Category: XFINITY Series PR

NASCAR XFINITY Series Press Release

  • JR Motorsports — NXS Dover II Preview

    JR Motorsports — NXS Dover II Preview

    JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
    TRACK: Dover International Speedway
    RACE: Use Your Melon Drive Sober 200 (200 laps / 200 miles)
    DATE: Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019

    Michael Annett
    No. 1 TMC Transportation Chevrolet
    • Michael Annett enters the final race in the Round of 12 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs in eighth, 11 points above the cutoff line.
    • Annett’s best finish at Dover is third in 2012, and he’s coming off a 10th-place run there earlier this season.
    • The 1-mile oval at Dover is one of Annett’s best tracks, as he has an average finish of 13.1 in 15 starts. The only track better than Dover is New Hampshire, another 1-mile oval, at 13.0.
    • The next top-five or top-10 finish for Annett this season will tie his career-best marks in each category, set in 2012.

    Justin Allgaier
    No. 7 Northeastern Supply Chevrolet
    • Heading into the final race in the Round of 12, Justin Allgaier is currently fifth, 40 markers above the cutoff line for the Round of 8.
    • In 17 NXS starts at Dover, Allgaier has one win (Spring 2018), seven top fives and 10 top 10s, with 147 laps led.
    • The Illinois native has finished inside the top four in six of his last seven starts at “The Monster Mile.”
    • This weekend, Northeastern Supply, one of the MidAtlantic’s fastest growing plumbing, HVAC, and water system wholesalers, will be on the hood on the No. 7 Camaro. This marks the first race that the long-time JRM associate partner will serve as the primary sponsor.

    Zane Smith
    No. 8 PatientPop Chevrolet
    • Zane Smith returns behind the wheel of the No. 8 for his second NXS start at Dover on Saturday.
    • Smith finished ninth in his first start at Dover earlier this season.
    • Overall, Smith has earned one top five and five top 10s in eight starts in 2019, with a best finish of fifth coming at Iowa Speedway in June.
    • PatientPop, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based company providing a complete practice growth platform that delivers measurable improvements for medical providers, returns to the No. 8 as primary partner for Dover.

    Noah Gragson
    No. 9 PUBG Mobile Chevrolet
    • Noah Gragson enters this weekend seventh in the championship hunt, 15 points ahead of the eighth and final cutoff position with one race remaining in the Round of 12.
    • The Las Vegas native has a best finish of seventh (Spring 2018) in two previous NXS starts at Dover.
    • In 12 starts on tracks between one and two miles in length in NXS competition, Gragson has scored two top fives, nine top 10s and an average finish of 8.5.
    • In two starts in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series at Dover, Gragson has led 60 laps, earned one pole and recorded a best finish of ninth.

    Driver Quotes

    “Getting back to Dover for the cutoff race to the Round of 8 was key for our No. 1 team. We have a cushion over the cutoff, which is what we needed, and Dover is a good track for us. We were 10th in the spring there and could have had a few more positions at the end had we not restarted on the bottom for the final restart. We’re going to Dover with the idea of being fast, being smart and advancing to the Round of 8, and our TMC Transportation Chevrolet certainly has the speed to do all of that.” – Michael Annett

    “Dover is a place that really seems to suit my driving style and our team has really excelled there. I think, for us, it’s a good place to wrap up the Round of 12. We just need to go there and run a smart race and not have any major issues. If we can do that, then we’ll be in great position to advance to the next round of the playoffs.” – Justin Allgaier

    “I’m really pumped to get back behind the wheel of this PatientPop Chevrolet this weekend in Dover. We had a good run here earlier this year and I feel like we can only build off that on Saturday. I definitely want to go out on a strong note and give these guys the best day possible.” – Zane Smith

    “Dover is such a fun track to race on and I am really looking forward to getting back there with PUBG Mobile on the hood of our No. 9 Chevrolet. We’ve done what we needed to do so far in these playoffs and if we can just execute like that again on Saturday, I am extremely confident that we can move on to the next round. We all know what the end game is and that is to keep this momentum going to enter the next round as strong as possible.” – Noah Gragson

    JRM Team Updates

    • JRM at Dover: In 63 NXS starts at Dover International Speedway, JR Motorsports has scored three wins, 20 top-five and 37 top10 finishes. Brad Keselowski scored the organization’s first victory at “The Monster Mile” in May 2009 with Regan Smith and Justin Allgaier following suit in October 2015 and May 2018, respectively.
    • Annett Media Availability: Michael Annett will be stopping by the media center at Dover International Speedway for media
    availability on Friday, Oct. 4 from 2 – 2:15 p.m. EST.
    • Allgaier, Smith, Gragson NXS Autograph Session: Teammates Justin Allgaier, Zane Smith and Noah Gragson will be participating in the NXS autograph session in the DE Office of Highway Safety Display at Dover International Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 – 10:45 a.m. EST.
    • JRM Xfinity Zone Appearance: JRM teammates Michael Annett, Justin Allgaier, Zane Smith and Noah Gragson will be stopping by the Xfinity Zone at Dover International Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 11:05 – 11:25 a.m. EST.

  • Haley in a Must-Win Situation Heading to Dover International Speedway

    Haley in a Must-Win Situation Heading to Dover International Speedway

    Haley in a Must-Win Situation Heading to Dover International Speedway
    Justin Haley Notes:

    Second start at Dover International Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
    Best start at Dover International Speedway: 11th (2019)
    Best finish at Dover International Speedway: 17th (2019)
    Haley, a rookie, is currently in the 2019 NXS Playoffs

    Kaulig Racing Notes:

    Best Start at Dover International Speedway: 8th (2018)
    Best Finish at Dover International Speedway: 10th (2018)
    Kaulig Racing has entered the playoffs for the 4th consecutive year, since their inception

    Quotes:
    “We just got done at Charlotte, where my teammate, AJ Allmendinger, won the Roval race! I had some mechanical issues on lap one, which put us out (of contention), but we are going to the elimination race. We are way below the cut-off line, so we need to win this weekend at Dover. We had a lot of speed there in the spring, so hopefully we can bring that same speed back to Dover this time and get that win to lock us into the next round. It’s going to take everything, and a win, this weekend – nothing else is going to matter! It’s either wreckers or checkers, so we will see you all there.”

    About Kaulig Racing™
    Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by CEO and owner of LeafFilter Gutter Protection®, Kaulig Capital and Kaulig Media, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016 Kaulig Racing™ has made the NXS Playoffs consecutively, finishing seventh (2016), 11th (2017) and 12th (2018). Maintaining their technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, Kaulig Racing™ has come to be one of the top-competitors on track each weekend. To learn more about the team, visit  kauligracing.com .

  • GMS Racing NXS Dover Preview

    GMS Racing NXS Dover Preview

    John Hunter Nemechek, No. 23 ACME Chevrolet Camaro

    Dover Xfinity Stats

    Three starts, two top-10’s

    Best Finish: 8th (2019)

    2019 Season Stats

    28 starts, 4 top-five’s and 14 top-10’s

    Notes:

    – John Hunter Nemechek and GMS Racing will utilize chassis no. 219 this weekend at Dover International Speedway. This chassis has been ran twice this season by Nemechek at Bristol Motor Speedway (start: 9th/finish: 3rd) and at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (start: 17th/finish: 36th)

    – Saturday’s race at Dover marks the final race in the Round of 12 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. Nemechek is currently tied with Brandon Jones with 2,062 points and scored in the ninth position, 11 points behind Michael Annett in eighth-place.

    Quotes:

    “Dover is an awesome place to race at because the track is so intense and brutal, mentally and physically. We had a solid showing there in the Spring and every track that we have gone back to this year we have improved at. We made up some ground, points wise, last weekend at The ROVAL to put us tied with the No. 19 and 11 points behind Michael Annett who is right above the Round of 8 cut off line. We need to unload with some speed of the hauler and focus on gaining as many points as we can so that we can advance.”

    ABOUT GMS RACING

    GMS Racing competes full-time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series with drivers Brett Moffitt and Sheldon Creed, and in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with John Hunter Nemechek. The team also expanded their competition to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, as well as in the ARCA Racing Series with Sam Mayer and super late models with Toni Breidinger. Since the team began in 2014, GMS Racing won the 2016 NGOTS Championship and has grown to occupy several buildings located in Statesville, N.C. The campus also includes operations for GMS Fabrication. More information can be found at https://gmsracing.net/

    SOCIAL MEDIA

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

  • Toyota Racing NXS Charlotte Road Course – Post-Race Report

    Toyota Racing NXS Charlotte Road Course – Post-Race Report

    Supra Drivers Survive Road-Course Chaos
    Christopher Bell Leads Toyota with Top-12 Finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course

    CONCORD, N.C. (September 28, 2019) – In a race of chaos for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Christopher Bell survived a Stage 3 penalty, coming from the back of the field with seven laps to go to finish 12th at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

    Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
    NASCAR Xfinity Series
    Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course
    Race 28 of 33 – 155.3 miles, 67 laps

    TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS
    1st, AJ Allmendinger*
    2nd, Tyler Reddick*
    3rd, Austin Cindric*
    4th, Justin Allgaier*
    5th, Noah Gragson*
    12th, CHRISTOPHER BELL
    13th, HARRISON BURTON
    16th, BRANDON JONES
    18th, TIMMY HILL
    21st, JOEY GASE
    35th, TOMMY JOE MARTINS
    36th, CHAD FINCHUM
    38th, JJ YELEY
    *non-Toyota driver

    Christopher Bell was the top-Toyota driver in Saturday afternoon’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
    Bell led 19 laps (of 67) on the way to a 12th-place finish in the final road-course event of the season.
    Supra teammate Harrison Burton (13th) also finished in the top-15 while Playoff driver Brandon Jones was 16th.

    TOYOTA QUOTES

    CHRISTOPHER BELL, No. 20 Rheem – Gemaire Toyota Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

    Finishing Position: 12th

    What happened there with Chase Briscoe?

    “I thought our Rheem Supra was really, really fast all day long. We were really good in the first and second stage and then the third stage, I just, for whatever reason, got a little bit tight and couldn’t keep up with those guys. The 98 (Chase Brisco) was really fast and I was going to let him go as soon as he got beside me and then whenever we got into the chicane, he didn’t leave me any option besides running me off the race track. At that point, I was just going to race him back as hard as I could.”

    Did you think you’d get the penalty by NASCAR for missing the chicane?

    “I knew it was a penalty to miss the chicane, but there was a clause in there in the driver’s meeting where if you missed the chicane due to an incident, NASCAR would review it. I figured that me getting run off the race track and having no other option was a justifiable reason, but I guess not.”

    Analyze your day for us.

    “Well, we were really good. We had a really fast Rheem Supra and then it kind of just got away from us a little bit on that last stage. We were just really tight for some reason. Not the finish we wanted, but I’m thankful that we got the win last week in Richmond.”

    How will you handle your relationship with Chase Briscoe moving forward?

    “We haven’t ever had any issues before. He’s a hard racer, I’m a hard racer. If he has a problem with it, he can come ask me my opinion. That’s that.”

    BRANDON JONES, No. 19 Juniper Toyota Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

    Finishing Position: 16th

    Talk about your day today.

    “I knew this race would be a wild card for us. I had some good stages and got some pretty decent points and was running really good at the end, we just had another race taken away from us there from some other driver. I hate it. This was going to be great for us and then Dover we were going to have a lot of momentum built up. I still think this team does (have momentum). We’ve got a lot of speed. We ran great at Dover last time, so I’m ready to get this one behind us and go on to Dover.”

    # # #

    About Toyota

    Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 38 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2018.

    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 ToyotaNewsroom.com.

  • Ford Performance NASCAR: Cindric, Custer and Briscoe Post Top 10 Finishes at Charlotte Roval

    Ford Performance NASCAR: Cindric, Custer and Briscoe Post Top 10 Finishes at Charlotte Roval

    Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
    NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS)
    Saturday, September 28, 2019
    EVENT: Drive for the Cure 250, Charlotte Motor Speedway

    Ford Finishing Order:
    3rd – Austin Cindric
    8th – Cole Custer
    9th – Chase Briscoe

    COLE CUSTER, No. 00 Autodesk Fusion 360 Ford Mustang – DID YOU KNOW YOU HAD TO BE MORE CAUTIOUS AFTER YOU GOT MIXED UP IN THE BACK OR WERE YOU TRYING TO BE AGGRESSIVE? “It was tough. You pretty much have to be cautiously aggressive because we’re in a pretty good points spot, so we’re trying just to get more points. I don’t know. It’s a tough spot. Just not much went right today. We got blocked in on the pit stop and got put back there on the restart and got spun. I don’t know what I’ve got to do to get the monkey off my back on these road courses. I just can’t seem to get a race to go right, but it seems like we’re fast every time. We’ll go get ‘em in Dover.”

    ANY SENSE OF RELIEF GETTING BY THIS RACE? “A little bit. It’s good that we had a solid day, but it’s so frustrating that I thought we could compete for a win and didn’t.”

    CHASE BRISCOE, No. 98 Ford Performance Ford Mustang – “I felt like we had the car to beat all day long. We were able to constantly come back through the field. We had to go for points obviously because of our situation and we were always able to get back. There at the end I felt like I still could have ran down AJ. I felt like we were really good on the long run and that’s kind of where he struggled. I don’t know. I still haven’t seen a replay of what happened, so it’s hard for me to say. It always feel different, I feel like, than the way you actually see outside of the car, so I don’t know what happened. I felt like I was doing everything I could do try to win the race and knew that pass was crucial down there to try to have a shot to catch AJ and, like I said, I haven’t really seen it so I don’t know what happened.”

    WERE YOU GLAD NASCAR PENALIZED BELL FOR MISSING THE CHICANE? “Whatever happened I remember looking to my left in the mirror thinking he was gonna stop because I knew he had to have went all four because I was two wheels over, so I don’t know. It was a racing deal. I feel like we were both trying to win the race and there’s nothing wrong with that. I felt like I got turned down here and that’s what I don’t understand. I mean, we’re both racing for the win and I felt I was doing everything I could. I had no reason to move him off the race track or anything. Like I said, I haven’t seen it, so it’s hard to say, but I wasn’t worried about his penalty. At the end of the day I’m trying to do what I can do for the 98 car and I’m not too worried about those guys.”

    YOU TREAT THAT LINE LIKE A WALL, RIGHT? “Yeah, for the most part. Obviously, you have a lot more run off because you can kind of go over that curbing, but I honestly felt like I could take it all the way to that next curbing because I had ran him down almost a straightaway, so I thought he was honestly gonna give it to me. Cindric, I caught him and he gave it to me and in that situation I had already drove in really deep trying to pull on past him and I was committed at that point. There was nothing I could do to not do that, so he obviously stayed in the gas and that’s what happened.”

    AUSTIN CINDRIC, No. 22 MoneyLion Ford Mustang – “I wish I had a chance to fight the 10 there at the end, but under caution I felt a shock mount break. The right-rear shock was clean off the race car before I even restarted the race, so I’m glad I didn’t wreck and I’m glad I finished third. I guess all of that is positive, but at the same time I felt like we had a good shot, especially if the thing would have gone green and try to pressure him into a mistake or getting a good lunge, but, all in all, a great points day, a great day for the MoneyLion Ford Mustang. We’ve got to keep it going this way.”

    DID GOING OVER THE STRIPS AND BUMPS LEAD TO THE SHOCK MOUNT BREAKING? “We beefed up the car from last year. We broke a lot of stuff after last year and just finding what’s weak.”

    HOW DID THE BACK CHICANE WORK TODAY? “It feels like it needs to be slower. It feels like needs to be a first-gear cornered, or at least further down the race track to create a better passing zone and less of a harsh transition into the frontstretch chicane. If I was changing things and it was my world, I’d probably do that because I think I may have been the only one to make a legitimate pass there today and kind of screwed Harrison Burton a little bit, but you’ve got to do that. It’s Playoff time. That’s what I’d do, but, otherwise, I think it made it easier for us to set up our race car, but at the same time I think we’ve got a little ways to go.”

    YOU HAVE A NICE CUSHION GOING TO DOVER, SO WILL THAT BE LESS STRESSFUL? “No doubt. I think Dover is an opportunity weekend for us to learn about our cars and what we need to do at tracks like that. I think there are packages we can learn that help us in Kansas and Texas. My MoneyLion Ford Mustang guys have been in the Playoffs, obviously, to have a second and a third to start the Playoffs is great, but we’ve got to keep going.”

  • Toyota Racing NXS Quotes Charlotte Road Course – Christopher Bell

    Toyota Racing NXS Quotes Charlotte Road Course – Christopher Bell

    Toyota Racing – Christopher Bell
    NASCAR Xfinity Series Quotes

    CONCORD, N.C. (September 26, 2019) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell was made available to media at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

    CHRISTOPHER BELL, No.20 Rheem-Gemaire Toyota Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

    Having the change to the chicane on the backstretch, do you think there’s going to be a big difference this year?

    “I don’t think it’s really going to affect the racing that much, but it definitely opens itself up to a lot of mistakes. It’s very, very hard to get slowed down for that tight of a chicane.”

    Can you make a pass in the chicane?

    “It’s going to be very risky. If I try to push too hard there, I just wheel hop and missed the corners, so I think we might see some crashing there.”

    What is the optimum place to pass?

    “For me, my bread and butter seems to be the infield section. Just setting guys up – I don’t know, just all throughout that infield section. It’s pretty, I guess technical is the right word, where you can kind of run a different line and set people up.”

    Is it a relief to have your news released this week?

    “It’s definitely a really big relief getting it out there because everyone already knew and everybody is coming to ask me what’s going on, what’s going on, and I just have to sit here and say I don’t know, I don’t know. But it’s nice to get it out there.”

    How big of a deal is it to be able to take Jason Ratcliffe with you next year?

    “It’s really big because Jason (Ratcliffe, crew chief) understands me as a driver and our communication is already off to a good start. If we go there and we have bad days, he’s not going to be blaming me because he’s worked with me and understands what my strengths and weaknesses are.”

    With Jason Ratcliffe having Cup experience, that’s got to help too.

    “Yeah, it’s really nice because now I still have a veteran crew chief going up to the Cup Series, so he’s been there, done that.”

    What is this situation like with Silly Season starting sooner every year? Is it nerve-wracking?

    “For me, my deal was done pretty early, so I didn’t have much of a Silly Season to go through. I’m enjoying what I’m doing right now and I want to make sure that I finish this thing off and try to get a championship.”

    What’s it like going back to Dover and what’s it feel like for someone who’s never run a lap there?

    “It’s a lot of fun. Dover is one of my favorite race tracks just because you can really move around and make different lines work. I feel like it’s pretty easy to pass there if you’re better than somebody.”

    Do you think tomorrow’s race will be chaotic?

    “I think it’s going to be pretty similar to what we saw last year. A lot of guys were making mistakes today, just pushing hard. I was just telling him (reporter) that the backstretch chicane is very, very tough to get slowed down for.”

    What’s it like to finally be able to announce your big news?

    “It was really frustrating because I knew for such a long time and everyone else knew too, but nobody could talk about it. Everyone is like ‘what are you doing next year?’ I’m like ‘I don’t know, I don’t know.’ It was really rewarding to finally get it out there.”

    How are you going to get acclimated to making the transition to the Cup Series without getting into a Cup car before next year?

    “It’s just going to be a matter of just trying to maximize the practices that you get and the seat time in the races. I don’t know. It’s going to be really different. The rules package between the two series right now is extremely different, so it’s definitely going to take some adjusting to get used to.”

    What do you think has been the best form of preparation to get to this level and go after another Xfinity Series championship?

    “Well first off, we do have a great opportunity to win the Xfinity championship and that’s pretty much the focus right there. We want to really execute on that and try and be better at Homestead. Last year, Homestead was one of our worst races of the season and we’ve got to make sure that that’s not a problem again this year.”

    What kind of satisfaction did it give you to go out last weekend and win in your own equipment in a sprint car?

    “Yeah, that was one of the most gratifying wins I’ve ever had just being a first-time winner as a car owner and winning. My buddy built the race car and we were using all of his gear, so that was really rewarding.”

    What is it about this place that you feel like you’ve mastered in the second year of the ROVAL?

    “I don’t know if I’ve got it mastered at all, but our Toyota simulator was really close and that helped get us close right off the truck.”

    How disappointed will you be if you’re not hoisting the trophy at Homestead this year?

    “It’ll be pretty disappointing, but ultimately it’s just one race. We can’t let one race define our season.”

    # # #

    About Toyota

    Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 38 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2018.

    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 ToyotaNewsroom.com.

  • Toyota Racing NXS Quotes Charlotte Road Course – Brandon Jones

    Toyota Racing NXS Quotes Charlotte Road Course – Brandon Jones

    Toyota Racing – Brandon Jones
    NASCAR Xfinity Series Quotes

    CONCORD, N.C. (September 26, 2019) – Joe Gibbs Racing driver Brandon Jones was made available to media at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:

    BRANDON JONES, No. 19 Juniper Toyota Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

    Is there a big difference between the chicane this year compared to last year?

    “A little bit. Last year, you had to carry so much speed back there. It was a third-gear corner. There’s even guys at this point going down to first a few times. I tried that. It just seems a little bit too slow to do it, so in second right now, but you’re hard on the brake. I mean it’s a nine out of 10 pressure-wise. You go into the simulator – I watched (Martin) Truex (Jr.) for a long time Monday. He was at 1400 PSI at a couple of times getting back in there. Different situation with the Cup car, obviously, but at the same time, that just goes to show you how much more that you’re having to get on the brake.”

    What is the optimum passing zone here?

    “It’s tough. There’s not many. I think you’re going to have to really watch and see if guys mess up. Turn 8 seems to be the one that I’m going to really focus on. That’s getting on to the NASCAR big track there and NASCAR Turn 1. If guys get wide there, you’re able to kind of drive underneath them and have a little bit better grip. That’s going to be a phenomenal place and then you’ll have a lot of momentum obviously when you get on the oval to complete that pass. You’ve got the majority lane for that left-hander getting on the backstretch. I think that’s going to be the best lane, but like I said, wait for people to slip. There’s going to be a lot of corners that people are going to do that in.”

    Is there anything you can compare this course to?

    “Maybe a little bit of a Mid-Ohio (Sports Car Course). It’s extremely technical. The infield you’re barely on the throttle at times. Sometimes you’re just rolling, free-rolling the corners. No brake or anything. I think that has some characteristics of Mid-Ohio. You’ve got that one big drop off – I think it’s Turn 7 where it falls off really big, so some elevation change in there.”

    Do you think the Xfinity Series race will be disastrous?

    “No. We’ve already ran the race in the past. We saw what it would do. I know that some guys were slipping and sliding today and getting in trouble in some corners, but everyone is watching that. Everyone is going to back that up and try to be perfect.”

    Are you optimistic about tomorrow’s race?

    “I am. I think the main thing is for us to understand is that we’re not racing the top-four cars. Those guys have got such a big points lead, so a top-10 finish would be a great day.”

    So you think people settle down once they get through the actual craziness of being out on the track for the first time?

    “I think so. Even last year, I expected after the Xfinity race, the Cup race to be wild and it wasn’t. People were very conservative. The Xfinity race was even a little bit conservative last year. We watched a lot of practice. People were killing that back chicane whenever it was a little bit different. Everyone takes note of that kind of stuff and all that. Watching that kind of kills your confidence. It makes you back off a lot.”

    How was your practice?

    “It seemed to be good. I did exactly what I wanted to do. I completed all the laps. We didn’t get ourselves in any trouble. Never spun out once and that was my goal was to finish laps and continue to learn each session. At the end of the day, we were the fastest we’ve ran the entire day and that was also a goal of mine was to continue to build and get faster as the day went.”

    How has the track changed from last year besides the chicane on the backstretch?

    “Yeah, that’s obviously the biggest. I don’t know. The grip level seems to be a lot better. The last time we were here, the infield section, so the road course part of it, felt really slick. I still see some guys spinning out in (Turns) 5 and 6. I know that was a big section of mine where I struggled last year. I think I actually got in trouble in practice there as well, so I had that in the back of my mind, but the track actually had more grip than what I thought it would.”

    What is it about Turns 5 and 6 that is causing people problems?

    “You roll a ton of speed there. I’m actually not carrying enough still. It’s a corner that you can almost drive in really deep and then use no brake for a section of it. I think that’s why, but at the same time, the track almost loads up to the left. It’s got kind of a divot in it and it actually grabs the car whenever you hit it just right. I think maybe you can be on the outside of that and be on the looser part. If you stay really tight to the right-side of that curbing, it makes it better.”

    Can you confirm that you’ll be back at Joe Gibbs Racing next year?

    “No. Not yet. I know that there’s been a lot of stuff that’s been out, but just right now focused on this and I hope so. I hope that’s the case, but I’m sure that you know something will get released if that is.”

    What’s it like for you being in Silly Season like this having to answer questions and seeing where other drivers are going?

    “It’s still somewhat early, so it doesn’t bother me too bad. I’m still focused on getting to Homestead. I still think that that’s a goal of ours. We still want to get there, so I’m not worried about it right now. That’s something that I don’t ever really deal with anyways and the future is being a part of that sometimes. Keep focused on the race track and try to get to Homestead.”

    # # #

    About Toyota

    Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 38 million cars and trucks in North America, where we have 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama (10 in the U.S.), and directly employ more than 47,000 people (over 36,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2018.

    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 ToyotaNewsroom.com.

  • RCR Event Preview – Charlotte Motor Speedway II

    RCR Event Preview – Charlotte Motor Speedway II

    Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at the Charlotte ROVAL… In three previous Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, Richard Childress Racing’s best finish is 11th.

    RCR in the MENCS … In 2,977 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 51 pole awards,108 wins, 489 top-five finishes and 1,074 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finishing position of 16.2. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR Xfinity Series titles, two NASCAR Truck Series titles and one ARCA Menards Series title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.

    A Celebration of 50 Years … Help Richard Childress Racing celebrate their golden anniversary at RCR Fan Day at our campus in Welcome, North Carolina on Friday, October 25. The unique, one-day event will include driver/owner autograph sessions, panel discussions with key personnel, a kids’ interactive area, pit crew demos, military interaction, shop tours and even a hauler parade to help send off our teams as they head to Martinsville Speedway. Follow RCR’s social media channels for updates regarding Fan Day and all 50th Anniversary events.

    Interactive RCR … For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR’s corporate Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team Twitter page – @RCRCup, and driver Twitter pages @austindillon3, @TylerReddick and @DanielHemric. Information about the 15-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRracing.com along with official driver pages – http://www.facebook.com/austindillon3 and www.facebook.com/DanielHemric.

    Catch the Action … The Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be televised live Sunday, September 29, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

    This Week’s Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Dillon has one Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, retiring early from the inaugural edition of the race last year with a 39th-place finish following a mid-race on-track incident. He is a former race winner in the oval configuration of the track.

    About Jack Daniel’s … Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Today, Jack Daniel’s is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by interbrand.

    AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:
    For the Charlotte ROVAL race, they’ve changed that chicane on the backstretch a little bit. How much of a difference do you think that may make?
    “I think it will make a big difference. Last year we saw a lot of guys flying through the air in practice trying to gain speed through that section, but now it will be a little bit more technical. It will make the corner going into the start/finish line that much more important because you’ll be going a little bit slower when you get there. You have to have a car that brakes well and reacts well. I think it’s a positive change for the track.”

    Daniel Hemric and the No. 8 Cat Next Gen Excavators Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL … Hemric will be making his second Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start on the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course during this weekend’s 109-lap event. The Kannapolis, North Carolina, native made his second-career Cup Series start at the ROVAL in 2018, starting 11th and finishing 23rd after being involved in the day’s largest incident.

    About Cat Next Gen Excavators … The 306CR Next Gen Excavator featured on RCR’s No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the latest in the revolutionary new line of Caterpillar excavators that are changing the earthmoving industry. The car design features the names of dozens of customers on the decklid that inspired our new machines that provide customers with industry first features such as stick steer control, as well as huge productivity advantages and significantly lower owning and operating costs. Additionally, the hood of the car features the iconic Cat logo that includes over 300 names of the customers and dealers and Cat team members that inspired and created the Next Gen Excavators which provide the first true differentiation in excavators in decades.

    Visit Caterpillar’s ‘In The Trenches’ Mobile Road Show … The new Caterpillar ‘In The Trenches’ mobile road show will be set up in the Charlotte Motor Speedway Fan Zone throughout the weekend and is open for fans to walk through the experience to learn all about the new Next Gen Mini Excavators, enjoy demo stations, immersive theater experience, fun, games, talk with Caterpillar representatives and try your hand operating the new Cat Next Gen Mini Excavators on the slalom course or in the cab tilt competitions. Media are invited to tour the Caterpillar ‘In The Trenches’ mobile road show on Friday, Sept. 27, starting at 10 a.m. local time. Charlotte Motor Speedway is scheduled to provide transportation from infield media center. The No. 8 pit crew is scheduled to interact with fans at the ‘In The Trenches’ mobile road show on Saturday, Sept. 28, starting at 11 a.m. local time.

    Meet the Driver … Hemric is scheduled to be at the RCR merchandise trailer in the Charlotte Motor Speedway Fan Zone for an autograph session on Saturday, Sept. 28, starting at 12:40 p.m. local time. He will also be making an appearance at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Paddock Club at 1:10 p.m. local time that same afternoon. Hemric will also be at the Caterpillar ‘In The Trenches’ mobile road show for a Q&A session on Sunday, Sept. 29, starting at 10:50 a.m. local time.

    DANIEL HEMRIC QUOTE:
    What can you take from your experience running both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Cup Series events at the Charlotte ROVAL last year and apply to this weekend’s race?
    “I thought we had a pretty good shot to win last year’s Xfinity Series race at the ROVAL, but I wheel-hopped coming through the final chicane, had to serve a stop-and-go penalty and still came back to finish 10th. We were fast all weekend with the Cup car last year as well. We were running inside the top 10 late in the race but were caught up in that melee into Turn 1 and that hurt the overall result at the end of the day. Anytime you’re racing in front of your hometown it is special. The track has implemented the new backstretch chicane, and from what I can tell it is way slower than what was there for last year’s race. It seems to be very slow and very technical. That is going to change things up a lot this year. It will change everyone’s gear ratios, the approach to that part of the track, and I feel like it will become a valuable passing zone. Last year, it was kind of like a life-or-death decision to make a pass through there – which made it fun for the drivers and exciting for the fans. This year, you will need to be more patient and have more technique to not only get through that section of the track but to make passes there. I’m pumped to get there, I’m pumped to carry this amazing Cat Next Gen Excavator scheme on our No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and I’m pumped to see what we can do.”

    Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ROVAL … In three Series starts at the Concord-based road course configuration, RCR has completed 165 laps of the 165 (100 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated two top-10 finishes, led 4 laps and averages a starting position of 9.0 and finishing position of 11.0.

    Richmond Review … Tyler Reddick placed 10th and Joe Graf Jr. placed 14th during last Friday’s GoBowling 250 at Richmond Raceway.

    Round of 12 … Richmond Raceway opens the Round of 12 for the Xfinity Series Playoffs. The round will continue through Charlotte Motor Speedway and conclude at Dover International Speedway. Eight drivers will move on to the next round.

    The Points …Tyler Reddick is third in the Xfinity Series Playoff standings.

    Social Media … To keep up with the latest updates from RCR’s Xfinity Series teams, follow @RCRracing and @RCRNXS on Twitter. Updates can also be found via RCR’s Facebook Page and Instagram (@RCRracing).

    Catch the Action … Coverage of this week’s Drive for the Cure 250 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, September 28, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on NBCSN. It will also be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network (PRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.

    Tyler Reddick and the No. 2 Emerson Chevrolet Camaro at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Tyler Reddick has one previous NASCAR Xfinity Series start at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL, starting third and finishing ninth there last year. Reddick won the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s oval configuration earlier this year.

    About Emerson … Emerson’s performance over more than 125 years has been driven by a straightforward mission: we design and sell innovative technologies that help our customers solve their most complex challenges. Emerson is where technology and engineering come together to create solutions for the benefit of our customers, driven without compromise for a world in action. With our newly energized focus on our two core business platforms – Automation Solutions and Commercial & Residential Solutions – we can confront the challenges of an increasingly complex and unpredictable marketplace from a position of strength, driving near- and long-term value as a trusted partner for our customers. We are committed to radically improving our process and industrial customers’ performance with measurable results, while also improving the quality of lives around the world. Learn more by visiting emerson.com.

    Copeland Focused … From the food people enjoy every day to the comforts of home at night, Emerson’s Copeland brand compressors live at the heart of the HVAC and refrigeration systems that homeowners, businesses and industries have depended on for nearly 100 years. There’s a reason Copeland is specified by more HVACR professionals than any other compressor brand. Every product is engineered and tested for ultra-reliable, quiet operation, and constantly improved to meet today’s energy and environmental standards. And our award-winning Copeland Scroll technology continues to set the pace for better comfort and temperature control everywhere. Learn more at Emerson.com/Copeland.

    TYLER REDDICK QUOTE:
    With everyone having a year under their belt on racing at the ROVAL, how do you expect this year’s event to go, knowing they made a change to the backstretch chicane?
    “I’m really looking forward to getting out on the track Friday for practice and seeing just how different the course will be with the changes Charlotte Motor Speedway made to the backstretch. I actually got a chance to walk the backstretch last week when I was at the speedway for their Paint the Wall Pink event. It’s a pretty significant change they made, at least visually, so I’m interested to see how it will translate when I’m in our No. 2 Emerson Camaro. Last year, the chicane was an area I lost a lot of time to the rest of the field in and never really got a handle on, so I’m up for the challenge of figuring it out this year. Maybe the change will end up helping me out with that. There are a lot of different ways to tear up a racecar at the ROVAL, so we just need to be smart, have a clean race and move on to Dover.”

  • Haley Ready to Rule the Roval in Final Road-Course Race of the 2019 Season

    Haley Ready to Rule the Roval in Final Road-Course Race of the 2019 Season

    Haley Ready to Rule the Roval in Final Road-Course Race of the 2019 Season
    Justin Haley Notes:

    First start at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (Roval) in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS)
    Haley, a rookie, is currently in the 2019 NXS Playoffs

    Kaulig Racing Notes:

    Best Start at the Roval: 11th (2018)
    Best Finish at the Roval: 16th (2018)
    Kaulig Racing has entered the playoffs for the 4th consecutive year, since their inception

    Quotes:
    “We are back racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend – Roval edition! We’ve got the No. 11 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevy tuned up for this weekend. We have been super killer on the road courses! We’ve got AJ Allmendinger, my lovely teammate, back this weekend in the No. 10 car. I’m excited to see what speed we’ve got this week. It’s a playoff race. Richmond did not quite go our way, but we had a really fast Chevrolet, so as long as we bring that speed and have a little luck, we should have a solid finish this weekend and possibly a win.”

    About Kaulig Racing™
    Kaulig Racing™ is a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) team, owned by CEO and owner of LeafFilter Gutter Protection®, Kaulig Capital and Kaulig Media, Matt Kaulig. Established in 2016 Kaulig Racing™ has made the NXS Playoffs consecutively, finishing seventh (2016), 11th (2017) and 12th (2018). Maintaining their technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing, Kaulig Racing™ has come to be one of the top-competitors on track each weekend. To learn more about the team, visit  kauligracing.com .

  • JR Motorsports — NXS Charlotte Roval Preview

    JR Motorsports — NXS Charlotte Roval Preview

    JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
    TRACK: Charlotte Motor Speedway
    RACE: Drive for the Cure 250 (67 laps / 155.3 miles)
    DATE: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019

    Michael Annett
    No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet
    • After finishing ninth at Richmond Raceway last weekend, Michael Annett currently stands sixth in series points with two races remaining in the Round of 12.
    • Annett finished 20th on the Charlotte Roval last year.
    • Saturday’s race will be his Annett’s 25th on a road course in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and his best finish in the previous 24 was a second-place run at Road America in 2017.
    • This weekend’s No. 1 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet Camaro will again carry a Driver Appreciation paint scheme to honor the over-the-road truck drivers who keep America moving.

    Ryan Truex
    No. 8 Marquis Spa Chevrolet
    • Ryan Truex returns to the No. 8 Chevrolet for the fifth time this season at the Roval.
    • In four previous starts for JRM, Truex has recorded one top five and three top 10s with a best finish of second coming at ISM Raceway.
    • In five previous starts on road courses in the NXS, Truex has earned a best finish of fifth at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2018.
    • In nine starts overall across NASCAR’s three major touring series on road courses, Truex has recorded two top fives and two top 10s.

    Noah Gragson
    No. 9 Suave Chevrolet
    • Noah Gragson heads into the second race in the Round of
    12 for the 2019 NXS Playoffs in the eighth and final cut off
    position, 15 points ahead of ninth.
    • Gragson will make his first NXS start at the Roval on
    Saturday. In three previous NXS starts on road courses,
    Gragson has earned a best finish of fourth (Road America).
    • In two previous starts on road courses in the Truck Series,
    Gragson has recorded one top five and two top 10s.
    • Gragson has also made a combined 10 starts on road
    courses in the NKNPS East and West, scoring four wins.
    • Gragson visited Victory Lane in the NKNPSW earlier this
    summer at Sonoma.

    Justin Allgaier
    No. 7 Armour Vienna Sausage Chevrolet
    • Justin Allgaier sits fifth in the NXS Playoff standings with two races left until the field is cut to eight drivers.
    • In the inaugural NXS Roval race last year, Justin Allgaier finished 15th after being spun while exiting the pit road.
    • The 33-year-old driver has three wins on road courses in 27 NXS starts, with eight top fives and 18 top 10s. Two of those victories came last season at Mid-Ohio and Road America.
    • This season, Allgaier has one top five and three top 10s in three starts on road courses, with an average finish of 6.0.
    • The Illinois native is currently riding a streak of 11 straight top-10 finishes and has three consecutive top fives.

    Driver Quotes
    “We did what we needed to do at Richmond, which is to score stage points and finish in the top 10. Coming into the race at the Roval, we need to do the same thing so we make sure we’re in good shape for the cutoff to the Round of 8. We’ve had fast cars all season long, and our preparation and strategy has been spot-on. Now is the time to make that all come together and keep fighting forward.” – Michael Annett

    “There were a lot of unknowns going into the Roval race last year for the drivers, team and fans. Even though it wasn’t a great race for us because we were caught up in an incident, it was still a great race for the fans. The only question mark for anybody was the back straightaway chicane and the track has done a fantastic job of listening to the drivers and making adjustments to it and I’m excited to get back there and try it out. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun and make for even better racing. Hopefully we’ll be able to run up front with our Armour Vienna Sausage Camaro and get a good amount of stage points and finish strong.” – Justin Allgaier

    “Road course racing is always a fun challenge and I’m really looking forward to getting back to turning left and right this weekend at the Roval. The track will be a little bit different than the race last year with the adjustments done to the chicane so I am interested to see how that will look on Friday. I’m just ready to get back behind the wheel of this No. 8 Chevrolet. We have Marquis Spa on the hood for this weekend and hopefully we can give them a good show.” – Ryan Truex

    “I’m really looking forward to tackling the Roval this weekend with our Suave Men Chevrolet. The Roval is such a unique road course and I feel really confident that we can unload with the same speed that we had at the three previous road courses this year. Hopefully we can just have a smooth day on Saturday and avoid any potential trouble out there to keep building our points cushion and advance to the next round in the playoffs.” – Noah Gragson

    JRM Team Updates
    • JRM on Road Courses: In 109 starts on road courses in the NXS, JRM has earned four wins, 26 top fives and 55 top 10s. Ron Fellows and Regan Smith earned the organization’s first two road course victories at Montreal in 2008 and at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2015, while Justin Allgaier went to Victory Lane at Mid-Ohio and Road America last season. In four previous starts at the Roval, JRM has scored a best finish of ninth.
    • Suave Men Autograph Session : JRM teammates Justin Allgaier and Noah Gragson will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Hendrick Motorsports souvenir trailer courtesy of Suave Men at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, Sept. 27 from 5:15 – 5:45 p.m. EST.