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Category: XFINITY Series PR

NASCAR XFINITY Series Press Release

  • JR Motorsports and PUBG MOBILE Announce 2022 Partnership

    JR Motorsports and PUBG MOBILE Announce 2022 Partnership

    Popular Mobile Game Featured on Josh Berry’s No. 8 Chevy in Four NASCAR Xfinity Events

    MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 22, 2022) — PUBG MOBILE, one of the world’s most popular mobile games, will partner with JR Motorsports and the No. 8 team for four NASCAR Xfinity Series events with driver Josh Berry, the organization announced today. The No. 8 PUBG MOBILE Chevrolet will race at Auto Club Speedway (Feb. 26), Phoenix Raceway (March 12), Circuit of the Americas (March 26) and Talladega Superspeedway (April 23).

    PUBG MOBILE is a battle royale mobile game developed by Lightspeed and Quantum Studios of Tencent Games and KRAFTON, Inc. and is based on PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. The game focuses on visual quality, maps, fast-paced action, and other aspects, providing an all-rounded surreal battle royale experience to players.

    “Mobile gaming has become so popular these days, so it’s great to showcase PUBG MOBILE on our No. 8,” said Berry. “As a big gaming fan, I’m excited to be able to represent PUBG MOBILE as it celebrates its fourth anniversary. Our goal is to get to Victory Lane with this partnership and connect PUBG MOBILE with a whole new and loyal fanbase.”

    It’s the second time in four years the JRM and PUBG MOBILE squads have teamed up. During the 2019-20 season, PUBG MOBILE was featured on the team’s No. 9 entry in five events.

    “We’re excited to return as a partner with JR Motorsports and support Josh Berry and the No. 8 team,” said Anthony Crouts, senior director of marketing for PUBG MOBILE. “Much like PUBG MOBILE,the NASCAR community features a dedicated fanbase and this partnership gives us an opportunity to connect with our players in a new and exciting way.”

    PUBG MOBILE becomes the fourth partner added to the No. 8 team lineup for 2022 alongside previously announced sponsors Tire Pros, Harrison’s USA and Jarrett. For more information, visit pubgmobile.com and download the game for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.

    ABOUT PUBG MOBILE:
    PUBG MOBILE is based on PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the phenomenon that took the world of interactive entertainment by storm in 2017. Up to 100 players parachute onto a remote island to battle in a winner-takes-all showdown. Players must locate and scavenge their own weapons, vehicles, and supplies, and defeat every player in a visually and tactically rich battleground that forces players into a shrinking play zone.

    For more information, please visit the official PUBG MOBILE social channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
    JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 21st year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also races in Late Model competition and owns four championships in regional Late Model divisions and added a prized national title in 2020. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.

  • Rookie Austin Hill Captures NASCAR Xfinity Series Victory – the Beef. It’s What For Dinner. 300 at Daytona International Speedway

    Rookie Austin Hill Captures NASCAR Xfinity Series Victory – the Beef. It’s What For Dinner. 300 at Daytona International Speedway

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 19, 2022) – Austin Hill nosed ahead of AJ Allmendinger moments before a last-lap caution period at Daytona International Speedway to earn his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in Saturday’s Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300.

    The caution froze the field with Hill declared the winner in his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start with Richard Childress Racing.

    In a large pack, the cars were streaking down the backstretch at the 2.5-mile superspeedway when an aggressive push from Anthony Alfredo’s No. 23 Chevrolet turned Snider’s No. 31 Camaro in front of Jade Buford’s No. 48 Chevrolet.

    Snider climbed from his destroyed race car in yet another testament to the safety of the vehicles. Snider visited the infield care center, where he was treated and released.

    The victory was Hill’s first in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in his 16th start, after he moved from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series to a full-time ride with RCR in the Xfinity ranks.

    All told, nine cars were involved in the wreck that forced the race to end under the sixth caution of the evening.

    Hill developed a strong run on the backstretch and made the winning pass after Allmendinger’s Chevrolet advanced too far in front of the lead pack.

    “We timed it perfectly,” an elated Hill said after climbing from his car on the frontstretch. “Obviously, that caution came out, but we had a heck of a run, so who knows what would have happened there.

    “I was able to drag back, the 98 (Riley Herbst) gave me a heck of a push, we were able to get by (Allmendinger), and this is so crazy.

    “I won (a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season opener) in 2019 with a new team, now we’re with RCR, first race with them. We were able to get the job done… Man, I’m speechless. (Crew chief) Andy Street, (owner) Richard Childress, just all these guys back at RCR for believing in me. It’s been a fun offseason, and now we get to go race for a championship. Let’s go!”

    Allmendinger was credited with his second straight runner-up finish in a Daytona Xfinity Series race.

    “I’d have to go see the replay, study it,” Allmendinger said. “I’m sure I will. Kind of kept trying to block both lanes, and it looked like Austin moved up there and timed it perfect where he just got a massive shove, and I probably could have tried to really block, but I think I probably would have wrecked us if I would have done it.

    “Seeing there, I’ve got to be better sometimes not getting too far out in the lead. I don’t know, I’ll just keep working on it, man.”

    Noah Gragson was third, followed by Herbst and Justin Allgaier. Sheldon Creed, Alfredo, Ryan Sieg, Josh Bilicki and Brandon Brown completed the top 10.

    Hill led four times for 23 of the 120 laps, second only to the 38 of reigning series champion Daniel Hemric, who was the victim of a 10-car crash on Lap 91. Hemric finished 28th, four laps down.

    Another casualty of the final wreck was Ty Gibbs, who was making his first Xfinity start on the Daytona oval. Gibbs was 11th when the field was frozen by the caution.

    Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth culminates Sunday with the 64th running of the DAYTONA 500, which is sold completely out. The Great American Race is set for a 2:30 p.m. ET start (FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Reining NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson will start from the Busch Light Pole Position.

    Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.

    NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – 41st Annual Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. 300

    Daytona International Speedway

    Daytona Beach, Florida

    Saturday, February 19, 2022

                1. (2)  Austin Hill #, Chevrolet, 120.

            2. (11)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 120.

            3. (14)  Noah Gragson, Chevrolet, 120.

            4. (10)  Riley Herbst, Ford, 120.

            5. (17)  Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 120.

            6. (4)  Sheldon Creed #, Chevrolet, 120.

            7. (16)  Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 120.

            8. (19)  Ryan Sieg, Ford, 120.

            9. (31)  Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet, 120.

            10. (13)  Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, 120.

            11. (15)  Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 120.

            12. (38)  Ryan Truex, Toyota, 120.

            13. (21)  JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, 120.

            14. (6)  Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 120.

            15. (20)  Jeffrey Earnhardt, Toyota, 120.

            16. (7)  Josh Berry, Chevrolet, 120.

            17. (9)  Brandon Jones, Toyota, 120.

            18. (8)  Ryan Vargas, Chevrolet, 120.

            19. (27)  Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 120.

            20. (25)  Bayley Currey, Chevrolet, 120.

            21. (36)  Kyle Sieg, Ford, 120.

            22. (33)  Myatt Snider, Chevrolet, Accident, 119.

            23. (3)  Jade Buford, Chevrolet, Accident, 119.

            24. (32)  Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, Accident, 119.

            25. (18)  Matt Mills, Chevrolet, Accident, 119.

            26. (28)  Joey Gase, Ford, 119.

            27. (30)  Jesse Iwuji #, Chevrolet, 118.

            28. (1)  Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 116.

            29. (29)  Joe Graf Jr., Ford, 110.

            30. (34)  Sam Mayer, Chevrolet, 105.

            31. (24)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, Accident, 95.

            32. (23)  Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, Accident, 91.

            33. (37)  Shane Lee, Toyota, Accident, 91.

            34. (5)  Brett Moffitt, Chevrolet, Accident, 91.

            35. (26)  CJ McLaughlin, Ford, Accident, 91.

            36. (12)  Drew Dollar, Toyota, Accident, 14.

            37. (35)  Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, Accident, 13.

            38. (22)  Caesar Bacarella, Chevrolet, Engine, 11.

    Average Speed of Race Winner: 136.605 mph.

    Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 11 Mins, 46 Secs. Margin of Victory: Under Caution Seconds.

    Caution Flags: 6 for 28 laps.

    Lead Changes: 18 among 9 drivers.

    Lap Leaders: D. Hemric 0;D. Hemric 1-2;A. Hill # 3-10;D. Hemric 11-33;J. Graf Jr. 34-36;B. Brown 37-48;N. Gragson 49-59;D. Hemric 60-66;T. Gibbs 67;D. Hemric 68-73;T. Gibbs 74-75;J. Berry 76;J. Bilicki 77-86;A. Hill # 87-97;A. Allmendinger 98-102;A. Hill # 103-105;A. Allmendinger 106-117;N. Gragson 118;A. Allmendinger 119;A. Hill # 120.

    Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): Daniel Hemric 4 times for 38 laps; Austin Hill # 4 times for 23 laps; AJ Allmendinger 3 times for 18 laps; Brandon Brown 1 time for 12 laps; Noah Gragson 2 times for 12 laps; Josh Bilicki 1 time for 10 laps; Ty Gibbs 2 times for 3 laps; Joe Graf Jr. 1 time for 3 laps; Josh Berry 1 time for 1 lap.

    Stage #1 Top Ten: 11,16,98,21,9,54,7,39,68,1

    Stage #2 Top Ten: 11,39,1,16,7,68,54,8,19,98

    About Daytona International Speedway
    Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. The iconic venue will be the site of a host of motorsports events early in 2022, beginning with AHRMA Classic Motofest and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA in January, and the 64th DAYTONA 500, which will debut the first points race for NASCAR’s ‘Next Gen’ car as part of Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth in February. The tradition-rich 81st Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA returns in March, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, and in May with the Heroes Honor Festival. Later in the summer during Independence Day weekend, the track, in association with Torneos, will host Soccer Fest before the NASCAR Cup Series returns for the final race of the regular season with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 27.

  • Herbst Scores Strong Fourth-Place Drive at Daytona

    Herbst Scores Strong Fourth-Place Drive at Daytona

    Monster Energy Driver Picks Up Second Top-Five at Daytona
    Date: Saturday, Feb. 19
    Event: Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 (Round 1 of 33)
    Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series
    Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (2.5-mile oval)
    Format: 120 laps, broken into three stages (30 laps/30 laps/60 laps)
    Start/Finish: 10th / 4th (Running, completed 120 of 120 laps)
    Point Standing: 3rd (42 points, nine out of first)
    Race Winner: Austin Hill of Richard Childress Racing (Chevrolet)
    Stage 1 Winner: Daniel Hemric of Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)
    Stage 2 Winner: Daniel Hemric of Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)

    Overview:

    Riley Herbst picked up right where he left off last year by scoring a strong fourth-place finish in the season-opening NASCAR Xfinity Series race Saturday night at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. The driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing ended 2021 with a fourth-place drive in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Herbst was a top-10 mainstay at Daytona, starting 10th and staying among the top-10 throughout the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300. In the end, a two-wide battle to the finish worked out in Herbst’s favor as the Las Vegas native crossed the line in fourth to earn the 10th top-five of his nascent Xfinity Series career.

    Riley Herbst, driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing:

    “This was our goal. We finished last year’s season finale at Phoenix in fourth and we wanted another top five. That’s what we were missing last year was consistency, so it was good to start 2022 with a top-five run. We had a fast Monster Energy Ford Mustang.”

    Notes:

    ● Herbst finished third in the first stage to earn eight bonus points and 10th in the second stage to earn one more bonus point.

    ● This was Herbst’s second top-five at Daytona. He equaled his previous best finish at Daytona – fourth in August 2020.

    ● Austin Hill won the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 to score his first career Xfinity Series victory.

    ● There were six caution periods for a total of 28 laps.

    ● Twenty-one of the 38 drivers in the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 finished on the lead lap.

    ● AJ Allmendinger leaves Daytona as the championship leader by just two points over second-place Austin Hill.

    Next Up:

    The next event on the Xfinity Series schedule is the Production Alliance 300 on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. The race starts at 5 p.m. EST with live coverage provided by FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

  • Toyota Racing – NXS Daytona Post-Race Report – 02.19.22

    Toyota Racing – NXS Daytona Post-Race Report – 02.19.22

    THREE GR SUPRA TOP-15 FINISHES AT DAYTONA

    DAYTONA BEACH (February 19, 2022) – Three Toyota GR Supra drivers finished in the top-15 in Saturday’s season-opening NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race at Daytona International Speedway, including Ty Gibbs (11th), Ryan Truex (12th) and Jeffrey Earnhardt (15th).

    Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
    NASCAR Xfinity Series
    Daytona International Speedway
    Race 1 of 33 – 300 miles, 120 laps

    TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
    1st, Austin Hill*
    2nd, AJ Allmendinger*
    3rd, Noah Gragson*
    4th, Riley Herbst*
    5th, Justin Allgaier*
    11th, TY GIBBS
    12th, RYAN TRUEX
    15th, JEFFREY EARNHARDT
    17th, BRANDON JONES
    33rd, SHANE LEE
    36th, DREW DOLLAR
    *non-Toyota driver

    TOYOTA QUOTES

    TY GIBBS, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

    Finishing Position: 11th

    How was the race as a whole?

    “I feel like we were pretty good with our Monster Energy GR Supra. We couldn’t suck up too well, so that was frustrating at points, but I feel like overall we were pretty good. I kind of got bottled up with just some dumb moves with experienced drivers. I feel like that is what caused that – I mean, we were last lap, but if you are 22nd, and you are three-wide with nowhere to go, you are not winning the race. Just driving dumb and cleaning everybody out is not the best decision, but that is just part of it. You see these things happen and you have to avoid them. I tried my best and went around there. Luckily, I didn’t flip over or anything, but I felt like we had a good run. I enjoyed it. I don’t know if superspeedway racing is my cup of tea or not, but I’m excited to go on to Fontana next week.”

    RYAN TRUEX, No. 26 Circle B Diecast Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

    Finishing Position: 12th

    Solid run all night, how was the race from your seat?

    “Our strategy went perfect. We were going to do four tires on both pit stops. We had to start last, so we had nothing to lose. The Circle B GR Supra was good. I needed a pusher, but other than that, we ran really well. We did what we planned to do until the very end – the very last half lap at least – we were inches from making it through that wreck. All-in-all, I think Allen (Hart, crew chief) did a really good job, the team did a really good job, pit stops were good. We had to do our green flag pit stop last minute and executed it flawlessly. Just proud of the team, and hopefully I can do more with these guys.”

    JEFFREY EARNHARDT, No. 24 ForeverLawn Toyota GR Supra, Sam Hunt Racing

    Finishing Position: 15th

    How was your race as a whole?

    “I think today is a true testament to the Sam Hunt Racing team. We didn’t give up all day. We didn’t have the best start with the battery issue, but we fought back and raced hard to get those Lucky Dogs and get those laps back. We got back on the lead lap and just fought all day. The guys made the right adjustments – the right calls – and we were able to keep this thing pretty clean. We went through the grass. I think if they put some ForeverLawn turf there, no one would have any problems. I’m really just happy for everyone. Yeah, we wanted to finish better but starting the year with a top-15 and seeing how hard these guys are willing to fight as a team is exciting for everyone involved. All the ForeverLawn guys are pumped to see just the fight in these guys. These Toyota Supras were fast all day long. We had to fight to be there in the end, and came up a little bit short. We will build on this and go on to Fontana.”

    BRANDON JONES, No. 19 Menards/Proctor and Gamble – Swiffer Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

    Finishing Position: 17th

    How was today’s race?

    “We were just kind of wrong place, wrong time at the end. I knew when I heard last lap and where we were kind of positioned that it was going to happen at some point. Didn’t really get it that bad. I actually followed somebody through the grass and I think that’s kind of what really took us out. All in all, not a terrible day. I think we got just a little bit of stage points there. Just kind of kept getting shuffled to the bottom and could never get to the that top lane. I’ve seen multiple times where the bottom here somewhat builds back up and it becomes pretty good, but it just seems that top lane is where you wanted to be all race. This place is tough. It’s good to come out the way we did I guess and we’ll go to the next one and get ready to race.”

    DREW DOLLAR, No. 18 Lnyx Capital Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

    Finishing Position: 36th

    What happened out there?

    “I haven’t got to see it yet. They just checked up really quick in front of us. Just kind of unfortunate circumstances. We all got bottled up on the bottom. I guess I got the bad end of it, but I had a really fast Toyota GR Supra to fire off there. I felt like we were going to have something at the end if we could have just been there. Unfortunate end to our day, but we will get back at it at Talladega.”

    Jeremy Clements actually blamed it on inexperienced drivers. What is your response to that?

    “I don’t really know. There is not much to say. I will go back and look at it and I will work to get better, but I have a great team. Joe Gibbs Racing – thanks to them for bringing a great car, and we will go back at it. I don’t know; I’ll go watch the race.”

    #

    About Toyota

    Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

    Toyota directly employs more than 48,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 43 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 the more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, more than a quarter of the company’s 2021 North American sales were electrified.

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

  • RCR NXS Post Race Report: Daytona International Speedway

    RCR NXS Post Race Report: Daytona International Speedway

    Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics/United Rentals Chevrolet Team Kick Off 2022 Season With Thrilling Win at Daytona International Speedway

    Finish: 1st
    Start: 2nd
    Points: 2nd

    “We joined Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series to win, and that’s what we did tonight. I’m so happy for Bennett Transportation & Logistics, United Rentals, Global Industrial and all of the partners at RCR. I worked really well with my spotter, Derek Kneeland, all night. Throughout the race, I kept telling Derek and crew chief Andy Street that I was putting information in the memory bank to remember for late in the race. We timed it perfectly. I was able to drag back and the No. 98 car gave me a heck of a push. We were able to get by. I won at Daytona International Speedway in 2019 with a new team, so it’s cool to join RCR and to win my first race with them. It means so much to me that Andy Street, Danny Lawrence, Richard Childress, and all of the guys at RCR and ECR believe in me. It’s been a fun off-season, and now we get to go race for a championship.” -Austin Hill

    Sheldon Creed Races The No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet To Solid Sixth-Place Finish at Daytona International Speedway

    Finish: 6th
    Start: 4th
    Points: 9th

    “We had a really strong and fast No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Camaro, so I have to thank everyone at RCR and ECR for all of the work they did in the off season to put us in the best position possible to start off 2022. We ran up front and stayed out of trouble all night. Even after we got behind, we kept pushing and came home with a solid finish. It’s a really great start to the 2022 season for our whole team and I’m excited to keep this momentum going next weekend at Auto Club Speedway. Congrats to my teammate, Austin Hill, coming home with the win at Daytona. On to California.” -Sheldon Creed

  • Ford Performance NASCAR: Herbst and Sieg Post Top 10 Run in Daytona NXS Opener

    Ford Performance NASCAR: Herbst and Sieg Post Top 10 Run in Daytona NXS Opener

    Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
    NASCAR Xfinity Series
    Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner 300 | Saturday, February 19, 2022

    FORD FINISHING RESULTS
    4th – Riley Herbst
    8th – Ryan Sieg
    21st – Kyle Sieg
    26th – Joey Gase
    29th – Joe Graf Jr.
    35th – CJ McLaughlin

    RILEY HERBST, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang – “This was our goal. We finished last year’s season finale at Phoenix in fourth and we want another top five. That’s what we were missing last year is consistency, so it was good to start 2022 with a top-five run. We had a fast Ford Mustang. Monster Energy, everybody supporting us and ready to get out to California next week.”

    HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO GET OFF TO A GOOD START THIS SEASON? “It’s huge. Last year, I think we had three DNFs in a row and just put us in a hole and then we battled back all year long. To start the season off with a fourth, all of these 98 guys deserve to be in victory lane and we’re working really hard to get there.”

    THOUGHTS ON THE LAST LAP. YOU WERE FOURTH. WHAT KIND OF MOVE DID YOU WANT TO MAKE? “I was looking for Austin Cindric in the 22 car to help us out, but he wasn’t there. We gave a big shot to the 21 and that propelled him by the 16 I think. I’m ready for Talladega.”

    RYAN SIEG, No. 39 CMRoofing.com/A-Game Ford Mustang – “It was a great day for our CMR Roofing Ford. I wasn’t gonna sit there and ride in the single-file line. It happened twice and I was one of the ones trying to get at the bottom. I just kept clawing and fighting our way to the front and it worked out right there in Stage 2 and at the end. All in all, a good day for our Ford.”

    WERE YOU CLOSE TO THE 31? “I did see him out of my peripheral vision going backwards and then he went up, and then that’s all I could see because I got hit. We got some right-front damage at the end and thought I was gonna plow the wall. I got hooked there, but, all in all, just a great day to come out of Daytona not too bad. It’s a good points day and we’ll move on to California and do it again and try to get a top 10 there, too.”

    CJ MCLAUGHLIN, No. 38 Sci Aps Ford Mustang – “I just got real aero loose coming out of four. We had a great Sci Aps Ford and RSS built me a great car. We were trying to stay out of the big one and then I caused it, so I feel bad for tearing everyone’s stuff up. I just got aero loose, tried to correct it and it came back and cleared everyone out. It’s my own fault. I had a great car and can’t thank Sci Aps and my family enough for helping me get this dream.”

    WHAT’S THE THOUGHT PROCESS WHEN YOU KNOW YOU’RE TRYING TO CORRECT? “I thought I had it corrected and it just chopped back up the racetrack and that’s when I cleared everyone out. I was worried I was gonna take my teammate out because I got into Kyle’s bumper for a second and it was just turned around there.”

  • David Starr Joins SS GreenLight Racing for Majority of 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season

    David Starr Joins SS GreenLight Racing for Majority of 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season

    Fox News’ Bret Baier, EverFi Inc. and TicketSmarter® Join as Primary Partners

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 18, 2022): NASCAR driver David Starr and Bobby Dotter of SS GreenLight Racing jointly announced today that David Starr will join the organization and drive the No. 08 Ford Mustang for 28 NASCAR Xfinity Series this season.

    Starr will begin his new chapter with the Mooresville, N.C.-based team in Saturday’s season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner 300.

    Fox News’ Bret Baier (Special Report), EverFi Inc. and TicketSmarter, a Digital Ally company (NASDAQ: DGLY), will serve as SSGLR’s primary principal team partners for the 2022 season.

    Starr has driven for SSGLR, Dotter and crew chief Jason Miller on numerous occasions throughout his NASCAR career. Starr and Miller have had great success as a driver and crew chief combination, including a win in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in 2005.

    “I am excited to have David (Starr) back as a driver,” said Dotter. “He has driven for me numerous times, but never with this quality of equipment. We are hoping to showcase his talents with the right equipment this year thanks to the support from Ford and Roush Yates Engines.”

    “It’s awesome to be working with Bobby Dotter, Jason Miller, and the whole SS GreenLight Racing team again,” Starr said. “Bobby has been a great friend over the years and his passion for racing matches my passion for racing which is the perfect recipe for success.

    “I am honored to have Fox News’ Bret Baier, EverFi Inc, TicketSmarter and Digital Ally as our primary partners for the season. I’m humbled to represent these incredibly successful and nationally recognized brands on and off the race track.”

    Added Stan Ross, CEO of Digital Ally, “We’re excited for TicketSmarter to join forces with David Starr Racing as we kick off the 2022 NASCAR season. This partnership allows us to expose millions of sports fans to the thousands of live events available on TicketSmarter’s platform.”

    Bret Baier is the Chief Political Anchor for Fox News and Anchor and Executive Editor of “Special Report with Bret Baier” which airs weekdays at 6:00 p.m. EST on The Fox News Channel.

    Prior to that, Baier was Chief White House Correspondent and National Security Correspondent for Fox News.

    Founder and CEO of EverFi Inc, Tom Davidson, joins Baier in partnership with SSGLR for the upcoming season. EverFi Inc is a nationally recognized leader in online education technology.

    Digital Ally, Inc. (NASDAQ: DGLY) through its subsidiaries, is engaged in vehicle and body cameras, flexible software storage, automatic recording technology and various critical safety products; Shield™ Health Protection Products line, including all-natural cleansers, a non-contact temperature-screening device, an electrostatic sprayer and a variety of personal protective equipment.

    With its recent formation of Digital Ally Healthcare, Inc., a revenue cycle management company and acquisition of TicketSmarter®, LLC, a national ticket broker, Digital Ally continues to add organizations that demonstrate the common traits of positive earnings, growth potential and organizational synergies.

    For more on David Starr, like him on Facebook (David Starr Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@starr_racing) and Twitter (@starr_racing).

    For more on SS GreenLight Racing, please visit SSGreenLight.com, like them on Facebook (SS GreenLight Racing) and follow them on Twitter (@SSGLR0708).

    The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner 300 (120 laps | 300 miles) is the first of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2022 schedule. Practice begins on Fri., Feb 18 from 4:35 p.m. – 5:25 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Sat., Feb. 19 beginning at 11:35 a.m. The 38-car field will take the green flag shortly after 5:00 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90.

    About SS Green Light Racing:

    As one of the most tenured teams in all of NASCAR, SS GreenLight Racing led by team owner and former driver Bobby Dotter has been a mainstay in the sport fielding entries in either the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series or the Xfinity Series competition since 2001.

    SS GreenLight Racing will continue with a two-car program in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022.

  • Monster Energy Racing: Riley Herbst Daytona NXS Advance

    Monster Energy Racing: Riley Herbst Daytona NXS Advance

    RILEY HERBST
    Daytona NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
    No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing

    NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

    • Event: Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 (Round 1 of 33)
    • Date: Saturday, Feb. 19
    • Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway
    • Layout: 2.5-mile oval
    • Time/TV/Radio: 5 p.m. EST on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

    Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

    • Riley Herbst kicks off his second season behind the wheel of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) with the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener – The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. His first race with the team came in last year’s opening round at Daytona, and Herbst appeared to be on his way to a strong finish after leading 12 laps in the first stage and narrowly missing the stage win as Brandon Jones pipped him for the top spot by a scant .004 of a second. Herbst continued to be a contender for the race win despite falling all the way back to 22nd in the second stage. He rallied his No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang to as high as third in the final stage, only to be collected in a multicar accident less than 14 laps from the finish.

    • The familiar green Monster Energy claw will once again adorn Herbst’s No. 98 Ford Mustang at Daytona. The partnership continues with Herbst for his third fulltime season in the Xfinity Series. Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, the company supports the scene and sport. Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports partnerships, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans.

    • The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 will be Herbst’s sixth Xfinity Series start on Daytona’s 2.5-mile oval. When the series last visited the track in August, Herbst scored a 10th-place finish after leading nine laps. He’s led 25 laps over the past three Xfinity Series races at Daytona. In his previous three starts there, Herbst earned top-20 finishes in each, including two top-10s. His best Daytona finish was fourth, earned in August 2020.

    • Herbst has four starts on Daytona’s historic 2.5-mile oval outside of the Xfinity Series – three in the ARCA Menards Series and one in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – with a best of seventh in the Truck Series season opener in February 2020. He’ll participate in Friday night’s Truck Series race in the No. 17 Ford F-150 for David Gilliland Racing.

    • Richard Boswell returns as the crew chief for Herbst and the No. 98 Monster Energy team. The 37-year-old begins his sixth year with SHR and his second with Herbst. Boswell’s father, Dickie Boswell, successfully campaigned a Late Model stock car out of the family’s hometown of Friendship, Maryland. The elder Boswell ultimately competed in 57 Xfinity Series races with four top-five finishes over six seasons in the 1980s.

    Riley Herbst, Driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang

    You ended the 2021 season on a high note with back-to-back top-10 finishes after what most would’ve considered a tough year. What is the plan heading into the new season?

    “Last year was my first with Stewart-Haas Racing and Ford Performance and we learned a bunch, for sure. I think we ended the season on a high note with 10th at Martinsville and fourth at Phoenix. We’re hoping to take those runs and build on it this year to have more good races and get some wins.”

    You’re back with crew chief Richard Boswell and most of the same No. 98 Monster Energy crew as last year. How helpful is to maintain that continuity as you enter a new season?

    “It helps a lot. To have another season with Richard as my crew chief and the guys is tremendous. It’s a lot different than last year. We’re starting out the season knowing each other and at a point where they know what I mean when I say certain words. I know we can have a really good year. Hopefully, we’ll start off strong in Daytona.”

    Daytona is a wild card where anything can happen. How do you strategize heading into this race?

    “Daytona is unpredictable. You go there with a plan but, ultimately, anything can happen. During last year’s season opener, I was leading laps and almost won the first stage, but one accident took me out of contention for a strong finish. The No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang was strong at Daytona last season, so hopefully we can keep that trend rolling.”

    Last season, you led laps during both Daytona races. Does coming back to a track where you know you had speed give you an added degree of confidence?

    “I think we have the speed to go be competitive on any racetrack, but then when you go to a track where you had speed last year, we know that we can capitalize if we do everything right. Anything can happen at Daytona, but I know we can get the job done. Right now, I’m ready to get back to the racetrack because we’re going to be fast.”

    No. 98 Monster Energy Team Roster

    Primary Team Members:

    Driver: Riley Herbst

    Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada

    Crew Chief: Richard Boswell

    Hometown: Friendship, Maryland

    Car Chief: Matt Noyce

    Hometown: Oregon, Wisconsin

    Engineer: Justin Bolton

    Hometown: Latrobe, Pennsylvania

    Engineer: DJ VanderLey

    Hometown: Mobile, Alabama

    Spotter: Tim Fedewa

    Hometown: Holt, Michigan

    Over-The-Wall Crew:

    Front Tire Changer: Shayne Pipala

    Hometown: Frankfort Square, Illinois

    Rear Tire Changer: Trevor White

    Hometown: Arlington, Texas

    Tire Carrier: Chad Emmons

    Hometown: Tyler, Texas

    Fueler: Corey Coppola

    Hometown: Bluefield, West Virginia

    Jackman: Brandon Banks

    Hometown: High Point, North Carolina

    Road Crew Members:

    Truck Driver: Steve Wood

    Hometown: Eatontown, New Jersey

    Engine Tuner: Willie Pelotte

    Hometown: Oakland, Maine

  • Sarah Faith, Goodyear’s ‘From Garage to Glory’ Winner, to Perform National Anthem for Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300

    Sarah Faith, Goodyear’s ‘From Garage to Glory’ Winner, to Perform National Anthem for Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300

    All Entertainment and Honorary Officials Announced for Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 17, 2022) – Artist-songwriter Sarah Faith, winner of last year’s ‘From Garage to Glory’ contest, presented by The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company, will perform the National Anthem as part of pre-race ceremonies for Saturday’s (Feb. 19) Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

    The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300, which takes the green flag at 5:00 p.m. ET, will be part of a Saturday doubleheader as earlier in the day the Lucas Oil 200 Driven By General Tire for the ARCA Menards Series (1:30 p.m. ET) gets underway at noon. For tickets to Saturday’s action, as well as all events part of Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth, log onto www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP. The week culminates with the 64th running of the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 20.

    Faith was one of 2,000 entries from the Goodyear ‘From Garage to Glory’ contest, and she was chosen as the winner from a fan vote. Faith, the Michigan-born Nashvillian, builds her music catalog and sound around her life’s experiences. As an Indie Alternative/Americana artist, Faith has been strongly influenced by a diverse musical background including classic rock, alternative and country music. Her warm, soulful voice brings fans songs written about close-to-the-heart stories with a distinct kind of vulnerability and realness. To learn more about Faith, log onto www.sarahfaithmusic.com or follow her on social channels that include: IG @sarahfaith_music, FB @sarahfaithmusic, Twitter @thesarahfaith and TikTok @sarahfaithmusic.

    Faith will be among a host of incredible entertainers and honorary officials during Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth, which are listed below:

    Honorary Officials/Entertainment – DAYTONA 500 (Sunday, Feb. 20)

    Grand Marshal: Charles Woodson, FOX Sports Analyst, Football Hall of Famer, Super Bowl Champ and Heisman Trophy Winner
    Honorary Starter: Lachlan Murdoch, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Fox Corporation
    God Bless America: Forest Lake Education Center Choir
    National Anthem: Trace Adkins, Country Music Icon
    Invocation: Farzad Nourian, Chaplain – AdventHealth Central Florida
    Presentation of Colors: Robertsdale High School JROTC
    Pre-Race Concert: Luke Combs, Multi-platinum, ACM, CMA, CMT and Billboard Music Award-winning artist
    Entertainment: Entertainment: Drew Parker, Max Impact Band, Windermere High School, Fort Pierce High School, Ardmore High School & Upper St. Claire High School

    Honorary Officials/Entertainment – Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 (Saturday, Feb. 19)

    Grand Marshal: Marty Smith, Florida Cattleman and Past President, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
    Honorary Starter: Todd Wilkinson, South Dakota Cattleman and President-Elect, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
    National Anthem: Sarah Faith, Artist-Songwriter Sarah Faith, winner of last year’s ‘From Garage to Glory’ contest, presented by The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company
    God Bless America: First Baptist Church of Port Orange
    Invocation: Rory Carey, Pastor, Daytona Christian Center
    Presentation of Colors: Keystone Heights High School JROTC

    Honorary Officials/Entertainment – Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire (Feb. 19)

    Grand Marshal: Greg Cozzo, Lucas Oil Event Coordinator
    Honorary Starter: Bill Moody, TPH Holdings HD
    National Anthem: Melissa Trumble, Palm Coast, FL
    Invocation: Ronnie Barton, Former Pastor, First Baptist Church of South Daytona
    Presentation of Colors: Interlachen High School

    Honorary Officials/Entertainment – NEXTera Energy 250 (Friday, Feb. 18)

    Grand Marshal: Mike Spoor, Vice President, Florida Power & Light
    Honorary Starter: Rex Noble, Sr. Director, Florida Power & Light Energy Services
    Pledge of Allegiance: Cub Scout Pack 507, Lake Mary, FL
    National Anthem: Galaxy Middle School
    Invocation: Scott Menez, Teaching Pastor, Riverbend Community Church in Ormond Beach
    Presentation of Colors: Keystone Heights High School JROTC
    Entertainment: DJ EL Performance

    Honorary Officials/Entertainment – Bluegreen Duel (Friday, Feb. 17)

    Grand Marshal: EVP, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Dusty Tonkin
    Honorary Starter: SVP, National Marketing & OPC, Jason Sabo
    God Bless America: Lake Minneola High School
    National Anthem: Allen D. Nease High School
    Invocation: Chaplain Mackenson “Mack” Vendome
    Presentation of Colors: Baldwin Middle-High School JROTC

    Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.

    About Daytona International Speedway
    Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. The iconic venue will be the site of a host of motorsports events early in 2022, beginning with AHRMA Classic Motofest and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA in January, and the 64th DAYTONA 500, which will debut the first points race for NASCAR’s ‘Next Gen’ car as part of Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth in February. The tradition-rich 81st Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA returns in March, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, and in May with the Heroes Honor Festival. Later in the summer during Independence Day weekend, the track, in association with Torneos, will host Soccer Fest before the NASCAR Cup Series returns for the final race of the regular season with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 27.

  • JR Motorsports — NXS Daytona Preview

    JR Motorsports — NXS Daytona Preview

    JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
    TRACK: Daytona International Speedway
    RACE: Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 (120 laps / 300 miles)
    DATE: Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022

    Broadcast Information – TV: 5 p.m. ET on FS1 / Radio: 4:30 p.m. ET on MRN and Sirius XM Ch. 90

    Sam Mayer
    No. 1 Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions Chevrolet
    • Sam Mayer will carry new colors at Daytona International Speedway as Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions joins the No. 1 team in 2022.
    • The 18-year-old Mayer had a strong outing in his first race at Daytona last August, as he was able to lead his first lap in the NASCAR Xfinity Series en route to a 12th-place finish.
    • In 18 NXS starts during the 2021 rookie season for Mayer, the Franklin, Wis. native tallied one top five, six top 10s and led a total of 57 laps.
    • 2022 will be Mayer’s first full-time season in the NXS and the first time crew chief Taylor Moyer has competed with only one driver in the seat.

    Josh Berry
    No. 8 Harrison’s USA Chevrolet
    • Josh Berry and the No. 8 team welcome HarrisonsUSA.com aboard the JRM Chevrolet for eight races in 2022 starting this weekend in Daytona.
    • The 31-year-old will compete full-time in the NXS for the first time in his career after running 29 races since the 2014 season.
    • In 22 starts during the 2021 season, Berry battled his way to two wins, six top fives and 12 top 10s.
    • Berry drove the No. 8 to his first career NXS win at Martinsville Speedway last season. The win also marked the first for the No. 8 at JRM.

    Noah Gragson
    No. 9 Bass Pro Shops / TrueTimber / Black Rifle Coffee Chevrolet
    • Noah Gragson has one victory in the NXS at Daytona, winning the season opener in 2020 after a hard battle in the closing laps with Chase Briscoe. The triumph was the 23-year-old’s first of five NXS victories to date.
    • Gragson opens 2022 at Daytona with a new crew chief in NASCAR Cup Series veteran Luke Lambert.
    • Coming off a season in which he finished third in the final series standings, Gragson will carry the familiar colors of Bass Pro Shops, TrueTimber® Camo and Black Rifle Coffee Company for JR Motorsports. It is the third straight season in which Gragson will wear those colors.

    Justin Allgaier
    No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
    • Justin Allgaier returns for his seventh season behind the wheel of the No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet for JRM.
    • Allgaier enters the 2022 season opener on the strength of two wins, 16 top fives and 24 top 10s during the 2021 NXS season.
    • In 22 career NXS starts at Daytona, Allgaier has earned five top fives, nine top 10s and has scored a best finish of second (twice – July 2016, February 2019).
    • In 35 starts on the superspeedways of Daytona and Talladega in the NXS, the Illinois native has recorded a combined nine top fives and 16 top 10s.

    Driver Quotes

    “I’m so ready to be down in Daytona with this Accelerated Professional Talent Solutions team. We had a strong run going last year and I was able to lead my first lap in the Xfinity Series. I know this No. 1 team built a fast racecar for this weekend and our goal is to put it in Victory Lane.” – Sam Mayer

    “I’m really looking forward to starting this season off on a strong note with our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet. JRM has always had a really strong superspeedway program and I feel extremely confident that we will unload with that same speed this weekend. Daytona is a place where anything can happen, and hopefully we can have a strong, smooth day and be in contention for the win in the closing laps. If we can do that, I feel like we will have a great chance to get back into Victory Lane when it’s all said and done.” – Justin Allgaier

    “I had a lot of strong runs with this team last season, so being able to work with them for the 2022 season has me fired up. These guys have won at Daytona in the past, so there’s no reason we can’t do it again this year. I am ready to hop in the Harrison’s USA Chevrolet and hopefully start the season off the right way.” – Josh Berry

    “It’s going to be a busy week in Daytona with everything going on but I’m really looking forward to working with Luke (Lambert, crew chief) and this entire Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/Black Rifle Coffee team again. We’ve had really great runs at Daytona and JRM builds the best superspeedway cars, so the goal is to repeat what we did in 2020 again this season.” – Noah Gragson

    JRM Team Updates:

    • JR Motorsports at Daytona: JR Motorsports has competed at “The World Center of Racing” a combined 92 times in the NXS. Over the course of these 92 starts at the 2.5-mile historic facility, JRM has tallied seven wins, 25 top fives and 39 top 10s. JRM’s most recent win came during the 2020 season when Noah Gragson drove the No. 9 to Victory Lane to secure his first career NXS victory.
    • #MakeTasteNotWaste: Did you know approximately 40 percent of food waste happens in people’s homes? It’s true. Life is often to blame, causing us to see “nothing” in a fridge full of food—but our magical ingredient can help transform all that “nothing” into a delicious something. Join Hellmann’s mission to #MakeTasteNotWaste and make the most of your food with our easy tips and tricks.
    • Harrison’s USA: When Josh Berry places inside of the top eight, everyone will receive 8 percent off their online order at Harrison’s USA by using code: Josh8.
    • Celebrating 50 Years: Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bass Pro Shops by checking out the latest from country music star Chris Janson. This is our kind of song! It’s a touching tribute to Bass Pro Shops’ founder’s dad, John A. Morris and Dale Sr., a look ahead to the eve of the Daytona 500 and a salute to all those who love spending time in the great outdoors! Click here to watch the full music video.