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ThorSport, Ben Rhodes Secure Kubota Tractor as Sponsor

Jacob Sales
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ThorSport, Ben Rhodes Secure Kubota Tractor as Sponsor

Reigning Camping World Truck Series Champion Ben Rhodes lands Kubota Tractor as sponsor starting this weekend at Kansas.

“As Kubota celebrates our 50th anniversary in the U.S., it is fitting for us to partner with ThorSport Racing in this U.S.-born sport, because we both started from humble beginnings and worked our way up the rankings. And, just like Ben Rhodes, we are now fiercely focused on the road ahead,” said Todd Stucke, Kubota Tractor Corporation Senior Vice President of Marketing, Product Support, and Special Projects in a team release. “Kubota is proud to sponsor this winning team and Ben, the reigning champion and a leader of the pack. We’re on your side and ready to join you in the winner’s circle.”

This news comes as Rhodes prepares for a Playoff cut-off race at Kansas. Currently, he is seventh in standings, 21 points above of the cut line.

“One aspect of this sport that I really enjoy is getting to know new partners and the excitement that comes with it,” said Rhodes in a team release. “Kubota is going to be really fun to represent in these final four races of the 2022 season. I think the vibrant orange paint scheme perfectly illustrates their culture and outlook. Together, I hope we can really close out this season strong and accomplish back-to-back championships!”

So far in 2022, Rhodes has scored one win (Bristol Dirt), six top-five and 10 top-10 finishes. Rhodes has led 224 laps thus far.

Last year at this time, he had two wins (Daytona, Daytona RC), six top-five and 13 top-10 finishes.

Denny Hamlin will Miss Xfinity Race at Darlington

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Denny Hamlin will Miss Xfinity Race at Darlington

Joe Gibbs Racing announced Denny Hamlin will not compete in this weekends NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Darlington. Christopher Bell will drive the No.18 Toyota Supra.

Hamlin will compete in this Sunday’s Southern 500 at Darlington, where he is the defending race winner.

“I have had some soreness in my neck, back, and hips from the wreck on Sunday,” said Hamlin, “I feel like the right thing for me to do is to sit out the Xfinity Series race and put 100 percent of my focus on getting ready for this weekend’s Cup Series playoff race.”

Bell will also compete in the playoffs opener at Darlington. With one win and seven top-5’s, he is seeded 10th on the playoff grid.

JR Motorsports to Field NXS No.88 for Hendrick Drivers

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JR Motorsports to Field NXS No.88 for Hendrick Drivers

JR Motorsports announced that it will field a fifth NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) car for five races. Hendrickcars.com will sponsor the entry.

Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and William Byron will share the ride across the five races. All three drivers have drove for JR Motorsports in the past, with Byron and Elliott winning the NXS Championship.

JR Motorsports owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Hendrick Automotive Group CEO Rick Hendrick are no strangers. The two are partners in four Hendrick Automotive Group franchises in Tallahassee, FL.

“The NASCAR platform has been instrumental in helping us build HendrickCars.com into a national brand, and we look forward to continuing that momentum through this expanded effort,” said Greg Gach, president of Charlotte-based Hendrick Automotive Group in a team release. “We are committed to our racing programs and supporting our Hendrick Motorsports teammates whenever we can, and we know these additional races will benefit our drivers and teams. We’re also excited to work with Dale Jr. on this opportunity. He’s a terrific partner whose dealerships have created tremendous value for our General Motors customers. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

This announcement comes fresh off JR Motorsports driver Noah Gragson’s scoring his second win of the season at Talladega. Currently, all four JR Motorsports drivers are in the top eight in NXS points. This is not new form for JR Motorsports, who has a long history of success.

Chase Elliott

Chase Elliott competed full time in the NXS for JR Motorsports for two years (2014-2015). In his two seasons he finished first (2014) and second (2015) in the final standings.

Elliott has five NXS wins, all of which driving for JR Motorsports. His last win came at the 2016 season opener at Daytona, driving the No.88.

Elliott will pilot the No.88 Hendrickcars.com Camaro for one race in 2022 at Darlington in May.

William Byron

William Byron had no problems in his lone full time NXS campaign. Byron would cruise to the championship in 2017, where he was followed by fellow JR Motorsports drivers Elliott Sadler and Justin Allgaier who finished second and third respectively.

With 33 NXS races under his belt, Byron has 4 wins, 22 top tens, and 2 poles.

Byron will run two races in the No.88, Texas in May and New Hampshire in July.

Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson has only ran one race for JR Motorsports, a truck race at Chicagoland in 2015. This doesn’t mean he won’t spell success for the team in his two races.

Larson finished eighth in the NXS point standings in his lone full time season in 2013, driving for Turner Scott Motorsports. In his 108 starts over six years, Larson has achieved 12 wins, 75 top tens, and 4 poles.

Larson will compete at Waktins Glen in August and at Darlington in September.

GoPro to Sponsor both Trackhouse Cars at Martinsville

Jacob Sales
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GoPro to Sponsor both Trackhouse Cars at Martinsville

Trackhouse Racing’s second season in the NASCAR Cup Series is off to an incredible start. So much so, that they are adding yet another sponsor to their repertoire.

GoPro will adorn both Trackhouse Racing cars at Martinsville.

Both Ross Chastain’s no.1 and Daniel Suarez’s no.99 Chevrolet Camaros will have GoPro on the hood. It was not announced if GoPro will sponsor any more races this season.

Ross Chastain is on fire.

Photo: Trackhouse Racing Twitter.

Chastain scored his first Cup Series win this year at The Circuit of the America’s (COTA). From the start of the 2022 season Chastain’s momentum has been intense, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing.

Ross has scored one win, four top five’s, and led 156 laps over the first seven races – which totals more than his previous five years in the Cup Series combined.

Daniel Suarez is heating up.

Photo: Trackhouse Racing Twitter.

Daniel Suarez has seemed to found his home with Trackhouse Racing. Suarez has drove for top NASCAR teams like Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing, but something feels right about this partnership.

Trackhouse Racing’s first ever driver, Suarez helped make a solid foundation for the team in their first season last year. 2022 looks to be even better.

Suarez has amassed two top-fives, three top-10s, and has led 28 laps in the first seven races. His first Cup Series win seems inevitable this year.

Trackhouse Racing isn’t messing around.

Last years news that Chip Ganassi would sell off his NASCAR team came as shock to most. What most of us did not expect was Trackhouse Racing to be the buyer. Nor did we expect for them to start the 2022 season on fire.

2021 saw a typical first year season for a new team. 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace had a lot of eyes on them, likely because of Michael Jordan being an owner. This let Trackhouse quietly get the kinks out of their program without too much expectation.

Fast forward to 2022 and Trackhouse has proved they are not going anywhere and they are here to win. Within six races from the start of the season this came true with Chastain’s win at COTA.

Funding is not always easy to find, especially for a new team. Trackhouse Racing sponsors include the likes of CommScope, Tootie’s, and iFly. The way Chastain and Suarez are performing should allure more.

The news of a new sponsor for Trackhouse Racing comes as no surprise. A team with two drivers hitting their stride and lots of TV coverage could be very lucrative to a business looking to broaden their exposure.

Hattori Racing Enterprises Announces Changes to Lineup

Jacob Sales
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Hattori Racing Enterprises Announces Changes to Lineup

Hattori Racing picks up two GMS Racing drivers for their 2022 campaign.

Tyler Ankrum

Tyler Ankrum takes over the 16 Toyota from Austin Hill who will move up to the Xfinity Series for Richard Childress in 2022.

Ankrum brings three years experience in the Truck Series with one win in 2019 for David Gilliland racing. He also brings a significant amount of sponsorship. LiUNA! will be the primary sponsor of the 16 Toyota TRD Pro for 20 of the 23 races. Sponsorship for the remaining three races will be announced at a later date.

“This is a great opportunity to join a tight-knit team with a really strong foundation”, Ankrum said in a team release. “I couldn’t be more excited to join HRE and return to the Toyota family. To be able to work with Scott Zipadelli and his team on the LIUNA Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is a big opportunity for me. I want to get back to victory lane, be a threat in the playoffs, and continue this team’s winning ways. I think we can do that together and I’m looking forward to putting in the work to make that happen.”

Chase Purdy

For the first time in company history, Hattori Racing will field two trucks full time. Chase Purdy will pilot the 61 Toyota full time in 2022.

2021 was Purdy’s first full time season in the Camping World Truck Series. The 22-year-old scored two top 10s with a career high 6th at Gateway.

BAMA Buggies will continue to support Purdy throughout the 2022 season. Purdy and BAMA Buggies have been partners since 2016.

“This is a humbling, yet a big chance for me to elevate my performance with such a family-oriented team,” Purdy said in a team release. “It is also great to have the continued support of BAMA Buggies and rejoin the Toyota Racing family. Hopefully, we can contribute towards another manufacturer title in the new Tundra TRD Pro and make a strong run at the playoffs.”

HRE is no stranger to success.

Hattori Racing Enterprise has been around the block in the Camping World Truck Series. Their first entry dates back to Michigan in 2013.

HRE would not run a full schedule until 2017 where they missed the playoffs with Ryan Truex due to a tie breaker. However it was all worth the wait come 2018.

2018 saw Brett Moffitt take over 16 truck and drive it to victory six times as well as the championship. However Brett Moffitt did not return to the team in 2019.

Austin Hill drove the 16 truck from 2019-2021. Hill scored eight victories with the team over his three years. However the Championship 4 eluded him, finishing a career best 5th in 2019.

HRE hopes to not only find victory lane in 2022, but a spot in the Championship 4.

Kaulig Racing Confirms Cup Series Lineup

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Kaulig Racing Confirms Cup Series Lineup

Kaulig Racing announced the No.16 Camaro ZL1 will be piloted by AJ Allmendinger, Daniel Hemric, and Noah Gragson in the Cup Series. All three will also be racing full-time in the Xfinity Series. Justin Haley rounds out Kaulig’s Cup Series lineup piloting their second full-time entry.

“We think our roster for the 2022 season features some great drivers,” said team president, Chris Rice in a team release. “Having three out of the four Xfinity Series championship contenders helping to build our new Cup Series program, is truly a tremendous opportunity for this Kaulig Racing team. While these guys have been fierce competitors for the last few years, having them bring that same tenacity as teammates will be extremely fun to watch and a great way for this team to grow in its first, full season in the Cup Series.”

Noah Gragson

Noah Gragson will compete in 14 of the 36 Cup Series races for Kaulig Racing. He will also drive for Beard Motorsports in an entry for the Daytona 500.

Gragson has developed over the years in the Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports, where he will run full-time again in the 2022 season. Improving his final points position year after year, 2021 saw his best result with a third place in the Xfinity Series Championship.

“This is a really unique opportunity I have with Kaulig Racing to be able to share the No. 16 with two of my biggest competitors in the Xfinity Series,” said Gragson in a team release. “I’ve had the chance to work with Daniel before, but it will be a new experience working with AJ. We’ve raced against each other for a few years now, and I think working as teammates will only help us get better as drivers.”

Noah Gragson’s Cup Series schedule is as follows:

  • March 20th – Atlanta
  • April 17th – Bristol Dirt
  • May 15th – Kansas
  • May 29th – Charlotte
  • July 10th – Atlanta
  • July 24th – Pocono
  • August 7th – Michigan
  • August 14th – Richmond
  • September 11th – Kansas
  • September 25th – Texas
  • October 16th – Las Vegas
  • October 23th – Homestead
  • October 30th – Martinsville
  • November 6th – Phoenix

Daniel Hemric

Hemric will compete full time in the Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing in the No.11 while sharing duty with Allmendinger and Gragson in the Cup Series.

Hemric is no stranger to the Cup Series. With 38 starts Hemric has a career total of one top-five and two top-ten finishes, along with Rookie of the Year honors in 2019.

“I have had the chance to race against some great drivers over the past few years,” said Hemric in a team release. “AJ (Allmendinger) is a great competitor, who can win on any track, and Noah [Gragson] and I have been teammates in the past at JR Motorsports. Each of us are different, but seeing how intense both AJ and Noah are as professionals gets me excited for this upcoming season. Now we have the opportunity to be able to lean on each other and try to build a program here at Kaulig Racing at the highest level of our sport. I feel fortunate to be a part of this.”

Daniel Hemric’s Cup Series schedule is as follows:

  • February 20th – Daytona 500
  • February 27th – Auto Club
  • March 6th – Las Vegas
  • April 24th – Talladega
  • May 8th – Darlington
  • August 27th – Daytona
  • September 4th – Darlington
  • October 2nd – Talladega

AJ Allmendinger

Another driver who is familiar with the Cup Series is AJ Allmendinger. AJ has 376 starts with two wins in the Cup Series, one coming last year with Kaulig Racing at the Indianapolis Road Course.

It is not yet confirmed the number races Hemric or Allmendinger will run respectively.

AJ Allmendinger’s Cup Series schedule is as follows:

  • February 6th – Clash at LA Coliseum
  • March 13th – Phoenix
  • March 27th – Circuit of the Americas
  • April 3rd – Richmond
  • April 9th – Martinsville
  • May 1st – Dover
  • May 22nd – All-Star Race, Texas
  • June 5th – WWT Raceway at Gateway
  • June 12th – Sonoma
  • June 26th – Nashville
  • July 3rd – Road America
  • July 17th – New Hampshire
  • July 31st – Indianapolis Road Course
  • August 21st – Watkins Glen
  • September 17th – Bristol
  • October 9th – Charlotte Roval

Justin Haley will move up from the Xfinity Series in 2022 to drive Kaulig’s second full time entry in the Cup Series. Haley has drove for Kaulig Racing since 2019 with four wins and a highest finishing position of third in the Xfinity Series Championship.

Haley already has a Cup Series win on his record. A rain-shortened event at Daytona in July 2019 saw Haley and Spire Motorsports earn the victory. Haley competed in all but five Cup Series races in 2021, the majority racing for Spire Motorsports and one race with Kaulig Racing. His highest finish was sixth at Daytona driving for Spire Motorsports.

Ryan Truex to Drive for Sam Hunt Racing at Daytona

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Ryan Truex to Drive for Sam Hunt Racing at Daytona

Ryan Truex will compete in the Xfinity Series for opener Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19 for Sam Hunt Racing. Circle B Diecast will sponsor the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra.

“Being able to work with Ryan, not only a real talent, but one of my best friends, is definitely one of the coolest opportunities I’ve had as a car owner,” said Sam Hunt in a team release. “He’s a proven driver and well deserving, and he can also help continue SHR’s growth with his experience and knowledge of where we are at as a team. We know each other far past the sport, and we have been able to lend advice to one another prior to this as friends. Anytime you get to go to work with one of your favorite people – I see it as a win. We will have a beautiful, fast Circle B Diecast Toyota GR Supra in Daytona, and I believe a real shot to stir the pot and contend for a win. Ryan will be a big part of SHR’s growth both on and off the track in 2022.”

29 year old Truex has 78 Xfinity Series starts with four top-5’s and 24 top-10’s. 2018 is the only full-time season he has run where he made the Xfinity Series playoffs and finished 12th in the standings.

“Sam and I have known each other for a long time. We’ve become great friends and I’ve watched him build Sam Hunt Racing into the powerhouse it is today,” said Ryan Truex in a team release. “I’m thankful that our friendship has grown into a business relationship and for the opportunity Sam has given me. I will give it everything I’ve got to get SHR and Circle B Diecast a solid finish at Daytona.”

Truex plans to run additional races for Sam Hunt Racing, which will be announced at a later date.

David Ragan to Drive for Rick Ware Racing in Multiple Races in 2022

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David Ragan to Drive for Rick Ware Racing in Multiple Races in 2022

David Ragan will drive the Rick Ware Racing No.15 Ford Mustang in multiple races in 2022, starting at the Daytona 500. Ragan retired from full-time competition in 2019, but has made a few one off starts since.

Ragan’s NASCAR career has saw him achieve four wins, 34 Top-5’s, and 99 Top-10’s in the three national touring series. He drove for teams including Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, and most recently Front Row Motorsports.

“I am really excited to have David back behind the wheel of one of our Rick Ware Racing Ford’s,” commented team owner, Rick Ware in a team release. “David is a great asset to the RWR family. In 2020, RWR scored our first Top 5 in the DAYTONA 500 with Ragan behind the wheel, and I’m optimistic that through our new Ford Performance alliance, we could see that No. 15 leading the field to the checkered flag on February 20th.”

“I am thrilled to be back in The DAYTONA 500 driving the new 2022 Ford Mustang for RWR,” said Ragan in a team release. “I have always loved racing at Daytona, and know that we will have a shot to lead laps and contend for the win this year. The DAYTONA 500 is a special race with the best drivers in the world, and I cant wait to hit the track.”

Rick Ware Racing has not yet announced the remainder of Ragan’s schedule for 2022. They will be announcing primary sponsors in the “coming days”.

Richard Childress Racing Strikes Deal with 3CHI

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Richard Childress Racing Strikes Deal with 3CHI

Richard Childress Racing announced today a multiyear deal with 3CHI, a producer of hemp-based products. Tyler Reddick will pilot the No.8 3CHI Camaro at the season opening Daytona 500.

3CHI will adorn Reddick’s Camaro in “a significant number of races during the 2022 season” per a team release.

“This is a unique opportunity to leverage a team partnership with one of the most iconic and innovative teams in NASCAR to help introduce 3CHI’s vast array of products to a passionate and dedicated fan base,” said Justin Journay, founder and chief executive officer of 3CHI. “We’re looking forward to working with Richard Childress Racing to tap into the excitement of the sport and new Next Gen car, unique activation opportunities and technology involved.”

All of 3CHI products follow Federal requirements and are made by the industry’s “best scientists”. 3CHI uses the “highest quality natural, and organic hemp”.

“This is a first-of-its kind partnership, both within motorsports and within the sports industry as a whole,” said Torrey Galida, president of Richard Childress Racing. “We’re proud of our role as industry leaders in this category and look forward to introducing a pioneer in hemp-based consumer products to NASCAR, as well as educating fans about 3CHI’s innovative, science-based products.”

Trackhouse Racing Signs Multiyear Deal with AdventHealth

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Trackhouse Racing Signs Multiyear Deal with AdventHealth

AdventHealth and Trackhouse Racing have inked a multiyear sponsorship deal. AdventHealth will be the primary sponsor for Ross Chastain’s No.1 Chevrolet Camero for six races starting at the season opening Daytona 500.

The AdventHealth No.1 will also be ran at Atlanta Motor Speedway (March 20) , Bristol Motor Speedway (April 17), Kansas Speedway (May 15), Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 29) and Road America (July 3).

“As a Florida native, I couldn’t be happier to have AdventHealth join us at Trackhouse Racing,” said Chastain who has worked with AdventHealth the past two seasons. “I have gotten to know the AdventHealth people over the last few years and learned about the important work they are doing for my home state as well as many of the race markets we visit.”

“We’re very proud to continue our support of NASCAR and Ross Chastain by partnering with Trackhouse Racing for the 2022 season,” said David Banks, chief strategy and organizational transformation officer for AdventHealth. “Our team members are also excited to once again care for drivers and fans at Daytona International Speedway during Speedweeks and all season long.”

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