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Press Release | ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY HAMPTON, Ga. (July 3, 2023) – NASCAR Hall of Famer and legendary team owner Richard Childress will give the command to fire engines for Sunday night’s Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart. Childress will utter the most famous words in motorsports from inside the cockpit of the No. 29 car Kevin Harvick drove to victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2001. “To be the Grand Marshal for Atlanta, one of my favorite racetracks as a driver and a car owner, is an honor,” said Childress. His team Richard Childress Racing has scored 15 victories at AMS across NASCAR’s three national touring series, including nine at the NASCAR Cup Series level. With Sunday night’s race starting with an RCR car leading the field during pace laps, Childress hopes the race will end the same way after 400 miles of close-quarters racing. “We’ve had some good runs there (since the reconfiguration). We’ve won with Austin Hill (in the Xfinity Series) but now we need to win a Cup race,” said Childress. To visit victory lane, RCR’s drivers will need to out-duel NASCAR’s best on Atlanta Motor Speedway’s challenging high banks, with superspeedway racing that will see drivers race just inches apart under the lights. With just eight races left before NASCAR’s playoffs, sparks will fly as a hungry field of drivers chases victory. For more information on the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart weekend or to purchase tickets, fans can visit AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com or call 877-9-AMS-TIX.

Press Release | CHICAGO STREET RACE CHICAGO, Ill. (June 27, 2023) – Today, NASCAR announced that it has partnered with Mobil 1™, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand, as the exclusive motor oil of the Chicago Street Race, which is set to take place on July 1 and 2 in Grant Park. As a part of the partnership, Mobil 1 will serve as the presenting sponsor of the Mobil 1 Concert Stage in Lower Hutchinson Field, which will host local fan-favorites including The JC Brooks Band as well as international headliners The Black Crowes and The Chainsmokers on Saturday, July 1, and performances by American and Country superstars Charley Crockett and Miranda Lambert on Sunday, July 2. This exciting announcement further highlights Mobil 1’s commitment to NASCAR and celebrates its 20-year partnership with the sport. “The Chicago Street Race Weekend represents the best of both sports and music in a one-of-a-kind festival atmosphere, and we are proud to partner with Mobil 1 to bring this unique combination to life,” said Julie Giese, Chicago Street Race President. “Mobil 1 has been a key partner in NASCAR for two decades, and we are thrilled to have them aboard for this historic event in Chicago.” On Saturday, July 1, the Mobil 1 Concert Stage will host a special performance by The Chainsmokers, which will include a once-in-a-lifetime introduction of all NASCAR Cup Series drivers competing the inaugural Chicago Street Race prior to their set. In addition to their sponsorship of the main concert stage, Mobil 1 will also be named the Official Motor Oil of the Chicago Street Race. To further celebrate their love of driving with the NASCAR community, Mobil 1 partnered with former international motorsports champion Jenson Button to bring the superstar to the Chicago Street Race, and will feature a Mobil 1 show car in Lower Hutchinson Field throughout the weekend. “We are proud to deepen our ongoing commitment to NASCAR and create remarkable and memorable moments with consumers and fans at the Mobil 1 Concert Stage throughout the Chicago Street Race weekend,” explained R yan Allen , Brand & Partnerships Manager of North America, on behalf of Mobil 1 . “This event will be a feather in the cap of NASCAR’s 75th Anniversary Season, and we could not think of a better fit for our involvement as we believe music helps improve every experience – a holiday weekend, a NASCAR race, or a long drive. We are thrilled to help bring these local and global artists to race fans and heighten our passion for the sport while connecting and engaging with the community.” Since 2003, Mobil 1 has been the Official Motor Oil of NASCAR. Additionally, Mobil 1 has a long-standing partnership with Stewart-Haas Racing – one of the most prominent teams in NASCAR – as well as drivers Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick. To learn more about Mobil 1 and share in the love of driving, please follow along on social media via @mobil1racing. Chicago Street Race As part of NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season, the first-ever Chicago Street Race Weekend will feature the NASCAR Cup Series’ Grant Park 220 and NASCAR Xfinity Series’ The Loop 121 competing on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile street course, along with full-length concerts by The Chainsmokers and Miranda Lambert with the support of The Black Crowes and Charley Crockett over Fourth of July Weekend on July 1-2. General admission and reserved tickets are on sale for the Chicago Street Race. Two-day general admission tickets start at $269 and reserved tickets that offer an array of opportunities including reserved seating and a wide variety of premium experiences start at $465. To purchase tickets, fans can log onto NASCARChicago.com or call 1-888-629-7223. The Grant Park 220 will be nationally broadcast on NBC on Sunday, July 2 at 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT and The Loop 121 will be broadcast nationally on USA Network at 5:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. CT. To stay up to date with the Chicago Street Race, fans can subscribe to receive exclusive Chicago Street Race emails, follow @NASCARChicago on Twitter and Facebook and download the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest real-time updates on all aspects of the event.

(Photo Source: Twitter.com/JoeGibbsRacing) Press Release | JOE GIBBS RACING CHICAGO, Il., June 27, 2023 – Stanley Black & Decker’s (NYSE: SWK) iconic CRAFTSMAN® brand has once again teamed up with the Ace Hardware Foundation and Joe Gibbs Racing to host the 17th year of its Racing for a Miracle program, supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals). As part of the partnership, CRAFTSMAN® has pledged to donate $1 million to CMN Hospitals through the Ace Hardware Foundation if Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell wins NASCAR’s inaugural Chicago Street Race on July 2, 2023. Over the past 17 years, Stanley Black & Decker and its brands have donated more than $1.7M in support of the Racing for a Miracle program alongside the Ace Hardware Foundation to fund critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services at CMN Hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada. To celebrate this year’s Racing for a Miracle program, CRAFTSMAN will donate $100,000 to the Ace Hardware Foundation in support of Children’s Miracle Network during a press conference at Ace Hardware’s Corporate Headquarters in Chicago on June 29. If the CRAFTSMAN No. 20 Driver, Christopher Bell, wins in Chicago on July 2, CRAFTSMAN will increase its donation to $1 million. “We’re so appreciative of the longtime partnership with Stanley Black & Decker and the Ace Hardware Foundation to change kids’ health,” said Teri Nestel, President and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Children’s hospitals rely on donations to provide vital medical care, research, and support to countless children and their families. Racing for a Miracle not only brings awareness to our common cause but makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.” Honorary Junior Crew Members Celebrated as “Stars of the Race” In celebration of the Racing for a Miracle program, nine children from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago will serve as honorary junior crew members for this year’s race alongside NASCAR driver Christopher Bell. During the June 29 press conference at Ace Hardware’s headquarters, junior crew members will help Bell unveil his car’s “Stars of the Race” paint scheme, adorned with unique artwork created by the nine talented young patients. Each star depicted on the car represents a proud moment in each junior crew members life where they felt like a star. “It’s really special to be a part of the Racing for a Miracle program with CRAFTSMAN and Ace, together they’ve raised a lot of money over the years for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and hopefully we can add a million dollars to that total with a win at Chicago,” said Bell. “Our No. 20 Toyota Camry TRD looks awesome for the inaugural Chicago Street Race and I am pumped to have lucky stars riding on board with me. I hope I can bring home a win for our ‘Stars of the Race’.” Additional press conference attendees will include CRAFTSMAN® brand ambassador, TV host and auto-enthusiast Cristy Lee, and Ace Hardware’s resident home expert and TV personality Lou Manfredini. “Racing for a Miracle has always been about the kids, and we are proud to have the opportunity to bring smiles to their faces and support CMN Hospitals through this partnership with the Ace Hardware Foundation and Joe Gibbs Racing,” said Tony Merritt, Vice President of Sponsorships for Stanley Black & Decker. “We are excited to see Christopher Bell and the Stars of the Race car in action and look forward to the positive impact this program will have on children and families across the country.”

Press Release | LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Dublin, Ohio (June 26, 2023) – To drive home that the Wendy’s® Baconator® is first place worthy, Wendy’s is once again teaming up with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and NASCAR driver Noah Gragson to bring home the bacon at the first-ever NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend. Gragson’s No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro will be transformed into the boldest and beefiest car on the track – nicknamed the “The Baconator” after the fan-favorite and iconic Wendy’s Baconator. Paying homage to Wendy’s signature half-pound of fresh beef**, American cheese, and crispy Applewood smoked bacon, fans can expect bacon, bacon and more bacon zooming around the first-of-its-kind track and throughout the city from July 1 - 2. “At the Daytona 500 I drove ‘The BEEF,’ at Talladega I was behind the wheel of ‘The BIGGIE,’ and I can’t wait to rep ‘The Baconator’ this weekend as my team and I try to bring home the bacon...literally,” said Gragson. “I’ve had so much fun with Wendy’s this year, from starting a little beef at Daytona, to going biggie at Talladega, and I can’t wait to continue to show up for fans in Chicago this weekend.” To kick off the first-ever NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend, Wendy’s is inviting fans to two official meet & greets with Noah Gragson at Chicago-area Wendy’s restaurants! This is NASCAR fans’ chance to meet the man behind “The Baconator” wheel, grab an autograph and enjoy swag and sweet surprises ahead of the big race. Meet & Greets with Noah Gragson: First Pit Stop: WHERE: Wendy’s, 7200 W 25th Street, North Riverside, Illinois, 60546 WHEN: Friday, June 30 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. CT Second Pit Stop WHERE: Wendy’s, 2312 North Ashland, Chicago, Illinois, 60614 WHEN: Friday, June 30 from 12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. CT “A race as iconic as the first-ever Chicago Street Race deserves an iconic showing, and as a brand that knows a thing or two about Bacon Cheeseburgers, we know bacon makes everything better,” said Carl Loredo, Global Chief Marketing Officer for The Wendy's Company. “Together with our friends at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and Noah Gragson, we’ll give NASCAR fans and the city of Chicago a taste of the best with the ‘The Baconator.’ Look out for No. 42 and you’ll see a best-in-class driver, repping best-in-class bacon.” For fans watching the action from home, Wendy’s is teaming up with DoorDash to bring the Baconator straight to your door! (To be clear – the hamburger, not the car, but wouldn’t that be cool?!) From July 1 through July 3, all DoorDash customers can enjoy a FREE Breakfast Baconator® or Baconator with any purchase worth $20 or more on DoorDash.* Place your order on DoorDash and leave the driving to the pros! Want even more bacon? Say less. At Wendy’s, we’re always Baconating – from the AM until midnight or later***, Wendy’s is here for all of your bacon cravings. Check out the Wendy’s app to rack up rewards and be the first to know about in-app offers.

Press Release | CHICAGO STREET RACE CHICAGO, Ill. (June 26, 2023) – As fans head to Grant Park for the inaugural Chicago Street Race Weekend on July 1-2, they’ll have the opportunity to participate in a two-day sports and music festival unlike anything seen before in NASCAR’s 75-year history. On Saturday, July 1, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race will feature a significant historical moment as the NASCAR Cup Series field will be introduced as part of a special event on the concert stage prior to The Chainsmokers headlining set. The moment will include exciting fan elements including the sport’s largest crowd selfie and the Cup Series field photo to remember the moment in time of the first-ever Cup Series Street Race alongside Chicago fans. The Chicago Street Race will feature the first-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 121 and Cup Series Grant Park 220 to cap off a unique Fourth of July celebration in downtown Chicago, complete with a music festival featuring global headliners The Black Crowes, Charley Crockett, Miranda Lambert, local favorites The JC Brooks Band, and a special appearance by all of the NASCAR Cup Series drivers during a feature set by The Chainsmokers. “Whether you’re a long-time NASCAR fan or a first-time racegoer, this weekend is going to be the can’t-miss event of the summer,” said Julie Giese, Chicago Street Race President. “With the racing action, concerts, driver appearances, NASCAR Experience activations, and our free entertainment in Butler Field that is open to the public – NASCAR is all about putting fans close to the action in a way that no other sport can, and to do it in Chicago during the best time of the year is going to make this weekend a true bucket-list sporting event.” With excitement reaching a fever pitch throughout Chicago, the festivities began more than a week in advance of race weekend in every neighborhood across Chicago. From NASCAR Night at Navy Pier on Tuesday, June 27 to Bubba’s Block Party at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Washington Park on Wednesday, June 28 to NASCAR Night with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday, June 29, NASCAR will host events and activations for fans to get involved throughout race week. “For a race as big as this, we’re pulling out all the stops here in Chicago,” said Pete Jung, NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer. “This is an incredible opportunity to show all the ways in which NASCAR engages in the community, and we have planned a full week of fun, family-friendly opportunities to take part in this historic event.” Race Weekend Activities Racegoers will be able to enjoy an exclusive walkthrough NASCAR’s 75-year history, NBC Sports’ live broadcast at Buckingham Fountain, and a local food hall serving legendary Chicago cuisine. The NASCAR shopping experience will include one large merchandise location as well as a premium location for fans to purchase race team merchandise, in addition to smaller merchandise locations available in the Pit Shop throughout the course. Throughout Grant Park, there will be special NASCAR photo locations to capture a memory to stand the test of time. There will be photo moments including the Chicago Street Race logo at the north entrance, Chicago Street Race and NASCAR flag processional leading to Buckingham Fountain, race flag tunnel into the Lakefront Green, NASCAR 75 icon on the Buckingham Fountain Table, NASCAR diamond icon by the President’s Paddock Club, and more. For a more elevated view, attendees can ride the Ferris Wheel, originally called the Chicago Wheel when it debuted in 1893, for unparalleled views of the Chicago Street Course and Lake Michigan. On the Lakefront Green, the Main Stage will host The JC Brooks Band, The Black Crowes, and all the NASCAR Cup Series drivers and the winner of NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 121 during The Chainsmokers concert on Saturday, July 1, in addition to sets from Miranda Lambert and Charley Crockett on Sunday, July 2. In-between sets, fans can visit the Tavern for a cold beer, glass of wine or a craft cocktail while watching live race feeds or play yard games before heading over to watch the race from along the track. NASCAR Village at Butler Field – Free Experience The NASCAR Village will be a free-to-the-public experience for fans that will be staged in Butler Field adjacent to all the action. The free experience will open at 9 a.m. on July 1-2. The NASCAR Village will feature viewing areas into the NASCAR Cup Series garage and haulers, displays from the Field Museum, NBC’s Hot Wheels Ultimate Challenge, Oakley, the United States Air Force, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Community Van and tire swing photo op, MRN Radio, McDonald’s, the United States Navy, NASCAR merchandise, water refill stations, the NASCAR Box Office, entertaining and educational information on NASCAR, and concessions for purchase. In addition, there will be a live painting demonstration by Paint The City, an artist-led 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to connect local artists of color with local businesses to Heal the City Through Art with beautification projects that also help financially support artists of color. Chicago-area artists from local non-profit After Schools Matters will also feature a 200-foot NASCAR-themed mural, which was designed for the inaugural Chicago Street Race weekend. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult, 21-years and older and may be asked to present a valid ID. The NASCAR Village at Butler Field will close at the checkered flag each day. Race Weekend Schedule (all times local) Saturday, July 1 9 a.m. | Gates Open 10 – 10:50 a.m. | Practice – NASCAR Xfinity Series 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Qualifying – NASCAR Xfinity Series 12 – 12:30 p.m. | Pre-Race Concert Featuring JC Brooks Band 12:30 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. | Practice – NASCAR Cup Series 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Qualifying – NASCAR Cup Series 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Pre-Race Concert Featuring The Black Crowes 3:30 p.m. | Driver Intros 4 p.m. | The Loop 121 – NASCAR Xfinity Series Race 7 p.m. | REV UP: NASCAR Chicago Street Race Kickoff at Concert Stage 7:30 p.m. | Post-Race Concert Featuring The Chainsmokers Sunday, July 2 9 a.m. | Gates Open 12 – 1 p.m. | Pre-Race Concert featuring Charley Crockett 1:30 – 3 p.m. | Pre-Race Concert featuring Miranda Lambert 4 p.m. | Driver Intros 4:30 p.m. | Grant Park 220 – NASCAR Cup Series Race Post-Race | Rouff Mortgage Victory Lane Celebration Race Week Activities June 27, 5 – 9 p.m. | NASCAR Night at Navy Pier (Aon Grand Ballroom, 804 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL) The free event – open to the public – will give Chicagoans and visitors a chance to virtually drive the Chicago Street Course on the same official iRacing simulators that NASCAR drivers are using to prepare for the first-of-its-kind event. In addition, NASCAR will host a livestream of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series race on the Chicago Street Course with special guest Matt Bussa, eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series driver for William Byron eSports.​ Fans will also have a chance to take a photo with the official Grant Park 220 and The Loop 121 trophies, have a first-look at Chicago Street Race merchandise, get a snapshot with the NASCAR Next Gen show car, and jump in the 360-degree photo booth. Registration is not required. June 27, 6 – 8:30 p.m. | Leading from the Front: A conversation with the women of NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race Weekend (Chicago Athletic Association, Eighth floor, 12 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603) On Tuesday, June 27, join WISE Chicago and NASCAR to get a behind-the-scenes look at the event and meet and learn more from those bringing the event to life as we host the panel discussion,  Leading from the Front: A Conversation with the Women of NASCAR's Chicago Street Race Weekend . Space for the event is limited so make sure you register early . June 28, 5 – 9 p.m. | Bubba’s Block Party (DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL) Bubba's Block Party is a community-focused initiative that aims to drive awareness, access, and engagement to the sport among the Black community while generating excitement around the race weekend. The family-friendly eventincludes local Black-owned food truck vendors, live musical performances, and an introduction to NASCAR through activities and games. June 28, 6 – 9 p.m. | NASCAR Chicago Street Race and The NASCAR Foundation’s “Fueling the Fight to End Hunger” to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository (Steak 48, 615 N. Wabash, Chicago) NASCAR drivers, celebrities and Chicago notables will be in attendance for the Fueling the Fight to End Hunger fundraiser to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a Chicago-based non-profit organization that strives to end hunger by connecting neighbors with healthy food and advancing solutions that address the root causes of hunger, visit NASCARfoundation.org/Chicago . To learn more or purchase tickets, visit NASCARChicago.com . June 29, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Columbus Park Teen Center Pit Stop (Columbus Park Teen Center, 500 S. Central Ave., Chicago IL) NASCAR Chicago Street Race “pit stop” giving teens the opportunity to get up close with official pace car and check out NASCAR Cup Series driver Aric Almirola’s fire suit, as well as talk to NASCAR team members about careers in motorsports. Larenz, Larron, and Lahmard Tate will be on hand to engage teens with a surprise for the Chicago Street Race. June 29, 7:05 p.m. | NASCAR Night at Wrigley Field (1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL) Before the weekend’s race, come out to Wrigley Field, which will be filled with high-octane NASCAR activations, music, and appearances from participating drivers! Most importantly, there is a NASCAR Day Special Ticket Offer – which includes a ticket to the Cubs-Phillies game at Wrigley Field and a special-edition NASCAR themed bobblehead. Chicago Street Race As part of NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season, the first-ever Chicago Street Race Weekend will feature the NASCAR Cup Series’ Grant Park 220 and NASCAR Xfinity Series’ The Loop 121 competing on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile street course, along with full-length concerts by The Chainsmokers and Miranda Lambert with the support of The Black Crowes and Charley Crockett over Fourth of July Weekend on July 1-2. General admission and reserved tickets are on sale for the Chicago Street Race. Two-day general admission tickets start at $269 and reserved tickets that offer an array of opportunities including reserved seating and a wide variety of premium experiences start at $465. To purchase tickets, fans can log onto NASCARChicago.com or call 1-888-629-7223. The Grant Park 220 will be nationally broadcast on NBC on Sunday, July 2 at 5:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. CT and The Loop 121 will be broadcast nationally on USA Network at 5:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. CT. To stay up to date with the Chicago Street Race, fans can subscribe to receive exclusive Chicago Street Race emails, follow @NASCARChicago on Twitter and Facebook and download the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest real-time updates on all aspects of the event.

Press Release | VIRGINA TRIPLE CROWN DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 22, 2023) – As NASCAR commemorates its 75th Anniversary season, it’s going back to its roots with the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series to celebrate the most prestigious series of races in Late Model Stock Car racing as the 10th season of the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown opens up Saturday, July 1, at South Boston Speedway. First run in 2012, the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown features three famed short tracks – South Boston Speedway, Langley Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway. The series opens on Saturday, July 1, at South Boston with the Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200, followed by the Hampton Heat 200 at Langley on July 22. It all wraps up at with the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville on September 23. “The Virginia Triple Crown features the largest three NASCAR Late Model Stock Car races, and we are so excited to get it kicked off here at South Boston Speedway on July 1,” said South Boston General Manager Chase Brashears. “The Triple Crown continually brings the best of the best in Late Model Stock racing together to compete head-to-head across three different tracks and puts this discipline of racing on a large stage. For South Boston Speedway specifically, our Triple Crown race is always our largest event by far and is of huge importance to our facility and community.” Corey Heim won the 2022 contest at South Boston over Jacob Borst as the two crashed at the finish line in a dramatic race to the finish. The premise of the Virginia Triple Crown is simple – the driver with the best average finish during the three races earns the payout. The winner receives $7,000, while second place gets $2,000 and third earns $1,000. Peyton Sellers is the reigning Virginia Triple Crown champion and a four-time winner of the title, having also won in 2013, 2014 and 2018. Lee Pulliam is the only other multi-time winner of the Virginia Triple Crown, winning it in 2015 and 2019. "Winning the Triple Crown is something that for me, being a Virginia native, it means you're beating the best of the best in your home state,” said Sellers. “Over the past years, this has attracted drivers from all over, and it means a lot to be able to represent Virginia, competing in the Virginia Triple Crown. These are three very unique tracks as you go from banked asphalt at South Boston to the flat, low-grip track at Langley, to the high-braking concrete of Martinsville." Langley’s 15th annual Hampton Heat makes up the second leg of the Virginia Triple Crown, which was won last year by Jared Fryer. In just his third attempt at the race, Fryer was the 10th different driver to win the race in the previous 10 events. “Seeing this great event eclipse into its 10th running is all we could have dreamed of back when Clay, Cathy [Rice, from South Boston Speedway] and I initially talked of developing the Virginia Triple Crown,” said Langley Speedway Owner Bill Mullis. “With the support of a great Late Model foundation in Virginia and surrounding states, this series has become synonymous with Late Model competition in the region. The fan support that has grown behind these three great races has created fantastic recognition for the drivers and tracks. For this support from the racing community and fans, we are very thankful and proud to be part of the Virginia Triple Crown.” Martinsville’s ValleyStar Credit Union 300 wraps up the Virginia Triple Crown with a fall showdown under the lights. First held in 1985, the event is the biggest, richest and most prestigious Late Model Stock Car race of the year. Sellers is the defending winner of the event, earning his first win in the event in his 15th attempt. “The Virginia Triple Crown has become the title to win in the Late Model community and it’s so important to have this platform to showcase the talented drivers who are racing at short tracks across the country,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “We have three historic tracks hosting the top three Late Model Stock Races of the season, and the racing delivers every year for the fans. The format ensures it will all come down to the finale, and the buildup over all three races will make the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 that much more exciting as we crown the champion in September.” The three races at South Boston on July 1, Langley on July 22, and Martinsville on September 23 will be streamed live on FloRacing. Tickets for the opener of the Virginia Triple Crown at South Boston may be purchased at southbostonspeedway.com. Tickets for the second leg of the series at Langley are available at langley-speedway.com. For tickets to the finale at Martinsville, fans can go to martinsvillespeedway.com. Fans can stay connected to NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series action, including Virginia Late Model Triple Crown updates, at nascar.com/roots.

Press Release | CHICAGO STREET RACE CHICAGO, Ill. (June 21, 2023) – Today, the NASCAR Chicago Street Race announced that it will feature Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) singing the national anthem for Sunday’s Grant Park 220 at the inaugural Chicago Street Race. Uniting Voices Chicago will include more than 30 local performers as part of the national anthem prior to the start of the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series street race, which will be nationally broadcast on NBC on Sunday, July 2 at 4:30 p.m. CT. “Since day one, this race has been about giving a platform to the great city of Chicago on a global scale,” said Julie Giese, Chicago Street Race President. “Welcoming Uniting Voices Chicago represents an opportunity to showcase these talented young singers on an international stage, so we look forward to their performance of the National Anthem prior to the Grant Park 220.” Founded in 1956 and inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, Uniting Voices Chicago is rooted in the belief that music is the most powerful vehicle for fostering mutual understanding and respect between young people of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, gender identities and sexual orientations. “Uniting Voices Chicago helps our singers become cultural diplomats and world citizens in our global society, and this partnership with NASCAR will give our talented singers an opportunity to do that on a truly international scale,” said Josephine Lee, Uniting Voices President and Artistic Director. “We are proud to partner with a group like NASCAR who is so committed to this city and its young people.” Since its founding, Uniting Voices has grown from a single choir into an internationally renowned network of in-school and after-school programs that serves thousands of students from every zip code of the city of Chicago each year. Uniting Voices Chicago offers a performance-based learning experience that includes innovative creative partnerships and artistic endeavors—from regular appearances at Lyric Opera and Ravinia Festival to features on high caliber recording projects such as Chance the Rapper’s Coloring Book and The Big Day . For more information on Uniting Voices Chicago, visit unitingvoiceschicago.org .

Press Release | CHICAGO STREET RACE CHICAGO, Ill. (June 19, 2023) – Today, NASCAR announced a multi-year partnership on the official pace cars for the Chicago Street Race Weekend with the sport’s partner OEMs Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. As part of the partnership, each OEM will have an opportunity to lead the field to green in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series The Loop 121 and the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220. “As the industry unites to support an unprecedented NASCAR event weekend, we are proud to welcome Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota as our official pace cars for the Chicago Street Race,” said Julie Giese, Chicago Street Course President. “We look forward to showcasing the cars that will compete in the race through the streets of downtown Chicago prior to leading the field to green over race weekend.” The order for the official pace car will be determined by the NASCAR Cup Series qualifying results with the pole winning OEM leading the field to green to start each race. Future restarts will rotate with each OEM leading the race field. In subsequent years of the Chicago Street Race, the second OEM will lead first in 2024 and third OEM will lead first in 2025. Leading up to the Chicago Street Race, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang and Toyota Camry promotional cars will be in-market to support the inaugural event. The promotional cars will make appearances at many regional events across the greater Chicagoland region to showcase the Chicago Street Race Weekend. The official pace cars for the weekend will include a 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, a 2024 Ford Mustang GT and a 2023 Toyota Camry TRD.

Press Release | STEWART-HAAS RACING KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 21, 2023) – One of the most coveted seats in the NASCAR Cup Series has been filled. Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has named Josh Berry the driver of its No. 4 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning with the 2024 season. He will replace the retiring Kevin Harvick, whose 23-year Cup Series career will come to an end following the season finale Nov. 5 at Phoenix Raceway. “I can’t imagine a better opportunity for me – to get in a car that’s been as successful and iconic as the No. 4,” Berry said. “Kevin is a future NASCAR Hall of Famer, and it’s going to be a challenge trying to come after someone so successful. But I know I’m going to have an amazing group of people around me, led by Rodney Childers, to where we can hit the ground running.” Harvick and his crew chief, Childers, have combined for 37 points-paying wins since their pairing in 2014, when they came out of the gate in impressive fashion by winning the 2014 Cup Series title. “We’re incredibly proud to have Josh Berry begin the next chapter of his racing career in our No. 4 Ford Mustang,” said Tony Stewart, co-owner of SHR with Haas Automation founder Gene Haas. “Kevin Harvick has obviously set a very high bar, but Josh brings maturity, experience and, above all, a winning record to Stewart-Haas Racing. He is the right driver, at the right time, for the No. 4 team and our organization.” Berry currently competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the stepping-stone division to the elite Cup Series. The 32-year-old from Hendersonville, Tennessee, is a five-time Xfinity Series race winner who advanced to the Championship 4 in 2022. Berry’s on-track exploits have made him the go-to solution for Cup Series teams in need of an interim driver. He has already made 10 Cup Series starts, highlighted by a second-place finish April 2 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway while subbing for the injured Chase Elliott. “Josh Berry has proven himself in the Xfinity Series and this year showed how quickly he can adapt to the cars and the level of competition in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Greg Zipadelli, chief competition officer, SHR. “He’ll be a rookie in our racecar next year, but he drives like a veteran. He puts in the work to ensure that he’s always ready for the opportunities that come his way, and we’re very happy that his next opportunity is with Stewart-Haas Racing.” Just as Berry earned his 2024 seat with SHR via strong and consistent performances in the Xfinity and Cup Series, Berry earned his spot in the Xfinity Series by dominating Late Model racing across a variety of grassroots series. While winning six Legend Cars championships as a teenager, Berry also competed in iRacing, and it was during online racing sessions where Berry caught the attention of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt offered a Late Model test to Berry and he seized the moment. Berry joined JR Motorsports’ Late Model program in 2010 and soon delivered wins and championships, most notably the 2017 CARS Late Model Stock Tour championship and then the 2020 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series championship. Earnhardt’s belief in Berry had been duly rewarded, so Earnhardt double-downed on his faith in Berry by promoting his protégé to one of JR Motorsports’ Xfinity Series entries, albeit on a limited schedule. In just his 13th career Xfinity Series start, Berry won on April 11, 2021 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The site of one of Berry’s most prominent Late Model victories – the 2019 ValleyStar Credit Union 300 – became the site of his breakthrough NASCAR moment. A second Xfinity Series victory was earned on Sept. 25 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, setting the stage for a three-win campaign in 2022 where Berry competed for the championship in his first full-time season. “I’m really proud of how I’ve gotten to this point and earned this opportunity,” Berry said. “I don’t like to use the word luck. It’s also been about preparation meeting opportunity. “The Xfinity Series win at Martinsville changed my career and allowed us to point toward a full-time season for 2022 where we competed for the championship. “It’s also been very meaningful to get some opportunities in the Cup Series this year. I’m proud of how they went, but I cannot wait to drive a Cup car that’s got my name on it.” After subbing for race-winning drivers in the Cup Series, most notably Elliott and Alex Bowman, Berry will indeed get his own racecar in 2024, but one that has been driven for a decade by Harvick. “Late Model racing is where I came from, and I think it’s the best place to learn and prepare to eventually race in the NASCAR Cup Series,” said Harvick, who is an ardent supporter of Late Model racing and its presence as a feeder system to NASCAR’s Truck, Xfinity and Cup Series. “Josh is a really good example, and probably the best and most recent example, of applying all that he’s learned in Late Models to what he’s doing in the Xfinity Series. “Winning the CARS Late Model Stock Tour championship and the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series championship requires a lot of skill and an equal amount of determination. Josh did both and won a lot of races along the way. That experience allowed him to be fast and successful right off the bat when he got to the Xfinity Series, and when he had his opportunities to race in the Cup Series earlier this year, he again showed speed and an ability to race at the front. “I’m very happy for Josh and proud to see him get this opportunity. He’s going to be a really good fit with Rodney and the No. 4 team.” In May, Harvick partnered with Earnhardt, Jeff Burton and Justin Marks to purchase the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, the same series Berry ran from 2015 through 2022, winning 22 races and the 2017 title. “When I was racing the Late Model car, I just wanted to be the most bad-ass short-track racer that you could be, and that’s how we progressed,” Berry said. “We won a ton of races, a national championship and a CARS Tour championship. We had a list of things that we wanted to accomplish and big races we wanted to win, and we’d go out there every time with the intent of checking things off that list.” Childers can relate to Berry’s Late Model ambitions. Before becoming a successful crew chief, Childers was a successful Late Model driver. “I think one of the many things that’s made Kevin and I work so well together is our history in Late Model racing and our respect for it,” Childers said. “Late Model racing is a really great proving ground, and Josh showed that he was the best of the best when it came to pavement Late Model racing. And when he got to the Xfinity Series, he kept on winning. To be the guy who will help Josh get his first Cup win is something I’m really looking forward to.” A road that began with karting in his home state of Tennessee that segued to iRacing with Dale Earnhardt Jr., which landed Berry a shop job at JR Motorsports as a parts washer while he worked to make a name for himself in Late Models and then the Xfinity Series, has finally culminated with a full-time drive in the Cup Series. “I wouldn’t change anything about how I got here. It made me who I am,” Berry said. “Throughout my teenage years, it was a fight just to keep racing, to get to the next race. “The timing of Dale and I getting together, that was crucial. If that doesn’t happen, I don’t know that I would’ve ever raced a stock car, or how much more I would’ve raced at all, just because racing overextended us financially. And when you race that way, it’s hard to set any kind of a long-term goal. But your goals just change as you grow. “Those years of racing and winning, and the people I was around and worked with, prepared me for the opportunities that I’ve gotten, and they’ve prepared me to capitalize on this opportunity with Stewart-Haas Racing. Even without knowing where it would ultimately take me, I’d do it all over again.”

(Photo Source: Twitter.com/TeamHendrick) Press Release | HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CONCORD, N.C. (June 21, 2023) – Eastman Performance Films, LLC, a subsidiary of Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE: EMN), has extended its sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports, 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 team for three additional seasons. The sponsorship, which features the LLumar® brand of window film and paint protection film, will run through 2026. LLumar will be a primary sponsor of Elliott, 27, for two races each season and a major associate sponsor in all other Cup Series events. "We are excited to extend our sponsorship with Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 9 team," said Erin Bernhardt, general manager of Eastman Performance Films, LLC. "This sponsorship has helped increase awareness of the LLumar brand and the benefits of window tint and paint protection film for vehicle and homeowners." As part of the extension, LLumar will be the primary sponsor on the No. 9 Chevrolet for two additional races this season: the Aug. 26 regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway and the Oct. 1 event at Talladega Superspeedway where Elliott is the defending race winner. LLumar will also be the primary sponsor at the Oct. 15 Las Vegas Motor Speedway race as previously announced. "We’re delighted to extend our program with Eastman and the LLumar brand," said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. "LLumar offers tremendous products that we stand behind through the No. 9 team and in our Hendrick Automotive Group car dealerships across the country. It’s been rewarding to see them win races with Chase, translating to even more success off the track. We look forward to the future and continuing to grow our relationship together." LLumar high-performance films help improve the appearance and driving comfort of vehicles as well as enhancing the comfort, appearance and privacy in homes and commercial buildings around the world. The LLumar portfolio of products includes window tint and paint protection films for vehicles, and solar control, decorative and safety and security films for residential and commercial buildings. "I’m excited to continue our relationship with LLumar and to get two additional chances to get them to victory lane this season," Elliott said. "I’ve really enjoyed getting to meet many of the Eastman employees over the years, whether it’s at their facilities near tracks where we compete or having them out for the races. I look forward to seeing what we can continue to accomplish together in the coming years."

(Photo Source: Twitter.com/jeff_gluck) Press Release | 23Xl RACING Mooresville, N.C. (Jun. 20, 2023) – 23XI Racing announced today that The BIG 615, a newly launched station on TuneIn, the world’s leading live audio service, will serve as the co-primary sponsor alongside current 23XI partner MoneyLion on Tyler Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota Camry TRD for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway. TuneIn and Garth Brooks recently announced the launch of the SEVENS Radio Network, exclusively on TuneIn. The stations featured on the network are conceived and directed by Brooks, one of the world’s best-selling music artists. The first station to launch is The BIG 615. As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the home of country music for the third year, Nashville provides the ideal place for The BIG 615 to be highlighted on the No. 45 car, with 615 being the area code for Music City. “It’s easy to see why NASCAR is such a fan-driven sport,” said Garth Brooks. “Hell, we just have our logo on the car and I feel like I’m driving the car myself! This is exciting!” “What a cool opportunity and great place for the 23XI team to partner with Garth Brooks, TuneIn, and MoneyLion,” said Reddick. “Racing back in Nashville has been great for our sport and fans, and I can’t think of a more iconic artist to feature on the No. 45 car. It’s a real honor for me and I hope we can put on a good show for Garth and all the fans.” MoneyLion, a leader in financial technology powering the next generation of personalized products and content, will also be featured on Reddick’s car in Nashville. Since partnering with 23XI last year, MoneyLion has given race fans access to industry-leading products, guidance and offers that enable them to take control of their money. For this race, MoneyLion rewarded one lucky fan and a guest with the ultimate Nashville race weekend including flights, hotels, VIP Access and more. Additionally, in partnership with TuneIn, many more fans won free subscriptions to TuneIn Premium. “The connection between NASCAR and country music is a natural one, and we’re thrilled to partner with Garth and TuneIn to help highlight the launch of the BIG 615,” said Steve Lauletta, 23XI team president. “Our team is always looking for ways to be unique while also helping brands reach new audiences, and this partnership is sure to drive awareness of TuneIn and the new channel to the millions of NASCAR fans.”

Press Release | KAULIG RACING LEXINGTON, N.C. (June 20, 2023) – Kaulig Racing announced today that Trackhouse Racing founder and owner Justin Marks will drive the No. 10 Jockey Chevrolet in the July 1 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race on the Chicago Street Course. The quality of Kaulig Racing’s Chevrolets, along with the inaugural street race made for an easy decision for both Kaulig Racing and Marks to team up for this historic event. Marks will step away from his NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) owner duties to join forces with Kaulig Racing’s powerhouse road-course racing program and race in the NXS for the first time since 2018. “It’s very difficult to retire as a racecar driver,” said the 41-year-old Marks. “I’ve got a lot of experience on street courses, so when NASCAR announced it was going to Chicago, I just felt like I really had to be a part of that experience. We have a great relationship with Kaulig Racing through our pit crew department and being a fellow Chevrolet team, so making my return to racing with the team just felt right. Jockey coming on board makes it even more enticing to run well in Chicago.” Marks owns 35-career NXS starts including a victory at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2016, along with three top five and seven top-10 finishes. Each start has come on road courses. Marks, whose Trackhouse Racing team fields Cup Series entries for drivers Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain, boasts an extensive sports-car racing resumé, earning multiple wins across the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series and the Weathertech Sportscar Championship Series. Most recently, he won the Trans-Am race at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut on May 29. He is with the right organization to return to victory lane in Chicago. Of Kaulig Racing’s 22-total Xfinity wins, nine have come at road courses. The team also earned its first win in the NCS with its victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in 2021 with AJ Allmendinger. “If you’re in a road-course car in the Xfinity Series, AJ [Allmendinger] demonstrates pretty consistently, that the Kaulig Racing cars are the ones you want to be sitting in,” said Marks. “It’s going to be a very unique event, and I know we will have a good racecar.” Kaulig Racing’s No. 10 Chevrolet, which features an all-star roster, has earned two wins so far in the 2023 Xfinity season. The three-car NXS team has earned three-total wins in 2023, along with nine top fives, 22 top-10 finishes and 319 laps led. “We’re excited to have Justin [Marks], another road-course ringer, come out of retirement and compete for us in the Xfinity Series,” said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “I think that says a lot about the tremendous success Kaulig Racing has had in just a few short years, especially on road courses. Not only is Justin Marks a successful team owner in NASCAR, but he has a ton of experience on street courses, so having him come on board for this historic weekend in our industry just makes sense.” The No. 10 Chevrolet will carry Jockey’s red, white and blue paint scheme in Chicago, a partnership that began last year with Trackhouse, the first such team sponsorship in the 147-year history of the apparel brand. At the core of the partnership was the launch of the brand’s Made in America* Collection – proudly grown and crafted right here in the USA. Designed with high quality American-grown cotton, these durable staples help to support the communities Americans call home. NASCAR will officially kick off its first-ever event weekend at the Chicago Street Course beginning with the Loop 121 Xfinity race on July 1 at 5 p.m. EST. The USA Network will televise the race at 5 p.m. EDT.

Press Release | STEWART-HAAS RACING KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 20, 2023) – Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has made select organizational changes to its crew chief lineup that will be in effect beginning with the upcoming Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway race weekend June 24-25. Richard Boswell, the main steward of SHR’s NASCAR Xfinity Series program since its inception in 2017, is now the crew chief for driver Chase Briscoe and the No. 14 team in the NASCAR Cup Series. Boswell had been the crew chief for SHR’s No. 98 Xfinity Series team and driver Riley Herbst. Boswell won eight Xfinity Series races with Briscoe over a three-year span (2018-2020), including an impressive six-win campaign in 2020, before becoming the crew chief for Herbst in 2021. John Klausmeier, the former crew chief for the No. 14 team, remains at SHR and has transitioned to the company’s vehicle performance group. Replacing Boswell as crew chief for the No. 98 Xfinity Series team is Davin Restivo. Since 2022, Restivo has been the lead engineer for the No. 10 team and driver Aric Almirola in the Cup Series. Prior to his time with the No. 10 outfit, Restivo was the lead engineer for driver Cole Custer, first in the Xfinity Series (2019) and then moving up with Custer to the Cup Series (2020-2021). Before joining SHR in 2019, Restivo was an engineer at Chip Ganassi Racing. “We made these changes in the best interests of the entire organization,” said Greg Zipadelli, chief competition officer, SHR. “Different people in new positions brings new perspectives. There’s still a lot of racing left to do this year, which means there’s still a lot of opportunity. We need to seize these opportunities and make the most of them, and fresh perspectives from the top of the pit box to the preparation inside the shop will help us do that.”

LEBANON, Tenn. -- In the place known for being the birthplace of the blues, Carson Hocevar was singing a different tune on Friday night. His ballad was one of victory after leading the final 40 laps of the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway, snagging his second career win, one of the most coveted trophies in NASCAR--an original Nashville winner’s guitar and the $50,000 NCTS Triple Truck Challenge bonus. After the final restart that was brought out by a late race caution that involved Stewart Friesen and Christian Eckes, Hocevar held off the reigning NCTS champion Zane Smith, and finished with a narrow margin of .271 seconds over the polesitter, rookie Nick Sanchez who made a late race charge to finish third. Points leader Cory Heim and Bailey Currey rounded out the top-5 at the end of the night. “I was honestly kind of bummed out when the caution came out just ‘cause I knew that restarts were not my strong suit tonight” said Smith. Before the final three laps, Smith had an opportunity to run down the race leader. “We were about two tenths quicker is what it sounds like and it seemed like two laps before the caution came out I felt like I cut my distance in half of what I had to him so, I kind of wish it had went green so I could just try to play around and build the run a little bit more other than having one lap to do so”. When asked what could have gotten Smith to the checkered flag, his answer was simple. “Clean air.” Hovevar, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports anticipated the final caution in the closing laps saying “I was a little bit worried the yellow is going to come, probably going to come.” Consistent with what could have helped Smith in the end, Hocevar said “I just knew that clean air was going to be important.”

By Logan Morris As we come off the only off week of the 2023 NASCAR Season, It’s hard to fathom we are nearly halfway through the season. Summer has officially begun and we are quickly approaching the playoffs. But there are still plenty of questions that need to be answered for this season and beyond. It’s a good time to look at where all the full-time teams stand and where they could be heading. Let’s get started! Hendrick Motorsports If the season was dominated by one team in the early months, it was undoubtedly Hendrick Motorsports. Right now they have five wins on the season and have 296 all-time victories. If there was any doubt about William Byron’s ability to be an elite talent in NASCAR, those doubts have been shattered. He has three of the team’s wins, and it feels like he could have more than that. It has brought back memories of Jeff Gordon’s dominance. If Byron can sustain this kind of run in the second half we could see one of the better seasons in recent memory. Elsewhere at Hendrick, Larson has the two other wins, and beyond that, injuries to Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman tell the story. The biggest question now is whether Chase Elliott can get into the playoffs. After Chase’s one-race suspension, it’s starting to look uncertain that he will compete for a championship this season. The NASCAR playoffs without Chase Elliott are tough to fathom, but his return to the track has left a little to be desired. While he’s finished no worse than 12th (except for the Denny Hamlin incident at Charlotte), since his return he seems a little up against it and isn’t fully back into the swing of things. Alex Bowman is firmly on the bubble and is looking for that breakout win. Hendrick feels destined to crack the 300-win mark this season - if that happens, it’ll be tough to understate the greatness of that moment. Joe Gibbs Racing A few weeks ago, the outlook for the top Toyota team in NASCAR was much different. Martin Truex Jr. was in a long winless drought coming into the season. Now, he feels like a contender every single week. He’s on the type of run that could lead him to the Championship Four. Any thought of Martin Truex Jr. retiring at the end of the season feels far-fetched at this point. He dominated Sonoma in a way that is exceedingly rare in this era of NASCAR. Denny Hamlin snapped a lengthy winless streak of his own at Kansas. Christopher Bell became the first driver with a dirt background to win the Bristol Dirt Race. Suddenly Joe Gibbs Racing is giving Hendrick Motorsports a run for their money. Ty Gibbs seems to be cruising to Rookie Of The Year. He sits 18th in the point standings and is just 21 points below the cutline. Joe Gibbs Racing recently announced they sold a minority stake in the team to Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and received what they described as a “significant investment.” An influx of new cash is a good thing in today's sport. Any thoughts of JGR slowing down appear to be unlikely. While Denny Hamlin still hasn’t signed a new deal for next season, they appear to be close. Until a deal is done, though, you just never know. Team Penske It’s fair to say it’s been a less-than-stellar start for “The Captain” & Company in 2023. Joey Logano does have one win at Atlanta. Beyond that, there haven’t been many standout performances. The defending champion did finish second in the Daytona 500. He had another runner-up finish at Martinsville. However, he also has two last place-finishes. Talk about evening things out. Ryan Blaney has been a bright spot. He ended his 59-race winless streak at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, and currently sits third in the standings. Blaney has had two second-place finishes, and a third-place finish at Dover. He’s been the most consistent in the Penske camp thus far. Now that he’s won again, any pressure he may have been feeling should have faded and he could be a Championship Four contender. Elsewhere, 2022 Daytona 500 Champion Austin Cindric has struggled in his sophomore season. Following in the large footsteps of Rusty Wallace and Brad Keselowski is a tall order, to say the least. The downturn in performance is likely just growing pains. Cindric is still just 24 and in just his second full-time Cup season. Don’t be surprised if he comes on strong in the dog days of summer - the talent is there. The Penske slump is real, but there’s no reason to panic yet. Richard Childress Racing The addition of Kyle Busch has paid off in a hurry. “The Rowdy One” already has three wins this season after only winning once in his final season with Joe Gibbs Racing. Not only are the results improving on track, but he’s also behaving differently outside of the car as well. What was once a chorus of boos is now mostly cheers. Busch is still blunt, but he’s been a little more kind, a little more humble in the process. However, the question will be can Busch and RCR sustain that success? I think it’s fair to say the cream is beginning to rise to the top regarding teams adjusting to the next-gen car. Busch isn’t with one of the “super teams” anymore. It’ll be interesting to see how that factors into the future. On the other side of the coin is Austin Dillon. Dillon currently sits 28th in the points standings, but that’s deceiving. Much of that hole is due to a penalty that he had no control over. He does have three top tens on the season and a top-five. He will always be a factor at superspeedways and he’s known to get a win when you least expect it. Don’t count out Austin Dillion in 2023 just yet. Stewart-Haas Racing Stewart-Haas Racing feels like they’re in the midst of some confusion, at least on the surface. Kevin Harvick will retire at the end of this season, and what a huge hole that creates for the organization. JR Motorsports’ full-time Xfinity driver Josh Berry is graduating up to Cup to take over the ride. Harvick sits 5th in the point standings and has been far and away the only genuine bright spot. If he finds a way to win a race this season, he has a chance to have a storybook ending to his career. Chase Briscoe feels poised to become the face of the organization, but so far this season he hasn’t shown the ability to take that next step and become an elite force every week. One has to wonder if it’s due to struggles outside of his control. His season has been tanked by the major penalty he received following the Coca-Cola 600. The reality is that SHR has had a few lacklustre seasons for whatever reason and has lagged behind Team Penske as the top Ford team in the sport. Given the crew chief changes that SHR announced this week, you can tell that the team knows changes are needed. Ryan Preece started out looking like the better choice for the No. 41 over Cole Custer. However at this juncture, it may be a wash. Preece currently sits 25th in the point standings. Custer finished last season 25th. Aric Almirola announced his intention to retire last season then was lured back with a two-year deal. 2023 has been less than stellar for the veteran driver - he has just one top-ten finish this season. It’s fair to wonder whether or not Almirola will be calling it a day at the end of this season if his tough luck continues, as he’s been very open about the fact he wants to spend more time with his family. If he continues to struggle, the lure of his family may be tough to ignore. He’s admitted that his status for next season is fluid. If he does step away after this season, the biggest question for the team may be whether Smithfield stays? If they leave, sponsorship concerns could become very real for the team. Tony Stewart already made clear this week that sponsorship for the No. 4 is wide open. Having two new drivers could be a major challenge going into 2024. Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing As far as year-to-year turnarounds go it doesn’t get much better than RFK. Both drivers sit comfortably in the playoffs. They are a case study of the type of patience it sometimes takes to get where you want to go. This sport doesn’t have a ton of it, but RFK proves sometimes time is all you need. You could make an argument they’re currently the second-tier Ford team and that says a lot about how far they have come in a relatively short amount of time. If they can find themselves in victory lane, don’t be surprised if wins start coming in bunches. 23XI Racing Talk about a smaller team on the upswing. Tyler Reddick moved over from RCR a year earlier than initially announced, and has already won this season at COTA. He currently sits 13th in points. His teammate Bubba Wallace is in the midst of his most consistent season ever at the Cup level. His recent top-five streak has him firmly in the playoff picture as we enter the summer stretch. Bubba has shown that he has the speed to win, and he is always a factor when it comes to tracks like Daytona and Talladega. Being a Toyota team and giving Joe Gibbs Racing a run for its money is a tall order. Their momentum is treading in the right direction. Trackhouse Racing Coming into 2023, not much had changed when it came to Ross Chastain’s driving style. It felt like we hardly went a week without a controversy involving Ross in some form or another. After a recent sit down with team owner Justin Marks, Chastain seems like he’s lost his edge. He’s still sitting fourth in the standings, but one has to wonder if he’s still a championship threat? However, as Rick Hendrick pointed out, winning a championship is difficult when you don’t have many friends. Going forward this season it’ll be interesting to see if Chastain finds a balance between being ultra-aggressive and dialing it back some. Chastain’s antics kind of overshadow his teammate Daniel Suarez, who sits 17th in points. Trackhouse Racing is one of the teams looking to get back into victory lane, but one wonders if they're falling behind the major teams who have found an edge with the next-gen car. Front Row Motorsports Michael McDowell continues to be solid as he sits comfortably in the top 20 in points. He’s able to get the most out of his car and he remains a threat at both superspeedways and road courses. His teammate Todd Gilliland has been impressive, even in a very uncertain season for him. Zane Smith feels destined for a Cup ride in 2023 for FRM, so Gilliland could be the odd man out. JTG Daugherty Racing Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is having nothing short of a career-defining season. Winning the Daytona 500 wasn’t a huge surprise given his well-known ability at superspeedways, but it’s the consistency since that has been most impressive. With only three finishes outside the top 20, what this race team is doing is incredible - especially being a single-car team with limited resources. How far they can go in the post-season remains to be seen, but they feel like a dark horse to make the Round of Eight in my view. Kaulig Racing For a team that has made their name off of being trophy hunters, Kaulig feels like they’re spinning their wheels a bit. AJ Allmendinger returning to full-time Cup Racing felt like a huge deal at the start of the season. Some even thought he might compete for a championship. Thus far he’s underperformed in my view. It’s not that he’s having a bad season, but so far he hasn’t really competed for wins. Perhaps only having two road courses on the schedule so far plays a factor in that, but it just feels like he’s been an overall non-factor. His teammate, Justin Haley is quietly having another consistent season. Though he’s having a slightly worse statistical season than his teammate, Haley has been consistent since the moment he got there. It’s going to be interesting to see if Kaulig can break out and make a run toward the playoffs. Spire Motorsports Corey Lajoie has stacked pennies in a big way this year. Currently sitting 22nd in the standings, he’s on pace to have a career-best season. It’s been impossible to not be impressed with his season so far. His one-off race in the No.9, filling in for a suspended Chase Elliott was underwhelming, but outside of that, he’s been making things work at the much less-funded Spire Motorsports. Could he sneak into the playoffs? Daytona still remains, as does Atlanta. Don’t be surprised if he finds his way in. Legacy Motor Club No organization has undergone more significant changes in the last 2-3 seasons than Legacy Motor Club. 2023 began as a year beaming with optimism. After Erik Jones got Richard Petty’s iconic No. 43 back in victory lane last year, and the addition of Jimmie Johnson as a co-owner and part-time driver, expectations were lofty. With Johnson’s addition, the team was rebranded to Legacy Motor Club. The season has been one of growing pains from the outset. Team Ambassador Richard Petty made headlines the weekend of the Daytona 500, talking candidly about adjusting to his new role on the rebranded team and just how little of a direct say he has in the day-to-day operations. Rookie Noah Gragson replaced Ty Dillon coming into the season and it’s been a struggle. He sits dead last in full-time standings after missing Sonoma with concussion-like symptoms. Jimmie Johnson has had a tough return to Cup Racing, with every one of his starts ending in a DNF. Erik Jones hasn’t fared much better, especially after a penalty put him 30th in the standings. While the penalty is currently being appealed, Jones was still underwhelming before it, earning just two top-ten finishes this season. The changes will continue for Legacy Motor Club when they switch to Toyota next season, but that’s still a long way away from now. We know they’ll attempt to build much-needed momentum heading into next season, but how will they do it? It’s become obvious that they’re not receiving a lot of support from Chevrolet since they announced they’re moving to Toyota. However, they should be a factor at the superspeedways. Jimmie Johnson has taken a lot of heat from fans, but the jury should still be out if it’s fair. Time takes time. Wood Brothers Racing 2023 has not gone according to plan for Harrison Burton. He currently sits 29th in the point standings. He did have a breakout race at Darlington finishing sixth and followed that up at Charlotte with a Top-20. But the last two races have left a lot to be desired. The big question will be whether he can have a strong second half to the season and justify getting a third year in the iconic No. 21 car? The Wood Brothers have been looking for that elusive 100th win in the Cup series for a long time. Burton very well could be running out of chances to be the driver that makes that history. As we approach the halfway point, a lot of questions have been answered but even more remain. The summer is crunch time in the NASCAR garage. It’s going to be incredibly interesting to see how strategy changes as we go deeper into the season. One thing is for certain beginning with Nashville, the heat is on!