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By Adam Carabine Happy weekend everyone, it’s time for another edition of Stats Saturday. This weekend NASCAR travels to Avondale, Arizona for the Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway.   Phoenix is a 1-mile oval track with a unique dogleg corner just past the start-finish line.  The track opened in 1964, but NASCAR didn’t start racing there until 1988.  Alan Kulwicki won the first race there that year.   Tomorrow’s race will be 312 laps long (for a total of 312 miles), with stage breaks occurring at 60 – 185 – 312.  Pit road speed is 45 mph, and the caution vehicle runs at 50 mph.  The fuel window is between 95-105 laps, but tire wear may force pit stops to happen sooner than that.   This year, the NASCAR Cup Series has run 562 laps, for 1,135.96 miles so far this season.  11 drivers have completed all of them.    Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Phoenix: Ryan Blaney 10.50 over 18 races Denny Hamlin 10.82 over 39 races (2 wins) Kyle Larson 11.05 over 21 races (1 win) William Byron 11.14 over 14 races (1 win) Kyle Busch 11.49 over 39 races (3 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at COTA: Zane Smith 33.00 over 3 races Cody Ware 31.29 over 7 races Michael McDowell 28.39 over 28 races John Hunter Nemechek 26.60 over 5 races Ryan Preece 25.55 over 11 races   Phoenix is categorized as a Short Track.   Top 5 Career Average Finishers at Short Tracks: Joey Logano 11.09 over 185 races (13 wins) Chase Elliott 11.28 over 98 races (4 wins) Christopher Bell 11.95 over 54 races (5 wins) Shane Van Gisbergen 12.00 over 1 race Ryan Blaney 12.53 over 102 races (3 wins)   Bottom 5 Career Average Finishers at Short Tracks: Michael McDowell 26.62 over 162 races John Hunter Nemechek 24.89 over 23 races Ty Dillon 23.75 over 74 races Noah Gragson 22.86 over 23 races Ryan Preece 22.79 over 58 races   Kevin Harvick is the winningest driver at Phoenix, with 9 wins there all-time.  Jimmie Johnson and Joey Logano are tied for 2nd, with four wins each.    Notable drivers who have not won at Phoenix: Brad Keselowski (has won at 17 other tracks) Ryan Blaney (has won at 9 other tracks) Tyler Reddick (has won at 8 other tracks) Alex Bowman (has won at 8 other tracks) Chris Buescher (has won at 6 other tracks)   Chase Briscoe scored his first ever Cup Series win at Phoenix, it was his 40th career start.   Based on average finish, no driver list Phoenix as their BEST track.  Zane Smith has it as his WORST.   Based on their point pace, let’s have a look at how this season is comparing to last season for drivers:   Drivers Faring Better than in 2024 Tyler Reddick +820 pts Bubba Wallace +575 pts Chris Buescher +457 pts Ricky Stenhouse Jr. +450 pts Carson Hocevar +364 pts   Drivers Faring Worse than in 2024 Ty Gibbs -623 pts Josh Berry -541 pts Brad Keselowski -422 pts Denny Hamlin -414 pts Kyle Larson -330 pts   Here is the current battle for Rookie of the Year: Shane Van Gisbergen 63 Riley Herbst 60   The Manufacturer Standings are calculated by awarding points to the highest finisher for each manufacturer according to their finishing position.  (40 for 1st, 35 for 2nd, 34 for 3rd, etc.)  No stage points or playoff points count.   Manufacturer Standings         Toyota 115 Chevrolet 110 Ford 93   Here is the same formula, but used on a team-vs-team basis:   Chartered Team Standings Joe Gibbs 113 Hendrick 109 23XI 97 Spire 88 Trackhouse 84 Penske 81 RCR 76 RFK 76 Legacy Motor Club 74 Hyak 70 Front Row 65 Kaulig 55 Haas Factory 31 Wood Bros 24 Rick Ware 20   At each stage break, the Top 10 drivers are awarded points based on their finishing positions.  Here are the leaders this year:   Stage Point Leaders Joey Logano 31 Bubba Walace 31 Ryan Blaney 30 William Byron 22 Austin Cindric 20 Chase Elliott 20 Tyler Reddick 18 Alex Bowman 17 Kyle Busch 15 Kyle Larson 14   Milestone Watch Chase Elliott Looking for his 20th Career Win Kyle Larson Looking for his 30th Career Win AJ Allmendinger This will be his 450th Career Start Ross Chastain Looking for his 60th Career Top 10 Denny Hamlin Looking for his 360th Career Top 10 John Hunter Nemechek Looking for his 10th Career Top 10 Noah Gragson Looking for his 10th Career Top 10   Here are the top 10 longest active winless streaks:   Winless Streaks Justin Haley 140 races Erik Jones 80 races Bubba Wallace 78 races Kyle Busch 56 races Martin Truex Jr. 52 races Michael McDowell 47 races Daniel Suarez 33 races William Byron 27 races Chase Elliott 26 races Denny Hamlin 24 races   The race begins Sunday, March 9th at 3:30 pm EST (12:30 pm PST) – Enjoy the race everyone!   Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter  @RacingRefresh   Is there an error? Is there a stat missing that you’d like to see? Let us know!

(Photo Courtesy NHRA) PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE PRO STOCK FUNNY CAR TOP FUEL

Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images StatChat Power Rankings   A look at the Top Ten in our weekly Power Rankings, plus the biggest movers! While finishing position is important, it’s not always indicative of the full picture.  StatChat rankings are determined using a large number of statistical inputs, with an emphasis placed on the most recent 5 races.   Shane Van Gisbergen – This week: 10 – Last week: 21 It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that SVG cracks into the Top 10 just as we visit our first Road Course of the season.  He’s a beast when it comes to turning both left and right.  His oval game needs some work, but his COTA performance just helped him take the lead in Rookie of the Year.   Joey Logano – This week: 9 – Last week: 6 It wasn’t an amazing showing for Joey Logano at COTA (or for many of the Fords, to be honest).  Logano had built up enough cache over the first two races to not fall out of the Top 10, but look for him to bounce back next week at Phoenix – a track Team Penske seems to excel at.    Alex Bowman – This week: 8 – Last week: 8 As Bowman does, he’s been quietly putting together a solid season so far.  He’s got a pretty well-rounded skill set, though seems to be lacking in that extra umph to get him across the finish line first.    Chase Elliott – This week: 7 – Last week: 12 Once heralded as the King of the Road Course, Elliott has fallen on harder times on the lefts and rights since the introduction of the Next-Gen car.  A gutsy pit call at the end of the race at COTA helped him finish with a Top 5.    Tyler Reddick – This week: 6 – Last week: 10 Reddick might not have a win yet in this young season, but he has the best average finish in the Cup Series.  He’s had two Top 5s in the first three races, and he had a shot at the win at COTA after winning the pole.   Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – This week: 5 – Last week: 2 Stenhouse is buoyed by his drafting track performance at Daytona and Atlanta so far this season, and as the schedule gets more normal, you might expect him to fade out of the Top 10.  However, he didn’t look completely out of place at COTA, earning himself a Top 20.   William Byron – This week: 4 – Last week: 4 Byron sort of stealthily snuck up at the end of the COTA race, and ended up with a P2.  While he might not have looked like he had a win in him there, it’s a great points day for the driver who won at COTA last year.    Ryan Blaney – This week: 3 – Last week: 1 Blaney’s first stumble of the season, and really is it even a stumble? He finished P19 at COTA, yet a lot of his underlying numbers still looked decent.  He capitalized on some stage points, earning 9.   Christopher Bell – This week: 2 – Last week: 5 It’s almost a crime that Christopher Bell wins two in a row and doesn’t wind up in the top spot in our Power Rankings, but with heavy emphasis placed on his last five races, his P31 at Daytona probably keeps him out of there for now.  As his crew chief said after the race, though – they’ve had the next two races circled as well, so watch out.   Kyle Busch – This week: 1 – Last week: 16 Kyle Busch had a hell of a day at COTA.  Dare we even call it heartbreaking? It was easier to dislike him when he was winning all the time, but as he came oh-so-close to breaking his 59-race winless streak, you couldn’t help but root for him.  It was an impressive performance, and it’s hard to imagine that we’ve seen the last of Kyle Busch this season.   Biggest Movers   Daniel Suarez – This week: 33 – Last week: 22 Falls 11 places   Kyle Busch – This week: 1 – Last week: 16 Gains 15 places   Rest of the List               11.       Kyle Busch LW: 16 12.       Bubba Wallace LW: 13 13.       Carson Hocevar LW: 9 14.       John Hunter Nemechek LW: 11 15.       Michael McDowell LW: 17 16.       Chase Briscoe LW: 14 17.       Riley Herbst LW: 18 18.       Kyle Larson LW: 7 19.       Denny Hamlin LW: 15 20.      Todd Gilliland LW: 19 21.       Erik Jones LW: 20 22.       Chris Buescher LW: 28 23.       Justin Haley LW: 24 24.      Ryan Preece LW: 25 25.       Ross Chastain LW: 27 26.      Brad Keselowski LW: 31 27.       Cole Custer LW: 32 28.      Noah Gragson LW: 33 29.       Ty Dillon LW: 30 30.      Ty Gibbs LW: 23 31.       Josh Berry LW: 29 32.       Austin Dillon LW: 26 33.      Daniel Suarez LW: 22 34.      Cody Ware LW: 35 35.       Zane Smith LW: 34 36.      AJ Allmendinger LW: 36

Hey everyone! After yet another win by Christopher Bell at COTA it's time for your top ten tweets of the week on X. 10. You can't overstate Bruton Smith's impact on the sport. 9. If those mutual last place finishes are any indication, we had better get used to hearing that young man's name. 8. I think this baby looks sleek. Nothing tops that classic Wood Brothers look. But, this is nice. 7. 2025 is such an odd time. Wild. 6. This was not the production crew's finest moment. 5. Everything is bigger, including the cool photos. 4. I believe we can call this mesh up a home run. 3. What a difference a year makes. I guess we can say it was lesson learned for Bell. 2. Alex Palou proves that coming into 2025, he is still the man to beat. 1. Some special history will take place this Sunday!

Press Release | LIVE FAST MOTOSPORTS Live Fast Motorsports is thrilled to announce that pioneering motorsport driver Katherine Legge has entered the Shriners Children’s 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway on March 9, 2025, racing the No. 78 DROPLiGHT Chevy Camaro. This marks Legge’s debut in the NASCAR Cup Series, underscoring her determination and versatility in professional racing. Sponsors DROPLiGHT and Sherfick Companies have joined the history-making athlete to support Katherine’s entry at Shriners Children’s 500. DROPLiGHT is a full-service venture studio that empowers businesses, investors, and founders to achieve their full potential with a holistic approach to scaling, strategy, and operational excellence. Sherfick Companies is a family-owned, industry-leading real estate development and construction business with extensive experience in commercial and residential construction and design. “Entering the NASCAR Cup Series is a dream come true,” said Legge. “I’m excited to team up with Live Fast Motorsports for Phoenix, and to represent our sponsors DROPLiGHT and Sherfick Companies. Racing stockcars has been an incredibly fun and new challenge that’s given me a renewed sense of vigor for this sport. As always, I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and am inspired by all of the effort, preparation and behind the scenes work it takes to get here.” Live Fast Motorsports Co-Owner & CEO Jessica McLeod shared, “We’re happy to partner with Katherine for this race. The opportunity to have such a versatile and dynamic championship winning driver join our program is exciting for everyone on our team. This partnership reflects our commitment to providing opportunities for drivers making their way into the NASCAR Cup series in the Next Gen era.” “As DROPLiGHT makes its debut as a sponsor in the racing world, there’s no better place to start than Phoenix and no better driver to represent our brand than Katherine Legge,” said Joseph Anderson, CEO of DROPLiGHT. “Her resilience, skill, and trailblazing spirit align perfectly with our commitment to innovation and excellence. We’re proud to support her journey and excited to see our name at high speed on the track.” “Sponsoring talented drivers has always been about more than just branding—it’s about supporting determination, precision and the relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Michael Sherfick, CEO of Sherfick Companies. “Katherine Legge embodies those qualities and we’re proud to stand behind her as she takes on Phoenix. At Sherfick Companies, we believe in investing in those who push boundaries, and Katherine is a perfect example of that drive and passion.” Katherine’s debut in NASCAR Cup Series is the first time in ten years a woman racecar driver and owner have teamed up to compete since Danica Patrick in 2010 with Kelley Earnhardt Miller. Legge is a seasoned competitor with a wealth of experience across various motorsport disciplines. A known sportscar specialist, Legge is one of nine women to have raced in the prestigious Indianapolis 500, where in 2023 she set the record for fastest qualifying effort by a woman in the event’s history. Katherine is also the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North America in 2005. Legge’s accomplishments extend to sports cars and endurance events, including podium finishes in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and participation in world-renowned races like the 24 Hours of Daytona. Katherine’s impressive racing portfolio also includes starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, showcasing her adaptability across a wide range of motorsport disciplines. The Phoenix race will be taking place on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Fans can tune in to watch Katherine Legge in action at Phoenix Raceway, with coverage of the race on Fox Sports and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. (Photo Credit: James Gilbert/ARCA Racing)

Press Release | LEGACY MOTOR CLUB NewAge Products, a leading brand in home improvement and storage solutions, including garage cabinetry, outdoor kitchen cabinetry and cooking appliances, and premium outdoor furniture, is proud to announce its partnership as an Official Supplier of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, one of NASCAR’s most legendary teams, for the 2025 season. This dynamic collaboration brings together two brands that share a passion for precision, innovation and high performance. LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Jimmie Johnson, who is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. Competing under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB fields the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE driven by Erik Jones, the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE for select races featuring Jimmie Johnson himself. With NASCAR legend Richard Petty, "The King," serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB honors its storied past while embracing a bold vision for the future of motorsports. “We are excited to partner with NewAge Products this season as we strive to create unique experiences for our partners and guests," said Jimmie Johnson, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB co-owner. "The premium quality of NewAge Products garage solutions will help take our footprint to the next level.” “We are thrilled to partner with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, an organization that embodies the same drive for excellence that defines NewAge Products,” said Parag Shah, President of NewAge Products. “At NewAge, we take pride in engineering high-quality solutions that transform spaces, and we’re excited to bring that same level of innovation to one of the most competitive teams in motorsports.” This collaboration underscores NewAge Products’ commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for professionals who demand the best in organization, durability and functionality. Whether in high-performance racing or everyday home improvement, NewAge Products continues to redefine the way to optimize spaces. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

Press Release | WOOD BROTHERS RACING Wood Brothers Racing today announced a new sponsorship by eero that will see the leader in whole-home Wi-Fi solutions featured as a primary partner for three races during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The No. 21 eero Ford Mustang will make its debut at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 9, for the Shriners Children’s 500. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco, eero set out to make Wi-Fi and networking the way they should be—fast, reliable, secure, and easy to use. As the pioneer of the first home mesh Wi-Fi system, eero is known for its high-quality design, intuitive technology, and award-winning hardware and software that deliver seamless connectivity for homes, businesses, communities, and service providers. “NASCAR represents the perfect blend of technology and performance, making it an ideal platform for eero to showcase our commitment to delivering race car-fast connectivity,” said Laura Levine, Global Head of Brand and Marketing at eero. “Our sponsorship with Wood Brothers Racing, NASCAR’s most storied team, and Josh Berry aligns perfectly with our values of innovation and reliability. Just as Wood Brothers pioneered modern pit stop techniques, eero pioneered home mesh Wi-Fi technology, and we’re excited to bring these two innovation stories together on the track. We look forward to supporting Josh and the No. 21 team as they push for victory lane, while demonstrating how eero’s technology keeps teams connected when every millisecond counts.” Following its first appearance at Phoenix, the No. 21 eero Ford Mustang will return for the marquee Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25 and the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on July 13. “There’s a lot of excitement around our team this year with Josh behind the wheel and several new partners joining us, including eero,” said Jon Wood, President at Wood Brothers Racing. “eero is an innovative company that fits well with us, and we’re proud to welcome them to the No. 21 team this year. Reliable connectivity is important in everything we do, and eero delivers that at the highest level.” The sponsorship comes as Berry, a native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, takes on his first season behind the wheel of the famed No. 21 car and second full-time season in the Cup Series where he aims to score his first premier series win with the Wood Brothers. “I’m really excited to have eero on board with us at Wood Brothers Racing this year,” said Berry. “I had the opportunity to work with eero last season, so it’s great to see the company continuing its involvement in NASCAR, now with our No. 21 team. I’m looking forward to representing them and hopefully taking the eero Ford Mustang to victory lane.” The Shriners Children’s 500 is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday with coverage available on FOX Sports 1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

Press Release | NASCAR Today, NASCAR announced that multi-platinum, multi-GRAMMY Award-winning Southern rock band Zac Brown Band will headline the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in 2025. The band, led by frontman Zac Brown, will perform at the new Busch Light Summer Series Stage – directly adjacent to the iconic Chicago Street Race Start/Finish line – following the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, July 5. “We’re thrilled to announce that Zac Brown Band will be performing at this summer’s NASCAR Chicago Street Race,” said Zac Brown. “It’s going to be an unreal weekend of racing and non-stop entertainment, so buckle up. You won’t want to miss NASCAR’s biggest party of the summer. Can’t wait to see you all in July!” The Chicago Street Race concert will be one of five full-length concerts at NASCAR races throughout the country, as a part of the first-ever Busch Light Summer Music Series – an exciting new fan experience born from the renewal of the long-time partnership with the “Official Beer Sponsor of NASCAR.” Since the 1990s, the Anheuser-Busch family of brands has created countless opportunities for 21+ NASCAR fans to get closer to the sport they love. This summer, additional electrifying pre-race performances will take place at Texas Motor Speedway (May 2-4), Michigan International Speedway (June 7-8), Iowa Speedway (Aug. 2-3), and Busch Light’s hometown of St. Louis at World Wide Technology Raceway (Sept. 6-7). “At Busch Light, our Midwest fans are at the heart of everything we do, so bringing one of the biggest bands in country to a race in the iconic Midwest city of Chicago was a no-brainer,” said Kyrstyn Stowe, Head of Marketing, Busch Family & Natural Family at Anheuser-Busch. “With NASCAR, we’re shifting fan engagement into high gear, uniting two of race fans’ greatest passions: country music and cold, smooth Busch Light.” New for 2025, NASCAR will also offer an exclusive VIP Concert Viewing add-on, allowing a limited number of fans up-front access to the Saturday concert showcase. In addition, NASCAR will also offer a new V.V.I.P. Experience in 2025, with multiple options including pit and garage passes, track laps, and the opportunity for a photo with the winner of the Grant Park 165 in Mobil1 Victory Lane. Fans with tickets to the Fountain Club will be treated to the most direct line of sight for the concert, with reserved stadium seating and all-inclusive hospitality as a part of the premium club experience. All tickets to the NASCAR Chicago Street Race include access to the concert, and fans with Sunday-only tickets will also be able to access the Saturday Zac Brown Band headlining concert. To purchase tickets or VIP add-ons, visit NASCARChicago.com/ticket-options/. “Zac’s music is the soundtrack to summer, so we can’t think of a better band to headline on Independence Day Weekend,” said Julie Giese, President, NASCAR Chicago Street Race. “Between the incredible skyline and the pristine shores of Lake Michigan, Zac Brown Band will make for one of the most iconic concert experiences of the summer, without a doubt.” Throughout their career spanning more than a decade, Zac Brown Band has had six consecutive albums reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and five consecutive albums debut at #1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. To date, the group has won three GRAMMY ® Awards, including Best New Artist in 2010, sold more than 30.5 million singles, 9.3 million albums, amassed over 11.2 billion catalog streams, achieved 16 #1 radio singles and are the second act to top both the Country and Active Rock formats. Zac Brown Band has headlined nine North American Tours and currently holds the record for most consecutive sold-out shows at the iconic Fenway Park. Symbolic of their massive success at the ballpark, in July 2022, Zac Brown Band was inducted into the Fenway Music Hall of Fame, joining music icons Paul McCartney and Billy Joel. Since their debut, Zac Brown Band has developed a reputation with critics and fans alike as one of the most dynamic live performers, marked by strong musicianship that defies genre boundaries. The Chicago Street Race – which was named “Sports Event of the Year” by Sports Business Journal – previously announced new ticket options, along with reduced prices throughout the footprint, and a shorter overall build schedule. Guests will also enjoy significantly lower price points on “Grounds Pass” tickets and reserved seating (which will now include a new single-day option as well). Single-day Grounds Pass tickets start at $99 (33% less than last year), and Frontstretch Premier Grandstands Reserved seats will be offered at nearly a 50% reduction from 2024 prices. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

Press Release | KAULIG RACING For the third consecutive year, Kaulig Racing has teamed up with Black’s Tire Service (BTS) to celebrate grassroots racing in NASCAR. BTS, a longtime partner in NASCAR, will be the primary sponsor onboard Kaulig Racing’s No. 16 Chevrolet with driver Christian Eckes for the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) races at Darlington Raceway (Saturday, April 5) and Rockingham Speedway (Saturday, April 19). Black’s Tire, which celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2024, has more than 70 locations in both North and South Carolina and remains a local, family owned-and-operated tire seller and wholesaler. With many of those locations located in the footprint of both Darlington and Rockingham, BTS is partnering with Rockingham Speedway to celebrate the return of NASCAR to this historic track for the first time in over a decade. Black’s Tire will be the title partner for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race and presenting partner for the NXS race at Rockingham. “On behalf of the over 1,000 team members at Black’s Tire & Auto Service and BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, we are honored to continue our relationship with Kaulig Racing for these special events,” said Rick Benton II, President of BTS. “Our relationship with team president, Chris Rice, goes back over many years, and we are excited to continue working with the Kaulig Racing family at these grassroots tracks in our backyard.” While many of the teams within NASCAR’s national ranks stem from grassroots backgrounds, Kaulig Racing has a unique makeup within its race shop, as many of its employees — from at-shop mechanics to team president, Chris Rice — come from the short track ranks. Those humble backgrounds ring true for BTS, which coined the phrase, “Let’s Go Together,” as it ensures that everyone feels like family when they walk through the doors of any of its locations spread across the Carolinas. “Not only are we excited to team up with the Black’s Tire family for the third year in a row, doing so at two iconic race tracks makes it that much more exciting,” said Rice. “We’re proud to continue this relationship with an organization that puts as much emphasis on family as we do at Kaulig Racing.” In honor of NASCAR going back to Rockingham, BTS will hold a special BTS Family and Customer Hospitality event at Rockingham prior to the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire on Saturday, April 19th. Coverage for both the NXS race at Darlington Raceway and Rockingham Speedway will be on the CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR: Channel 90. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

Press Release | 23XI RACING 23XI Racing announced today a multi-year expansion of its relationship with Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles. Last year, the collaboration debuted with Upper Deck featured on the No. 45 Toyota Camry at Darlington Raceway, as Tyler Reddick raced his way to the regular season championship. The expanded collaboration will continue to see Upper Deck highlighted on-track with 23XI’s drivers and feature Upper Deck Authenticated memorabilia and race-used collectibles. Upper Deck’s first race will be this coming weekend at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with Corey Heim in the No. 24 Toyota GR Supra for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Heim, who was recently announced as 23XI’s first development driver, will be making his first start at COTA in the Xfinity Series. Later in the summer, Upper Deck will be featured on the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE when Tyler Reddick competes at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The collaboration will again extend beyond the track to include a premium memorabilia collection featuring authentic race-used pieces from all of 23XI’s teams and drivers. Available to fans and collectors, the memorabilia collection will include race-worn items, car-raced items, autographed artwork, and more. When 23XI and Upper Deck partnered last season, it marked the first racing additions to the Upper Deck roster in over 20 years. This season, Riley Herbst and Corey Heim join Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace on that growing roster. “We’re eager to continue connecting new audiences to the world of racing with a fresh approach, especially after the excitement from our initial collaboration,” said Jason Masherah, president of Upper Deck. “We look forward to expanding on last season’s success and creating lasting memories through unique memorabilia and collectibles.” Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing, shared, “Following a thrilling start to our partnership last season with Tyler securing the regular season championship in the Upper Deck Toyota, we’re excited to expand our relationship with Upper Deck. We’re always interested in unique ways to connect with fans and this collaboration continues to be a great way to do that. We look forward to generating more memorable moments this year and sharing those moments with fans through the exciting world of collectibles.” Upper Deck’s 23XI Racing memorabilia collection will be available this year through the Upper Deck Store and Upper Deck Certified Diamond Dealer hobby shops. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

Press Release | NHRA GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 3, 2025) – After ending his season with a fourth career world championship a year ago, Top Fuel star Antron Brown has a chance to make a resounding statement right off the bat to open the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. The year kicks off with this weekend’s 56th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway, starting the season with one of the most legendary races on the NHRA circuit. A win in Gainesville – something Brown has only done once before – is a major accomplishment for any driver, but the champ has a chance for a double-up weekend by competing in the Right Trailers Top Fuel All-Star Callout on Saturday. Brown won the big-money bonus race a year ago en route to the title, but becoming the first Top Fuel driver to win the Callout twice and adding a Gatornationals win in his 11,000-horsepower Matco Tools dragster would be an impressive start following a championship campaign. “You just don’t what’s going to happen (in the Callout),” Brown said. “You’re going to race the baddest Top Fuel teams on the planet. It’s eight of the best cars and it’s a feat just to get in there. To win it, you’ve got to be on point. I think we’re ready for that challenge and we’ve just got to get ready in qualifying. It’s big money and the stakes are high. “It’s the first race of the year and it’s an All-Star race. That’s what makes it more intense and you’re going to see who did their homework in the off-season. It’s going to be hard. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got and I like our chances heading into it.” In 2024, Shawn Langdon (Top Fuel), J.R. Todd (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all won the Gatornationals to open the year. It marked the first double-up victory for Kalitta Motorsports, while six-time world champ Enders won the historic race for the first time. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, including eliminations at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 9. The first round of the Top Fuel All-Star Callout takes place on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. ET and the semifinals at 2:20 p.m. The finals are slated for 3:30 p.m. A special Callout broadcast will air at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday on FS1. Brown is the fifth seed in the specialty race, meaning there’s likely a good chance he’ll get called out in the first round. Those selections take place at 12 p.m. on Friday and the 80-time event winner is ready to roll after his stellar 2024 season. He won six times a year ago, but the “drive for five” titles won’t be easy with a class that includes Doug Kalitta, Langdon, Brittany Force, Clay Millican, Steve Torrence, Josh Hart and Tony Stewart. Brown, though, is plenty motivated, especially with a chance to add a regular-season championship this year, a feat that would certainly be helped by a second Gatornationals win. “You’re getting rewarded for something during a long regular season and I’m a big proponent of it,” Brown said. “It’s going to make it more meaningful and it’s going to make each regular season big. So, you’ve got the regular season and then it goes right into the Countdown (to the Championship), and it’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to raise the bar and there’s not going to be any more throwaway races. “I want to be the regular season champ and I want that ceremony, and it all starts at the Gatornationals. It’s one of our biggest races each year and you’ve got to show out and build that momentum. There’s a lot at stake at all these races and it’s going to bring a whole different mindset, and that all starts in Gainesville.” Todd earned his second Gatornationals win when he took out Funny Car newcomer Austin Prock in the final round. Prock quickly recovered and picked up eight race wins and ultimately the Funny Car championship. Other stars to watch will be Jack Beckman, who will be racing for John Force in 2025, Matt Hagan, Ron Capps and Bob Tasca III. Enders, the winningest female in motorsports, earned her first Gatornationals win last season, finishing fourth in points. Taking the top spot and overall championship was Greg Anderson. With six Gainesville wins and six titles to his name, Anderson will look to take on the other stars like Dallas Glenn and Aaron Stanfield in the Pro Stock ranks. Herrera, the reigning back-to-back champion, has been undeniably dominant in Pro Stock Motorcycle. He raced to his second straight Gatornationals win last season when he defeated six-time champion and rival Matt Smith. Others to watch include Chase Van Sant, Angie Smith, Jianna Evaristo and Richard Gadson. The Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will also see the season debut in the highly competitive Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series and the Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class, as well as a full slate of sportsman classes in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which features some of the sport’s top drivers. Before the race, fans will again be invited to a special “Gatornationals Kickoff Party and Fanfest” at Josh Hart’s Burnyzz Speedshop in Ocala. In what’s become an exciting pre-event tradition, the event will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5. The fun-filled kickoff event will include driver appearances and autographs from 7-8 p.m. at the massive facility and much more. Race fans at Gainesville Raceway can enjoy the special pre-race ceremonies that introduce and celebrate each of the drivers racing for the prestigious Wally on Sunday and includes the fan favorite SealMaster Track Walk, which benefits the Darrell Gwynn Foundation in Gainesville. The final can’t-miss experience of any NHRA event is the winner’s circle celebration on Sunday after racing concludes, where fans are invited to congratulate the event winners of the season-opener. The Nitro Alley Stage is a huge attraction all weekend and is the main entertainment hub in the pits when the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competitors are not on the track, hosting Nitro School, NHRA Insider Live, meet and greets and much more. Before the first round of eliminations on Sunday, fans can enjoy a C-17 flyover from the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 172nd Airlift Wing. As always, fans get a pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. Fans can see their favorite teams in action and servicing their cars, get autographs from their favorite drivers and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and vendors create an exciting atmosphere of interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun. NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying features two rounds at 2 and 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 7, and the final two qualifying rounds on Saturday, March 8 at 12:30 and 3 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 9. Gainesville Raceway will also continue to give fans a memorable experience including free general parking at the state-of-the-art facility. To purchase tickets to the 2025 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. General parking is free and limited preferred parking is available for purchase. Get your tickets now for the Top Eliminator Club because these will sell out. For more info on NHRA, including the full weekend schedule in Gainesville, please visit www.NHRA.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | NHRA The test session at Gainesville Raceway on March 4-5 will be streamed for free on NHRA.tv. The test session leads into the season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on March 6-9 at the historic facility. Presenting sponsors of NHRA.tv coverage from Gainesville are Strange, Summit, Holley, and Comp Products. The test session, a one-time-only exception to the current policy of prohibiting testing at the site of an NHRA National Event seven (7) days before the first qualifying session, is closed to the public Testing begins Tuesday at 9 a.m.. and concludes at 5 p.m. Wednesday testing will also begin at 9 a.m. but conclude at 4 p.m. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)