Category: XFINITY Series PR

ALMIROLA WINS THIRD RACE OF THE SEASON, PUTS 20 TEAM IN OWNER CHAMPIONSHIP 4 BATTLE
Chandler Smith comes just short of first Xfinity Series Championship 4 berth

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (November 2, 2024) – Aric Almirola completed the season sweep at Martinsville Speedway – winning his third race of the season, in just his 13th start, to clinch a spot in the owner Championship 4 in Phoenix. The 20 team will face the No. 7, 16 and 21 teams for the season-long title. Almirola has delivered the ninth win for the No. 20 team this season with Christopher Bell, John Hunter Nemechek and Ryan Truex each having two wins each.

Chandler Smith battled up front all day in his battle to make the Championship 4. He led 34 laps and finished third, which unfortunately was not enough to earn his own berth into next weekend’s championship race.

Toyota Racing Post-Race Recap
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Martinsville Speedway
Race 32 of 33 – 250 Laps, 131.5 Miles

TOYOTA FINISHING POSITIONS

1st, ARIC ALMIROLA
2nd, Sammy Smith*
3rd, CHANDLER SMITH
4th, Cole Custer*
5th, Justin Allgaier*
6th, SHELDON CREED
31st, BUBBA POLLARD
33rd, WILLIAM SAWALICH
*non-Toyota driver

TOYOTA QUOTES

ARIC ALMIROLA, No. 20 He Gets Us Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 1st

You scored the win and put the 20 team into the Championship 4.

“Wow. What an amazing race car. So proud of Tyler (Allen, crew chief) and all of the guys on this team. We had an amazing car here in the Spring, and we made a few tweaks to it because I wasn’t totally happy with it, honestly, in the Spring. We showed up yesterday and we were awful. I was like oh, no, what did we do, and they went to work last night and came up with a lot of changes to make to the car. It was so hooked up today. It would just do everything I wanted it to. This is such a special place. This is by far my favorite race track. I’m just so thankful. Thankful for Coach (Joe Gibbs), everyone at Toyota, TRD. Thank you He Gets Us. Thank you, God. There is so much more to it than just me and this race team. Just so lucky and blessed with this opportunity with so many partners – Go Bowling. I hate – they’ve been such a great partner of mine for such a long time, and we haven’t got them to victory lane. Just so thankful. Thankful to everyone at TRD, Toyota. Our GR Supra was fast – faster than the Xfinity internet today. Just what an amazing race car. I’m so proud – so, so proud. We are going to go race for an owner’s championship in Phoenix.”

CHANDLER SMITH, No. 81 QuickTie Products Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 3rd

Can you talk about the end of the race and conversation with Cole Custer?

“He thought he was in a must-win for the owners – which he was – but at the end of the day, I get that his dad has some high up role at SHR (Stewart-Haas Racing), so he probably values that a lot, but at the end of the day, I’m a driver. I’m in a must-win situation. He was not at that moment, and he didn’t even try to make the corner. Granted I moved him the lap before, but I’m beating his bumper off for the five laps before that. I gave him grace, before I finally shipped him, and then he doesn’t even try to give me a chance going into turn one. It is what it is. I’m super grateful God blessed me with a great group of men and women at Joe Gibbs Racing that have worked on this QuickTie Toyota. It is a bunch of fun. This car was hooked up at the very end, unfortunately, I was the focal point of us getting shipped because then we were behind the eight-ball and had to pass all of those cars again.”

SHELDON CREED, No. 18 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Toyota GR Supra, Joe Gibbs Racing

Finishing Position: 6th

Can you walk me through your race and what more you needed there?

“We started off okay, and just kept making our car better and better there to have a shot at winning the race. Obviously, running second there and then we pitted and then I sped on pit road and had to go to the back. Kinda just pulled the gloves off and wanted to get back towards the front. Just made a few mistakes and I wheel hopped a few times, and I seemed to hit somebody every time I did it. I hate being that person. It is embarrassing being the guy that is just running into everyone. Definitely not who I want to be or how I want to race, just made mistakes trying hard and took people with me.”

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 30 electrified options.

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

Ford Performance Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Xfinity Series
National Debt Relief 250 | Saturday, November 2, 2024
Martinsville Speedway

Ford Performance Results:

4th – Cole Custer
11th – Riley Herbst
15th – Ryan Sieg
16th – Matt DiBenedetto
19th – Blaine Perkins
20th – Dylan Lupton
21st – Kyle Sieg
22nd – Mason Maggio
26th – Greg Van Alst

COLE CUSTER ADVANCES TO CHAMPIONSHIP 4

• Cole Custer’s fourth-place finish enabled him to qualify for the Championship 4 next week at Phoenix.
• Custer will be going for his second straight series championship and can become the ninth driver to win multiple series titles.
• Custer could also become the second Ford driver to win back-to-back championships, joining Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2011-12).

COLE CUSTER, No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse – WHAT WAS THE CONVERSATION WITH CHANDLER? “I guess he’s mad, but what comes around goes around. At the end of the day, he put us in the fence a few times this year. He used his bumper on me, so I used my bumper on him. It is what it is. You go and race for a championship and you’re put in these situations. I don’t mind doing it to him because he’s done it to me.”

HOW AGGRESSIVE DID YOU EXPECT HIM TO BE? “I expected him to be aggressive, but I can’t not be aggressive. I’m gonna race him just how he raced me the whole year.”

WHAT DID YOU TELL HIM? “I was racing for the owner’s. I was in a must-win just like him, so for him to come over here and say I don’t have a reason to race, that’s no reason at all.”

WITH YOU PAST HISTORY ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT HE WAS SHOCKED YOU RACED HIM THAT WAY? “No. I mean, it is what it is. You’re racing to go race for a championship. He put me in the wall a few times this year, this was the time it all came around.”

WHAT ABOUT YOUR TEAM AND HOW THEY PERFORMED? “I’m so proud of this team. We brought everything we had today. They kept us in the fight, but JT and all the guys did a great job all year maximizing everything we had. I can’t thank Gene Haas and everybody at Haas Automation, Ford Performance. I can’t wait to go to Phoenix now and see what we can do.”

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT CHANDLER LOOKING FOR RETRIBUTION NEXT WEEKEND AT PHOENIX? “It is what it is. I think at the end of the day he put us in the wall a few times this year. He kept us from winning a race, I feel like, at Kansas. He used the bumper on me, so I used the bumper on him. I don’t know how we’re not even, and then he punches me in the face. I can’t even tell if he really punched me in the face it was so soft, but we’ll go on to Phoenix.”

YOUR THOUGHTS ON PHOENIX NEXT WEEK? “At the end of the day, I feel like we have as good a shot as anybody. We’ve brought a lot a speed in the playoffs so far. We obviously won last year, so we just have to work some magic again.”

WHAT HAPPENED EARLY ON IN THE RACE WITH AJ ALLMENDINGER? “At the end of the day, with AJ I was in a situation where I had to beat everybody else on points and he was locked in. I got aggressive with him. I’m not gonna lie. I think he overreacted and started brake checking me and then he popped his tire, but, at the end of the day, I had to go and he didn’t have to go, so I had to do what I had to do.”

YOU WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A LOT OF STUFF TODAY. THAT’S JUST THE NATURE OF THIS BEING A CUTOFF RACE TO GET TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP 4, RIGHT? “Yeah. I mean, you just have to be aggressive. You have to fight for every point and you have to race how you get raced. That’s just how it is.”

Jesse Love Will Continue to Pilot the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series

WELCOME, N.C. (October 31, 2024) – Whelen Engineering, a global leader in the emergency warning industry for over 70 years, will continue their partnership with Richard Childress Racing in 2025 as anchor sponsor on the No. 2 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Jesse Love, current Sunoco Rookie of the Year points leader, will return to the organization to pilot the race-winning entry.

“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Richard Childress Racing and Jesse Love in 2025,” said Peter Tiezzi, General Manager of Motorsports for Whelen Engineering. “It’s been an honor to watch Jesse grow as a driver and ambassador for Whelen and RCR in his rookie season. Our shared commitment to excellence and community impact makes this partnership truly special, and we can’t wait to see what we achieve together next year!”

Since 1952, Whelen Engineering has been a proud ally and supporter of our nation’s first responders. Driven by a mission to protect those who protect others, Whelen provides the high-quality, reliable products and technology needed to aid them in their critical missions. From warning lights to white illumination, sirens, controllers, and software, every product that bears the Whelen name has been thoughtfully designed, manufactured, and tested right here in America to perform at the highest level in any condition. Whelen is honored to have earned the trust of first responders around the world as leaders of the emergency warning industry and carries the responsibility earnestly, always striving to ensure that the everyday heroes serving under the illumination and protection of Whelen products are equipped to do their jobs with enhanced efficiency, reliability, and safety.

“Whelen’s commitment to the motorsports industry is unwavering and we are proud to continue our relationship with such a great brand,” said Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing. “Throughout our partnership, we have brought awareness to worthy causes that support first responders and built a robust at-track hosting program that encourages collaboration. Jesse has been an outstanding representative for Whelen in his rookie season. Together, he delivered Whelen their first victory in the Xfinity Series. We are confident that there is much more success on the horizon for Jesse and Whelen.”

Love, the 2023 ARCA Menards Series Champion, has earned one win, five poles, seven top-five, and 17 top-10 finishes through 31 Xfinity Series races so far this season. In his rookie campaign, the 19-year-old has led 335 laps – fourth most in the series – and earned a berth in the Playoffs.

“Entering the NASCAR Xfinity Series and being paired with Whelen, a company that values and protects first responders, has been an honor,” said Love. “Since I joined Richard Childress Racing, the entire company at Whelen has welcomed me with open arms. From touring both of their facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire to unveiling the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation scheme at FDIC International and participating in Sonny Whelen’s Racing for a Cure charity go kart event, I’ve been able to see firsthand all the work that Whelen does to enrich our communities. I’ll always be grateful that we were able to give Whelen their first NASCAR win earlier this season, and I know we have more victories in our future together.”

For more information, please visit rcrracing.com.

Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce.

Richard Childress Racing is a renowned, performance-driven racing, marketing and manufacturing organization. Incorporated in 1969, RCR has celebrated over 50 years of racing and earned more than 200 victories and 16 championships, including six in the NASCAR Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series and is a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 (1998, 2007, 2018). Its 2024 NASCAR Cup Series lineup includes two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet) and 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner and 2018 Daytona 500 champion Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet). RCR fields a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Jesse Love (No. 2 Chevrolet) and Austin Hill (No. 21 Chevrolet).

AM Racing | NASCAR Xfinity Series
Martinsville (Va.) Speedway | National Debt Relief 250

Fast Facts
No. 15 AM Racing Team:
Driver: Dylan Lupton
Primary Partner(s): Lupton Excavation | AirBox
Manufacturer: Ford Mustang
Crew Chief: Ryan “Pickle” London
Spotter: Michael Fisher
Chassis Intel: AMR Chassis No. X-1028
Engine: Roush-Yates Engines

Notes of Interest:

Final Stretch: Veteran race car driver Dylan Lupton will pilot AM Racing’s No. 15 Ford Mustang for the final two 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, including Saturday afternoon’s penultimate National Debt Relief 250 race of the season at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Lupton, a graduate of the NASCAR Next initiative, will also drive the team’s Ford Mustang in the season finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway on Nov. 9, 2024.

The former ARCA Menards Series West winner returned to NASCAR Xfinity Series competition for the first time since Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway last year on Oct. 5, 2024, at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

Driving the No. 15 Sentinel Foundation | Nine Line Apparel Ford Mustang for AM Racing, Lupton contended for a top-10 finish before being collected in the “Big One” with three laps to go.

To jumpstart his stock car racing career this year, Lupton returned to the ARCA Menards Series at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in mid-September when he piloted the No. 30 Lupton Excavation | Rette Jones Racing Ford Mustang to a top-10 finish in the General Tire 100 at The Glen.

The Wilton, Calif. native has spent most of 2024 competing in select Late-Model events on the West Coast and in a limited Trans Am Series XGT Class schedule.

The Californian has four career starts for AM Racing at Talladega, the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course, Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Fla.) respectively.

Lupton has 64 starts across all three of NASCAR’s national divisions, with one top-five and five top-10 finishes.

Welcome Aboard: For the 32nd of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season, AM Racing and Lupton welcome Lupton Excavation to the team as the primary partner on the No. 15 Ford Mustang for the 250-

lap race on Saturday afternoon.

Lupton Excavation Inc. was founded in 1987. The company provides excavation work and digs foundations.

Serving Sacramento, Calif., and surrounding areas, Lupton Excavation Inc. also specializes in Earthwork and plumbing.

Giving You Peace of Air: For the penultimate short track race of the season, AirBox will serve in an associate partnership role on Lupton’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in Saturday afternoon’s National Debt Relief 250 at Martinsville Speedway.

In 2017, AirBox was established to focus on building the world’s best air purifiers for indoor occupied spaces. This coincided with people starting to wake up to issues with indoor air quality. With new challenges to air cleanliness, such as COVID-19 and wildfire smoke, people are looking for effective and proven solutions to ensure they receive cleaner air, at last.

Their history in delivering clean air systems and services gives them an expertise that is unmatched. AirBox uses some of the most effective air filtration technologies that exist with Certified HEPA and Advanced Molecular Adsorption. Coupled with their Indoor Air Quality Assessment, AirBox is the total solution for all indoor air quality needs, ensuring their customers meet and exceed current and future ventilation standards.

Today, AirBox filtration systems are used across the country, purifying the air and capturing harmful irritants to create healthier, safer spaces. They’ve become the trusted choice for hospitals, educational centers, offices, warehouses, construction zones, public assembly, sports facilities, and more.

They’re proud to build all products to the highest standards in the USA at their North Carolina production facility. Every day, AirBox is working hard to give the American people the safer learning, working, and living environments they deserve — helping people breathe easy and live better.

Double Duty: In addition to Saturday afternoon’s National Debt Relief 250 at Martinsville Speedway, Lupton will pull double duty and compete in Friday night’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series Zip Buy Now Pay Later 200 driving the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports entry.

Lupton is utilizing the next-to-last Truck Series race of 2024 to acquire additional seat time ahead of his fifth NASCAR Xfinity Series start of the season on Nov. 2. 2024.

He has two prior Truck Series starts for the Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports team at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway (2016) and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (2019), respectively with a best finish of 12th at Talladega.

Lupton is poised to make his 16th career Truck Series start on Nov. 1 and the first since the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in July 2022.

Dylan Lupton NASCAR Xfinity Series Martinsville Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s National Debt Relief 250 at Martinsville Speedway will mark Lupton’s first career Xfinity Series start at the famed 0.526-mile paperclip in the heart of Virginia.

However, Lupton did make one NASCAR Cup Series start at Martinsville during the 2016 season, competing in the Goody’s Fast Relief 500, piloting the No. 83 BK Racing Toyota Camry.

He will look to improve his overall short track average Xfinity finish of 21.7.

Dylan Lupton NASCAR Xfinity Series Career Stats: In 45 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Lupton has a career-best ninth-place finish after starting 16th for Athenian Motorsports at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in August 2015.

In addition to his Xfinity Series starts, he has achieved four NASCAR Cup Series starts and 15 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series starts to his credit.

Thanks For Your Support: With 93 percent of the 2024 Xfinity Series season complete, AM Racing and Dylan Lupton would like to thank their marketing partners for their support: AirBox, Flying Circle, Mechanix Wear, Mobil 1 and WIX Filters.

Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway | Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit Card 300 Race Recap: The 31st race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season kicked off with a solo trip to Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway on Saturday, October 26, 2024.

In his Homestead return, Lupton and the AM Racing team led by crew chief Ryan “Pickle” London worked hard to improve the balance of their race car from practice to qualifying.

After picking up the pace in qualifying, Lupton started his No. 15 Lupton Excavation | AirBox Ford Mustang from the 30th position. After initially picking up a few positions at the drop of the green flag, Lupton reported an extremely loose race car, which was reflected in his track position.

Managing the looseness, Lupton stayed on the lead lap until the end of Stage 1, when London made a significant chassis adjustment to improve the car.

Lupton fired off strong at the start of Stage 2, continued to march forward, and worked to a race-high of 21st before finishing Stage 2 in the 23rd position.

With the sun beginning to set, Lupton continued to ask for more help to battle how free his race car was.

With new tires, fuel, and more adjustments, Lupton restarted inside the top 25, but early in Stage 3, a tire went down, causing him to make slight contact with the wall.

The team repaired the car with Lupton returning to the track and a couple of laps down. Lupton fought back and climbed back to 26th on the track before a right front flat tire with less than 10 laps to go sent the No. 15 AM Racing Ford Mustang to pit road for two tires.

Because of the late unscheduled stop, the team finished 32nd at the checkered flag.

From the Pit Box: Industry veteran Ryan “Pickle” London is Dylan Lupton’s crew chief.

He will be crew chief for his 32nd NASCAR Xfinity Series race and his third at Martinsville Speedway.

In his previous 31 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, he has collected two top-10 finishes, including a career-best ninth at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International with Joey Logano in September 2024 for AM Racing.

Follow on Social Media: For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR.

For more on Dylan Lupton like him on Facebook (Lupton Racing) and follow him on Instagram (@luptondylan) and X | Twitter (@LuptonDylan).

Dylan Lupton Quoteboard:

On Martinsville Speedway: “I’m optimistic about returning to Martinsville Speedway this weekend. Even though we did not have the finish we deserved last weekend at Homestead, I am encouraged by the changes we made throughout the race that made us more competitive.

“Without a doubt, I think running double duty will be a benefit to me. It’s all about seat time this weekend at one of the most demanding NASCAR short tracks on the schedule. I think the 200 laps on Friday night will help me get into a rhythm and get reacquainted with Martinsville.

“I’m looking for a solid finish for our AM Racing team that we can build on and head to Phoenix Raceway next weekend and end the year on a high note.”

Race Information:

The National Debt Relief 250 (250 laps | 131.5 miles) is the 32nd of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice will occur on Friday, November 1, from 3:35 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. Qualifying will immediately follow. The 38-car field will take the green flag on Saturday, November 2, shortly after 4:00 ET, with live coverage on the CW Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

About AM Racing:

AM Racing is a multi-tiered, multi-faceted Motorsports program headquartered in Statesville, N.C.

Established in December 2015, AM Racing is prided on faith, honesty and intelligent performance.

The family-owned team will compete in the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and various Dirt Modified events in its eighth year of competition.

COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Martinsville NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

• Event: National Debt Relief 250 (Round 32 of 33)
• Date: Saturday, Nov. 2
• Location: Martinsville (Va.) Speedway
• Layout: .526-mile oval
• Time/TV/Radio: 4 p.m. EDT on CW/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

• Cole Custer is back in familiar colors this weekend as his iconic No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse paint scheme returns for Saturday’s race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. He’s coming off a solid second-place result at Homestead-Miami Speedway and hopes to keep the momentum rolling as he looks to claim his spot in next week’s Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway. After qualifying fourth at the 1.5-mile Homestead oval last weekend, Custer wasted no time taking the lead in the race. He led four times for 67 laps overall en route to finishes of fifth and third, respectively, in the first two stages. While the runner-up finish in the race wasn’t the win he was looking for to lock him into the Championship 4, Custer heads to the Martinsville Round of 8 cutoff race solidly above the top-four cutline with a 28-point advantage over fifth-place Chandler Smith, the first driver on the outside looking in. Last year’s Martinsville race ended in chaotic fashion as Custer crossed the finish line backwards and on fire to earn a 19th-place finish that locked him into the Championship 4 on points. He went on to win his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series championship the following week at Phoenix.
• Saturday’s National Debt Relief 250 will mark Custer’s fourth Xfinity Series start at Martinsville. His best finish of third was earned in April 2023, when he started on the pole and led five laps. This past April, he finished eighth after starting second. Custer does have a dozen previous Martinsville outings outside of the Xfinity Series – six apiece in the NASCAR Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series. In the Cup Series, the 26-year-old from Ladera Ranch, California, has a best Martinsville finish of 13th in October 2020, and his most recent outing in October 2022 resulted in a 14th-place finish. Best of Custer’s six Truck Series races at Martinsville from 2014 through 2016 was his fourth-place finish from the pole after leading a race-high 96 of 200 laps in the October 2015 race. That was behind the wheel of the No. 00 JR Motorsports entry, which he also drove to a seventh-place finish from the third starting position in the October 2016 Martinsville race, in which he led 17 laps.
• Custer arrives at Martinsville fourth in the playoff standings behind AJ Allmendinger and Austin Hill, who already locked themselves into the Championship 4 via their victories at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Homestead, respectively. The remaining two Championship 4 spots are up for grabs between six drivers. Justin Allgaier holds down the third position, seven points ahead of Custer and his 28-point cushion over fifth-place Chandler Smith. Smith is joined below the cutline by Jesse Love, Sam Mayer and Sammy Smith. If one of those four locks himself into the Championship 4 with a win Saturday, that would leave just one remaining Championship 4 spot for Custer, Allgaier and the remaining drivers below the cutline to vie for.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

• Riley Herbst and the No. 98 Monster Energy team head to Saturday’s National Debt Relief 250 looking to continue another strong run to end the season, like he did in 2023. The Las Vegas native is coming off a strong, sixth-place result last Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway and arrives at Martinsville after back-to-back top-10s. Herbst entered the Martinsville race last season on a three-race top-10 streak, and he survived the mayhem of that race to bring home a fourth-place finish for the No. 98 Monster Energy team. Entering his final two races with Stewart-Haas Racing, Herbst hopes to end his time in the No. 98 Ford Mustang Dark Horse on a high note after what will be 132 total starts behind the wheel. During that time, Herbst has seen two victories – Oct. 14, 2023 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and July 20 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In addition, he’s won two poles, scored 64 top-10s, and led 323 laps. Not having to focus on the championship points battle, Herbst and the team have nothing to lose and everything to gain as they look to add another win to the history books for Stewart-Haas before the team closes its doors at the end of the season.
• Saturday’s National Debt Relief 250 will be Herbst’s ninth at Martinsville in the Xfinity Series. Five of his eight previous starts there resulted in top-10 finishes. Prior to his third-place finish in October 2022, in which he fought valiantly for the win and avoided mayhem in the final laps, he posted a pair of sixth-place finishes there – in October 2020 and April 2022, respectively. He finished the aorementioed fourth last October and 10th in October 2021.
• Herbst has come to excel on the short tracks in the Xfinity Series, as was evident the previous two seasons. In the four races at tracks less than a mile in length in 2022, Herbst scored three top-fives, starting with his fifth-place run in the April race at Richmond. He finished fifth at the half-mile Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway concrete oval in September and third in November at Martinsville. There was no slowing him down in 2023. Of the four short tracks in 2023, Herbst scored a pair of top-10s during the second-half of the season – eight in September’s Bristol night race and fourth in October’s Martinsville race. This season, Herbst earned two 13th-place finishes – March 30 at Richmond and Sept. 20 at Bristol, in addition to his runner-up finish at the .875-mile Iowa Speedway oval in Newton. Herbst’s Xfinity Series career started on a strong note on short tracks when the Las Vegas native drove to a sixth-place finish in his first career Xfinity Series start in June 2018 at Iowa.

Cole Custer, Driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse

You’re heading into the final race of the Round of 8 with a 28-point advantage over the top-four cutline and two spots up for grabs in the Championship 4. Do you feel a sense of safety with that significant points gap between you and fifth-place Chandler Smith?

“Martinsville is going to be crazy. No matter what – it is always going to be crazy. We have to bring our best stuff there because you never know who is going to win and that could leave only one spot on points. We just have to go out there and be our best. I think being the team that we are, we’ll be in the fight. The No. 00 Haas Automation team was in this same spot last year, and despite a chaotic ending, we made it to the Championship 4 and went on to win a championship. You can have some comfort in that points advantage, but anything can happen. Those four guys below the cutline are going to be fighting to win and find their way in. I’m nervous heading into this weekend, but I know our team can get it done.”

Martinsville is such a polarizing track for drivers because of how difficult it can be. Both of your starts there last year in the Xfinity Series were strong, with a best finish of third last April. Do you enjoy racing at Martinsville?

“For sure. I really enjoy going to Martinsville. With that said, I’ve never been so nervous for a race as I was heading into that second Martinsville race last year. It was a cutoff race and the nerves were crazy. I have those same feelings this year. Ever since I first went to Martinsville in the Truck Series, I’ve always loved racing there. It’s definitely a place that you will love when everything is going well and hate when it starts going bad – mostly because when it’s bad, it’s really bad. We had a strong car last April to finish third and, honestly, our car in the fall was just as good. There was just so much on the line in that race. Then, to cross the finish line backwards and on fire, it was just one of those crazy Martinsville endings. Even with the nerves, I’m excited to go there and not only race for the iconic grandfather clock trophy, but also a spot in the Championship 4.”

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

With only two races left in the 2024 season, reflect on your time at Stewart-Haas Racing as you look ahead to the future.

“Stewart-Haas Racing has been such a good time in my career. This place saw my growth. I’m not the same driver who walked through those doors in 2021. I went from a kid who no one thought deserved a ride to an Xfinity Series winner. My growth may have been slow. There may have been some bumps in the road. But, it’s my journey and I’m proud of it. All of the people I’ve worked with at Stewart-Haas over the years have helped me grow into the driver I am today. I can’t thank the team, the people, Ford Performance, and Monster Energy enough for always believing in me during this time. We’ve had a strong four seasons together, and while it’s bittersweet to see it come to an end with the team closing, I’m grateful for the time I’ve had here and everything that I’ve learned.”

Martinsville has been a strong track for you despite some roller coaster races in your career. On top of that, you’ve finished third and fourth in the past two fall races at Martinsville, respectively. Are you excited to head back there this weekend to race for a grandfather clock?

“Martinsville has always been a tough one for me to tackle, but it’s like that for every driver in the field. You can have the best of days there and the worst. I’ve been on both sides of it but, overall, I really do enjoy going to this track. It’s like the short tracks that we all grew up racing on, so it’s familiar to a lot of guys in the garage. Short-track racing is always fun for me, but Martinsville is where you’re really beating and banging to try and get a win. At the end of the day, it’s about staying out of trouble and being there

JR Motorsports Team Preview
TRACK – Martinsville Speedway (.526-mile short track-oval)
NXS RACE – National Debt Relief 250 (250 laps / 131.5 miles)
TUNE IN – CW, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 4:00 p.m. (ET)

Sam Mayer

No. 1 – 10X Health Chevrolet

Mayer 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 31

Wins: 3

Top 5s: 8

Top 10s: 13

Laps Led: 224

Avg. Finish: 17.8

Points: 7th

• Sam Mayer will make the short trip to Martinsville Speedway this weekend for the final race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Round of 8 looking to race his way into the Championship 4.
• The young driver has six previous starts at the .526-mile short track where he has tallied three top-five and four top-10 finishes with a best of second coming this past spring.
• In 24 starts on tracks measuring one mile or less in length, Mayer has recorded one win (Iowa, 2024), nine top fives and 13 top 10s.
• With one race left to make it into the Championship 4, the 21-year-old currently sits seventh in the playoff standings, 47 points below the cutline.

Sam Mayer

“The past few weeks have not worked out for us points-wise, but I know this No. 1 JR Motorsports team is ready for Martinsville and we are going to give it our all. We have put in the work all year long and this group deserves a chance at that championship. Martinsville has always been one of my favorite tracks and I have a lot of confidence here as we came up just one spot short in the spring. Mardy (Lindley, crew chief), myself and the guys are ready to take that top spot and head to Phoenix.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 Jarrett 25 Years Chevrolet

Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 31

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 8

Top 10s: 18

Laps Led: 705

Avg. Finish: 14.2

Points: 1st

• Justin Allgaier enters the third and final race in the Round of 8 at Martinsville as the points leader, 32 markers above the NXS Playoff cutline.
• Allgaier is the defending winner of this race, having gone to Victory Lane in dramatic fashion after taking the checkered flag in a photo finish to clinch his spot in the Championship 4.
• Overall, in eight career NXS starts at Martinsville, Allgaier has earned five top fives and seven top 10s to accompany last season’s win.
• In his NXS career on short tracks, Allgaier has amassed six wins, 28 top fives and 46 top 10s in 77 career starts.

Justin Allgaier

“We were in a similar position entering Martinsville last year and were fortunate enough to come away with the win and move on to the Championship 4. That just further gives me all the confidence in the world in Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and everyone on this Jarrett Chevrolet as we look ahead to this weekend. Martinsville has been a strong track for us and I know we will be just as solid once we hit the track for practice on Friday. We just need to be smart all day long and keep the fenders as clean as we can on our JR Motorsports Camaro. If we can do that, then I feel extremely confident that we will accomplish what we have set out to do and have ourselves in a great position come the end of the day.”

Sammy Smith

No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet

Smith 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 31

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 6

Top 10s: 15

Laps Led: 65

Avg. Finish: 15.6

Points: 8th

• Sammy Smith has been highly competitive at Martinsville in the past with two top fives and three top 10’s in only four starts with the NXS, setting him fifth best in average running position according to NASCAR’s Loop Data Statistics.
• Smith led a race-high 147 laps in this event last season before taking the checkered flag in the third position.
• Smith has 10 career NXS starts on short tracks with three top fives, six top 10’s and an average finish of 10.0.
• The Iowa native currently sits below the playoff cutline heading into the final race of the Round of 8 looking to score a victory, to move on to the Championship 4.
• Pilot Flying J will share the TV panel this week with Tribe Transportation. Tribe is a Native American woman-owned business that is a high service national carrier specializing in temperature-controlled transportation based in the Georgia foothills.

Sammy Smith

“The Round of 8 tracks have not been too kind to us these past couple weeks and it’s been tough on this whole No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet team. Everyone puts in the work needed to have a winning car, but we don’t have the results to show for it so we know that has to change heading into Martinsville. Growing up on short tracks, I feel really confident and I know the guys are just as hungry as I am to win our way into the Championship 4.”

Brandon Jones

No. 9 Menards / Dawn Chevrolet

Jones 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 31

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 1

Top 10s: 8

Laps Led: 45

Avg. Finish: 19.1

Points: 14th

• Brandon Jones will return to Martinsville this weekend after earning his first pole of the season at the .526-mile oval earlier this year.
• Of his eight previous starts at Martinsville, the 27-year-old Georgia native has recorded one win, three top-fives and five top-10s.
• Of all active tracks in the NXS, Jones has led a career best 142 laps at Martinsville.
• Dawn, your favorite grease-fighting partner, will adorn the hood of Jones’ Camaro this weekend for both the first time this season and the first time at Martinsville.

Brandon Jones

“Martinsville is a track I always enjoy going to and we have had some great luck there in the past. We had the speed to win the pole back in the spring, so I know this Menards/Dawn team will make sure we unload another fast car on Saturday. Hopefully we can make all the right decisions and put ourselves in contention for the win at the end. These guys have worked so hard this season and it would be great to give them the finish they deserve.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Martinsville Speedway: JR Motorsports has competed at Martinsville Speedway a combined 35 times in the NXS since its first trip there in 2006. In those starts at the .526-mile short track, the organization has recorded three wins, 18 top fives and 24 top 10s, with an average finish of 10.3.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Brandon Jones will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET.

Featuring a Patriotic Design, Powered by Proud Sponsors

Martinsville, VA – October 29, 2024  – In honor of Veterans Day 2024, NASCAR xfinity car #07 will roar to life with a powerful tribute to America’s heroes, as Patrick Emerling takes the wheel of a custom-designed Veterans Day tribute car during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs race on November 2nd. This one-of-a-kind race car, adorned with an American flag, military insignias, and a bold message of patriotism, is not only a sight to behold but also a heartfelt salute to veterans across the nation.

From the Frontline to the Finish Line

The Veterans Day car’s design showcases a visual display of the American flag, seamlessly integrated with imagery of soldiers and military symbols from all branches of the Armed Forces. Every inch of the car is a tribute to those who have served and continue to serve in defense of our freedom. 

“At NASCAR, speed and precision are everything, but today we are also focused on something even greater – honoring the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Patrick Emerling “Driving this car as a salute to Veterans is a privilege, and I’m proud to carry their stories onto the track.”

Proud Sponsors Stand with Our Veterans

The Veterans Day car would not have been possible without the support of several patriotic sponsors. Companies like BB Printing Company, BiG, SLS Services, Charge Forward, BMS, AVU Heating & Cooling and Granite State De-Icing Supply have come together to pay tribute to veterans in a meaningful way.  Share your stories and use #HonoringHeroes.

“We are proud to partner with Patrick Emerling and NASCAR to honor those who serve and have sacrificed for our country,” said Amber with BB Printing, “This Veterans Day tribute car is more than a symbol on the track – it represents our nation’s gratitude to veterans past and present, and it serves as a reminder of the freedoms we enjoy every day because of their service.”

Join Us in Honoring Our Heroes – Enjoy a Martinsville Discount!

In honor of your service and dedication to our country, Martinsville Speedway is proud to offer a special discount for Active Duty Military Members and Veterans. Enjoy $10 OFF select NASCAR race tickets as a heartfelt thank you for all you do. Don’t miss this chance to experience the thrill of NASCAR with us!  Purchase tickets by visiting https://www.martinsvillespeedway.com/military/

For more information on Patrick Emerling, visit https://www.patrickemerlingracing.com/ or follow him on:

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PatrickEmerling07)
X (https://twitter.com/PatrickEmerling)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/patrickemerling/)

Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet Team Capture Strong Fourth-Place Finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway

Finish: 4th
Start: 14th
Points: 6th

“We had a fast Whelen Chevrolet today at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Crew chief Danny Stockman made great adjustments to keep up with the track all race long, and our pit crew was solid – especially late in the race when they gained spots on pit road and we restarted second. We lacked rear grip during the long green flag run to the end, and after the round of green flag pit stops, we knew we had to make up as much time as possible leaving pit road. After I saw my teammate, Austin Hill, win both stages from the bottom line, I knew where I needed to run at the end. We didn’t have enough at the end to catch those guys. We couldn’t get the top line to work like I needed it to, so I know what needs to be worked on before we come back here next year. Congratulations to the No. 21 team and everyone at Richard Childress Racing and ECR Engines on their win and locking into the final four at Phoenix Raceway. I’m confident that our team will bring a fast Chevrolet to Martinsville Speedway next week, and hopefully our No. 2 team can lock in as well.” -Jesse Love

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet Team Win at Homestead-Miami Speedway to Advance to the Championship 4

Finish: 1st
Start: 16th
Points: 3rd

“We have worked so hard to be in this position. A lot of people doubt me, but I wake up every day to prove everyone wrong that I deserve to be here and race for a championship. This No. 21 team deserves this moment as much as I do. They work their tails off day in and day out. They gave me a heck of a Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet today. I didn’t have to run the wall and could run wherever I needed to. We only had one bad run at the start of Stage 3 with the car being so loose. I can honestly say I’ve never cried after winning a race, and I couldn’t get my emotions under control going into Turn 1 after taking the checkered. I’m not sure folks will understand the amount of hard work and dedication that went into this, and what it means to me and my family. The pit crew was on it as normal today and I knew when we got off pit road within distance of the No. 00, I just had to go to work without burning my right rear up. As soon as I saw the No. 00 start backing up to me, I knew it was game on. To be able to be in the final four and race for championship is amazing. There are no words to describe the feeling.” -Austin Hill