Category: XFINITY Series PR

MOORESVILLE, NC, March 7, 2024 – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Patrick Emerling announced today that MMI Tank & Industrial Services, based in Phoenix, will join him as a new marketing partner for this weekend’s race at Phoenix Raceway.

“When we learned of the opportunity to collaborate with Patrick Emerling, a distinguished NASCAR driver, we seized the moment with enthusiasm,” said Division Tank Manager Stace Heckart. “MMI Tank is honored to have sponsored this race, showcasing our commitment to excellence and high-speed performance, both on the track and in our services.”

MMI Tank & Industrial Services is a full, turnkey tank contractor serving clients throughout North America. MMI provides customers design, fabrication and erection of tanks that meets API/AWWA standards, process piping, silos, pressure vessels, and industrial process. With their in-house engineering & design team, they can accommodate any size project. Safety and quality are paramount at MMI Tank & Industrial Services. They have a full time safety director that reports directly to their president. Safety is their highest priority and core company value. They hold ASME “S” and “U” stamps to cover the fabrication and assembly of high pressure boilers, pressure vessels and power piping. They’ve also been given the National Board “R” stamp, allowing them to repair and alter all boilers and pressure vessels. Their field superintendents have over 30 years in the tank and industry services and have consistently proven that their products are built to the highest quality standards.

“I’m proud to represent MMI Tank & Industrial Services,” said Emerling. “Their dedication to excellence and performance in their craftsmanship matches the drive of all of us at SS-GreenLight to continually improve our on-track performance.”

Additionally, Emerling will welcome back season-long partners Southern Tier Security (https://www.southerntiersecurity.net/), a watch patrol company based in Olean, NY; SimForge (https://simforge.in/), which sells sim racing equipment and accessories; and Frontline Optics, a San Diego sunglasses brand owned by a retired firefighter.

In addition to his duties with SS-GreenLight, Emerling will be competing full-time in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour with car owner Rich Gautreau. He finished fourth in the Tour’s season opener at New Smyrna Speedway on February 10. His next race is Friday, March 29 at Richmond Raceway.

The green flag drops for the Call 811.com Every Dig, Every Time. 200 at 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, March 9. You can watch the race on FS1 or listen live on MRN or SiriusXM.

Learn more about MMI Tank and Industrial Services at https://mmitank.com/ and follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mmitank/).

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) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/patrickemerling/).

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

• Event: Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 (Round 4 of 33)
• Date: Saturday, March 9
• Location: Phoenix Raceway
• Layout: 1-mile oval
• Time/TV/Radio: 4:30 p.m. EST on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

• Cole Custer, the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, returns to the scene of his thrilling, title-winning performance during last year’s season finale when he takes to the mile oval at Phoenix Raceway for Saturday’s Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200. The driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang Dark Horse won not only his first career Xfinity Series championship in that Championship 4 finale Nov. 4, but his first Xfinity Series race at Phoenix, and it came in spectacular, four-wide fashion during the closing laps. During his return this weekend to the desert track, the reigning Xfinity Series champion looks to not only continue his title defense, but to make it back-to-back victories at Phoenix. He’s coming off last Saturday’s runner-up finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway after earning his first pole of the young season on Friday. It was his fourth Xfinity Series pole at Las Vegas and the 19th of his career. He is now 12th among all-time Xfinity Series pole winners and just two poles behind 11th-place Denny Hamlin, who has 21. Custer earned six poles each in 2018, 2019, and 2023, three of his last four fulltime Xfinity Series seasons.
• Saturday’s Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 will mark Custer’s ninth Xfinity Series start at Phoenix. In his previous eight starts, he finished outside the top-12 just once, and he’s completed all 1,602 possible laps he’s run at Phoenix in his career. Prior to his championship-winning performance last November, Custer scored five consecutive top-10 finishes at Phoenix, culminating with his runner-up finish in the November 2019 Phoenix race. Custer has 12 NASCAR starts outside of the Xfinity Series at Phoenix – six in the Cup Series with a best finish of ninth in March 2020, three in the Truck Series with a best finish of third in November 2014, and three in the K&N Pro Series West punctuated by his victory from the pole in March 2014, when he led a race-high 62 of 80 laps. He earned finishes of sixth and third in the other two, which came in November 2013 and 2014, respectively.
• Custer is following up his meeting with UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by attending Thursday night’s Arizona Coyotes National Hockey League game in Tempe and Friday morning’s Professional Bowling Association (PBA) Invitational at Phoenix Raceway. These are the latest of Custer’s sports crossover events. Since he was crowned the 2023 Xfinity Series champion at Phoenix Raceway last November, he’s attended Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Carolina Hurricanes NHL games, and a New Orleans Saints National Football League game to promote the Xfinity Series and his championship.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

• Riley Herbst will feel right at home at the desert-mile oval at Phoenix Raceway during Saturday’s Call 811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200, the fourth race of the 2024 season. The No. 98 Monster Energy driver was born and raised just up the road in Las Vegas. As he continues to make a name for himself by taking his family name from the iconic off-road events of the Desert Southwest to the asphalt tracks of NASCAR, he will always embrace his desert roots. Herbst began racing go-karts on the West Coast at age 5 and hasn’t slowed down since. He moved to North Carolina at 17 and began working his way up to the NASCAR ranks. His grandfather Jerry, his dad Troy, and his uncles Tim and Ed, are all Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame inductees as a result of their numerous championship-winning Trophy Truck campaigns. While Herbst still returns to his family roots for the Baja 1000 each November, his ultimate dream is to make it to the NASCAR Cup Series fulltime. Herbst added his name to the Xfinity Series winners list at his hometown Las Vegas Motor Speedway last October to establish himself as a possible title contender in 2024. Last year, FOX aired a feature story chronicling the Herbst family motorsports legacy, and the third-generation racer’s story about breaking away from his the off-road roots. Watch the story HERE.
• Saturday’s race will mark Herbst’s 10th career Xfinity Series start at Phoenix, which has proven to be one of his better tracks. After an early race accident in his series debut there in November 2019, he finished 11th or better in eight of his nine eight Phoenix outings, highlighted by fourth-place finishes in both the March and November 2021 events, and both the March and November 2023 events. Outside the Xfinity Series at Phoenix, Herbst finished 10th in his lone NASCAR K&N Pro Series West start at the track in November 2019, and 15th in his lone NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start there in November 2018.
• Herbst has had a strong start to the 2024 season despite some bad luck in the first few races. He looked to be on his way to victory lane in the season opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and the second race at Atlanta Motor Speedway before cautions and fuel mileage issues forced him to settle for finishes of sixth and 15th, respectively. Last weekend, in his return to his hometown, Herbst looked to be competitive enough to make it back-to-back wins at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He worked his way up to second and competed for the lead during the final stage, but tedious winds and an ill-handling racecar dropped Herbst back in the pack. He was able to recover for a fifth-place result, his first top-five of 2024.

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

You’re headed back to the place where you won it all in November. Is there an extra boost of confidence after that four-wide pass for the lead at Phoenix that earned your first Xfinity Series championship?

“There’s always a boost of confidence coming into this first race at Phoenix as a champion. I still don’t know how I made it through that pass in November, but obviously the guys gave me a fast Ford Mustang that I was able to do that with. With all that said, it’s still a new season and another race. Anything can happen, and you have to make sure you’re prepared for whatever comes your way. We’re always working to be better, no matter what. I’m confident in my No. 00 Haas Automation team, though. I think we’ve got a good shot this weekend.”

Is there any extra pressure heading into Phoenix after winning that race and the championship last November, especially knowing that you will return to this track for this year’s Championship 4 finale in November, quite possibly in position to defend your 2023 title?

“You definitely put a little more emphasis on Phoenix when you go to the first race of the year there, mostly because you know how big this race will be when we return in November. It’s a race that means a lot later in the year, and you never know if you’ll be one of the ones racing for a championship or not. I got the chance to last year and we made the most of it. We didn’t have a great race in March but brought a rocket ship in November. You’re always going to bring the best you’ve got to a race, but there might be a little more pressure to get it right this time so you can be as perfect as possible later on. Hopefully we get a chance to race for the title there again in November.”

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

We’re heading back to one of your better tracks on the circuit, which is very similar to the short tracks that you grew up on. What is it about Phoenix that suits your driving style?

“I think it’s just that, it drives a lot like a short track, which most of the drivers in the garage grew up racing on. We’re just more comfortable with this kind of racing. With that said, I still think there are ways that the No. 98 Monster Energy team can improve at Phoenix. We’ve been strong there with top-10 finishes, but we just need a little bit more. Luckily we can look at notes from past years and work with my teammate, who won the race there in November. I’m pumped to head back to Phoenix and see what we’ve got after the strong start to the season.”

Phoenix is such a unique racetrack and you have a strong history there. How do you tackle it as a driver?

“I’m excited to get back to Phoenix. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the circuit, along with Richmond and Bristol. The track itself is one of the more unique tracks because of how different each end of the track is. You have to approach both ends of the track differently. There are a lot of opportunities to show a lot of speed and get an advantage. We talk about the dogleg a lot there, so you see a lot of guys go down there to pass and find speed. Phoenix is a fun race, though, for the drivers. I’m hoping to continue that trend, and we can keep the top-five streak we started in Las Vegas alive.”

JR Motorsports Team Preview
TRACK – Phoenix Raceway (1-mile oval)
NXS RACE – Call 811.com Every Dig. Every time. 200 (200 laps / 200 miles)
TUNE IN – FS1, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 4:30 p.m. (EST)

Sam Mayer
No. 1 Tire Pros Chevrolet
Mayer 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 3
Wins: 0
Top 5s: 0
Top 10s: 0
Laps Led: 0
Avg. Finish: 28.3
Points: 24th

Sam Mayer heads back to Phoenix Raceway this weekend after coming off his best finish at the desert oval (fifth) in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship event last fall.

Saturday afternoon’s race in the “Valley of the Sun” will be the young 20-year-old’s sixth start at the 1-mile oval.

In 22 starts on tracks measuring 1-2 miles in length, the Franklin, Wis. native had tallied his first victory on an oval (Homestead-Miami 2023), 13 top-five and 22 career top-10 efforts.

Mayer is rolling in with another fresh paint scheme as he carries the black-and-red colors of returning partner, Tire Pros, their first race of the 2024 season.

Sam Mayer

“Phoenix is a fun track for me to run and I am ready to be those couple spots better for sure. Last week was super-tough not being able to get the laps to show the speed we had but I know this No. 1 team has worked really hard to give me a great race car we will show our strength this week and bounce back to get the momentum on our side.”

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet
Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 3
Wins: 0
Top 5s: 0
Top 10s: 2
Laps Led: 18
Avg. Finish: 15.3
Points: 8th

Justin Allgaier has placed third or better in two of the last three events in the “Valley of the Sun,” including a third-place finish in the 2023 season finale.

Overall, in 27 starts in Phoenix, Allgaier has scored two wins, 10 top fives, 18 top 10s and 544 laps led. Allgaier’s 18 top-10s rank first among all tracks he has competed on in the NXS, while his 544 laps led rank second overall, trailing only Bristol Motor Speedway.

Allgaier first visited Victory Lane at the 1-mile oval in this event in 2017 before returning in the fall of 2019.

Five of Allgaier’s 23 career victories have come on tracks 1-mile in length, including the aforementioned two at Phoenix, two at Dover Motor Speedway and one at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Justin Allgaier

“I always enjoy coming back to Phoenix, and this spring race has become such an important race as we look deeper into the season and to what is at stake when we are here in the fall. I know that Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and everyone on this BRANDT Professional Agriculture team will give me a strong car this weekend that will be capable of running up front and contending for the win. Hopefully we can avoid any trouble out there and be right where we want to be at the checkered flag.”

Sammy Smith
No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet
Smith 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 3
Wins: 0
Top 5s: 0
Top 10s: 2
Laps Led: 6
Avg. Finish: 13.7
Points: 9th

Sammy Smith’s first career NXS win came at Phoenix in this race last year after starting 11th and leading 92 laps.

Of Smith’s three starts in the last two years at Phoenix, he has finished inside the top-10 each time, with an average finish of 6.7.”

Smith has led 113 laps at the “Valley of the Sun” throughout the last two seasons.

On tracks measuring 1-mile or less, Smith has earned one victory, three top-fives and seven top-10 results in just 10 starts.

Sammy Smith

“I am pumped about going back to Phoenix where I secured my first Xfinity Series win last year. There are a lot of good memories there and I’m looking forward to getting back there with my new team and seeing what we can do with the Pilot Flying J Chevrolet.”

Brandon Jones
No. 9 Menards / Franklin-Little Giant Chevrolet
Jones 2024 NXS Stats
Starts: 3
Wins: 0
Top 5s: 0
Top 10s: 2
Laps Led: 0
Avg. Finish: 10.7
Points: 10th

In 36 starts on tracks measuring 1 mile in length in the NXS, Jones has recorded one win, four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes, while leading the field for 176 laps.

In his last five trips to the 1-mile oval Jones has had one top-five and two top-10’s with an average finish of 10.8

Jones’ lone win at Phoenix came in this race in 2020, where he crossed the finish line more than 3.5 seconds ahead of the second-place car.

Little Giant Pumps will adorn the hood of the No. 9 car this weekend. It will be both its first appearance on the No. 9 car and the first for the company in NASCAR.

Brandon Jones

“I’ve run really well at Phoenix in the past and I know we will have a fast Menards/Little Giant Chevrolet, so hopefully, we can get there this weekend and be competing for the win at the end. We’ve been fast all year, but just don’t have the finishes to show for it. This weekend we are determined to turn that around.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Phoenix Raceway: JR Motorsports has competed at Phoenix Raceway a combined 100 times in the NXS. In those starts at the 1-mile oval, the organization has recorded four wins, 26 top-fives and 53 top-10s. The average finish is 12.9. The most recent trip to Victory Lane at Phoenix was in March 2022 with Noah Gragson.

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, March 9 from 9:05 a.m. to 9:35 a.m. MST.

Norma Precision Ammunition “Announces Two-Race Partnership with Jordan Anderson Racing – Bommarito Autosport’s driver Jeb Burton Ahead of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Phoenix Raceway”

STATESVILLE, N.C. (March 5, 2024) —As a lifelong outdoorsman and nature conservationist, Jeb Burton has spent plenty of time understanding the hunting world. Norma Precision Ammunition has a rich history in manufacturing dating back to 1902. Their commitment to continuous renewal, dedication and passion have made them a trusted name in the hunting and shooting communities. Norma ammunition have been used to win various Olympic, World, and European championship medals.

“I’m thrilled to partner with Norma Precision! The outdoors and racing are two of my and my families’ biggest passions. I’m thrilled that we get to bring both worlds together and showcase the Norma brand to our awesome fan base. I’m also excited to use their products on our Crossroads with The Burtons show airing on the Sportsman Channel. I encourage fans to tune in to the show to get a firsthand look at the quality and precision that goes into each Norma product. It’s great to see partners that I work with on Crossroads seeing the value at Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport and using the teams platform to help grow their brand.”

Norma Precision’s Spyros Chrysochou, General Manager, Norma USA talks about the new partnership with racing and the Burton family.

“The partnership between Norma Precision USA (a Beretta Holding Company) and Jeb Burton / Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us. Jeb Burton’s passion for the outdoors and racing perfectly aligns with our brand values, making this collaboration a natural fit. By bringing together these two worlds, we have the unique opportunity to showcase the Norma Precision Ammunition family of products to a dedicated NASCAR fan base. With the opportunity to feature Norma products on the Crossroads with The Burtons show airing on the Sportsman Channel, we are thrilled to give viewers a firsthand look the quality and performance that sets Norma Ammunition apart. This partnership not only aligns with our vision of making a positive impact in the outdoor and racing communities but also supports our goal of reaching new audiences and growing our brand presence in the USA. We’re excited to see the results of this collaboration and the continued success it brings to both Norma, Jeb Burton and Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport.”

Team Owner Jordan Anderson, echoes the excitement of a new partner joining the team

“Our entire team is honored to welcome Norma as a partner of Jeb Burton on the 27 car,” said team owner Jordan Anderson. “Their rich history and relentless dedication to meeting the needs of hunters worldwide will no doubt resonate well within the NASCAR community, and the many race fans across the country. Growing up in a family that spent plenty of time in the outdoors and knowing the importance of quality, I have a mutual passion for the great products that Norma offers. As Jeb hits the track this weekend to debut their new paint scheme going for the win, we’ll be saying to him as he prepares to race the Norma brand concept: Now it’s up to you.”

The partnership kicks off with an exciting race at the Phoenix Raceway (March 9). Norma will also be on the No. 27 Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport Chevrolet Camaro for the Atlanta Motor Speedway race on September 7th.

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito AutoSport is a NASCAR team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group President, John Bommarito. Established in 2017 the organization is fueled by an incredible, close-knit team of employees, fans, and sponsors with a focus on integrity in the pursuit of excellence. Our goal is to embrace the journey we’re on and to never give up – whether on the track, in the pits, or in life. Every single team partner, and fan of ours, is what keeps our race cars running strong and our team performing at the highest level.

Jesse Love and The No. 2 Whelen Team Bring Fast Chevrolet to Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Finish: 17th
Start: 15th
Points: 7th

“The Richard Childress Racing team brought another fast No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet to Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We knew the wind was going to be a factor today but my crew chief, Danny Stockman, and the No. 2 team had our Chevrolet’s balance good to start the race. For the first half, we ran in the top 12. The longer the race went green, the faster we were and I could pass cars on the bottom and the high line. I messed up on a couple of pit stops and had to restart in traffic. My car didn’t like that. I feel like we were in contention to win and small mistakes had really big consequences. I will go to work this week and get better on pit road. My team did a great job today and I feel like I let them down when it counted. Thanks to Whelen Engineering and everybody at RCR and ECR for giving me fast race cars to drive.” -Jesse Love

Austin Hill and The No. 21 Bennett Transportation and Logistics Chevrolet Team Maintain Points Lead With Top-Five Finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Finish: 4th
Start: 5th
Points: 1st

“It was a bit of an up and down day for our Bennett Transportation and Logistics team. We were able to run inside the top-five for most of the race. My pit crew gained spots all race and were excellent with getting me on and off pit road quickly. On the last green flag stop, the guys did a heck of a job again and I was able to get off pit road cleanly. We got up to second-place and just focused on clicking off laps to match what the No. 20 was doing. All of a sudden during that run, it was like a light switch flipped and I didn’t have a right rear to lean on. I was sliding the rear tires bad all the way through the corner, which forced me to slow down and lose a couple positions at the end. All in all, it was a solid day for our No. 21 team. To come home with a top-five finish and keep the points lead while not having a great car is big for our group. We are just going to keep building this momentum going forward.” -Austin Hill