Spire Bolsters NASCAR Truck Series Operations

Purchases Kyle Busch Motorsports

 

Kyle Busch announced yesterday that he has sold Kyle Busch Motorsports and Rowdy Manufacturing to Spire Motorsports, shifting the team ownership spectrum in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. 

 

Included in the sale are the assets of Busch’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team and the assets of Rowdy Manufacturing’s chassis building operation and CNC machine shop. The transaction also includes the 77,000-square-foot facility that houses KBM and Rowdy Manufacturing in Mooresville, North Carolina.

 

“When we started the Truck Series team back in 2010, I never imagined that we would be able to win 100 races with 18 different drivers and that one day I’d be racing in the Cup Series alongside so many of the drivers that I once mentored at KBM,” Busch said in a team press release. “I owe a lot of gratitude to so many people, starting with Samantha and my family for believing in this dream that I had. It took countless hours by so many amazing people to make KBM the winningest team in Truck Series history. I will always appreciate everyone that walked through the doors and gave their all to make this such a successful organization.”

 

The arrangement signals the end of a 14-year tenure for one of the Craftsman Truck tour’s most decorated teams. The Kyle Busch-owned organization scored its 100th Truck Series win earlier this season and fielded trucks for two series champions, both of whom have since joined their former team owner in the Cup Series — Erik Jones, the 2015 champ, and Christopher Bell, who reigned in 2017.

 

Spire Motorsports has tremendous respect for Kyle and Samantha Busch, their staff and everything they’ve built and accomplished at KBM over the years. They created a record-setting, championship-winning race team. Those accomplishments can’t be overstated. https://t.co/a0NbnKbnI2 pic.twitter.com/GknNzjMB1W

— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) September 27, 2023

The KBM Organization currently fields two entries in the Craftsman Truck Series – the No. 4 Silverado for full-time driver Chase Purdy and the No. 51 Chevy for a rotation of drivers including Busch, Jack Wood and others.

 

‘Dega Drip 🎨 pic.twitter.com/RECaGQ7rtM

— Kyle Busch Motorsports (@KBMteam) September 28, 2023

 

source: NASCAR Media

HARDY to Perform Saturday Night #NASCAR Concert

Three-time CMA Triple Play award recipient to get fans rockin’ Saturday night leading into Sunday’s YellaWood 500

 

Country-rock heavy hitter HARDY will headline Talladega Superspeedway’s Fall Saturday Night Concert Presented by Cabo Wabo© Tequila. The five-time ACM Award winner and reigning AIMP and BMI Country Songwriter of the Year will have fans amped up the evening before the YellaWood 500, which serves as the second race in the Round of 12 during the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

 

HARDY’s second studio album, the mockingbird & THE CROW, debuted top five all genre on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, adding to over 2.7 billion career streams to date. He’s written 13 #1 singles, including his own double-platinum #1 single “ONE BEER” feat. Lauren Alaina + Devin Dawson and most recent #1, “wait in the truck” feat. Lainey Wilson. HARDY is one of the most popular rising faces in country music with a sold-out headlining arena tour on deck this fall. He’s previously toured with superstar country artists such as Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, and more.

 

“HARDY is one of the most popular country artists on the rise and I have no doubt he’ll bring an energized performance for our Saturday Night Infield Concert,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Brian Crichton. “He’s going to bring a unique mix of southern country and rock to our fans, and we couldn’t be more excited to let him light up our stage.”

 

The action at Talladega kicks off Saturday, September 30, with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Love’s RV Stop 250 during the Round of 8 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs. Then the sun sets and the party starts with HARDY’s performance for the Saturday Night Concert Presented by Cabo Wabo© Tequila.

 

Saturday’s excitement continues into Sunday with the return of the YellaWood 500 during the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 at Talladega Superspeedway, as drivers prepare to tackle the iconic 33-degree banking. Admission to HARDY’s concert is free with purchase of tickets to Sunday’s race.

 

About Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega Superspeedway is the most competitive racetrack on the NASCAR schedule (record 88 lead changes in 188 laps), the highest-banked (33 degrees) and the longest (2.66 miles), as well as the most fun and fan-friendly. Three- and four-wide racing at 200 mph are a norm at Talladega Superspeedway, along with nail-biting, photo finishes. For information, visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.

 

About NASCAR

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty’s Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series.

 

NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

 

About HARDY

Big Loud Records’ heavy-hitter HARDY has never been just one thing. Uncaging a new chapter, HARDY soared to new heights with the release of the mockingbird & THE CROW, his critically acclaimed half-country, half-rock sophomore album, adding to over 2.7 billion career streams. The dichotomous, 17-track effort debuted top five all genre on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and kinged seven additional Billboard charts in its first week, including Top Country Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Album Sales. The pride of Philadelphia, Miss. has earned his reputation as “a promising purveyor of keeping the spirit of classic heavy Southern rock alive” (American Songwriter), “capable of writing the big hits for radio, obstinate enough to do something completely unexpected, and savvy enough to find the throughline for it all” (Rolling Stone). A three-time CMA Triple Play award recipient, HARDY is the reigning ACM Songwriter of the Year, the 2022 BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, and a three-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year. HARDY has written 13 #1 singles including his own double-platinum #1 single “ONE BEER” feat. Lauren Alaina + Devin Dawson, chart-topping, platinum Dierks Bentley + BRELAND collaboration, “Beers On Me,” and game-changing duet “wait in the truck” feat. Lainey Wilson. He’s previously toured with Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Cole Swindell, and more, and will headline a sold-out, nationwide arena run this fall on the mockingbird & THE CROW Tour.

 

Get ready TALLADEGA! The boldest partnership is here 🤝

Cabo Wabo Tequila is the first official tequila partner of @NASCAR and they’re ready to bring some thick cut attitude to the #GEICO500 🏁

For more drink recipes, follow along at @CaboWaboTequila. pic.twitter.com/fKPRjpYz0i

— Talladega Superspeedway (@TALLADEGA) April 23, 2023

 

source: Talladega Superspeedway Media

Bubba Wallace Earns Pole for 'Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400'

#NASCAR Cup Series Round Of 12 Playoff Opener

 

Championship contender Bubba Wallace opened the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12 in promising fashion by earning the pole position in Saturday’s qualifying for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

Wallace, driver of the No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota for 23XI Racing, posted a lap speed of 188.337 miles per hour (28.672 seconds) in the final round of qualifying to earn his first pole position of the season and second of his career. His other pole came last August at Michigan International Speedway.

 

Wallace, the final seed in the field of 12 playoff drivers, will lead the 36-car field to the green flag for Sunday’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 beginning at 2:30 p.m. (TV: USA, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM).

 

“We have the best track position right now, but we know with strategy, everything is going to change and evolve (tomorrow),” Wallace said. “We are going to get behind at some point, so it is just a matter of making the most of every situation that we are in. Right now, we start on the pole, if we lead all the laps – some people may pit and cut it. You are going to get behind at some point, so we’ve got to figure out how to get back up there, but you can’t get complacent on the small victories. It takes a lot of them to get to a big victory, but it’s a good start.”

 

Wallace easily topped his previously best starting position at Texas Motor Speedway of 10th, which came in the spring race of 2019, in eight career starts.

 

“Was I expecting it? I don’t know,” he said. “In qualifying, I tend to try too hard and overthink things. I need to stop that and just go out and do. So that was a good surprise.”

 

Wallace, the last driver to qualify in the 10-driver final round of qualifying, edged out Prosper, Texas native Chris Buescher of RFK Racing. Buescher, driver of the No. 17 Fastenal Ford, ran a lap of 188.081 mph (28.711), which was .039 of a second shy of Wallace’s pole-winning time. The qualifying run was his best of the season, topping his fourth at Michigan.

 

 

Ba da ba ba ba — We’re lovin it!

Today’s pole marks 23XI’s third team pole and @BubbaWallace’s second🎉 #ForwardTogether pic.twitter.com/XtrsLK5BHw

— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) September 23, 2023

 

source: Texas Motor Speedway

Jelly Roll Named Grand Marshal

Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400

 

Five-time CMA nominee, eight-time People’s Choice Country Award nominee and three-time CMT award winning artist Jelly Roll, the breakthrough singer/songwriter who burst upon the country music scene with his massive hit “Save Me” as well as back-to-back #1 singles “Son of a Sinner” and “Need A Favor,” will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

My debut country album, "Whitsitt Chapel" is out NOW! >>>https://t.co/jnMWYgMqBL pic.twitter.com/g2hpSDcWZ7

— Jelly Roll (@JellyRoll615) June 2, 2023

Originally from Antioch, Tenn., Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) earned numerous milestones this year including a 44-date sold-out Backroad Baptism Tour, multi-week, multi-platinum, multi-genre #1 singles, and the biggest Country album debut in Billboard Consumption chart history with the release of his album “Whitsitt Chapel” in June, which debuted Top 3 on the Billboard 200 chart.

 

In his honorary role, Jelly Roll will deliver the “Start your engines” command to the 36-driver field competing in the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 (TV: USA, Radio: PRN, SiriusXM and 95.9 The Ranch-locally).

 

 

 

source: Texas Motor Speedway Media

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Has an Off Weekend

Series begins preparations for Wild Talladega race #LovesRVStop250

 

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will have a week off to regroup and go over strategy before the competitors head to none other than Talladega Superspeedway for the Love’s RV Stop 250 (Saturday, September 30 at 1 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM Radio).

 

The 2.66-mile superspeedway has hosted 17 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races since its inaugural CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event on October 7, 2006 – a race won by Mark Martin driving the No. 6 Roush Racing (now known as RFK) Ford. Notably, there have been 12 different race winners and 15 different pole winners.

 

Talladega has participated in the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs since its inception in 2016. The 2023 season marks the third time the superspeedway has hosted the fifth race in the Playoffs (2021, 2022, and 2023). This is the third different spot that Talladega has resided on the Playoff schedule. In 2016, 2017, 2018, the track played host to the third Playoff race. In 2019, it moved to host the fourth race, but moved back to the first-round elimination race in 2020.

 

All 7 previous Playoff races at Talladega have been won by non-Playoff drivers.

 

NCTS Playoff Race Winners at Talladega (2016-2022)

1. 10/22/2026 - Grant Enfinger
2. 10/14/2017 Parker Kligerman
3. 10/13/2018 Timothy Peters
4. 10/12/2019 Spencer Boyd
5. 10/03/2020 Raphael Lessard
6. 10/02/2021 Tate Fogleman
7. 10/01/2022 Matt DiBenedetto

 

source: NASCAR Media

.@CoreyHeim_ is headed @phoenixraceway!

Three #Championship4 spots open and two races to get there. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/9FIHkb0ZCM

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 18, 2023

JR Motorsports Xfinity Team Preview

'Andy's Frozen Custard 300' at TMS

 

• TRACK: Texas Motor Speedway
• RACE: Andy's Frozen Custard 300 (200 laps / 300 miles)
• DATE: Saturday September 23, 2023
• TV: 3:30 p.m. ET on USA
• RADIO: 3 p.m. ET on PRN Radio and SiriusXM Ch. 90

 

Sam Mayer

 

Sam Mayer heads west to Texas Motor Speedway for his fourth start at the 1.5-mile track and the second race of the Round of 12 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. The Franklin, Wis. native has scored one top-five and two top-10 efforts at the quad-oval with his best of third coming in the spring of 2022. Mayer's average finish at the Fort Worth facility is 8.0. He currently sits 10th in points, a mere 14 markers out of the cutoff spot with two races remaining. Mayer's Chevrolet will be carrying the blue and black colors of Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions on the No. 1 entry.

 

Sam Mayer: "Texas is another one of my better tracks and I'm looking forward to having a chance to get our momentum going in the right direction. We have had really fast cars these past few weeks but not a whole lot of luck, so hopefully we can turn that around this weekend in Texas and make some gains."

 

Justin Allgaier

 

By virtue of last weekend's victory at Bristol Motor Speedway, Justin Allgaier has advanced into the Round of 8 in the NXS Playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. The Illinois native has gone to Victory Lane in two of the last four races (Daytona and Bristol). In 25 NXS starts at Texas, Allgaier has scored five top fives and 13 top 10s. Allgaier has placed fourth or better in three of the last four starts at the 1.5-mile quad-oval, equating to a 3.3 average finish in those three events. His best effort was a runner-up finish in 2021.

 

Justin Allgaier: "We have been really strong at Texas the past couple of seasons, and I know that we will have that same speed again this weekend. Having already advanced into the next round of the playoffs is a great feeling and it really gives us an opportunity to take some chances that some of the other guys are not able to. Hopefully we will be able to execute the same way we have been and be up front going for the win and those extra playoff points when it counts on Saturday with our Reese's Ice Cream / Sam's Club Chevrolet."

 

Josh Berry

 

Josh Berry heads to Texas needing to gain 24 points on the line for advancement with two races yet to run in the Round of 12. In three previous starts on the 1.5-mile quad-oval, Berry's best finish is sixth, coming in this race last season. He has a pair of top-10 results in three starts and has led 46 laps there. On race tracks measuring 1.5 miles in NXS competition, Berry has three of his five victories, six top-five and 13 top-10 finishes and has led a combined 293 laps in 23 total starts. He is a previous winner at Las Vegas (twice) and Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

Josh Berry: "We've run well at Texas in the past and there's no reason we can't continue that this weekend. This JARRETT team is working hard to make sure we unload with the speed we are capable of having. With the resin on the track, the line is going to change and we need to be ready for that to happen in order to put ourselves in a situation to score stage points throughout the day. I'm confident that we will be in contention Saturday as long as we put it all together."

 

Brandon Jones

 

Brandon Jones qualified on the pole in this event at Texas last season. The effort marked his seventh of eight career poles in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. At tracks measuring 1-2 miles in length in the NXS, Jones has recorded four wins, 19 top fives and 56 top 10s, while leading the field for a total of 377 laps . Jones has notched a pair of top 10s and an average finish of 7.5 when carrying Pelonis branding on the hood of the Menards Chevrolet in 2023.

 

Brandon Jones: "We have had a lot of speed as of late and I know this team is making sure that speed carries over to this weekend. I thought we had a car capable of winning last week and this No. 9 bunch has run up front at Texas more than not, so I'm confident that we will be near the front this weekend and hopefully battling for the win."

 

JRM's No. 9 team is the defending winner of this event. Last year the team qualified second and led 85 laps en route to its second overall victory in the Lonestar State.

 

.@J_Allgaier’s win was the 11th triumph in a playoff race for JRM 🎉 https://t.co/qUp7PiAUC2

— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) September 16, 2023

 

source: JR Motorsports Racing Media

Sage Steele To Host SCC Texas 'Geared For Greatness'

Networking Breakfast & Forum Sept. 22 At Hotel Drover In The Fort Worth Stockyards

 

Sports entertainment television personality Sage Steele will serve as the host and moderator of the “Geared for Greatness” networking breakfast and forum benefitting Speedway Children’s Charities -Texas on Friday, Sept. 22, at Fort Worth’s award-winning Hotel Drover.

 

Steele, a former ESPN SportsCenter co-host, will lead this charitable event that provides a real conversation with women who strengthen the path for other females in the sports and entertainment industry.

 

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. with registration, breakfast and initial networking in The Barn at Hotel Drover, Steele (left) will formally open the 3½-hour event with a welcome message before moderating a fireside chat with a panel of notable women thriving in the sports and entertainment industry.

 

“Geared for Greatness” also will feature Ret. Lt. Col. Caroline “Blaze” Jensen as the event’s keynote speaker. Jensen is a former combat fighter pilot with more than 200 combat hours in a F-16 Fighting Falcon that flew over Iraq protecting special operations units and convoys. She also later became the first female reservist to be selected for the elite USAF Thunderbirds demonstration squadron.

 

"There are people out there looking for role models and they want to see someone they can identify with," Jensen said. "It's important to follow your goals even when there are people around you that don't believe that you can accomplish them. Seek out those that can help you and don't give up on your dreams."

 

Tickets are $100 each and all proceeds from “Geared for Greatness” will benefit Speedway Children’s Charities and further its mission of fighting for children who are homeless, parentless or victims of trafficking in North Texas.

 

To sign up for the event or for more information, click here.

 

Sponsorship opportunities also are available for this event. If interested, contact SCC-Texas Executive Director Marissa Chaney at mchaney@texasmotorspeedway.com or 817.215.8564.

 

We want you to come to Geared for Greatness benefiting @SCCTX! Hear from broadcast journalist @sagesteele, Ret. Lt. Col. Caroline "Blaze" Jensen, & other industry leading women at the @hoteldrover Sept. 22
🎟️: https://t.co/FNL2wa2cyo#NoLimits pic.twitter.com/0vfDKPAmHL

— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) September 12, 2023

 

source: Texas Motor Speedway Media

RIP Sherry Pollex

"I often wonder if that’s my purpose here,”

 

Sherry Pollex, the ex-partner of NASCAR driver Martin Truex Jr. and the co-founder of the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation charity, has died at 44. Pollex battled ovarian cancer for several years, starting in 2014, and the disease later recurred in 2021.

 

"It is with great sorrow that our beloved daughter, sister Sherry quietly passed away on the morning of Sunday, September 17," the message from her family read. "Although there are no words to express our sadness, we take solace in the fact that Sherry is no longer suffering and has been taken back in the arms of the Lord."

 

It continued: "As we all know, Sherry lived her life to the fullest, influencing thousands, if not millions of people through her own personal journey." "Her love for her family, Catwalk kids who she adored, and her friends will last forever," the statement added.

 

"Please join our family in thanking God for giving us Sherry, she's such an incredible expression of love that will live on." "We will continue her legacy of love and caring for those in need as she will always be alive in our hearts,".

 

The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation Pollex co-founded focused on assisting in childhood and ovarian cancer research, relief, and funding. She was also a founding member of the charity fashion gala as part of the foundation called Catwalk for a Cause, per NASCAR.com.

 

Pollex was part of the event's creation in 2010 and raised more than $4million in the fight against childhood cancer. She was diagnosed four years later with stage three ovarian cancer at 35 and began to make efforts to address the disease alongside childhood cancer.

 

Truex Jr. and Pollex were even recognized together in 2017, receiving NASCAR's National Motorsports Press Association’s Myers Brothers Award for their contributions to the sport and the community.

 

After discovering that the cancer had returned and spread to her lungs in September 2021, she noted to The Athletic a year later that she felt her purpose was to lead the charge in a fight against the disease.

 

"I often wonder if that’s my purpose here,” she explained to the publication.

 

"It’s maybe not what I would have chosen for myself — nobody really wants to be the poster child for any type of cancer — but maybe I’m supposed to go through all this so I can pave the way for other women."

 

Pollex continued: "On some days, that can be a really hard pill to swallow. "But on other days, it’s like, ‘You know, I’ve been given this really important role in this life, and if I’m going to leave a legacy behind and help other people, then I need to do it 100 percent.’"

 

Rest in Peace Sherry.

She was such a fighter. Inspiring in how she went about her own challenges but also how she learned to live every day to it’s fullest. Amy and I were lucky to have known her and call her a friend. https://t.co/wVzIxlK9LK

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) September 17, 2023

This is so hard to comprehend. I met Sherry my first year living in NC sum 20 yrs ago. Sherry was a beautiful person in so many ways. She fought so hard!! It’s really hard to see those dates under her picture. My prayers to her family and loved ones, I can’t even imagine. 💔 pic.twitter.com/KE7qrfWRjg

— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) September 18, 2023

This is so hard to comprehend. I met Sherry my first year living in NC sum 20 yrs ago. Sherry was a beautiful person in so many ways. She fought so hard!! It’s really hard to see those dates under her picture. My prayers to her family and loved ones, I can’t even imagine. 💔 pic.twitter.com/KE7qrfWRjg

— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) September 18, 2023

We are heartbroken at the passing of our dear friend, Sherry Pollex. Sherry was one of a kind and loved by so many. She fought the good fight, and is now healed. We are praying for everyone in the racing community. We love you, Sherry.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” pic.twitter.com/J96RfJRV9B

— MRO (@FollowMRO) September 18, 2023

Extremely sad to learn of the passing of Sherry Pollex…it was less than a year ago that she served as our honorary pace car driver. Sherry was such a fighter and has done so much in an effort to benefit those who are also fighting. Godspeed, Sherry. You have certainly left this… pic.twitter.com/jYc521N1IK

— Kip Childress (@KipChildress) September 17, 2023

Richard Petty and the Petty Family is saddened by the loss of Sherry Pollex. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends!

— Richard Petty (@therichardpetty) September 17, 2023

I am heartbroken for this family. @SherryPollex was one of the most beautiful souls inside and out, who had dedicated her life to helping others who were suffering.

My heart goes out to her family and loved ones. We were all better off from our time we got to spend with this… https://t.co/k4NzI7FUm5

— Kaitlyn Vincie (@kaitlynvincie) September 17, 2023

 

source: The Sun Media

Don Graves, 98-year-old Marine to perform God Bless America

Iwo Jima survivor to Sing Prior to #NASCAR Cup Playoffs’ ‘Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400’

Don Graves, Corporal, USMC 1942–1946

 

Don Graves, a 98-year-old U.S. Marine and one of a very special group of living American heroes who made the successful assault on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II, will perform ‘God Bless America’ prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race Sept. 24 at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

The Fort Worth resident has sung God Bless America and The Star-Spangled Banner prior to numerous events but this will be his first time at a NASCAR Cup Series event with a national television audience.

 

“The opportunity to sing God Bless America to a national TV audience is a rare treat and I am so thrilled to be able to do it,” said Graves. “It is a great honor.”

 

Graves, the son of a U.S. Marine, joined the Marines the day after his 17th birthday in 1942 after being turned down, for being too young, immediately following the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941. He was trained as a flame thrower and his first combat assignment was the initial attack on Iwo Jima beginning Feb. 19, 1945. The Detroit native was one of only 18 of the 335 men of his Second Battalion, Fifth Marine Division to survive the successful 36-day assault forever memorialized by the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph by Joe Rosenthal of the Stars and Stripes being raised atop Mount Suribachi. He was honorably discharged from the military in 1946 with the rank of corporal.

 

Graves became a minister in the mid-1970s and retired from preaching in 2007 after 32 years of service to the community and his parishioners. 

 

"Know where I got converted? I lay on the beach at Iwo. Nowhere to go, I saw what was happening. I was scared. I put my face in the sand and said, God I don’t know much about you, but if you can do for me what people tell me you can, I will serve you the rest of my life."  Don Graves

 

Texas Motor Speedway Executive Vice President & General Manager Mark Faber made the invitation to Mr. Graves in person on June 22 at Graves’ home in Fort Worth.

 

“All of us at Texas Motor Speedway are honored to welcome a true American hero like Don Graves to sing God Bless America prior to the start of the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400,” said Faber. “We will celebrate Mr. Graves for his valiant service to his country as a U.S. Marine in World War II as well as his 32 years of service to his church and parishioners. He is a hero to us all.”

 

Don Graves won't only be visiting. He'll be performing "God Bless America" prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400. His is a fully American tale of the Greatest Generation.https://t.co/Vqy8xlZW6k

— Fort Worth Inc. (@FWincmag) September 5, 2023

 

source: Texas Motor Speedway Media

 

 

NASCAR and ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Bristol Motor Speedway)

Winners: Denny Hamlin (Cup); Justin Allgaier (Xfinity); Corey Heim (Trucks) William Sawalich (ARCA)

 

 

NASCAR Cup

Denny Hamlin caps off strong night at Bristol, wins to conclude Round of 16

 

Denny Hamlin landed a knockout punch in the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

Taking the lead off pit road on Lap 366 of 500, Hamlin beat Kyle Larson to the finish line by 2.462 seconds. Hamlin led the final 135 laps in the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 142 overall, and second only to the 187 circuits led by pole winner and third-place finisher Christopher Bell.

 

Led by Hamlin, all five playoff Toyota drivers advanced to the next round.

 

“Can’t thank this whole FedEx team enough,” said Hamlin, who won for the third time this season, the third time at Bristol and the 51st time in his career. “They’ve really kicked ass this whole first round. Really amazing how our team has been. So happy about the way we’re running. Can’t wait to keep going.

 

“It’s our year. I just feel like we’ve got it all put together. We’ve got the speed (at) every single type of race track. Nothing to stop us at this point.”

 

Denny Delivers ⚔️#BassProNightRace #ItsBristolBaby pic.twitter.com/5GbQt2IxPW

— Bristol Motor Speedway (@ItsBristolBaby) September 17, 2023

Pole: Christopher Bell

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, Sept. 24 3:30 PM ET for the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

 

NASCAR Xfinity

Justin Allgaier takes lead late, wins Xfinity playoff race at Bristol

 

On an ambivalent night for JR Motorsports, Justin Allgaier took advantage of a brilliant strategic call by crew chief Jim Pohlman to win Friday night‘s Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway, the first event in the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series.

 

Charging from 13th after restart on Lap 257 of 300, Allgaier passed Daniel Hemric for the lead on Lap 288 and pulled away to win by 1.695 seconds, securing a spot in the Round of 8 of the Playoffs.

 

The victory was Allgaier‘s second at the 0.533-mile short track and his first since his initial Xfinity Series win in 2010. Between victories, Allgaier led plenty of laps but couldn‘t return to Victory Lane — until Friday night.

 

“This team has done an amazing job at this race track since I started at JR Motorsports,” Allgaier said. “We led a lot of laps, and the monkey was definitely on our back. The pit strategy there… coming down pit road by myself was nerve-wracking, right?

 

“I‘m speechless, man. This place, Jim Pohlman and I circled this place on our calendar when we started the year, before we ever even took a green flag lap, we said we want to win Bristol. Man, we won Bristol! It‘s Bristol, baby — let‘s go!”

 

Let’s rewind it back to last night!#ItsBristolBaby #FoodCity300 #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/hmtP7GY9lE

— Bristol Motor Speedway (@ItsBristolBaby) September 16, 2023

Pole: Cole Custer

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday Sept. 23 3:30 pm ET for the Andy's Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

 

NASCAR Trucks

Corey Heim wins Truck Series playoff race at Bristol

 

After stealing a victory last Saturday at Kansas Speedway, Christian Eckes got his pocket picked by Corey Heim on Thursday night at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

On Lap 195 of 200 of the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics, Heim forced his way beneath Eckes‘ No. 19 Chevrolet — with the lapped truck of Eckes‘ Tricon Garage teammate, Tanner Gray, to the outside — took the lead and claimed the victory by .218 seconds over his disappointed rival.

 

With his third NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory of the season, his first at Bristol and the fifth of his career, Heim, the Regular Season Champion, moved one step closer to another possible title. The win propelled him into the Championship 4 race, scheduled for Nov. 3 at Phoenix Raceway.

 

“This is insane,” said Heim, who led only the last six laps. “I felt like I‘ve given so many away this year, to win one like that at the end is so special … Like I said, we‘ve given so many away, and we finally got one back …

 

“Gosh, it‘s just so awesome to know we‘re in Phoenix.”

 

Hear from your winner @CoreyHeim_ following his late-race move for the win. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/KWtOLX6Kl7

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 15, 2023

Pole: Christian Eckes

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Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, Sept. 30 1:00 PM ET for the Love's RV Stop 250 at Talladega Superspeedway.

 

 

ARCA

William Sawalich continues the efficient legacy of the No. 18 with a championship in the ARCA Menards Series East

 

For the third consecutive season, the iconic No. 18 secured an ARCA Menards Series East championship at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

It wasn’t easy, but William Sawalich enjoyed a nearly perfect night Thursday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

The driver of the No. 18 Starkey-Sound Gear Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing captured not only the Bristol 200 for his fifth ARCA platform victory of the season, but also the 2023 ARCA Menards Series East championship.

 

“We’ve worked all year to get to this point,” Sawalich said. “This Joe Gibbs Racing team has done an amazing job all year.”

 

“The season has gone great,” Sawalich said. “I’ve learned a lot, and we’ve had speed everywhere we’ve been. There was only one track where we weren’t in contention for the win, so I’m really proud of [our speed]. I’m learning and the team is learning, but we’re having good success.”

 

Victory Lane as the race winner and CHAMPION! ⚔️🏆@WilliamSawalich #BushBeans200 #ItsBristolBaby pic.twitter.com/PvsQJoZRVb

— Bristol Motor Speedway (@ItsBristolBaby) September 15, 2023

Pole: William Sawalich

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Saturday, Sept. 30 7:41 p.m. ET for the Atlas 200 at Salem Speedway

 

Next Race: The ARCA West Series will return on Saturday, Sept. 30 10:45 p.m. ET ET for the NAPA Auto Parts 150 at All American Speedway.

 

 

source: NASCAR Media

Allgaier Gets Xfinity Playoff Boost by Claiming Food City 300 Victory

Earns JRM’s 78th #NASCAR Xfinity Victory and the Fourth #Win at Bristol for the Team

 

Justin Allgaier used bold strategy and fresh tires to top the field in the Food City 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

Allgaier, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, gave up the lead under caution with less than 50 laps to go to put on four fresh tires while his main rivals remained on the track. Methodically picking his way through the field, Allgaier had a thrilling side-by-side battle with Daniel Hemric before pulling away and clinching postseason advancement after taking the checkered flag in the debut race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs.

 

.@J_Allgaier’s win was the 11th triumph in a playoff race for JRM 🎉 https://t.co/qUp7PiAUC2

— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) September 16, 2023

“I’m speechless - we won Bristol,” said Allgaier, who led a race-high 110 laps, collected his second Bristol victory, third win of the season and 22nd of his Xfinity Series career. “This team has done such an amazing job at this racetrack. The fans were unbelievable.

 

“The pit strategy – coming down pit road all by myself was nerve-wracking.”

 

Allgaier has three wins this year. One of the event’s ‘feel good moments’ occurred as the race winner gave both Team Owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Allgaier’s father* a ride to Victory Lane.

 

.@DaleJr is living his best life. 😎 pic.twitter.com/MTEz3JMB6a

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) September 16, 2023

 *Mike Allgaier was in the tire business and went to various racetracks, supplying competitors

 

source: Bristol Motor Speedway Media

Nemechek and Hill are NASCAR Xfinity Favorites

Food City 300 Xfinity Playoff Opener Tonight

 

For the first time in NASCAR history Bristol Motor Speedway will serve as host to a Playoff race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The longtime home of the final Xfinity regular season race, Bristol is now the Round of 12 kick-off race.

 

While the Playoff opener is a huge deal and the 12 Playoff contenders will share the majority of headlines, one moonlighting driver is also garnering his share of the spotlight.

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who famously coined the phrase “It’s Bristol, baby!” is suiting up to race at the iconic short track for the first time since he retired from full-time driving in 2017. Earnhardt will be at the controls of the blue, yellow and white No. 88 Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Chevy for JR Motorsports, giving his team five entries in what promises to be a very thrilling Food City 300 (7:30 p.m., USA Network and PRN Radio) on Friday night.

 

John Hunter Nemechek

 

Six-time season winner John Hunter Nemechek comes to Bristol as the Playoff top seed, fresh off a win in Kansas, where he dominated the action and took the checkered flag a full seven seconds in front of the second-place finisher. The veteran driver of the No. 20 machine for Joe Gibbs Racing, has posted 13 top fives and 19 top 10s in a season that he has been out front for most of the time.

 

“I’m looking forward to getting the Playoffs started at Bristol," Nemechek said. "We came (to Kansas) trying to get the Regular Season Championship. I thought that we were going to have a 60-point day this weekend, and that’s what we did. We controlled what we could control. We did everything that we possibly could. So, let’s go to the Playoffs—I’m ready.”

 

An unforgettable weekend in Kansas! 🏁
Check out our exclusive YouTube video for an inside look at what all went down.🎥#youtube pic.twitter.com/W5RCfRGNM2

— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) September 14, 2023

Austin Hill

 

Meanwhile, Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill is right there behind Nemechek, and ironically claimed the regular season Xfinity title in his No. 21 Chevy. Hill won four times and posted 15 top fives and claimed 19 top 10s and certainly plans to battle door handle to door handle with Nemechek down the stretch.

 

“Just happy that we were able to bring home the Regular Season Championship, get the extra 15 bonus points--which is huge,” said Hill, who finished fifth in the regular season-finale. “But we’ve got to go to work. We’ve got to be better. The 20 (Nemechek) was the class of the field all day (at Kansas).”

 

In addition to Nemechek and Hill, there is a strong group of drivers among the 12 Playoff qualifiers, including former Bristol winner Justin Allgaier, and a host of drivers who have won at Bristol in either the Trucks or the ARCA series, including Sam Mayer, Chandler Smith, and Sammy Smith.

 

Five other drivers have tons of experience and are expected to make some Playoff noise come Friday night, including Josh Berry, Cole Custer, Sheldon Creed, Daniel Hemric and Parker Kligerman.

 

Trevor Bayne

 

Two local Knoxville standouts are also in the field, as FOX race analyst Trevor Bayne, winner of the 2011 Daytona 500, will drive the No. 19 machine for Joe Gibbs Racing, and past Bristol ARCA winner Chad Finchum will pilot the No. 08 machine for SS GreenLight Racing.

 

 

 

source: Bristol Motor Speedway Media