Tim Bertrand, owner of Bertrand Motorsports, is pleased to announce he has signed Kody Swanson to drive for his team at four premier midget events in 2023.

Swanson will drive a Bertrand Motorsports Beast with a Stanton engine in the Carb Night Classic at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP) in Brownsburg, Ind., on Friday, May 26; the Boston Louie Seymour Memorial at Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway on Saturday, July 15; the Twin 25 midget races at IRP on Saturday, Aug. 12, and the Howard Companies Championship Saturday at IRP on Oct. 21. All three of the events at IRP are marquee events of the United States Auto Club (USAC) and part of the National Pavement Midget Championship, while the Boston Louie Seymour Memorial is a cornerstone of the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) schedule each year.

It will mark the second year of Swanson’s participation with the Southwick, Mass.-based team, which has won 11 NEMA championships. The team finished first and second in the NEMA championship this year with Avery Stoehr of Lakeville, Mass., and Randy Cabral of Plymouth, Mass., respectively.

Swanson, a native of Kingsburg, Calif., who resides in Indianapolis, is the winningest driver in USAC Silver Crown history with seven championships. He and his brother, Tanner, are tied for the most USAC Silver Crown victories ever at IRP with seven. Kody Swanson also sewed up the inaugural championship of the 500 Sprint Car Tour in October at IRP.

Bertrand said he plans to field three cars, and possibly a fourth, in the events at IRP. Cole Carter of Brownsburg, Ind., and Nathan Byrd of Goodyear, Ariz., will be Swanson’s teammates in those races.

The team owns seven pavement midgets in all. It will continue to field two full-time in NEMA events for Stoehr and Cabral. Cabral has won eight NEMA championships driving for Bertrand Motorsports; Stoehr has won two for the team, and Todd Bertrand, Tim’s brother, was the NEMA champion in 2020. The team is second on the all-time NEMA win list with 101 feature victories.

Bertrand Motorsports has won the Boston Louie Seymour Memorial eight times, including this year with Stoehr.

The team’s primary sponsor is project44, a software company based in Chicago which is the world’s leading advanced visibility platform for shippers and third-party logistics firms. It helps thousands of the world’s largest brands make their supply chains work.

Other sponsors include Esslinger, Bass Plating, Plas Tec Coatings, Eibach Springs, TJ Forged, ARS, CSI, JRC Transportation and Stanton.

“There were many reasons we hired Kody,” Bertrand said. “He’s the all-time USAC Silver Crown winner and a master at IRP, and winning a race at IRP is definitely on my bucket list. It’s something I’ve been aiming to do my whole career. It would rank up there with any other victory we’ve had in our team’s history.

“I would say that being involved with him this year has fast-forwarded our program about five to 10 years,” Bertrand continued. “The knowledge he brings about the cars and the tracks and open-wheel cars in general brings us to a new level. We were a threat for a win or a podium at every race this year, but we had some mechanical issues that caused our results on paper to not really match Kody and the car’s actual performances. We’re headed into the new year much more aware of how to fix some of the issues we had, and we’re really excited about next year.

“Another reason is that we really enjoy working with him and the Dorans and with the Swanson family; they’re first-class individuals,” added Bertrand. (Swanson’s four Silver Crown victories this year and the 500 Sprint Car Tour championship came driving Doran Racing-fielded cars.) “Part of the reason I do this is to be with good people, and that’s something that he and his team and his family bring to the table.”

“I’m excited to return to the Bertrand Motorsports team in 2023,” said Swanson. “It was great to get to know them this year, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to have raced with them. They have a great team atmosphere, and I enjoy working with everyone that is part of it. While our final results weren’t what we hoped for, we made real progress throughout our first season, and I felt like we were still in contention for a podium finish in each race. So I’m looking forward to continue building on what we’ve learned so far, and giving it our best shot in the upcoming season.

“I’m thankful for the chance to compete in the Boston Louie race,” Swanson continued. “The Bertrands have such a long history of success in the NEMA series, and with winged midgets, so I’m really looking forward to being able to try my hand at this new discipline with them.”

Towing halfway across the country to race adds to the challenge, and Bertrand said that his team couldn’t make the IRP events without the help of his father, Gil. “He drove back and forth from Connecticut to Indianapolis to support this operation,” he said. “Between testing; working on the cars; going to Doran’s shop in Lebanon, Ohio, and towing to the races at IRP, we wouldn’t be able to do this without my dad.”

Bertrand also singled out longtime TQ midget racer John Smith and veteran midget and TQ racer Rich Tolerico for their help; Glen Cabral, longtime crew member; Nick Makrianis; Andy Weeks; Brandon Igo, Kevin Park, and of course, his family: wife, Cara; daughter, Norah; brothers Todd and Patrick; sister-in-law, Mariah, and niece and nephew, Ellie and Tucker.

“Kody brings a couple of great helpers too,” he added. “Ryan Roberts has been with Kody for a long time, as has Clark Lamme. His wife, Jordan, is his spotter. We’ve put together a little crew of people we’re both comfortable with to help build the best-possible crew that we could for this effort, and we’re all looking forward to 2023.”

For more information on Bertrand Motorsports, follow it on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram (BertrandMotorsports) and Twitter (BertrandMS). For more information on Swanson, see kodyswansonracing.com and shopkodyswanson.com and follow him on Facebook (KodySwansonRacin) and Twitter and Instagram (kodyswanson).

Bertrand Motorsports PR

The holiday spirit filled The Palace Theatre in Manchester, N.H. Wednesday as Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig joined the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCCNH), the official charity of New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS), at its 13^th annual Grant Distribution Ceremony. Grants were handed out to 27 local nonprofits totaling $142,000 in front of the festive backdrop from “A Christmas Carol.”

"The spirit of giving is what this season is all about," said Craig as she addressed the grant recipients during the ceremony. "Thank you to everyone in attendance who works diligently to better the lives of children not only in Manchester, but across New Hampshire and New England. I'm grateful to be here with all of you to recognize the outstanding work you do."

Since its inception in 2009, SCCNH has distributed more than $2.1 million, supporting more than 957,000 children throughout the region.

“Speedway Children’s Charities is a cornerstone of our company’s culture that we give back to the communities in which our speedways are located,” said New Hampshire Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager David McGrath. “To be able to work with so many wonderful organizations all over New England to help kids all across the region is such a wonderful feeling, and to do it during the holidays and the season of giving, it just feels really good.”

The grants distributed today resulted from fundraising opportunities and events that took place between November 2021 and October 2022 including Gift of Lights, three Laps for Charity events, a motorcycle Ride to the Racetrack from Laconia Harley-Davidson, a Cornhole Tournament presented by NBT Bank, Track Walk presented by PPG, Hot Laps, the Wicked Good Live Auction and the Dale Jr. Foundation Safe Kids 301. SCCNH also presented the opportunity for race fans to Sign the Track Wall Banner prior to the NASCAR Cup Series race and hosted the second annual 50/50 Raffle presented by PPG that grew to more than $87,000 during the speedway’s July NASCAR weekend.

SCCNH Chapter Director Danielle Cyr participated in a Half Ironman Timberman Triathlon event earlier this year to raise money for SCCNH. That, along with corporate donations from long-time SCCNH supporter PPG; Ambetter by NH Healthy Families, who supports Speedway Children’s Charities at not only NHMS but also many other Speedway Motorsports facilities; first-time SCCNH supporter NBT Bank and several donations from New England race fans enhanced the overall total for the year.

“Today is the special day each year when we get to spread holiday cheer to so many amazing New England organizations,” said Cyr, who also serves as New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s Director of Marketing. “We worked hard to provide lots of fun opportunities for race fans throughout the year to raise as much money as possible so these organizations can serve the needs of tens of thousands of children throughout the region.”

Today’s 27 grant recipients include:

• New Hampshire
  • Best Buddies International (Manchester)
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire (Stratham)
  • The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (Dover)
  • Easter Seals New Hampshire (Manchester)
  • Families in Transition New Hampshire (Manchester)
  • Full Circle Farm Therapeutic Horsemanship (Newport)
  • Gateways Community Services (Nashua)
  • High Hopes Foundation (Nashua)
  • Kismet Rock Foundation (North Conway)
  • New England Disabled Sports (Lincoln)
  • New Hampshire Catholic Charities (Manchester)
  • Palace Theatre Trust (Manchester)
  • Safari Youth Club (Manchester)
  • Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Hillsborough and Rochester)
  • Waypoint (Manchester)
• Connecticut
  • The Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut (Danbury)
  • Stamford Hospital (Stamford)
• Maine
  • Camp Sunshine of Sebago Lake (Casco)
• Massachusetts
  • The Boys & Girls Club of MetroWest (Marlborough)
  • Camp Words Unspoken (Westfield)
  • Dreams for Emily (Taunton)
  • The Kennek Foundation (Marblehead)
  • The Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless (Lynn)
  • SAFE Coalition (Norfolk)
  • The Sports Museum of New England (Boston)
  • Windrush Farm (North Andover)
  • YMCA of Metro North (Peabody)

SCCNH is one of 11 chapters around the country, and combined in 2022, Speedway Children’s Charities distributed  more than $2.8 million in grants to nearly 300 different charitable organizations across the country, bringing the total funds distributed since 1982 to more than $64.3 million, ensuring many children in need are given the tools to build a better, brighter and healthy 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, NHMS, North Wilkesboro Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.

Fundraising for 2023 grants has already begun during the 12^th annual Gift of Lights presented by Ambetter, open nightly through Jan. 1 at NHMS. A portion of the proceeds from Gift of Lights admissions, race registrations from the Yule Light Up The Night Run/Walk and s’more kit purchases will benefit SCCNH. The 2.5-mile drive-thru light show featuring 3.5 million LED lights, opens at 4:30 p.m. nightly, depending on the weather. Admission is available for purchase online for $35 per car or $60 per bus, limousine or RV. SCCNH has raised $388,335 from Gift of Lights since 2011.

Follow Us:

Keep track of all of the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities events on the charity website and by following on Facebook (@SCC.NH), Twitter (@SCCNHMS) and Instagram (@SCCNHMS). To donate directly to SCCNH, please visit SpeedwayCharities.org/Donate/#NewHampshire.

NHSCC PR

“When this opportunity presented itself, it was a great honor to be representing Porsche,” Czarnecki remarked. “This is going to be the most technologically advanced car that we, Team Penske, have ever raced. So that creates a whole new sense of challenge, as well as some difficulty. We began testing the Porsche several months ago, and that is ongoing as we prepare for the Rolex 24.   “Really, it’s been a two-year ongoing process,” he added. “We’ve taken some good people from our North Carolina operation and migrated them over to Germany and vice versa, and it’s been a real joint collaboration between the two companies. And remember, we have an extensive business relationship with Porsche on the retail auto side, both in the United States and in Western Europe. They are a significant business partner of ours outside the motorsports realm.”   Hull joined Ganassi in 1992. Since taking over as the top manager in 2001, he led the team to nine IndyCar championships with drivers Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti, all while forging the organization’s expansion into sports cars.   Like Penske, Ganassi has been preparing for the LMDh era for the last two years. After taking a one-year hiatus in 2020 when the Ford GTLM program ceased operation, Ganassi fielded a Cadillac DPi in IMSA in 2021 and ‘22 and handled the majority of development and testing for Cadillac’s LMDh challenger over the summer. Ganassi is entering both its cars in the Rolex 24, with the second car then peeling off to compete in the full WEC season. Ganassi and Action Express drivers have logged more than 12,000 miles of testing so far.

Hull is excited about the new hybrid technology being introduced with the LMDh formula.

“Dating back to the invention of the wheel, racing has always been about advancing technology,” he said. “Whatever it is, racing has always followed that form and function. Number two, that’s how we’re funded! So, we are happy to be on the leading edge of developing the product, we’re happy that, in our case, General Motors is helping us race the product, and we’re looking forward to the next step.

“Racing isn’t about accepting change; racing is about forecasting change before everybody else,” Hull added. “I think the direction that it’s going will still provide terrific entertainment, viable racing and the thing all of us enjoy, which is wheel-to-wheel action.”

Rolex 24 activities begin with the Roar Before the Rolex 24, Jan. 20-22 at Daytona International Speedway. Rolex 24 race week runs Jan. 26-29. Tickets for both weeks are available at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com.

IMSA Wire PR

With the entry list for the 37th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire already cresting the 200 mark, the first deadline for teams to enter is Friday, December 9, 2022.

Currently at $150, after Friday’s deadline, the cost per entry goes to $200.

Entry for the 2023 event can be taken via mail to 1140 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112, by phone at (918) 838-3777, by fax to (918) 836-5517, and via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The entry form can be downloaded at https://www.chilibowl.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=72453.

If entering by phone, the Chili Bowl office is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (CT). Each entry must include a W9 to indicate who will receive payment. Entries that do not have a completed W9 on file will not be added to a qualifying night.

Changed just prior to the 2022 event, competitors under the age of 16 will be allowed to enter. All entries received by drivers under 16 years of age will go before an advisory committee. Only after being approved by the committee will a driver under 16 years of age be allowed to compete. A copy of a Birth Certificate will still be required to confirm the driver’s age.

The 2023 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, takes place January 9-14, 2023, atop the clay of the Tulsa Expo Raceway. The event is contested under the massive roof of the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Okla.

Monday and Tuesday Reserved Seats are on sale by calling (918) 838-3777. The offices of the Chili Bowl Nationals are open Monday-Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (CT). Pit Passes are sold at the event and can be purchased for single or consecutive nights.

Teams will move in on Saturday, January 7, 2023, starting at 9:00 A.M. Some teams pitted near the grandstands overlooking turns three and four will be contacted directly to park Friday night. Practice will be Sunday, January 8, 2023, starting at 9:00 A.M. Groups will run through twice. Weekdays open at 9:00 A.M. with cars on track at 4:00 P.M. for Hot Laps. Saturday opens at 8:00 A.M. with cars on track at 9:00 A.M. (CT). A complete rundown of times can be found at https://www.chilibowl.com/about.

Fans not able to attend the 37th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire will be able to watch every lap live on http://www.floracing.com.

For continued updates on the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, fans can follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with @CBNationals. All official press, updates, and results on the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire can be found online at http://www.chilibowl.com.

Quick Notes:

What: 37th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire

When: January 9-14, 2023

Where: SageNet Center – Tulsa Expo Raceway 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK 74114

Contact:

Phone: (918) 838-3777

Fax: (918) 836-5517

Mail: 1140 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112

Chili Bowl Online:

Website: http://www.chilibowl.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chilibowlnationals

Twitter: (@cbnationals)

Official Hashtag: #ChiliBowl2023

Instagram: cbnationals

Snap Chat: TheChiliBowl

Daily Times and Prices:

Saturday, January 7, 2023

Move-In……..…..…..………..……....……..….9:00 am - 8:00 pm

Building/Pit Pass Booth Open...……......………………12:00 pm

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Building/Pit Pass Booth Open...……......………………7:00 am

Building Secured.........................................................7:00 am

Practice………………………………….…...…...….….. 9:00 am

Multi-Day Pit Pass $405~ Single day $30

Monday, January 9, 2023

Building/Pit Pass Booth Open...……......………………9:00 am

Building Secured.........................................................1:00 pm

Draw For Lineups........................................................2:00 pm

Driver's Meeting..........................................................3:00 pm

Hot Laps…………………….……..…….….………..…..4:00 pm

Races………………………..………….….….…...….... 5:00 pm

Multi-Day Pit Pass $375~ Single day $60

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Building Opens............................................................9:00 am

Pit Pass Booth Open………......……..............…….…11:00 am

Building Secured.........................................................1:00 pm

Draw For Lineups........................................................2:00 pm

Driver's Meeting..........................................................3:00 pm

Hot Laps…………………….……..…….….………..…..4:00 pm

Races………………………..………….….….…...….... 5:00 pm

Multi-Day Pit Pass $315 ~ Single day $60

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Building Opens...........................................................9:00 am

Pit Pass Booth Open..…….....................……………11:00 am

Building Secured.........................................................1:00 pm

Draw For Lineups........................................................2:00 pm

Driver's Meeting..........................................................3:00 pm

Hot Laps…………………….……..…….….………..…..4:00 pm

Races………………………..………….….….…...….... 5:00 pm

Multi-Day Pit Pass $255 ~ Single day $60

Thursday January 12, 2023

Building Opens..........................................................9:00 am

Pit Pass Booth Open..……......……………..............11:00 am

Building Secured.........................................................1:00 pm

Draw For Lineups........................................................2:00 pm

Driver's Meeting..........................................................3:00 pm

Hot Laps…………………….……..…….….………..…..4:00 pm

Races………………………..………….….….…...….... 5:00 pm

Multi-Day Pit Pass $195 ~ Single day $60

Friday January 13, 2023

Building Secured/Pit Pass Booth Open..……......…….9:00 am

Draw For Lineups........................................................2:00 pm

Driver's Meeting..........................................................3:00 pm

Hot Laps…………………….……..…….….………..…..4:00 pm

Races………………………..………….….….…...….... 5:00 pm

Multi-Day Pit Pass $135 ~ Single day $60

Saturday January 14, 2023

Building Secured/Trade Show ……….………….…... 8:00 am

Pit Pass Booth/Pit Gate ….….…...….…..……………. 8:00 am

Racer's For Christ Service...........................................8:15 am

Feature Hot Laps..……….……………….……….……9:00 am

Opening Ceremonies..................................................6:00 pm

Pit Pass $75

All times are subject to change

Chili Bowl PR

Nearly eleven months after it started, Brody Roa finished his 2022 racing season in the 81^st annual Turkey Night Grand Prix at Jim Naylor’s Ventura Raceway.  Contesting the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series portion of the program in Jayson May’s pretty #8M sprint car, the Garden Grove, California driver ended up finishing 17^th in the 30-lap main event due to some late-race bad luck.

The two-night program featured heat races, qualifiers, and a dash for the sprint cars on Friday night. An outstanding field of 49 entries showed up for the event.  Drivers did not qualify but rather drew for positions in the Friday night heat races.  Roa pulled a number that placed him in the second heat race on the famous 1/5-of-a-mile clay oval. 

The 31-year-old started in the fourth position in his heat race.  By the end of the opening go around he was second and was applying immediate heat to the leader. The veteran racer kept the pressure up all the way to the Kris Kornder checkered flag but he had to settle for second.  The finish placed him on the outside of row number one for his 12-lap qualifier.  From there, he steered the #8M into the lead and proceeded to stay out front every inch of the way.  Two races down and everything was working to perfection.  However, that was about to change. 

With the heat and qualifiers out of the way, there was only one thing left for Roa on the night. That was the 15-lap dash for the top 10 drivers in points after the heat races and the qualifiers. The way they finished the dash would be the way they started the main event straight up.  Roa was on the outside of the second row in fourth for the start.  He stayed in that position over the first two circuits before slipping back to fifth on lap three.

On lap nine Roa moved back to the 4^th place spot. That pass moved him up a full row in Saturday’s main if he could stay there.  Everything went smoothly until lap 12.  Entering turn three, the second-place car clipped one of the huge tires protecting the end of the crashwall at the pit entrance.  That caused the car to spin and it also kicked the tire onto the track. The third-place driver, Roa’s teammate Chase Johnson, hit the tire and turned over.  Roa, who was close behind, had nowhere to go and slid into the mess.  For good measure, another car sailed into Roa and the red flag came out.

For all intents and purposes, it looked like Roa was done for the night. In fact, he climbed out of his car and took off his helmet. But after a closer look, he realized his car was not damaged as much as he thought. The veteran racer pushed his helmet back on, climbed back in the car, and bumped off for the restart. By that time there were only seven cars left in the race.  That meant Roa had to restart at the back in seventh.  In the remaining laps, he passed one car to finish sixth and start one spot closer to the front in Saturday’s championship main event.

Saturday night Roa and his fellow competitors were greeted by a near-capacity crowd at one of America’s most popular dirt tracks. In addition to the packed house, the race was also seen by thousands more around the world on Flo Racing.  Being that he finished sixth in points the previous night, Roa did not have to race in any of the preliminaries. He was seeded right into the 30-lap finale and would start on the outside of the third row in May’s gorgeous #8M.

At the drop of the Chris Kornder green flag, Roa immediately went on the attack.  However, the green flag was short-lived as the caution came out on the second circuit. For the restart, Roa was in fifth and he dogged the fourth-place car for the first 1/3 of the race.  By lap 20, he had slipped back to seventh.  As the race reached the waning laps, he was still in seventh, but with an engine issue and an overzealous driver clobbering him from behind, Roa was knocked from the action with two laps to go.  He ended up 17^th.

The Ventura result was not the way “The Pride of Garden Grove” wanted to conclude the season but he did have a very good year.  He had 15 top-10 finishes and 11 of those were in the top five.  Despite not running the full USAC/CRA schedule, Roa’s total of three wins was second-best on the circuit and he finished sixth in points.  Highlights of the year included his win at Mohave Valley after he started 11^th in the main event.  At Santa Maria, he drove to the win in the 410 race in May’s 360 powered rocketship.  He also had a win in May’s car in a USAC West Coast Series race at Ventura.

In addition to his non-wing endeavors, Roa, also qualified for his first-ever World of Outlaws main event at Perris on March 26^th.  It was only his second-ever race in the legendary series.  The first came 24 hours earlier at Bakersfield.

While the 2022 season just ended, 2023 will kick off in just five weeks in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Chili Bowl.  The sprint car season will kick off two weeks after that at the Cocopah Speedway in Arizona.  In between now and Cocopah, the team will be working on cars, ordering parts, and exploring marketing opportunities with potential partners.  If you would like to join forces with Roa for 2023, give him a call or drop him an email at the contact information at the top of this release.   

To learn more about Roa and the team or to pick up some team merchandise, check out the website https://www.brodyroa.com/. Fans can also stay up to date by checking out the team news on Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/br91r/.

If you are looking to purchase a sprint car, Roa has a nice roller for sale.  It is a 2021 Eagle 87/40 Raised Rail.  It includes KSE Gen2 Steering, new in 2022, KSE Steering Pump, Winters Competition Eliminator 4.12 Rear End with swivel coupler, XYZ Birdcages, BMRS Plumbing, Plenty of Titanium, Carbon Body, Quick Car Gauges, Wilwood Brakes.  Front axle length of buyer’s choice – 50” or 53”. No Fuel Tank, Shocks, or Seat. Quality Race Car!  CSI Shocks and/or Saldana Fuel Tank can be added at additional cost.   $9,900.  Send an email address for a list of components.  Brett – 562-230-1286 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Brody – 714-932-7994 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Roa and the team want to thank the following sponsors for making the 2022 season possible. HD Industries, Burris Racing, Sander Engineering, Inland Rigging, Caltrol, “Biker” Bruce Fischer, Competition Suspension, ALR Virtual Services, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. In addition, the veteran driver offers thanks to RDM Mechanics, Fastenal, KC Keen Concrete, Coopers Propane, Ten West Towing, Ten West Environmental, TJM Distribution, and Westco International for sponsoring May’s #8M. 

To keep up with May Motorsports, please check out and “like” its Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/MayMotorsports8M

BRP PR

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, the casual dining restaurant known for homemade American classics at affordable prices, will sponsor Kyle Busch and the No. 8 team beginning in 2023, Richard Childress Racing announced today.

As part of the multi-race, multi-year agreement, RCR will provide strategic content, marketing and communications plans around their primary partnership on Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

“We’ve loved partnering with RCR and the No. 8 race team since our debut into the sport three years ago, and we’re just getting started,” said John Felton, Senior Director of Marketing for Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. “We’re excited to welcome Kyle Busch and Rowdy Nation to the Cheddar’s family, and we look forward to celebrating many wins to come.”

With more than 180 restaurants across 28 states, Cheddar’s serves American classics and homestyle comfort food in a feel-at-home atmosphere. Guests get a lot, for not a lot with homemade entrees like hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, homemade Chicken Pot Pie and slow-smoked Baby Back Ribs so big, they almost fall off the plate. To kick off a memorable meal, every guest is welcomed with a warm Honey Butter Croissant on the house.

“Both Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Richard Childress Racing share a natural theme of scratch-made items, whether it be a casual, homestyle meal or components for high-performance race cars,” said Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing. “Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen has been particularly successful at leveraging their race team partnership to increase brand affinity and purchase consideration, and our entire team is looking forward to building on the already strong strategic content, marketing and communications programs we have partnered together on.”

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen’s multi-year program with RCR will also include an off-track element with a variety of activations at restaurant locations across the country, including a continuation of their successful show car program.

For more information and all that is going on at RCR, visit rcrracing.com.

RCR PR

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced Thursday that John Hunter Nemechek will join the team to run the full NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) schedule and compete for a championship in 2023. Nemechek will be climbing behind the wheel of the No. 20 Toyota GR Supra which makes its return to JGR and NXS after a one-year hiatus. 

The Toyota development driver has more than 250 starts in NASCAR’s national touring series displaying talent at all three levels. His resume includes 13 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series wins (NCTS), two NXS wins, and a full season in the NASCAR Cup. Nemechek is no stranger to JGR as he won at Texas Motor Speedway with the team in 2021 and ran three races behind the wheel of the No. 18 in 2022 with a best finish of second at Richmond. 

The 25-year-old ran full time in the NCWTS in 2022 winning two races and seven pole awards making it to the Round of Eight in the NASCAR Playoffs. Nemechek was the 2021 NCTS regular season champion. 

“I’m appreciative of the opportunity to get back to competing full time in the Xfinity Series,” said Nemechek. “JGR is a group that I know I can win with after getting that win at Texas in 2021. I’m excited to get to work on the 2023 season so we can go out and win some races and compete for a championship.”

Mobil 1 will be the primary sponsor for the year on the No. 20. Nemechek will also be backed by his long-standing partners Berry’s Bullets, Pye Barker Fire and Safety, Romco Equipment and his Grocery Store Brands throughout the 2023 NXS season.

“John Hunter has shown the dedication it takes to be a successful racecar driver,” said Steve DeSouza, Executive Vice President, Xfinity Series and Driver Development. “He has experience at all levels of NASCAR that will be valuable to the team in 2023. We are excited to add him to our driver lineup for the year and look forward to the success the No. 20 team will see.”

Ben Beshore will serve as crew chief of the No. 20 NXS team in 2023. 

JGR PR

Talladega Superspeedway’s fourth Track Laps for Charity event, which allows fans to drive their personal car three laps around the 2.66-mile venue, is set for this Saturday (Dec. 10) at the 2.66-mile venue and will benefit Toys For Tots.

The minimal $50 donation per car/truck for the three laps will help raise funds for the speedway's outreach fund, 'DEGA Gives, a donor advised fund of The NASCAR Foundation, which will donate the money raised to Toys For Tots. Guests are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy as TSS will be a drop-off destination for Toys For Tots. Timing of the event is 9 a.m. – 1p.m. CDT. The event was originally scheduled for last Saturday (Dec. 3) but, because of inclement weather, was moved to this Saturday. Forecast Saturday looks positive, with clear skies and temperatures ranging from the mid 50s to the low 70s during the day.

Anyone who has already purchased tickets via the Talladega Superspeedway website at https://www.talladegasuperspeedway.com/events/track-laps/ will have the ability to use their donation (minimum of $50) for Saturday’s (Dec. 10) event, or at a 2023 Track Laps for Charity event (April 1, June 17, Aug. 5 or Dec. 9, 2023). Track Laps for this Saturday event can be purchased in advance via the TSS website or on track property upon arrival.

The Dec. 10 charitable event will be the fourth of 2022, having raised $38,000 for local charities thus far. Toys For Tots, which has celebrated its 75^th anniversary this year, collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.

In addition to taking three laps around the greatest race track on the planet, families will be able to be a part the Talladega Garage Experience Open House to get a sneak peek at the 140,000 SF area, complete with Kids Zone and Game Zone, the unique 35,000 square foot “BIG BILL’s” covered Open Air Social Club, and Ruoff Mortgage Victory Lane. Attendees will be able to take their photograph beside Talladega Superspeedway’s Official Pace Car and the traditional Vulcan Trophy (miniature version of the colossal Vulcan statue - www.visitvulcan.com - that is awarded to each NASCAR Cup Series winner at ’Dega). Both will be placed in Ruoff Mortgage Victory Lane where Chase Elliott celebrated after he captured the YellaWood 500 in October, as well as Ross Chastain in April’s GEICO 500.

Guests Saturday will see how race fans, who will be attending next spring’s GEICO 500 (April 23), will be immersed into the sport of NASCAR by being up-close to NASCAR’s top drivers and teams via a fan walkway under the same roof as the NASCAR Cup Series garage bays. The GEICO 500 NASCAR Cup Series race will culminate a tripleheader weekend, April 22-23, 2023. For race weekend (which also includes the Saturday, April 22 Ag-Pro 300 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and General Tire 200 for the ARCA Menards Series) ticket information, log onto www.talladegasuperspeedway.com. Ross Chastain, who finished second in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Championship battle, is the defending champion of the GEICO 500.

Fans are encouraged to keep up with all the happenings at the biggest, baddest race track on the planet by following Talladega Superspeedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as in the NASCAR Tracks App for the latest speedway news.

TSS PR

It’s never too early to talk about NASCAR’s return to Kansas Speedway in 2023.

Kansas Speedway announced today that tickets are now on sale for the AdventHealth 400 race weekend May 6-7. The NASCAR Cup Series race is the cornerstone event for the first of two NASCAR weekends scheduled for Kansas Speedway next year, and anticipation is at an all-time high following a 2022 NASCAR season for the ages.

“May can’t get here fast enough,” said Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren. “We had two incredible weekends of racing at Kansas Speedway this year, and next season’s action should be even more exciting for all of our fans.”

The AdventHealth 400 race weekend features three races across two action-packed days, and it promises excitement for the whole family. The racing begins with a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series / ARCA Menards Series doubleheader on Saturday, May 6, and a ticket that day also includes Busch Light Pole Award qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series.

Such an action-packed Saturday sets the table for the AdventHealth 400 on Sunday, May 7. It’s a pivotal early test for the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series who are competing for a berth in the 2023 playoffs. Tickets start at $49 and are available for purchase at www.kansasspeedway.com.

Even more excitement will be on tap September 8-10, when the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs return to America’s heartland and cap four great races in three days.

Tickets for Kansas Speedway’s September race weekend will go on sale Jan. 20.

Kansas Speedway PR