Category: XFINITY Series PR

COLE CUSTER | RILEY HERBST
Chicago Street Race NASCAR Xfinity Series Advance
NASCAR Xfinity Series Overview

• Event: The Loop 121 (Round 16 of 33)
• Date: Saturday, July 1
• Location: Chicago Street Course
• Layout: 2.2-mile, 12-turn street course
• Time/TV/Radio: 5 p.m. EDT on USA/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Cole Custer Notes of Interest

• Cole Custer and the No. 00 Haas Automation team are ready to face the unknown as they head to Saturday’s inaugural The Loop 121 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on the Chicago Street Course. The playing field will be level as Custer and his fellow Xfinity Series competitors will be learning to navigate the 2.2-mile, 12-turn downtown street circuit. While he’s never raced on a street circuit before, Custer has enjoyed success turning left and right on purpose-built road courses. He’s earned 13 top-10s in his 18 Xfinity Series starts on road courses and he found his way to victory lane June 3 in the Portland 147 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway. He won by a .142-of-a-second margin over runner-up Justin Allgaier.
• A man on a mission: Custer has locked in his spot in the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs by virtue of his victory at Portland. With the stress of points racing behind him, he and his team are focused on going after more wins and the regular-season championship. Custer has been closing the gap on points leader John Hunter Nemechek in recent races. He heads to Chicago fourth in the standings, 51 points out of the lead. Custer is riding a string of nine consecutive top-10 finishes dating back to his fifth-place finish April 1 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.
• Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway was kind to Custer in the series’ most recent race last Saturday. The native of Ladera Ranch, California, appeared to be on his way to his second victory of the season after scoring his third pole of the season. He led 32 laps on the 1.33-mile, concrete oval and finished second in the opening two stages. In the final stage, he was racing for the lead with A.J. Allmendinger when pit strategy and late-race restarts dropped him back to ninth. He earned 18 bonus points due with his stage finishes, which will come in handy in his pursuit of the regular-season title.

Riley Herbst Notes of Interest

• Riley Herbst is trading in the bright lights of his hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada, for the electricity of downtown Chicago during this weekend’s The Loop 121 on the Chicago Street Course. The driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang will bank on his family roots of racing in the deserts of Mexico and the Southwestern United States in SCORE International Trophy Trucks while learning to navigate the city streets of Chicago. While the two types of racing are significantly different, both are full of unknowns, but Herbst showed his propensity to overcome the unknown when he piloted the Herbst Motorsports Trophy Truck to a third-place finish in last November’s Baja 1000. He’s looking for a similar result when he takes to the 2.2-mile, 12-turn Chicago Street Course this weekend.
• Herbst felt right at home at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway during last Saturday’s Tennessee Lottery 250. After posting top-three practice speeds Friday, Herbst went on to qualify fifth for Saturday’s main event. He ran in the top-10 for a majority of the race until a pit-road penalty put him at the back of the pack during the final stage. Undaunted, Herbst, working with new crew chief Davin Restivo for the first time, worked his way back into the top-10 by the time the race went to NASCAR overtime. He restarted second and held his ground as he finished in the runner-up position, 1.323 seconds behind race-winner A.J. Allmendinger.
• Prior to last week’s race at Nashville, Herbst spent the day with fellow Xfinity Series regular John Hunter Nemechek and Justin Allgaier in the “Windy City” to preview the street course and learn a little about Chicago. Photos and videos of the Monster Energy driver’s visit can be found HERE.

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

NASCAR is bringing a street course to the schedule for the first time, which puts everyone on a level playing field this weekend. How have you prepared for the Chicago Street Course?

“Honestly, it’s all sim sessions at this point. No one has raced this course before, so we really won’t know what to expect until we hit the track for practice on Saturday. The good news is that we’re all on an equal playing field. It’s such an unknown on the schedule, but I’m excited for the challenge. We’ve been fast all year, so hopefully that continues this weekend at Chicago.”

You’re coming off your ninth straight top-10 finish of the season. Do you feel like the No. 00 Haas Automation team has found its rhythm? What’s been the key factor?

“I think we’ve found the rhythm that we were missing in the beginning part of the session. We’re starting to hit our stride, and this top-10 streak and the Portland win show that. When we started the season, we were a brand new team, so we had to work on communication and figuring out what I needed in this No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang. I’m happy with where we are as a team at this point in the season. We’ve got our win to get us into the playoffs, so now we can just focus on getting our car faster so we can make that run for the championship.”

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

Chicago brings a new unknown to the 2023 season. What’s your outlook on the weekend, and how have you prepared for this race?

“First off, what a good city Chicago is for NASCAR’s first street race. It’s an old, iconic American city and I think we’re all excited to race there. This is definitely an unknown for all of us, though. I don’t think any of the fulltime Xfintiy Series drivers have experience on street courses, so we’ll have an equal playing field. I went up there last week with NASCAR to take a look at the circuit and it’s definitely a lot to take in. Luckily, we’ll have a full practice session on Saturday to try and get it figured out before we qualify and then go green on Saturday afternoon. I’m ready for the challenge.”

After several weeks of bad luck, it looks like you might be back on track to where you were during the first six races of the season with your second-place finish in Nashville. How does that boost your confidence, especially with the crew chief change and a good number of races to go in the regular season in leadup to the playoffs?

“It helps a lot, but you also have to remember that it’s a long season. I’m hoping that the bad luck is behind us, but I’m excited for what’s to come for the No. 98 Monster Energy team. We had a great first race with our new crew chief, Davin Restivo, and I think it’ll only get better as we continue to work on our communication. He promised fast racecars and that’s just what he brought to Nashville. I’m excited to work with him as we head into these summer races.”

JR MOTORSPORTS TEAM PREVIEW:
TRACK: Chicago Street Course
RACE: The Loop 121 (55 laps / 121 miles)
DATE: Saturday, July 1, 2023

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

Sam Mayer
No. 1 Huck’s Market Chevrolet

• Sam Mayer heads to the Chicago Street Course for the inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series street race after a strong third-place effort at Nashville Superspeedway last week.
• In 12 starts on road courses in the NXS, the Franklin, Wis. native has recorded two top-five and eight top-10 finishes with his best (third) coming at Portland International Raceway this season.
• Mayer is currently sitting eighth in the championship point standings, 156 markers behind the leader.

Josh Berry
No. 8 Tire Pros “Summer for Heroes” Chevrolet

• Josh Berry heads to the Chicago Street Course this weekend on the heels of a fifth-place finish last weekend at Nashville.
• Berry has been solid on road courses in his NXS career, earning three top-five and seven top-10 finishes in 10 starts. His best came last season at Road America with a third-place effort.
• This week, Berry is set to run a new Tire Pros scheme as they honor their partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Brandon Jones
No. 9 Menards/Little Hug Chevrolet

• Brandon Jones has made 34 career starts on road courses in the NXS and has recorded five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. His best finish of second came at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course in 2020.
• Jones has a victory on a road course in his career. The 26-year-old won at Watkins Glen International during an ARCA Menards Series race last season. He started second and led the most important lap – the last one – to claim the victory.
• Jones has made two career starts with Little Hug Fruit Barrels branding displayed on the hood and holds an average finish of 5.5 in those races.

Justin Allgaier
No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet

• It’s homecoming weekend for Justin Allgaier, as the Riverton, Ill. native returns home for the NXS event on the streets of Chicago. This weekend is also a homecoming for partner BRANDT, who is headquartered in Springfield, Ill. and crew chief Jim Pohlman, who hails from Oak Lawn, Ill.
• Allgaier has previously gone to Victory Lane twice in his homeland, taking the checkered flag at Chicagoland Speedway in 2011 and 2017.
• In his NXS career on road courses, Allgaier has scored three combined wins, 15 top fives and 29 top 10s in 47 starts.
• Miguel Paludo makes his return to JRM and the No. 88 for the second time this season.
• In Paludo’s first start in 2023, the native of Nova Prata, Brazil, came home with a 13th-place finish in the March NXS event at the Circuit of the Americas.
• In seven starts in the NXS for JRM, Paludo has scored a best finish of seventh, coming in 2021 at Daytona’s road course.
• As in his previous seven starts for JRM, BRANDT Professional Agriculture will be on board the No. 88 for the seven-time Porsche Carrera Cup Champion.

“I am really looking forward to trying something new this weekend with the Chicago Street Course. I think we will have some challenges but I am excited to see what this course brings. Super grateful for this No. 1 team and happy to have Huck’s back on the car this weekend. Hopefully we have the chance to get them in the winner’s circle.” – Sam Mayer

“This is going to be a really special weekend, especially with it being in the home state for myself and BRANDT. To come back to Chicago and race close to home is definitely going to be a great feeling. There’s a lot of unknowns heading into the race, but hopefully, we can keep all four corners clean on our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet and be in contention for the win when it counts.” – Justin Allgaier

“This will be an interesting weekend, to say the least. It’s a new course, the first street course I’ve ever run and the first for the Xfinity Series, and it’s in the middle of a huge city. It’s going to be wild, I think, with the way the course is laid out. Our plan is to survive and be there at the end when it counts.” – Josh Berry

“This is definitely going to be a very unique weekend. We have been working hard in the sim the last few weeks to make sure we are ready when we hit the track Saturday morning. Hopefully we can keep the car clean all race and be in contention for a good finish when it’s all said and done. This team deserves it.” – Brandon Jones

“I can’t wait to get back the wheel of this No. 88 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet for JRM. We had a really good car in our last race together at COTA, and I think that we will be even better this weekend in Chicago. Street courses are definitely unique, but I have all the confidence in my guys on this team. Hopefully we bring home a 1-2 BRANDT finish with teammate Justin Allgaier.” – Miguel Paludo

JRM Team Updates

• JRM in Chicago: Having never raced through the streets of the “Windy City,” JR Motorsports has competed just down the road at the nearby Chicagoland Speedway a combined 48 times in the NXS. In those 48 starts, the organization has tallied three wins, 12 top fives and 25 top 10s, while pacing the field for 264 laps. The most recent winner for JRM in Chicago is Justin Allgaier. He claimed the checkered during the 2017 season.
• Road Course Racing: JR Motorsports has competed on road courses a combined 194 times in the NXS, recording five wins, 49 top fives and 104 top 10s. The most recent win on a road course for the organization came with Kyle Larson at Watkins Glen International last season in the No. 88 Chevrolet.
• Benefitting the Gary Sinise Foundation: During the Summer for Heroes Giving Campaign, a company-wide initiative that supports American troops, veterans, first responders and their families through unique programs designed to make a difference in the lives of everyday heroes across the country, Tire Pros customers can donate an amount of their choice on the designated Gary Sinise Foundation donation page. Donate now!

DENVER, N.C. (June 28th, 2023) – CHK Racing is excited to officially announce a partnership with NASCAR Driver Dawson Cram and Nexus Auto Transport, to sponsor the No. 74 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 125 at the Chicago Street Course on July 1st. The partnership was developed in conjunction with The Magnifyde Agency.

“I am very excited to be a part of the inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series street race from Chicago and it is an honor to be bringing in a brand new sponsor, Nexus Auto Transport, for their first race. This unique event was created in part as a way to create new opportunities to attract new sponsors like Nexus Auto Transport, to the sport. I couldn’t think of a better partner to have for my first-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series road course race,” said Dawson Cram.

While Dawson Cram needs a dedicated, efficient team to take on the streets of Chicago, it’s the same thing at Nexus Auto Transport. The company offers car shipping for personal and commercial-use across the country to all 50 states.

Whether you’re a car dealer or a family of four, it doesn’t matter. Nexus Auto Transport goes the extra mile with their easy-to-use AI-boosted car shipping calculator, to get an instant quote. They pride themselves on having a five-star support staff around the clock with personalized service.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 125 at the Chicago Street Course will also be a home-race event for Nexus Auto Transport, with their company’s headquarters in Chicago.

Saturday’s race will also mark the debut for Dawson Cram on a road course in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The race will be Cram’s forth career-start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, after running over 30 races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

The Nexus Auto Transport No. 74 Chevrolet Camaro will take the track from Chicago, beginning this Saturday at 5pm ET on USA Network.

For more information on Nexus Auto Transport, visit https://nexusautotransport.com/.

ABOUT NEXUS AUTO TRANSPORT

Nexus Auto Transport is an industry-leader in auto-transport services. The company is based in Chicago, IL and has been in business for over seven years, with over 90,000 cars transported, a carrier network of over 59,000, as well as over 15,000 enclosed shipments. With operations in all 50 states, Nexus Auto Transport prides itself on being the most reliable car shipping company in the industry today.

ABOUT DAWSON CRAM

Dawson Cram is a rookie in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for CHK Racing. Cram started racing in Mini Dwarf race cars in his hometown of San Diego, CA. Prior to joining the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Cram’s racing experience included various starts in legends cars, Super Trucks and late models in the Whelen All-American Series, as well as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Cram comes from a family with deep roots in racing. His father Kevin Cram was the crew chief for driver Bill Elliott in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2000.

ABOUT THE MAGNIFYDE AGENCY

The Magnifyde Agency connects brands to exceptional marketing opportunities. After years of professional and personal experience, The Magnifyde Agency has not only found rapid success in growing brands through NASCAR’s demographics, but across a wide variety of marketing ventures.

Gaffney, SC- JD Motorsports is delighted to announce that Kyle Weatherman, will be proudly supported by Pure Kick as the primary sponsor for the upcoming race, The Loop 121 Chicago Street Course, scheduled to take place on July 1st. Pure Kick, known for its hydration and energy offerings, is the go-to solution for individuals striving to excel in all aspects of life, whether it’s conquering the turns on the racetrack or performing at their best in everyday endeavors. With its precise blend of caffeine, vitamins, and electrolytes, Pure Kick provides the necessary boost without the added sugar.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Kyle Weatherman racing on our home turf and provide his team with the kick in the glass they need to stay hydrated and secure the win,” stated a representative from Pure Kick, emphasizing their excitement about the partnership.

Weatherman, a seasoned competitor with an extensive background in the Xfinity Series, will showcase the Pure Kick branding as the primary sponsor on his No. 4 Chevrolet during the thrilling Chicago race. Known for his exceptional skills and dedication, Weatherman is poised to make a significant impact on the track, backed by the support of Pure Kick.

JD Motorsports invites fans, supporters, and race enthusiasts to join them in cheering on Kyle Weatherman as he races towards victory on July 1st. With Pure Kick as the primary sponsor, Weatherman’s No. 4 Chevrolet will represent the perfect blend of hydration, energy, and determination, setting the stage for an unforgettable performance.

Stay tuned for further updates and exciting developments as Kyle Weatherman, backed by Pure Kick and the entire JD Motorsports team, takes on the challenges of The Loop 121 Chicago Street race.

About JD Motorsports

Team owner Johnny Davis first began fielding a team in what is now the Xfinity Series in 1983 with Joe Henry Thurman as the driver. From 1983-1985, Davis and Thurman competed in 41 races and put the JD Motorsports name on the map. Although JDM has seen a sharp rise in on-track performance in the past few years, success is nothing new to this team. Years of good drivers and excellent runs have paved the way for what JDM is today. www.teamjdmotorsports.com

For all things JDM, follow along on our social media pages @JDMotorsports01. #TeamJDM #TeamJDMotorsports

24-Year-Old Racer is the Rare Driver Entered in The Loop 121 NASCAR Xfinity Series Race With Previous Street-Course Experience;
Chicago-Based Porter Pipe & Supply Backing Mosack at NASCAR’s Inaugural Chicago Street Race Weekend

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 27, 2023) – Connor Mosack is not clairvoyant, but the 24-year-old racecar driver already knows what to expect when NASCAR hits the streets of downtown Chicago July 1-2 for the inaugural Chicago Street Race Weekend.

Mosack is the rare driver with previous street-course experience who is entered in The Loop 121 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday.

“The one thing about a first-time venue is that it’s new for everybody, so everyone is on a pretty level playing field, but I do think that for once this year, I actually have a little bit of an edge because I’ve got some real-world, street-race experience,” said Mosack, an Xfinity Series rookie who will race for powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing in The Loop 121. “That’ll help me get up to speed a little faster, and maybe help me in qualifying, but I also expect everyone to adapt pretty quickly. It’s going to level out as the day goes on and everyone gets more laps.”

Mosack’s street-course experience came in two starts in the TA2 division of the Trans Am Series at the Music City Grand Prix in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. He started second and led nine laps before finishing third in the inaugural event in 2021. In his return to Nashville in 2022, Mosack qualified fourth and grabbed the lead on the opening lap. He proceeded to lead the 39-car field for 26 laps before finishing second.

“We put together two good weekends there in Nashville,” Mosack said. “We were fast in practice both years, we qualified well both years, and both years we led laps and I feel like I made good passes for the lead and didn’t really make any mistakes leading under green.

“The first year, I definitely cost myself the win on the last restart – I don’t think I had my brakes where they needed to be. And the following year, nothing really happened, I just feel like we kind of lost our speed toward the end and I might’ve been taking care of the brakes too much when we got out front.

“It’s just so hard to get everything perfect to where you need it, and it’s easy to make a mistake. That’s probably the biggest thing – staying out of trouble. If you can do that and keep your car clean, you’ll be in good shape to make some moves at the end of the race.”

That valuable, real-world knowledge is what Mosack brings to Chicago and the temporary 2.2-mile, 12-turn street circuit that will host NASCAR for the first time with Saturday’s Xfinity Series race.

“The biggest takeaway from those street-course races at Nashville was just getting comfortable running up close to the walls,” Mosack said. “Scott Lagasse, who I drove for in Trans Am, told me that if your car had sideview mirrors on it, you want to scrape it on the outside wall turning in, scrape the inside one at the apex, and then scrape the outside one on exit. It’s about getting comfortable with those last few inches against the wall.

“That’s where the track’s going to have the most grip late in the race, where there’s a little less rubber to slide on. It’s also going to give you the most radius at the corner and allow you to carry the most speed. But, obviously, the more risks you take, the more likely you are to catch the fence at some point. If you catch the outside here and there, it’s probably not going to hurt you too bad, but clipping the inside could definitely send you too hard into the outside wall.”

In addition to street cred, Mosack brings Chicago-based Porter Pipe & Supply to The Loop 121 where he will drive the No. 19 Porter Pipe & Supply Toyota GR Supra. Porter Pipe & Supply is a third-generation, family-owned and operated wholesale supplier of commercial and industrial pipe, valves, fittings, plumbing supplies, HVAC and refrigeration equipment and mechanical products.

“Ever since the Chicago Street Race was announced, we’ve been more than curious, and now that it’s here, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement with our customers and within our company,” said Nick Porter, CEO, Porter Pipe & Supply. “We’re proud Chicagoans and this event brings a tremendous amount of pride. It’s an incredibly unique way for us to take care of our customers in our hometown. Seeing the Porter Pipe & Supply car in a NASCAR race will be another milestone moment for our family-owned company.”

Mosack brokered the partnership with Porter Pipe & Supply, putting his degree in business entrepreneurship from High Point (N.C.) University to good use.

“I’m incredibly honored to partner with Porter Pipe & Supply for the Chicago Street Race. Our Toyota GR Supra looks great,” Mosack said. “I’ve gotten to know Nick Porter fairly well through this process and I’m looking forward to meeting all their people. We visit their headquarters on Thursday and they’ve got a lot of people coming to the track on Saturday and Sunday. They’re all pumped, just as we are. It’s going to be a great event and we aim to give ‘em something they can really cheer about.”

If it feels like Mosack works as fast as he drives, it’s because he does. The Charlotte, North Carolina-native is on a condensed schedule.

Mosack didn’t start racing until he was 18, bucking the trend of drivers who begin their careers at age four or five in go-karts. Instead, he enjoyed a well-rounded and worldly childhood. He played football and lacrosse in middle school and high school, and volunteered with the charitable organization Open Eyes on a mission trip to Rwanda and Uganda in 2017. It wasn’t until his senior year in high school that Mosack was introduced to Legend Cars. As soon as he sat behind the wheel, Mosack knew it was where he belonged. After winning five Legend Car championships, Mosack transitioned to Late Model stock cars in 2019.

Mosack ran the full CARS Late Model Stock Tour in 2020 and promptly won its rookie-of-the-year title. He then augmented his Late Model schedule that year with four Trans Am races before committing to the full TA2 schedule in 2021 and 2022. In those two seasons driving for TeamSLR, Mosack never finished outside of the top-four in the championship standings, scoring two wins and earning five poles.

“I learned a ton racing in Trans Am with TeamSLR, especially in terms of racecraft – when you can take advantage of opportunities and when you need to save yourself, and also just how to make better lap times,” Mosack said. “The learning curve was steep, but that made our success all the more rewarding.”

That success is ready to be rewarded again at Chicago, with a layout that includes Michigan Avenue and South Lake Shore Drive.

“NASCAR did a really good job with the layout, especially when you’re running by yourself. It’s a fun track to run laps on,” Mosack said. “The straightaways are wide, or at least not narrow, but some of the corners definitely narrow up and we’ll probably only be able to run single-file through there in the race. So, I think a couple of those corners will be tough.

“Turn four, that’s probably the fastest section of the track. It’s like a medium-speed corner, but it’s also pretty rough, so if you carry a little too much speed, you definitely can get to bouncing over the bumps and lose control of the front end and hit the wall on the outside pretty easily, and if that happens, it might block the track for the cars behind. I see that as probably the biggest trouble spot for somebody.

“And if someone’s making a pass on you in a few corners, I think you almost have to let them go. It’s going to be tough to race them through the corner with how narrow some of them are. Those are the places where people will probably get themselves in trouble.”

Even when there isn’t a NASCAR race, defensive driving in Chicago is a necessity. However, unlike regular city driving, Mosack and his Xfinity Series counterparts will also be on offense.

“I think the best passing opportunity is turn six, coming off the back straightaway,” Mosack said. “That’s probably your best chance just because it’s a longer straightaway. You get a good run out of the corner onto the straightaway, and then it’s a heavy braking zone. So if you’re able to outbrake somebody, that’ll be a good place to do it.

“It’s a really tight corner that you’re coming to, so if you get to someone’s inside, you’re almost forcing them to give you the spot. I don’t think they’re going to be able to race you and clear you on exit, unless they really trust you or you’re very careful.

“I think there, and maybe into turn one, that’s probably the next widest and longest true straightaway, but there are a lot of corners where if you’re right on someone’s bumper, you can just poke out, even if you get your nose only to their rear tire, they’re kind of forced to let you in.”

When to force the issue and when to just ride is perhaps the biggest balancing act in navigating Saturday’s 55-lap race.

“Patience will be very important. It’s important everywhere, especially on road courses in these cars, because if you miss one braking zone, all it takes is one corner where you drive in too deep, or get it wheel-hopping, and you end up in the wall. You’re either out of the race or you’ve lost all your track position,” Mosack said. “Anybody who can just be patient and maybe drive a little bit under the limit the whole race but still be fast, they’re the ones who are going to be in the best position at the end of the race.”

Sage advice from someone who knows.

Mosack hits the track for the first time on Saturday with practice at 10 a.m. CDT/11 a.m. EDT followed by qualifying at 11 a.m. CDT/12 p.m. EDT. The Loop 121 gets underway at 4 p.m. CDT/5 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by USA and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

GAFFNEY, SC – JD Motorsports proudly announced today their new partnership with Universal Beauty Products’ Van Der Hagen brand and its range of high-quality shaving tools and products designed to provide the perfect shave every time.

JD Motorsports and Universal Beauty Products are set to take on the first street course in NASCAR’s 75 year history in The Loop 121 in downtown Chicago on Saturday, July 1st.

Orange-and-white Van Der Hagen branding will adorn Brennan Poole’s No. 6 Chevrolet entry. In addition, the No. 6 Van Der Hagen Chevy will be a part of the action on NBC/USA Network’s nationally-televised broadcast, as the car will feature in-car camera technology.

The Chicago Street Course is a 2.140 mi street circuit built exclusively for this first-time race. The Xfinity Series will race on the course on July 1 and the NASCAR Cup Series will race on Sunday, July 2.

“I’m excited to be behind the wheel of the No. 6 Van Der Hagen Chevy for so many reasons,” said the 32-year-old Poole, who celebrated his 100th Xfinity Series start earlier this year. “First, Van Der Hagen produces a great product that can be found in major retailers across the country. Second, they are joining me in Chicago on NASCAR’s first ever street course race in their hometown – which is crazy in itself!”

“Lastly, we are being fitted with an in-car camera which will let race fans join me in the cockpit of the No. 6 Van Der Hagen Chevy on national television. Man, I cannot wait to get to Chicago.”

Van Der Hagen is equally excited to invite NASCAR fans to downtown Chicago.

“We are excited to partner with NASCAR and JD Motorsports as we continue to extend our reach and engagement with consumers, and show how we would like our brands to support the local communities, sports, and upcoming cultural events,” said Beatrice Calabrese, President, UBP.

“We are an entrepreneurial company supporting those transforming and rethinking sports. The Chicago street race is a unique opportunity for us to be a part of history as it is the first street race ever in the storied history of NASCAR, and to have it in our own hometown of Chicago will make it even more special.”

The Loop 121 at the Chicago Road Course is live on USA Network, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) on Saturday, July 1st at 5 p.m. EST.

About Universal Beauty Products

Universal Beauty Products (UBP) started with a visionary entrepreneurs’ desire to assist those who were enhancing their overall appearances, self-wellbeing, and overall beauty. Universal Beauty Products has been developing leading brands across multiple personal care categories. Among the male grooming brands, UBP has developed Van Der Hagen, a shaving brand offering high quality safety razor experiences along with pre- and post-shaving products. The brand has now become a leading safety razor brand.

About JD Motorsports

Team owner Johnny Davis first began fielding a team in what is now the Xfinity Series in 1983 with Joe Henry Thurman as the driver. From 1983-1985, Davis and Thurman competed in 41 races and put the JD Motorsports name on the map. Although JDM has seen a sharp rise in on-track performance in the past few years, success is nothing new to this team. Years of good drivers and excellent runs have paved the way for what JDM is today. www.teamjdmotorsports.com

About A.E. Engine

A.E. Engine is a full-service sports sales, marketing and content creation company. Founded in 2005 by sports publishing and marketing executives, A.E. Engine has earned a reputation for concepting, creating and delivering high-quality, premium content and programming for passionate fans. www.ae-engine.com

For all things JDM, follow along on our social media pages @JDMotorsports01. #TeamJDM #TeamJDMotorsports

Ryan Ellis and Alpha Prime Racing are proud to announce that AAGI will be a multi-race partner for the No.43 Chevy Camaro in the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

AAGI (American Auto Guardian, LLC), an Illinois-based company, will make its NASCAR sponsorship debut with a secondary sponsorship on the Gurtz Electric Chevy in the Chicago Street Race on July 1st, in “The Loop 121”. AAGI will also have an associate sponsorship on the Ellis’ Keen Parts / CorvetteParts.net Chevy at Road America for the Henry 180 on July 29th.

The new partnership culminates in August when AAGI will be Ellis’ primary sponsor at one of the biggest races of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season, the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, under the lights at legendary Daytona International Speedway.

AAGI is the industry leader in developing, marketing, and administering vehicle service contracts and other automotive protection products. Throughout the United States, AAGI offers superior products backed by long-term relationships with “A” rated insurers. Since 1997, AAGI has been committed to providing personal, responsive, and efficient support. In addition, AAGI has been selected as the administrator of choice by leading OEM captive finance companies. For additional product and company information, please visit aagi.com.

“Partnering with AAGI is a perfect fit for our fanbase and sport,” said Ryan Ellis, driver of the No.43 AAGI Chevy Camaro. “Honestly, I’d have a hard time picking three races where we’re more likely to need “insurance” than these races at Chicago, Road America, and Daytona. I think the carnage of these three races will really align well with their industry, and I hope when people think of vehicle servicing, they think AAGI!”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Ryan and the team at Alpha Prime Racing,” said Craig Robinson, Chief Executive Officer at AAGI. “Their family-owned, blue-collar roots align with AAGI’s origins and speak to our values, and we love that they’re a small team invested in doing big things in the industry and their community. AAGI is proud to support Ryan across these three races as he makes a run for the NASCAR Playoffs.”

TUNE-IN INFORMATION:

Chicago: The inaugural Chicago Street Course race will be broadcasted live on the USA Network beginning at 4:00 pm CST (5 pm ET) Saturday, July 1st. A full day of on-track action for the NASCAR Xfinity Series begins at 10 am CST (11 am ET) with a 50-minute practice for all entries. Qualifying follows at 11 am CST (12 pm ET). Radio coverage will be on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM.

ABOUT AAGI:

You get more from AAGI because we strive to constantly improve our products and processes for you. Our leadership team has a diverse background in the automotive, administrative, and insurance industries, our support team is committed to providing personalized, responsive service, and our integrity, accountability, and commitment to our partners have been recognized with an SSAE Certification. Everything we do is designed to shift your business into high gear. But the best measure of service isn’t how hard we work, it’s how much easier we make your work. After all, “We succeed only when you do.”®

ABOUT ALPHA PRIME RACING:

Alpha Prime Racing is a NASCAR Xfinity Series team co-owned by NASCAR driver Tommy Joe Martins and Alpha Prime Sports Founder and CEO Caesar Bacarella. The team was initially founded in 2009 under the name Martins Racing and has since grown into a three-car Chevrolet team, adding the No. 43 Chevrolet in 2023, primarily piloted by Ryan Ellis.

STEWART-HAAS RACING
NASCAR Xfinity Series: Tennessee Lottery 250

Date: June 24, 2023

Event: Tennessee Lottery 250 (Round 15 of 33)

Series: NASCAR Xfinity Series

Location: Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway (1.33-mile oval)

Format: 188 laps, broken into three stages (45 laps/45 laps/98 laps)

Note: Race extended eight laps past its scheduled 188-lap distance due to a green-white-checkered finish.

Race Winner: AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)

Stage 1 Winner: Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

Stage 2 Winner: Chandler Smith of Kaulig Racing (Chevrolet)

SHR Race Finish:

● Riley Herbst (Started 5th / Finished 2nd, completed 196 of 196 laps)

● Cole Custer (Started 1st / Finished 9th, completed 196 of 196 laps)

SHR Points:

● Cole Custer (4th with 534 points, 51 out of first)

● Riley Herbst (9th with 416 points, 169 out of first)

SHR Notes:

● Herbst earned his third top-five of the season and his second straight top-five in three career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Nashville.

● Herbst has never finished outside the top-10 at Nashville in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This is Herbst’s third straight top-10 at Nashville.

● This is Herbst’s best finish of the 2023 season. His previous best was a fourth-place finish March 11 at Phoenix Raceway.

● Herbst’s second-place finish bettered his previous best finish at Nashville – third, earned last year.

● Herbst finished seventh in Stage 1 to earn four bonus points and fifth in Stage 2 to earn six more bonus points.

● Custer earned his 10th top-10 of the season and his first top-10 in one career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Nashville.

● This was Custer’s ninth straight top-10. He finished fifth April 1 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, third April 15 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, fourth April 22 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, seventh April 29 at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway, third May 13 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, third May 29 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, won June 3 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway, and finish sixth June 10 at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway.

● Custer finished second in Stage 1 to earn nine bonus points and second in Stage 2 to earn nine more bonus points.

● Custer led four times for 32 laps – his first lap led at Nashville.

Race Notes:

● AJ Allmendinger won the Tennessee Lottery 250 to score his 17th career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, his second of the season and his first at Nashville. His margin over second-place Riley Herbst was 1.323 seconds.

● There were 11 caution periods for a total of 58 laps.

● Only 16 of the 38 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.

● John Hunter Nemechek leaves Nashville as the championship leader with a nine-point advantage over second-place Austin Hill.

Sound Bites:

“This was a great weekend for the No. 98 Monster Energy team, and it was a great way to start off this new part of the season with Davin Restivo, my new crew chief. I walked into the shop on Monday this week and that’s the first time I had officially met him. It’s going to take time to get our communication perfect, but he promised me fast racecars and he brought just that this weekend. I’m glad that I can get a great finish at a track that’s been good to me in the past. Excited for what’s to come.” – Riley Herbst, driver of the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang

“I’m super frustrated. I think we had a winning No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang today at Nashville. We worked hard to get our way up to second and try to get the lead, and it’s super frustrating to end like this. I hate that it took playoff points away from us. We had a really fast car. Jonathan Toney and the crew did a great job putting this car together. We’ll head to Chicago next week though and try to win.” – Cole Custer, driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford Mustang

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule is The Loop 121 on Saturday, July 1 at the Chicago Street Course in Chicago, Illinois. The race begins at 5 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by USA and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.