Carson Hocevar sets realistic goals: ‘I want to win Rookie of the Year’

Posted on February 9, 2024February 18, 2024 by Chris Murdock

Carson Hocevar heads to Daytona for his first attempt at the Daytona 500 (Feb. 19, 4 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) as one of three Cup Series rookies who will compete full-time in the 2024 season. The magnitude and weight of the upcoming Speedweeks and season are not lost on the driver of the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet as he embarks on all the new challenges he will face.

“I haven’t really thought about (Daytona) yet,” Hocevar said in a virtual teleconference with the media Wednesday. “The bigger thing for me is just being in this field, even having a Cup car, period, let alone racing in the Daytona 500. It all just seems so big. I’m just enjoying it. It’s how I was able to go into last year and not be so nervous. I thought it was a win just to be in the field, let alone focusing on performance or expectations.”

Hocevar made nine Cup Series starts in 2023, with his first coming with his now full-time home — Spire Motorsports — when he filled the seat in the No. 7 as Corey LaJoie stepped in for Chase Elliott at World Wide Technology Raceway. Hocevar turned heads that day, racing his way inside the top 15 before a brake issue ended his race early. Hocevar’s best finish of the year came in the No. 42 for Legacy Motor Club at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he finished 11th.

When it comes to racing full-time at NASCAR’s highest level, Hocevar wants to manage expectations for himself and his No. 77 group.

“The goal on our whiteboard is definitely win Rookie of the Year,” Hocevar said. “Spire has two shots at it, but the No. 77 team definitely wants to be that one to get it. We just kind of have the top 20 in mind, really. Whether it is top 20 in points this year or next year, that is sort of my benchmark, at least. I just want to focus on being above a top 20 average in finish or points, which would be a huge gain from last year.

“I don’t really have, you know, ‘I wanna get this many top fives’ or ‘I wanna win the race.’ I don’t have a top-10 goal; I don’t have anything like that. You know, it’s just top 20 in points, then I can look at the end of the year and see if we could’ve gotten to that goal. If we do hit that goal, then we just erase it and move on to the next one.”

When it comes to the aforementioned Rookie of the Year battle, Hocevar will be taking on the new driver of the No. 4 for Stewart-Haas Racing, Josh Berry, but it also comes with some friendly competition between himself and teammate and driver of the No. 71, Zane Smith — a pairing that Hocevar is more apt to take advantage of than speak down on.

“There’s not any trash talk yet,” Hocevar chuckled. “If anything, we’re both putting more pressure our Truck Series guys to perform, you know, I was able to win some races and race in the Championship 4, and (Zane) obviously won a championship and made many Championship 4 appearances. So, we’re more harder on Rajah (Caruth) and (Chase) Purdy, which is fun.

“It’s super cool, you know, I think we’re both benefiting from being with each other, right? We’re both experiencing this for the first time, we’ve both raced against each other. We would laugh about it all the time when we raced trucks, I knew his deal was signed before the public knew, so we would laugh about it all the time. We trash-talked each other more last year because we were competing in the trucks. This year, I think we’re both leaning on each other to be like, ‘Hey, you’re experiencing this too, right?’ I think it has been really beneficial on both ends.”

MORE: NASCAR.com staff predictions for 2024

When it’s all said and done and the dust settles on his rookie campaign, all Hocevar really hopes for at the end of the 2024 Cup Series season is consistency and to get the field talking about the No. 77 team on a more regular basis.

“I plan on racing people pretty hard, but at the same time I know there is that fine line to balance,” Hocevar said. “Luckily, I’ve ran anywhere from fifth to 35th last year. So, I think everyone will kinda know what to expect and have to race the No. 77 a little bit more than they did last year.”

Posted on February 9, 2024February 11, 2024 by Seth Sharp

Throughout the 2024 NASCAR season, Ken Martin, director of historical content for the sanctioning body, will offer his suggestions on which historical races fans should watch from the NASCAR Classics library in preparation for each upcoming race weekend.

Martin has worked for NASCAR exclusively since 2008 but has been involved with the sport since 1982, overseeing various projects. He worked in the broadcast booth for hundreds of races, assisting the broadcast team with different tasks. This includes calculating the “points as they run” for the historic 1992 finale — the Hooters 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The following suggestions are Ken’s picks to watch before the 2024 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

1951 Daytona Beach and Road Course

This is the oldest footage of a narrated, documentary-style edited race in the NASCAR Classics archive.

Fifty-five drivers arrived at Daytona Beach to kick off the 1951 season, just the third campaign in NASCAR history.

From Lee Petty to Curtis Turner … to Tim Flock, Buck Baker, Herb Thomas and Fireball Roberts, the field was full of Hall-of-Fame-caliber drivers looking to capture the victory. When the checkered flag finally waved, it was Marshall Teague — a former Daytona Beach gas station mechanic — out in front.

Teague, who was named NASCAR’s first treasurer at its first organizational meeting in 1947, had previous success at the track, too. He was credited with leading the first lap during the first race on the course in 1948.

He was victorious while driving his “Fabulous” Hudson Hornet, the first driver to ever win a race in a Hudson. Teague’s early-season triumph led to a streak of momentum for the driver as he went on to win four of the next nine races he entered.

1958 Daytona Beach and Road Course

The 10th and final race on the Daytona Beach and Road Course came on Feb. 23, 1958.

Paul Goldsmith, driving the No. 3 for legendary car owner Smokey Yunick, held off Turner for his sixth career victory.

Goldsmith’s victory marked the fourth time in five races at the track that the polesitter finished the race in Victory Lane.

He also became just the second driver in the track’s history to lead the race at Daytona from start to finish.

1964 Daytona 500

A 26-year-old Richard Petty captured his first of an eventual record-setting seven Daytona 500 victories in 1964.

Petty surprised many with his dominant effort as he led 184 of the race’s 200 laps en route to Victory Lane. It was his 29th career victory, with most of his previous wins coming on short tracks.

His Hemi-powered No. 43 Plymouth’s dominance in the event also started a horsepower war. It was the first race for the new engine and drivers with a Hemi under their hood combined to lead 198 of the race’s 200 laps.

Plymouth’s also captured the first three finishing positions as Jimmy Pardue came home second, while Goldsmith was third.

The victory came during Petty’s first championship season, finally prevailing after previously finishing second in points three times previously.

You can watch these three races and hundreds more by visiting NASCAR Classics.

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Official NASCAR Release

BOSTON (Feb. 9, 2024) – ’47, a privately held premium sports lifestyle brand, is excited to announce a new licensing affiliation with NASCAR, the No. 1 form of motorsports in the U.S. The two iconic entities have teamed up for an ongoing partnership to deliver best-in-class products bearing some of the most famous intellectual property in motorsports. NASCAR joins the likes of MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL and major colleges and universities, to comprise one of the most dynamic rosters of licensed sports apparel and headwear.

“Our partnership will bring premium quality and designs to the passionate NASCAR community,” states Dominic Farrell, president of ’47. “We believe ’47’s heritage of creating best-in-class headwear and apparel is a perfect match for the high expectations of the NASCAR fan.”

“’47 is a brand that resonates with NASCAR fans and whose reach extends well beyond our world, making them a perfect partner to add to the NASCAR fan experience,” said Megan Malayter, managing director of licensing and consumer products at NASCAR. “Their iconic silhouettes, such as the Clean Up, are the ‘go-to’ styles for many and we’re thrilled to expand their NASCAR offerings through this deal.”

’47

Throughout 2024, ’47 plans to create a series of fan engagement moments at several key races, beginning with the DAYTONA 500®, and support the partnership by utilizing content creators, influencers, and celebrities. This NASCAR licensing partnership indicates continued growth for ’47 especially as the brand expands globally and keeps up the momentum with brand collaborations, and new executive hires.

The licensing deal includes premium ’47 headwear and apparel for NASCAR Team Properties, a collectivized licensing trust, and its beneficiary members including NASCAR, NASCAR-owned tracks such as Daytona International Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, Richmond Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway, and more; as well as teams including Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, Team Penske, Trackhouse, 23XI Racing, and other fan favorites.

’47’s premium NASCAR apparel and headwear is available for purchase now on 47Brand.com. It will also be available trackside at the DAYTONA 500®. For more information, please visit 47Brand.com.

The NASCAR Cup Series regular season gets underway with the 66th running of the DAYTONA 500®, the Great American Race, on Sunday, February 18 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Posted on February 8, 2024February 8, 2024 by Adam Fenwick

Florence Motor Speedway’s IceBreaker is quickly becoming one of Late Model Stock Car racing’s biggest events, having grown exponentially since it was first held at the now-defunct Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2016.

Steve Zacharias, the owner of Florence Motor Speedway, said the creation of the IceBreaker stemmed from the desire to make Myrtle Beach Speedway a year-round facility rather than a track that only operated during the summer months.

“When I first got to Myrtle Beach, Brian Vause, the general manager at Florence now, him and I were trying to grow Myrtle Beach Speedway,” Zacharias said. “We were looking at other events, monster trucks, fairs, car shows. What are things that would make a race track like Myrtle Beach viable throughout the entire season?

“We sat down and brainstormed and looked, at that time nine years ago, the schedule to make sure it didn’t conflict with anything. We figured with Daytona starting to gear up around that time, it might work out to have another race to open the season with.”

The idea turned out better than Zacharias ever could have hoped. The inaugural race drew 22 entrants and was won by Tommy Lemons Jr.

The field included top stars from across the region like future NASCAR Xfinity Series winner Myatt Snider, three-time NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national champion Lee Pulliam, Brenden Queen, Deac McCaskill, Chase Purdy and Anthony Alfredo, among others.

“It started off gangbusters. Everybody was into it, and it showed that it had some strength, and we just kind of built on it from there,” Zacharias said. “We just kept trying to grow it, no different than anything we do. Just trying to make it better every single year.”

Even with the closure of Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2020 and the relocation of the event to Florence the next year, the event has only continued to grow in prestige.

“The support from Myrtle Beach Speedway to carry it over and make it a success at Florence, that’s just a credit to the racers and the race fans that helped us continue the legacy of the IceBreaker,” Zacharias said.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 3 Mom N’ Pops Chevrolet, in action during the eighth annual IceBreaker at South Carolina’s Florence Motor Speedway on Feb. 11, 2023. (Photo: Jaylynn Nash/NASCAR)

The 2024 edition of the event has already received more than 31 entries, topping the field of 29 that entered one year ago.

Among the entries are NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., reigning NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series National champion Connor Hall, defending event winner Doug Barnes Jr., South Carolina 400 victor Kade Brown and Florence Motor Speedway track champion Matt Cox.

“I had one of the drivers from the (South Carolina) 400, he signed up as he was leaving the 400,” Zacharias said. “He said, ‘I want to be the first on the list. Put me down.’ Everyone considers it one of the big races of the season, so the IceBreaker is now on everyone’s calendar as a big race.”

One of the most notable entrants the last few years is Earnhardt, who spent the early years of his career racing at Florence before he made it to the NASCAR Cup Series. He’s competed in events at Florence four times in the last few years, including the 2023 edition of the IceBreaker.

Having the support of someone like Earnhardt, a staunch supporter of short-track racing in general, has helped the Zacharias continue to grow events like the IceBreaker and the South Carolina 400 into regional crown jewels for Late Model Stock Car competitors hoping to make a name for themselves.

PHOTOS: Dale Jr. racing late models

(Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)

“He has been just an amazing person to work with,” Zacharias said. “Anyone that would listen to me I would talk about how great he is and how into short-track racing he is. It’s an honor just to have a conversation with him, but for him to be spearheading and standing behind all of us right now, we should all be honored that he is keeping us going and making sure that short-track racing is going to be successful.”

Zacharias shares Earnhardt’s love for short-track racing, which is a big reason he purchased Florence following the closure of Myrtle Beach.

Being able to kick off the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series season in the Southeast with an event like the IceBreaker not only helps short-track racing, but it also shows just how dedicated the racers and the fans are as they help breathe new life into local racing.

“We always try to make events as good as they can be for everyone involved,” Zachrias said. “For the success of short-track racing and survival of short-track racing, it takes all of us. It takes the race track, it takes the racer to support it, it takes the fans to support it.

“To have marquee events like this, to start the season off and get the word out about us and what we’re capable of doing and to say we’ve got two of the premier races in the Southeast at one race track at Florence is again a credit to the racers and the fans for making it that way.”

Posted on February 8, 2024February 8, 2024 by Zach Sturniolo

Editor’s Note: Today’s Hendrick Motorsports preview continues NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2024 Cup Series season.

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS

Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: Hendrick Motorsports
Driver-crew chief pairings: Kyle Larson-Cliff Daniels (No. 5), Chase Elliott-Alan Gustafson (No. 9), William Byron-Rudy Fugle (No. 24), Alex Bowman-Blake Harris (No. 48)

Team outlook: Half of the storied organization’s drivers entered Phoenix with a shot at winning the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship. The other duo ended the year without winning a race or making the playoffs. William Byron and the No. 24 team will attempt to prove 2023 was no fluke; Kyle Larson sets sights on a monster year; and 2020 Cup champion Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman eye significant improvement after their respective seasons were shortened due to injuries.

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 CHEVROLET

Experience: 10 full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series
2023 stats: Second in final standings; 4 wins, 15 top fives, 18 top 10s, 2 poles
2024 championship odds (DraftKings): 11-2

Outlook: Kyle Larson’s charge back to the Championship 4 in 2023 signified the No. 5 is just as strong as ever. The 2021 champion is due for a whirlwind year in 2024, with plans to complete the Indianapolis 500-Coca-Cola 600 double on Memorial Day Weekend. Those IndyCar plans shouldn’t slow down one of racing’s most versatile figures after a four-win campaign in 2023. With 23 career Cup wins, Larson appears every bit the title threat he was three years ago.

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 CHEVROLET

Experience: Eight full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series
2023 stats: 17th in final standings; 0 wins, 7 top fives, 15 top 10s
2024 championship odds (DraftKings): 17-2

Outlook: Elliott is primed to get back to his winning ways in 2024. Last year was marked by seven absences — six due to injury, one due to suspension — and marked his first winless season since 2017, snapping a five-year streak of victories in the Cup Series and a seven-year streak of playoff appearances. Elliott, the 2020 Cup champion, ended his season with confidence in the No. 9 team’s performance and eyes a steadier campaign ahead.

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 CHEVROLET

Experience: Six full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series
2023 stats: Third in final standings; 6 wins, 15 top fives, 21 top 10s, 4 poles
2024 championship odds (DraftKings): 11-2

Outlook: William Byron’s breakout season in 2023 feels like a precursor for even more success to come. Byron led the NASCAR Cup Series with six wins last year, charging into the Championship 4 and winning the pole for the title race at Phoenix Raceway before ultimately finishing third in points. The 26-year-old enters the year tied with Larson as 11-2 favorites to win the 2024 title. Perhaps it is indeed the 24 in ’24.

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 CHEVROLET

Experience: Eight full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series
2023 stats: 20th in final standings; 0 wins, 4 top fives, 10 top 10s, 1 pole
2024 championship odds (DraftKings): 35-1

Outlook: Like Elliott, Alex Bowman is looking to rebound from an unsteady 2023. Although his numbers were similar to his 2022 campaign — four top fives in both years with 12 top 10s in 2022 as opposed to 10 in 2023 — Bowman missed three races due to a back injury suffered while racing a sprint car last spring. Last season marked Bowman’s first winless campaign since 2018 and only season at Hendrick Motorsports without a playoff appearance. The No. 48 team is looking to return to Victory Lane soon and more frequently.

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

BOUNCE-BACK CANDIDATES: Perhaps this reads as low-hanging fruit, but expect Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman both to return to the playoffs in their scheduled returns to full-time seasons. Neither driver had missed the playoffs in Hendrick equipment prior to their 2023 injuries, and their respective abilities behind the wheel, combined with the team’s top-shelf resources, provide a clear pathway to Victory Lane returns.

NASCAR.com 2024 team previews schedule

Jan. 15: Legacy Motor Club
Jan. 16: Spire Motorsports
Jan. 17: Kaulig Racing
Jan. 18: Wood Brothers Racing
Jan. 22: Rick Ware Racing
Jan. 23: Richard Childress Racing
Jan. 24: Stewart-Haas Racing
Jan. 25: Front Row Motorsports
Jan. 26: JTG Daugherty Racing
Jan. 29: Trackhouse Racing
Jan. 30: RFK Racing
Feb. 6: 23XI Racing
Feb. 7: Joe Gibbs Racing
Feb. 8: Hendrick Motorsports
Feb. 9: Team Penske

Posted on February 8, 2024 by Cameron Richardson

Iowa Speedway has tapped longtime NASCAR and Kansas Speedway executive Eric Peterson as its new president ahead of NASCAR’s national series return to the Newton, Iowa facility.

Peterson, a Kansas native, will assume his duties immediately as the track prepares to host its inaugural Cup Series weekend June 14-16. It will also mark the first time the Xfinity Series has competed on the 0.875-mile oval since 2019.

“I mean, absolutely thrilled. So excited to get started in this role,” Peterson told NASCAR.com. “I’ve been very fortunate to be involved with Iowa Speedway over the past several years with several initiatives and just the incredible passion that race fans have for Iowa. It certainly boosts my excitement as well.”

While there are no major professional teams in the Hawkeye State, Iowa is no stranger to big-time sports and fan enthusiasm with a handful of high-level Division I universities. Iowa is also home to the famed Field of Dreams in Dyersville, where the iconic baseball film of the same name was shot.

With NASCAR’s top series set for its Iowa debut, Peterson plans on ensuring the same energy will be brought to the race track for the Cup Series.

“I think it’s just the passion that these folks have for coming out to live events and it’s our responsibility to live up to that hype, and certainly that’s our plan to do so,” Peterson said.

“We’re bringing a major event that’s a party for three days in a row. As you look at what we have coming out, we’re very confident that the product on the track is going to be phenomenal. But it’s also our responsibility to ensure that everybody coming out all three days is having a great time so there’s something for everyone to do as they come out to the track.”

The enthusiasm and anticipation for the Cup Series are already palpable as Peterson noted the Cup race “sold out within minutes of being available.”

Iowa Speedway offers both Xfinity and Cup Series drivers a new challenge as Iowa is a distinctive 0.875 miles in length. Peterson said that the individuality of the oval will provide a show for the fans in attendance.

“It’s absolutely unique and there’s a reason that it’s the ‘fastest short track on the planet,’ and we’re certainly going to prove that and I know competition will as we approach that June race,” Peterson said.

2024 will be busy for Iowa as the facility not only preps for three days of NASCAR events in June, but will have a quick turnaround with IndyCar set to return to the track in July. While there will be plenty of moving parts to have both race weekends go smoothly, Peterson is confident in both the track employees and racing leagues as the summer months approach.

“A lot of planning and preparation goes into that, but IndyCar has been a phenomenal partner with NASCAR and Iowa Speedway over the past four years,” Peterson said. “And it’s really a tip of the cap to the work that they’ve done to put us in a position and prepare us to host this so I’m very confident that working with their team we’ll have two very successful race weekends.”

While general admission for the Cup race is sold out, tickets are still available for Friday and Saturday when you can catch the ARCA Menards Series race, Xfinity Series event and Cup Series practice and qualifying.

MORE: Buy Friday, Saturday tickets at Iowa

“I can personally say the excitement is unlike anything I’ve experienced in my 13 years,” Peterson said. “And I have had a chance to work with the folks like the Iowa Corn Growers (Association), the entitlement sponsor for the Cup race, and spend some time with their partners and fans in the Iowa area and everybody’s talking about it. That excitement just bleeds into everyone else and all of our fans that are coming out there inspires us to put on a phenomenal show.

“We cannot wait ’til June for all the loyal fans to come out and prove that this is going to be a very good event.”

Posted on February 8, 2024February 8, 2024 by Adam Fenwick

The traditional start to the racing season for competitors in the Late Model Stock Car class in the Southeast is officially here with the annual running of the IceBreaker at Florence Motor Speedway.

As was the case last year, the 2024 Florence IceBreaker features a name that’s becoming more common on the NASCAR Home Track’s entry lists: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Constructed in 1982 as a dirt track before it was paved 1988, Florence is one of the Southeast’s most historic and beloved short tracks. Following the closure of Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2020, many of Myrtle Beach’s traditional events were transitioned to Florence.

That includes the Florence IceBreaker, which was first held in 2016 and quickly became a popular event for fans and competitors alike.

The IceBreaker presents competitors an opportunity to hit the track early in the year to test out new cars or new team pairings before the summer stretch of the season while also earning points towards the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national and regional championships.

Below is everything you need to know about the 2024 IceBreaker at Florence Motor Speedway.

What channel is the Florence IceBreaker on in 2024?

All the on-track action for the Florence IceBreaker can be viewed live on FloRacing, the official streaming home for all NASCAR Roots properties.

The event will not be shown on a television network.

Below is the complete schedule for FloRacing’s coverage of the Florence IceBreaker.

Date	Start Time	How To Watch
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024	2:30 p.m. ET	FloRacing

Doug Barnes Jr. leads the eighth annual IceBreaker at South Carolina’s Florence Motor Speedway on Feb. 11, 2023. (Photo: Jaylynn Nash/NASCAR)

Practice, qualifying and race schedule

The headlining Late Model Stock Car class is one of four divisions that will be on track at Florence during the IceBreaker.

The action begins Saturday, Feb. 10 with practice for all divisions, followed closely by Euro-style group qualifying.

Pre-race ceremonies are set to begin at 2:15 p.m. ET, with the first laps of the 2024 season scheduled to take place at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Below is the complete schedule for all of the weekend action at Florence Motor Speedway (all times ET).

Thursday, Feb. 8

Time	Event
12 p.m.	Pit Gate Sign In Opens / Park Trailers

Friday, Feb. 9

Time	Event
10 a.m.	Pit Gate Sign In Opens / Park Trailers
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Tire Area Open / Pre-Tech Line Open
11 a.m.	Team Representative Meeting
12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.	Rotating Practice (Late Model Stocks, Mini Stocks, Super Trucks, Street Stocks)
5 p.m.	Park Trailers

Saturday, Feb. 10

Time	Event
8:30 a.m.	Pit Gate Sign In Opens / Park Trailers
8:30 a.m.	Tire Area Opens
9:30 a.m.	Drivers Meeting
10 a.m.	Rotating Practice (Late Model Stocks, Mini Stocks, Super Trucks, Street Stocks)
12 p.m.	Grandstands Open
12:30 p.m.	Qualifying (Euro-Style, Groups of 3, 3 Laps Each Group / All Divisions)
2:15 p.m.	Pre-Race Ceremonies
2:30 p.m.	Feature Racing: Super Trucks (50 Laps), Mini Stocks (30 Laps), Late Model Stocks (125 Laps), Street Stocks (50 Laps)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. in action during the eighth annual IceBreaker at South Carolina’s Florence Motor Speedway on Feb. 11, 2023. (Photo: Jaylynn Nash/NASCAR)

Entry list

A strong list of entries are expected to take part in the ninth running of the IceBreaker on Feb. 10, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Earnhardt has made a habit of competing at Florence in recent years, starting with the 2022 running of the South Carolina 400. Last year, he competed in three events at Florence, including the IceBreaker, where he finished 16th.

PHOTOS: Dale Earnhardt Jr. racing Late Model Stocks

He’ll look to improve upon that this year as he once again returns to the seat of the No. 3 Late Model Stock fielded by his own JR Motorsports team. Carson Kvapil, the two-time and defending zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car champion who also drives for JR Motorsports, is also entered.

Reigning NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series National champion Connor Hall and Florence Motor Speedway’s defending track champion, Matt Cox, have also filed entries, as has Locked In 150 victor Sam Yarbrough. Other notable entries include South Carolina 400 winner Kade Brown, Virginia’s Mark Wertz, Zack Miracle, Tyler Matthews and Jacob Heafner, among others.

Below is the current entry list for the IceBreaker.

Car No.	Driver	Hometown
2	Brandon Pierce	Oak Ridge, North Carolina
2D	T.J. DeCaire	Land O Lakes, Florida
3	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	Mooresville, North Carolina
7	Strom Altman	Charleston, South Carolina
8	Carson Kvapil	Mooresville, North Carolina
8B	Lanie Buice	Locust Grove, Georgia
09	Riley Gentry	Easley, South Carolina
11	Jeff Oakley	Prince George, Virginia
13	Cody Kelley	Hartsville, South Carolina
16	Casey Kelley	Hartsville, South Carolina
15	Mike Bledsole	Whitsett, North Carolina
16M	Adam McCumbee	Orrum, North Carolina
18	Alex Meggs	Riegelwood, North Carolina
18M	Truett Miranda	Concord, North Carolina
18R	David Roberts	Simpsonsville, South Carolina
22	Connor Hall	Hampton, Virginia
23	Kade Brown	Denver, North Carolina
27	Matthew Gould	Mooresville, North Carolina
32	Zack Miracle	Indian Trail, North Carolina
51	Matt Cox	Little River, South Carolina
51S	Donovan Strauss	Marietta, Georgia
55	Mark Wertz	Newport News, Virginia
61	Justin Hicks	Marston, North Carolina
63	Tyler Matthews	Richlands, North Carolina
81	Landon Huffman	Claremont, North Carolina
88	Alex Hicks	Loris, South Carolina
88B	Doug Barnes Jr.	Forest Hill, Maryland
94	Jamie Weatherford	Darlington, South Carolina
95	Jacob Heafner	Dallas, North Carolina
95Y	Sam Yarborough	Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
99	Colby Higgins	Kingsport, Tennessee

Florence IceBreaker results: List of winners

The IceBreaker is a relatively new tradition that began at Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2016 as a way for drivers to get an early start to the racing season in the Carolinas.

Held five times at Myrtle Beach Speedway before the track’s closure, Tommy Lemons Jr. emerged as the winner of the inaugural event in 2016. Four-time NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series National champion Lee Pulliam claimed the IceBreaker victory in 2017, with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series veteran Timothy Peters scoring the win in 2018.

Current NASCAR Cup Series star Ty Gibbs took home the IceBreaker trophy in 2019. Regional star Sam Yarbrough was the winner of the final IceBreaker held at Myrtle Beach in 2020.

The IceBreaker was moved to Florence beginning in 2021; Chad McCumbee took home the checkered flag that season, with NASCAR Xfinity Series star and 2020 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series National champion Josh Berry winning the race in 2022.

Doug Barnes Jr. is the defending winner of the IceBreaker after his victory in the 2023 running of the event.

Below is the complete list of winners of the IceBreaker.

Year (Track)	Winner
2016 (Myrtle Beach Speedway)	Tommy Lemons Jr.
2017 (Myrtle Beach Speedway)	Lee Pulliam
2018 (Myrtle Beach Speedway)	Timothy Peters
2019 (Myrtle Beach Speedway)	Ty Gibbs
2020 (Myrtle Beach Speedway)	Sam Yarbrough
2021 (Florence Motor Speedway)	Chad McCumbee
2022 (Florence Motor Speedway)	Josh Berry
2023 (Florence Motor Speedway)	Doug Barnes Jr.

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Staff Report

Talladega Superspeedway unveiled on Wednesday a refreshed logo that embodies the essence of what makes the track legendary.

The new logo is a nod to the track’s bold spirit and the track’s history. The chosen colors — black, gray, and red — pay homage to the track’s original logo, which ran from 1969 to 1989. In addition, these hues also vividly reflect the brashness of Talladega Superspeedway, creating a visual language that resonates with the speed and intensity that define the iconic NASCAR venue.

Talladega Superspeedway 1969-89 logo

The dynamic design of the letter ‘A’ in the new identity serves as a visual metaphor, emphasizing the razor-thin margins that determine victory on Talladega’s track. It’s a symbol of speed and precision, echoing the skill required to navigate the turns around Talladega.

What sets Talladega’s refreshed brand apart is its commitment to telling a regional story. Hall of Fame drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Donnie Allison and NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton helped guide the new logo design, assuring the imagery would pay tribute to the rich racing legacy embedded in Alabama.

Talladega’s refreshed branding isn’t just about a new look; it’s a celebration of the track’s history. With every detail meticulously chosen, from colors to symbols, Talladega’s new identity is a testament to the enduring legacy of a track where winners are forged at one of NASCAR’s most intense circuits.

The Cup Series will visit Talladega Superspeedway for the GEICO 500 on Sunday, April 21 (3 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Posted on February 7, 2024February 18, 2024 by Cameron Richardson

As the 2024 regular season rapidly approaches, a lot of eyes will be placed on Stewart-Haas Racing as the once-perennial, championship-contending organization looks for a fresh slate this year with a new driver lineup.

SHR co-owner and three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart joined SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Tuesday to discuss if SHR can turn the tide in 2024.

“God, I hope so,” Stewart said. “We’ve had two miserable years in a row, and I’m tired of taking the blame from everybody for why the cars aren’t running good. I think the fans need a reality check and a reminder that I’m not the crew chief, I’m not the engineer, I don’t dictate the setups on the cars. I give these guys the tools to do the job and we just haven’t got it done the last couple years.”

With the retirement of longtime veteran Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola returning to Joe Gibbs Racing in a part-time gig, SHR boasts a four-driver lineup of young talent in returners Chase Briscoe and Ryan Preece while Noah Gragson and rookie Josh Berry make their respective debuts with the Ford-powered organization.

“Kevin and Aric were great leaders, and nobody felt worse about the end of the year than I did with those guys moving on to the next step in their lives, but it’s hard to sit there and be too upset because I understood when I made that decision too and why I made that decision so you got to support them on it but having four young drivers isn’t something I thought I would have but I will say it’s been a surprise and a shock, and a pleasant surprise at that, the energy these guys have brought to the race shop this offseason.”

While Stewart said he wasn’t expecting to have a full roster of young talent, he’s optimistic about what they are bringing to SHR’s shop.

Last year, SHR entered the season with a combined average age of 37 years old. For 2024, that drops to an even 30 years old, with Gragson the youngest at 25 and both Preece and Berry carrying the elder torch at just 33.

“I’m excited about the energy at the shop. We kinda had a rah-rah meeting, and I will say having four young drivers in the shop, as much as I was really nervous about it, I’m really excited about the energy that it’s brought to the shop,” Stewart said.

Through two seasons of the Generation 7 Cup car, SHR has only had three playoff appearances combined across all four stables, with both Briscoe and Harvick reaching the playoffs in 2022 and only Harvick making the postseason in 2023 in his final season. Briscoe is the only SHR driver to advance past the Round of 16 since Harvick made the Round of 8 in 2020.

SHR only owns three wins across the last 115 Cup races dating back to 2020. The organization went winless in 2021 and 2023, while Harvick collected two wins and Briscoe broke through at Phoenix Raceway in 2022.

Stewart was stern in his approach heading into 2024 as he expects all employees in the SHR camp to take the organization to a formidable level that exceeds the mediocre performances across the last two campaigns.

“Two years ago, first year with the new car, you might have an off-season trying to figure out a new product, but to have that bad of a season two years in a row, we will not stand for that and let that be the standard,” Stewart said.

“If we’re not having the results we’re looking for, we’re gonna start making some major changes. Everybody knows that. Everybody understands that. It doesn’t mean we gotta go out and win eight or ten races this season, but we need to see the needle move in the right direction. We need to make progress.”

The first opportunity for the new-look, new-attitude Stewart-Haas Racing team will be at the Daytona 500 (Feb. 19, 4 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Posted on February 7, 2024December 10, 2024 by Staff Report

Spire Motorsports announced Wednesday that Rajah Caruth will pilot its No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on a full-time basis in 2024. Chad Walter, who served as crew chief for Caruth in 2023, will be atop the pit box in the same role.

Additionally, HendrickCars.com will be the team’s primary sponsor for 10 races, beginning with the season opener at Daytona International Speedway in the Fresh From Florida 250 (Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

“I’m usually a pretty stoic guy, emotionally, but it’s hard not to tear up a little bit thinking about this opportunity,” Caruth said in a press release. “There was a lot of uncertainty over the winter in almost every sense of the word. I just feel really blessed to be able to drive for Spire Motorsports and to be able to have Chad come with me. I’m flattered to have the support of HendrickCars.com and, of course, Mr. H (Rick Hendrick) and the whole Hendrick family. It’s a dream to be here and to have a full season and to have a place where I can grow is pretty special. I’m ready to get back to work and continue what we’ve done over the last few months. Huge thanks to Spire, Chevrolet, General Motors and everyone who supports me and my family for making this happen. I can’t wait for Daytona. Hopefully, I can make everybody proud.”

Caruth, 21, made his full-time Truck debut in 2023 as pilot of the No. 24 Chevy for GMS Racing, where he tallied four top-10 finishes and finished 16th in the final driver standings. The Washington, D.C. native additionally raced part-time in the Xfinity Series in 2022 and 2023 and tied his career-best result in that circuit (12th) at Martinsville Speedway last October. Caruth, the 2021 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award recipient and alumnus of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program, is currently a senior at Winston-Salem State University.

“We’ve talked about seminal moments for Spire Motorsports in the past, and I think this is another one of those moments,” Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson said in a press release. “Rajah Caruth is an exceptional young man. He’s a very talented driver with a bright future. He’s obviously young in his career but he’s mature beyond his years. You hear people talk about an ‘it’ factor and when you talk to him and get to know him, it’s pretty obvious he has ‘it.’ We’re exceptionally fortunate to be able to bring Rajah into the mix and pair him with Chad Walter. Those guys worked together last season so to be able to keep them together should go a long way in terms of chemistry and being competitive. Outside of that, this is just a good situation for everyone. It’s as simple as that.”

MORE: 2024 Craftsman Truck Series schedule

Walter began his NASCAR career with Hendrick Motorsports back in 1996, serving as an engineer and crew chiefs for Dale Earnhardt Inc., Team Penske, Richard Childress Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing throughout his career, according to the press release. Most notably, Walter was a member of the No. 15 Chevrolet team at Dale Earnhardt Inc. when Michael Waltrip won the Daytona 500 both in 2001 and 2003.

“Personally, that kid, Rajah, has changed my life,” Walter said in the release. “I don’t know of anyone else who I’d want to work harder for, or have wanted to work harder for, over the last 15 years of my career. He’s so uplifting in so many ways. He works hard and he wants to get better. I’ve worked with some really good drivers in my past, but Rajah really stands out. He goes about things the right way and his passion for this has really made an impact on me. I jumped at the opportunity to work with him again. It’s kind of a crazy business we work in but when I found out that this could come to fruition – that we could do this again together – there was no other option for me.”

The entry continues Spire’s expansion efforts in the Truck Series following its purchase of Kyle Busch Motorsports and Rowdy Manufacturing assets. Spire will additionally field the No. 77 Chevy entry driven by Chase Purdy this season.