By Mike Perron, DeCA public affairs specialist

NOTE: To see a DeCA video related to this release, click https://vimeo.com/1090105713/2b54e7ac1c.

FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. – The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) hosted NASCAR Xfinity Series team JR Motorsports (JRM) driver Justin Allgaier at its Fort Gregg-Adams Commissary in Virginia May 14.

During the visit, team sponsor Unilever joined Allgaier to unveil this year’s custom paint scheme bearing the commissaries’ logo on the hood of a full-sized simulator of the team’s No. 7 Chevrolet. Allgaier piloted the actual No. 7 Chevy in the BetMGM 300 race May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina, finishing fourth.

Unilever and JRM have worked with DeCA for more than a decade to publicize the commissary benefit, and in 2021 presented their first military-themed car sporting the DeCA logo.

During his commissary visit Allgaier praised the collaboration, noting his pride in carrying the logo on the track at Charlotte over Memorial Day weekend.

“It’s a way for us to honor the military community and thank them for their service and sacrifice,” Allgaier said.

The event offered Fort Gregg-Adams families and race fans a chance to sit behind the wheel of the replica car, while enjoying music, prize giveaways, face painting and free food samples sponsored by Unilever.

Allgaier signed autographs, posed for photos with attendees and spoke about what the commissaries’ logo on the hood meant to him.

“This is more than just a paint scheme,” he said. “It’s about recognizing the men and women who serve — and making sure they know they’re appreciated.”

DeCA Director and CEO John Hall noted that commissary sales were up over the last three years, and added that he believed the ancillary benefits provided by commissary suppliers like Unilever have helped spur that increase.

“This drives awareness and drives traffic, but more importantly, it communicates that patrons can come and get 25 percent savings inside the gate versus outside the gate,” Hall said. “And on the back of the car, it also says ‘Commissary Click2Go™.’ It’s a great way to drive that message and hopefully we drive a lot of impressions and we drive traffic [to stores] and get patrons excited.”

Allgaier led this year’s Charlotte race for 103 laps of 205 and was leading headed into the final lap after multiple crashes sent the race into overtime. Having missed an opportunity to pit for tires, Allgaier was passed by William Byron in the No. 17 Chevrolet on fresher rubber for the win.

Allgaier remains firmly seated in first place in the NASCAR Xfinity Series points standing with 583 as of June 2. He’s JR Motorsports winningest driver, with 24 victories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He earned his first NASCAR Xfinity Series championship trophy last season and drove the No. 7 Chevrolet bearing the commissary logo to victory lane at Charlotte in 2023. The team is co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., along with his sister Kelly Earnhardt Miller and fellow Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick.

The simulator’s tour takes it to 54 commissaries across the nation during the 2025 season, with its last stops at the Army’s two Fort Bragg Commissaries in North Carolina in September.

Schedule of remaining commissary appearances for the JR Motorsports No. 7 NASCAR Xfinity Series simulator car:

June

5, Fort Knox, Kentucky; 7, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 11, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; 13, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; 16, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; 17, Fort Riley, Kansas; 19, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado; 20 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; 21, Fort Carson, Colorado.

July

28, 29, Fort Bliss, Texas.

August

1, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; 2, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; 4, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; 6, Fort Cavazos I Texas; 8, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma; 11, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas; 14, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi; 15, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida; 22, Hurlburt Field, Florida; 23, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida; 25, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; 26, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida; 28, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; 30, Fort Benning, Georgia.

September

2, Fort Eisenhower, Georgia; 4, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; 5, Fort Bragg North, North Carolina; 6, Fort Bragg South, North Carolina.

-DeCA-

About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees, disabled veterans and other authorized patrons and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to similar products at commercial retailers. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which supports the costs of building, modernizing and sustaining commissary facilities. A core military family support element and valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military services and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte City Council is considering spending $25 million to upgrade the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This is the first major renovation project for the city-owned facility since its opening in 2010.

“We done updates from an exhibit standpoint,” Executive Director Winston Kelley said. “But nothing on this level of magnitude.”

A significant portion of the Hall of Fame would see changes under the proposal. A new education space would go where the current gift shop is located. The NASCAR Hall of Fame has served more than 21,000 students since its opening. It welcomes many field trips each year. An event space would take the space currently occupied by the café. The café would relocate to the Legends Room. A new gear shop will replace the former studio space.

The city of Charlotte has a dedicated fund for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The fund can only be used on projects for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Crown Ballroom and the Hall of Fame and Convention Center’s parking deck. The fund is paid for by a 2% tax added on to hotel bills.

Last year, more than 201,000 people visited the Hall of Fame. That’s the second-highest attendance since opening in 2010.

Charlotte City Councilmember Ed Driggs asked for more information about the Hall’s finances but generally leaders are in favor of the improvements. Like the Spectrum Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a city asset that they are required to maintain.

The Hall of Fame was projected to bring in 800,000 visitors for its first year. It has never hit that figure. Despite the attendance, Councilman James Mitchell says the Hall of Fame has been a success. He was a city leader as Charlotte recruited the facility.

“This has been good for tourism,” he said. “This has been good for our brand.”

The CRVA says the NASCAR Hall of Fame has an annual economic impact of $74 million.

Charlotte City Council will consider the project again in the late summer.

(WATCH BELOW: NASCAR drivers to honor fallen heroes in yearly Memorial Day tradition)

NASCAR drivers to honor fallen heroes in yearly Memorial Day tradition

©2025 Cox Media Group

EchoPark Speedway, then known as Atlanta International Raceway, hosted its first NASCAR event in 1960, and has been a stop on the calendar ever since. The venue hosted the NASCAR season finale from 1987 to 2000. It was the site of the memorable conclusion to the 1992 NASCAR Cup Series season, which saw Richard Petty’s final race, Jeff Gordon’s first career NASCAR Cup Series start, and a dramatic championship battle with Alan Kulwicki narrowly claiming the title.

The 1.54-mile oval was reconfigured following the 2021 season, with banking in the turns increased to 28 degrees. This repave and reconfiguration brought superspeedway-style racing to the Hampton, Georgia facility. In 2024, Daniel Suarez defeated Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch in a three-wide finish where the trio was separated by just 0.007 seconds.

EchoPark Speedway will host two NASCAR national touring series during the spectacular June 26-28 summer event. Schedules, tickets, and camping for the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart weekend, can be found online at EchoParkSpeedway.com.

-Photo credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images

This week the NASCAR Cup Series rolled into Music City for the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway. While Ryan Blaney took the checkered flag Sunday night, another driver’s unexpected, emotional post-race moment is what has people talking.

Bubba Wallace finished in sixth place in Sunday night’s race and stopped by the post-race show set to talk about it with the Prime Video crew Danielle Trotta, Carl Edwards, and Corey LaJoie.

Wallace’s impressive top-ten finish comes after several frustrating weeks of finishing outside of the top 30. With just 11 races left for drivers to make the playoffs, every little bit of momentum and points earned per race finish placement helps. This sixth place finish could be what Wallace needs to turn his season around and give him a chance to win a championship. 

When asked about finding support when going through a difficult moment, Wallace was briefly overcome with emotion. “The biggest part, and it’s incredible. I wish everyone could experience it but having a kid changes your life,” he said. 

NASCAR Hall of Famer Carl Edwards let out a knowing laugh as he patted Wallace on the shoulder and said “Amen.” 

Edwards famously walked away from racing when he was at the height of sport in 2017, in large part to be more present for his own two children. It was clear in his reaction, he understood the emotions Wallace is just beginning to experience. Wallace and his wife Amanda welcomed their first child, a son named Becks Hayden on September 29, 2024. 

Trotta followed up by asking how becoming a father has motivated or changed him and Wallace answered, “That’s the biggest support system. He’s 8 months, he doesn’t know what’s going on but he’s excited to see me every time.”

The driver of the number 23 car for 23XI Racing became visibly emotional from this discussion and briefly became too overwhelmed to speak as he wiped tears from his face. 

Edwards again comforted him and said “Aw buddy, that is beautiful to hear a father share that. Thank you. Thank you for sharing that with us.”

With a quick sip of a beverage and a handshake and words of encouragement from his pal Corey LaJoie, Wallace is able to regain composure as they close out the segment.

Wallace and the whole field of drivers head to Michigan this week. Maybe we’ll all get to see little Becks in Dad’s arms in Victory Lane on Sunday afternoon. Coverage of the NASCAR at Michigan International Speedway begins at 1:30 p.m. EST streaming live on Prime Video.

CLEW Nicotine Pouches will sponsor Front Row Motorsports NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Layne Riggs in multiple races this season, beginning at Michigan International Speedway, FRM announced June 3.

Beyond Michigan, the release did not specify any specific events at which CLEW would be featured on Riggs’ No. 34.

“This is going to be a fun partnership,” Riggs said in a team release “There is a lot of synergy between NASCAR and nicotine, so I am looking forward to promoting the CLEW brand to our fans. They have a great product with a ton of flavors. Hopefully, I can hold up a can of CLEW in victory lane.”

Tracking the Trucks: Is Layne Riggs NASCAR’s Next Antagonist?

Riggs has five top fives and six top 10s this season and is sixth in points entering Michigan.

Logan Kendall joined the Frontstretch team in 2025 as the Tuesday News Writer and fills in other roles as needed. He resides in the Finger Lakes region of New York and spends his free time writing as a hobby creatively and is a self published author.

Logan can be found on X @LoganKendall48