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THE NASCAR FOUNDATION The NASCAR Foundation and Kaulig Giving are celebrating National Teddy Bear Day by joining together to deliver 4,000 NASCAR-themed teddy bears to children in 110 hospitals across North America for the eighth annual “Speedy Bear Brigade.” This year’s efforts will bring the cumulative total of Speedy Bears delivered to more than 15,000 since the program’s inception in 2016, providing comfort to children during their hospital stays. New this year, The NASCAR Foundation will also provide $160,000 in grants to local hospitals in select NASCAR race markets. These donations are made possible through the Foundation’s Speediatrics Children’s Fund, which supports needs expressed by hospitals, specialty clinics, camps, and others providing children’s medical and health care services “To see how this program has grown through the years is truly amazing,” said Nichole Krieger, Executive Director and Vice President, The NASCAR Foundation. “Seeing the joy on the children’s faces when they receive their Speedy Bears makes you realize how something as simple as a teddy bear can make such an impact on a child’s well-being. “Support from Kaulig Giving, local sponsors and all our wonderful NASCAR fans is so important in helping us continue the vision of our founder, the late Betty Jane France, to bring comfort to kids in the hospital.” This year’s efforts mark the biggest to date with 110 hospitals participating in race markets across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The initiative surrounds National Teddy Bear Day celebrated on Sept. 9 with events in Akron, Ohio, home to Kaulig Companies headquarters, as well as Charlotte, N.C. and Daytona Beach, Fla., home to NASCAR headquarters. “Our partnership with The NASCAR Foundation continues to grow on and off the track. All of us share the incredible goal of impacting the communities we love by helping children in need live happier, healthier lives.” said Matt Kaulig, team owner of Kaulig Racing and founder of Kaulig Giving. “We’re honored to team up with The NASCAR Foundation for our fourth year to deliver cheer, positivity, and comfort to children in hospitals across the country through the Speedy Bear Brigade program.” Matt Kaulig and Kaulig Giving have given a grant of $25,000 to The NASCAR Foundation to challenge NASCAR fans to join the Speedy Bear Brigade by making a $25 donation to sponsor a Speedy Bear. Fans can visit NASCARfoundation.org/speedybear to donate. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR Foundation)

Press Release | DGM RACING LAKE WALES, FL, (September 10, 2024) - DGM Racing proudly announces a new partnership with Trade With the Pros (TWP) and driver Dawson Cram. Cram will be behind the wheel of DGM Racing’s No. 92 Chevy Camaro for five upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) Playoff races, starting with the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. TWP, a leading trading education platform, is dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to confidently navigate financial markets. As part of this partnership with DGM Racing, TWP will be prominently featured on Cram's No. 92 during the following NXS Playoff races: Kansas Speedway, Charlotte Roval, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and the Championship Finale at Phoenix Raceway. “I’m thrilled to join forces with the Gosselin family and Trade With the Pros,” says Dawson Cram. “This partnership provides us a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between race fans and financial education. I’m excited to showcase TWP’s commitment to empowering individuals through their programs and look forward to demonstrating that same commitment to them on and off the track this fall.” Dawson Cram, the son of former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Kevin Cram, has been making waves in NASCAR’s second-tier national touring series. A soon-to-be 23 year old, he has already accumulated 26 starts since 2021, with his best finish being 19th at the 2023 Championship Race in Phoenix. Team Owner Mario Gosselin shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, “We have been very fortunate to welcome many exciting brands to our sport this year, and Trade With the Pros is no exception. I believe Dawson will be a fantastic ambassador for TWP and a valuable asset to our No. 92 team as we head into the final races of the season. We look forward to representing the TWP colors as we hit the track in Kansas later this month.” TWP is renowned for its hands-on, practical approach to trading education. Their curriculum is designed by industry experts and focuses on real-world applications, ensuring that students gain actionable insights and skills. The platform also features cutting-edge tools and personalized support to help users achieve their financial goals. In September, TWP is hosting several Live, In-Person Trading & Investing Workshops available to race fans across the country. These events will delve into advanced trading strategies and provide valuable insights into market trends. Workshop locations include Atlanta, GA, Kansas City, KS, Dallas, TX, Charlotte, NC, Washington D.C., and Phoenix, AZ. Race fans interested in learning more about TWP’s financial resources can visit the TWP website: https://tradewiththepros.com/twpracing. Dawson Cram will debut with DGM Racing in the Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, September 28. Practice and qualifying will commence at 11:00 a.m. ET, with the race scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. ET. All NXS Playoff events will be broadcast live on CW. (Photo Courtesy DGM Racing)

Press Release | ELITE MOTORSPORTS WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (Sept. 10, 2024) – After a 14-race regular season in the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s six-race playoffs, is officially here. Over the final races of the 2024 season, six Elite Motorsports drivers will have a chance to win the NHRA Pro Stock world championship. As a team, Elite has won six of the last eight races and visited the winners circle a total of nine times in the regular season. Leading the Elite Motorsports team into the Countdown to the Championship is Aaron Stanfield and his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / Janac Brothers Racing team. Stanfield has won four of the last six races and is coming off his first U.S. Nationals victory where he doubled up in Factory X, making him the first racer to double in the 70-year running of ‘The Big Go’. With his latest performance, Stanfield moved into second in the points standings, just 25 behind Dallas Glenn after the playoff reset. This is Stanfield’s fourth playoff appearance. His best finish was fourth in 2023. Six-time and reigning world champion Erica Enders and her JHG / Melling / SCAG Power Equipment team will compete in the Countdown to the Championship for the 13th time in her career. They are looking for their third consecutive Pro Stock world championship, and fifth in the last six years. Enders will start the Countdown from the No. 4 spot, just seven points behind Greg Anderson and 40 from the lead. Enders won the season opening NHRA Gatornationals and followed it with a runner-up finish at the Winternationals. She was also runner-up to teammate Troy Coughlin Jr. at the New England Nationals and has five No. 1 qualifying positions on the year. Five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. and the SCAG / Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer team are racing in Jeg Jr.’s 12th playoff appearance. In 2020, before a three-year retirement stint, Jeg Jr. finished the season third in points. Jeg Jr. will start this year’s Countdown to the Championship sitting fifth in points, just 15 back from Enders and 55 from the lead. Jeg Jr. has had three wins this season and a No. 1 qualifying position. He most recently finished runner-up to Stanfield at the U.S. Nationals. Troy Coughlin Jr. is taking the JEGS.com / White Castle vehicle into the Countdown sitting No. 6, only 12 points behind his uncle, Jeg Jr. This is Troy Jr.’s fourth playoff appearance. His best finish came in 2022 when he closed out the season in fourth. Troy Jr. earned his spot with a win at the New England Nationals and a semifinal appearance at the Northwest Nationals in Seattle. He also had a Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty victory at the Sonoma Nationals. In his sophomore season, this is Jerry Tucker’s second Countdown to the Championship appearance. In 2023, Tucker started and finished the Countdown from the No. 13 spot. Tucker and the Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer / SCAG team will start this year’s Countdown in the No. 7 spot, 15 points behind Troy Jr. Tucker broke through for two No. 1 qualifying positions in 2024 as well as a runner-up finish to teammate Jeg. Jr. at the Las Vegas Four-Wide event. Cristian Cuadra will carry the flag for Cuadra Boys Racing in the Countdown to the Championship for twin brother David and older brother Fernando Jr. Cristian, representing the Corral Boots, Cuadra and Columbia Impex brands, is entering his third Countdown to the Championship from the No. 8 spot, just 12 points behind Tucker. Cristian started his season with a runner-up finish to Enders at the Gatornationals and has since made two semifinals appearances. Cristian’s spot in the Countdown was secured when he, David and Jeg Jr. picked up their first-round wins over Dallas Glenn, Mason McGaha and Eric Latino, respectively, at the U.S. Nationals just two weeks ago. The NHRA Countdown to the Championship is set to kick off at this weekend’s Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, PA. It will be followed by two back-to-back races in Charlotte for the Carolina Nationals and St. Louis for the Midwest Nationals. The final three races will be the Texas NHRA FallNationals just outside of Dallas, the NHRA Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas and the season finale In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals in Pomona, California. (Photo Courtesy Elite Motorsports)

Press Release | NHRA READING, Pa. (Sept. 10, 2024) – The most recent race didn’t go the way reigning Top Fuel world champion Doug Kalitta planned, but it would be hard to deny that the current points leader still has plenty of momentum heading into this weekend’s 39th annual NHRA Pep Boys Nationals based on last year’s results at Maple Grove Raceway.   Kalitta enters the opening race of the Countdown to the Championship playoffs as the defending event winner and it was a huge victory, jumpstarting his memorable run to a first world championship and also giving the veteran his 50th career win.   The bump in the road is Kalitta failed to qualify at the U.S. Nationals two weeks ago, the first time that happened for the longtime standout in 301 races and nearly 14 years. Kalitta and the team rebounded with a successful test session in Indy in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools/Toyota dragster, restoring Kalitta’s confidence as he looks to defend his world title, as well as his key Reading victory from a year ago.   “I was very relieved and I think we got the wheels back underneath this thing,” Kalitta said. “Indy’s a big race and we just struggled to get the down the track. It just wasn’t our weekend. We’re definitely looking forward to this weekend. Everyone is working really hard on this thing. Our team is really excited and it should be fun. Reading is a great place to run and I think our car will be happy there.”   Last season, Kalitta (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Matt Hartford (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all claimed wins in their respective categories and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, including elimination coverage on FOX on Sunday, Sept. 12 beginning at 2 or 4:30 p.m. ET (based on local listings). It is the first of six races in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs – and the 15th of 20 races in the 2024 campaign – and Kalitta has enjoyed a number of bright spots this year.   He's won three races, advanced to five final rounds and has been the points leader for the past seven races. Kalitta has also enjoyed plenty of success at Maple Grove Raceway, winning the race a pair of times. He’ll open the playoffs with a 15-point advantage over Justin Ashley in what should be an epic fight to the finish in the loaded Top Fuel ranks.   Kalitta’s teammate, Shawn Langdon is third, while other championship contenders include four-time world champ Steve Torrence, three-time champ Antron Brown, U.S. Nationals winner Clay Millican, class rookie and racing legend Tony Stewart, Tony Schumacher, Brittany Force, Billy Torrence, Josh Hart and Shawn Reed.   But after winning his first world title last year, Kalitta certainly isn’t satisfied, pointing to the back-to-back world titles his cousin, Scott, won in the Top Fuel ranks in 1994 and 1995 as one source of motivation.   “We’re certainly looking forward to it. It’s pretty exciting right now with everyone at Kalitta Motorsports,” Kalitta said. “We’re focused on going rounds. At this point, I would love to be like my cousin, Scott, and win back-to-back championships. He did it back in the day (1994-1995), so that will be our goal. It would be cool if we could pull it off and it’s definitely the goal. I think we’ve got what we need to make it happen and I’m looking forward to it.”   Funny Car’s Austin Prock has taken over driving duties for Hight and will look to keep rolling in Reading. He has five wins this season, entering the playoffs in the points lead while taking on the likes of Bob Tasca III, reigning champion Matt Hagan, Ron Capps, J.R. Todd and Funny Car veteran Jack Beckman, who is racing for John Force.   Pro Stock’s Hartford will look to get his season on track, but it won’t be easy in a loaded category that includes points leader Dallas Glenn, Aaron Stanfield, who starts the postseason second in points, reigning world champion Erica Enders, and veterans Greg Anderson and Jeg Coughlin Jr.   Six-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Smith started the playoffs with a Reading win last year, but Gaige Herrera dominated the rest of the way, winning the last five races en route to the title. Herrera has won seven of nine races in 2024 and has a second straight world title in mind, also taking on John Hall, Richard Gadson and Angie Smith. The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown and Johnson's Horsepowered Garage Mountain Motor Pro Stock.     Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at Maple Grove 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. 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.   As always, fans get an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet in Reading. Fans get a unique chance to see teams in action and service their hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.   NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:30 and 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 13 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 15. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, as well as at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday and eliminations on FOX at 2 or 4:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) on Sunday.   To purchase tickets to the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, fans can visit  www.maplegroveraceway.com . All children 12 and under are admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information on the NHRA, please visit  www.nhra.com .  (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | NHRA ST. LOUIS (Sept. 6, 2024) – At the start of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs, drivers in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series know only 24 rounds of racing remain in the season. In that mix is the 13th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals, which again comes at a critical juncture on Sept. 27-29 at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis. A mainstay in the Countdown to the Championship, the annual race at the fan-favorite facility again serves as the halfway point in the six-race playoffs, finishing off an important stretch of three straight racing weekends in September. Fans have always packed the standout track and the action starts immediately when all the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle hit the track in St. Louis on Friday. Beginning with a pair of qualifying sessions on Friday – including an epic session under the lights – the intensity and excitement is non-stop in this important Countdown to the Championship race, continuing with two qualifying sessions on Saturday and eliminations on Sunday, where all the top drivers will look to continue their championship journey. Last season, Clay Millican (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) all collected wins in St. Louis and this year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, with elimination coverage airing at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 29. Millican, a fan-favorite in the Top Fuel ranks, earned his first win from World Wide Technology Raceway last season when he took down Brittany Force in the finals. Millican has one win on the 2024 season from the prestigious Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, starting the playoffs sixth in points. Reigning Top Fuel champion Doug Kalitta currently leads the points thanks to his three wins in 2024, while others to watch include Justin Ashley, who has three wins this year, as well as multi-time champs and past St. Louis winners Shawn Langdon, Steve Torrence and Antron Brown, along with stars like Tony Schumacher and Top Fuel rookie Tony Stewart. Hagan picked up his second career St. Louis win last year over Ron Capps en route to his fourth NHRA Funny Car championship. Hagan is currently third in points, thanks to his two event wins in 2024. Leading the way is first-year Funny Car driver Austin Prock. Prock took over driving duties for Robert Hight at the beginning of the season and has collected five event wins, including the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals. Veterans Bob Tasca III, J.R. Todd, Hagan, Jack Beckman and Capps will be ready to take on Prock and his hot rod in the Countdown and St. Louis. Anderson, the winningest Pro Stock driver, has three wins at St. Louis. The five-time champion has collected wins from Phoenix and Charlotte this year and is on the hunt for his sixth world title. Standing in front of him is his KB Titan Racing teammate and Pro Stock points leader Dallas Glenn, who has three wins on the season and is looking for his first NHRA title. In second is Indianapolis winner and four-time 2024 winner Aaron Stanfield, while reigning champ Erica Enders has six St. Louis wins – the most of any driver in NHRA history – and will be looking for her second win of the season. Reigning Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Herrera has dominated the class for the last two seasons. In 2024, he has won seven of the nine Pro Stock Motorcycle races heading into the playoffs. The other riders to earn wins are 2023 Rookie of the Year Chase Van Sant, who won in Seattle, and the six-time champ Matt Smith, who earned the Sonoma win and also has a class-best five wins in St. Louis. Smith, Van Sant and the rest of the field are putting all their efforts towards taking down the seemingly unstoppable Herrera. The NHRA Midwest Nationals also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by LearnEV+ and Flexjet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown. It is the penultimate race in Pro Mod’s “Road to the Championship” and the final race of the season in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown. The ET Racing Showcase, Jr. Arch Shootout, Budweiser Challenge, high school challenge and Jr. Dragster Shootout will all take place during the weekend as well. Fans will be invited all weekend long to the Nitro Alley Stage, which is the main entertainment hub in the pits, hosting Nitro School, meet and greets, music and much more. Race fans at World Wide Technology 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. 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 St. Louis event winners. 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 hot rods between rounds, get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers, and more. They can also visit NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create an exciting atmosphere that includes interactive displays, merchandise, food, and fun. NHRA Mission Food Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:30 and 7:00 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 27, and the final two rounds on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 29. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 27 and 2 p.m. ET on Sunday Sept. 29, with eliminations starting at 3 p.m. ET on FS1 on Sunday. Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com. All children 12 and under will be admitted free in the general admission area with a paid adult. For more information on NHRA, visit www.NHRA.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY FORT WORTH, Texas (SEPT. 4, 2024) – Texas Motor Speedway and Community Choice Family of Brands reached agreement on a multi-year partnership renewal, continuing the entitlement of the Great American Speedway’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and naming rights of the SpeedyCash.com Victory Lane, kicking off in 2025 with the May 2 SpeedyCash.com 250. With this new agreement, another member of the Community Choice Financial Family of Brands, TitleMax, will also be prominently featured at Texas Motor Speedway. The partnership began in 2019 with a one-race entitlement which expanded into a multi-year agreement by the end of the year. The Victory Lane naming rights were added in 2020 and the overall program was renewed in February 2023. “Speedy Cash has been a proud partner with TMS over the last six years and look forward to continuing it for another three”, said Community Choice Financial Family of Brands SVP of Marketing, Lacey Adams. “TMS has done a wonderful job promoting Speedy Cash both through the SpeedyCash.com 250 Truck race and with SpeedyCash.com Victory Lane. We’re excited to partner with such a great team to also promote the TitleMax brand.” Speedy Cash provides access to credit to those who don't have a perfect credit score. Operating across the United States, Speedy Cash offers a variety of personal loan solutions, along with other money services including check cashing, money orders and wire transfers. TitleMax is one of the nation’s largest title lending companies. Every day, TitleMax helps thousands of people get the cash they need with title loan and title pawn services. “Speedy Cash has been an integral entitlement partner of Texas Motor Speedway for the past six years and we are delighted that they are continuing as a major partner,” said Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President & General Manager Mark Faber. “We are proud that our NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race will continue as the SpeedyCash.com 250 and our post-race celebrations will take place in the SpeedyCash.com Victory Lane for years to come.” Event tickets and camping for the 2025 Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR tripleheader weekend are on sale now. Save up to 33 percent versus purchasing individual tickets, take advantage of interest-free monthly payments, get the best seat selection, and more. Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets. Texas Motor Speedway will host the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championships Playoff 2 on Saturday, Sept. 14. The race weekend begins Friday, Sept. 13, with practice and the Fan Zone from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Click HERE to purchase tickets and for further information. The balance of Texas Motor Speedway’s 2024 event season includes the Goodguys Rod & Custom Lone Star Nationals (Sept. 27-29), POWRi 410 Outlaw Sprints (Oct. 4-5), the Kubota High Limit Racing sprint car series' inaugural season finale (Oct. 11-12), Gordy’s Hwy 30 Fest Texas (Oct. 17-20), Gift of Lights (Nov. 28-Jan. 1, 2025) and Speedway Children’s Charities Grant Ceremony & Dinner with Santa (Dec. 5). For more information on the schedule and much more, please visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com. (Photo Courtesy Texas Motor Speedway)

ASSOCIATED PRESS CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Make no mistake: Kyle Larson wants to run the Indianapolis 500 again next year. The deal he and Hendrick Motorsports signed with Arrow McLaren Racing was always a two-year deal, but 2025 was an option year that Larson said Wednesday is still being ironed out. If he had his way, a decision would be made sooner rather than later. “I would love to. We’re still working on it,” Larson said. “It’s progressing. So I like that, but obviously things can always change.” Larson was a star at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May, where he qualified fifth but a late-race speeding penalty took him out of contention and he finished 18th. Plus, there was an hours-long rain delay in Indianapolis and the Hendrick camp, after pouring millions of dollars into the effort, decided to leave him at the 500 and deal with the Coca-Cola 600 in Concord, North Carolina, later. As soon as the Indy 500 ended, Larson jetted off to North Carolina — where he was met by more rain. He ran to his car just as the race was paused for weather, and because it never resumed, he never got the chance to run the 600. That created a commotion in NASCAR, with many members of senior leadership taking the position that Larson and Hendrick had prioritized the Indianapolis 500 over the 600 and therefore wasn’t owed an automatic waiver to participate in the playoffs. The situation dragged on for well over a week as the frustrated Hendrick camp was incensed the situation was being hyper-scrutinized when other drivers have received waivers for non-racing incidents. For example, Matt Kenseth missed half the 2018 season, all of the 2019 season and the first four races of 2020, but was granted a playoff waiver when he was hired as a replacement driver for the suspended Larson. Kurt Busch received a waiver when he was suspended while under investigation for a domestic assault allegation, and Tony Stewart received a waiver after taking a mental health break. NASCAR eventually gave Larson the waiver — and he opens the playoffs Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway as the points leader — but it is unlikely Rick Hendrick will sign off on another Indy 500 run without a guarantee from NASCAR. Either way, it’s the chance to complete the 1,100-miles of racing in one day that most interests Larson. John Andretti, Stewart, Busch and Robby Gordon are the drivers to attempt “The Double” prior to Larson, but Stewart is the only one to complete both races in the same day. In the case of this year, the Indy 500 did go the distance but the Coca-Cola 600 completed only 249 of 400 laps and was essentially over because of rain by the time Larson arrived in North Carolina. “I would love to because I didn’t get to do ‘The Double’ this year. So that’s really why I wanted to do it,” Larson said. “I obviously wanted to compete in the Indianapolis 500, but more than anything, I wanted to do ‘The Double’ and have a chance at winning one of the two, or both, and I felt like I just didn’t get that opportunity.” A decision on Indy could come as early as next week. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

By Adam Carabine, Logan Morris & Peyton Lohr Adam Carabine - Owner, Editor & Administrator Logan Morris - Head Columnist & Show Host Peyton Lohr - Social Media Manager, Show Producer, and Columnist

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 4, 2024) – After an incredible regular season in the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series, the Countdown to the Championship playoffs is officially here. Over the next six races, dreams will be realized, history will be made and excitement will be at a fever pitch as drivers across Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will be focused on nothing but NHRA championship glory. After the points reset, the championship journey starts at the 39th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals on Sept. 12-15 at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., kicking off an edge-of-your-seat Countdown to the Championship sure to be filled with unforgettable moments and electric atmospheres across the country. The first stretch of the Countdown to the Championship opens with three straight race weekends, with drivers going from Reading to the NHRA Carolina Nationals on Sept. 20-22 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte to the NHRA Midwest Nationals on Sept. 27-29 at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis. From there, the NHRA grabs the spotlight as the main event at the famed Texas Motorplex’s “Stampede of Speed” with the 39th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals on Oct. 10-13 in Dallas. That opens the second half of the six-race playoffs, with the annual fall stop at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway coming Oct. 31-Nov. 3 as the penultimate race in the 2024 season. Then, all eyes will shift to historic In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, as dreams will come to fruition and celebrations will ensue at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals on Nov. 14-17 to finish off an epic 73rd season of NHRA racing. Last year, Doug Kalitta (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Gaige Herrera (Pro Stock Motorcycle) ended the season as world champions and this season’s championship chase will again be featured on FOX and FS1. Championship battles are just getting started, but Kalitta has visions of a second straight world title. He got hot in the playoffs last year, winning three races, including the finale at Pomona to take the championship, but after not qualifying in Indy – the first time that happened to Kalitta in nearly 14 years – he’s ready for a quick rebound in Reading. “It was unfortunate for sure, but my team is very resilient,” Kalitta said in a video on Wednesday. “We’re still leading the points and we’ve got six races to go. I think we’re in a great spot. We’ve just got to go out and make the next six count.” He’ll enter the postseason with a 15-point lead over second-place Justin Ashley, whose 14 bonus points earned in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge helped close the gap to start the playoffs. Shawn Langdon is third, with four-time world champ Steve Torrence in fourth and Antron Brown in fifth. U.S. Nationals winner Clay Millican will open the postseason in sixth. In Funny Car, Austin Prock begins the Countdown to the Championship with the biggest point lead in any class thanks to earning a whopping 23 bonus points in the Mission #2Fast2 Tasty Challenge. That helped net him a 39-point advantage (just shy of two rounds) over Bob Tasca III to open the playoffs. Prock has stayed red-hot all year, qualifying No. 1 10 times and winning five races, including the U.S. Nationals on Monday. In his mind, there is no slowing down as crunch time begins. “It’s straight back to work. You’ve got to get on that grind you’ve got to take it one moment at a time,” Prock said. “Each one of us has to try and do the best work we’ve done all season long. We’ve got a good head of steam going into this Countdown and I truly believe we can make a championship run with this team." Following Tasca is Hagan, who is after a fifth world championship, something only the legendary John Force has achieved in the category. He’s 46 points behind Prock, while J.R. Todd and Ron Capps round out the top five. Jack Beckman, who is driving for Force, opens the playoffs in sixth. For the second straight year, Dallas Glenn begins the Pro Stock Countdown to the Championship as the points leader. His playoffs didn’t go as planned last year, as the former NHRA Rookie of the Year finished a disappointing sixth, but Glenn counts it as lessons learned. He’s been a model of consistency in 2024, advancing to seven final rounds and Glenn starts the playoffs with a 25-point gap on U.S. Nationals winner Aaron Stanfield, earning five more points than Stanfield in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge. “Last year, we had an awesome car through the middle of the year and then everyone started catching up. It definitely made for a tough Countdown,” Glenn said. “It was tough racing there and everyone got really fast. That’s somewhat why we went to the new car (in Richmond in June). We’re getting a good handle on the car and I think we’re going to have something for them this year.” Looking for his sixth world title, veteran Greg Anderson is 33 points behind Glenn in third, while reigning, back-to-back and six-time world champion Erica Enders is in fourth, 40 points behind Glenn. She’s looking for her first win since the season-opener in Gainesville and her next victory will also be her 50th national event win. Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Gaige Herrera remains the favorite in Pro Stock Motorcycle, entering as the points leader and with plenty of momentum after his first career victory at The Big Go on Monday. His points lead stands at 20 over rival Matt Smith and it’s shaping up to be a heated duel between the two talented riders. Smith is after an unprecedented seventh world title in the category, while Herrera is focused on a second straight world title in the midst of his historic two-year run. “Going into the Countdown, I feel like Matt is stepping it up big-time and this year is going to be very interesting,” Herrera said. “Winning Indy gives me a lot of confidence. This team has put their head down and it reflected (in Indy). I’m glad it’s going to start cooling off.” Herrera’s teammate, Richard Gadson, is third, 33 points back, while John Hall and Chase Van Sant are also in the top five. To purchase tickets to any of the six races in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, please visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. For more information about NHRA, including the full television schedule for the 2024 playoffs, please visit www.NHRA.com. COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS Top Fuel 1 Doug Kalitta 2109 2 Justin Ashley 2094 3 Shawn Langdon 2081 4 Steve Torrence 2068 5 Antron Brown 2062 6 Clay Millican 2046 7 Tony Stewart 2032 8 Tony Schumacher 2026 9 Brittany Force 2016 10 Billy Torrence 2000 11 Josh Hart 1992 12 Shawn Reed 1980 Funny Car 1 Austin Prock 2125 2 Bob Tasca III 2086 3 Matt Hagan 2079 4 J.R. Todd 2071 5 Ron Capps 2054 6 John Force 2049 7 Blake Alexander 2036 8 Daniel Wilkerson 2023 9 Chad Green 2012 10 Alexis DeJoria 2000 11 Cruz Pedregon 1990 12 Buddy Hull 1980 13 Dave Richards 1970 Pro Stock 1 Dallas Glenn 2114 2 Aaron Stanfield 2089 3 Greg Anderson 2081 4 Erica Enders 2074 5 Jeg Coughlin Jr 2059 6 Troy Coughlin Jr 2047 7 Jerry Tucker 2032 8 Cristian Cuadra 2020 9 Eric Latino 2010 10 Mason McGaha 2006 11 Deric Kramer 1980 12 Matthew Hartford 1970 13 Chris McGaha 1960 Pro Stock Motorcycle 1 Gaige Herrera 2113 2 Matt Smith 2093 3 Richard Gadson 2080 4 John Hall 2067 5 Chase Van Sant 2050 6 Angie Smith 2042 7 Jianna Evaristo 2031 8 Hector Arana Jr 2020 9 Steve Johnson 2010 10 Chris Bostick 2000 (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | NHRA INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 5, 2024) – NHRA and Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced today they have renewed their licensing agreement to develop collectible die-cast vehicles under the iconic Hot Wheels brand. This licensing partnership will continue to expand die-cast versions of classic hot rods, including a 1976 Chevy Chevette and a 1971 Ford Mustang Funny Car. NHRA fans of all ages can tap into the history, power and speed at the heart of both brands with this seamless collaboration. “The partnership between NHRA and Hot Wheels continues to be a perfect match,” said Jeffrey Young, NHRA Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “NHRA is committed to delivering exciting licensed products to race fans and through our collaboration with Mattel, we’ve been able to extend the excitement of NHRA racing well beyond the race track.” The NHRA Licensing Program continues to expand focusing on lifestyle products such as apparel and accessories, toys and home décor, as well as items for the garage for the auto enthusiast like automotive accessories, automotive tools, appearance and other automotive related products. For more information on NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)

Press Release | JOE GIBBS RACING HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (September 3, 2024) – Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that the team has signed Brandon Jones to a multi-year agreement to drive in the NASCAR Xfinity Series beginning in 2025. Jones is no stranger to Joe Gibbs Racing or Toyota Racing after being a part of the team from 2018-2022. Jones enjoyed a successful five-year run with Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota that included Xfinity Series wins at Darlington Raceway, Kansas Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway. He qualified for the playoffs all five years he was with JGR’s Xfinity Series program and finished a career-best sixth in the overall standings in 2020 on the strength of a three-win season. “We’re thrilled to have Brandon return to Joe Gibbs Racing next season,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “He has a proven history of success with us and is someone that we know will be in the championship hunt each year. His veteran leadership will also be a tremendous asset to our program.” The Atlanta native has won while driving a Toyota in multiple series. Jones scored three ARCA Menards Series wins and an ARCA Menards Series East victory driving for JGR. He also earned his first NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win driving a Toyota Tundra at Pocono Raceway in 2020. “I’m beyond excited to be returning to Joe Gibbs Racing and rejoining the Toyota Racing family,” said Jones. “My time with JGR was some of the most rewarding of my career, and I’m eager to build on that success as we chase more wins and a championship together. I’m ready to hit the ground running and make the most of this incredible opportunity. “For now, my focus remains on finishing this year strong for my team, crew, manufacturer and Menards,” added Jones. “We will push hard to win our way into the Playoffs and finish the year on a high note.” Jones is joining the winningest team in Xfinity Series history. Joe Gibbs Racing owns 213 wins, including nine this year. Since the team’s inception, 23 different drivers have taken JGR to victory lane in the Xfinity Series. Jones is one of 14 drivers who claimed their first career victory in the series driving for JGR. The organization has earned four Xfinity Series driver championships and six owner’s championships. “It is great to have Brandon back in our Xfinity Series program,” said Steve de Souza, Executive Vice President of Xfinity Series and Development for JGR. “He showed great progress across each season he was with us previously showing the ability to run up front and lead laps consistently each week. We look forward to getting him back to that level of consistency and winning races for us next year.” (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)

DES MOINES REGISTER After a partial repave earlier this year, more of Iowa Speedway will not be repaved for next year, track president Eric Peterson said Thursday. NASCAR, which owns the track, partially repaved all four corners of the 7/8-mile track in May. Straightaways on the front stretch and back stretch retained their original pavement from 2006. Through both the NASCAR Cup Series weekend in June and the NTT IndyCar Series weekend in July, the partial repave drew mixed reviews from drivers in both series. NASCAR announced Thursday that the top-level Cup Series will return on August 3, 2025, and the developmental Xfinity Series would return a day before on August 2, 2025. The NTT IndyCar Series previously announced it would return to Iowa Speedway with a doubleheader weekend on July 12-13, 2025. Repaved sections give drivers more grip and speed but drivers slide around less, making passing harder. Before the partial repave Iowa Speedway was known for its bumpy character, which made cars slide around. The repave starts on the entrances to the corners and ends at the exits of the corners. In the corners there are a few small slivers of original asphalt near the wall. As cars drive on the bumpy surface they can bounce up and down and cause cars' wheels to come off the track. "We went into the Cup race with those repairs and we were unsure what that was going to look like from a competition perspective," Peterson said. "But the feedback was overwhelmingly positive from the fans, from the teams. Within a couple laps you're seeing three-wide racing. So we don't have any plans to do any repave or any major changes to the track because of the racing that we experienced back in June." NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) enters turn three during the Iowa Corn 350 Cup Series race on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Iowa Speedway in Newton. In the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series races, second and third lanes formed above the predominant low lane. Fans got treated to arguably the best short-track Cup Series race of the last three years. Riley Herbst, who finished second in the Xfinity Series race June 15, said he hoped NASCAR would keep pavers off of the remaining portions of the track. "I hope they don't touch it again," Herbst said after the race. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell finished fourth in June's Cup race, but did not like what NASCAR did. "The track could use a little bit of work. Hopefully they do a full repave. Then it will be really good in about 15 years," Bell said after the June 16 race. 'It's got some character,' Despite repave, Iowa Speedway maintains storied bumps for NASCAR Passing during both the July 13 IndyCar night race and during the July 14 race was hard. Arrow McLaren driver Pato O'Ward said in July the repave "ruined a fantastic race." Josef Newgarden won six of 12 IndyCar races at Iowa since 2016. But IndyCars don't work as well on the current track, Newgarden said in June. "Unfortunately I don't think our car and our formula work well for this type of track adjustment," Newgarden said. "We're different than a Cup car. We've developed our car differently than they have, and it doesn't always mesh." Pato O' Ward in practice during the Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend in Newton, Iowa. Newgarden's teammate, Scott McLaughlin, won the July 13 and finished third in the July 14 race. After the second race McLaughlin said the track would have to be repaved eventually. The races were the first oval races with IndyCar's hybrid system and the extra 105 pounds it added to the cars. It was up to IndyCar and Firestone to create a package that can race well on the new surface and allow passing 30 or 40 laps into runs, McLaughlin said at the time. "You can't blame the track because they have to repave this at some time," McLaughlin said. "But if we can somehow get our cars working when a repave happens and know what we need to do to make it work, we won't run into these issues. I feel like we go into it and not do the right amount of study to get it to work." As the original sections of pavement age, NASCAR engineers in Iowa, North Carolina and Florida work with track leadership to determine what sealants to put on the track and preserve the pavement, Peterson said. In the winter the pavement contracts during the "coldest of the cold" times and expands during 90-degree summer days. "So you have the track that is constantly contracting and expanding," Peterson said. "So that's going to come with some challenges." (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)