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Press Release | SAM HUNT RACING, FIRE DEPARTMENT COFFEE MOORESVILLE, N.C. (February 2, 2023) – Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) announces today that Fire Department Coffee (FDC), a veteran-owned company dedicated to handcrafting great-tasting coffee and supporting first responders, will partner with Kaz Grala and SHR throughout the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) season. FDC will be the primary partner on the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra for ten races throughout the season with season-long associate branding. “We are honored to partner with Kaz Grala and Sam Hunt Racing for the 2023 season,” said Luke Schneider, Founder and CEO of Fire Dept. Coffee. “The partnership with Kaz Grala and Sam Hunt Racing in NASCAR felt like a natural fit, and presented the perfect opportunity for Fire Dept. Coffee to share our incredible coffee, and our mission to support first responders in need.” Sam Hunt Racing is proud to work with FDC, aligning with its mission to support veterans and first responders. SHR has a long history of partnering with veteran-owned companies, providing a platform for growth and exposure. “I’m honored that we’re partnering with Fire Dept. Coffee in 2023. FDC is a company that is established on many of the same principals and goals as our team,” said Sam Hunt, owner of Sam Hunt Racing. “FDC is a young and hungry company that works hard to stand out amongst the rest, much like Kaz himself, while providing delicious products along the way and supporting our nation’s veterans and first responders. We’re humbled to welcome Fire Dept. Coffee to our growing family here at SHR, and I look forward to our success together throughout the year.” FDC will begin its ten-race primary partnership on the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra at Auto Club Speedway on February 25th which includes a primary scheme on the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra, custom firesuit and helmet for Kaz Grala, custom pit crew firesuits and crew attire. The campaign will also include several activation opportunities like meet and greets with Grala, product tastings, and more for fans and industry members to enjoy. “I’m eager to partner with Fire Dept. Coffee in 2023,” said Kaz Grala, full-time driver of the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra. “Fire Dept. Coffee was inspired by the vital role that coffee plays in helping firefighters stay alert and energized through long shifts, and their team knows that a similar mentality is required in racing. I’ve always struggled to find a coffee that I truly love, but once I tried Fire Dept. Coffee products a couple of months ago, I was immediately hooked. I can’t wait for our fans to get a chance to taste their coffee and get behind a company that gives so much back to the community. It’s already been a blast seeing the branding come to life with the firefighter-inspired race suit and helmet design, so I couldn’t be more excited to kick off our season together on the West Coast!” For more information about Fire Dept. Coffee, please visit www.firedeptcoffee.com and see FDC’s primary partnership schedule below. Fire Dept. Coffee - Primary Schedule February 25 - Auto Club Speedway March 4 - Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 11 - Phoenix Raceway March 25 - Circuit of the Americas May 13 - Darlington Raceway May 27 - Charlotte Motor Speedway June 3 - Portland International Raceway June 10 - Sonoma Raceway July 1 - Chicago Street Course July 29 - Road America

Press Release | BEARD MOTORSPORTS, BENNETT FAMILY OF COMPANIES T. PLEASANT, Mich. (Feb. 2, 2023) – Bennett Family of Companies has joined Beard Motorsports and driver Austin Hill as its primary partner for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup Series race Feb. 19 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Hill will pilot the No. 62 Bennett Transportation and Logistics Chevrolet in the ‘Great American Race.’ “We are very excited to partner with Beard Motorsports and have the opportunity to be a part of an event as iconic as the Daytona 500,” said Lynette Mathis, Vice President of the Bennett Family of Companies. “We have quickly learned that the Beards and their family of businesses share many of our core values. It’s a thrilling prospect to partner with like-minded people that are committed to excellence.” Headquartered in McDonough, Georgia, Bennett Family of Companies provides innovative logistics and transportation services for companies across America. Bennett offers a suite of trucking and specialized logistic services, from flatbed and step deck trucking and manufactured housing transport to RV delivery, customs brokerage, and warehousing. With over 46 years of experience in the industry, Bennett’s network provides the safest and best possible service to all their business partners. “Our customers, agents and drivers are central to our company’s success,” said Lee Gentry, Executive Vice President of the Bennett Family of Companies. “Their partnership is valuable, and we hope to continue to build strong relationships with them. This is just one way we plan to show our appreciation and thanking them for everything that they do for Bennett.” Beard Motorsports, founded by the late Mark Beard Sr., and now run by his wife, Linda Beard and children, Amie and Mark, is a generational race team that made its NASCAR Cup Series debut during the 2017 Daytona 500 with former driver-turned vice president of competition in Brendan Gaughan. Crew chief Darren Shaw is back to lead the team during its 2023 campaign and will do so with support from ECR Engines. Historically, the No. 62 Beard Chevrolet has only run the races at Daytona and its sister track, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. This season however, Beard will expand that schedule with appearances at the Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway Road Course in October as well as the August race at Michigan International Speedway, which will serve as a homecoming for the Michigan-based Beard family and Beard Oil Distributing Company. “Honoring my dad’s legacy and his passion for the sport of auto racing is the driving force behind Beard Motorsports,” said Amie Beard, executive vice president, Beard Motorsports. “I’ve said it before but he was very much a ‘Go big or go home’ kind of person. I know he would be so proud to see how we have carried on the tradition that he started and increasing our presence in the NASCAR garage with the races in Michigan this summer and at the Charlotte road course this fall.” “We are thrilled to be part of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season and are honored to have the Bennett Family of Companies join us for the biggest race in our sport,” Beard added. “Our team values family and hard work. We’re just very appreciative of the opportunity to once again be part of the tradition of the Daytona 500.” The upcoming Daytona 500 will mark just the second start in the NASCAR Cup Series for Hill and his first attempt at the Great American Race. The Winston, Georgia native is taking nothing for granted. “The opportunity to compete in the Daytona 500 is a dream come true,” said the 28-year-old Hill. “It’s an honor to race for the Beard family and I’m very excited to have Bennett Transportation and Logistics on board our No. 62 Camaro. Bennett has not only supported my career in the Xfinity Series, but also my first Cup start last season. I’m proud to represent them and the truckers that drive for the Bennett Family of Companies. Daytona will be an exciting week and I can’t wait to get to Florida.” Hill is a two-time winner and the defending Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the stepping-stone division to the elite NASCAR Cup Series. Both of his victories – in the season kickoff event at Daytona and his hometown race at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway – came last season in Hill’s rookie campaign in the Xfinity Series.

Press Release | JOE GIBBS RACING, CONNOR MOSACK CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 2, 2023) – With 20 NASCAR Xfinity Series races for Sam Hunt Racing already on his 2023 schedule, Connor Mosack is bolstering that lineup with an additional slate of races driving for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR). The 23-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, will pilot JGR’s No. 19 Toyota GR Supra in three Xfinity Series races – July 1 at the Chicago Street Course, July 22 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway and July 29 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin – while also competing for JGR in six ARCA Menards Series races. Mosack’s ARCA schedule begins Feb. 18 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and then continues May 6 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, May 26 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, July 21 at Pocono, Aug. 4 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn and Sept. 8 in the series’ second trip to Kansas. Amid these added events is a return to Mosack’s roots. He will drive a Super Late Model in the World Series of Asphalt Feb. 10-18 at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway for team owner Jamie Yelton. Mosack will then revisit the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli on Feb. 26 when he drives for TeamSLR in the TA2 division’s season opener at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway. Mosack ran the full CARS Tour in 2020 and promptly won its rookie-of-the-year title. He then augmented his Late Model schedule that year with four Trans Am races before committing to the full TA2 schedule in 2021 and 2022. In those two seasons with TeamSLR, Mosack never finished outside of the top-four in the championship standings, scoring two wins and earning five poles. When he wasn’t turning left and right in Trans Am, Mosack was getting more oval experience in ARCA. In 13 career ARCA starts, Mosack scored nine top-10s, eight of which were on ovals. His best finishes came on successive weekends last June – second on June 4 at Portland (Ore.) International Raceway (road course) and third on June 11 at Iowa Speedway in Newton (oval). “I made my Xfinity Series debut with JGR last June at Portland and from the moment I made my first lap in their racecar, I realized why they’ve been so successful,” Mosack said. “Their equipment was second to none and the resources they had in terms of people and their knowledge was incredible. “Jason Ratcliff was my crew chief at Portland and he’s got a ton of experience. I was able to learn from him before we even went to the track. Just in our time in the simulator, we made some great changes. So, to be back with him for three Xfinity races is going to be really valuable. “And when it comes to JGR’s ARCA program, it’s the class of the field. After having to race against JGR cars, I’m really looking forward to racing with a JGR car. No matter what track they were on, they were always up front competing for wins. To have that chance in 2023 is pretty special, and I aim to make the most of it.” When the 2023 racing season concludes, Mosack will have competed in more than 40 races, with 23 of them being in the Xfinity Series, the stepping-stone division to the elite NASCAR Cup Series. “I’ve learned the more seat time you can get, the more you learn and the faster you learn,” Mosack said. “I’ve spent the last two years racing fulltime in Trans Am and running a decent amount of ARCA and Late Model races. It got me prepared to make my NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series debuts last summer, and that’s led to these opportunities with Sam Hunt Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing. It’ll be the most racing I’ve ever done in a single season, and I’m genuinely stoked about it. This is what I want and NASCAR is where I want to be.” You could say Mosack is making up for lost time. He didn’t start racing until he was 18, bucking the trend of drivers who begin their careers at age four or five in go-karts. Instead, Mosack enjoyed a well-rounded and worldly childhood. He played football and lacrosse in middle school and high school, and volunteered with Open Eyes on a mission trip to Rwanda and Uganda in 2017. It wasn’t until his senior year in high school that Mosack was introduced to Legends cars. As soon as he sat behind the wheel, Mosack knew it was where he belonged. After winning five Legends car championships, Mosack transitioned to Late Model stock cars in 2019. All the while, Mosack balanced racing with school, graduating from High Point (N.C.) University in 2021 with a degree in business entrepreneurship. This past November, Mosack was honored with the university's Ten Under Ten Young Alumni Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in a graduate’s chosen profession. “Growing up, I’ve always been into cars, but I never really thought racing was something realistic for me. I didn’t know anybody in the sport, and nobody in my family had ever raced. I didn’t know that anybody could just show up at a local racetrack and rent somebody’s car, or buy their own racecar and go out there and run it. So when that was introduced to me, I thought it was really cool and I got a little taste of it, and that’s when I really fell in love with it. Once we knew that was an option, we decided to pursue it to see where it could go,” Mosack said. “The first year I ever drove something was really just a blur, and I really didn’t know much. Year two, we started to kind of get the hang of things and understand where we could go and what it would take. We’ve been kind of building on that ever since.” Mosack’s 20-race Xfinity Series schedule with Sam Hunt Racing begins March 11 at Phoenix Raceway.

(Cover Photo Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty Images) By Adam Carabine In case you missed it, StatChat is counting down the days ‘til the 2023 Daytona 500. Every two days, we will have a new article featuring one of the 36 charters of 2022. 9th Place – Chase Briscoe – 2,291 pts STEWART-HAAS RACING – FORD 1st Cup Series Win in 2022 – Though it seems like years ago somehow, Chase Briscoe earned his first ever Cup Series victory at the Spring Phoenix race. Of the 312 laps run that day, Briscoe led 101 of them. He also earned an additional 12 stage points. It was a dominant performance, but more importantly he showed the rest of the field that he was a competitor, as Phoenix was only the 4th race of the season. 126 Stage Points Earned in 2022 – Because Chase Briscoe was locked into the playoffs so early into the season, earning stage points didn’t necessarily need to be a priority for the No. 14 team. But that didn’t deter Briscoe from racking them up anyway. His 126 Stage Points were tied for 12th best of all Cup Series charters. That includes 4 stage wins, which he earned at Bristol Dirt, Road America, Indianapolis Road Course, and Watkins Glen. 18.86 Career Average Finish @ Road Courses – Despite winning stages at three road courses this year, it would seem that Chase Briscoe’s average finish over the course of his career leaves a bit to be desired. Over the course of the 13 road course races he’s run in his Cup Series career, his average finish ranks 19th, at 18.86. Chase Briscoe was also seen as a road course guy at the Xfinity level, so it’s interesting to see his average finish not look better. 26 Lead Lap Finishes in 2022 – Tied for 8th best amongst Cup Series charters, Chase Briscoe’s 26 lead lap finishes were the sign of a great year. Not only was he the highest finisher of Stewart-Haas Racing’s stable (he finished with more points than Kevin Harvick), but he also worked hard to minimize his losses. It’s not always all about finishing on the lead lap, but you sure can make your life easier if you manage it! 237 Fast Laps in 2022 – Unfortunately, Stewart-Haas was not a juggernaut this year. Both Aric Almirola and Cole Custer missed the playoffs. The emergence of Trackhouse racing nearly took Stewart-Haas out of the Top 4 in teams. What is fascinating is just how well Chase Briscoe’s season turned out (including a trip to the Round of 8), despite not often being the fastest car on track. Over the course of a 36-race season, Briscoe’s 237 fast laps amount to just over 6.5 fast laps per race. For comparison, Kyle Larson led the Cup Series charters with more than double that number of fast laps. While so many factors can play a role in helping a driver earn a win, having a fast car is definitely one of the biggest helps. Just recently, it was announced that Chase Briscoe had signed a multi-year contract extension to stay with Stewart-Haas Racing. It is believed the deal runs until 2025. Briscoe will return to his No. 14 Ford this season, hoping to build on an already impressive Cup Series career. Coming up next in the Countdown to Daytona series – Ryan Blaney! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @RacingRefresh Or you can email directly: acarabine@racingrefresh.com 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 | TRACKHOUSE RACING, ADVENTHEALTH Daytona Beach, Florida – AdventHealth and Trackhouse Racing are joining forces again in 2023 to field the No. 1 AdventHealth Chevrolet Camaro for driver Ross Chastain in six NASCAR Cup Series races including the season-opening DAYTONA 500 – the sport’s premier event. The 65th annual race is the highlight of DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth. With over 50 hospital campuses in nine states, racetracks like Daytona, Charlotte, Kansas and Atlanta are all located near AdventHealth communities and care sites. AdventHealth is one of the corporate partners that supported me from the first day,” said Ross Chastain, a native of Alva, Florida who begins his third season as a fulltime Cup Series driver and third representing AdventHealth. “We have had a lot of fun the last few years and enjoyed getting to meet all the AdventHealth health care workers and patients.” In addition to the DAYTONA 500, AdventHealth will appear on Chastain’s Chevrolet at the March 19 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the April 9 race on the dirt at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway, the May 7 race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City (AdventHealth 400), the May 28 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the July 2 race at the Chicago Street Course. “We’re very proud to continue our support of NASCAR and Ross Chastain by partnering with Trackhouse Racing for the 2023 season,” said David Banks, chief strategy and organizational transformation officer for AdventHealth. “Our team members are also excited to once again care for drivers and fans at Daytona International Speedway during Speedweeks and all season long.” The AdventHealth injector – or gate entrance – at the track is a 20,000-square-foot-oasis. The hospital system’s injector features messages of health, well-being and wholeness, as well as interactive games that naturally tie the sport of racing to health and wellness, testing race fans’ hand-eye coordination – a vital skill on the racetrack. Trackhouse Racing begins its third year of competition in 2023 and second as a multicar team headquartered in Concord, North Carolina fielding race cars for Chastain and his teammate Daniel Suárez. The team won three races in 2022 and saw Chastain and Suárez finished second and 10th in the season standings – a career best for each.

Press Release | LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, SUNSEEKER RESORT STATESVILLE, North Carolina (Feb. 1, 2022) – LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is proud to announce their continued partnership Sunseeker Resorts and the new driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet, Noah Gragson. Sunseeker Resorts, which sponsored the No. 42 Chevrolet last season for three events, will be present on Gragson’s racecar for multiple races in 2023, beginning with this weekend’s “Clash” at the L.A. Coliseum. Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, one of the most highly anticipated new hotels opening in 2023, is set to become one of Florida’s most sought-resort destination. As a newly emerging brand and largest new-build resort in all of Southwest Florida, Sunseeker Resort will offer top-tier luxury accommodations, unmatched poolside experiences, state-of-the-art event spaces, championship-level golfing, and an expansive collection of signature dining. "Sunseeker Resorts could not be more excited to partner with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB and Noah Gragson on the No. 42 car this season,” said Sunseeker Resort President & Chief Operating Officer Micah Richins. “We know there is a deep root of race-car history here in Florida and are thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB to introduce race-car fans throughout the season to our new world-class resort. " Sunseeker Resorts will be hosting a highly anticipated grand opening celebration of their flagship resort when they open this Fall. The 22-acre waterfront resort will become a center of activity in Charlotte Harbor, offering visitors a portal to some of the finest amenities on the gulf coast. These include: 785 well-appointed guest rooms including 189 top-tier luxury suites, 117,000-square-feet of resort pool (set to become the largest on the Gulf Coast), full-service spa & salon, adult-only rooftop pool deck with panoramic harbor views, newly built 18-hole golf course and a 25,000 square-foot food hall. The resort is just ten minutes from Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) and easily accessible from several major international airports including Fort Myers (RSW), Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ), St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE) and Tampa (TPA). "I'm proud to represent Sunseeker Resorts on my No. 42 Chevy this season. There is so much excitement going on at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB right now, I’m looking forward to what kind of exposure we can get for Sunseeker in NASCAR and hopefully we can take them to victory lane." said Gragson. Fans can watch the No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet and the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series make its on-track debut this weekend in Los Angeles, California at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, February 5th, for the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. Tune-in to FOX at 8:00 PM ET as LEGACY MOTOR CLUB makes its highly anticipated official on-track debut in the exhibition race ahead of the 65th-annual DAYTONA 500.

(Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images) Press Release | RICK WARE RACING, RILEY HERBST MOORESVILLE, NC (January 31, 2023) – Rick Ware Racing has signed Riley Herbst to drive the No. 15 Ford Mustang in this year’s Daytona 500 with SunnyD, the popular citrus beverage, coming on board as the primary sponsor. The Great American Race at Daytona International Speedway will be Herbst’s first NASCAR Cup Series start. Herbst is currently a full-time driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Stewart-Haas Racing. The 24-year-old native of Las Vegas has earned two poles, 17 top-five and 54 top-10 finishes in 109 NXS starts. Ware, who is marking his 40th year in motorsports in 2023, knows this is a milestone race for Herbst. “It’s great to have Riley making his first NASCAR Cup Series start with RWR and be a part of the next step in his career,” said Rick Ware, team owner. “We are very pleased to partner with Harvest Hill Beverage Company and promote its SunnyD brand on our No. 15 Ford Mustang in such an incredible event.” Herbst is looking forward to being part of such an iconic race with RWR. “As a kid, you always dream of being able to race in the Daytona 500, and I’m able to accomplish that with Rick Ware Racing,” said Herbst. “It’s such a big event and for it be my first Cup start will be a crazy experience. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do behind the wheel of the No. 15 SunnyD Ford Mustang. “I’m appreciative to RWR for this opportunity. They’re a team that has a lot of experience in the NASCAR Cup Series, so it’ll be a chance to learn. The Fords have been fast in the Daytona 500 the last few years and their teamwork has helped them find victory lane. “I’m hoping to lean on and learn from the other Ford drivers throughout the week as I get more comfortable in the Next Gen car and prepare for the Great American Race.” The 65th running of the Daytona 500 is Sunday, February 19 airing live on FOX TV, MRN Radio and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

Press Release | HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS, COX AUTOMOTIVE CONCORD, N.C. (Jan. 31, 2023) – Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive company and your one-stop resource for researching new and used cars, has extended its sponsorship of Hendrick Motorsports and champion driver Chase Elliott with a two-year contract renewal. In 2023 and 2024, Kelley Blue Book will be featured as a two-race primary sponsor and full-season associate sponsor of Elliott’s No. 9 NASCAR Cup Series team. The company’s association with Hendrick Motorsports began with a one-race primary sponsorship in 2014 and expanded to two races in 2016 when Kelley Blue Book joined Elliott for his rookie year. This season, the 27-year-old Elliott will drive the No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 on March 12 at Phoenix Raceway and in the Cup Series playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sept. 24. “We were just getting started when we first teamed up with Chase Elliott back in 2016, and now Kelley Blue Book eagerly anticipates two more thrilling seasons in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports,” said Ken Kraft, chief marketing officer for Cox Automotive. “With Kelley Blue Book’s support, we hope Chase feels just as confident on the track as car shoppers feel off the track when using Kelley Blue Book to research new and used cars. Continuing to connect with fellow race fans this season via the Chase Elliott sponsorship is a natural extension for Kelley Blue Book, the one-stop resource for car shoppers.” In 2020, Elliott became the third-youngest driver in history to win a Cup Series title. At NASCAR’s top level, the Dawsonville, Georgia, native already has won 18 points-paying races and was voted by fans as the sport’s Most Popular Driver five consecutive times (2018-2022). Last year, he secured a series-best five victories, won the regular season championship and made his seventh playoff appearance in as many full years on the circuit. “Kelley Blue Book has been such a big part of my Cup Series career dating back to my very first season, and I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together so far,” Elliott said. “Not only have they been an outstanding partner for our No. 9 program, but for Mr. (Rick) Hendrick’s entire organization. I look forward to continuing to build our relationship and celebrating more victories with Kelley Blue Book in the years to come.” In addition to individual consumers, Kelley Blue Book’s variety of products and services are available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies. Partners include Hendrick Automotive Group, which utilizes Kelley Blue Book in each of its 132 automotive retail franchises across the United States. “We’re proud to continue our relationship with Kelley Blue Book,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group. “It’s been a tremendous collaboration across many levels, from winning races and championships on the track to working together to meet business objectives. In 2023, we look forward to celebrating our 10th season of partnership and continuing to raise the bar.”

(Cover Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images) By Adam Carabine In case you missed it, StatChat is counting down the days ‘til the 2023 Daytona 500. Every two days, we will have a new article featuring one of the 36 charters of 2022. 10th Place – Daniel Suarez – 2,269 pts TRACKHOUSE RACING – CHEVROLET 196 Races to Get His First Cup Series Win – It was an historic day in Sonoma, California when Daniel Suarez scored his first Cup Series win. Earlier in the week, NASCAR held a press conference to discuss their Drive For Diversity program. Three days later, Suarez was the first Mexican-born driver to score a win in the Cup Series. It may have taken him 196 tries, but it was a dominant performance, and Suarez showed that he’s got the talent to stick around for a while longer. 13 Top 10s in 2022 – It was a career year for Daniel Suarez in many ways. While he was unable to beat his best Average Finish, which he accomplished in his rookie year, basically every other category was a career-best. His 13 Top 10s were the best of his six-year Cup Series career. He also had the most Top 5s of his career, with six, and scored his first win. It was certainly a coming out party for Suarez and Trackhouse Racing. 1,740 Quality Passes in 2022 – What is maybe more impressive than the 1,740 Quality Passes that Daniel Suarez had in 2022 (aka green flag passes made in the Top 15), is how much he improved in this area from 2011. Not only did Suarez rank 13th of all Cup Series drivers in this category, but he surpassed his 2011 numbers by 1,117. That’s a heck of an improvement, second only to Erik Jones when comparing years. 280 Laps Led in 2022 – Tied with Chase Briscoe, Daniel Suarez led 280 laps in 2022, which was tied for 12th best among Cup Series charters. A career-high for Suarez, this shows that he’s moving in the right direction. There was a period of time when he was cut from Joe Gibbs Racing, and then subsequently lost his Stewart-Haas ride – many were saying that could be the end of his Cup Series career. He took a year in the No. 96 with Gaunt Bros, and proceeded to have the worst year of his career. It seemed he was destined to be a backmarker. Enter Trackhouse Racing who took a chance on him, and now look at him. 24 Lead Lap Finishes in 2022 – Tied for 15th among all Cup Series charters, Daniel Suarez finished on the lead lap 24 times. That’s an area that Suarez can improve upon moving forward, and he will be even more successful. It would seem that when Suarez had a bad day (and all drivers do for whatever reason, from time to time), it went particularly sour. He only had 3 DNFs, and so that means there were nine races that he finished, just not on the lead lap. It may have been a great year for Suarez in general, but he’ll want to tighten up and manage his bad days – that could lead to him being a true championship contender. In August of 2022, it was announced that Daniel Suarez would be remaining with Trackhouse Racing for 2023. He will continue to pilot the No. 99 Chevy for Trackhouse alongside his teammate Ross Chastain, who drives the No. 1. Coming up next in the Countdown to Daytona series – Chase Briscoe! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @RacingRefresh Or you can email directly: acarabine@racingrefresh.com 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!

NASCAR has actively promoted next week’s Busch Light Clash exhibition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with advertising on numerous media outlets and frequent press releases. As a result of the inaugural Clash’s success, this year’s party will be bigger than ever to celebrate NASCAR’s 75th and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseium’s 100th anniversaries. Here’s a brief rundown of enhancements to look forward to at next weekend’s bash … oops, we mean Clash. FORMAT The format of this year’s Clash at the Coliseum is consistent with the 2022 Clash. However, there’s a small change in the amount of competitors battling it out for the trophy in the final 150 laps. NASCAR announced that 27 cars of the 40 entries will compete in the Clash’s main event, in comparison to last year’s 23. For the first time in their 75-year history, there will also be a medal ceremony in victory lane, which is located beneath the Olympic cauldron of the Coliseum. The top three finishers of the Busch Light Clash will be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. FAN FEST NASCAR nearly doubled the size of its fan fest this year with the enthusiasm of one of the sport’s biggest sponsorships. Ally will host The Ally Pre-Race Party tailgate experience, expanding the fan fest to the south lawn instead of being limited to the Coliseum's Christmas Tree Lane. With the purchase of this add-on, fans will be able to walk the track, enjoy brunch and appearances by driver of the No. 48 Chevy Camaro, Alex Bowman, and friends. COLLEGE STUDENT PERKS For college students, NASCAR is offering a $40 general admission ticket to the Coca-Cola Torch Party Porch, bringing the energetic crowd of students from last year’s Turn 2 to the stairs of the Coliseum. With this change, students get to be up-close to all of the entertainment including driver introductions, honorary starter Caleb Williams, the Clash’s official Grand Marshal, Rob Lowe, Cypress Hill’s pre-race concert, Wiz Khalifa’s race-break concert, and Cheat Codes DJ’ing live during cautions with a special performance by Dixie D'Amelio. AGE-OLD RIVALRY The USC and UCLA decades-long rivalry continues at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum ahead of NASCAR’s Clash practice and qualifying on Saturday, February 4. USC Racing and UCLA’s Bruin Racing Formula SAE teams will race against each other in a time-trial competition featuring student-built race cars. “These cars are designed by some of the brightest young minds in engineering and racing, and these students are proof positive that the future of our sport is in great hands” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President for Racing Development and Strategy. “We can’t wait for them to showcase their hard work and ingenuity on our LA Coliseum track.” FINISH UNDER THE LIGHTS Sunset in Los Angeles, CA on February 5 is expected at 5:27p.m. PT, meaning spectators will have the pleasure of seeing a NASCAR finish under the lights in cooler weather conditions. Practice and qualifying for the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum begins at 3 p.m. PT on Saturday, Feb. 4. Heat races will begin at 2 p.m. PT on Sunday, Feb. 5. Shortly after 5 p.m. PT, the green flag will drop on the main event. Tickets for the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum begin at $65, and kids 12 and under are $10. Fans who want to take their race-day experience to the next level can upgrade to the Ally Pre-Race Party. Fans are encouraged to get their tickets now while supplies last by visiting www.nascarclash.com. Are you a student that wants exclusive access to the Coca-Cola Torch Porch Party? Visit: www.nascarclash.com/student.

PRESS RELEASE World-renown actor to deliver first command of NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season LOS ANGELES (Jan. 29, 2023) – Rob Lowe only has one line to deliver on Sunday, Feb. 5, but it will be one for the record books. NASCAR announced today that the world-renowned actor, author and podcaster will be the Grand Marshal for the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. He’ll say, “DRIVER’S START YOUR ENGINES!” before the first race of NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season and set the stage for an evening to remember at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The main event begins shortly after 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and all the action will be shown live on FOX, where Lowe currently stars in and produces the highly acclaimed 911: Lone Star . It has been consistently one of the top-rated shows in all of television, and Season 4 premieres this month. “This is shaping up to be another incredible event in the heart of Los Angeles,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president for racing development and strategy. “Rob Lowe’s body of work is nothing short of remarkable, and we can’t wait for him to begin the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season in style.” Lowe’s presence adds to an already star-studded lineup that includes Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams as Honorary Starter, performances by Cypress Hill and Wiz Khalifa, and, of course, the stars and cars of the NASCAR Cup Series. His iconic career spans four decades in film, television, and theater, making him one of the most recognizable artists on screen today. To date, Lowe has been nominated for two Emmys, six Golden Globes, and four Screen Actors Guild awards in which he won two. He has starred in the ‘80s classics “St. Elmo’s Fire”, “About Last Night ” , and “The Outsiders”, as well as television classics such as “The West Wing” and “Parks and Recreation.” His incredibly diverse career also includes scene-stealing work in “Behind the Candelabra,” “Austin Powers” and “Tommy Boy.” His two memoirs, Stories I Only Tell My Friends and Love Life are both New York Times Best Sellers. He took his first memoir and made it into a touring show called Stories I Only Tell My Friends: Live! which has received rave reviews throughout the country and sold out in London. In 2020, Lowe launched his podcast “Literally! With Rob Lowe,” a podcast of irreverent yet thoughtful conversations with leaders in the world of business and entertainment like Oprah, Chris Pratt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Aniston, Magic Johnson, and others. After a successful first year, it returned for a second season which premiered fall 2021 and a third season began summer 2022. Around the same time, Lowe launched another podcast, “Parks and Recollection.” Co-hosted with showrunner Alan Yang, the podcast is a behind the scenes look at each episode of the celebrated comedy classic “Parks and Recreation.” He also wrapped production on Netflix comedy “Unstable” from Victor Fresco alongside his son, John Owen Lowe. Fresco along with both Lowes co-created the show and will all serve as executive producers. Rob & John Owen will also star. The series is inspired by their social media relationship where John Owen often hilariously trolls his dad. Lowe has been married to jewelry designer, Sheryl Lowe, since 1991. They have two sons, Matthew and John Owen. Tickets for the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum begin at $65, and kids 12-and-under are $10. Fans who want to take their race-day experience to the next level can upgrade to the Ally Pre-Race Party, which includes brunch, a drink ticket for Busch & Coca-Cola products, exclusive entertainment, a pre-race track walk and a special appearance from driver Alex Bowman. Fans are encouraged to get their tickets now while supplies last by visiting www.nascarclash.com . It’s one of the many anticipated events taking place this year as a part of the Los Angles Memorial Coliseum’s centennial anniversary celebration – “Coliseum Forever.” College students can experience the Busch Light Clash from The Coca-Cola Torch Party Porch for just $40. This standing-room-only general admission section, located on the Coliseum’s peristyle steps, provides college students with up-close access to all the musical entertainment, driver introductions and racing action. College students can take advantage of this exclusive offer by visiting www.nascarclash.com/student .

PRESS RELEASE Cypress Hill will perform at NASCAR’s Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Legendary hip-hop Artists from South Gate will set stage for main event on Feb. 5 LOS ANGELES (Dec. 4, 2022) – If the roar of the engines won’t make NASCAR fans “Insane in the Brain” on Sunday, Feb. 5, a group of hip-hop legends from South Gate will put them over the edge. NASCAR announced today that Cypress Hill will perform during the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. They will take the stage after the last-chance qualifiers and before the main event inside the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. FOX will also air one of their songs live on the national broadcast, as NASCAR celebrates the beginning of its historic 75th anniversary season with an exhibition for the ages in the heart of Los Angeles. “What a tremendous addition to the 2023 Busch Light Clash,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president for racing development and strategy. “Cypress Hill are cultural icons, not only in Los Angeles but around the world. We can’t wait for them to perform for our fans during this historic event.” Naming themselves after a local street in Los Angeles, Cypress Hill burst on the scene in 1991 with the release of their self-titled debut album. They followed that up with Black Sunday in the summer of 1993, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200, garnered three GRAMMY® Award nominations and went triple platinum in the U.S. As a result, Cypress Hill became the first rap group to have two albums in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 charts at the same time and are the first Latino-American hip-hop group to achieve platinum and multi-platinum success. Since the release of Black Sunday, Cypress Hill have released seven more albums and made history once again in 2019 when the group was honored with their very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Their music continues to entertain and inspire audiences worldwide, and the documentary “Insane in the Brain” released on Showtime this year introduced the group to a new generation. “NASCAR drivers have the mentality of taking it to the limit on every lap, and we take the same approach with our music,” said Cypress Hill co-founder Sen Dog. “We’re excited to have NASCAR return to our back yard, and we look forward to bringing some South Gate style to all of the NASCAR fans at the LA Coliseum.” Additional Busch Light Clash performers will be announced in the coming weeks, as NASCAR prepares for the highly anticipated sequel to one of the most celebrated events in NASCAR history. The inaugural 2022 event featured performances by international superstars Ice Cube, Pitbull and DJ Skee. Yet it’s the racing that makes the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum the most unique event on the NASCAR schedule. The 2023 season-opening exhibition will once again feature the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series competing on a temporary, quarter-mile asphalt track nestled inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Joey Logano won the inaugural event earlier this year en route to winning the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Tickets for the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum begin at $65, and kids 12-and-under are $10. Those are the same prices charged for this year’s inaugural showcase. Fans are encouraged to get their tickets now while supplies last by visiting www.nascarclash.com. Groundbreaking for track construction is set for Dec. 15.

PRESS RELEASE Wiz Khalifa to perform during race break at NASCAR’s Busch Light Clash Excitement builds for racing’s return to iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum LOS ANGELES (Jan. 14, 2023) – There’s no artist on the planet like Wiz Khalifa, and there’s no NASCAR event like the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. So it’s only fitting that they combine for a powerful performance unlike any other on Sunday, Feb. 5. NASCAR announced today that the multi-platinum selling, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated recording artist will perform during the race break of the 2023 Busch Light Clash. The performance will air live on FOX as part of NASCAR’s season-opening celebration inside the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. “Wiz Khalifa is a gifted and talented performer with a worldwide following,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president for racing development and strategy. “I know the fans will be on their feet during his performance at the Busch Light Clash as we celebrate the beginning of our 75th Anniversary season together.” Wiz Khalifa burst onto the scene with the release of his first major label debut album, ‘Rolling Papers’‎ in 2011. Since then Wiz has been nominated for two GRAMMY Awards and a Golden Globe Award, won “Best New Artist” at the BET Awards and “Top New Artist” at the Billboard Music Awards, and landed a No. 1 album on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. He has collaborated with The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Charlie Puth, Bruno Mars, Imagine Dragons, Juicy J, TM88, Girl Talk, Big K.R.I.T., and more. Wiz’s business ventures include; Packed Bowls by Wiz Khalifa, a ghost kitchen delivery-only restaurant, gin line McQueen and The Violet Fog, and he’s also an investor and ambassador in the Professional Fighters League. Last year, Wiz released his full-length solo album Multiverse to rave reviews, as well as Multiverse (Deluxe). He also toured North America on his The Vinyl Verse Tour co-headlining with LOGIC. This spring, fans will see Khalifa portray funk icon George Clinton in the major motion picture “Spinning Gold,” which is about the legendary Casablanca Records label, to be released in theaters on March 31, 2023. But first comes the Busch Light Clash, where Khalifa will once again showcase the skills that made him an icon. “The NASCAR cars will bring the noise, and I’ll bring the party,” Khalifa said. “We’re going to have a great time celebrating together at the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, and I can’t wait to see everybody there.” NASCAR announced earlier that hip-hop legends Cypress Hill will provide a pre-race performance prior to the main event, and more entertainment announcements are planned in the coming days. The 2023 season-opening exhibition will once again feature the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series competing on a temporary, quarter-mile asphalt track nestled inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It’s one of the many anticipated events taking place this year as a part of the venue’s centennial anniversary celebration – “Coliseum Forever.” Joey Logano won the inaugural event en route to winning the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series championship. Tickets for the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum begin at $65, and kids 12-and-under are $10. Those are the same prices charged for this year’s inaugural showcase. Fans who want to take their race-day experience to the next level can upgrade to the Ally Pre-Race Party, which includes brunch, a drink ticket for Busch & Coca-Cola products, exclusive entertainment, a pre-race track walk and a special appearance from driver Alex Bowman. Fans are encouraged to get their tickets now while supplies last by visiting www.nascarclash.com. College students can experience the Busch Light Clash from The Coca-Cola Torch Party Porch for just $40. This standing-room-only general admission section, located on the Coliseum’s peristyle steps, provides college students with up-close access to all of the musical entertainment, driver introductions and racing action. College students can take advantage of this exclusive offer by visiting www.nascarclash.com/student.

PRESS RELEASE USC, UCLA Formula SAE teams will compete on LA Coliseum NASCAR track Time-trial competition features two of the top student-run racing programs in the country LOS ANGELES (Jan. 12, 2023) – It’s safe to say that the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has been a popular venue for the rivalry between UCLA and USC for decades. On Saturday, Feb. 4, that competition will take a new turn – this time on the temporary, quarter-mile racetrack designed for NASCAR Cup Series cars. The USC Racing and UCLA’s Bruin Racing Formula SAE teams will race against each other in a time-trial competition featuring student-built racecars. Later in the day, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will practice and qualify on the same track in advance of the highly anticipated 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Sunday, Feb. 5. “These cars are designed by some of the brightest young minds in engineering and racing, and these students are proof positive that the future of our sport is in great hands” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president for racing development and strategy. “We can’t wait for them to showcase their hard work and ingenuity on our LA Coliseum track.” Formula SAE is an intercollegiate engineering competition where students across the globe design, build, test, and race prototype open-wheel racecars. During these competitions, participating teams are scored in multiple categories evaluated by industry professionals, including design, cost effectiveness and performance in dynamic events. These competitions are important for students of all majors to apply technical skills cultivated within classes and campus maker spaces. In addition, they provide resume-building experiences for students seeking internship and career opportunities. USC Racing tested its Formula SAE car on the Coliseum’s temporary track last year, and Bruin Formula Racing has also been running local testing sessions with its vehicle. Excitement is high for both student-run organizations to compete inside the iconic venue on Feb. 4, 2023. This friendly contest between the two universities only adds to what’s shaping up to be another exciting weekend of NASCAR racing action and entertainment in the heart of Los Angeles. It was announced earlier that hip-hop legends Cypress Hill will perform prior to the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 5, and more performances will be announced in the coming days.

PRESS RELEASE NASCAR Drivers Will Pedal for Medals at Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to top-3 finishers on Sunday, Feb. 5 LOS ANGELES (Jan. 17, 2023) – A NASCAR first will occur on Sunday, Feb. 5. The sanctioning body announced today that the top-three finishers in the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum will be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. The medal ceremony will take place on a podium in Victory Lane, which is located beneath the Olympic cauldron at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s senior vice president for racing development and strategy, will present the medals to cap this historic event. “These will be tremendous prizes for our drivers who are competing inside a venue that’s hosted two Olympic Games and is preparing for a third,” Kennedy said. “Not only do the medals honor the rich tradition of this stadium, but they also provide a special element unique to NASCAR’s 75th anniversary.” Jostens will produce these exquisite medals, along with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Trophy that’s presented to the winner of the season-opening exhibition. Each custom-crafted keepsake features the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum logo beautifully embossed on one side. The other side features the Coliseum’s centennial mark and the NASCAR 75th Anniversary logo. The race winner’s medal weighs 4.7 ounces and is covered in 24-karat plated gold. It will certainly gleam beneath the Coliseum lights and iconic flame that towers above the temporary, quarter-mile asphalt track. NASCAR announced earlier this month that 27 cars will compete in the 150-lap Clash main event. Up to 40 NASCAR Cup Series drivers will attempt to qualify for that main event via four heat races and two last-chance qualifiers that will determine the final field of 27. Practice and qualifying for the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum will begin at 3 p.m. PT on Saturday, Feb. 4. Heat races will begin at 2 p.m. PT on Sunday, Feb. 5, followed by a performance from hip-hop legends Cypress Hill. And then shortly after 5 p.m. PT, the green flag will drop on the main event, which will feature a special mid-race performance by Wiz Khalifa. It’s one of the many anticipated events taking place this year as a part of the venue’s centennial anniversary celebration – “Coliseum Forever.” Tickets for the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum begin at $65, and kids 12-and-under are $10. Fans who want to take their race-day experience to the next level can upgrade to the Ally Pre-Race Party, which includes brunch, a drink ticket for Busch & Coca-Cola products, exclusive entertainment, a pre-race track walk and a special appearance from driver Alex Bowman. Fans are encouraged to get their tickets now while supplies last by visiting www.nascarclash.com. College students can experience the Busch Light Clash from The Coca-Cola Torch Party Porch for just $40. This standing-room-only general admission section, located on the Coliseum’s peristyle steps, provides college students with up-close access to all of the musical entertainment, driver introductions and racing action. College students can take advantage of this exclusive offer by visiting www.nascarclash.com/student.