For those auto racing fans looking to see all the Daytona action we share this info with you. And enjoy it because, according to reports we are receiving, it won’t be long before you will have to sign up for live streaming, about $70 a month, to see NASCAR and many other sports.
Embarking on its 24th consecutive season of NASCAR coverage and its 21st Daytona 500, FOX Sports announces its unparalleled broadcaster lineup for the 2024 Daytona Speedweeks and 2024 NASCAR season.
DAYTONA 500 COVERAGE
Former NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick makes his NASCAR analyst debut on FOX on Sunday, Feb. 18 (2:30 PM ET), alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Joy, covering his 45th Daytona 500 for live TV or radio, and analyst and former driver Clint Bowyer, in his fourth year with FOX Sports. I feel that Harvick is going to be a plus to the TV coverage.
Longtime race analyst and two-time DAYTONA 500-winning crew chief Larry McReynolds, with FOX for his 21st consecutive Daytona Speedweeks, partners with Joy, Bowyer and Harvick from the FOX Sports studios in Charlotte.
Veteran reporters Jamie Little, Regan Smith and Josh Sims deliver pit road news and updates, with additional offerings by two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip.
Pole qualifying for the 500 takes place on Wednesday night at 8:15 p.m. and can be seen on FS1. And on Thursday night the Bluegreen Vacations Duel will be run with spots 3-40 decided for the 500. Racing starts at 7 p.m.
NASCAR RACEDAY
Shannon Spake anchors NASCAR RACEDAY prerace studio coverage, with analysis from McReynolds, former Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne and Hall of Famer Bobby Labonte. Chris Myers hosts FOX prerace coverage from the track for his 22nd Daytona 500 alongside Bowyer, Harvick and 2010 Daytona 500 champion Jamie McMurray, with Waltrip offering “Grid Walk” interviews on pit road. Little, Smith and Sims contribute pit reports.
Veteran reporter and 17-time Sports Emmy winner Tom Rinaldi also will contribute to FOX Sports’ prerace coverage.
FOX DEPORTES
FOX Deportes returns to the Daytona 500 for its 13th consecutive season, with renowned announcer Tony Rivera providing play-by-play, Emmy Award winner Jessi Losada offering analysis and Giselle Zarur delivering interviews and reporting from pit road.
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
FOX NASCAR continues to welcome a variety of active NASCAR Cup Series drivers to the FS1 booth for all NASCAR Xfinity Series race broadcasts this season alongside play-by-announcer Adam Alexander, a practice begun in 2015. Alexander will call the season opener from Daytona on Saturday, Feb. 17 (5:00 PM ET on FS1), with analysis from former NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski and Austin Dillon. Smith and Sims handle reporting duties. Spake hosts NASCAR RACEDAY-XFINITY from Charlotte with McReynolds and Bayne offering analysis.
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
Alexander and Little, the first and only female play-by-play announcer in NASCAR, again share play-by-play duties for FOX NASCAR’s 22nd season of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series coverage. Alexander calls the season opener from Daytona on Friday, Feb. 16 (7:30 PM ET on FS1), alongside analysts Waltrip and Phil Parsons, with Amanda Busick and Smith delivering pit reports.
Kaitlyn Vincie continues to host NASCAR RACEDAY-NCTS from the Charlotte studio prior to each Truck Series race alongside analyst and two-time series champion Todd Bodine and Bayne.
ARCA MENARDS SERIES
FOX Sports embarks on its 28th season of ARCA Menards Series coverage, airing all 20 races live on FS1 or FS2. Little returns to the play-by-play chair for the fourth season, beginning with the Daytona season opener on Saturday, Feb. 17 (1:30 PM ET on FS1). Parsons again is by her side as analyst alongside guest driver analyst Austin Cindric, with Busick and Heather DeBeaux covering pit road at Daytona.
NASCAR RACE HUB
FS1’s longest-running daily studio show, NASCAR RACE HUB, returns in 2023 for its 15th season. Alexander, Spake, Vincie and Sims co-host with analysis from McReynolds, Bowyer, McMurray, Waltrip, Smith, Labonte, Bayne, Bodine and David Ragan. NASCAR drivers and crew chiefs rotating as analysts include Bayne, Aric Almirola, Dillon, Keselowski, Joey Logano, Daniel Suárez, Drew Blickensderfer, Chad Knaus and Andy Petree.
For the thirty-fifth season, the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series will return to the popular Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, PA with three absolutely high profile events. In addition, we are thrilled to announce the return of all our sponsors, including NAPA Auto Parts which has been the Thunder Series sponsor since 1992.
The NAPA Auto Parts banners will wave high and proud over the one-third mile high-banked oval at all Thunder events including the opener on Tuesday night, May 28, when Levan Machine & Truck Equipment of Fleetwood, PA present the Rich Mar Florist High Limit 410 Sprint Cars.
Rich Mar Florist Owner Jonathan Morrissey commented, "It is great to bring Kyle Larson and the High Limit Series back to our area once again. My family and I are excited to see Kyle in Rich Mar Racing colors and hope to be celebrating an Indy 500 win and a win at Grandview all in the same week. I know fans packed the house last year and we look forward to seeing a full grandstand again this year in May. Our brand gets to do so many amazing events in athletics and motorsports but it always means more when it’s right in our backyard and we can showcase our brand to the local area. Kyle is one of the main reasons Rich Mar Racing has been so successful and has been able to sponsor great names in NASCAR and Indy Car, bring us another win Kyle." Rich Mar Florists is located in Allentown, PA and services the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Visit: https://richmarflorist.com Call: 610-437-5588
Defending High Limit winner Rico Abreu of St Helena, California thrilled the crowd last year when he wrestled the lead away from NASCAR standout Kyle Larson to win the first ever High Limit 410 Sprint event in the state of Pennsylvania. Larson, a four time winner at Thunder on the Hill is looking to return to victory lane on May 28 and collect the $20,000 prize in the 35 lap main event.
This stand alone single division event will showcase the very best of the country’s 410 sprint drivers to include five time World of Outlaw Champion Brad Sweet, Jacob Allen (son of local Hall of Fame Driver Bobby Allen), Brent Marks, Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Tyler Courtney, Kasey Kahne, Zeb Wise, Justin Peck, James McFadden, Spencer Bayston, Cory Eliason, Tanner Thorson, Corey Day, Parker-Price Miller and Chris Windom just to name a few. Drivers on the roster that have previous Thunder on the Hill victories include Kyle Larson (4), Rico Abreu (2), Freddie Rahmer (1), Danny Dietrich (1) and Tyler Courtney (1).
Additional local 410 sprint drivers are expected and to sweeten the pot, Pioneer Pole Buildings posted a $2,000 bonus for any Pennsylvania Sprint Driver that takes the High Limit victory at Grandview on Tuesday night, May 28. One of the winningest drivers in sprint car racing is Pennsylvania driver Brent Marks who remains shutout of a visit to the Thunder on the Hill victory lane. That PPB $2,000 bonus will be an added eye catcher to lure the best of Pennsylvania.
On race night, gates will open at 4:30 PM with qualifying getting underway at 7:30 PM. In the event of rain, Wednesday night, May 29 will be the rain date with a starting time of 7:30 PM.
Adult tickets are $40, children 6-11 are $20, children 5 and under will be admitted for free. The Pit Fee is $45 and a license is not required. Advance tickets will again be available to purchase through TICKET HOSS or at Grandview Speedway the two Saturday night racing events prior to the May 28 event. For more information, call 443 513 4456. Go online to TICKET HOSS for your advance tickets.
The Thunder on the Hill Racing Series continues on Tuesday night, June 11 when Pioneer Pole Buildings present the opening night of the seventeenth annual AMSOIL USAC Non-Wing Sprint Cars Eastern Storm joined by the 358 Modifieds. The USAC traveling tour of non-wing sprints will go 40 laps in the Jesse Hockett Classic paying $6,000 to the winner. For the 358 Modifieds, they will run a series of qualifying events leading up to their 30 lap feature that will pay $3,000 to the winner. For a first time Thunder Winner, Pioneer Pole Buildings will offer a $2,000 bonus making it a $5,000 payday for a first time winner and, for just 30 laps. Gates open at 5 PM with race time set for 7:30 PM.
Race three of the Thunder Series is set for Tuesday night, July 2 when HVAC Partners for Success presents the 34th Annual Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Speed Week event joined by the 358 Modifieds.
The 410 Sprints will chase a $10,000 to win payday in the 35 lap Hodnett Cup, a race honoring sprint car great Greg Hodnett. The 358 Modifieds will be on this program as well, taking part in heat race qualifying leading up to a $3,000 to win, 30 lap main event. Once again, Pioneer Pole Buildings will offer a $2,000 bonus to any first time Thunder Modified feature winner. Gates open at 5 PMwith race time set for 7:30 PM.
Special thanks to sponsors NAPA Auto Parts, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment, Rich Mar Florist and Pioneer Pole Buildings for their support in making these events possible.
CUP NEWS MEDIA
Dale Earnhardt Jr. working on new contract with NBC
FEBRUARY 6, 2024 AT 8:44 PM
The NBC and USA Network portion of the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series broadcast schedule does not begin until late June but Dale Earnhardt Jr. currently does not yet have a contract to return as an analyst.
Earnhardt very well could return this summer but that would be dependent on a new deal and he said on his podcast on Tuesday that he is working towards that in some shape or fashion.
“My contract with NBC is up,” Earnhardt said on the Dale Jr Download. “It was up at the end of last year. I’m currently working through what that looks like for me. I definitely love being in the broadcast booth and want to continue doing that.
“We’ve had some great conversations with all of NASCAR’s TV partners. My home and my love is at NBC and I’d love to be back with them so we’ll see where it goes. But right now, I really don’t have a job in terms of broadcasting.”
— Sportsnaut —
Doug Rice bidding farewell to PRN broadcast booth after 2024 NASCAR season
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 AT 1:04 PM
After a distinguished 36-year career in NASCAR broadcasting, Performance Racing Network (PRN) President and Lead Anchor, Doug Rice, will bid farewell to the broadcast booth after the 2024 PRN race season.
For more than three decades, Rice’s voice has been synonymous with racing on the radio. A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Rice developed a love for radio as a young man listening to the Atlanta Braves.
“The Braves radio broadcasters brought those games to life, describing the smell blowing into Wrigley Field from the Chicago stockyards or the ladies in pink hats at the Braves games; I couldn’t imagine traveling as far away as Atlanta, not to mention going to San Francisco or Chicago,” said Rice. “They had to be great story tellers because the Braves didn’t give them much to talk about in that era. I thought talking on the radio and telling stories had to be the best job ever, and as it turns out, I was right.”
Rice got his first taste of a career in radio when he started working weekends for WSTP/WRDX in Salisbury, North Carolina, mostly engineering ball games and races. During that time, he was also working at the campus radio station for his alma mater, Appalachian State University.
“I played mostly classic rock records and thought I was going to be the next great DJ,” laughed Rice.
Rice’s first foray into motorsports broadcasting was with the Capitol Radio Network calling Busch Series races at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Virginia. He started working in the pits and later moved into the booth.
“For a few years, Capitol did most of the stand-alone Busch races that MRN didn’t cover,” Rice reminisced. “It was a lot of fun – Mark Garrow, Steve Richards, Steven Blevins, Harrill Hamrick and I riding around in a van going to places like South Boston, Orange County, Myrtle Beach, Oxford Plains, Volusia and Hickory and many other places that are long forgotten.”
In 1988, Rice joined Speedway Motorsports as Program and Affiliate Director for PRN. In 1992, he moved into the booth as anchor, and has since called play-by-play on 210 NASCAR Cup Series races. His distinctive, on-air presence and delightful blend of approachability and wit has informed and inspired NASCAR fans from all over the world, winning him multiple awards in the process including:
Three-time National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Broadcaster of the Year (2007, 2022 and 2023)
2022 NMPA Joe Littlejohn Award for service to the NMPA
2020 North Carolina Motorsports Association Jim Hunter Memorial Media Award
2017 Horace Billings Lifetime Achievement Award and Salisbury-Rowan Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Rice has made a career of sharing amazing race action and transporting listeners from where they are to the race track. His personal highlights include calling:
Jeff Gordon’s first win in the 1994 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s first wins in the Xfinity and Cup Series’ at Texas Motor Speedway
Tony Stewart’s first win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the 2005 Brickyard 400
Ryan Blaney’s thrilling win the inaugural Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Adam Petty’s ARCA win at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1998 was especially special to Rice, a life-long Petty fan
Rice’s impact at PRN, however, extends far beyond his memorable on-air calls.
The only broadcaster to date to call both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Dubbed the “Doug Double,” in partnership with the Indianapolis Radio Network, Rice reported from pit road during the 2015 Indianapolis 500 and then, with logistical support from Shell Oil Company, flew back to North Carolina to anchor the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Covered more than 13 different series of racing from grassroots to NASCAR’s top level, including ASA, All PRO Series, Hooters Pro Cup, Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series, World of Outlaws, ARCA, IROC, NHRA, IndyCar, Indy Lights and all three of NASCAR top national series.
Served as lead on more than 1,000 PRN “Fast Talk” shows, providing in-depth coverage, driver interviews and memorable stories from countless motorsports personalities
Oversaw a booming period of growth in the number of events PRN broadcast starting with two Cup events in 1988 to 14 in 2024
Hosted hundreds of notable press conferences including driver and team announcements, industry event news conferences and sponsorship media availabilities
Helped launch PRN’s digital studio, which now provides state-of-the-art audio and video feeds for a variety of PRN and affiliate needs
“It’s just impossible to overstate the impact Doug has had on motorsports throughout his broadcast career,” said Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith. “I can remember when I first started work at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Doug had a small desk in the events department with a closet nearby for his radio equipment. Every Monday night he would haul his gear on a cart into a conference room to host Fast Talk with Benny Parsons.
“I’ve always loved listening to Doug call the races. He brings so much energy calling the action, and he’s also got a great sense of humor and knows just when to throw in a subtle pun that would always make me laugh,” Smith added. “I’m grateful for what Doug has done not only on-air for the fans but to grow the Performance Racing Network. While he may be stepping away from the booth at the end of this season, his voice will continue to be on the soundtrack of our sport for generations to come.”
“When I was first hired at Charlotte by Ed Clark (former Charlotte Motor Speedway events director and later general manager at Atlanta Motor Speedway), we only broadcast four races a year,” said Rice. “But Bruton Smith always had a vision to do something bigger, about everything. He always wanted to expand the network, and I was very grateful to him and the Smith family for their support–particularly for their investment in our multimedia studios in 2008.”
When asked why now was the right time to end his NASCAR play-by-play career, Rice said, “There is a song quote from the little-known band Donna the Buffalo, ‘there is no place like the right time.’ God put me in the right place at the right time to have a wonderful career. My source of joy now is watching others succeed and grow their own careers, that’s what makes me happy.”
To kick off the 2024 season, Rice was invited to join the Motor Racing Network broadcast crew for this year’s Daytona 500, a bucket list opportunity for the esteemed motorsports voice.” Doug’s Last Lap will continue with the 2024 PRN season, starting with the Feb. 24-25 Ambetter Health 400 weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, followed by 13 additional Cup Series events at Speedway Motorsports facilities and the co-produced Brickyard 400 with the Indianapolis Radio Network. See PRN’s full broadcast schedule and find a station near you at GoPRN.com.
Along the way, PRN will highlight the longtime broadcaster’s legendary career with social media campaigns, special guest appearances and other tributes throughout the year.
With the 2024 racing season having gotten underway last week in Florida, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing (TSR) is pleased to announce its partner line-up and unveil a new look for 10-Time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (WoO) champion, Donny Schatz.
Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers with over 4,400 locations across North America, will return as a co-primary partner on Schatz’s familiar No. 15 entry.
For a fifth consecutive season, Carquest, an American automotive parts distribution network owned and operated by Advance through over 1,300 independent retailers, will support Fargo, North Dakota’s Schatz as a co-primary partner setting aim on success from coast-to-coast in 2024 and ultimately a WoO championship. Carquest also celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
In addition to Advance and Carquest, Ford Performance, the official engine provider for TSR, will also return as a primary partner on Schatz’ No. 15. Owned and operated by the Ford Motor Company and headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., Ford Performance is responsible for the brand’s major racing operations globally as well as overseeing the development of Ford’s racing engines. The 2024 campaign will mark Schatz’s 28th season as a full-time WoO driver and his fifth utilizing the FPS 410 powerplant.
Continuing a 14-year relationship with the Brownsburg, Ind. based motorsports operation, Curb-Agajanian Racing will again partner with TSR as a co-entrant for Schatz. Partnering in 2010 for the first time, Curb-Agajanian Racing, Curb Records and TSR own a longstanding tradition of monumental success, acquiring not only victories but seven Knoxville Nationals championships and six World of Outlaws championships.
On board for a seventh season at TSR is Sage Fruit, the sales and marketing firm for four grower/packer/shippers of Northwest Tree Fruits, who will return in 2024 as a major partner TSR and Schatz. For three generations, Sage Fruit has been delivering the best apples, pears and cherries to consumers from coast-to-coast. To locate Sage Fruit in your area, visit https://www.sagefruit.com/store-locator/.
Returning for the 2024 season, TSR is pleased to welcome Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts (Elliott’s) back to its partnership line-up. Based in Warsaw, Ind., Elliott’s is the official trailer retailer of TSR carries a large selection of trailers and golf carts. Owned and operated by Cindy Elliott, the familiar motorsports brand is a one-stop experience for sales, service, financing and parts.
TSR is also proud to welcome back Mobil 1, which has been trusted by drivers to keep their engines running for nearly 50 years. With products that combine the latest technology and innovation to exceed the toughest standards of vehicle manufacturers and tuning shops on the road and the track.
New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) announces a 2024 event and entertainment schedule that includes something for everyone. From car and motorcycle races both modern and vintage, to concerts and shows, food truck festivals, 5K obstacle runs, motocross, and Motorless Nights for biking and hiking, NJMP’s 500 acre complex is the premier entertainment and event destination in southern New Jersey.
Kicking off the 2024 on-track schedule is the Elite Tuner New Jersey special event including a car show and drifting on March 24th. Racing begins in earnest with the American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) Championship Cup Series on April 27-28. This series has become the leader in sportsman level motorcycle road racing, offering unrivaled competition at nationwide venues. ASRA CCS returns to NJMP for three rounds in 2024.
Also returning to race at NJMP in 2024 are the fun-filled and zany Real Hoopties of New Jersey 24 Hours of Lemons Endurance weekend June 8-9, grassroots racing’s premier Sports Car Club of America U.S. Majors Tour Series July 12-14, the New Jersey Lottery SpeedTour with SVRA July 26-28 which brings together breathtaking vintage race cars as well as the aspiring future stars of the ultra-fast F4 and Formula Americas championships, the Northeast GT Real Clean Racing series August 23-25, American Endurance Racing November 15-16, and the MotoAmerica Superbikes at New Jersey season finale featuring our country’s top professional motorcycle racers as well as the ever-popular King of The Baggers series September 27-29.
The global phenomenon that is FuelFest will take over NJMP once again on September 14. A celebration of cars and car culture featuring celebrities, race cars, show cars, drifting, exhibits, live music, kids activities, craft food and drink, and much more, it is a unique event not to be missed.
Also coming back to the NJMP paddock in 2024 are the vintage motorcycles of the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) featuring the Hard Knocks Moto Fest, a festival of classic motorcycles including a large swap meet of bikes, parts, merchandise, and collectibles.
New for 2024 is the first AMA-sanctioned e-Scooter race in the United States, the Curse Performance North America PEV Series on July 6th.
“A special highlight of the season is our Celebrity Bartender Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser,” said NJMP President and Chief Operating Officer Brad Scott. “After a highly successful debut in 2023, Millville’s Mayor Lisa Orndorf will return to help raise money for many more life-changing wishes given to children with critical illnesses.”
Other notable off-track events include TOR Racing’s Thunderbolt GP April 28th and their Hunter GP November 23-24, both with their unique format combining trail-riding and motocross skills.
TD Bank’s Music & Food Truck Festival will take place on June 8th, featuring a free concert by Arsenal.
“In addition to our on-track and off-track events,” Scott continued, “we are at the forefront of providing experiential events – the opportunity to get behind the wheel or on the bike.” These opportunities include the Xtreme Xperience exotic car experience, NJMP Track Days for novice and intermediate drivers presented by Real Speed Automotive, Ciocca Dealerships’ Advanced Open Track Days, regular karting events and leagues, and exclusive membership programs providing access to 40+ private dates for NJMP’s Drivers Club and Riders Club. NJMP also hosts Inspira Health’s Motorless Nights the third Thursday of each month from March to October, providing the opportunity for people to walk or bike around NJMP’s racing circuit.
NJMP’s Tempest Raceway karting facility will also have a full schedule of events in addition to their arrive-and-drive public karting and group events programs. Six rounds of the Northeast Karting Challenge will be held throughout the season, as well as the J3 ROTAX series June 7-9, Cup Karts of North America July 26-28, Endurance Karting’s 6 Hours of Joisey August 2-3, and Eastern Vintage Karting’s weekend October 11-12.
A partnership that started more than two decades ago yielded Doug Kalitta’s first NHRA Top Fuel championship in 2023, and Mac Tools returns to the Kalitta Motorsports dragster in 2024 for its 23rd-consecutive season as its primary corporate partner, the team announced today. The 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series begins March 8-10, 2024 at the Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla.
Kalitta will once again pilot the familiar red and white Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel dragster in which he won last year’s NHRA Top Fuel championship after six grueling runner-up finishes in the final season standings throughout his career. With three race wins in 2024, Kalitta is tied with the legendary Joe Amato for fifth place on the NHRA all-time wins list with 52 victories.
Team Kalitta’s Mac Tools primary partnership, which began in 2001, is one of the world’s longest-running and most-successful sports marketing relationships. Mac Tools is far more than a Team Kalitta corporate partner; the company is a significant part of the long-term success Kalitta Motorsports enjoys in NHRA Drag Racing.
“Kalitta Motorsports has been an amazing ambassador of the Mac Tools brand for more than 25 years, and we congratulate Doug and the Kalitta team on the 2023 championship,” Mac Tools president Phil Cox said. “We believe that our partnership with Kalitta Motorsports not only benefits our brand, but also helps promote the sport of drag racing and inspire the next generation of automotive professionals. We are excited to see what the future holds for Doug Kalitta and the entire Kalitta Motorsports team; we are honored to be a part of their journey.
“As a leading manufacturer and distributor of professional-grade tools and equipment, Mac Tools is committed to supporting the automotive industry and the dedicated professionals who keep it running. We are proud to align ourselves with Doug Kalitta and his team, who exemplify the same level of skill, precision and dedication that we strive for in our products and services.”
“Mac Tools stuck with our race team through some tough times over the years, and it was incredible to thank them for their loyalty by delivering a championship last season,” Kalitta said. “We are so proud to continue representing Mac Tools and all of their distributors, and we’d like nothing more than to make it two in a row! We think of Mac Tools as far more than a corporate partner; when you have a relationship like we have, it’s more like family than partnership.”
Sadler-Stanley Racing, an open-wheel modified team owned by former NASCAR driver and TV personality Hermie Sadler and Virginia Attorney and State Senator Bill Stanley, announced their 2024 driver lineup Tuesday.
The 2000 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Bobby Labonte, will return to the team for three NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races and select SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic events. Labonte will compete in NASCAR action at Richmond (March 29), North Wilkesboro (October 5) and Martinsville (October 26). His full SMART Modified Tour schedule will be announced at a later date.
Jonathan Cash will make the jump to full-time competition in the No. 16VA, racing for the title on the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic. Luke Baldwin, a rising Modified driver and son of former NASCAR Daytona 500 winning crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr., will also run the 7VA full-time on the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic. Baldwin’s focus will be to race for the title, but also the Racing Electronics Rookie of the Year in his move to Tour-Type Modifieds in 2024.
The team will continue to operate with PSR Chassis machines. PSR has won the last two SMART Modified Tour titles with Burt Myers and Caleb Heady. SS Racing co-owner Sadler, the 1993 NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year, said the team is eager to provide opportunities to some new drivers.
“It’s been really cool to watch drivers like Bobby Labonte and Ryan Newman win in our cars, but now the goal is to provide opportunities to deserving drivers that are trying to make a name for themselves,” Sadler said. “Jonathan and Luke fit what we are looking for…. Pace-O-Matic works every day to provide opportunities to small businesses across the states they operate in… and they always fight for the little guy… our goals on the track this year will be to mirror what Pace-O-Matic believes on and off the track with our teams.”
The SS Racing team has been in existence for two years and won multiple events. The team won two races in 2022, including a once-in-a-lifetime win in the return to North Wilkesboro Speedway with the SMART Modified Tour with NASCAR legend Ryan Newman driving. In 2023, the SS Racing returned to Victory Lane twice on the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic with Labonte piloting the No. 18VA to victory at Tri-County Speedway and Orange County Speedway.
Co-owner Bill Stanley is eager to see the team hit the track for the first time at Florence Motor Speedway on March 2. The full SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic schedule includes 15 events spanning across multiple southern states. The team plans to run just under 20 events during the 2024 season.
“The 2024 season is shaping up to be exciting for our team,” Bill Stanley, team co-owner, said. “Having young drivers like Jonathan Cash and Luke Baldwin running with Bobby Labonte for our Pace-O-Matic team is special. Racing with these PSR Products chassis machines at historic tracks will be a thrill to watch as we contend for wins and a championship in 2024.”
Labonte needs no introduction - as the 200 NASCAR Cup Series champion - he’s a proven winner in multiple different disciplines. A part-time Modified schedule for him in 2024 leaves him with one goal: win.
“I can’t thank Hermie and Bill and everybody at Sadler-Stanley Racing enough,” Labonte said. “We ended the year with two great wins and I’m looking forward to being part of the team again in 2024 for our limited schedule together. I really appreciate the support of Pace-O-Matic and their commitment to racing and the team. I’m also happy to continue to represent Cook Out in our events. I can’t wait to get started.”
Cash, who owns P&P Speed Shop, a racing kart engine and maintenance shop, is excited for the opportunity to go full-time Modified racing. He competed in his first Modified event at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2022 for SS Racing and also competed in 2023. Cash is excited to continue to build on his experience-level in open-wheel, high-speed Modifieds.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to drive for SS Racing and PSR Products in 2024,” Cash said. “I’m looking forward to trying to contend for the championship. The last two years, I have run a couple of Modified races each year and had fast race cars in all of them. I want to thank Pace-O-Matic, Hermie Sadler, Bill Stanley, PSR Products and their entire crew and everyone else involved in the opportunity.”
Baldwin has quickly grown to a winner. He picked up multiple victories and the week-long championship at New Smyrna Speedway’s World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing in 2023. He also made his debut on the CARS Pro Late Model Tour, scoring an 11th-place finish in his debut. His jump to Tour-Type Modifieds is something he is excited to see happen. He will also compete part-time in 602 Modifieds for his family-owned team, beginning at New Smyrna in February.
“Definitely couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity to join Sadler-Stanley Racing,” Baldwin said. “This team was on fire the last half of the year and I honestly can’t believe I’m joining them. I’m very excited to grow even closer with this team and build on our relationship. I am extremely grateful to be presented the opportunity and can’t wait to go out there and make the most of it. We’re fighting for Rookie of the Year, but personally, I want to get more than that. I want to win races and this team is more than capable of doing that.”
The month of March will be busy for SS Racing, kicking off at Florence Motor Speedway on March 2, followed by Caraway Speedway on March 10, South Boston Speedway on March 23, Richmond Raceway (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) on March 29 and Tri-County Speedway on March 30.
The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Racing Series presented by Born2Run Lubricants is excited to announce that Blanket Hill Speedway, which is located just off US 422 in Kittanning, Pa., will host several events for the RUSH Sprint Cars and RUSH Sportsman Modifieds on what will be a newly widened track during the upcoming season. These events are thought to be the first big car racers at the track in approximately 50 years!
It is expected that the RUSH Sprint Cars will make monthly Sunday appearances beginning in May with a possible Saturday event in the fall as part of the Sunbelt Rentals Weekly Series; a few RUSH Sportsman Modified Weekly Series events are also expected to be added. Dates will be released in the near future.
Blanket Hill was formerly a 1/4-mile dirt and asphalt speedway that ran big cars during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Drivers such as Bob Wearing, Lou Blaney, Ralph Quarterson, Gus Linder, Henry Jacoby, Dick Swartzlander, and many other standouts competed at Blanket Hill. In modern years, Blanket Hill has been home for go-kart and small car racing on the former 1/8-mile and current 1/5-mile track.
Phil Thornton, a former RUSH Sprint Car racer, and his wife Shannon, took over Blanket Hill in 2019 and held its first race in 2020 after sitting idle for nearly eight years. Since then, the Thorntons have made continuous improvements including the smooth red clay surface. While several racers have tested their big cars on the 1/5-mile in recent years, big cars haven't raced competitively at the track since the mid 1970s. To accommodate the big cars, the Thorntons will be widening the speedway and making other improvements.
"Being able to bring big car racing back to the historic Blanket Hill Speedway via RUSH is really exciting," expressed RUSH Director Vicki Emig. "We really appreciate the Thorntons wanting to utilize RUSH to do so. RUSH has been able to attract so many young teenage racers into our various classes due to the cost-containment aspect of our Series; most of which have come out of karts and small cars."
"Tracks like Blanket Hill have been an excellent pipeline for young racers to transition into RUSH and we feel what the Thorntons are doing will really further the opportunity," added Emig. "This situation is very unique as Blanket Hill racers will have an opportunity to witness their next possible step in their racing careers at the very same speedway they are currently racing at!"
The RUSH Sprint Cars will kick off their seventh season of racing in the chase for the $5,000 Sunbelt Rentals Weekly Series championship on April 6 at Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway. Blanket Hill will become the 18th different speedway to host a RUSH Sprint Car event all-time, but first ever in Armstrong County, Pa.
The RUSH Sportsman Modifieds meanwhile will also open their season on April 6 in the "Steel City Stampede" make-up event at Lernerville Speedway before moving on to Pittsburgh on April 27. Blanket Hill will become the 13th different speedway to host a RUSH Sportsman Modified event all-time, and also the first in Armstrong County.
Blanket Hill is located at 12560 US 422, Kittanning, PA 16201. For additional information, check out their website at www.blankethillspeedway.com and follow them on Facebook by searching Blanket Hill Speedway.
The RUSH Racing Series is brought to you by Hovis Auto & Truck Supply together with Born2Run Lubricants along with the support of Hoosier Tire, Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Flynn's Tire, Sunbelt Rentals, MSD Performance, Holley Performance Products, FK Rod Ends, Schoenfeld Headers, Jones Racing Products, TBM Brakes, Bilstein Shocks, Racing Electronics, Wieland Metal Services, Frankland Racing Supply, Landrum Performance Spring, Ontime Body & Graphic, Sherwood Wheels, Precise Racing Products, Velocita-USA, Wedge Motorsports, 3C Graphix, D&V Jewelers, and Terry Bowser Excavating.
Defending NAPA Spring Sizzler® champion Ronnie Silk and the #16 Haydt-Yannone Racing team with sponsorship from Blue Mountain Machine / Future Homes have filed the first Open Modified entry for the 52nd running of the NAPA Spring Sizzler®, set for April 27-28at Stafford Motor Speedway. Silk is joined on the Sizzler® entry list thus far by David Arute, George Bessette, Jr., Eric Goodale, and Woody Pitkat with over 40 entries expected to be submitted.
