Chris Buescher finished eighth at Kansas Speedway after starting on the front row, but he and Carson Hocevar had their cars randomly selected to go back to the NASCAR R&D Center for further inspection. While the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet was cleared without issue, Buescher’s No. 17 RFK Racing Ford Mustang was not nearly as fortunate.

NASCAR found the team in violation of of the following rule: “Sections 14.1.C: Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules; 14.5.4.G: Front Bumper Cover.” Per Motorsport.com contributor Bozi Tatarevic, “The rule allows bumpers to be reinforced on the inside up to a 2-inch border around the foam, and they likely went further than that.”

As a result, the No. 17 team has been hit with a $75,000 fine and crew chief Scott Graves has been suspended for the next two races, including the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He will be replaced by Doug Randolph.

Buescher has also been docked 60 driver and owner points, as well as five playoff points. Buescher is winless after 12 races this year, but he remains inside the playoffs, sitting solidly 12th in the standings. This latest points penalty will drop him all the way down to 24th. He was 33 points above the cut-line, but is now 27 points out. Additionally, the loss of playoff points leaves him in the negative, having not scored any yet this season.

RFK has since released the following: “RFK Racing acknowledges the penalties assessed by NASCAR to the No. 17 Ford Mustang following this past weekend’s race in Kansas. We remain committed to full compliance with NASCAR’s rules. At this time, we are carefully reviewing the details of the situation to determine if we will file an appeal within the timeframe allotted.”

 

Read Also:

 

If you‘re trying to find a predictor of the eventual NASCAR Cup Series champion, the winner of the NASCAR All-Star Race might be a good place to look.

In three of the last five years, the All-Star Race winner has gone on to win the title: Chase Elliott at Bristol in 2020; Kyle Larson at Texas Motor Speedway in 2021; and Joey Logano at North Wilkesboro Speedway last year.

Add Ryan Blaney’s All-Star victory at Texas in 2022, and you have another impressive statistic: the organization that has won the All-Star Race has won the Cup championship in four of the last five years—Hendrick Motorsports in 2020 and 2021 and Team Penske in 2022 and 2024.

Moreover, Logano credits last year’s March 14 tire test at North Wilkesboro, leading up to the All-Star Race, as one of the factors that flipped the switch for Team Penske and propelled him toward his third Cup championship.

As one of 20 drivers already qualified for the event, Logano will defend his victory in Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race at the iconic 0.625-mile short track (8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

“I’m looking forward to getting up there,” Logano said. “The track’s really wide for a repave. It’s a really good race track. I’m looking forward to seeing where it gets to this year. Last year it widened all the way out to the wall…

“Where the dominant lane is will be interesting, even in qualifying.”

Three more drivers will be added to the 20-driver field before the green flag, two from the 100-lap All-Star Open and one chosen through the All-Star Fan Vote.

Qualifying for both the Open and All-Star Race will take place on Friday and includes a Pit Crew Challenge component. Those time trials will set the starting order for a pair of Saturday heat races that will determine the grid for the All-Star Race.

The first 75-lap heat sets the order for the inside row of the All-Star lineup, with the second heat ordering the outside row. The qualifiers from the Open and Fan Vote will be added to the rear of the field.

Front Row Motorsports driver Noah Gragson has won the last two Fan Votes. Josh Berry and Ty Gibbs are the two Open winners at North Wilkesboro. Berry already is eligible for this year’s All-Star Race because of his victory at Las Vegas in March.

The All-Star Race itself is scheduled for 250 laps (up from the 200 laps run in the first two editions of the race at North Wilkesboro), with a competition caution to take place at or around Lap 100.

In addition, a single, optional promoter’s caution—at the discretion of Speedway Motorsports Inc. CEO Marcus Smith—can be used to reshape the race before Lap 220 but cannot be used after Lap 200 if preempted by a naturally occurring caution.

There are six former winners of the NASCAR All-Star Race already qualified for Sunday’s 41st running of the event: Larson, Logano, Blaney, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin.

Larson has three All-Star Race victories to his credit (2019, 2021 and 2023) and can tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson for most all-time with another win.

Hendrick Motorsports has compiled a series-best 11 All-Star victories. Team Penske is next with five. Busch claimed the most recent All-Star victory for Toyota in 2017.

Logano relishes not only the competition but also the history North Wilkesboro embodies.

“It was shut down for years, just sitting there empty,” Logano said. “Now you see it come back, and so many people are there. They did such a tasteful job renovating the place, where they’ve kept a lot of that old feeling but a lot of the newer amenities fans have become accustomed to.”

No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Team:

Driver: Jayson Alexander

Primary Partner(s): Constant Contact

Manufacturer: Chevrolet Silverado RST

2025 Driver Points Position: N/A

2025 Owner Points Position: 30th

Engine: Ilmor Racing Technologies

Notes of Interest:

● Welcome Aboard: The 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series season continues its six-week consecutive stretch of racing, with Young’s Motorsports proud to welcome rookie Jayson Alexander to the team’s lineup to steer the team’s flagship No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Saturday afternoon’s Window World 250 at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway.

● About Jayson: Apex, North Carolina’s Jayson Alexander is a 22-year-old driver racing in the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series.

As an accomplished eSports driver, Alexander was able to make the jump to real-life racing to pursue

his dream of climbing the NASCAR ladder. Off the track, he is a recent graduate of Queens University of Charlotte with a degree in Business Administration and a former Division One Athlete playing goalie for the university’s Men’s Lacrosse Team.

Alexander is also a recently commissioned member of the North Carolina National Guard after graduating as an Army ROTC Cadet for the UNCC 49er Battalion.

● All-Aboard!: For the 10th of 25 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races this season, Constant Contact will serve as the primary marketing partner for Saturday’s No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST for the 200-lap race.

Constant Contact helps small businesses do more business. We have been revolutionizing the success formula for small businesses, nonprofits, and associations since 1998, and today work with more than 600,000 customers worldwide.

The company offers the only all-in-one online marketing platform that helps small businesses drive repeat business and find new customers. It features multi-channel marketing campaigns (newsletters | announcements, offers | promotions, online listings, events | registration, and feedback) combined with shared content, contacts, and reporting; free award-winning coaching and product support; and integrations with critical business tools – all from a single login.

The company’s extensive network of educators, consultants/resellers, technology providers, franchises, and national associations offer further support to help small organizations succeed and grow. Through its Innovation Loft, Constant Contact is fueling the next generation of small business technology.

● He’ll Be Back for More: In addition to North Wilkesboro Speedway, Alexander will return to the Mooresville, N.C.-based team for at least two more Truck Series races this season, including Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis on July 25 and New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 20.

● Jayson Alexander Truck Series North Wilkesboro Speedway Stats: Saturday afternoon’s Window World 250 will mark Alexander’s first career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series start at the historic 0.625-mile paved oval.

The race continues the fast-paced stretch of the 2025 Truck Series season and will be part of a tripleheader weekend alongside the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series and NASCAR Cup Series.

Kicking off the weekend, the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series will have a Saturday afternoon shootout, with the Truck Series expected to deliver its signature thrilling short track action in the heart of the Tar Heel State.

The weekend will culminate on Sunday, May 18, with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series hosting a fender-bender showdown, followed later in the day by the NASCAR Cup Series taking center stage for the exhibition NASCAR All-Star Race.

North Wilkesboro Speedway serves as the site of the 10th race of an expanded 2025 Truck Series calendar, which has grown by two races compared to the 2024 season.

● Jayson Alexander Truck Series Career Stats: Entering North Wilkesboro, Alexander has just one career Truck Series start.

Last summer, he made his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut at The Milwaukee (Wisc.) Mile, where he finished 36th while driving for the then-newly formed Floridian Motorsports aboard the No. 21 Ford F-150.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series at North Wilkesboro Speedway: This weekend will mark Young’s Motorsports’ fifth NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series start at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

The organization posted a team-best finish of 17th at the track on Saturday, May 20, 2023, with current Truck Series competition Kaden Honeycutt at the wheel in the 2023 edition of the Tyson 250.

Since 2023, the Mooresville, N.C.-based Young’s Motorsports team has had an average starting position of 25.5 and an average finish of 22.3 in four North Wilkesboro Speedway starts overall.

● Young’s Motorsports’ NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series History: Since entering the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series in 2012, the Mooresville, N.C., – based organization has logged 519 starts from 70 drivers, resulting in solid performances that include two victories (Talladega Superspeedway 2019 and 2021), seven top-five finishes and 33 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 23.2 and an average finishing position of 22.2.

● Follow on Social Media: For more on Jayson Alexander, please visit jarracing.com, like him on Facebook, and follow him on Instagram and X | Twitter.

For more on Young’s Motorsports, please visit YoungsMotorsports.com, like them on Facebook (Young’s Motorsports), and follow them on Instagram (@youngsmotorsports) and X |Twitter (@youngsmtrsports).

Jayson Alexander Pre-Race Quotes:

On North Wilkesboro Speedway: “I am feeling incredibly excited and thankful to have the opportunity to race at North Wilkesboro this weekend. It was a long offseason, and I did not know if I’d get the chance to race in Trucks again.

“Thankfully, I have some incredible partners that stepped up and an amazing team that has given me the chance to race again at this level.”

On North Wilkesboro Speedway Preparation: “To prepare for North Wilkesboro, I have been running a ton of laps on the simulator.

“But that’s not all. I also ran the Late Model feature this past weekend at Caraway Speedway to shake the rust off and will continue to test throughout the weekend to get back into race form.”

On North Wilkesboro Speedway Goals: “A satisfying finish for us is to run all the laps and come home in one piece. This is a huge learning opportunity for me, and I want to make the most out of it. But a top 25 wouldn’t hurt!”

On the Importance of Solid 2025 Truck Series Debut: “It is incredibly important for us to run a good race this weekend. Like I mentioned, this is a huge learning opportunity, and we want to have success to propel us for the rest of our season.”

On the Opportunity to Compete in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series: “Competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is a dream come true.

“I never thought that I’d have this chance, especially since I started racing only three years ago. Competing in this series is a massive step for my career, and I am ready to take on the challenge!”

Race Information:

The Window World 250 (250 laps | 156.25 miles) is the 10th of 25 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races on the 2025 schedule. The one-day show begins with practice on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 9:35 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Qualifying is set to follow at 10:35 a.m. The 36-truck field will take the green flag shortly after 1:30 p.m., with live coverage on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), the NASCAR Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

Young’s Motorsports PR

5 KYLE LARSON
 

Age: 32 (July 31, 1992)
 

Hometown: Elk Grove, California
 

Last Week: 1st (Kansas)
 

Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
 

Standings: 1st
 
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No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet
 

 

 

2025

 

Cup Career

 

All-Star Race

Races

12

 

378

 

8

Wins

3

 

32

 

3

Poles

1

 

22

 

2

Top 5

8

 

127

 

5

Top 10

9

 

191

 

6

Laps Led

817

 

10,073

 

239

Stage Wins

6

 

70

 

N/A

Average Finish

9.8

 

14.0

 

7.0

 

Kyle Larson registered his third win of the season last Sunday at Kansas Speedway, leading 221 laps, sweeping both stages and registering the race’s fastest lap in piling up a 61-point day. It marked the first 61-point sweep since NASCAR began awarding a point for the fastest lap this season. With the effort, Larson seized the lead in the NASCAR Cup Series points standings.
During his dominant performance at Kansas, Larson eclipsed the 10,000-laps-led mark for his career, joining Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch among active drivers to achieve the milestone.
Sunday marked the fourth consecutive race in which Larson scored the most points.
Due to Indianapolis 500 commitments in pursuit of the #H1100, Larson will miss Friday’s NASCAR All-Star Race practice and qualifying sessions at North Wilkesboro. Justin Allgaier will drive the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in his place, and the team will skip Saturday’s heat races. Larson will return for Sunday’s All-Star Race. Allgaier will also serve as the reserve driver for next weekend’s Coca-Cola 600.
Larson has won three of the last six NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Races including the first at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2023. His three wins in the event are tied for second-most all-time with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, one back of leader Jimmie Johnson (four).
In eight starts in the All-Star Race, Larson has led a combined 239 laps, third-most among all active drivers. His lifetime average finish of 7.0 in the event is second best.
Entering the 0.625-mile oval, Larson is one of just two drivers to finish in the top five in both short-track races this season (Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway), winning at Bristol.

 

 
9 CHASE ELLIOTT
 

Age: 29 (Nov. 28, 1995)
 

Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
 

Last week: 15th (Kansas)
 

Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
 

Standings: 4th
 
Twitter Instagram Facebook
 
 
No. 9 Prime Video Chevrolet
 

 

 

2025

 

Cup Career

 

All-Star Race

Races

12

 

334

 

9

Wins

0

 

19

 

1

Poles

0

 

12

 

0

Top 5

3

 

107

 

4

Top 10

6

 

177

 

7

Laps Led

74

 

5,600

 

74

Stage Wins

0

 

38

 

N/A

Average Finish

11.7

 

12.9

 

8.0

 

In 2020, Chase Elliott earned a NASCAR All-Star Race victory, claiming the checkered flag at Bristol Motor Speedway. Elliott led 60 laps en route to capturing the $1 million prize. Elliott remains the third-youngest All-Star winner at 24 years, seven months, 17 days.
This weekend, the All-Star Race returns to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the third consecutive season. In his first two appearances Elliott finished fifth and eighth, respectively.
When the Dawsonville, Georgia, native was just 14 years old, he visited victory lane at the short track in the PASS (Pro All Stars Series) late model race held on September 4, 2010. It was the first event the track hosted since the mid-1990s.
Elliott will make his 10th consecutive appearance in the All-Star Race this weekend. His 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship and All-Star Race win locked him into the event for the remainder of his full-time Cup Series career under current rules.
The 29-year-old driver finished in the top eight in seven of his nine All-Star Race appearances.
His average finish of 8.0 across his nine All-Star Race starts ranks fourth-best among active drivers with at least four starts.

 

 
24 WILLIAM BYRON
 

Age: 27 (Nov. 29, 1997)
 

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
 

Last Week: 24th (Kansas)
 

Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
 

Standings: 2nd
 
Twitter Instagram Facebook
 
 
No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet
 

 

 

2025

 

Cup Career

 

All-Star Race

Races

12

 

264

 

6

Wins

1

 

14

 

0

Poles

2

 

15

 

0

Top 5

5

 

59

 

0

Top 10

7

 

111

 

2

Laps Led

386

 

3,364

 

32

Stage Wins

3

 

26

 

N/A

Average Finish

10.2

 

15.0

 

13.0

 

William Byron enters this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race second in points and locked into the playoffs via win in the season-opening DAYTONA 500. He is 35 points behind teammate and points leader, Kyle Larson.
Thus far in 2025, Byron leads all Cup Series drivers in average starting position (9.3), and is third in both top-five finishes (five) and top 10s (seven). His average finish of 10.2 ranks second behind only Larson.
This is the fifth consecutive season that William Byron is locked into the All-Star main event. He has a career-best showing of seventh, coming at Texas Motor Speedway in 2021.
This will be Byron’s third year racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the All-Star race. He has two career wins at short tracks, both coming at Martinsville Speedway and both in the Gen 7 era (spring 2022 and spring 2024).

 

 
48 ALEX BOWMAN
 

Age: 31 (April 25, 1993)
 

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
 

Last Week: 5th (Kansas)
 

Crew Chief: Blake Harris
 

Standings: 8th
 
Twitter Instagram Facebook
 
 
No. 48 Ally Chevrolet
 

 

 

2025

 

Cup Career

 

All-Star Race

Races

12

 

337

 

5

Wins

0

 

8

 

0

Poles

2

 

7

 

0

Top 5

2

 

42

 

0

Top 10

7

 

103

 

4

Laps Led

110

 

1,478

 

11

Stage Wins

0

 

7

 

N/A

Average Finish

16.9

 

19.3

 

9.8

 

Alex Bowman earned a fifth-place finish in last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Race at Kansas Speedway, securing his second top-five result of the 2025 season in the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet.
Bowman currently ranks eighth in the points standings, 144 points behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate and leader, Kyle Larson.
This will be Bowman’s first NASCAR All-Star Race appearance since 2022. He won the fan vote in 2019 and has finished in the top 10 in his last four All-Star Races (2019 – 2022). His best results came in sixth place finishes in 2021 and 2022 at Texas Motor Speedway.
For the Best Friends Animal Society programming, Ally and Bowman will partner with Asheville Humane Society in Asheville, North Carolina, as their selected shelter for this weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Ally and HendrickCars.com are teaming up again to give fans the chance to win prizes with this year’s “Open Road Sweepstakes.” Fans can win VIP experiences at various races throughout the season and one lucky winner will hit the open road in a Chevy Silverado LT Trail Boss with an Airstream camper. Fans can stop by the Ally Fan Zone to enter the sweepstakes in-person and check out the camper. Fans can also enter at ally.com/sweepstakes/nascar.

 

 
HENDRICK
MOTORSPORTS /
Hendrick Motorsports
 

 

2025

 

All-Time

 

All-Star Race

Races

12

 

1,393

 

40**

Wins

4

 

316*

 

11*

Poles

5*

 

258*

 

N/A

Top 5

18*

 

1,297*

 

44*

Top 10

29*

 

2,216*

 

73*

Laps Led

1,387*

 

83,699*

 

990*

Stage Wins

10*

 

126

 

N/A

 
*Most all time
**Tied for most all time

Hendrick Motorsports is the all-time leader in the NASCAR All-Star Race in starts (130), drivers to make a start (23), wins (11), winners (five), top fives (44), top 10s (73) and laps led (990).
Including the All-Star Race, the Clash, the DAYTONA 500 Duel races and the All-Star Open, Hendrick Motorsports has piled up 40 victories in NASCAR Cup Series special events, 12 more than any other organization.
Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway will mark the 22nd time all four Hendrick Motorsports cars will start the All-Star Race, 13 more than the second-most.
Hendrick Motorsports has won the All-Star Race in three of the last five years.
So far in 2025, Hendrick Motorsports drivers have combined to lead 55% of laps at short tracks.

 

 
QUOTABLE /
 

Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet, on entering Indy 500 prep as the NASCAR Cup Series points leader: “I just think it’s really cool. I think it’s good for our team. I think it’s good for our sport. I think it’s good for racing that the Cup Series point leader is competing in the Indy 500 for the second year in a row. I would say last year was a goal of mine. This year I didn’t really think about it. But I do think it puts even more of a spotlight on us and our sport.”

Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet, on North Wilkesboro Speedway: “This place has been around for a long time. It’s kind of in the heart of NASCAR, with Charlotte being right down road and all that stuff. So yeah, I think it’s a good thing. Personally, I was excited to see that NASCAR or whoever spent a bunch of money to repave the place because that just told me that it was going to be around for a while, and they made that commitment pretty quickly. Yeah, I think it’s all positive.”

William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet, on North Wilkesboro Speedway: “To be honest, we haven’t had great runs at North Wilkesboro the last two years. Last year we never really got a chance after suffering a mechanical issue early on. Hopefully this time around we can actually run the race and be in contention. Our short track program is something we’re trying to work on, so all laps help.”

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet, on North Wilkesboro Speedway: “I’m pumped that we get to actually focus on the All-Star Race and not have to worry about getting locked in this weekend at North Wilkesboro. It’s honestly a relief. I actually ran my first stock car race there in 2010, on the older surface, obviously. It’s a cool racetrack with a lot of history. I’m looking forward to getting on track and trying to bring home the $1 million.”

Hendrick Motorsports PR

INDIANAPOLIS — It took Tony Kanaan a dozen tries to win the Indianapolis 500, and, much later, four years to accept it was time to retire and find something else to do outside a racecar.

His 2023 start in the Indy 500 was supposed to be the last of his career and perhaps will ultimately go down as his final appearance in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

But that final 500 led to a full-time job with Arrow McLaren Racing, where in under two years Kanaan has been promoted to team principal and the man in charge of making the decisions while McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown focuses on Formula 1.

And, in a worst case weather scenario May 25, Kanaan might just find himself back in the field of 33 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After two days of rain delays, Kanaan on Thursday completed the veteran refresher course required for him to be the emergency replacement driver for Kyle Larson should Larson have to leave Indianapolis early to make it back to North Carolina for the the Coca-Cola 600.

A long rain delay in Indy last year ruined Larson’s attempt to complete motorsports 1,100-mile “Double” and he never turned a lap in Charlotte. NASCAR made clear to Larson and Hendrick Motorsports that the Coca-Cola 600 must be his priority or it will cost him dearly in the Cup Series championship race.

Although Kanaan said the refresher course rekindled his passion for Indianapolis, he would prefer not to replace Larson and race again at age 50. He’d have to start last if Larson leaves Indianapolis before the race begins.

“My retirement, I think my biggest fear was how much I was going to miss this,” Kanaan said. “But not sure I want to start 33rd and try to pass everybody and suffer for 2 1/2 hours. I did go out on my own terms and I don’t have the need to go back and run this race again.”

Kanaan will be on Larson’s timing stand during the race and cannot replace him in the car once the race begins.

His acceptance of being a retired racer comes from the massive responsibility he’s been given by Brown. With Brown based in England, Kanaan is the day-to-day boss at Arrow McLaren and thriving in the new role.

“The team loves him, I haven’t had that since I started the IndyCar team. He leads by example. He’s a workaholic. He’s motivated, and that rubs off on people,” Brown told The Associated Press. “None of that surprises me. What did surprise me about TK is the dude can talk and listen at the same time. He takes a lot of advice, which is a bit unusual. He talks to our board members all the time — probably more than me — and he knows what he doesn’t know and doesn’t want to make mistakes, he’s decisive, and he ain’t scared.

“If I tell him to do something — and it’s something unpleasant — Tony’s like ‘OK, I’ll do it.’ Then 10 minutes later he calls me and tells me its done.”

Kanaan doesn’t look at his new job as the guy tasked with doing Brown’s dirty work — and there was a lot of it last year as the IndyCar team had a slew of driver hiring and firings.

He said he understands the difficult business side of motorsports and noted Michael Andretti fired him in 2010 despite an existing contract over a loss of sponsorship. It was then he truly understood the brutal nature of the sport and has carried it with him into his role as leader at Arrow McLaren.

“I think the way I want to run the team, Zak and I think the same. It’s not that he doesn’t want to do it, it’s that I’m in charge and I should do it,” Kanaan said. “If he’s going to do everything for me, why am I here? When you’re being honest, good or bad, it’s going to be uncomfortable.

“I had to do a few things these with people that were my friends,” he continued. “It’s not about that. We run a company now. It’s also my reputation and how I want this team to be perceived to be successful. If people are not able to separate the friendship to the professional, then too bad. I think it’s just a choice that I made. I think I’m a fair person. I think I try to run the team as fair as I can. If you’re lacking, I will tell you. Or if you’re doing good, I’ll tell you. I will never forget, Zak told me one day, ‘You don’t need a title. If 10 people walk in the room, they should be able to pick who the boss is.’”

Arrow McLaren fields three full-time entries for Pato O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel, and a fourth car at Indy for Larson. O’Ward has embraced the feedback he receives from his new boss because Kanaan “still thinks he’s a racing driver.

“I think it drives everybody forward. Obviously, always has a good spirit, lots of energy,” O’Ward said. “I always like to hear the negative feedback more, I would say, than the positive because I feel like the positive, it’s always very dependent on just results. But I feel like behind the results, there’s a lot of things that happen, and you always learn more from the things that you’re doing maybe not optimal. I always welcome it.”

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Turtle Wax, a world-renowned brand in car care, announced a multiyear collaboration with Indianapolis Motor Speedway that includes a presenting sponsorship of Fast Friday at the Racing Capital of the World.

Fast Friday presented by Turtle Wax will take place Friday, May 16. It is the final practice and the last opportunity for teams to test and refine their setups before PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18.

“The increased boost levels available on Fast Friday make it one of the most exciting practice days in the lead-up the Indianapolis 500,” INDYCAR and IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “The partnership with Turtle Wax provides a boost to the day for fans and teams alike.”

The Turtle Wax story started with the launch of the first-ever bottled car wax in 1944. More than 75 years later, Turtle Wax still captures the attention of the car care industry with a wide range of products for cleaning, shining and protecting vehicles inside and out, including washes, waxes, interior cleaners and other detailing products.

As part of the relationship, Turtle Wax will provide products for the entire fleet of IMS event vehicles.

“We’re thrilled about this alliance between two iconic Midwest-based brands – Turtle Wax and Indianapolis Motor Speedway – each with a rich history in the automotive world,” Turtle Wax Chief Marketing Officer Daren Herbert said. “As part of this collaboration, Turtle Wax products will help maintain the IMS fleet, continuing our legacy of trusted performance related to any vehicle’s appearance, so IMS can stay focused on what it does best. Simply put: It’s a match made in speed and shine, and we’re ready to go.”

Visit ims.com to purchase tickets for Fast Friday presented by Turtle Wax on May 16 and for more information on the complete Month of May schedule at IMS.

For additional information about Turtle Wax products, visit www.TurtleWax.com.

IMS PR