Team Stats & Notes

• Niece Motorsports Charlotte Stats: Since 2017, Niece drivers have made 23 combined starts at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway. The team has accrued four top-fives and eight top-10 results over the years, including a race win in 2022 with Ross Chastain.
• Supporting a Great Cause: As Memorial Day nears, Niece Motorsports is actively raising funds for Wreaths Across America – a charitable organization that remembers the fallen, honors those who serve, and teaches children the value of freedom. To contribute to the cause, please visit this link.
  No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
  Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett
  Matt Mills Racing
  @MattMillsRacing
  @MattMillsRacing
  Website
• Mills’ Charlotte Stats: Matt Mills has competed in four NCTS races held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Last year, Mills earned his best-career finish at the 1.5-mile track with an impressive fourth-place result. Mills has also made four NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) starts at this track with a best finish of 20th.
• Shiplett’s Charlotte Stats: Mike Shiplett has called one prior NCTS race at Charlotte, where he finished 14th last year with Bret Holmes. Shiplett has visited victory lane on two occasions here, first in 2007 with Kasey Kahne and second in 2017 with Alex Bowman – both in NXS competition. In 11 NXS starts, his drivers earned three top-fives and five top-10 results. Shiplett has also competed in 11 Cup Series races at the track, finishing as high as fifth in 2011.
• On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra, who will serve as his anchor partners for the entire 25-race season.
• Patriotic Paint Scheme: Mills’ truck will sport a new look on Friday’s race as the team unveils a patriotic-themed version of the J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet. With bright, shining stars draped down the sides and carrying onto the bed tops, this paint scheme stands out from the crowd.
• Recapping North Wilkesboro: Matt Mills and the No. 42 team fought hard at North Wilkesboro, but weren’t able to get the finish they had hoped for. Mills started the 250-lap race in 16th, but slid back early. After taking the wave-around, the team got back onto the lead lap in the middle of the race, but lacked track position to go forward. Mills crossed the finish line in 25th-place.
• Points Rundown: Mills remains in 18th-place in the championship points standings following North Wilkesboro. Heading into race 11 at Charlotte, Mills is only two points behind Connor Mosack in 17th, with a one-point gap above Dawson Sutton in 19th.
• Quoting Mills: You earned your best-career finish in this race last year, so how is your confidence level coming back?

“Charlotte has always been one of my favorite tracks. I’ve felt that we have always had speed whenever we race at this track, whether that be in trucks or Xfinity cars. I enjoy racing close to home, and it’s always a big weekend for Niece Motorsports on Memorial Day weekend. Since it’s such a special week, there’s extra motivation for sure. Being that it is one of my favorites, I have more confidence going into it, and that’s one of the biggest tools to help us.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.
No. 44 North Carolina Department of Transportation Protect Your Melon Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Ross Chastain | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
Ross Chastain Racing
@RossChastain
@RossChastain
Website

• Chastain Returns: Ross Chastain will make his second NCTS start of the season on Friday night in Charlotte. The NASCAR Cup Series veteran last drove the No. 44 entry at Homestead-Miami Speedway back in March where he finished in sixth-place. Chastain will also pilot the truck at Michigan International Speedway on June 7, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 25, and Watkins Glen on August 8 to complete his schedule of events.
• Chastain’s Charlotte Stats: Since 2012, Ross Chastain has competed in six NCTS races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, picking up three top-10 finishes in the process. Last time he drove a truck here, Chastain stormed to victory lane in 2022. In 11 NXS starts, Chastain’s best finish was fourth-place in 2020. Out of seven Cup Series races, his best finish came last year when he ran eighth.
• Rogers’ Charlotte Stats: Wally Rogers has called seven NCTS races at Charlotte and picked up his best finish of ninth-place with Matt Crafton in 2004. Though he was not on the box in last year’s event, Rogers finished 17th in 2023 with Lawless Alan. Rogers has also made 12 starts apiece in NXS and NCS competition.
• On the Truck: Chastain’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from the North Carolina Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and Florida Watermelon Association. The Protect Your Melon initiative is centered around the importance of using seatbelts on the road.
• Patriotic Paint Scheme: The Protect Your Melon branding will carry a unique patriotic-themed paint scheme which ties the red, white, and blue stars and stripes with watermelon accents down the sides of the truck.
• Recapping North Wilkesboro: Conner Jones and the No. 44 team quietly worked on a solid outing in North Wilkesboro, but a flat tire derailed their finish. Jones started 23rd and gained track position throughout the opening stage. With just a handful of laps remaining in the second stage, the bead melted on Jones’ right-front tire, damaging the truck in the process. The team made repairs to complete the race, but were shown four laps down in 27th-place.
• Owner Points Rundown: The No. 44 team slid back one spot in the owner points standings after last week’s outing in North Wilkesboro. Now ranked in 18th-place, the team sits four points behind ThorSport Racing’s No. 88 entry in 17th while being 14 points ahead of McAnally Hilgemann Racing’s No. 91 Chevrolet in 19th.
• Quoting Chastain: What makes truck racing so exciting to watch at Charlotte?

“I think Charlotte is a great track for us to race on. The pavement is wore out and bumpy, so we’re always searching around for grip. With how short the truck race is compared to the other series, we all know that we have to make moves quickly to get track position. When we were able to win here a few years ago, it felt so rewarding because we had been close so many other times. I’m hoping we can have another chance at doing that again this week with our North Carolina Department of Transportation Protect Your Melon Chevy.”

About the North Carolina Governor’s Office of Highway Safety: Dedicated to reducing the numbers of traffic crashes and fatalities in North Carolina, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program promotes efforts to reduce traffic crashes in North Carolina and promotes highway safety awareness through a variety of grants and safe-driving initiatives.

About Florida Watermelon Association: The Florida Watermelon Association (FWA) was formed to enable growers and marketers of the Florida watermelon industry to unite. Organized membership allows the Association to promote the consumption of watermelons grown in Florida. The FWA assists its members in the growing and marketing of watermelons by providing a forum through this Corporations’ meetings.
No. 45 Foundation For Pops Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Kaden Honeycutt | Crew Chief: Phil Gould
Kaden Honeycutt Racing
@KadenWHoneycutt
@KadenHoneycutt10
Website

• Honeycutt’s Charlotte Stats: Kaden Honeycutt’s lone start at Charlotte Motor Speedway came last year, when he finished in seventh-place.
• Gould’s Charlotte Stats: Phil Gould has called six NCTS races at Charlotte, with his drivers capturing two top-fives (best of second-place with Carson Hocevar in 2021) and five top-10 finishes. In 11 NXS starts, Gould earned one top-five (fifth with Brian Scott in 2014) and four top-10 finishes.
• On the Truck: Honeycutt’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Foundation For Pops, a charitable organization that works to assist veterans.
• Patriotic Paint Scheme: Returning from last year with some added changes, the Foundation For Pops paint scheme embodies the signature MARPAT camouflage developed by the United States Marine Corps. Adorned in stars throughout the truck, this is a fan favorite look from the team.
• Recapping North Wilkesboro: Kaden Honeycutt and the No. 45 team overcame mid-race setbacks to score their sixth top-10 finish of the season at North Wilkesboro. Honeycutt started ninth, but lost some spots in the opening two stages and did not gain any points in the process. Late in the race, a costly pit road penalty forced Honeycutt to start in the rear, but the team clawed their way back. Once the checkered flag flew, the team finished in eighth-place.
• Points Rundown: Honeycutt remains above the Playoffs cutline despite dropping one spot in the points standings to ninth after last race in North Wilkesboro. Entering Charlotte, the driver is nine points behind Layne Riggs in eighth, and has an 18-point gap over Stewart Friesen in 10th.
• Quoting Honeycutt: Knowing that you had a chance to win this race last year, how hungry are you to earn it this time?

“I think last year at Charlotte, I didn’t do a good enough job on the short runs and lost too much time to the No. 11 (Corey Heim) specifically. For everything we went through, we still had a shot to win it there at the end if it had gone green. We’re coming back here with basically the same mindset of trying to go out and win it for our team owner, Al Niece. Our Foundation For Pops Chevy looks great, and it would be so special for us to pull off our first win together on Memorial Day weekend.”

Niece Motorsports PR

It’s a bit strange to think that inexperienced drivers seem to shine in this grueling five-hour marathon, but it’s happened enough for it to become notable. At 600 miles, no other NASCAR race gets close to the length of the Coca Cola 600.

Born from the minds of Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner, the 1.5-mile asphalt oval known as Charlotte Motor Speedway is now the heartbeat of the NASCAR community with a majority of teams and drivers living within a short drive of the track.

The race was originally called the World 600 and ran its inaugural event in 1960. Its first victor was Joe Lee Johnson in the No. 89 machine. It wasn’t his first win, but it was his last, winning the race by a margin of four laps. But as for the event’s first-time winners,  some became legends while others were no more than one-hit-wonders. But nearly all of them had to beat established titans of the sport to get the job done. Let’s take a look at the complete list of first-time winners and how they all managed to conquer NASCAR’s longest race.

1961 – David Pearson

David Pearson 1979 NASCAR

Photo by: NASCAR Media

This NASCAR Hall of Famer would go on to win three championships and 105 races in a career that spanned nearly 30 years, but his first win came right at Charlotte in 1961. After starting third, he led over half the race in a dominant showing, beating the legendary Fireball Roberts by two full laps. His 105 career victories ranks second only to Richard Petty.

Pearson’s triumph in the second-ever running of the race appeared to be an anomaly at first. It would be 33 years until a first-time winner won the 600 again, but it was name that every single race fan now knows.

Jeff Gordon leads Coke 600

Photo by: ISC Archives – Getty Images for NASCAR

At just 22 years old, ‘Wonder Boy’ was piloting the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet that he would later make famous. But at the time, he was still searching for his first career win. This race appeared to be Rusty Wallace’s to lose but with the brilliant Ray Evernham on the box, he and Gordon proved to be a formidable duo. A call for a short two-tire stop allowed them to jump ahead of Wallace late in the running. He led just 16 laps but it was enough to claim his first Cup win, defeating the 1989 Cup Series champion.

Of course, we all know Gordon didn’t stop there. The Hall of Fame driver went on to win 93 Cup races and sits just behind Pearson on the all-time wins list. He also won four Cup titles, eclipsing Pearson in that category.

Bobby Labonte

Photo by: Greg Gage

We certainly didn’t have to wait another 33 years for the next first-time winner after Gordon’s big win. The very next year, another future Hall of Fame would make their mark with a win in NASCAR’s longest race. Ken Schrader was in control, but blew an engine late in the running.

Bobby Labonte moved into the race lead and stretched the fuel to take the checkered flag. It was also Labonte 1-2 with his elder brother and two-time Cup Series champion Terry finishing second. Bobby went on to become the 2000 Cup Series champion, winning 21 races, and joining the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020.

Matt Kenseth

Photo by: Autostock

The theme of first-time winners in the 600 going on to become NASCAR legends continued as the sport raced into the 21st century. Matt Kenseth, running fourth after the final restart, quickly marched forward with the cunning one would expect from a veteran driver. He passed Gordon, Earnhardt, and finally Labonte on Lap 373 of 400. He then held back Labonte as they navigated slower traffic, winning the race by just over half a second.

Kenseth won 39 Cup races throughout his career and was the final champion under the season-long points format in 2003. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame just last year. That’s right. The first four drivers to get their maiden Cup win the 600 all went on to become Cup champions and members of the sport’s Hall of Fame. 

Victory lane: race winner Casey Mears celebrates

Photo by: Motorsport.com / ASP Inc.

This is where the trend started to shift a bit. Underdogs began to rise from the midfield and snatch this crown jewel victory for themselves. After a few years of struggle at Chip Ganassi Racing, Casey Mears, nephew of four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears, joined Hendrick Motorsports for the 2007 season. It was still a struggle for Mears and the No. 25 team, but the Coke 600 presented him with a unique opportunity. 

With everyone running on fumes, Mears watched as Tony Stewart pitted from the lead with just eight laps to go. Then, Dale Earnhardt Jr. pitted from the lead as well, and Denny Hamlin the lap after him. With just six laps to go, Mears inherited the top spot. He peddled that car, hanging on to win the race with 9.5s advantage over J.J. Yeley. Those final six laps were the only laps he led during the entire 400-lap event.

While it was Mears’ first trip to Victory Lane, unlike the previous drivers on this list, it was also his last. He started 489 Cup races between 2003 and 2019, but that 2007 Coke 600 was his only moment of glory. 

2009 – David Reutimann

Victory lane: David Reutimann celebrates

Photo by: Motorsport.com / ASP Inc.

The 2009 Coke 600 was plagued by bad weather and was already postponed to Monday. Running a day late with weather still threatening, the rain returned on Lap 222 of 400. then on lap 222 of 400. David Reutimann was running 14th at the time of the yellow with no hope of victory. However, teams were closing in on needing fuel, so most the field decided to pit during the caution. But Reutimann did not. He led five laps behind the pace car before the rain intensified and forced NASCAR to red flag the event.

And it never resumed, giving us an upset win by both driver and team, as Michael Waltrip Racing had never won a race before either. It was an underdog story for the ages, and one of two Cup wins in Reutimann’s career. He went on to win his second and final race the following year at Chicagoland Speedway — no rain needed.

Race winner Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: NASCAR Media

The grandson of Richard Childress, Dillon was the first driver to pilot the No. 3 car in the Cup Series since the passing of Dale Earnhardt in 2001. And similar to the race from a decade earlier where Mears won, the 2017 Coke 600 became an intense fuel-mileage race. Martin Truex Jr. had absolutely dominated the event, but he did not have enough fuel to make it to the end.

Several drivers tried and failed to stretch it. Jimmie Johnson was leading with just two laps to go, but he ran out exiting Turn 2 with about 2.25 miles left in the 600-mile race.

Dillon was now in control, but he had no room to breathe as both Truex and Kyle Busch were closing in fast. Even if he had enough fuel, there was still a real chance they might reach him anyway, but they did not get there in time. Busch crossed the line just eight tenths back of the No. 3 car, which carried Austin Dillon to his first career win after leading only the final two laps. Had that been a 601 mile race, the result would have looked very different.

Dillon is the only driver on this list who is still competing at the Cup level. He went on to win the 2018 Daytona 500, collecting another crown jewel. He also has victories at Texas Motor Speedway in 2022, the summer Daytona race in 2023, and a highly controversial victory at Richmond in 2024. In doing so, he is actually the most successful driver on this list who hasn’t actually won (or even come close) to a Cup Series title.

Who’s next?

Since Dillon’s win in 2017, there have been no first-time winners in the Coke 600. In fact, the trend has shifted back towards the more experienced drivers. Nearly every Coke 600 victor after Dillon is now a NASCAR Cup Series champion, with the exception of Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell, and both are consistent championship contenders.

Recent outcomes tell us that another veteran will likely take the checkered flag this weekend, but I believe we’re due for another first-time winner. But if that happens, who could it be?

Perhaps Ty Gibbs, who has yet to win despite some very impressive performances. The 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion is making his 100th career start in the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend, driving the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. He has placed as high as sixth in the 600 and is certainly due for a trip to Victory Lane with 563 laps led at the Cup level, but his recent struggles have confused many. Gibbs has the equipment and is a proven champion in lower divisions, so what is missing?

Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Another potential candidate is Ryan Preece, who drives the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford Mustang. In a deal that came together late in the 2024 season, Preece has impressed everyone so far, brushing shoulders with the checkered flag on more than one occasion. He’s also an intensely driven person who only wants to succeed, as you’ll see in this recent Motorsport.com interview with him. 

Ryan Preece, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

Then there’s Carson Hocevar, a natural talent who has knack for punching above his weight, and finding trouble along the way. Hocevar is the highest driver in points right among those who have never won a Cup race (17th), and he came extremely close at Atlanta earlier this year. Spire Motorsport is running stronger than ever in 2025 with Hocevar already recording a pole position and a runner-up finish this year. The No. 77 already has an ‘unofficial’ win this year, capturing the checkered flag in the Open race at North Wilkesboro just last weekend.

Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: David Jensen / Getty Images

Of course, they aren’t the only ones who break through on Sunday. The 40-car entry list for this year’s Coke 600 features 13 differentdrivers who have never won a Cup race. This includes the trio above, but also names like Noah Gragson, Zane Smith, Todd Gilliland, Riley Herbst, even rising star Connor Zilisch in his Cup oval debut — and what a story that would be. It may seem highly improbable, but so did several of the names now immortalized on this list.

PRI opened its doors to the public on Fast Friday—the annual practice day before Indianapolis 500 qualifications begin—joining in on the Month of May festivities alongside its Speedway, Indiana, neighbors.

Hosted in partnership with Bell Helmets, which runs a pro shop inside the PRI Headquarters, the PRI Open House and Lunch Pop-Up on the PRI Patio marked major milestones for both organizations, including the third anniversary of PRI’s move to Speedway, as well as the 70th year of Bell Helmets protecting drivers in the Indianapolis 500.

To celebrate, the organizations teamed up to host the event, which featured tours of the building, close-up looks at vintage race cars, demonstrations from helmet artists, a silent auction benefiting the Della Penna Foundation, food trucks, a kids coloring contest judged by Bell-sporting INDYCAR drivers, and much more.  

The event also served as an opportunity for PRI to further engrain itself in the community in which it has established its roots, opening up its doors to show off what is usually closed to the public.

“We’re right here in the racing capital of the world and we couldn’t be more excited,” said PRI President Michael Good. “We opened our doors to let the public see inside and see what we do to move the industry along as a trade organization.”

Good, along with membership and other PRI staff, spent the evening educating visitors on the mission, services and role PRI plays not only in the local community, but Indiana’s thriving motorsports ecosystem—and beyond.

“Racing is a big part of who we are when you think of the jobs created, the industries supported by racing, all that we’re doing in higher-ed with motorsports engineering programs, and all the significant employers in the state,” Good said. “Racing, in Indiana, is part of the fiber of who we are.”

There was no better example than the second event held at PRI HQ on qualifying weekend.

As part of its Inspire Program for local high-school girls interested in motorsports careers, the Della Penna Foundation held an early-morning event at PRI HQ featuring numerous speakers from all corners of the industry, offering advice and words of wisdom for pursuing a job in racing.

The foundation–named for former racer and team owner John Della Penna, and established by his daughter, Michelle Della Penna—aims to increase female representation in the industry and provide opportunities for girls to pursue their passion for motorsports. The Inspire Program is a direct attempt at accomplishing that mission, taking 25 local students to a variety of motorsports businesses—including local teams and manufacturers—before capping the weekend with some on-track action at IMS.

“It’s a fully immersive weekend,” Della Penna said, listing off an itinerary that included stops at Arrow McLaren, the IMS Museum, Dallara, General Motors, and even a local go-kart track. “It goes from drivers to marketing and everything in between, and hopefully they will be inspired and find something they love.”

During their stop at PRI HQ, the students got to hear from representatives of many of those organizations, getting a cross-section of the industry ranging from the on-track accomplishments of Lyn St. James, the trailblazing racer and 1992 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, to the behind-the-scenes work of TaiJaune Robinson, engineering business manager at GM Motorsports. The varied perspectives offered a crash course on the many ways to break into the industry, Della Penna said.

“Every component is just so vital. It all just means so much,” she said. “It adds a roundness to everything, so being able to have such a wide breadth of people and experts is huge, and it gives the young ladies so much more perspective on what they could really do.”

If you or your business is interested in supporting the Della Penna Foundation through donations, experiences for students or in-kind donations, visit dellapennafoundation.org for more information.

Bob Pockrass

FOX Motorsports Insider

Connor Zilisch describes his rookie Xfinity season as one of “growing pains,” and that has nothing to do with his recent back injury.

The 18-year-old Zilisch was seventh in the standings before dropping to 12th after missing the last race at Texas following a hard crash at Talladega. His win at Circuit of the Americas in March has him comfortably in the playoffs, so Zilisch has already accomplished one of the goals.

But, frankly, more eyes could be on Zilisch in the Coca-Cola 600 as he makes his Cup oval debut this Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Zilisch finished 37th after a crash about midway through his series debut at COTA, a day after winning the Xfinity race.

Zilisch, who honed his road-racing skills in Europe, has been touted as a top Cup prospect the last few years and is under contract with Trackhouse Racing while also having a personal services deal with Red Bull. How he performs in the select Cup races this year, as well as in Xfinity, could determine if he moves to Cup in 2026 or whether he stays in Xfinity for another season.

“I’m having so much fun competing for wins every week here,” Zilisch said about racing for JR Motorsports in Xfinity. “It’s been a blast.

“And I try not to look too far into the future. I want to enjoy every race like it’s my last, and I’m  just trying to make the most of this season with the goal of winning a championship. I know if I do everything I need to do, that long-term I’ll be where I want to be.”

While he has had the speed each week, even at tracks he has never raced previously, Zilisch feels he’s not doing everything correctly to get the results worthy of the cars he’s driving.

“It’s just been an up-and-down year,” Zilisch said. “But throughout it all, my team and I, we’ve been getting better every week and understanding what I need out of the car every week and how to go through a race without making mistakes.

“I’ve definitely done things that have hindered myself points-wise. I could have had a lot of better finishes. I have wrecked on all three superspeedway races. I finished 28th at Martinsville with the fastest car. Overall, looking back on it, I feel like we’ve done a really good job. But I feel like there are things that I can clean up.”

Many believe Zilisch has the whole package — great talent, grounded mindset and an engaging personality. Kevin Harvick saw Zilisch race at a young age and helped him land a few stock-car rides in order to get a NASCAR career in his grasp.

Zilisch has won five ARCA regional series wins, five ARCA national series races and two Xfinity wins, including in his debut race last year at Watkins Glen. He also has a class win in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Despite the two Xfinity wins, Zilisch said the “growing pains” in the series include that he can’t come back from mistakes as easily as in other series. 

“I feel like you make one mistake and it ends your day,” Zilisch said. “I’ve never had that before in the racing I’ve done. … Learning to minimize mistakes has been probably the toughest part for me, and understanding that one mistake can end your day.”

The other thing Zilisch has learned is not to overthink his race and strategy.

“I feel like coming into the year, I was so worried about how complicated the races were going to be, and going to new tracks and pit road and everything — and, honestly, the less I’ve tried to think about it, the better I’ve been,” he said.

The mistakes have increased chatter on social channels that Zilisch might not live up to the hype. As an 18-year-old who grew up with social media, Zilisch is used to the seeing comments about his performance.

Those comments, though, likely have been more critical as the Zilisch hype has increased over the last year.

“I don’t let it get to me,” Zilisch said. “If nobody was watching, I’d still race the same. It’s just about going out there every weekend and preparing for every race the same, working with my team to do the best job we can do every weekend.

“At times it does get tough to deal with the noise around and getting tagged on Twitter posts and whatever it may be. … I feel like I’ve done a good job of just doing my deal and not really letting the outside noise affect me, good or bad.”

That’s good because he has 400 laps in a Cup car ahead and everyone will be watching.

“It’s going to be tough,” Zilisch said. “I don’t expect to go and run well, … but if I’m going to run in the Cup Series one day, I’ve got to be able to run those races. And there’s no better way to get experience than trial by fire.

“It’s a long race that you can struggle the first half, and then you still have a full Xfinity race in the second half to come back from. There’s a lot of time in that race. I feel like it’ll be good for me to just get those reps, get the laps, and the more laps in that car, the better. That’s part of the reason, is they just want to get me laps in the car, since we can’t go testing. And what better way to do that than 400 laps at Charlotte?”

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.

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The three Penske cars entered in the 109th Indianapolis 500 qualified in the Fast 12 on Saturday, but you won’t see any of them in the front row this year after they dominated those three spots in 2024.

A same-day practice crash prevented the No. 3 Pennzoil car, driven by Scott McLaughlin, last year’s pole winner, from requalifying on Sunday for the Fast Six and the coveted pole position. The No. 2 Shell car, driven by Josef Newgarden, and the No. 12 Verizon car, driven by Will Power, were disqualified for illegal modifications to their attenuator boxes.

Team Penske had applied a material to create a more aerodynamically efficient air flow over the attenuator’s seams to reduce drag. Rule 14.7.8.16 does allow for certain parts to be blended to reduce uneven surfaces and gaps in a list provided, but the attenuator box is not included.

Prior to qualifying on day two, each car must go through technical inspection again. Following tech, teams are only allowed to change the tire pressures and wing angles. Initially, the No. 12 car went through technical inspection, but the officials saw something, a body fit issue of the attenuator box, and allowed the No. 12 to go to pit lane while they verified the car wasn’t compliant.

When the No. 2 car went through inspection, the tech department notified the Penske team that they had the choice of pulling their cars from qualifying or making the run to likely be disqualified during post inspection.

With their cars sitting in pit lane, the Penske team was observed grinding the sealant material they applied to the attenuator. When the Technical Department notified them of their choices, the team rolled their two cars back to the garages with the drivers still sitting in the cockpits.

McLaughlin’s car, upon further inspection after his practice crash, did not have the attenuator box modification. The New Zealander will start 10th, based on his Saturday qualification time. The No. 2 and No. 12 cars, however, have been penalized and moved to the last row of the field to fill the 32nd and 33rd starting spots, respectively.

“The integrity of the Indianapolis 500 is paramount, and this violation of the INDYCAR rule against modification to this part and using it ‘as supplied’ is clear,” said INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles. “The penalty should be more than simply starting where the cars might have qualified anyway, if given the opportunity. The cars belong in the field as two of the fastest 33; however, starting on the tail of the field is the appropriate penalty in this instance.”

What’s refreshing to see is that Boles, newly appointed President of INDYCAR, did not show any favouritism to his boss’ team. Roger Penske owns INDYCAR and IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway, of which Boles is also president).

The body fit infraction is also the second time in 13 months that Team Penske has been found in violation of the rules. Josef Newgarden used his Push to Pass illegally at the beginning of last season, winning the St. Petersburg race. The win was stripped from him, a fine imposed, and points forfeited.

In addition to now starting in the last row on the grid, the pit selection for the two Penske cars, pit boxes seven and eight, nearest pit out, were rescinded. Other teams made new pit selections, most moving up two spaces. Car No. 2 has moved to the 30th spot and car No. 12 has the 32nd spot, in front of Dreyer & Reinbold’s two cars at pit-in.

The teams were fined $100,000 each for the infractions. Additionally, the strategists, Team Penske INDYCAR President Tim Cindric on the No. 2 car and Team Manager Ron Ruzewski on the No. 12 car, have been suspended from participating in the 109th Indy 500.

Some felt that those two Penske cars should be eliminated, allowing Jacob Abel, driving for Dale Coyne, into the field; or that Abel should get a spot in the last row and allow the final spot for one of the two Penske cars. Although his speed was not one of the fastest 33 drivers, Abel’s car was legal.

Asked about Abel missing the 500, Pato O’Ward said, “you’re better off watching the race than racing 200 laps in a car that sucks. I was relieved when I didn’t make it (as a rookie driving for Carlin in 2019). We’re going fricking fast, and accidents can happen just in a blink of an eye.

“Those cars weren’t within the regulations,” continued O’Ward. “The rule is pretty black and white. Those cars should have been in the last chance qualifier. If they’re disqualified today (Sunday), they should have been disqualified yesterday (Saturday). It’s a shame, really, because they (Penske) don’t need to be doing that stuff. They’re a great team with great drivers. Why are they doing that? It makes no sense.”

“The positive momentum around the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis 500 has been on a steep crescendo over the last several months,” explained Boles. “We want it to be clear that our intent is to maintain that momentum and discourage teams from putting INDYCAR in positions where it calls into the integrity of our officiating and the levelness of the playing field. As we look to the remainder of the week and the race this weekend, we will do everything we can to make it clear that this is not only the best racing on the planet but racing where the best win under completely fair conditions.”

Moving the two Penske cars to the last row of the field may only heighten the entertainment value of the race as they fight their way forward in an attempt to win the ‘Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ the Indianapolis 500. Race coverage starts live at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday on FOX & TSN 4, with the Green Flag estimated at 12:45 p.m. ET.