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- Jacqie Rivera to sing National Anthem prior to Pala Casino 400
Press Release | AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY FONTANA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2023) – Jacqie Rivera is already known as an American singer, entrepreneur and reality-show star. On Sunday, she’ll become the final national anthem performer at Auto Club Speedway’s 2-mile oval. The track announced today that Rivera will lead NASCAR fans in a stirring rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” prior to Sunday’s Pala Casino 400. The green flag will fly shortly after 12:30 p.m. PT following a five-wide salute by the cars and the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series. “This is shaping up to be an incredible day that will create memories that last a lifetime,” said Auto Club Speedway President Dave Allen. “We’re certain Jacqie’s performance will enhance this historic moment for our facility and our sport.” Rivera’s musical pedigree is steeped in the Latin tradition. It was established by her late mother, Jenni Rivera, who rose to prominence as a regional performer in Mexico. Jacqie Rivera has built on that legacy with an impressive voice that has delivered such hits as “Hurt” and “Existo Yo” among others. In 2017, Rivera’s national anthem performance at Homestead-Miami Speedway was featured on her top-rated reality show “The Riveras,” which aired for four seasons on NBC Universo. “Performing at a NASCAR race is an incredible honor, and it’s even more special this time because it’s here in Southern California,” said Rivera, a Long Beach native who also serves as CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises. “This is truly an experience I’ll cherish for years to come.” Tickets for Sunday’s Pala Casino 400 are selling at a brisk rate and fans are encouraged to act now if they want to be part of the final race at this historic venue. The action begins Saturday with the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Production Alliance Group 300, which also includes practice and qualifying for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event. To buy tickets and learn the latest updates, visit www.autoclubspeedway.com .
- INDYCAR Prepares for Record-Making Season with Rising Momentum
Press Release | INDYCAR INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Feb. 24, 2023) – Another winter is about to give way to a thrilling launch of NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone seasons along the palm tree-lined streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, as the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, March 5 will see the most entries in each series in over a decade. That’s only the beginning of the 2023 storylines: Must-See TV For the second consecutive season, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will appear on NBC network television a record 15 times, including two days of qualifying for the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The first seven races of 2023 will be featured on broadcast TV and six of the final seven leading to the climactic season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Once again, all INDYCAR SERIES races will be simulstreamed via Peacock. For the second consecutive year, Telemundo Deportes on Universo will provide Spanish-language coverage of the season-opening race, the Indianapolis 500 and the season finale. In addition, fans will see a new side to INDYCAR with a first-of-its-kind broadcast series, “100 Days to Indy,” via the VICE Media Group and The CW Network. Cameras and crews already are capturing and chronicling the bold and brash storylines leading up to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 28. The premiere episode will air Thursday, April 27 on The CW Network. “This is a year of unprecedented coverage of the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “Between the front row seat that The CW Network will provide fans and the best seat in the house provided by NBC, there won’t be a storyline without a spotlight. We look forward to taking INDYCAR’s fierce and intense competition to a new and more youthful audience throughout 2023.” A Sustainable Present and Future This will be the most sustainable season in INDYCAR SERIES history, as the series and its teams continue to work to develop renewable technologies. Among the highlights are the first use of Shell’s 100% Renewable Race Fuel and continued use of renewable diesel for all INDYCAR team transporters supporting the series. The use of the Firestone Firehawk alternate race tire with a green sidewall, made from guayule rubber, will expand to all street circuit races after its successful debut last August in the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville, Tennessee. Finally, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will continue to prepare for a more sustainable future as development continues with Chevrolet and Honda for the 2024 engine package. Testing of the 2.2-liter turbocharged V-6 with hybrid technology will take place throughout 2023. Records Meant To Be Broken 2022 was a record-breaking season, with two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Will Power becoming the sport’s all-time leader in pole positions (68). In addition, the Indianapolis 500 featured the fastest pole speed in history, fastest front row in history and fastest field in history. The most competitive open-wheel racing series on the planet was highlighted by the most on-track passes in seven seasons. The finish at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix – Scott Dixon edged Scott McLaughlin by .1067 of a second – was the closest on a street circuit in INDYCAR SERIES history. More records are in sight in 2023. Six-time INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon looks to add his name to the Astor Challenge Cup for a record seventh time – tying the legendary A.J. Foyt. Helio Castroneves returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May for a second attempt at a record fifth “500” victory. “2022 was another record-setting season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said. “Each offseason, in collaboration with our owners, teams and drivers, we evaluate all aspects of competition-related initiatives and believe our updates will make 2023 even more competitive. Our growing paddock is a testament to the energy and momentum, and we are excited to get the season started.” Improved Safety, More Technological Choices A number of adjustments are being made for the upcoming INDYCAR SERIES season with an eye on safety and technical performance. From a safety perspective, 2023 will feature: In partnership with Indiana University Health, a new INDYCAR Medical Unit providing an environment for consistent and accessible care during each INDYCAR event Mandatory rain vanes to wick water from the aeroscreen in wet conditions New safety-inspired rear attenuator and stronger rear-wheel tethers New highly visible LED rain lights on the rear of the race cars New and higher headrest protection A new mandatory and more forgiving steering arm designed to take more punishment without breaking For the first time in NTT INDYCAR SERIES history, alternate-compound tires will be used on an oval. The Sunday, Aug. 27 race at World Wide Technology Raceway will feature the Firestone Firehawk alternates. Teams will follow the same rules as road and street circuits, with mandatory use of a new set of the alternate tire compound during the race. Also new for 2023 is the addition of EM Motorsports Telemetry to the EM Marshalling System, which debuted in 2022. The new telemetry system will give all race teams the ability to quickly receive reliable information and react with split-second decision making. It will also introduce more over-the-air features new to INDYCAR. From an aerodynamic standpoint, the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES rulebook is allowing: Optional short oval barge boards on road and street course events At Texas Motor Speedway, the underwing sidewall has been made optional On the IMS oval: New optional underwing flap wicker New mandatory stability wickers The option of a new additional underwing inner bargeboard (also optional at other ovals) Optional underwing road and street course strakes Speedway infill wicker made optional (also at Texas Motor Speedway) Additionally, a new pillar specification will allow 3 degrees more range for the adjustable rear wing on the IMS oval. It will increase the options for teams looking for additional or less downforce. “At the Indy 500, drivers in the pack can run up to 10% more downforce than last year,” said Tino Belli, INDYCAR director of aerodynamic development. “With the increased rear wing range, teams can still try and trim out the rear wing for end of race speed – and go for the win – if they have worked their way up into the lead group. “Overall, INDYCAR wants to give race teams more options going into 2023. The optional barge boards give them a crucial tool when they consider, strategically, what it will take to get to victory lane.” Recently announced, single points will be awarded for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The change comes after a review of the double points system, first used in 2014. Analysis showed full-time championship teams were overly penalized for poor performance in the “500.” Popular “second groove” practice sessions on the ovals at Texas Motor Speedway and World Wide Technology Raceway will continue in 2023. The additional practice, designed to help “rubber in” a higher racing line, will be available for all entries. From an officiating standpoint, the first red flag during Segments One and Two of road and street course qualifying will stop the 10-minute clock. The clock will continue to run for the second and subsequent red flags during Segments One and Two. The Firestone Fast Six will continue to feature six minutes of guaranteed time. Also new, to maximize time during the segments, the qualifying clock will not start until the first car during the session passes the alternate start-finish line on the racetrack. Next Up: INDY NXT by Firestone INDYCAR’s developmental series enters 2023 with a reimagined look. INDY NXT by Firestone is a more youthful and energetic pathway to North America’s premier open-wheel racing series. This season, 19 drivers from nine countries will pursue the 2023 championship and an increased $1.4 million purse. The INDY NXT by Firestone champion will receive $850,000 to be applied to an oval test at Texas Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 Open Test and Rookie Orientation Program, an entry for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and an entry for an additional 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES event. For the first time, the championship team will receive a prize of $35,000. After an expansion of teams and car count in 2022, the 2023 season will feature the highest entry list for the developmental series since 2009. “Incorporating this series with the rest of the INDYCAR paddock has increased the profile and excitement for the drivers and teams,” INDY NXT Director Levi Jones said. “Firestone’s enthusiastic return also is another important step in developing the new generation of racers and growing the series to new levels.” All 14 INDY NXT races again will be available in the United States via Peacock with coverage on INDYCAR LIVE, INDYCAR’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, in those countries not covered by international agreements. Looking Ahead Other developments to watch during the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, include the return of the hugely popular PeopleReady Force for Good Challenge. The first entry to win on all three types of circuits – road course, street circuit and oval – will split $1 million with the race team and the driver’s chosen charity. In 2022, two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Josef Newgarden claimed the grand prize with wins at Texas, Long Beach and Road America. PeopleReady is continuing to offer an additional $10,000 to the winner of every race this season, also to be split with the driver’s favorite charitable organization. INDYCAR’s season begins March 3-5 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. Coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season debut, Sunday, March 5 will be available at noon ET on NBC with a simulstream available on Peacock. Peacock also will provide coverage of the INDY NXT season opener that same day beginning at 9:50 a.m. ET. The INDYCAR Radio Network will provide coverage of both races, with audio available on the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.
- TeamSLR’s Connor Mosack Kicks off 2023 with TA2 Pole at Sebring
Press Release | TRANS AM SEBRING, Fla. (February 24, 2022) – Practice and qualifying are in the books for the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli’s Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series at Sebring International Raceway. Connor Mosack in the No. 28 Open Eyes/SLR-M1 Ford Mustang earned the Motul Pole Award with a best time of 2:05.884. Mosack, who earned five poles in 2022, continues his pattern of fast qualifying times. The 24-year-old is also coming off a pole award in the ARCA Menards Series last weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Mosack is only expected to run two Trans Am events in 2023, with 23 NASCAR Xfinity Series races and six ARCA starts on his schedule following two successful years of TA2 competition. “A big thank you to Scott Lagasse and his guys,” said Mosack. “This car is always really good, and we had a great qualifying run. I think we’ll be good in the race tomorrow, we probably will just need a few adjustments. Big thanks to Open Eyes for being on our car. I wish we could do more races this year, but it’s obviously good to be back and have good speed.” Qualifying Top Five: 1. Connor Mosack, No. 28 Open Eyes/SLR-M1 Race Cars Ford Mustang (2:05.884) 2. Rafa Matos, No. 88 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang (2:06.052) 3. Austin Green, No. 89 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang (2:06.866) 4. Thomas Merrill, No. 26 Bennett/HP Tuners/Mike Cope Ford Mustang (2:06.884) 5. Brent Crews, No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang (2:07.104) Full qualifying results can be found here . Practice Top Five: 1. Austin Green, No. 89 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang (2:06.429) 2. Rafa Matos, No. 88 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang (2:06.760) 3. Nathan Herne, No. 29 CUBE 3 /Berryman Ford Mustang (2:06.832) 4. Connor Mosack, No. 28 SLR-M1 Race Cars Ford Mustang (2.07.102) 5. Brent Crews, No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang (2:07.309) Full practice results can be found here. The race will be contested on Saturday, February 25 at 12:45 p.m. ET and can be streamed live at the links below. The TV broadcast of the race will air on MAVTV on Thursday, March 2 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
- DHL STORMERS WELCOME FORMULA E DRIVERS TO CAPE TOWN
Press Release | FORMULA E CAPE TOWN, South Africa. Thurs. 23 Feb. 2023: Ahead of making history this weekend with the first-ever ABB FIA Formula E World Championship race in Cape Town this Saturday, seven drivers swapped helmets for rugby balls when they joined the entire DHL Stormers squad for a traditional South African rugby experience at Clifton beach. The Stormers players took time out from training for their upcoming game against the Sharks to coach the drivers in kicking and passing challenges. The competitive spirit of all the professional athletes involved inevitably emerged as the drivers were lifted by Stormers forwards in a full lineout practice complete with attempted steals. South Africa native Kelvin Van Der Linde from ABT CUPRA Formula E Team; Envision Racing teammates Sébastien Buemi and Nick Cassidy; NEOM McLaren Formula E Team drivers Jake Hughes and René Rast; Maserati MSG Racing’s Maximilian Günther and NIO 333 Racing’s Sérgio Sette Câmara took part in the fun-filled beach action, watched by dozens of surprised beachgoing-fans, against the backdrop of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range. As the sun set on a beautiful day in the Mother City, it was time for the drivers to relax and swap stories with players Seabelo Senatla, Joseph Dweba, Alistair Vermaak, Scarra Ntubeni and Herschel Jantjies while enjoying some traditional boerewors rolls at the Clifton Lifesaving Club. Kelvin Van Der Linde, racing driver for ABT Cupra this weekend said: “It was a perfect start into the weekend meeting the Stormers at the beach on my home turf. We had some great conversations about our sport and their sport. Their passion for getting to know more about Formula E is great to see and we look forward to inviting them to our garage over the weekend. And yes, I can feel my muscles hurting from all the training!”. Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said: “As the DHL Stormers, one of our team’s missions is to make Cape Town smile – and that includes making visitors to Cape Town smile. It was great fun and a privilege for some of our team to spend time with the Formula E drivers and to share a few of their rugby skills, as well as a few laughs.” This weekend marks the inaugural ABB FIA Formula E 2023 Cape Town E-Prix. It’s the sport’s ninth season, but the first time Formula E’s all-new GEN3 cars – the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built - will compete in sub-Saharan Africa. Excitement is mounting as the Cape Town track is expected to be the fastest of the 16-race season, and drivers will need to use all their skill to handle one of the fastest corners of any Formula E circuit. With only a few tickets remaining the event is expected to be a sell-out, but final tickets can be found here: https://www.ticketmaster.co.za/artist/cape-town-e-prix-tickets/1222624 South African viewers at home can catch all the action on etv and SuperSport from 15:00.
- COOLSHIRT SYSTEMS to Sponsor Cool Move of the Race (Trans Am)
Press Release | TRANS AM CHARLOTTE (February 23, 2023) — The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli is pleased to announce the return of COOLSHIRT SYSTEMS as sponsor of the Cool Move of the Race. The company returns as a series sponsor following a two-year absence. COOLSHIRT SYSTEMS first joined the series in 2015 and has served as a partner for seven of the last nine Trans Am seasons. The Cool Move of the Race is awarded to the driver who “keeps their cool” in the heat of battle, recognizing race-saving and race-winning moves. The award is presented to one driver in every TA/XGT/SGT/GT race and one driver in every Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series race, rewarding them with a certificate for $250.00 in COOLSHIRT products on the podium. “We’re really excited to have COOLSHIRT SYSTEMS back as a Trans Am sponsor in 2023,” said Trans Am President John Clagett. “COOLSHIRT keeps our drivers cool and safe in rising temperatures during our challenging events, allowing them to focus on competition and the ‘cool moves’ that make our series so much fun to watch.” Located just outside Atlanta, COOLSHIRT SYSTEMS has been in business since 1987. Originally designed to keep surgeons cool in the operating room, COOLSHIRT SYSTEMS has grown to include industries such as motorsports, fire and emergency services, HAZMAT, the military, football and more. “COOLSHIRT is very excited to be back with Trans Am for the 2023 race season,” said COOLSHIRT Director of Motorsports Jeremy Ellis. “We have extensive history with this great organization, and we could not be happier to be back involved with Trans Am and the racers of the series. Our focus has always been the safety and comfort of the drivers, and we want to make sure that our systems are available to all drivers in the series. We look forward to all of the exciting action that makes the Trans Am Series one of the best professional racing series in the country.” The Cool Move of the Race will be awarded for the first time in 2023 when the Trans Am season kicks off at Sebring International Raceway this weekend.
- Trans Am Series Event Preview: Sebring International Raceway
Press Release | TRANS AM Back to the Beginning at Sebring The Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli returns to where it all began in 1966 to open up its 2023 season at Sebring International Raceway. Sebring was the home of the first ever Trans Am Series race, and the longest-running professional road racing series in North America has opened its season at the Florida track since 2013. Grand Marshals Tied to Series History The grand marshals for this weekend’s two feature races are each talented racers linked to the history of the series. NASCAR icon Richard Petty will give the command for Saturday’s Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series race with his grandson, Thad Moffitt , in the field making his first-career Trans Am start. Petty has experience racing in Trans Am, competing in the series’ inaugural season. With one NASCAR title under his belt at the time, Petty went on to become a seven-time champion in the NASCAR Cup Series, amassing 200 race wins, including seven victories in the Daytona 500. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010. Jagger Jones will serve as grand marshal for Sunday’s TA/XGT/SGT/GT event. Jones, who races in the Indy NXT series, is the grandson of racing legend Parnelli Jones, who competed in five Trans Am races in 1967, earning three top-five finishes. The elder Jones had a long and multi-faceted career, scoring victories in INDYCAR (including the Indianapolis 500), NASCAR, Champ Car, midgets, sprint cars and more. Higher Highs and Lower Lows This season, Trans Am will debut a new points system which will make the series even more competitive, especially in classes with higher car counts like the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series. Last season, the maximum number of points available to a driver in a weekend was 35, but that number increases to 111 in 2023. 103 points are earned by winning a race, and the points awarded for each subsequent position decreases incrementally down to the 40th position, which receives one point. No points will be awarded to drivers finishing 41st and lower. This is unlike previous seasons, where the number of points awarded for a win was 30, decreasing to one point for those finishing 25th or lower. This season will also see points awarded to the top five qualifiers, whereas previously only the top three received points. Moving forward, five points will go to the top qualifier in class, diminishing to one point going to the fifth-fastest competitor in qualifying. Finally, one point will be awarded to any driver who leads a lap, and two more points will be awarded to the driver who leads the most laps. With higher rewards come higher penalties. Any driver under penalty for an on-track violation (including pit road speeding) in qualifying or a race session is not eligible to earn bonus points until the penalty has been assessed and served. If a vehicle receives penalties during a post-session technical inspection, that driver will lose all points earned in that session. This means that a tech failure can cost a driver everything. Flagtronics Comes to Trans Am Beginning this weekend at Sebring, every vehicle racing in a Trans Am National Championship event must have the Flagtronics FT200 display unit installed, which displays the current flag condition in real time. Flagtronics electric sign boards will also be utilized around the racetrack at every corner station, signifying the current track condition, including local yellows. The implementation of the Flagtronics system will allow drivers to be alerted instantly if the track condition changes, increasing overall safety for competitors. Trans Am Unveils 2023 Broadcast Package with MAVTV This year, Trans Am races will be broadcast on MAVTV Motorsports Network. Races will air in a one-hour format on the Thursday night following 12 National Championship event weekends. The Thursday-night primetime slot will include a two-hour block of racing, with the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series airing at 8:00 p.m. ET and the TA/XGT/SGT/GT class race airing at 9:00 p.m. ET. The block will be capped off by the 30-minute Showtime Motorsports docuseries, Road to Glory. Produced by Greenlight TV, races will initially air in their entirety live on Trans Am and SpeedTour ’s YouTube channels. Road to Glory This season, the docuseries Road to Glory will debut on MAVTV. It will include a total of 22 30-minute episodes that will be released as the season unfolds. Each episode will reveal the behind-the-scenes story of a race weekend, with highlights and recaps, while sharing the journey of each of Showtime Motorsports’ drivers. Road to Glory will air on Thursday nights at 10:00 p.m. ET. Florida Drivers Take on the Sunshine State Five drivers who call Florida home will be taking the green flag at Sebring this weekend: SGT Lee Saunders , No. 84 LandSearch LLC Dodge Viper (Lakeland) GT Billy Griffin , No. 14 Griffin Auto Care/Sheehan’s Towing Ford Mustang (West Palm Beach) TA2 Patrick Utt , No. 49 RaceQuip/Driven Racing Oil Chevrolet Camaro (Tampa) Roberto Sabato , No. 61 6th Gear Racing Ford Mustang (Bonita Springs) Doug Peterson , No. 87 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang (Bonita Springs) Rafa Matos , No. 88 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang (Boca Raton) Trans Am Drivers Don’t Stop Winning During the Trans Am Series’ roughly 100-day off-season, several drivers in this weekend’s race scored big victories in other racing disciplines. TA David Pintaric , No. 57 Kryderacing Ford Mustang Won two GT1 class races in SCCA Majors at Sebring International Raceway SGT Lee Saunders , No. 84 LandSearch LLC Dodge Viper Won in A Sedan in SCCA Majors at Sebring International Raceway TA2 Thomas Merrill , No. 26 Bennett/HP Tuners/Mike Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang Won in LMP3 class in the 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway Won two GT class races in Asian Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Dubai at Dubai Autodrome Barry Boes , No. 32 BCR/Accio Data Chevrolet Camaro Won in GT2 class in SCCA Majors at Homestead-Miami Speedway Won in GT2 class in SCCA Majors at Sebring International Raceway Connor Zilisch , No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro Won in Spec Miata in SCCA Majors at Homestead-Miami Speedway TA is the Place to Be for NASCAR Drivers Trans Am’s premier TA class, which features the series’ most powerful 850-horsepower machines, has become a popular home for current and former NASCAR drivers. NASCAR driver and team owner Justin Marks joins the series full time in 2023 after getting his first victory in the class last year at Watkins Glen International. Marks, who has been dabbling in the series since 2017, will pilot the No. 99 Trackhouse Camaro for Showtime Motorsports. Wally Dallenbach Jr. has driven in TA since 1983, tallying 10 victories in the last 40 years. During that time, Dallenbach spent more than a decade in the NASCAR Cup Series, in addition to commentating for NASCAR broadcasts. He now competes in Trans Am’s Heritage class, driving the No. 4 Ultimate Headers Ford Mustang. Last year, Dallenbach finished second overall in the Sebring TA event. Road course phenom and 2002 TA champion Boris Said has been driving in Trans Am since 1994, competing concurrently in NASCAR’s Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series, as well as a host of other disciplines. Said will take the green flag at Sebring behind the wheel of the No. 79 ECC/Anchor Bolt & Screw Dodge Challenger. Longtime NASCAR competitor Paul Menard once again will join Trans Am at Sebring, this time driving the No. 2 Weaver Racing/Technique Chassis Dodge Challenger. Menard began his NASCAR career in 2003 and made his most recent start in 2021 in the NASCAR Truck Series, earning four victories in NASCAR’s top-three series. Menard won his first Trans Am race last year at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. Past Sebring Winners Are Seeking Another Victory Five drivers in this weekend’s TA/XGT/SGT/GT race have past experience atop the podium at Sebring International Raceway. Lee Saunders in the SGT class has the most wins of any returning competitor, tallying five victories at the track since 2014. TA Chris Dyson , No. 16 Gym Weed Ford Mustang: 2022, 2021 Amy Ruman , No. 23 McNichols Co. Corvette: 2015 Doug Peterson , 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang: 2014 (Racing in TA2 this weekend) SGT Lee Saunders , No. 84 LandSearch LLC Dodge Viper: 2020, 2019, 2016 (SGT) 2015, 2014 (TA3-I) GT Billy Griffin , No. 14 Griffin Auto Care/Sheehan’s Towing Ford Mustang: 2022 Returning Champions Looking for More Several former TA/XGT/SGT/GT champions return to the series in 2023 looking to add another title to their name. With six former champions and 10 titles between them, the depth of talent in the field will make this another exciting season to watch. In addition to those below, 2013 and 2014 TA champion Doug Peterson will be competing full-time in the TA2 class this year. TA Chris Dyson (2022, 2021) Tomy Drissi (2018 TA Western Championship) Amy Ruman (2015, 2016) Ken Thwaits (2020 XGT Champion) SGT Lee Saunders (2020 XGT, 2014 TA3-I) GT Billy Griffin (2022, 2020) CD Racing to Defend Back-to-Back Championships Reigning back-to-back champion Chris Dyson returns to the TA class to defend his titles and chase his third championship trophy in 2023. This year, Dyson will pilot the No. 16 Gym Weed Ford Mustang. In Sebring, he will be accompanied by Humaid Masaood in the No. 21 allgram Ford Mustang, who is entering his fifth season with the team, and Matthew Brabham in the No. 20 ALTWELL Ford Mustang. Brabham has made five starts for the CD Racing team, scoring three victories. Showtime Starting Strong for Thwaits’ Final Full-Time Season Showtime Motorsports has a large and competitive TA stable to kick off the 2023 season. Team owner Ken Thwaits , who announced over the off-season that this year would be his final season of full-time driving, will pilot the No. 7 Franklin Road Apparel Camaro. Justin Marks , who won in the TA class driving for Showtime at Watkins Glen last year, will run his first full-time season in the No. 99 Trackhouse Camaro. Keith Grant will round out Showtime’s TA effort in the No. 40 Showtime Motorsports Camaro. Keith will be racing against his father, Richard Grant , who is entered in the class with his family team’s No. 30 Grant Racing Corvette. Turn Key Unveiled New SGT and GT Camaro at PRI Over the off-season at the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show (PRI), Turn Key Motorsports unveiled its new Chevrolet Camaro for Trans Am’s SGT and GT classes. The spec-level vehicle can be fully customized to customers’ specifications to race in either class, and can also be upgraded from GT to SGT at any time. Expect to see the new car on the track in both classes in 2023. New Name, Same Great Racing Trans Am’s TA2 class kicks off 2023 with a brand-new name: the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series. The moniker may be different, but fans and competitors will enjoy the same great racing. TA2 comes off its closest season on record and the first championship to be decided by a tie-breaker scenario. Last season, Thomas Merrill edged out Rafa Matos by winning the season finale at Circuit of The Americas, tying Matos in points and breaking the tie by having more wins over the course of the season. Merrill and 14-year-old Young Gun Brent Crews earned the most wins of the season with three victories each. The eventful season saw the top-four contenders (Merrill, Matos, Crews and Connor Mosack separated by only 32 points in the final standings, and those four drivers accounted for 10 poles and nine wins in 2022. With 15 of the 20 top point earners returning in 2023, a new class of Young Guns and a growing field, expect the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series to wow again this season. Back to Win Again? Three past Sebring winners return for this weekend’s event, hoping to tally another mark in their win column. Rafa Matos , No. 88 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang: 2022, 2019 Thomas Merrill , No. 26 Bennett/HP Tuners/Mike Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang: 2021 Dillon Machavern , No. 17 SLR-M1 Race Cars Chevrolet Camaro: 2017 Making Moves The off-season led to many drivers and teams switching it up, meaning fans might need a scorecard to keep track of new rides. Here is where some of those movers and shakers landed: Dylan Archer , No. 4 FPEC Chevrolet Camaro (Showtime Motorsports) Michele Abbate , No. 30 Ghost Energy/Lucas Oil Camaro (Showtime Motorsports) Evan Slater , No. 6 Franklin Road Apparel Chevrolet Camaro (Showtime Motorsports) Barry Boes , No. 32 BCR/Accio Data Chevrolet Camaro (BC Race Cars) Adam Andretti , No. 41 Ultimate Headers Chevrolet Camaro (John Cloud) Darin Mock , No. 51 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang (Nitro Motorsports) William Sawalich , No. 60 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang (Nitro Motorsports) TA2 Debuts A number of drivers will be making their first-career Trans Am start in Saturday’s Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series race. In addition to the drivers below, Parker DeLong in the No. 42 BridgeHaul/Mike Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang will be making his first National Championship start after competing in two Western Championship races last year. Caleb Bacon , No. 18 Cortex Racing/Bacon Development Ford Mustang Thad Moffitt , No. 43 Safety-Kleen Chevrolet Camaro Ben Maier , No. 75 Silver Hare Racing/Gel Blaster Chevrolet Camaro Taylor Gray , No. 80 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang Laurent Graziana , No. 85 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang TA2 News & Notes ‘Iron Man’ Tom Sheehan will be making his 127th-career Trans Am start this weekend when he takes the green flag in the No. 97 LTK Insulation Ford Mustang. Ten drivers who have previous starts in the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 Series were in the Daytona 500 last weekend: Christopher Bell , Chase Briscoe , Harrison Burton , Austin Dillon , Ty Dillon , Ty Gibbs , Riley Herbst , Tyler Reddick and Daniel Suarez Connor Mosack , who finished fourth in the points in 2022, won the pole and finished second in the ARCA Menards Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Mosack’s success in 2022 led to a deal to compete in 23 NASCAR Xfinity Series and six ARCA races in 2023. Young Gun Award Returns $20,000 will once again be on the line for TA2’s best drivers under the age of 25. The Young Gun Award will showcase the series’ young, up-and-coming drivers, awarding the cash prize to the season’s top points earner at the year-end awards gala. Drivers currently eligible for the 2023 Young Gun Award are: Thomas Annunziata , 17, No. 90 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang Dylan Archer , 23, No. 4 FPEC Chevrolet Camaro Caleb Bacon , 18, No. 18 Cortex Racing/Bacon Development Ford Mustang Kaylee Bryson , 21, No. 72 AP Driver Development/LSI Racing Chevrolet Camaro Brent Crews , 14, No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang Parker DeLong , 14, No. 42 BridgeHaul/Mike Cope Race Cars Ford Mustang Taylor Gray , 17, No. 80 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang Austin Green , 21, No. 89 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang Nathan Herne , 20, No. 29 Cube 3/Berryman Ford Mustang Ben Maier , 14, No. 75 Silver Hare Racing/Gel Blaster Chevrolet Camaro Darin Mock , 20, No. 51 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang Thad Moffitt , 22, No. 43 Safety-Kleen Chevrolet Camaro Connor Mosack , 24, No. 28 SLR-M1 Race Cars Ford Mustang Luke Rumburg , 23, No. 95 Rumcastle Racing Ford Mustang Boris Said Jr. , 19, No. 86 3-Dimensional Services Group Ford Mustang William Sawalich , 16, No. 60 Nitro Motorsports Ford Mustang Evan Slater , 17, No. 6 Franklin Road Apparel Chevrolet Camaro Jack Wood , 22, No. 8 SLR-M1 Race Cars Chevrolet Camaro Connor Zilisch , 16, No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Chevrolet Camaro Young Gun and Wilwood Rookie of the Year Stats The top-four contenders for Rookie of the Year in 2022 return to the series in 2023 ( Dylan Archer, Brent Crews , Evan Slater and Connor Zilisch) . More than half the drivers in this weekend’s season opener (24) are either Young Guns or Rookie of the Year contenders, with 11 drivers who are competing in both categories.
- INDY NXT by Firestone Added to Brickyard Weekend at IMS
Press Release | INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023) – INDYCAR officials have announced an adjustment to the 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone schedule, adding the developmental series to the historic Brickyard Weekend in August at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix will take place Friday, Aug. 11 on the IMS road course, joining the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and NTT INDYCAR SERIES for one of motorsports’ premier events in North America. It’s the only event in which both the top divisions of NASCAR and INDYCAR compete on the same circuit during the same event weekend. “To feature INDY NXT by Firestone during this elite NASCAR-INDYCAR weekend is a tremendous opportunity,” INDY NXT by Firestone Director Levi Jones said. “This season, 19 INDY NXT entries will compete for the 2023 championship – the most since 2009. It is a growing series matching the growing INDYCAR paddock and a phenomenal moment to showcase the next generation of stars on a huge stage.” This change will put INDY NXT into the spotlight on two marquee weekends at IMS instead of just one. INDY NXT’s May 12 race date, held in conjunction with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ GMR Grand Prix weekend, will be shifted to the Aug. 11 date keeping the 2023 INDY NXT schedule at 14 races. INDY NXT will continue to race as scheduled Saturday, May 13 on the IMS road course. The addition to the Brickyard Weekend schedule at IMS is the latest in a series of moves meant to highlight the pathway to North America’s premier open-wheel racing series. Last month, INDYCAR announced an increased $1.4 million purse for the 2023 INDY NXT championship with the champion receiving benefits to be applied to an oval test at Texas Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 Open Test and Rookie Orientation Program, an entry for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and an entry for an additional 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES event. The INDY NXT season begins Sunday, March 5 on the Streets of St. Petersburg. Peacock will provide live streaming of the race in the United States with additional coverage available from the INDYCAR Radio Network via the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. Updated 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone Schedule Date Venues Broadcast Time Broadcast Sunday, March 5 Streets of St. Petersburg 9:50 a.m. ET Peacock Sunday, April 30 Barber Motorsports Park 12:50 p.m. ET Peacock Saturday, May 13 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course 1 p.m. ET Peacock Saturday, June 3 Streets of Detroit Race 1 12:35 p.m. ET Peacock Sunday, June 4 Streets of Detroit Race 2 12:35 p.m. ET Peacock Sunday, June 18 Road America 11 a.m. ET Peacock Sunday, July 2 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 11:30 a.m. ET Peacock Saturday, July 22 Iowa Speedway 11 a.m. ET Peacock Sunday, Aug. 6 Streets of Nashville 10:05 a.m. ET Peacock Friday, Aug. 11 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course 4:50 p.m. ET Peacock Sunday, Aug. 27 World Wide Technology Raceway 3:55 p.m. ET Peacock Sunday, Sept. 3 Portland International Raceway 1:10 p.m. ET Peacock Saturday, Sept. 9 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 1 3:25 p.m. ET Peacock Sunday, Sept. 10 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 2 12:50 p.m. ET Peacock
- Advance Auto Parts Named Official Sponsor of Checkered Flag for NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Press Release | INDYCAR INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023) – Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider, today announced a multiyear agreement to become the official sponsor of INDYCAR’s checkered flag used at each NTT INDYCAR SERIES race through the 2025 season. The partnership connects Advance’s distinctive logo, which features the checkered flag icon, with the iconic flag NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers aspire to see first at the end of each race. Through the agreement, Advance also becomes the official automotive aftermarket retail partner of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). Advance’s marks will be displayed on the iconic IMS Scoring Pylon and other digital boards throughout the “Racing Capital of the World” for its signature events, including the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in May and the Brickyard Weekend tripleheader in August. “We’re honored to welcome Advance Auto Parts to both the INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway families,” said Mark Miles, president & CEO Penske Entertainment Corp. “Advance is a world-class and highly respected brand, and the perfect partner emblem to display on the checkered flag welcoming our NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers to the finish line at the iconic Yard of Bricks and across all of our events.” Advance’s partnership with INDYCAR will include a charitable component during the 2023 season. As race-winning drivers strategically use “advance” as a verb in their post-race interviews, Advance will gift winning drivers a cash prize to be donated to a charity of their choice. “It’s a privilege to associate the Advance brand and our checkered flag with those used at the Indianapolis 500 and every INDYCAR race,” said Jason McDonell, Advance’s executive vice president of merchandising, marketing and eCommerce. “We know INDYCAR fans are incredibly passionate about the sport, its heritage and future. Whether they’re road-tripping to the next race or tackling their everyday commute, race fans know we’ll be ready with quality auto parts and expert advice to help them advance to their own checkered flag.” Advance and INDYCAR also will team up on a unique content series viewable on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . Leading into each race weekend, INDYCAR will create a video highlight reel celebrating the most exciting wins and checkered flag moments at that track, giving race fans an opportunity to witness some of auto racing’s most historic wins though archived footage. The 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starts with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, March 5 (Noon ET on NBC, Peacock, INDYCAR Radio Network).
- Toyota Racing - Weekly Preview - 02.22.23
Press Release | TOYOTA RACING PLANO, Texas (February 22, 2023) – After opening the 2023 season at Daytona International Speedway last weekend, NASCAR heads back to California for the final races on the two-mile Auto Club Speedway circuit. Bell plans to continue strong start… Christopher Bell had a strong start for the 2023 season with a runner-up finish in Thursday’s Duel before a third-place result in the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Bell comes into California looking for his first top-five finish in the NASCAR Cup Series at Auto Club Speedway. He earned a strong third-place result in Xfinity Series action in 2019. Truex desires second Fontana triumph… Martin Truex Jr. battled through crash damage to finish in the top-15 in the Daytona 500, but the former Cup Series champion is looking for much more at Auto Club Speedway this weekend. He won in dominating fashion at Fontana in 2018 by leading 125 of 200 laps and has scored three top-10 finishes in the last five races at the track. Hamlin looking for first Auto Club victory… In the final race on Auto Club Speedway’s two-mile circuit, 48-time Cup victor Denny Hamlin is looking to add the track to his Cup Series success. Hamlin has had multiple strong runs at the track, but is looking for his first victory. He has scored multiple top-five finishes, including a track-best third in 2008 and 2016. Reddick going for two… Tyler Reddick will be back behind the wheel of his No. 45 Toyota Camry TRD on Sunday. Reddick will also compete in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) aboard a Toyota GR Supra for the first time as he races the No. 24 GR Supra for Sam Hunt Racing (SHR). The two-time NXS champion has made two starts at Auto Club Speedway – with top-10 finishes in both. Reddick will make several NXS starts for SHR this season – including next weekend at Las Vegas – before Connor Mosack makes his first of 20 scheduled starts in Phoenix. Nemechek looks to continue strong start… John Hunter Nemechek missed starting the NXS season with a win by mere inches on Saturday in Daytona and is looking for more success this weekend. The North Carolina-native sits third in the point standings after the season-opener and is looking for his first Fontana win this weekend.
- FORMULA E DEBUTS IN SOUTH AFRICA - HOW TO WATCH THE 2023 CAPE TOWN E-PRIX
Press Release | FORMULA E CAPE TOWN, South Africa. Weds. 22 Feb. 2023: Cape Town will host the next race in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship this Saturday (25 February), the first time the series has raced in sub-Saharan Africa and the second of three consecutive races in new host cities. Table Mountain will be the spectacular backdrop for Round 5 on the streets of Cape Town this weekend, following an unforgettable debut race in Hyderabad, India, last time out and with the next stop in São Paulo, Brazil. The Mother City's Green Point district provides the location for a scheduled 30 laps of the high-speed 2.921km circuit, snaking around the DHL Stadium and skirting the coastline looking out on Robben Island. The track is expected to be the fastest of the 16-race season and features bumpy braking zones, a tight chicane at Turns 4, 5 and 6 and a pacy, narrow section midway around the lap that will challenge the 22 drivers and their GEN3 machines – the fastest, lightest most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built. AS IT STANDS: PORSCHE SETTING THE PACE With a quarter of the season complete, TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team and driver Pascal Wehrlein lead the way in both the Teams' and Drivers' World Championships. A win-double for the German in Diriyah followed a podium in the season-opener in Mexico City. Hyderabad proved a test for the Stuttgart manufacturer, with a technical issue throwing Wehrlein's weekend into jeopardy via a heavy practice shunt. Wehrlein and Porsche were able to find the root cause of the problem and recovered to race with Wehrlein following home fourth behind António Félix da Costa in third meaning the German team leads the Formula E standings for the first time in its fourth season of competition. Porsche didn't have it all their own way in Hyderabad. Avalanche Andretti Formula E team driver Jake Dennis, powered by the Porsche 99X Electric Gen3, missed out on a potential top three finish following an encounter with René Rast (NEOM McLaren Formula E Team). The resulting 16th-placed finish proved costly for Dennis, who won Round 1 in Mexico and finished second in both Diriyah races, allowing Wehrlein to extend his advantage in the standings over Dennis who remains in second. Jean-Éric Vergne won Round 4 in Hyderabad to kickstart the GEN3 era for the double-champion and team DS PENSKE with a vintage defensive drive. Early-season favourites for many, DS PENSKE had struggled with just seven points to their name after three rounds of Season 9 but Vergne’s victory helped fire the team to 36 come the chequered flag in India. Vergne led from lap 15 after sweeping by Envision Racing's Sébastien Buemi and called on all his experience to hold off teammate Nick Cassidy's late charge to steal a storming win and go third in the Drivers’ standings. Cassidy steered to a strong second, and had some four percent usable energy in-hand over race winner Vergne heading into the final couple of laps. "I'm so happy for the team," said Vergne. "It’s been a very difficult three races and I couldn't be more proud of my team because we never gave up. We keep pushing and it doesn't matter the result - I am very proud of all my guys. "We have a good car, maybe not the best at the moment but we are going to keep on working very hard to be the best and come back in the championship. That is what we do, we never give up." Pace was not in question for Jaguar TCS Racing in Hyderabad. Mitch Evans took Julius Baer Pole Position and the pair ran in the top six early on - with energy management also a positive feature, as evidenced by the Jaguar-powered Envision Racing cars' performance. Were it not for a costly slide into his teammate at the hairpin, both Jaguars looked capable of taking the fight to Vergne out front heading into the closing stages. Bird was quick to apologise for the mistake that ended the race prematurely for both Bird and teammate Mitch Evans. In Cape Town, Bird and the team will be out to make amends. "We had a great car, and I let my team down," he said. "I feel really low but we have a race in Cape Town to try and correct it. The good thing is we have a fast car." South African native and Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal James Barclay said: "Having grown up in South Africa and watched the last world championship race there in 1993 at Kyalami, it is a proud moment for myself and the other South African members of the team to be part of the return of top tier racing to this passionate motorsport country.” Johannesburg-born racer Kelvin van der Linde learned this week that he will remain in the ABT CUPRA line-up in place of the injured Robin Frijns, meaning a home Formula E debut for the South African on the same weekend his brother Sheldon races sportscars in Kyalami. It has been a tough return to Formula E for ABT so far, with no points and a best of 11th for Nico Mueller in Hyderabad. Things are slowly improving for the squad, and van der Linde will look to home support to urge him on up through the field in Cape Town. WHEN TO WATCH Free Practice 1 for the Cape Town E-Prix gets underway at 17:00 SAST (15:00 GMT) on Friday 24 February. Free Practice 2 follows at 09:10 SAST (07:10 GMT) on Saturday 25 February with qualifying from 11:40 SAST (9:40 GMT). Round 5 of Season 9 gets underway from 16:00 SAST (14:00 GMT). FOLLOW LIVE! Follow the action on-track as it happens in the brand new Race Centre. Keep across Live Timing – which includes a real-time interactive track map and the ability to follow drivers during every session of every E-Prix – plus highlights, detailed session reports, exclusive interviews, all the standings and results as well as data, insight and reaction from trackside. WHERE TO WATCH Find out how to follow the action live in every country by visiting: fiaformulae.com/en/ways-to-watch AFRICA: Across Sub-Saharan Africa, catch live action from Qualifying across both SuperSport Grandstand and SuperSport Motorsport. Race sessions will be shown on SuperSport Motorsport. In South Africa, our free-to-air broadcast partner eTV will be covering qualifying on their eReality channel with race action covered on eTV. EUROPE GERMANY: the race will be live on Formula E’s home, ProSieben. Fans will also be able to catch free practice sessions and qualifying live on Ran.de. UK: watch the race action live on Channel 4 and catch up on all the racing via All4. Viewers will also be able to watch all sessions from the Cape Town ePrix live on Channel 4 Sport YouTube. Eurosport 1 will also be covering race live with highlights on Eurosport 2. Discovery+ will also bring UK based fans dedicated coverage from all sessions. FRANCE: Eurosport 1 will show the race live whilst Eurosport.com will be showing all sessions live. Fans can catch delayed race action on La Chaine L’Equipe. ITALY: the race will be live on Mediaset’s Channel 20, with all sessions available live on SportMediaset.it .Sky Sports will also show the race live on Sky Sports 257 with all sessions across their digital platforms, and dedicated news coverage across the weekend. NETHERLANDS: enjoy the race on Ziggo Sport and Ziggo Sport Select. Eurosport 2 will also be providing live coverage across the weekend on linear and digital channels. REST OF EUROPE Across the remainder of Europe (excl. Italy), all sessions will be live across Eurosport’s linear and digital platforms. Eurosport will provide bespoke, live coverage of the race on Eurosport 1, whilst all sessions will be live on Discovery + / Eurosport.com and Eurosport Extra. These platforms will also provide a one-stop destination for all Formula E fans’ catch-up needs. AMERICAS USA: Watch the race live on CBS Sports Network both online or via your cable provider. Free practice sessions will be live on CBSSports.com as well as the CBS Sports App. CANADA: TVA Sports 2 and TSN 5 will show all the race action from Cape Town in French and English respectively. MEXICO : complete coverage is on Fox Sports 3, Claro Sports, and Azteca Deportes, with Claro Sports providing further coverage across Latin America. Brazil: fans can catch all race action across Band TV and BandSports along with digital coverage on BandPlay. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Qualifying and race will be live on Saudi Sport Company’s (SSC) linear channel SSC 2 as well as their digital platform shahid.net . Across the Middle East and North Africa, Dubai Sports will be showcasing qualifying and race. ASIA CHINA: Formula E’s digital partnerships continue with HUYA, BiliBili, Weibo, Kuaishou and Douyin covering all sessions live, with live race action on Guangdong Sports linear channel. SOUTH EAST ASIA: SpoTV will be providing full coverage of practice, qualifying and the race. JAPAN: Viewers will be able to catch all the action from qualifying and the race on J-Sports 2, with BS Fuji providing dedicated highlights coverage. INDONESIA: Catch the race live on iNews, with dedicated coverage across MNC platforms. AUSTRALIA: Formula E continues the broadcast partnership with Stan Sports, who will bring live coverage of all sessions on the Stan Sports platform. 9GO will wrap up the weekend with highlights. NEW ZEALAND: catch all of the action, live on Sky Sports 5.
- The Playoff Forecast - Race 2 - Auto Club
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 (note that this is the first week, so this section is blank for this week). 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!
- North Wilkesboro Speedway Renovations Continue In Preparation for May NASCAR All-Star Race Week
Press Release | NORTH WILKESBORO SPEEDWAY NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. (Feb. 22, 2023) – While the 2023 NASCAR season kicked off Sunday with Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. racing his way into the May 21 NASCAR All-Star Race, North Wilkesboro Speedway construction crews are racing to prepare for the sport’s historic return to the famous 0.625-mile short track. For the first time since 1996, the NASCAR Cup Series will compete at NWS during a jam-packed May 16-21 NASCAR All-Star Race week of action that will also include two nights of late model racing, three concerts and a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race. Media members were invited to the track Wednesday for a look at upgrades and renovations currently underway at the speedway. Speedway Motorsports Senior Vice President of Operations and Development Steve Swift provided the following updates: “Since December, we have SAFER wall that’s started with about 70 percent installed at this point or maybe 60 percent, all the SAFER wall has been delivered.” “All the Musco bases were put in, all the foundation, wiring to those has been completed.” added Swift. “We got our first load of Musco poles; those will start standing tomorrow. All the siding on the suites, there was no siding on the suites at that time and that’s started and we are about 80 percent complete with the siding on the exterior of the suites. We have dry roofs on everything so we aren’t having any water problems or leaks. Plumbing and electrical has all been run in, sheetrock has been hung in the suites with the first coat of paint going on soon on the inside and the exteriors have already started painting.” “The infield has been halfway paved, ready for another half of paving starting on Thursday so we’ve made a lot of progress.” Additional improvements scheduled ahead of NASCAR All-Star Race week include updating the infield scoring tower, installing MUSCO track lighting and re-installing a manual lap-count and top-five leaderboard. NASCAR All-Star Race week will include six days or nights of entertainment including: · Tuesday, May 16: ASA Stars National Series · Wednesday, May 17: CARS Pro and Late Model Stocks · Friday, May 19: NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Cup Series practice; Concerts by Midland and Chase Rice · Saturday, May 20: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series qualifying and Tyson 250; NASCAR Cup Series qualifying · Sunday, May 21: Dierks Bentley pre-race concert; NASCAR All-Star Open and NASCAR All-Star Race Schedules are tentative and subject to change. Specific on-track schedules and the All-Star Race format will be released at a later date. TICKETS: NASCAR All-Star Race weekend ticket packages for all Friday/Saturday/Sunday activities including NASCAR Cup and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice and qualifying sessions; Midland, Chase Rice and Dierks Bentley concerts; NASCAR All-Star Open; NASCAR All-Star Race and Tyson 250 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race are on sale. Single-day tickets for All-Star Friday presented by Raymer Oil and Saturday’s Tyson 250 are also on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com. Single-day May 16-17 late model race tickets will be on sale in March. MORE INFO: Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding NASCAR All-Star week and North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on Twitter and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan.
- ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY BRINGS THE PARTY TO NASCAR WEEKEND
Press Release | ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY HAMPTON, Ga. (Feb. 22, 2023) – NASCAR weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway is always packed with thrilling racing on the track and great entertainment off the track – and the Ambetter Health 400 weekend is no exception. Atlanta hosts 850 miles of racing across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series during the March 17-19 weekend. When cars aren’t on the track, race fans will enjoy parties that make race weekend a can’t-miss event. This year the fun gets started on St. Patrick’s Day Friday night after NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying with the Camper Appreciation Party in Bootleggers. Fans will enjoy complimentary hamburgers, hot dogs, and Coca-Cola beverages, Legends racing on Atlanta’s ¼ mile short track, and a Q&A session with NASCAR driver Chris Buescher. Best of all, it all comes free of charge as a thank you to fans at the track during race weekend, with dozens of TVs showing live sports and a great social atmosphere around Bootleggers’ massive 360-bar. Returning for its second year in the infield, the Peach Pit kicks off the infield party after the checkered flag drops on the RAPTOR King of Tough 250 on Saturday night. The Peach Pit will be packed with games and activities, plus live music on its concert stage from Back In Black performing AC/DC’s biggest hits into the night. NASCAR driver Todd Gilliland will stop by for a Q&A, and the night is capped off with a colorful fireworks display. Any ticketholders or fans camping at the track (are) welcome to join the party at the Peach Pit for no additional charge. All of this is on top of the previously announced Parmalee pre-race concert before the Ambetter Health 400 on Sunday, March 19, and all the driver appearances and attractions fans will enjoy in Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Fan Zone throughout the weekend. Tickets and camping for the Ambetter Health 400 weekend March 17-19 are available now at www.AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com or by calling 877-9-AMS-TIX.
- The Professional Bowlers Association Announces ‘Go Bowling! PBA NASCAR Invitational at Phoenix
Press Release | PBA, NASCAR PHOENIX – February 22, 2023 — The inaugural Go Bowling! PBA NASCAR Invitational, bringing the worlds of bowling and auto racing together in bowling competition at Phoenix Raceway, will air March 12 at noon ET on FOX Sports’ FS1. The telecast will air prior to the 2023 NASCAR United Rentals Work United 500 on FOX. Go Bowling!, a proud sponsor of Phoenix Raceway and the PBA, is partnering with QubicaAMF to construct a custom pair of lanes inside The Barn on the grounds of Phoenix Raceway. Fans and guests are invited to attend the event free of charge, which will be taped March 10, and have the chance to bowl on the lanes once competition concludes. “We are thrilled to extend our relationship with NASCAR with the addition of the made-for-TV event in Phoenix,” said Kevin Krauss, President, Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA). “It will demonstrate the fun of bowling to everyone tuned in and also to everyone following their favorite drivers, bowlers and celebrities on social media.” The Go Bowling! PBA NASCAR Invitational at Phoenix Raceway will feature four professional bowlers—PBA Tour players Kyle Troup and Jesper Svensson and PWBA Tour stars Daria Pajak and Verity Crawley—teaming with four NASCAR drivers and celebrities, including NASCAR’s Aric Almirola and Ryan Preece in doubles competition. In addition to the doubles tournament, the event will feature a special shootout in which celebrities will compete against each other in fast-paced bowling competition. “Many NASCAR drivers have shown a great interest in bowling, so to be able to bring stars from the PBA and PWBA together to team with current racing personalities at Phoenix Raceway during a big race week will be a treat for fans of both sports,” said Tom Clark, PBA Tour Commissioner. “This event is going to be a lot of fun, but highly competitive. When you bring the best in the world at their respective sports together, there will be fireworks.” “The friendly competition among the drivers, the stars of the PBA/PWBA Tours and other celebrities should make for a fun show and a great way to get ready for the big NASCAR Cup Series race in Phoenix,” added Krauss. Viewers can live stream the PBA on the FOX Sports and FOX Now apps or at FOXSports.com. Select highlights will be available on @FOXSports social handles across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube . International fans can watch on BowlTV, the exclusive streaming partner of the PBA.
- Alfonso Ribeiro Named Honorary Pace Car Driver for the Pala Casino 400
Press Release | AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY FONTANA, Calif. (Feb. 22, 2023) – Auto Club Speedway announced today that veteran entertainer Alfonso Ribeiro will serve as the honorary pace car driver for the Pala Casino 400, the final NASCAR Cup Series race on the famed 2-mile oval on Sunday. Ribeiro serves as host of ABC’s longest running show, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and worked alongside Tyra Banks to co-host “Dancing with the Stars” for its 31st season. “We’re ecstatic to have a performer of Alfonso’s caliber leading the field to green for the historic final race on our 2-mile oval,” said Auto Club Speedway President Dave Allen. “As a veteran in the television industry, Alfonso is all about entertaining and bringing joy to fans. He’ll find himself right at home here at Auto Club Speedway, where fans are first.” Ribeiro, who began his electrifying 30-year career starring in the Tony® award-winning musical “The Tap Dance Kid,” took Broadway by storm early on with his unique style of musical and performing prowess. Tapping and dancing his way into the music industry, Ribeiro found himself working with the likes of Michael Jackson early on, appearing in his 1984 Pepsi campaign promoting his diamond record, Billie Jean, as well as producing multiple singles through Island Records. Ribeiro transitioned seamlessly from stage to TV, where his career found its home after landing a role on NBC’s “Silver Spoons.” Continuing his partnership with NBC, he spent six seasons establishing his iconic role as Carlton Banks on NBC’s smash-hit, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Ribeiro soon stepped behind the camera to direct. Projects like “Meet the Browns,” “Are We There Yet?,” “One on One” and “Shake It Up” litter his expansive portfolio. The Pala Casino 400 on Sunday will put an exclamation point on both an era in NASCAR history and a riveting double header race weekend. The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Production Alliance Group 300 will begin the action-packed weekend on Saturday. Tickets for the Pala Casino 400 and the Production Alliance Group 300 are available for purchase at www.autoclubspeedway.com.















