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(Formula One on Twitter) After a dominating showing by Ferrari last week in Bahrain and hungry Red Bull Racing team looking to rebound after a dismal showing. The Formula One World Championship makes the jump west across the Saudi Arabian Peninsula to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the second running of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Track Facts: The Jeddah Street Circuit is the fastest street course in the world with average speeds around the 3.836-mile circuit will be around 160 miles per hour. The circuit is also the second-longest circuit on the Formula One Calander as only Spa-Francorchamps is longer. The track has 27 turns that snake through the streets of Jeddah that pairs with three DRS zones to help facilitate passing. Lewis Hamilton is the only winner in track history as he won the inaugural event in 2021. 2021 Event: The 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was the penultimate race of the 2021 Formula One World Championship season. All eyes were on Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton as the championship battle was only within a few points entering the event. No surprise, the battle was among them at the front of the field for most of the day. On lap 37, Hamilton trailed Verstappen and attempted a pass to the inside going into turn one. The two made contact and Verstappen went wide and bypassed turn two. Verstappen was given a five second time penalty and went on to finish second behind Hamilton. The results of the race tied the two drivers in championship standings going into the final race of the season at Abu Dhabi. What to Watch For: After last weekend's race at Bahrain, there are a few teams who need a rebound. Starting with Red Bull Racing, it has been years since both of their cars have failed to score points in a race weekend. It certainly makes it worse when you're in a 25-point hole to Ferrari. Not a make-or-break weekend for them as if everything goes right, they can score points, but with reliability issues with the Red Bull powerplant, going to Jeddah will raise some eyebrows going into the weekend. Another top team looking for a rebound is McLaren. After two of the most popular drivers in the series failed to make points last weekend. Both drivers in 2021 finished inside of the top ten last year at Saudi Arabia. Predictions: All eyes will be mostly on Team Red Bull to see if they can rebound from a horrific opening weekend in Bahrain. For Ferrari, who came out after the Bahrain GP and said they actually tuned down the power plant for last weekend's race. With more insiders believing the will tune the engine up this weekend. It could put the whole paddock on notice for how far the Ferrari has come over the offseason. Leclerc won last week and I think Sainz will pick up the win in Jeddah with Lewis Hamilton close behind him. Championship Standings (Top 3): Charles Leclerc - Ferrari - 26 Carlos Sainz Jr - Ferrari - 18 Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes - 15 Constructor Standings (Top 3): Ferrari - 44 Mercedes - 27 Haas - 10 TV Schedule: All times are EST Friday, March 25th - Practice 1 at 9:55 A.M. on ESPN2 - Practice 2 at 12:55 P.M. on ESPN2 Saturday, March 26th - Practice 3 at 9:55 A.M. on ESPN2 - Pole Qualifying at 12:55 P.M. on ESPN2 Sunday, March 27th - Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at 12:55 P.M. on ESPN For more Formula One news, results, and opinion. Follow us right here on Racing Refresh. Follow me on Twitter @TheCollinBest

(W Series on Twitter) The 17 women who will compete for the 2022 W Series championship have been announced. If you are not familiar with the W Series, it started as an all-female led driving series that starting in 2018. In 2021, the series began to be run as support races with races throughout the Formula One World Championship season. On Tuesday, the series revealed the seventeen drivers that will compete in 2022. Nine drivers were selected to join the eight drivers who finished in the top eight in the championship standings of the previous season. Five of the nine drivers selected will make their debut into the W Series. Driver Lineup: (*Denotates Rookie*) *Tereza Babickova - Czech Republic *Bianca Bustamante - Philippines Jamie Chadwick - UK *Chloe Chambers - USA *Emely De Heus - Netherlands Belén García - Spain Marta Garcia - Spain Jessica Hawkins - UK Emma Kimiläinen - Finland Nerea Martí - Spain Sarah Moore - UK *Juju Noda - Japan Alice Powell - UK Abbi Pulling - UK Bruna Tomaselli - Brazil Beitske Visser - Netherlands Fabienne Wohlwend - Liechtenstein Even though the series fields an 18-car field, the 18th car is reserved to give reserve drivers valuable experience in the series. The 2021 W Series Championship season begins in May at the Miami Autodrome, Florida during the Miami Grand Prix weekend. For more open-wheel racing news, stay right here on Racing Refresh Follow me on Twitter @TheCollinBest

Press Release - American Honda Motor Company - March 21, 2022 — East Liberty, Ohio State-of-the-art facility ushers in new era of auto development testing capabilities Wind tunnel will play key role as Honda prepares for electrified future Honda today opened its new $124 million state-of-the-art wind tunnel facility, ushering in a new era of development testing capabilities for Honda and Acura products, as well as the company's race vehicles. The new Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio (HALO) facility, located at the independent Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC) in Central Ohio, is the world's most advanced wind tunnel, with three separate state-of-the art testing functions — aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, and racing — in one location. Honda created the multifunctional HALO facility to reinforce its commitment to developing fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles. One of the most advanced of its kind anywhere, the wind tunnel uses a unique interchangeable modular ground plane system capable of aerodynamic vehicle testing of production vehicles and race machines. With a five-belt rolling road system designed for production vehicle development and a second single wide-belt system for testing both high-performance sports cars and purpose-built race vehicles, the tunnel can generate wind speeds of more than 190 miles per hour. Even more, the wind tunnel can quickly enable a sophisticated acoustic test system for an aeroacoustic testing mode that utilizes a powerful system of acoustic arrays, made up of microphones and cameras, able to collect real-time data and precision measurement. This becomes even more important as an element of vehicle design as Honda moves toward its electrified future. As Honda continues to move toward its electrified future, noise reduction becomes an even more important element in vehicle design. Absent engine and exhaust sounds, wind noise will be more noticeable inside the cabin of an electric vehicle. Using the acoustic test system, Honda engineers will be able to identify the precise locations of both interior and exterior noise issues more quickly than ever before. "Honda's product development capabilities will advance to new heights thanks to this investment in our Ohio research operations," said Jim Keller, executive vice president of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC (HDMA), and leader of the company's North American Auto Development Center. "With this new facility, Honda is not simply investing in an advanced technology facility but in the future of the Honda engineers and other researchers who will work here." The new wind tunnel, coupled with the company's advanced safety research center, provides Honda's R&D engineers with two world-class facilities in Ohio; both supporting the design and development of products built in America using domestic and globally sourced parts. This also is an opportunity for Honda engineers to build relationships with other companies interested in aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research, support STEM activities, and sustain the general aerodynamic community's testing needs. Additionally, the wind tunnel's aerodynamic test capabilities will help increase the range and performance of the company's future full-electric vehicles, supporting Honda's efforts to continually advance its current position as America's most fuel efficient and lowest CO2 full-line automaker. The HALO wind tunnel is Honda's latest major investment in Ohio, where the company has been advancing its ability to develop and build products for over 40 years – now totaling $14 billion. Wind Tunnel Fact Sheet Investment $124 million Facility size • 110,000 square feet • 1/8-mile wind tunnel circuit 3/4 Open Test Section • 3 meters x 5 meters x 15 meters Test Capabilities • Aerodynamic • Aeroacoustic • Motorsports/Racing Less than one hour to change to acoustic mode Variable Nozzle Area • 25 square meters = 250 kph (155 mph) • 18 square meters = 310 kph (192 mph) Heat exchanger temperature range • 10-50 degrees Celsius (50-122 degrees Fahrenheit) Maintaining constant temperature Fan Specifications • Diameter: 8 meters • Blades: 12 hollow carbon fiber fixed-pitch blades • Max rpm ≈ 250 rpm at max air speed 310 kph • Electric motor: 5-megawatt, 6700 HP Max Wind Speed • 192.63 mph (310 kph) Acoustic Test System • Acoustic environment: ˂ 57 dBA @140 kph (87 mph) • Series of acoustic arrays: top, front, sides, and interior • 502 external directional microphones and cameras • 54 internal microphones (inside cabin for sound source detection) Turntable • Diameter: 12 meters • 180-degree rotation (Most wind tunnels rotate only + / - 15 degrees) Modular ground plane system • Two 40-ton belt modules 5-belt: one belt under each vehicle tire and one larger belt under vehicle center Wide belt: one large belt under vehicle Max speed of 310 kph (193 mph) Acoustic cover • Module changeover takes approx. 4 hours Balance (scale): Measures Aerodynamic Load • 3-Axis Load Cell in Tower • Drag Force Sensitivity = +/- 2.5 Newtons (2.5 N) (about the weight of one standard D battery) Traverse System Diagnostic Robotic Arm • Weight: 80 tons (160,000 lbs.) • Dimensions: 45 feet long x 16 feet tall x 8 feet wide • Stopping Position Accuracy = +/- 0.5mm • Moving Path Accuracy = 1.0 mm • Max Deflection Under Max Load = < 1.0 mm Third-party Customer Workspace • Four secure customer bays Honda Research & Development in America Honda began establishing research and development operations in America in 1975, today operating 19 R&D facilities across the country responsible for creating advanced products and technologies that provide new value to Honda and Acura customers. Honda conducts all phases of product development in the U.S., from market and technology research and styling through engineering design to prototype fabrication and testing, local parts procurement and support for mass production preparation. With major R&D facilities in California, Ohio, and North Carolina, Honda's U.S. associates are engaged in the development and testing of Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda powersports and power equipment products, and also play a lead role in the development of leading-edge safety, driver-assistive and environmental technologies. Learn more at http://www.hondaresearch.com/. Explore more of Honda in the Digital Fact Book.

(Formula One on Twitter) After one of the most exciting championship battles in Formula One history where Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing sat upon the throne in 2021. The 2022 Formula One World Championship came to the Bahrain International Circuit for the season opening race where Scuderia Ferrari finished one-two at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc led the field to green as Verstappen matched his timing off the lights. Verstappen managed to out brake Leclerc into Turn 1, but Leclerc held the preferred line through Turn 2 and managed to keep the 2021 World Champion at bay and managed to escape DRS range by the end of the first lap. As Leclerc pulled away, Verstappen complained about problems with engine braking on the car but still was just a few tenths off the leader's pace and by lap 10, Leclerc has a three second lead. Lap 14 saw the first pit stops of the day as Verstappen and Sainz pitted for new soft tires as they started on used tires carried over from qualifying. Verstappen used the flying lap to close the gap, but Leclerc was able to maintain the lead. Three laps later, Verstappen was within DRS range and begun a three-lap battle for the lead. From laps 17 to 18, Verstappen used DRS down the front stretch of the Bahrain International Circuit to attempt a move to the inside of Leclerc going into Turn 1. Much like the initial start of the race, Leclerc had the preferred line going into two and was behind Verstappen in the DRS pickup zone which allowed him to make a pass to the inside of Verstappen going into turn four and control the lead until that point on the track again. On lap 19, Verstappen did the same move as he used the last two laps but had a severe lock up of the front tires and Leclerc was able to move out of DRS range and once again establish a three second penalty. After another stop at lap 30 to switch to medium tires, Leclerc still had a sizeable lead over the flying dutchman. On lap 46, the virtual safety car was deployed after Pierre Gasly stopped at the exit of Turn 3 after an engine failure that soon became an engine fire. Leclerc came into the pits for another stop to put a fresh set of soft tires on the car. Lap 51 saw the race restarted but during the parade laps under caution, Verstappen complained of and increasing weight to the feeling of his steering wheel. Red Bull race engineers said there was nothing they could do and would be an issue for the rest of the race. Those issues cost Verstappen the race as Leclerc rocketed out to a 5.5 second lead to take home a victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix. With Carlos Sainz finishing second. Lewis Hamilton rounded out the podium with 3rd place. Verstappen complained of battery issues on lap 56 and was seen dropping back in the field and retired the car due to engine trouble. On the final lap of the race his teammate, Sergio Perez spun going into Turn 1. Causing the engine to seize and him not being able to finish the race. As a pleasant surprise in the event, Haas F1 driver Kevin Magnussen finished fifth, giving the team ten championship points. Rookie driver Zhou Guanyu finished 10th in his first race in Formula One with his Alfa Romeo teammate Valtteri Botas also finishing inside the top ten. Results: Charles Leclerc - Ferrari Carlos Sainz - Ferrari Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes George Russel - Mercedes Kevin Magnussen - Haas Valtteri Bottas - Alfa Romeo Esteban Ocon - Alpine Yuki Tsunoda - AlphaTauri Fernando Alonso - Alpine Zhou Guanyu - Alfa Romeo Driver of the Day: Charles Leclerc Fastest Lap: Charles Leclerc - 1:34.570 Opinion: Ferrari came to play for round one of the 2022 Formula One season after spending much of the past two years seemingly stuck in the midfield battle. Bahrain is a power track on the circuit which bodes well for Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as it too is one of the fastest circuits on the schedule. For Red Bull and AlphaTauri, I would be very nervous moving forward as there seems to be some durability issues with both teams and with a very short turn around the chances are higher that we may see some of the same issues next week. If you are a Mercedes fan, I would not be hitting the panic button just yet. Even though they were off the pace in most practice session throughout the week, Hamilton seems like he is still a threat for the world title, and I would not be surprised if George Russel will be contending for wins as he is arguably still in the most competitive cars in the F1 paddock. McLaren had he most disappointing weekend out of all the teams this weekend. It seemed like the talent of the drivers outshined the pace of the car as it seemed at times during the race that Williams was faster in head-to-head speed. Team of the week has to be Haas F1. With a driver getting the highest finish for the team since 2018, it seems like the Americans are heading in the right direction. They could have had two cars score championship points as Mick Schumacher finished 11th The next race for the Formula One season takes place on the fastest street circuit in the world in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Coverage will begin on ESPN March 27th at Noon EST. For more Formula One news, results, and opinion. Stay right here on Racing Refresh. Follow me on twitter @TheCollinBest

LOGAN MORRIS, Twitter.com/Loganity While the rest of the motorsports world looks forward to Mondays, I like to take a look back and review what stood out on Twitter. Here are your top 10 tweets from March 13th to March 20th. 10. This pretty much sums it up. Michael Waltrip described it as "Daytona's love child" 9. I'm still gonna give it a 9! 8. Paul Menard is still getting it done! I'll bet he's still having big money too... 7. I agree, victory lane feels like an afterthought now. Things change I know, but I miss watching the celebration. I agree, victory lane feels like an afterthought now. Things change I know, but I miss watching the celebration. 6. Case and point. This would have been cool to see live. 5. The image speaks for itself. Incredible. 4. So, that's how the flavor is made... 3. Oh, he was waiting... 2. Everything is bigger in Texas and that includes the Road Courses. 1. Sorry to disappoint some close-minded fans, but Bubba will be back in July, and just like today he'll likely contend for a win.

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/COTA)

(Texas Motor Speedway on Twitter) It was a battle between two gunslingers at Texas Motor Speedway for the NTT IndyCar Series XPEL 375 between Team Penske teammates Scott McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden that settled itself coming off turn four on the last lap. Arrow McLaren SP driver Felix Rosenqvist led the field to green Sunday afternoon, but as the cars came up to full song at 220 miles per hour, Scott McLauglin beat Rosenqvist to the line to lead the next 56 laps. The first caution of the day occurred on lap 12 when Alexander Rossi, who had jumped the initial start of the race, suddenly slowed on the apron of the track and retired the car with engine issues. During the first stent of the race, the most impressive driver on track was the young AJ Foyt Enterprise's driver Kyle Kirkwood. After a brief caution, the rookie restarted 23rd and was on rails. Moving into the top 10 after four green flag laps. Lap 98 would mark the second caution of the day as Tukuma Sato, and Devlin DeFrancesco made contact in turn one as the battled for 17th. Sato was sent up the track and made contact with the wall in turn two. As the field made its way down pit road, smoke was seen coming from Romain Grosjean's car which ended the Swiss driver's day. Arrow McLaren SP drivers both had terrible pit stops as Rosenqvist slid through the box and O'Ward hit the left-front tire changer. On the Lap 114 restart, Kyle Kirkwood got loose trying to pass DeFrancesco through turns 3 and 4. Kirkwood went around into the outside wall, ending his day The cautions kept coming through this part of the race as on lap 129, Helio Castroneves went to the outside of Graham Rahal, DeFrancesco pulled to the inside to make it three-wide through three and four and got loose hitting the transition between the racing surface and the apron and collected Castroneves and Rahal which ended his day. Under the yellow, Rosenqvist pitted with a mechanical issue and retired the car. The race restarted on Lap 149 and Rinus VeeKay was charging on fresh Firestones and by lap 159, VeeKay took the lead from McLaughlin. Scott Dixion has other ideas by taking the lead five laps later after McLaughlin and VeeKay saved fuel so they could finish the race with one stop remaining. Meanwhile, Jimmie Johnson made his way into ninth place. Johnson continued to impress on his oval debut. By lap 246, Johnson passed Dixon for fifth place. By this time, all eyes were upfront as McLaughlin caught lap traffic which allowed Newgarden to catch up. Coming off of turn four, Newgarden passed McLaughlin on the final lap to win the XPEL 375. The margin of victory was 0.0669 seconds. Finishing Order: Newgarden - Team Penske - Chevrolet McLaughlin - Team Penske - Chevrolet Marcus Ericsson - Chip Ganassi Racing - Honda Will Power - Team Penske - Chevrolet Scott Dixon - Chip Ganassi Racing - Honda Jimmie Johnson - Chip Ganassi Racing - Honda Alex Palou - Chip Ganassi Racing - Honda Simon Pagenaud - Meyer Shank Racing - Honda Santino Ferrucci - Rahal Letterman Lanigan - Honda Rinus VeeKay - Ed Carpenter Racing - Chevrolet Opinion: In what may be the last NTT IndyCar Series race at Texas Motor Speedway if all the rumors are true that the series may replace the Texas date in 2023 for the Milwaukee Mile, I don't think the series should leave Texas Motor Speedway. While yes, Milwaukee has amazing history with IndyCar but with fans wanting more ovals on the schedule and this race being a reminder to all fans on why we love racing on ovals. The expectations were that the race would be a single file snooze fest because of the stained areas of racetrack from the PJ1. With the addition of new aerodynamic additions to the car for this race, it allowed for side-by-side racing throughout the entirety of the race. For Jimmie Johnson, this has been the best showing of him so far in his IndyCar career. Even though it was at an oval, this certainly gives him confidence as the Month of May inches closer. His battle with Scott Dixon was some of the best racing I have seen from him since his last championship season in NASCAR. This should also make me believe that this run could add confidence throughout the rest of the season as this was the first example of him belonging in the series. Another impressive outing was Santino Ferrucci filing in for the injured Jack Harvey. Harvey was in a single car accident during Saturday's practice session. With only six laps of practice to get a solid top ten run gives him confidence as we see him next at the Indy 500. Overall, for two races into the season, this has been a great start to the series as we head to the first "crown jewel" event for the Grand Prix of Long Beach. The next race for the NTT IndyCar Series is the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 10th. Coverage begins at 3:00 P.M. EST on NBC Follow Racing Refresh for more IndyCar news, results, and opinion. Follow me @TheCollinBest

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/TeamHendrick)

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/TyGibbs_)

(Photo Source : Twitter.com/KBMteam)

By Adam Carabine

By Adam Carabine Welcome to the 2nd annual Playoff Forecast project. Projections are calculated by simulating the 2022 Cup Series schedule 125,000 times, using a top-secret predictive formula that is based on 3 important factors: Driver History @ Each Track, Driver Recent Overall History, and Team Performance. How to read it: The numbers in brackets show that driver’s position last week. The percentages in each column refer to the probability of that driver making it to that round. We have also simulated the week's Cup Series race. Check back each week to see who's favoured to win. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @StatChatRefresh Or you can email directly: acarabine@racingrefresh.com Get all your StatChat Merch from the Racing Refresh online store!

(Texas Motor Speedway on Twitter) After an almost month-long hiatus from the season opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg where Scott McLaughlin captured his first NTT IndyCar Series win. The stars of open-wheeled racing in America head to Texas Motor Speedway for the first oval race of the season. Continue on for everything you need to know about the Xpel 375. PJ1 Problems: All the talk in IndyCar's ROP (rookie orientation program) at Texas earlier this month was all about the stained high groove through the turns at Texas Motor Speedway from the traction compound that is used during a NASCAR race weekend. PJ1 won't be applied for this weekend's race, however the residue left over will essentially make passing very difficult. As anyone who ventures into the residue will have a significant loss of traction potentially ending someone's day. To fight this, IndyCar introduced new systems to the aero kit for this weekend that can increase downforce on the car by 200 pounds. Into the unknown...: For the first time in his NTT IndyCar Series career, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will make his first ever start at an oval in the series. Johnson did not take part in the IndyCar ROP at Texas earlier this month and his first laps in this weekend's practice session will be his first laps at close to 218 MPH. Johnson has won at Texas seven times during his NASCAR career with an average finish of 11.57. 2021 Race Recap: The 2021 Xpel 375 was the second race of a weekend doubleheader at Texas Motor Speedway. Scott Dixon dominated most of the day leading 163 laps. But unfortunately for him faded late and brought Pato O'Ward and Scott McLaughlin in the mix for the win late. O'Ward led the last twenty-five laps En route to his first NTT IndyCar Series win. McLaughlin finished 2nd but was very impressive in his second oval start. Race Predictions: For the 2022 Xpel 375, most insiders believe with the addition with the new bargeboards for increased aerodynamic downforce, the racing will probably be much closer than what we have seen in the past. The odds-on favorite for this race in Scott Dixon who has made Texas his own personal playground in the past winning three of the past five events at Texas. But, coming off a dominate performance at St. Petersburg it would be hard to go against Scott McLaughlin for this weekend's race. Weekend Schedule: (all times Eastern) Saturday, March 19th - IndyCar Practice @ 11:00 A.M. on Peacock Saturday, March 19th - IndyCar Group Qualifying @ 2:00 P.M. on Peacock Saturday, March 19th - IndyCar Final Practice @ 5:00 P.M. on Peacock Sunday, March 20th - Xpel 375 @ 12:30 P.M. on NBC Sunday, March 20th - NTT IndyCar Series post-race @ 3:30 P.M. on Peacock

Press Release DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 17, 2022) – Nearly half a century after Bill France Sr. first took stock cars to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports have announced their intention to compete in the 2023 event as the special Garage 56 entry. The entry will be a modified version of the Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 race car and is a collaboration of NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, IMSA, and Goodyear. Further details, including technical elements of the car and the team’s driver lineup, will be announced at a later date. “From the early days of NASCAR, it was important to my father that we played a visible role in international motorsports, and there is no bigger stage than the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “In partnering with Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear, we have the winningest team, manufacturer and tire in NASCAR history. We look forward to showcasing the technology in the Next Gen car and putting forward a competitive entry in the historic race.” Hendrick Motorsports is the all-time leader in NASCAR Cup Series championships, points-paying victories and laps led. The team is coming off its second consecutive title and has won two of the four races in 2022. Seven-time champion crew chief Chad Knaus will serve as its Garage 56 program manager. “Participating in one of the truly iconic events in auto racing and representing NASCAR and Chevrolet on the world stage is a privilege,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Jim deserves tremendous credit for having the vision for the project, and we thank him for trusting our organization with the responsibility. Even though Garage 56 is a ‘class of one,’ we are competitors and have every intention of putting a bold product on the racetrack for the fans at Le Mans. It’s a humbling opportunity – one that will present an exciting challenge over the next 15 months – but our team is ready.” “NASCAR is going back to Le Mans! Chevrolet is looking forward to being a key partner with NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports and Goodyear in this historic Garage 56 effort,” said Jim Campbell, Vice President, Chevrolet Performance and Motorsports. “While many know us as the winningest manufacturer in NASCAR, we also have had great success with our Corvette Racing program at Le Mans, with eight class wins in 21 starts since 2000. At Chevrolet, we love to compete and we can’t wait to get started on this program.” “Goodyear has proudly produced tires for NASCAR for more than 60 years, and we look forward to taking our innovation to the next level at the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Stu Grant, Goodyear’s general manager of Global Race Tires. “In addition to Goodyear’s presence at Le Mans on the LMP2 class vehicles, being involved in this historic race as part of the Garage 56 entry is yet another demonstration of our commitment to advancing racing tire technology.” Bill France first brought stock cars to Le Mans on June 12, 1976, after reaching a deal with the event’s organizers. Two NASCAR race cars – a Dodge Charger owned and driven by Hershel McGriff, and a Junie Donlavey owned Ford Torino driven by Richard Brooks and Dick Hutcherson – competed in a newly-created Grand International class. “Garage 56 is a special opportunity at Le Mans since this race has been a leader in technological process for the auto industry over its nearly century long existence,” said Pierre Fillon, president of l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “When the ACO receives an application for a Garage 56 program, we begin by talking with designers, team partners, and suppliers in order to set performance parameters such that the program can be successful for everyone involved. We will continue to work with NASCAR and all their partners as they work toward their proposed 2023 Garage 56 project.” Garage 56 was introduced in 2012 as a special single-entry class reserved for innovative cars. It allows for the testing of new technologies and fostering of creativity and innovation without taking away the spot of a car from the traditional starting grid. About NASCAR The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (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 Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series and three international 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, Americrown Service 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 the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) was originally founded in 1969 and owns a long and rich history in sports car racing. Today, IMSA is the sanctioning body of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the premier sports car racing series in North America. IMSA also sanctions the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the IMSA Prototype Challenge, as well as four one-make series: Ferrari Challenge North America, Idemitsu Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires, Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and Porsche Carrera Cup North America. IMSA – a company within the NASCAR family – is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The partnership enables selected IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. For more information please visit IMSA.com , www.twitter.com/IMSA , www.facebook.com/IMSA or www.instagram.com/imsa_racing . About Hendrick Motorsports Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. At the sport’s premier level, the organization holds the all-time records in every major statistical category, including championships (14), points-paying race victories (282) and laps led (more than 75,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 38 different seasons, including an active streak of 37 in a row (1986-2022). The team fields four full-time Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entries in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Headquartered on more than 100 acres in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs approximately 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . About Chevrolet Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 80 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com. About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 72,000 people and manufactures its products in 57 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.