CARS Tour ownership group aims to keep growing series after significant progress in Year 1

Posted on November 27, 2023November 28, 2023 by Brandon White

CONCORD, N.C. — A little more than a year ago, a media conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway was an unfathomable idea for the CARS Tour.

But Monday afternoon, the series’ core ownership group consisting of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Justin Marks convened inside the track’s media center to unveil their full plans for 2024, which include the schedule of events, an extension on their deal with FloRacing and a new title sponsor in zMAX.

Earnhardt said Monday was a culmination of the hard work he, the co-owners and everyone else with the zMAX CARS Tour put in during their first year together. Despite this, Earnhardt admitted there are a lot of boxes left to check on his agenda as the series moves through the offseason.

“As someone involved in the series ownership group, it’s never enough,” Earnhardt said. “We’re ambitious, and the value of the series is still unrealized. We’ve got a lot of potential with good, quality racing and a lot of great storylines. I’m pretty bullish, but there’s not enough days in the year to accomplish all your tasks.

“I wish I could wake up in the morning and work on the CARS Tour until I went to bed every single day of the year.”

Having been with the series since its first season back in 2015, Earnhardt knew there was room for the CARS Tour to grow into a premier division for short track racing.

Every CARS Tour race weekend sees an even mix of local short track heroes and future NASCAR stars coalesce to battle at some of the southeast’s most storied facilities. Some of the most successful drivers to come from the series include Deac McCaskill, Bobby McCarty and all-time wins leader Josh Berry, who is set to move into the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024.

Each member of the ownership group expected an onerous task when it came to building upon the foundation Jack McNelly constructed from the remnants of the USAR Pro Cup Series in 2015. This ranged from emphasizing the talent already on the CARS Tour to exposing the series to a much wider audience.

For Harvick, the key to attaining those goals was to ensure he, Earnhardt, Burton and Marks could utilize their own viewpoints to build an efficient blueprint toward sustainable, long-term success.

“When you look at the first year, there’s a lot of things I’ve learned a lot about,” Harvick said. “I love the group of guys we work with because it’s a great communicating group who look at things from a much different perspective but also understand that we’re trying to reach the same goal. It’s been a lot of work, but a lot of fun, as well.”

A key first step for the new ownership group was coming to terms with FloRacing on a deal that would see the streaming platform provide live, flag-to-flag coverage of all 19 events on the 2023 CARS Tour schedule.

With more eyes now on the CARS Tour, the series proceeded to sell itself.

Intense, side-by-side racing dominated both CARS Tour divisions from the season-opener at Southern National Motorsports Park to the finale at Caraway Speedway. JR Motorsports driver Carson Kvapil ended up pulling away with the Late Model Stock title, while the Pro Late Model championship saw Caden Kvapil prevail in a year-long fight with Katie Hettinger.

Heated battles like this one between Bobby McCarty (6) and Brenden Queen (03) dominated the CARS Tour throughout 2023. (Photo: Susan Wong/NASCAR)

The on-track product translated into stellar streaming numbers for the ownership group and McNelly, who now operates as the CARS Tour general manager. While he was ecstatic to see the FloRacing partnership pay dividends, McNelly found himself more impressed by how many people attended CARS Tour events in person.

“The most important thing to me was the growth in the grandstand area,” McNelly said. “The last half of the year had tremendous crowds. Langley probably had their largest crowd ever. I know we cheated at Caraway [Speedway] with Kyle Larson there, but a fellow told me he had not seen a crowd like that there in 30 years.”

Burton had nothing but praise to offer toward the racing that permeated the CARS Tour during the year along with the assistance provided by McNelly as he and the other owners worked through growing pains.

Even with all the positives the CARS Tour experienced, Burton still chalked up year one as a learning experience more than anything else. There were many aspects about the day-to-day operations that genuinely surprised Burton, but he gradually got acclimated to his environment and began to understand what it would take to help the CARS Tour thrive.

“I personally wanted to learn about the series,” Burton said. “What was it I didn’t know? I wanted to get smarter, put myself in the shoes of the car owners, drivers and pit crew members to understand what we could do to make things better for the competitors and the fan base.”

A full year with the CARS Tour has given Burton and the other owners a general idea of how to build off the momentum from 2023.

One goal the owners would like to accomplish is a condensed race-day schedule that sees CARS Tour events start on time and guarantees a reasonable departure from the track. They have not ruled adjustments to the rulebook that would make weekends easier for the competitors.

The core ownership of the CARS Tour (Kevin Harvick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Justin Marks and Jeff Burton from L-R) intends to grow the series by listening to feedback from drivers, team owners and tracks. (Photo: Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)

Earnhardt said the series has made progress in that regard through regular communication with team owners.

“We kind of put an owner’s council together,” Earnhardt said. “There’s about eight different owners we get together with on a Zoom call, and we talk to them about things that could be better. We don’t want to do anything our owners don’t want, but we also don’t need to change anything, because the series is doing great.

“We’d just like things to be more streamlined.”

Harvick added that the ownership group is also trying to figure out how to ensure the CARS Tour veterans remain a part of the series for years to come.

The presence of drivers like McCarty, McCaskill and others is a quality Harvick finds essential for numerous reasons. By just having them at the track, Harvick said the new generation of drivers can lean on them for advice, so they do not carry any bad on-track habits into the NASCAR ranks.

“Our veterans are the group of guys that teach our young guys how to race,” Harvick said. “It’s really an old-school approach, and when you look at the CARS Tour, they have a group of guys that race a lot and those guys showing up year after year is important because they have a great fan base. You need those veterans that have those followings and can teach along the way.”

Harvick and the rest of the owners expect healthy car counts for the Late Model Stock and Pro Late Model divisions next season to go along with a rigid infrastructure that includes Kip Childress as the series’ executive director.

The introduction of zMAX as the title sponsor and FloRacing returning to broadcast events also provides the CARS Tour some stability as they prepare to tackle an ambitious schedule that features two trips to North Wilkesboro Speedway, one of which is the season finale.

The CARS Tour rides momentum into 2024 following a successful first year under the new ownership group that featured guest appearances from drivers like Kyle Larson. (Photo: NASCAR)

McNelly finds himself amazed at how quickly the CARS Tour has grown under the new ownership group in a short amount of time. He envisions a bright future for the series he helped create and knows the right people are overseeing its burgeoning growth.

“I know [the CARS Tour] is going to continue to grow,” McNelly said. “It’s just like a child. You and the wife have a child, you watch that child grow and do everything to nourish it when you can, but at some point, you have to turn it loose.

“When you do, you have to make sure it is in good hands.”

Earnhardt sometimes finds himself overwhelmed at the challenges he, Harvick, Burton and Marks face on a regular basis trying to run a series. The days might be long, but Earnhardt remains committed to giving short track competitors a platform to excel with the CARS Tour.

“You’ll never listen to your favorite song the same when you go into the studio to see how it’s made,” Earnhardt said. “I used to go the track and everything was about me, but [the CARS Tour] has really opened up my perspective to seeing the challenges of a series owner, the promoters and team owners that are trying to make a living doing this.

“It is a whole lot to get this series up and down the road and makes me appreciate the France family and what they’ve done.”

Posted on November 27, 2023November 27, 2023 by Zack Albert

Toyota introduced its new model for the NASCAR Cup Series on Monday, taking the wraps off a race car with a fresh look and a familiar nameplate for 2024 — the Camry XSE Next Gen.

The model replaces the Toyota Camry TRD that competed in the first two seasons of NASCAR’s seventh-generation stock-car platform, and the design emulates the road-going 2025 model-year Camry that’s set to go on sale this spring. It’s the fifth model that Toyota has introduced for NASCAR’s top division, and it continues the industry-wide push in recent years toward strengthening carmakers’ brand identity, incorporating many of the passenger car’s design cues.

“What’s most important, really, is the process, the commitment that the OEMs have with NASCAR, to make sure that we race what we sell,” said David Wilson, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) USA president. “It wasn’t always that way. It was just since 2013 that we came to this new way of doing it, and honestly, I think it’s still one of the best initiatives that NASCAR has brought to the sport because it’s allowed our fans to truly identify a Toyota Camry versus a Ford Mustang and a Chevrolet Camaro. …

“All of those features are incorporated in our new Camry, and somehow, our really smart aerodynamicists have got it to look pretty good in the wind tunnel. So I love it when we can build a great-looking car and a car that’s true to the design, but it’s going to be good on the race track as well.”

Toyota is the second original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) to reveal a new Cup Series model this month. On Nov. 1, Ford released images of its 2024 Mustang Dark Horse for NASCAR competition. Chevrolet, the third automaker involved in NASCAR’s three national series, will continue with its Camaro ZL1 this season but could potentially shift to a new model for future Cup and Xfinity Series campaigns after the Camaro’s production run ends early next year.

The passenger-car version of the 2025 Toyota Camry line was unveiled Nov. 14 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The race-ready rendition will make its competition debut roughly two miles south in the Busch Light Clash exhibition at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Feb. 4 (8 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) before starting the season in earnest with the 66th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

When the Camry XSE does hit the track, viewers should note significant differences from nose to tail. Toyota, its TRD arm and the Calty Design studio collaborated on the race car’s design, and much of the street-car version’s thoroughly restyled look carries over.

Up front, the Camry XSE race car features what the manufacturer calls “hammerhead styling” with the slim upper grille opening that connects to the sharply angled headlights. Below that feature, an expanded lower grill is flanked by a pair of curved vents; above, the hood is shaped by distinctive new lines and reworked duct exits. Out back, slimmer taillight details cap off the updated rear of the car, with sloping corners that lead to the bumper from the redesigned quarter panels.

The overall design of Toyota’s new Cup Series racer serves to bolster the brand identity tied to one of its longest-running and best-selling vehicle names. But there’s also a competition component, Wilson says, that’s another important piece to the effort. So far, the early tests and computer modeling have him hopeful that the Camry XSE ticks both boxes, staying competitive within the series’ performance equation.

“We don’t race in wind tunnels, and we don’t race downforce and drag numbers, but that does give us the best indication of what we can expect, and we were really pleased with that,” Wilson says. “And then the collaboration we have with our fellow OEMs is pretty important because the only way that this process works is for us to agree what the performance parameters are that we have to work within. So there is a box, we call it, and in every OEM, when we submit a new body, it has to — the downforce, drag, side-force, all of those parameters — have to fit within this box.

“Now the trick is, there’s a corner of that box that you want to get as close to as possible, which is the optimization of downforce and drag, and you only get so many attempts to do it. And so, again, it’s a real credit to our folks here at TRD who were able to really optimize our numbers in the wind tunnel. Again, the proof will be in the pudding when we get to the race track, but we’re certainly optimistic at this point.”

The street-car Camry’s other twist is that it is only available as a hybrid-electric vehicle, carrying a “Beyond Zero” badge that reflects Toyota’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions. Press releases for the new vehicle included a reference to “electrification for all,” with hybrid technology standard across all four Camry trim levels, including its front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions.

That movement toward carbon neutrality for consumers and a more modest-sounding power delivery might run crosscurrent to the race-ready version and the growl of full-bodied V8s. NASCAR competition officials, however, have explored the potential of fuel alternatives and other technologies, building an electric vehicle as part of its research and launching the NASCAR Impact initiative this year with a commitment to net-zero operating emissions by 2035.

Wilson says NASCAR is not alone in the motorsports world in addressing those issues and moving toward a carbon-neutral future, but that keeping the immersive sound of stock-car racing should also remain a priority.

“As to the product that we race, certainly we can’t ignore that. That’s the sexiest part of the event when we show up at the race track,” Wilson says. “And yes, the OEMs have been working in concert with NASCAR. This is something we address every quarter when we get together to talk about the sport and where we go forward in the sport. NASCAR is looking at electrification, but they’re not focused on one technology over another right now. And I think we all want to make sure that we don’t lose sight of the fact that we’re in the entertainment business, and if we don’t have a fan base if the fans don’t show up to watch a race, if they don’t turn the television or their streaming device on, then we don’t have a sport.

“So I think there’s certain facets of the sport that that you can’t turn off, and you can’t turn off the volume. That is integral to our sport, and so I think there are other solutions that can address carbon reduction and still maintain the volume that our fans love, and that’s something that we’re working on. It’s something that all the automakers are working on, and so we’ve got work to do, but again, I think we’re doing a good job of getting out in front of it and looking at its options moving forward.”

For now, one of the bigger differences for Toyota teams in the 2024 season is that there will be more of them. Joe Gibbs Racing will mark its 17th year with the automaker, and 23XI Racing will continue its alliance for its fourth Cup Series season. But the number of Camrys on track will swell from six to eight with the addition of Legacy Motor Club, which has evolved rapidly in recent years since the merger that brought team owners Maury Gallagher and Richard Petty together, with Jimmie Johnson joining the ownership group last year.

Wilson said TRD has long maintained a “quality vs. quantity” approach to adding new Cup Series teams, saying that “the sweet spot is somewhere between eight to 10” cars. But that transition for the Legacy M.C. group will also mean a hectic offseason, shifting its bodies, engines and other components from Chevrolet to Toyota – including preparing a new Camry for Erik Jones, incumbent driver of the No. 43, for a test at Phoenix Raceway on Dec. 5-6.

MORE: Six teams set for Phoenix test

Wilson said that Legacy Motor Club has made significant progress in meeting those goals and that Toyota was hands-off as the 2023 season wound down out of respect to the team’s existing agreement with Chevy. Wilson said that the Monday after the season finale at Phoenix, the switch flipped to “all hands on deck” to provide assistance to LMC, which has opted to enter its new era without a technical alliance to an existing Toyota team.

“I’ll also be fair to say that we have to moderate our expectations in year one,” Wilson says. “I would say the measuring stick would be the first year of 23XI. Now, to be fair, they won in their first year and arguably, I would say, they punched above their weight their first two years as a brand-new racing team. So what Legacy Motor Club has going for them is they’re not a brand-new team, and so that should help them, but, again, we have to be realistic.

“The other part … is Maury and Jimmie have decided by and large to do this on their own and not to lean on big technical alliances with JGR or 23XI. So, of course, TRD, we are a technical partner, and we’re going to be engaged in various capacities. Obviously, we’re going to be providing our Toyota TRD engines to them from Southern California, but many other facets of technology out of our facilities in North Carolina.”

Posted on November 27, 2023November 27, 2023 by Staff Report

The race cars may be stored away for the year, but NASCAR is set to take over the city of Nashville for this year’s Champion’s Week. Celebrating the conclusion of the 75th season, there is no shortage of events taking place in Music City this week, all culminating in the awards ceremony where Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney will be officially crowned as the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion.

It will highlight a year of prominent personalities and high achievements from both on and off the track.

Fans are welcome to visit the NASCAR House on 5th and Broadway on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. CT, where there will be a round of appearances from the sport’s biggest stars who will answer fan questions — also a one-of-a-kind immersive fan experience with engaging activities and post-worthy photo displays.

The NASCAR Champions Parade will be held the same day on Broadway Street from 2:30–3:30 p.m. CT, where patrons can welcome each NASCAR champion to town.

Finally, the week concludes with the NASCAR Awards and Champion Celebration, which will be held at Nashville’s Music City Center, and fans will be able to tune in on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on Peacock to watch the ceremony.

Posted on November 27, 2023November 27, 2023 by Cameron Richardson

A career in the sports industry doesn’t mean just competing as an athlete. There are opportunities aplenty to be around your favorite sport, and one of them happens to be photography.

Toyota’s United by Opportunity program is trying to find the next generation of motorsports photographers to support the growth of the racing community. The program was created with the goal of providing college students with exposure to a potential career path in the sports industry while simultaneously supporting a diverse and inclusive future for motorsports.

“When I think of sports, I think of sticks and balls and athletes, I never thought of me being able to do what I love (photography) as part of (racing),” said Joshua Knox, a student attending Arizona State University.

Throughout the 2023 season, United by Opportunity deployed at seven events across NASCAR, NHRA and Formula Drift, including NASCAR Championship Weekend at Phoenix Raceway.

Joshua Knox | Arizona State University

Toyota Racing partnered with educational institutions in local racing communities to highlight their up-and-coming photography students and spark their passion for creativity and the thrill of racing through program elements at and away from the track. With on-site experience and mentoring sessions, the students became part of the Toyota Racing team.

“Toyota Racing is constantly searching for new ways to bring a wider audience into motorsports, and the United by Opportunity program has become a prime example of that commitment,” said Paul Doleshal, group manager, motorsports, Toyota Motor North America. “A major thank you to our entire team for identifying and creating this avenue for more people to get involved in our sport. I’m excited to see where we can take it in Year 2.”

Joshua Knox | Arizona State University

Besides Arizona State, Belmont University, Ithaca College, University of Colorado-Denver, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Washington and University of Las Vegas, Nevada also participated in the UBO program.

United by Opportunity will return in 2024, expanding its core outside of photography, and will continue to grow the next generation of motorsports professionals.

“The first year of United by Opportunity was a resounding success, and we couldn’t be prouder of the results,” said Mike Pricer, manager, motorsports marketing at Toyota Motor North America. “Each of our participants was a pleasure to work with, bringing enthusiasm and a zest for knowledge to the race track while receiving the experience of a lifetime. We look forward to exposing more students and young people to the world of motorsports through United by Opportunity next season.”

See below for photos from the students who took part in the United by Opportunity program this year.

Jolie Adams | Belmont University

Miranda Musgrave | Belmont University

Angel James | Ithaca College

Miranda Musgrave | Belmont University

Angel James | Ithaca College

Brooke Buchanan | University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Miranda Musgrave | Belmont University

Sam Skelton | Belmont University

Angel James | Ithaca College

Xinyi Qin | Ithaca College

Xinyi Qin | Ithaca College

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Zach Sturniolo

Editor’s note: With Champion’s Week in Nashville ongoing, NASCAR.com will look back at every playoff round of the 2023 season in all three national series.

Race 1: Darlington Raceway, Sept. 3

Winner: Kyle Larson

Key highlights: Adversity struck numerous contenders of the NASCAR Playoffs throughout the Cook Out Southern 500, including Regular Season Champion Martin Truex Jr. who scuffed the wall in practice and struggled to an 18th-place finish. Playoff driver Kevin Harvick was primed to leap-frog race leader Tyler Reddick with a dive to pit road at Lap 310, but Reddick slowed to attempt to make pit road at the same time and triggered a spin from Ryan Newman, bringing out the caution flag and ruining Harvick’s strategy. In the end, Kyle Larson stormed to his first Southern 500 triumph after leading 55 laps, ahead of Reddick who was out front for 90 circuits. Denny Hamlin dominated with 177 laps led but a loose wheel relegated him to 25th.

Full race recap: Kyle Larson streaks to Southern 500 victory in NASCAR Playoffs opener

At-track photos: Best pictures from Darlington

James Gilbert | Getty Images

Race 2: Kansas Speedway, Sept. 10

Winner: Tyler Reddick

Key highlights: Martin Truex Jr.’s early playoff woes continued with a flat tire at Lap 4, sending his No. 19 Toyota sliding into the outside wall and relegating him to a last-place finish. His Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin led 63 laps and appeared on his way to a win until a late caution after Chris Buescher, a fellow playoff driver, contacted the outside wall and drew the caution flag. As pit strategy reshuffled the front of the field, Tyler Reddick stormed past Erik Jones and Joey Logano with a daring three-wide move on the overtime restart to lock his way into the Round of 12 with the win.

Full race recap: Tyler Reddick cashes in at Kansas, advances in Cup Series Playoffs

At-track photos: Best pictures from Kansas

Getty Images

Race 3: Bristol Motor Speedway, Sept. 16

Winner: Denny Hamlin

Key highlights: Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano was ousted from the race and ultimately the 2023 playoffs after Corey LaJoie lost control on the backstretch, triggering a multicar crash that collected Logano’s No. 22 Ford. Martin Truex Jr.’s woes continued, sliding at Lap 363 which brought out the caution flag ahead of his 19th-place result. The other JGR cars combined to lead 431 of the 500 laps, with Denny Hamlin out front for 142 laps, Christopher Bell 187 and Ty Gibbs 102. After consecutive weeks of impressive performances, Hamlin finally cashed in to win his way into the Round of 12. Despite top-10 runs for both, Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. joined Logano and 2014 champion Kevin Harvick as those eliminated from title contention.

Full race recap: Denny Hamlin caps off strong night at Bristol, wins to conclude Round of 16

At-track photos: Best pictures from Bristol

Drivers eliminated: Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Michael McDowell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Meg Oliphant | Getty Images

Posted on November 27, 2023November 28, 2023 by Staff Report

As the holiday season inches closer and the weather continues to turn, voting polls for the 2023 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters remain open for those eager to cast a ballot or three.

Fans can vote for a single driver once daily at on NASCAR.com or in NASCAR Mobile. Ballots can also be cast for Most Popular Driver in the Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series. Voting closes on Wednesday, Nov. 30.

As the voting window nears its closure, here are the top five vote-getters in each series (alphabetical order):

Cup Series

Ryan Blaney
Kyle Busch
Ross Chastain
Chase Elliott
Kyle Larson

Xfinity Series

Justin Allgaier
Josh Berry
Sheldon Creed
Cole Custer
Josh Williams

Craftsman Truck Series

Hailie Deegan
Matt DiBenedetto
Stewart Friesen
Carson Hocevar
Ben Rhodes

Since 1983, the NMPA has presented the award annually. The award remains the only major NASCAR award determined solely by fan vote. The 1988 Cup Series champion Bill Elliott holds the record for Most Popular Driver Award with 16 (1984-88, 1991-2000 and 2002). Dale Earnhardt Jr., meanwhile, won the award for 15 consecutive seasons (2003-2017).

RELATED: Every NMPA Driver Award winner

Formed in 1965, the National Motorsports Press Association consists of qualified media members who report on the sport of auto racing through affiliations with print, radio, television and/or Internet news-gathering organizations. In addition to the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award, the NMPA presents an array of significant honors in auto racing, including the Richard Petty Driver of the Year Award, the Myers Brothers Award, the NMPA Pocono Spirit Award and the Wood Brothers Award of Excellence.

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Brandon White

For even the most seasoned NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour operations, the path to a championship typically requires years of sacrifice and perseverance before a serious run.

Tyler Haydt and Joe Yannone needed just two seasons to reach that milestone.

With an all-star roster consisting of Ron Silk as the driver and Phil Moran as the crew chief, Haydt Yannone Racing put together an efficient year that saw the team win five races and lead 644 laps as an organization, all of which helped them claim both the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver’s and owner’s championship.

The euphoria from those accomplishments has yet to wear off for Yannone, who is elated about the progress he, Haydt and the rest of the organization have made in a short amount of time.

“It was really special,” Yannone said. “Everybody worked hard all year to get to this point, from the guys who worked on the tires to those who did the cooking. This is a special moment and something I’ll never forget. I know Tyler feels the same way.”

The pairing of Yannone with Haydt is one that would seem unlikely upon a glance at their respective backgrounds.

Yannone never considered himself a motorsports fan growing up, but he was regularly surrounded by people who were involved with Modified racing in the northeast. This includes his friendship with Haydt, who had previously competed on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in 2005, earning a single top-five finish in 16 appearances.

All the stories Yannone heard about Modifieds gradually got him more interested about potentially getting involved with the discipline. When he met Haydt for lunch one day, he asked about potentially partnering up to form their own team.

The two officially had their first car one week later.

Bringing in 2011 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ron Silk was a key first step for Haydt Yannone Racing to become competitive. (Photo: Dakota Moyer/NASCAR)

Both Haydt and Yannone were determined to build their program the right way. Being familiar with the grind of Modified racing, Haydt knew he and Yannone would have to start small and recruit people who had experience winning on a regular basis.

Silk’s arrival in 2021 was a crucial step in Haydt Yannone Racing’s early development. The other involved hiring Moran, who was moving on from Doug Coby’s operation at the end of that same year.

“Talking to Ron about running some open races for me is how that all got started,” Haydt said. “We moved up a little bit and were eventually ready to run the Tour. We had the equipment but just needed someone to work on the stuff. I got in touch with Phil, met with him, and he’s been doing an awesome job since.

“We were very fortunate to put those pieces of the puzzle together.”

With everything in place to be an efficient organization on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Haydt and Yannone set out for Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway in 2022 with the goal of winning as many races as possible.

The results were not exactly what Haydt or Yannone were expecting. Silk endured his first winless NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season since 2018, but he was still in the middle of a four-way title fight in the season finale at Martinsville Speedway, where he ended up finishing second in the standings to Jon McKennedy by just six points.

Yannone admitted the biggest obstacle preventing them from visiting Victory Lane was the natural process it took for everyone to build chemistry. Despite this, the consistency the silver No. 16 Modified showed throughout 2022 left the entire Haydt Yannone Racing team optimistic about taking another step forward the following season.

“[Coming in second] was a great boost of confidence,” Yannone said. “We knew everything was meshing, so when we went into the offseason, everyone rallied to get ready for Florida. We did well in Florida that first year, but it just got away from us.”

A victory could not elude Haydt Yannone Racing during their second trip to New Smyrna. Silk found himself in a heated battle with Justin Bonsignore in the final 25 laps but managed to secure Haydt Yannone Racing their first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour trophy.

The New Smyrna finish set the tone for the rest of the 2023 season. Silk racked off one victory after another during the summer but found himself under constant duress from Bonsignore, who matched him in nearly every category.

Ron Silk faced constant pressure from Justin Bonsignore during the 2023 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season but only surrendered the points lead a couple times. (Photo: Ryan M. Kelly/NASCAR)

Even though Silk barely had any breathing room when it came to maintaining the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour points lead, Haydt never once doubted his team would be the ones celebrating on the championship stage at Martinsville in November.

“We pretty much led almost the whole time,” Haydt said. “Justin got the lead from us for a couple weeks, but the last three races, we knew it was going to be him or us.”

When it came time to settle the championship at Martinsville, Silk carried a 13-point cushion over Bonsignore in one of the largest gaps between the two all year. The night proved to be an adventure for Haydt Yannone Racing after they were involved in an early wreck, but Silk kept his car in one piece and settled inside the top 10.

A sixth-place run by Silk was all that was needed for Haydt and Yannone to fulfill a dream they set out for back when they had that fateful lunch just a few years earlier.

5 wins, 15 top fives, over 640 laps led.

Ron Silk, your 2023 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion. pic.twitter.com/CLJ2hYPbZN

— NASCAR Roots (@NASCARRoots) October 27, 2023

Haydt still finds himself in disbelief over the idea of being a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour owner’s champion. His one year as a driver saw him go up against names like Coby, Ted Christopher, Jerry Marquis and Tony Hirschman, all of whom worked tirelessly to become legends in the discipline.

Being able to reach the top of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour was an emotional moment for Haydt, who said the stellar year is reflective of the hard work he, Yannone, Silk, Moran and everyone else put in each day.

“It’s kind of hard to explain,” Haydt said. “This is something you work toward the whole year, so to see it actually happen is cool. You don’t ever know if the goal is attainable, and when you finally get over that hump, it’s gratifying.”

Even though they are now champions, Yannone said there are still plenty of aspects the organization could improve upon.

Yannone said he and Haydt have no intention of growing complacent over their championship. Once the formal celebrations conclude, they will both turn their attention toward 2024 to try and stay one step ahead of Bonsignore and the rest of their fellow competitors.

“We want to try and do a little bit better at qualifying,” Yannone said. “I’d love to see us get some poles since we didn’t get any this past year. Other than that, we want to keep the momentum going and be consistent, because consistency is always the key.”

With Silk back in the driver’s seat for 2024, expectations are high for Haydt Yannone Racing as they look to defend their titles and cement themselves as one of the best teams currently racing on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

Posted on November 26, 2023November 26, 2023 by Brandon White

LUCAMA, N.C. — The final race in the 2023 Late Model Stock season came down to three of the best drivers currently competing in the discipline.

With 50 laps remaining in the Thanksgiving Classic at North Carolina’s Southern National Motorsports Park, Brenden Queen saw his lead gradually start to evaporate. In his rearview mirror with fresh tires was Late Model Stock legend Josh Berry, who was seeking to add one more victory before embarking on a full-time NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2024.

Queen and Berry proceeded to exchange bumps and lead changes during a thrilling 15-lap stretch that brought versatile prospect Kaden Honeycutt into the mix. The three enthralled the crowd on a cold Sunday afternoon at Southern National as they engaged in an aggressive-but-clean battle for the win in the Thanksgiving Classic.

When the dust settled, Queen was the one who was parked in Victory Lane. He was simultaneously elated at besting two talented competitors and finally earning a Thanksgiving Classic trophy after several runner-up finishes.

“It’s the one that eluded us, and we finally got it,” Queen said. “I wanted this one bad, and we worked hard to get it. When it came down to it, I wasn’t going to roll over and let them take it from me. Lee Pulliam has worked so hard for me to win races this year. It was our night [on Sunday].”

Your 2023 Thanksgiving Classic winner: @03Butterbean!!@SNM_Park pic.twitter.com/rnpGoddvOI

— NASCAR Roots (@NASCARRoots) November 26, 2023

Having experienced plenty of heartbreak in the Thanksgiving Classic before Sunday, Queen knew he and Pulliam needed to be perfect with their strategy to finally check this crown jewel off their list.

With several cautions subsequently creating opportunities to pit, Queen felt fortunes were finally falling his way. He cycled to the front of the pack with 100 laps remaining, earning the benefit of clean air in the process.

The advantage would only last momentarily for Queen. Berry’s fresh rubber meant that Queen would have to go on defense to fend off a driver who had two Thanksgiving Classic victories on his resume.

Even with the odds in Berry’s favor, Queen was determined to match him in every regard until the veteran wore out his tires.

“I was racing my heart out,” Queen said. “These races are chances for me to showcase myself and try to make a name for myself. If I want to make this a career, I’ve got to win races against the best. [Josh] is one of the best I’ve ever raced with.”

Honeycutt capitalized on Queen and Berry oscillating for the top spot to fight his way back into contention for the Thanksgiving Classic. Losing a lap on the previous run meant Honeycutt had to use more tire than desired from the back of the field, yet he still managed to apply plenty of pressure on the frontrunners.

A three-wide maneuver by Honeycutt for the lead in Turn 1 saw him and Queen make contact, creating a buffer between the two after Queen assumed the top spot. Honeycutt tried to chase Queen back down after overtaking Berry but admitted the two cars had equalized during the closing moments.

The aggressive racing from Queen did not earn the praise of Honeycutt, who plans to remember the ending to Sunday’s Thanksgiving Classic the next time he encounters Queen on track.

“[Brenden] ran straight into Josh every opportunity he had,” Honeycutt said. “I like Brenden a lot, but you can only race that type of way for so long, especially against someone like Josh who I have a ton of respect for and has earned his way into the Cup Series. [Brenden] has lost [my respect].”

Conversely, Berry was not as agitated with the assertive driving and believed Queen was better than him during the final run.

Reflecting on the finish, Berry admitted he was too conservative on the final restart trying to navigate through slower traffic, which allowed Queen to build a significant gap. By the time Berry reached Queen, he had lost the advantage the fresher tires would have provided with a smaller deficit.

Berry could not recall participating in a duel like the one with Queen and Honeycutt during his Late Model Stock career. He enjoyed his time at Southern National despite the third-place finish and now plans to shift his focus over toward his Cup Series efforts.

“It was rough, but it’s easy to get frustrated over that stuff,” Berry said. “I got around [Queen], and I can’t really remember everything that happened. I thought I was clean about it the first time but then he [hit] me and it was on from there. If I ran [Late Model Stocks] full time, I might have been a little rougher, but I respect these guys a lot.

“I’ve been really lucky to have a lot of great races, and you can’t win them all.”

Brenden Queen’s victory in the Thanksgiving Classic at Southern National Motorsports Park wrapped up a stellar first season with Lee Pulliam Performance. (Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)

By holding off Berry and Honeycutt, Queen recorded another crown jewel triumph with Lee Pulliam Performance in his first year with the team, having already won the Hampton Heat and the 2022 South Carolina 400 with the organization.

Queen still finds himself in disbelief over how much he has grown as a person and driver since departing the family-owned operation at the end of 2022. The past year has been dominated by one positive after another for Queen, who is eager for the offseason to pass so he can chase more checkered flags with Pulliam.

“I wish the season wasn’t ending,” Queen said. “This shows the bond that we have. This whole team is like family, and we believe in each other no matter what. When you’re like that, you’re almost invincible.”

No matter how many more races he wins, Queen intends to cherish the ending to Sunday’s Thanksgiving Classic and how he defeated one of the best drivers to ever compete in a Late Model Stock.

Queen knows there will be a target on his back next year with how efficient he and Pulliam were together in 2023. For now, Queen is focusing on his season-ending accomplishment and how to use that momentum to be even better moving forward.

“I can end the year as a winner,” Queen said. “They say you’re only as good as your last race and I’ve got a couple of months to enjoy this.”

Earning that elusive Thanksgiving Classic victory was a stressful endeavor for Queen, but it also showed he was not willing to back down even when faced with tremendous adversity from a driver like Berry.

A quality that will one day propel Queen to the same level Berry is moving up to in 2024.

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Staff Report

Joe Gibbs Racing officials announced Wednesday that Denny Hamlin, driver of its No. 11 Toyota, underwent successful shoulder surgery earlier in the day and is expected to fully heal in time for the 2024 season.

JGR indicated that the arthroscopic procedure — performed by Dr. Patrick Connor at Charlotte Surgery Center — was successfully completed on Hamlin’s right shoulder. Team officials also indicated that the 43-year-old driver is expected to recover fully before the NASCAR Cup Series resumes with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum exhibition race on Feb. 4.

RELATED: 2024 Cup Series schedule

The team also confirmed that the operation was for an existing ailment. In the season finale of his “Actions Detrimental” podcast Nov. 7, Hamlin detailed some of his offseason plans, saying, “I’ve got some recovery to do physically. I’ve got to get some stuff fixed. It’s just part of normal maintenance for me on the offseason, like ‘what surgery are we having?’ It’s like pretty on the regular at this point, but once we get that stuff fixed, I think I certainly will be better and ready to get going for 2024.”

Hamlin underwent a similar offseason procedure on his left shoulder on Nov. 21, 2019.

Hamlin finished fifth in the Cup Series standings last year, just missing a Championship 4 appearance. He collected three victories and four pole positions.

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Cara Cooper

For the sixth time in his nearly 30 year career, Toby McIntyre won a championship at Oregon’s Coos Bay Speedway.

But, for the first time, he also won the Oregon State championship.

Toby won his second straight street stock title at Coos Bay, a NASCAR Home Track in Coos Bay, Oregon, after finishing the year with nine wins and 16 top fives in 17 races.

The success of his season helped him win the Coos Bay title by 28 points, and the Oregon State championship by 26 points. He had such a big lead in the track points it didn’t even matter that he had car troubles and didn’t make the main event during the final race of the season. No one could catch him at that point.

Not racing on the final night also gave McIntyre a chance to watch his two sons compete in the street stock race against his brother.

“It was pretty exciting being able to watch them go at it, and my youngest son, who most reminds me of myself and the way I drive, he’s super talented, made a last lap pass on my brother to get first place, so that was pretty fun to watch,” McIntyre said.

Toby is one of five McIntyres in Coos Bay’s street stock division. He is a third generation racer, and his sons, Jesse and Tyler, are fourth generation racers.

Family is a key part of Toby McIntyre’s racing program. He races against his two sons, his brother and father at Coos Bay Speedway. (Photo: Courtesy of Toby McIntyre)

Jesse had five wins this year and led the points for most of the season until Toby passed him late and ran away with the title. He finished third. Tyler finished sixth, Toby’s brother, Loren, finished eighth, and his dad, Kelly, finished 12th.

“We are very competitive,” Toby said of his family. “That’s actually the cool thing about it is we’re very competitive and we want to beat each other more than anything out on the track. It makes for interesting shop time. We always banter back and forth and it’s pretty fun.”

The entire McIntyre family helps in the race shop, learns from each other and helps the other get faster. Even though they’re competitive, the hope is that if one gets better they all get better, which makes for more fun races.

Jesse has even beat his dad three times.

“He doesn’t let me live it down at all,” Toby said with a laugh. “It was definitely a proud dad moment, but also like, dang it, I wasn’t ready for you to beat me yet.”

He credits his family’s success with the work they all put in. Toby’s wife videos almost every race so he can study his driving and the way his competitors drive.

“A lot of times on the track I’ll know what lines they’re (other drivers) going to take or know what they’re going to do before they know because I watch video and watch video and watch video. I study that and study technology for cars, shocks, springs, whatever it takes to get to the top.

“Even if we win the race we don’t just leave the car in the trailer and say its fast, it’s good. We’ll take them out, check them over. We’ll continue to tweak on them to make them faster. We study, we do whatever we can to make sure we’re still on the top.”

Toby’s mom and dad both raced in the 1960s and ‘70s. In 1991, when he was 16, Toby’s dad put him in his car and let the young McIntyre race for the first time.

“I was actually in third most of the race and a lap car screwed me up,” Toby said of his first race. “I finished eighth out of 20.”

It didn’t take him long to realize why his family loved racing so much.

“I’ve always just loved the adrenaline rush,” he said. “It was just natural for me, the competitiveness. Growing up playing baseball and football, after graduation I didn’t go any further than that, I kind of missed that aspect of it and said, I can still race. After my first race I was just hooked. It was all over.”

Toby loves racing and the feeling of being on the track, but what has kept him in the sport is the fans. He’s grown what he calls “a pretty cool fan base,” of people young and old, and he’s started giving his trophies to kids who come down to visit in the pits after races.

When he was first starting out, he competed against drivers he grew up idolizing, “and beating them, which was really cool,” he said. Now, he has his sons, and other drivers treating him with the same respect, while also trying to best him on the track.

“The kids’ faces, the smiles on their faces, it’s hard to explain,” he said. “Seeing them and future racers, I had kids who grew up watching me race and now they’re coming and racing and it’s been pretty cool to see the sport continue on.”