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Press Release | JCM RACING With the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season kicking off in just over a week, the JCM Racing organization is hard at work putting the finishing touches on any remaining preseason preparations as they get ready to head south to Gainesville for the NHRA Gatornationals, March 7–9. Alexis DeJoria will hit the track with her new JCM Racing team for the first time on Tuesday, March 4, where she will participate in the NHRA’s two-day preseason test session at Gainesville Raceway. Helping to lead the Bandero Café Funny Car team is renowned tuner Todd Smith, who joins Mike "Zippy" Neff in a co-crew chief role. Smith joined JCM Racing in late January after a nine-year tenure with Kalitta Motorsports. Prior to that, Smith held crew chief roles at John Force Racing and Don Schumacher Racing, where he helped guide Jack Beckman to the 2012 Funny Car championship. “This is pretty much a brand-new operation we’ve been assembling for Alexis at JCM, and it’s been a fun challenge to build this thing from essentially the ground up with Zippy and get everything ready in time for Gainesville,” Smith said. “Both Alexis and I are new to JCM, and Zippy is back tuning a Funny Car after a few years on a dragster team, so this kind of feels like a new beginning for all of us. We’re ready to come out of the gate swinging, and plan to utilize every minute of those two testing days making as many runs as possible and getting acclimated as a team.” As for Zetterström, she and her Jon Schaffer-led JCM Racing Top Fuel team made a trip to Gainesville last week where they also spent time testing. Zetterström will return to the historic facility alongside her new teammate DeJoria, where she’ll make her Gatornationals competition debut, kicking off what is currently a 10-race schedule consisting of the following events in Gainesville, Phoenix, Pomona, Charlotte, Bristol, Sonoma, Indianapolis, Reading, Dallas, and the season finale in Pomona. While Zetterström is pleased to have increased her schedule from last season when she made her NHRA Top Fuel debut competing in the final eight events of the year, she has been vocal about the fact that she and her team would like the opportunity to compete for a championship and continue to add as many races as possible to her current schedule. “It all comes down to funding,” said Zetterström, who was named Best New Talent in the 2024 National Dragster All-Star Team fan vote. “The more funding we have, the more races we can run. We’re working hard to secure the right partners to help us complete the full season and chase championships. Every race counts, and we’re ready to make this season one to remember.” (Photo Courtesy JCM Racing)

Press Release | NHRA NHRA officials have welcomed Paris Dragstrip back to the NHRA Member Track Network as part of the NHRA’s South Central Division (Division 4). One of Texas’ most historic drag racing facilities, Paris Dragstrip has a long and storied history with the NHRA. It was a NHRA Member Track for more than 55 years and now returns during the 2025 campaign under the leadership of track owner Randy Boren. For Boren, bringing Paris Dragstrip back to NHRA was an important step in securing the track’s future and continuing its long-standing tradition of drag racing excellence. “Paris Dragstrip has a deep-rooted history with NHRA and it just feels right to be back,” said Boren. “Our racers grew up competing under NHRA rules, and we’re excited to once again offer them the benefits and opportunities that come with being an NHRA Member Track. This is a homecoming for us, and we’re looking forward to what the future holds.” Paris Dragstrip will be eligible to offer racers in the area a variety of NHRA-sanctioned racing opportunities in the future, including the NHRA Summit Racing Series, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA Street Legal, NHRA Jr. Street and more. Additionally, the track will have the chance to host NHRA specialty events like the NHRA Summit King of the Track and more. As part of the NHRA Member Track Network, Paris Dragstrip will now have access to NHRA’s extensive support programs, insurance benefits and national marketing platforms. The welcome return of Paris Dragstrip also reinforces NHRA’s commitment to grassroots drag racing and its competitors, ensuring drag racing in Northeast Texas remains strong in the coming years. “We are thrilled to welcome Paris Dragstrip back to the NHRA family,” said Jonathan Johnson, NHRA South Central Division Director. “This track has been a cornerstone of Texas drag racing for decades, and its return to the NHRA Member Track Network is a win for the racers, the fans and the sport. We look forward to working with Randy and his team to continue growing the racing community in Paris.” For more information on Paris Dragstrip and upcoming NHRA events, visit www.NHRADiv4.com . (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | KALITTA MOTORSPORTS Revchem Composites extended its partnership with Kalitta Motorsports for a sixth-consecutive season, the team announced today. The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins March 7-9, 2025 at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. Celebrating its 50th season in business in 2025, Revchem Composites is a leading provider of composite raw materials and supplies. Since 2020, Revchem branding has been prominently featured on the three Kalitta Motorsports entries driven by 2023 NHRA Top Fuel champion Doug Kalitta, 2018 NHRA Funny Car champion J.R. Todd and 2013 NHRA Top Fuel champion Shawn Langdon. Revchem Composites, a leader in supplying motorsports manufacturers- alongside their partners at Prototype Concepts- collaborated with Toyota Motorsports to create the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra Funny Car body now used in NHRA Drag Racing. Revchem is committed to increasing the productivity and profitability of composites fabricators with six strategically-located United States distribution centers that stock some 4,000 products from more than 200 suppliers. “Our Revchem team provides technical support and solutions for composites manufacturers in many unique industries: aerospace, aviation, surfing, marine, theming and motorsports,” Revchem president Pete Pendleton said. “We are proud to once again partner with Kalitta Motorsports this season.” Revchem will continue to increase its brand awareness and business-to-business relationships by hosting both existing and potential customers in the Kalitta Motorsports VIP hospitality area, which travels the entire 20-race NHRA series throughout the United States. “Our race cars are lighter and stronger thanks to Revchem products,” Kalitta Motorsports General Manager Chad Head said. “Team Kalitta counts on Revchem Composites in many areas – their overall motorsports knowledge is vital for our race team. They partnered with us on creating the current GR Supra Funny Car body, and we rely on their expertise on a regular basis. They come to races and invest time in our hospitality area building relationships with our other partners, and it’s great that they take advantage of the business-to-business opportunities available to them through our partnership.” (Photo Courtesy Kalitta Motorsports)

Press Release | KALITTA MOTORSPORTS PJH TrackBite, through its parent company, Superior Industrial Solutions, joins Kalitta Motorsports in the upcoming season as its newest corporate partner, the team announced today. The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins March 7-9, 2025 at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. PJH TrackBite will be an associate sponsor on Doug Kalitta’s Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, Shawn Langdon’s Kalitta Air Careers Top Fuel dragster and J.R. Todd’s DHL GR Supra Funny Car. In addition, Superior will entertain its clients and guests in the Team Kalitta trackside hospitality area. Superior Industrial Solutions makes PJH TrackBite, the official traction compound of the NHRA, which will be used at all NHRA national events to enhance traction. It uses a unique formula to create adhesion between rubber, asphalt and concrete. “Superior, with our traction compound brand PJH TrackBite, is excited to partner with Kalitta Motorsports,” Superior Industrial Solutions President Kurt Hettinga said. “Their dedication to excellence will support and enhance our work as we continue to provide products that create excitement within the racing industry.” “PJH TrackBite is a high-quality product that has always enhanced drag racing and provided the best track conditions no matter what,” Team Kalitta General Manager Chad Head said. “We all want to put on the best possible show for our fans whether they’re with us at the race track or watching the NHRA on FOX broadcast. We’re proud that PJH TrackBite is partnering with Kalitta Motorsports, and we look forward to working with them for many years to come.” (Photo Courtesy Kalitta Motorsports)

Press Release | KALITTA MOTORSPORTS One of the longest-running sports marketing partnerships ever is back for another year in 2025 as Mac Tools returns to the Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel dragster for its 24th consecutive season as its primary corporate partner. The 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins March 7-9, 2025 at the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla. Doug Kalitta will once again pilot the red and white Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel dragster, but the team will debut fresh, new livery when the season starts next week. Team Kalitta’s Mac Tools primary partnership, which began in 2001, spans more than two decades in a relationship that feels more like a friendship. Mac Tools is a significant part of the long-term success Kalitta Motorsports enjoys in NHRA Drag Racing. “Our partnership with Kalitta Motorsports not only benefits our brand, but also helps promote the sport of drag racing and inspires the next generation of automotive professionals,” Mac Tools president Phil Cox said. “Kalitta Motorsports has been an amazing ambassador of the Mac Tools brand for more than 25 years, and we are excited to see what the new season holds for Doug Kalitta and the entire Kalitta Motorsports team. “As a leading manufacturer and distributor of professional-grade tools and equipment, Mac Tools is committed to supporting the automotive industry and the dedicated professionals who keep it running. We are proud to align ourselves with Doug Kalitta and his team – they exemplify the same level of skill, precision and dedication that we strive for in our products and services.” “Mac Tools is more than a corporate partner,” Kalitta said. “When you have a long-term relationship like we have, it’s more like family than partnership, and the new livery is pretty cool! It was great to bring them a championship a couple years ago, and we’re hungry to win another one this season. We’re all really proud to represent Mac Tools and all of their distributors, and we look forward to more great times together.” (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | TRACKHOUSE RACING Acceptance Insurance will serve as the primary sponsor on Ross Chastain’s No. 9 Chevrolet at JR Motorsports (JRM) for five NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) races in 2025, and its logos will adorn Chastain’s No. 1 Trackhouse Chevrolet as an associate sponsor for the remainder of the NASCAR Cup Series season. “I’m excited to get to COTA with Acceptance Insurance on the car and for the other four Xfinity Series races we have coming up,” said Chastain, who is an eighth-generation watermelon farmer from Alva, Florida. “Trackhouse Racing, Justin Marks, Acceptance Insurance, and JR Motorsports have helped provide me with an opportunity to get more seat time in the Xfinity Series, which I’m really looking forward to.” This marks the first time Acceptance has paired with Chastain, who drives full-time for Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series and will also race five times in NXS for JRM in 2025. Acceptance Insurance sponsored his Trackhouse teammate Shane van Gisbergen’s Chevrolet for three Cup Series races in 2024. The Acceptance livery will appear on JRM’s No. 9 Chevrolet at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas (COTA) on March 1; Darlington (S.C.) Raceway on April 5; Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway on May 31; Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway on July 19; and Iowa Speedway on August 2. Chastain is a two-time NXS winner and captured his first of five career Cup Series victories at COTA. He also owns a Cup Series win at Nashville and a CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win at Darlington. “The five tracks I’m going to race in the Xfinity Series are some of my favorites. Obviously, the Cup wins at COTA in 2022 and Nashville in 2023, and Darlington last year in the truck mean so much to me, and I made my first-ever Cup Series start at Dover in 2017,” said Chastain. “I love the challenge these tracks present, and I’m looking forward to getting Acceptance Insurance into victory lane.” “We are thrilled to partner with Ross Chastain and Trackhouse Racing in 2025,” said Cesar Soriano, CEO of Acceptance Insurance. “This partnership reflects our commitment to providing excellent coverage options for drivers, and Ross’s passion for racing and his community-driven values align perfectly with the principles we stand by. We look forward to supporting him on and off the track, and we’re excited to see where this partnership takes us.” Acceptance Insurance has been a trusted name in car insurance for over 50 years. Specializing in providing customized policies for drivers with imperfect records, Acceptance Insurance is dedicated to helping people save money while finding coverage that fits their needs and budget. In addition to affordable auto insurance, Acceptance offers a range of products, including renters’ insurance and other comprehensive coverage options. The 2025 season marks Chastain’s fifth full-time Cup Series season and seventh part-time NXS season. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

Press Release | RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING Bardstown, Kentucky-based Rebel Bourbon – the Official Bourbon of Richard Childress Racing – announced the limited-edition release of Kyle Busch 108 Single Barrel Bourbon. Every barrel was selected by two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle “Rowdy” Busch and bottled at 108 proof (54% ABV) in honor of Rebel’s sponsorship of RCR. The new limited-edition release is handcrafted according to Rebel’s original time-honored wheated recipe since 1849 and aged for a full four years to provide robust flavor and a velvety smooth finish with a hint of spice. An allocation of 5,000 cases (6-in) of Kyle Busch 108 Single Barrel is available nationwide at a suggested minimum retail price of $39.99 per 750mL bottle. “We wanted to do something we’ve never done before, in the spirit of living against the grain and doing things your own way, and KB 108 is the perfect answer,” said Philip Lux, Rebel Bourbon brand manager. “Kyle selected every barrel for this one-of-a-kind release with the guidance of Master Distiller John Rempe. Each barrel was hand-bottled, giving each bottle a bit of rebellious character and a flavor profile to match! This special release is made to be enjoyed by collectors and fans of Rebel, Kyle and RCR alike.” Every bottle’s front label includes prominent placement of the unique barrel number selected by Busch, plus the bourbon’s proof and “aged since” date details. The distinctive label also includes Busch’s signature, number and the RCR logo. “This sponsorship really is about living life with a rebellious spirit, and I had fun picking barrels on my own terms for this special limited-edition release,” said Busch. “I’m proud to have my name on every bottle and excited for fans nationwide to experience something new from Rebel Bourbon and RCR.” Rebel Bourbon has plans for more excitement and fan fun ahead in 2025, and the release of Kyle Busch 108 Single Barrel takes the sponsorship’s momentum to a new level. Rebel is a multi-race sponsor of the No. 8 Chevrolet and Busch with an all-new paint scheme born from American white oak Rebel Bourbon barrels and designed to honor the brand’s craftsmanship. Busch takes the wheel of the No. 8 Rebel Bourbon Chevrolet in select NASCAR Cup Series races including the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix March 2 in Austin, Texas. To learn more about Rebel-RCR news and events in race markets, follow Rebel on Facebook and Instagram, and RCR on Facebook and Instagram, and visit RebelBourbon.com and RCRRacing.com. Use the product locator to find Rebel Bourbon products in specific locations. Rebel Bourbon and Richard Childress Racing remind everyone 21 and older to drink responsibly – and never drink and drive. (Photo Courtesy Richard Childress Racing)

Press Release | RFK RACING Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK) today announced a strategic corporate restructuring designed to fuel long-term growth. Effective mid-March, RFK will implement key organizational changes within Marketing, Communications and Partner Services. As part of the restructuring, RFK is adding seasoned integrated marketing and communications executive Dawn Turner as Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy, Marketing and Communications. Turner brings a wealth of experience from Tepper Sports & Entertainment (TSE), the parent company of the Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Football Club (MLS), and Bank of America Stadium. Her career also includes stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA), American Airlines, Dallas Mavericks (NBA), and the Pro Bowlers Association (PBA), equipping her with a deep understanding of brand-building, fan and partner engagement across major sports and industries. “We’re excited to have Dawn on our team,” said RFK President, Steve Newmark. “Her proven track record of enhancing brand identity, fan engagement, and integrated marketing across major sports teams and entertainment properties will be invaluable in strengthening RFK. We’re thrilled to be able to bring in someone with Dawn’s talent, character and experience to help us continue to evolve our sports marketing platform.” Kevin Woods, with over 20 years of combined experience at the company, will transition from his current position leading the RFK marketing department and will continue to work with RFK as a consultant going forward. In this role, he will continue to support the team’s overall marketing efforts, with a focus on the social/digital and PR/communications areas. From 2001 to 2006, Woods served as the team’s senior account manager, coordinating and executing all facets of communications and marketing strategies for the No. 6 race team and Hall of Famers Mark Martin and Jack Roush. After two years with other organizations, Woods returned to RFK in 2009, where he led the award-winning marketing and communications team to achieve new heights. “Kevin has been an integral part of RFK for over two decades, shaping our marketing and communications efforts through some of the most pivotal moments in our history,” said Newmark. “His leadership, creativity and deep understanding of the team will continue to be a valuable asset as he transitions to a consulting role. We’re grateful for Kevin’s passion and dedication, and his contributions in helping RFK grow to where it is today.” Bolstering the goal of servicing its partners and strengthening the overall marketing team, two internal promotions have also been announced. Amanda Palmer has been elevated to Vice President of Marketing Operations and Josh Neely to Vice President of Partner Services. Palmer joined RFK in 2014 and has handled widespread responsibilities within the team’s retail, licensing and hospitality operations. As Senior Director of Marketing Operations since 2021, she has led all aspects of daily operations of RFK’s hospitality planning and execution, while also supporting partner activation initiatives. Neely joined RFK in 2020, serving as Senior Director of Partnership Services. He has overseen the design, implementation and execution of sponsor activation programs to ensure that all sponsor objectives are met. Neely is a seasoned veteran in NASCAR who has helped lead and manage integrated marketing strategies in the motorsports industry since 2007. “Amanda and Josh have been vital to RFK Racing’s success, each playing a key role in elevating our marketing operations and partner relationships,” added Newmark. “These well-deserved promotions reflect their exceptional work and commitment to our growth, and I’m confident they will continue to help drive RFK forward in their new roles.” Looking ahead, RFK remains focused on servicing its partners, strengthening the organization and winning races. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

Ryan Blaney after winning the pole at Atlanta - Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images By Adam Carabine 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.   Tyler Reddick – This week: 10 – Last week: 7 Reddick actually had quite a fast car at Atlanta, but was never able to get to the front to show it off. He tied for the most quality passes (308), had an average running position of 10th, and earned 10 stage points. The P19 finish was worse than his day showed.   Carson Hocevar – This week: 9 – Last week: 28 He might have had some people mad at him, but Hocevar earned himself a P2 at Atlanta.  He’s the other driver who had 308 quality passes, and he was essentially a wild-man all race long.  I’m not sure it’s sustainable, but he’s made his way into the Top Ten for now.    Alex Bowman – This week: 8 – Last week: 1 Bowman’s another driver who’s finishing position doesn’t necessarily match his effort on the day.  Last week’s number one falls a few positions, partly because of a P26 finish, one lap down, but he also led a few laps and spent most of the day in the Top 15.   Kyle Larson – This week: 7 – Last week: 21 Larson’s super speedway woes may have come to an end at Atlanta this weekend.  He led 12 laps, finished P3, and even won Stage Two.  It’s early, but look to see this name in the Top Ten of our Power Rankings for weeks to come.   Joey Logano – This week: 6 – Last week: 11 Logano led the most laps of anyone at Atlanta, with 83.  His P12 finish was respectable, and his average running position of 7th was near the top of all drivers.  Throw in 9 stage points, and you can understand why Logano cracked our Top Ten this week.   Christopher Bell – This week: 5 – Last week: 15 Sure, a race win doesn’t hurt! It was a solid day for Bell, though with 0 stage points and a mediocre quality pass count, it’s easy to see why he didn’t make it further up the Power Rankings.  But I’m sure he doesn’t care – he’s in the playoffs now.   William Byron – This week: 4 – Last week: 4 Last week’s winner holds serve and stays exactly where he was last week in the Power Rankings.  Byron had some unfortunate luck and wound up finishing P27 at Atlanta, but he was up front most of the day, led some laps, and scored 15 stage points.   Austin Cindric – This week: 3 – Last week: 3 Cindric is showing that he’s a force to be reckoned with at these drafting tracks.  He had the best average running position – 5th, which is really quite something at a track with so much attrition.  Unfortunately Cindric fell victim to that attrition as well, finishing 28th, but he was in the hunt for a good portion of the race.   Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – This week: 2 – Last week: 5 Speaking of drivers who are threats at drafting tracks, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has shown that he can wheel with the best of them at Super Speedways.  He had the most fast laps of anyone on track Sunday (13), and he had the highest pass differential of anyone too (+59).  I’m not sure it’s a sustainable run for Stenhouse, though, as we visit a Road Course next weekend.   Ryan Blaney – This week: 1 – Last week: 2 Blaney is currently your Cup Series points leader, despite no win yet.  He’s got the best average finish of anyone in any of the top three series, and his underlying numbers have been great too.  Blaney will be in victory lane soon, take that to the bank.   Biggest Movers   Daniel Suarez – This week: 22 – Last week: 6 Falls 16 places   Carson Hocevar – This week: 9 – Last week: 28 Gains 19 places

Photo from www.formula1.com By Ryan Wu With all of this year’s F1 liveries finally unveiled at F1 75, it’s time for a ranking. I’ll be scoring each design based on the following criteria, with each category rated out of 10:             •           Difference compared to last year             •           Boldness             •           Use of color across different parts of the car             •           Integration of sponsor colors Note: This ranking focuses purely on aesthetics and does not consider technical components, as all teams are currently concealing key design changes. These will likely be revealed during preseason testing in Bahrain this week. Alpine Pure class from the French-based team. The bold use of blue along the body, complemented by pink accents on the nose, front wing, and halo, is a fantastic touch. Aesthetically, Alpine has made a significant improvement over last year, ditching the dull black elements in favor of a striking, eye-catching design. -       Difference compared to last year: 10/10 -       Boldness: 10/10 -       Use of color across different parts of the car: 9/10 -       Integration of sponsor colors: 9/10 -       Total Score: 38 Racing Bulls After years of hoping Red Bull’s main team would adopt the white Honda RA 272 full-time, my wish has finally come true—though it’s the Red Bull junior team that’s making it happen. In my opinion, they’ve unveiled the best-looking livery on the grid this year. -       Difference compared to last year: 10/10 -       Boldness: 10/10 -       Use of color across different parts of the car: 7/10 -       Integration of sponsor colors: 8/10 -       Total Score: 35 Mercedes I thought last year’s W15 was already one of the best-looking cars on the grid, and with the W16, Mercedes has stuck to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach. The removal of red from the airbox behind the driver, replaced with a sleek silver accent, adds a touch of refinement and improves the car’s overall cohesion. Once again, Mercedes seamlessly blends silver and black, creating a sharp and polished look. -       Difference compared to last year: 6/10 -       Boldness: 7/10 -       Use of color across different parts of the car: 9/10 -       Integration of sponsor colors: 9/10 -       Total Score: 33 Haas This year’s Haas, the VF-25, features a much-improved balance of white, red, and black. The white side pods with the black Haas logo create a cleaner, more refined look compared to last year’s predominantly black design. It’s a definite step up in terms of visual appeal. -       Difference compared to last year: 8/10 -       Boldness: 8/10 -       Use of color across different parts of the car: 7/10 -       Integration of sponsor colors: 7/10 -       Total Score: 30        Ferrari In case you didn’t know, HP is now a Ferrari sponsor! Jokes aside, this is a pretty average livery from the Prancing Horse. The white stripe on the engine cover is a nice touch, and the white rear wing looks fantastic. However, my biggest gripe is the maroonish shade of red used for the body—rather than the bright Ferrari red I’ve come to expect. It just doesn’t feel quite right. -       Difference compared to last year: 8/10 -       Boldness: 7/10 -       Use of color across different parts of the car: 8/10 -       Integration of sponsor colors: 5/10 -       Total Score: 28 McLaren It genuinely took me 15 minutes to spot any differences from last year’s car—but to be fair, last year’s design was already solid. I do wish they had used more orange on the side pods, as the black lines create a somewhat awkward look. That said, the Google Chrome wheel covers are still one of the coolest details on the grid. -       Difference compared to last year: 5/10 -       Boldness: 6/10 -       Use of color across different parts of the car: 8/10 -       Integration of sponsor colors: 8/10 -       Total Score: 27 Red Bull This isn’t a bad livery by any means, but I’m just tired of seeing the same design year after year—especially when the team clearly has creative minds working behind the scenes. Just look at the Racing Bulls cars for proof. At the end of the day, though, they’d probably rather just wave their multiple world championships in our faces than shake things up. -       Difference compared to last year: 5/10 -       Boldness: 5/10 -       Use of color across different parts of the car: 9/10 -       Integration of sponsor colors: 6/10 -       Total Score: 26 Stake F1 I think this car will be the most divisive on the grid. Yes, it only uses two colors, but the gradient effect between them is fantastic. In a sea of dark blue and brown, the lime green really pops and makes a bold statement. I also love the different colors for the front and rear wheels—a small but unique touch. -       Difference compared to last year: 7/10 -       Boldness: 8/10 -       Use of color across different parts of the car: 4/10 -       Integration of sponsor colors: 5/10 -       Total Score: 24 Aston Martin I feel like this car would look better if there was more green than black. It also removed some of the yellow accent lines compared to last year across the side pod. Overall nothing to write home about for me but nothing too offensive either. -       Difference compared to last year: 6/10 -       Boldness: 5/10 -       Use of color across different parts of the car: 5/10 -       Integration of sponsor colors: 5/10 -       Total Score: 21 Williams This to me was the least inspiring livery out of all 10 teams, which is a shame given the hype around Carlos Sainz joining the team. In my opinion, there’s just not enough contrast—it would look amazing with more white. That said, the Duracell-branded airbox is a super cool touch. -       Difference compared to last year: 5/10 -       Boldness: 3/10 -       Use of color across different parts of the car: 5/10 -       Integration of sponsor colors: 7/10 -       Total Score: 20

Hey Everybody, after another wild one in Atlanta, it's time for our top-ten tweets of the week. 10. It's always great to see "The King" at the track still keeping an eye on Legacy MC, and his beloved 43. It was a tough day for Erik Jones, but they still showed some positives. 9. How cool is this? That's a couple of cool cats. 8. How nostalgic is this? There was a time when you couldn't go a week without seeing Michael Waltrip and the Aaron's dream machine. 7. Carson Hocevar did not make any friends at Atlanta. But, he's a young guy. Growing pains. 6. You know this has to be tough for Smithley. There's a lot of variables at play for teams and drivers and what works best for both. 5. One streak may be over. But, another one lives on. 4. Coach Gibbs still doesn't seem sold on his new policy. We shall see if he changes his mind. 3. That is going to be one hot mixtape they're about to drop. 2. Bowman had some tough luck in Atlanta. Hopefully, Bowman fans didn't have a headache on Monday morning. 1. This is major news. Does it solidify that Heim's Cup future is with 23XI Racing? Time will tell.

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images By Adam Carabine and Logan Morris Logan Morris: Hey Adam, what a race we saw at Atlanta! I believe it had everything you could want as a racing fan. What did you think of it? Adam Carabine: Hey Logan, glad to be back here writing with you.  I’ll admit I was skeptical of the Atlanta repave/reconfiguring it to a super-speedway style track, but as Chris Stapleton might say, I was wrong. Atlanta has proven to be thrilling pretty much every time we visit, and Sunday was no exception.  The only gripe I’ve really seen online is that they threw that caution on the last lap.  Did you have an issue with that? LM: I didn’t have an issue with it. I know people are screaming about how inconsistent NASCAR has been the first two weeks, but we have to remember these are judgment calls, and when you have head-on hits like we saw with Josh Berry, it’s tough to fault NASCAR for wanting to get out there and make sure everyone is okay.  AC: I’m with you, 100%.  I’m sure glad I am not the one who has to sit in that booth and make these split-second calls.  The keyboard warriors, as Mike Joy might call them, have the benefit of hindsight and time.  It’s easy to see after the fact what the right call is, but these calls have to be made quickly and with safety in mind.  I have no issue with the way the first two race weekends have gone as far as officiating goes.  I would like to see it get more consistent, but it’s early. Talk to me about the race, though.  What makes Atlanta so special? LM: For me, it’s the constant action you see on the track—the split-second decisions we see in these packs that are usually reserved for Daytona and Talladega. The difference is everything happens so much faster on the mile-and-a-half hybrid that is Atlanta.  Look at some of the chaos we saw. Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski got caught up in the carnage. Now that the track is getting some character, it’s getting more difficult to drive. I can’t wait until NASCAR heads back out in June when the track should be slick.     AC: Yeah, as teams are getting used to the new design, I think the gap between best and worst has gotten smaller, which also lends itself to more chaos. You need the quick reflexes usually reserved for the drafting-style tracks, but you also have to balance some tire wear, which doesn’t tend to be as big of a factor at Daytona or Talladega. We’ve made it this far without even discussing the winner! What did you think of Christopher Bell getting the dub? LM: Christopher Bell could be described as Mr. Where did he come? Besides Bubba Wallace, the Toyotas were pretty hard to find. They seemed to lack the raw speed coming into the race. At Atlanta, that isn’t a major issue. But at the traditional mile-and-a-half tracks, they’re going to have to find more speed. The folks at Ford have to have some serious heartburn about not winning this one. They were so fast! But, all for not. Christopher Bell locks himself in early.  AC: I’m not as concerned about Toyota’s mile-and-a-half speed just yet.  While Atlanta is 1.5 miles, I imagine the setups on those Toyotas were more for drafting than your traditional intermediate track.  I’ll reserve judgment until we hit Las Vegas in a few weeks.   So far we’ve seen two drivers lock themselves into the playoffs.  Neither of which would have been a surprise, but they did it in unorthodox ways.  You’re right that Bell showed up seemingly out of nowhere, though he nearly lost it to last year’s Rookie of the Year, Carson Hocevar. I must say, it was a little rich seeing Ross Chastain pull him aside for a chat post-race.  What do you think of Hocevar, and is it too soon to be making enemies? LM: Hocevar is not making any friends out there. Blaney, Busch, and Chastain all showed displeasure with him during the race. I would chalk it up to growing pains, similar to what we’ve seen with Ross Chastain. Remember when Rick Hendrick was displeased with Ross? Oh, the irony. But, the question is how will Hocevar respond to all this in the weeks to come? AC: Not only how will Hocevar respond, but will the other drivers take it upon themselves to police this situation? Personally I don’t have a problem with it.  I think it adds a layer of excitement.  When you see Hocevar up there moving and shaking, there’s an extra unpredictability that makes it fun to watch.  He’s a talented kid, but he’s also just a kid. He’ll grow into it, as we’ve seen with other drivers too.   What do you say we get into our awards for the race? Best Performer LM: For best performer, I have to go with Josh Berry. He had a big day in the iconic 21 car, scoring a stage win.  I know he crashed out late, but he was impressive. AC: Good shout, I thought Berry was impressive. I’m beginning to think that he might be able to provide the consistent results that the Wood Bros. have been lacking over the last few years.   My top performer goes to Michael McDowell (and his crew).  He ties the record for most consecutive free passes after fixing a heck of a lot of damage, and then salvages a Top 15 run.  Shout out to the new DVP rules that allowed McDowell and his team to work on the car and get it back on the track.   Biggest Move of the Race LM: I have to go with Carson Hocevar. He was doing everything he could to put himself into position, for better or worse. Had we stayed green until the end, who knows what he would have attempted to do to try and get his first career victory?  AC: I was getting excited, because one of my pre-season hot takes was that Hocevar would win multiple races. It wasn’t to be on Sunday but maybe I’m a genius? My biggest move of the race goes to John Hunter Nemechek earning his second straight Top 10.  You may think I’m just blowing smoke here for your sake, but really it has been an impressive run for JHN.  I don’t see the streak continuing next week at COTA, but it’s a strong start for a team looking for anything positive. Biggest Disappointment LM: My biggest disappointment has to be Joey Logano. Yes, he led laps and there’s nothing with a 12th place finish. However, on a day when Ford was flexing their muscles, at a track where he won last season he never felt like a real contender. AC: For me, I’ll go with Daniel Suarez getting caught in the wreck and finishing 33rd.  His win last year at Atlanta was one for the history books.  And while I wasn’t expecting that close of a finish again, I was hopeful that Suarez would find his way back to the front.   What to Watch for Next Weekend AC: Next weekend we visit Circuit of the Americas - COTA - in Austin, Texas.  Personally, I’m going to be there live, covering the race.  So first and foremost, look for me on TV!   But in all seriousness, there are a couple of key points to think about next week.  Firstly, it’s a new track layout that we haven’t yet seen at COTA for NASCAR.  They’ve shortened the track and cut out the super-long straightaway.  Because pretty much everyone will be new to this, we could see some differing strategy calls on fuel/tires, etc.   The other thing to pay attention to is that this is the first Road Course of the 2025 season.  Watch for some road course players like SVG or Allmendinger to show up strong, and ultimately could disrupt the playoff field with a win.   Anything you’re watching for next weekend, Logan? LM: The uncertainty. As you mentioned it’s a new layout, so practice and qualifying on Saturday carry even deeper meaning than usual. We’ve seen some wild moments during COTA’s short tenure on the NASCAR circuit. We very well may be heading for another one of those unforeseen moments. I think a ringer will get it done next week. I’m just not sure which one!  AC: I look forward to catching a glimpse of it with my own eyes.  I wonder if I’ll be allowed to go up to the top of that tower!  Anyway, keep it locked at Racing Refresh and we’ll keep you updated all weekend long.  See you soon! LM: I look forward to seeing just who is the king of the road!

Press Release | 23XI RACING 23XI Racing announced today that Corey Heim has signed a multi-year deal to join the team as 23XI’s first development driver. The 22-year-old, who will continue as part of the Toyota Driver Development Program (TD2), will also race in multiple events throughout the season in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series. A 12-time winner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and winner of the season-opening event at Daytona, Heim will also continue to serve as 23XI’s reserve driver. Heim, who raced with 23XI last season at Nashville Superspeedway, will run multiple Cup Series races behind the wheel of the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE, with veteran crew chief Bootie Barker set to lead the team. Heim is set to make his first Cup Series start of the season in May at Kansas Speedway, where he raced last spring while filling in for Erik Jones in the No. 43 Toyota Camry. Additionally, as part of his development process, Heim will compete in multiple Xfinity Series races with Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) in a Toyota GR Supra supported by 23XI. Last season, Heim competed in 13 races with SHR and has 17 total starts in the Xfinity Series, earning three top-five and five top-10 finishes. Heim’s first race with SHR will be at Circuit of the Americas, where he will compete in his first road course event in the Xfinity Series. “It’s a dream come true to be a part of 23XI, and I’m excited for the opportunity to race more Cup and Xfinity races this year. I’m blessed to have the chance to compete in all three series as I continue to set my sights on full-time Cup racing when that time comes,” said Heim. “The success that 23XI has shown in only a few short years has been impressive and I’m excited to learn from the organization. I’m also grateful to everyone at Toyota for their ongoing support in my development both on and off the track, and I look forward to strengthening that relationship for years to come.” “Our team was fortunate to work with Corey last year and we look forward to growing our relationship with him as our development driver starting in 2025,” said Steve Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing. “Corey continues to prove he is a talented, hard-working driver, and we plan to make all the resources of 23XI available to support his development within the Toyota family as he progresses in NASCAR.” “I couldn’t be more excited to have Corey back with us at SHR this year, working alongside 23XI on his professional development,” said Sam Hunt, owner of Sam Hunt Racing. “Corey has become like a little brother to me — we understand each other’s journeys, and he genuinely cares about the growth and success of SHR long-term. We have had some very strong performances together in the past, so we are looking to continue maximizing our resources and flexing strength as we chase that first organizational win and develop Corey as a Sunday driver.” While Heim will run several races with 23XI and SHR, TRICON will continue to be his primary home for the third straight season, where he drives the No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. His performance has been impressive in the NASCAR Truck Series, including twelve wins and 33 top-five finishes. Heim, the 2023 Regular Season champion, is the youngest driver in Truck Series history to earn 10 wins, and has made back-to-back appearances in the Championship 4 the last two seasons. Heim will also continue to be a valued part of the TD2 program, which has helped support drivers achieve their dreams of earning full-time NASCAR Cup Series rides. TRD takes an active role in each TD2 driver’s development to help them achieve their goals of long-term success in motorsport. The mutual long-term commitment allows TRD to provide additional opportunities on and off the track to encourage and support their personal development. “Corey continues to impress on-track with his racing acumen and talent behind the wheel and also continues to work hard behind the scenes with TRD partners, at TPC, and on the simulator,” said Tyler Gibbs, president, TRD U.S.A. “We are pleased to have a robust schedule in place for Corey this year and know that he will take advantage of every opportunity to continue to grow as a race car driver. Everyone at TRD looks forward to a long tenure with Corey as we support him in reaching his ultimate goals in NASCAR competition.” (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)