Press Release | NORTH WILKESBORO SPEEDWAY DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 23, 2024) – NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports today announced details for the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race to be held on Sunday, May 19, for the second consecutive year at the newly paved North Wilkesboro Speedway. While the simplified format will return this season – featuring two heat races to set the All-Star Race starting lineup, a 100-lap All-Star Open, and a 200-lap main event – several new features will debut including a tire strategy element, a new Qualifying / Pit Crew Challenge format and pitting requirements. The spotlight will be on the stars of the sport as they take on these new challenges at the historic .625-mile track in the annual exhibition event for the grand prize of $1 million. The signature new element in this season’s format centers around tire type and allotment. Potentially, three different tires will be utilized throughout the event weekend— a “prime tire” (the baseline tire assessed in last month’s Goodyear Tire Test at North Wilkesboro Speedway), an “option tire” (slick tires, but made with the same rubber as the wet weather tire, making it a softer tire with more grip and faster wear) and “wet weather” (the wet weather tire only used if the track is wet). The ‘Goodyear Eagle’ lettering will be yellow on the prime tires, red on the option tires, and white on the wet weather tires. The particulars on the tires: Teams will be allotted nine sets of tires for the event weekend. For practice, qualifying, the heat races, and the Open, teams will be allotted three sets of prime tires and two sets of option tires. For the All-Star Race, teams will have two sets each of primes and options. All four tires on the car must be of the same type at all times. Only the prime tire will be used during both qualifying sessions. For practice, the heat races, and the NASCAR All-Star Open, teams will have the option to start on any type of tire. All teams will start on the option tire for the All-Star Race. “After a successful return to North Wilkesboro Speedway last season, we are thrilled to bring the action back to one of NASCAR’s most iconic and storied tracks,” said John Probst, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer. “The spotlight will certainly be on the crew chiefs and drivers as they plan their tire strategy for this special race. In testing, the softer tires were significantly faster — but wore much quicker. Goodyear has been an incredible partner in this All-Star element, and it will be fascinating to watch how crew chiefs and drivers manage this unique challenge.” The NASCAR All-Star Race will be 200 laps with two All-Star cautions at lap 100, and lap 150. At the lap 100 break, teams must perform a four-tire pit stop, using any tire of their choosing. All laps (caution and green flag) will count, and NASCAR Overtime rules will be in effect. Sunday’s All-Star Open will give drivers who are not guaranteed a spot in the main event a chance to race their way into the All-Star Race. The 100-lap Open will have an All-Star caution at Lap 50, at which time teams must perform a four-tire pit stop. At the end, three Open drivers will advance to the All-Star Race – the top two race finishers and the Fan Vote Winner. NASCAR All-Star Race Fan Voting is now open on NASCAR.com/fanvote. “This format will challenge drivers, crew chiefs and pit crews from Friday through Sunday, and strategy will play a huge part in who takes home the $1 million prize,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “The All-Star Race has always been a place for innovation, from its very creation in 1985 to racing under the lights, unique paint schemes and double-file restarts. Now we have an old-school, short track format developed by Dale Jr. plus a new twist on tires courtesy of NASCAR and Goodyear. Kevin Harvick gave great input on stepping up the impact of qualifying. Throw it all together at North Wilkesboro and we’ve got something special for the 40th running of the NASCAR All-Star Race.” All-Star weekend festivities will begin Friday evening with the All-Star Open qualifying and All-Star qualifying / Pit Crew Challenge. While last season’s qualifying was based solely on the results of the Pit Crew Challenge, this season combines the traditional qualifying effort with the Pit Crew Challenge element. Drivers will take the green flag, run one full lap at speed, and on the second lap proceed to one of two NASCAR designated pit stalls for a four-tire stop with mock fuel delivery. When the pit stop is complete, the cars will exit pit road and race back to the checkered flag. The qualifying time will be the total elapsed time from green flag to checkered flag, and the pole sitter will start on the pole for Heat Race 1 and the All-Star. The pit crew with the fastest stop during the All-Star qualifying attempt (no penalties) is the winner of the Pit Crew Challenge. Timing lines are established one box behind and one box ahead of the NASCAR designated pit stop boxes. Pit Crew Challenge results will determine pit picking order. Saturday night will feature two 60-lap heat races that will determine the starting lineup for the All-Star Race among drivers already locked into the field. There will be an All-Star caution at lap 30 of each heat race; teams must perform a four-tire pit stop. The results of Heat 1 will establish the inside row, and the results of Heat 2 will establish the outside row. The action-packed weekend will conclude Sunday night with the All-Star Open and All-Star Race. “The emphasis on tire strategy and returning to an old-school qualifying approach are both great moves to give the entire weekend more impact,” said Harvick, who will call his first NASCAR All-Star Race for FOX Sports. “Being able to walk away from qualifying with both a Pit Crew Challenge champion and a locked-in pole winner elevates the event for both the fans and the teams.” Drivers eligible for the NASCAR All-Star Race include those who’ve won a points event in either 2023 or 2024, drivers who’ve won a NASCAR All-Star Race and compete fulltime, and drivers who’ve won a NASCAR Cup Series championship and compete fulltime. Drivers who have already clinched an All-Star Race spot include: AJ Allmendinger, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Michael McDowell, Tyler Reddick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suárez, Martin Truex Jr., and Shane van Gisbergen. The NASCAR All-Star Race will air live on FS1, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with coverage beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 19.NASCAR All-Star Race Week ticket packages as well as single day tickets for all May 14 – 19 events are on sale now. Tuesday and Wednesday feature the zMAX CARS Tour with The Reverend 100 Pro Late Model race Tuesday night and the Window World 125 Late Model Stock race Wednesday evening.  All-Star Friday presented by Raymer Oil includes NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice sessions, the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear and a Neal McCoy concert. Saturday features NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series qualifying and the Wright Brand 250 race, Trackside Live with Kenny Wallace, John Roberts and Jose Castillo plus two NASCAR Cup Series All-Star heat races. Sunday’s schedule includes pre-race concerts by Warren Zeiders and Tim Dugger, the NASCAR All-Star Open and the NASCAR All-Star Race. Tickets can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com. Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding NASCAR All-Star week and North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on Twitter and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan.

Press Release | LEGACY MOTOR CLUB STATESVILLE, N.C. (April 23, 2024) – Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 Dollar Tree Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™, will not compete in this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Dover Motor Speedway. LEGACY M.C.’s reserve driver Corey Heim will substitute for Jones in this weekend’s 400-mile race. Jones was involved in a multi-car accident on Lap 157 during Sunday afternoon’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway and the 27-year-old was checked and released from the track infield care center. He was then transported to UAB University Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., for further evaluation and testing. Jones returned home to North Carolina on Sunday night and met with specialists in the Charlotte area where it was determined that Jones suffered a compression fracture in a lower vertebra. Although there has been no timeline set for Jones’s return behind the wheel, he will be in attendance in Dover to help call the race with his crew. Heim, 21, a native of Marietta, Ga., currently competes in the NASCAR Truck Series for TRICON Garage and in the Xfinity Series for Sam Hunt Racing. “Erik’s long-term health is our number one priority,” said Jimmie Johnson, co-owner of LEGACY M.C. “It will be great to see him at the track Sunday and we intend to give him the time it takes to recover properly. I know Corey will do a great job behind the wheel for the CLUB. In the meantime, our thoughts are with Erik and his wife Holly - they have our total support.” LEGACY M.C. will request a medical waiver for Jones to remain eligible for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

Press Release | SPIRE MOTORSPORTS MOORESVILLE, N.C. (April 23, 2024) – Connor Mosack has been given the nod to join Spire Motorsports’ all-star lineup and handle the driving chores in select NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) races, beginning with the May 4 Heart of America 200 at Kansas Speedway. Pinnacle Racing Group will be represented on the hood of Mosack’s No. 7 Silverado at the mile-and-a-half Kansas City (Kan.) oval, while Chevrolet Accessories will be showcased on his truck’s upper quarter panels. The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation will appear on the lower-rear quarter panels. In addition to the Heart of America 200, Mosack will also pilot to the No. 7 Silverado later this summer at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24 and Pocono Raceway on July 12. He’ll be back in the seat during the NCTS playoffs when the division returns to Kanas Speedway September 27 and again at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 26. “I’m really excited to run these handful of races with Spire this year,” said Mosack. “The 7 team has been really strong and the tracks we’re going to are some of my favorites. Thank you to Spire, Chevrolet, and PRG for giving me the opportunity.” Over the first seven races of the 2024 NCTS campaign, Spire Motorsports No. 7 team has earned one pole, two wins, five top fives and led 268 laps with four different drivers including Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Connor Zilisch and Sammy Smith. Mosack, 25, is an accomplished and versatile racer who began his career in 2017 in the US Legends Cars ranks and has since made multiple starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NCTS and ARCA Menards Series. In 2023, Mosack competed in select ARCA Menards Series events and put the competition on notice with a 3.5 average finish over six races, including a win last September at Kansas Speedway. He is a veteran of 24 Xfinity Series races with his best results coming at Watkins Glen International (fifth) and Portland (Ore.) International Raceway (eighth). He finished 19th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in his lone NCTS start of 2024 and logged a solid fourth-place finish in ARCA Menards Series competition a week later at Phoenix Raceway. In additional to his time on the national stage, Mosack has experience racing in the Trans Am TA2 division, on the CARS Tour, and in the Pro and Super Late Model ranks. “Connor Mosack has proven he has the chops to compete at this level, so we’re eager to see him take the wheel of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado,” said Spire Motorsports president Doug Duchardt. “Connor has put in the work and has excelled at practically every level. He’s a versatile racer and a proven winner. We think he’s a great addition to our driver lineup.” The Heart of America 200 from Kansas Speedway will be televised live on FS1 Saturday, May 4 beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The eighth of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Each week here on Racing Refresh we take a look back to the week that was in racing on X. Let's get started! 10. While the jury could still be out on MJ as a team owner long-term, his investment in the sport is a wonderful thing when it comes to getting mainstream attention. 9. It wasn't the 500. But, an awesome must-see shot nonetheless. 8. Seriously, what is happening with these? 7. Could we see an updated version for Kyle Larson? 6. Big league answer. 5. The fact that Ford hasn't won yet is baffling. Dega has been their playground for a long time. Ford can't be happy. 4. Say what you will about Matty D but, he's impressed in his Xfinity return. 3. Humanitarian. 2. This puts into perspective just how tough a challenge SVG is facing. 1. I'm not going to begin to speculate on what this could mean if this change take place. We're going to have to keep our eye on this.

Press Release | WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY Madison, Illinois (April 23, 2024) – World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) has partnered with BAM (Brand Activation Maximizer) to complement their growing internal marketing efforts. The partnership will focus on creating sponsorship value at the raceway and business development for years to come. Along with BAM, WWTR plans to continue its commitment of being a primary destination for sponsors to optimize value and ensure their brands are seen by the most loyal fans in all of sports. BAM is a marketing and activation agency owned and operated by long-time NASCAR team founders, Tad and Jodi Geshchickter. The relationship between Tad and WWTR president, Curtis Francois dates back many, many years so the partnership was inevitable. With years of experience in vertical opportunities with sponsors such as the Kroger Racing program that prove to be successful, sustained relationships for decades, Tad looks to bring his creative thinking to WWTR with the strength of the team behind him at BAM to bring his vision to life. “We’ve always taken pride in the value that we can bring to our sponsorship partners,” said Tad Geschickter, president of BAM. “The focus for Jodi and I over the years has been focusing those sponsorship efforts on our race team, but now through BAM and this partnership with Curtis and WWTR, we have the chance to expand and bring other partners into the world of motorsports and ensure they get the ROI they need in order to continue for many years to come.” WWTR is the only racetrack in the world to host three national racing series – NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA Drag Racing. Having three powerhouse motorsports visit the facility means opportunities for sponsors to showcase their brands in front of countless diverse demographics of fans during the season. From team partnerships to unique midway and hospitality options, WWTR knows the partnership with BAM can leverage opportunities for the track to become a primary destination for national and international organizations. “WWTR is a unique facility located right in the heart of the U.S.,” said Curtis Francois. “And we know that between the motorsports events that we host and the other opportunities such as concerts and festivals that take place here, that we can be one of the most diverse and appealing destinations for brands to spend their marketing dollars. Teaming up with BAM and the Geschickters is such an incredible opportunity as I know their track record of not only obtaining sponsors but keeping them long term through their incredible activation and marketing capabilities.” The NASCAR race weekend at WWTR will take place June 1 and 2 followed by INDYCAR’s visit August 16 and 17. The NHRA Drag Racing Series will bring its nitro power to WWTR from September 27 to 29, 2024.

Press Release | NASCAR, ALUMNI NETWORK DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 18, 2024) — NASCAR today announced the launch of the NASCAR Alumni Network, a program that will help the sport – and its fans – stay connected with former competitors. The program is open to past NASCAR competitors with a focus on those that competed in more than 100 races in their careers. Members of the NASCAR Alumni Network will have the chance to engage with current and past industry members through exclusive networking opportunities, including an annual at-track reunion. Amber Wells, a 25-year veteran of NASCAR who manages the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the company, has been named executive director of the NASCAR Alumni Network. “The relationships built in NASCAR are very special,” Wells said. “We’ve seen tremendous fellowship in the connections rekindled through the NASCAR Hall of Fame and we want to extend that to all past competitors. Our hope is that this program will not just connect members with us, but also with former teammates and competitors.” The inaugural NASCAR Alumni Network reunion will be held at Darlington Raceway during the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, May 12. The public appearance schedule of those in attendance will be announced at a later date. Former drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, team members and other industry competitors are invited to apply to join the NASCAR Alumni Network at www.nascar.com/alumninetwork. The program launch coincides with “NASCAR Legends Presented by Geico,” a four-week campaign that centers on telling stories of notable traditions and prominent pieces of NASCAR history. The campaign begins this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway and continues for four weeks, culminating at the NASCAR throwback race weekend at Darlington Raceway May 10-12. Fans can visit www.nascar.com/legends for more information.

Press Release | NASCAR, LIQUID DEATH DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – (Apr. 19, 2024) – Liquid Death, the healthy beverage platform and one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic brands, is now officially a NASCAR® partner. The brand will be on-site this weekend in Talladega to jumpstart the partnership with an interactive display featuring the “Thirst Hearse” and offering samples of select iced tea flavors to fans. As part of a wide-ranging, multi-year agreement that makes Liquid Death the Official Iced Tea of NASCAR, fans will see Liquid Death iced teas at select NASCAR-owned racetracks, including social and digital content, on-site experiences, activations, and more. “Liquid Death is a healthy beverage brand that not only produces high-quality iced tea, but also looks to bring death to plastic bottles by using humor and entertainment,” said Jeff Wohlschlaeger, NASCAR senior vice president and chief sales officer. “With so many synergies between our companies, this partnership is a perfect fit. We’re thrilled to have them on board.” Iced tea, one of the company’s newest product lines, saw tremendous growth throughout 2023. Shortly after the line’s launch, Liquid Death’s iced tea now holds the #1 best seller position in the RTD tea beverage category on Amazon as defined by total retail sales. The brand’s line of low calorie, low sugar iced teas contain B vitamins and a microdose of caffeine and comes in five flavors: Green Guillotine, Slaughter Berry, Grim Leafer, Rest in Peach and Dead Billionaire. All cases of iced tea also include limited edition art on the bottom of each case. "This is our first official iced tea sponsorship, and NASCAR is the ideal home for it," said Ryan Heuser, Liquid Death's senior vice president of experiential marketing. "We're thrilled to be bringing our infinitely recyclable, ice-cold cans of Liquid Death to the extremely passionate NASCAR fanbase. We'll be carried at select NASCAR tracks, campgrounds and tailgates across the U.S. and can't wait to kick off our partnership at the iconic Talladega Superspeedway." Liquid Death uses comedy and entertainment to promote both sustainability and healthy products. Liquid Death’s social following captures more than 8 million followers across TikTok and Instagram, making it the third most followed beverage brand globally. A portion of proceeds goes to nonprofits as part of their partnership with 5Gyres and the Thirst Project. The NASCAR season continues this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway when the NASCAR Cup Series hits the track for the GEICO 500 on Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m. ET. All the action will air live on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.

By Adam Carabine

Press Release | TRACKHOUSE RACING FORT LIBERTY, N.C. (April 17, 2024) – In advance of the 65th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend, Charlotte Motor Speedway launched its 2024 Mission 600 campaign Wednesday, visiting the 82nd Airborne at Fort Liberty, with Coca-Cola Racing Family driver Daniel Suárez and his Trackhouse Racing crew chief Matt Swiderski. Now in its seventh year, Mission 600 pairs NASCAR drivers with regional military bases in an effort to educate the NASCAR community about the day-to-day lives of the men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and to build meaningful connections between the worlds of motorsports and the military. “We are so thankful for these guys; if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have the freedoms that we are able to enjoy,” said Suárez. “To be able to spend some time here and be able to learn about what they do, how they do it, their specialties, the guns, everything, it’s mind-blowing. “The guns, to shoot, all that stuff is cool. But the coolest part is to get to know them. Like, who are these individuals? What do they do on a weekly basis? How did they got to this point? Obviously, I have so much respect for them. Some of them have been here for 29 years. That’s half a lifetime. It’s quite impressive, and I have learned a lot from these men and women today.” As part of Mission 600, Suárez and Swiderski, alongside Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter, spent the day learning about the equipment and training that members of the 82nd Airborne receive. The trio toured Fort Liberty in Infantry Squad Vehicles and fired an M119A3 Howitzer, a 105mm weapon that uses a six-man team – much like a NASCAR pit crew – to aim and fire. The group also dined with service members in Fort Liberty’s Warrior Restaurant and participated in live-fire exercises with an M4 Carbine. The exercises, designed to simulate shooting in combat environments, are aimed at testing a soldier’s ability to calm themselves after rigorous activity. “It’s amazing (shooting a Howitzer). You don’t really know what to expect when you pull the handle, probably one of the coolest experiences I’ve had,” Swiderski said. “You try to appreciate what all these people do and the families behind these people. You come out here and actually get to meet them and see their personalities, it’s really impressive what they put on the line and how hard they work to protect our families.” Fort Liberty is the largest military installation by population in the U.S., providing the infrastructure and training that enables a ready, capable force to fight and win the nation’s wars. The 82nd Airborne Division is America's immediate response force - ready to deploy and answer the nation's call in 18 hours. At Charlotte Motor Speedway, Memorial Day Weekend provides the opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. With the support of the U.S. Department of Defense, the patriotic Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show includes representation from all six major branches of the military. “The Sunday before Memorial Day is the greatest day in racing, but we also want to be sure that we set the right tone and timber – that we’re on the eve of Memorial Day, which is a very solemn holiday for us as Americans,” Walter said. “We actually pause the race halfway for a moment of remembrance. The fact that we have the 600 Miles of Remembrance, where the name of a fallen service man or woman is on the windshield. We have Gold Star Families there and we love on them. Our fans appreciate the words of service, and duty and sacrifice. It sets the right tone, and our fans appreciate that.”

By Matt Marr Pole-sitter Kyle Larson led Ty Gibbs and the rest of the field to the green flag. As green flag pit stops took place, on lap 38 a fire near Ty Gibbs’ pit stall delayed his scheduled stop, costing him the lead. The caution came out at lap 50 for Jimmie Johnson spinning off of Turn 4 - this was Johnson’s first start since the Daytona 500. Larson led the final 25 laps of Stage One to take the win on lap 80. The third caution of the day came out as Christopher Bell went around in Turn Four and in a chain reaction collected Alex Bowman and John Hunter Nemechek. Initially believing it to be a tire going flat, Kyle Larson lost a wheel during a caution on lap 173.  Larson was held for a two-lap penalty, and further crew member suspensions will take place. After Josh Berry spun and hit the wall for the second time of the race bringing out another caution, Ross Chastain and Michael McDowell led the field to the restart on lap 142. Chastain hung on to win Stage Two. Harrison Burton stole the lead from Bubba Wallace after the restart as another caution waved for Wallace and Chase Briscoe spinning in Turn Three on lap 173. Chase Elliott took the lead going three wide off the restart with 33 laps to go over Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin. Hamlin spun and crashed with 2 laps to go after fighting Elliott for the lead. On the ensuing overtime restart, William Byron got into the back of Chastain bringing out the caution.  However, the white flag had already been thrown, thus guaranteeing the victory for Chase Elliott and snapping his 42-race winless streak. Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Top 5: 1. Chase Elliott 2. William Byron 3. Brad Keselowski 4. Tyler Reddick 5. Daniel Suarez