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Press Release | JR MOTORSPORTS MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 31, 2024) – Carolina Carports, an industry innovator in the manufacturing and installation of quality residential and commercial steel buildings, will join JR Motorsports as a primary partner for Sam Mayer and the No. 1 team in three NASCAR Xfinity Series events in 2024. Mayer will drive the No. 1 Carolina Carports Chevrolet in the season opener at Daytona International Speedway (Feb. 17), Texas Motor Speedway (April 13) and Bristol Motor Speedway (Sept. 20). The brand will be featured as an associate partner in the remaining 30 races. Headquartered in Dobson, N.C., Carolina Carports’ customer-first and quality-commitment approach has made them a leader in the steel-buildings industry. Family-owned and operated since 1997, Carolina Carports offers a wide selection of steel buildings, metal carports, garages and barns for personal or commercial use, all of which include American manufacturing, installation and customer support. The company’s footprint has expanded to seven divisions covering North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Missouri, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Indiana. “Carolina Carports is a family business much like our own,” said JR Motorsports CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller. “Meeting Adela (Herrera) and her team, it’s clear she has built her company on quality and excellence, and that makes Carolina Carports a great fit for Sam and the No. 1 team.” Mayer, a 20-year-old native of Franklin, Wis., enters 2024 on the heels of a career-best season with four wins and a third-place finish in the NXS championship. “Carolina Carport is pleased to announce our new partnership with the JRM team,” said Herrera, Carolina Carports owner and CEO. “With over 25 years leading in the metal building industry, we've consistently provided top-quality materials throughout our seven division locations. Teaming up with one of the great names in racing is a testament to our commitment to excellence. We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will bring to both industries.” Broadcast coverage for the United Rentals 300 at Daytona begins at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 17, on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Press Release | TRACKHOUSE RACING NORTH BETHESDA, Md., – Choice Privileges, the award-winning rewards program of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), announced a sponsorship with Trackhouse Racing for the 2024 NASCAR Cup series season. As part of the continued reinvigoration of the program, Choice Privileges is offering exclusive VIP passes, grandstand tickets, merchandise and more for races throughout the season. Choice Privileges is increasingly strengthening rewards and opportunities for members following the successful college football, basketball, baseball and hockey experiences previously offered. “We know our Choice Privileges members seek out experiences, valuing experiences over things, which is why we are expanding Choice Privileges Experiences to include all 38 races in the 2024 NASCAR Cup series season,” said Julie Purser, vice president, loyalty strategy and membership rewards, Choice Hotels International. “Our members are intentional about staying at Choice hotels to earn valuable Choice Privileges points, and then redeem them for unique experiences. Choice Privileges is offering these unique experiences at places where our guests want to be, and that’s around these racetracks during the next few months.” Throughout the season Choice Privileges is offering exclusive redeemable experiences for members. The new experiences will include: access to the Trackhouse garage and pit road prior to the race; a tour of the garage and pit road; meet and greet with the pit crew and driver, Daniel Suarez; and pre-race hospitality with food and drink. As a season-long sponsor, in addition to Choice Privileges experiences being offered at all 38 races, Choice Privileges will be displayed as the primary paint scheme, branded fire suits and race team t-shirts at the following races: Sunday May 5, 2024 – Kansas Speedway Sunday June 2, 2024 – Worldwide Technology Raceway (St. Louis) Sunday August 11, 2024 – Richmond Raceway Sunday October 13, 2024 – Charlotte Motor Speedway (Roval) “Partners like Choice Hotels are the type of partners you want to have,” said Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing Founder and Owner. “They are a highly successful, recognizable, international company. Their decision to join us at Trackhouse is not only extremely gratifying but a badge of honor for the men and women of this company. We think the exciting programs they have planned in 2024 are going to appeal to Trackhouse fans and fans of our sport.” Choice Privileges members can earn points by staying at over 7,000 Choice-branded hotels across a diverse portfolio of brands in 46 countries and territories. Members can also earn points by using one of two new co-branded credit cards where cardholders can earn on everyday purchases including gas, groceries, and home goods. Choice’s family of brands range from upper upscale and upscale, full service, boutique and resort-like hotels Radisson Blu, Radisson, Cambria Hotels and the Ascend Hotel Collection, to midscale, economy and Extended Stay hotels including Country Inn & Suites, Comfort, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Everhome and Mainstay Suites. For more information or to enroll in Choice Privileges, visit www.choicehotels.com/choice-privileges.

(Photo Source: Twitter.com/RFKracing) Press Release | RFK RACING CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 31, 2024) – FARO®, the global leader in 3D measurement, imaging and realization solutions has joined eight-time NASCAR champions RFK Racing as part of the RFK TeK Alliance to create the FARO technology center. The Center will feature FARO’s best in class 3D metrology hardware and software to support all of RFK’s competitive efforts. With the introduction of the NASCAR Next Gen car, metrology has resulted in a more advanced, competitive environment across the NASCAR industry. As a result, each part demands to be inspected at a higher level of accuracy and precision, which will drive the most detailed analysis of parts to date. This understanding of parts will lead to improved performance, and strict adherence to NASCAR regulations, an emphasis now more than ever. Beyond that, the enhancement of part measurements feeds other critical processes within RFK, such as multi-body vehicle simulation, PLM history, and optimization of completed vehicle assemblies per race track. “In this day and age of NASCAR, the finest level of details in every facet makes the difference in our team’s ability to compete for and win races and championships,” said Kevin Kidd, Director of Software and Analytics for RFK Racing. “The creation of the FARO technology center will provide our team access to world-class tools and software to build the top level of cars in the sport, and drive efficiencies within the organization. Our partnership with FARO is a perfect fit to allow our company to excel as the premier ‘Tech’ team in the sport.” RFK will use various equipment within the FARO technology center, including the FARO Quantum S Max FaroArm®, Vantage E6 Max Laser Tracker, CAM2® Software, and RevEng™ Software. The Quantum S Max FaroArm, along with its lineup of Laser Line Probes (LLPs), will enable RFK to perform precision inspections and generate 3D scans for individual parts and fully-assembled vehicle bodies. The Vantage E6 Max Laser Tracker will be used for overall quality control of larger parts, including chassis, large body panels and floor components, and will be the primary tool used in vehicle setup prior to events. Pairing the two hardware’s capabilities also enables the team to use multiple Quantum Max FaroArms for quality inspections in record time when necessary. CAM2 Software serves as the backbone for these products. RFK will now reap the benefit of all measurement and inspection data residing in one software stack. The ease of use within this software will allow RFK’s quality inspection engineers to gain more insight at a more rapid pace than ever before. RevEng Software’s ability to transition 3D scans into CAD models in record time will enable RFK to quickly reverse engineer needed parts. RFK’s next step in the process with FARO includes a variety of exciting products that are in the pipeline, including capabilities the team currently doesn’t utilize, all of which will affect and determine RFK’s success in the future. “We are thrilled to partner with RFK in their quest for racing excellence,” commented Jeff Sexton, Senior Vice President of Global Sales for FARO. “Our innovation and metrology mastery aligns well with the RFK vision. We look forward to creating a symbiotic alliance where every measurement counts, and every fraction of a second matters on the track. We will work together to achieve success on and off the track.”

(Photo Source: Twitter.com/JoeGibbsRacing ) Press Release | JOE GIBBS RACING HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 31, 2024) – Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that Mavis Tires & Brakes will be featured as the primary sponsor of Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE for eight NASCAR Cup Series races in 2024.   Based in Millwood, N.Y., Mavis is a tire and service provider in the United States with more than 2,000 service centers. The Mavis brand includes Mavis Discount Tire, Mavis Tires & Brakes, Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, Brakes Plus, Tuffy Tire and Auto Service Centers, and Town Fair Tire. In addition to its expansive selection of tires from more than 20 major brands, Mavis offers a menu of services including oil changes, brakes, alignments, suspension repair, shocks/struts, and battery replacement.   “We are thrilled to team up with Joe Gibbs Racing and Denny Hamlin again this year for what promises to be an exciting 2024 racing season,” said David Sorbaro, Mavis co-CEO. “This union with NASCAR continues to be a perfect fit.”   “Mavis was founded on value, excellent customer service and family,” said Stephen Sorbaro, Mavis co-CEO. “This partnership continues to complement our dedication to the automotive industry and our connection to communities and neighborhoods around the country. We look forward to another great season with our customers and the Mavis family cheering on the No. 11 team.”   Last season, Mavis joined Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team for eight races, including the Chesterfield, Va. native’s 50th career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Pocono Raceway in July. That agreement and the extension were brokered by JGR partner agency, C10 Media, which owns ANC, the leading sports and entertainment display technology and multimedia advertising firm.   The Mavis Toyota Camry XSE will make its 2024 debut at Phoenix Raceway on March 10. Hamlin will also race the Mavis colors at Bristol Motor Speedway (March 17), Richmond Raceway (March 31), Dover Motor Speedway (April 28), Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 26), Pocono Raceway (July 14), Atlanta Motor Speedway (September 8), and Homestead-Miami Speedway (October 27).   “Our partnership with Mavis has been great for both sides,” said Hamlin. “Last season, we had a ton of success in the Mavis colors. It is always exciting to bring new partners into the sport and to be able to deliver on their investment. I’m looking forward to what we can do together this year.”

Press Release | ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY HAMPTON, Ga.  (Jan. 31, 2024) – Coca-Cola Racing Family driver Chase Elliott and Atlanta Motor Speedway are starting race month in Atlanta with a massive fan event at the World of Coca-Cola.   Before NASCAR’s stars hit the high banks at AMS during the Ambetter Health 400 weekend Feb. 23-25, fans will be able to quench their thirst for racing fun during the speedway’s race month kick-off at the World of Coca-Cola on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The event, hosted by the World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta, will be free to the public.   Attendees will enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities and entertainment from Coca-Cola and AMS. Racing simulators, tailgate games, and photo opportunities with the Ambetter Health 400 trophy and pace car that racing enthusiasts will love are just a few of the attractions that will be available free of charge during the event.   The highlight of the day’s events will be a fan Q&A with NASCAR champion and Georgia native Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports. NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver will field questions from fans just 18 days before he chases a second victory at his home track.   The race month kickoff event will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, and continue until 2 p.m. During this time, guests will be invited to enjoy the event’s activities on the greenspace at the World of Coca-Cola.   Tickets and camping accommodations for the Feb. 23-25 Ambetter Health 400 weekend are available now, including the Chase Elliott Ticket Package. For $75 this bundle includes a grandstand ticket to the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday, Feb. 25; an exclusive fan Q&A with Elliott on race weekend; and a donation in your name to the Chase Elliott Foundation. Fans can learn more at www.AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com .

Press Release | LA COLISEUM LOS ANGELES (Jan. 30, 2023)  – NASCAR announced today that renowned guitarist Nita Strauss will perform the National Anthem prior to the 2024 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, Feb. 4.   “Nita Strauss can excite a crowd like no other,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “Her mastery on the guitar will invigorate everyone in attendance, and we’re thrilled to have her play to our fans before the Busch Light Clash.”   The Los Angeles born guitarist has become a force to be reckoned with, dazzling over a million audience members per year around the world. Fans may recognize Nita as the touring guitarist for rock legend Alice Cooper and superstar Demi Lovato, the official guitarist of the Los Angeles Rams, as well as her successful career as a solo artist. She has played multiple sports events including NASCAR Races and WWE Pay Per Views, most notably her critically acclaimed performance at WrestleMania 34 in 2018.   Nita is currently on tour supporting her newest solo album The Call of the Void , which debuted as the #1 Top New Artist album on the Billboard chart, #1 on the iTunes Rock chart, and #4 on the overall iTunes chart, behind only Taylor Swift.   With the album’s first single, “Dead Inside” feat. David Draiman of Disturbed, Nita became the first female solo artist to have a #1 single at rock radio in 32 years. The album also features guest appearances from Alice Cooper, Lzzy Hale, Alissa White-Gluz, Dorothy, Chris Motionless and guitar legend Marty Friedman.   On Sunday, Feb. 4, racing begins on the Coliseum’s temporary, quarter-mile asphalt track at 1:30 p.m. with the NASCAR Mexico Series’ King Taco LA Batalla en El Coliseo followed by the NASCAR Cup Series’ Busch Light Clash at 5 p.m.   The third-annual Busch Light Clash is the NASCAR Cup Series’ season-opening exhibition featuring the sport’s top stars. NASCAR on FOX will once again carry the broadcast for the Busch Light Clash while the NASCAR Mexico Series Race will be on FS1, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports 3 in Mexico, and available pan regionally on Claro Sports and the D Motors channel on DirecTV.   A single ticket purchased is good for both races, and fans are encouraged to get their tickets now while supplies last by visiting  www.nascarclash.com .

By Adam Carabine & Logan Morris This year, in preparation for the 2024 NASCAR season, we present our Team Previews Series. Each day until the end of January, a new Team Preview will be live on our website. Check back every day to see what we have to say about your favourite team! Adam Carabine: Alright Logan, we’ve made it to the end of our Team Previews Series here at Racing Refresh.  It’s actually been a lot of fun! The best team this year (and many other years, too) was Hendrick Motorsports, and that’s despite a tumultuous season of injuries for two of their drivers.  First up, Logan, does Hendrick remain at the very top this upcoming season? Logan Morris: This has been a lot of fun for sure! I don’t believe HMS remains the top dog this season. For the first time in a long time there seems to be a layer of uncertainty at the mothership that is Hendrick Motorsports. Chase Elliott remains the undisputed face of the sport, but is he still top dog within his own team? I’m not so sure. He went winless, in a year that featured an injury and a suspension. Alex Bowman’s position feels uncertain as well as we head into 2024. AC: I agree with you, it does feel like a transitory time for Hendrick.  I’m not sure I understand Chase Elliott as the face of the sport, though I don’t think you’re wrong. I think there are much more captivating characters out there.  I do wonder, if Elliott’s winless streak continues, will the fanbase turn on him? He’s in some of the best equipment in the field.  Each HMS driver should be banking on multi-win seasons.  We don’t know how big of a factor his injury recovery was, so that could play a role, but it feels like an important year for Elliott to right the ship. And yeah, what IS up with Alex Bowman? He’s been the quietest on HMS for a while now. Do they renew him when his contract is up in 2026? LM: At this juncture, I would say no. To be fair to Bowman I’m sure the jury is still very much out on that, so much will change between now and 2026. However, as we get further away from the days of Dale Jr being around to “protect” Bowman for lack of a better term, Bowman’s future will come down to his results and in 2023 they simply weren’t there. Unlike Chase, he doesn’t have a devoted fan base to fall back on. I’m sure there are plenty of Bowman fans, don’t get me wrong, but I’d be surprised if they are loud enough to sustain mediocre results. AC: You’re not wrong.  Bowman will want to start getting that 48 back in victory lane.  Quickly.  On a brighter note, Kyle Larson appears to be making a case to be the most talented driver in the Cup Series, possibly passing Kyle Busch? He’s certainly the busiest.  Do you think he’ll be the top performer of Hendrick Motorsports in ‘24? LM: I don’t. I think Larson may be a little too busy, actually. I think his demanding schedule and outside interests will negatively impact him somewhat in 2024. I think the top driver for Hendrick this season will be the man in the big hats, William Byron.  I think he wins at least three times this season, likely more. AC: I definitely think it comes down to the two of them. My money is going to be on Larson, but you may be right.  Heaven forbid he sustains some sort of injury in one of the million other racing series he partakes in.  Byron proved to be a steady hand this past season and if he can keep that momentum going, he’ll be a shoe-in for the Championship 4. One last question, do you think Chevrolet being the only manufacturer to not update their body for the upcoming season will be a disadvantage? Does that have Hendrick taking a step back with Chevy as a whole? LM: I do. If you’re standing still in this sport, you’re falling behind. I think Toyota and Ford close the gap this season. The two wild cards to start the season are wide open for anyone, beyond that I expect Chevy to have a somewhat “cool” start to the season once we move to the traditional ovals. AC: Interesting stuff indeed.  Thanks Logan for a great run of Team Previews.  I’m looking forward to getting back behind the microphone with you as our live podcast - Racing Refresh Happy Hour - returns soon!

Press Release | RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING WELCOME, N.C. (January 29, 2024) – Richard Childress Racing and BetMGM, a leading sports betting and iGaming operator, today announced a partnership extension. BetMGM continues as the Official Sports Betting Operator of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), a 16-time NASCAR championship-winning organization. BetMGM will partner with the iconic NASCAR team for a variety of marketing and activation assets, including primary sponsorship for select races on the No. 3 BetMGM Chevrolet driven by Austin Dillon and the No. 8 BetMGM Chevrolet driven by Kyle Busch in the NASCAR Cup Series. BetMGM is also an Authorized NASCAR Gaming Partner. BetMGM’s partnership extension with RCR sees the rubber hit the road at the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18. The partnership extension comes in advance of the arrival of legalized sports betting in North Carolina. Customers can pre-register on BetMGM.com on March 1 ahead of the full state launch on March 11. “Richard Childress Racing is an iconic name in motorsports, and it aligns with BetMGM’s goal to partner with best-in-class organizations,” said BetMGM’s Chief Revenue Officer Matt Prevost. “North Carolina is home to some of the most passionate motorsports fans in the world and BetMGM’s extended partnership with RCR will surely hit another gear with the start of legalized sports betting in North Carolina,” said BetMGM’s Chief Revenue Officer Matt Prevost. Torrey Galida, president of RCR, said, “Since our partnership first began in 2021, BetMGM has done an excellent job building on their partnership with Richard Childress Racing through fun, unique activations geared toward engaging race fans and sports bettors. We look forward to building on the success of our innovative partnership.” As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM's mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to count on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM's already existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience. For more information on BetMGM, follow @BetMGM on X (formerly Twitter). For more information on RCR, visit rcrracing.com.

Press Release | KAULIG RACING Lexington, N.C. (Jan. 29, 2024) – Kaulig Racing announces that Josh Williams will run the No. 16 Alloy Employer Services Camaro ZL1 in select NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) races during the 2024 season, beginning with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 4. Williams, who is set to compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) with Kaulig Racing, made three NCS starts in 2022 with B.J. McLeod Motorsports. He finished on the lead lap twice and finished an average of 10 spots higher than where he started each race. “Getting another opportunity in the Cup Series is humbling, especially with a team like Kaulig Racing,” Williams said. “I’ve been spending time in the sim with Team Chevy, and that’s been a huge help in getting comfortable and acclimated to the L.A. Coliseum. Short track racing is my background, and it doesn’t get much shorter than at The Clash. I’m ready for the challenge.” Although Williams is in his first few months of working with Kaulig Racing, he has had a significant impact on the team and its leadership. “Josh has impressed us at Kaulig Racing with how quickly he’s gotten up to speed in sim testing, so we knew we needed to work together to get him in the No. 16 Cup car in Los Angeles,” team president Chris Rice said. “Alloy Employer Services’ enthusiasm to get involved with our Cup and Xfinity programs has made it easy to give this the green light, and we’re hopeful that there will be a handful of Cup starts with Josh, Alloy Employer Services, and Kaulig Racing this season.” In addition to the Clash, Williams will pilot the No. 16 Alloy Employer Services Camaro ZL1 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the Ambetter Health 400 on Feb. 25 with additional NCS starts announced at a later date. “We are excited to embark on this new chapter of racing with Josh Williams as he starts this season with Kaulig Racing,” said Alloy Employer Services CMO Chris Estey. “Josh has been a big part of Alloy over the last four seasons, and we can already tell that Kaulig Racing will be a big part of Josh. To say we are excited to see what's next is an understatement! Alloy and our partners can't wait to experience the Clash at the Coliseum this Sunday. We're anticipating great things this season, and from everything we’ve heard recently, fans are just as excited as we are to see what unfolds in 2024.” Williams will attempt to qualify for the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum through his heat race on Saturday, Feb. 3. He will compete in the No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevy Camaro for the NXS Championship in 2024, starting with the season opener at Daytona International Speedway on February 17.

Press Release | BUSCH LIGHT CLASH AT THE COLISEUM LOS ANGELES  (Jan. 29, 2023)  – NASCAR announced today that Mexican professional boxer and current super middleweight undisputed champion of the world Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 4.   “Canelo is synonymous with strength, victory and triumph,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “He’s a fan favorite in Los Angeles and Mexico, and we’re honored to have him give the command to start engines for the Busch Light Clash.”   Born in Guadalajara, Mexico as the youngest of eight siblings, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez grew up in a family of fighters where he utilized boxing as a method to take out his frustrations on those who teased him for his appearance. As a result, he found his way to the renowned Julian Magdaleno Gym, where the father-and-son training team of Chepo and Eddy Reynoso quickly took notice and nicknamed him, “Canelo,” the Spanish word for “Cinnamon.” Canelo thus began his amateur career at the age of 13 where he would go 44-2 (12KOs) and earn Junior Mexican National Champion honors. And after only two years, he was led to turn pro as they could no longer find amateur opponents to face him.   Since then, Canelo has turned his passion into one of the most successful fighting careers of all-time. With a professional record of 60-2-2 (39KOs), Canelo has won titles in four different divisions, including light heavyweight, middleweight, junior middleweight, and the first and only boxer in history to become undisputed champion at super middleweight. He has faced an array of formidable opponents, including boxing legends such as Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, Amir Khan, Miguel Cotto, and Daniel Jacobs. Known for his versatility, tactical skills, exceptional punching power, and high fight IQ, Canelo has become the blueprint for boxing excellence.   On Sunday, Feb. 4, racing begins on the Coliseum’s temporary, quarter-mile asphalt track at 1:30 p.m. with the NASCAR Mexico Series’ King Taco LA Batalla en El Coliseo followed by the NASCAR Cup Series’ Busch Light Clash at 5 p.m.   The third-annual Busch Light Clash is the NASCAR Cup Series’ season-opening exhibition featuring the sport’s top stars. NASCAR on FOX will once again carry the broadcast for the Busch Light Clash while the NASCAR Mexico Series Race will be on FS1, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports 3 in Mexico, and available pan regionally on Claro Sports and the D Motors channel on DirecTV.   A single ticket purchased is good for both races, and fans are encouraged to get their tickets now while supplies last by visiting  www.nascarclash.com .

By Adam Carabine & Logan Morris This year, in preparation for the 2024 NASCAR season, we present our Team Previews Series. Each day until the end of January, a new Team Preview will be live on our website. Check back every day to see what we have to say about your favourite team! Adam Carabine: It’s the penultimate Team Preview, Logan! Today we’re examining one of the major powerhouses of the NASCAR Cup Series, Joe Gibbs Racing.  I think there’s plenty to be excited about when it comes to this team this year.  Hamlin is a regular contender, Truex had a great regular season and will look to back that up with a better playoff run this year, Bell has shown himself to be a bonafide playoff performer, and Ty Gibbs will hope to build on an impressive rookie campaign.  Who piques your interest first, Logan? Logan Morris: Ty Gibbs! He just barely missed the playoffs last seasons and I feel like he’s poised for a multi-win breakout season in 2024. AC: Ty Gibbs really did impress last season. His Rookie of the Year award wound up not meaning much, since his only competition was Noah Gragson who left LMC halfway through the year.  But he finished in 18th place overall, that is nothing to scoff at.  I agree with you that we’ll see him get his first Cup Series win this season.  I’m not sure I’m ready to go multi-win just yet, but I’m also willing to be proven wrong. Who is this year’s top performer at JGR? LM: Christopher Bell. He’s really shown himself to be a championship contender in recent years and I think 2024 is the year we officially call him the face of the team, as far as on-track performance is concerned. Denny will remain a hot topic off the track, but he and Martin Truex Jr. aren’t getting younger. This feels like it could very well be a passing of the torch season at JGR. AC: I’m inclined to agree with you, though my Truex fandom makes that hard to say out loud.  I’ll just type it instead. I think because Bell still looks so young, we forget that this will be his 5th Cup Series season.  That almost makes him a veteran at this point! I think he continues to build on his successes and we’ll see him win multiple times this year.  What about Denny Hamlin, has the window closed for him? I know we see this question every year, and while I’m sure he’s sick of it, I do believe the question is warranted. Will he ever catch that elusive championship? LM: Has the window closed, and will he ever get a championship are two different answers in my estimation. I don’t think the window is closed. I think it’s open for another season or two. However, given this format and his inability to close the deal thus far in his career, I will never bet on him winning the championship. I just don’t see it. AC: I appreciate what he’s doing for the sport with his podcast, but I also wonder if it’s serving as a distraction for him. I started to wonder near the end of last season if he was racing a bit differently, almost as though he was looking for ways to create content on the podcast, rather than going for the wins.  I could be wrong, but I also think the podcast is good for the sport.  Who’s the worst finisher on JGR this year? LM: Denny does feel like he might be trying to play a wrestling heel at various moments. Who will bring up the rear at JGR in 2024? Well, usually when it’s an even year Martin Truex Jr takes a step back for whatever reason, so I think he’ll be the lowest finishing driver at JGR in what I predict will be his final full-time season. AC: Interesting! I think my money is still on Ty Gibbs being the back of the JGR crew, but that’s more a comment on the consistency of the team as a whole, rather than an indictment of Ty Gibbs.  They’ll be an interesting group to keep an eye on this season. Stay tuned for our final instalment of the Team Previews Series - Hendrick Motorsports is up tomorrow to finish up January!

By Adam Carabine & Logan Morris This year, in preparation for the 2024 NASCAR season, we present our Team Previews Series. Each day until the end of January, a new Team Preview will be live on our website. Check back every day to see what we have to say about your favourite team! Adam Carabine:  It’s time to take a look at Team Penske as part of our Team Previews Series.  Despite having Ryan Blaney as the 2023 Champion, we still rank Team Penske in the third position, still behind the two powerhouses of Joe Gibbs and Hendrick.  Firstly, Logan, is there any chance at all we see a three-peat from Team Penske in ‘24?  Can they get another championship under their belt? Logan Morris: They say all good things come to an end, and I believe their championship streak of sorts will stop at two. For what it’s worth, I think their best chance of scoring the three-peat comes in the form of Joey Logano, and not Ryan Blaney. Logano had a lackluster season by his lofty standards in 2023, and will be looking to bounce back. AC: You may be right, but I was impressed with Ryan Blaney last year. He has been a fairly consistent guy on Team Penske for a while now, but there was something different last season.  He found an extra gear in the playoffs that we haven’t ever seen from him before.  He knew how to turn it up when it counted, and that’s what got him his first career championship.  Logano, for some reason, is always better in even years, so I do think he’ll be better this season.  He’s always a contender for the Cup championship, so everyone else better watch out.  What do we make of Austin Cindric? He’s clearly the distant third on this team. LM: There’s something to be said for getting hot at the right time, especially in this current championship format and credit to the 12 team for doing just that. AC: I’m going to cut you off for a second here - it’s not just getting hot at the right time, but also being able to do something with that.  There’s getting hot, but there’s also capitalizing on your chances, and that’s what Blaney did.  Okay, sorry, continue! LM: You’re not wrong, but to a lot of folks his championship may have controversy surrounding it. If we’re talking about the best driver being the most deserving of the championship. To be clear, that’s not taking away anything from Blaney. He’s our defending champion, and he earned that. However, those types of topics are a discussion among the NASCAR faithful. AC: You’re not wrong, there will be arguments in all of the comments sections for years to come about the playoff format.  You’ll never make everyone happy. I think Blaney can be our champion, and still not have had the ‘best year,’ and I’m okay with that.  Everyone knows the rules of winning the championship at the beginning of the year, and it’s up to them to navigate that as they see fit.  There’s a reason Team Penske is still listed third in our power rankings here.  Okay, I got you sidetracked - talk to me about Cindric. LM: I think it’s a pivotal year for Cindric. The days of letting a driver struggle as they develop are almost entirely a thing of the past. He of course did win the 2022 Daytona 500 as a rookie, but beyond that there haven’t been many stellar performances. I think he needs to find victory lane at least once in 2024 or his seat could get fairly warm depending on the prospect outlook in the lower series, and silly season 2024. AC: I don’t necessarily want to pull out this card, but I do think having Austin Cindric’s dad be the president of Team Penske helps him a little.  But you’re not wrong.  If the seat isn’t hot already, it’s about to get there pretty quickly.  Yes, it’s amazing to have that Daytona 500 win on your resume, but he’s got to start producing.  To make matters worse for Cindric, his teammates are out winning championships.  There isn’t necessarily an equipment problem here, it looks like it may be driver-related.  Which, in a way, is wild, because he was a really great Xfinity driver.  I wonder if he needs the John Hunter Nemechek treatment of returning down to the lower series for a confidence booster. LM: I think it just takes some drivers a while to adjust and find their rhythm. Especially when your teammates are a future Hall Of Famer and the defending champion. Erik Jones has talked a lot about how he thinks being at a smaller team is a better fit for him. Maybe Cindric is the same? You do make a good point about the family ties. But, at the end of the day, it’s “The Captain’s” Ship, so to speak, and he holds his team to a high standard. AC: Agreed.  I think it’ll be a fascinating year for Austin Cindric fans - and that could be a good or a bad thing. Stay tuned to our Team Previews Series, where tomorrow we take a look at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Cover Photo Credit: (Twitter.com/@racing_porshe)

By Adam Carabine & Logan Morris This year, in preparation for the 2024 NASCAR season, we present our Team Previews Series. Each day until the end of January, a new Team Preview will be live on our website. Check back every day to see what we have to say about your favourite team! Adam Carabine: We’re back to it once again, my friend.  Logan, let’s dive in on RFK Racing - dare I say 2023’s most improved team? Let’s start there, to what do we chalk up this success? Logan Morris: I think they took advantage of people like Penske and SHR taking steps back. You also have to give credit to Brad Keselowski, we were all skeptics when he left Penske. But, it’s clear his leadership has injected some much-needed life into the program. I think a lot of credit has to go to him, and the team he’s brought along. AC: It’s funny, in a way, that Keselowski gets all of the credit, and yet Buescher is the one who stacked up a surprising three wins last season! But honestly, I do have to agree.  It’s clear that the culture that BK has brought along with him is starting to pay off.  The fact that we’re even ranking RFK ahead of Stewart-Haas is huge - if you’d predicted that when Keselowski switched over, you’d have been laughed out of town.  All of this to say, though, let’s make sure we give Buescher his flowers too.  Three wins is nothing to scoff at, while Brad is still looking to get off the schneid. LM: Agreed. I’m not cutting the man from Prosper, TX out of his flowers. He deserves tons of credit, but the equipment change usually comes from the top. AC: Keselowski is currently riding the second-highest winless streak in the Cup Series (and does Justin Haley really even count?).  It’s been 98 races since he last won.  Is this the year that Keselowski finds his way back to victory lane - and if not, is that a disappointment on the season? LM: Absolutely it would be a disappointment. However, fear not RFK fans. Brad K will get that ever elusive win this season. You could feel the momentum shifting his way at various points in 2023, I think he gets it done at least once this season. Look for him to win on a superspeedway this season. AC: It would be neat to see him win the Daytona 500 just to start the year off with a bang. In some of our previous Team Previews we’ve kind of picked which driver we think will do the best… is this the most competitive team as far as that’s concerned?  Who do you have finishing higher in the standings?  (I don’t feel like there’s a really strong case to be made either way, to be honest.) LM: I’ll go with Brad K. I’m expecting big things from him this season. He’ll be an extremely consistent performer. AC: You see, I think Chris Buescher builds on the momentum of last year and continues to grow.  I think Brad K definitely gets a win in ‘24, but I think it’ll be another multi-win year for Buescher. Stay tuned to our Team Previews Series tomorrow, as we visit the reigning champions - Team Penske!