Speedway Children's Charities Grants $25,000 to Dell Children's Mental Health Family Fund

• Fans attending NASCAR at COTA this weekend can help raise funds for children in need in the Austin, Texas area through Speedway Children's Charities by participating in tonight's Live Auction and Fan Assistance Golf Cart Rides all weekend.
• Learn more about Speedway Children's Charities at SpeedwayCharities.org/COTA 

 

Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC),  the official charity of Speedway Motorsports, a has granted $25,000 to Dell Children’s Mental Health Family Fund to help them continue meeting the growing number of families whose children are facing mental health crises including children who have been victims of trafficking, homelessness and abuse that are in need of care but are without resources.

 

“We are honored by the support of Speedway Children’s Charities,” said Dell Children’s Foundation Executive Director Susan Hewlitt. “As Dell Children’s Medical Center exists to care for all children in need, we are grateful to our partners like SCC who help make our mission possible. It is a special moment too for hometown organizations like NASCAR at Circuit of The Americas and Dell Children’s to have the opportunity to work together toward a shared goal.”

 

Dell Children’s Mental Health Family Fund was established in September 2021 at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas and has served 27 patients through June 2023 across three levels of care, which included the inpatient mental health unit, partial hospitalization program and intensive outpatient program.

 

The grant resulted from generous donations received during the third annual NASCAR weekend at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in March 2023. Race fans who attended NASCAR at COTA took part in fundraising opportunities and events including driving their own vehicle around the 3.41-mile, 20-turn permanent road course behind an official NASCAR at COTA Toyota pace car, a networking breakfast and forum for women in sports and entertainment hosted by ESPN SportsCenter co-anchor Sage Steele, bidding on unique experiences and autographed memorabilia during a live auction and donations from fan assistance golf carts.

 

“Since expanding our support to the Austin community, we have seen how great the critical needs are for children in this area,” said Speedway Children’s Charities Texas Chapter Executive Director Marissa Chaney. “While our first grant in Austin was focused on immediate emergency care trafficking victims, we wanted our phase two impact to serve the long-term care for children who are in crisis.”

 

There are 11 SCC chapters around the country, and combined in 2023, SCC distributed more than $4.2 million in grants to hundreds of different charitable organizations across the country, bringing the total funds distributed since 1982 to more than $69 million, ensuring many children in need are given the tools to build a better, brighter and healthier future. The money raised comes in large part thanks to the fundraising efforts of 11 Speedway Motorsports facilities and events: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR at COTA, Nashville Superspeedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.

 

Race fans attending NASCAR at COTA this weekend can take part in the following fundraising efforts to benefit children in need in the Austin, Texas community:

 

Live Auction | Friday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Don’t miss your chance to bid on unique experiences and autographed memorabilia at the Live Auction, hosted by Jose Castillo with a special appearance from NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie during the THOR Family of Companies Camper Appreciation Party in Lot N! Auction items include:

 

• Meet-and-Greet with Multi-Platinum Country Music Superstar Riley Green
• NASCAR VIP Passes
• Cowboy Hat Autographed by Diamond-Certified Country Music Star Darius Rucker
• Drivers Meeting Passes
• Guitar Autographed by Country Artist Pat Green
• And more!

More information: SpeedwayCharities.org/Events/COTA/SCC-COTA-Live-Auction

 

It’s all for the kids! ❤️@SCCTX grants $25,000 to Dell Children’s Mental Health Family Fund.

READ MORE 📰: https://t.co/V0Sxq7VGm6 #NASCARatCOTA | #KidsWin pic.twitter.com/nX4ZNRUyUI

— NASCAR at COTA (@NASCARatCOTA) March 22, 2024

 

source: NASCAR at COTA Media

ARCA Schedule of Events

Pensacola 150 at Five Flags Speedway

ARCA Action returns on Saturday March 23 when the ARCA Menards Series East compete at Five Flags Speedway. Five Flags Speedway is a half-mile paved oval racetrack in Pensacola, Florida.

 

Schedule of events: Pensacola 150 at Five Flags Speedway

Time	Event
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Credentials Open
9:30 – 10 a.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Haulers Enter
10 a.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Garage Opens
10:05 a.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Crew Chief Meeting
10:45 – 11 a.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Driver/Spotter Meeting
11 a.m – 12 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Driver Head Shots
12:30 p.m.	Safety Communications Meeting
12:45 p.m.	Track Services Meeting
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Final Practice
5 – 5:30 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Qualifying (2 Laps)
6:15 – 7:05 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Autograph Session on Track
7:10 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Driver Introductions
7:20 p.m.	Invocation
7:21 p.m.	National Anthem
7:30 p.m.	Command to Start Engines
7:35 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Pensacola 150 (150 laps / 75 Miles)

East Series now preparing for launch 🚀

The opening race of the 2024 ARCA Menards Series East season takes place this Saturday at @5FlagsSpeedway. Find out everything you need to know before the Pensacola 150 ⬇️

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 18, 2024

 

source: ARCA Media 

Bristol’s #NASCAR Schedule

NASCAR Cup and Truck Series

 

It is the NASCAR Cup Series partnered with NASCAR Craftsman Trucks at Bristol Motor Speedway this weekend. Known as the ‘Last Great Colosseum’ this track is a 0.533 miles oval short track in Bristol, Tennessee.  The weather is predicted to be mild and sunny.

 

Saturday, March 16th

• 3:00 pm ET - NASCAR Truck Series practice - FOX SPORTS 1
• 3:40 pm ET - NASCAR Truck Series qualifying - FOX SPORTS 1
• 5:00 pm ET - NASCAR Cup Series practice - FOX SPORTS 1
• 5:50 pm ET - NASCAR Cup Series qualifying - FOX SPORTS 1
• 8:00 pm ET - NASCAR Truck Series race (250 laps) - FOX SPORTS 1

Sunday

• 3:30 pm ET - NASCAR Cup Series race (500 laps) - FOX

Watch the walls transform back to red and white in just over 1 minute.#ItsBristolBaby #NASCAR #FoodCity500 pic.twitter.com/N6NLWkCmMB

— Bristol Motor Speedway (@ItsBristolBaby) March 15, 2024

 

source: Bristol Motor Speedway Media

William Sawalich earns #ARCA Redemption

Rain-Shortened Victory at Phoenix

 

A late-race spin from the lead at Phoenix Raceway last March prevented William Sawalich from winning in his ARCA Menards Series debut.

 

The reigning ARCA Menards East Series champion earned redemption in Friday’s General Tire 150 by putting together a typically efficient run from the pole. A thunderstorm descending upon one-mile tri-oval with less than 40 laps remaining forced ARCA officials to call the race early, handing Sawalich the win.

 

Sawalich felt Phoenix owed him a victory after he came so close to prevailing in his first race with Joe Gibbs Racing one year ago. While he would have preferred to settle the outcome on track, Sawalich was more than grateful to celebrate with his team in Victory Lane regardless of the circumstances.

 

“Not the way I wanted to win a race, but I knew we had the best car out there,” Sawalich said. “We kind of fell back during that first stint, but the guys made a really good adjustment, so I’m super proud of them doing that. We ran a good race and I knew we had a chance to win it.”

 

With his triumph on Friday evening, Sawalich is now two for three in ARCA appearances at Phoenix.

 

Sawalich was untouchable when the ARCA Menards Series West wrapped up its 2023 season around the one-mile oval last November. Leading 93 of 100 possible laps, Sawalich’s victory wrapped up a nearly perfect rookie ARCA campaign that saw him visit Victory Lane seven times across the three divisions.

 

Just like the West Series finale last year, Sawalich’s closest competition came in the form of a Venturini Motorsports car. This time it was Gio Ruggiero, who was making his ARCA Menards Series national debut.

 

Ruggiero managed to chase down Sawalich during the longest green flag run of the evening before trading blows with him on several successive restarts. Sawalich gained the upper hand after the halfway break, with Ruggiero being forced to settle for second when rain brought the General Tire 150 to a premature end.

 

Facing Sawalich will be a common theme for Ruggiero throughout his rookie ARCA campaign. His busy schedule includes running all eight events in the East Series, where he will look to dethrone Sawalich as the champion.

 

Following Ruggiero in third was NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series veteran Grant Enfinger, who was making his first West Series appearance as part of Friday’s combination event. Connor Mosack and defending West Series champion Sean Hingorani completed the top-five.

 

 

Race results: General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway

.@WilliamSawalich wins his first ARCA race of the season at @phoenixraceway! @starkeyhearing @SoundGearHear pic.twitter.com/usHcCzZDGr

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) March 9, 2024

 

source: ARCA Racing Media 

Phoenix Raceway Weekend Schedule

#NASCAR Cup; Xfinity Series; ARCA Menards Series

 

Friday, March 8

Garage Open

• 10 a.m. — ARCA Menards Series
• 2 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. — Cup Series
• 3:30 – 8:30 p.m. — Xfinity Series

Track Activity

• 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. — ARCA Menards Series practice (No TV)
• 4:30 - 4:50 p.m. — ARCA Menards Series qualifying (No TV)
• 5:05 – 5:55 p.m. — Cup practice (FS1)
• 8 p.m. — ARCA Menards Series race (150 laps, 150 miles; FS1, Motor Racing Network)

Saturday, March 9

Garage Open

• 11 a.m. — Xfinity Series
• 12 – 4 p.m. — Cup Series

Track Activity

• 12:35 – 12:55 p.m. — Xfinity Series practice (FS2)
• 1:05 - 2 p.m. — Xfinity Series qualifying (FS2)
• 2:10 – 3:30 p.m. — Cup Series qualifying (FS1)
• 4:30 p.m. — Xfinity Series race (200 laps, 200 miles; FS1, Motor Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Sunday, March 10

Garage Open

• 12:30 p.m. — Cup Series

Track Activity

• 3:30 p.m. — Cup race (312 laps, 312 miles; Fox, Motor Racing Network, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

(All times Eastern)

 

source: NBC Sports Media 

Call811.com to be Entitlement Partner for NXS

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Phoenix Raceway, March 9th

 

Phoenix Raceway announced that Call811.com, the national call-before-you-dig online resource, will be the entitlement partner for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race on Saturday, March 9, at 2:30 p.m. MST. The race will officially be named the Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200.

 

“It’s a true privilege to have Call811.com sponsor our NASCAR Xfinity Series race this spring,” said Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey. “Safety should be everyone’s main priority when beginning their dig, and we’re happy to share this important sentiment to our Valley residents with the Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time 200.”

 

Call811.com is an easy online resource for finding out how to contact each state’s 811 center, and about the specific state’s digging law. Hitting a buried utility line while digging can cause serious injuries or death, costly repairs, civil penalties and fines, or disruption of vital utility services local communities rely on every day.

 

Safety is in the hands of all homeowners/occupants, farmers, or contractors when beginning any digging project— big or small—deep or shallow. A few days before starting, using the free 811 process is required to request the approximate location of buried utilities to be marked with paint or flags. Then, wait the required timeframe to ensure all affected utilities have responded before ever putting a shovel in the ground. Once utility locations are identified, it is always necessary to dig with care according to each state’s requirements.

 

“We are thrilled to partner with Phoenix Raceway in 2024 to sponsor the Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 at this critical time of year when dig season traditionally begins, to expand awareness of our important safety message to the sport’s large and dedicated fan base”, said Sandra Holmes, Executive Director of Arizona 811. “In 2022, more than 25% of utility damages nationwide occurred because the 811 process was not used, even though the digger involved in most of those damages had used the process in the past. Everyone has the power to reduce the risk of damages by using the 811 process themselves or requiring contractors they hire to use it for EVERY DIG. EVERY TIME.”

 

The Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 will be the second race of a fun-filled tripleheader weekend at Phoenix Raceway, March 8-10. The action starts with the ARCA Menards Series’ General Tire 150 on Friday, March 8, and ends with the Shiner’s Children’s 500 on Sunday, March 10, at 2:30 p.m. MST.

 

We're in the homestretch! Don't miss the action packed https://t.co/zur9v6dlnh Every Dig Every Time 200 @PhoenixRaceway this Saturday!@Nascar @Call 811 Before You Dig#XfinitySeries #Nascar #NascarRacing #BeforeYouDig200 pic.twitter.com/TxwcQKIHQc

— Arizona 811 (@Arizona811) March 6, 2024

 

source: Phoenix Raceway Media

NASCAR Race Weekend Recap (Las Vegas)

Winners: Kyle Larson (Cup); John Hunter Nemechek (Xfinity); Rajah Caruth (Trucks)

 

NASCAR Cup

Kyle Larson holds off Tyler Reddick for the #Win

 

Kyle Larson had to use all his consummate skills behind the wheel to hold off Tyler Reddick after a restart with 27 laps left. Larson had short-run speed, enough to build significant advantages early in a run.

 

But Reddick began closing the gap, so much so that with two laps left, Reddick was a scant 0.143 seconds behind Larson at the stripe, roughly one car length.

 

Larson, however, was adept at putting his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in a position to block the progress of Reddick’s No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota, and when the race ended two laps later, Larson had increased the margin to 0.441 seconds.

 

“I knew Tyler was going to be the guy to beat from the first stage,” said Larson, who won for the first time this season and the 24th time in his career. “He was really fast there. I was hoping those guys were going to get racing a little bit longer behind me because I felt like it was going to time out where he was running really hard and getting the tow to catch me at the end.

 

“Thankfully, (I) was able to air block him a couple laps and get him tight. I thought him and (23XI teammate) Bubba (Wallace) were going to get working together again to build a run, so I was happy that didn’t happen.

 

“But all in all, such a great job by this Hendrick Cars Chevy team and just their execution, pit road, restarts — all that was great. Cool to get a win here at Vegas again. Back-to-back, swept all the stages again. Can’t ask for much more.”

 

Vegas!!! Amazing job by this 5 team. Feels great to be back in victory lane here! 🏁🎰 pic.twitter.com/vtLBGs3sx4

— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) March 4, 2024

Pole: Joey Logano

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET for the Shriners Children's 500 at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR Xfinity

John Hunter Nemechek, JGR Dominate Xfinity Series Race

 

The Joe Gibbs Racing teammates (Chandler Smith and John Hunter Nemechek) spent most of Saturday afternoon racing each other for the top spot in The LiUNA!, a 300-mile NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was Nemechek who proved superior in the long run.

 

After Smith won the first two stages of the race — the second with a deft last-lap pass of Nemechek’s No. 20 Toyota — Nemechek asserted his dominance.

 

By the time Nemechek crossed the finish line at the end of Lap 200, he held a 4.360-second lead over pole winner Cole Custer, who had charged into second place after a late cycle of green-flag pit stops.

 

“Hats off to all the guys on this 20 team for Joe Gibbs Racing, said Nemechek, who led a race-high 99 laps in securing his first victory of the season, his first at Las Vegas and the 10th of his career.

 

“Man, it’s awesome to come out here and win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with a limited number of starts. Our goal is to come and win as many as we possibly could. Nothing else matters.

 

Bett’n on 20🎰#teamtoyota pic.twitter.com/P1iL6KHOlO

— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) March 3, 2024

Pole: Cole Custer

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET for the Call811.Com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR Trucks

Rajah Caruth Collects First Career #Win

 

Rajah Caruth celebrated a historic night by becoming the third Black driver to win a NASCAR national series race, etching his name alongside Hall of Fame trailblazer Wendell Scott and current-day Cup Series star Bubba Wallace.

 

The 21-year-old driver punctuated the moment with a professional-grade smoky burnout that made him look like a seasoned veteran, far removed from his earlier Late Model triumphs at Hickory and Tri-County in the North Carolina foothills and light-years away from his iRacing roots.

 

“I’m pretty speechless. It’s been a tough journey so far,” said Rajah Caruth, now in his second full season of Truck Series competition. His first truck win arrived in his 30th start. “A lot of people have helped me get to this point. Thank you to every single one of y’all. Definitely ups and downs, but this journey has been fruitful at times and testing at times. … This winter was a lot of uncertainty about where I’d be driving, not having a bunch of funding behind me at the time. I just stayed true to my faith and my family. Fortunately, a lot of people put a lot of stuff together for me to be in this spot.”

 

Smoke comin’ out the Car-oof! 💨@rajahcaruth_ | #VictoriasVoice200 pic.twitter.com/8FUGf3sxVq

— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) March 2, 2024

Pole: Rajah Caruth

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, March. 16, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET for the Weather Guard Truck Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

ARCA

No ARCA Event

Next Race: The ARCA Series and the ARCA West Series Friday, March 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM ET. for the General Tire 150 at Phoenix Raceway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

Nemechek Goes All-In for Liuna Crown

John Hunter joined his father, Joe, as NXS winners at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

 

It was a race that will soon have its own page in the Nemechek family scrapbook, as John Hunter Nemechek joined his father, Joe, as NASCAR Xfinity Series winners Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  It was the younger Nemechek’s 10th win in the series.

 

Nemechek also won the 2021 edition of the NASCAR Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and etched his name next to the elder Nemechek, who claimed the 2003 NASCAR Xfinity Series shootout in Las Vegas.

 

“I love winning. I love winning races,” said Nemechek. “But to be able to win 10 Xfinity races is a pretty big accomplishment.”

 

Nemechek started 12th in the No. 20 Safeway/Albertsons Toyota and found his way to the front of the pack quickly to lead just shy of 100 laps on the day.

 

Pole winner Cole Custer was second well over four seconds behind Nemechek, Chandler Smith took third and Austin Hill’s unbeaten streak to start the year was halted with a fourth-place showing. Las Vegan Riley Herbst tried to make it back-to-back wins at his home track and challenged for the lead late but eventually took fifth.

 

Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Smith and Nemechek swept all stages as the tandem combined to lead for 173 of 200 laps. It was Smith’s third consecutive top-five finish to open the season to move up to second in the point standings.

 

When asked what he will remember most about this victory, Nemechek responded, “It’s Vegas. What is there not to remember about Vegas?”

 

He added, “I’ve always run really well here. Don’t really know what, but I guess it always fits my racing style.”

 

Facing 32 mph sustains wins with gusts up to 65 mph, Custer led the field from outside on the opening lap and was joined three-wide by Smith and AJ Allmendinger off Turn 1. That set the tone for an aggressive race, as Smith and Allmendinger joined Nemechek to go three-wide again on Lap 14.

 

Smith, who qualified in the No. 2 spot, won the opening stage and held the lead until Lap 49, when he fell to seventh after jack issues during his pit stop. He went on to capture Stage 2 and paced the field for 74 laps on the day.

 

Nemechek went to the front on Lap 55 but was caught by Smith on Lap 89. The duo traded leads a half dozen times over the next 20 laps.

 

After Josh Williams pushed his ride to the limit and pitted on Lap 190, Nemechek regained the lead for good and coasted to the win.

 

Bett’n on 20🎰#teamtoyota pic.twitter.com/P1iL6KHOlO

— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) March 3, 2024

 

source: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Media 

Caruth Parlays First Career Pole into First Career Win

Rajah Only Led Two Laps in His Career Prior to the #Win

 

Rajah Caruth made history by becoming only the third Black driver to win a national series race when he crossed the finish line first in the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 presented by Westgate Resorts NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, joining the likes of hall of famer Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace in the 20th year of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program.

 

“It’s surreal ... glad to get the win for Team Chevy,” Caruth told FS1 after the race. “I can’t thank my family enough. So many people have helped me get to this point. I can’t believe it.

 

“There’s more to come, for sure.”

 

 

Under the Friday night lights and with his parents watching from the stands at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the 21-year-old Caruth, who also claimed his first career pole earlier in the day, led 38 laps for his first career win in 30 starts. Tyler Ankrum, Corey Heim, Taylor Gray and Christopher Bell rounded out the top 5.

 

“I’m glad I made the most of it tonight and get locked into the playoffs,” Caruth added.

 

Caruth, Kyle Busch, Nick Sanchez and Ty Majeski each sat in the top 10 when pitting on Lap 102. Caruth and his No. 71 Spire Motorsports team nailed the final pit stop and he went on to take the lead for good 12 laps later.

 

Majeski led for 40 laps and won the first two stages, but a pit-road speeding penalty late in the race cost the No. 98 Ford valuable track position. Majeski ended up finishing 10th.

 

Caruth only led two laps in his career prior to the win, which came three days after HendrickCars.com extended its partnership with the No. 71 Chevrolet driver from Washington, D.C. The iRacing aficionado turned heads through the first two weeks of the season with a third-place showing at Daytona International Speedway and an eight-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway. 

 

"Surreal ... I can't believe it."

Talking with @rajahcaruth_ after his first career NASCAR Truck Series victory in Las Vegas. @NASCARonFOX pic.twitter.com/gPvGRbMXUQ

— Josh Sims (@JoshRSims) March 2, 2024

Caruth, a senior student at Winston-Salem State,  stayed in or around the top five for the bulk of the race, including an early battle with Busch in Stage 1. Busch briefly held the lead but told his crew on Lap 21 that his truck was getting tight. He faded back and crossed 15th to close the evening.

 

The race included 19 lead changes and four cautions.

 

Smoke comin’ out the Car-oof! 💨@rajahcaruth_ | #VictoriasVoice200 pic.twitter.com/8FUGf3sxVq

— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) March 2, 2024

 

source: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Media

Wallace and Herbst's High-Stakes Pursuit

Looking to Hit the Jackpot at Las Vegas

 

Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst are gearing up for racing in Las Vegas, aiming for triumph at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway with Wallace in Cup and Herbst in Xfinity. Both drivers showcased their skill at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last year, with Wallace earning a fourth-place finish in the Pennzoil 400 and Herbst picking up his first career Xfinity win in October. As they approach the upcoming weekend, they took a moment to connect with the media, sharing thoughts and expectations for the races ahead.

 

Wallace arrives at LVMS coming off two top-10 finishes at Daytona and Atlanta -- the only Cup Series driver to do so. He’s hoping to continue his streak of top-10 finishes this weekend.

 

“Vegas has always been really good to me and our team,” Wallace said. “Toyotas got the new body out, the Camry; the numbers show really well. So this will be the first race of the season; we got through those first two wild cards; it performed okay, so this will be the real test."

 

Reflecting on the 2023 season, Wallace raced to clinch a playoff spot in the round of 16 based on points. This momentum propelled Bubba in the second playoff round, concluding the season with five top-5 finishes, ten top-10 finishes, and 285 laps led—an achievement marking a new career best.

 

Herbst, a Las Vegas native, is looking to continue a hot streak at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Coming out of Daytona and Atlanta, finishing in sixth and 15th, the Stewart-Haas driver is looking to drive his way to the front of the pack yet again. Herbst stands third in the Xfinity Series Driver Standings with 74 points, right behind Austin Hill and Sheldon Creed.

 

“I feel like we have the momentum,” Herbst said. “I walk into the garage in the Xfinity Series, knowing that I can win any race, lead every lap and that I am a championship contender. “I think, you know, that's new, and that happened after my win here in Las Vegas, and hopefully, we can continue that roll and be a dominant force this year.”

 

"You don't know what this means."@RileyHerbst is an @XfinityRacing WINNER! pic.twitter.com/a6HwVJkX4I

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 14, 2023

 

source: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Media

This NASCAR Weekend has many New Opportunities for Fans

The 7th annual Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

 

The 7th annual Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) is set to be a fan favorite in 2024. This year’s race weekend provides many exciting opportunities for fans, at and away from track, to meet drivers, get an up-close look at a variety of cool cars, and enjoy a first-class NASCAR race weekend tripleheader.

 

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race takes place Friday night, March 1st at 6:00 pm PST, followed by the NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday, March 2nd at 2:00 pm PST. NASCAR Cup Series drivers will start their engines for the Pennzoil 400 on Sunday, March 3rd at 12:30 PM PST, and the race will be broadcast live on FOX.

 

"The Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is more than just a race; it's an opportunity for us to share the love of racing and heart-pounding roar of engines with NASCAR fans," shared Bree Sandlin, Vice President of Shell Lubricants North America Marketing. “It gives us the chance to continue to showcase the high-performance of our products on the track, while also celebrating the impressive cars, drivers, and those working behind the scenes motorsports industry to bring fans together to experience the rumble at tracks throughout the country at 180 mph.”

 

Fans will be able to meet drivers at select locations prior to the race and will have the ability to meet influencers and check out a variety of unique cars during the race weekend in the Las Vegas Motor Speedway midway as they enter the track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fan Zone Presented by Pennzoil including:

 

• Vehicles on Display:
• The #22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang NASCAR Cup Car, RTR Formula Drift Ford Mustang, Alex Taylor’s Rebelle Rally Jeep Wrangler 4XE, Shelby Hall’s Ford Bronco, and the Pennzoil Ferrari from Dream Racing can all be seen at the LVMS Fan Zone over the race weekend
• Driver Meet & Greets in the Las Vegas Area:
• Meet NASCAR Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney and INDYCAR driver Scott McLaughlin at the Jiffy Lube on 10440 S. Eastern Ave, Henderson, NV 89052 on Friday, March 1st at 9:00 am PST
• Influencer Meet & Greets at the LVMS Fan Zone:
• Austin Cindric, driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang will make an appearance at the LVMS Fan Zone at 9:30 am PST on Saturday, March 2nd
• Meet RTR Formula Drift drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy for Q&A on-stage Sunday, March 3rd at 10:00 am followed by an autograph session at 10:30 am
• Meet Rebelle Rally drivers/navigators on-stage for Q&A at 11:00 am Sunday, March 3rd

Couple of Pennzoil lads hanging out. Come by if you can! https://t.co/6kBwrAUPcB

— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) February 29, 2024

Fans also can enter the Pennzoil 400 Social Sweepstakes that runs through Tuesday March 5th, 2024. Four grand prize winners will receive the Grand Prize Pennzoil Tailgate Kit while hundreds of winners can qualify for a number of other great prizes. *No Purchase Necessary. Ends 3/5/24. Void Where Prohibited. Terms Apply. See pennzoil.com for full details.

 

Over the race weekend members of The Rebelle Rally, the first women’s off-road navigation rally raid in the United States, will be present for a special announcement by Pennzoil. Alex and Meg Taylor and their Jeep Wrangler 4XE as well as Rori Lewis and Shelby Hall and their Ford Bronco will be present at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Fan Zone Presented by Pennzoil throughout the weekend, where fans will have an opportunity to meet the drivers and see their vehicles up close.

 

Both Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Ford Mustang for Team Penske as well as his teammate and reigning NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Ryan Blaney,  driver of the No. 12 Ford Mustang, will be carrying exclusive Pennzoil paint schemes on their cars. Logano has found the scheme especially lucky in winning the Pennzoil 400 twice in that livery (2019 & 2020) and the fall event at LVMS in 2022 that springboarded him to his second Cup championship.

 

Since 1913, Pennzoil has crafted innovative formulas to help prolong engine life and promote top performance, much of which can be attributed to technical partnerships like those with Team Penske. Pennzoil engineers work closely with Team Penske to develop special motor oil formulations to maximize engine protection and engine performance. Constant improvement developed throughout the season, in the harshest racing conditions, contributes to the advancement of the brand’s technology for your car.

 

“Jiffy Lube is proud to team up with Pennzoil for the seventh year to bring this action-packed NASCAR Cup Series event to race fans,” said Suzanne Clerkin, Chief Marketing Officer, Jiffy Lube International, Inc. “The Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube is a great opportunity to bring two leading iconic automotive brands together both on and off the track to help keep drivers on the road.”

 

At the end of 2022, leaders from Pennzoil and Speedway Motorsports Incorporated, owner and operator of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, announced a long-term continuation of the Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube NCS race at LVMS, a testament to how synonymous Pennzoil has become with the spring NASCAR weekend. The relationship with SMI provides Pennzoil the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships within the motorsports industry, with customers, and with some of the most loyal fans in all of sports – NASCAR fans.

 

“This will be the seventh year of our partnership with Pennzoil and Jiffy Lube,” said LVMS President Chris Powell. “Pennzoil’s relationship with all forms of motorsports is tops in the racing industry, and we’re looking forward to many more years with the Pennzoil name on our spring NASCAR race.”

 

 

 

source: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Media

Las Vegas Raider A.J. Cole Named Grand Marshal

#NASCAR’s Pennzoil 400

 

Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube will kick off in style as Las Vegas Raiders’ two-time All-Pro punter A.J. Cole has been named grand marshal for the 27th annual event. The three-time Pro Bowler will deliver the command to start engines before a massive crowd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

 

“This is going to be a thrill of a lifetime to get to do this,” Cole said. “I know it’s pretty special to be the person chosen to do this, so I promise I will make it memorable. On top of that, I’m looking forward to spending the day taking in all of the excitement of a NASCAR event.”

 

Since joining the Raiders organization in 2019, Cole has been named to the All-Pro First-Team twice and selected for the Pro Bowl three times. For the 2023-2024 season, Cole led the NFL in net punting average and had the most punts stopped inside the 20. Cole was the Raiders nominee for the 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding excellence on and off the field through exceptional community service.

 

The Raider has achieved several records, notably setting the NFL record with an average of 63.6 yards per punt in a game against the New York Giants, totaling 318 yards. Additionally, he holds the franchise record for the longest punt at 83 yards.

 

Cole will join a list of distinguished guests who have also delivered the command at LVMS including Vegas Golden Knights Adin Hill and William Carrier, Legendary car builder Carroll Shelby, actor Mark Wahlberg, comedian Tim Allen, former Raiders Marcus Allen and Derek Carr, actor Cole Hauser, socialite Kim Kardashian, country music group Rascal Flatts, noted broadcaster Brent Musburger and UFC President Dana White.

 

Ready to bring the hype, @AJCole90? The Las Vegas @Raiders will deliver the most famous words in motorsports for the #Pennzoil400 on Sunday!

📰: https://t.co/peAvf62Zdu pic.twitter.com/TDnC3JvP8J

— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) February 28, 2024

 

source: Las Vegas Motor Speedway Media

West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame names its Class of 2024

Cobb, Holmes, Johnson, Vasser, Wells Set for Induction in June

Calvin (Cal) Wells III

Dick Cobb

Eric Holmes

Jimmie Johnson

Jimmy Vasser

 

Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion and co-owner of Legacy Motor Club, is among this year’s five inductees into the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame.

 

The El Cajon, Calif. competitor, winner of 83 NASCAR Cup Series events in 16 consecutive seasons and recent inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, will be joined for enshrinement by the late Dick Cobb, Las Vegas, Nev., winner of eight track championships over a 45-year racing career in Nevada and California; Eric Holmes, Escalon, Calif., winner of three NASCAR West (now ARCA Menards Series West) titles; Jimmy Vasser, Canoga Park, Calif., 10-time Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) winner, Indianapolis 500 co-owner champion and 2023 IMSA GTD championship co-owner; and Calvin (Cal) Wells III, NASCAR Cup Series race winning team owner, Off-Road Hall of Fame inductee and current chief executive officer of Legacy Motor Club.

 

The Class of 2024 – the hall’s 21st – will be enshrined Thursday, June 6, during the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame’s induction gala, presented by World Wide Technology Raceway, at Sonoma Raceway’s Turn 11 Club VIP/Hospitality complex encircling the road course’s iconic Turn 11.

 

“Our Class of 2024 is second to none in diversity of competition,” said Ken Clapp, Chairman and CEO of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame. “Jimmie Johnson, Eric Holmes and Dick Cobb mastered three different levels of NASCAR competition. Jimmy Vasser, a Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) champion and Cal Wells, an off-road racing Hall of Famer and team executive add two more racing disciplines to this year’s Class.

 

“We will be announcing our five Heritage inductees in a few weeks – selectees representing additional forms of competition.

 

“I am most excited about the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame’s Pioneers of Speed initiative, providing us with the opportunity to honor those whose careers began and often ended before World War II. Many 21st Century fans may not recognize the names and achievements of these distinguished and courageous figures. All, however, deserve to be honored and remembered through our organization.

 

“We will be announcing the first 10 honorees later this spring.”

 

The event opens a packed weekend of racing at Sonoma Raceway, which includes the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR/ARCA Menards Series West and the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

 

The organization also will induct its seventh Heritage class, comprised of individuals whose careers largely ended prior to 1971. The 2024 Heritage inductees will be named in March. Also to be named is the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame’s Pioneers of Speed, whose careers preceded or spanned the World War II era.

 

Also featured will be the 4th Annual Kickin’ Doorz Down Philanthropist of the Year Award presented by 51FIFTY. This award recognizes an individual that has displayed a heart for giving back to others, through charitable giving or in-kind services to the industry. Previous honorees are Mike Curb, 2001 and the Sonoma Chapter of the Speedway Children’s Charity in 2022. Last year’s honorees are the foundations of 2023 West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame inductees Kurt Busch and Kevin Harvick.

 

Televised highlights of the 2024 induction ceremonies will be broadcast later this summer; network, air dates and times to be announced.

 

 

source: West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame Media