Thursday, Jun 08
Speedway Digest Staff

Speedway Digest Staff

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Today, Prime Video greenlit a new documentary from NASCAR Studios that will chronicle NASCAR's special “Garage 56” entry at the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The documentary will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. The “Garage 56” documentary is the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in the US enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of man and machine. With high-speed stretches and iconic turns, Le Mans has earned a reputation as the most demanding race in the world. Now, nearly half a century after NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. first took stock cars to the prestigious event in 1976, his son, and current NASCAR chairman and CEO, Jim France returns to Le Mans—in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, and Goodyear—to showcase their revolutionary Next Gen race car to an international audience. Behind the driving of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, former 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller, and 2009 Formula One world champion Jenson Button, the special “Garage 56” entry will compete with some of the fastest and most durable cars in the world. The documentary will take viewers inside the preparation and behind the wheel on race day of the historic endeavor.

“We're proud to partner with our friends at NASCAR Studios to bring this incredible story of innovation and determination to our Prime Video customers,” said Matt Newman, head of Prime Video Original sports content. “The 24 Hours of Le Mans is one of the most exciting and grueling competitions in sports, and the work that goes into preparing for a moment like this is something we think audiences will find equal parts entertaining and inspiring.”

“The Next Gen ca r has been a game changer in NASCAR, and bringing it to an iconic international stage like Le Mans during NASCAR's 75th anniversary season is a monumental moment for our sport,” said Matt Summers, NASCAR managing director, entertainment marketing and content development. “We've had cameras rolling behind the scenes throughout the entire journey, and we can't wait for fans around the world to come along for the ride thanks to this amazing partnership with Prime Video.”

The documentary is being produced by NASCAR Studios with NASCAR's Tim Clark, Matt Summers, Amy Anderson, and Tally Hair serving as executive producers.

NASCAR PR

Motorsports, and specifically NASCAR, offer a unique and exhilarating realm of career opportunities. For students interested in this dynamic field, getting hands-on experience through internships is an invaluable step toward understanding the industry and growing their professional network.

Becoming a successful professional in any field, including NASCAR, often requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. In academic life, students may get the chance to pen down their thoughts and ideas to learn and understand various aspects of the subject matter. Writing essays or academic papers on NASCAR-related topics, whether by themselves or by hiring an essay writer from a trusted paper writing service, can be a stepping stone toward gaining theoretical knowledge about this sport. But, to fully comprehend its intricacies and immerse oneself in the thrilling world of motorsports, internships play a pivotal role.

NASCAR Corporate Internship Program

The NASCAR Corporate Internship Program is a ten-week, full-time program running during the summer. The interns work across different departments such as marketing, sales, human resources, and more, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how NASCAR operates.

In addition to learning the operations, the program also focuses on enhancing the soft skills of the interns. It includes a variety of professional development activities, team-building events, and opportunities to volunteer, helping students expand their skill sets and prepare for their future careers. Furthermore, this internship is a gateway to networking opportunities, giving students a chance to connect with professionals in the industry.

Hendrick Motorsports Internship Program

Hendrick Motorsports, with a prestigious history in NASCAR and a series of successful teams to their name, offers vibrant internship opportunities to students passionate about building a career in motorsports. The scope of these internships is diverse, spanning multiple domains such as competition, operations, marketing, public relations, and beyond.

Interns at Hendrick Motorsports are entrusted with real-life projects, fostering the development of their practical skills. They are welcomed into the opportunity to contribute directly to the racing team’s success, functioning within an environment that is as exhilarating as it is fast-paced. It’s worth noting that interns frequently encounter challenges that provide one-of-a-kind learning experiences, leading to a palpable sense of accomplishment upon overcoming them.

Moreover, Hendrick Motorsports promotes a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Interns can interact with professionals from different fields within the organization, fostering a rich cross-disciplinary understanding. This exposure to varied perspectives and expert insights is invaluable in helping the interns broaden their horizons and equip themselves with the versatility required in the dynamic world of motorsports.

NASCAR Internship Program

NASCAR operates a network of 13 motorsports facilities across the U.S., offering internship opportunities in areas like operations, marketing, communications, and event management.

The NASCAR internships are unique in that they offer students an insider’s view of what goes into organizing and executing some of the most well-known motorsports events. The interns are treated as valued team members with responsibilities that directly impact the success of events. This hands-on experience is a major stepping stone toward a career in event management within motorsports.

Team Penske Internship Program

Team Penske is a highly successful team in NASCAR and other motorsports series. Their internship program provides opportunities in engineering, operations, public relations, and more.

The Team Penske internship program is characterized by its technical focus. Interns work with top-tier engineers and mechanics, learning about the latest technology and techniques used in the motorsports industry. This gives students a chance to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, making it an excellent opportunity for those pursuing degrees in related fields.

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Internship Program

RCR, a renowned name in NASCAR, offers internships that cover multiple facets of motorsports. From technical roles in engineering and mechanics to marketing and administration, there is a wide array of opportunities for students.

At RCR, interns are given a chance to contribute to the team’s race performance. They work on projects that range from designing and optimizing car components to assisting with race strategy. This hands-on experience provides invaluable insights into the world of NASCAR and lays a solid foundation for a future career in motorsports.

Joe Gibbs Racing Internship Program

Joe Gibbs Racing, a top-tier organization within NASCAR with multiple teams competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, offers a dynamic internship program. This program extends a variety of opportunities to students, with roles spanning marketing, operations, and technical domains.

Internship at Joe Gibbs Racing offers an inside look into the motorsport industry, plunging interns into the everyday operations of a prosperous NASCAR team. The experience includes preparation and orchestration of race weekends, delivering a firsthand account of what constitutes competition at NASCAR’s elite level.

Notably, Joe Gibbs Racing fosters a culture of mentorship. The interns are paired with seasoned team members who offer their guidance and support throughout the internship, aiding them in understanding their roles and responsibilities while encouraging their professional growth.

Stewart-Haas Racing Internship Program

Stewart-Haas Racing, a NASCAR team that boasts championship pedigree, co-owned by three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, delivers an enriching internship program. The program invites students to opportunities in several areas, such as engineering, competition, marketing, and public relations.

Interning at Stewart-Haas Racing uncovers various facets of NASCAR racing, providing experiences that extend beyond textbook knowledge. The practical exposure received in this rigorous and vibrant setting primes them for a successful future in the motorsport industry.

Alongside the hands-on experience, the Stewart-Haas Racing internship program incorporates learning opportunities such as workshops and seminars. These are designed to bolster the interns’ technical knowledge and professional skills. This comprehensive approach to internships ensures that students are not only gaining the necessary experience but also acquiring skills that will be indispensable in their ensuing careers.

Conclusion

For students who are passionate about NASCAR and motorsports, these internships present an excellent opportunity to delve into the industry. Each program provides unique exposure to different aspects of the sport, contributing significantly to the student’s professional growth. Remember, just as the best essay editing services refine your academic papers to perfection, these internships will polish your skills and knowledge, preparing you for a successful career in the thrilling world of NASCAR. Don’t miss this chance to accelerate your journey in the motorsports industry. Start your engines and gear up for these NASCAR-related internship opportunities!

Sebastian Arias is heading back to wine country this week to compete in the General Tire 200, at the Sonoma Raceway, in his #2 Rev Racing Chevrolet, sponsored by BradyIFS, one of the nation’s premier distributors of food service and janitorial products, as well as Betco and Rubbermaid Commercial Products.

Sebastian is excited to partner with Rev Racing, as the 2022 ARCA Menards Championship winning team has proven they have what it takes to run up front consistently and that is where Sebastian wants to be.  Sebastian said, “I have been working hard on the simulator and was out at Sonoma Raceway testing in some other cars a few months ago to prepare for this race and I feel great.”

Sebastian will be competing against a stacked field this time around, with no less than six competitors from the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series scheduled to compete.  Driver’s Ryan Preece, Cole Custer, Sammy Smith, Riley Herbst, Kyle Sieg and Parker Retzlaff will all be in the hunt for a win.  Cole Custer finished second last week in the ARCA Menards Series West race at the Portland International Raceway and the next day he won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the same track, proving that the ARCA Menards Series West is not only a proving ground for future stars of NASCAR, but where its current stars look for quality experience to prepare for their upcoming races in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Sebastian is thankful to BradyIFS for providing this opportunity for him and would also like to thank Betco, Rubbermaid, BeyondEnergy, Wiley X, SPARCO, Next Level Racing, Thrustmaster, InterPhase Entertainment and Masgrafx for their continued support.

Sebastian is a first-generation race car driver from Bogota, Colombia.  At twenty-four years old, he is the next Colombian driver coming up the ranks of NASCAR since Juan Pablo Montoya.

Owned by NASCAR, the ARCA Menards Series is a proving ground and rung in the ladder to reach the pinnacle of their sport, the NASCAR Cup Series.  Sebastian is working his way to the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series and knows his sponsors are more than a blessing in his journey.

Follow Sebastian at @sebastianariasracing and watch his progression as he climbs the ladder of NASCAR.

Rev Racing PR

NASCAR Cup Series

Next Race: Toyota/Save Mart 350

The Place: Sonoma Raceway

The Date: Sunday, June 11

The Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

The Purse: $8,054,721

TV: FOX, 3 p.m. ET

Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 218.9 miles (110 laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 25),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 55), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 110)

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Next Race: DoorDash 250

The Place: Sonoma Raceway

The Date: Saturday, June 10

The Time: 8 p.m. ET

The Purse: $1,545,934

TV: FS1, 7:30 p.m. ET

Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 156.95 miles (79 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 20),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 45), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 79)

 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Next Race: Rackley Roofing 200

The Place: Nashville Superspeedway

The Date: Friday, June 23

The Time: 8 p.m. ET

The Purse: TBA

TV: FS1, 7:30 p.m. ET

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Distance: 200 miles (150 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 45),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 95), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 150)

 

NASCAR Cup Series

 

Busch’s bid for a third title seems more and more likely

For the first time since 2010-2011, the Richard Childress Racing organization has put up back-to-back seasons (2022-2023) of at least three NASCAR Cup Series wins. Over the last two years, the one common denominator in the RCR Victory Lane celebrations has been crew chief Randall Burnett, who has led Tyler Reddick to three wins in 2022, and now has led veteran Kyle Busch to three wins this season. With Busch, Burnett and the No. 8 team off to a fast start this season, racking up more wins and logging Playoff points in the hunt for a title is no doubt the focus going forward.

 

Kyle Busch hasn’t put up three or more wins in a single season since 2019. If Busch were to score his third title this season, he would continue to be the only active driver with multiple titles and just the 10th driver all-time to collect three or more titles – the nine other drivers to accomplish the feat are all NASCAR Hall of Famers.

 

Drivers with Three or More Cup Series Championships (1949-2023)

Rank

No. of Titles

Driver

Years

1

7

Jimmie Johnson

2016, ‘13, ’10, ‘09, ‘08, ‘07, ‘06

   

Dale Earnhardt

1994, ’93, ‘91, ‘90, ‘87, ‘86, ‘80

   

Richard Petty

1979, ‘75, ‘74, ‘72, ‘71, ‘67, ‘64

4

4

Jeff Gordon

2001, ‘98, ‘97, ‘95

5

3

Tony Stewart

2011, ‘05, ‘02

   

Darrell Waltrip

1985, ‘82, ‘81

   

Cale Yarborough

1978, ‘77, ‘76

   

David Pearson

1969, ‘68, ‘66

   

Lee Petty

1959, ‘58, ‘54

* Nine total three or more NASCAR Cup Series championships

 

Though Richard Childress Racing is tied with Junior Johnson & Associates for the third most driver and owner NASCAR Cup Series championships with six each, RCR hasn’t won a title since 1994. Kyle Busch won his previous two championships with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2015 and 2019.

 

Don’t count out the No. 8 team this weekend either, Kyle Busch has made 17 series starts at Sonoma Raceway posting two wins (2008, 2015), six top fives and eight top 10s.

 

California’s Sonoma Raceway is up next for the NASCAR Cup Series

Get out your wine glasses and corkscrews out, it’s time to head to Sonoma, California, the wine capital of the United States, for the NASCAR Cup Series race, the Toyota / Save Mart 350 this Sunday, June 11 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. This weekend’s race will be the 16th of the 2023 season and the second of six road courses on the schedule this year (COTA, Sonoma, Road America, Indianapolis RC, Watkins Glen and Charlotte ROVAL). 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick took the first road course victory of the year at Circuit of The Americas back in March. Now, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Sonoma Raceway to battle it out on the challenging 1.99-mile, multi-elevational road course for the 34th time in series history.

 

Sonoma Raceway was opened as a 2.52-mile, multi-elevational paved road course and drag strip in 1968. Over the course of its existence, the 12-turn facility has held a few different names - Sears Point Raceway, Sears Point International Raceway, and Infineon Raceway prior to being renamed Sonoma Raceway.

 

The first NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway was held on June 11, 1989, and was won by Ricky Rudd driving a Buick for car owner Kenny Bernstein. Rudd ran the race at an average speed of 76.088 mph and led 61 of 74 scheduled laps (82.4%).

 

Over the years, the format and track configuration has changed at Sonoma Raceway. The first nine NASCAR Cup Series races at Sonoma were 300 kilometers and then switched to a 350k format in 1998. The track was reconfigured to 1.949-miles in 1998 with the installation of an 890-foot chute between the original Turns 4 and 7. The track was reconfigured to 2.0 miles in 2001 and re-measured at 1.99 miles in 2002.

 

In 2019 and 2021, the track was reconfigured back to the original 2.52-mile configuration with races being 90 laps – 226.8 miles. Then last season, Sonoma Raceway returned the track configuration back to the 1.99-mile configuration with the return of the ‘chute’. 

 

There have been 33 NASCAR Cup Series races at Sonoma Raceway since the first race there in 1989 – one race per season - until the 2020 season. Due to the pandemic, the series did not compete at Sonoma Raceway in 2020.

 

The 33 NASCAR Cup Series races at Sonoma Raceway have produced 18 different pole winners and 21 different race winners. NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the series in both poles (five: 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005) and wins (five: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006) at Sonoma Raceway.

 

Of the 18 different pole winners at Sonoma, three are active this weekend, led by Hendrick Motorsport’s driver Kyle Larson with four poles (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022).

 

Active Sonoma Pole Winners

Poles

Seasons

Kyle Larson

4

2022, 2019, 2018, 2017

AJ Allmendinger

1

2015

Joey Logano

1

2011

 

And five of the 21 different Cup Series Sonoma Raceway winners are active this weekend, led by Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr. with three wins (2013, 2018, 2019).

 

Active Sonoma Race Winners

Wins

Seasons

Martin Truex Jr

3

2019, 2018, 2013

Kyle Busch

2

2015, 2008

Daniel Suárez

1

2022

Kyle Larson

1

2021

Kevin Harvick

1

2017

 

All the on-track action begins for the NASCAR Cup Series at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday, June 10 from 5-7 p.m. ET with practice and Busch Light Pole Qualifying on FS2.

 

Road course aces to watch for in California this weekend

Arriving this weekend at Sonoma Raceway, the NASCAR Cup Series has baker’s dozen (13) of former road course winners entered in the Toyota / Save Mart 350 (Sunday, June 11 at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), and five of them are looking for their first win of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season – Chase Elliott, Kevin Harvick, A.J. Allmendinger, Ross Chastain and defending Sonoma winner Daniel Suárez.  

 

Three new drivers were added to the NASCAR Cup Series road course winners list last season; including 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick, who earned two road course wins last season driving for Richard Childress Racing at Road America and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, and also Trackhouse Racing teammates Ross Chastain, who won his first career Cup Series race at Circuit of The Americas, and Daniel Suárez, who earned his first career Cup Series win at Sonoma Raceway.

 

"It was such a crazy day and I had so many thoughts in my head,” said Daniel Suárez reflecting on last year’s Sonoma win. “I mean, it was a rough road getting to Victory Lane, but that moment was so worth it. Not just for me but for my family, Julia, these guys believe in me - Trackhouse Racing, Justin Marks, Ty Norris. Everyone that helped me to get to this point. A lot of people in Mexico - Jay Morales and Carlos Slim. My family, they never give up on me. A lot of people did, but they didn't. I was just very happy we were able to make it work."

 

Active Road Course Winners (13)

Total Wins

Sonoma

WGI

Charlotte

Daytona

Indy

COTA

Road America

Chase Elliott

7

0

2

2

1

0

1

1

Kyle Busch

4

2

2

0

0

0

0

0

Martin Truex Jr

4

3

1

0

0

0

0

0

Kyle Larson

4

1

2

1

0

0

0

0

Tyler Reddick

3

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

Kevin Harvick

2

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

AJ Allmendinger

2

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

Christopher Bell

2

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

Joey Logano

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

Ryan Blaney

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

Denny Hamlin

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

Daniel Suárez

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

Ross Chastain

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

 

Of the five former road course winners entered this weekend looking for their first win of the season, Chase Elliott will most likely have the biggest spotlight focused on him on Sunday. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, Elliott, has been sidelined twice this season from injury (six races) and suspension (one race) and returns this week needing a win to make the Playoffs this season. Elliott leads all active drivers in road course wins with seven (Watkins Glen, two wins; Charlotte ROVAL, two wins; Road America, one win; COTA, one win).

 

“For me personally, just looking forward to getting back to work and just trying to get in a groove because I don’t really feel like I’ve been in one throughout the year,” Elliott said. “It’s been kind of stop-and-go all season, unfortunately. But the way I see it is there’s 11 races left, and we pretty much need to go win one of those to get in (the Playoffs). So that’s where my head’s at right now.”

 

Though Elliott hasn’t won at Sonoma, he has made six series starts posting two top fives and four top 10s. His average finish at Sonoma is 13.3. Plus, he has some stout pre-race Loop Data stats as well – Average Running Position (11.474, second-best), Driver Rating (97.6, second-best), Fastest Laps Run (27, eighth-best), and Laps in the Top 15 (410 laps, 65.9%, 11th-most).

 

Though Elliott undoubtedly will be a force to contend with this weekend, the remaining four drivers that are former road course winners looking for their first win of 2023 are nothing to sneeze at. 

 

Defending Sonoma winner, Daniel Suárez, has made five series starts at Sonoma posting one win and average finish of 12.2 – best among active drivers with more than one start. Suárez has also led 47 laps on the 1.99-mile track.

 

Suárez’s Trackhouse Racing teammate Ross Chastain has made three starts at Sonoma posting two top-10 finishes, including a seventh-place finish in last season’s race.

 

Kaulig Racing’s A.J. Allmendinger is always a contender for the win when the NASCAR Cup Series competes on road courses. Allmendinger not only has a two Cup Series road course wins, but he also has the all-time most road course wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with 11 of 16 career wins coming on road courses. Allmendinger has made 11 series starts at Sonoma posting two top-10 finishes.

 

Last but not least, is Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick who will be competing at Sonoma Raceway for the final time this weekend, as Harvick has announced his retirement from full-time racing at the end of the season. In his illustrious career, Harvick has already put up two road course wins in the NASCAR Cup Series; including one at Sonoma Raceway in 2017, and one at Watkins Glen International in 2006. In total, Harvick has made 21 series starts at Sonoma putting up one win, seven top fives and 11 top 10s.

 

Defending Sonoma winner Daniel Suárez looking to go back-to-back

Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suárez returns to Sonoma Raceway to defend his last season win and try to become just the third driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win consecutive races at Sonoma; joining NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon (three straight: 1998, ’99, ‘00) and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Martin Truex Jr. (2018, ’19).

 

Suárez, from Monterrey, Mexico, became just the second driver in the NASCAR Cup Series to earn his first career win in the series at Sonoma Raceway, joining Bogota, Columbia native Juan Pablo Montoya (2007).

 

“Every time we head to a road course, whether it’s Sonoma (Raceway), or somewhere else, I am excited,” said Suárez. “I feel at home, and I am excited to go back to a place where we had great memories last time and hopefully, we can repeat it.”

 

Last season, Suárez led 47 of the 110 scheduled laps (42.7%) at Sonoma and won the NASCAR Cup Series race from the eighth starting position. With the victory Suárez became one of 41 different drivers all-time to have won in all three of NASCAR’s national series.

 

Keep an eye on the No. 99 on Sunday. In five series starts at Sonoma, Suárez has put up one win (2022) and an average finish of 12.2 – the best among active drivers with more than one start.

 

NASCAR will run the Road Course and Selected Short Track Package at Sonoma

NASCAR has announced this season updates to the components of the NASCAR Cup Series car for races held at road courses and short tracks (excluding Bristol and Dover). The Road Course and Selected Short Track Package will consist of the following:

 

  1. 2” Spoiler

 

  1. Remove Engine Panel Strakes

 

  1. Remove Center and Inner Diffuser Strakes. Only the Outer Diffuser Strakes will remain installed. Spacers will be installed between the diffuser flap and diffuser due to removing the inner diffuser strakes. 

 

  1. Remove Diffuser Fences and Replace with Baseline Fences.

 

  1. Splitter stuffers will remain unchanged from the current components.

 

The rules are in place at the following tracks: Charlotte Roval, Chicago Street Course, Circuit of The Americas, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, Martinsville, New Hampshire, North Wilkesboro, Phoenix, Richmond, Sonoma and Watkins Glen.

 

Playoff Bubble Shuffle: Chastain loses points lead, Bowman outside Playoff cutoff looking in

While Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch was grabbing his third win of the season last weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway, several positions on the Playoff bubble started to shuffle. One of the biggest moves from last week, was the winless Ross Chastain losing the points lead and his guaranteed spot in the postseason. With Chastain dropping to fourth and Ryan Blaney taking the NASCAR Cup Series driver standings lead already having a win this season, it has opened-up an additional spot for drivers to get in on wins or points. Heading to Sonoma Raceway this weekend, six spots are up for grabs in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

 

The 10 drivers that have earned a spot in the Playoffs by virtue of wins this season are William Byron, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr., Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

 

The six drivers currently occupying the remaining postseason spots on points are 11. Kevin Harvick (+166 points ahead of cutoff), 12. Ross Chastain (+159), 13. Brad Keselowski (+96), 14. Chris Buescher (+86), 15. Bubba Wallace (+27) and 16. Daniel Suárez (+6).

 

Falling one spot to 17th after a 26th-place finish at Word Wide Technology Raceway last weekend, Alex Bowman is six points back from defending Sonoma Raceway winner, Daniel Suárez in 16th – the final transfer spot on points to the Playoffs. Not far behind Bowman is rookie Ty Gibbs in 18th in the Playoff outlook, 15 points back from Suárez.

 

Currently five drivers that made the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs last season are below the cutline this year – Alex Bowman (17th, -6 points), Austin Cindric (19th, -33 points), Chase Elliott (27th, -98 points), Austin Dillon (29th, -113 points), and Chase Briscoe (31st, -138 points).

 

NASCAR Cup Series, Etc.

 

Milestone Watch: Harvick to surpass Gordon on all-time starts list – Currently tied with NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon for ninth on the NASCAR Cup Series all-time starts list with 805 starts each, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick will surpass Gordon this weekend at Sonoma Raceway and solely move into the ninth position with 806 starts – just three starts behind NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip in eighth with 809 starts. Harvick leads all drivers in NASCAR national series starts entering this weekend with 1,278 career starts.

 

Additional upcoming milestones to watch for over the next few weeks are. …

 

The manufacturer Toyota is just four races away from the 1,000th NASCAR national series event for the Toyota Camry (591 Cup, 405 Xfinity). The 1,000th Camry start will be Atlanta in July.

 

Bubba Wallace – 200th start at Nashville Superspeedway – June 25

 

William Byron – 200th start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway – July 16

 

Chase Briscoe – 100th start at Kansas Speedway II – Sept. 10

 

Justin Haley – 100th start at Kansas Speedway II – Sept. 10

 

Ryan Blaney – 300th start at Texas Motor Speedway – Sept. 24

 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 400th start Phoenix Raceway II – Nov. 5

 

Actor, Comedian Adam Devine named Grand Marshal for Sonoma - Sonoma Raceway is thrilled to announce that popular actor and comedian Adam Devine will be the Grand Marshal for the highly anticipated Toyota/Save Mart 350 on June 11, 2023. Devine, known for his irresistible energy seen in Pitch Perfect, will bring his unique charisma to the iconic Sonoma Raceway as he takes on the prestigious role of Grand Marshal. As Grand Marshal, Devine will give the command to start engines, igniting the thrilling race that awaits. With his magnetic personality and love for motorsports, Devine is the perfect choice to set the tone for an exhilarating day of NASCAR Cup Series racing at Sonoma Raceway.

 

"We are thrilled to have Adam Devine join us as the Grand Marshal for the Toyota/Save Mart 350," said Jill Gregory, executive vice president and general manager of Sonoma Raceway. "His infectious enthusiasm and vibrant presence will add to the electric atmosphere that we offer to both fans and competitors at our events.”

 

Devine can next be seen in the Netflix action-comedy film The Out-Laws, also starring Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin and Nina Dobrev, released on July 7.

 

Country Music rising star Tiffany Woys to perform national anthem at Sonoma - Sacramento Native and Country Music Television’s “Next Up Now” artist Tiffany Woys will perform the national anthem for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 this Sunday, June 11 at Sonoma Raceway.

 

Woys, recently named a Taste of Country “Artist to Watch” is no stranger to entertaining NASCAR fans. The Northern California native previously performed the national anthem at Darlington Raceway.

 

Her most recent radio single, “I Don’t Want You Back” is Tiffany’s sixth charted song on Billboard’s National Country Radio Indicator Chart.

 

WWE Superstar Braun Strowman to pilot pace car at Sonoma - WWE Superstar and former strongman Adam Scherr, aka Braun Strowman, will serve as the honorary pace car driver for the upcoming Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series race on June 11. Known not only for his strength but also his larger-than-life persona, Strowman will bring his showmanship to a new arena as he enters the high-octane world of NASCAR.

 

On June 11, he will buckle into a new role as he leads the field of 36 drivers through the pace laps to the green flag of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 after being recognized on the pre-race stage.

 

Kamui Kobayashi, to Make NASCAR Debut at Indianapolis Road Course for 23XI Racing - Toyota and 23XI Racing announced that famed Toyota Gazoo Racing driver and WEC (World Endurance Championship) team principal, Kamui Kobayashi will make his NASCAR debut in the No. 67 Toyota at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on August 13.

 

“NASCAR is something different in the culture of motorsports compared to Japan and Europe – as a driver, it’s the American dream,” said Kamui Kobayashi, Toyota Gazoo Racing driver and WEC team principal. “I was lucky to be able to race in IMSA the last couple of years. It’s a different form of racing, but I think the racing technology is at a high level. I really appreciate this opportunity from TRD, U.S.A. and of course Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Gazoo Racing. Toyota has been racing in NASCAR for a long time, but I don’t think any other Japanese driver has raced a Toyota in the Cup Series.  I’m very proud of this opportunity.”

 

Kobayashi started his racing career karting in Japan and after winning several titles, he won a scholarship to join Toyota’s Young Drivers program and made the transition into single seater race cars. This portion of his career also started in Japan and later into Europe, which led to being hired as Toyota’s Formula 1 driver. In 2008, Toyota signed Kobayashi as their third driver resulting in his debut during the 2009 season at the Brazilian GP. Kobayashi was active until 2014 in the highest level of racing in the world, Formula 1. Following his Formula 1 career, Kobayashi returned to Japan where he switched to the Supra Formula Series, a class he still actively competes in today. Kobayashi also competed as part of the IMSA Series for the Lexus Racing program in 2022 at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park when he filled in for the injured Jack Hawksworth. Kobayashi is now a driver and team principal with the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series

 

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer lands his first road course win

JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier appeared to have the race at Portland International Raceway in the bag last weekend, which would’ve made him the first back-to-back winner of the 2023 season. But he got knocked out in Turn 1, ultimately giving Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer a straight shot to Victory Lane.

 

The win marked Custer’s first on a road course, first of the 2023 season and the 11th of his NASCAR Xfinity Series career. It also marked the first win by a Ford driver in the Xfinity Series this season.

 

The 25-year-old driver will now look to carry that winning momentum into yet another weekend of road course racing at Sonoma Raceway.

Although this weekend will be the first time Sonoma Raceway has hosted a NASCAR Xfinity Series race, Custer has an advantage over some of his competitors – he’s made some laps on the California road course.

 

He’s made two starts at the track in the NASCAR Cup Series (2021, 2022), finishing 20th and 21st, respectively.

 

More Road Course Fun: California Wine Country is up next

After some left and right turns at Portland International Raceway last weekend, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will be staying in the road course groove with the DoorDash 250 at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday, June 10 at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Sonoma Raceway is the third of eight road course races on the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule (Austin, Portland, Sonoma, Chicago, Elkhart Lake, Indianapolis, Watkins Glen, Charlotte).

 

This will be the first time the Xfinity Series will be making laps on the Sonoma, California road course but NASCAR is no stranger to running on the track.

 

There have been 33 NASCAR Cup Series races Sonoma Raceway. The inaugural race was on June 11, 1989, and was won by Ricky Rudd driving a Buick for Kenny Bernstein.

 

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series also has a few stints on the road course. They ran at Sonoma from 1995-1998 before taking a 24-year hiatus. The series made a return last season (2022) in a race that saw Kyle Busch take the checkered flag.

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers will hit the track for the very first time for practice at 4:05 p.m. ET on Friday, June 9 followed by Pole Qualifying at 3 p.m. ET on June 10. Both events can be watched on FS1.

 

Another Round: Doubling down in Sonoma

The competition will be sure to heat up as many drivers will look to become a part of this inaugural NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Sonoma Raceway, including seven full-time NASCAR Cup Series drivers – Ty Dillon, Daniel Suárez, A.J. Allmendinger, Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain and Aric Almirola.

 

Ty Dillon will be getting behind the wheel of the No. 4 JD Motorsports Chevrolet for his second Xfinity Series start of the 2023 season. Dillon has some experience on the Sonoma road course, he has made four starts in the NASCAR Cup Series with a best finish of 23rd (2022).

 

Suárez will be piloting the No. 07 SS-Green Light Racing Chevrolet for his first Xfinity Series start since the 2018 season. The 31-year-old former Xfinity Series Champion (2016) knows the Sonoma road course all too well, as he posted his first NASCAR Cup Series win there last season (2022).

 

Allmendinger, better known as the Xfinity Series’ road course ringer, will be driving the No. 10 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing. This will be his second Xfinity Series start of the season. His first was at COTA where he won the pole and went on to win the race – his 11th Xfinity Series road course win (series-most). Last season in the Xfinity Series, he posted five wins, four of which were on a road courses (COTA, Portland, Indianapolis RC, Charlotte RC).

 

Larson is making his second start of the season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series behind the wheel of the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. His first start was at Darlington Raceway where he took the checkered flag. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champ has started from the pole or first starting position in the last five Cup Series races at Sonoma and found Victory Lane in 2021.

 

Ty Gibbs will be driving the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota for his third Xfinity Series start of the 2023 season. His other starts were at COTA (finished third) and Charlotte (fifth). The 20-year-old driver will be making his debut at Sonoma Raceway this weekend.

 

Ross Chastain will be making his third Xfinity Series start of the season piloting the No. 91 DGM Racing Chevrolet. He has made three Cup Series starts at Sonoma, posting two top-10 finishes.

 

Aric Almirola will be driving the No. 28 RSS Racing Ford for his second Xfinity Series appearance of the season. His first start came at COTA where he finished 24th. He has made 10 starts at Sonoma Raceway in the Cup Series, posting two top 10s.

 

Playoff Outlook: Five spots remaining with 12 races to go

As the series gears up for Sonoma Raceway this weekend, seven drivers have won in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season, leaving just five spots available in the 12-driver postseason field. Just past the halfway point, Sonoma is one of 12 races left in the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ regular season. 

 

The drivers that have secured their spots in the Playoffs by virtue of wins are John Hunter Nemechek, Austin Hill, Justin Allgaier, Cole Custer, Chandler Smith, Sammy Smith and Jeb Burton.

 

The five drivers that currently hold the remaining Playoff spots on points are Josh Berry (431 points), Sheldon Creed (396 points), Sam Mayer (353 points), Riley Herbst (346 points) and Daniel Hemric (333 points).

 

Just outside the cutline is Brandon Jones, who has made six Xfinity Series Playoff appearances – second only to Justin Allgaier who was seven Playoff appearances. He’ll be looking to snag his first win of the season at Sonoma Raceway. On road courses earlier this season, he’s posted an 11th-place finish (COTA) and a 13th-place finish (Portland).

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series, Etc.

 

Milestone Watch: Brandon Jones to make 250th Xfinity start – This weekend at Sonoma Raceway, JR Motorsports driver Brandon Jones will make his 250th career start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and his first at Sonoma Raceway.

 

Jones will become the 43rd different driver in NASCAR Xfinity Series history to reach 250 or more career starts. Kenny Wallace holds the record for the most starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with 547.

 

NASCAR Cup Series star Ross Chastain will also be competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race this weekend at Sonoma Raceway, making his 200th career NASCAR Xfinity Series start. Chastain will be piloting the No. 91 Chevrolet for DGM Racing this weekend.

 

Brent Sherman to compete at the Chicago Street Course – Chicago native Brent Sherman will be joining RSS Racing in the No. 28 Ford to run in the inaugural Chicago Street Race next month.

 

The race will mark his 62nd career start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and his first in a NASCAR national series event since 2009.

 

“This opportunity just fell into place,” said Sherman. “When the street race was announced, I knew I wanted to explore the chance to get back in a race car. I can’t thank RSS Racing enough for the opportunity to compete in the No. 28. I know I’ll have some challenges with the temperature in Chicago during the summer months, but I’m up for the challenge and have been training to be prepared for it.”

 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

 

Grant Enfinger wins over-time thriller at World Wide Technology Raceway

After leading a race-high 65 laps, GMS Racing’s Grant Enfinger won his second race of the 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season at World Wide Technology Raceway. This was Enfinger’s ninth victory in 162 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races and his first win at the 1.25-mile oval.

 

The Alabama native also took home $50,000 courtesy of the Triple Truck Challenge.

 

The end of the race looked to be a battle between the three most dominant drivers of the day – Zane Smith, Grant Enfinger, and pole winner, Ty Majeski. After a restart on Lap 155, Majeski soared to second place and ran side by side with Smith, but Majeski spun sideways in Turn 2 knocking Smith into the wall in the process.

The incident sent the Toyota 200 into overtime with GMS Racing’s Enfinger in the lead and McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes beside him. Ultimately, the driver of the No. 23 Chevrolet pulled away from Eckes to win by a truck length.

 

The driver of the No. 19 Chevrolet, Eckes, posted his second top-10 finish in six races at World Wide Technology Raceway and his sixth top-10 finish in 2023. Halmar Friesen Racing’s Stewart Friesen (third) posted his fifth top-10 finish in six races at the 1.25-mile track and his fourth top-five of the year. Niece Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar (fourth) collected his fourth top five in a row and has now posted six top-10 finishes this year.

 

Regular Season Title Watch: Corey Heim leads point standings with four to go

TRICON Garage’s Corey Heim continues to have a strong year as he continues to hold the driver points lead in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series with four races left in the regular season. The 20-year-old is currently just one point up on Ty Majeski.

 

Heim’s points lead began after a strong finish at North Wilkesboro – winning Stage 1 and finishing sixth overall – gaining him a total of 48 points to jump from third in the standings over Ty Majeski and Zane Smith. The Georgia native has accumulated one win (Martinsville), four top-five and nine top-10 finishes this season.

 

The driver of the No. 11 Toyota cannot yet clinch the Regular Season Championship since there are still four wins and 240 points available.

 

ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski (-1 point back from the points leader) and Front Row Motorsports’ Zane Smith (-9) also continue to dominate. Although Majeski has yet to win a race this season, he has collected six top-five and eight top-10 finishes. Smith, who swept the Regular Season and Post-Season Championship in 2022, has accumulated two wins, five top five and five top-10 finishes.

 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to race under the lights in Music City

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is taking two weekends off while the Xfinity Series and Cup Series will tackle the road course at Sonoma Raceway and then join the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series for a much deserved off-weekend. The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series will jump back into action under the lights at Nashville Superspeedway for the Rackley Roofing 200 (Friday, June 23, at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM Radio).

 

The inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Nashville Superspeedway was August 10, 2001 – a race won by Scott Riggs, driving a Dodge for Jim Smith. To date, Nashville has hosted 15 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races producing 12 different winners. Johnny Benson Jr., Kyle Busch, and Ryan Preece lead all drivers with two victories at the 1.33-mile track.

 

Toyota also leads the pack with the most wins in Music City, coming in at six victories.

 

Season

Manufacturer

Race Winners

2005

Toyota

David Reutimann

2006

Toyota

Johnny Benson Jr.

2008

Toyota

Johnny Benson Jr.

2010

Toyota

Kyle Busch

2010

Toyota

Todd Bodine

2011

Toyota

Kyle Busch

 

Ford follows with four trips to Victory Lane and Chevrolet with two.

 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Etc.

 

Zane Smith to make Sonoma Raceway debut in NASCAR Cup Series – The 2022 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Champion Zane Smith will be the only NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver competing this weekend in the NASCAR Cup Series. He will pilot the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford on Sunday. Smith has made six previous career starts in the NASCAR Cup Series. His career-best finish was 10th in his Coke 600 debut a few weeks ago.

 

Triple Truck Challenge streak continues – Since its inception in 2019, no driver has been able to win all three Triple Truck Challenge races in one season to collect the $500,000 bonus. The streak continues this year after Grant Enfinger took home the $50,000 bonus at World Wide Technology, following Ben Rhodes’ win at Charlotte. “The Trip” will close out on June 23 at Nashville Superspeedway with a new race winner receiving $50,000 or one of the two previous winners pocketing an additional $150,000.

NASCAR PR

This coming Saturday evening, June 10, Mahoning Valley Speedway is geared for a full slate of stock car action which includes Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pro 4s, Harry’s U-Pull-It Hobby Stocks, Futures and Junk Cars.

Plus it will be another popular “Where Are They Now?” segment with special guest drivers Penny Faust, Rick Karpeuk and Don Hoffman.

All three played an essential role in the long and storied history of eastern Pennsylvania short track asphalt racing. Faust raced and won in the Pro 4 division at Mahoning Valley and Evergreen Raceway. Karpeuk was the 1983 Late Model champion at Dorney Park Speedway and is an inductee in the Dorney Park Speedway/Mahoning Valley Speedway Hall of Fame. Hoffman was a standout wheelman in Late Models at the Park and then went on to compete in Sprint Cars with URC.

During intermission there will be a meet and greet/autograph session with fans.

Last Saturday evening it was 44 for the No. 44 as Kyle Strohl annexed his 44th overall career win. Strohl made his race winning move on a restart with 10 laps to go over Nick Baer. They now come into Saturday’s meet separated by a single point with Strohl ahead.

Jillian Snyder has reeled off five top-5s in six starts and leads the Street Stock division standings. Snyder, who has three straight top two finishes in that span, is still looking for her first win of the season. Jon Moser has been keeping close tabs on her and currently sits second in points.

The Pro 4s have not raced since May 13. Defending champ Cody Kohler has been the man to beat thus far too, picking up three straight wins and in doing so he is building on a record of consecutive victories. Right now the mark stands at six dating back to last season. And that’s not all as Kohler will be likewise looking to extend on his all-time class wins mark as well, which is 45 and counting.  

The Harry’s U-Pull-It Hobby Stocks have been jammed packed with close action which is not surprising. Thanks to three runner-ups in the last four races Cody Boehm has unseated Travis Solomon as the point’s leader. And close in the mix is Michael Wambold. There is one after another of others who can all get to the front and vie for a win too which makes for thrilling features time and time again.

Michael Klotz has been smooth and steady in the Futures class, registering three wins in a half dozen outings while finishing in the top five in each feature held to date. Klotz knows that he can’t take all that too lightly with the likes of the Steigerwalt’s, Gabrielle and Adam, Adam Heckman, Chaz Takacs and Rodney Breiner all nipping at his heels. 

To close out the night there will be Junk Cars running a feature only. These gut-and-go racers are popular attractions at several local fairs and when they get the chance to come to Mahoning Valley it is the biggest track they race on, giving the low-buck racers a chance to flex some muscle.

Race time is 6:00 pm. Pits open at 11:30 with early paid practice ($25 per car) running from noon to 3:00 pm. Warm-ups start at 4:00 pm. Grandstands also open at 4:00.

            Pit admission is $40 per person and adult grandstand admission is $15, $2 off for seniors 65+. Children 10 and under are free.

            Coming up in two weeks, on Saturday June 17, will be Kids Night II. 602 Crate Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Futures will be in action.

Please log onto the official Mahoning Valley Speedway website at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com or on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway for updated info and news. Mahoning Valley Speedway is located on PA route 443 just a few miles west of Lehighton.

MVS PR

A lot of things can change for drivers and their racing team from one season to the next. Ronnie Jones, who competes in the Budweiser Limited Sportsman Division at South Boston Speedway, is seeing a big leap in performance over last year and is earning a place among the division’s frontrunners.

The Kenly, North Carolina resident tested the waters in the Budweiser Limited Sportsman Division at South Boston Speedway last season. In his four starts in 2022, Jones logged three Top-10 finishes with a sixth-place effort as his best finish and had a pair of eighth-place finishes.

In his first five races this season at South Boston Speedway Jones has a runner-up finish and a fourth-place finish among his four Top-10 finishes. He is tied with Bob Davis of Thaxton, Virginia for third place in the division point standings entering the twin 30-lap races for the Budweiser Limited Sportsman Division that will be part of the Sentara Health Prelude to the 200 event on Saturday night June 17 at South Boston Speedway.

“For the car I had I thought we did pretty well last year,” said the 28-year-old racer from North Carolina. “We got rid of that car and got a better car. We’ve had some good runs this year, but we still haven’t put a solid race together.”

Jones raced in some Limited Sportsman races in 2013 and 2014 at Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama, North Carolina. He has competed in the Charger Division and Limited Sportsman Division there over the years since that time.

“I have never led a lap in the Limited Sportsman Division here at South Boston Speedway but I have won three races at Southern National Motorsports Park in the past in the Limited Sportsman Division,” Jones noted.

He noted that the high level of competition in South Boston Speedway’s Budweiser Limited Sportsman Division is what drew him to wanting to race regularly at the .4-mile oval.

“The competition here is pretty stout,” Jones remarked. “That’s why I come here. If you win a race here at South Boston Speedway you’ve done something. You’re only as good as the competition you race against.”

Jones said after a tough night and a seventh-place finish in the 50-lap race on June 3 he and his team are making progress racing against the tough competition at South Boston Speedway.

“Ronald Renfrow is helping me on my car,” Jones explained. “He’s very smart about these cars. He has done a whole lot for me and my family. We’re getting closer every week. We just haven’t had a solid race yet.

“Tonight, we had the left rear tire go flat,” Jones continued. “If the tire hadn’t gone flat, we probably should have finished second or third. We didn’t have anything for the 75 car (race winner Nathan Crews). We’ll get there.”

Jones is proud of what his team has achieved at South Boston Speedway thus far this season.

“We’re proud to be a little team from Kenly, North Carolina doing what we can do,” he remarked. “We have an inexperienced team, but we’re coming together and we’re going to get things figured out. We don’t have anything to hang our heads about. I feel we’re going to win a race this year.”

South Boston Speedway’s next NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series event is the Sentara Health Prelude to the 200 on Saturday night, June 17.

First Responders Night presented by Viny’s Italian Restaurant will be held as part of the event. All first responders will be admitted free with a valid department ID/badge or a department roster signed by the chief with accompanying government-issued ID.

The six-race Sentara Health Prelude to the 200 event will feature twin 60-lap races for the Sentara Healthcare Late Model Stock Car Division and twin 30-lap races for the Budweiser Limited Sportsman Division. A 25-lap race for the Southside Disposal Pure Stock Division and a 20-lap race for the Virginia State Police HEAT Hornets Division will round out the night’s racing action.

Registration and pit gates will open at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. Frontstretch spectator gates will open at 3:20 p.m. and practice will start at 3:30 p.m. Backstretch spectator and tailgate section gates will open at 5:30 P.M. Qualifying starts at 6 p.m. and the first race will get the green flag at 7 p.m.

Advance adult general admission tickets are priced at $12 each and may be purchased online on South Boston Speedway’s website, www.southbostonspeedway.com or by calling the speedway office at 434-572-4947 or toll free at 1-877-440-1540 during regular business hours.

Tickets at the gate on race day will be $15 each. Seniors ages 65 and older, military, healthcare workers, and students (with ID) can purchase tickets for $12 each at the gate on race day.

The latest news and updates for fans and competitors can be found on the speedway’s website and the track’s social media channels. Information may also be obtained by phoning the speedway at 434-572-4947 or toll free at 1-877-440-1540 during regular business hours.

SBS PR

New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) is a top destination for riders visiting the area during Laconia Motorcycle Week, June 10-18, with on- and off-track events throughout nine days of motorcycle mayhem. The 100th Annual Loudon Classic headlines a week-long motorcycle celebration that also features vendors, demo rides, camping and more.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of this century-long tradition in New Hampshire,” said New Hampshire Motor Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager David McGrath. “We can’t wait to welcome thousands of riders from all over the country to NHMS as they roar in to New Hampshire. We’ll have lots of thrilling racing on the road course, highlighted by the 100th Annual Loudon Classic with an incredible purse this year, as well as a new motorcycle skills challenge, a variety of vendors, charity rides, demo rides and more.”

 

NHMS is home to the best racing action in the region, and there will be no shortage of action on the 1.6-mile full road course with nearly 50 races throughout five days. The United States Classic Racing Association kicks it off with the FIM North American Vintage Championships, June 10-11. A variety of classes, ranging from 1950s tank shifters to modern small bike twins provide a plethora of vintage racing action.

 

The racing continues June 16-18 when Northeast Motorcycle Road Racing (NEMRR) competes in round three of racing, highlighted by the 100th Annual Loudon Classic Middleweight Grand Prix on June 17, which has been held on site since long before the speedway was built, when it was simply a road course named Bryar Motorsports Park. Known as the longest-running motorcycle race in America, this year’s Classic will feature riders from all over the world competing to take home a piece of the $250,000 purse with $55,000 going to the winner, making it the richest motorcycle road race in U.S. history.

 

Penguin Road Racing School will host instructional sessions for riders looking to improve their skills June 14-15.

 

Katancha and Harley-Davidson will host the largest demo ride course in the area along with a vendor mall and food court June 10-17. The nearly nine-mile route will take riders through and on- and off-property experience to test out the latest and greatest that the top motorcycle manufacturers in the world, such as Harley-Davidson, Indian, Yamaha, BMW and Live Wire, have to offer. Members of Harley Owners Group, the official riding club of Harley-Davidson, can pick up their commemorative rally pin. On top of the demo rides, there will be a plethora of vendors on site with gear, accessories, sound systems and more for bikers.

 

Riders can support children in need throughout New England by participating in two events that will benefit the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCCNH), the official charity of NHMS.

 

New this year, NHMS and ProRider 603 are joining forces to host the Top Cop for Kids Motorcycle Skills Challenge presented by Laconia Harley-Davidson, which will put the region’s finest motorcycle riders to the test to see who has what it takes to be named Top Cop. ProRider 603 will set up two timed courses, designed to test accuracy and speed, for three divisions of riders – police, expert civilian and novice civilian. One course will be designated for police and expert riders while the second course will be for novice riders. There will also be a fun course open for any licensed motorcycle rider to attempt. The timed courses will be open Friday and Saturday, June 9-10 for practice with the timed challenge and trophy presentation taking place on Sunday, June 11. Registration is $50 per rider for the timed courses and $10 per rider for the fun course. Riders can sign up for the fun course in person on the day of the event, but are strongly encouraged to register for the timed courses in advance, as spots are limited.

 

Back for a third year, the Ride to the Racetrack cruise from Laconia Harley-Davidson to NHMS is on June 13 and includes two laps on the 1.6-mile full road course. Registration is $20 per rider or passenger, and all proceeds benefit SCCNH.

 

With the speedway centrally-located on Route 106, the main corridor to Laconia and just 20 minutes south of Rally Headquarters, it has become the perfect home-away-from-home during Motorcycle Week. Dry and full hookup spots are available with amazing views of the racetrack.

 

Riders can also visit the New England Racing Museum, located on Route 106 North in front of The Flat Track next to the speedway’s South Entrance. The museum will be open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 10-11 and Friday – Sunday, June 16-18. Newly-displayed historic motorcycles and race car exhibits will be featured, as the museum refreshes exhibits every year.

 

Schedule:

  • June 9-11: Top Cop for Kids Motorcycle Skills Challenge presented by Laconia Harley-Davidson to benefit the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (S2 Lot)
  • June 10-11: USCRA FIM North American Vintage Championships (1.6-mile full road course)
  • June 10-11: New England Racing Museum open
  • June 10-17: Demo rides, vendor mall and food court open (S1 Lot)
  • June 10-18: Camping available (NHMS)
  • June 13: Ride to the Racetrack to benefit the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (Laconia Harley-Davidson to NHMS)
  • June 14-15: Penguin Road Racing School (1.6-mile full road course)
  • June 16-18: Northeast Motorcycle Road Racing (1.6-mile full road course)
  • June 16-18: New England Racing Museum open
  • June 17: 100th Annual Loudon Classic (1.6-mile full road course)

Riders are encouraged to check the speedway website (NHMS.com) and social channels for the most up-to-date information regarding events happening as a part of Motorcycle Week at NHMS.

 

Follow Us:

Keep track of all of New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s events by following on Facebook (@NHMotorSpeedway), Twitter (@NHMS) and Instagram (@NHMS). Keep up with all the latest information on the speedway website (NHMS.com) and mobile app.

 

NHMS PR

DIRTcar Pro Stock standout Luke Horning has found his stride early this season. The Gloversville, NY native has already notched two Feature wins at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, three at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, and is currently leading the Hoosier Tire Weekly Racing championship battle for his division.

Horning is no stranger to success in the division, capturing multiple wins and a Super DIRT Week pole in 2021, but there’s still one elusive prize he hopes to finally attain this year.

“I really want to get a win at Oswego (Speedway, during Super DIRT Week, Oct. 2-8),” Horning said. “We’ve been on the pole at Oswego, we’ve been battling for the lead with a couple laps to go, and stuff has happened. We’ve always been one of the faster cars, but at the end, it just doesn’t work out.”

To accomplish his goal, he is focusing on one particular portion of the race that has kept a victory out of reach more than once.

“We’re always good at the beginning,” Horning said. “It seems like as the race goes on, we fall off or aren’t able to maintain… We have to put a better finish together at the end. I think I get too patient there. Being a longer race, I tend to settle down, and I think that hurts me because you lose some track position where you’re not trying to take any chances. We need to be right up on the wheel, from beginning to end.”

In preparation for the prestigious October race, Horning is focusing on keeping his consistency strong in his weekly racing and performing well on the Series matchups when they pick up in August.

Until then, he’ll continue to grind away at his weekly tracks and aim to capture the Hoosier Tire Weekly Championship. He credited his crew as key to their successful early stride in that hunt.

“My crew is second to none,” Horning said. “Those guys are always putting their time in and no matter how we do, it’s not fun when we’re not doing good, but their heads are never down… That definitely helps. The financial part, the people around me, that helps, too.”

When the fall comes and it’s time to make the trek to Oswego, NY to compete in the DIRTcarPro Stock 50 during Super DIRT Week 51, Horning and his team plan on being as prepared as possible.

“(Super) DIRT Week is the biggest race of the year in any division,” Horning said. “So that’s a big deal. They sell those books there every year, and you can read who did what every year from the time they start until the time they end. You’re in that book forever.”

UP NEXT: The DIRTcar Pro Stock Series returns on Monday, Aug. 14 at Brewerton Speedway in Brewerton, NY and then head to Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, NY on Sat., Aug. 26.

Super DIRT Week 51 at Oswego Speedway will be Monday to Sunday, Oct. 2-8. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

For the full DIRTcar Pro Stock schedule, visit dirtcar.com/schedule.

DIRTcar Series PR

WEEKEND EVENT INFORMATION
 
 
  • Race: DoorDash 250
  • Date: Saturday, June 10
  • Time: 8:00PM ET | 5:00PM PST
  • Track: Sonoma Raceway
  • Distance: 79 laps / 156.95 miles
  • Stage Duration:
  • Stage 1: 20 laps, ends Lap 20
  • Stage 2: 25 laps, ends Lap 45
  • Final Stage: 24 laps, ends Lap 79
  • Broadcasting: FS1 | Performance Racing Network | SiriusXM NASCAR Ch. 90
 
  • Practice (FS1)
  • Date: Friday, June 9
  • Time: 4:00PM ET| 1:00PM PST
 
 
  • Qualifying (FS1)
  • Date: Saturday, June 10
  • Time: 3:00PM EST | 12:00PM PST
  • Format: Group A & B | Multi-Vehicle | Two Rounds
 
NXS SONOMA STATS
 
 
KAZ GRALA
Starts: 0
Wins: 0
Top-5's: 0
Top-10's: 0
Best Start: N/A
Best Finish: N/A
 
SAM HUNT RACING
Starts: 0
Wins: 0
Top-5's: 0
Top-10's: 0
Best Start: N/A
Best Finish: N/A
 
EVENT NOTES
 
  • Kaz Grala and the No. 26 Fire Dept. Coffee Black Cherry Bourbon GR Supra team will move on to Sonoma Raceway for the DoorDash 250 this Saturday, June 10. The 79-lap race will mark the first time the Xfinity Series visits Sonoma Raceway.
 
  • Grala has a single NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series start at Sonoma Raceway as well as a single ARCA Menards Series West start.
 
  • Fire Dept. Coffee (FDC) will serve as the primary partner for Grala and the 26 team for 10 races throughout the 2023 season. For more information, visit: www.firedeptcoffee.com.
  • FDC's primary schedule is as follows:
  • February 25 – Auto Club Speedway (P13)
  • March 4 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway (P23)
  • March 11 – Phoenix Raceway (P34)
  • March 25 – Circuit of the Americas (P18)
  • May 13 – Darlington Raceway (P9)
  • May 27 – Charlotte Motor Speedway (P16)
  • June 3 – Portland International Raceway (P26)
  • June 10 – Sonoma Raceway
  • July 1 – Chicago Street Course
  • July 29 – Road America
 
  • Fire Dept. Coffee, a fast-growing company committed to providing super-premium coffee and giving back to first responders, opened an opportunity to invest in FDC. Visit startengine.com for more information.
 
  • Sonoma Raceway will mark the third road course race of the 2023 season out of eight scheduled road course events.
  • The NXS has completed two road course races in 2023, one at Circuit of the Americas (18th-place finish) and the other at Portland International Raceway (26th-place finish).
 
QUOTES
 
 
"Sonoma is one of my favorite racetracks. I’ve raced there in ARCA and Trucks, so I feel like I have a slight leg up on some of our competitors this weekend. Usually, we tend to thrive on the high tire wear tracks, and Sonoma has a lot of falloff. I’m confident that we can bounce back this weekend and put our Fire Dept. Coffee Black Cherry Bourbon Supra up front.”
 
-- Kaz Grala, Driver of the No. 26 Fire Dept. Coffee Black Cherry Bourbon GR Supra
 
SHR PR

No. 11 Sport Clips Toyota Camry TRD News and Notes

  • HAMLIN AT SONOMA: Denny Hamlin has posted four top-five finishes and seven top-10s in 16 career NASCAR Cup Series starts at Sonoma Raceway. Prior to an uncharacteristic 31st-place finish last June, Hamlin had posted five consecutive top-10 finishes at Sonoma from 2016-2021. Most notably during that stretch was a fierce battle between Hamlin and Tony Stewart in 2016 where the two former teammates traded bumps on the final lap before Stewart eventually prevailed with Hamlin coming home with a runner-up finish.
  • ST LOUIS RECAP: Hamlin and the Sport Clips team turned in a strong effort last weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway. After starting third, Hamlin finished third in both stages before ultimately finishing second at the end of the day.
  • SPORT CLIPS: Sport Clips will be featured as the primary sponsor for Hamlin this weekend at Sonoma Raceway. The sports-themed haircutting franchise based in Georgetown, Texas is a longtime supporter of Joe Gibbs Racing dating back to 2009 and has more than 1,850 stores in the United States and Canada.
  • JGR AT SONOMA: Joe Gibbs Racing has enjoyed plenty of success at Sonoma Raceway. The organization has earned five NASCAR Cup Series victories at the 1.99-mile track. In 77 combined starts, JGR has tallied 18 top-five finishes, 32 top-10s, three pole awards, and 372 laps led. Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, and Martin Truex Jr. have all driven JGR entries to victory lane at Sonoma Raceway.
  • TUNE IN: Coverage of this weekend’s race at Sonoma Raceway begins Sunday, June 11, at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Denny Hamlin, Driver of the No. 11 Sport Clips Toyota Camry TRD

What do you expect going to Sonoma this weekend?

“We’re looking to continue improving on our road course program – both me and my driving style and the car setup. It has been a big help having Tyler Reddick join the Toyota camp this year and just being able to lean on him to see what he is doing in the car to try to use that to help with our No. 11 team. We’ll spend some time in the simulator this week trying to work on everything I can possibly do as a driver to be as prepared as possible going into the weekend and we’ll see how we shake out when we get on track on Saturday and Sunday.”

TRD PR

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