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By Crystal Clay & Adam Carabine Coming into this weekend, Martin Truex Jr. had three wins to his name at Sonoma Raceway, the most out of any active driver. But any driver worth their salt is never satisfied, always searching for the next win. The Toyota/Save Mart 350 made it four for Truex, as he beat former teammate Kyle Busch by just under 3 seconds. The two veteran drivers have finished 1-2 many times over the course of their career, but this was the first time it’s happened with Busch at his new team, the 8 car for RCR. Martin Truex Jr. had nice things to say about Busch after the race. “I think Kyle and I have raced together long enough and have enough respect for one another to race hard but race clean. I think we understand each other, know our limits. We’ve had some great races… we’ve battled for the lead for wins a bunch and he’s great to race with.” The normally fiery Kyle Busch was all smiles after the race, joking “The Toyotas were terrible on road courses last year and here they are kicking our butt. So, I guess just get Kyle out and you guys will be ok.” Truex’s car was clearly the fastest all day. Despite some untimely cautions, he was consistently able to make his way back to the front of the field. Once he got the lead, it was impossible to take it from him. “It’s definitely hard to pass, and clean air is a big deal. I don’t think it was as bad as last year, by any means. I think for us, being the leader, we don’t drive away, just our car was that good. I could manage tires easier, and not have to run as hard to lead, which always kind of makes the lead get bigger and look easier than it is.” Last season, Truex went winless, and many questioned whether he was going to step away from full-time racing. He quieted the doubters at the first event of the season, the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. It wasn’t a points race, but it reminded him that he could still win. “It was a big deal for us, just to understand that we were making the right decisions. Short tracks were a struggle for us last year. To go to the Clash and to do that, it was like ‘ok - we’re going down the right road here.’ That was a good confidence booster, and confidence is a huge part of this.” “We never gave up believing in each other, we just kept working hard. We were like, we’ve just got to work harder, we’ve got to be smarter, we’ve got to make better decisions. You put better cars with that, the next thing you know, you’re winning races, you’re leading laps again.” Truex now has two wins (for points) this season, and his win at Sonoma also pushed him to the points lead. Joey Logano finished in third, and last year’s runner-up Chris Buescher had another strong showing in fourth. Chase Elliott, fresh off of his suspension, returned to the track with a solid top-5. Elliott added, “I was proud of how we did it there at the end. We were in a not-so-ideal situation on tires, with no buffer, and were able to hang on to fifth. That was one of our better runs there at the end.” The NASCAR Cup Series takes its lone off-week next weekend, before visiting Nashville Superspeedway on June 25th.

By Adam Carabine & Crystal Clay It was ‘right place, right time’ for Aric Almirola when Jeffrey Earnhardt spun, bringing the caution out with 17 to go in the Xfinity Series Door Dash 250 at Sonoma Raceway. Up to that moment, Kyle Larson was putting on a clinic. At one point he led the field by over 10 seconds. Larson was 1.2 seconds faster than anyone else in practice, went on to win the pole, and led 53 laps all day. When Daniel Suarez (driving the #07) and Alex Labbé gambled by staying out in the final caution, Larson lined up third. When Suarez didn’t get a strong restart, Almirola was able to capitalize, and he never looked back. “That last set of tires, it took off on that restart. I knew that clean air was going to be important,” Almirola said. Larson didn’t give up without a fight, as he tailed Almirola for the better part of the final stint. A costly steering error in turn 11 gave Almirola some breathing room, then he cruised to the checkered flag. “I had a great shot to win, I just got a little too greedy there,” said a dejected Larson after the race.His tires hit the rumble strips in turn 11 and yanked the wheel out of his hands. Almirola was able to breathe a sigh of relief after the turn 11 incident: “Larson made a mistake into 11 and it gave me a lot of breathing room. I was able to start slowing everything down, I was driving over my head trying to keep him behind me.” It was not an immediate slam dunk for Almirola, as he still had 13 laps left in the race. On an abrasive surface like Sonoma, taking care of tires was paramount. However, Allmendinger and Larson were battling for position, slowing themselves down. “When Larson and Allmedinger started racing hard behind me, it gave me a real opportunity to take care of my stuff.” Almirola still has his work cut out for him this weekend, as he qualified 20th in the Cup Series race. Almirola was not confident that his winning experience in the Xfinity Series would carry over to the Cup car. “I forgot just how different [the cars] are, I felt like a fish out of water for the first couple laps [of Cup practice.]” “I did not personally feel like it was very beneficial. The brake markers are way different, the transmission is way different, the way the car drives and handles and moves around is just way different. So, [running the Xfinity race] was not something to help me on the Cup side, it was more just for fun.” Almirola and the rest of the Cup Series drivers will tackle Sonoma on Sunday for the Toyota/Save Mart 350.

Press Release | RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING WELCOME, N.C. (May 24, 2023) – Whether in the yard, in the shop, or in the pit stalls, the RCR team is prepared anywhere there is work to do with SENIX Tools, which are now recognized as the Official Power Tool of Richard Childress Racing. As part of the multi-year partnership, SENIX will be represented across the RCR organization on all cars in both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. “As we explored the opportunity to partner with Richard Childress Racing, we could not think of another partnership that made more sense for SENIX Tools,” said Rocky Reynolds, vice president of sales and marketing for SENIX Tools. “RCR has such a rich tradition in the sport and is one of the most respected brands in the NASCAR Industry. Aligning SENIX with the RCR brand is exciting for our young brand. Once we started meeting the RCR team members to work through the details it became evident that not only do our brands align well, our company values and cultures were very similar and honestly that is what sealed the deal! We look forward to partnering with RCR for many years to come and we are honored to be “The Official Power Tool of RCR!” SENIX offers a vast range of high-quality outdoor power equipment and handheld power tools, many of which will be integrated into the RCR shops, garages and pit stalls. www.senixtools.com “We’re proud to introduce a new partner to the sport and look forward to helping SENIX Tools maximize their partnership within the sport,” said Torrey Galida, president of RCR. “SENIX is already seeing tremendous growth and success, and our race teams are benefitting firsthand by having access to their powerful tool lineup.” To celebrate the partnership, SENIX Tools is offering fans 50% off a promo kit featuring the same blower that RCR uses in their pit stalls. Visit https://senixtools.com/collections/combo-kits/products/blax5-m-x5-cordless-58v-blower and input promo code RCR50 to save on a promo kit featuring a 58 Volt Max Cordless Blower, 2.5Ah lithium-ion battery, and 2A battery charger! (BLAX5-M). Backed with a 5-Year limited warranty on the tool and a 3-Year limited warranty on the battery and charger! For more information and all that is going on at RCR, visit rcrracing.com.

Press Release | PHOENIX RACEWAY PHOENIX (June 7, 2023) – Today, Phoenix Raceway announced American Medical Response (AMR) has extended its partnership with the NASCAR-owned track and will remain the official event medical services provider at the raceway through the 2024 NASCAR season. “Phoenix Raceway is so fortunate to be able to extend its partnership with AMR and continue to provide quick and efficient medical response to everyone on property,” said President of Phoenix Raceway Latasha Causey. “Knowing that we have a great team of paramedics, EMTs and RNs on-site for our busiest weekends is so comforting.” American Medical Response is a proud provider of emergency medical services to communities throughout the state of Arizona. They employ more than 1,500 paramedics, EMTs, RNs and other professionals throughout Arizona. The 28,000 employees nationwide work to provide care in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Fans can count on AMR and its medical team as they provide medical coverage to spectators, track personnel and drivers on all race weekends. AMR is also the largest provider of emergency medical transportation services in the United States and a leader in pre-hospital care and treatment. Since 2017, AMR has been the Official Emergency Medical Services Partner of NASCAR and continues to provide doctors and paramedics to the on-track safety team for each NASCAR Cup Series weekend. The AMR team along with NASCAR Track Services team members, provide immediate response and care to on-track incidents. “AMR is proud to once again partner with NASCAR and the Phoenix Raceway for event medical services for the 2024 race season,” said Glenn Kasprzyk, President of GMR Southwest Region. “Our team of first responders are highly trained professionals that deliver event-based medical services that maximize safety to ensure every race fan has an outstanding experience at the track.” Race fans will flock to Phoenix Raceway for NASCAR Championship Weekend, Nov. 3-5. It beings Friday, Nov. 3 with an action-packed doubleheader involving the ARCA Menards Series West Championship Race, the Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100, and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Championship. The excitement continues, Saturday, Nov. 4 when the green flag flies for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race. Then on Sunday, Nov. 5 the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will battle for the Bill France Cup in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race. Only a limited number of seats remain, and fans are encouraged to act now to secure their tickets at www.phoenixraceway.com.

Press Release | CHICAGO STREET RACE CHICAGO, Ill. (June 7, 2023) – In advance of the inaugural Chicago Street Race Weekend, the event has partnered with sports tech startup FanSaves to deliver fans an online resource guide to connect attendees to a multitude of local establishments including restaurants, accommodations, and attractions. The resource guide will provide an opportunity for local businesses to share information with ticketholders, tourists and the local community to encourage their patronage around the Chicago Street Race Weekend. The resource guide is now available on NASCARChicago.com and the NASCAR Tracks App for fans to learn more about Chicago establishments and deals. “As we support the local community, this online resource guide will offer local businesses an opportunity to engage our audience in a direct way leading up to and during the Chicago Street Race Weekend,” said Michelle Weddige, Sr. Director, Business Strategy, Chicago Street Race. “We’re looking forward to working with FanSaves on this new initiative that should have a positive impact in Chicago.” “The Chicago Street Race is an extremely innovative sports and entertainment festival in the heart of downtown Chicago, so we’re proud to work with the event to help connect attendees with local businesses and potential deals,” said Shannon Ferguson, FanSaves Co-Founder & CEO. “We’re excited that our technology is powering the resource guide to help drive economic impact to businesses in Chicago leading up to and during the Chicago Street Race.” Canadian-based tech startup, FanSaves, is a digital couponing platform that gives fans access to discounts and deals from affiliated brands of sports teams, organizations and properties. It is currently part of the third cohort of the Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech Accelerator. With a goal to improve products and services and prepare the selected startups for commercial success with partners and the broader sports industry, the Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech Accelerator brought the Chicago Street Race and FanSaves together earlier this year. “The inaugural Chicago Street Race will undoubtedly attract brand new fans to the sport and the city of Chicago,” said Jenna Kurath, Vice President of Startup Partnerships & Head of Comcast NBCU SportsTech “The FanSaves digital platform is a valuable resource for fans seeking discounts and deals from the businesses that sponsor their favorite sports, and for new visitors to Chicago, it’ll help foster a truly one-of-a-kind street race experience.”

Press Release | WATKINS GLEN WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (May 31, 2023) – Shriners Children’s was named the partner for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International on Aug. 19, the track announced today, further solidifying the global healthcare organization’s relationship with NASCAR. The Shriners Children’s 200 at The Glen makes Watkins Glen International the second track to welcome Shriners Children’s as a partner. The one-of-a-kind healthcare system also teamed up with Darlington Raceway for its 2022 weekend presenting rights and spring Xfinity Series race in 2023. “We’re honored to help support the Shriners Children’s mission through this new partnership.” said Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup. “Their services help change the lives of children and their families across so many communities, including those just a few miles away at their location in Erie, Pennsylvania. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have them on board for our NASCAR Race weekend in August.” Shriners Children’s is dedicated to providing children with specialized healthcare and treating each young patient who walks through their doors, regardless of the families’ insurance status or ability to pay. Since opening their first establishment in 1922, Shriners Children’s has expanded to multiple locations spanning across the United States as well as Mexico and Canada, transforming lives through their world-class research, amazing pediatric specialty care, and medical education leadership systems. “We are excited to head to Watkins Glen International in August and are grateful for NASCAR’s continued support of our mission to improve the lives of children around the world,” said Kenny Craven, Imperial Potentate of Shriners International and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shriners Children’s. “Since our first hospital opened in 1922, Shriners Children’s is proud to have cared for more than 1.5 million children, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. We look forward to sharing our healthcare system’s life-changing story with the world throughout this event.” The Shriners Children’s 200 is the second race in a triple-header weekend at Watkins Glen International. The action begins on Friday, Aug. 18, with the ARCA Menards Series General Tire 100 at The Glen, followed by Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Shriners Children’s 200 at The Glen. The race weekend comes to a close on Sunday, Aug. 20, with the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen, as drivers tackle the turns throughout the 2.45-mile road course. To purchase NASCAR race tickets or for camping and additional information, call 1-866-461-RACE or visit TheGlen.com. Fans can view the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series schedules and purchase tickets at nascar.com/tickets.

Press Release | BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY Legislation has been filed to approve a lease partnership between Nashville and Bristol Motor Speedway to restore and operate the historic Fairgrounds Speedway. The partnership between Bristol and Nashville provides significant relief for the taxpayers by shifting $40 million of deferred maintenance backlog and future capital investment obligations to Bristol Motor Speedway. “Metro is obligated by the 2011 charter referendum to preserve the historic uses at the Fairgrounds, including auto racing. In the roughly 40 years since NASCAR last raced in this city, no one has presented a long-term solution for this historic venue,” said Councilmember Zach Young. “The speedway holds so much history and it’s well past time we have a plan for a comprehensive renovation that provides a future for racing at the Fairgrounds.” The first motorsports races were held at the Fairgrounds in 1904. This makes the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway the second-oldest continually operating track in the country and one of the oldest continually operating venues in Nashville. The Fairgrounds has run local series racing for 64 consecutive years and hosted great Tennesseans such as Coo Coo and Sterling Marlin and even country music star Marty Robbins. In later years, NASCAR champions such as Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip, and Dale Earnhardt won races at the track. However, the Fairgrounds Speedway has fallen into disrepair and is in desperate need of a complete renovation. The facility is dangerous for competitors, spectators, and workers. The grandstands are falling apart and out of ADA compliance. The common areas such as bathrooms are dirty, foul, and unsanitary. “The Fairgrounds Speedway is hallowed ground for both Nashville and NASCAR. If given the opportunity, we will restore the speedway, increase parking for soccer and flea market events, and install a sound reduction barrier at no cost to taxpayers,” said Jerry Caldwell, Bristol Motor Speedway president and general manager. “Bristol Motor Speedway is the very best operator in the motorsports industry. It’s exciting that the city has chosen a partner who has the ability to preserve the historic speedway and make the Fairgrounds successful for all of Nashville,” said Nashville Predators CEO, Sean Henry. The Bristol partnership would generate $200 million annually in economic activity, according to an analysis by Tourism Economics, a division of Oxford Economics. Rejection of the Bristol partnership would mean Metro taxpayers will be on the hook for the ongoing maintenance of the speedway, which is projected to be in excess of $40 million. The savings to the Nashville taxpayers can be better utilized for other necessary services such as education, first responders, and crime prevention. The Bristol partnership also improves the quality of life for the surrounding neighborhood by investing in a sound reduction barrier, limiting race dates, agreeing to strict curfews, increasing parking options, and committing to specific local partnerships. More importantly, the Bristol partnership has the support of the local neighborhood residents who favor a future that will reduce auto track sounds and relieve current parking constraints. Bristol believes that being a good neighbor is critical to the successful operation of the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and is working with local neighborhood organizations in partnership. “This is going to be a great opportunity for the students at Glencliff High School, which is one of the most diverse high schools in the state of Tennessee, and really give them a piece of their own backyard,” said Glencliff High School Academy Coach, Thommye Kelly. “Bristol has been a consistent supporter of Conexión Américas for the past two years. They have been a great new corporate partner and we look forward to them being a part of our community for at least the next 30 years!” Tara Lentz, Co-Executive Director of Conexión Américas. The Bristol plan to restore the Fairgrounds Speedway will include the addition of hundreds of new parking spaces that could be used for soccer games, flea market days, and special events. Another way the Bristol Partnership will improve the quality of life is with the installation of a sound reduction barrier that will significantly reduce impact on the surrounding neighborhood by up to 50%. Bristol will be hiring locally for hundreds of well-paying full-time and part-time jobs for individuals working in ticket operations, facility maintenance, event logistics, and guest relations. The agreement approved by the Fair Board requires that Bristol limit motorsports events to 10 weekends per year. Additionally, Bristol has committed to reduce track rentals for practice dates to not more than 20 days per year. Motorsports events will be limited to the hours between 3-9 p.m. on school days; and noon to 10 p.m. on weekends when school is not in session.

Press Release | ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY HAMPTON, Ga. (May 31, 2023) – Before Kevin Harvick makes his final start at Atlanta Motor Speedway as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver, an historic car from the earliest days of his Cup career will play a big role to start the race. The No. 29 Chevrolet Harvick drove to his first victory in an unforgettable race at AMS in 2001 will return to the speedway on July 9 to lead the NASCAR Cup Series field prior to the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart. Richard Childress, who fielded the car and won a total of 23 NCS races as a car owner with Harvick from 2001-2013, will be behind the wheel of the historic ride for the commemorative laps. “Kevin Harvick meant so much to RCR over the years and we want to congratulate him on a successful career in NASCAR,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “The No. 29 Chevrolet has a home at the RCR Museum in Welcome, North Carolina, but we know that this Chevy has history at Atlanta Motor Speedway and we’re looking forward to bringing it out to the track so that fans can see this historic car take one more lap around the track.” Harvick’s storied Cup career began at Richard Childress Racing in 2001. Following the death of legendary driver Dale Earnhardt in that season’s Daytona 500, Harvick took over full-time driving duties for the team, now sporting a new number – 29 – and an inverted, predominantly white version of the late Earnhardt’s iconic black Chevrolet. In just his third start, Harvick secured an emotional victory in a sensational finish at AMS. Just 0.006 seconds separated Harvick and 2nd place Jeff Gordon in what still stands as the closest finish in AMS history. That same car will not only take laps around the 1.54-mile track, fans with a pre-race track pass will also have an opportunity to see the historic ride up close on pit road before it leads the field off the grid. It’s all part of a race weekend that will honor Harvick’s legendary career. “As we celebrate NASCAR’s 75th anniversary and the rich history our speedway has within this sport, it only makes sense to recognize the accomplishments of a legend as he gets ready to retire,” said AMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Brandon Hutchison. “Kevin Harvick is a champion who’s won just about everything you can in a stock car, including three races right here in Atlanta. Seeing the car from his first win back here one more time for his last race at AMS will be an unforgettable moment for both Harvick and his fans.” Harvick has 60 NASCAR Cup Series wins in 23 seasons so far, including wins at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2001, 2018, and 2020. Those three wins lead all active drivers, as do his nine top-5s, 16 top-10s, and 1,360 laps led at the 1.54-mile track. The Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart on Sunday, July 9, will be Harvick’s 36th and final Cup Series start at the Georgia track before his retirement at season’s end. Fans who want to see Harvick’s last ride at AMS can enhance their experience with the Kevin Harvick Ticket Package, which includes a ticket to Sunday night’s race, access to an exclusive Q&A with Harvick, and an included donation to the Kevin Harvick Foundation — all for $65. A pre-race track pass, which includes access to Harvick’s 2001 race-winning car plus stage-front access to driver introductions and Andy Grammer’s pre-race concert, are available for $75 for adults and $35 for kids 12 and under. Tickets and camping for Harvick’s last ride at Atlanta Motor Speedway are available now at www.AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com or by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX.

Press Release | PHOENIX RACEWAY PHOENIX (May 31, 2023) – Nobody creates a championship atmosphere better than Phoenix Raceway’s fans. Just ask NASCAR, which announced today that Phoenix Raceway will continue as host of NASCAR Championship Weekend in 2024. Four champions will be crowned over three days, Nov. 1-3, 2024, as the best drivers from the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series West will compete for season supremacy in The Valley. “This honor is a testament to our fans whose overwhelming support makes this a true championship-caliber venue,” said Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey. “They pack the grandstands, fill the hillside and create the best camping experience in all of NASCAR inside our breathtaking GEICO Gecko Campground. Now the onus is on us to exceed the already high standards we’ve set to continue building on this momentum and keep them coming back.” The NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race completely sold out at Phoenix Raceway in 2021 and 2022, and only a limited number of seats remain for the 2023 NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway, Nov. 3-5. The weekend begins Friday, Nov. 3, with a championship doubleheader that includes the ARCA Menards Series West and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series championship races. On Saturday, Nov. 4, the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race caps a day that also includes NASCAR Cup Series qualifying. And then on Sunday, Nov. 5, the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race will once again tie a bow on one of the most exciting NASCAR seasons on record. Drivers will battle side by side for the coveted Bill France Cup in the fourth-consecutive NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race contested at Phoenix Raceway. Fans can secure their seats and experiences for this year’s NASCAR Championship Weekend now by visiting www.PhoenixRaceway.com.

Press Release | CHICAGO STREET RACE CHICAGO, Ill. (May 25, 2023) – Today, NASCAR named Xfinity as a founding partner of its inaugural Chicago Street Race Weekend, which will be held from July 1-2 in Grant Park. This announcement represents an exciting new chapter in the longstanding partnership between the two leading brands over the last nine years. As a founding partner, Xfinity will have official presenting, marketing, and promotional rights for the Chicago Street Race Weekend including the NASCAR Cup Series’ Grant Park 220 and NASCAR Xfinity Series’ The Loop 121 races. Xfinity joins McDonald’s and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois as the founding partners of NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race Weekend. The Xfinity 10G Network will be featured prominently and integrated on the course with significant branding in Turn 10, which will fittingly be called the Xfinity 10G Turn. The Xfinity brand will have visibility throughout the Chicago Street Race Weekend with additional on-course branding in a dedicated founding partner section as well as the historic start-finish line near Buckingham Fountain, fan entrances, concert stage, wayfinding signage, and other locations throughout the event’s footprint. “The Chicago Street Race is an incredible moment in NASCAR history, and we can’t think of a better platform to showcase the Xfinity 10G Network and Xfinity Mobile with the iconic Chicago skyline as a backdrop,” said Matt Lederer, Vice President, Xfinity Brand Partnerships. Xfinity is in its fourth season as a Premier Partner of NASCAR and ninth season as entitlement partner of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Xfinity also entitles the Xfinity 500, the Championship 4 elimination race of the Cup Series Playoffs at Martinsville Speedway. To download the Xfinity and Chicago Street Race logo, click here. “Whenever we want to do something bold to advance the sport and the fan experience, Xfinity has always been there to help us move NASCAR forward,” said Julie Giese, Chicago Street Race President. “The Founding Partner model is really unique to the Chicago Street Race, and we can’t think of a better organization to add to this incredible list of partners for our first-ever street race.” “Over the last nine years, NASCAR and Xfinity have become intrinsically linked, and this announcement represents the next step in that proud partnership,” said Jeff Wohlschlaeger, SVP, Chief Sales Officer, NASCAR. “This is an opportunity to showcase our wonderful Founding Partners like Xfinity to a global audience of millions in a brand-new setting here in Chicago.” Xfinity and the Chicago Street Race have committed to share future announcements on the organizations’ collaborative support for programs that will have a positive and lasting impact in the Chicago community. 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 ticket 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.

By Adam Carabine Cole Custer thought he had it made when he qualified 2nd - just behind pole-sitter Sheldon Creed. In a race without live, competitive pit stops, track position was going to be key. Starting the race from the front row should have been extremely important... but it wasn’t meant to be. Unfortunately, Custer’s #00 Ford needed some (unapproved) adjustments before the race, and he was forced to start in the rear. With non-competitive pit stops at each stage break, the onus was on Custer to make his way back to the front – no strategy calls were going to save the day. However, whatever adjustments his team made paid off quickly. Custer made his way back through the field effortlessly, finishing Stage One in P7. The fireworks were just beginning. Sheldon Creed looked unstoppable, as he maintained the lead for most of Stage One and Two. But on the final corner of the second stage, John Hunter Nemechek had finally had enough of second place, and hit the rear bumper of Creed’s #2, sending him spinning. Nemechek looked to have the Stage Two win under wraps, but Cole Custer had something else to say about it. “We had a fast car that I think could compete with anybody out there. That last lap [of Stage Two], I was like, man, they’re close! In that last turn they’re probably going to lay the bumper to each other, it worked out good and I was able to side-draft [Nemechek] back to the line, and just in the nick of time get ahead of him," Custer said. Sheldon Creed was not pleased with Nemechek about the spin, yelling on his radio: “We’re destroying his car when we get back to him.” While he didn’t end up destroying it, he did follow through on his promise, spinning Nemechek later in the final stage. Justin Allgaier, coming off a win last week in Charlotte, took the lead and stretched it out for a long time. Unfortunately for him, Riley Herbst’s #98 car was overheating, and caught fire, bringing out a late caution. Allgaier’s 4-second lead went up in smoke. In the final restart, during NASCAR Overtime, Parker Kligerman tried to beat the leaders in the first turn, and wound up sliding into both Allgaier and Creed out of the way, and putting them out of contention. Just like at the end of Stage Two, Cole Custer was in the right place at the right time. He capitalized on the drama ahead of him, took the lead, and never looked back. After what many considered a demotion after three years as a full-time Cup Series driver, Custer won his first race of this full-time Xfinity Season. When asked about what this sort of confidence boost can do for him and his team, Custer said: “It’s huge. To be able to come here and win races, that’s what we expect of our team. But it doesn’t happen overnight, I mean, this is a new group. Trying to get where we needed to, I haven’t driven these cars for a while, figuring out what we needed to do to the cars... It took a few weeks to get going, but now we’re starting to hit our stride, and I think we’ve really proved what we can do when we have everything working.” Custer’s spot in the Xfinity Series playoffs is now locked in, and he’ll hope to carry this momentum on to next week’s race at Sonoma Raceway in Northern California.

Press Release | WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY St. Louis (May 23, 2023) – Dallas-based Neiman Marcus will host a special fashion event Thursday, June 1 at its Frontenac Plaza location in St. Louis County to celebrate NASCAR’s return to World Wide Technology Raceway June 2-4. The event includes a cocktail reception, exotic cars, music, passed hors d’oeuvres and modeling of the season’s most fashion forward designers as guests mingle and shop throughout the store. NASCAR sensation Rajah Caruth will be the featured guest and will join the models in sporting selections from the store’s designer collection. The event is part of the Confluence Music Festival that surrounds the NASCAR race weekend at the raceway, located just east of downtown St. Louis in Madison, Illinois. “We have envisioned the festival to be a celebration of the many cultural aspects of this region as we share hospitality with our NASCAR friends traveling to St. Louis,” said Dave Steward II, CEO of Polarity. “I have always used fashion as a connector to help us execute our mission in regard to cultural enrichment. Raceway to Runway crystallizes that in a fun fashion-forward manner,” said Warrick Scott Sr, grandson of Wendell Scott and CEO of its namesake foundation. Scott has partnered with Neiman Marcus to make this unique event possible. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Confluence Festival and World Wide Technology Raceway to kick off the weekend of NASCAR races in St. Louis. During the kick-off event, guests will enjoy the finest in fashion for men and women, as well as the opportunity to meet with Rajah Caruth, who is racing the Wendell Scott Foundation No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado on Saturday,” said Dan Kramer, General Manager, Neiman Marcus St. Louis. “Neiman Marcus strives to create memorable moments for our clients and guests, and we are so pleased to be able to offer a unique experience to visitors to St. Louis this June.” The free event begins at 5 p.m. with exotic cars at the south entrance of the store. Guests will be hosted in the store until 8 p.m. with models mingling throughout the event and taking photos with Rajah. The event is open to the public but does require a reservation in advance. To register, guests should email rsvpstlouis@neimanmarcus.com .

Press Release | COCA-COLA 600 CONCORD, N.C. (May 23, 2022) – Buoyed by one of the most memorable races in the illustrious 64-year history of the Coca-Cola 600 last season, this year’s Memorial Day Weekend classic at Charlotte Motor Speedway is sold out of reserved grandstand seats for the second consecutive year. Only a limited number of standing-room-only and premium terrace box tickets remain for the May 28 NASCAR Cup Series showdown at America’s Home for Racing. Infield camping and Camping World Racing Resort is also sold out. Reserved tickets remain for the General Tire 150 (ARCA Menards Series) and the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 (NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series) on Friday, May 26, as well as the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 300 and NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 qualifying on Saturday, May 27. Kids 12 and under get in free both days. “With so much great on-track excitement and a rousing pre-race show, last year’s Coca-Cola 600 was pure spectacle, and fans took notice,” said Greg Walter, executive vice president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. “We saw strong renewals and have been pacing ahead of our year-over-year sales since the checkered flag fell last season. Our team can’t wait to welcome another packed house as we prepare to write the next memorable chapter in the history of this crown jewel event.” Last season, as NASCAR’s Next Gen car made its Charlotte Motor Speedway debut, veteran Denny Hamlin captured his first career win at the preeminent race after an action-packed event that saw 13 different leaders and 31 lead changes. Fans from across the nation and 18 foreign countries – as far away as Australia, Tanzania and the Czech Republic – have secured tickets to the iconic Memorial Day Weekend showcase of speed this year. Ticketholders still have the opportunity to upgrade their race ticket with a track pass to get up-close access to driver introductions, a rocking pre-race concert with The Doobie Brothers and the speedway’s rousing pre-race salute to the U.S. Armed Forces. Any weekend ticket will grant fans access to back-to-back nights of musical entertainment at Circle K Speed Street. Located just outside of Turn 1 at the speedway, Speed Street’s lineup features AC/DC tribute band Dirty Deeds on Friday night and country music superstar Jake Owen on Saturday night.

Press Release | TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY FORT WORTH, Texas (May 23, 2023) - BBR Music Group/BMG’s Wheelhouse Records PLATINUM Country stars LOCASH will perform their loud-and-proud hits like “Three Favorite Colors,” “One Big Country Song,” and many others during the pre-race concert for the NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Texas Motor Speedway. LOCASH, comprised of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas and named ‘country music's iconic feel-good duo’ by PEOPLE , will perform a sixty (60) minute set on the pre-race stage located at the start/finish line in front of the main grandstand for the first race of the Round of 12 of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs (2:30 p.m. CT, 24 (2:30 p.m. CT on USA Network , SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 , PRN , and 95.9 The Ranch -local). Texas Motor Speedway is offering fans premier access to enjoy the LOCASH concert and driver introductions for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 with the purchase of a Track Pass ticket upgrade while supplies last. The pre-race concert is free with any race ticket but a Track Pass provides the holder with the ability to move from the grandstands to in front of the stage for the concert as well as driver introductions. LOCASH continues their rise up the charts on strength of eight charting singles, two successful albums, and over 815 MILLION global on-demand streams since 2015. Songs like “I Love This Life,” “I Know Somebody,” and “Feels Like a Party” have earned LOCASH prominent fan recognition as well as industry respect, including a Vocal Duo of the Year nomination at the 56th Annual CMA Awards in 2022 in Nashville, Tenn. “We’re both huge NASCAR fans and we’re so pumped to perform at the Texas Motor Speedway,” the duo shared. “Can’t wait to see y’all there!” NASCAR RACE DAY LIVE Returns to Texas Motor Speedway with Hosts John Roberts and Kenny Wallace As part of NASCAR’s 75th anniversary celebrations, the Texas Motor Speedway pre-race stage will also be the location for the return of the NASCAR RACE DAY LIVE show hosted by John Roberts and the irrepressible Kenny Wallace. The long-time NASCAR TV show host, Roberts, teams up once again with Wallace, the former NASCAR driver-turned-show host, for an hour-long show of driver interviews and always entertaining takes on the NASCAR, in general, and the upcoming Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400, in particular. It’s a can’t-miss 60 minutes that can be viewed from the grandstands, Big Hoss TV (the world’s largest HDTV) and up-close with the purchase of a Track Pass. Red Carpet Treatment The route leading to the pre-race stage for driver introductions for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 will be kicked up a few notches on the prestige meter for this year’s NASCAR Playoffs race at Texas Motor Speedway. An actual red carpet will greet the drivers as they depart the pre-race meeting area located in the south garage building of the speedway’s infield. The red carpet will wind its way through the lower paddock area behind SpeedyCash.com Victory Lane, up the ramp to pit lane and then out to the pre-race stage at the start/finish line of the actual racing surface. Race fans with a Track Pass will be able to line either side of the entire route to cheer on their favorite driver and possibly get an autograph or two. The NASCAR Playoffs weekend will be highlighted by the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 on Saturday, Sept. 23 (2:30 p.m. CT on USA Network , SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 , and PRN ), and the NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, Sept. 24 (2:30 p.m. CT on USA Network , SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Ch. 90 , PRN , and 95.9 The Ranch -local). Texas Motor Speedway’s always-busy events schedule is well under way. Upcoming events in 2023 include: Cowtown Fairs (May 25-June 6), Bandas y Trocas (May 27 and Oct. 14), Solar Car Challenge (July 13-15), Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Playoffs weekend (Sept. 23-24), Goodguys’ Summit Racing Lone Start Nationals (Sept. 29-Oct. 1), and Gordy’s Hwy 30 Music Fest (Oct. 19-22). The year wraps up with the family-favorite and speedway tradition Gift of Lights holiday light show.

Press Release | COCA-COLA 600 CONCORD, N.C. (May 22, 2023) –On the eve of Memorial Day, this weekend’s historic running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will once again pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces with a rousing tribute featuring representation from all six branches. Fans will be treated to aerial and ground demonstrations, moving musical performances and more as part of the patriotic pre-race salute. Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, a highly decorated United States Army officer, is set to deliver the State of Freedom Address prior to Sunday’s showcase of speed. With more than 30 years of service, Donahue has held numerous leadership positions. He is currently the commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps out of Fort Bragg. Outside of military circles, he may be best known as the last international military personnel to leave Afghanistan during America's military withdrawal from the country in August of 2021. In a show of unity among the nation’s military branches Donahue will be joined on stage during the address by Capt. Andrew C. Hertel (U.S. Navy), Maj. Gen. Michael G. Koscheski (U.S. Air Force) and Capt. Richard E. Batson (U.S. Coast Guard). Other military elements scheduled as part of the pre-race salute include: · 82nd Airborne Band: perform God Bless America , America the Beautiful , Carolina on my Mind · U.S. Army, Fort Bragg: Aerial Blackhawk demonstration, Howitzer demonstration · Armed Forces Color Guard and drummers from the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”: Presentation of Colors · U.S. Army Chaplain Stephen F. Townsend: Invocation · U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard: Small Arms Volley · U.S. Coast Guard Band; Musician Petty Officer First Class (MU1) Joel W. Baroody: Taps · U.S. Marine Corps, 2nd Aircraft MC Band: National Anthem In addition, a service member will be paired with each driver in the starting lineup for driver introductions on the pre-race stage.