Motorsports
RCR Race Preview: Texas Motor Speedway – Speedway Digest
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway… Richard Childress Racing has three wins among 124 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway. The Welcome, North Carolina-based race team first found Victory Lane at the track with Jeff Burton in April 2007. Burton led only the final lap […]

Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway… Richard Childress Racing has three wins among 124 starts in the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway. The Welcome, North Carolina-based race team first found Victory Lane at the track with Jeff Burton in April 2007. Burton led only the final lap to grab his 19th career Cup Series victory. Austin Dillon was victorious at Texas in 2020. Dillon led the final 10 laps and edged teammate Tyler Reddick by just .149 seconds to score the win – his first at Texas and the 109th all-time by RCR. In 2022, Reddick led the final 24 laps to grab his first Texas victory. RCR has earned 11 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes on the 1.5-mile quad-oval.
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Texas Motor Speedway… RCR has 102 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Texas Motor Speedway, acquiring five wins (Kevin Harvick in 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2012). RCR has earned 26 top-five and 56 top-10 finishes along with five pole awards as an organization. Last season, both Austin Hill and Jesse Love scored top-10 finishes (ninth-place by Love, sixth by Hill). Hill has reeled off four consecutive top-10s for RCR at Texas, including a second-place finish in the fall race in 2022. In 2024, Love’s lap of 185.612 miles per hour paced the field, timing in over two-hundredths of a second over second place.
In the History Books… Hill made NASCAR Xfinity Series history with his victory at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2025, surpassing both Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Tony Stewart to become the all-time leader in superspeedway wins in the series. This triumph marked his ninth career win on drafting-style tracks, breaking a tie with the two legends. Hill’s performance at Talladega Superspeedway added to his impressive record, solidifying his status as a dominant force in superspeedway racing.
A Patriotic Unveil… U.S. Military Veterans are invited to RCR’s campus on May 14 to attend Veterans with Coffee, a monthly event RCR hosts in conjunction with Veterans Bridge Home to provide support and resources for area Veterans. The May edition of the popular event will include a special patriotic car unveil. Media are invited to attend and cover the unveil, beginning at 9 a.m.
Catch the Action… The Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 2 p.m. ET on The CW. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Download The CW app free of charge to watch NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice & Qualifying.
The Texas 400 at Texas Motor Speedway will be televised live on Sunday, May 4, beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1. The race will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR Cup Series Practice & Qualifying at Texas Motor Speedway will be broadcast on Amazon Prime. Ride shotgun all season long with live, in-car camera feeds and scanner audio with a paid subscription to Max as part of their NASCAR driver cam experience during the race.
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Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway… In 20 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway, Dillon has earned one win, one top-five, and three top-10 finishes. He also earned the pole award at the 1.5-mile track in 2016. Dillon has made 11 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the track with a career-best finish of third in 2015 after starting from the pole position for the 300-mile race. Dillon, the 2011 NASCAR Truck Series Champion, has five Truck Series starts at Texas with a career-best finish of second in 2011 and one pole in 2010.
Winner, Winner … Dillon won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in 2020, the third of his five career victories in the series. The Texas win was part of a 1-2 finish for RCR, with former teammate Tyler Reddick coming in second. The victory not only marked Dillon’s first win of the 2020 season but also earned him an automatic berth in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The win was especially significant for RCR, as it was their first 1-2 finish in the Cup Series since 2011.
Did You Know?… Dillon’s 2016 pole award at Texas Motor Speedway remains RCR’s lone NASCAR Cup Series pole in 124 Series starts at the Fort Worth-based track. In total, Dillon owns six poles in Cup Series competition, most recently sitting on the pole in 2019 at Chicagoland Speedway.
One Year Ago… In the NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in April 2024, Dillon finished eighth after starting 15th. Despite handling challenges during the race, strategic pit calls and strong restarts contributed to his top-10 result.
Dillon Rides Top-10 Surge… The No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet team enters Texas Motor Speedway riding a wave of momentum following back-to-back top-10 finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series. A strong performance at the high-banked Bristol Motor Speedway, followed by an impressive run at the unpredictable Talladega Superspeedway, has boosted Dillon’s average finish and provided a much-needed lift in the points standings.
Let’s Ride… This weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, two worlds collide as several professional bull riders who ride for the Carolina Cowboys in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series will join Dillon at the track as guests of Richard Childress Racing. Dillon, who is the general manager of the Carolina Cowboys, spends much of his time outside of his No. 3 Chevrolet managing day-to-day operations for the Carolina Cowboys. Many of the riders live in Texas and are preparing for the Individual Season World Finals, the event marks an exciting lead-up to championship action.
Tickets to the 2025 Carolina Cowboys Home Stand Are Available Now … Driven by the same passion for performance that guides his race team, Richard Childress’ latest endeavor brings Professional Bull Riding to the Carolinas. The Carolina Cowboys represent the Carolinas in the PBR Team Series, an elite league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing in games throughout the country. The team is owned by Richard Childress and Jeff Broin with 2018 Daytona 500 Champion Dillon serving as General Manager. Don’t miss the Carolina Cowboys 2025 “Cowboy Days” Home Stand September 12-14 at First Horizen Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. Tickets are on sale at PBR.com and Ticketmaster.
Dillon Joins Coca-Cola’s Mission 600 at Norfolk Naval Base… Dillon is scheduled to visit Norfolk Naval Base Wednesday on behalf of Coca-Cola as part of the Mission 600 initiative. Now in its eighth year, Mission 600 pairs NASCAR drivers with U.S. military units to help educate the NASCAR community about the U.S. Military and build meaningful connections with our service members. Dillon’s visit underscores his commitment to supporting and connecting with military personnel and helps build up anticipation to one of NASCAR’s most patriotic races, the Coca-Cola 600, which annually takes place over Memorial Day weekend.
About Bass Pro Shops… Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations, and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops united with Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations, and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.” Bass Pro Shops has a long relationship with NASCAR, dating back to 1998. For more information, visit basspro.com.
About Winchester Ammunition… Winchester is the leading small-caliber ammunition brand for hunting, recreational shooting, and law enforcement, and the largest supplier to the U.S. military. The legendary Winchester® brand, with its 159-year history, is founded on principles of integrity, hard work, and a strong commitment to its loyal customers. As a division of Olin Corporation, Winchester shares Olin’s purpose to deliver materials and solutions that enhance and protect lives. Learn more about Winchester and the responsible use of its products by visiting Winchester.com or connecting with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WinchesterOfficial.
Winchester Safes, Based in Texas… With a long-standing commitment to protecting legacies, Winchester Safes is honored to stand alongside Winchester Ammunition in supporting timeless racing tradition and its fan base. Winchester Safes, the most trusted name in safe innovation and reliability, operates with a remarkable unit capacity of over 1 million safes per year and is strategically located in Texas to offer a significant cost advantage to any shipping point across the United States.
Winchester Safes Grand American™… Crafted for those who protect more than possessions, the new Grand American™ safe secures your legacy with unmatched security. Built to safeguard firearm collections, heirlooms, and history, the Grand American™ carries forward the Winchester tradition of protection.
Meet Dillon… Dillon, along with several professional bull riders who ride for the Carolina Cowboys in the PBR Teams Series, are scheduled to make a stop at the RCR Merchandise hauler in the Texas Motor Speedway fan midway on Sunday, May 4, at 10:45 a.m. Local Time to greet race fans and sign autographs. Stop by and get your new RCR and Carolina Cowboys gear.
Questions, Please… Media covering the Texas Motor Speedway race are encouraged to stop by the infield media center on Sunday at 10:20 a.m. Local Time to learn more about the Carolina Cowboys.
AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
What are your thoughts on Texas Motor Speedway?
“Texas Motor Speedway has so much grip now and has changed a lot from the old track to the new track. It has always been a strong track for me, so I am excited to race there this weekend with Bass Pro Shops and Winchester. There is a lot of variety on both ends of the track, which makes it exciting to race. On one end, you are going to have a high-speed and very banked corner, and on the other end, you will have a hard corner that you will have to get turned into and then get back on the gas.”
How would you gauge Richard Childress Racing’s Intermediate Program This Year?
“I’m excited to have Texas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway back-to-back. I felt like we had a fast car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March and a good car at Homestead-Miami Speedway. We passed a lot of cars in those two races. Emphasis will be on qualifying for us. If we can qualify well at those two tracks, I think we can have a pretty good weekend. Texas Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway can be tracks where we can put ourselves in a better position in the point standings. You never know what can happen with the opportunity to win.”
How important are these next few weeks building off the positive momentum your team has gained over the past few weeks?
“It’s very important. Bristol Motor Speedway went well. We headed into the Easter break and carried more momentum into Talladega Superspeedway last week and were able to finish in the top-10. Our next goal is to break into the top-20 in points. If you’re in the top-20, you still have the opportunity to go out and be able to be in the second group for practice and qualifying, even if you have a rough weekend the week before. Qualifying late seems to be a big advantage because of how tight the field is. If you’re on that cut line, you know you’re going to have to pass cars, and passing has been tough. It’s very important to build yourself up in that front area of points.”
Kyle Busch and the No. 8 7-Eleven Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway… Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway will mark Kyle Busch’s 35th career Cup Series start at the track. Busch has four wins at the mile-and-a-half oval (the spring races in 2013, 2016 and 2018, as well as the fall race in 2020). Additionally at Texas, Busch has 14 top-five finishes, 19 top-10 finishes, 1,069 laps led, an average starting position of 14th, an average finish of 12.2, and has completed 94.9 percent (10,650 of 11,217) of the laps he’s contested there.
5 X 8 = 40… Arguably the most successful driver in NASCAR’s modern era, Busch approaches the Texas Motor Speedway race weekend entering a new decade as the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion will celebrate his 40th birthday on Friday. Busch began his career driving the No. 5 Chevrolet. While his initial outing didn’t go as scripted (the then 18-year-old made contact with the Turn 4 wall at his home track of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, flat-siding his racecar and retired after completing just 11 laps), he has grown into a formidable force in the sport. Busch enters this weekend at Texas with 63 career wins in the Cup Series, the most among active drivers. In addition, he is a 34x polesitter, and boasts an impressive 252 top-five finishes, 386 top-10 finishes and 19,440 laps led in 724 career Cup Series starts. Today, Busch continues to build on his legacy in the No. 8 Chevrolet.
New Colors … Busch’s Chevrolet will sport new colors this weekend when 7-Eleven debuts as the primary partner of the No. 8.
Texas Fourstep… Busch is the winningest active driver at Texas Motor Speedway. He earned his first Cup Series victory at Texas in April 2013. He took the lead after a lightning-fast pit stop during the final caution put him out front, and he led the final 19 laps to win his first Cup Series race at the mile-and-a-half speedway. In April of 2016, Busch went on the outside of Turn 4 on the first lap after the final restart to take the lead, which he held for the final 32 laps enroute to the win, doing so by nearly four seconds over second-place finisher Dale Earnhardt Jr. In his third victory at Texas, the 44th of his Cup Series career, Busch led four times for a race-high 116 laps after finishing as runner-up in three of that season’s first six races. His most recent Texas win came in October of 2020, when Busch led five times for 90 of the 334 laps. The race started Sunday and was red flagged due to poor weather conditions after 52 laps were completed. 72 hours later, the green flag waved allowing Busch to claim his fourth Texas victory.
Success Not Limited to the Cup Series… In addition to his Cup Series successes at Texas, the veteran racer also has an astonishing 10 wins in 23 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and six more in the NASCAR Truck Series at The Great American Speedway.
Get to the Points… After his 27th-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway, Busch enters Texas 16th in the series standings.
KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:
Let’s talk about what it is about Texas Motor Speedway that you like?
“Texas Motor Speedway is a challenging racetrack, with turns one and two being as flat as they are and as wide as they are. There’s a lot of room and options for where you can go,. but there’s probably only about about six inches of that racetrack that feels really good. That’s the groove that you want to be in, and stay in, in order to get that grip. We’ve been pretty decent at Texas. Last year, we were fast. We had some good speed. Unfortunately, I wrecked in qualifying, which then forced us to go to a backup car, but we were able to come back up through the field and get a top-15 finish. I think if we would have been able to race in the primary, we would have been able to finish in the top 10. We would have had a shot. But, you never know how some of those races play at the end. I remember Denny Hamlin, I think, was really pushing hard, running hard, trying the outside. And he finally busted his butt there towards the end as well, too, and Chase Elliott was able to get the win. So, it’s really, really finicky. It’s very hard to push harder, to find speed, to make speed to catch the guy in front of you or pass the guy in front of you and not overstep that edge.”
Is it a track that’s really sensitive when it comes to the temperature?
“Obviously, it’s in Texas. It gets hot there. It’s probably a track that may have a little bit of different characteristics when you go back each time.”
As the sun and the heat builds up throughout the day, does that track change a lot?
“It does, yeah. That track really changes a lot. I think it changes a lot in the beginning of our races with the Xfinity rubber down from the day before. Then it progressively changes as the day gets hotter in our races or if it goes later and cools off a little bit. It gets faster, it gets more grip. So, you’re always limited on that feel and the grip and how fast you can you feel like you can go. I talk about how treacherous or tricky turns one and two can be as far as being as flat as they are, but the same can be said for three and four with knowing how hard to push. Can you run wide open down there? Do you lift out of the throttle, get back to the throttle early? Do you just part throttle it longer through the corner? There’s a few different ways to run it.”
Jesse Love and the No. 2 Samsara Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway… Jesse Love has made one career NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Texas Motor Speedway. Driving the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet one year ago, Love earned the pole position, tallied stage points, and brought home a ninth-place effort.
Starting P1… In Love’s young Xfinity Series career of only 44 starts, the Menlo Park, California native has secured seven pole positions – five in 2024 and two in 2025. Love, who most recently claimed the first starting position last week at Talladega Superspeedway, captured his first non-drafting track pole at Texas Motor Speedway in April 2024.
Another Record for the Resume… After capturing the pole position at Talladega Superspeedway, Love became the first driver in Xfinity Series history to win four consecutive drafting track poles.
Sophomore Success… After a successful Sunoco Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024, Love has carried the momentum into his sophomore season. With a third of the current season complete, Love has one win in the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway, two poles, three top-five, and seven top-10 finishes. Leading in six events for a total of 156 laps, the young gun has recorded an average starting position of 8.1 and an average finishing position of 12.3.
Holding Strong… Through 11 races, Love remains in the fourth position in the Xfinity Series driver championship point standings – only seven points behind third-place Sam Mayer. With his Stage 1 win at Talladega Superspeedway, Love increased his Playoff Point total to six.
Double Duty… Love will make his second career NASCAR Cup Series start on Sunday when the 20-year-old pilots the No. 62 C4 Ultimate Energy Chevrolet for Beard Motorsports. The pair is also slated to compete in one additional Cup Series event in 2025, at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway in July.
About Samsara… Samsara (NYSE: IOT) is the pioneer of the Connected Operations® Cloud, which is a platform that enables organizations that depend on physical operations to harness Internet of Things (IoT) data to develop actionable insights and improve their operations. With tens of thousands of customers across North America and Europe, Samsara is a proud technology partner to the people who keep our global economy running, including the world’s leading organizations across construction, transportation and warehousing, field services, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and the public sector. The company’s mission is to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the operations that power the global economy.
Samsara Safety… Samsara utilizes AI-powered technology with trillions of data points to help fleet drivers reduce accidents by up to 50%. The Richard Childress Racing hauler drivers utilize the Samsara platform on a weekly basis to be efficient and safe on the roads to and from the racetrack.
JESSE LOVE QUOTE:
With one career start at Texas Motor Speedway, describe your first impressions of the track.
“Texas is fun, fast, and high-speed. It’s a track that is hard to drive and requires you to be technical. It’s extremely hard to pass in Turns 3 and 4, because the track is so narrow at that end. Turns 1 and 2 are wide and flat. Turns 3 and 4 are narrow, bumpy, and banked. Both ends of the track are equally as important to having a good finish. I know our Samsara Chevrolet will have speed in it. Hopefully we are able to get a good qualifying lap in on Friday to set ourselves up for the best possible position during the race.”
Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet at Texas Motor Speedway… Austin Hill has made six career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Texas Motor Speedway, posting two top-five and four top-10 efforts (best finish of second in fall 2022). In last year’s event at the 1.5-mile oval, Hill qualified in the 13th position, fought a tight handling condition, and finished in sixth-place. The Winston, Georgia native also has 10 NASCAR Truck Series races on his resume at the Fort Worth, Texas track, earning three top-five and four top-10 finishes (best result of second in 2020).
Top-10 Streaking in Fort Worth… In his last four Xfinity Series races at Texas Motor Speedway, Hill has secured four top-10 results and never finished worse than seventh-place.
Win No. 3 of 2025… After starting from the second position, leading 19 laps, and capturing the Stage 2 win, Hill captured his first career victory at Talladega Superspeedway last Saturday. This marked the No. 21 team’s third win of the 2025 Xfinity Series season – a series-leading accomplishment.
Record Breaker… With nine career Xfinity Series drafting track wins, Hill is now the all-time wins leader at that specific style of racing. The 31-year-old passed two NASCAR Hall of Famers – Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart – to secure the title.
All-Time Lap Leader Extended… During his win at Talladega Superspeedway, Hill extended his all-time Xfinity Series lead in number of laps led on drafting tracks to 753. Hill accomplished this career feat in 22 drafting track races, 11 starts less than second-place Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Did You Know? Hill has won five of the last six stages on drafting tracks, including the second stage at Talladega Superspeedway. The one stage that Hill didn’t claim was earned by his teammate Jesse Love.
Gaining Ground… With 11 races complete, Hill gained one position and currently holds second-place in the Xfinity Series driver championship point standings – 79 points behind leader Justin Allgaier. Hill has secured a series-leading 20 Playoff points.
About Bennett Family of Companies… McDonough-Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies provides industry-leading logistics solutions that help businesses thrive. Whether you need specialized trucking, warehousing, 3PL, exporting, importing, or crane services, Bennett has the expertise to handle your most complex and time-sensitive freight. From LTL to over-dimensional truckloads, Bennett ensures safe, reliable, and on-time deliveries around the world. With a legacy of excellence since 1974, their family and woman-owned company is dedicated to providing personalized, flexible solutions that meet your unique business needs. Trust Bennett to deliver when it matters most – discover how we can help your business grow at www.bennettig.com. Together we can move anything.
Crane & Rigging… BOSS Crane & Rigging, a division of Bennett Family of Companies, is one of the top competitive providers of crane and rigging solutions. It specializes in the heavy lifting of major components, oversized machinery, oil rigs and components, and trucking transport. BOSS combines the best tools with the best talent to offer a range of services for the Construction, Mining & Steel, Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, and Wind Industries.
Meet Hill… On Saturday, May 3, fans will have two opportunities to meet Hill in the Fan Zone at Texas Motor Speedway. At 9:40 a.m. Local Time, Hill is scheduled to participate in a question-and-answer session at the Gate 3 Stage. Immediately following at 10a.m. Local Time, the veteran racer is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Hauler. Stop by to meet Hill and purchase new No. 21 gear.
AUSTIN HILL QUOTE:
With Texas Motor Speedway having two different ends of the track, describe the racing action and what a driver needs out of the car to compete for the win.
“Texas Motor Speedway is a very unique racetrack. It’s a different mile and a half than most of the intermediate tracks we go to. Turns 1 and 2 are really flat and wide, which leads to a lot of space where errors can be made, especially when you are inside of another car. If someone gets tight on your door, it’s a very easy spot for you to loop it around and back into the fence. Then on the other end of the track in Turns 3 and 4, you give it all you have. If you can hold it wide open in Turns 3 and 4, you probably have a fast race car. You need a car that handles well in Turns 1 and 2 and then hang it out as much as you can in Turns 3 and 4. Personally I have always enjoyed racing at Texas, and I feel like it’s a place that our Bennett Transportation & Logistics team can be successful at. I would call Texas my second-best mile-and-a-half track behind Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Just haven’t been able to wear the cowboy hat yet.”
RCR PR
Motorsports
Atlanta Motor Speedway new name
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Motor Speedway has a new name! Gov. Brian Kemp joined Speedway Motorsports and EchoPark Automotive for the announcement on Tuesday, in which the new name was revealed: EchoPark Speedway. According to a release from the speedway, it’s part of a new partnership that will carry the EchoPark brand through a seven-year, […]

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Motor Speedway has a new name!
Gov. Brian Kemp joined Speedway Motorsports and EchoPark Automotive for the announcement on Tuesday, in which the new name was revealed: EchoPark Speedway.
According to a release from the speedway, it’s part of a new partnership that will carry the EchoPark brand through a seven-year, multi-million-dollar agreement.
EchoPark Automotive is one of three operating segments of Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company and a leading automotive and powersports retailer in the U.S.
“We’re thrilled to partner with an innovative, customer-focused company like EchoPark Automotive as the entitlement partner of our newly named EchoPark Speedway,” Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith said. “EchoPark Automotive is as committed to exceptional customer service as we are, and we know that together we’ll elevate our fan experience to a new level unmatched for Southern hospitality. This partnership will fuel great experiences for fans attending our speedway for years to come.”
EchoPark Automotive operates 17 locations in 13 markets, including Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama.
“This partnership allows us to share the value of the exceptional EchoPark car-buying experience with more guests in Atlanta and the surrounding area who enjoy the excitement of NASCAR racing at this iconic venue,” Sonic Automotive Chairman and CEO David B. Smith added.
The speedway hosts two NASCAR Cup Series events annually, including the Quaker State 400 starting on June 28. For more information about EchoPark Speedway and its upcoming races, click here.
News happens fast. Download our 11Alive News app for all the latest breaking updates, and sign up for our Speed Feed newsletter to get a rundown of the latest headlines across north Georgia.
Motorsports
AUTO RACING: Blaney earns 1st season win in NASCAR and F1’s McLaren duo extends lead
By The Associated Press All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Firekeepers Casino 400 Site: Brooklyn, Michigan. Track: Michigan International Speedway. Race distance: 200 laps, 400 miles. Schedule: Saturday, practice, 9:30 a.m., qualifying, 10:40 a.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (Prime Video and MAX). Last year: Tyler Reddick held off William Byron to earn the win in […]

By The Associated Press
All Times Eastern
Firekeepers Casino 400
Site: Brooklyn, Michigan.
Track: Michigan International Speedway.
Race distance: 200 laps, 400 miles.
Schedule: Saturday, practice, 9:30 a.m., qualifying, 10:40 a.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (Prime Video and MAX).
Last year: Tyler Reddick held off William Byron to earn the win in double overtime, giving him his second victory of the season.
Last race: Ryan Blaney led a race-best 139 of 300 laps at Nashville, earning his first series win of the year and securing him a spot in the playoffs.
Next race: June 15, Mexico City.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
Last race: Justin Allgaier took the his third series win of the season in Nashville while holding off a late surge from rookie teammate Connor Zilisch.
Next race: June 14, Mexico City.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
DQS Solutions & Staffing 200 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics
Site: Brooklyn, Michigan.
Track: Michigan International Speedway.
Race distance: 125 laps, 250 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 1 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 8:05 a.m., race, Noon (FOX).
Last year: The last race which was held in 2020, was won by Zane Smith after a last-lap pass in double overtime.
Last race: Rajah Caruth broke a 31-race winless streak and earned his second career series win while leading the final 51 laps in Nashville.
Next race: June 20, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
Last race: Oscar Piastri secured the victory and held off teammate Lando Norris in Spain to take back momentum after Norris’s previous win at Monaco.
Next race: June 15, Montreal.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
Last race: Kyle Kirkwood surged ahead on a late restart to take his second win of the season.
Next race: June 15, Madison, Illinois.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Site: Bristol, Tennessee.
Track: Bristol Dragway.
Race distance: 1/4 mile.
Schedule: Friday, qualifying, 6 p.m., qualifying, 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 12:30 p.m., qualifying, 3 p.m.; Sunday, race, Noon.
Next race: June 22, North Dinwiddie, Virginia.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
World of Outlaws Fendt Showdown
Site: Jackson, Minnesota.
Track: Jackson Motorplex.
World of Outlaws Badger State Triple
Site: Plymouth, Wisconsin.
Track: Plymouth Dirt Track.
World of Outlaws Jim “JB” Memorial
Site: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Track: Beaver Dam Raceway.
World of Outlaws Badger State Triple
Site: Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Track: Angell Park Speedway.
Next events: June 13-14, Knoxville, Iowa.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing
Motorsports
DVIDS – News – New DeCA-themed race car logo unveiled at Fort Gregg-Adams Commissary ahead of simulator’s 54-store tour
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 […]

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.
Date Taken: | 06.03.2025 |
Date Posted: | 06.03.2025 12:09 |
Story ID: | 499521 |
Location: | FORT GREGG-ADAMS, VIRGINIA, US |
Web Views: | 12 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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Motorsports
Charlotte City Council considering $25 million for NASCAR Hall of Fame improvements – WSOC TV
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 […]
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)
©2025 Cox Media Group
Motorsports
EchoPark Lands Entitlement Sponsorship of Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway will now be known as EchoPark Speedway as the iconic race track in Hampton, GA, announced a naming rights agreement with EchoPark, an online and in-person used car marketplace, on Tuesday in a press event inside the Marcy Scott Media Center in the infield of the 1.54-mile speedway. According to a press […]

Atlanta Motor Speedway will now be known as EchoPark Speedway as the iconic race track in Hampton, GA, announced a naming rights agreement with EchoPark, an online and in-person used car marketplace, on Tuesday in a press event inside the Marcy Scott Media Center in the infield of the 1.54-mile speedway.
According to a press release from Speedway Motorsports, which owns the facility, the partnership between the track formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway and EchoPark is a seven-year, multi-million-dollar agreement.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith, EchoPark Speedway EVP and GM Brandon Hutchison, as well as NASCAR Cup Series drivers Christopher Bell and Ross Chastain took part in the Tuesday announcement at the facility.
“We’re thrilled to partner with an innovative, customer-focused company like EchoPark Automotive as the entitlement partner of our newly named EchoPark Speedway,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “EchoPark Automotive is as committed to exceptional customer service as we are, and we know that together we’ll elevate our fan experience to a new level unmatched for Southern hospitality. This partnership will fuel great experiences for fans attending our speedway for years to come.”
The upcoming Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on Saturday, June 28, will mark the beginning of a five-race in-season tournament, where 32 drivers will battle it out in a bracket-style tournament for a prize of $1 million.
The winner of the Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart will be presented with a “nearly new” EchoPark Chevrolet Silverado and a trailer equipped with the first of 26 manufacturered 85th Anniversary, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Limited Edition Harley-Davidson motorcycles all courtesy of EchoPark.
Sonic Automotive, like Speedway Motorsports, is a Smith-family owned entitity. David B. Smith, the brother of Marcus Smith, serves as the Chairman and CEO of Sonic Automotive, which is the parent company of EchoPark.
Sonic Automotive feels the newly announced partnership will allow EchoPark to bring further attention to the plethora of used vehicles they sell.
“This is a great opportunity to showcase the incredible vehicles we sell at EchoPark and share the exposure with another important entity in our Sonic Automotive family,” said Jeff Dyke, President of Sonic Automotive. “The Sturgis Rally is right around the corner, and we know NASCAR fans and drivers will not only love the new presentation of this track, but also the opportunity to see this limited edition Harley-Davidson presented in Victory Lane.”
Christopher Bell took the win in the most recent NASCAR Cup Series event at EchoPark Speedway as he triumphed in February’s Ambetter Health 400.
EchoPark Speedway hosted its first NASCAR Cup Series event in July 1960, an event that was won by Fireball Roberts. In all, the facility has hosted 122 NASCAR Cup Series races as well as 38 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, and 24 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races.
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