Sebastian Vettel admits that not speaking out on social, equality and climate issues earlier in his racing career is his “only regret” from his time in Formula One. The German driver, who raced for Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin, won four F1 world championships from 2010-2013 and won 53 races in total. Vettel, who […]
Sebastian Vettel admits that not speaking out on social, equality and climate issues earlier in his racing career is his “only regret” from his time in Formula One.
The German driver, who raced for Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin, won four F1 world championships from 2010-2013 and won 53 races in total.
Vettel, who retired in 2022 after 300 grand prix entries, spent the latter years of his career advocating on a range of topics close to his heart, from climate change, LGBT rights, women in motorsport and more.
“When I started as a rookie, I was solely focused on racing and it was the only thing that was occupying my day,” Vettel told the BBC last month.
“But towards the last couple of years, I think it’s probably one of the things, maybe the only thing that I would say I regret, is not to speak out earlier in my career and seeing the potential power in terms of reach and audience that you might have as a professional athlete to inspire people.
“Since then [I’ve been] trying to spread messages that are important to me.”
Vettel, now 37, also launched a “Race for Women” event in Saudi Arabia when F1 first raced in the Gulf country in 2021.
“It was mostly about taking young girls and women to the track and giving them a glimpse of racing in go-karts and we had a fun day and that’s the story we’re trying to continue to tell,” he explained.
“It’s always difficult with these things how much impact you might have. Certainly, we had a lot of impact on all these girls and gave them a lot of courage for the future to speak out in a country that is changing and evolving and things are improving.
Sebastian Vettel won four F1 world championships from 2010-2013 (Getty Images)
“So the intention really is to go back and continue once we’ve sort of planted the seeds and give those girls and women a little bit of a voice.
“When I did go-karts in Europe I raced girls but it was very rare. The more girls we have participating and less of these stereotypes that girls can’t race, I think it’s positive, it’s good evolution.
“It is important in Europe but it’s even more important I think in a place like Saudi where you can feel things are opening up, maybe not with the speed we all wish or some people expect but there are steps. It’s great to see these girls get a chance to get behind the wheel.”
Vettel raced in the 2025 Race of Champions in Sydney, alongside compatriot Mick Schumacher, but has on the whole maintained his distance from competitive racing since his retirement more than two years ago.
Joey Logano did not go and win back-to-back in the NASCAR All-Star Race, but he certainly gave it everything he had. The Team Penske driver was in control of the race until the promoter’s caution was displayed with just under 40 laps to go. The controversial new rule for this non-Championship points exhibition race allowed […]
Joey Logano did not go and win back-to-back in the NASCAR All-Star Race, but he certainly gave it everything he had. The Team Penske driver was in control of the race until the promoter’s caution was displayed with just under 40 laps to go.
The controversial new rule for this non-Championship points exhibition race allowed for the race promoter to throw one caution, whenever they want, between Lap 100 and 220 in the 250-lap event.
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Logano ended up finishing second to Christopher Bell, and he wasn’t too thrilled with him or Speedway Motorsports CEO Marcus Smith.
“I’m glad you had a blast,” Logano told a NASCAR on FOX reporter. “I’m pissed off right now. Just dang it, we had the fastest car. The Shell-Pennzoil Mustang was so fast. You get to — I’m trying to choose my words correctly on the caution situation. Obviously I got bit by it, so I am the one frustrated obviously.
“Gosh, I don’t know. I felt like the falloff wasn’t too bad as the sun went down, and yeah, six cars or so stayed out with us. Thought maybe we could hold him off but the 20 [Bell] had a good enough restart, cleared too many of them too fast. I couldn’t get away in time. It took me six, seven laps to get my car up and rolling again.
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford, Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Joey Logano, Team Penske Ford, Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaDavid Jensen / Getty Images
David Jensen / Getty Images
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Logano continued, struggling to hold back his annoyance. “I did all I could do to hold him off and he got under me and released the brake and gave me no option. Kind of just ran me up into the wall, and if I could’ve got to him, he was going around after a move like that, I just couldn’t get back to him. Just too much to try to make up with the tire deficit.
“Just frustrated after you lead so many laps and the car is so fast and you don’t win, it hurts quite a bit.”
In a later media scrum, Logano spoke more about Bell’s race-winning move. “It is what it is,” said Logano. “I don’t know. I mean, sure. Sure. He did it good enough that I couldn’t get back to him because I was gonna show him what fair was, but I just couldn’t get there. I just couldn’t get there with the tires. I couldn’t get away fast enough. It took me six or seven laps after that restart to get rolling again and then he passed too many cars there the first couple laps and then he was there. I was doing all I can to play defense until my rear tires would come in and it just took too long, and then he was gone. I couldn’t catch back up.
“It’s frustrating when you lead that many laps, you had the fastest car and a gimmick caution beats you. It just sucks, but it is what it is. You move on and we’ll be happy that we had the best car the last two times that we’ve been here. I wish we had two wins, though.”
When the promoter’s caution flew (via Michael Waltrip, who actually dropped it on the race track), most of the field pitted for fresh rubber. Logano was among five drivers who chose to stay out on old tires, hoping to hang on.
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“I’m all about no gimmicks with the caution,” said Logano, who chuckled as he said it, but the frustration was clear in his voice. “I am all about that. I’m a little — me and Marcus Smith aren’t seeing eye to eye right now, okay? I’ve got to have a word with him.”
Photos from All-Star Race
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing ToyotaDavid Jensen / Getty Images
David Jensen / Getty Images
Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports Ford
Noah Gragson, Front Row Motorsports FordJames Gilbert / Getty Images
James Gilbert / Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing ChevroletJames Gilbert / Getty Images
Carson Hocevar recorded his first All-Star Open victory on Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway. NWS/HHP photo From the North Wilkesboro Speedway The NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, May 18, added two first-time participants – winner Carson Hocevar and runner-up John Hunter Nemechek – through the All-Star Open on Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Noah Gragson […]
Carson Hocevar recorded his first All-Star Open victory on Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway. NWS/HHP photo
From the North Wilkesboro Speedway
The NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, May 18, added two first-time participants – winner Carson Hocevar and runner-up John Hunter Nemechek – through the All-Star Open on Sunday at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Noah Gragson qualified for his third All-Star Race start by winning the Fan Vote for the third consecutive year.
Hocevar, though, felt like the real winner. The Spire Motorsports driver assumed the point after pole winner Shane van Gisbergen dominated the opening 50 laps, but pitted for four tires under a caution period and never recovered the track position.
Hocevar used a quick two-tire stop, clean air and a strong car to keep all comers at bay, while a slew of contenders fought it out for the second transfer spot. Nemechek’s Legacy Motor Club team opted to take four tires under a late caution for Riley Herbst’s spin, and used the improved grip to catch and pass Bubba Wallace for second. Wallace faded to eighth on old tires.
Ty Dillon ended up third with Erik Jones fourth and Michael McDowell fifth. Gragson advanced after finishing 17th.
CARSON HOCEVAR, NO. 77 SPIRE MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET (Race Winner): “Super big for this group, this team. It’s great to win, especially being challenged by tires there. I had my hands full. We definitely have to go to work here on our race car because I didn’t really like it, but it’s a good sign that we didn’t like it and we were still pretty quick there.”
JOHN HUNTER NEMECHEK, NO. 42 LEGACY MOTOR CLUB TOYOTA (Runner-Up): “We have a shot to go win a million dollars. Hats off to this No. 42 team. We unloaded and we had good two- or three-lap speed, but no longer on pace. Proud of them for the effort they put in yesterday and what they were able to find, and pitting there at that last deal, I knew I couldn’t win from where I was at. We came and got two (tires) and that helped us out. Hats off to the whole 42 team. Proud of the effort.”
NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 4 FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS FORD (Fan Vote Winner): “The fans are the GOATs. It’s awesome to be part of this All-Star Race. Thank God for that Open race, because I feel like we got the balance fixed.”
Alex Bowman & Hendrick Motorsports Treat the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race as a Test Session Despite Solid Top-5 Finish
All four Hendrick Motorsports drivers currently sit inside the top eight of the Cup Series standings, thanks to their consistent runs and trips to victory lane. That form seemed to take some of the pressure off heading into the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro, which the team treated more as a tune-up than a must-win […]
All four Hendrick Motorsports drivers currently sit inside the top eight of the Cup Series standings, thanks to their consistent runs and trips to victory lane. That form seemed to take some of the pressure off heading into the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro, which the team treated more as a tune-up than a must-win event, according to Alex Bowman.
Three of the HMS cars cracked the top six by the end of the night, though Kyle Larson faded to a P21 finish after showing early pace and leading five laps.
Bowman led the charge for the team, bringing his #48 home in fourth after starting ninth. Reflecting on the performance, he credited his crew for digging deep. “We were so bad yesterday and the guys made the right adjustments,” Bowman said. “Our hands are pretty tied on what we can or can’t change, and they made a lot of really good calls to take us from struggling pretty bad to at least having a shot at it there at the end.”
Though a fourth-place result in a non-points race doesn’t move the needle in the standings, Bowman acknowledged the improvement was a step forward. “I think we certainly came here just to try to learn things. It pays $1 million, but honestly, winning a regular Cup race, with the playoff implications and everything, it adds up to more than that. So yeah, just came here to learn.”
Chase Elliott, who crossed the line right behind Bowman, admitted he wished he had been in the mix for the win, calling it a strong race for track position.
He noted the event ran smoother than last year’s edition and felt his #9 Chevy was competitive, just a tick off the pace needed to win. “We were in the mix, but we just needed a little bit more [pace] to be there with Joey [Logano] and Christopher [Bell],” Elliott said.
William Byron also tipped his cap to the entire HMS lineup but pointed out that his #24 team needs to keep chipping away. “We were good to start the weekend and good to start the race, but it just seemed like it kind of went away on us,” Byron said. While he admitted he didn’t expect to walk away with the win, he felt they were at least in the ballpark. Overall, he was content with the performance but knew there is more work to be done.
NASCAR All-Star Race results: Christopher Bell is winner, plus full leaderboard
The checkered flag is out for the NASCAR All-Star Race, featuring the best Cup Series drivers in the sport. Joey Logano is the winner of the All-Star Race on May 18 North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. This is Bell’s first All-Star Race victory in five attempts. Bell has three regular season victories […]
The checkered flag is out for the NASCAR All-Star Race, featuring the best Cup Series drivers in the sport.
Joey Logano is the winner of the All-Star Race on May 18 North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. This is Bell’s first All-Star Race victory in five attempts. Bell has three regular season victories in winning three-straight races earlier this season.
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Bell passed defending race winner and Cup Series champion, Joey Logano, with 10 laps to go and drove away to secure the victory.
The All-Star Race had five cautions for 32 laps and 18 lead changes.
Bell and Brad Keselowski won their respective heat races on May 17 and started on the front row, with Keselowski starting on pole position.
Carson Hocevar won the All-Star Open on May 18 to transfer into the main event. John Hunter Nemechek finished second in the Open and Noah Gragson won the fan vote for the final transfer spot.
Here are the results from the NASCAR All-Star Race.
LEGEND OF L.W. WRIGHT: The long Talladega con: After getting a black flag, would LW Wright outrun the law?
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LW WRIGHT PART TWO: The long Talladega con: Could L.W. Wright drive as fast as he could talk?
LW WRIGHT PART ONE: The long Talladega con: How L.W. Wright talked his way onto NASCAR’s fastest track
HOW IT HAPPENED: NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro: Live updates, highlights, leaderboard in Cup Series
Who won NASCAR All-Star Race? Winner, race results for North Wilkesboro Cup Series race
The unofficial full running order, results from NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Harrison Burton, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR All-Star Race results: Christopher Bell is winner Sunday
Shwartzman shocks the field as he becomes 1st Indy 500 rookie since 1983 to win the pole
Robert Shwartzman, a 25-year-old with dual nationality in Israel and Russia, became the first Indy 500 rookie to qualify on the pole since 1983 when he did it for Prema Racing. Robert Shwartzman, of Israel, celebrates after winning the pole position during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, […]
Robert Shwartzman, a 25-year-old with dual nationality in Israel and Russia, became the first Indy 500 rookie to qualify on the pole since 1983 when he did it for Prema Racing.
Robert Shwartzman, of Israel, celebrates after winning the pole position during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)(AP/Michael Conroy)
Robert Shwartzman, of Israel, celebrates after winning the pole position during qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)(AP/Michael Conroy)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A rookie driver for a brand new team won the pole for the Indianapolis 500 on a strange day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Team Penske was disqualified before the final two rounds of qualifying.
Robert Shwartzman, a 25-year-old with dual nationality in Israel and Russia, became the first Indy 500 rookie to qualify on the pole since 1983 when he did it for Prema Racing.
The last rookie to qualify on the Indy 500 pole was Teo Fabi. Coincidentally, he was an Italian — just like Prema, which also was founded in ’83. Prema is established in Europe and races in the Formula 2 series. It made its IndyCar debut this season.
Shwartzman initially raced under the Russian flag until the start of the war with Ukraine. He now races under the Israeli flag, which makes the Tel Aviv native the first driver from Israel to make “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Prema is the first team making its debut in the Indy 500 to land on the pole since Mayer Motor Racing put Tom Sneva there in 1984.
Shwartzman, who has never before raced on an oval, was mobbed by a sea of red-clad team members as soon as his pole-winning run became official.
“Honestly it feels like I’m dreaming. I just had it in my dreams when I was going how would it feel to do such a good job in quali,” he said. “It’s the Indy 500. It’s the main race of the year. Honestly it feels unbelievable.”
Shwartzman had been pursuing a career in Formula 1 and was part of the Ferrari development program as well as its reserve driver from 2021 until the end of last season — when Prema nabbed him for its two-car team.
He was the fourth of six drivers to make their qualifying attempt and took the pole from Takuma Sato of Rahal Letterman Lanigan. But he still had to wait for Pato O’Ward of McLaren and Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing to make their runs, and he nervously watched from pit lane.
O’Ward went first and landed in the third spot and Rosenqvist dropped to fifth, sandwiched in the second row between Chip Ganassi Racing teammates Scott Dixon and Alex Palou. It was a strange finishing order as the Ganassi cars were expected to battle each other for the top starting spot in next Sunday’s race.
“Rookie on pole with Shwartzman — how wild does that get? New team. I didn’t see that coming at all,” said 2008 winner Dixon.
The pole was wide open for the taking first when Team Penske was disqualified from qualifying for an illegal modification on the cars of two-time defending Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden and Will Power, and Scott McLaughlin destroyed his car in a Sunday morning crash during practice.
The three Penske drivers all started on the front row last year, but will be 10th, 11th and 12th in the fourth row together next weekend. That put the odds in Ganassi’s favor, but they had a surprising drop in speed from Saturday to Sunday.
So then Sato, in his first race in nearly a year, sat atop the scoring pylon until Shwartzman’s shocking run.
“I don’t even know what to say. The car felt amazing,” he said, “Coming here for my first oval race, I couldn’t even expect to be in this position. Big thanks to everyone. Big thanks to the fans cheering for me. It’s unbelievable.”
Shwartzman’s engineer is Eric Leichtle, who spent a season with Team Penske as the engineer for Newgarden in 2022. Leichtle left motorsports and spent the past two years working for SpaceX as a senior structures engineer.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Carolina Handling Partners With Spire At Talladega Race
Kathy Laughlin | Marketplace Greenville Carolina Handling Partners With Spire At Talladega Race Carolina Handling, a material handling solutions provider and a support center for Raymond Solutions, will partner with Michael McDowell at Talladega (Alabama) Superspeedway on Oct. 19. McDowell drives Spire Motorsports No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1. The race will be the NASCAR Cup Series […]
Carolina Handling Partners With Spire At Talladega Race
Carolina Handling, a material handling solutions provider and a support center for Raymond Solutions, will partner with Michael McDowell at Talladega (Alabama) Superspeedway on Oct. 19.
McDowell drives Spire Motorsports No. 71 Chevrolet ZL1. The race will be the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500.
“Carolina Handling is thrilled to partner with Spire Motorsports, an organization that shares our core values of respect, teamwork and innovation, and aligns with our drive to be elite in service to our customers and our community,” said Brent Hillabrand, President and CEO of Carolina Handling.
“Our affiliation with Spire Motorsports and winning NASCAR driver Michael McDowell gives the Carolina Handling brand significant visibility and offers us the opportunity for dynamic customer, associate and consumer engagement.”
Talladega Superspeedway is known for high-speed, nose-to-tail action where the difference between winning and losing is usually fractions of a second.
McDowell, the 2021 Daytona 500 champion, joined Spire Motorsports for the current season. He has been in NASCAR’s premier division for 18 years.
The crew chief is Travis Peterson.
Carolina Handling started in 1966 as a gas station in North Carolina. The company, headquartered in Charlotte, now provides integrated logistics and warehouse solutions across the Southeast.
McDowell said the pairing makes sense. “I think this is the perfect opportunity to showcase how our industries can continue to integrate technology into our workforce with confidence,” he said.
“Being able to represent a company that has such a strong tie to the Carolinas is important for our industry and our community. It should be a great race at Talladega, and we look forward to having Carolina Handling join the Spire team.”
The YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway is the 34th of 36 points-paying races in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series.
Carolina Handling is the Raymond Solutions and Support Center for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and part of Florida. The company provides forklifts, automation solutions, parts, racking, storage, lighting, and dock and door equipment to manufacturers, warehouses and distribution centers.
The company has branch offices in Atlanta, Birmingham, Greensboro, Raleigh and Greenville, and an equipment distribution center in Piedmont.
Fair At Heritage Park In Simpsonville Until May 25
The Fair at Heritage Park will showcase new foods, rides and shows in Simpsonville through May 25.
Admission and ride specials are available every day. The Fair at Heritage Park is at 861 S.E. Main St. On-site parking is free.
A new ride is the Cyclops 2.0, the second-generation Cyclops with more flips, dips and heart-pounding swoops. The FireGuy show is new; he holds the Guinness World Record for performing with fire.
For kids, movie characters such as Tinker Bell, Stitch, Ariel and more will roam the fairgrounds daily for photo opportunities. All shows are free to fair guests.
Admission is a flat rate of $10 for ages 11 and up. Fair-goers under age 10 are admitted free. Visitors can pay one price for unlimited rides. Individuals under the age of 17 will not be allowed after 5 p.m. without parents, and a clear bag policy is in place.
The fair is family-owned and family-run.
For information about daily promotions, hours, safety policies and attractions, go to FairAtHeritagePark.com or contact info@trzlive.com. For changes due to weather, go to The Fair at Heritage Park Facebook page.
Lima One Capital Hires Senior Director of Underwriting
Lima One Capital in Greenville, a lender nationwide for real estate investors, has hired Greg Larsen as its new Senior Director of Underwriting.
Larsen will lead the Lima One team that underwrites borrowers and loans. He has nearly two decades of commercial real estate lending and credit experience and a record of building high-performing teams, managing complex loan portfolios, and driving strategic growth, according to a press release.
Most recently, Larsen served as Director of Credit at Builders Capital and led initiatives in underwriting standards, product development and credit strategy. Previously, Larsen spent 17 years with Bank of America, where he held leadership roles in underwriting, credit risk and portfolio management.
“I’m excited to join Lima One. The team’s energy, drive and commitment to making a real impact in the real estate space is inspiring,” Larsen said.
Larsen’s accomplishments include designing and implementing a program that delivered over $800 million in commitments to sponsors in its first five months and managing a team that underwrote and closed $3 billion of real estate transactions in one year.
“Greg is passionate about credit quality, team development and process improvement, and I am confident that he will continue to improve our already talented team,” said Lima One CEO Josh Woodward.
Since its inception in 2010, Lima One Capital has funded over $10 billion in business-purpose real estate loans. With a reach across 46 states, Lima One operates as a capital partner for real estate investors and brokers by financing residential investment strategies including fix and flips and rental and new construction. In 2021, Lima One was acquired by real estate investment trust MFA Financial Inc.
Homes of Hope Celebrates Two Workforce Graduates
As addiction remains a pressing concern, two Upstate men are rewriting their stories.
Cade Cope and Austin Allen recently graduated from the Homes of Hope Men’s Workforce Development program – an initiative designed to help men rebuild their lives as they overcome addiction and homelessness.
The Homes of Hope MWD program pairs safe housing, life skills coaching, and hands-on workforce training that the men need to succeed beyond recovery.
“Addiction shows no favoritism. It can entangle anyone, often trapping them in long, dark, seemingly endless cycles of despair,” said Steve Vicari, Director of Men’s Workforce Development. “But recovery is a fresh start, full of promise.”
Overdose deaths have risen by nearly 60% in recent years, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Cope has been hired by John Norwood, who graduated from the MWD program several years ago and founded Old Timey Electric. He is “paying it forward” by offering Cope a full-time position and mentorship.
Allen secured full-time employment at Viper Services.
“It is truly inspiring to see generational change happen,” said Don Oglesby, President and CEO of Homes of Hope.
The Men’s Workforce Development program has graduated more than 330 men since its inception.
For information about Homes of Hope and the Men’s Workforce Development program, go to homesofhope.org.
Homes of Hope is a nonprofit organization based in Greenville. The organization’s dual mission is to provide affordable housing while helping men in the MWD program find stability. Since its founding in 1998, Homes of Hope has built 704 homes.
AIRSYS Cooling Headquarters Slated For Spartanburg County
AIRSYS Cooling Technologies, a cooling solution provider, announced that it will expand its global headquarters by building in Spartanburg County. The company’s $40 million investment will create 215 jobs.
AIRSYS, celebrating three decades in business, is currently headquartered in Greer. The company develops and manufactures cooling equipment for information and communication technology. The company’s energy-efficient cooling solutions are used in data centers, schools and telecom cabinets worldwide.
AIRSYS will construct its global headquarters at 6228 Hwy. 101 in Woodruff. The existing manufacturing site will be expanded.
The new campus will have one of the world’s largest 3D printing factories and will make customizable spray liquid cooling components for high-density computing servers, according to a press release.
Operations are expected to be online in 2026.
Xoted Biotechnology Establishing Operation In Duncan
Xoted Biotechnology Labs, a research and development center, has announced plans to establish a presence in Spartanburg County.
The $4.2 million investment is a significant advancement in sustainable biotechnology and scientific innovation, according to a press release. The company will create 34 jobs.
Xoted is a subsidiary of DRC Ventures and TRB Holdings. Xoted works in the biotech, nutraceutical and environmental industries.
The new facility, in the Spark Center at 1875 East Main St. in Duncan, will focus on plant-based detoxification, seed research, and next-generation applications in textiles and cleanroom technology. In addition to product development, the operation will serve as a hub for STEM education and scientific research.
Upstate Forever Protects 1,100 Acres In ’24
Upstate Forever protected 1,130 acres in 2024.
Conservation easements were finalized in Abbeville, Greenville and Pickens counties. The permanent protections include forests, farmlands, waterways and green space.
Upstate Forever protects land in partnership with landowners through conservation easements – voluntary contracts that allow landowners to legally restrict certain uses on their property (including residential subdivisions and commercial or industrial operations), while allowing traditional rural uses, such as farming, grazing, hunting and timbering.
The agreement is permanent and remains with the land, even if it is sold or passed to heirs.
Easements are:
Abbeville County
Morrow Creek Timbers, a 236-acre addition to 429 acres protected by conservation easement in 2021. The protected lands contribute to forest and wildlife habitat and local water quality. The S.C. Conservation Bank and Upstate Land Conservation Fund provided funds.
Greenville County
Fern Springs, a 37-acre recreational and wildlife habitat in northern Greenville and one of the last undeveloped parcels in a private community. The protected property contributes to water quality in the headwater streams of the Saluda River Watershed.
Hereford Hill Farm, a 101-acre working family-owned ranch in southern Greenville County. In addition to permanently protecting the property’s scenic value and pastureland for 50 cattle, the project contributes to local water quality. The land has more than 6,600 feet of tributary streams in the Saluda River Watershed. The Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust, S.C. Conservation Bank and Upstate Land Conservation Fund provided funding.
Horsepen Creek, 45 acres that are part of a neighborhood strategy to protect key wetlands and creek frontage on Horsepen Creek in southern Greenville County. It is adjacent to 34 acres of Horsepen Creek property protected in 2023. The Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust, S.C. Conservation Bank and Upstate Land Conservation Fund provided funding.
Pearl Bottoms, a 60-acre cattle farm in the Tigerville community. The property is at the confluence of three tributaries that serve as a headwater source of the South Tyger River. The Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust, S.C. Conservation Bank and Upstate Land Conservation Fund provided funding, with a reimbursement grant from S.C. Department of Environmental Services.
White Tract, 512 acres near the boundary with North Carolina. It expands an existing network of public and private protections along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The perpetual protection of the natural area will help preserve access to the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and its ecological biodiversity. Partners and funders include Naturaland Trust, S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and Upstate Land Conservation Fund.
Pickens County
Horse Gap Forest, 69 acres of fields, forests, seeps, bogs, and a pond along the Wadakoe Mountain Ridge that separates Hwy. 11 from the Eastatoe Valley. The property is bordered by tributary streams of Little Eastatoe Creek and 534 acres maintained by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources as a Wildlife Management Area. The S.C. Conservation Bank, S.C. Conservation Bank, Upstate Land Conservation Fund and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provided funding, with a reimbursement grant from S.C. Department of Environmental Services.
Keowee Ridge, a 66-acre organic hobby farm on a peninsula of Lake Keowee. The farm produces free-range eggs, apples, honey and goat byproducts, distributed through the Clemson Area Food Exchange. The easement protects scenic views, agricultural potential, and natural habitat amid rapid lakefront development. The S.C. Conservation Bank and Upstate Land Conservation Fund provided funding, with a reimbursement grant from S.C. Department of Environmental Services.
Upstate Forever’s stewardship team will support the landowners and monitor each tract to ensure the terms of the easement are upheld. Currently, the team monitors 219 stewardship sites.
In addition to enacting and stewarding conservation easements, Upstate Forever supports conservation partners on projects that benefit the Upstate.
Upstate Forever partnered to protect an additional 1,900 acres in the Upstate. Partners were Conserving Carolina, The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina, State of South Carolina, Spartanburg County Parks Department, Spartanburg Area Conservancy and The Tyger River Foundation.
Since Upstate Forever’s founding by Greenville attorney Brad Wyche in 1998, the organization has permanently protected more than 44,000 acres through conservation easements and partner efforts across the 10-county Upstate.
Casting Cleaning Resources Expands In Greenwood County
Casting Cleaning Resources, a provider of casting cleaning services, is expanding its Greenwood County operations with a $5 million investment that will create 42 additional jobs.
Founded in Indiana in 1992, CCR provides cleaning services for industrial applications. The company’s Greenwood County operation, established in 2019, specializes in casting finishing services and other post-mold services for foundries.
CCR will operate in a standalone building at 104 Stoneridge Court in Greenwood.
Agent Joins BrownStone
Kem Swenson has joined BrownStone Real Estate agency.
A Greenville native with over two decades in real estate, Swenson began her career in 1999 at a firm specializing in custom-built neighborhoods. Later, she helped agents with listings, contracts and buyer relations.
“Kem embodies our mission of personalized service and community connection,” said Rhett Brown, broker and owner of BrownStone.
Founded by Brown and Kirby Stone, Greenville-based BrownStone Real Estate carries forward a family legacy of real estate sales and development. BrownStone’s services include customizable pre-listing concierge assistance to help sellers maximize the value of their homes.
First Presbyterian Church Presents Fine Art Exhibit
First Presbyterian Church, in partnership with the Galleries at First Presbyterian, will hold an art exhibition, “Looking Up,” through Aug. 31. The exhibit will feature the works of George Stone, Joe Craighead and Mark Baral.
The exhibit is free and open to the public. The works will be displayed on the first and second floors of the Galleries at First Presbyterian, 200 W. Washington St.
Stone is known for representational oil paintings; Craighead focuses on plein-air oil landscapes; Baral specializes in landscape and representational oil paintings.
For information, go to firstpresgreenville.org/events/signature-events.
Book Explores Beach Music
McBryde Publishing of New Bern, North Carolina, has released “The Embers: The Bobby Tomlinson Story,” an account of one of Carolina’s most iconic bands.
The biography – written by McBryde CEO Bill Benners, Chris Jones and journalist Skip Crayton – explores Tomlinson, founding drummer of The Embers, and the band’s 60 years as pioneers of beach music.
Founded in 1958 by Bobby Tomlinson and Jackie Gore, The Embers made their debut in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a signature sound that blended blending rhythm and blues, soul, and the swing of beach music.
“The Embers: The Bobby Tomlinson Story” is available in eBook, hardcover and paperback at major online retailers, including Amazon, and at BuyBeachMusic.com., off Church Street.
