Dawson Cram, an up-and-coming driver who has packed a lot of racing into a few years of driving experience, will compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024 for JD Motorsports.

Johnny Davis, a veteran team owner who has fielded Xfinity cars for a string of young drivers, made the announcement Wednesday at his shop in Gaffney. Cram will drive the JDM No. 4 Chevrolet.

“Dawson brings us a bright new perspective and a fire for racing,” Davis said. “He and his family have been involved in the sport since he was 5 years old, and we want to help him take his career to the next level. He’ll be a great addition to our team.”

The new season won’t be Cram’s first experience with JDM. Three years ago, Cram worked as a mechanic for the team as he was continuing to learn the ins and outs of racing at the NASCAR level.

Only 22 years old, Cram has driving experience in the Xfinity, Craftsman Truck and ARCA series. He has 31 Truck starts and 12 Xfinity starts and has driven for several teams, including his own Truck team.

“I’m very excited to move along in NASCAR with Johnny’s team,” Cram said. “I’ve seen how they work and how they race every week, and I know they build good cars and fast cars. I know this will be a plus for me and the team.”

Cram, who lives in Mooresville, N.C., began racing mini-dwarf cars at the age of 5 and progressed through Bandolero and Legends racing before jumping into NASCAR. After racing in the Truck Series, he made his Xfinity debut in 2021 with Mike Harmon Racing.

JD Motorsports is still looking for partners for the Driver and the #6 Chevrolet.

The 2024 Xfinity schedule, which stretches across the country and includes 33 races, will begin Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway.

JDM PR

The addition of more high-paying events, an increased Florida slate, a number of debuts and return visits, plus a plethora of multi-race weekends are among the facets of the 2024 USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship schedule.

A total of 55 dates are on the board for the upcoming season between the months of February and October of 2024, making it among the busiest calendars in the series’ 69-year history dating back to 1956.

MONEY SHOWS

Several events in 2024 will showcase a winner’s payout of at least $10,000 or more on the series schedule. However, Sprint Car Smackdown XIII will be the most lucrative of them all in the new year, featuring a $30,000 top prize for the finale of the annual three-race weekend on August 22-23-24.

Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Indiana will host the annual Haubstadt Hustler, paying $20,000-to-win on September 14 while an expanded two-night Fall Nationals will pay out $20,000 to the victor on the second night at Indiana’s Lawrenceburg Speedway on the weekend of October 11-12.

Rossburg, Ohio’s Eldora Speedway has kicked the top prize up another notch from $10,000 to win in 2023 to $15,000-to-win in 2024 for all three of USAC’s national divisions: Sprint Cars, NOS Energy Drink National Midgets and Silver Crown.

EVEN MORE GOOD PAYDAYS

Shows paying $10,000-to-win are all over the map, starting with Florida’s expanded seven-race Winter Dirt Games schedule in February. Five dates have been announced at Ocala, Florida’s Bubba Raceway Park for February 9-10-15-16-17, with the final night of the bunch paying $10 Grand.

Barberville, Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park is in the same boat, hosting a pair of events for the USAC National Sprint Cars on February 12-13, the last night offering another $10,000 reward.

For the first time since 1998, USAC National Sprint Cars will make their return to Sumner, Illinois’ Red Hill Raceway for the $10,000-to-win Salute to Levi Jones, where the seven-time USAC national champion made his first career series start more than a quarter century ago.

#LetsRaceTwo brings the series into town for back-to-back nights of $10,000-to-win dates at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway on May 3-4. Another $10,000 check will be awaiting the winner of the longest annually running USAC Sprint Car event of all – the 54th running of the Tony Hulman Classic at Indiana’s Terre Haute Action Track on May 21.

May brings two nights of USAC Sprint Car racing to Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind. during the Week of Indy on May 22-23, the latter of which will again pay $10,000. What proved to be one of the most fascinating shows of last season returns to Macon (Ill.) Speedway for Top Gun Weekend on June 28-29 with a $10,000 prize awaiting the victor of night two.

An early July staple of the schedule has long been the Bill Gardner Sprintacular at Putnamville, Indiana’s Lincoln Park Speedway which once again provides two nights of USAC Sprint Car activity on July 5-6, and boasts another $10,000 jackpot to the winner on the back half of the weekend.

One year after debuting at Arkansas’ Texarkana 67 Speedway for the Wingless Short Track Nationals, the event is back in 2024 for a two-night tilt on September 6-7 with a $10,000 pot on the docket for the winner during the second leg of the weekend in The Natural State.

Oklahoma’s Red Dirt Raceway once again is scheduled to serve as host of the USAC National Sprint Car season finales in 2024 on October 25-26, with yet another $10,000 award that drivers will be vying for on the second of two nights.

EASTERN STORM A BREWIN’

Eastern Storm, a fixture on the USAC Sprint Car schedule since 2007, celebrates its 17th year of competition in 2024 with six dates in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, starting at Grandview Speedway on June 11, Bridgeport Motorsports Park on June 12, Big Diamond Speedway on June 13, Williams Grove Speedway on June 14, Port Royal Speedway on June 15 and Action Track USA to cap off the busy weekend on June 16.

A RESHUFFLED INDIANA SPRINT WEEK

The 37th annual edition of USAC Indiana Sprint Week takes on a bit of a new look across eight events in late July and early August. A rearranged schedule sees Lincoln Park Speedway hosting the opener of the series for the first time since 2001 on July 25. From there, the schedule travels to Gas City I-69 Speedway on July 26, Kokomo Speedway on July 27, Lawrenceburg Speedway on July 28, Circle City Raceway on July 31, the Terre Haute Action Track on August 1, Bloomington Speedway on August 2 and Tri-State Speedway on August 3.

STAPLES OF THE SCHEDULE & A NEW ONE

Additional familiar stops on the tour brings the series to Terre Haute on April 5 for the 23rd edition of the Jim Hurtubise Classic. Annual springtime visits take the series back to Lawrenceburg on April 13, Bloomington on May 10 and Tri-State on May 11.

The series hits the road en route to Iowa’s Knoxville Raceway on May 31 and June 1 for the Corn Belt Clash at the Sprint Car Capital of the World. The GPS says head north to Wisconsin for a pair of dates on June 22 at Wilmot Raceway and June 23 at Sun Prairie’s Angell Park Speedway.

A new venue for USAC takes precedence on September 5 when the series debuts at RPM Speedway in Crandall, Texas. Late season activity brings action to Circle City on September 13 and to Gas City on September 19 for the next installment of the James Dean Classic, featuring a doubleheader with the USAC National Midgets.

USAC PR

The Grand National Super Series (GNSS) presented by ECC (Engineered Components Company) is pleased to announce their 2024 racing schedule which boasts 16 events at eight different venues across North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Two additional race locations will be announced in the coming weeks.

In recent years, the grassroots levels of motorsports have received a tremendous boost in attention as drivers look to hone their skills and prepare to take the next step in their racing careers. The GNSS is the premier series for full-body stock cars in the southeast giving both young drivers looking to gain experience and drivers with years of racing under their belts the chance to compete in heavy stock cars with high horsepower – something many other series aren’t able to offer at this time. The GNSS works with competitors to utilize Pro-Cup cars as well as old ARCA and NASCAR Cup Series cars.

“Our goal when we created the Grand National Super Series last year was to give young drivers another option to gain experience and one that is more affordable than others, especially in the Southeast region,” said Bob Schacht, co-founder of the Grand National Super Series. “We give competitors the chance to not only compete at some of the most exciting and unique tracks in the region, but also gain real racing experience in full-bodied, heavy steel stock cars with high horsepower. This type of experience is just what they need to prepare for a racing career in ARCA competition and the NASCAR Truck Series.”

The GNSS was created by racers, Bob and Patty Schacht. Both have competed in the ARCA Series collecting race wins and setting records. Bob has also competed in the NASCAR ranks but is perhaps more well-known for helping so many young drivers get some of their initial starts in heavy stock cars to prepare them for their eventual careers in the NASCAR ranks. Patty has spent several seasons atop the spotters stand for not only her husband, but countless other drivers. Patty still holds the record of 199.604 mph during her qualifying lap at Talladega Superspeedway in 1987 as the fastest lap recorded by a woman in a stock car.

The 2024 GNSS is slated to kickoff at New River All American Speedway in Jacksonville, NC on March 23. Each race event will feature twin 50-lap races. Information on the two additional event locations as well as prize money information will be announced in the coming weeks.

For additional information on the GNSS, visit www.grandnationalsuperseries.com.

2024 GNSS Race Schedule

March 23                             New River All American Speedway                            Jacksonville, North Carolina

April 6                                   TBA

April 20                                 Dominion Raceway                                                          Thornburg, Virginia

May 4                                    Tri-County Speedway                                                      Hudson, North Carolina

May 11                                 Franklin County Speedway                                            Callaway, Virginia

May 18                                 TBA       

June 1                                   Caraway Speedway                                                          Asheboro, North Carolina

June 15                                 Jennerstown Speedway Complex                               Jennerstown, Pennsylvania

June 29                                 Tri-County Speedway                                                      Hudson, North Carolina

July 13                                  Lonesome Pine Raceway                                               Coeburn, Virginia

July 27                                  Franklin County Speedway                                            Callaway, Virginia

August 3                               Tri-County Speedway                                                      Hudson, North Carolina

August 17                            Jennerstown Speedway Complex                               Jennerstown, Pennsylvania

September 7                       New River All American Speedway                            Jacksonville, North Carolina

September 28                    Carteret County Speedway                                           Swansboro, North Carolina

October 12                          Dominion Raceway                                                          Thornburg, Virginia

**Dates are subject to change**

GNSS PR

Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, the world’s largest hot-rodding association, is thrilled to announce the addition of exhilarating Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) motorcycle dirt track racing action in conjunction with their 14^th LMC Truck Lone Star Spring Nationals presented by TREMEC. The thrilling side-by-side motorcycle racing action “Progressive AFT Texas Half Mile” separately ticketed event will take place Saturday evening, April 27^th, with gates opening at 3:00pm and heats starting at 5:00pm, on the Texas Motor Speedway half mile dirt track, adding even more motorsports excitement to the family fun mega-event weekend.

The Goodguys 14^th LMC Trucks Spring Lone Star Nationals presented by TREMEC takes place April 26-28, 2024 at the sprawling Texas Motor Speedway complex in Fort Worth, TX. The event is expected to bring over 2,500 classic vehicles to the infield along with an expanded autocross track, an all-new drift exhibition, the Nitro Thunderfest exhibition of vintage dragsters, Saturday night hot rod track cruise, and now the thrilling racing action of Progressive AFT to top off the action-packed weekend!

The Progressive AFT Series is the world’s elite dirt track motorcycle series and one of the most historic and consistently exciting forms of racing in all of motorsports. With the competitors routinely separated by mere inches while running at excessive speeds and sliding through corners, the action delivers non-stop excitement for all spectators.

“The opportunity to partner with such a historic and well-respected brand like American Flat Track brings another level of excitement and anticipation to an already epic weekend of hot rodding and high-performance fun,” said Goodguys Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Ebel. “We can’t wait to treat the people of north Texas to a huge weekend of pedal-to-the-metal entertainment featuring over 2,500 classic cars and trucks on display, the country’s largest swap meet, and now, the addition of high-adrenaline dirt track motorcycle racing action with the Progressive AFT Texas Half Mile. It’s going to be a jam-packed weekend of family fun you don’t want to miss!”

“Progressive American Flat Track’s fans are among the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic in motorsports, and I have no doubt they will be thrilled with the chance to take in all the Goodguys 14^th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals has to offer,” said Gene Crouch, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “It’s also an outstanding opportunity for us to showcase the excitement and world-class competition of elite motorcycle dirt track racers before a new audience to further expand that fanbase. It’s destined to be a weekend to remember.”

Combined with the thrilling competition of the AFT, Goodguys has also formed a new collaboration with the historic Pate Swap Meet making this event a weekend that motorsports fans do not want to miss. Each of Goodguys (15) events in 2024 promises something for the whole family to enjoy including a free Kids Zone, live entertainment plus regional favorites such as burnout contests, lowrider hopping, fireworks and demolition derbies at select events.

Goodguys Members can purchase discounted combo ticket packages for vehicle registration or spectator tickets to both events at www.goodguysmarketplace.com

General Admission combo spectator tickets to both events can be found by visiting www.slsn24spectatortickets.eventbrite.com.

Reserved and individual ticket information for AFT only can be found at www.americanflattrack.com/events/2024/view/texas-half-mile-2024.

TMS PR

The Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) has released the ballot to members for their prestigious Hall of Fame and special awards that will be presented during the organizations 51^st annual Convention set to take place January 12-14, 2024 at the Holiday Inn in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

The EMPA Board of Directors meticulously reviewed the many names that were narrowed down in the respective categories, including just under 60 for induction into the EMPA Hall of Fame.

Respected motorsports journalist and past EMPA president Ron Hedger and northeast pavement Modified ace George Kent are locked in to this year’s entry to the Hall of Fame, needing no votes.

There is an equally impressive list of distinguished individuals who will be voted on by the EMPA membership. They include asphalt Modified standout Ted Christopher, rising Sprint Car star Kevin Gobrecht, dirt Modified kingpins Brett Hearn and Billy Pauch Sr., renowned photojournalist Ace Lane Jr., pavement specialist Steve Park, NHRA perennial champion Don Prudhomme, celebrated central Pennsylvania Sprint Car racer Steve Smith Jr., and Cathy Venturini, a respected co-car owner on the ARCA Series.  

The organization will also honor National and Northeast Driver(s) of the Year in both asphalt and dirt. The youth is also recognized with the John Blewett III Young Gun Award presented by New England Race Fuels. Other honors to be bestowed are Newsmaker of the Year, Promotional Effort of the Year and Spirit of the Sport.

EMPA also recognizes many of their own, presenting a Writer of the Year and Photographer of the Year along with several other awardees in a variety of writer and photographer categories.

The annual three-day convention begins with a Friday evening Salute to the Champions presented by Belmont’s Garage, where a number of local and regional driving titlists are invited to meet and greet with the press. Saturday consists of press conferences and seminars followed by the evening’s formal Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony.

The Mission of EMPA is: to acknowledge excellence in motorsports and those who have excelled; to foster an atmosphere to improve the quality of motorsports reporting through fellowship and interaction of veteran media with less experienced members in a welcoming atmosphere where tips, techniques and ideas are exchanged.; and to increase positive interactions between race tracks, sanctioning bodies and the working motorsports media.

Founded in 1969, the Eastern Motorsport Press Association is an organization of professional writers, broadcasters, announcers, videographers, and photographers working in the motorsports industry. It also includes associate and corporate members with backing from Dover International Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Brice’s NAPA Auto Parts, New England Race Fuels, Maple Grove Raceway, and American Racer Tire who are among the supporters of the organization.

2023/24 Eastern Motorsport Press Association Hall of Fame/Award Nominees

EMPA Hall of Fame nominees:

The following two gentlemen will also be inducted. No vote is needed:

Ron Hedger, George Kent

4 will be inducted: Ted Christopher, Kevin Gobrecht, Brett Hearn, Ace Lane, Jr., Steve Park, Billy Pauch, Sr., Don Prudhomme, Steve Smith Jr., Cathy Venturini

John Blewett III Young Gun Presented by New England Race Fuels. One winner: Austin Beers

Justin Grosso, Katie Hettinger, Steven Snyder, Jr., Drake Troutman

Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Asphalt Driver of the Year. One winner: Wayne Helliwell Jr.

Matt Hirschman, Wayne Owen, Ron Silk

Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Dirt Driver of the Year. One winner: Brent Marks, Freddie Rahmer, Matt Sheppard, Mat Williamson

Al Holbert Memorial National Asphalt Driver of the Year. One winner: Ryan Blaney, William Bryon, Doug Kalitta, Kyle Larson, Alex Palou, Leah Pruitt, Brandon Queen

Al Holbert Memorial National Dirt Driver of the Year. One winner: Rico Abreu, Jade Avedisian, Kyle Larson, Hudson O’Neal, Bobby Pierce, Brad Sweet, Rickie Thornton, Jr., Tim Ward

Chris Economaki Memorial EMPA Newsmaker of the Year. One winner: CARS Tour, FLO Racing, High Limit Sprint Series, Tony Stewart, Vores Compact Touring Series

EMPA Promotional Effort of the Year. One winner: Lyle Devour, Indoor Racing Series, Monaco Modified Tri Track Series, Joe Skotnicki/RoC Series/RPM, Josh Vanada

Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport. One winner: Boom Briggs, Red Farmer, Joe Renfro, Wiscasset Motor Speedway

Jim Hunter Memorial EMPA Writer of the Year Award. One winner: Dan Anderson, Bruce Bennett, Thomas Pope, Ted Schmidt, Scott Walsh

Ace Lane, Sr., Memorial EMPA Photographer of the Year. One winner: Evan Canfield, Rich Corbett, Debbie Gastelu, Michael Jaworecki, Sr., Walt Smith

EMPA PR

Racers and fans are about to be treated to a newly paved surface at California’s busiest racing facility.

Sonoma Raceway announced today a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to providing the best racing experience for fans and drivers alike. The world-renowned road course will undergo a comprehensive repaving project in preparation for the June 7-9, 2024 NASCAR race weekend.

“Our racing surface is in use more than 300 days per year,” said Brian Flynn, executive vice president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. “While our headline event is the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR weekend, our raceway is used by car clubs, automotive enthusiasts, corporate clients and manufacturers on a daily basis. It’s important that we continue to upgrade this first-class facility for everyone who comes to Sonoma Raceway.”

Local area business Bay Cities Paving & Grading of Concord, CA has been awarded the contract for the project.

“We’re thrilled to have our repaving project managed by a bay area company,” Flynn said  “This is part of our continuing effort to work within our community while producing world-class events that bring in guests from around the country and the world.” 

Milling is slated to start at the conclusion of the final event of the season, Winter Jam Dec. 16-17, 2023. Work is scheduled through the first two months of the year with events returning in early Spring. 

This extensive repaving initiative signifies a robust investment by Speedway Motorsports in the future of racing at historic Sonoma Raceway and is the first full repave in 23 years. Just two years after the construction of the ultra-modern Turn 11 Club, this upgraded track surface will enhance driver performance, ensure a smoother and more competitive racing experience, and continue to solidify Sonoma Raceway’s status as a premier destination for motorsports enthusiasts. 

“The materials being used allow us to offer a track with a seasoned feel for the drivers,” said Steve Swift, senior vice president of operations and development, Speedway Motorsports. “This means competition should be exciting right off the bat in 2024.”

Since the first race in December of 1968, Sonoma Raceway has been known for its heritage as an iconic track hosting top racing series and drivers. Currently, it is a West Coast gem on the calendars of both NASCAR and NHRA while continuing to host world-class events such as Velocity Invitational, GT World Challenge and Ferrari Challenge. 

Stay tuned for updates and additional details by following Sonoma Raceway on social media (@RaceSonoma) on Facebook, X, Instagram, downloading our app or by checking our website at SonomaRaceway.com.

Sonoma Raceway PR

In a move that expands its global motorsports presence, Trackhouse Entertainment Group owner Justin Marks announced today his organization will field a MotoGP World Championship team beginning in the 2024 season.  The newly formed team will be managed by Trackhouse Entertainment Group from Nashville, Tennessee but operate in Noale, Italy in an alliance with motorcycle manufacturer Aprilia and the Piaggio Group.  A team presentation unveiling riders, corporate partners and livery will be held at a later date.

“This is a monumental moment for Trackhouse Entertainment Group,” said the 42-year-old Marks. “It has been in the ethos of Trackhouse since the very first day to put in the work, have the vision, and deploy the enthusiasm and passion necessary to build one of the most valuable motorsports entertainment companies in the world. Our entry into the MotoGP World Championship is another step in the execution of that vision."

The 75-year-old FIM MotoGP World Championship is the premier motorcycle racing series in the world with eleven teams each fielding two riders. The 2024 schedule includes 22 races in 19 countries across five continents, The season begins on March 10 in Qatar with an American race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on April 14.  Trackhouse Entertainment Group is the owner of Trackhouse Racing’s NASCAR team, which operates out of Concord, North Carolina. After a full-time driving career in sports cars and NASCAR, Marks founded Trackhouse Racing in 2020 and started fielding Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021.

The new team has enjoyed success on track. Daniel Suárez became the first Mexican driver to win a Cup Series race when he visited victory lane in 2022, New Zealander and three-time Supercar champion Shane van Gisbergen won at Chicago in his debut Cup race on July 2 and American Ross Chastain finished second in the standings in 2022 and posted four victories including the 2023 Cup Series season finale on Nov. 5.

Marks brought 2007 Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen to NASCAR and Trackhouse Racing in 2022 and 2023 as part of the team's PROJECT91 program created to give international stars a chance to compete in the sport. It was the same program that led to van Gisbergen’s win in Chicago. Off the track, Trackhouse Racing as a brand has proven itself as a progressive, marketing-minded team, reimagining how the sport is presented to its fans, media partners and sponsors. It brought in international entertainment superstar Pitbull as a team partner, created a new style of team clothing, increased digital presence to fans and created live entertainment at racetracks throughout the season.

“We feel that MotoGP is perfectly positioned for massive growth in the coming years not only in the United States, but internationally,” Marks said. “It has all the ingredients necessary to continue its rise to global prominence: a thrilling on-track product, aspirational stars, unmatched fan and partner experience, and an environment that’s fan-friendly and welcoming.”

Trackhouse Racing will be the only American team in the MotoGP class, but the USA boasts a long list of successful riders including Eddie Lawson, Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts Jr, Freddie Spencer, Randy Mamola, Colin Edwards and the late Nicky Hayden.

The arrival of the Trackhouse Racing Team into MotoGP in 2024 brings American motorcycle racing back to the pinnacle of the sport. With its close partnership with Aprilia, as its official factory supported team, Trackhouse Racing is determined to be a competitive force for the future.

Trackhouse Racing PR

The 2023 EuroNASCAR PRO champion Gianmarco Ercoli received a once-in-a-lifetime chance when he was invited to NASCAR Champion’s Week in Nashville, USA. The Italian was one of the seven key NWES figures honored by NASCAR and took part in special activities together with all other NASCAR champions, including Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney. Taking advantage of this unique opportunity, Ercoli experienced many moments in “Music City” that he will cherish forever, being a champion among champions.

Ercoli took center stage in the special banquet for NASCAR Roots and International Series champions that was held on 28 November. Accompanied by Luca Canneori, the owner of his #54 CAAL Racing Chevrolet Camaro, the Italian was given the red carpet treatment and received the special ring only NASCAR champions can wear.

“We are coming back from an amazing week in the USA!” said Ercoli on his experience. “The red carpet on the 28th with the award ceremony and ring presentation was a celebration of a fantastic season that was full of emotions with many twists and turns. Being awarded on that stage after climbing the sport’s mountain is a great pride that will always push me to do better. Speaking to the many people in the hall really moved me.”

His activities continued on the following day with an invitation to NASCAR House and NASCAR Champions Parade. At the NASCAR House, located in the middle of the crowded Fifth + Broadway complex, Ercoli took part in a Q&A panel that saw plenty of NASCAR drivers alternate on stage. Later in the afternoon, Ercoli and all of the other champions took part in a spectacular parade through the city center where he signed autographs and gave away exclusive merchandise to the fans that lined up the streets of Nashville.

“The 29th started early with the ritual photos at the auditorium,” continued Ercoli, who won his first EuroNASCAR PRO title this year. “It is a splendid location in full American spirit. We did interviews and it was very nice to be able to tell people about my path to victory before continuing with the parade in the city together with drivers and champions of all the other NASCAR series.”

“I really breathed the passion Americans have for this discipline. The fans were sensational and it was nice to be able to repay them by giving them autographed caps and t-shirts. We concluded the activities on the 29th with an exclusive dinner between the champions of the International Series and several NASCAR executives and we then shared a beer in the clubs of Broadway. They played country music at every hour and the streets were all lit up with lights from the various clubs. Everyone had so much fun!”

The final activity that Ercoli took part in was the NASCAR Awards, held on the final day of NASCAR Champion’s Week. The Italian was introduced to the sport’s most important figures at the banquet, stood on stage in front of all the sport’s personalities and received the opportunity to listen to the speeches made by drivers such as Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney and NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Chase Elliott.

“On the 30th we attended a huge banquet to celebrate the Cup Series champion and the other National Series champions. We received a round of applause on stage before the speech of the champion Ryan Blaney. It was just incredible, something I will never forget for the rest of my life. It is amazing how the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series has become a great part of NASCAR over the years. Not everyone can be at such an important ceremony, and it’s even more rewarding if we think about where we started.”

“To be there and listen to the speeches of Kurt Busch, Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney is something that practically never happens to mere mortals. I go home with an experience that I never thought of having before. I’m happy to have shared these days with the Galpin family, with the Canneori family and all my NWES peers. Having the chance to meet the top people of NASCAR is a very important enrichment on a personal level for the continuation of my career.”

With the conclusion of NASCAR Champion’s Week, the off-season period will truly begin before the 2024 season starts on 13-14 April with the NASCAR GP Spain at Circuit Ricardo Tormo. EuroNASCAR promises an exciting season that features 28 races across seven rounds, including the return of NASCAR oval racing to Europe

NWES PR

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing (MHR) and Daniel Dye are pleased to announce a partnership extension with Champion Container for the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) season. The Champion Container brand will be featured as the primary partner on Dye’s No. 43 Chevrolet Silverado RST for a minimum of 12 NCTS races in 2024, establishing a significant presence in his second season. Champion Container will also be an associate partner on the No. 43 Chevrolet for the balance of the NCTS calendar.

Dye will debut Champion Container’s colors on board MHR’s No. 43 entry at the NCTS season opener on Friday, February 16th at Daytona International Speedway. Now entering its third consecutive year, this collaboration showcases a strong relationship between Champion Container, Dye, and other partners including Race to Stop Suicide.

Dye is eager to seize the new opportunity of joining MHR after it broke through with a series-high four NCTS wins in 2023 with driver Christian Eckes.

"Champion Container has been an incredible partner, and I'm thrilled to continue our journey together in 2024,” Dye said. "Their support has been instrumental in our success, and I look forward to representing the red and yellow No. 43 Champion Container Chevy on the track. They have become family for us, and I can't really explain how much it means to have their support continue to grow. Joining the MHR team is a great opportunity for me, especially with the team’s success last season, and I hope to be able to build on that in 2024."

Champion Container, established in 1968, is a leading distributor of packaging containers in the Northeast, serving industries like chemical, paint, and pharmaceuticals. Their extensive product range includes bulk containers, drums, cans, pails, boxes, and more. Known for their "just in time" delivery and vast inventory, Champion caters to a diverse clientele, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in their strategic acquisitions, expanding their services and products to meet evolving market needs.

"We are pleased to expand our presence in NASCAR to its fan base with sponsorship on Daniel's No. 43 in several 2024 events," remarked Champion Container CEO Tom Miskewitz. "Daniel is a quality young man who serves as a great ambassador for our company. Beyond the track, the work that is done year-round through Race to Stop Suicide is so important, and we're proud to be advocates and supporters of both programs."

MHR fans can gear up with Dye’s latest merchandise, including the official 2024 Champion Container Truck t-shirt, available at ShopDanielDye.com. This exclusive collection offers fans an opportunity to show their support and be part of the thrilling journey in the upcoming season. Fans can follow Dye on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, @danieldye43, and visit danieldyeracing.com. 

MHR PR