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EERS I NASCAR COMMU NITY I FO R TH E RECO RD I GROW IN’ U P N GATING I NASCAR CAR IL TA I S T E P ASCA R NAS CAR BUILDS I FAVORIT E FIND S I NA SC AR NE W S I N ASCA R ICA ER AM IN DE A IS T O R Y I M NASCAR H

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Race to Save Lives NASCAR driver and champion for #DonateLife, Joey Gase, is back on the track with the #51 Rick Ware Racing Agri Supply car. Donate Life SC and We are Sharing Hope SC are proud sponsors of Joey Gase in this year’s 2020 NASCAR Cup Series!

A long time advocate of organ donation, NASCAR driver Joey Gase is a passionate spokesperson for saving lives since his mother, Mary, passed away of a sudden brain aneurysm in 2011. Joey's decision to donate her organs, eyes and tissues, ultimately helped save and improve the lives of 66 different individuals in desperate need of a transplant. In 2015, Gase received the NASCAR COMCAST Community Outreach Award for his work with donor families and community support of organ, eye and tissue donation. At this year's sponsored race, Joey Gase and Agri Supply have teamed up to pay tribute to NASCAR Hall of Fame driver, Bobby Allison, in the 71st annual running of the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway Labor Day weekend, September 6, 2020. Joey encourages his fans to learn about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation for transplantation by visiting DonateLifeSC.org and to register today.

Working Together to Save Lives!

Say "YES" to organ,eye and tissue donation!

As proud sponsors of Joey Gase and the “Agri Supply car,” we encourage you to register today as an organ, eye and tissue donor at your local SCDMV office, DonateLifeSC.org, and on your iPhone Medical Health App.

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CONTE NT 2020

Military Salute 32 NASCAR and the Military 34 Veterans in NASCAR 36 Spencer Boyd’s Socks 38 Military Paint Schemes

THE NASCAR COMMUNITY TAKES A STAND P.20

DRIVE 4 DIVERSITY: RAJAH CARUTH P.22

BRANDON THOMPSON: VP OF DIVERSITY P.24

XFINITY DRIVER PROFILES P.46

10 Green Flag

26 Seal the Deal: Jimmie Johnson

62 Crew Members

11 NASCAR Pets

28 Owner Spotlight: Richard Petty

63 Driver Spotlights

12 Spotlight: Advance Auto Parts

42 Bucks for the Brave

64 Favorite Finds

14 Tailgating

44 Harrison Burton

68 NASCAR History

16 For the Record: Waddell Wilson

58 FilterBuy

70 Growin’ Up NASCAR

18 NASCAR Builds

60 NASCAR Careers

72 Speedway Sudoku

NASCAR POLE POSITION AN OFFICIALLY LICENSED PUBLICATION OF NASCAR // ADDRESS: 11880 28TH ST. N, SUITE 101 • ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33716 • PHONE: (727) 209-0792 • FAX: (727) 209-1776 // WEB: POLEPOSITIONMAG.COM, AE-ENGINE.COM // PUBLISHER: CRAIG BARONCELLI // SALES VICE PRESIDENT, SALES: DAVID WATSON • NATIONAL ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: JOHN ENGLE, JUSTIN HAND, MARK MORALES, DENNIS FASONE // PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR: JASON TEDESCHI • GRAPHIC DESIGNER: JOE RABUCK • WEB DEVELOPER: NICOLE COOPER • COPY EDITOR: KEITH WALTZ • EDITOR: DAN GUTTENPLAN • WRITERS: JARED TURNER, KEITH WALTZ, BEN WHITE, JOSEPH WOLKIN, MATTEO MARCHESCHI • OFFICE MANAGER: DENNIS FASONE • SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORS: AIDAN ANDERSEN, ETHAN ANDERSEN • PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES, NASCAR/GETTY IMAGES • SPECIAL THANKS TO: MICHAEL FORDE (NASCAR), GREG CARTY (NASCAR) // A.E. ENGINE SPECIFIES THAT POST-PRESS CHANGES MAY OCCUR TO ANY INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PUBLICATION AND TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOODS OR SERVICES ADVERTISED. NASCAR® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR STOCK CAR AUTO RACING, INC. MAIL ORDER: TO RECEIVE A SUBSCRIPTION TO NASCAR POLE POSITION MAGAZINE, SEND A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $29.95 TO: NASCAR POLE POSITION, C/O A.E. ENGINE, 11880 28TH ST. N, SUITE 101, ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33716. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR RETURN MAILING ADDRESS AND AN EMAIL ADDRESS. ONLINE ORDER: SUBSCRIPTIONS CAN BE ORDERED ONLINE AT POLEPOSITIONMAG.COM/BUY. DISTRIBUTION: IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS OR AN ORGANIZATION INTERESTED IN DISTRIBUTING COPIES OF NASCAR POLE POSITION MAGAZINE, PLEASE CONTACT CRAIG BARONCELLI AT (727) 209-1750 OR CB@AE-ENGINE.COM. SALES INQUIRIES: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING IN NASCAR POLE POSITION MAGAZINE OR WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A FIELD REPRESENTATIVE, PLEASE CONTACT DAVID WATSON AT (727) 209-0789, OR DKW@AE-ENGINE.COM. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

POLE POSITION 2020

PRESENTED BY

GREEN FLAG

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN NASCAR HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BEING one of the first sports to come back after the stay-at-home restrictions were lifted in many states. As one of the lone outlets for live sports in the country, NASCAR has seen its ratings increase in recent months. Here is a look at how ratings increased year-over-year in recent races. 2 02 0 T V R AT I N G S C O M PA R E D T O 2 019

+24% JULY 12 KENTUCKY 2.58M VIEWERS

and one of NASCAR’s perennial Most Popular Drivers, Dale Earnhardt Jr., was named a first ballot NASCAR Hall of Famer. Versatile veteran Red Farmer and one of NASCAR’s most accomplished short track competitors, Mike Stefanik, will join Earnhardt in the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2021. Earnhardt and Stefanik were selected from a group of 10 nominees on the Modern Era Ballot. Farmer from five nominees on the Pioneer Ballot, which featured nominees who established their careers prior to 1961.Ralph Seagraves - a longtime official with the R.J. Reynolds Company and considered a corporate hero to the sport for initiating and securing a 30-plus year sponsorship agreement with his company’s Winston brand – was named as recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

JULY 5

Two-time Daytona 500 winner, two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion

JUNE 28 POCONO

Earnhardt Jr. Leads 2021 Hall of Fame Class

2.57M VIEWERS

+8%

INDIANAPOLIS 4.37M VIEWERS

+46%

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

WHEELING AND DEALING

TEAM SPONSORSHIP NEWS

NASCAR’S GLOVE PARTNER

NEW BACKER FOR BUBBA

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POLE POSITION 2020

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“I’M FIGHTING FOR A JOB RIGHT NOW. DON’T REALLY KNOW WHAT I’M GOING TO DO NEXT YEAR.”

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NASCAR PETS

Meet Ace, Justin Haley’s ‘Shadow’ Justin Haley has been a busy guy the past couple of years, competing in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series (where he races full time) and the NASCAR Cup Series (select starts). Haley, who turned 21 in April, wasn’t too on-the-go to become a pet owner, however. So, in March 2019, he visited a dog breeder in the Greensboro, North Carolina, area to inquire about adopting a canine.

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Haley’s choice was a Mini Goldendoodle named “Ace,” who quickly won his affection. Now about 19 months old and at his maximum weight of roughly 18 pounds, Ace was only about two months old when Haley showed up at the breeding facility to claim him. “He had eight brothers and sisters, and he was the last one,” Haley said. “No one wanted him but me.” And Haley couldn’t be any happier that he did. “He’s a pretty loving dog,” Haley said. “He’s almost like my shadow. He never leaves my side, he’s always right beside me, and it’s kind of cool to have just a little shadow following you around. He sleeps in the bed with me. He’s the least vicious dog you’ve ever seen. I don’t think I’ve heard him bark once or growl. He hardly makes a noise.” As for what convinced Haley to join the growing ranks of NASCAR drivers who are pet owners, it was simply a matter of timing. “I moved out of my parents’ house and was living alone and just thought I wanted a dog,” Haley said. “It’s hard enough for a 20-yearold to take care of himself, let alone a dog, but he’s taught me a lot, which I think is maybe to grow up a little bit more.” Growing up included considering Ace’s interests when it came time to make a home purchase. “He’s got his own little playpen out back – a caged-in yard – which is cool,” Haley said. “I moved into a new house in January, and I wanted him to have a yard that was fenced in. That was top of my priority list, which is a little different.”

BY JARED TURNER

SPOTLIGHT

Advance Auto Parts Steps Up

SPONSORSHIP IMPACTS GRASSROOTS TRACKS AND RACERS

With NASCAR’s weekly series and local short tracks roaring back to life after idling for several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is an important time for those involved in NASCAR’s grassroots efforts. BY JARED TURNER Thankfully, the series has a new title sponsor in Advance Auto Parts to help jumpstart its gradual return to business as usual. A leading automotive aftermarket provider with more than 4,800 stores and 70,000 employees across the country, Advance Auto Parts joined NASCAR on June 10 in announcing the formation of a new multi-year official partnership designating Advance Auto as the weekly series’ title sponsor and the “Official Auto Parts Retailer of NASCAR.” After discussing the terms of this new relationship for months leading up to the official announcement, both NASCAR and Advance Auto Parts believed this was the moment to move forward. “We just feel like it’s time for us to demonstrate that we’re going to support the tracks as they’re trying to come back into the racing scene,” Advance Auto Parts chief marketing officer Jason McDonell said. “And we want to make sure that fans in Canada and across the United States know that we’re there to support them as racing does come back in their local communities.” In agreement is Jeff Wohlschlaeger, NASCAR’s vice president of partnership marketing. “The announcement timing of the partnership as local racing starts up again helped reinforce our collective commitment to the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series,” Wohlschlaeger said. “We know how important grassroots racing is to our sport, and this partnership will help support the series’ return in those communities.”

POLE POSITION 2020

While NASCAR stands to benefit from Advance Auto Parts’ support of the grassroots division, Advance expects to benefit from the additional exposure the partnership will bring to the brand. In addition to engaging with the weekly series’ tracks, teams and fans through on-site activation and hospitality linked to its retail activation, Advance Auto Parts will be on the checkered flag used at the nearly 60 NASCAR-sanctioned Home Tracks throughout the United States and Canada. “Not only is the checkered flag in our logo, but we’re going to have Advance Auto Parts in the center of the checkered flag at each one of these race tracks so we’ll be present with all of these drivers in Victory Lane,” McDonell said. “We have a lot more activation we’re building with NASCAR. This is a partnership that we’re going to continue to try to build. We want to support these local tracks in whatever way we can, and we have a lot of other plans we’re working on for the future. But right now, we’re just getting started.” The goal, though, is to hit the ground running as much as is realistically possible with crowd-capacity restrictions still in place in some parts of the country in an effort to diminish the spread of COVID-19. “We want to bring some focus to grassroots racing,” McDonell said. “Grassroots racing is where the champions that are in the Cup Series start from, and we want to make sure that we’re supporting that. And, we’ll make sure that’s one of the key success factors for us.” NASCAR anticipates similar results from the partnership with Advance Auto. “Together, we’ll grow racing at the local level, encourage more participation and help advance the careers of rising stars,” Wohlschlaeger said. “The next generation of NASCAR champions are getting their start in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series now. We’ll work with Advance Auto Parts to grow their business objectives through racing from the grassroots all the way through our national series as a NASCAR Official Partner.” Bringing Advance Auto Parts on board as the weekly series’ title sponsor felt like the right fit – especially when considering that Advance Auto is no stranger to the sport. “This partnership has been in the works for some time,” Wohlschlaeger said. “Advance has sponsored events at the national series level and has an existing relationship with Ryan Blaney and Team Penske. The brand’s commitment to its customers and communities made this sponsorship a natural next step to explore.” Advance Auto Parts couldn’t be more pleased to have a greater presence at dozens of short tracks throughout North America and in NASCAR’s premier division – the NASCAR Cup Series. “We’re passionate about advancing local communities where we serve and where our stores are across the country,” McDonell said. “We have over 4,800 stores across the country and a lot of independent-owned stores also, and we’re able to connect with those local grassroots tracks and consumers with our staff. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate a passion point that our company has, which is NASCAR and grassroots racing in Canada and the United States. This is an exciting time for Advance Auto Parts and for NASCAR.”

TAILGATING

Tailgating with Kevin Broemmer

tailgater at NASCAR events for more than two decades, Kevin Broemmer knows exactly what he wants in a tailgating experience.

For him, it all starts with optimal weather. “A good tailgate means the weather is sun and no rain,” he said. Of course, weather isn’t all that matters to Broemmer, who recalls tailgating at a total of four NASCAR tracks – the most frequent being Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. In addition to weather, there’s also the food factor. Broemmer’s preferred food choices for tailgating are brats, ribeye steaks, pork chops and burgers. Broemmer then likes to wash it all down with some cold beer or moonshine. As for tailgating essentials that go beyond the culinary realm, Broemmer can’t do without a flagpole, fire pit, golf cart, rope lights and lawn chairs. Not surprisingly, his favorite place to host a tailgate is Talladega, which is known for some of the biggest and most festive tailgating scenes on the NASCAR tour.

“Tailgating in the infield at Talladega is the best,” Broemmer said. “There is nothing like it. Lying in bed when the drivers start practicing, it wakes you up real fast and it is great. Talladega Boulevard is so much fun. You see a lot of crazy sights there, and I think everybody should go there at least one time in their life.” Broemmer does offer a word of caution when it comes to tailgating at Talladega, however. “The fire ants are no fun at all,” he said. “You have to watch for them when you walk through the grass. But it’s always fun to bring someone that hasn’t ever been there. The look on their face is always amazing. “I would like to have a dime for every time I have heard the ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ song in the infield. I would be a rich man.”

BY JARED TURNER

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Q&A with Kevin FAVORITE DRIVER Was Dale Earnhardt Sr. and then Junior, but I root for Kevin Harvick now. AGE AND RESIDENCE 58; St. Louis, Missouri OCCUPATION Business representative for The Machinists Union out of St. Louis

P E T E R D A L E Y ’ S FA V O R I T E R E C I P E “BAD” MEAT: “This is actually a story that has turned into a tradition,”

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A NASCAR FAN?

Daley said. “We wanted to do typical steak tips or kabobs, so we sent my father out to pick up the steak. When he came back, he said, ‘I was not going to

Since the late ’80s WHERE WAS YOUR FIRST TAILGATE?

pay what they were asking for steak tips, so I grabbed something else and

1992, Charlotte Motor Speedway

we will just need to make do.’ When it came time to put the steak on the

WHERE HAVE YOU TAILGATED?

grill, we had our fingers crossed. Let me tell you that after the first bite, we

Talladega Superspeedway (seven times),

were hooked and he now has to make the same ‘mistake’ every race.”

Charlotte Motor Speedway (four), Bristol Motor

DIRECTIONS

Speedway (once) and Kansas Speedway (once).

■■ 10 pounds of filet mignon cut into steak-tip sizes, so they won’t fall

WHO DO YOU TAILGATE WITH? Scott Lawrence, Jerry Totsch, Mark Connor and Phil Gruber – all good friends.

MUST-HAVE GEAR

through the grill. ■■ Place into a jumbo Ziploc bag and season with T-Bone’s dry rub. Marinate for about two days prior to the race and cook until done.

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No one in NASCAR has garnered more attention

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African American driver who competes for Richard

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car at Martinsville Speedway in June. “No one will be able to question where

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FOR THE RECORD 2 02 0 N A S C A R H A L L O F FA M E R

Horsepower Maven Waddell Wilson

etween 1963 and 1995, Waddell Wilson created incredible horsepower for such NASCAR legends as Fireball Roberts, Fred Lorenzen, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Buddy Baker, Benny Parsons, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip. His powerful engines and expertise helped them all find Victory Lane. BY BEN WHITE

Our conversation with the 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee revealed some interesting details about his incredible career as an engine builder and crew chief. How were you first introduced to NASCAR? Early on, back in the 1950s, I would listen to races on the radio. The first race I attended was when I was a teenager at Asheville-Weaverville (N.C.) Speedway. It seems like Rex White won that race. I was there with my girlfriend, Barbara, who eventually became my wife. What was your path into the NASCAR world? After I graduated from Nashville Diesel College in the early 1960s, I ended up in Miami working for Cummins Diesel. I was laid off so I came to Spruce Pine, North Carolina, close to where I was raised in Bakersville. I worked at the Ford dealership in Spruce Pine but I left. I came to Charlotte looking to get back into building diesel engines. I went to Holman Moody (Ford’s race car factory) and met Howard DeHart, the general manager. He said there was no work. I walked out and ran into John Holman. I told him my background and he finally said, “Where’s your toolbox?” He told me to be there at 8 a.m. the next morning. I ran into Dehart again and he put me in the engine room. I found out decades later that

POLE POSITION 2020

they gave me the hardest things to do to see if I would work out. How did you end up on the pit crew? I had played sports in high school. Holman Moody put me on Fireball Roberts’ pit crew and that was in 1963. At the end of ’63, Fred Lorenzen asked me to be the jack man on his car. I was on Fireball’s crew but I pulled for Fred as a teenager. Fireball was a great guy and I loved working with him. Everyone knew how picky I was about getting everything perfect so they really wanted to get my engines. I hadn’t ever jacked a car but I ended up jacking the car and building engines. How was it working with Lorenzen? All he talked about was that race car. He didn’t party. He wasn’t ever out late. He was an amazing guy to work with. He was the first person I had ever seen to measure tires. He was really his own crew chief in a lot of ways. Whenever we got through testing at Atlanta, Bristol or wherever, Fred would measure the jack-screw heights on the chassis himself. He kept his own notebook. He knew where everything was supposed to be. He was a perfectionist but I was too. That’s the reason we got along. How did your crew chief role come about? I was never interested in being a crew

chief. When I went to work for Harry Ranier, Herb Nab was the crew chief but a change was in the works. Harry came to me and told me I was going to be the engine man, crew chief and general manager and I would wear all the hats. I wanted to say no but then realized if I was everything I had no one to argue with over anything. I’d just have to argue with myself. Which of your wins was most significant? The 1980 Daytona 500 was very special. We had Buddy Baker in the car. We had an Oldsmobile and it was completed and ready to race. I had someone outside our shop cut the body completely off even though it was ready to go. NASCAR had a long template they used then and I wanted it to fit like a glove, but I had my reasons for that. I made sure the car wasn’t illegal because for the 10 years I worked for John Holman, he made absolute sure everything on his cars was legal. He taught me if you worked hard enough and smart enough, you could win races. Everything I had learned in my career went into that race car. Well, I got the bill and you could have fabricated four cars then for what that bill was for body work. It was $10,000. I worried about that bill all week. We went to Daytona but Harry knew nothing about it. We sat on the pole and the car was extremely dominant in the race. NASCAR’s template fit perfectly and that’s what helped my horsepower. It was the fastest 500 ever and we won the race and $103,000. I told Harry in Victory Lane that it was really $93,000 because $10,000 had to be paid on the car. He said, “Well, OK.” That was a big relief. Having worked with so many great drivers, can you put into words what the success you’ve achieved means to you? My biggest thrill, and burning desire, was always to make race cars go fast. Being able to set records and win races at Daytona and Talladega was quite a feat. I guess the biggest thing is that fans could enjoy what we were creating. At times, I’ve looked back and thought, “How did I do things better than some of the other people I raced against, such as Junior Johnson, the Pettys or the Wood Brothers? How could I have more horsepower than anyone else?” I’ve even asked the good Lord how I did what I did and come out on top. I can’t answer my own question. It’s hard to believe I was able to accomplish what I did. PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

NASCAR BUILDS

Jordan Anderson Racing Puts Forney Welder to Use One of NASCAR’s most engaging up-and-comers has formed a partnership with America’s longest operating family owned tool, welding equipment and accessory product company.

NEW DECADE, NEW GENeration of Forney machines! Each machine possesses impressive and advanced features—but when it comes to the right machine for automotive fabricators,

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN Jordan Anderson, driver of the No. 3 in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, partnered earlier this year with Forney Industries, one of America’s longest operating family owned tool, welding equipment and accessory product companies, for the 2020 season. The partnership continues a trend in which Anderson serves as an authentic representative for his sponsors. His crew chief and truck chief started using Forney welding products in his North Carolina race shop in May just before the sport’s return to racing. 2 02 0 R A C I N G B U I L D P R O J E C T

the obvious choice is Forney. Consider the Forney 220 AC/DC TIG welder. This machine allows you to adjust the AC balance and frequency, use pulse for greater control of the weld puddle, and TIG weld as low as 10 amps on thin sheet metal such as body panels. High frequency start gives

WELDING AND METALWORKING

welders easy arc starts without contaminating their tungsten, but can also be turned off so this machine can be safely used in automotive, or other applications with sensitive electronics. Josh Legoza, Senior 1

Engineer at Forney, believes

the intentionality behind the features makes this

[1] “The biggest thing we’ve been able to use the welder for is building parts in-house,” Anderson said. “It gives us the ability to try new things and have more adjustability to what we’re running. Being able to be creative is huge for us.” [2] “I share a shop with Austin Wayne Self, and the fact that both teams are family-owned makes us a perfect fit for Forney, a family-owned company,” Anderson said. “They’re hard-working, salt-of-the-earth people. Not only do they make great products, but they have great people associated with it.”

3 4

[3] “To have a reliable Forney welder is huge for us,” Anderson said. “I’m excited about it. I’m learning more and more about welding through Forney. We like to make a lot of our parts in-house so we don’t have to rely on other companies to get them to us in time for races.”

[4] “Along with Austin Wayne Self, we have two teams in our shop that are able to share resources,” Anderson said. “With the Forney welder, we’re able to make lower control arms, sway bar arms and pit tail springs. We try to be on the same page rather than having each team on an island.”

machine stand apart from

[5] “My crew chief Wally Rogers does a lot for us, but this is ‘Cuz’, who also works for us. It’s funny in NASCAR because everybody has a nickname. ‘Cuz’ used to be with Team Penske, and now he splits time between me and Austin Wayne Self. It’s nice to have a precise welder.”

the most popular high-end

others in the industry. Legoza explains, “When we designed the 220 AC/DC TIG, our main goals were to create a machine that made features of expensive TIG machines accessible at a lower price point and simultaneously keep the user interface simple. We also wanted to break the mold

and show that low cost does not equal low quality. Every single 220 AC/DC TIG goes through rigorous quality assurance to prove its functionality and safety. And if there’s ever a problem with your Forney welder, our Technical and Warranty support will get you back to work quickly.” Discover more about the Forney 220 AC/DC TIG at forneyind.com. – RACHEL BIGUM

POLE POSITION 2020

NASCAR COMMUNITY

The NASCAR Community Takes a Stand

Since the tragic death of George Floyd in late May, people throughout the United States and the world have rallied together to shine a light on issues of racial injustice and inequality that have long been a part of American life.

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BY JARED TURNER NASCAR has been no exception to this movement. In fact, one could say NASCAR has been among those groups and organizations that have led the charge. In an effort to become even more inclusive and welcoming to people of all colors, nationalities and backgrounds, the sport’s leadership took the bold step in June of abolishing the Confederate flag from all NASCAR tracks. The death of Floyd – an African American man who died a senseless, horrific death while in Minneapolis police custody – also led NASCAR’s top drivers to share a message of unity in a video where they came together to raise their voices for justice and change in America while condemning racial inequality. The video, entitled “Listen and Learn: NASCAR drivers stand up for equality,” aired numerous times during FOX Sports’ race broadcasts and was widely disseminated on social media in the days and weeks after Floyd’s death.

POLE POSITION 2020

In addition to all of this, the commonly held belief among drivers that change is necessary in American society has made drivers extremely unified – perhaps like at no other time in the sport’s history – and this has been evident in their social media posts, interviews and overall attitude toward racial injustice and inequality. Among those applauding NASCAR’s diversity and inclusion efforts is Dr. Jason Cormier, a prominent and highly influential African American neurosurgeon who is the founder and CEO of Motorsports Safety Group, which serves to provide a comprehensive, grassroots marketing campaign focused on preventative health care education and wellness training among NASCAR’s constituents. Cormier was especially pleased to see the support that NASCAR as a sanctioning body and its drivers have given in recent weeks to Bubba Wallace, the NASCAR Cup

Series’ only African American driver. In addition to being the face of NASCAR’s push for greater inclusion, Wallace was the focus of one of the truly great moments in NASCAR history when all of his fellow drivers joined together to push his car to the front of the starting grid in June at Talladega Superspeedway a day after it was believed that Wallace had been the target of a hate crime in the Talladega garage. Thankfully, evidence later proved that no hate crime had been committed, but the show of solidarity and love for Wallace among competitors and many fans in attendance spoke volumes of the unified mission in NASCAR to heighten public attention to issues of racial inequality and make the sport an even more welcoming environment for all. “I think that NASCAR is certainly making some huge adjustments just in terms of trying to diversify the field, but not

NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series driver Josh Reaume

Team sponsor and motorsports enthusiast Dr. Jason Cormier

only that; you really saw the true nature and heart of the sport with the support surrounding Bubba,” Cormier said. “You have some really good people in racing, so what that means is that they also have a platform, they have a voice that they can speak out. And people who follow them on social media are going to do what they do because they want to be like them.” Josh Reaume, a NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series driver whose team is sponsored by MSG, is likewise pleased with NASCAR’s efforts to combat racial inequality and social injustice. “There’s definitely a problem, and NASCAR, I think, is very committed to solving that problem and doing what it takes, and it was extremely encouraging to see everybody come behind Bubba there at Talladega,” said Reaume, who brings unique insight into issues of race, having spent 13 years in Nigeria during his childhood. “That was pretty cool. If you were watching that race, it was hard not to get teary-eyed.” NASCAR has made tremendous strides, not just since the death of Floyd, but for well over a decade to create a more diverse and inclusive field of competitors and fan base. One of the biggest areas of growth has been the NASCAR Drive for Diversity, which has served as a platform for drivers such Wallace, Daniel Suarez and Jessica Iwuji – among many others – to showcase their talents and have better opportunities to compete at the sport’s national levels. As these drivers and other minority drivers have gained notoriety, NASCAR’s fan base has expanded to include a higher population of minorities. PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

Cormier now has an idea for how NASCAR can continue to make inroads among the African American community, in particular. “I would go into some of the black neighborhoods and schools and hand out tickets and say, ‘Hey, I want you to come see what racing’s all about,’” Cormier said. “You’ll be surprised how many people in general are going to be like, ‘Oh my gosh, yeah.’ Now you are diversifying neighborhoods because now you can have chatter about racing across different races, across different demographics. Whether you live on the southside or northside or whatever, everybody’s talking about NASCAR – not just people that have been exposed to it all these many years. “People have no idea about bump-drafting and side-drafting and tire and shock ratios or any of that stuff. So how about you go to these schools and you educate them? You

might bring about some more diversity in not only the mechanics but also the drivers themselves and also the commentators.” With all the attention NASCAR is giving to the fight against racism and racial inequality, which includes the recently created position of NASCAR Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion, Cormier envisions a day in the not-too-distant future when the unity felt so strongly right now among drivers and team members will spill over to virtually everyone connected with the sport, including most all fans. At the end of the day, it’s about being colorblind. “When I meet a patient and there’s something I need to treat them for, I don’t look at them as, ‘You’re this person of this race or nationality.’ I look at them like, ‘You’re a human being in pain, or you’re a human being with a real problem so I can’t wait to get inside so I can fix it,” Cormier said. “That’s the way it is, and it’s the same way in racing. It doesn’t matter the color of the car, the engines are in a sense built all the same, so if something’s wrong, you’re not thinking about the color of the car, you’re thinking about whether it’s the alternator or whatever. You’ve got to fix what’s inside the car. If you focus on the external characteristics or you focus on all the background noise or what other people think, or the person’s race, if you start allowing that to guide your treatment because this person’s one color versus the other, socializing isn’t for you. Not just in medicine, not just in racing, but socializing in general isn’t for you. You should just live in the house and never come out.”

Bubba Wallace’s No. 43 #BlackLivesMatter car, featuring a unifying handshake design on the hood

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DRIVE 4 DIVERSITY

Caruth Races to Realize His NASCAR Dream

CABRE CHASES SERIES TITLE

Rajah Caruth, one of the up-and-coming racers in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Class of 2020, is focused on becoming a NASCAR Cup Series champion.

racing’s rising, young

BY ROB TIONGSON

Tampa, Florida, driver

As a young race fan with an unwavering passion for

Toyota Camry.

NASCAR since childhood, Caruth is realizing his racing dreams as part of the Drive for Diversity program. “It has truly been surreal to see the progress we’ve made and the entire journey we’ve been on for the past six years,” Caruth said. “From being just an avid fan doing stop motions and NASCAR ’15 leagues throughout middle school, to now racing a Late Model with Rev Racing, it is absolutely insane.” Although it may seem like a blur, the 18-year-old racer from Washington, D.C., has showcased his prowess quite impressively. From the virtual racing world to the hotly contested Legend Cars and Late Models, Caruth thrives on the unique challenges presented in NASCAR’s ladder system. “It is a big difference, jumping from car to car, especially considering how each car handles and what you have to do to make each car work with you,” he said. “Going from the Summer Shootout with Legend Cars to Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series races in a Late Model is somewhat difficult because you have to approach each car with a different driving style. “A Legend Car has skinny tires and is very light,

ONE OF STOCK CAR talents is 23-yearold Chase Cabre of of the No. 4 Rev Racing Cabre, who competes in the ARCA Menards Series East, relishes his opportunity with Rev Racing. “It’s awesome,” Cabre said. “To be involved

so the power-to-weight ratio and feeling is very different from a full-body stock car, which is heavier with more power and much wider tires. It really just requires a lot of concentration, but it’s a blast having to train yourself to be able to adapt.” While Caruth has showed his talent in the various series, NASCAR continues to make strides toward inclusion and racial equality. The School Without Halls High School graduate reflects on the sport’s next steps in embracing minorities when considering his personal journey. “It is extremely meaningful to see the sport have these necessary talks,” Caruth observed. “The issues that are gaining publicity nowadays have been prevalent for years and years before even my grandparents were born. So to have my sport take a stand and do what’s right, it means the world not only to me, but everyone in and around this sport.” With the sanctioning body heading into the future, one goal that Caruth has his eyes on is the trophy every aspiring NASCAR Cup Series racer pursues. In this case, he dreams of that ultimate prize with genuine confidence. “It would mean the absolute world to me to win a Cup Series championship,” Caruth said. “And every day, I’m doing whatever I can to get there. I guarantee you that one day, I’ll be holding a Bill France Cup above my head.”

with such a great organization and have an opportunity to race for such a prestigious team is a huge confidence booster. It can only help you going forward.” Certainly, Cabre looks forward to building off his second-place points finish in last season’s ARCA Menards Series East championship. “Ultimately, COVID-19 put us back behind the eight ball,” Cabre observed. “But I’m excited to get back going. We’ve had one race back and ran fourth. We’ve got a lot of good tracks coming up that I feel confident going into.” Cabre points to an important partnership that’s made it possible for him to chase his racing dreams. “Honda Generators has been a huge part-

MAKING VALUABLE CONNECTIONS

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PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

NASCAR DIVERSITY

Q&A with Brandon Thompson

NASCAR’S VICE PRESIDENT OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

On June 16, NASCAR appointed industry veteran Brandon Thompson as the sanctioning body’s vice president of diversity and inclusion. Soon after accepting his new position, Thompson sat down for an interview with NASCAR Pole Position. BY ROB TIONGSON When you consider your journey in this sport, starting as an intern for Nashville Superspeedway in 2003, how excited are you for this new opportunity with NASCAR and what do you most look forward to? I am very excited! I am looking forward to fostering a culture in which people from all races, backgrounds and sexual orientations know that they can feel welcomed in our offices and at the race tracks. All of us have that first, exciting moment in which racing left an incredible impression on us. In most cases, it could be someone attending their first NASCAR race, meeting a fellow driver at the track or having family members who share their love of the sport from generation to generation. What spurred your interest in NASCAR and what are some of your earliest memories of stock car racing? My initial interest in NASCAR was the fact that there was an internship being offered in my hometown. One of my fondest memories came not too long after I started

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that internship, when I heard the cars fire up on pit road for the first time. That was the moment I fell in love with the sport. You worked with Rev Racing, a team that competes in the ARCA Menards Series and the regional levels of NASCAR such as the ARCA Menards Series East and NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series. What was it like to work with this team and see it launch the careers of drivers like 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Daniel Suarez and NASCAR Cup Series racer Bubba Wallace? Being there to witness Bubba get his and Rev Racing’s first (ARCA Menards Series East) win is still something that feels like a dream. I remember texting my friends and family in utter shock. What are the chances you win the first time out? One thing that stands out about this year is the tremendous interest we’ve seen with NASCAR, be it through social media, word of mouth or those who’ve attended races. Specifically, we have seen NASCAR welcome new race fans, especially starting

around the Atlanta Cup Series race weekend in early June. How incredible is it to see the sport garner the attention of those just learning about the series for the first time? It is indicative of exactly how intriguing NASCAR racing is. The exciting thing for me is the tremendous opportunity that we have with creating new, life-long fans. In recent times, you led NASCAR’s efforts in growing the sport’s international presence, including the NASCAR Pinty’s Series in Canada. With NASCAR expanding its audiences outside of the United States, whether it’s in Canada, Mexico or Europe, how challenging and rewarding was it to lead those efforts? As is the case any time that you are dealing with competitors, certainly, there are challenges. But you’ll have that as long as there is a trophy given to the winner, and that is a great thing. Outside of that fact, it was not difficult at all, honestly. Passionate racers put on exciting racing, which creates and retains passionate fans. That model is tried and true and it travels well – even outside U.S. borders. During the past 10 years, we have seen the sport grow and embrace inclusivity with more women and minorities. More specifically, with the Drive for Diversity program and Rev Racing, both have been instrumental in bringing in new drivers, pit crew members and personnel who are now a part of the NASCAR industry. As someone who was part of the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program in 2003, what does it mean to see more minorities earning opportunities in the sport? Simply put, it means a lot. It is a proven fact that consumers are drawn to places where they feel they’re represented. So, on or off the track, it is important that people from all backgrounds see themselves as having a place in NASCAR. PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

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SEAL THE DEAL

Jimmie Johnson’s Legendary Victories

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson has 83 career race wins to his credit. Here are four instances when he sealed the deal in pressure situations. BY JARED TURNER THREE-FOR-FOUR AT RICHMOND It’s been almost a dozen years since Jimmie Johnson won at Richmond Raceway, but there was a time prior to his current drought that the Hendrick Motorsports driver was virtually unstoppable at the Virginia short track. That time was from the spring of 2007 to the fall of 2008, when Johnson and his No. 48 team, led by crew chief Chad Knaus, went to Victory Lane three times during a four-race stretch at the threequarter-mile D-shaped oval. After going winless in his first 10 Richmond starts, Johnson found the magic he had been missing when NASCAR competed here in both May and September 2007. In addition to recording the season sweep at Richmond, Johnson started from the pole in September and managed to lead just over 100 laps in each Richmond race. The result was two wins at a track where prior to that season he had finished in the top 10 just one time. Johnson couldn’t have been any happier to get his first Richmond win and then make it 2-for-2 later in the year. The real icing on the cake came in the fall of 2008, however, when Johnson pulled into Victory Lane at Richmond for the third time in four starts. After years of struggling to get a handle on the facility, Johnson made it clear with this triumph that he and his team had found something. “Very, very happy with the performance today,” Johnson said after leading 32 of 400 laps and winning for the fourth time in 2008. “Great, great fight throughout the entire day. Momentum is certainly something we are looking at and trying to carry, but more than anything, I think we are just confident in our stops and what I’m doing on the track and the way we can adjust on the car. “We even showed up here a bit off in practice on Friday and worked throughout the practice and got it right. So very, very proud of the effort.”

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EN ROUTE TO TITLE NO. 7 Johnson has won a lot of races – nine to be exact – at Martinsville Speedway, but it was his most recent victory at the fabled Virginia short track that carried the most weight in terms of championship implications. When Johnson arrived at Martinsville in the fall of 2016, the event marked the opening race in the Round of 8 and the Hendrick Motorsports driver was seeking to punch a ticket to NASCAR’s Championship 4 for the first time in three tries (prior to 2014, there was no Championship 4). Given their history at the .526-mile paperclip-shaped oval, Johnson and his No. 48 team knew Martinsville was probably their best chance in the Round of 8 to get a win and thereby assure themselves a berth at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the championship round. So, Johnson pretty much went for broke. The strategy ultimately paid off as Johnson overcame various setbacks in the middle portion of the race to lead the final 92 laps and score a victory that assured him the opportunity three weeks later to compete for a record-tying seventh championship in NASCAR’s top division. It’s fair to say that Johnson has never been so happy – or relieved – to win at Martinsville. “Obviously, the bright spot and the shiny spot in all this is we’ve got a shot at a championship,” Johnson said. “So, we’re fired up and ready to go. I’m very, very excited for the next couple of weeks. We’re certainly ready to go to Homestead and race, race for this thing.” Johnson, of course, went on to claim the title at Homestead, joining NASCAR legends Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt as the sport’s only seven-time champions. PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

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OWNER SPOTLIGHT

THE KING Richard Petty: Still Going Strong at 83

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Richard Petty is one of the most successful drivers in the history of American auto racing. The winner of 200 Cup Series races between 1958 and 1992 has been a cornerstone of the sport for more than seven decades. BY BEN WHITE

native of Level Cross, North Carolina, Petty attended NASCAR’s inaugural NASCAR Cup Series race in Charlotte in 1949 as a 13-year-old. He watched his father, eventual three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Lee Petty, compete in the dirt-track race. Petty Enterprises earned 268 NASCAR Series victories before closing in 2008. The organization’s victories include an amazing nine Daytona 500 triumphs – seven by Richard Petty and one each by Lee Petty and Pete Hamilton. The team now known Richard Petty Motorsports can be traced back to 2000 when former crew chief Ray Evernham organized Evernham Motorsports. The operation ran three races in 2000 before officially debuting as a two-car team at the start of the 2001 season.

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The Richard Petty Motorsports moniker emerged several years later following a series of ownership changes. In November 2010, an investment group comprised of Andrew Murstein and his Medallion Financial Corp., Douglas Bergeron and Petty bought George Gillett’s racing assets to officially form RPM. Bergeron sold his interest in the team in 2014, leaving Petty, Murstein and Medallion Financial as the team owners with Petty’s name at the forefront. RPM currently fields the No. 43 Chevrolet driven by Bubba Wallace in the NASCAR Cup Series as part of an alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Dating back to 2000, the team has earned 20 victories with drivers Bill Elliott, Kasey Kahne, Marcos Ambrose, Jeremy Mayfield, Elliott Sadler, A.J. Allmendinger and Aric Almirola. Petty, considered NASCAR’s greatest ambassador, has been inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame, International Motorsports Hall of Fame, North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. He also serves as chairman of the North Carolina Motorsports Association and was an inaugural inductee in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. At age 83, Petty still oversees the business of RRM as well as Petty’s Garage, a high-performance speed shop located on the grounds of the former Petty Enterprises operation. When asked in recent years about the possibility of retiring, Petty replied, “What in the world would I do if I retired? This is all I’ve ever known and all I’ve ever done; you know what I mean? It all goes back to when daddy raced with me and (cousin and eight-time Cup Series champion crew chief) Dale Inman helping to get his race cars ready to race as teenagers. That had to be done before we could do anything else. Then I started driving race cars for a lot of years with help from a lot of people. I can’t imagine not being at the race track. I’m so thankful that I can still do it.” PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

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“It’s our responsibility as business owners and citizens to do what we can to help our country recover.” By opening new facilities, developing new and innovative products, and creating jobs for Americans from every walk of life, WeatherTech and Founder David MacNeil are dedicated to investing in American manufacturing and the American economy.

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acNeil started WeatherTech out of his home in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, in 1989. Dissatisfied with the quality of existing automotive floor mats, MacNeil initially imported the mats directly from England. However, MacNeil was convinced that he could create a better product right here in America, using American workers. So, in 2007 he made the decision to move production of his entire line of automotive accessories to America, opening facilities within the suburbs of Chicago.

Why was it so important to create products right here in America? “I’ve always been passionate about supporting the American economy and preserving our industrial infrastructure. My philosophy is that if my neighbor doesn’t have a job, sooner or later I probably won’t have a job either. Additionally, by creating our products here in the U.S., I have better line of sight to other initiatives that are just as important to me as job creation — human and animal rights, safe workplace practices, environmental responsibility and more. When we rely on products from abroad, there’s often a loss of visibility to and influence over such critical issues and standards.” Leaders of companies often say it’s less expensive to produce their products in other countries. What are some of the benefits of creating products in America? “It is time for buyers at major retail chains to focus on more than just price, price, price. What about quality, customer service and speed to market? One of the many advantages of having our manufacturing facilities in Bolingbrook,

Ill., is that we can meet customer orders quickly. Need thousands of FloorLiners in 48 hours? No problem. WeatherTech can respond with agility unlike those based overseas. You cannot get that kind of service from a manufacturer that’s located 7,000 miles away.” What does it mean to you when you hear “American Made”? “Consumers have become increasingly conditioned to interrogate the ingredients in their foods or question the sustainability practices of the companies from which they buy, yet too few pause to look at where products are made. At WeatherTech, we design, engineer and manufacture right here in America. When you buy something that’s ‘Made in America,’ it’s an indicator of quality — from using the best materials, to leveraging leading edge technologies and innovations, to hiring skilled and educated workers. Furthermore, American Made goods and services directly support the U.S. economy and, in turn, our broader family of 330 million Americans.” Once we start to come out of the pandemic, how important will it be for companies to

hire American workers and create products in the United States? “Now more than ever, we need to support each other in getting our economy up and running again. Leadership out of this unprecedented crisis extends beyond the political system alone. It’s our responsibility as business owners and citizens to do what we can to help our country recover. Importing products from overseas is counter-productive to that effort and directly impacts employment at home. When you buy from WeatherTech, you’re buying into an entire system that supports not just us but other partners in our network — local businesses from which we source U.S.-made materials or to whom we supply products for resale. Like us, these businesses are responsible for significant job creation and help fuel the American economy. As unemployment figures rise at a rapid pace, the unfortunate and unnecessary exportation of American jobs is a trend that needs to come to an end. That’s even more true now than it was 30 years ago when WeatherTech was founded.”

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MILITARY SALUTE

NASCAR and the Military A RED, WHITE AND BLUE COMBINATION

In a variety of ways over multiple decades, the NASCAR industry has made a habit of bestowing honor and appreciation on veterans and activeduty military members. BY JARED TURNER This practice went to a whole new level about eight years ago, however, with the formation of what today is known as NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by CocaCola — the industry’s collective and purposeful expression of reverence, respect and gratitude for those who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. The impetus for starting NASCAR Salutes was rather straightforward: Not only does NASCAR’s fan base tend to air on the side of patriotic, but such an initiative aligned perfectly with the NASCAR way. “Honestly, I think it goes to the soul, roots and purpose of the brand of our sport,” said NASCAR Senior Vice President of Marketing Peter Jung. “We have some pillars of what our brand character stands for, and it’s authentic, and it’s American and it’s real. I think that it’s just always been kind of the fabric of racing and family and America, and that’s just really been kind of rooted. “In these recent years, we’ve put a little more definition and rigor around how we sort of activate that, celebrate that and bring that to the forefront of what is NASCAR.” From pre-race ceremonies cloaked in displays of red, white and blue to longtime initiatives such as “Troops to the Track” and “Gold Star Families,” NASCAR as a sport has long appealed to the military in meaningful ways. NASCAR Salutes traditionally designates the time between Memorial Day weekend and the July Fourth weekend each year to make military appreciation and awareness a major focal point for the entire industry. “We keep it relevant and extend the program as much as possible at that point in the season to make sure it really kind of fulfills that level of patriotism and pride that our fans have,” Jung said. “It’s fairly unique and elevated versus, I would say, other professional sports properties in the United States.”

J.J. Yeley

POLE POSITION 2020

Veterans who’ve gone on to work in NASCAR after serving their country are among those most cognitive of the sport’s tremendous efforts to prioritize its military population. “In my opinion, NASCAR is the best out of all top-tier sports at honoring, caring for and holding up our nation’s heroes whether it is a pre-race ceremony, displaying veteran names on cars or so many other open displays of support,” said Amy Taylor, a seven-year U.S. Air Force veteran who now works as the aviation coordinator at Joe Gibbs Racing. “It is truly an honor to know that NASCAR, teams, fans and sponsors will stand behind those who stood in defense of them and their country.” Leavine Family Racing hauler driver Damon Lopez – a five-year Marine veteran – couldn’t agree more. “What NASCAR does for veterans is amazing,” Lopez said. So concurs Randy Fuller, a Joe Gibbs Racing PR professional who spent 26 years in the Air Force. “I have always believed that NASCAR and its fans were a very patriotic segment of our population, and it makes me proud to be associated with both,” Fuller said. “NASCAR places value on veterans and

Brad Keselowski

has been consistent throughout the years.” Here’s a closer look at six ways NASCAR connects with the military: 600 Miles of Remembrance: Held annually during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Memorial Day weekend, all 40 drivers replace their own name with the name of a different fallen soldier on their car’s windshield. “It’s very special,” Austin Dillon said. “I feel like our fallen soldiers ride along with us. Their families become a part of our racing family. The Coca-Cola 600 and Memorial Day weekend is probably my favorite weekend of the year.” Troops to the Track: Around since even before the days of NASCAR Salutes, this season-long initiative welcomes soldiers stationed at military bases located within a reasonably close proximity to the track. While at the track for the race weekend, active-duty soldiers have the opportunity to meet and mingle with newsmakers in the sport and are treated to an overall VIP kind of experience as a show of gratitude for their devotion and service to their country. Pre-Race Ceremonies: Virtually every race PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

Amy Taylor, U.S. Air Force

weekend, the military is honored in some way during pre-race ceremonies. The biggest, most impressive such display occurs at the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend. This year’s Salute to the Troops featured a 21-gun salute from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, along with a flyover where two vintage P-51 Mustang war birds flew alongside modern USAF F-16 and F-22 fighter attack jets. Gold Star Families: Like Troops to the Track, this program predates the formal establishment of NASCAR Salutes. Throughout the year, families of fallen service members are invited to the track by NASCAR and receive special treatment over the course of the race weekend. The goal is to give concerted recognition to the family and honor the legacy of their family member who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to his or her country. Driver Engagement: In the weeks leading up the Coca-Cola 600, a different driver is selected to spend time with a different branch of the military. In 2019, for example, Denny Hamlin visited Naval Station Norfolk where he met with sailors, toured the USS San Jacinto (a guided-missile cruiser), visited the combat information center and participated in weapon-firing simulations on the ship. “All you have to do is go to the garage and see all the American flags hanging on the pit boxes and haulers to see what the military means to us,” Hamlin said. Rare Opportunities: NASCAR finds ways throughout the year to show gratitude and appreciation to those who have served or are actively serving. Case in point: Back in June when NASCARowned Homestead-Miami Speedway welcomed 1,000 fans – most with military connections – as the South Florida facility became the first track to host spectators since the two-month sabbatical due to COVID-19. “That was just another example of how working with the military, celebrating the military, honoring them is really 365,” Jung said. POLE POSITION MAG.COM

MILITARY SALUTE

Veterans in NASCAR

One of them is Randy Fuller, a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, from which

NASCAR loves the military; and the military loves NASCAR. For proof of the latter, consider just how many people with military backgrounds work in the sport today. BY JARED TURNER

POLE POSITION 2020

he retired in 2005 with the highest enlistment rank – chief master sergeant. Today, Fuller is a public relations representative for NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Brandon Jones. In 1997, he was selected as part of the Air Force’s Outstanding Airmen of the Year program, which annually recognizes a dozen enlisted members from a cross section of Air Force career fields. Fuller served in a variety of locations during his distinguished military career. Among them were Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, Hill AFB in Utah and Hickam AFB in Hawaii. “It was a great experience, and I always say I would do it all over again,” said Fuller, a native of Hornell, New York. “I enlisted when I was 17 years old, right after I graduated. It helped me grow as a person and made me a better team player. I was able to graduate with two four-year degrees and was able to go to graduate school. I got to travel and had the opportunity to work in law enforcement, as a crew chief on F-16 fighter jets, and work in recruiting and marketing. It gave me skills so I could transition into the civilian workforce.” Fuller has worked in NASCAR since 1999, primarily in public relations roles. He has held the title of PR representative for numerous drivers, including Dale Jarrett, Elliott Sadler, Ricky Rudd and Carl Edwards. “I started out working in NASCAR on the sponsor side while I was in the Air Force,” Fuller said. “I later signed up (with Edwards) and never looked back. It’s been one of the best decisions in my professional life.” Now that you’ve met Randy Fuller, get to know four other U.S. military veterans who served their country with great honor and dignity before transitioning to the NASCAR industry.

BRIAN WALSH POSITION: Traveling network administrator at Hendrick Motorsports. RESPONSIBILITIES: Anything IT-related that pertains to Hendrick Motorsports’ traveling personnel and equipment. MILITARY CAREER: Served in Marine Corps from 2002 to 2010. INFLUENCE OF MILITARY SERVICE: “The Marine Corps taught me to adapt to and overcome anything.

TONY CARDAMONE

The constant travel for training and deployments

POSITION: Car chief for

made the transition to our

Cole Custer at Stewart-

NASCAR schedule pretty

Haas Racing.

easy for me because I was

RESPONSIBILITIES:

already used to being away

Setup, daily oversight of

POSITION: President of

from home.”

the No. 41 car.

Richard Childress Racing

TORREY GALIDA

FUN FACT: From

MILITARY CAREER:

(joined the team in 2011 as

Sebastian, Florida, married

Served four years active

chief operating officer).

to Stephanie Walsh, father

duty (1996-2000) and four

RESPONSIBILITIES:

of three.

years inactive duty in U.S.

Oversees all parts of the

Coast Guard.

team, from competition

INFLUENCE OF MILITARY

to engineering to the front

SERVICE: “My military

office.

DAMON LOPEZ POSITION: Hauler driver

service laid a foundation for

MILITARY CAREER:

for Leavine Family Racing.

my life moving forward. It

Served in the U.S. Navy

RESPONSIBILITIES:

taught me the importance

from 1984 to 1990 as an

Safely transporting race

of a good work ethic,

intelligence officer.

cars and equipment to and

organization and attention

INFLUENCE OF MILITARY

from the race track.

to detail.”

SERVICE: “The analysis,

MILITARY CAREER:

FUN FACT: “I host not only

interpretation, direction

Served in the Marines from

Coast Guard members but

and execution of the

1986 to 1990.

all other branches of the

military has helped shape

INFLUENCE OF MILITARY

military at the track. It gives

me as a team president.”

SERVICE: “It has made me

me the chance to show

FUN FACT: Serves as a

a better person all around.

them what we do and how

board member for Defense

You always want to do your

it relates to them.”

Alliance of North Carolina.

best. You want to achieve and win whatever the goal is while being good to others. The Marine Corps is a family that you have for life. A race team is the same.” FUN FACT: Held numerous positions in the NTT IndyCar Series for more than 13 years prior to becoming involved in NASCAR five years ago.

MILITARY SALUTE

The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer diagnosed in nearly 3,000 Americans each year. It mostly affects men over the age of 65 who served in the armed forces or worked as construction workers, firefighters, factory workers, auto mechanics and in other types of blue-collar jobs where workers handled products containing asbestos. Throughout much of the 20th century, asbestos could be found in drywall materials, insulation, paint, gaskets, brakes, clutches and many more common products. After decades of exposure to these products, many workers developed shortness of breath and chest pain, which are the most common symptoms of asbestos cancer. Veterans are among the largest group of Americans with mesothelioma, primarily those who served in the Navy, where asbestos exposure was the heaviest. Thankfully, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides free treatment for veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. The VA also provides disability compensation among other types of assistance for veterans and their loved ones. Although the cancer is incurable, patients can live beyond the two-year life expectancy with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers are testing new treatments in clinical trials that will one day develop a cure for this deadly disease. The patient advocates at The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com include a retired Army captain, medical doctor and registered nurse who can provide you information about treatment, contacting top doctors and cancer centers, your legal options and assistance filing VA claims.

A Boyd and His Socks As a driver in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, Spencer Boyd has met and mingled with quite a few people. Oftentimes, he’s greeted with some variation of the same question: “Can I see your socks?” Odd as it may seem, there’s a backstory that perfectly explains this seemingly unusual, yet common query. “I sold cars through college at Hendrick Automotive Group with my dad in Charlotte, North Carolina,” Boyd explained. “Everyone wears the same uniform in the car business … so the thing to kind of differentiate yourself was socks and shoes. I became known for wearing crazy socks and different socks with dogs, fireworks and patriotic things. When I got into NASCAR, it was like, ‘Well, how do I keep this going?’” After tweeting his #socksoftheday every day for about two weeks, Boyd made a decision. “I was like, ‘You know what? I’m done. I’m just going to wear patriotic socks every day.’ So it’s been almost four years of wearing nothing but different styles of American flag, tall, knee-high socks. It’s funny; it doesn’t matter if it’s a banquet or a big sponsor dinner, I’ve always got patriotic socks on.” Boyd has cousins in the Marines and his grandfather is an Air Force veteran, so the patriotic theme made sense.

BY JARED TURNER

Spencer Boyd’s race-worn, militarythemed socks are still a sight to behold.

MILITARY SALUTE

Military-Themed NASCAR Paint Schemes It is not uncommon to see NASCAR cars and trucks decorated in patriotic paint scheme to honor the military and the United States of America. Here is a rewind of some of the great ones NASCAR fans have seen on the track this year.

BUBBA WALLACE F LY I N G T I G E R

TY DILLON

CAMOUFLAGE

MICHAEL ANNETT AMERICAN FLAG

JIMMIE JOHNSON ARMY GREEN

POLE POSITION 2020

KYLE BUSCH

S TA R S A N D S T R I P E S

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

RACE TO FREEDOM

JORDAN ANDERSON GANDER RV & OUTDOORS TRUCK SERIES DRIVER Jordan Anderson sported a new look in the Race to Freedom truck at Texas Motor Speedway in July.

POLE POSITION 2020

Do the ‘Good Guys’ Really Matter Anymore? PROTECTING AND DEFENDING THOSE WHO LAWFULLY ACT IN SELF-DEFENSE BY ROBERT M. REILLEY It used to be growing up in the USA, we were taught right from wrong, good from evil, and we expected the justice system to distinguish between the two. We’d like to think all is fair under the law. Even better, we’d like to think our justice system is the great arbitrator of truth, justice and the American P.J. Hermosa, CEO, U.S. LawShield® way. Is this a realistic or idealistic view of how things really work? Back in 2009, a group of Houston, Texas-based attorneys saw first-hand the injustice against law-abiding gunowners who were forced to legally defend themselves. They observed that these gunowners, who acted lawfully in self-defense, were at a significant disadvantage within the justice system. They watched these people face unwarranted hardships, loss of freedom, and financial ruin in trying to defend themselves in what they felt was a rigged justice system. Ultimately, they said, “enough is enough” and passionately formed a company that protects and defends those who lawfully

defend themselves, their loved ones, and even the greater community. These passionate attorneys created what is known today as U.S. LawShield® and their Legal Defense for Self-Defense Program. “Our company educates, informs, and makes our members aware of state-specific laws regarding self-defense, guns, and any legal weapon,” says P.J. Hermosa, CEO of U.S. LawShield. “Should our members ever need to lawfully defend themselves, we stand ready to defend them, without limits, retainers, hourly fees or caps – simply put, we will do whatever it takes to defend our member,” continues Hermosa. The company now serves over 500,000 members and is rapidly growing its’ strength-in-numbers movement. When the company’s program was launched, it “broke the mold” on pricing and availability for legal services and continues today with coverage starting at just $10.95 per month. U.S. LawShield is the trusted leader on this specialized subject of self-defense and the law. Members rely and count on the company for its unique attorney-answered hotline to respond in the case of an emergency 24/7/365. That means members can talk directly to an attorney when it is most needed and immediately establish attorney-client privileged communication at the outset of a case. In addition, members get complimentary non-emergency access to an attorney should they have questions on self-defense and the law. This company’s mission-driven organization is focused on protecting the freedom of its members and protecting the “good guys” – those law-abiding men and women of the USA standing strong among us. You can learn more at uslawshield.com.

RECORD RACK

PRESENTED BY

Record Rack’s Bucks for the Brave Program Recognizes Heroes

A Marine Corps veteran who bravely served his country during deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, Chris Baity struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and reacclimating into civilian life upon returning home. BY JARED TURNER

One of the ways Baity overcame this was by giving back to others affected by the perils of war. A highly trained military working dog handler during his years of service, Baity has always possessed a strong love of canines. So when his time in the Marine Corps was over, Baity wanted to make a difference in the lives of veterans who had faced similar adversity while serving their country. In the spirit of making this a reality, he and his wife, Amanda, founded Semper K9 in November 2014. The Quantico, Virginia-based nonprofit organization rescues dogs from shelters and trains them to be service dogs at no cost for disabled veterans. “Being a military family, we want to be able to give back to the country that gave us our lunch,” Baity said. “We’ve come a long way in five-and-a-half years.” The veterans cared for by Semper K9 are typically put on a waiting list before they can receive their service dog. In some cases, the delay can be as long as three or four years. “When we first notify them that they’ve been approved for a program, they’re very, very excited. They see us as a lifeline,” Baity explained. “Many of them have tried a bunch of different ways and treatments and medications. They’ve tried a little bit of everything and maybe just aren’t quite where they want to be. It all comes down to our mission, and our mission is to enhance their quality of life. “As much as we want to give them a great dog and we want to be able to just give them a dog that gets them out there doing whatever their doctor wants them to accomplish from a service dog, really, I think they see it as: ‘Here’s an option. Here’s something I can do.’ Every veteran who comes through our program, I want them to become part

POLE POSITION 2020

of the family. I want them to see that they are not the only ones struggling and that the two or three or four years that they had to wait for a dog were worth it.” Semper K9 is not the only nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to military veterans in need, but its approach is more holistic than most. “What really makes us unique is we’re an all-service organization, meaning we will help all military branches and almost all types of disabilities, but we include the family,” Baity said. “So it’s not, ‘We’re just going to provide a welltrained and good service dog to this one veteran and hopefully he’s successful.’ We include the families with the training and we equip the spouses with the care and understanding of how a service dog works. We also give educational and recreational and social opportunities for the family.” Those opportunities are vast yet purposeful. “We’ve had veterans we’ve been able to take to concerts, festivals and sporting events,” Baity said. “The goal is to give them an opportunity to see they can be confident and independent out in public, which is what many of them are trying to avoid. They don’t want to go out. And so we’re giving them this well-trained dog and putting them in this training program where their individual needs are taken care of and we’re including their spouse and family and we’re also including their teacher.” In recognition of his contributions, Baity was recently selected to be a participant in Record Rack’s Bucks For The Brave program that provides American heroes with an all-inclusive hunting experience each fall. The annual event takes place at Trinity Oak’s Thumbtack Ranch in Batesville, Texas, where one veteran from each branch of the military embarks on a hunt to remember. Baity will certainly never forget his experience. “I had never shot a big buck like that before, and I got to shoot two in the same day,” he said. “I got to eat good food, have good company and see good wilderness. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shoot a Record Rack deer like that, and I got to shoot two within five minutes of each other. We saw hundreds of really big deer and dozens of large bucks that anybody outside of a ranch would be glad to be able to harvest. But more than anything, it was an educational opportunity for me on non-profit management and the veteran training side.” A few months after attending Bucks For The Brave, Baity was given another memorable opportunity when he was invited to a NASCAR race at Richmond Raceway as a special VIP guest of NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series driver Spencer Boyd. “It was a phenomenal experience you can’t get from watching TV,” Baity said.

DRIVER FEATURE

Burton Continues a Family Tradition

While Harrison Burton may be a rookie in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he’s made a compelling case as a bona-fide championship contender. BY ROB TIONGSON Although the bumper of his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Supra may have yellow stripes, Burton has showcased his talent in winning fashion. Unintimidated, relentless and cagey behind the wheel, Burton, who received his first go-kart at age 2, expressed confidence and excitement with his team’s strong start. “I’m excited about battling for the championship the rest of the season,” he said. “We got off to a good start, but there is still room to grow and improve as we move forward for the rest of the season. “(Crew chief) Ben (Beshore) and the guys work extremely hard week in and week out to bring me the best Toyota Supra possible, and that’s something I’m very thankful for. I still have work to do on myself, but if we can clean up some of the small things, I think we will be right there battling for the championship in Phoenix come November.” Remarkably, Burton has rarely put a wheel wrong this season, consistently capitalizing on strong finishes and victories. While the 19-year-old native of Huntersville, North Carolina, continues to make a name for himself, it’s not hard to see the apple did not fall far from the tree. After all, his father, Jeff, and uncle, Ward, graduated from the NASCAR Xfinity Series and went on to successful careers in the NASCAR Cup Series. With their wealth of knowledge combined with his raw, natural talent in the race car, the younger Burton understands and appreciates his family legacy and what it means to race in one of NASCAR’s national series. “It was a huge advantage for me growing up around the sport and knowing what sacrifice it took to be successful, and how much work it took to get to where you want to be,” he said. “My dad always told me you had to earn your stay in the sport, and that has really stuck with me. “It’s been a huge advantage to have them around, just to learn on, and talk through anything that might come up. I grew up testing with my dad at Quarter Midget tracks, probably three or four times a week, so it’s something that I have just been around all of

POLE POSITION 2020

my life, and I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I do.” While Burton is still progressing in his career, like many drivers, he’s had his share of visits to the school of hard knocks. Still, when reflecting on a “Welcome to NASCAR” moment that made him appreciate his opportunity and position in the sport, he pointed to a heated moment last season in which cooler heads eventually prevailed. “I think my ‘Welcome to NASCAR’ moment was when Paul Menard and I got into it after he wrecked me in New Hampshire last year,” Burton recalled. “Even though I was a little upset, it was a cool moment for me because we talked it out and settled it as racers, which was important, especially me being new to the Xfinity Series and he being a Cup guy. “I also think driving for Kyle Busch and being held to his standards has really helped me. It is all about winning and earning the respect of your peers. I think those two moments really helped me and were kind of my ‘Welcome to NASCAR’ moments.” As most sports, including NASCAR, were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Burton and his competitors turned to the digital realm. The North Carolinian partook in various iRacing events, including the IceBox Pickup Throwdown Series, a special series that pitted various Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series racers against some IndyCar specialists. “It was fun to be part of that community,” Burton said. “It scratched that itch to compete while we had some downtime. It was fun to get on there and hang out with people that I haven’t seen in a while. I won a race (at virtual Gateway) on iRacing, which was a surprise as I’m not very good, so that was a lot fun.” Shortly after the series’ run, Burton and his peers returned from their simulator rigs to the seats of their stock cars. With the season resuming in mid-May, Burton adapted to the shorter turnaround time between races and the challenging heat of summer. “The hardest thing is being mentally prepared,” he observed. “I can take care of the physical aspect of the sport, but the mental part of going to places I’ve never been before without practice has been tough. I’m getting better at it as we go forward in the season, and I’m getting more confident heading into turn one to start the race without any practice.” Along with the shortened race weekends, most of the NASCAR Xfinity Series races following the hiatus were run without fans. More than ever, Burton understands his responsibilities and role in connecting with the heart of the sport. “I think the drivers having personality is what drives this sport as we are in the entertainment business,” he said. “I think you have to reach out to fans and have a personal interest in them. Fans are what drive this sport, and I think staying connected with them is really important.” In the long run, NASCAR is a sport that prides itself on its close bonds and relationships. With the sport embracing inclusivity, the young racer appreciates the sport’s new direction and the importance of welcoming new faces, whether it be in the grandstands or on the track. “I think it’s huge,” Burton said. “I think everyone should feel welcome at a NASCAR race. It’s just the right thing to do, to make everyone feel welcome, and to continue to keep moving forward as a sport just like we are doing now.” PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

POLE POSITION MAG.COM

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GENE HAAS, TONY STEWART

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CREW CHIEF RICHARD BOSWELL

Without a doubt, no driver has gone through as many

emotional moments during the current NASCAR Xfinity Series season than Chase Briscoe of Mitchell, Indiana. Heading into the schedule, Briscoe approached this year as a “make-or-break” situation for the No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing team. Focused on winning multiple races and the championship, the 25-year-old driver kicked things off with a convincing victory in the second race of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. However, following three top-10 finishes in the first four events, the racing world came to a screeching halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before NASCAR’s return at Darlington Raceway, Briscoe and his wife, Marissa, dealt with the tragic loss of their first baby on May 19. Grieving through a difficult period, the Briscoes turned to their strength and faith with each new day. On May 21, Briscoe took to Darlington Raceway and held off a hard charging Kyle Busch in dramatic fashion to score his second victory. After Briscoe drove his No. 98 Ford Mustang to the stripe following his cooldown lap, he kneeled by his car before dedicating the victory to his wife. “This is for my wife,” he said. “This has been the hardest week I’ve ever had to deal with. When I took the lead, I was crying in my car. This is more than a race win. This is the biggest win of my life after the toughest day of my life.”

COMEBACK KID ONE OF THE MOST beloved aspects of sports is recalling an incredible rally that an athlete or team produced in the face of adversity. Chase Briscoe faced nearly insurmountable odds during the Hooters 250 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in June when a piece of ballast fell out of his car during the pace laps. After falling six laps behind while repairs were made, Briscoe and his team charged back to finish seventh, on the lead lap.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

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Making the transition from open-wheel cars to stock cars,

Austin Cindric showcased his prowess last season with victories at the Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen road courses. It was certainly no surprise that Cindric’s first two NASCAR Xfinity Series wins came on serpentine circuits. In fact, the Columbus, Ohio, native is the grandson of former IndyCar team owner Jim Trueman and the son of Team Penske president Tim Cindric. Suffice to say, racing is in this 21-year-old driver’s blood. His passion to succeed is evident, and it was on full display recently when he won his first oval-track races at the 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway. Sweeping the NASCAR Xfinity Series doubleheader at the Bluegrass State’s treacherous track was quite a feat for this Buckeye State sensation and his team. “What we did was really impressive because we came with one setup (on Thursday night) and won the race and came with another setup (on Friday night) and won again,” Cindric said. “That happens at the shop and with the guys on the box so all the credit to them. I’m the lucky one who gets to drive.” Without a doubt, Cindric is showcasing his prowess as a formidable and frontrunning contender who has been groomed for long-term NASCAR success. Rarely putting a wheel wrong in his No. 22 Ford Mustang, it will be a treat to watch him battle for this year’s championship. Aggressive, determined and cagey behind the wheel, Cindric possesses the raw, innate qualities that define some of Team Penske’s most successful racers.

SUPER SUB LIKE MANY YOUNG NASCAR Xfinity Series racers, Austin Cindric longs to be a full-time NASCAR Cup Series competitor. Last year, Cindric had two cups of coffee in the big leagues, first serving as a substitute driver for Brad Keselowski during Happy Hour at Atlanta. About seven months later, the young driver was summoned as a last-second emergency driver for Michael McDowell during the opening round of practice for the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte.

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At the raw, fearless age of 21, Noah Gragson displays a Kyle Busch swagger with a devil-may-care attitude that carried him to two early-season victories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Gragson’s swagger is also reminiscent of a young Darrell Waltrip, a driver whose fearless, bold and outspoken approach earned him the nickname “Jaws.” Gragson, a native of Las Vegas, kicked off the season by recording his first series victory in the opener at Daytona International Speedway. “I’m just a Las Vegas kid who started racing at 13 years old and have had great people along the way to be able to get me to this point,” Gragson said following the win. “And it’s a privilege and an honor to be able to race here at Daytona and for JR Motorsports.” Following the two-month hiatus resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Gragson needed only three races to find his way back to Victory Lane. When the Xfinity Series took to the high-banked Bristol Motor Speedway, Gragson found himself in position to win again. Nearing the finish at Bristol, Gragson tangled with leader Justin Allgaier, his JR Motorsports teammate. Although Gragson took the lead and eventually won the race, Allgaier’s race was over as he placed 18th. “I really apologize to Justin and the No. 7 team,” Gragson said. “That’s not how I want to race. I saw that position open up, he kind of slipped off the bottom the lap before. I tried to get to the bottom. I just got too loose.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

LIFE IMITATES ART FOLLOWING THE exciting NASCAR Xfinity Series opener at Daytona, Noah Gragson recalled a memorable gaming moment that inspired his fiery burnout. “I played NASCAR Inside Line when I was racing Bandoleros, Legend Cars and the K&N Series,” Gragson said. “And I’d do like a 10-minute burnout after I’d win and stuff and figured, man, if I

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BRUCE SCHLICKER

If Ross Chastain needed to pick a classic rock theme song that defined his NASCAR career, it’d probably be Jefferson Starship’s 1975 tune “Miracles.” Seemingly set as the driver for Chip Ganassi Racing’s NASCAR Xfinity Series program in 2019, various circumstances, none of which were of his doing, swept the opportunity away. Somehow, Chastain managed to press on through the difficult situation. Making a gamble to focus his 2019 efforts in the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series with Niece Motorsports, the Alva, Florida, racer capitalized on the opportunity, earning three victories and 19 top-10 finishes en route to a runner-up finish in the title chase. Returning to the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season in Kaulig Racing’s No. 10 Chevrolet, Chastain has taken to his new home quite nicely with nine top-10 finishes in the season’s first 11 races. Chastain credits his remarkable resiliency and his determination to see things through. “I don’t see any other way to do it,” Chastain observed. “The only alternative is to chalk it up to bad luck and walk away from the sport. I don’t see that as an option. I wouldn’t even know how to quit unless there was no way to make something work.” Tenacious and confident, Chastain capitalizes on each situation to the absolute fullest, as evident in his prior tenures with JD Motorsports, Chip Ganassi Racing and Niece Motorsports.

WATERMELON MAN WHEN ROSS Chastain isn’t racing, he’s likely helping on his family’s watermelon farm. Naturally, Chastain has inside tips on choosing the correct watermelon. “When you look in the bin and you pick one up, it should be heavy for its size, and it should feel heavy as it’s 92 percent water,” Chastain explained. “The stripes should all be symmetrical, and the pattern should look even and the bottom should be yellow, not white.”

•

JUSTIN ALLGAIER OWNERS

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As JR Motorsports’ most seasoned driver, Justin Allgaier likens his current position to early in his career when he drove a car owned by his family. “It’s a unique, family-oriented atmosphere in this big, high-end business of NASCAR,” Allgaier said. “It’s run well, and we have good people. It’s been fun and an absolute blast. It doesn’t seem like five years to me, but I’ve had a lot of success and fun throughout the time I’ve been here.” Since joining JR Motorsports in 2016, Allgaier has been involved in three of the past four Championship 4 battles at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Along the way, he’s won 11 races with the No. 7 team. Moreover, Allgaier has found his home in the world of NASCAR. After two trying years in the NASCAR Cup Series during the 2014 and ’15 campaigns, the native of Riverton, Illinois, revived his career by returning to the NASCAR Xfinity Series. “To race for JR Motorsports and have the people and team around me, it’s really been fun,” Allgaier observed. “I’ve had great opportunities, good opportunities and not so good opportunities in this sport.” Still, Allgaier takes the time to look at the bigger picture. “I’ve never been one to get caught up in stats, whether it be wins or top-five finishes,” he remarked. “To me, those don’t really define someone’s career. I feel like who you are through the journey and when you check out of the sport is what will define you as a person.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

WELCOME TO NASCAR SOMETIMES, THE new kid in town gets a break. As Justin Allgaier prepared to qualify for his fourth career NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway in 2005, he received some friendly advice. “Carl Edwards told me, ‘I’m telling you right now, you can run

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it wide open. You have to run it wide open or you’re going to miss this race,’” Allgaier recalled. “So I held it wide open. I made the race and qualified 22nd.”

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Josh Williams has been steadily making a name for himself

in the NASCAR Xfinity Series while driving for DGM Racing. Hailing from Port Charlotte, Florida, the 26-year-old racer made his way through go-karts, Quarter Midgets, Allison Legacy cars and the ARCA Menards Series before securing a ride in DGM’s No. 92 Chevrolet. The team, spearheaded by veteran racer Mario Gosselin, has made respectable gains in the past three years. With Williams taking command of DGM’s No. 92 entry this season, the combination had recorded a pair of top-10 finishes – 10th at Auto Club Speedway and ninth at Bristol – through 11 starts. Driving for one of the most competitive teams that competes exclusively in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, it’s safe to say Williams has the potential to reel off top-10 finishes on any given race weekend. Williams definitely impressed NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, who tweeted his praises for the Floridian for “doing more with less.” Williams responded by tweeting, “Just trying to be like you one day sir (with) hard work and elbows up.” In Williams’ case, he truly embodies the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ spirit in maximizing each race weekend with zeal and dedication toward his craft. Moreover, Williams isn’t a driver who can simply be labeled an underdog. In this case, he’s a genuinely talented driver who may be following in the footsteps of Martin, Ross Chastain and Dale Jarrett, drivers who earned top rides by working hard.

OLD-SCHOOL RACER NOWADAYS, FANS won’t find many NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers who have experience as a crew chief. However, Josh Williams served in this capacity from 2016 to ’17 with ARCA Menards Series racer Michael Lira and in 2018 with DGM Racing’s Andy Lally and Donald Theetge in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Justin Haley On June 20, Justin Haley made NASCAR history by becoming the 32nd different driver to win in each of NASCAR’s top three National Series. Starting from the pole in the Unhinged 300 at Talladega Superspeedway, Haley was a frontrunner throughout the race before finding himself in position to win on the final lap. Drafting past Jeb Burton, the 21-year-old racer from Winamac, Indiana, received a hardy push from Kaulig Racing teammate Ross Chastain and went on to score his first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory. With a moment to reflect, Haley dedicated the win to his late mentor who served as his crew chief for a majority of last season. “First of all, I want to dedicate this win to Nick Harrison and the Harrison family,” Haley said. “Losing him was pretty big.”

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CREW CHIEF ALEX YONTZ

Brandon Jones With a smile as prominent as the peaches from OWNER JOE GIBBS TEAM JOE GIBBS RACING SPONSORS MENARDS, INTERSTATE BATTERIES M A N U FA C T U R E R TOYOTA

CREW CHIEF JEFF MEENDERING

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

Georgia, Brandon Jones has truly hit his stride with the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team. Scoring wins at Kansas last fall and Phoenix earlier this year, Jones and crew chief Jeff Meendering appear to be hitting on all the right combinations with their cars and communication. More importantly, Jones scored Toyota Racing Development’s 500th NASCAR victory when he took the checkered flag at Phoenix Raceway. Following that win, Jones tweeted, “We’ve been strong all year and finally got the first 2020 win under our belt. Also, how awesome to make Toyota Racing’s 500th win! This team is family and I’m so happy to be a part of it.” The native of Atlanta, Georgia, can certainly make a competitive run in the playoffs as demonstrated by his efforts in 2016, ’18 and ’19. Look for Jones to make more noise this fall.

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XFINITY DRIVER PROFILES

Michael Annett Most race fans recognize Michael Annett with his unmistakable yellow, white and red No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro during race days in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. However, most probably don’t realize the Des Moines, Iowa, racer once played in the United States Hockey League as a defenseman. Skating alongside Joe Pavelski, a center and right winger for the San Jose Sharks, Annett traded his hockey stick for a steering wheel after graduating from high school. While he may not be body checking his opponents on the ice, the 34-year-old racer knows what it takes to win in NASCAR. After 229 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Annett drove into Daytona International Speedway’s Victory Lane when he won the 2019 season opener. “My first words were ‘eight years,’ my eighth year in the series,” Annett said. “My guys have stuck with me through the hard times.”

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POLE POSITION 2020

and ARCA Menards Series, Riley Herbst is turning heads during his rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Paired with veteran crew chief Dave Rogers, who previously worked with Kyle Busch in the Cup Series, Herbst is much like a young “Rowdy” with his steady, aggressive approach aboard the No. 18 Joes Gibbs Racing Toyota. A stellar qualifier with an average starting spot of 8.4, Herbst had five top-10 finishes, including a runner-up result in late February at Auto Club Speedway, after 11 series races. Despite only being 21 years old, Herbst has 16 years of racing experience. Primarily making his way up the racing ladder on the West Coast, Herbst competed in various ARCA Menards Series East and West races starting in 2016. A third-generation racer from Las Vegas, Nevada, Herbst was named to the 2018 NASCAR Next class, a program recognizing future stock car talents.

Anthony Alfredo

Running only a partial schedule, Anthony Alfredo ranked 17th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series standings after competing in six of the season’s first 11 races. Without a doubt, Alfredo, known as “Fast Pasta,” has been impressive during his time as one of Richard Childress Racing’s newest drivers. “I want to thank everybody at Richard Childress Racing for everything they’ve been teaching me and for building fast race cars,” Alfredo tweeted. “I have a lot of confidence in our team this year. I have phenomenal chemistry between the road crew, shop personnel and our pit crew, which is so important.” Graduating from the CARS Late Model Stock Tour and the ARCA Menards Series East, Alfredo ran a partial Truck Series schedule a year ago before earning his part-time ride with the No. 21 RCR team. The pride of Ridgefield, Connecticut, enjoys competing in iRacing events during his spare time.

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Ryan Sieg For the past seven years, Ryan Sieg has consisOWNERS ROD AND PAMELA SIEG TEAM RSS RACING SPONSOR CMR CONSTRUCTION AND ROOFING M A N U FA C T U R E R CHEVROLET

CREW CHIEF KEVIN STARLAND

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tently produced quality results in remarkable fashion with his family-owned RSS Racing team. Although Sieg’s best points finish came in 2016 when he placed ninth in the standings, the Georgian improved his results a year ago with two top-five efforts and 12 top-10 finishes en route to placing 11th in the championship battle. Each year, Sieg and his team continue to build on their progress. With the No. 39 car consistently running toward the front each weekend, Sieg’s family also owns the No. 93 entry primarily driven by Myatt Snider. Since 2013, Sieg has been paired with crew chief Kevin Starland. Notably, Starland sat atop the pit box for Carl Edwards in the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series in 2004. With full-time sponsorship from CMR Construction and Roofing, Sieg is on the cusp of a career season.

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XFINITY DRIVER PROFILES

Brandon Brown Last year, Brandon Brown and his family-owned Brandonbilt Motorsports raced their way to an impressive 15th-place points finish in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Looking to build on that solid 2019 campaign, Brown and his team reinvigorated their efforts with a trio of top-10 finishes to open the current season. After placing a stellar seventh at Daytona, Brown posted consecutive top-10 finishes at Charlotte and Bristol, an excellent feat for the Woodbridge, Virginia, racer. “Back-to-back top-10s, we ain’t no fluke here at Brandonbilt Motorsports,” Brown tweeted after his seventh-place finish at Bristol. Switching to the No. 68 on his Chevrolet this year, Brown and his team continue to overachieve, as demonstrated by their solid average finish of 14.9 in the season’s first 11 races. In addition to driving the No. 68 entry, Brown, who graduated in 2018 from Coastal Carolina University with a degree in communications, spearheads the team’s marketing program.

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68 Daniel Hemric Following a trying rookie season a year ago in the

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8 56

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POLE POSITION 2020

NASCAR Cup Series, Daniel Hemric returned to the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year, driving JR Motorsports’ No. 8 “all-star” entry. While Hemric plans only a partial schedule for the powerhouse team, it’s safe to say the Kannapolis, North Carolina, racer is determined to make the most of his situation. Despite some hiccups at Las Vegas, Phoenix and Homestead, Hemric has been quite competitive with two top-five finishes and five top-10 results in his first eight starts. Still, Hemric understands his role and how he can contribute to his team. “Driving for the Earnhardt family is pretty awesome,” Hemric said. “My goal here is simple – to go win races for JR Motorsports and to help their program any way that I can.” After knocking on the door for wins at Darlington, Charlotte, Bristol and Atlanta with finishes of sixth or better, it’s a matter of time before that first victory comes.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

MADE IN AMERICA

FilterBuy

The NASCAR Pole Position Made In America section features products manufactured in the United States. This month’s American-made product is FilterBuy Inc., air filters. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

avid Heacock is founder and CEO of FilterBuy.com, a U.S. manufacturer of quality-made custom HVAC air filters, furnace filters and industrial filters. He recently joined NASCAR Pole Position for an interview.

What sparked the idea to work with FilterBuy.com? “I started working at FilterBuy in April of 2013. I grew up in Talladega, Ala., going to all of the races. I got to know the France family tangentially over the years. I got to do a lot of NASCAR-type things. After college, I went to work for Goldman Sachs, and I worked in the emerging options trading market. In 2012, I decided to buy FilterBuy rather than go to a private equity firm. My granddad started it and lived here for his adult life. He did a lot for the city of Talladega. I had the belief that there was something I could do within the infrastructure of the modern world. I landed on air filters because logistically it’s a unique product. If you go to Home Depot or Lowe’s, you might see four different sizes. In reality, there are hundreds of filters measured to fit whatever metal you have on hand. “I realized there was a need for air filters, and people needed to change them. Traditionally, you had to go to a hardware store or have an HVAC guy change them. You could wait weeks and pay a huge cost. I looked into the supply chain and found that we can sell directly to the end user. We can manufacture effectively in

the United States. 3M is made in Mexico and resold in this country. Every time the product moves, there is an additional cost. That’s paid by the customer. We manufacture 50,000 filters a day and ship to the end user and businesses. We manufacture 100 percent of our products in a facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. We’re the largest direct-toconsumer air filter brand.” Why is it important to be Made In America? “The main reason I got into this was I was looking to give back to the community and wanted to have a thriving business economy in Alabama. This town has 9,500

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POLE POSITION 2020

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people, and we employ 400. From a business standpoint, we completely control the supply chain. When you import from China or Mexico, the problem is you don’t control the supply chain. When there’s a problem in another part of the world, it can be a problem. One hundred percent of our components are made in the U.S. All of our manufacturing is done in the U.S. We’re not relying on a container to arrive. We have the ability to control the supply chain, which gives us a huge advantage. When you’re reliant on imported products, it can cause hiccups.”

With attention being paid to air quality and employee safety, businesses are replacing air and HVAC filters more regularly.

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NASCAR CAREERS

Kayla Whapham T E A M P R R E P R E S E N TAT I V E

In the fast-paced, competitive world of NASCAR, Kayla Whapham excels with the everchanging landscape of public relations as she represents one of the top Cup Series teams. When Whapham attended NASCAR races at Auto Club Speedway during her childhood, little did she realize the lasting impression it would have on her life. BY ROB TIONGSON

WELCOME TO NASCAR DURING THE LAST SIX years, Kayla Whapham has experienced incredible moments in NASCAR, particularly with Richard Childress Racing. After all, she worked alongside Tyler Reddick during his NASCAR Xfinity Series championship season in 2019. Moreover, Whapham, who graduated from the University of Oregon in 2014, covered NASCAR as a contributor and associate editor of a

“I grew up in Southern California and went to the races at Auto Club Speedway with my dad every year, so I was always interested in racing,” she said. “I went to school at the University of Oregon knowing I wanted to study something in the communications/ journalism field. I just wasn’t sure exactly what.” However, Whapham was soon enlightened by one of her initial college classes. “During one of our intro classes, a sports communications professional came and talked to us about his job working for a sports team as their communications manager,” Whapham recalled. “I thought that was a cool job. I researched what communications opportunities were in NASCAR and began to network from there.” Whapham’s resourcefulness and hard work were rewarded with her current role as manager of communications for Richard Childress Racing. As the liaison with the press for Tyler Reddick’s No. 8 team, a week in Whapham’s life is about as fast as the driver she represents. “There really is no normal week in motorsports PR, which is one thing I love about it,” Whapham said. “You’re normally doing something different every day, whether that’s a content shoot, feature interview or partner activation. Normally, we’re recapping the past weekend’s race on Monday morning before we prepare for the next weekend’s

POLE POSITION 2020

motorsports media outlet.

race in the afternoon. This includes working on race previews, gathering talking points for Tyler for the weekend, handling any interview requests and putting together any content plays for the week. “By Wednesday or Thursday, you’re trying to finish tracking all media hits from the past weeks and getting ahead on upcoming activation or pitching story ideas to media. Then, we’re normally at the track, focused on the race weekend.” While the COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique challenge, Whapham and her team turned to a novel solution. “Luckily, with today’s technology, it isn’t too difficult,” she observed. “A lot of interviews, meetand-greets and partner activation are done over Zoom or Microsoft Teams. We had to get creative at RCR to figure out how to continue delivering value to our partners and creating content for ourselves while not necessarily having the access to the track and our drivers like we normally would. Everyone has worked really hard to keep positive momentum going, and I think we’ve done really well so far.” While Whapham’s life is fast-paced, she enjoys being with her teammates. “A lot of the time, you’re spending more time with your co-workers than your own family,” Whapham pointed out. “But that’s what makes it fun.”

When reflecting on a memorable moment in which she felt accepted by her peers, it did not take her long to recall an experience that continues to leave an impression. “It’s so hard to choose one moment, but I think it would be the first time I ever worked a Daytona 500 about five or six years ago,” Whapham said. “Just being able to be at work that day and work alongside everyone, it made me realize that I had finally made it and was accepted enough to be working on our sport’s biggest day.”

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Celebrating 150 Years of Academic Excellence

Over the Wall with Breanna O’Leary

When Breanna O’Leary made the leap from the softball diamond for Alcorn State University to the world of NASCAR, she pursued a wonderful opportunity. BY ROB TIONGSON

Choose

TO BE BRAVE O’Leary, a tire changer for the No. 52 Jimmy Means Racing team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, has now made her mark in both softball and racing, sports that share a commonality with delivering strong, consistent performances in a short of amount of time. “Performing under pressure is definitely the biggest aspect that has carried over from softball to pit stops,” said O’Leary, a native of Amarillo, Texas. “In softball, you only get a few minutes to shine at a time. Whether it’s the few at bats we get during a game or a ball being hit to us, it’s just a short amount of time to perform that can have a huge impact on the game. Same as a few seconds for a pit stop can affect an hours long race. You have to be able to be your best under pressure.” Moreover, O’Leary, who played infield during her collegiate years, wanted to continue her athletic career. As an athlete known for her hustle and determination, her racing journey began during a combine at her university. When O’Leary’s strength-and-conditioning coach encouraged her to try out PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

for the Drive for Diversity’s pit crew combine, she pursued the opportunity with the drive and dedication of a Lady Brave. “I was sold on the Drive for Diversity program because of the opportunity to continue my athletic career on a professional level,” O’Leary recalled. “So I am forever thankful for them for giving me the chance and for the awesome experiences it’s given me, on and off the track. It’s something I never would’ve even thought of doing, so it’s pretty cool to be here pitting race cars.” For the past four years, O’Leary has blazed her own trail and in 2019 she became one of the first female graduates of the Drive for Diversity program to go over the wall and pit a car during the Daytona 500. As she excels in her racing career, she remains the humble, approachable Texan who appreciates the love and kindness from her support system. “My family has cheered me on since day one and the village I have surrounding me in the sport also support me, cheer me on, and help me to be the best me and the best tire changer I can be,” O’Leary said.”

Choose

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MADE IN THE U.S.A.

crew members

The Pros Behind the Scenes

These pit crew members do the work behind the scenes to keep drivers in contention – or put them over the top – on race day. BY BEN WHITE

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Freddie Kraft, spotter for Richard Petty Motorsports and driver Bubba Wallace, saw his first NASCAR Cup Series race at the Watkins Glen International road course in 2010. Ironically, it was his first day on the job as a spotter in NASCAR’s premier series. “I was actually working what’s known as the Bus Stop section of the track for Tommy Baldwin Racing,” Kraft said. “Ron Fellows was driving for Tommy that day. I had actually been spotting at lower-level events, such as the NASCAR East Series. Tommy needed someone, so I told him I would come up and do it.” While growing up in New York, Kraft’s dad, cousins and uncles raced on Saturday nights during the summer. When he turned 16, he found himself behind the wheel before expenses and a lack of time ended his driving career. “That’s when I decided to go toward the spotting side of racing,” Kraft said. “I felt like I was still playing a part in the outcome of the race.” Kraft has spotted for Wallace at multiple levels during the youngster’s climb up the NASCAR ladder.

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and driver Corey Lajoie, saw his first NASCAR race at Darlington Raceway in 1965 and the age of 5. “My mother, father and grandfather used to go to races,” Aldridge said. “I was at Darlington in 1965 when Ned Jarrett won by 14 laps. All those guys were like Superman to me. We would go to Darlington and other tracks, and we would camp out. We would go to races where everybody could get back to work on Monday so we didn’t travel very far.” The Aldridge family would also attend races at local short tracks. That’s where Aldridge saw stock car legends Speedy Thompson and Ralph Earnhardt headline events at multiple speedways in North Carolina. Aldridge eventually drove race cars for several years, advancing from go-karts to Late Models before his driving career ended with the close of the 1999 season. He began driving the transporter while working for Jay Robinson Racing and has been with Go FAS Racing since 2012.

In the Hot Seat with Ray Alfalla Throughout the season, NASCAR Pole Position will sit down with drivers in the world of NASCAR. For this issue, we talked with Ray Alfalla, a four-time eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series champion. You snapped a 25-race winless streak with your victory at Atlanta. After all you’ve gone through in the past year and a half, how satisfying was it to return to Victory Lane? It’s very satisfying and a much-needed result for several reasons. You’re considered one of the greats in eNASCAR with 25 victories during an 11-year career. What keeps you motivated and determined in your racing journey? The competition keeps me going. The atmosphere around a Coke Series race is one-of-a-kind. It’s all still growing, so I want to be part of the journey for a long time to come. This year has exposed eNASCAR to new audiences. What does it mean to see iRacing receive this exposure? I’ve been here since the beginning, so to see the series grow as much as it has is great to see. There are lots of talented individuals in and around the series, and it’s awesome to see all of us in the spotlight. Which drivers would you consider your friends? I get along with most of the drivers in the series, but my teammates on Slip Angle Motorsports are the ones I’m closest with. They are Santiago Tirres, Eric Smith, Brandon Kettelle, Chris Overland and Jake Nichols. Great group of guys!

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES DRIVER

Q&A with Jesse Little

orking through his rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Jesse Little isn’t shy about his expectations. The son of former NASCAR Cup Series racer Chad Little is ready to make a name for himself as he competes full time for JD Motorsports. What’s it been like to start your journey with JD Motorsports? It was great to start off with. We learned a lot and we were growing a lot as a team, then we hit the pause button for a while. It’s unique and almost like another offseason after barely getting the season started. I’m excited to keep going. What are your expectations for the second half of the year? I want to get the most out of the car in every race with the equipment that Brian Berry and Johnny Davis can provide me. I think we have a shot at making the playoffs. The 12th spot could be ours if we play our cards right. If we’re cautiously aggressive throughout the season, I think it’s a great goal. PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

If iRacing threw a Ray Alfalla Day for you and your fans, which musicians would you invite and would we see you on stage? Probably some really mainstream pop singer (looking at you, Camila Cabello). If there’s alcohol involved, I’ll be on stage and maybe even crowd surfing.

BY ROB TIONGSON

How do you compare yourself to former JD Motorsports driver Ross Chastain to see how you can get the most out of the car? That’s my game plan. I’m modeling every bit I can after Ross in the sense of getting the most out of this and doing my best to make the playoffs. I want to turn heads. I’m going to race tracks that I’ve never been to, like Darlington, and my first laps will be at the wave of the green flag. It’s a complete unknown to me. How different is it to be able to focus on racing rather than the ownership side? When my uncle and I had our truck team, I was wearing a lot of different hats. It didn’t take away from driving, but it did make it harder to focus on that. Now, with the Xfinity Series stuff, it’s allowed me to channel my attention to being a better driver.

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN POLE POSITION MAG.COM

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NASCAR HISTORY NASCAR LEGEND

Labonte’s Cup Series Dream Comes True

Bobby Labonte entered his first NASCAR Cup Series race on June 2, 1991, at Dover International Speedway. It was the beginning of a successful career that included 21 victories and the 2000 Cup Series title. BY BEN WHITE

Born May 8, 1964, in Corpus Christi, Texas., Labonte began racing Quarter Midgets at age 5 with the help of his father, Bob Labonte. As a teenager, stock cars became Labonte’s focus. While other drivers were seeking rides from team owners, the Labonte family opted to field their own race car on short tracks throughout Texas. They moved to North Carolina in the late 1970s where Labonte raced at local tracks while working as a fabricator and mechanic for brother Terry Labonte, a NASCAR Cup Series driver for team owner Billy Hagan. Bobby Labonte eventually won Late Model track championships at Caraway Speedway and Concord Motorsports Park. He made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in 1982 at Martinsville Speedway and ran 16 Xfinity Series races throughout the 1980s for his family-owned team. Labonte became a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series driver in 1990, wheeling the No. 44 Oldsmobile built and prepared in his family’s race shop. He recorded six top-five finishes and 17 top-10 results in 31 starts that season. He won twice – at Bristol Motor Speedway and Indianapolis Raceway Park – en route to claiming the 1991 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. Labonte then added three more victories in 1992 but had to settle for second to Joe Nemechek in the title fight. Labonte’s performance eventually prompted a call from team owner Bill Davis with the offer of a full-time NASCAR Cup Series ride for 1993. Two years later, Labonte began his first of 11 seasons at Joe Gibbs Racing.

The accomplishments of my career haven’t really hit me because it’s not something I think about too much. One day I’ll sit back and say, ‘Wow. That’s cool.’”

–BOBBY LABONTE

BEST SEASON WHILE DRIVING THE NO. 18 PONTIAC FOR TEAM owner Joe Gibbs, Labonte won four times en route to claiming the 2000 NASCAR Cup Series title, visiting Victory Lane at Rockingham, Indianapolis, Darlington and Charlotte. He recorded 19 top-five finishes and 24 top-10 results with an average finish of seventh.

RECORD SETTER LABONTE’S AVERAGE START OF 19.6 AND AVERAGE finish of 19.6 showcased his ability to find consistency, lap after lap. From 1993 to 2016, he completed 203,423 laps, leading 4,060 of them. Ironically, Labonte logged only one short-track win, at Martinsville Speedway in 2002, as 20 of his victories came on superspeedways. KNOWN FOR THROUGHOUT LABONTE’S DRIVING CAREER, HIS quiet nature outside the car was a misnomer for how he performed behind the wheel. He was able to carefully conserve his race cars until it was time to make aggressive moves on the track. On numerous occasions, his strategy paid off and translated into victories.

POLE POSITION 2020

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NASCAR

SEASON REWIND

2006: Johnson’s First Title BY BEN WHITE

Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth proved they were the top championship contenders during the 2006 NASCAR Cup Series season as they combined to win a quarter of the 36 races. In his fifth full season with Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson showed he and his Chad Knaus-led team had matured into championship material. The fact he was driving the powerful No. 48 Chevrolet produced a feeling that the young, up-and-coming superstar was set to strike NASCAR Cup Series gold. Kenseth, driving the No. 17 Roush-Fenway Racing Ford, won the Cup Series championship in 2002 and felt the organization was poised for another title. He and crew chief Robbie Reiser had worked together on the short tracks in their native Wisconsin and the two formed a potent combination. Through the tutelage of four-time Cup Series champion and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon, Johnson had become a force and was on the verge of greatness. The native of El Cajon, California, was identified by Gordon years earlier as possessing the talent to became a NASCAR Cup Series champion. During the 2006 season, Johnson recorded five victories, 13 top-five finishes, 24 top-10s results and earned one pole position to best Kenseth in the final standings by 56 points. Kenseth ended the year with four victories, 15 top-five finishes and 21 top-10 results. Johnson would go on to collect six additional championships, including five in a row through 2010. Johnson’s biggest victory of 2006 came in the season-opening Daytona 500. He also won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Additional wins at Las Vegas, Talladega and Martinsville had the No. 48 team atop the Cup Series standings at season’s end.

2006 SEASON RECAP DATE CIRCUIT February 19 Daytona International Speedway February 26 Auto Club Speedway March 12 Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 20 Atlanta Motor Speedway March 26 Bristol Motor Speedway April 2 Martinsville Speedway April 9 Texas Motor Speedway April 22 Phoenix Raceway May 1 Talladega Superspeedway May 6 Richmond Raceway May 13 Darlington Raceway May 28 Charlotte Motor Speedway June 4 Dover International Speedway June 11 Pocono Raceway June 18 Michigan International Speedway June 25 Sonoma Raceway July 1 Daytona International Speedway July 9 Chicagoland Speedway July 16 New Hampshire Motor Speedway July 23 Pocono Raceway August 6 Indianapolis Motor Speedway August 13 Watkins Glen International August 20 Michigan International Speedway August 26 Bristol Motor Speedway September 3 Auto Club Speedway September 9 Richmond Raceway September 17 New Hampshire Motor Speedway September 24 Dover International Speedway October 1 Kansas Speedway October 8 Talladega Superspeedway October 14 Charlotte Motor Speedway October 22 Martinsville Speedway October 29 Atlanta Motor Speedway November 5 Texas Motor Speedway November 12 Phoenix Raceway November 19 Homestead-Miami Speedway

WINNER Jimmie Johnson Matt Kenseth Jimmie Johnson Kasey Kahne Kurt Busch Tony Stewart Kasey Kahne Kevin Harvick Jimmie Johnson Dale Earnhardt Jr. Greg Biffle Kasey Kahne Matt Kenseth Denny Hamlin Kasey Kahne Jeff Gordon Tony Stewart Jeff Gordon Kyle Busch Denny Hamlin Jimmie Johnson Kevin Harvick Matt Kenseth Matt Kenseth Kasey Kahne Kevin Harvick Kevin Harvick Jeff Burton Tony Stewart Brian Vickers Kasey Kahne Jimmie Johnson Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Kevin Harvick Greg Biffle

PRESIDENT

George W. Bush N O . 1 AT T H E B O X O F F I C E

Pirates of the Carribbean NO. 1 SONG

2006

“Bad Day” by Daniel Powter P O P C U LT U R E

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$2.57

BEST DRIVER

BEST RACE

JIMMIE JOHNSON, DRIVING THE NO. 48 HENDRICK

HIS BRICKYARD 400 VICTORY AT THE LEGENDARY

JIMMIE JOHNSON’S NO. 48

Motorsports Chevrolet, ranked as the best driver of the

Indianapolis Motor Speedway gave Jimmie Johnson

Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

2006 NASCAR Cup Series season by way of consistent

a pair of crown jewel wins on the season. He charged

visited Victory Lane five times

finishes during the 36-race campaign. Tied with Kevin

forward from the 38th starting position to become only

during the 2006 NASCAR Cup

Harvick and Tony Stewart with five victories each, John-

the second driver (Dale Jarrett in 1996) to win both the

Series season.

son’s number of top-10 finishes (24) was slightly better

Brickyard 400 and the Daytona 500 in the same season.

KASEY KAHNE WAS THE SEA-

than those of his rivals. Johnson showcased his ability by

Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick challenged during the

son’s top winner with six victories

winning NASCAR’s most prestigious races, while also col-

closing laps, but they could not match the horsepower

in the No. 9 Dodge owned by

lecting a victory at Martinsville Speedway in the fall.

under the hood of Johnson’s Chevrolet.

former crew chief Ray Evernham.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

TOP CARS

POLE POSITION MAG.COM

GROWIN’ UP NASCAR

Corey Lajoie

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN Corey LaJoie is one of NASCAR’s brightest personalities. The driver of the No. 32 Go FAS Racing Ford is authentic, true to himself, witty and he knows how to get the most out his equipment. LaJoie grew up at the race track cheering for his father, two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Randy LaJoie. Now, the younger LaJoie is making his mark on the sport. 1) Corey LaJoie loved racing basically from the day he was born as he was destined to become a third-generation racer after his grandfather, Don, and his father, Randy. 2) He began racing go-karts at age 5, winning early and often. 3) The Concord, North Carolina, native advanced to Bandolero cars by the time he was 12, winning Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Summer Shootout title in 2003. 4) From there, it was off to the faster Legend Cars and he started racing in the highly competitive Late Model divisions in 2007. 5) With partial slates in the ARCA Menards Series East in 2009 and 2010, LaJoie became a series regular in 2011 and finished eighth in the standings. He visited Victory Lane five times a year later, finishing runner-up to Kyle Larson. 6) LaJoie bounced from team to team from 2013 until 2016. Though he moved up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he couldn’t secure a full-time deal. 7) But that all changed in 2017 when he competed in 32 of 36 Cup Series contests for BK Racing. 8) In 2018, he moved to TriStar Motorsports where he ran only 23 races at the Cup Series level, but a few solid efforts led to his big break. 9) Go FAS Racing signed LaJoie to run the entire Cup Series schedule in 2019, and he improved the team’s average finishing position to 25.9 from 27th the previous two seasons. 10) LaJoie continues to pilot the No. 32 Ford with support from Stewart-Haas Racing. During this year’s NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony, LaJoie handed Rick Hendrick a note saying why he should replace his mentor, Jimmie Johnson, in car No. 48. Only time will tell if that happens.

POLE POSITION 2020

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8 9

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

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POLE POSITION 2020

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