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The NASCAR world is celebrating their 75th anniversary. With a diamond-year celebration comes many tributes, well-researched analysis, and even some creativity and fun along the way. The thing that I have enjoyed most over my 25 years of being a student of NASCAR is the complex underlying story of the brand. The sport itself is significant to American culture in both good and bad ways. The word 'significant' must be held true. Many journalists, fans, and other media are currently ranking drivers, teams, and races over the last 75 years looking to tell a story of accolades, statistics, and trivia. I wanted to take a different approach. Over the next several weeks I'll be presenting my list of the 75 most 'significant' racers in NASCAR history. When all is said and done, i'm sure I will have left somebody off of the list you would have included. It isn't said to be a definitive list, but please understand the opinions that come with the project have been thoroughly examined. A complex formula was created to rank drivers for their statistical worth in the sport, but also their historic value. I wanted to tell a story of ...''If this driver had never been in NASCAR, would the sport have changed forever?" There will be champion drivers that miss the cut. There will be drivers who only started a couple of races who make the list. Some drivers on the list are heroes. Some are considered bad in the consumer's eye. In total 119 drivers were examined for consideration. In this installment, I present drivers ranked 75-71. #75 - Fonty Flock NASCAR is a story of families and tradition. One of the first traditions for stock car racing was the concept of moonshining. The Flock brothers, Tim, Bob, and Fonty were true pioneers both in the prohibition style business and behind the wheel. He retired in 1958 after the southern 500. At the time of his final race he was 2nd all-time in career grand national victories. #74 - Ward Burton Known for his hard-working approach to life, Ward Burton is the older brother to retired NASCAR veteran Jeff Burton and winner of the 2002 Daytona 500 amongst a lengthy cup career that included loyal sponsor partnerships and a commitment to nature and conservation. Burton prided himself in etiquette on the track and is still known as a loyal friend to many off of it. His son Jeb now races alongside cousin Harrison maintaining a new generation of Burton family lore. Burton has maintained a relationship with the World Wildlife Foundation since they joined on as sponsor of his Bill Davis #22 Dodge in the early 2000s. #73 - Austin Dillon Third generation racer Austin Dillon chased a dream of racing for his grandfather in the NASCAR Cup Series throughout a youth sporting career that included an appearance in the Little League World Series and a racing ladder that always wore a bold number 3 on the car door. He has successfully built a relationship with longtime family partner Johnny Morris and in 2013 he put a black #3 Chevy on the pole for the Daytona 500. The story became a legacy in 2018 when he drove the same team's ride to the victory of the Great American Race twenty years after Dale Earnhardt Sr. did the same thing. #72 - Ryan Blaney NASCAR's history includes a long list of faces and heels. Third generation racer Ryan Blaney overcame obstacles his father, uncle, and grandfather couldn't when he inked a deal with Team Penske that has earned him a series of wins on some of the circuits toughest tracks. Following in the past legacy of his family, Ryan Blaney is certainly one of the most highly recognized 'faces' in the sport's history. He is successful in maintaining his composure in even his worst moments, and gracefully welcomes in awards and accolades . As the sport enters the newest generation of truly rough stock car racing, he will be remembered as one of the last gentlemen to have ever raced. #72 - Geoffrey Bodine Another racing family that must be documented in a thorough look back of the sport is the New York bred Bodine Bunch. The oldest of the three brothers, Geoffrey Bodine was a stern, tough competitor in the 1980s who earned respect from his competitors year by year, never letting down his true grit style even as he entered his later years. He won a Daytona 500 in 1986 but may be best remembered for his lengthy rivalry with Dale Earnhardt Sr. Bodine created an alliance between automakers, the sport of NASCAR, and the US Bobsled team in the 1990s when he created the Bo-Dyn Bobsled. A truly patriotic competitor, he designed and engineered the official bobsled of team USA and has since written books and spoke on behalf of his experience with the team. Fans can still interact with Bodine at bobsled and racing events where he's proud to discuss either career.

By Adam Carabine Welcome to the 3rd annual Playoff Forecast project! Using a top-secret predictive formula in Excel, the 2023 Cup Series schedule is simulated 100,000 times. The formula takes three important categories into account - individual stats at each specific track, recent overall stats, and team performance. Here's how to read it: The numbers in brackets show last week's position. The percentages in each column refer to the probability of that driver making it to that round of the playoffs. Separately, this week's Cup Series race is also simulated - check out who's favoured to win this week: Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @RacingRefresh Or you can email directly: acarabine@racingrefresh.com Follow us on Facebook: Racing Refresh Facebook Page Get all of your Racing Refresh Merch from our online store! Is there an error? Something missing that you’d like to see? Let us know!

By Adam Carabine Welcome to the 3rd annual Playoff Forecast project! Using a top-secret predictive formula in Excel, the 2023 Cup Series schedule is simulated 100,000 times. The formula takes three important categories into account - individual stats at each specific track, recent overall stats, and team performance. Here's how to read it: The numbers in brackets show last week's position. The percentages in each column refer to the probability of that driver making it to that round of the playoffs. Separately, this week's Cup Series race is also simulated - check out who's favoured to win this week (note: this week's simulation was run before it was announced that Chase Elliott would return this weekend). Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @RacingRefresh Or you can email directly: acarabine@racingrefresh.com Follow us on Facebook: Racing Refresh Facebook Page Get all of your Racing Refresh Merch from our online store! Is there an error? Something missing that you’d like to see? Let us know!

Yorba Linda, California AJ Appeal, founder of RacingRefresh.com, has returned to the stock car world for a special project in celebration of NASCAR's 75th anniversary. As part of the celebration, AJ has curated a list of the 75 most significant racers in NASCAR history. Each driver on the list has been specifically reviewed and both a historic and statistic analysis of the driver was considered for their inclusion. Appeal, who left RacingRefresh.com for another opportunity in the world of racing, is excited to be back in the NASCAR scene for this original content. "NASCAR has a rich history, and it's an honor to curate this list," said Appeal. "Each driver on the list has left an indelible mark on the sport, and it's important to recognize their contributions." Site Administrator Adam Carabine offered the following sentiment. “We’re so excited to have AJ back to help celebrate 75 years of NASCAR. This list of the 75 most significant drivers is a testament to the rich history and legacy of the sport. We’re thrilled to contribute to the ongoing coverage of NASCAR and to continue providing fans with the best content possible.” The list will include drivers from NASCAR's early years to the modern era, showcasing the evolution of the sport over the past 75 years. It will be released in weekly installments of 5-10 drivers, giving fans and enthusiasts a chance to relive some of the greatest talents in NASCAR history. For more information on the project, please visit RacingRefresh.com About AJ Appeal : AJ Appeal is a former motorsports journalist and the founder of RacingRefresh.com. He currently serves as the digital coordinator of John Force Racing in the NHRA. With years of experience covering motorsports, Appeal is a respected voice in the racing community. His current work can be followed at ajAPPEAL.com or via Twitter, @NHRAppeal About Racing Refresh : Racing Refresh, established in 2020, is a media outlet that prides itself on delivering high-quality journalism and insightful press-focused analysis of motorsports in North America. Our team comprises writers from diverse socio-economic and culturally relevant backgrounds, fostering a transparent and inclusive atmosphere. In recognition of our commitment to excellence, we were granted a media credential with NASCAR in April 2021, allowing us to cover their sport full-time on location. We were also awarded media approval to Indycar in May 2021, and promoted writer Collin Best to exclusively cover open-wheel content. Our coverage extends beyond these series, with Chief Motorsports Correspondent Crystal Clay having covered NHRA events in the past, on-location. Founder AJ Appeal departed the company in 2023 to pursue other ventures. A seamless transition occurred when co-editor Adam Carabine assumed leadership of the brand, based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. We remain dedicated to expanding our coverage to include a wide range of racing disciplines, ensuring our readers receive the most comprehensive coverage possible.

By Adam Carabine Welcome to the 3rd annual Playoff Forecast project! Using a top-secret predictive formula in Excel, the 2023 Cup Series schedule is simulated 100,000 times. The formula takes three important categories into account - individual stats at each specific track, recent overall stats, and team performance. Here's how to read it: The numbers in brackets show last week's position. The percentages in each column refer to the probability of that driver making it to that round of the playoffs. Separately, this week's Cup Series race is also simulated - check out who's favoured to win this week: Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @RacingRefresh Or you can email directly: acarabine@racingrefresh.com Follow us on Facebook: Racing Refresh Facebook Page Get all of your Racing Refresh Merch from our online store! Is there an error? Something missing that you’d like to see? Let us know!

(Photo Credit: Twitter.com/alzassociation) Press Release | RYAN BLANEY CHICAGO, March 29, 2023 – The Ad Council, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association and NASCAR, launched new public service announcements (PSAs) featuring NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney sharing his family’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease following his Grandpa Lou’s diagnosis. The PSAs encourage families to have a conversation with loved ones when they notice changes in cognition or behavior. Blaney, who founded The Ryan Blaney Foundation in 2018 to support causes that personally impact the Blaney family, lost his grandfather, race car driver Lou Blaney, to Alzheimer’s in 2009. “The opportunity to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association and Ad Council to participate in this campaign further extends the initiatives of the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation and conversations surrounding Alzheimer’s in our communities,” said Ryan Blaney. “As someone whose family has been personally affected by this disease, along with millions of others nationwide, we’re confident this campaign will inspire action to have the tough conversations as a path towards early detection.” According to the 2023 Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, there are currently more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. One in three seniors dies from Alzheimer’s or another dementia. An Alzheimer’s Association/Ad Council omnibus survey finds fewer than three in ten people with older loved ones at risk for developing Alzheimer’s (27%) say they are very likely to consider Alzheimer’s as a possibility if they noticed signs of cognitive decline in their loved one. Furthermore, fewer than half (38%) would be very likely to talk to their family member about the changes they were noticing or talk to the person about going to the doctor (42%). In addition to encouraging families to have conversations, the new campaign stresses the benefits of early detection that include access to treatment options, an opportunity to participate in clinical trials, and more time to plan for the future. “This new Ad Council campaign seeks to help people understand the critical importance of early detection of Alzheimer’s and dementia as families nationwide are struggling to start these conversations with their loved ones,” said Michael Reich, chief marketing officer, Alzheimer’s Association. “Ryan Blaney and NASCAR are welcomed into the homes of millions of people every race weekend. Their powerful voices can make a very real difference to inspire action and bring about change.” The campaign’s website alz.org/TimetoTalk offers tools and resources to help families recognize early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, tips for facilitating conversations about cognition, benefits of early detection and diagnosis, a discussion guide for use with doctors and health providers, and other disease-related information. “We know that for many people, it can be difficult to raise concerns when they notice changes in a loved one,” said Heidi Arthur, chief campaign development officer, Ad Council. “But early diagnosis can make a world of difference in the lives of families. It’s our goal that this campaign will encourage family members to have a conversation when they see signs.” The national communications campaign was created and produced by Clutch Studios. The PSA will run on television, radio, and digital sites across the country, including donated media support from NASCAR. “It was a privilege to produce such a impactful narrative for the Alzheimer’s Association on behalf of the Ad Council and hear Ryan’s compelling story about his Grandpa Lou,” said Elliot Mabe, general manager, Clutch Studios. “It’s storytelling in its finest moment and we’re looking forward to seeing how Ryan’s heart-felt story positively influences others.”

Press Release | RICHMOND RACEWAY RICHMOND (March 30, 2023) – A company that creates impeccably customized cars will create an impeccably customized Toyota Camry TRD at Richmond Raceway. Even better, fans can watch it being built before their very eyes July 29-30. Today, NASCAR announced it is partnering with West Coast Customs to bring its West Coast Customs Experience to Richmond Raceway for its summer weekend of racing. The Experience, located in the Richmond Raceway midway, will provide fans with an opportunity to see world-renowned customizer Ryan Friedlinghaus and his team create a street-legal version of a NASCAR Next Gen car. Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 45 Toyota Camry TRD for 23XI Racing will also be assisting the West Coast Customs team on the project. Reddick, a four-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, is an active car enthusiast off the track and will provide his unique perspective during the project to ensure the custom Toyota Camry TRD is as close to the NASCAR Next Gen car as possible. Upon completion, this hot rod will go on display at other NASCAR events before ultimately being auctioned to raise funds for The NASCAR Foundation. “This amazing concept brings the NASCAR Next Gen car to life in a way that resonates with our fans and community,” said Richmond Raceway President Lori Collier Waran. “West Coast Customs has built its global brand by reimagining what is possible, and I can’t wait to watch their creativity unfold at Richmond Raceway.” “This is such a cool opportunity to be a part of and I’m looking forward to working with Ryan and the West Coast Customs team on this project,” Reddick said. “I’ve always loved working on cars and have been a fan of their customizations, so working with Ryan and his team to create a one-of-a-kind Toyota is going to be fun.” Friedlinghaus transformed a $5000 loan from his grandfather in 1993 into a global multimedia juggernaut known as West Coast Customs. He opened a modest shop in Orange County, California, working on mini-trucks and soon outgrew the space moving to a larger facility in Inglewood. In March of 2004, Friedlinghaus’ clientele and notoriety skyrocketed when “Pimp My Ride” became a smash hit on MTV. Over the decades he has continued growing his brand across various media platforms, while delivering eye-catching custom vehicles for pro athletes, celebrities, Fortune 100 companies and International Royalty. Although West Coast Customs currently resides in a 60,000 square foot state-of-the-art headquarters in Burbank, California, its focus will be on Richmond Raceway beginning July 29. “Our work transcends communities and cultures,” Friedlinghaus said. “That’s why our brand is so successful, and we’re incredibly excited to partner with NASCAR to bring the custom car communities and racing communities together in a new and creative way.” More details on the West Coast Customs Experience at Richmond Raceway will be released in the coming weeks. Fans are encouraged to visit www.richmondraceway.com for the latest information and secure their tickets for the 2023 season, which begins tomorrow!

Press Release | WWT RACEWAY MADISON, IL (March 28, 2023) – The 2023 Confluence Festival will once again feature chart-topping talent across multiple genres, including many regional favorites for the thousands of fans expected for the Enjoy Illinois 300 Presented by TicketSmarter race weekend, June 2-4. Already announced 14-time Grammy-nominated Dierks Bentley will headline, playing a full set in what will be his only St. Louis appearance this year. He leads an impressive award-winning lineup: · Flo Rida o Five-time Grammy nominee Flo Rida is an American rapper and singer who 2007 breakout single “Low” was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for over ten weeks and remained in the top ten for over 20 weeks. Having sold over 80 million records worldwide, he is one of the best-selling musical artists in the world. · Brothers Osborne o Brothers Osborne is an American country music duo consisting of brothers T.J. Osborne and John Osborne. Eight-time Academy of Country Music Award winners and six-time Country Music Award winners, they won the 2022 Grammy Award for “Best Country Duo/Group Performance”. · Brittney Spencer o Brittney Spencer is an American Country singer/songwriter from Baltimore. Brittney has released three singles; “Sober & Skinny”, “More Than Perfect” and “Wake Me Up (A Fever Dream)”. She was nominated for Country Music Television Music Awards “CMT Digital First Performance of the Year” in 2022 for her performance of “Sober & Skinny”. · Bailey Zimmerman o From nearby Louisville, IL, Zimmerman is one of country music’s most exciting new voices with the 2022 release of his debut LP, Leave the Light On – the biggest streaming country debut of all time and the most-streamed all-genre debut of the year. · Rissi Palmer o Risssi Palmer was one of the first African American female country artists to chart on country radio with singles, “Country Girl,” “Hold On To Me,” and “No Air.” She has independently released a Christmas single, her first children’s album, Best Day Ever and an EP titled The Back Porch Sessions . Her most recent album, Revival , has been critically hailed as her most personal and uplifting work to date. While she made her mark in Country Music, she is equally at home in R&B music, bringing the entire spectrum of popular music to bear on music she calls “Southern Soul.” · Tim Dugger o A NASCAR favorite, country singer-songwriter Dugger returns for the 2023 Confluence Music Festival. After surpassing 15 million career streams, he released his new single, “Buy a Bar” this past February. “We are so excited to deliver an impressive second-year experience for racing fans as they return to World Wide Technology Raceway,” said Curtis Francois, Owner and CEO of World Wide Technology Raceway. “We have so much to celebrate and live music entertainment is an important part of how we want to attract and delight our guests at the Enjoy Illinois 300.” David L. Steward, Founder and Chairman of World Wide Technology said, “My family and I are honored to partner with Curtis Francois and the entire WWT Raceway team to bring another amazing line up for this year’s Confluence Festival.” Special performances by BeBe Winans, Jazz St. Louis, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Madison High School Marching Band and The Muny Teens will put an unforgettable and uniquely local stamp on the event. “We were intentional about developing a line-up that is exciting, representative and true to the mission of Confluence,” said Kwofe Coleman, President and CEO of the Muny, and producer of the Confluence Festival. “Sharing the platform of Enjoy Illinois 300’s remarkable reach among local and national artists from various genres is a special opportunity to celebrate the concept of together and offer race-goers and attendees an unforgettable experience.” Regional acts scheduled to perform over the weekend include: Blinded By Stereo DJ Mahf DJ Big D Dr. Zhivegas Dylan Triplett Funky Butt Brass Band Lamar Harris Malena Smith Red and Black Brass Band St. Boogie Brass Band The Bobby Ford Band The Mighty Pines – lead singer Neil Salsich is currently competing on NBC’s The Voice! Vella La Vella We Are Root Mod The thousands of fans projected to attend the upcoming Enjoy Illinois 300 Presented by TicketSmarter race and related festivities will be entertained at every turn throughout race weekend. All concerts are included with a race ticket. Tickets sales for the Enjoy Illinois 300 race can be found online .

(Photo Credit: twitter.com/ConnorZilisch) By Logan Morris The TransAm Series Presented by Pirelli visited Road Atlanta this weekend. Round three of the TA class kicked off the action on Saturday. Chris Dyson showed Gym Weed had speed as he dominated, went back to back, and continued his rise through the all-time Trans Am Series greats. Dyson led the field to green and never relinquished the lead. Had his teammate Matt Brabham not had an engine failure on lap 16, CD Racing looked poised for its third straight 1-2 finish. Second on the podium however would go to the legendary Boris Said, who started third. He battled most of the race with Brabham and third-place finisher Tomy Drissi. The racing action continued on Sunday with the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 race where 16-year-old Connor Zilisch got his first career victory. There was a double yellow on lap 23 and a subsequent black flag that was caused by a scary crash. Big Machine Racing team owner Scott Borchetta was taken to the hospital after a lengthy clean-up. Luckily, Borchetta was conscious and communicating with his team in the aftermath of the crash. As of Monday afternoon, Borchetta was in stable condition. The Trans Am Twitter page shared this update on Monday: The end of the event was complicated by the limited time remaining once the race went back to green. Defending TA2 champion Thomas Merrill was able to hold off Zilisch until the second-to-last lap. The 16-year-old young gun took the checkered flag as the skies opened up and poured rain. The podium was rounded out by Rafa Matos who continued his strong start to the season. For full race results visit The Trans Am Series website. The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli returns for the annual Memorial Day Classic at Lime Rock Park May 26-29.

By Adam Carabine Welcome to the 3rd annual Playoff Forecast project! Using a top-secret predictive formula in Excel, the 2023 Cup Series schedule is simulated 100,000 times. The formula takes three important categories into account - individual stats at each specific track, recent overall stats, and team performance. Here's how to read it: The numbers in brackets show last week's position. The percentages in each column refer to the probability of that driver making it to that round of the playoffs. Separately, this week's Cup Series race is also simulated - check out who's favoured to win this week: Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @RacingRefresh Or you can email directly: acarabine@racingrefresh.com Follow us on Facebook: Racing Refresh Facebook Page Get all of your Racing Refresh Merch from our online store! Is there an error? Something missing that you’d like to see? Let us know!

Press Release | JTG DAUGHERTY RACING HARRISBURG, N.C. (March 22, 2023) – JTG Daugherty Racing is teaming up with Blue Buffalo to celebrate the special role that pets play in our families. On Sunday, March 26 and again on July 23, the Blue Buffalo brand will be represented on the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing car. Blue Buffalo is the country’s #1 natural pet food and is fueled by its mission to love, feed and treat all pets like family, making it a great partner for JTG Daugherty Racing and driver and pet parent, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. "Blue Buffalo is thrilled to sponsor JTG Daugherty Racing as a co-primary partner as we deliver value to shoppers through the Kroger Racing program. Ricky is both an incredible driver and a dedicated pet parent, which makes him the perfect driver to represent BLUE and Kroger at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA)," said Rob Branham, National Sales Director at Blue Buffalo. It’s obvious Stenhouse Jr. and his family have a special place in their hearts for animals. The Olive Branch, Mississippi native and his wife Madyson own Slide Job Ranch, which is home to a variety of four-legged family members and their beautiful Goldendoodle, Ruby. On February 19th of this year, the wavy-haired fur baby made her first appearance in Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway. ”Yeah, we had Ruby in Victory Lane and that was special,” said the 2023 DAYTONA 500 CHAMPION Stenhouse Jr. “Madyson and I love animals and we know how important it is to have natural ingredients for your pets because they are a part of your family and you want them to live happy, healthy lives. We’re excited to have Blue Buffalo join JTG Daugherty Racing at COTA.” Live coverage of the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on Sunday, March 26 starts at 3:30 PM ET on FOX, PRN and SIRIUSXM Satellite NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90). Then on Sunday, July 23 tune into USA, MRN and SiriusXM live from Pocono Raceway at 2:30 PM ET.

(Photo Source: James Gilbert/Getty Images) Press Release | KEVIN HARVICK Harrisburg, N.C. (March 22, 2023) – Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) announced today Kevin Harvick will enter the CARS Tour Late Model Stock race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Wednesday, May 17, driving the No. 62 Hunt Brothers® Pizza Ford. Harvick will honor his racing roots with a scheme reminiscent of one his early late model cars in California and run a number with a legacy built by his late father-in-law, John Paul Linville. As Harvick competes in his final season in the NASCAR Cup Series, a common theme has become clear. Never forget where you started, remember the journey and those who helped you along the way. For Harvick, those beginnings started in California running late models and winning a NASCAR West Series championship before he began his climb up the NASCAR ladder to becoming a NASCAR Cup Series champion. Earlier this year, Harvick, along with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Burton and Justin Marks, announced they had bought the CARS Tour, a late model series competing in the Southeast region. During the announcement, Harvick made it clear he planned to compete in the series, get to know the competitors, and return to where he started his career, racing a late model. “I’m excited to get to North Wilkesboro and compete in the CARS Tour,” said Harvick. “I’ve watched Dale (Earnhardt, Jr.) go out and have fun racing with these guys and I’ve been kind of jealous watching from the sidelines. I want to go out, have fun, get to know the racers who compete in these series regularly and see how I can help the drivers with my racing knowledge. Short-track racing really is the root that feeds into the higher series and everything we do in racing. The best way to make sure that continues and is strong is to be a part of it and racing at North Wilkesboro is just one of those steps. It’s going to be a great week with all we have planned between the late model and the Cup car.” Continuing a legacy built by his late father-in-law, Harvick will pilot the No. 62 for the CARS Tour race, but it’s a number that is also being used by Kevin and DeLana’s son Keelan as he competes in the No. 62 throughout the United States, previously in go karts and now in Legend Cars. Linville’s racing career spanned more than 30 years. He started on the local short tracks of North Carolina and competed in multiple series, including what is today’s Xfinity Series. “I grew up watching my dad compete for our family-owned team and traveling to the racetrack every week with him,” said DeLana Harvick. “When it was time for Keelan to pick a number, he wanted the No. 62 to remember his Paw Paw John and to set himself apart from Kevin. He really wants to be known as his own racer. To see my dad’s number running again with Keelan and now with Kevin, is really special to our family.” With his entrance into the CARS Tour race, Harvick will once again be behind the wheel of a Kevin Harvick Inc. machine, bringing the championship winning organization back to the track after a 12-year hiatus. Kevin Harvick Inc. competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Truck Series and ARCA Series from 2001 – 2011. The team garnered 10 Xfinity Series wins, 45 Truck Series wins and two Truck Series driver championships with NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr. “With where we are on the management side, the ownership in the CARS Tour and with Keelan’s racing, it felt like the right time to bring KHI back,” said Harvick. “For now it’ll be a place for us to run races to gain experience for our KHI Management, LLC (KHIM) drivers, compete in the CARS Tour to better understand how we can help make changes for the better and ultimately, have some fun racing.” Racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway kicks off on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, with the ASA STARS National Series followed by the CARS Tour on Wednesday, May 17, All-Star Friday on May 19, the Truck Series race on Saturday, May 20, and NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, May 21, 2023. For more information and to buy tickets for the weekend’s activities, visit northwilkesborospeedway.com. Fans unable to attend the race can visit FLoRacing.com to purchase a subscription to watch the race live from North Wilkesboro and the full season of the CARS Tour.

Press Release | TYLER ANKRUM Mooresville, N.C. (March 21, 2023) – Kirk Watson, Mayor of the City of Austin, TX, will officially proclaim March 25, 2023, as “Tyler Ankrum Day.” Ankrum, who will compete in Saturday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) XPEL 225 at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, TX will make his third start at the 3.41-mile road course. In 2021, Ankrum became the first NASCAR pole winner at COTA and went on to finish third in the inaugural event. In addition to Ankrum’s on-track success in Austin, TX, the San Bernardino, Calif. native has a proven track record of success in his young career and has been an exemplary role model to his fellow drivers, fans, and the members of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), the official partner of the No. 16 LiUNA! Toyota Tundra TRD Pro at Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE). Additionally, LiUNA! has proven themselves as strong community partners and fierce advocates for the workers of Austin. “This is really special,” Ankrum said. “To have my very own day in Austin for the second consecutive year, is crazy, but it’s truly an honor to be recognized and represent not only the city of Austin, but the more than 500,000 LiUNA! members and all the NASCAR fans out there. “LIUNA members and the work they are doing across the U.S. and Canada is not only impactful to the communities we work and live in every day, but the future of tomorrow’s infrastructure,” continued Ankrum. “It’s amazing to come into cities where we race and see the influence they have and the work they’re doing. I know in Austin specifically, LIUNA is at the forefront of the new transit system, building a new terminal at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport, conducting major highway updates, and so much more that will make Austin a better place to live for all its residents. It makes me proud to see the work they’re doing and I'm sure Mayor Watson feels the same way.” Mayor Watson will join Ankrum, LiUNA! and the No. 16 HRE team at COTA on Saturday for his first NASCAR race at the 20-turn track and will officially proclaim “Tyler Ankrum Day” at 9:50 a.m. CT at HRE’s No. 16 hauler in the Craftsman Truck Series garage. Media members are welcome to join Ankrum and Mayor Watson for the proclamation. The XPEL 225 at COTA will be broadcast live on FS1 Saturday, March 25 at 1:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. CT. It will also broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90.

Press Release | RICHMOND RACEWAY, MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY RICHMOND, Va. (Mar. 20, 2023) – Richmond Raceway and Martinsville Speedway announced today a renewal of their partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) that includes the naming rights for two NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races scheduled for the Commonwealth. The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 will take place Friday, March 31, and will be a part of Toyota Owners 400 Weekend featuring the ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, April 1, and the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, April 2. “Richmond Raceway is thrilled to be hosting the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race once again,” said Richmond Raceway President Lori Collier Waran. “Richmond Raceway is a major attraction for the travelers of Virginia. Welcoming this series back will help promote the VTC’s mission to continue developing tourism in the Commonwealth of Virginia.” “We are proud to continue our support for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Richmond Raceway is a major tourist attraction for race fans visiting the area and Virginians alike. We are looking forward to travelers discovering why Virginia is the destination for racing lovers.” Richmond first hosted a modified race in NASCAR’s inaugural season on May 16, 1948. This was the first NASCAR sanctioned race in Virginia. Since then, Richmond has hosted the modern-day NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour from 1990-1993, 1997, 1999-2022 and 2021-2022. The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 Whelen Modified Tour season finale is slated for Thursday, Oct. 26 and a part of the NASCAR Playoffs race weekend featuring Dead On Tools 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, Oct. 28 and the Xfinity 500 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, Oct. 29. The first modified race at Martinsville Speedway was a part of NASCAR’s inaugural season on July 4, 1948. This race would be the third NASCAR sanctioned race in the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour raced at the significant half-mile short track from 1985-2002, 2005-2010 and 2021-2022. “The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour draws nationwide attention to Martinsville, so it’s a fitting platform to promote Virginia as a tourist destination,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “We can’t to wait to welcome fans and visitors to the beauty and wonder only Virginia provides during our incredible fall weekend of racing.” “We are proud to continue our support of the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 150,” said McClenny. “Richmond Raceway is a major tourist attraction for race fans visiting the area and Virginians alike. We are looking forward to travelers discovering why Virginia is the destination for racing lovers.” To learn more about Virginia Tourism Corporation, visit virginia.org .

(Photo Source: Twitter.com/ JJKWILPrograms ) Press Release | WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY RACEWAY Madison, Ill. (March 20, 2023) — Raceway Gives , the philanthropy of World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR), along with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation have been awarded the 2023 Innovation in Philanthropy Award by the St. Louis Business Journal . The Innovation in Philanthropy Awards celebrate partnerships that go above and beyond the standard philanthropic practices in new and creative ways. Raceway Gives has a long-standing partnership with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation in East St. Louis to deliver motorsports-related STEM experiences to the youth served through Jackie’s organization. The raceway and Jackie’s center are just minutes apart and both organizations share a dedication to improving the lives of Metro East kids. “We are honored to be recognized for our collaboration with Jackie,” said Curtis Francois, WWTR owner and CEO. “Together, we are working to serve as anchors for transformational change in St. Louis’ urban core.” Joyner-Kersee will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 race, Sunday June 4 and will host the first ever JJK5K run and walk event on Saturday, June 3 on WWTR’s 1.25-mile oval track. Run registration is available here . “Serving the kids of East St. Louis has been my passion since retiring from competition, and earning this accolade for our work is a true honor,” said Joyner-Kersee. “I can’t wait to share our story with NASCAR fans in June.” The collaboration has also won national attention, earning the 2021 Comcast Community Champion award, which recognizes the most compelling motorsports-related community contributions across the nation. For additional information on WWTR’s Raceway Gives program, please visit www.RacewayGives.org .