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- Doug Kalitta Set for 600th Career Race at Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd
Press Release | NHRA BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 13, 2024) – After winning his long-awaited first NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series world championship, there’s been no slowing down Top Fuel fan-favorite Doug Kalitta during the 2024 season. The longtime standout is the points leader with a commanding advantage this year and he is set to make more history at this weekend’s 42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at festive Brainerd International Raceway, becoming the first Top Fuel driver in NHRA history to make his 600th career appearance. Kalitta’s storied career began in 1998 and race No. 600 will come this weekend in Brainerd in his 11,000-horsepower Mac Tools Toyota dragster. All these years later, Kalitta is still going strong, winning three races, advancing to five finals rounds and qualifying No. 1 five times in 2024 heading into the penultimate race of the regular season. “It’s been an interesting ride and I didn’t realize nobody else has made it to 600 (in Top Fuel). It’s been a cool ride and a great opportunity for me, competing for as long as I have,” Kalitta said. “I still enjoy driving the cars and surrounding myself with great teams and great people. It’s been amazing driving for Connie (Kalitta, team owner) and I’ve been very fortunate to have so many great people around me. I’m still enjoying it and as long as we can continue to drive up front, that’s what drives me to keep going.” Last season, Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Ron Capps (Funny Car) and Dallas Glenn (Pro Stock) powered to the winner’s circle at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. This year, the event will again be broadcast on FS1 and FOX, including eliminations action on FOX on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. ET. It is the 14th of 20 races during the 2024 season and Kalitta will attempt to pick up his third career win in Brainerd and first since the 2005 campaign. The weekend also includes the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday in the three pro categories, though it will mark a rare occasion that Kalitta won’t appear in the bonus race this year. He suffered a surprising first-round loss in Sonoma and will look to get back on track as the Countdown to the Championship playoffs get closer. That’s where Kalitta got hot a year ago, winning three playoff races to pick up his first world championship, including a winner-take-all final round in Pomona. The team’s momentum is stronger than ever with what has been a brilliant 2024 thus far, but Kalitta knows the challenges will only get more different in the stretch run while facing off against a star-studded lineup that includes Kalitta Motorsports teammate Shawn Langdon, Brown, four-time champ Steve Torrence, Tony Schumacher, Clay Millican, Brittany Force and Top Fuel newcomer Tony Stewart. Kalitta, though, has weathered those challenges this year, proving to be a dynamic duo with standout crew chief Alan Johnson and the rest of his Kalitta Motorsports team. They’ve made a strong impression at nearly every race this year, only losing in the first round on two occasions, but Kalitta hopes there’s no slowing down with this team as he makes his 600th Top Fuel appearance this weekend in Brainerd. “It’s definitely a dogfight right now,” Kalitta said. “Brainerd is always a great place to go and I look forward to it every year. It’s always entertaining and the place is always packed. It’s just one of those very entertaining races to go. It’s just a special place to race. Our car has been running well and hopefully we can have another great weekend. It’s been fun to be a part of this and we’re just keeping our heads down, trying to make it happen. When you catch a wave like this, you want to stay on it as long as you can.” In Funny Car, Capps is certainly no stranger to the Brainerd winner’s circle in Funny Car, picking up seven wins in his career. The Funny Car field is loaded with competition this season thanks to the efforts of points leader Austin Prock, Sonoma winner Bob Tasca III, reigning champ Matt Hagan, Gainesville winner J.R. Todd, rookie Daniel Wilkerson, Alexis DeJoria and Chad Green. Glenn currently leads the Pro Stock class, but Elite Motorsports has been dominant as of late, winning six straight races. That’s a group that includes Jeg Coughlin Jr., Sonoma winner Aaron Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Erica Enders, while other top names include five-time champ and area native Greg Anderson, Deric Kramer and Eric Latino. The event also will feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown, Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle 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 Brainerd International 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 Brainerd. 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 4 and 6:15 p.m. CT on Friday, Aug. 16 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 12 and 2:30 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, Aug. 18. Television coverage includes qualifying action on FS1 at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, as well as coverage of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on FS1, qualifying action at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday and eliminations on FOX at 3 p.m. ET Sunday. To purchase tickets to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway, fans can call 866-444-4455. For more information on the NHRA, please visit www.nhra.com. (Photo Courtesy NHRA)
- Scag Racing Takes on New Look for Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
Press Release | SCAG RACING BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 13, 2024) – SCAG Racing has revealed specialty paint schemes highlighting individual products form Metalcraft of Mayville’s SCAG Power Equipment line. The new liveries will debut at this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR), an event and venue known for more than its on-track action. What sets BIR apart from other tracks on the NHRA circuit is its on-site camping, specifically, The Zoo campground, which with its live music, fireworks, constant parade of party-wagons and bonfires, has a reputation among drivers, teams and fans alike for being the place to be at the end of race day. Playing into the theme of “The Zoo,” the three nitro hot rods of SCAG Racing driven by Justin Ashley, Daniel Wilkerson and Dave Richards as well as the Pro Stock car of Elite Motorsports’ Jeg Coughlin Jr. will feature the animal version of SCAG Power Equipment products. “At SCAG Racing we take our jobs very seriously. We have a responsibility to perform both on and off the racetrack for all of the SCAG Power Equipment dealers, distributors, owners and users all across the country. But we are also a lighthearted bunch that loves to have fun and be around each other,” said Top Fuel driver Justin Ashley whose SCAG Toyota dragster will feature the Cheetah II and Turf Tiger II. “That’s what these designs are all about. It’s an exciting change that will showcase the creative input of so many Metalcraft of Mayville team members that helped put it all together. Brainerd fans have always brought ‘The Zoo’ to us so it’s only right that we bring it back to them this time.” “It’s always fun to sport a new look and this weekend we get to do something special. In line with the theme of ‘The Zoo,’ we are sporting our Jackal car this weekend,” said Daniel Wilkerson talking about his SCAG Ford Mustang highlighting the Jackal. “This is a really cool machine that SCAG Power Equipment makes and getting to showcase it, in a way, on our car is exciting for our whole team.” “I’m excited for Brainerd. The new look on our car, it adds to that excitement,” said Dave Richards whose nitro Funny Car will feature BlueBird Turf. “It’s going to be fun for all the SCAG Racing cars to have a new theme on them and so appropriate for this race. The BlueBird Turf car looks fast.” “It's going to be great to be back racing at Brainerd again this year. It's very fitting to outfit my SCAG Power Equipment ride with some special characters this year as well,” said Jeg Coughlin Jr. who will have multiple products featured on his cat’s eye gold Pro Stock car. “At SCAG we offer such models as the Cheetah II, Turf Tiger II, Tiger Cat II and the upcoming Tree Frog, so to compliment the "famous" Brainerd "Zoo" we are excited to feature a new look for just this event. Excited to see what the fans think.” Spectators will have their chance to see the SCAG Racing zoo-themed race cars at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway beginning with qualifying Friday at 4 and 6:15 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 2:30 p.m. and concluding with eliminations Sunday at 10:30 a.m. (Photo Courtesy Scag Racing)
- Legacy Motor Club and Erik Jones Agree to Multi-Year Contract Extension
Press Release | LEGACY MOTOR CLUB STATESVILLE, N.C. (August 13, 2024) – LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced today that NASCAR Cup Series veteran, Erik Jones has entered into a multi-year contract renewal. Jones will continue to pilot the coveted No. 43 LEGACY M.C. Toyota Camry XSE for the 2025 NASCAR season and beyond. “Erik Jones has been the consistent cornerstone of Legacy Motor Club's driver lineup since Maury chose to enter NASCAR's highly competitive Cup Division,” said Cal Wells III, CEO of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. “He's a proven champion that, surrounded with the right team powered by Toyota, can and will compete for race wins against the very best on any given Sunday. Having personally known Erik for close to 14 years, I feel blessed he's chosen to remain with the Club and I'm looking forward to winning races with him at the helm of the iconic No. 43.” The 28-year-old, Byron, Mich., native is currently in his eighth full-time NASCAR Cup Series season and his fourth with the organization, previously known as Petty GMS Racing after the team was acquired from Richard Petty Motorsports and then rebranded to LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ahead of the 2023 season. In his full-time NASCAR Cup Series reign, Jones has earned 3 wins, 37 top-five, and 89 top-10 finishes. In 2021, he transitioned to the then Richard Petty Motorsports team, from Joe Gibbs Racing. Jones became the first driver to win three consecutive “Rookie of the Year” honors in all three Series (NASCAR Truck Series in 2015, NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2016, and NASCAR Cup Series in 2017). “Erik is one of the most talented drivers in NASCAR, I’ve had the chance to race against him and have had a chance to watch him drive for other teams and the CLUB,” said co-owner Jimmie Johnson. “I admire his talent and am glad we will have him race for us for the upcoming years. Erik will be a key to helping us turn our program around and we look forward to giving him the tools he needs to go out on Sundays and race for wins and eventually a championship someday.” During his climb to the top Series in NASCAR, Jones accumulated three of his seven career total wins in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2015 en route to the NASCAR Truck Series Championship. In addition to the victories in the NASCAR Truck Series, Jones has piloted the NASCAR Xfinity Series vehicle to a total of nine victories. “I’m looking forward to what we can build at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. I’ve been with the No. 43 car for a handful of years and feel like I’m coming into some of the best years of my career. I am hoping to grow alongside LEGACY M.C. in the seasons to come,” said Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE. LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is in its second year of competition in the NASCAR Cup Series with full-time drivers, Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek along with Jimmie Johnson who is competing part-time for the CLUB. During the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, LEGACY M.C. has accounted for four top-10 finishes and as well as 36 laps led. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)
- Loganity: Don't Blame Austin Dillon, Blame the System
By Logan Morris The NASCAR world was set ablaze Sunday night by Austin Dillon and how he won the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Plenty of debate has ensued. Some have called it a moment where a line has been crossed and if NASCAR doesn’t deliver a swift penalty to Austin Dillon and the rest of the 3 team they’re setting a dangerous precedent that we can’t come back from. Others have said Dillon did what he had to do and people like Dale Earnhardt would have done the same thing if he had to. I’m in the camp that believes Austin Dillon did what he had to do. I understand all the arguments for safety and how dangerous it was. I’m not opposed to some sort of penalty. But, the win must stand. Not only should the win stand, but he should also not lose his playoff spot. The reality is NASCAR set themselves up for moments like this by creating the “win and you’re in” playoff system. How can we fault a desperate driver for taking advantage of that? How can the “anything can happen” element be played up by NASCAR, media, and fans alike and then Austin Dillon be punished for living up to that billing? The safety concern is without question the biggest factor in all things and rightfully so. But there’s a difference between doing what you have to do and being intentionally dangerous. Here in America, football is king. The players are punished when they are found to have done something egregious and unnecessary. Other than that, it’s a full-contact sport where no one is trying to harm each other. But the danger is always there. Maybe you define what Austin Dillon did as egregious and unnecessary. I would argue that a driver in his spot was just doing all he could to win. When I say “his spot” I’m referring to a very particular set of circumstances. Dillon hadn’t won in 68 races. He’s driving for Richard Childress Racing, an organization that has undeniably struggled since the second half of last season, and you can make a great argument they’ve struggled for a lot longer than that. Dillon also has people breathing down on his neck with plenty of rumblings that he doesn’t deserve his ride. We know that RCR has Austin Hill waiting in the wings. When you add up all these circumstances, it’s clear we shouldn’t fault Austin Dillon. Who could fault him when he was sitting 32nd in the standings? Who in similar circumstances wouldn’t do the same? Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano may say they wouldn’t do the same, and they probably wouldn’t. But their down years are still years that half the field would call a great season. Even during years when they aren’t championship contenders, the team they drive for is always in contention. You can’t say the same about RCR. They likely will never be in that type of spot. It’s not just the playoffs, it’s where Dillon is at in his career. Another factor that isn’t being discussed is that Dillon has his crew to think about. These drivers have a team of people doing all they can for them week-in and week-out for 38 weeks a year. The driver owes it to his team to do all he can to win at all costs. Why don’t we want drivers to do everything they can to win? Isn’t that why drivers show up? To try and win? I know right-hooking Denny Hamlin is dangerous. But, let's not forget, this took place at Richmond Raceway. The danger level is a lot lower on short tracks. Had this happened at a high-speed track I’d probably feel differently. But it didn’t. It’s also worth noting that until the final two laps Austin Dillon drove arguably the best race of his career. To call him an undeserving winner is a stretch. He did deserve to win. I don’t want drivers to win this way regularly. I’d prefer not at all. But when a season-changing moment is on the verge of slipping away at the tail-end of the regular season, how do you let it slip away without doing all you can? You can’t. At the end of the day, NASCAR created this system, and as long as this system is in place you will have moments similar to this. NASCAR can hand out a fine and perhaps dock some points in the hope of curbing something like this going forward. But anything beyond that is hypocritical on NASCAR’s part. NASCAR was built on moments like this. Drivers doing whatever it took to win. That’s what Austin Dillon did. Until the system changes, he did what he had to do. If you disagree with that, your issue shouldn’t be with him. It should be with NASCAR.
- Atlanta Braves to Host NASCAR Night at Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 6
Press Release | NASCAR HAMPTON, Ga. (Aug. 12, 2024) – Just before the NASCAR Playoffs take the green flag in Atlanta, and on the heels of Friday’s announcement of the Major League Baseball Speedway Classic presented by BuildSubmarines.com in Bristol, TN, the Braves will host a NASCAR Night at Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta on September 6. The Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves will play a national regular season game in the MLB Speedway Classic at Tennessee’s Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on FOX. A baseball diamond ready for a Major League game will be built across the famed Bristol track at one of the largest standalone sporting venues in the nation. Braves and NASCAR fans will be able to celebrate early by attending the September 6 game at Truist Park, when the Braves take on the Toronto Blue Jays. The Battery Atlanta will be an ode to NASCAR for fans to enjoy pregame. Battery Avenue will be lined with a dozen pace and show cars, from Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, and more. Fans will be able to take photos with the cars as well as some of the sport’s most coveted trophies. NASCAR Night will feature photo opportunities, interactive stations, and special appearances by some fan favorite NASCAR drivers. NASCAR drivers will be integrated into the pregame ceremony with the celebratory First Pitch, ‘Play Ball,’ and more. NASCAR Night at Truist Park will also get fans revved up for the opening round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Atlanta Motor Speedway. 16 drivers will race into the Hampton, Ga., track with championship hopes on the line. On-track action begins Saturday morning with qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series, followed by the Focused Health 250 at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. The main event of the weekend, the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart, takes the green flag Sunday, Sept. 8, at 3 p.m. Tickets and camping accommodations for the Sept. 6-8 Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart NASCAR weekend are available at www.AtlantaMotorSpeedway.com. (Photo Credit: x.com/TruistPark )
- Morgen Baird Making Xfinity Series Debut at Michigan for Joey Gase Motorsports
Press Release | JOEY GASE MOTORSPORTS Morgen Baird will be making his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the No. 53 with Joey Gase Motorsports. Even though this will be Baird’s first time in a Xfinity Series car he is no stranger to the very fact 2 mile Michigan International Speedway. Baird being a Michigan native has been racing at MIS since 2016 in the ARCA Series and finished a very impressive 6th place with Fast Track Racing. Alro Steel will be his Primary Sponsor on the #53 Ford Mustang which is known for being a grocery store for metals and plastics in 16 different states! “I’m thrilled to collaborate with Joey and his team, and I’m deeply grateful to have Alro Steel join us for my Xfinity debut at my home track.” Said Morgen. “I can’t express enough thanks to Randy, Brian, and the entire Alro team for welcoming me and allowing me to represent their esteemed company. It’s a dream come true to align with a hometown company like Alro, based in Jackson, MI. This partnership feels natural, and I’m honored to be associated with a company that shares my passion for racing.” Joey Gase, Owner of Joey Gase Motorsports, has always been a proponent of giving up and coming drivers the opportunity in his equipment, and is excited to be a part of Baird’s story. “We are looking forward to giving Baird his first NASCAR XFINITY Series start at his home track” Said Gase. “He did a great job in the ARCA Series race last year at Michigan so we are excited to see what he can do in our #53 NASCAR XFINITY Series car”. Baird is also proud to have the support of several associate sponsors joining him this weekend, including Vanston O’Brien Contractors, Jasper Electric, Jackson Precision Industries, and Veterans Utility Services. (Photo Courtesy Joey Gase Motorsports)
- Lawless Alan to Drive for AM Racing in NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Michigan International Speedway
Press Release | AM RACING STATESVILLE, N.C.: Officials from AM Racing confirmed today that NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series veteran Lawless Alan will drive the team’s No. 15 Ford Mustang in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Cabo Wabo 250 at Michigan International Speedway on August 17, 2024. The Statesville, N.C.-based team heads to the Irish Hills after a welcome three-week break, allowing the family-owned team to reset and recharge ahead of the upcoming 13-race stretch to the season finale at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway in November. Alan, who pilots the No. 33 Ford F-150 in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series., will make his Xfinity Series debut in the 21st race of the season. Los Angeles, Calif. native Alan is in the midst of his third full-time season in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series. The 2024 season campaign marked his return to Reaume Brothers Racing, where Alan debuted in 2021. Through 16 Truck Series races this season, Alan has earned a season-high 11th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in April and heads to Michigan International Speedway on the heels of a respectable 18th-place finish in this past Saturday night’s Clean Harbors 250 Truck Series after starting 25th. AUTOChargit, who has served as Alan’s primary marketing partner in the Truck Series this season, will adorn the primary positions of the team’s No. 15 Ford Mustang for the 125-lap race. AUTOChargit provides a complete turn-key solution for the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Mobile Charging Units. AUTOChargit’s patented technology allows for up to ten vehicles to be charged by a single charger, significantly reducing infrastructure costs and increasing charging efficiency. Alan will receive additional support this weekend from partners AUTODockit, AUTOParkit, AUTOStorit, Garage Floor 24, ithena, Nord Drive Systems, PARKSentry and Siemens. “I am very thankful for this opportunity to make my NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with AM Racing,” said Alan. “I believe I will have the opportunity to be competitive at Michigan with our No. 15 AUTOChargit Ford Mustang and have the chance to bring the team and our partners a strong finish on Saturday afternoon.” Alan has never competed at the 2.0-mile Michigan International Speedway but will have the opportunity to support both his AM Racing and Reaume Brothers Racing teams during the ARCA Menards Series Henry Ford Health 100 on Friday evening, along with drivers Christian Rose and Frankie Muniz, respectively. “I’ve never been to Michigan, but I’ve been taking the last weeks to prepare myself for the race weekend, whether that be with iRacing, watching prior NASCAR Xfinity Series races, or just conversing with team members at AM Racing and Reaume Brothers Racing. Undoubtedly, watching the ARCA race on Friday and asking questions will be essential for making my Xfinity Series debut successful. “The goal is to make gains from practice to qualifying. When the green flag drops on Saturday afternoon, we need to keep making gains with our No. 15 AUTOChargit Ford Mustang and be able to bring home a top-20 finish or better.” In addition to Michigan, Alan will pilot the team’s No. 15 AUTOChargit Ford Mustang at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway for the Focused Health 250 on Saturday, September 7, 2024. For more on AM Racing, please visit AMRacingteam.com, like their Facebook page (AM Racing), or follow them on Instagram and X | Twitter @AMRacingNASCAR. For more on Lawless Alan, please visit lawlessalanracing.com, like his Facebook page (Lawless Alan Racing), or follow him on Instagram (@lawless_alan) and X | Twitter (@lawlessalan25). The Cabo Wabo 250 (125 laps | 250 miles) is the 21st of thirty-three (33) NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2024 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, August 16, 2024, from 3:30 – 4:05 p.m. Qualifying immediately follows at 4:10 p.m. The 38-car field is set to take the green flag on Saturday, August 17, 2024, shortly after 3:30 p.m. with live coverage on the USA Network, the Motor Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern). (Photo Courtesy AM Racing)
- Suárez, Freeway Insurance Extends Partnership with Trackhouse Racing in 2025
Press Release | TRACKHOUSE RACING Concord, N.C. – Trackhouse Racing announced today that driver Daniel Suárez and Freeway Insurance will return to the No. 99 Chevrolet racing team for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, marking their fifth season together. Suárez scored his second career Cup Series win on Feb. 25 at Atlanta Motor Speedway while flying the Freeway Insurance colors, earning the 32-year-old Monterrey, Mexico driver a playoff berth and the opportunity to race for a championship this Fall. Freeway will be the primary sponsor of the No. 99 Chevrolet for one-third of the 2025 season, including the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR All-Star race. “Everyone at Trackhouse Racing is pleased to continue the relationship with Daniel and Freeway Insurance,” said Justin Marks whose team is in its fourth year of competition in the Cup Series. “Daniel has been vital to this team and its culture since the first day. Freeway joined that same year and we have all continued to grow together and will continue into 2025.” Suárez, who won the 2016 Xfinity Series title, said he is pleased to continue his association with Trackhouse Racing and Freeway Insurance. “Trackhouse is home to me and I have enjoyed every minute I have been here,” said Suárez who became the first Mexican driver to win a Cup race when he dominated the race at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in June 2022. “We plan to keep working, growing and winning more races. We can only do that with the support of my Amigos and Amigas at Freeway Insurance. They have backed me for the last several years and we have grown close with their customers and employees.” Freeway Insurance joined Trackhouse and Suárez in 2021 to ensure everyone knows low-cost car insurance is available to people who need it, regardless of their driving record. During its relationship, the combination led to a national television and digital advertising campaign featuring Suárez in English and Spanish and customer outreach across the nation. Freeway Insurance recognition among NASCAR viewers and the public dramatically increased as millions of television viewers and social media fans watched Suárez on the racetrack and in commercials. Building on that success, Freeway Insurance served as the primary sponsor for Suárez in the 66th running of the Daytona 500 in February. “We value our partnership with Trackhouse and Daniel Suárez who has become a powerful ambassador of our Freeway brand and an influential voice in our own diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Daniel’s story inspires us and deeply connects to the daily lives and goals of our Hispanic customers,” said Cesar Soriano, Chief Executive Officer of Freeway Insurance, the largest auto insurance and personal lines distribution company in the United States. “Thousands of race fans have met Daniel at Freeway Insurance stores across the country, and we want him to meet and share his story with even more in 2025. He has been part of our national advertising initiatives and has introduced new customers to Freeway. We want to continue with that effort and scale our presence in NASCAR so when you see the No. 99 racing by you immediately think of Freeway Insurance.” Suárez drove the now familiar blue, green and white Freeway Insurance paint scheme to victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Feb. 25 in what is the closest three-wide finish in NASCAR history with Suárez, Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch separated by .007 seconds. Suárez has helped build Trackhouse racing that began competing as a single-car team in 2021 with its cars housed at Richard Childress Racing in Welcome, North Carolina. In June of 2021, Trackhouse announced the acquisition of Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR assets, a move that secured two full-time NASCAR Cup Series entries and cleared the path for expansion. Trackhouse moved into its race shop in Concord, North Carolina and fielded the No. 99 for Suárez and the No. 1 Chevrolet with driver Ross Chastain in 2022. The duo, along with Shane van Gisbergen, have combined for seven victories in Cup Series racing. In 2016, he became the first NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate to win a national series title when he won the Xfinity Series championship by claiming victories at Michigan, Dover and Homestead-Miami Speedway. He was the 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year – the first Mexican driver to win the award. Suárez came to America 13 years ago to pursue a NASCAR dream despite not speaking English. He is now a dual citizen of Mexico and the United States taking the oath of citizenship in Charlotte on June 18 and serves as a television host and in-race commentator, in English, with Fox Sports. He and longtime girlfriend Julia Piquet married on July 30 in Brazil. (Photo Courtesy NASCAR)















