For the third time this year, Chastain is set to drive DGM Racing’s No. 92 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) car. The New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) will serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 92 Chevrolet Camaro at Watkins Glen International (WGI).

Chastain’s car will carry a specialty paint scheme that resembles a watermelon as part of the GTSC’s #ProtectYourMelon campaign to promote safe driving habits and seat belt usage. As a leader in highway safety, New York became the first state in the nation to enact an adult seat belt law nearly forty years ago. In 2020, new legislation went into effect in New York, requiring all adult passengers to buckle up regardless of their seating location within the vehicle.

“Seat belts save lives, and by expanding the seat belt law to include rear-seat passengers, New York State is able to save even more lives,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles and GTSC Chair. “Our hope is that wearing a seatbelt becomes second nature for all New Yorkers, so that we have fewer deaths and tragedies on our roads. Partnering with NASCAR driver Ross Chastain continues to be an effective way to get that message to young people who are less likely to buckle up. GTSC is grateful for his partnership and we wish him luck in his upcoming races.”

Less than a month ago, Chastain drove DGM Racing’s No. 92 to a fourth place finish at the Indianapolis Road Course, tying the team’s best finish as an organization (Alex Labbé - ROVAL 2020). Chastain also raced with DGM Racing earlier this year at Circuit of the Americas where he qualified 2nd (DGM Racing’s best qualifying position to date) and led 14 of the 46 laps in the Pit Boss 250. The following day he claimed his first NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) win.

Chastain is currently sitting second in the NCS playoff points standings after claiming his first two NCS wins, 10 Top-5s and 14 Top-10s. In addition to his impressive Cup season, Chastain is a NXS veteran with 193 NXS starts, including two wins, 22 Top-5s and 48 Top-10s.

“DGM Racing has brought me fast Chevrolet Camaros to race this year, and I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the No. 92 at WGI,” said Chastain. “I’m thrilled to be part of the Protect Your Melon initiative again to spread awareness about the importance of wearing seat belts and to encourage race fans to buckle up!”

The NXS race at WGI will be televised live on the USA Network on Saturday, August 20 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Practice and Qualifying for the NXS race will take place earlier that morning at 10:05 a.m. ET. Chastain and the Protect Your Melon No. 92 Team Chevy will be at the Schuyler County Courthouse Lawn in Watkins Glen on Thursday, August 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visit them at the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles booth.

DGM PR

NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: Go Bowling at The Glen

The Place: Watkins Glen International

The Date: Sunday, August 21

The Time: 3 p.m. ET

The Purse: $6,664,145

TV: USA, 2 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 220.5 miles (90 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 40), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 90)

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Next Race: Sunoco Go Rewards 200 at The Glen

The Place: Watkins Glen International

The Date: Saturday, August 20

The Time: 3 p.m. ET

The Purse: $1,159,436

TV: USA, 2:30 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 200.9 miles (82 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 40), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 82)

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Next Race: Kansas Lottery 200

The Place: Kansas Speedway

The Date: Friday, September 9

The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

The Purse: $648,530

TV: FS1, 7 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 201 miles (134 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 30),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 60), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 134)

NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR goes road course racing in Watkins Glen, New York

Tensions are high and anticipation is running rampant amongst competitors as the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for the penultimate race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International, this Sunday, August 21 at 3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).

Watkins Glen International is the fifth of six road courses on the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series schedule; joining Circuit of The Americas (Winner: Ross Chastain), Sonoma Raceway (Daniel Suárez), Road America (Tyler Reddick) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (Tyler Reddick). After this weekend, the only road course left on the 2022 schedule will be the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (Oct. 9).

This weekend will mark the 39th running of a NASCAR Cup Series race on the historic 2.45-mile multi-elevational road course located near Watkins Glen, New York known as Watkins Glen International. Racing in the Watkins Glen area began on the streets of city, but after several events were held, a permanent facility was opened in 1956. The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen International was on August 4, 1957 and won by Buck Baker with an average speed of 83.064 mph driving a ’57 Chevrolet. Over the years, the Cup Series has changed the race length at Watkins Glen three times. The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen was scheduled for 101.2 miles in 1957, the second race was 161.7 miles (1964), and the third race was 151.8 miles (1965). Every race since has been scheduled for 220.5-miles (90 laps).

The previous 38 NASCAR Cup Series races at Watkins Glen International have produced 22 different poles winners and 24 different race winners. NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt (1990, ’92, ‘96), Mark Martin (1993, ’94, ‘95) and Jeff Gordon (1998, ’03, ‘14) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Watkins Glen International with three poles each. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in poles at Watkins Glen with two (2011, ‘17). Five of the 22 NASCAR Cup Series pole winners at Watkins Glen International are active this weekend. 

NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart leads the NASCAR Cup Series in victories at Watkins Glen International with five (2002, ’04, ’05, ’07 and ’09); one win shy of tying the series record for most road course wins at a single track at six held by NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison at Riverside Raceway (1971, ’73, ’75, ’79, ’81 sweep). Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott (2018, 2019) and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch (2008, 2013) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Watkins Glen International with two victories each. Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate and 2021 series champion Kyle Larson is the most recent winner at the 2.45-mile track winning last season’s event. Eight of the 24 NASCAR Cup Series winners at Watkins Glen International are active this weekend.

All the NASCAR Cup Series on-track activity begins with practice (12:05 p.m. ET) directly followed by Busch Light Pole Qualifying (1:05 p.m. ET) and both events will be streamed on the NBC Sports App at noon ET or will be televised on the USA Network starting at 12:30 p.m. ET.

International Flair: Series record seven countries represented at Watkins Glen

This weekend’s entry list has an international flair with a NASCAR Cup Series single race record of seven different countries represented amongst the competitors for the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, August 21 at 3 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio; including the multiple drivers representing the United States, Daniel Suárez from Mexico, sportscar aces Mike Rockenfeller from Germany and Kyle Tilley from England, NASCAR Euro Series champ Loris Hezemans from the Netherlands, and a pair of former F1 drivers Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and the talented Russian driver Daniil Kvyat. 

Prior to this weekend’s race at Watkins Glen International, the previous NASCAR Cup Series record for the most countries represented in a single race was six different countries and it has only happened twice. In both cases, the majority of the competitors represented the United States, but the five other countries were also represented in each event as well. The first instance was at Sonoma Raceway in 2010 with Jan Magnussen from Denmark, Juan Pablo Montoya from Colombia, Marcos Ambrose from Australia, Mattias Ekstrom from Sweden, and Max Papis from Italy. The second time it occurred was at Watkins Glen International in 2013 and involved Juan Pablo Montoya from Colombia, Marcos Ambrose and Owen Kelly from Australia, Max Papis from Italy, Victor Gonzalez Jr. from Puerto Rico, and Ron Fellows from Canada. 

Trackhouse’s PROJECT91, Raikkonen to make NASCAR Cup Series debut

Trackhouse Entertainment Group’s PROJECT91 announced earlier this season that 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will become the first driver to join the team’s PROJECT91 program and will drive the No. 91 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen race at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, August 21. PROJECT91’s goal is to expand the organization’s international reach by fielding a NASCAR Cup Series entry for renowned international racing drivers. Trackhouse Racing – a division of Trackhouse Entertainment Group – now fields the No. 99 and the No. 1 Chevrolets with drivers Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain.

“Kimi Raikkonen is the driver I first had in mind when we created PROJECT91,” said Trackhouse owner Justin Marks. “Kimi is a world-renowned driver with a tremendous amount of talent and fan following.”

Crew chief Darian Grubb, winner of 23 NASCAR Cup Series races, will lead Raikkonen’s team this weekend.

“I wasn’t looking to race again, but Justin came to my home in Switzerland and convinced me how serious he was about putting together a top-notch program,” said Raikkonen. “This will be fun, but it’s something I will take very seriously. I know how competitive the NASCAR Cup Series is and it will be a big challenge.”

Raikkonen retired from Formula One in 2021 after competing with the Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus, and Alfa Romeo teams since he started in 2001. The native of Espoo, Finland won 21 races and stood on 103 podiums in his F1 career.

This will not be Raikkonen’s first venture into NASCAR. He competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May 2011.

Raikkonen could very well put on a great show as three NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Watkins Glen International in their first appearance at the track.

Elliott can clinch Regular Season Championship presented by Coca-Cola at WGI

Hendrick Motorsports driver and current NASCAR Cup Series driver standings leader, Chase Elliott, can clinch the Regular Season Championship presented by Coca-Cola this weekend at Watkins Glen International in the Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday, August 21 at 3 p.m. ET (on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) by scoring just four points. That’s right, four points. The Dawsonville, Georgia native has grown his points cushion over second place Ryan Blaney to 116 points going into this weekend in New York, so once Elliott gains four points and crosses that 120-point threshold, Blaney can’t catch him in just two races.

Though mathematically possible to not achieve the clinch this weekend, Elliott’s likelihood of becoming the fifth different Regular Season Champion on Sunday is quite good. If he accomplishes feat, he will join Martin Truex Jr. (2017), Kyle Busch (2018, 2019), Kevin Harvick (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021).

Playoffs Clinch Scenarios: Watkins Glen International

Several of the drivers that have already won this season and have earned a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs still need to clinch their postseason position by earning enough points that no matter where they finish in the remaining races of the regular season, they will not fall out of the top 30 in points. Once a driver has achieved that points total, they have officially clinched a spot in the postseason. Below is a breakdown of the drivers that can clinch their spot in the postseason this weekend:

Already Clinched

The following 10 drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick.

Can Clinch Via Previous Wins

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Alex Bowman, Denny Hamlin, Daniel Suarez, Tyler Reddick, Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe or Kurt Busch:

• Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Kurt Busch: Would clinch regardless of finish

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr., Aric Almirola, Erik Jones, Darrell Wallace Jr. or Austin Dillon:

• Alex Bowman: Would clinch with 4 points
• Daniel Suarez: Would clinch with 22 points
• Austin Cindric: Would clinch with 40 points
• Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 47 points

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Chris Buescher:

• Alex Bowman: Would clinch with 1 point
• Daniel Suarez: Would clinch with 22 points
• Austin Cindric: Would clinch with 37 points
• Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 44 points

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Justin Haley:

• Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Daniel Suarez: Would clinch with 3 points
• Austin Cindric: Would clinch with 20 points
• Chase Briscoe: Would clinch with 28 points

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Ricky Stenhouse Jr.:

• Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Kurt Busch: Would clinch with 41 points

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Cole Custer:

• Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Kurt Busch: Would clinch with 33 points

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Michael McDowell or Brad Keselowski a win by another winless driver lower in the standings:

• Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Kurt Busch: Would clinch with 23 points

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Harrison Burton or a win by another winless driver lower in the standings:

• Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Kurt Busch: Would clinch with 16 points

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by Todd Gilliland or a win by another winless driver lower in the standings:

• Alex Bowman: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Daniel Suarez: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Austin Cindric: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Chase Briscoe: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Kurt Busch: Would clinch regardless of finish

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, Daniel Suarez, Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe and Kurt Busch.

The following drivers could clinch with a win:

• Aric Almirola: Would clinch with 44 points
• Erik Jones: Would clinch with 56 points
• Darrell Wallace Jr.: Could only clinch with help
• Austin Dillon: Could only clinch with help

Blaney vs. Truex: The battle for the final Playoff spot

Following another 2022 season repeat winner at Richmond Raceway (Kevin Harvick), Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, in the 16th and final NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs transfer spot on points, has opened up his points cushion on Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. in 17th, the first spot outside the Playoffs, from 19 to 26 points heading into Watkins Glen International. Now with just two races to go in the 2022 regular season, tensions are running high as both drivers are vying for the final postseason position.

Blaney posted his 12th top-10 finish of the season last weekend at Richmond to hold on to the 16th position in the Playoff standings outlook. The North Carolina native is hoping to make the Playoffs for the sixth consecutive season in his career this year (2017-2022). In 24 starts this season, he has put up eight top fives and an average finish of 13.2. Look for Blaney to contend towards the front of the pack again this weekend at Watkins Glen International. Not only does Blaney have a NASCAR Cup Series career win on a road course (Charlotte ROVAL in 2018), but he has made five series starts at Watkins Glen posting one top-five and two top-10 finishes. His average finish at the 2.45-mile track is a solid 11.6.

Sitting directly in Blaney’s review mirror is Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. in the 17th position in the Playoff standings outlook, 26 points behind Blaney in 16th. This season, Truex has made 24 series starts this season posting three top fives and 11 top 10s. His average finish this season is 13.0. Truex is hoping to catch Blaney in these next two races and secure his spot in the postseason. Truex is looking to reach his eighth consecutive Playoff berth this season (2015-2022). Truex is the only driver outside the Playoff cutoff still eligible to make the postseason that has previously won at Watkins Glen International (2017). Watkins Glen is one of his better road courses - in 15 starts he has collected one win (2017), seven top fives and 10 top 10s. His average finish at the 2.45-mile track is a stout 10.1. He finished third behind Kyle Larson (winner) and Chase Elliott (runner-up) in last season’s Watkins Glen Cup race.

Road Course Ringers to watch at Watkins Glen

Heading into this weekend, there will be 14 active road course winners entered to compete in Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International at 3 p.m. ET (USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Hendrick Motorsports teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott have been the cars to beat at Watkins Glen that last few seasons. Elliott won the 2018 and 2019 races and then Larson won last season’s race at WGI, and Elliott finished second. Elliott will look to retake his crown as the active road course king this weekend as he leads all 14 active Cup Series road course winners with seven victories on tracks that turn left and right. If Elliott were to win this weekend, he would tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart for the second-most road course wins in the NASCAR Cup Series all-time with eight each. NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the Cup Series in road course wins with nine.

If Elliott can’t get the win, maybe fans will get to see another new winner this weekend. With a series record five new winners this season, it could happen. Three of the first four road course races this year have already produced three first-time NASCAR Cup Series winners –Ross Chastain won at the Circuit of the Americas, Daniel Suárez grabbed his first win at Sonoma Raceway, and Tyler Reddick outdueled Elliott for his first win at Road America. Four NASCAR Cup Series drivers all-time have posted their first series career win at Watkins Glen International.

Seven drivers that visited Victory Lane in the NASCAR Cup Series last season are still looking for their first win of 2022 – A.J. Allmendinger, Aric Almirola, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace, Martin Truex Jr., Michael McDowell and Ryan Blaney. 

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

Winners Aplenty in 2022 -  With NASCAR Cup Series record 15 different winners through 24 races, the 2022 schedule and the Next Gen car have combined for one of the best seasons of racing ever. Now with two races left in the regular season, will we see a 16th or possibly 17th different winner heading into the Playoffs?

If so, it would be the first-time since the inception of the Playoffs in 2004, that the series has produced 16 or more winners in the first 26 races of a given year. On average, the NASCAR Cup Series has produced 12.4 different winners in the first 26 races of a season since 2004. This season is tied with the 2011 season for the series-most different winners during the regular season with 15 different winners each. The 2022 season has two chances to break the tie with the 2011 season this weekend at Watkins Glen International or next at Daytona International Speedway.  

Reddick looks to tie Larson’s road course record this weekend – Last season amongst Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson’s monster championship season that wrangled 10 wins on the year included the record of becoming the only driver in series history to win on three different road courses in a single NASCAR Cup Series season (Sonoma, Watkins Glen and the Charlotte ROVAL). This weekend, Richard Childress Racing’s Tyler Reddick, defending winner of the last two road course races on the schedule (Road America and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course) is looking to become the second driver in series history to accomplish the feat, but if Reddick does it he will have won his road course events in consecutive order on the schedule.   

NASCAR Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series takes on The Glen

The NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers had a two-week break in action but now they are heading to upstate New York for the SUNOCO Go Rewards 200 at The Glen on Saturday, August 20 at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, NBC Sports App, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR radio.

There have been 27 races at the seven-turn, 2.45-mile road course producing 16 different pole winners and 16 different race winners. Joey Logano holds the record for the youngest pole winner at 25 years, two months, 15 days in 2015. Last season, Ty Gibbs became the youngest race winner at 18 years, 10 months and three days old.

Only nine races have been won from the pole or first starting position, most recently by Joey Logano in 2018. He set the track’s qualifying record on August 6, 2016 with a speed of 124.552 mph. Logano also holds the record for most poles at the track with four and is tied with Terry Labonte for most top fives at seven.

Ty Gibbs is the only former winner entered in this weekend’s SUNOCO Go Rewards 200 at The Glen (2021). If Gibbs once again snags the win at the New York road course this weekend, he’ll become the fifth driver to post back-to-back victories at the track, joining Terry Labonte (1994, 1995, 1996), Ron Fellows (2000, 2001), Marcos Ambrose (2008, 2009, 2010) and Joey Logano (2015, 2016).

The Xfinity Series will kick off its weekend on Saturday, August 20 with practice at 10:05 a.m. ET followed by qualifying at 10:35 a.m. ET on Peacock and streamed on the NBC Sports App.

All eyes on Kaulig Racing’s A.J. Allmendinger

Out of A.J. Allmendinger’s 13 NASCAR Xfinity Series wins, nine have been on a road course (69. 23%) so it was no surprise when fans saw the Xfinity Series all-time road course wins leader post a win at Indianapolis, leaving just one road course on the circuit left for him to conquer in the series, this weekend’s Watkins Glen International.

Allmendinger could very well add a Watkins Glen win to his resume this weekend, considering he’s had runner-up finishes in two out of his three starts at the track, but there are two drivers who might give him a run for his money – JR Motorsports teammates Justin Allgaier and Noah Gragson.

Allgaier has had a stellar 2022 season, already with three wins, 10 top fives and 15 top 10s. On top of that, he’s done well in three out of the four road courses this season and has an impressive history at Watkins Glen. In his 10 starts, he’s posted four top fives and seven top 10s.

Gragson only has two Watkins Glen starts under his belt with top-10 finishes in both races, but what makes him a threat is the success he’s had on all four road courses this season thus far. He’s posted one top five and four top 10s on road courses this season (COTA, Portland, Road America, Indianapolis).

Back in action with five to go

Time is winding down for drivers still vying for their spot in the Playoffs kicking off at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 24. With five races left in the regular season, things are sure to heat up as the NASCAR Xfinity Series prepares for Watkins Glen International, the fifth of six road course events on the 2022 schedule. Below is a look at the clinch scenarios heading into Watkins Glen:

Already Clinched

The following six drivers have clinched a spot in the 12-driver postseason field: AJ Allmendinger, Justin Allgaier, Ty Gibbs, Noah Gragson, Josh Berry and Austin Hill. 

Can Clinch Via Previous Wins

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by a driver who has previous won:

• Brandon Jones: Would clinch regardless of finish

The following drivers could clinch on previous wins with a win by a driver who is currently winless:

• Brandon Jones: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

• Brandon Jones

The following drivers could clinch with a win:

• Riley Herbst: Could only clinch with help
• Sam Mayer: Could only clinch with help
• Daniel Hemric: Could only clinch with help
• Landon Cassill: Could only clinch with help
• Ryan Sieg: Could only clinch with help

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Riley Herbst (583 points) and JR Motorsports’ Sam Mayer (578 points) are the highest ranked drivers without a win and have been neck-and-neck in the point standings for several weeks. They will both be pushing to post their first Xfinity Series career win when they head to Watkins Glen this weekend.

Herbst has given “The Glen” one go (2021) and posted a 13th-place finish. He didn’t have the performance he was hoping for on road courses in the first part of the season but has done quite well in the last two (Road America and Indianapolis) as he posted top-10 finishes at both tracks.

Like Herbst, Mayer has made one start at Watkins Glen, where he raced his way up to a top-10 finish (10th) after starting in the 23rd position. On this season’s road courses, he has posted one top-five and two top-10 finishes.

NASCAR Xfinity Series, Etc.

Cup Series drivers running double duty – Four Cup Series regulars will be getting some extra track time this weekend at Watkins Glen – Cole Custer, William Byron, Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain.

Custer will be making his fifth Xfinity Series start this season in the No. 07 SS-GLR Ford. In his four previous Xfinity starts this year, he’s posted one win (Auto Club), two top fives and three top 10s.

Byron will make his third Xfinity Series start of the season in the No. 17 Chevrolet with Hendrick Motorsports. He’s posted one top five and one top 10 this season. This will be his second Xfinity Series start at Watkins Glen. His first was in 2017 and he finished in 10th.

Larson will be making his second Xfinity Series start of the season this weekend in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. His other start this season was also on a road course (Road America) and he finished runner-up.

Ross Chastain will be behind the wheel of the No. 92 DGM Racing Chevrolet for his third Xfinity Series start of the season. His two other starts were on road courses (COTA & Indianapolis) and he finished 17th and fourth, respectively. This will be his sixth Xfinity Series start at Watkins Glen where he has a best finish of 14th.

Austin Wayne Self to attempt Xfinity Series debut – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular Austin Wayne Self will be attempting to make his Xfinity Series debut this weekend at Watkins Glen International driving the No. 32 Chevrolet car for Jordan Anderson Racing.

“I am very thankful for this opportunity with Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport” said Self. “Anyone that knows me how much I enjoy road course racing and to have the opportunity to attempt to make my Xfinity Series debut driving for my wife’s brother’s team is incredibly special.”

Self will be running double duty this weekend as he will also compete in the No. 32 car for AM Racing in the ARCA Menards Series.

Connor Mosack to join Sam Hunt Racing for Watkins Glen – Connor Mosack, a full-time Trans-Am Series and part-time ARCA Menards Series driver, will be joining Sam Hunt Racing behind the wheel of the No. 26 Toyota at Watkins Glen International this weekend.

Mosack made his Xfinity Series debut earlier this season at Portland International Raceway with Joe Gibbs Racing. Although this will be his first start at The Glen in the Xfinity Series, he has made the trip to Victory Lane at the New York road course in the Trans-Am TA2 Series.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity to race with Sam Hunt Racing this year at Watkins Glen,” said Mosack. “Sam has a great group of guys and I’m looking forward to working with them. My goal going into the race is to come out with a top-10 finish. Sam has competitive cars and if we stay out of trouble in the race, I think we will be in a good spot at the end.”

Kris Wright to join Brandonbilt Motorsports  – Kris Wright will be behind the wheel of the No.68 Brandonbilt Motorsports Chevrolet for nine races this season, beginning with this weekend’s race at Watkins Glen International. The other races on his calendar include Darlington, Kansas, Bristol, Charlotte ROVAL, Las Vegas, Homestead, Martinsville and Phoenix.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be back in the NASCAR Xfinity Series garage and surrounded by a great team, Brandonbilt Motorsports,” Wright said. “The team has been super helpful in trying to acclimate me into the No. 68 Chevrolet Camaro for the majority of the remainder of the 2022 season. Looking forward to seeing the fans at Watkins Glen.”

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Chandler Smith rockets out front with Playoff win at Richmond

Kyle Busch Motorsports driver Chandler Smith took the Playoff win at Richmond Raceway last weekend in dominant fashion, leading 176 of the scheduled 250 laps, and with the victory catapulted himself into the second round of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs. Now the Georgia native sits atop the postseason standings by two points over Front Row Motorsports’ Zane Smith as the series takes two weeks to prepare for the final race of the Playoffs’ Round of 10 at Kansas Speedway on September 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

KBM’s Smith joins GMS Racing’s Grant Enfinger as the only the drivers locked into the Playoffs Round of 8 heading into Kansas. Front Row Motorsports’ Zane Smith leads the drivers without a win this round in the postseason standings with 2,109 points, up 46 on the Round of 8 cutline. Smith is followed by John Hunter Nemechek (+43), Ty Majeski (+36), Stewart Friesen (+31), 2021 series champ Ben Rhodes (+21), and veteran Matt Crafton, who sits in the eighth and final transfer spot on points and is up just three points on Niece Motorsport’s Carson Hocevar in ninth and six points on ThorSport Racing’s Christian Eckes in 10th. 

After his big win at Richmond, Chandler Smith is now tied with Zane Smith for the most wins on the season with three each. In 18 starts this season, the Kyle Busch Motorsports star has put up career season-highs in wins (three: Las Vegas, Pocono, Richmond), top fives (eight) and top 10s (12). 

Clinch Scenarios: Kansas Speedway

Only two drivers have clinched spots in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Round of 8 – GMS Racing’s Grant Enfinger (Indianapolis winner) and Kyle Busch Motorsports’ Chandler Smith (Richmond winner) – which means a lot can happen among the six other positions that are still open with one race to go. Below are the clinch scenarios heading into the Round of 8 finale at Kansas Speedway on September 9, 2022.

Already Clinched

The following two drivers have clinched a spot in the eight-driver field of the next round: Chandler Smith, Grant Enfinger.

Can Clinch Via Points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 7th winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Zane Smith, John Hunter Nemechek, Ty Majeski, Stewart Friesen, Ben Rhodes or Matt Crafton.

• Zane Smith: Would clinch with 10 points
• John Hunter Nemechek: Would clinch with 13 points
• Ty Majeski: Would clinch with 20 points
• Stewart Friesen: Would clinch with 25 points
• Ben Rhodes: Would clinch with 34 points (needs 35 points if Crafton wins)
• Matt Crafton: Would clinch with 53 points
• Carson Hocevar: Would clinch with 55 points (needs help if Crafton wins)
• Christian Eckes: Could only clinch with help

If there is a new winner from Carson Hocevar or Christian Eckes, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 6th winless driver in the standings.

• Zane Smith: Would clinch with 13 points
• John Hunter Nemechek: Would clinch with 16 points
• Ty Majeski: Would clinch with 23 points
• Stewart Friesen: Would clinch with 28 points
• Ben Rhodes: Would clinch with 38 points
• Matt Crafton: Could only clinch with help
• Carson Hocevar: Could only clinch with help
• Christian Eckes: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Zane Smith, John Hunter Nemechek, Ty Majeski, Stewart Friesen, Ben Rhodes, Matt Crafton, Carson Hocevar and Christian Eckes.

Need To Rebound: Hocevar, Eckes are on the outside looking in

Niece Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar (-3) and ThorSport Racing’s Christian Eckes (-6) are the two drivers currently below the NASCAR Camping World truck Series Playoffs Round of 8 cutline with just one race left to secure a spot to advance.

Hocevar’s Playoffs started with a 21st-place finish at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park followed by a 10th-place finish at Richmond. Now the Michigan native finds himself three points back from Crafton in eighth in the final transfer position. This is Hocevar’s second Playoff appearance, and he hopes to better what he did in 2021, where he was eliminated in the Round of 8.

Eckes kicked off his Playoffs with a 16th-place finish at Indianapolis and finished eighth at Richmond Raceway leaving him just six point back from his ThorSport Racing teammate Matt Crafton in eighth. Eckes is looking to build on his only other Playoff appearance in 2020, where he was eliminated in the Round of 10.

 NASCAR PR

Speedway Motorsports employees put their commitment to the community on full display Wednesday, with more than 75 people lending more than 300 hours of labor to four Cabarrus County nonprofits as part of the company’s fifth Day of Service.

Volunteers from Charlotte Motor Speedway, U.S. Legend Cars, zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte pitched in at Wings of Eagles Ranch, the Coltrane L.I.F.E. Center, Esther’s Heart for Transformation and The Teaching House, with activities ranging from carpentry and painting to landscaping, power washing and general beautification.

Visitors to the Coltrane L.I.F.E. Center, including Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Greg Walter, also played B-I-N-G-O with those in attendance. 

“One of our four core principles is to invest in our community, and this is a day that our team realizes is important,” Walter said. “People ask about (Day of Service) all year long. I have no trouble getting volunteers to come out here. As a matter of fact, my biggest issue is having enough people back at the office to get ready for the (upcoming) events. This is a chance for us to get together as a crew and apply our expertise and the passion that we have for others, and do good in the community.

“Everything we do, we do with a servant’s heart. This is a chance for us to exhibit that.”

The Day of Service program began in 2018, when the Speedway Motorsports Pit Crew began making a direct and immediate impact on the community. Since the first Day of Service, the company has built ramps for wheelchair-bound veterans, repaired railings, cooked and provided meals for those in need, painted, power washed and landscaped many charities in and around Cabarrus County.

Additionally, Speedway Motorsports partnered with Reeves Construction to repave a nonfunctional driveway at The Teaching House. 

“It’s always important to help the community,” said Todd Hemphill, Reeves Construction's superintendent. “There’s a lot of people in need of help right now, and if there’s anything we can do to help out, we enjoy it. It means a lot for these guys, knowing they’re doing something to help somebody out.”

Volunteers at Charlotte Motor Speedway also packed 200 sensory bags for youth and adult individuals who become over-stimulated by the loud noise, lights and heightened energy at Speedway Motorsports events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track.

KEEP TRACK:
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SMLLC PR

No. 20 DEWALT Toyota Camry TRD News and Notes:

• WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL: Christopher Bell will make his second NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) start at Watkins Glen International (WGI) on Sunday. Last year at WGI, Bell was running second during the final stage when he spun after contact on the track. He rebounded to cross the finish line seventh. Bell has two previous NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) starts at Watkins Glen, earning one top-five and two top-10 finishes.
• RICHMOND RECAP: Bell started 21st and finished second at Richmond Raceway. Bell overcame a pit road penalty and a spin to race his way up to second, narrowly missing earning his second victory of 2022.
• JGR AT WATKINS GLEN: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has claimed seven NCS victories at Watkins Glen. In 73 combined starts at the 2.45-mile road course, the organization has tallied 29 top-five finishes, 45 top-10s and 555 laps led. The championship-winning organization has won seven pole awards with an average start of 11.6 an average finish of 12.3.
• RACE INFO: The Go Bowling at The Glen begins at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 21, 2022. The race will be broadcast live on USA, Sirius XM 90, and MRN Radio.

From the Cockpit:

Christopher Bell: “I had a great showing there last year and I’ve always enjoyed Watkins Glen. I’m looking forward to Watkins Glen, I like the fast places. There’s a ton of lap time to be made through the inner loop, the technique to go through it, the ability of your car to jump over the curbs and land and be able to change direction, it takes a lot to be good there.”

JGR PR

No. 18 Pilot Flying J Toyota GR Supra News and Notes: 

• SMITH AT WATKINS GLEN: Sammy Smith will run his fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) race of the season this weekend at Watkins Glen International (WGI) in the No. 18 Pilot Flying J Toyota GR Supra. The NXS race will be his second race at the track after he runs the ARCA Menards Series (AMS) race at WGI on Friday for Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM). Smith has one NXS road course start this year which came at Road America where he ran in the top-10 most of the day before a mechanical failure relegated him to a 24th-place finish. 
• MICHIGAN RECAP: Smith started fifth in the New Holland 250 at Michigan International Speedway. He finished third in Stage One despite reporting the car was tight exiting the corners. Smith came down pit road during the stage break and maintained third place for the start of Stage Two in which he ran in the top-five throughout the stage and battled for the lead late in the stage. Crew Chief Jason Ratcliff brought the No. 18 Pilot Flying J Toyota GR Supra down pit road before the stage break resulting in a 12th-place finish in Stage Two. Smith led the first lap of his NXS career on lap 101 just before coming down pit road for a green flag pit stop. Smith sped on the entry to pit road and had to serve a penalty. Smith finished the race in 12th for his best NXS finish of the season.   
• 2022 ARCA SERIES: Smith has won two AMS races this year at Elko and Berlin. He has four poles this season with an average starting position of 2.4 and an average finish of 3.5 after running finishing in the top five in seven of the eight races he has competed in. In the ARCA Menards Series East (AMSE), Smith has three wins this season – New Smyrna, Pensacola, and Nashville – five races into the season. He finished in the top-five in both of the other races. He won the 2021 AMSE championship after winning three races and collecting one pole award. 
• HE MAY BE A ROOKIE BUT…: Crew Chief Jason Ratcliff certainly is not! Ratcliff has six starts at WGI in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) with two top-five finishes, and four top-10 finishes. In NXS, Ratcliff has 11 starts at WGI with six top-five finishes, eight top-10 finishes, and 83 laps led.  
• NO. 18 IN 2022: The JGR No. 18 has had seven different drivers so far in 2022 – Drew Dollar, Trevor Bayne, Ryan Truex, Bubba Wallace, John Hunter Nemechek, Connor Mosack and Sammy Smith. The No. 18 team has an average start of 8.5, an average finish of 17.6, 253 laps led, five top-five finishes, and eight top-10 finishes.  
• JGR AT WATKINS GLEN: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) drivers have two wins at WGI in a combined 46 NXS starts. In the 2021 NXS race at the road course, JGR driver Ty Gibbs took home the win and three of the four JGR drivers in the race finished in the top-10. JGR has 17 top-five finishes, 25 top-10s, one pole award, and drivers have combined to lead 226 laps.  
• FOLLOW ALONG: Follow along for updates and a behind-the-scenes look at Smith’s 2022 NXS/ARCA Seasons.  

Twitter: @SammySmithSS I Facebook: Sammy Smith Racing I Instagram:  @sammysmithss_ 

• RACE INFO: The NXS race at WGI is scheduled for 3:00 PM EST on Saturday, August 20. The race will be broadcasted on USA, MRN, Sirius XM and available to stream on the NBC Sports app. 

From the Driver’s Seat: 

Sammy Smith: “I am feeling confident going into Watkins Glen this weekend with the No. 18 Pilot Flying J team. I am more comfortable in our Toyota GR Supra with a few races under my belt and our run at Road America showed we can run well on road courses. I will definitely take what I learn during ARCA on Friday and apply it to practice, qualifying, and the race on Saturday. We’re looking forward to running a solid race and getting a good finish out of the No. 18 Pilot Flying J Toyota GR Supra.” 

JGR PR

Bill McAnally Racing will be a part of a history-making night at Evergreen Speedway on Saturday, participating in the 1,000th event for the ARCA Menards Series West in the NAPA AUTO PARTS 150.

The return to the .646-mile oval in Monroe, Washington will include a pair of BMR Chevrolet SS drivers battling for the team’s 100th series win, as well.

BMR has won seven times at the popular Pacific Northwest venue heading into the series’ 61st appearance there since 1964. Brendan Gaughan leads the team with two victories at Monroe, followed by five drivers with one win each. Both BMR drivers participating in Saturday’s event are shooting for their first win at the fairgrounds track.

Cole Moore, in the No. 99 Adaptive One Chevrolet SS, returns to Evergreen Speedway for his second start at the facility. The Granite Bay, California driver finished 10th in the 2016 edition of the NAPA AUTO PARTS 150 at Evergreen. Moore is fresh off equaling a career-best runner-up effort at Irwindale Speedway on July 2, preserving second place in the ARCA Menards Series West championship battle, entering the seventh round of the season.

Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina’s Landen Lewis will make his second start for BMR in the No. 16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet SS. His BMR debut at Irwindale Speedway was a success, earning a fifth-place finish. His three starts overall in the West Series in 2022 have yielded a win and two-top 5 finishes. In addition, he qualified second at Sonoma Raceway in June. His racing resume also includes a win and two top fives in three starts last year in the ARCA Menards Series. Lewis will make his first Evergreen Speedway start this weekend.

BMR is working with NAPA Seattle for this entitlement event. Special guests will experience the race with a VIP hospitality and pit tour on Saturday. On Friday, team owner Bill McAnally, NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday, and driver Landen Lewis will visit strong NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and NAPA AutoCare shops in the Seattle market area.

ARCA Menards Series West Event:

Race: NAPA AUTO PARTS 150 (Race 7 of 11) Aug. 20, 2022

Location: Evergreen Speedway, Monroe, Wash. (.646-mile oval)

Television: Streamed live on FloRacing on Aug. 20, 6:30 p.m. PT/ USA Network on Aug. 26, 11 a.m. PT

BMR Drivers:

Landen Lewis

No. 16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet SS

Age: 16

Hometown: Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

Career series stats: 3 starts, 1 win, 2 top fives

Most recent series finish: 5th – Irwindale (7/2/22)

Best career series finish: 1st – Kern (4/23/22)

Monroe stats: First series start at Evergreen

2022 series stats: 3 starts, 1 win, 2 top fives

Cole Moore

No. 99 Adaptive One Chevrolet SS

Age: 25

Hometown: Granite Bay, Calif.

Career series stats: 23 starts, 7 top 5s, 13 top 10s

Best career series and most recent finish: 2nd – Irwindale (twice, 3/26/22 and 7/2/22)

Monroe stats: 1 start, 1 top 10 (Best finish – 10th on 8/13/16)

2022 series stats: 6 starts, 3 top fives

BMR PR

With two races remaining before the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Ross Chastain and the No. 1 Worldwide Express team head to Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International. Watkins Glen is the fifth road course of the season and Chastain and Trackhouse have both had success on the left and right handed turn tracks.

Chastain earned his first career Cup Series victory at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) road course in Austin, Texas on March 27 when he led 31 laps and won a thrilling three-car battle on the final lap. At the second road course race of the season in Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway on June 12, Chastain finished seventh, followed by fourth at Road America in Wisconsin, and 27th at the Indianapolis road course after he battled for the win in the final laps. Trackhouse Racing teammate Daniel Suárez won on the road course at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in June. This weekend, both drivers will have a new teammate in Kimi Räikkönen. Räikkönen a native of Finland and Formula 1 Champion, will drive the No. 91 entry for Trackhouse's PROJECT91 at the New York road course. In 24 Cup Series starts this season, Chastain has two wins - COTA and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, 10 top-fives, 14 top-10s and 583 laps led. Last weekend at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, Chastain qualified second, won the first stage and led 80 laps in the 400 lap race. Before Sunday's race at Watkins Glen, Chastain will climb behind the wheel of the No. 92 for DGM Racing in the Xfinity Series. The Alva, Florida native will use Saturday afternoon's Xfinity race to hone his road racing skills for Sunday. Chastain has piloted the No. 92 entry twice so far this season. He led laps at COTA and finished fourth at the Indianapolis road course. USA Network will broadcast Saturday's Xfinity race at 3 p.m. ET and Sunday's Cup race at 3 p.m. ET.

Ross Chastain, Driver of the No. 1 Worldwide Express Chevrolet

What makes Watkins Glen different from the other road courses? "Watkins Glen is higher in grip than most places. It seems simple, but its actually more technical because there is so much grip. Its simple when it comes to the turns but that means all of the inputs are much more important. It will be hard to pass so there's a high risk of contact when it comes to passing."

What have your interactions with Kimi been like? "He's talked more in the time I've met with him in person, than I've ever heard him in all of the interviews I've seen (laughs) and I've watched him for a very long time."

What do you enjoy about Watkins Glen?   "The history of the track carries it. You look back at how many drivers have driven there, not just in NASCAR, but all forms of motorsports. The beginnings of the Watkins Glen racing scene and where they used to race on the streets and over by the lake, that's cool. Thinking about how many world class drivers went down the frontstretch, turned up through the esses and went through the bus stop. I hope one day to run the boot. I know we won't do that in NASCAR, but I hope to do it one day and extract that last little bit of lap time out. The boot layout would be on my bucket list."

Trackhouse Racing PR

No. 19 Menards/MagickWoods Toyota GR Supra News and Notes: 

• JONES AT WATKINS GLEN: Brandon Jones has five NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) starts at Watkins Glen International (WGI). He has two top-10 finishes and has led one lap at the road course with an average start of 18.2 and an average finish of 11.4. Jones also has one ARCA Menards Series (AMS) start at WGI where he qualified sixth and finished fifth. He has three starts at the track in the K&N Pro Series East with one top-10 finish and an average finish of 10.3. 
• FEATURED ON THE HOOD: The No. 19 Menards Toyota GR Supra will carry the MagickWoods logo on the hood this weekend at WGI. For more information, visit https://www.menards.com/. 
• MICHIGAN XFINITY SERIES RECAP: Jones earned his fourth top-five of the season with a fourth-place effort in the NXS race at Michigan International Speedway two weeks ago. After starting seventh, Jones wasted no time jumping into the top five early and he held a top-10 position throughout the 250-mile race. The result was Jones’ second consecutive top-five at the two-mile oval in Brooklyn, Michigan. 
• ARCA MENARDS SERIES: Jones will also race in the AMS Watkins Glen 100 on Friday night in the No. 81 Menards/Amerilux Toyota Camry. Jones has competed in three AMS races so far in 2022 winning at Charlotte and Iowa and finishing third in the daylight-shortened race at Pocono. He has an average start of 4.0 and an average finish of 1.7. In those three races, he has led 64 laps and has one pole. 
• JGR AT WATKINS GLEN: Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) drivers have two wins at WGI in a combined 46 NXS starts. In the 2021 NXS race at the road course, JGR driver Ty Gibbs took home the win and three of the four JGR drivers in the race finished in the top-10. JGR has 17 top-five finishes, 25 top-10s, one pole award, and drivers have combined to lead 226 laps.  
• FOLLOW ALONG: Follow along for updates and a behind-the-scenes look at Jones 2022 NXS Season.  

Twitter:  @BrandonJonesRac I Facebook:  Brandon Jones Racing I Instagram:@brandonjonesrac 

• RACE INFO: The NXS race at WGI is scheduled for 3:00 PM EST on Saturday, August 20. The race will be broadcasted on USA, MRN, Sirius XM and available to stream on the NBC Sports app. The AMS race at WGI is scheduled for 6:00 PM EST on Friday, August 19. The race will be broadcasted on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM and available to stream on the Fox Sports app. 

From the Cockpit: 

Brandon Jones: “Watkins Glen is probably the fastest road course we go to. There’s a lot of right-handers there so that will be something that we need to keep in mind setup-wise. We had a pretty good finish there last year and the gains that we made in the off-season with our No. 19 Menards/MagickWoods GR Supra will be important so I don’t see why we won’t show up and have a top-five finish this weekend.” 

 JGR PR

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin and the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare team visited the Ohsweken Speedway oval on Tuesday for the first NASCAR Pinty's Series race held on a dirt track. The mix of pavement and dirt specialist drivers promised some great action.

Indeed, the 100 laps of this event did not disappoint the many spectators who came out for this historic event. For its part, the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare team tried all day long during practice and qualifying heats to find the right suspension settings without success.

By taking advantage of the many caution periods and restarts, Louis-Philippe Dumoulin finished as high as 11^th, but without being able to express his true potential or that of the car. “I gave it everything I had behind the wheel,” said the driver of the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare car. “Every possible racing line was tried, low, high, fast or slow entry into the corners, our set-up just didn't work with the track conditions.”

While the result was far from the team's expectations, the learning experience is no less important for the coming seasons. “We will do our homework to come back stronger next year,” explained Louis-Philippe Dumoulin. “Important changes could have been made, but it was too late in the day to make them, so we were limited to the changes we could do in this context. I would like to thank the team members who joined us for the event. They were a great help throughout the event.”

Next Race: Complexe ICAR – August 27, 2022

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin and the #47 WeatherTech Canada | Groupe Bellemare team will return to the Complexe ICAR (Mirabel, Quebec) road course on Saturday, August 27, where Louis-Philippe Dumoulin distinguished himself last year with a podium finish.

PPP PR

Darlington Raceway will host the Atlanta Braves 2021 World Champions Trophy Tour as part of Track for Laps for Charity on Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Track Laps for Charity offers fans the opportunity to drive their personal vehicles around the track Too Tough To Tame for a donation of $20. All proceeds from the event will support Shriners Children’s and Darlington Shares.

“As we welcome fans back for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, we will offer fans a champions experience with the Atlanta Braves World Champions Trophy and the Johnny Mantz Southern 500 Trophy at Track Laps for Charity,” said Kerry Tharp, Darlington Raceway President. “We look forward to race fans experiencing the track Too Tough To Tame and supporting our partners at Shriners Children’s.”

The Atlanta Braves World Champions Trophy Tour presented by Truist is traveling throughout Braves Country through the summer with a total of 151 stops, commemorating 151 years of Braves baseball. The stop at Darlington Raceway will offer fans the opportunity to take photos with the trophy, promotional item giveaways and more.

Race fans can also get their photo with the one of the most coveted trophies in motorsports, the Johnny Mantz Southern 500 Trophy, that will be awarded to the winner of the 73^rd running of the Cook Out Southern 500 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race. The trophies will be located in the NASCAR Cup Series garage with photo opportunities available to fans from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This is the third year of Track Laps for Charity events as Darlington Raceway continues to partner with organizations making a difference in our community. Darlington Raceway has already hosted Track Laps for Charity events to benefit the Genesis Community Foundation, VFW’s Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship program with Sport Clips, Hartsville American Legion and Darlington County Humane Society. The last Track Laps for Charity of the year will benefit Toys for Tots on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For Track Laps for Charity, fans will enter the track through the Gate 39A tunnel entrance off of Highway 151. To participate in Track Laps for Charity and drive three laps around the track, fans must abide by the following rules and restrictions:

• All drivers must be 18 years of age or older with a valid state-issued driver’s license.
• Driver and passengers must sign Track Laps for Charity waivers in the presence of track personnel.
• All participants must adhere to South Carolina state laws regarding the usage of seat belts and child safety restraints.
• Passenger vehicles only; motorcycles are not permitted.
• Maximum speed is 55 miles per hour and regulated by Darlington Raceway personnel with a lead and chase vehicle.
• Drivers must stay up to speed and refrain from lagging behind in order to speed up.
• Track Laps for Charity may be postponed or canceled due to inclement weather or safety conditions. If a cancellation is necessary, Darlington Raceway will make its best effort to contact guests in advance of their visit.

For more information on Track Laps for Charity, visit www.darlingtonraceway.com/events/tracklaps/.

To learn about Darlington Shares, a donor advised fund of The NASCAR Foundation, go to www.darlingtonraceway.com/darlington-shares.

Darlington Raceway PR