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  • Cadillac today revealed the Project GTP Hypercar

    Press Release - Cadillac Cadillac today revealed the Project GTP Hypercar that previews the third-generation prototype race car from the American luxury brand. In 2023, Cadillac will contest the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “Cadillac will be competing again on the world racing stage, and we are all thrilled to return to Le Mans after 20 years,” said Global Cadillac Vice President Rory Harvey. “By competing in both the 2023 IMSA and WEC championships, Cadillac Racing has the opportunity to demonstrate its capability, craftsmanship and technology.” Codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and Dallara, the Project GTP Hypercar incorporates key brand design characteristics. Elements of the brand’s heritage such as vertical lighting and floating blades are present throughout and connect the Project GTP Hypercar to the future of Cadillac. “The Project GTP Hypercar is a unique convergence of form and function and showcases Cadillac’s future performance aesthetic,” said Chris Mikalauskas, lead exterior creative designer, Cadillac. “We have plenty more to come, from the upcoming race car to amazing production vehicles.” Since 2017, Cadillac has been competing at the forefront of American sports car racing in the IMSA manufacturers championship achieving numerous wins, podiums and championships in the Cadillac DPi-V.R. “Competing for the overall win at Le Mans with an iconic American brand like Cadillac is an honor,” said Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM sports car racing program manager. “The entire team is excited to continue building Cadillac’s racing legacy by competing against the very best internationally and in the world's toughest race.” The new race car will be powered by an all-new 5.5L DOHC V-8 that will be paired to the LMDh common hybrid system. Cadillac’s commitment to performance is embodied in the V-Series portfolio. Its recent expansion includes the CT4-V and CT5-V sport sedans, Escalade-V as well as the track-capable CT4-V Blackwing1 and CT5-V Blackwing1 . The race car will begin on-track testing this summer and first race at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2023. Recent Cadillac Racing achievements include: Winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship three times: 2021, 2018 and 2017 Winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona four times in a row: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 Winning the Michelin North American Endurance Cup four times: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 Prior to competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Cadillac competed in the Pirelli World Challenge Championship, earning five Manufacturer’s Championships (2014, 2013, 2012, 2007, 2005), and five Driver’s Championships (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2005). 1Limited availability

  • Lucky Winner to Ride In Pace Car at 2023 Daytona 500

    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 9, 2021) – While tickets for the 65th Annual DAYTONA 500, NASCAR’s most prestigious and iconic event, are set to officially go on sale on Friday, June 17, fans can be a part of a pre-sale sweepstakes that could put them inside one of the pace vehicles prior to the start of The Great American Race. The 2023 DAYTONA 500 Pre-Sale Sweepstakes will run through Wednesday, June 15, just two days before all tickets go on sale for the 65th edition of the season-opener for the NASCAR Cup Series. All fans who enter the sweepstakes will receive access to an exclusive pre-sale link, and one lucky winner will have the opportunity to ride around the 2.5-mile World Center of Racing just moments before the drop of the green flag. The 2023 edition of The Great American Race will once again be held on its traditional Presidents Day Weekend – Sunday, Feb. 19. To be a part of the Pre-Sale Sweepstakes, fans can log onto www.DAYTONA500.com or call 1-800-PIT-SHOP. Tickets start at just $99 and the track offers an array of opportunities that include frontstretch seating, expanded camping, hospitality and awesome pre-race experiences – all a part of Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth. The 2022 DAYTONA sold out of frontstretch grandstand tickets more than a month before the event, and every ticket in the house was gone by the beginning of Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth. Race fans travel from all over the world to attend the storied DAYTONA 500 at the iconic Daytona International Speedway, so those wishing to attend in 2023, should make plans early to secure the best seats and pricing. “The energy and excitement we saw for the DAYTONA 500 earlier this year was on a level that we hadn’t seen in a long time,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “I can tell you that we expect it again for the 2023 DAYTONA 500, and much more. The fans are letting us know how pumped up they are about 2023, too. We’re hearing about it all the time. “The ‘Next Gen’ car will begin its second season, and who knows, we may see another first-time winner like Austin Cindric earlier this year. The pageantry and the tradition of our pre-race festivities, family-fun displays in our Midway, the UNOH Fanzone, along with our incredible fronstretch seating, camping and hospitality are second to none in sports and entertainment. We can’t wait for 2023, and the fans feel the same!” Guests for the DAYTONA 500 will have the opportunity to experience the edge-of-your-seat excitement in the state-of-the-art motorsports facility with amenities that include more than 101,500 seats, thousands of premium club seats, 40 escalators and 17 elevators, 60 luxury suites, social “neighborhoods” and three concourse levels that span the nearly mile-long frontstretch. Extended-stay camping packages include access to general admission seating and the UNOH Fanzone/Pre-Race for each event during DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth, excluding the DAYTONA 500. Some other notable options include: Hospitality and premium seat packages, including the Rolex 24 Lounge, Harley J’s, Trioval Club, DAYTONA 500 Club and President’s Row are available, as well as UNOH Fanzone/Pre-Race access. For all other DAYTONA Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth events (Excluding the DAYTONA 500), children 12 and under are $10 in reserved seating and free in general admission areas and the UNOH Fanzone/Pre-Race area. Those events include the Bluegreen Vacations Duel at DAYTONA qualifying races, the NextEra Energy 250 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire for the ARCA Menards Series. Multi-day tickets are available. Fans can also visit PrimeSport.com, the official travel package provider of Daytona International Speedway, where they can find multiple options for tickets, lodging and hospitality. Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news. The World Center of Racing will also be the site of two races this summer during the last weekend in August – the Coke Zero Sugar 400, the NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale, on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. ET, and the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Friday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets are on sale now for both events and can be found at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. About Daytona International Speedway Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. The iconic venue was the site of a host of motorsports events early in 2022, beginning with AHRMA Classic Motofest and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA in January, and the 64th DAYTONA 500, which debuted the first points race for NASCAR’s ‘Next Gen’ car as part of Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, in February. The tradition-rich 81st Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA returned in March, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200. May saw the “Welcome to Rockville concert and the Heroes Honor Festival. Later in the summer during Independence Day weekend (July 2-3), the track, in association with Torneos, will host the first annual Soccer Fest before the NASCAR Cup Series returns for the final race of the regular season with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 27.

  • Sonoma Raceway gears up for the NASCAR Cup and Truck Series

    NASCAR Wire , Holly Cain Photo : NASCAR / GETTY Sonoma Raceway gears up for the NASCAR Cup Series The NASCAR Cup Series annual trek to Sonoma Raceway in California wine country remains one of the most anticipated stops on the schedule and Sunday’s Toyota / Save Mart 350 (4 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) looks to be the race’s next great competitive chapter. The top-six drivers in the standings, from leader Chase Elliott to sixth place Joey Logano, are separated by only 40 points. Three drivers ranked in the top-10 – Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr. and Christopher Bell - are still looking for their first victory of the season. And defending race winner Kyle Larson hasn’t won a race since February 27 at Auto Club Speedway, the last time the series raced in his native California, 13 races ago. This week NASCAR has elected to run a different version of the iconic Sonoma Raceway road course – a shorter 1.99-mile configuration that eliminates the 'carousel' – Turns 4-7 – used since 2019. The longer straight known as the 'chute' is expected to increase passing opportunities. Truex, whose three wins and 213 laps led is most among active drivers at Sonoma, heads west hopeful to punch his automatic Playoff ticket. He’s won twice and finished third in the last three races there. And this week his former championship crew chief Cole Pearn will serve as an engineer on Truex’s No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew – the first time Pearn has worked in the series since he left the sport following the 2019 season. Truex is hoping that familiar relationship will result in a maiden 2022 victory. He has seven top-10 finishes on the season and led laps last week at Gateway, Ill. “I love going there, I love the racetrack, but this week is a huge question mark for everyone – new car, new tires, five gears instead of four, different brakes and different everything," Truex said this week. “There’s a big question mark of if our old approach will still work there. Not just the way I drive the car, but how is the tire going to be and what will the falloff be? … A lot of things up in the air, but we’re doing everything we can to show up ready to go on Saturday for practice and qualifying and then the race on Sunday.” Truex certainly expects he’ll have to better two of the series’ best road course drivers this weekend in championship leader Chase Elliott and defending race winner Kyle Larson. Last year Larson beat his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Elliott by .614-seconds to take the Sonoma win. Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, was runner-up to Elliott at Austin, won the Sonoma, Watkins Glen, N.Y. and Charlotte road course races and finished third at the Indianapolis Grand Prix. Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, won at the Austin and Road America, finished second at Sonoma and Watkins Glen and fourth at Indy last season. Seven of Elliott’s 14 career NASCAR Cup Series wins have come on road courses making him the winningest active driver on that style of track. “I’ve always had some good speed at Sonoma and it’s my home track," Larson said. “It’s always fun to see my friends and family and it was cool to get my first win at my home track last year. But that was with last year’s car and on the long track. “Hopefully, we can get another pole there this weekend, lead some laps and challenge for the win again." Both Elliott and Larson know that not only Truex but a pair of his Joe Gibbs Racing teammates – two-time Sonoma winner Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin will be stiff competition this week in particular. Busch, driver of the No. 18 JGR Toyota, is getting a few laps under his belt running in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Sonoma on Saturday. He is ranked second to Elliott in the championship, only nine points back, and leads the NASCAR Cup Series with 11 top-10 finishes on the season. Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 JGR Toyota, is coming off a win two weeks ago at Charlotte that made him one of only four multi-race winners this season. His best finish at Sonoma is runner-up (to NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart) in 2016 and he carries a streak of five top-10 finishes at the track into the weekend – having led laps in each of those races. Another former Sonoma winner, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick could use a road course boost this weekend. He is looking for his first win since 2020 and after a 33rd place at Gateway last weekend, he has fallen outside the Playoff-eligible top-16 in points. Camping World Truck Series returns to Sonoma after more than 20 years With much anticipation the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns to the Sonoma Raceway road course for the first time since Boris Said raised a trophy in California wine country back in 1998. The fulltime truck series drivers are excited about the opportunity and there’s a large group of NASCAR Cup Series regulars entered in Saturday’s DoorDash 250 (7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) too, hoping to get some extra miles in to prepare for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race. Reigning series champion Ben Rhodes holds the championship lead heading into the weekend by 17 points over Chandler Smith. The top six drivers – also Zane Smith, John Hunter Nemechek, Stewart Friesen and Christian Eckes - are only separated by 34 points. It’s essentially a “home race” for three-time 2022 winner, Californian Zane Smith, who turned 23 on Thursday. He won the series’ only other road course race this year at Austin, Texas. And his nine top-10 finishes in the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford through the opening 11 races is tops among the title contenders. And he shows up this week energized by a solid NASCAR Cup Series debut last week in Gateway – where he finished 17th after starting 32nd in the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford; filling in for Chris Buescher who was out with COVID-19. Smith can certainly expect tough competition from Rhodes who also has a road course win (Daytona Road Course, 2021) and is hoping to regain his title form after an up-and-down last month that includes three top-10s but also two finishes of 25th-place or worse in the No. 99 ThorSport Racing Toyota. Nemechek, who trails Rhodes by 22 points in the championship, is also a former road course winner, taking a trophy in Bowmanville, Canada back in 2016. He has five other top-five road course finishes including three runner-up showings – the most recent at Austin this Spring. The driver of the No. 4 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota had a streak of seven top-10 finishes before an uncharacteristic crash/DNF at Gateway, Ill. last week. Chandler Smith, 19, comes into the summer stretch with some positive momentum. The driver of the No. 18 KBM Toyota has Top-10 finishes in the last four races and led 40 laps last week at Gateway. He finished fifth at Austin in his only road course race in the series. This weekend will be a new challenge for the current fulltime championship drivers who will be contending for the trophy with a larger-than-normal group of NASCAR Cup Series drivers. Alex Bowman, Harrison Burton, Austin Dillon, Ross Chastain and Kyle Busch headline a group of eight drivers – also including former Truck Series champion Todd Bodine – who are slated to compete in the Truck race Saturday afternoon. Busch is a two-time Sonoma NASCAR Cup Series race winner. The four past Camping World Truck Series Sonoma Raceway winners – NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr., Dave Rezendes, Joe Ruttman and Boris Said will serve as grand marshals on Saturday at Sonoma. NASCAR Cup Series Next Race: Toyota/Save Mart 350 The Place: Sonoma Raceway The Date: Sunday, June 12 The Time: 4 p.m. ET The Purse: $7,629,830 TV: FS1, 2 p.m. ET Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Distance: 218.9 miles (110 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 25), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 55), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 110) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Next Race: DoorDash 250 The Place: Sonoma Raceway The Date: Saturday, June 11 The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET The Purse: $675,134 TV: FS1, 7 p.m. ET Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Distance: 149 miles (75 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 45), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 75)

  • NASCAR Diversity Internship Program Welcomes 2022 Class

    PRESS RELEASE | NASCAR Diversity Internship Program Welcomes 2022 Class The NASCAR industry welcomed a program-record 36 interns leading up to the 2022 Coca-Cola 600 Daytona Beach, Fla. (June 9, 2022) – The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP) kicked off its 21st year hosting undergraduate and graduate students across the sport. This year’s NDIP class includes interns from nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), multiple student-athletes and two returning NDIP alumni. The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program is a 10-week program that offers hands-on experience across various roles in the motorsports industry. College students of color selected to participate network with industry executives and learn from experts in one of the largest professional sports industries. “We’re excited to welcome a new class of interns and students from diverse backgrounds who will be exposed to an incredible industry of professionals eager to showcase what our sport is all about,” said Brandon Thompson, NASCAR Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion, and the first NDIP alum to be elevated to an officer role at NASCAR. “NASCAR continues to evolve and the NDIP is one of several programs introducing younger and more diverse audiences to our sport. It’s an important effort and we couldn’t be more thrilled about our ‘22 class.” NDIP was launched in 2000 and since then more than 500 college students have participated in the industry’s longest-running diversity initiative. The program has grown to include several industry partners, providing career opportunities to various NDIP participants: 23XI Racing, General Motors, Hendrick Motorsports, RFK Racing, Rev Racing, RCR, Sonoma Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway. In addition to Thompson, the sanctioning body employs several former interns including Jusan Hamilton, Sr. Director, Racing Operations & Event Management; Kathryn Lee, Sr. Director, Marketing Activation; Marvin Aylor, Director, Partnership Marketing; Cole McGinnis, Sr. Manager, Licensing and Consumer Products; Greg Carty, Manager, Licensing and Consumer Products; Jason Simmons, Sr. Manager, International Operations & Strategy; Jordan Leatherman, Sr. Manager, Diversity & Inclusion; Erica Wilkerson, Sr. Manager, Youth & Multicultural Marketing; Jazz Warren, Coordinator, Track Communications; Josh Pena, Coordinator, Event Experience; and Victoria Garcia, Associate Producer. NDIP is open to college students representing the following races/ethnic minority classifications: Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Latino or Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. The 2022 NASCAR Diversity Internship Class includes:

  • NASCAR LEGEND SCHRADER DOING DOUBLE DUTY AS MODIFIEDS INVADE OHSWEKEN

    Photo Credit Ken Schrader Racing OHSWEKEN, Ont. (June 7, 2022) – The 25th season of Friday Night Excitement at Ohsweken Speedway continues this Friday, June 10 when APC Auto Parts Centres presents the UMP/CDN Modified Challenge, plus 358 Modifieds, Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks, and HRW Automotive Mini Stocks. NASCAR legend Ken Schrader will do double duty on Friday driving his own car in the UMP Modified division and a Glenn Styres Racing car in the 358 Modified division. UMP/CDN MODIFIED CHALLENGE Ohsweken Speedway is located approximately halfway between the two Ontario tracks – Southern Ontario Motor Speedway and Brighton Speedway – with weekly UMP/IMCA-type Modified divisions; this makes it an ideal meeting point for the UMP teams from the west and Canadian Modified teams from the east to square off in a UMP/CDN Modified Challenge. Along with provincial bragging rights, the teams will be trying to keep NASCAR legend Ken Schrader out of the winner’s circle. The Missouri-based driver has claimed victory twice at Ohsweken in the past, while Joel Dick also has two Ohsweken wins on his resume. Tim Richardson and Eugene Hoekstra have one win each, while Dennis Lunger won the most recent UMP/CDN Modified Challenge at Ohsweken in July 2019. “SMALL BLOCK” 358 MODIFIEDS The bulk of the area’s 358 Modified teams are based in Niagara Region and Western New York, but many have roots at Ohsweken dating back to the track’s formative days when Sportsman Modifieds competed weekly. St. Catharines driver Mat Williamson first competed at Ohsweken as a teenager and headlines the list of contenders looking to take the Small Block win on Friday; now 32 years of age, the former Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modified champion and two-time Super DIRT Week winner has already racked up six wins in the region this season. The most recent 358 Modified events at Ohsweken were held in the years 2013 through 2016; Williamson claimed two of those wins, while Western New York drivers Chad Brachmann and Erick Rudolph won one each. The ageless Pete Bicknell’s “Mr. Small Block” nickname holds true at Ohsweken, where he has claimed seven 358 Modified wins to lead the all-time list. Other contenders expected to compete on Friday include 2021 Merrittville champ Mike Bowman, current Merrittville points leader Gary Lindberg, and two-time Ohsweken Sportsman champ Fred Carleton. MIDDLEPORT MECHANICAL THUNDER STOCKS Dave Bailey has won the last five consecutive Thunder Stock championships at Ohsweken and began his pursuit of six strongly with a feature win on opening night. Ryan Beagle gave Bailey a good challenge, however, and holds second in the championship points standings heading into week two. Mike Klazinga, Mark Fawcett, and Christopher Hale hold down the remainder of the top five points positions. HRW AUTOMOTIVE STREET STOCKS Tyler Lafantaisie’s seventh career Ohsweken A-Main win has the 2014 champ atop the Mini Stock standings after opening night, followed by Jeremy Hughes, defending champ Dusty DeBoer, Nick Erskine, and Rodney Rutherford. Hughes’ return to Mini Stock competition makes him the active win leader at Ohsweken with nine A-Main wins all-time. NOTE: NEW ELECTRONIC PIT WAIVER Please click this link to sign the Annual Pit Waiver if you plan on attending in the Pit Area in 2022: https://ohsspeed.speedwaiver.com/kinxf OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY ON GFORCETV Can’t make it to the track or don’t live within driving distance? No problem! Check out all of Ohsweken’s weekly Friday Night Excitement action live online for FREE on GForceTV. Just search for GForceTV on YouTube, OHSWEKENSPEEDWAY on Facebook, or visit www.ohswekenspeedway.com to watch. #OHS2022 SEASON The 25th season of weekly Friday Night Excitement at Ohsweken Speedway features four regular racing divisions, including the Kool Kidz-Corr/Pak 360 Sprint Cars, Strickland’s GMC Crate Sprint Cars, Middleport Mechanical Thunder Stocks, and HRW Automotive Mini Stocks. Several special events also highlight the 2022 schedule including the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, and the dirt track debut of the NASCAR Pinty’s Series. Visit www.ohswekenspeedway.com for more information. About Ohsweken Speedway: Opened in 1996, Ohsweken Speedway is a motorsports complex and event centre featuring a 3/8 mile clay oval auto racing track and 1/6 mile clay oval Micro Sprint and Karting track. The facility is owned by the Styres family, and located in the village of Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada. Ohsweken’s weekly Friday Night Excitement racing program runs from May to September each year, featuring 360 Sprint Cars, Crate Sprint Cars, Thunder Stocks, and Mini Stocks, while the facility also hosts weekly Micro Sprint and Kart racing on Thursday nights. Several major events highlight the annual schedule including the track’s signature event – the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. Ohsweken Speedway Media Website: www.ohswekenspeedway.com Facebook: OHSWEKENSPEEDWAY Twitter: @OhswekenSpdway Instagram: @ohswekenspeedway YouTube: GForceTV Racing at Ohsweken Speedway is made possible with support from the following partners: Ackland Insurance, Arrow Express, Nitro 54 Variety, Auto Parts Centres, Bradshaw Brothers Fuels, Burger Barn, Case IH & O’Neil’s Farm Equipment, Core-Mark International, Corr/Pak Merchandising Inc., Creative Edge Signs & Graphics, EPIC Racewear, Gale’s Auto Aftermarket, Ohsweken Speedway Racesource, Halifax Thunderbirds, Hoosier Tire Canada, HRW Automotive, Insta-Insulation/Insta-Panels, Jibs Action Sports, Kool Kidz Ice & Water, Middleport Mechanical, Miska Trailer Factory, Pinty’s Delicious Foods, Renway Energy, Strickland’s GMC, Club 54 Racing, Oakwood Transport, and Safety-Kleen.

  • Amber Balcaen Making Iowa/Arca Debut

    Photo courtesy of Rette Jones Racing Amber Balcaen Riding Momentum Wave to Iowa Speedway ARCA Debut NEWTON, IA: Fresh off a career-best seventh-place finish in the premier ARCA Menards Series race at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway two weeks ago, rookie Amber Balcaen and her Rette Jones Racing ride the momentum wave to Iowa Speedway for Saturday night’s Calypso Lemonade 150. The tight confines of the 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway offer another new track on Balcaen’s roster, but she is embracing the opportunity to tackle the series’ first short track of the season hoping to deliver her first top-five finish in the sixth race of the season. “I am looking forward to carrying my momentum of another career-best finish onto Iowa this weekend,” said Balcaen. “This momentum of back-to-back top 10s is big for our team and my confidence moving forward. Hopefully, it continues in a big way on Saturday night.” The race on Saturday marks the first time this season that the premier ARCA Menards Series has combined with the ARCA Menards Series East which will bring a variety of new drivers and new teams to the table, a challenge that Balcaen embraces. “Combining the two ARCA Menards Series platforms brings in new players into the mix which means we must step up our Rette Jones Racing game with our No. 30 ICON Direct Ford Fusion. The premier ARCA Menards Series alone has a lot of fast cars, but when you combine another series, it brings a few more, so execution for us on Saturday is key in making sure we keep going in the right direction.” Balcaen’s mission has been to make improvements with every start. Some finishes may not reflect the enhancements she has gained behind the wheel of her No. 30 ICON Direct Ford Fusion, but with every ARCA premier start, she is becoming a better driver and her average finish of eighth over the past month showcases a path in the right direction. I think we are definitely headed in the right direction for our 2022 season,” Balcaen explained. “Our goal going into the season was to show improvement and progression every race and we have done that. The more laps I get underneath me, the more skills and confidence I am building as a driver. “I know Iowa Speedway has become a fan favorite for the ARCA Menards Series over the years, so I am looking forward to experiencing it for myself this weekend and earning our third top-10 of 2022.” With her previous preparations paying off, Balcaen is keeping her same approach for Iowa Speedway this weekend. “I am taking similar steps to prepare for Iowa by watching and studying film, going on iRacing and keeping up with my rigorous fitness and hydration regimens. At the end of the day, I am hoping that all of that hard work will pay off with fast laps and a smart race on Saturday night.” As far as the race, Balcaen believes her Rette Jones Racing No. 30 ICON Direct Ford Fusion can contend for another top-10 finish or better. “For Iowa, I want to continue on this path of clean top-10 finishes and push towards getting our first top-five of the season,” sounded Balcaen. For crew chief and co-team owner Rette, he is confident that his rookie driver will continue to adapt and find her groove and continue an upward pace in her ARCA Menards Series quest. “I was thrilled with Amber’s efforts at Charlotte,” offered Rette. “It can be difficult to get comfortable at incredibly fast tracks like Kansas and Charlotte, but she has done very well over the last two races and we are eager to get to Iowa and see what type of finish we can put together.” ICON Direct will continue to adorn the primary positions on Balcaen’s race car in their sixth of 20 races this season. ICON Direct is a manufacturer of high-quality plastic component parts for the RV industry, located in Manitoba, Canada. ICON aftermarket replacement parts are available through RV Dealers and Distributors across North America and directly through their website IconDirect.com. The Winnipeger’s new endeavor at Rette Jones Racing will also be supported by Glenn McLeod and Sons – cementing a full Canadian roster of partners for her ARCA Menards Series rookie season. Longtime RJR partners Ford Performance, Goodridge Fluid Transfer Systems , Jones Group Demolition and Abatement and JRi Shocks will continue their relationship with the team in 2022 and serve as associate partners on Balcaen’s No. 30 ICON Direct Ford Fusion. RJR is co-owned by Canadian entrepreneur and former race car driver Terry Jones. Entering Iowa, Balcaen sits fifth in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings, five points out of fourth and 51 markers in the arrears to championship leader Rajah Caruth. For more on Amber Balcaen, please visit amberbalcaenracing.com, like her on Facebook (AmberBalcaenRacing) and follow her on Instagram (@amberbalcaen10) and Twitter (@amberbalcaen10). For more on Rette Jones Racing, please visit RetteJonesRacing.com , like them on Facebook (Rette Jones Racing) or follow them on Instagram (@RetteJones30) and Twitter (@RetteJones30). The Calypso Lemonade 150 (150 laps | 132 miles) is the sixth of 20 races on the 2022 ARCA Menards Series schedule. A final practice begins on Saturday, June 11, 2022, from 4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. General Tire Pole Qualifying will follow shortly after starting at 6:00 p.m. The event will be televised live on MAVTV and FloRacing beginning at 8:00 p.m. ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire weekend festivities. All times are local (CT).

  • Weekend Preview : Sonoma Cup and Truck Series

    NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series will compete at Sonoma Raceway Track Facts Track Length: 1.99 Miles Race Length: 350 Kilometers / 226.8 Miles (110 Laps) Grandstand Seating Capacity: N/A First Cup Race: June 11, 1989 – Banquet Frozen Foods 300 Banking: Hilly road course Number of Turns: 12 Cup Entry List - Toyota Save Mart 350 1 - Ross Chastain 2 - Austin Cindric 3 - Austin Dillon 4 - Kevin Harvick 5 - Kyle Larson 6 - Brad Keselowski 7 - Corey LaJoie 8 - Tyler Reddick 9 - Chase Elliott 10 - Aric Almirola 11 - Denny Hamlin 12 - Ryan Blaney 14 -Chase Briscoe 15 - Joey Hand 16 - AJ Allmendinger (I) 17 - Chris Buescher 18 - Kyle Busch 19 - Martin Truex Jr. 20 - Christopher Bell 21 - Harrison Burton 22 - Joey Logano 23 - Bubba Wallace 24 - William Byron 31 - Justin Haley 34 - Michael McDowell 38 - Todd Gilliland 41 - Cole Custer 42 - Ty Dillon 43 - Erik Jones 45 - Kurt Busch 47 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 48 - Alex Bowman 51 - Cody Ware 77 - Josh Bilicki (I) 78 - Scott Heckert (I) 99 - Daniel Suarez Truck Series Entry List - DoorDash 250 1 - Hailie Deegan 02 - Kaz Grala 4 - John Hunter Nemechek 7 - Alex Bowman (I) 9 - Blaine Perkins 10 - Jennifer Jo Cobb 12 - Spencer Boyd 15 - Tanner Gray 16 - Tyler Ankrum 17 - Harrison Burton (I) 18 - Chandler Smith 19 - Derek Kraus 20 - Austin Dillon (I) 22 - Austin Wayne Self 24 - Jack Wood 25 - Matt Dibenedetto 30 - Tate Fogleman 33 - Jade Bufford (I) 38 - Zane Smith 40 - Dean Thompson 42 - Carson Hocevar 43 - Brad Perez 44 - Kris Wright 45 - Lawless Alan 51 - Kyle Busch (I) 52 - Stewart Friesen 56 - Timmy Hill 61 - Chase Purdy 62 - Todd Bodine 66 - Ty Majeski 75 - Parker Kligerman 88 - Matt Crafton 91 - Colby Howard 98 - Christian Eckes 99 - Ben Rhodes 141 - Ross Chastain (I) 146 - Mason Filippi (I) 147 - TBA NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 Sunday, June 12 4 p.m. ET Purse: $7,629,830 TV: FS1, 2 p.m. ET Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Distance: 218.9 miles (110 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 25), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 55), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 110) NASCAR Camping World Truck Series DoorDash 250 Saturday, June 11 7:30 p.m. ET $675,134 TV: FS1, 7 p.m. ET Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Distance: 149 miles (75 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20), Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 45), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 75)

  • Track Laps for Charity Returns, Benefitting United Way of Talladega County

    Press Release | TALLADEGA, Ala (June 8, 2022) – Families attending Talladega Superspeedway’s next Track Laps for Charity fundraiser on Saturday, June 18 will be a part of yet another event in 2022 that highlights the iconic venue’s commitment to the local community. In addition to two incredible opportunities for those who attend – the ability to make two exhilarating laps around the 2.66-mile mammoth track in their personal vehicles plus tour the incredible infield Talladega Garage Experience (Open House) – the event will benefit the United Way of North Talladega County. The minimal $50 donation per car for the two laps will help raise funds for the speedway’s outreach fund, ‘DEGA Gives, a donor advised fund of The NASCAR Foundation. It is scheduled for the public from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CDT. Pre-registration can be found at https://www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/events/track-laps/ and is highly recommended to guarantee a spot. Track Laps for Charity can also be purchased the day of the event. At the track’s last Track Laps for Charity in April, $12,500 was raised and split between the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Alabama and East Central Alabama. “Our Track Laps for Charity events continue to be popular with not only families from Alabama, but across the southeast and even as far as Texas,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Brian Crichton. “The turnout has been phenomenal, and we see vehicle license tags from a host of states in attendance. They want to experience the incredible 33-degrees of banking on the biggest track in NASCAR which has a reputation is second to none. We are thankful for the support as all the money we raise goes back to local charities, this time the United Way of North Talladega County.” As part of the Talladega Garage Experience Open House, families will get a sneak peek at the 140,000 SF area, complete with Kids Zone and Game Zone, the unique 35,000 square foot “BIG BILL’s” covered Open Air Social Club, and Ruoff Mortgage Victory Lane. Attendees will be able to take their photograph beside Talladega Superspeedway’s Official Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car and the traditional Vulcan Trophy that is awarded to each NASCAR Cup Series winner at ’Dega. Both will be placed in Ruoff Mortgage Victory Lane where Ross Chastain celebrated after he captured the GEICO 500 in April. The Vulcan Trophy is a hand-made, miniature version of the colossal Vulcan statue – a 56-foot-tall structure fastened to a 124-foot platform that stands tall over the city of Birmingham, Alabama – just 45 minutes west of the racetrack. It is the largest cast-iron statue in the world and is the main attraction at Birmingham’s Vulcan Park Museum ( www.visitvulcan.com ). Talladega’s Vulcan Trophy stands more than three feet and weighs 130 pounds. The tradition of the trophy began in 2016. Guests will see how race fans who will be attending the upcoming Oct. 2 YellaWood 500 will be immersed into the sport of NASCAR by being able to be up-close to NASCAR’s top drivers and teams via a fan walkway under the same roof as the NASCAR Cup Series garage bays. The YellaWood 500 will culminate a tripleheader NASCAR Playoffs weekend, Oct. 1-2. Talladega Superspeedway Track Laps participation guidelines include: Pre-registration highly recommended & Payment Required. All vehicles must have a valid license plate and all drivers must have a valid driver’s license. Minors (Under 19 years of age) with valid driver’s license must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Vehicles deemed unsafe by TSS Staff will not be allowed onto the racetrack. Participants will enter the TSS Infield through the North Tunnel (Tunnel 4), please proceed to the staging area. The road will be marked with signage and traffic cones. All participants are required to remain in their personal vehicle on pit road. All track rides will be paced at highway speed by Talladega Superspeedway staff. No vehicles allowed on the top lane of the speedway. No Passing Allowed. No motorcycles, tractor-trailers, recreational vehicles, etc., may be used for track rides. All participants must execute a TSS Track Waiver. Fans are encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at the biggest, baddest race track on the planet by following Talladega Superspeedway on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram , as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App . for the latest speedway news.

  • Rivals Duel In Overtime, Logano Wins at Gateway

    Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service (Photo Credit: https://twitter.com/Team_Penske) MADISON, Ill. – In front of packed grandstands at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, Joey Logano beat Kyle Busch in an intense overtime battle, and Ross Chastain ate a gigantic piece of humble pie. After a brake rotor failure sent Kevin Harvick’s Ford rocketing into the Turn 3 wall on Lap 236 of a scheduled 240 in Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300, Busch, as the leader, picked the outside lane. Logano lined up beside Busch to the inside, with teammate Ryan Blaney behind him. After the overtime restart—with Blaney giving Logano’s No. 22 Team Penske Ford a serendipitous shove—Logano and Busch swapped the lead until Busch washed up the track in Turns 3 and 4 on the white-flag lap. That enabled Logano to secure the victory by .655 seconds and indulged his penchant for winning debut races in the NASCAR Cup Series. Last year, Logano won the inaugural event on the Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt Track. “Thanks for coming out, guys,” Logano said, acknowledging the sellout crowd. “I hope you enjoyed that race. It doesn’t get much better than that. Racing for the lead like that with Kyle, one of the best. It was a lot of fun. Crossing each other back and forth. I knew it was coming. I did it to him; I knew he was going to do it to me. We crossed back and forth there a couple of times… “What a great car, though. Really fast. I kind of messed up in qualifying, and (crew chief) Paul (Wolfe) made a great call putting two tires on (on the No. 22 Team Penske Ford’s final pit stop). Blaney did a great job with the push down into (Turn) 1, which kept me close at least and being able to make the move. Good racing there.” The victory was Logano’s second of the season and the 29th of his career. Kurt Busch ran third behind Logano and Kyle Bush, with Ryan Blaney coming home fourth and Aric Almirola fifth. The overtime didn’t favor Kyle Busch’s car, which performed best on long runs. “Our car just took too long to come in,” Busch said. “Better on the long run. Better up top. Top is not good to fire off on, but great job by the Snickers guys. Again, we stayed in the running all day long and fought hard and thought maybe we could—but that was it.” As riveting as the drama of the overtime turned out to be, the subplot involving Chastain and his two primary victims—Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott—drew the lion’s share of the focus as the race developed. On Lap 64, Chastain drove hard into Turn 1 behind Hamlin and knocked the No. 11 Toyota up the track and into the wall, ending Hamlin’s chance at a strong finish. Hamlin subsequently expressed his displeasure by running Chastain down to the apron on the backstretch. On Lap 101, contact from Chastain’s Chevrolet turned Elliott’s No. 9 Camaro and sent it spinning into the inside barrier off Turn 4. On the subsequent restart, Elliott got a measure of revenge when he rubbed Chastain’s Chevy and moved it up the track. Ultimately, Elliott finished 21st, 13 spots better than Hamlin, who ended the race 11 laps down. Chastain didn’t mince words in taking responsibility for the trouble he caused on the track. “It was terrible driving,” said Chastain, who finished eighth. “It’s one thing to do it once, but I just kept driving into guys. At this level, I’m supposed to be better than that… “I owe half the field an apology, and words aren’t going to fix it. So I’ll have to pay for it on the track and almost did today, and I deserve everything they do. I can’t believe I continue to make this many mistakes and overdrive the corners and drive into guys.” Hamlin seemed to indicate that racing karma still had to play out. “It’s good that he takes responsibility, but ultimately it ruined our day,” Hamlin said. “I think we were kind of racing hard there for a while on the inside. He kept trying to slide up in front of us and wasn’t able to, because I wasn’t willing to just back off and let him slide up in front. “It didn’t take long after he tucked in behind us that he wrecked us. The unfortunate part is that it didn’t look like he got too shy after that, because I think he got the 9 (Elliott) after that one. We all have to learn the hard way, and we’ve all had it come back around on us—and it’ll be no different.” Martin Truex Jr. finished sixth, followed by Erik Jones, Chastain, Christopher Bell and AJ Allmendinger, who won Saturday’s debut Xfinity Series race at Portland International Raceway and started from the rear of the field with no prior laps on the track after flying to St. Louis for the Cup event. NASCAR Cup Series Race – Inaugural Enjoy Illinois 300 Presented by TicketSmarter World Wide Technology Raceway Madison, Illinois Sunday, June 5, 2022 (7) Joey Logano, Ford, 245. (12) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 245. (11) Kurt Busch, Toyota, 245. (5) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 245. (8) Aric Almirola, Ford, 245. (13) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 245. (21) Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 245. (10) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 245. (3) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 245. (35) AJ Allmendinger(i), Chevrolet, 245. (2) Austin Cindric #, Ford, 245. (15) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 245. (25) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 245. (28) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 245. (29) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 245. (4) Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet, 245. (32) Zane Smith(i), Ford, 245. (17) Michael McDowell, Ford, 245. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet, 245. (30) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 245. (16) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 245. (22) Todd Gilliland #, Ford, 245. (23) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 245. (1) Chase Briscoe, Ford, 245. (9) Harrison Burton #, Ford, 245. (18) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 245. (26) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 245. (33) Josh Bilicki(i), Chevrolet, 245. (14) Cole Custer, Ford, 245. (34) BJ McLeod, Ford, 245. (36) Parker Kligerman(i), Ford, 245. (27) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 241. (20) Kevin Harvick, Ford, Accident, 235. (6) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 234. (31) Cody Ware, Ford, Power Steering, 166. (19) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, Engine, 72. Average Speed of Race Winner: 97.965 mph. Time of Race: 3 Hrs, 7 Mins, 34 Secs. Margin of Victory: .655 Seconds. Caution Flags: 10 for 53 laps. Lead Changes: 12 among 9 drivers. Lap Leaders: C. Briscoe 1-27;A. Cindric # 28-53;R. Blaney 54-65;K. Busch 66-96;M. McDowell 97-130;K. Busch 131-142;M. Truex Jr. 143-184;K. Busch 185;E. Jones 186-189;K. Busch 190-207;J. Logano 208-227;K. Busch 228-243;J. Logano 244-245. Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): Kyle Busch 4 times for 66 laps; Martin Truex Jr. 1 time for 42 laps; Michael McDowell 1 time for 34 laps; Chase Briscoe 1 time for 27 laps; Austin Cindric # 1 time for 26 laps; Joey Logano 2 times for 22 laps; Ryan Blaney 1 time for 12 laps; Kurt Busch 1 time for 12 laps; Erik Jones 1 time for 4 laps. Stage #1 Top Ten: 2,12,8,11,1,10,22,18,9,20 Stage #2 Top Ten: 45,19,18,5,10,20,99,41,43,12

  • Corey Heim wins big at Gateway

    Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service (Photo: https://twitter.com/ToyotaRacing) MADISON, Ill.—Pole winner Corey Heim lost the lead on Lap 18 of Saturday’s Toyota 200 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. He didn’t regain it until the first lap of overtime, when frontrunner Christian Eckes spun his tires on a restart on Lap 164. But that was enough for Heim to score his second NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory of the season in a part-time role in the No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota. Eckes was leading comfortably with just over two laps left in regulation when Tanner Gray spun in Turn 3 to cause the 10th caution of the race. Eckes chose the outside lane for the overtime restart, with second-place Derek Kraus lining up behind him. That opened the bottom row for Heim, who lined up to the inside of Eckes and surged into the lead when Eckes’ No. 98 Toyota failed to launch. After taking the white flag, Heim got the win when a four-car wreck in Turn 2 brought out the 11th caution and froze the field. “I can’t believe I got the bottom right there—that’s unbelievable,” said Heim, who picked up his second career win in his 12th start in the series. “A great push from my teammate Chandler Smith right there…” Smith finished third behind Heim and Eckes after leading twice for 40 laps. Stewart Friesen came home fourth, followed by former series champion Johnny Sauter who scored his second straight top-five finish in his third start of the year. It took a succession of bizarre circumstances to give Heim the window of opportunity he needed. On Lap 54, pre-race favorite John Hunter Nemechek, who entered the race as the series leader, spun in Turn 4 while trying an aggressive inside move on Friesen. With his Toyota damaged beyond repair, Nemechek dropped out of the race. “That was on me,” Nemechek said. “I put myself in a vulnerable spot.” Eight laps after Nemechek’s wreck, Grant Enfinger spun while battling Chandler Smith for the lead, and both trucks slid sideways in tandem, with Enfinger suffering the bulk of the damage. During a two-lap shootout at the end of Stage 2, Friesen, who had been running consistently in the top five, suffered a flat tire after contact from Hailie Deegan’s Ford and expressed his displeasure by crowding Deegan toward the apron. On Lap 102, three-time 2022 winner Zane Smith fell off the pace with a flat tire after contact from Carson Hocevar’s Chevrolet. He recovered to finish ninth. That left Eckes, Kraus and Heim to battle for the lead late in the race. Eckes passed Kraus for the top spot on Lap 154 of a scheduled 160 and appeared bound for victory until the overtime scrambled the finishing order. “It’s really frustrating,” Eckes said. “The last three weeks, we should have won, but we didn’t. So we’ll go back to the drawing board and try to figure something out.” Matt DiBenedetto ran sixth, followed by Kraus, Ben Rhodes, Zane Smith and Chase Purdy. Rajah Caruth finished 11th in his series debut. Rhodes regained the series lead by 17 points over Chandler Smith. Toyota’s sweep of the top five was its sixth in Truck Series history. The first such sweep occurred at Gateway in 2006. Hocevar, who was involved in the wreck that ended the race under caution, was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race - 9th Annual Toyota 200 World Wide Technology Raceway Madison, Illinois Saturday, June 4, 2022 1. (1) Corey Heim #, Toyota, 165. 2. (5) Christian Eckes, Toyota, 165. 3. (4) Chandler Smith, Toyota, 165. 4. (3) Stewart Friesen, Toyota, 165. 5. (18) Johnny Sauter, Toyota, 165. 6. (16) Matt DiBenedetto, Chevrolet, 165. 7. (36) Derek Kraus, Chevrolet, 165. 8. (15) Ben Rhodes, Toyota, 165. 9. (2) Zane Smith, Ford, 165. 10. (13) Chase Purdy, Toyota, 165. 11. (19) Rajah Caruth, Chevrolet, 165. 12. (11) Matt Crafton, Toyota, 165. 13. (20) Tyler Ankrum, Toyota, 165. 14. (25) Dean Thompson #, Chevrolet, 165. 15. (26) Hailie Deegan, Ford, 165. 16. (30) Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, 165. 17. (29) Timmy Hill, Toyota, 165. 18. (24) Lawless Alan #, Chevrolet, 165. 19. (32) Jack Wood #, Chevrolet, 165. 20. (22) Jesse Little, Chevrolet, 165. 21. (35) Tate Fogleman, Toyota, 165. 22. (23) Blaine Perkins #, Chevrolet, 165. 23. (7) Colby Howard, Chevrolet, 165. 24. (12) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, Accident, 164. 25. (27) Tyler Hill, Toyota, Accident, 164. 26. (28) Austin Wayne Self, Chevrolet, Accident, 164. 27. (33) Mason Maggio, Chevrolet, 164. 28. (10) Grant Enfinger, Chevrolet, 163. 29. (21) Jake Garcia, Chevrolet, 161. 30. (14) Tanner Gray, Ford, Accident, 156. 31. (34) Spencer Boyd, Chevrolet, Electrical, 151. 32. (8) Ty Majeski, Toyota, 136. 33. (17) Kris Wright, Chevrolet, Accident, 93. 34. (31) Brennan Poole, Toyota, Rear Gear, 77. 35. (6) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota, DVP, 57. 36. (9) Taylor Gray, Ford, Accident, 45. Average Speed of Race Winner: 86.397 mph. Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 23 Mins, 14 Secs. Margin of Victory: Under Caution Seconds. Caution Flags: 11 for 54 laps. Lead Changes: 11 among 9 drivers. Lap Leaders: C. Heim # 1-17;C. Smith 18-39;G. Enfinger 40-43;C. Smith 44-61;B. Rhodes 62-72;C. Hocevar 73-80;Z. Smith 81-96;S. Friesen 97-109;B. Rhodes 110-141;D. Kraus 142-153;C. Eckes 154-162;C. Heim # 163-165. Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led): Ben Rhodes 2 times for 43 laps; Chandler Smith 2 times for 40 laps; Corey Heim # 2 times for 20 laps; Zane Smith 1 time for 16 laps; Stewart Friesen 1 time for 13 laps; Derek Kraus 1 time for 12 laps; Christian Eckes 1 time for 9 laps; Carson Hocevar 1 time for 8 laps; Grant Enfinger 1 time for 4 laps. Stage #1 Top Ten: 18,51,4,38,52,66,23,98,88,91 Stage #2 Top Ten: 99,88,19,61,22,42,1,51,52,38

  • Book Preview - 'Winning in Reverse by Bill Lester'

    This was the first major publication written by retired auto racer Bill Lester in regards to his racing career. He's won many awards, some great races, and been recognized by his peers in his former field of work in computer engineering as well. When I found out that Bill was sharing a detailed exploration of his story, it was one that I wanted to read. Not as a member of NASCAR's independent media, but as a fan. At 9 years of age I learned about former NASCAR winner Wendell Scott's career. It bothered me to hear the reasons why he was not always embraced. As we got older, my brother and I had many favorites, and Bill Lester was one of them. Truthfully. The fact that he was a black man in a white man's world created a major part of our support of him. His poise and calm demeanor ordered you to pay attention as well. He meant business, and we were fans. We appreciated his proper grammar and larger vocabulary that was not always used by drivers in motorsports. We also loved his clean racing style that complimented international racing techniques that are sometimes forgotten about in stock car racing. I always dreamt that Bill would have an opportunity to grow and create a world class stat sheet that we could brag about to his haters. His numbers may not replicate those of Mario Andretti, but his story and adversity have not been met by many in the motorsports community. The book 'Winning in Reverse: Defying the Odds and Achieving Dreams—The Bill Lester Story' I will humorously say has the longest title of anything I've read in 2020. It is a non-fiction memoir and Bill doesn't hold anything back. Co-written by Jonathan Ingram and intended for fans of motorsports primarily, this story should be one of encouragement, especially young men and women who feel that their world lacks diversity or their race or gender has caused a professional road block. He proves that all obstacles can be avoided through hard work and commitment, while also being vocal about the unfair circumstances that are facing minorities in most professional fields. He arranges the book in chronological order for the most part, sharing several stories of his youth and young adult life. We follow along with Bill as he tells stories of defeat and his earliest of racing and automotive memories that started instantaneously as a young boy attending his first race. He fell in love with his first Mazda and his need for speed grew with improvements that were made to his different cars through the years. He wasn't afraid to push his driving abilities to the absolute limit, experiencing multiple automobile crashes on the civilian roads. The odds weren't always stacked against him, Lester notes that he may have gotten out of multiple speeding tickets along the way because he knew the right people. There are several themes introduced in the first chapter and I'll let you get an opportunity to read the book to learn about each of them, but the one that I think is the most important to his success is Bill's amazing ability to network. Whether it was with fellow black racer Willy T Ribbs or former CEO of McDonald's Ed Rensi, Bill was not phased by the success of another individual. Instead, his writings imply that he found comfort in approaching successful people. He would work hard to mutually benefit all parties and in some ways allowed his influences to become his mentors. His Story in NASCAR.. Bill has 3 stories in one. He is an engineer from a highly respected school. He is a black American race car driver. And he is a student of business. Part of the business aspect that supported Bill's growing opportunities for racing came after he had tried to compete in sports cars and chased for the end of a rainbow in an attempt to drive open-wheeled race cars. An opportunity for funding from Dodge Motorsports steered him towards NASCAR, a sport that he wasn't always the most fond of due to the deeply-southern rooted fan base flying confederate flags and using racial slurs at the track. After some time racing for Dodge, a follow up opportunity with Toyota helped allow Bill to compete on a full-time basis in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series tour and contend for victories with other full-time and better funded competitors including past champions Johnny Benson and Mike Skinner. Unlike so many of the drivers in the sport who had sponsors lining up to slap their logo on the side of their racing vehicles, Bill was often times left to provide or arrange for his own sponsorship...or go underfunded. This never stopped his will to succeed. Ongoing networking lined him up with an opportunity to qualify at Atlanta in NASCAR's Cup Series in 2006 and he became one of few African-Americans to start in NASCAR's most elite circuit. This taking place at age 45 also made him one of the oldest 'rookies' the sport had ever seen. Bill would not race in the Cup Series after 2006 and found opportunities again in truck, as well as endurance racing where he won his first professional auto event at Virginia in 2011. This victory would be his final one as he retired shortly thereafter in 2012. Since his retirement, the iconic racer has used his large platform to represent auto racing, businesses, and the black community in engaging in and helping bring an end to racial injustice. His loud support for newly famed Darrell Wallace Jr. is audible and understood, as a new generation of diverse drivers is starting to make a name for themselves following in Lester's shoes. A recommended read for many, this book will make you believe that your dreams are so much more than 'what-if' scenarios. You can pre-order it online where all books are sold. Title comes out in February 2021.

  • NASCAR Reaches 20 Million Miles Driven on Renewable Fuel

    Press Release | June 03, 2022 NASCAR Reaches 20 Million Miles Driven on Renewable Fuel Official Partner Growth Energy showcases benefits of Sunoco Green E15 on and off the track DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 3, 2022) – NASCAR and Official Partner Growth Energy boast a significant milestone this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, celebrating 20 million NASCAR miles driven on Sunoco Green E15, a fuel blended with 15-percent bioethanol. Growth Energy, the world’s largest trade association representing U.S. bioethanol producers and supporters, has partnered with NASCAR since 2011. Together, they have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent across NASCAR’s three national touring series while also increasing horsepower on the racetrack. “We’re fortunate to have great partners like Growth Energy and Get Bioethanol who are dedicated to NASCAR and helping us minimize our impact on the environment,” said Michelle Byron, Vice President of Partnership Marketing, NASCAR. “This weekend is a testament to Sunoco Green E15 and its ability to fuel world-class competition for more than a decade, all while reducing emissions in pursuit of a more sustainable sport.” Bioethanol blends like Sunoco Green E15 continue to increase in popularity with consumers as NASCAR and other key leaders showcase its benefits, including the ability to withstand the demands of NASCAR competition each weekend. “Twenty million NASCAR miles driven on Sunoco Green E15 is a significant milestone for our environment and NASCAR’s sustainability platform initiative,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Since our partnership began in 2011, every car on the track has reduced its carbon emissions by switching to engine-smart, earth-kind Sunoco Green E15, which is high octane and blended with 15 percent bioethanol. Mile after mile, E15 has also proven its ability to flawlessly perform in the most demanding driving environments, both on the track and for drivers across America. This weekend’s race and celebration is a reminder that filling up with E15 both on and off the track continues to be the smart choice for drivers who care about high performing engines, reducing emissions, and saving money at the pump.” In recognition of the milestone, Austin Dillon will run the No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway. All cars will also feature a special “20 Million Miles” decal with a green flag emblazoned with Get Bioethanol, honoring the achievement at the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter. About NASCAR The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series™, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour™), one local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series™) and three international series (NASCAR Pinty’s Series™, NASCAR Mexico Series™, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series™). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit  www.NASCAR.com  and  www.IMSA.com , and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’). About Growth Energy Growth Energy represents producers and supporters of ethanol working to bring consumers better choices at the fuel pump, grow America’s economy and improve the environment for future generations. For more information on our organization, visit us at GrowthEnergy.org , follow us on Twitter @GrowthEnergy , or connect with us on Facebook.

  • Ryan Blaney Family Foundation’s Driving Fore Good Raises Over $200,000 at Topgolf Charlotte

    Press Release | Ryan Blaney Family Foundation’s Driving Fore Good Raises Over $200,000 Salisbury, North Carolina – The Ryan Blaney Family Foundation hosted their first in-person fundraiser, “Driving Fore Good”, on Tuesday, May 24, at Topgolf Charlotte-University. Over $200,000 was successfully raised for the RBFF Fund-A-Fellow program. The Fund-A-Fellow program was started by the RBFF to fund two (2) fellowships to receive training at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic under the direction of world-renowned concussion clinician, Dr. Mickey Collins. Dr. Collins has treated concussion patients Dave Blaney, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and more. “We see about 20,000 cases per year in Pittsburg in our program,” Dr. Collins stated. “The RBFF has allowed us to hire two new fellows. These guys will go off and see tens of thousands more patients in their careers. The reach you have given us in helping so many people is genuinely appreciated.” Ted Albrecht, Psy.D., and Bindal Mehmel, Ph.D., are the two fellows funded by the RBFF, and they began their training in the Fall of 2021 and will be in the program for two years. Albrecht and Mehmel were able to attend the “Driving Fore Good” event along with Dr. Collins. “Driving Fore Good” featured tournament play which was won by Pinnacle Financial Partners, and the Freddie Fu Most Enthusiastic Team Award went to Advance Auto Parts. Some celebrity guests who attended the event included Christian and Dylan McCaffrey, Cole Swindell, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Daniel Hemric and Marcus Smith. RBFF would like to extend thanks to the following sponsors and venue: Title Sponsor: DEX Imaging Hole-In-One Contest: Flag & Anthem Silent Auction Sponsor: Body Armor Venue: Topgolf Charlotte-University About the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation Established in 2018, the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting causes that personally impacted the Blaney family with a focus on Alzheimer’s disease and concussions. For more information on the Foundation or to make a donation to help fund this project, visit www.RyanBlaneyFamilyFoundation.org and follow us on social media: Facebook: Ryan Blaney Family Foundation Instagram: @rbfamfoundation Twitter: @rbfamfoundation

  • Richard Childress Racing, DOW and Team Rubicon Racing With Patriotic Paint Scheme at Road America.

    This year’s No. 3 Dow Salutes Veterans Chevrolet features Dow’s commitment to the service and skills that veterans bring to the workforce with a special nod to Dow’s Veterans Resource Group (VETNET) and Military Degree Equivalency (MDE) program, which provides an opportunity for individuals with extensive military background to bring their broad scope of training and education, experience in leadership, and understanding of performing in high pressure situations into a successful career at Dow. 2022 marks the eighth consecutive year that Dow has partnered with RCR to honor U.S. Military veterans. The program began with just over 350 veterans in 2015 to more than 1900 this year. This year’s program also highlights Dow’s relationship with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization. There will be a press engagement on Wednesday, June 8 at 9 a.m. ET and photos will be posted on this article at a later time.

  • Checkered Flag : Weekly Race Results 05/29/22-06/05/22

    Click Event To Expand Race Results NASCAR Cup Series at World Wide Technology Raceway Results 1 Joey Logano 22 Ford 2 Kyle Busch 18 Toyota 3 Kurt Busch 45 Toyota 4 Ryan Blaney 12 Ford 5 Aric Almirola 10 Ford 6 Martin Truex Jr. 19 Toyota 7 Erik Jones 43 Chevrolet 8 Ross Chastain 1 Chevrolet 9 Christopher Bell 20 Toyota 10 AJ Allmendinger 16 Chevrolet 11 Austin Cindric 2 Ford 12 Kyle Larson 5 Chevrolet 13 Alex Bowman 48 Chevrolet 14 Justin Haley 31 Chevrolet 15 Austin Dillon 3 Chevrolet 16 Tyler Reddick 8 Chevrolet 17 Zane Smith 17 Ford 18 Michael McDowell 34 Ford 19 William Byron 24 Chevrolet 20 Brad Keselowski 6 Ford 21 Chase Elliott 9 Chevrolet 22 Todd Gilliland 38 Ford 23 Daniel Suarez 99 Chevrolet 24 Chase Briscoe 14 Ford 25 Harrison Burton 21 Ford 26 Bubba Wallace 23 Toyota 27 Ty Dillon 42 Chevrolet 28 Josh Bilicki 77 Chevrolet 29 Cole Custer 41 Ford 30 B.J. McLeod 78 Ford 31 Parker Kligerman 15 Ford 32 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 47 Chevrolet 33 Kevin Harvick 4 Ford 34 Denny Hamlin 11 Toyota 35 Cody Ware 51 Ford 36 Corey LaJoie 7 Chevrolet NASCAR Xfinity Series at Portland POS DRIVER 1 AJ Allmendinger 2 Myatt Snider 3 Austin Hill 4 Josh Berry 5 Justin Allgaier 6 Daniel Hemric 7 Ty Gibbs 8 J.J. Yeley 9 Noah Gragson 10 Alex Labbe 11 Brandon Jones 12 Brandon Brown 13 Scott Heckert 14 Jade Buford 15 Landon Cassill 16 Ryan Sieg 17 Andy Lally 18 Matt Jaskol 19 Patrick Emerling 20 Brett Moffitt 21 Joe Graf Jr. 22 Josh Williams 23 Ryan Vargas 24 Stefan Parsons 25 Mason Filippi 26 Jesse Iwuji 27 Parker Chase 28 Connor Mosack 29 Spencer Pumpelly 30 Bayley Currey 31 Anthony Alfredo 32 Sheldon Creed 33 Jeb Burton 34 Jeremy Clements 35 Riley Herbst 36 Gray Gaulding 37 Darren Dilley 38 Sam Mayer NASCAR Trucks Series at World Wide Technology Raceway POS DRIVER 1 Corey Heim 2 Christian Eckes 3 Chandler Smith 4 Stewart Friesen 5 Johnny Sauter 6 Matt DiBenedetto 7 Derek Kraus 8 Ben Rhodes 9 Zane Smith 10 Chase Purdy 11 Rajah Caruth 12 Matt Crafton 13 Tyler Ankrum 14 Dean Thompson 15 Hailie Deegan 16 Jordan Anderson 17 Timmy Hill 18 Lawless Alan 19 Jack Wood 20 Jesse Little 21 Tate Fogleman 22 Blaine Perkins 23 Colby Howard 24 Carson Hocevar 25 Tyler Hill 26 Austin Self 27 Mason Maggio 28 Grant Enfinger 29 Jake Garcia 30 Tanner Gray 31 Spencer Boyd 32 Ty Majeski 33 Kris Wright 34 Brennan Poole 35 John Hunter Nemechek 36 Taylor Gray INDYCAR at Belle Isle POS DRIVER 1 Will Power 2 Alexander Rossi 3 Scott Dixon 4 Josef Newgarden 5 Pato O'Ward 6 Alex Palou 7 Marcus Ericsson 8 Colton Herta 9 Simon Pagenaud 10 Felix Rosenqvist 11 David Malukas 12 Conor Daly 13 Takuma Sato 14 Christian Lundgaard 15 Jack Harvey 16 Rinus VeeKay 17 Romain Grosjean 18 Devlin DeFrancesco 19 Scott McLaughlin 20 Dalton Kellett 21 Santino Ferrucci 22 Jimmie Johnson 23 Tatiana Calderon 24 Kyle Kirkwood 25 Helio Castroneves 26 Graham Rahal NHRA New England Nationals DRIVER CLASS Mike Salinas Top Fuel Matt Hagan Funny Car Erica Enders Pro Stock Eric Merryfield Super Stock Timothy Stickles Stock Eliminator Robert Hyatt Super Comp Ted Leahy Super Gas John Olson Super Street Fast Freddy Perkins Top Sportsman Brandon Beauregard Pro Stock Sled Monster Jam - Foxborough June 4th Overall Event Winner: Grave Digger - 31 Lucas Stabilizer - 27 Great Clips Mohawk Warrior - 26 Son-uva Digger - 26 Wasted Nites - 25 Zombie - 23 El Toro Loco - 20 Bad Company - 15 Axe - 14 Velociraptor - 11 Megalodon - 10 Vendetta - 6 Monster Jam - Foxborough June 4th Freestyle Winner: Zombie - 9.679 Wasted Nites - 9.382 Grave Digger - 8.960 Lucas Stabilizer - 8.873 Great Clips Mohawk Warrior - 8.435 Axe - 8.373 Son-uva Digger - 8.095 El Toro Loco - 7.828 Bad Company- 7.680 Megalodon - 7.407 Vendetta - 6.363 Velociraptor - 6.097 Monster Jam - Foxborough June 4th Skills Challenge Winner: El Toro Loco - 9.171 Grave Digger - 8.854 Great Clips Mohawk Warrior - 8.676 Lucas Stabilizer - 8.458 Son-uva Digger - 7.305 Zombie - 7.040 Axe - 6.769 Velociraptor - 6.568 Bad Company - 5.770 Wasted Nites - 5.718 Vendetta - 5.453 Megalodon - 4.956 Monster Jam - Foxborough June 4th Racing Round 1 Bye - Wasted Nites Bad Company Velociraptor Great Clips Mohawk Warrior ROUND 01 Megalodon defeated Zombie Son-uva Digger defeated Axe Lucas Stabilizer defeated Vendetta Grave Digger defeated El Toro Loco ROUND 02 Wasted Nites defeated Megalodon Son-uva Digger defeated Bad Company Lucas Stabilizer defeated Velociraptor Grave Digger defeated Great Clips Mohawk Warrior ROUND 03 Son-uva Digger defeated Wasted Nites Grave Digger* defeated Lucas Stabilizer (Grave Digger DNF) FINAL ROUND Son-Uva Digger Defeated Wasted Nites IMSA at Belle Isle Overall # Class Team 1 1 DPI Cadillac RacingCadillac DPi 2 60 DPI Meyer Shank Racing W/Curb-AgajanianAcura DPi 3 2 DPI Cadillac RacingCadillac DPi 4 10 DPI Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05Acura DPi 5 5 DPI JDC MotorSportsCadillac DPi 6 31 DPI Whelen Engineering RacingCadillac DPi 7 17 GTD VasserSullivanLexus RC F GT3 8 27 GTD Heart of Racing TeamAston Martin Vantage GT3 9 1 GTD Paul Miller RacingBMW M4 GT3 10 12 GTD VasserSullivanLexus RC F GT3 11 32 GTD Gilbert/Korthoff MotorsportsMercedes-AMG GT3 12 39 GTD CarBahn with Peregrine RacingLamborghini Huracan 13 16 GTD Wright MotorsportsPorsche 911 GT3R 14 96 GTD Turner MotorsportBMW M4 GT3 15 51 GTD Rick Ware RacingAcura NSX GT3 16 57 GTD Winward RacingMercedes-AMG GT3 MotoGP - Gran Premi Monster Energy De Catalunya Pos. Points Rider Sponsor 1 25 Fabio Quartararo Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 2 20 Jorge Martin Prima Pramac Racing 3 16 Johann Zarco Prima Pramac Racing 4 13 Joan Mir Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 5 11 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia Racing 6 10 Luca Marini Mooney VR46 Racing Team 7 9 Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing 8 8 Brad Binder Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 9 7 Miguel Oliveira Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 10 6 Alex Marquez LCR Honda CASTROL 11 5 Remy Gardner Tech3 KTM Factory Racing 12 4 Darryn Binder WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team 13 3 Franco Morbidelli Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 14 2 Jack Miller Ducati Lenovo Team 15 1 Raul Fernandez Tech3 KTM Factory Racing 16 Michele Pirro Aruba.it Racing 17 Pol Espargaro Repsol Honda Team Formula E - e-PRIX at Jakarta R9 Rank Number Team 1 9 New Zealand Mitch Evans 2 25 France Jean-Eric Vergne 3 48 Switzerland Edoardo Mortara 4 13 Portugal Antonio Felix da Costa 5 5 Belgium Stoffel Vandoorne 6 27 United Kingdom Jake Dennis 7 11 Brazil Lucas di Grassi 8 94 Germany Pascal Wehrlein 9 10 United Kingdom Sam Bird 10 23 Switzerland Sébastien Buemi 11 36 Germany Andre Lotterer 12 3 United Kingdom Oliver Turvey 13 28 United States Oliver Askew 14 22 Germany Maximilian Gunther 15 29 United Kingdom Alexander Sims 16 37 New Zealand Nick Cassidy 17 4 Netherlands Robin Frijns 18 33 United Kingdom Dan Ticktum 19 7 Brazil Sergio Sette Camara DNF 99 Italy Antonio Giovinazzi DNF 17 Netherlands Nyck de Vries DNF 30 United Kingdom Oliver Rowland

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