/110; 187.5 Miles

Location: Richmond Raceway (0.75-mile D-shaped oval)

Date/Broadcast: July 29, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

Meet Matt:

Matt Mills will make his Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) debut behind the wheel of the No. 51 Silverado in Saturday’s Worldwide Express 250 at Richmond Raceway. Saturday’s start will be the first of a two-race deal with KBM that also will see him behind the wheel of the No. 51 at The Milwaukee Mile Speedway Aug. 27.

J.F. Electric, an electrical contractor that’s in the business of creating connections, will be the primary sponsor adorning Mill’s Silverado for both events. Mills will also carry associate sponsorship from Utilitra, a women-owned utility and technology solutions provider with a diverse team of specialized professionals, and Thompson Electric, a full-service electrical contracting company, for his two-race schedule.

The 26-year-old driver, who was born two hours from Richmond in Lynchburg, Va., has made 20 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series including five this season. He registered a season-best 19th-place finish in the Truck Series’ event at World Wide Technology Raceway in June. He produced a career-best starting position of fourth at Michigan International Speedway in 2018 and a career-best 15th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2022.

In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the Virginia native has made 121 career starts with a best result of 10th coming at Daytona International Speedway in 2019. He also made one NASCAR Cup Series start at Kansas Speedway in 2021. Mills has made seven Xfinity Series starts at Richmond, registering a track-best 13th-place finish twice. He has not competed in a Truck Series race at Richmond.

KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch, who claimed KBM’s first-ever Truck Series victory at Nashville Superspeedway in April of 2010, collected his organization’s 100th NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory last Saturday at Pocono in the No. 51 Silverado. The No. 51 team currently ranks seventh in the Craftsman Truck Series owner’s point standings. Across 16 starts in 2023, the team has recorded two wins, one pole, 170 laps led, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 12.2. Entering the final race of the regular season, they sit 62 points above the cutoff line for making the owner’s playoffs without a new winner this week and 50 points above the cutoff line if there is a new owner winner this week.

Veteran crew chief Brian Pattie is calling the shots for the No. 51 team this year in his first season at KBM after spending the last 14 seasons atop the pit box in the NASCAR Cup Series. In the Cup Series, his drivers produced six wins, nine poles, 57 top-five and 131 top-10 finishes across 528 starts. In 2012, he guided Clint Bowyer to three victories and a runner-up finish in the Cup Series championship standings. In 2017, he guided Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to two wins and a berth in the playoffs. The Florida native has also recorded 11 wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and now has two wins as a crew chief in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Saturday will be Pattie’s first time calling a Truck Series race at Richmond Raceway. He won the 2012 September Cup Series race at Richmond with Bowyer.

Jack Wood will return to the No. 51 Chevrolet Aug. 11 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Matt Mills, Driver Q&A:

What do you think the differences between driving an Xfinity car and a truck will be at Richmond?

“In the truck I feel like I’ll be able to be a tad more aggressive off the corners. In the Xfinity car, being able to feather the throttle off the corners kind of fits my driving style not having to be so aggressive and attacking every lap. Hopefully, the style of driving the Xfinity car will be able to transfer over to the truck. I think you’ll have to be a little bit more aggressive with the truck but still feel like you have an egg under the throttle and make sure that you take care of your tires. It’s usually a race where you have to be smooth throughout the race and be there at the end.”

Have you set any goals for this weekend?

“The way I look at it is I want to prove that I’m not wasting this opportunity. A top 10 would be good, top five would be great and if I’m able to win it would be a dream come true. Really, this is going to be a learning curve for me. It’s going to be a great experience and kind of open up my eyes to the sport and see how the upper echelon teams operate. I feel like I need to go out there and not make a fool of myself, gain respect and take everything that I learn this weekend at Richmond and go out and be even better when we show up at Milwaukee.”

Matt Mills Career Highlights:

• Finished 38th in his lone NASCAR Cup Series start at Kansas Speedway in 2021.
• Has recorded one top-10 finish across 121 career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, which came at Daytona International Speedway in July of 2019.
• Has produced an average finish of 25.8 across 20 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Produced a career-best starting position of fourth at Michigan International Speedway in 2018 and a career-best 15th-place finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2022.
• Kyle Busch’s No. 51 Chevrolet Silverado RST:

KBM-69: The No. 51 J.F. Electric team will unload KBM-69 for Saturday night’s race at Richmond. Across eight starts, KBM-69 has recorded a best result of second twice, both at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with Busch (2021 and 2022). Most recently, Jack wood finished 18th with this Silverado at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.

KBM-69 Performance Profile:

KBM Notes of Interest:

• KBM drivers have produced two wins, six top-five and six top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 7.9 across nine Truck Series starts at Richmond. Chandler Smith won last year’s race at Richmond and John Hunter Nemechek was victorious in 2021. Kurt Busch picked up the team’s lone NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at the Virginia track in April of 2012.
• KBM holds the Craftsman Truck Series records for most career wins (100) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch picked up his organization’s first-ever win at Nashville Superspeedway in April of 2010 and also picked up its 100th Truck Series victory at Pocono Raceway in July of 2023. In addition to collecting a series-record seven owner’s Championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
• With 42 victories, the No. 51 is the winningest number in KBM’s Truck Series fleet.

Chase Purdy: Driver, No. 4 Bama Buggies Chevrolet

 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Overview:

Event: Worldwide Express 250, Race 16 of 23, 250 Laps – 70/70/110; 187.5 Miles

Location: Richmond Raceway (0.75-mile D-shaped oval)

Date/Broadcast: July 29, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR 90

‘Chase’n a Playoff Spot:

Chase Purdy and the No. 4 Bama Buggies team head to Richmond Raceway for Saturday’s Worldwide Express 250. Purdy enters the final race of the regular season 13th in the Truck Series point standings, 54 points below the cutoff line, putting him in a must-win situation to make the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoffs. The Mississippi native entered the 2022 season having never earned a top-five result in Truck Series action but has produced two across 15 races in his first season at Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM), including a career-best runner-up finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April. He has already produced a career-high seven top-10 finishes this season, after posting just two each in 2021 and 2022.

Purdy has recorded an average finish of 7.2 and finished inside the top 10 on all four paved ovals that are less than 1.3 miles in length raced in the Truck Series so far this season. His best result on those tracks was a fifth-place finish at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in June.

The 23-year-old driver is in his third full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and first with KBM. He enters Saturday’s race having totaled two top-five and 12 top-10 finishes across his 67 career Truck Series starts. Across two Truck Series starts at Richmond, Purdy has an average finish of 21.0 with a best result of 14th coming in last year’s race. A KBM driver has won the last two Truck Series races at Richmond. John Hunter Nemechek won in 2021 and Chandler Smith was victorious last year.

Purdy finished 16th in the Truck Series final standings in 2022 after competing in 22 of the 23 events. He posted two top-10 finishes and nine laps led, with a season-best finish of seventh coming at Talladega Superspeedway in October.

Jimmy Villeneuve is atop the pit box for Purdy and the No. 4 Chevrolet team this season. Prior to being promoted to crew chief for the 2023 season, Villeneuve had served as a Truck Chief at KBM since the 2017 season and in that role was a part of 18 wins, a driver’s championship with Christopher Bell in 2017 and the 2019 owner’s championship with the No. 51 team. This will be Villeneuve’s first race calling the shots for a race at Richmond.

Bama Buggies, your one-stop shop for all the biggest names in powersports and utility vehicles, will be the primary sponsor on Purdy’s No. 4 Chevrolet Saturday night and for the majority of the events on the 2023 schedule. They are Central Alabama’s powersports experts, serving as an authorized dealer of Polaris, Slingshot, and Seadoo.
Chase Purdy, Driver Q&A:

What is your approach heading into Saturday’s race?

“I would say our approach is to do everything we can to put ourselves in position to win. That’s our only option to make the playoffs and that’s what we plan to do.”

Is there a track that you’ve raced at in any series that is similar to Richmond?

“Richmond is similar to 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola (Florida) in a lot of ways. It’s a worn out short track where you have to manage and save tires and be there at the end of the race. I’ve had a lot of strong runs at 5 Flags — won the Snowflake and almost won the Derby — so I feel like Richmond is a place where I can go out and compete for the win.”

Chase Purdy Career Highlights:

• Across 67 career Truck Series starts, has produced 20 laps led, two top-five and 12 top-10 finishes. Posted a career-best runner-up finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April of 2023.
• Finished 16th in Truck Series championship standings in 2022.
• Finished fourth in the 2018 ARCA Menard’s Series championship standings after recording 84 laps led, 10 top-five and 14 top-10 finishes.
• Earned the 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East rookie of the year honors and finished fourth in the championship standings after posting four poles, 200 laps led, five top-five and eight top-10 finishes across 14 starts.
• Won the prestigious Snowflake 100 Pro Late Model race at 5 Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Fla., in Dec. of 2018.
• Chase Purdy’s No. 4 Chevrolet Silverado RST:

KBM-56: The No. 4 Bama Buggies team will unload KBM-56 for Saturday’s race at Richmond. This chassis has two career victories across 18 starts, most recently with John Hunter Nemechek at Kansas Speedway last September. Nemechek also won with KBM-56 at Pocono Raceway in June of 2021. Purdy has piloted this Silverado twice this year, with a best result of eighth coming at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Click Here for KBM-56 Performance Profile:

KBM Notes of Interest:

• KBM drivers have produced two wins, six top-five and six top-10 finishes resulting in an average finish of 7.9 across nine Truck Series starts at Richmond. Chandler Smith won last year’s race at Richmond and John Hunter Nemechek was victorious in 2021. Kurt Busch picked up the team’s lone NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at the Virginia track in April of 2012.
• KBM holds the Craftsman Truck Series records for most career wins (100) and most wins in a single season (14 in 2014). KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch picked up his organization’s first-ever win at Nashville Superspeedway in April of 2010 and also picked up its 100th Truck Series victory at Pocono Raceway in July of 2023. In addition to collecting a series-record seven owner’s championships, the organization has produced two championship-winning drivers: Erik Jones (2015) and Christopher Bell (2017).
• The No. 4 has 18 career victories at KBM and was the number for both of the organization’s driver championships.

TEAM AND RACE NOTES:

Zane Smith and the No. 38 Ford F-150 team head to the Richmond (Va.) Raceway to close out the regular season of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season.

Boot Barn returns to the No. 38 F-150 this weekend. The popular scheme will adorn the truck for the first of two consecutive races this summer as they will also carry the team to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs at the Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Track activity will begin with practice and qualifying on Friday evening beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET. Saturday’s 250-lap race is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

COMPETITION NOTES

Finishing 34th at the Pocono Raceway, Smith and the No. 38 team are looking to rebound this Saturday evening.

The team looks to improve on last year’s run when Smith finished ninth. Smith has never finished outside the top-15 at the track in the truck series.

CREW CHIEF CHRIS LAWSON

“Richmond is a unique challenge. It’s a short track but it’s really fast. The frontstretch is almost a long sweeping turn and then the turns are banked enough to carry your momentum down the backstretch with a lot of speed. So, you are working on a lot of handling and downforce while also knowing that you need to save tires and try to keep the brakes cool. It’s a challenge, but it is a great track and usually an exciting race.”

DRIVER ZANE SMITH

“I have had good runs at Richmond, but never that top-five or a win. That has to be the goal this weekend as we try and get ready for another playoff run.

“It’s great to see Boot Barn on the truck for two big races for us. It is always a favorite scheme.”

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.

Richmond Preview
July 29 | 7:30pm ET | FS1 – MRN – SiriusXM

2023 NASCAR Truck Series Stats
Starts: 15; Best start: 9th; Best finish: 11th (Gateway); Laps led: 5; Current points position: 17th

Greetings from Daniel Dye Racing, where we’re gearing up for Daniel’s first ever race at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night! We appreciate your unwavering support and wanted to bring you up to speed on what’s happening.

First, we would like to spotlight one of our proud supporters, Bull & Boar Barbecue Shop, which will adorn the hood of Daniel’s No. 43 Chevy this weekend in Richmond, Virginia! With a unique offering of BBQ grills, smokers, pizza ovens, rubs, sauces, and grilling accessories, they ensure customers have access to quality products for their outdoor cooking needs. An added bonus? They let you sample 99.9% of the rubs and sauces to help you achieve your preferred flavor. Supporting local Florida flavors and Veteran-Owned products are a part of their ethos. Visit BullAndBoarShop.com to learn more.

Now, let’s jump into the racing action.

Daniel and the No. 43 team will be using the GMS Racing chassis no. 335 at Richmond Raceway. While it may be the chassis’s Richmond debut, it has shown promise at Martinsville and North Wilkesboro Speedways, and with a third-place finish at Pocono Raceway in 2021, we’re optimistic.

Making his first Truck Series appearance at the 0.75-mile short track is Crew Chief Blake Bainbridge, who brings valuable NASCAR Xfinity Series experience to the team.

For fans lucky enough to be attending the Worldwide Express 250, here’s a couple of chances to meet Daniel Dye on Saturday, July 29th:

3:15-3:30 PM: A Q&A session at the NASCAR Trackside Live! Stage.

4:00-4:45 PM: Autograph session alongside the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series field in the Richmond Raceway Amphitheater.

Looking back, Daniel showed great resilience in his first Truck Series race at Pocono Raceway, making steady improvements throughout the day and bringing his Silverado RST home 17th, unscathed.

As the regular season winds down, Daniel is focused on clinching a spot in the playoffs. The ultimate goal? His first-career race win. This achievement would also make a statement in the battle for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors.

Daniel Dye Quote ahead of Richmond race weekend:
“I’d say this season has definitely been a much larger learning experience compared to what I was used to running with the last couple of years in the ARCA Series. The Truck Series is way more developed, and the aggression level is way higher. So, I’ve been learning how to race with all of these guys with that level of aggression, but also maintain and walk that line of being smart. Our group on the No. 43 team has definitely improved on our communication throughout the season, and I’m feeling more confident as a driver, so overall I would say that it’s been a good experience for us. I’ve never raced at Richmond before, but it reminds me of some of the characteristics of the short tracks that I grew up on, so I think we have the opportunity to run well this weekend. I’m looking forward to it.”

About Race to Stop Suicide

Race to Stop Suicide is a non-profit organization co-founded by Daniel and Randy Dye. The organization’s main objective is to create awareness, remove stigma and normalize the conversation surrounding suicide. They provide entry-level education on what to look for, symptoms and how to check up on family and friends. Race to Stop Suicide also ensures that people have easy access to helpful resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and 988. For more information, visit their website at www.racetostopsuicide.com.

Worldwide Express 250 | Richmond Raceway (250 Laps / 187.5 Miles)
Saturday, June 29 | Richmond, Virginia | 7:30p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Team: No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Carson Hocevar (Portage, Michigan) | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Carson Hocevar: Twitter: @CarsonHocevar | Instagram: @CarsonHocevar | Facebook: /carsonhocevarracing | Web: www.CarsonHocevar.com

Pocono Recap: Carson Hocevar ran in the back-half of the top-10 for the majority of the race Saturday afternoon in Pocono. The Michigan-born driver rallied for a 12th-place finish to remain seventh in the driver point standings.

Hocevar on Last Race at Pocono Raceway: “All day we were nestled back between eighth and 12th. We didn’t perform how we thought we would have after qualifying inside the top-10. But, sometimes it just isn’t your day. We have one thing on our mind the rest of the year and that is to win a championship in Phoenix. So, we’re going to go into Richmond trying to get playoff points to help our push in the Round of 10.”

Hocevar at Richmond Raceway: Carson Hocevar has three starts at Richmond Raceway in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with a best finish of 10th in 2022. Hocevar has an average finishing position of 14.7 with his worst finish being 22nd in his first start at the track.

Hocevar on Friday’s Race at Richmond Raceway: “We haven’t been stout at Richmond in the past, but I’m hoping we can turn that around this time. Our Worldwide Express team has been fast during the second half of the season and I’m looking forward to getting to an abrasive racing surface like Richmond.”

On the Truck: Hocevar’s No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet Silverado will race with support from the WWEX group of brands, which comprises Worldwide Express, Unishippers and GlobalTranz, and offers full-service logistics expertise to more than 115,000 customers across the country.

About Niece Motorsports:

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

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

About Worldwide Express:

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

Worldwide Express 250 | Richmond Raceway (250 Laps / 187.5 Miles)
Saturday, June 29 | Richmond, Virginia | 7:30p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Team: No. 45 IEDA / Easton Sales and Rentals Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Lawless Alan (Los Angeles, California) | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Lawless Alan: Twitter: @lawlessalan25 | Instagram: @lawless_alan | Facebook: /LawlessAlanRacing | Web: www.lawlessalanracing.com

Pocono Recap: Saturday’s race at Pocono Raceway did not go as planned for the No. 45 AUTOParkit team as they suffered nose damage on the initial start of the race. From there, Alan and team continued to improve the truck throughout the race, until he was involved in a late-race incident which caused damage to most of the field. Alan drove to a 27th-place finish while advancing to 23rd in the driver point standings.

Alan on Last Race at Pocono Raceway: “After getting nose damage on the start of the race at Pocono, it was all about rebounding throughout the day. Pocono is a very aero-sensitive track and the damage made it very challenging to carry speed. But, we worked with what we had and have to focus on this weekend in Richmond.”

Alan at Richmond Raceway: Lawless Alan has made one start at Richmond Raceway, where he qualified 27th and finished 24th.

Alan on Friday’s Race at Richmond Raceway: “Richmond is a very abrasive track and a tough place to get around. I think it’s a true driver’s track and I’m excited for the challenge that Richmond presents. We were able to show speed at North Wilkesboro earlier this year on a very abrasive surface, so I’m optimistic heading into this weekend.”

On the Truck: Lawless Alan’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado will carry the Independent Equipment Dealers Association colors this weekend at Richmond Raceway. In addition, the No. 45 will also race with support from Easton Sales and Rentals and Rokbak.

About Niece Motorsports:

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

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

About Independent Equipment Dealers Association (IEDA):

The Independent Equipment Dealers Association (IEDA) is a non-profit trade association promoting participation, professionalism and advancement in the independent distribution of heavy equipment. The IEDA focuses its efforts on providing discounts, marketing, advertising, education and networking opportunities to members that will result in increased sales for member companies. Members of the IEDA are committed to displaying leadership in the industry by making ethical decisions and sound judgement, by making accurate claims to customers and by utilizing the products and services offered to them by Associate Members. The IEDA was established in 2002 and has become a unified and powerful voice within the industry.

About Easton Sales and Rentals:

Easton Sales and Rentals is the premiere provider of earthmoving equipment and attachments for rent or sale. Easton Sales and Rentals also offers a full range of parts and services. Its mission is to provide clients with quality, meticulously serviced machines from all major manufactures. The entire staff at Easton shares an ongoing commitment and dedication to ensure the success of its customers.

About Rokbak:
At Rokbak, there’s one thing valued more than anything else. Reliability. The Rokbak business is built on it. From brutal heat to biting cold, Rokbak articulated haulers are trusted to perform in the toughest conditions around the world. And the Rokbak global team is trusted to do the same – building the best haulers and giving rock solid support.

Worldwide Express 250 | Richmond Raceway (250 Laps / 187.5 Miles)
Saturday, June 29 | Richmond, Virginia | 7:30p.m. ET
TV: FS1 | Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Ch. 90

Team: No. 41 Unishippers Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Bayley Currey (Driftwood, Texas) | Crew Chief: Mike Hillman Jr.
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Bayley Currey: Twitter: @BayleyCurrey | Instagram: @bayleycurrey05 | Facebook: /bayleycurrey05 | Web: www.bcurrey.com/

Pocono Recap: Ross Chastain piloted the No. 41 Worldwide Express Chevrolet Silverado last weekend in Pocono. Chastain was trapped mid-pack for most of the race until an accident with less than 10 laps remaining took him out of the running. Chastain finished 30th, pushing the No. 41 team back to 15th in the owner’s championship standings with one race remaining in the regular season.

One More Opportunity to Make Postseason: Sitting 71 points behind the cut line in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series owner’s point standings, the No. 41 team is in a must-win position. Currey’s last race in the Truck Series came at Nashville where he collected his second top-five of the year.

Currey at Richmond Raceway: Saturday night will mark Bayley Currey’s first start at Richmond Raceway in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The Texas-born driver has five starts in the Xfinity Series with an average finish of 25.4.

Currey on Friday’s Race at Richmond Raceway: “I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of this Unishippers Silverado in Richmond. This place is so unique because you carry so much speed into the tight corners and it all comes down to who can save the most tire. Obviously, this weekend is the Worldwide Express 250 so we really want to perform for WWEX Racing and their carrier partners. I’m very confident and optimistic heading into this weekend and I hope that shows on Saturday night.”

On the Truck: Currey’s No. 41 Unishippers Chevrolet Silverado will race with support from the WWEX group of brands, which comprises Worldwide Express, Unishippers and GlobalTranz, and offers full-service logistics expertise to more than 115,000 customers across the country.

About Niece Motorsports:

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

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

About Worldwide Express:

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

Race Information

• Round: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race No. 16 of 23
• Track Location: Richmond Raceway – Richmond, Virginia
• Race Name: Worldwide Express 250
• Broadcast: Saturday, July 29th at 7:30 PM ET live on FS1 (TV), MRN (Radio), and Sirius XM NASCAR Channel 90
• Team Entrants:

No. 23 | Grant Enfinger & Jeff Hensley – Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet
No. 24 | Rajah Caruth & Chad Walter – Camp Cultivation Chevrolet
No. 43 | Daniel Dye & Blake Bainbridge – Bull & Boar Barbecue Shop / LiftedTrucksForSale.com Chevrolet

Grant Enfinger, No. 23 Champion Power Equipment Chevrolet Silverado RST

Richmond Raceway Stats

• NCTS Starts: 3; Wins: 1 (2020); Best start: 3rd; Top 5s: 2; Top 10s: 3; Laps led: 89

2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Season Stats

• Starts: 15; Wins: 2 (Kansas I & Gateway); Best start: 2nd; Stage wins: 1; Top 5s: 6; Top 10s: 8; Laps led: 133; Current points position: 3rd
• About Champion Power Equipment: Since 2003, Champion Power Equipment has earned a reputation for designing and producing the market’s finest power equipment. From our original headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California, Champion has expanded its North American footprint to include facilities in Jackson, Tennessee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Toronto Canada. Today, Champion’s product line has expanded to include portable generators, home standby generators, inverter generators, engines, winches and log splitters. With over 2.5 million generators sold in North America, Champion is a market leader in the power equipment field. Visit ChampionPowerEquipment.com for more information.
• Chassis History/Info: Enfinger and the No. 23 team will compete with GMS Racing chassis no. 345 at Richmond Raceway. This truck debuted one year ago at the Virginia short track, where Grant qualified fifth and finished in the fourth position. It also was raced in two starts last year at Kansas Speedway with a fifth place finish and at Phoenix Raceway where it finished in sixth in the final race of the season. Grant raced this truck one time this year at Darlington, where he finished in 14th place after a last lap crash.
• Richmond Race Winner: When the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series made its return to Richmond Raceway in 2020, it was Enfinger that won the first race back under the lights. On that night, Grant would lead three times during the race, including the final seven laps, for a total of 18 laps. It would mark his third win of four in the 2020 season, the most he’s ever won in his career.
• Hensley at Richmond: When it comes to experience at this racetrack, look no further than Jeff Hensley. Before he was a Crew Chief, Hensley was a driver that raced five times at Richmond, and he finished 10th in the spring NXS race in 1984. After transitioning from behind the wheel to on top of the pit box, Jeff went on to call 27 NASCAR Xfinity Series races as well as five CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races at this track. Hensley has three top-10 finishes in NXS competition, and won a pole at the track in 1993 with Chuck Bown. He owns two Truck Series wins at Richmond, with the first coming in 2005 with Mike Skinner, and the second was with Enfinger in 2020.
• FearTheFinger Playoffs Profile: Enfinger has two wins in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series heading into the final race of the regular season (Kansas Speedway and World Wide Technology Raceway), and is currently third in the points standings (17 points behind Zane Smith in second and 59 points behind overall leader, Corey Heim). He has mustered six top-fives and eight top-10 finishes this year, and earned an extra playoff point by winning a stage at World Wide Technology Raceway en route to his second race win of the year. Locked in, the veteran is looking to earn extra playoffs points before the postseason begins next race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
• GE Appearances: Fans attending the Worldwide Express 250 will have an opportunity to meet Grant Enfinger on race day:

NCTS Autograph Session | Saturday, July 29th: Enfinger will sign autographs along with the majority of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series field in the Richmond Raceway Amphitheater from 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM local time on Saturday.

• From The Drivers Seat: You’ve ran really well in all of your previous starts at Richmond, what is it about this type of track that fits your driving style?

“I love the tracks that are low on grip and have tire falloff. Richmond is one of the toughest short tracks that we have when it comes to tire management, and it’s important to manage your stuff because of all the long runs that the place puts on. Last year I felt like we had a top-five truck, but I feel like Jeff Hensley has made our package better since then. I’m confident in all of the preparation that Jeff and the guys have put in on improving our Champion Power Equipment Chevy this time around, and would love if we could finish out the regular season with another win to give us the momentum heading into the playoffs.”

Rajah Caruth, No. 24 Camp Cultivation Chevrolet Silverado RST

Richmond Raceway Stats

• NXS Starts: 1; Best start: 22nd; Best finish: 24th (2022)
• NCTS Starts: 1; Best start: 28th; Best finish: 25th (2022)

2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Season Stats

• Starts: 15; Best start: 3rd; Best finish: 6th (Darlington); Top 10s: 1; Current points position: 18th
• About the Wendell Scott Foundation: Founded in 2011, The Wendell Scott Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization inspired by Wendell Scott, Sr. and provides services such as job-skill training, STEM education opportunities, mentoring, and other supportive services to at-risk, underserved youth between the ages of 8-18 years in Danville, Virginia and surrounding areas.

The Foundation’s mission of using educational attainment to end racial disparities in education and health is vital in addressing economic inequality and improving future success in African-American communities. For more information, please visit www.wendellscott.org.

• Camp Cultivation: Caruth will drive a special Camp Cultivation paint scheme this weekend in Richmond. The three-day camp, which was hosted by the Wendell Scott Foundation and New College Institute, took place at the Virginia State University campus last week and was a major success. As one of the key programs the foundation puts on throughout the year, Camp Cultivation brought students together to learn about various STEM career fields and the importance of furthering their education. Read the full press release about the camp here.
• Chassis History/Info: Rajah Caruth and the No. 24 team will compete with GMS Racing chassis no. 337 at Richmond. Caruth raced this truck at Martinsville Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway this season, and Sheldon Creed won with it in its first race at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2021. Its first start at Richmond will be this weekend.
• Home Sweet Home: Rajah was born in nearby, Washington, D.C. and considers Richmond Raceway as his “true” home track. This racetrack was the first track that he had ever attended as a fan, and he says that first exposure to racing hooked him for life. Caruth made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at the track in 2022 and carries these special memories with him every time he races here.
• Walter at Richmond: Chad Walter has led the team for 14 NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Richmond Raceway dating back to 2005. He has one top-five and five top-10 finishes, with a best result of fifth in 2012 working with Sam Hornish, Jr. Walter has two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts as well at Richmond with a best finish of fifth place in 2020 working with Tyler Ankrum.
• RC Appearances: Fans attending the Worldwide Express 250 will have an opportunity to meet Rajah Caruth on race day:

NCTS Autograph Session | Saturday, July 29th: Caruth will sign autographs along with the majority of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series field in the Richmond Raceway Amphitheater from 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM local time on Saturday.

• Pocono Recap: During the last NCTS race at Pocono Raceway, Rajah experienced an up-and-down day. The driver of the No. 24 Wendell Scott Foundation Chevrolet started the weekend off on a high note by qualifying in the seventh position, his third best start of the year. Caruth would drop to 16th at the end of Stage 1, but rallied back to score points in Stage 2 with an eighth place finish. Having narrowly escaped disaster on lap 53 when there was a 10-truck pile up directly in front of him, Caruth would slip by cleanly to finish in 16th position on the lead lap.
• One Final Push: Richmond is the site of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series regular season finale, providing the drivers with one last opportunity to make the playoffs field. In order to advance into the postseason, Rajah Caruth will need to win Saturday’s Worldwide Express 250. Should he be able to advance, the battle for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors will continue through the end of the season.
• From The Driver’s Seat: Richmond Raceway is one of the top tracks that hold a special place in your heart, so what would a win in your home race mean to you and your team?

“It would be so special and moving to get it done this weekend. It’s been such a tumultuous last year and some change, so to be able to potentially get my first win and lock us into the playoffs would be storybook. I’m thankful to everybody that has been supporting our program here at GMS Racing this year, and it’s special to run a Camp Cultivation paint scheme this weekend. I know how hard Warrick, Chinique, and the team at the Wendell Scott Foundation and New College Institute have been working on putting that program together. It was fun to join them at the camp last week and I’m sure that running with it represented on our truck is going to help spread the word for next time. We can get it done this weekend. Whatever it takes!”

Daniel Dye, No. 43 Bull & Boar Barbecue Shop / LiftedTrucksForSale.com Chevrolet Silverado RST

Richmond Raceway Stats

• Daniel Dye will make his first start in any series at Richmond Raceway on Saturday.

2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Season Stats

• Starts: 15; Best start: 9th; Best finish: 11th (Gateway); Laps led: 5; Current points position: 17th
• About Bull & Boar Barbecue Shop: Bull and Boar Barbecue Shop is your one-stop shop for BBQ grills, smokers, pizza ovens, rubs, sauces, charcoal, pellets, and grilling accessories. So what makes us unique? First, we will let you sample 99.9% of the rubs and sauces we sell to ensure you get the flavor you are looking to achieve. Everyone’s tastes and definitions of flavors are unique, so instead of just taking our word for it, we want you to try them yourself. We also carry as many local Flordia flavors and Veteran-Owned products as possible. For more information, please visit BullAndBoarShop.com.
• Chassis History/Info: Dye and the No. 43 team will compete with GMS Racing chassis no. 335 at Richmond Raceway. This chassis was used in two short track races this year at Martinsville Speedway and more recently at North Wilkesboro Speedway, where it was driven to a 14th place finish. Sheldon Creed was the driver that had the best finish with this truck, finishing third at Pocono Raceway in 2021. It has not competed at Richmond before.
• Bainbridge at Richmond: As a Crew Chief, Blake Bainbridge has two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Richmond Raceway. His first race at the track was in 2005 where he worked with Jamie McMurray, and his second was in 2009 working with Benny Gordon. This weekend will be his first Truck Series race on top of the box at the 0.75-mile short track.
• DD Appearances: Fans attending the Worldwide Express 250 will have a few opportunities to meet Daniel Dye on race day:

NASCAR Trackside Live! Q&A | Saturday, July 29th: Daniel will host a Q&A session in the Richmond Raceway fan zone at the NASCAR Trackside Live! Stage from 3:15 PM to 3:30 PM local time on Saturday.
NCTS Autograph Session | Saturday, July 29th: Dye will sign autographs along with the majority of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series field in the Richmond Raceway Amphitheater from 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM local time on Saturday.

• Pocono Recap: In his first Truck Series race at Pocono Raceway, Daniel Dye made improvements throughout the entire day. Dye qualified the No. 43 Champion Container Chevrolet in the 20th position and finished 24th in stage one, but used strategy to climb the running order and finish stage two in the eleventh spot. Daniel gave the viewers at home a few good views by avoiding a couple of wrecks directly in front of him, and at the end of the day he brought his Silverado RST home 17th without a scratch on it.
• Playoffs Clinch Scenario: With one race left in the regular season for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Daniel has one goal in mind, and that is to win his first-career race. A win would secure his spot in the playoffs as well as continue the battle for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors, which would be a huge boost for the team in just his first full-time season.
• From the Driver’s Seat: As we wrap up the regular season this weekend, can you describe some of the things that you have learned and improved on by running in the Truck Series?

“I’d say this season has definitely been a much larger learning experience compared to what I was used to running with the last couple of years in the ARCA Series. The Truck Series is way more developed, and the aggression level is way higher. So, I’ve been learning how to race with all of these guys with that level of aggression, but also maintain and walk that line of being smart. Our group on the No. 43 team has definitely improved on our communication throughout the season, and I’m feeling more confident as a driver, so overall I would say that it’s been a good experience for us. I’ve never raced at Richmond before, but it reminds me of some of the characteristics of the short tracks that I grew up on, so I think we have the opportunity to run well this weekend. I’m looking forward to it.”

ABOUT GMS RACING:

GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series operating the No. 23, No. 24, and No. 43 Chevrolet Silverado RSTs for drivers Grant Enfinger, Rajah Caruth, and Daniel Dye. Since the team was formed in 2012, GMS Racing has won five titles across multiple series, including the 2016 and 2020 NASCAR Truck Series championship, the 2015 ARCA Racing Series championship, as well as the 2019 & 2020 ARCA East championships. GMS has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. including operations for GMS Fabrication. The GMS Racing campus also houses operations for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, a team that competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information and exclusive content, follow GMS Racing on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Team: No. 42 Worldwide Express Chevrolet Silverado
Driver: Carson Hocevar (Portage, Michigan) | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Follow the Team: Twitter: @NieceMotorsport | Instagram: @NieceMotorsports | Facebook: /NieceMotorsports | Web: www.niecemotorsports.com
Follow Carson Hocevar: Twitter: @CarsonHocevar | Instagram: @CarsonHocevar | Facebook: /carsonhocevarracing | Web: www.CarsonHocevar.com
Start: 4th | Finish: 11th | Points Standings: 7th

Hocevar on Saturday’s Race at Pocono: “We really battled with the balance of our truck all day long. It was really tough to pass once we got outside the top-ten but we continued to fight throughout the race. I’m thankful I get to drive these trucks for Niece Motorsports and Worldwide Express and I’m looking forward to chasing a championship in a few weeks.”

Race Recap: After a hard-fought race in Mid-Ohio two weeks prior, Carson Hocevar showed a lot of speed all weekend in Pocono. An eighth-place time in practice was followed with a fourth-place starting position for Saturday’s CRC Brakleen 150.

Hocevar had an uneventful first stage as he would fall back to 10th at the first caution and eventually finish the first stage in 12th. But, Stage Two is where the action picked up as Phil Gould would bring the No. 42 Worldwide Express Silverado down pit road before the stage caution to gain positions on the ensuing restart. While Hocevar finished 30th in the stage, he was able to start inside the top-15 when Stage Three went green.

In the end, Carson would go on to finish 11th, remaining in 7th in the points standings with just one race left in the regular season.

About Niece Motorsports:

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

Media Inquiries: media@niecemotorsports.com

About Worldwide Express:

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