The 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs resume this weekend with the Clean Harbors 175 at the Milwaukee Mile Speedway on Sunday (4 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). This is the second race in the seven-race playoff run to crown the series champion.
Ty Majeski earned his first win of the season in the playoff opener at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park two weeks ago to claim the automatic bid into the second round of postseason action.
This marks the series’ first race at the famed Milwaukee Mile Speedway since 2009 – an event won by NASCAR Hall of Famer and multi-time Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr.
The event included a 16th-place finish by three-time series champion and current playoff contender Matt Crafton – the only current full-time series driver to have competed there previously. Crafton was runner-up to Johnny Benson Jr. in 2008 – one of five top-10 finishes in nine starts. Crafton, who is ranked ninth among the 10 playoff drivers, is two points behind rookie Nick Sanchez in that all-important eighth-place transfer position to the Round of 8.
Regular-Season Champion Corey Heim holds the playoff standings lead just ahead of Majeski (+3 points), followed by Christian Eckes, Carson Hocevar, defending series champion Zane Smith, Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes and Sanchez.
Crafton and first-time series playoff contender Matt DiBenedetto are ranked ninth and 10th – two points and three points, respectively, behind Sanchez in an already-tight playoff run.
“It’s going to be a challenge, for sure,” said Eckes, the two-race winning driver of the No. 19 McAnally Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet.
“Not many people have raced at Milwaukee recently, so there’s not much of a notebook to look at other than some visual similarities to Gateway or Phoenix. We’d love to get another win with our Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet and we’re certainly capable of that.
“Hopefully, we can take another step forward from how we ran at IRP and Gateway earlier this year and be one of the trucks to beat this weekend. Another great points day like we had at IRP would be great to help us get close to advancing, but getting back to Victory Lane is the priority for our team.”
Qualifying for the Clean Harbors 175 takes place at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday (FS2) followed by the race at 4 p.m. ET on FS1.
Five-time Olympic speed skating gold medalist and Wisconsin-native Bonnie Blair will serve as the race Grand Marshal.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 24, 2023) – NASCAR® and nVenue announced today a groundbreaking multi-year partnership to develop in-race micro-betting markets and predictive content for race fans nationwide. As part of the agreement, NASCAR will work with nVenue, an innovative micro-betting technology company, as an official micro-betting data and technology provider.
NASCAR’s active commitment to fostering innovation and enhancing the fan experience, combined with nVenue’s specialized technological expertise, has strategically positioned the collaboration for a resounding success.
“This collaboration epitomizes a shared vision to entertain fans and enhance the race viewing experience,” said Joe Solosky, NASCAR managing director of sports betting. “We are thrilled to pair our racing product with expert technology like nVenue’s to bring micro-betting to NASCAR fans going forward.”
As an official micro-betting partner, nVenue will collaborate directly with the league to design and develop in-race odds for delivery to NASCAR fans via sportsbooks and operators. Unlike traditional betting markets focused on the end-of-race outcome, in-race markets will include unique betting windows such as stage results, qualifying, pit-road betting opportunities and more. nVenue will leverage official live racetrack data along with historical race data points to generate predictions and odds for each race and driver. These newly developed betting opportunities present thousands of additional ways for fans to engage throughout a single race.
“nVenue is thrilled to partner with the NASCAR team to build the future of in-race betting and live engagements to delight fans for years to come,” said Kelly Pracht, CEO and Co-Founder of nVenue. She continued, “It is a terrific match: nVenue brings the real-time predictive sports platform designed for micro-bets and media, and NASCAR brings the mind-share and reach of a league ready to innovate leveled-up fan experiences. We predict this industry-first collaboration will be significantly beneficial not only for sportsbooks and media, but also for NASCAR’s base of knowledgeable, and new fans.”
It’s time to set the field for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series postseason. There’s still a lot to be decided, including the battle for the regular-season championship between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin, playoff position among drivers currently locked in, and half of the field with eyes on the 16th playoff spot.
Before cars hit the track this weekend for Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 (7 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Peacock, NBC Sports App), check out trends to watch, important info on Goodyear tires and interactive ways to follow all the action.
Fifteen drivers have already been locked into the 2023 Cup Series playoffs, leaving just the 16th and final transfer spot to be clinched Saturday night at Daytona. In total, 17 drivers will vie for the spot Bubba Wallace provisionally holds by 32 points over rookie Ty Gibbs.
The rest of the field eligible for the final playoff berth are: Daniel Suárez, AJ Allmendinger, Alex Bowman, 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott, 2022 Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric, Justin Haley, Ryan Preece, Aric Almirola, Todd Gilliland, Corey LaJoie, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Harrison Burton, Chase Briscoe and Ty Dillon.
Ahead of this weekend’s races at Daytona, NASCAR has deployed four permanent sensors around the 2.5-mile facility, with one outside each corner of the speedway. Using learnings from last year’s Cup Series regular-season finale, the sensors should help determine whether a caution flag will be thrown prior to the rain hitting the racing surface. When a rain drop hits the sensor, it will trigger a reading in NASCAR’s internal system, notifying officials of precipitation in the area.
James Gilbert | Getty Images
📉 TRENDS TO WATCH 📈
— Four of the last five winners of the summer Daytona race got their first win of the season.
— Five past Daytona winners are not locked into the playoffs: Austin Dillon, Austin Cindric, Justin Haley, Erik Jones, Aric Almirola.
— Toyota is winless in the last six Daytona races.
— Chevrolet won eight of the last nine drafting track races.
(Via Racing Insights)
DAYTONA SUMMER CLASSICS 🎥
1984: Richard Petty wins 200th Cup race in photo finish | WATCH
2001: Dale Jr. wins in return to Daytona after his father’s death | WATCH
2007: McMurray outduels Kyle Busch in photo finish | WATCH
2020: William Byron scores first Cup Series victory | WATCH
Goodyear will run the same tire setup that has been used at Daytona and Talladega since 2022. Teams will be allotted one set of tires for qualifying and an additional six sets for Saturday night’s race.
Along the right-side door bars and extending toward the rear clip, teams are mandated to run a steel plate in addition to the chassis adjustments made for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The right-side door bar gussets and the removal of the front clip V-brace are changes that remain, in addition to the removal of other front-clip components, to create a softer and larger crush zone for frontal impacts.
Also included in the updates are front bumper strut softening (modifications to existing parts), the requirement of an empty front ballast box and a modified cross brace. NASCAR incurs the cost of all these updates.
In the event of a lost wheel that is contained to pit road, the offending team will be subject to a pass-through penalty under green-flag conditions. If the infraction occurs during a caution period, the offending team will restart at the tail end of the field.
If the wheel breaks free outside of pit road, the new rules guidelines mandate a two-lap penalty plus a two-race suspension for two crew members. Each penalty is series-specific: Violations in one series will not impact those crew members’ eligibility to participate in other series.
Fans can get in on the action all season long with NASCAR Fan Rewards, a free program that rewards fans for participating in the action when they watch races and play NASCAR Fantasy.
There’s no cost to join. Fans must be 18 years or older to participate in the program.
Earn points by checking into a race from home or at the track, setting your Fantasy Live lineup, making purchases on the NASCAR.com shop and more. Points can be redeemed for race tickets, merchandise and VIP experiences at the track, including pace car rides and waving the green flag at qualifying.
NASCAR Mobile has now added support for fans to “Follow the Race” and access live leaderboard and race information from Live Activities in the current app release (v13.2.0), available now. Android users, we didn’t forget you — the same functionality has been custom-built for Android devices, as well.
How to access Live Activities on iPhones:
Make sure your iOS device has been updated to 16.1 or higher.
Available on the leaderboard of all NASCAR Series races.
Click on the three-dot menu near the top right of screen.
Select “Follow the Race.”
Swipe up to access the home screen and you will see the Live Activities at the top.
Lock the device and you will see Live Activities on the Lock Screen.
To turn off, simply visit the leaderboard, click the three-dot menu and “Unfollow the Race.”
FANTASY LIVE 🏆
Want to manage a team and race your way to the top of the leaderboards? Check out NASCAR Fantasy Live, which is open now. The free-to-play game lets you choose your drivers each week and show off your crew-chief instincts by garaging a driver by the end of Stage 2, and there is a $25,000 prize for the winner.
Get additional camera views by logging on to NASCAR Drive, where each week a select number of in-car cameras will be available — as well as a battle cam and an overhead look.
NASCAR has partnered with LiveLike to add fan engagement to the NASCAR Mobile App. Log in to the mobile app during the race for polls, quizzes, the cheer meter and more — and see instant results from NASCAR fans like you.
John-Michael Shenette’s road to Saturday night’s CheckeredFlag.com 150 at Langley Speedway was neither short nor straight. His tale is one of dedication and determination to chase a goal that seemed out of reach.
The 37-year-old from Thompson, Connecticut has dreamed of racing on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour since he was 10. Almost three decades later, he will realize that dream when the green flag flies at the Hampton, Virginia NASCAR Home Track.
The moment will not be lost.
“When I was younger, [the Modified Tour] was the division that was always untouchable,” Shenette said. “It was a goal I never once thought I could obtain and achieve.
“At 37, I kind of looked at the bucket list of things I haven’t checked off in my life, and I thought, ‘That’s the one I need to go do.”
Shenette started racing when he was 7; his parents purchased his first quarter midget car at a Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park swap meet. He said racing “has been a passion on and off” ever since that day, depending on when the family was able to fund his racing efforts.
Shenette raced that quarter midget at Little T Speedway located behind Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. From there, he progressed to racing Super Late Models across the Northeast.
Fast-forward to 2016. At this point married, Shenette was still pursuing his racing dreams. He and his wife Nicole decided to move to North Carolina in search of a better climate, additional racing opportunities and a more fulfilling life.
“When I moved to North Carolina, I quit my job,” Shenette said. “I moved on my 30th birthday. I’d had enough of the corporate world up North, and I said enough is enough.”
The couple packed their bags, loaded Shenette’s race car into an enclosed trailer and made the drive south from Connecticut. Within a few days of arriving in North Carolina, Shenette raced at the now-defunct Concord Speedway.
John-Michael Shenette racing his super late model at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2016. (Photo: Adam Fenwick)
Many things went Shenette’s way over the years that followed, but his racing opportunities became few and far between. He eventually sold his race car back to Dale Shaw, the man who built it, with the agreement that he would lease the car and race it occasionally in the Northeast.
His last race to date came in 2019 at New Hampshire’s Claremont Motorsports Park in that very race car. But the event didn’t go as planned. A violent crash at Claremont left Shenette reassessing his priorities.
“I popped an ear drum; it was a tough race,” Shenette said. “My daughter at the time was 6 months old. My wife watched the wreck on television from home in North Carolina. She kind of freaked out, and I said, ‘I’m not doing this. Not with a 6-month-old child at home.'”
Shenette took a hiatus from racing so he could focus on his family and business. He’s since enjoyed a successful career; he owns a general contracting company that has given him the freedom to enjoy life the way he sees fit.
Yet buried at the back of his mind remained Shenette’s dream of racing on the Modified Tour. That dream returned to the forefront when he took a trip to Bristol Motor Speedway in 2021 to watch the NASCAR Cup Series Food City Dirt Race.
“I went with my dad,” Shenette said. “I walked into Bristol and, no joke, I got butterflies and choked up a little bit.”
That’s when Shenette decided to live his dream, and he was going to do it on his terms. He began the process of acquiring everything he would need, including a new race car from LFR Chassis and an engine from Tony’s Competition Engines in Albemarle, North Carolina.
The process took more than two years, but Shenette is finally ready to race a Modified.
“Ten-year-old me didn’t think I was talented enough to go race the Whelen Modified Tour,” Shenette said. “Thirty-seven-year-old me doesn’t even think about that. My path is very different. I didn’t get discovered at a race track or anything like that. The chances of that actually happening are very slim.
“My path — and I always knew this — was if I went to school and got a degree and worked hard, and I went out there and built a business and all that, then I could do whatever I want. I knew my path to racing was success in the classroom.”
Shenette heads to Langley this weekend as confident as he’s ever been, but he knows he’ll face some growing pains during his first Tour race. He’ll work through those unknowns alongside crew chief Scott Morin, as well as his spotter Angel Jaime, his father John Shenette and fellow crew members Mark Connolly and Stephen Robinson.
“I’ve never raced a Modified,” said Shenette, whose car will carry sponsorship from Heintz Performance and his own business, Eight-Two Services General Contractor. “We’ve practiced it a bunch of times. But I truly do believe with the car and the people we have, we can bring this car to the track on Saturday and compete — and compete really, really well.
“If you want to go race with the best, you go race with the best.”
In addition to racing at Langley Speedway this weekend, John-Michael Shenette also hopes to race with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at North Wilkesboro Speedway and Martinsville Speedway. (Photo: Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)
Beyond Saturday’s race at Langley, Shenette hopes to join the Modified Tour for two more races this year, the Brushy Mountain Powersports 150 at North Wilkesboro Speedway and the season finale at Martinsville Speedway.
Shenette wants his story serves as inspiration for anybody who still yearns to make a career for his or her self in racing. That includes his 5-year-old daughter, who has already informed her parents she has big plans for her future.
“I get to watch my daughter grow up, and she told me the other day — I don’t know whether she’s going to do it or not — she told me she doesn’t want to grow up and go to college,” Shenette said. “She wants to be a professional race-car driver. That’s what she told me and her mother. I was like, ‘Well, if that’s truly what you want to do, then we’re going to try and make something happen.’
“It’s hard work. It’s understanding how cars work, and it’s understanding how to set up a race car and understanding the nuts and bolts and pieces that go into making it so that you can go build a lifestyle that allows you to go racing.
“If it’s truly a passion, find ways to get involved. Become a spotter, become a crew member, jump on a team. Just be around the sport, soak it in, learn as much as you can. Then go bust your ass to go figure out how to make it work for you.”
Once Shenette realizes his dream and races his Modified at Langley, he’ll embody that mindset.
A repeat winner at Watkins Glen last Sunday squared away all but the 16th and final spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
Seventeen drivers will vie for the last transfer spot into the postseason, and all of them will have a fair shot to do so as the regular-season finale takes place from Daytona International Speedway under the lights on Saturday (7 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Peacock, NBC Sports App).
Before the green flag drops from the “World Center of Racing,” see who can clinch the 16th playoff spot as well as how the regular-season championship will be determined between Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin.
NASCAR CUP SERIES
Already Clinched
The following 15 drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Michael McDowell.
Can clinch via points
If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the fourth winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from Brad Keselowski or Kevin Harvick.
— Bubba Wallace: Would clinch with 24 points
— Ty Gibbs: Could only clinch with help
— Daniel Suárez: Could only clinch with help
Can clinch via win
The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:
— Bubba Wallace, Ty Gibbs, Daniel Suárez, AJ Allmendinger, Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, Justin Haley, Ryan Preece, Aric Almirola, Todd Gilliland, Corey LaJoie, Erik Jones, Austin Dillon, Harrison Burton, Chase Briscoe and Ty Dillon.
Can clinch Regular Season Championship
Additionally, the Regular Season Championship could be clinched by the following drivers:
— Martin Truex Jr.: Would clinch with 22 points
— Denny Hamlin: Could only clinch with help
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
Already Clinched
The following eight drivers have clinched a spot in the 12-driver postseason field: Austin Hill, John Hunter Nemechek, Justin Allgaier, Cole Custer, Sam Mayer, Chandler Smith, Sammy Smith and Jeb Burton.
Can clinch via points
If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 111 points above the third winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from Josh Berry or Daniel Hemric.
— Josh Berry: Could only clinch with help
If there is a new winner from Sheldon Creed or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 111 points above the second winless driver in the standings.
— Josh Berry: Could only clinch with help
Can clinch via win
The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:
— Josh Berry, Daniel Hemric, Sheldon Creed, Riley Herbst, Parker Kligerman, Brandon Jones, Brett Moffitt, Kaz Grala, Parker Retzlaff, Ryan Sieg, Jeremy Clements, Anthony Alfredo, Josh Williams, Joe Graf Jr. and Brennan Poole.
With one regular-season race remaining before the NASCAR Cup Series goes postseason dancing, all cards will be on the table for drivers in need of a berth in the 2023 playoffs.
After Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International, two drivers trying to snatch that 16th and final playoff spot — Chase Elliott and Bubba Wallace — will try to lean on electric speed and efficient pit crews to find Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway.
It was a rough showing for Elliott at The Glen as he finished 32nd and a lap down due to a fuel miscalculation that saw the No. 9 come to a halt in the run-off area of the bus-stop chicane. And while Elliott is in a must-win situation at Daytona, his Hendrick Motorsports pit crew is up to the task. Thanks to front-tire changer Nick O’Dell, rear-tire changer Chad Avrit, tire carrier Jared Erspamer, jackman Tyler Semke and fueler John Gianninoto, the No. 9 ranks 10th in best average four-tire pit stop times (11.419 seconds). With the 2020 Cup Series champion in need of a victory, a savvy pit crew could make the difference in the regular-season finale.
The data also shows optimism for the No. 23 of Wallace, who sits 16th in the playoff grid, 32 points clear of Ty Gibbs. Headlined by front-tire changer Austin Dickey, rear-tire changer Adam Hartman, tire carrier Brad Donaghy, jackman Jorden Paige and fueler Joshua Pech, Wallace’s 23XI Racing Toyota clocked the fastest four-tire pit stop at the 2.45-mile road course at 10.942 seconds. It was the second time Wallace’s pit crew held the fastest four-tire stop during a race this season, with the first coming in May at Kansas Speedway (9.509 seconds).
See below to analyze additional pit-road statistics through Watkins Glen and before Saturday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway (7 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Peacock, NBC Sports App).
All signs point to an unpredictable race to wrap up the regular season on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway (7 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Peacock, NBC Sports App). Just look at some of these factoids from Racing Insights for proof:
— The summer Daytona winner got his first win of the season four of the last five years. The names here include Austin Dillon in 2022 and William Byron in 2020, who both needed to win their way into the playoffs and got the job done at Daytona.
— Five of the last 10 Daytona winners got their first Cup Series win. If we go 6-for-11 with first-time Cup winners, it will mean somebody from below the elimination line — such as Corey LaJoie, for example — is winning his way into the playoffs.
— Seventeen drivers are fighting for the final playoff spot at Daytona, seven of which have been winners on drafting tracks before. Those names include Bubba Wallace, Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, Aric Almirola, Justin Haley, Erik Jones and Austin Dillon. Would it be a surprise to see any of these drivers in Victory Lane this week?
With all of that said, we know you come here for the winner prediction and not a bunch of waffling and discussion on possible scenarios. So let’s look at the drivers to watch and then get you that prediction.
DRIVERS TO WATCH
AUSTIN DILLON: The 2018 Daytona 500 champion won this race last year to get into the playoffs. Richard Childress Racing’s success at superspeedway tracks is well-known throughout the land.
BUBBA WALLACE: He’s the lone driver battling for a playoff spot who is sitting on the positive side of the elimination line, 32 points ahead of Ty Gibbs entering Daytona. Wallace won on a superspeedway in 2021 at Talladega, and he is a three-time runner-up finisher at Daytona.
CHASE ELLIOTT: He is a three-time winner on drafting tracks, with those victories coming twice at Talladega and most recently in July of 2022 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Elliott has been a two-time runner-up finisher at Daytona.
DANIEL SUÁREZ: The Trackhouse Racing driver has posted six top-10 finishes in the last nine drafting races, including a runner-up last year at Atlanta. His teammate Ross Chastain won last season at Talladega, so the team in general has shown speed at these track types.
COREY LAJOIE: All six of his career top-10 finishes have come in this style of racing. LaJoie posted top-five finishes in both Atlanta races this year and has a best finish at Daytona of sixth (2019).
Projections as of Wednesday, Aug. 23.
RACING INSIGHTS’ PROJECTIONS FOR THE COKE ZERO SUGAR 400
Racing Insights’ advanced statistical formula includes current track, current track type, recent performance, team data and pit-crew data to arrive at a projected winner and full race results.
STATESVILLE, NC — This morning, GMS Racing officials announced it will cease operations at the conclusion of the 2023 race season. GMS Fabrication, a separate entity that has operated alongside the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race team, will also close its doors following the championship race at Phoenix Raceway.
“During the past nine years, GMS Racing has become one of the top teams in the Truck and ARCA Series garage. The people that made this happen have been the hard-working men and women at GMS Racing and GMS Fabrication. Every employee, new and old at GMS has always strived to be the very best,” Maury Gallagher said. “Without their effort and dedication, we would have never been able to win two Truck championships, three ARCA championships and 68 wins. Leadership is always critical in any success story. Since 2015, Mike Beam has been the catalyst of this race team’s success. Chevrolet and GM has also been critical to our success. With the combination of Chevrolet plus Mike at the helm, we became the team I always dreamed of owning. I can’t thank Mike enough for all his leadership and hard work. We are looking to finish out this year on a high note and close our legacy in this era with another Truck Series championship.”
GMS Racing, or as it was formerly known as Gallagher Motorsports, was founded by entrepreneur and CEO of Allegiant Travel Company, Maury Gallagher, in 2012. Initially competing in the ARCA Menards Series with Gallagher’s son, Spencer Gallagher, as the team’s primary driver, the team fielded the No. 23 as a tribute to Spencer Clark, a young driver from Las Vegas who tragically passed away at the beginning of his career in 2006. In 2013, the team grew to include part-time operations of a NCTS race team, in which Gallagher would compete in three races.
In 2014, the then-renamed GMS Racing began full-time in the Truck Series, partnering with Joey Coulter. The team also expanded its ARCA program, fielding two cars for Spencer and Grant Enfinger. Enfinger won the first race at Berlin Raceway for Gallagher as Team Owner. Spencer finished the year by winning the season finale at Kansas Speedway. Enfinger would finish runner-up in the points in his first full-time season competing in ARCA.
2015 would be a banner year for the race team as Gallagher joined forces with one of the most respected names in motorsports, Mike Beam. Mike joined as Team President, a position he still holds today. He oversaw the race team and GMS Fabrication’s efforts. The year started off with a bang, as Ty Dillon won the team’s first pole award in the Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The team’s first truck win was soon in hand as Austin Dillion won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, solidifying their spot as a race-winning organization on a national level. Enfinger was on a tear in the ARCA Menards Series, winning a total of three poles and a division-high six races en route to winning the series championship, a remarkable feat for Beam and the crew members associated with GMS.
Coming off the ARCA Menards Series championship, GMS Racing wanted more. In addition to the ARCA Series, GMS upped its game in its Truck efforts in 2016, fielding two full-time entries for Gallagher and Johnny Sauter, along with two part-time trucks split between several drivers. Race wins were plentiful that year, as Kyle Larson, Ben Kennedy, and Grant Enfinger would each score Truck Series victories. Sauter won three races of his own and captured the series championship, checking off a monumental accomplishment for the still relatively new race team. This would make it two championship seasons in a row for Beam and Gallagher, further emphasizing that this team was on the pathway to building a legacy.
The 2017 season saw the team go full-time Xfinity Series racing with Spencer, in addition to a part-time second car. The Truck Series operations expanded yet again, this time making it three full-time entries with Sauter, Kaz Grala, and Justin Haley, along with a fourth truck that ran three times. Six wins would be earned by the team; one each by Grala and Chase Elliott and four by Sauter, who fell one spot short of defending his title, finishing second overall.
In 2018, Spencer Gallagher would earn both his and GMS Racing’s first Xfinity Series win at Talladega Superspeedway. Later that year, he announced he was stepping away from driving to take on a managerial role within the team. It would be one of the organization’s most formidable years in the Truck Series, fielding four full-time trucks that combined to win 10 races. Six of those races were won by Sauter, three by Haley and one by Timothy Peters. Sauter advanced to the Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, ultimately finishing fourth in points.
The following season in 2019 saw John Hunter Nemechek take over the reins of the GMS Xfinity Series car, finishing seventh in the points standings. The Truck Series operations would shrink to two full-time trucks driven by Sheldon Creed and Brett Moffitt, who won four races, along with an additional part-time truck. GMS started an ARCA East entry driven by Sam Mayer, who won four races on his way to the series championship in his rookie season. At the conclusion of 2019, the decision was made to exit the Xfinity Series and focus more on driver development in Trucks and ARCA.
Arguably the most successful season throughout the team’s history was 2020. Its drivers combined to win 19 races across three series. The Truck Series fielded five full-time teams, with drivers Creed, Moffitt, Zane Smith, and Tyler Ankrum competing for the championship and a rotation of drivers in the fifth truck. This combination racked up 10 wins, five by Creed, two by Smith, one each by Moffitt, Chase Elliott and Sam Mayer. Heading into the championship race at Phoenix Raceway, GMS qualified for three of the four championship contenders places and finished the year with a remarkable 1-2-3 finish, led by Creed, who won the organization’s second Truck Series championship. Mayer continued to dominate the ARCA Menards Series East, boasting an unheard-of 80% win ratio with five wins in six races, cruising to the championship. He also won one time in ARCA West, driving a special paint scheme that honored the late Spencer Clark in front of Clark’s hometown Las Vegas.
GMS Racing once again fielded five full-time trucks in 2021 for Creed, Smith, Ankrum, and Chase Purdy. The fifth was split by multiple drivers, coupled along with a part-time ARCA entry. The Truck team won a total of four races – Creed won three races while Smith brought home one checkered flag. Smith advanced to the final round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, finishing second in points. Daniel Dye won his first and the team’s final ARCA win at Berlin Raceway, fittingly book-ending the team’s series wins at the same racetrack.
Gallagher announced in late 2021 that he would field a NASCAR Cup Series in 2022, purchasing controlling interest in Richard Petty Motorsports. The new team, Petty GMS, began competing in 2022 in tandem with the Truck Series teams.
Last year saw the team transition to two full-time trucks driven by Grant Enfinger and Jack Wood, along with a full-time ARCA entry for Dye. Enfinger would win once that season, and Dye finished runner-up in the ARCA championship and was named ARCA’s Rookie of the Year. He would later make the jump up to the Truck Series heading this season. 2022 was the finale for GMS Racing’s ARCA team.
This season, GMS welcomed rookie drivers Dye and Rajah Caruth to its Truck Series roster in addition to Enfinger, returning to form and contending for wins throughout the year. Wins at Kansas Speedway and World Wide Technology Raceway solidified Enfinger as one of the threats poised to win the 2023 Truck Series championship. The latest victory, win number 44 in the Truck Series, positioned the team as the overall winningest Chevrolet organization within the series. With six races remaining in the year, all three drivers will look to add fuel to the legacy of one of the most successful organizations in NCTS history.
“I just want to start off by saying how grateful I am for Maury (Gallagher) and these incredible nine years at GMS Racing. A lot of people, including myself, have poured their hearts and souls into this organization to make it where it’s at today. Our success wouldn’t have been possible without the talented drivers, crew members, fabricators and administrators that have walked through our doors over the years,” Mike Beam said. “I also want to thank Chevrolet. Chevrolet has been such a key partner of ours over our entire existence. They have been along for every success GMS has obtained, and we couldn’t have done it without their support. As for the rest of this year, we will continue business as usual and chase after a Championship in our final season.”
While the ending of an era with the closing of the race team is undeniably a difficult circumstance, bright futures lie ahead. Heading into 2024, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ Co-Owners Maury Gallagher and Jimmie Johnson look to strengthen the team on all fronts with their NASCAR Cup Series efforts to become a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
For just the fourth time in the history of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Virginia’s Langley Speedway will welcome the series this Saturday night for the running of the CheckeredFlag.com 150 (8 p.m. ET on FloRacing).
NASCAR’s oldest division visited Langley for the first time in 2017, when Timmy Solomito led the final 13 laps on his way to Victory Lane. The series returned one year later, with current NASCAR Cup Series star Ryan Preece winning after battles with Justin Bonsignore, Matt Hirschman and Chase Dowling.
After a few years off, Langley returned to the series schedule in 2022. Doug Coby, driving for Tommy Baldwin Racing, dominated that event on his way to his third victory of the season for the team.
Tommy Baldwin Jr. will not field a car at Langley this season. The team owner this week announced he’s temporarily stepping away from Tour competition as he battles cancer.
Tickets to Saturday’s CheckeredFlag.com 150 are available here. Below is everything you need to know about the 12th race of the 2023 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season.
CheckeredFlag.com 150 at Langley Speedway
What to watch for:
Two points is all the separates Ron Silk and Justin Bonsignore in the battle for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship as the series returns to Langley Speedway on Saturday night for the 12th race of the 2023 season.
While neither driver has won at Langley, they should both be considered favorites to emerge victorious in the 150-lap affair that is set to headline a busy night of racing that also includes NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series action at the 0.395-mile paved oval.
They’ll be joined by several familiar faces, including Austin Beers, who will be looking to earn his third victory of the season in the No. 64 KLM Motorsports entry.
Max McLaughlin, son of 1988 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Mike McLaughlin, returns for his fourth start of the 2023 campaign aboard the No. 77 entry fielded by Mike Curb and led by Gary Putnam.
Also entered are Whelen Modified Tour winners Anthony Nocella, Craig Lutz, Kyle Bonsignore and Tim Connolly. Kyle Ebersole is back with the series following a 10th-place effort at Lancaster Motorplex, Tyler Rypkema continues his search for his first Tour victory, and John-Michael Shenette fulfills a lifelong dream by making his Whelen Modified Tour debut.
The complete entry list for the CheckeredFlag.com 150 is available here.
Craig Lutz, driver of the No. 82 Horton Avenue Materials Modified, leads a pack of cars during the CheckeredFlag.com 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at Langley Speedway on August 27, 2022 in Hampton, Virginia. (Photo: Ryan M. Kelly/NASCAR)
Schedule: Saturday, Aug. 26 … Final practice from 3:15-4 p.m. ET … Qualifying at 5:30 p.m. ET … CheckeredFlag.com 150 at 8 p.m. ET (FloRacing).
Qualifying: Two consecutive qualifying laps. Faster lap determines qualifying position. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle has taken the green flag at the start/finish line. NASCAR reserves the right to have more than one vehicle engage in qualifying runs at the same time. Starting field for the CheckeredFlag.com 150 is limited to 24 starters including Provisional Positions.
Tire allotment: The maximum tire allotment available for this event is eleven (11) tires per team. All tires used for qualifying and the race must be purchased at the track and scanned by Hoosier, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Series Director. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. All qualifying tires must remain in impound until released by NASCAR Officials. The remaining tire allotment may be used for practice and/or change tires during the event. The tire change rule is three (3) tires, any position.
Two points is all the separates Ron Silk and Justin Bonsignore in the battle for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship as the series returns to Langley Speedway on Saturday night for the 12th race of the 2023 season.
