November 8, 2020

Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team ended their 2020 campaign with a solid eighth-place finish in the Season Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway. It’s the 11^th top-10 of the season for DiBenedetto and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team and their third in a row, including an eighth-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway and a 10^th at Martinsville.

DiBenedetto’s finish on Sunday, coupled with his three Stage points earned on the day, allowed him to move up one spot in the final Cup Series standings to 13^th, a career-best for him.

DiBenedetto started 12^th in the 312-lap race but quickly drove into the top 10. He was running seventh when the caution flag flew at Lap 30 and was 10^th at the end of the first Stage, earning one bonus point.

He continued to run in the top 10 and ended the second Stage in ninth place, picking up another two points, giving him 113 Stage points for the season.

Over the final Stage, DiBenedetto kept ahead of William Byron and Aric Almirola as the three battled for the 13^th spot in points. He ended up two points ahead of Byron and 14 over Almirola.

“It was a really solid day,” DiBenedetto said. “The Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang was pretty strong. We made a couple of adjustments, tightened it up and stayed in the top 10 just about the whole race.
 
“We passed a lot of cars, some of them several times, and were able to snag a spot in points.”
 
DiBenedetto said he felt good about the way he and the No. 21 team finished their first season together.
 
“Three straight top-10s shows how strong this team is,” he said. “It was a good way to end the year.”
 
Eddie Wood also was encouraged by the late-season surge by the No. 21 team and by the season as a whole.
 
“Thanks to Ford Performance, Motorcraft and Quick Lane and Menards – and everyone else who backs us – for all their support,” he said. “And congratulations to Matt and [crew chief] Greg Erwin and the team for all their hard work in a year in which they had to learn each other while dealing with a pandemic.”
 
Wood also congratulated Chase Elliott on his Cup championship.
 
“Chase used to sit on our pit box when his Dad was driving our car,” Wood said. “Even at that young age he knew all about pit strategy and adjustments to his Dad’s car. 
 
“I know his parents are proud of him, and we’re happy for them.”
 
DiBenedetto and the Wood Brothers team return to the track next February for the 2021 Daytona 500.
 

NASCAR CUP SERIES SEASON FINALE 500 PHOENIX RACEWAY TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT NOVEMBER 8, 2020
JIMMIE JOHNSON, 7-TIME NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION AND DRIVER OF THE NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 1LE, met with media following the Season Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway and discussed his final full-time season, success in the sport, and Chase Elliott’s 2020 championship. Full Transcript:
Q. Jimmie, what did you tell Chase when you saw him after the race? And also, do you have any plans for your helmet, gloves and that type of stuff? JIMMIE JOHNSON: I don’t remember what I said to him. There was a lot of screaming. I remember him saying, “Can you believe it?”           Just so happy for him. I’m sure I was saying something along those lines, just how happy I am for him. I saw him on track and left a big donut on the side of his car. I was able to get a high‑five as he was coming around to do burnouts. And I was waving good‑bye. So certainly a couple cool moments.           Helmet and gloves? I haven’t thought too far. Chase and I have been talking about a helmet swap, so this might be a good opportunity to swap helmets with him tonight. We’ll see how that goes.            Q. What were the emotions like prior to the race today?JIMMIE JOHNSON: Really just excited. Excited to do this, excited to get on track and have this final event. For me the hardest point was about this time last year when thoughts were heavy on my mind and I was going to make the decision and made the decision to myself and my family, then had to go to Rick’s house and talk that through with Mr. Hendrick. So that point in time was probably the most emotional and most difficult.           And as the year has gone by, many moments of reflection and just pride. Then all of that rolled into today and just very excited to be on track.           It was nice to be competitive out there and run the top 5, finish in the top 5, but my bucket is full. NASCAR has been so wonderful for me. This journey has been more than I could have ever dreamed of or expected or hoped for.           The last couple years on track weren’t as I dreamed up, but I’ve experienced the highest of highs and worked with the greatest people, been with one team through this entire journey, and just very thankful for all the people that have helped me get here.           All those emotions and all that pride rolled up into just a huge smile today walking out on the grid.            Q. To be fifth and only be the top driver behind the Championship 4, does that have any special significance in your last race, to go out as that guy that’s just behind those guys?JIMMIE JOHNSON: No, it does. I didn’t realize that was the case. And Evie told me that on pit lane. She said, Daddy, I think you won. She said, No, the first four cars were in the championship and you beat everybody else.           She brought it to my attention and had her own version of my winning, which I appreciated.           Just a good competitive day. I could see the 11 up there and was slowly catching him but just kind of ran out of laps. It was nice to keep my eyes forward and have a great car and race that hard all day long.            Q. When you look back on this season, what are some lessons you have learned as a competitor?JIMMIE JOHNSON: Lesson? I would say I thought I hit bottom a few times, and there was a bottom a little lower than what I envisioned. I felt like on track there was mistakes that I made and we had issues, times where the team made mistakes, had bad luck on track, supposedly had COVID and missed the Brickyard 400. There were just many lows that kept rolling. When I thought that was it, there was another low.           I just had to figure out how to put a smile on my face, what was important to me and what 2020 was going to be like, regardless of the way things took place on the track.           I really hit that stride. It doesn’t mean I didn’t pout from time to time because performance on track really sets your mood for the week, but I found a way to smile and work through it and finish strong.            Q. And then down the road when you’re looking back on this race this weekend, particularly today’s race in particular, what are you going to remember most or what’s going to stick out the most to you?JIMMIE JOHNSON: Chase Elliott won his first championship. I’m so happy for that guy. Great friend, great family. I’ve been friends with his mom and dad for a lot of years. I can recall going snowboarding with Bill out in Colorado and Chase was maybe eight years old, something like that, on skis, super quiet, wouldn’t say much.           To watch him grow up and to be around him and to give him some advice from time to time has really been meaningful for me. Today I think more about him winning a championship more than anything is pretty awesome.            Q. I just wanted to get your opinion on this: Your final Cup championship you came from the rear and won. Chase did it in his first Cup championship. Has that dawned on you and do you feel like it’s a passing of the torch for Hendrick Motorsports?JIMMIE JOHNSON: That’s what went through my mind today when I heard they were going to the back. I sent Alan and Chase a text and reminded them that I won a championship that way.           Then I saw Chase just before the trucks rolled, just before the driver intro part of the ceremonies this morning, and I reminded him, I’ve been there. Of the championships I’ve won coming from the back, I had less nervous energy in my body when I took the green flag and it was very easy what I needed to do.           I shared that with him, and he smiled and he said, I hope that’s how it goes today. And it did. We didn’t think of it as a passing of the torch, but I tried to share some of my experience with him before the race.           He doesn’t need my help. He’s plenty good on his own. I’m glad it worked out for him.            Q. You know what a first championship meant to you. What do you think it’s going to mean to Chase, and how does that reshape a driver’s career, do you think?JIMMIE JOHNSON: You know, it really does change your confidence as a driver, as the leader of a race team. You know, it positions you just different in the fan space. There’s a bunch of credibility that comes with that. Not that Chase needs any fans, but I’m sure there might be naysayers out there.           A big moment like this really cements you in everybody’s head as the real deal. It’s one thing to win races, it’s one thing to be fast, but to get it all done and win races and be fast and win a championship is the most difficult thing to do in our sport.           For him to have a championship at this age and being so young, there’s no telling what the win total will be for him or his championship total.            Q. Jimmie, your feelings about going out at such a competitive level. You talked a moment ago about the lows and everything like that. How do you feel about going out with a performance where you kind of drove from the back and stayed up front all day?JIMMIE JOHNSON: It definitely feels good for my final race to run well. A big tent full of friends here watching. My family was clearly here. I didn’t have too much riding on today. Making sure that I had a good run just because I always plan to run well. In my head I always feel like I should.           But ultimately this year is just a little bit bittersweet for me. And to have the issues we’ve had and not be competitive down the stretch, not make the Playoffs, all that still stings.           But to finish with a solid top 5 to close things out is nice.            Q. I was wondering, has it hit you yet that this is the end of your full‑time career in NASCAR, or do you think that’ll come later?JIMMIE JOHNSON: I’ve let in about as much as I can. I feel like the off‑season will happen, and I won’t have team meetings and 2021 planning meetings, and my trips to the shop won’t be as frequent. I’ll still go and still be around HMS just because it’s home.           But I think as next year comes around and I don’t go to Daytona for the 500 and those firsts that come along, that’s when it will take deeper ‑‑ it’ll continue to set in deeper and deeper then.           But I feel like I’ve had a special week, a lot of friends in town, I’ve spoken a lot on the phone, a lot of texts, very meaningful conversations, and very thankful that I’ve had that from friends, family, a lot of my peers here today, so I’m feeling pretty full right now.            Q. COVID has affected this year in a bunch of ways at the track, obviously, and you hadn’t been able to have your family with you most of the year. How special was it to have them with you today on what was obviously a really special day for you?JIMMIE JOHNSON: Yeah, that was everything. They haven’t been to a race since Fontana. So to have them here and have them a part of this is something I’ve really, really hoped could happen. And once I knew we were going to have fans at the track, I felt like the chances were high. Very thankful I was able to have them here.            Q. Jimmie, obviously you’re not done racing, period. You’re moving to INDYCAR next year. When do you start your preparations going to Chip Ganassi Racing for next season, and how much are you looking forward to INDYCAR? Is it going to be kind of like a rebirth for you in a way?JIMMIE JOHNSON: Yeah, I’m not sure what to think of it all just yet. I was able to drive the car on Monday in Alabama at the Barber racetrack. Learned a lot, and I know the areas that I need to work to be more competitive in those cars.           I’m also traveling tomorrow to Monterey, California. We’re testing there on Tuesday, so I get another shot at testing the car and getting a feel for things.           I’m integrated into the team. Certainly more throughout the off‑season will take place. Their season just finished and obviously ours did, as well.           But I’m plugged in over there and trying to learn what I can and just trying to make the switch from a car with very little downforce to a car with a lot of downforce. I have a big challenge ahead of myself.            Q. Very few people in any stage of life get to go out on their own terms. Could you give us some insight into how special that element of it makes all of this that has happened to you? And also, they showed on TV out on pit road a group hug. It was you, Mr. H and Chase. Do you remember what you felt at that moment or anything that was said?JIMMIE JOHNSON: I don’t. Chase kept saying, “Can you believe it?” I don’t know what I was saying, but I just ‑‑ I’m just so proud of Chase. Then to be there with Rick, that’s the first time I’ve seen Rick in person since March.           There was a lot going on there in one moment I think for all three of us. A very meaningful moment for me to be there with Rick and with Chase, but I can’t remember what was exactly said. Of course very happy and all the things that come along those lines.           What was your first question?            Q. The ability to go out on your own terms, which very few people are able to do.JIMMIE JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, I have friends that have been NASCAR drivers, friends of mine that have played professional football, professional baseball. Very few have had the opportunity to call their shot and say when they’re done. Some have had injury, some were forced out, some sponsorship or opportunity passed them by. And either way, watching them, there’s a big void that I’ve noticed.           I’m just thankful that I won’t have that void. I was able to do it on my terms, was able to have the support from Ally and Mr. Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports to be able to step down when I wanted to and on my terms, so I’m very thankful for that.            Q. You mentioned kind of the intense amount of spotlight or pressure that comes with being a champion. I’m wondering what advice you have for Chase given that you’re kind of making your exit and he’s starting this championship assent?JIMMIE JOHNSON: Yeah, we talk a lot, and he has an amazing grasp on things. At the end of the day it’s really the driver and the crew chief and how they want to conduct business. Alan and Chase have a great relationship. They know what they need out of each other.           Chase being as young as he is has a ton of wisdom and a ton of knowledge, and clearly he’s been around the sport for a lot of years and a lot of great people that he surrounds himself with. I’m always amazed when we chat just how put together his thoughts are when we do talk.           At his age, my head was scrambled and I was all over the place. We chatted a couple times this week, and he had it all in line. I could generally tell that his head was in the right place. He didn’t have unneeded nerves and anxiety flowing through him. He really was calm and ready to get out here and get to work.           Then, of course, starting at the back, it was a real test of the system at that point. I saw him before we rolled out to the cars, and he was at peace. He’s just really wise beyond his years, and with that, extremely talented.            Q. Jimmie, I just want to know, was there an interaction maybe you had with a fan or just anyone maybe just a little bit outside the racing community that you aren’t always around with that kind of will always stick with you and just really encapsulates everything you’ve done in your career?JIMMIE JOHNSON: I rolled around the track and waved goodbye and came down pit lane and gave a high five to every single crew member down pit lane. They all came off the wall and were standing out there. There was a long, long line of crew members. That respect from my peers and respect from the industry is something I’ll never, ever forget.            Q. I know you’ve been doing a lot of contemplating, so my question for you is if you could talk to your younger self back in the year 2000 when you knew you were going to get the chance to drive in Cup, would you have believed you were going to have this incredible journey as a seven‑time champion?JIMMIE JOHNSON: No, there’s no way. I would have told myself to relax, everything is going to be just fine. I don’t know if I would have asked to change much because I am who I am and all of the overthinking and worrying and the sleepless nights and waking up early to try to find an advantage, all that paid off, so I don’t know if I would change anything.           But maybe I’d tell myself just to chill out and enjoy the ride because everything was going to turn out just fine.           I just absolutely want to thank the media. I’ve known many of you for a lot of years, and just thank you for covering the sport. Thank you for being a part of this industry. Most of all, thank you for being a friend and being on this journey together.           You work very hard. You are first in, last out, away from your families, away from your friends, more than I even am, and I know how hard it is on my end. Sincere thank you to all of you, and look forward to seeing you guys less often, not because I don’t want to see you but because I’m slowing down and I’ll only be in the media center at a few INDYCAR races. So thank you very much. See you in March.

NASCAR CUP SERIES SEASON FINALE 500 PHOENIX RACEWAY TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES NOVEMBER 8, 2020 TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL FINISHING RESULTS:POS.   DRIVER1st       Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL1 1LE5th      Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1 1LE9th      William Byron, No. 24 Axalta Camaro ZL1 1LE12th     Kurt Busch, No. 1 Monster Energy Camaro ZL1 1LE15th     Bubba Wallace, No. 43 Door Dash Camaro ZL1 1LE TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL FINISHING RESULTS:POS.  DRIVER1.    Chase Elliott (Chevrolet)2.    Brad Keselowski (Ford)3.    Joey Logano (Ford)4.    Denny Hamlin (Toyota)5.    Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet)                                        UNOFFICIAL FINAL PLAYOFF RANK (Following Race 10 of 10)POS.   DRIVER        1.    Chase Elliott (Chevrolet)2.    Brad Keselowski (Ford)3.    Joey Logano (Ford)4.    Denny Hamlin (Toyota) The NASCAR Cup Series returns to competition with the Daytona 500 season-opener at Daytona International speedway on February 14, 2021. TEAM CHEVY NOTES AND QUOTES: CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Race Winner and 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion ~ Post race quick win quotes: Q. I think it’s all finally starting to soak in for Chase Elliott, the sport’s most popular driver, now its newest champion. Just 20 days shy of his 25th birthday, the youngest champion since Jeff Gordon won his first of four titles back in 1995. Chase, you’ve been asked all week time and again what it would mean to you to win this championship; you didn’t have an answer back then. How do you answer that one now?            CHASE ELLIOTT: I’m not sure that I still even know. I just, man, I’m at a loss for words. This is unbelievable. Oh, my gosh. We did it. I mean, we did it. That’s all I’ve got to tell you. Unreal.           Championship crew chief, Alan Gustafson, is now a NASCAR Cup Series champion, and very deserving. I just can’t say enough about our group. I felt like we took some really big strides this year, and last week was a huge one. To come out of that with a win and a shot to come here and have a chance to race is unbelievable.           Heck, I don’t know. I don’t even know. This is unreal.            Q. You got back around Joey Logano and that 22 and then you just had to wait it out. I know you were anticipating a late caution. We’ve seen them in the other championship races. What was going through your mind in those closing laps?            CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, just waiting on the caution, as always. You know, I saw Joey was pretty loose there and felt like I needed to get to him while I could. I knew I’d been kind of tight on a longer run and he was probably going to get a little better. Just unbelievable.           I mean, I just never would have thought that this year would have gone like it has. I mean, NASCAR Cup Series champion; are you kidding me? Unreal.            Q. You come from a Hall of Fame pedigree. You’ve got your parents, Bill and Cindy, here to celebrate with you. They’re behind the car here. What does it mean to you to add to the family legacy?            CHASE ELLIOTT: Oh, it’s unbelievable. All you can dream for is an opportunity, and I’ve been very fortunate to have that over the years. You know, and that’s all thanks to some great people. You know, my parents obviously have played a huge role. The past year has been tough. I lost my best friend about a year ago tonight. Lost my grandmother last year. And all those things bring families closer, so I really can’t thank them enough.           Mr. Hendrick, for taking a chance on me and believing in me when a lot of people didn’t. I think it really says a lot about him. And then to have a championship sponsor like NAPA, all of our partners, and Chevrolet, huge thanks to Team Hendrick and everybody at our shop that peaked at the right time. That’s all we can ask for.            Q. It almost seemed like a changing of the guard. We saw a lot of people come by to congratulate you after the finish including the seven‑time champion Jimmie Johnson. What did that moment mean to you?            CHASE ELLIOTT: Oh, my gosh, to share a moment like that in Jimmie’s last race and to win and to lock the championship, those are moments you can only dream of. You know, and this is a dream. I’m just hoping I don’t ever wake up.            Q. You didn’t get to celebrate the win for Martinsville a week ago, but you can bet this 24‑year‑old will be celebrating this tonight. CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Race Winner and 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion ~ Post race quick win quotes: Q. I think it’s all finally starting to soak in for Chase Elliott, the sport’s most popular driver, now its newest champion. Just 20 days shy of his 25th birthday, the youngest champion since Jeff Gordon won his first of four titles back in 1995. Chase, you’ve been asked all week time and again what it would mean to you to win this championship; you didn’t have an answer back then. How do you answer that one now?            CHASE ELLIOTT: I’m not sure that I still even know. I just, man, I’m at a loss for words. This is unbelievable. Oh, my gosh. We did it. I mean, we did it. That’s all I’ve got to tell you. Unreal.           Championship crew chief, Alan Gustafson, is now a NASCAR Cup Series champion, and very deserving. I just can’t say enough about our group. I felt like we took some really big strides this year, and last week was a huge one. To come out of that with a win and a shot to come here and have a chance to race is unbelievable.           Heck, I don’t know. I don’t even know. This is unreal.            Q. You got back around Joey Logano and that 22 and then you just had to wait it out. I know you were anticipating a late caution. We’ve seen them in the other championship races. What was going through your mind in those closing laps?            CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, just waiting on the caution, as always. You know, I saw Joey was pretty loose there and felt like I needed to get to him while I could. I knew I’d been kind of tight on a longer run and he was probably going to get a little better. Just unbelievable.           I mean, I just never would have thought that this year would have gone like it has. I mean, NASCAR Cup Series champion; are you kidding me? Unreal.            Q. You come from a Hall of Fame pedigree. You’ve got your parents, Bill and Cindy, here to celebrate with you. They’re behind the car here. What does it mean to you to add to the family legacy?            CHASE ELLIOTT: Oh, it’s unbelievable. All you can dream for is an opportunity, and I’ve been very fortunate to have that over the years. You know, and that’s all thanks to some great people. You know, my parents obviously have played a huge role. The past year has been tough. I lost my best friend about a year ago tonight. Lost my grandmother last year. And all those things bring families closer, so I really can’t thank them enough.           Mr. Hendrick, for taking a chance on me and believing in me when a lot of people didn’t. I think it really says a lot about him. And then to have a championship sponsor like NAPA, all of our partners, and Chevrolet, huge thanks to Team Hendrick and everybody at our shop that peaked at the right time. That’s all we can ask for.            Q. It almost seemed like a changing of the guard. We saw a lot of people come by to congratulate you after the finish including the seven‑time champion Jimmie Johnson. What did that moment mean to you?            CHASE ELLIOTT: Oh, my gosh, to share a moment like that in Jimmie’s last race and to win and to lock the championship, those are moments you can only dream of. You know, and this is a dream. I’m just hoping I don’t ever wake up.            Q. You didn’t get to celebrate the win for Martinsville a week ago, but you can bet this 24‑year‑old will be celebrating this tonight. WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 AXALTA CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 9th“Finished 2020 with a good top 10 finish today. We struggled a bit at the beginning, but we kept working on it and made up ground throughout the race. It was good to get a top 10 for Chad’s last race with us and as a crew chief. Great job to Chase (Elliott) and the No. 9 guys on the championship as well. They did a phenomenal job the last two races. I’m looking forward to the off season and then getting after it in 2021. Hopefully we’ll be fighting alongside those boys a lot.” KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 MONSTER ENERGY CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 12th“We battled; we battled today, we battled all year and we battled through the playoffs. We had an incredible win in Vegas and some great turnarounds at tracks that we struggled at this year. I couldn’t be more proud of Matt McCall and all the guys at Chip Ganassi Racing. We were bringing better cars throughout the Playoffs. We’ve got to battle as a team, we’ve got to do good things as a team, and we have to win and lose as a team. To be top-10 overall after the year is done; I’m done with 2020! Thanks to Monster Energy, Chevrolet, GEARWRENCH and all the employees at Chip Ganassi Racing”. ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 88 CHEVYGOODS.COM/TRUCKHERO CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 16th“Definitely a bummer to run like that today. So happy for Chase (Elliott) to win a championship like that is really neat. For Jimmie (Johnson) to have a solid run on his last race is really cool. We just were not competitive and its pretty frustrating to run like that to close the season out. It’s really the only race we weren’t competitive in throughout the entire playoffs. Really proud of my entire team for the fight each and every week. I know we are going to have a great year next year, but first I am ready for this off season.” AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 DOW CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 18th“We had a solid No. 3 Dow Chevrolet today at Phoenix Raceway. We started off tight in Stage 1 but the handling came to us the longer we ran. I just couldn’t get through the corners as well as I would have liked to all day long. Towards the end of the race, we knocked in both the left and right rears, which caused our Chevy’s handling to turn extremely loose. We hung on for all we had to finish 18th. Not the finish we wanted, but we’ll regroup and be ready next year. Thank you everyone at RCR , ECR, all of our fans and partners for your support this year. Congratulations to Chase Elliott and Team Chevy on winning the Championship. TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 I AM SECOND CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 19th“Our No. 8 I Am Second Chevrolet had some good speed in it today at Phoenix Raceway. I just needed more to roll through the center of the turns, but it was tough to adjust on that since I was also fighting a loose feeling on entry and exit of the turns. We had a good top-15 run during part of the race today, but towards the end I started having some issues with my brakes and had to adjust a little bit to finish out the race. I want to thank everyone at RCR and ECR for building great cars this year and all the effort they put into this season. We also had a great group of partners supporting us this year with Caterpillar, Chevy, Alsco, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, I Am Second, Tame the Beast, Avalan Wealth Management, and so many others. I learned a lot during my rookie season and know our team will regroup over the off-season to study how to be better in 2021.” TY DILLON, NO. 13 GEICO CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 21st“All I can say is thank you to everyone at Germain Racing for a wonderful four years. It has been an honor to start my Cup career with this team and I can’t say thank you enough. To represent GEICO for four seasons was a privilege and I appreciate Bob Germain and GEICO for taking a chance on me as a rookie. I have so much love and appreciation for all those who have had a hand in this journey.”

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Dow Chevrolet Team Round Out 2020 Season With Strong Points Showing

18th   18th 11th

“We had a solid No. 3 Dow Chevrolet today at Phoenix Raceway. We started off tight in Stage 1, but the handling came to us the longer we ran. I just couldn’t get through the corners as well as I would have liked to all day long. Towards the end of the race, we knocked in both the left and right rears, which caused our Chevy’s handling to turn extremely loose. We hung on for all we had to finish 18th. Not the finish we wanted, but we’ll regroup and be ready next year. I’m so proud of the entire NASCAR industry for pulling together to complete the 2020 season despite the pandemic. Thank you everyone at RCR , ECR, all of our fans and partners for your support this year. Congratulations to Chase Elliott and Team Chevy on winning the Championship.” -Austin Dillon

Tyler Reddick Caps Off Strong Rookie Year with Top-20 Finish in No. 8 I Am Second Chevy at Phoenix Raceway

21st   19th 19th

“Our No. 8 I Am Second Chevrolet had some good speed in it today at Phoenix Raceway. I just needed more to roll through the center of the turns, but it was tough to adjust on that since I was also fighting a loose feeling on entry and exit of the turns. We had a good top-15 run during part of the race today, but towards the end I started having some issues with my brakes and had to adjust a little bit to finish out the race. I want to thank everyone at RCR and ECR for building great cars this year and all the effort they put into this season, as well as all our great partners and fans for their support during an unprecedented season. I learned a lot during my rookie season and know our team will regroup over the off-season to study how to be better in 2021.” -Tyler Reddick

NASCAR CUP SERIES SEASON FINALE 500 PHOENIX RACEWAY TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES NOVEMBER 8, 2020
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Race Winner and 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion ~ Post race quick win quotes: Q. I think it’s all finally starting to soak in for Chase Elliott, the sport’s most popular driver, now its newest champion. Just 20 days shy of his 25th birthday, the youngest champion since Jeff Gordon won his first of four titles back in 1995. Chase, you’ve been asked all week time and again what it would mean to you to win this championship; you didn’t have an answer back then. How do you answer that one now?CHASE ELLIOTT: I’m not sure that I still even know. I just, man, I’m at a loss for words. This is unbelievable. Oh, my gosh. We did it. I mean, we did it. That’s all I’ve got to tell you. Unreal.           Championship crew chief, Alan Gustafson, is now a NASCAR Cup Series champion, and very deserving. I just can’t say enough about our group. I felt like we took some really big strides this year, and last week was a huge one. To come out of that with a win and a shot to come here and have a chance to race is unbelievable.           Heck, I don’t know. I don’t even know. This is unreal.            Q. You got back around Joey Logano and that 22 and then you just had to wait it out. I know you were anticipating a late caution. We’ve seen them in the other championship races. What was going through your mind in those closing laps?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, just waiting on the caution, as always. You know, I saw Joey was pretty loose there and felt like I needed to get to him while I could. I knew I’d been kind of tight on a longer run and he was probably going to get a little better. Just unbelievable.           I mean, I just never would have thought that this year would have gone like it has. I mean, NASCAR Cup Series champion; are you kidding me? Unreal.            Q. You come from a Hall of Fame pedigree. You’ve got your parents, Bill and Cindy, here to celebrate with you. They’re behind the car here. What does it mean to you to add to the family legacy?CHASE ELLIOTT: Oh, it’s unbelievable. All you can dream for is an opportunity, and I’ve been very fortunate to have that over the years. You know, and that’s all thanks to some great people. You know, my parents obviously have played a huge role. The past year has been tough. I lost my best friend about a year ago tonight. Lost my grandmother last year. And all those things bring families closer, so I really can’t thank them enough.           Mr. Hendrick, for taking a chance on me and believing in me when a lot of people didn’t. I think it really says a lot about him. And then to have a championship sponsor like NAPA, all of our partners, and Chevrolet, huge thanks to Team Hendrick and everybody at our shop that peaked at the right time. That’s all we can ask for.            Q. It almost seemed like a changing of the guard. We saw a lot of people come by to congratulate you after the finish including the seven‑time champion Jimmie Johnson. What did that moment mean to you?CHASE ELLIOTT: Oh, my gosh, to share a moment like that in Jimmie’s last race and to win and to lock the championship, those are moments you can only dream of. You know, and this is a dream. I’m just hoping I don’t ever wake up.            Q. You didn’t get to celebrate the win for Martinsville a week ago, but you can bet this 24‑year‑old will be celebrating this tonight.

Myatt Snider Closes Out 2020 Season With Fast No. 21 TaxSlayer Chevrolet at Phoenix Raceway

18th   15th

“We had another fast TaxSlayer Chevrolet today at Phoenix Raceway. We fired off a little too loose at the beginning of the race, but we were able to still pass a lot of good race cars. I made a mistake on our first stop of the night and slid through the pit box, which set us back. Thankfully, we were able to overcome that and drive back inside the top-10. We had a long run in the final stage and just struggled with the balance of our TaxSlayer Chevrolet. I felt like I had no grip and was really hoping for a caution so we could work on it. Unfortunately, we got caught speeding on pit road during our last green flag pit stop, which took us outside of the top-10. It was frustrating to not get the finish we deserved, but that’s just part of racing I guess. Thank you so much to everyone at Richard Childress Racing, ECR, TaxSlayer, and all our partners. I have really enjoyed competing with this No. 21 team this season.”   -Myatt Snider

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES DESERT DIAMOND CASINO WEST VALLEY 200 PHOENIX RACEWAY TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES NOVEMBER 7, 2020
Award Recognizes Manufacturer Championship in NASCAR Xfinity Series AVONDALE, Ariz. – (November 7, 2020) – At the conclusion of the Desert Diamond Casio West Valley 200 at Phoenix Raceway, Chevrolet clinched the Bill France Performance Cup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS). The 2020 achievement marks the 22nd time the Bowtie Brand has captured this prestigious honor, more than any other manufacturer.  The triumph also marks the sixth time Camaro SS has earned the award since becoming Chevrolet’s flagship vehicle in the Xfinity Series in 2013.  “Chevrolet is honored to again win the 2020 Bill France Performance Cup in the NASCAR Xfinity Series” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports. “Thank you to the Chevrolet teams and drivers that generated valuable points that secured this championship for Chevrolet.”
Capping off the regular season, Chevrolet placed more contenders in the Playoffs than any other manufacturer with seven drivers and teams in the running for this year’s title. Four different Team Chevy drivers were victorious during the year: Justin Allgaier (3 wins), Justin Haley (3 wins), AJ Allmendinger (2 wins), and Noah Gragson (2 wins). A multitude of Team Chevy members contributed to this special award with valuable points throughout the entire 33-race season.  Chevrolet returns to competition in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021.

NASCAR TRUCK SERIES LUCAS OIL 150 PHOENIX RACEWAY TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES NOVEMBER 6, 2020
Chevrolet Earns 10th NASCAR Truck SeriesManufacturer Championship AVONDALE, Ariz. – (November 6, 2020) – With the wave of the checkered flag at the Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix Raceway, Chevrolet earned the 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (NGROTS) manufacturer championship award. This marks the 10th time in NASCAR Truck Series competition history that Chevrolet has captured this prestigious honor.  Silverado has powered Team Chevy drivers in the NASCAR Truck Series division since the inception of the series in 1995 and has now earned the Bowtie Brand 10 manufacturer championships and 252 victories. “Chevrolet is honored to win the manufacturer championship in the NASCAR Truck Series for the tenth time,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports. “This championship is the result of hard work, persistence and dedication of all the Chevrolet teams that contributed valuable manufacturer points all season.” The journey to earning the 2020 NGROTS honor consisted of 10 Chevy Silverado trips to Victory Lane with Chevrolet drivers Sheldon Creed (5 wins), Zane Smith (2 wins), Sam Mayer (1 win), Brett Moffitt (1 win), Chase Elliott (1 win); along with points-paying finishes by many other Team Chevy competitors that contributed to this title throughout the 23-race season.

NASCAR TRUCK SERIES LUCAS OIL 150 PHOENIX RACEWAY TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES NOVEMBER 6, 2020
SILVERADO POWERS SHELDON CREED TO CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORYWins First Truck Series Title  AVONDALE, Ariz. (November 6, 2020) – Sheldon Creed, driver of the No. 2 Chevy Accessories Silverado, claimed the 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series (NGROTS) championship with a victory in the season-finale Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix Raceway. The title is the first NGROTS career title for Creed, and second in the division for GMS Racing. It also marks Chevrolet’s 14th Driver’s Championship, and 252nd Chevy Silverado win since the inception of the series in 1995. “Congratulations to Sheldon Creed, Jeff Stankiewicz, and the entire No. 2 Silverado team for winning the NASCAR Truck Series championship,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President of Performance and Motorsports. “Sheldon had an incredible final restart and drove to the front on four-fresh tires to bring home his first championship. What a spectacular season!” Creed joins Johnny Sauter, who won the NGROTS championship in 2016, as the second GMS driver to win in the division.
“Also, congratulations to Maury Gallagher Jr., Spencer Gallagher and Mike Beam on earning a second NASCAR Truck Series championship,” added Campbell. “GMS Racing is recognized as one of the leading organizations in the division, and we are proud to be associated with them.” During the 2020 NGROTS season of 23 races, the 23-year old Alpine, CA native piloted his Chevy Accessories Silverado to five victories.
“I thought my teammate was going to win the championship and we were going to run third,” Creed said as he exited his title-winning No. 2 Silverado. “We were just too loose there as we went on. The caution came out and Jeff (Stankiewicz, crew chief) and I were talking, and we had nothing to lose. The worst we’re going to run is fourth, here. Let’s put tires on it. I pride myself on my re-starts week-in and week-out, and just nailed that restart right there. They were racing really hard. I was driving as hard as I could. I want this so bad. I was just driving as hard as I could and I knew if I did, I’d have a shot. My guys and Chevy Accessories and everyone who helps us; and my grandfather is the one that makes this deal happen.”
Creed is now the eighth Team Chevy driver to record this achievement. In addition to Sauter (2016), those include: James Buescher (2012), Austin Dillon (2011) Ron Hornaday, Jr. (1996, 1998, ‘07, & ‘09), Travis Kvapil (2003), Mike Bliss (2002), Jack Sprague (1997, ’99, & ‘01), and Mike Skinner (1995). Chevrolet returns to competition in the NASCAR Truck Series with the NextEra Energy 250 season-opener at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 12, 2021.

NASCAR CUP SERIES PHOENIX RACEWAY SEASON FINALE 500 TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT NOVEMBER 5, 2020 
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE, met with media via teleconference and discussed his preparation for his first Championship Four race at Phoenix, his mindset, the other competitors, his odds to win the title, and more. Full Transcript:
THE MODERATOR: Chase, thanks for taking the time today.           Four wins on the season, including the must‑win race a week ago at Martinsville. For the first time in your career you are through to the Championship 4. What does it mean to break through to the next level and be one race away from a championship?            CHASE ELLIOTT: For sure, great opportunity for us, much like you mentioned, I think you might have said this before, just an area that we haven’t been to yet. The Round of 8 had kind of been that stopping point for us over the last few years. It feels really nice to move on, go and perform at the level I really feel confident we can do consistently this past weekend at Martinsville.           Great, great weekend, great team win, a big win and a timely win. It’s a great opportunity ahead. Just trying to do all the right things this week to be as prepared as possible for Sunday.
THE MODERATOR: We’ll start with questions.           Q. With this being your first time in the four, have you talked to anybody? If so, who, for any advice?CHASE ELLIOTT: For me, I’m very lucky. My dad obviously has had great success over the years, has been around this deal for a long time. Obviously Jimmie is a great one to lean on, too.           For me, the big thing from talking to dad that I feel like he’s kind of mentioned is just enjoy these moments because these aren’t things you can take for granted. You don’t know when your last race win is. You don’t what tomorrow brings. Nothing’s guaranteed, right?           I think just enjoying these moments, trying to embrace them, especially after a race like Sunday, you wish you could just slow down time and enjoy that moment and make it last a little longer, but you can’t. You just have to enjoy ’em as much as you can, put emphasis on that.           I feel like that’s where I’m at right now, is not taking the situation for granted, knowing it’s not an easy thing, knowing it’s not something that comes every day, try to make the most of a great opportunity.            Q. If you look back on this year from a competition lens, not necessarily your own, would you look back on it and say, Man, it was an abnormal year with nine weeks off, no practice, no qualifying, or normal enough that you say, Man, that was a year that Kevin Harvick won nine races and didn’t make the Final 4?CHASE ELLIOTT: It kind of goes to show you nothing’s guaranteed in this deal. Just the way the points format and things are, it lends opportunity for winning races at the right time. Fortunate for us, we were able to do that.           I think the big one I take away is, especially after a year like Kevin had, nothing’s guaranteed. You really have to put emphasis on trying to perform at the right time and hoping that you can put all the pieces together.           I’m certainly not taking it for granted. It’s a big deal, a great opportunity for us. To have won four races this season I think is something we’ve never done before. That’s also a great achievement for us. Hopefully we can try to get one more before it’s over with.
           Q. Let me ask you, Joey Logano said I’m going to race for many more years, there will be many opportunities. He had a perspective similar to you about enjoy the moment, but this is definitely not your last race, not your last shot at a championship. Does that take the pressure off of you because you are so young, even though you drive yourself really hard?CHASE ELLIOTT: Well, I mean, we like to think those things, right? But you don’t know. Hell, I don’t know what tomorrow is. I don’t think anybody does.           To sit here and promise myself things that I can’t promise myself, I don’t know. I don’t have a crystal ball, right? I do know this is a moment you have to enjoy because you don’t know with your last race win is, you don’t know when your last day is, when the last Championship 4 is for you, all of the above.           I’m just trying to enjoy the whole moment and make the most of whatever Sunday brings, put all the emphasis and preparation in the things that are going to give us the best chance on Sunday. To me that’s my preparation for certain situations and probably most importantly the right decisions on the car to get our car balance as close as we can to start the race. All my emphasis is there, and just trying to enjoy and embrace this time, make the most of it.
           Q. I know you’ve talked about what last week’s win meant. How does it change who you are or what you do a week later? You’ve had success, you’ve done great things. Just because you won last week at Martinsville, how does that change what you might or might not do at Phoenix this weekend in this situation?CHASE ELLIOTT: Well, I don’t think it changes our approach any, for sure. I think we’d be foolish to change how we do things now as we go into the last race of the year. Martinsville was a great win, great team win, timely win. Couldn’t have asked for a better time to go out there and perform really well.           I don’t think we change anything as far as how we get ready for the race weekend. I think that our prep and our process that we go through as the 9 team is good enough to compete when we do all the right things and make all the right decisions. I don’t think there’s any reason for us to go about anything differently this week than we have in the past.
           Q. I understand every experience can be a learning experience. Because this is a little more of a short track, potential mentality, your experience at Bristol earlier this year late in the race, it not working out, what kind of a learning experience is that in case you’re put in a similar situation late in the race at Phoenix this weekend?CHASE ELLIOTT: I mean, I don’t know. You get in situations, and you don’t have weeks to sit there and think about what the decision is. You have to make a decision, go with it and live with it.           For me, I feel like when you get put in situations, you have to make a decision, go on down the road whether it works out or doesn’t work out.           It’s so hard to prepare for all of them because you don’t know what’s going to be thrown at you. What point in the race are you going to have a challenge, something not go your way, whatever. It’s so hard to simulate some of that because you don’t know till you get faced with it.           Just try to rely on past situations, past experience, use those little pieces of learning experiences to make a better decision next time. That’s all we can do.           You have to make them very fast. Sometimes they’re going to work out, sometimes they’re not. You’re going to try to make the one that’s going to better your result. 
           Q. Are you glad that Harvick is not in the final or are you able to have any sympathy for him not making it?CHASE ELLIOTT: I don’t know. I don’t really think that’s for me to say. Certainly I commend them for winning nine races. I mean, that’s a major feat, for sure. So I think you have to respect that. But I’m not sure it’s for me to say or comment really past that.           I think for us to sit here and talk about others or the other three guys in it or who’s not in it, who somebody thinks the favorite is or isn’t, whatever, is just very unproductive in my eyes.           I’m just really thinking about us, being selfish in a lot of ways this week, trying to put emphasis on the things that are going to make us go fast. Me ranking Kevin’s season is not one of them. 
           Q. You’re the first Hendrick and Chevy guy in there since 2016. Jeff Andrews said Mr. H was texting him at 2 in the morning. Did you feel any pressure internally from Chevy or Mr. H to get into this finale?CHASE ELLIOTT: Certainly we all want to do good, right? I would be lying if I said that there was any outside emphasis or pressure that made us want to be a part of this Championship 4 any more than we already did as a team, any more than I did personally.           As much as I know that our partners, Mr. Hendrick, everybody wants us to do really well, I want to do good. I want to do good anyway. Our team wants to do good. We want to perform, we want to win, too. I’m talking about just the guys that are on track and fighting the fight. There’s nothing outside of that that is going to make us want to go and perform any more than we already do.            Q. First Championship 4 appearance. You mentioned people you’ve talked to, tried to lean on. Is it going to be an advantage or disadvantage that you won’t have to go through a weekend full of nerves in terms of each practice and qualifying, but instead you get to show up and race?CHASE ELLIOTT: It certainly takes a bunch, I guess, I don’t want to say complications out of it, but I guess just that time on track. It takes a lot of pieces away from the puzzle, right?           I don’t know that it’s good or bad. I mean, if you start the race on Sunday and your car’s off, Dang, I wish we had some practice. I wish we could have fixed this on Friday or Saturday. If you start the race on Sunday, your car is driving good, then no, you’re probably not happy with not having any.           I think it comes down to whether or not you hit your balance close to the race. If you do, you’re happy about it. If you don’t, you wish you had some more time.           Everybody is faced with the same rules and the same weekend schedule. We all kind of have the same opportunity, in my opinion. Kind of all depends on how you start the race.            Q. Do you know what car you’ll have this weekend? Will it have any significance? Has it run before or not?CHASE ELLIOTT: I have no idea. I have no idea what car we’re taking this weekend. They all look the exact same from where I sit unless I look over and see which number is says on the roll bar. I couldn’t tell you. Whatever car Alan chooses, is the best choice, I’ll have confidence in that decision and I’ll live with it either way.
           Q. After kind of breaking through the Round of 8 barrier, how did you celebrate?CHASE ELLIOTT: To be real honest, I came home and went to bed, just to be real clear on that. I would have loved to come home, had a few beers, whatever, hung out. Just kind of the way it worked out.           We had meetings Monday morning, obviously a big week of prep going into this last event. Really just kind of after the race tried to enjoy the moment, embrace it, recognize that situations and moments like that don’t happen every day. Really enjoy that. At the same time just get ready and think about Monday and what we’re going to talk about in our meetings looking ahead to Phoenix. 
           Q. I don’t know at your young age if you think much about legacy building. Toward that, how important do you think winning a championship is?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, it’s a popular question, right? I don’t know because I’ve never done it. I hate to say that, but I just don’t. I think it’s one of those things where you don’t know. I don’t know what it feels like or the emotions of it or what it would bring or wouldn’t bring or whatever because I’ve never achieved that before.           I just think to be thinking about those things and not the things that are going to make our car go fast on Sunday is just the wrong, in my opinion, my approach right now, is the wrong thing.           I’m just all eyes. My mindset and focus is what is going to make you go fast. That is what matters on Sunday. That is going to be the thing that either gives you a chance or doesn’t. The rest of it right now just doesn’t matter. That’s where I’m at.
           Q. Certainly, you’ve raced before in these finales not being part of it. You’ve had to race the championship drivers with respect, give them room. Are you expecting to get that back now? Are you anticipating that other drivers who aren’t in the championship will give you some more room than they might usually?CHASE ELLIOTT: That’s a great question. I feel like the ones I’ve been a part of, I feel like I’ve really tried to let those guys fight it out, especially if those cars are good, which it seems like they have been in the fast, up front battling. I’ve tried to do that for sure.           I will say that I do feel like as the years have gone on, seems like the first year of this Final 4 thing, at least the first year I was a part of it, they didn’t want anything to do with those guys. Then it seems like as the years have gone on, people are just kind of running their race a little more.           I do think the respect is still there, but I do think there is a little bit more of a sense of those guys, the people that are not a part of the Final 4, running their event still.           You hope you get some respect. You hope those guys will give you that. Whether they will or won’t, I don’t know. Never done it. But we’ll find out. I do think the dynamic has changed a little bit as time has gone on. Hopefully we’re fast enough where it doesn’t matter.
           Q. You mentioned you weren’t interested in thinking about the favorites for this race. With where you stack up, some could argue you’re an underdog coming into this without a Championship 4 appearance before. Do you feel like that or not really coming off the momentum of your most recent win?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, like I said, I just think it’s unproductive, right? What good does it do anybody to sit down and rank who they think… I guess if you’re in Vegas, it does those people some good, right? For me, I’m not betting this week in Vegas. I’m not laying any money down on trying to win or not.           I don’t care who the favorite is or who the underdog is. I just want to go, have a good run, try to win, achieve our goals.
           Q. Why do you think you could be this year’s champion?CHASE ELLIOTT: Well, I mean, I think for us, I feel like when we’ve been at our best, I feel like we’ve competed with the best in the series. I think if we do the right things, make the right calls throughout the week, the right adjustments and tweaks on the car from that first race, there’s no reason why I don’t think we can go and have a shot.
           Q. What sort of advice, if any, has Jimmie Johnson provided to you about this weekend? What will the time you spent together at Hendrick Motorsport mean to you?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, Jimmie has been such a great friend for me, a great role model I think for just not me. The guy I feel like is a great example in a lot of different ways.           I think his message throughout the week is just do the things that kind of make you you. Now is not the time to try to reinvent the wheel or do things different, change who you are. Just go about your thing has you always have. That’s the kind of process that has led us to this point. There’s no need in changing who you are now. It’s one of those things that probably aren’t going to do you any good.
           Q. What has your time with Jimmie meant?CHASE ELLIOTT: Jimmie, like I said, such a great individual, person. But he’s a great guy. He’s a champion on the track and off the track. I think he’s made that very apparent over the years.           I’ve been very lucky and fortunate to call him a friend, have him to lean on in certain times. Yeah, I’m certainly going to miss him being around, being a part of our team all the time.
           Q. Last year there was some conversation regarding Championship 4 appearances being weighted as potentially more valuable in this specific era than championships themselves. Where do you stand on that in how valuable the appearances are versus the titles themselves?CHASE ELLIOTT: I mean, I’m not sure on that. I haven’t really thought about that a ton. One thing I know for sure is you can’t win a championship unless you’re part of the Final 4. That’s my response to that.           I don’t know what the correct answer is on the weight of it. I know with the way the rules are, the way this deal is, you’re not going to win one unless you’re part of the Final 4. That I know for a fact. 
           Q. Would you consider your season a success in making the Championship 4 or is it title or bust?CHASE ELLIOTT: Our season is not over, so we’ll find out Sunday.
           Q. What do you think is holding you back at Phoenix? What is it going to take for you to finally get over the hump there and claim the title on Sunday?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think for us, that was a great win at Martinsville, a very timely win as I mentioned. It was a big deal, for sure. I think we all recognize that as a team.           Looking to Phoenix, I think what is going to make the difference out there is a good week of preparation, a good week of making the right decisions on the car, taking what we had there in the spring and tweaking on it, making it better. You’re not going to go back there with what we had in the spring and be good. Everybody is always getting better, always improving.           We want to do some of that and hopefully we can improve and be better than the rest.
           Q. Pit crew, talk about their performance all year, especially in the crucial moment at Martinsville, jackman comes out, avoided the penalty. How crucial was that?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, T.J… Obviously, you want to eliminate those mistakes in general. That’s number one, right? Nobody wants to make any mistakes. If you do make a mistake, to have the awareness, to be able to do it that quick to be able to say, okay, hey, if I go reset myself, we’re going to avoid this penalty, that was huge. I’m not sure what clicked in his head to go do that.           I’m coming to the pit box. He’s trying to make his mind up whether he wants to go back. I’m about to run him over. He had to make that pretty quick and he had to execute it quick because I was coming in there not slow. Just one of those things to have to really commend his preparation and the coaches for teaching that, knowing what to do in that situation.
           Q. Back to a posting on Instagram where you said you were taking a break from social media. Do you think that played a role in getting over the hump in advancing to the Championship 4?CHASE ELLIOTT: I’m not sure that it played a role in advancing to the Final 4 or not. It was just really one of those things where I think I, like a lot of the world nowadays, we spend any split second of downtime looking at our phones, scrolling, seeing what Twitter has to offer, what Joe Blow and John Smith are doing in the middle of their day.           At the end of the day I just kind of felt like it might be good to give that a rest, just not care as much about what everybody else is doing, just be more productive and focus on more things that matter in your present life more so than on the phone. That’s kind of really where that came from.           It really didn’t have as much to do with the on‑track stuff as it did just me personally thinking that it would be a good change for a little while.
           Q. Dawsonville has been a good part of your life since your dad was racing. I want to be a little lighter here and talk about your memories there. Were you ever there and got to hear the siren when your dad won? What would it be like to have them sounding that siren, trying to break the thing Sunday night if you win?CHASE ELLIOTT: I’ve never been around for it. I’ve seen videos and stuff. It’s a really cool tradition. Gordon Pirkle is the guy that has owned the poolroom. That’s kind of been his thing. I think it’s cool of him to carry that tradition on, be able to still do that. I’m grateful for that. I think it’s a cool thing.           I would love for it to go off on Sunday. I certainly hope that’s the case. But, yeah, it’s a cool tradition. Fortunate that I’ve been lucky enough that they wanted to carry it on and want to keep doing it.
           Q. I’ve noticed some irony here going back to 1988 where the teams in baseball and basketball, the Dodgers and Lakers, have won titles in 2020. Back in 1988, I believe your dad Bill won a championship then. How cool would it be to be back in his footprints and go for a championship this year?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, that’s a cool thing. I didn’t know that, for sure.           People ask that a lot, right? I feel like it’s so hard. I just remember getting the question of, What is it going to feel like when you win that first race? What is that going to be like? How cool is that going to be to you?           I always had a really hard time answering that because I’d never done it before. So I don’t know. I think that’s the same answer now. Until you achieve a moment like that, that obviously is very meaningful to you, I think it’s really hard to put a stamp of what it means or how it feels or the emotions that come with it. I think I’d be speaking out of turn to really give you an answer because I don’t know. I don’t know.           I hope that one day I can figure it out, but right now I don’t know. We’ll give it our best shot to find out.            THE MODERATOR: That’s all the time we have for Chase. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer question. Good luck this weekend.            CHASE ELLIOTT: Cool, yeah. Thanks. 

NASCAR CUP SERIES PHOENIX RACEWAY SEASON FINALE 500 TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT NOVEMBER 2, 2020 
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE, met with media via teleconference and discussed his preparation for his first Championship Four race at Phoenix, his mindset, the other competitors, his odds to win the title, and more. Full Transcript:
THE MODERATOR: Chase, thanks for taking the time today.           Four wins on the season, including the must‑win race a week ago at Martinsville. For the first time in your career you are through to the Championship 4. What does it mean to break through to the next level and be one race away from a championship?            CHASE ELLIOTT: For sure, great opportunity for us, much like you mentioned, I think you might have said this before, just an area that we haven’t been to yet. The Round of 8 had kind of been that stopping point for us over the last few years. It feels really nice to move on, go and perform at the level I really feel confident we can do consistently this past weekend at Martinsville.           Great, great weekend, great team win, a big win and a timely win. It’s a great opportunity ahead. Just trying to do all the right things this week to be as prepared as possible for Sunday.
THE MODERATOR: We’ll start with questions.           Q. With this being your first time in the four, have you talked to anybody? If so, who, for any advice?CHASE ELLIOTT: For me, I’m very lucky. My dad obviously has had great success over the years, has been around this deal for a long time. Obviously Jimmie is a great one to lean on, too.           For me, the big thing from talking to dad that I feel like he’s kind of mentioned is just enjoy these moments because these aren’t things you can take for granted. You don’t know when your last race win is. You don’t what tomorrow brings. Nothing’s guaranteed, right?           I think just enjoying these moments, trying to embrace them, especially after a race like Sunday, you wish you could just slow down time and enjoy that moment and make it last a little longer, but you can’t. You just have to enjoy ’em as much as you can, put emphasis on that.           I feel like that’s where I’m at right now, is not taking the situation for granted, knowing it’s not an easy thing, knowing it’s not something that comes every day, try to make the most of a great opportunity.            Q. If you look back on this year from a competition lens, not necessarily your own, would you look back on it and say, Man, it was an abnormal year with nine weeks off, no practice, no qualifying, or normal enough that you say, Man, that was a year that Kevin Harvick won nine races and didn’t make the Final 4?CHASE ELLIOTT: It kind of goes to show you nothing’s guaranteed in this deal. Just the way the points format and things are, it lends opportunity for winning races at the right time. Fortunate for us, we were able to do that.           I think the big one I take away is, especially after a year like Kevin had, nothing’s guaranteed. You really have to put emphasis on trying to perform at the right time and hoping that you can put all the pieces together.           I’m certainly not taking it for granted. It’s a big deal, a great opportunity for us. To have won four races this season I think is something we’ve never done before. That’s also a great achievement for us. Hopefully we can try to get one more before it’s over with.
           Q. Let me ask you, Joey Logano said I’m going to race for many more years, there will be many opportunities. He had a perspective similar to you about enjoy the moment, but this is definitely not your last race, not your last shot at a championship. Does that take the pressure off of you because you are so young, even though you drive yourself really hard?CHASE ELLIOTT: Well, I mean, we like to think those things, right? But you don’t know. Hell, I don’t know what tomorrow is. I don’t think anybody does.           To sit here and promise myself things that I can’t promise myself, I don’t know. I don’t have a crystal ball, right? I do know this is a moment you have to enjoy because you don’t know with your last race win is, you don’t know when your last day is, when the last Championship 4 is for you, all of the above.           I’m just trying to enjoy the whole moment and make the most of whatever Sunday brings, put all the emphasis and preparation in the things that are going to give us the best chance on Sunday. To me that’s my preparation for certain situations and probably most importantly the right decisions on the car to get our car balance as close as we can to start the race. All my emphasis is there, and just trying to enjoy and embrace this time, make the most of it.
           Q. I know you’ve talked about what last week’s win meant. How does it change who you are or what you do a week later? You’ve had success, you’ve done great things. Just because you won last week at Martinsville, how does that change what you might or might not do at Phoenix this weekend in this situation?CHASE ELLIOTT: Well, I don’t think it changes our approach any, for sure. I think we’d be foolish to change how we do things now as we go into the last race of the year. Martinsville was a great win, great team win, timely win. Couldn’t have asked for a better time to go out there and perform really well.           I don’t think we change anything as far as how we get ready for the race weekend. I think that our prep and our process that we go through as the 9 team is good enough to compete when we do all the right things and make all the right decisions. I don’t think there’s any reason for us to go about anything differently this week than we have in the past.
           Q. I understand every experience can be a learning experience. Because this is a little more of a short track, potential mentality, your experience at Bristol earlier this year late in the race, it not working out, what kind of a learning experience is that in case you’re put in a similar situation late in the race at Phoenix this weekend?CHASE ELLIOTT: I mean, I don’t know. You get in situations, and you don’t have weeks to sit there and think about what the decision is. You have to make a decision, go with it and live with it.           For me, I feel like when you get put in situations, you have to make a decision, go on down the road whether it works out or doesn’t work out.           It’s so hard to prepare for all of them because you don’t know what’s going to be thrown at you. What point in the race are you going to have a challenge, something not go your way, whatever. It’s so hard to simulate some of that because you don’t know till you get faced with it.           Just try to rely on past situations, past experience, use those little pieces of learning experiences to make a better decision next time. That’s all we can do.           You have to make them very fast. Sometimes they’re going to work out, sometimes they’re not. You’re going to try to make the one that’s going to better your result. 
           Q. Are you glad that Harvick is not in the final or are you able to have any sympathy for him not making it?CHASE ELLIOTT: I don’t know. I don’t really think that’s for me to say. Certainly I commend them for winning nine races. I mean, that’s a major feat, for sure. So I think you have to respect that. But I’m not sure it’s for me to say or comment really past that.           I think for us to sit here and talk about others or the other three guys in it or who’s not in it, who somebody thinks the favorite is or isn’t, whatever, is just very unproductive in my eyes.           I’m just really thinking about us, being selfish in a lot of ways this week, trying to put emphasis on the things that are going to make us go fast. Me ranking Kevin’s season is not one of them. 
           Q. You’re the first Hendrick and Chevy guy in there since 2016. Jeff Andrews said Mr. H was texting him at 2 in the morning. Did you feel any pressure internally from Chevy or Mr. H to get into this finale?CHASE ELLIOTT: Certainly we all want to do good, right? I would be lying if I said that there was any outside emphasis or pressure that made us want to be a part of this Championship 4 any more than we already did as a team, any more than I did personally.           As much as I know that our partners, Mr. Hendrick, everybody wants us to do really well, I want to do good. I want to do good anyway. Our team wants to do good. We want to perform, we want to win, too. I’m talking about just the guys that are on track and fighting the fight. There’s nothing outside of that that is going to make us want to go and perform any more than we already do.            Q. First Championship 4 appearance. You mentioned people you’ve talked to, tried to lean on. Is it going to be an advantage or disadvantage that you won’t have to go through a weekend full of nerves in terms of each practice and qualifying, but instead you get to show up and race?CHASE ELLIOTT: It certainly takes a bunch, I guess, I don’t want to say complications out of it, but I guess just that time on track. It takes a lot of pieces away from the puzzle, right?           I don’t know that it’s good or bad. I mean, if you start the race on Sunday and your car’s off, Dang, I wish we had some practice. I wish we could have fixed this on Friday or Saturday. If you start the race on Sunday, your car is driving good, then no, you’re probably not happy with not having any.           I think it comes down to whether or not you hit your balance close to the race. If you do, you’re happy about it. If you don’t, you wish you had some more time.           Everybody is faced with the same rules and the same weekend schedule. We all kind of have the same opportunity, in my opinion. Kind of all depends on how you start the race.            Q. Do you know what car you’ll have this weekend? Will it have any significance? Has it run before or not?CHASE ELLIOTT: I have no idea. I have no idea what car we’re taking this weekend. They all look the exact same from where I sit unless I look over and see which number is says on the roll bar. I couldn’t tell you. Whatever car Alan chooses, is the best choice, I’ll have confidence in that decision and I’ll live with it either way.
           Q. After kind of breaking through the Round of 8 barrier, how did you celebrate?CHASE ELLIOTT: To be real honest, I came home and went to bed, just to be real clear on that. I would have loved to come home, had a few beers, whatever, hung out. Just kind of the way it worked out.           We had meetings Monday morning, obviously a big week of prep going into this last event. Really just kind of after the race tried to enjoy the moment, embrace it, recognize that situations and moments like that don’t happen every day. Really enjoy that. At the same time just get ready and think about Monday and what we’re going to talk about in our meetings looking ahead to Phoenix. 
           Q. I don’t know at your young age if you think much about legacy building. Toward that, how important do you think winning a championship is?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, it’s a popular question, right? I don’t know because I’ve never done it. I hate to say that, but I just don’t. I think it’s one of those things where you don’t know. I don’t know what it feels like or the emotions of it or what it would bring or wouldn’t bring or whatever because I’ve never achieved that before.           I just think to be thinking about those things and not the things that are going to make our car go fast on Sunday is just the wrong, in my opinion, my approach right now, is the wrong thing.           I’m just all eyes. My mindset and focus is what is going to make you go fast. That is what matters on Sunday. That is going to be the thing that either gives you a chance or doesn’t. The rest of it right now just doesn’t matter. That’s where I’m at.
           Q. Certainly, you’ve raced before in these finales not being part of it. You’ve had to race the championship drivers with respect, give them room. Are you expecting to get that back now? Are you anticipating that other drivers who aren’t in the championship will give you some more room than they might usually?CHASE ELLIOTT: That’s a great question. I feel like the ones I’ve been a part of, I feel like I’ve really tried to let those guys fight it out, especially if those cars are good, which it seems like they have been in the fast, up front battling. I’ve tried to do that for sure.           I will say that I do feel like as the years have gone on, seems like the first year of this Final 4 thing, at least the first year I was a part of it, they didn’t want anything to do with those guys. Then it seems like as the years have gone on, people are just kind of running their race a little more.           I do think the respect is still there, but I do think there is a little bit more of a sense of those guys, the people that are not a part of the Final 4, running their event still.           You hope you get some respect. You hope those guys will give you that. Whether they will or won’t, I don’t know. Never done it. But we’ll find out. I do think the dynamic has changed a little bit as time has gone on. Hopefully we’re fast enough where it doesn’t matter.
           Q. You mentioned you weren’t interested in thinking about the favorites for this race. With where you stack up, some could argue you’re an underdog coming into this without a Championship 4 appearance before. Do you feel like that or not really coming off the momentum of your most recent win?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, like I said, I just think it’s unproductive, right? What good does it do anybody to sit down and rank who they think… I guess if you’re in Vegas, it does those people some good, right? For me, I’m not betting this week in Vegas. I’m not laying any money down on trying to win or not.           I don’t care who the favorite is or who the underdog is. I just want to go, have a good run, try to win, achieve our goals.
           Q. Why do you think you could be this year’s champion?CHASE ELLIOTT: Well, I mean, I think for us, I feel like when we’ve been at our best, I feel like we’ve competed with the best in the series. I think if we do the right things, make the right calls throughout the week, the right adjustments and tweaks on the car from that first race, there’s no reason why I don’t think we can go and have a shot.
           Q. What sort of advice, if any, has Jimmie Johnson provided to you about this weekend? What will the time you spent together at Hendrick Motorsport mean to you?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, Jimmie has been such a great friend for me, a great role model I think for just not me. The guy I feel like is a great example in a lot of different ways.           I think his message throughout the week is just do the things that kind of make you you. Now is not the time to try to reinvent the wheel or do things different, change who you are. Just go about your thing has you always have. That’s the kind of process that has led us to this point. There’s no need in changing who you are now. It’s one of those things that probably aren’t going to do you any good.
           Q. What has your time with Jimmie meant?CHASE ELLIOTT: Jimmie, like I said, such a great individual, person. But he’s a great guy. He’s a champion on the track and off the track. I think he’s made that very apparent over the years.           I’ve been very lucky and fortunate to call him a friend, have him to lean on in certain times. Yeah, I’m certainly going to miss him being around, being a part of our team all the time.
           Q. Last year there was some conversation regarding Championship 4 appearances being weighted as potentially more valuable in this specific era than championships themselves. Where do you stand on that in how valuable the appearances are versus the titles themselves?CHASE ELLIOTT: I mean, I’m not sure on that. I haven’t really thought about that a ton. One thing I know for sure is you can’t win a championship unless you’re part of the Final 4. That’s my response to that.           I don’t know what the correct answer is on the weight of it. I know with the way the rules are, the way this deal is, you’re not going to win one unless you’re part of the Final 4. That I know for a fact. 
           Q. Would you consider your season a success in making the Championship 4 or is it title or bust?CHASE ELLIOTT: Our season is not over, so we’ll find out Sunday.
           Q. What do you think is holding you back at Phoenix? What is it going to take for you to finally get over the hump there and claim the title on Sunday?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I think for us, that was a great win at Martinsville, a very timely win as I mentioned. It was a big deal, for sure. I think we all recognize that as a team.           Looking to Phoenix, I think what is going to make the difference out there is a good week of preparation, a good week of making the right decisions on the car, taking what we had there in the spring and tweaking on it, making it better. You’re not going to go back there with what we had in the spring and be good. Everybody is always getting better, always improving.           We want to do some of that and hopefully we can improve and be better than the rest.
           Q. Pit crew, talk about their performance all year, especially in the crucial moment at Martinsville, jackman comes out, avoided the penalty. How crucial was that?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, I mean, T.J… Obviously, you want to eliminate those mistakes in general. That’s number one, right? Nobody wants to make any mistakes. If you do make a mistake, to have the awareness, to be able to do it that quick to be able to say, okay, hey, if I go reset myself, we’re going to avoid this penalty, that was huge. I’m not sure what clicked in his head to go do that.           I’m coming to the pit box. He’s trying to make his mind up whether he wants to go back. I’m about to run him over. He had to make that pretty quick and he had to execute it quick because I was coming in there not slow. Just one of those things to have to really commend his preparation and the coaches for teaching that, knowing what to do in that situation.
           Q. Back to a posting on Instagram where you said you were taking a break from social media. Do you think that played a role in getting over the hump in advancing to the Championship 4?CHASE ELLIOTT: I’m not sure that it played a role in advancing to the Final 4 or not. It was just really one of those things where I think I, like a lot of the world nowadays, we spend any split second of downtime looking at our phones, scrolling, seeing what Twitter has to offer, what Joe Blow and John Smith are doing in the middle of their day.           At the end of the day I just kind of felt like it might be good to give that a rest, just not care as much about what everybody else is doing, just be more productive and focus on more things that matter in your present life more so than on the phone. That’s kind of really where that came from.           It really didn’t have as much to do with the on‑track stuff as it did just me personally thinking that it would be a good change for a little while.
           Q. Dawsonville has been a good part of your life since your dad was racing. I want to be a little lighter here and talk about your memories there. Were you ever there and got to hear the siren when your dad won? What would it be like to have them sounding that siren, trying to break the thing Sunday night if you win?CHASE ELLIOTT: I’ve never been around for it. I’ve seen videos and stuff. It’s a really cool tradition. Gordon Pirkle is the guy that has owned the poolroom. That’s kind of been his thing. I think it’s cool of him to carry that tradition on, be able to still do that. I’m grateful for that. I think it’s a cool thing.           I would love for it to go off on Sunday. I certainly hope that’s the case. But, yeah, it’s a cool tradition. Fortunate that I’ve been lucky enough that they wanted to carry it on and want to keep doing it.
           Q. I’ve noticed some irony here going back to 1988 where the teams in baseball and basketball, the Dodgers and Lakers, have won titles in 2020. Back in 1988, I believe your dad Bill won a championship then. How cool would it be to be back in his footprints and go for a championship this year?CHASE ELLIOTT: Yeah, that’s a cool thing. I didn’t know that, for sure.           People ask that a lot, right? I feel like it’s so hard. I just remember getting the question of, What is it going to feel like when you win that first race? What is that going to be like? How cool is that going to be to you?           I always had a really hard time answering that because I’d never done it before. So I don’t know. I think that’s the same answer now. Until you achieve a moment like that, that obviously is very meaningful to you, I think it’s really hard to put a stamp of what it means or how it feels or the emotions that come with it. I think I’d be speaking out of turn to really give you an answer because I don’t know. I don’t know.           I hope that one day I can figure it out, but right now I don’t know. We’ll give it our best shot to find out.            THE MODERATOR: That’s all the time we have for Chase. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer question. Good luck this weekend.            CHASE ELLIOTT: Cool, yeah. Thanks. 

BATAVIA, Ohio (November 5, 2020) – The 2020 Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup – Presented by DirtonDirt.com goes to Tim McCreadie of Watertown, NY, after it slipped from him in 2019 by way of a tie breaker. The mini-series within the full Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule consisted of events that paid a minimum of $15,000 to the winner.  “This is really cool to win, especially with the new Paylor Motorsports team, owned by Donald and Gena Bradsher. Crown Jewel events are important to our sport and it’s special to know we are able to ‘show up’ when money is on the line. I also want to thank Arizona Sport Shirts and DirtonDirt.com for giving us this opportunity for additional money,” McCreadie stated. He also wanted to thank Longhorn Chassis, Cornett Racing Engine, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, Bilstein Shocks, VP Fuels, Sweeteners Plus, D&E Marine, and Racing for Heroes. The Crown Jewel Cup program awarded points to drivers with perfect attendance throughout the season, at the eleven crown jewel events within the series schedule. With three wins in Crown Jewel Cup events; the 38th Annual Sunoco North South 100 at Florence Speedway, Al Belt Custom Homes I-80 Nationals at I-80 Speedway, and the 41st Annual Jackson 100 at Brownstown Speedway, McCreadie will receive a bonus check for $10,000 from Arizona Sport Shirts and DirtonDirt.com. McCreadie also had seven top five finishes and eight top ten finishes in crown jewel events.  Last year’s Crown Jewel Cup Winner, Jimmy Owens, finished out the year with five top five finishes and seven top ten finishes. Owens finished second in the Crown Jewel Cup standings and will take home $5,000. Third through fifth, also receiving cash prizes – Josh Richards $3,000, Earl Pearson Jr $2,000, and Tyler Erb $1,000.

Richard Childress Racing at Phoenix Raceway … In 125 starts at Phoenix Raceway, Richard Childress Racing has scored six victories with drivers Ryan Newman (2017), Kevin Harvick (2013, 2012, Mar. 2006, Nov. 2006) and Dale Earnhardt (1990). The Welcome, N.C. organization has also found success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with three wins by drivers Elliott Sadler (2012), Clint Bowyer (2007) and Kevin Harvick (2006).  Catch the Action … The NASCAR Xfinity Series Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 200 at Phoenix Raceway will be televised live Saturday, November 7, beginning at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.  The NASCAR Cup Series Finale 500 at Phoenix Raceway will be televised live Sunday, November 8, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on NBC and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

This Week’s Dow Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at Phoenix Raceway … Dillon has 13 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Phoenix Raceway to his credit, earning two top-10 finishes. He earned his best finish of eighth at the track in November 2018.Dow brings a science and engineering crew who is driven by limitless curiosity to the RCR Team …Austin Dillon and the RCR team are again supported by Dow’s materials science expertise and technologies this season. Backed by the power of data analysis and virtual modeling, Dow develops and manufactures high-performance components and materials custom-made for the No. 3 car. Dow and RCR’s partnership has expedited innovation and shortened testing time in the automotive industry by recreating in the lab one of the most extreme environments – the racetrack. After 7 years of collaboration, Dow scientists and RCR engineers are continuing to work together to make the No. 3 car faster, safer and more precise. Stay up to date with Dow’s exciting developments at www.dow.com/sports and follow us on Twitter @DowSports & @DowNewsroom. AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:Phoenix Raceway serves as the Championship race this season, taking over that finale from Homestead-Miami Speedway. What are your thoughts on that?“It’s hard to recreate what Homestead-Miami Speedway has been able to do for our championship race the last couple of years so Phoenix Raceway has a lot to live up to, but I feel like it being a short track and a place where guys can get to each other, it should be a good race and I’m excited to see what it can deliver. Martinsville definitely did not disappoint from a fan perspective, so I feel like everyone tuning in will be able to experience a good race. I personally like racing at Phoenix Raceway. We had a really fast car at Phoenix in the spring but ended up crashing out early with a cut tire. Still, we were able to gather a little bit of a notebook and I think we will be fast this weekend so that we can finish our season off strong.”

Tyler Reddick and the No. 8 I Am Second Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at Phoenix Raceway … This weekend marks Tyler Reddick’s second NASCAR Cup Series start at Phoenix Raceway. Reddick was on track for a strong finish during this year’s spring event at Phoenix, racing as high as second and mainly in the top-five before a tire issue took him out of the race early during the final stage. Reddick also has five previous NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the milelong track, finishing third in both races last year and collecting two top-10 finishes in 2018. He also has three NASCAR Truck Series starts and two top-10 finishes at Phoenix Raceway. About I Am Second … I Am Second is a non-profit that ignites hope and inspires people to live for something greater than themselves. Launched in 2008, the iamsecond.com website features more than 100 powerful short films of athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who have found hope through a relationship with Jesus. Watch their stories and find out more at  iamsecond.com.TYLER REDDICK QUOTE: You had a fast No. 8 I Am Second Chevrolet the last time we were at Phoenix Raceway before tire issues took you out of the race early. What are your expectations for this weekend’s return to the track?“Phoenix Raceway was a bit of a surprise for me this year. It’s a track I still find really tricky to figure out, but my team worked hard all throughout that weekend to really dial in the handling of our No. 8 I Am Second Chevrolet, and it paid off for the race. The traction compound that weekend worked really well to open up another groove on the track surface, so I’m hoping that has the same effect this time around. We’re going back there with the same set-up since it ran so well, so I’m optimistic that we can have another really good run this weekend. It would be great to put together a solid race to close out our season on a high note.”

This Week’s No. 21 TaxSlayer Chevrolet Camaro at Phoenix Raceway… Myatt Snider will strap into the No. 21 TaxSlayer Chevrolet Camaro for the final time of the 2020 season this weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Snider made his first Phoenix Raceway start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series earlier this season. The Charlotte native also has two career NASCAR Truck Series starts at the one-mile raceway in 2016 and 2018. About TaxSlayer … TaxSlayer makes online tax filing accessible for millions of Americans, with an easy-to-use platform and unlimited support at a fraction of the cost of the competition. Trusted for over 50 years, the Augusta-based tech company successfully completed more than 10 million federal and state e-filed tax returns in 2020 and processed $15 billion in refunds. TaxSlayer achieved a 4.5/5 TrustScore on consumer review site Trustpilot, with 87% of its customers rating the tax filing platform Great or Excellent. For more information, visit www.TaxSlayer.com. MYATT SNIDER QUOTEYou made your first Phoenix Raceway start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series earlier this season. Is there anything you can take away from that race and apply it to be better this weekend? “Yeah, absolutely. Any previous experience is important at the racetrack, especially this year since we don’t have any practice or qualifying to lean on. My crew chief, Andy Street, and my entire Richard Childress Racing team have spent a lot of time preparing for this week. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do as a team this time around. I feel like I’ve learned and matured a lot as a driver this year, so I’m looking forward to finishing out the season strong this weeke

November 5, 2020

On Sunday afternoon at Phoenix Raceway, the NASCAR Cup Series season, dramatically altered by a once-in-a-century pandemic, will come to an end with the running of the Season Finale 500.

For Matt DiBenedetto and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team, it’s been a year of learning each other and overcoming obstacles.
 
After racing resumed following a break due to the coronavirus, new NASCAR rules cut out practice and qualifying for all but one race – at Charlotte Motor Speedway. That made it tough for DiBenedetto and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team as they navigated their first season together.
 
“We had a lot thrown at us, and it was especially hard on us being a new group,” DiBenedetto said. “There are a lot of things we would have learned in practice and been able to apply to the car in a normal year. Instead, we had to learn during the race.
 
“We still made the Playoffs, had a lot of success, especially in the latter part of the season.”
 
DiBenedetto and the No. 21 team have turned in some strong numbers over the course of the season. They scored three top-three finishes and 10 top-10s. They scored 107 Stage points, and enter this weekend’s season finale 14^th in the points standings, just 11 markers behind 12^th place. DiBenedetto’s previous best finish in the final points standings was 22^nd, before he joined the Wood Brothers team.
 
He said this season’s performance has him already looking forward to 2021.
 
“As a team we’re just now getting on the same page,” he said. “We’re meshing better, and now we are able to turn bad days into good solid runs. That’s what strong teams do.
 
“We’ll be way, way further ahead when we start next season.”
 
The 2020 season also saw DiBenedetto sign up to drive the No. 21 Mustang for 2021, and he said he has one main goal in mind for the upcoming year.
 
“I want to get the Wood Brothers their 100^th win and some more as well,” he said. “I want that 100^th win more than anything. The Woods are a great family, and it’s a great honor to drive for them – a dream come true.

 “I will remember this time for the rest of my life.”
 
But before DiBenedetto and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team turn their attention to 2021, there’s still Sunday’s 312-miler at Phoenix to run.
 
“Phoenix is one of my favorite tracks,” said DiBenedetto, who will start 12th. “It’s kind of a short track. We’ll run the low-downforce, high-horsepower package, and I enjoy those races the most.”
 
He said he’s heartened by the speed the No. 21 Mustang had at Phoenix back in March, when he finished 13^th.
 
“We had a fast car, but we didn’t quite keep up with the adjustments,” he said. “We have lots to build on from the spring. It’s a good place for us.”
 
Sunday’s 500-kilometer race is set to get the green flag just after 3 p.m. Eastern Time with TV coverage on NBC.
 

Nov 4, 2020 | Featured, Julie Nataas, Megan Meyer, Race Results

When it was all said and done at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Randy Meyer Racing showed up and showed out in the national points with Megan Meyer claiming her second Top Alcohol Dragster championship and Julie Nataas coming in third in the national point standings. 

Going into raceday, Megan Meyer lead the Randy Meyer Racing team with a No. 1 qualifying spot with a 5.203-second pass at 271.79 for her first time competing in Las Vegas; Nataas was qualified No. 8 with a 5.360, 268.17.

First round, Meyer had a first-time eliminations matchup against Johnny Ahten. When the tree dropped, Ahten’s dragster did not break the beams and Meyer went straight down the track with a 5.153, 280.02 for the win. Nataas had a first round matchup against Steve Griboski and like Meyer’s pair, this was the first time this duo raced each other in eliminations. Nataas took the win with a 5.367, 260.56 to Griboski’s troubled 9161, 120.34. 

Second round, Nataas and Meyer were set to face-off in the quarterfinals but in the previous round, Nataas’ engine broke and with no spare motor to put in, Meyer was given the competition bye. Meyer clicked it off early and coasted to the finish line with a 5.490, 199.85.

In the semifinals, Meyer and competitor Jackie Fricke left almost identical on the tree and with .002-seconds advantage on the tree over Fricke, Meyer never trailed for the win as she clocked in with a 5.201, 278.00 to Fricke’s 5.278, 273.16.

In probably the biggest race of her career, it was a winner-take-all scenario for Megan Meyer as she lined up against Joey Severance. To win the national championship, she needed to win the 20th annual Dodge NHRA Finals presented by Pennzoil or Shawn Cowie would be crowned the new champion. 

Coming into the final round with a 5 – 2 advantage over Severance in prior events and tied with two wins each in final rounds, the Randy Meyer-tuned team turned up the wick for all the glory and the championship. 

Severance had the starting line advantage over Meyer but when his dragster went silent down track, she turned on the win light and solidified her second world championship all in one go. Meyer clocked in with a 5.200, 281.07 to Severance’s 7.126, 128.70.

This final round victory was Meyer’s third national event win in 2020 and 13th in her career, she is still the winningest female driver in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

“This Championship is all for my parents, JJ, and Roy who have done so much work to get this NGK Spark Plugs car to be the best it’s ever been!!” said Megan. “These guys do all the work they are the champions they deserve this so much. I’m going to miss the people and the competition the most, the fact that Shawn helped out Joey to get to the finals proves how much we are one big family here. We may fight tooth and nail on the track, but in the pits and after the races are over, we are in this together.

“It was a full circle moment for me getting to race Joey in my final run of my career, being able to race against the guy that has been the Champ almost the entire time I have been racing in Top Alcohol Dragster just goes to show how much progress my team has made over the past couple of years, all the hard work and time and money that they’ve put into this car. I just have so much gratitude for every single person on here, I’m grateful for all the supporters and the people that have become some of my closest friends through racing, and I am especially grateful for my haters, thank you for making me step up my game, thank you for making me better, stronger, faster.

“And for one last time I want to thank NGK Spark Plugs, Lucas Oil Products, Technician.Academy Gunk, Jiffy-Tite Connectors, ARP Bolts, Aeromotive & Waterman fuel pumps, Weld Wheels, and so many more for helping me out along the way. Some have been with me ever since I started racing Junior Dragster 17 years ago. Without their parts and funding it would not be possible at all for us to be the record holder and 2x World Champs. And of course thank you to NHRA and the Safety Safari team for putting on such a great sport for us to compete in, I am very excited about my next season of life and I am grateful for ending it on top. I just want everyone to remember that I am stepping away for my own reasons. I want to give 100% of my time and effort to my marriage and to my future children. I’m just so thankful for all of the opportunities that I’ve had over the years representing the Randy Meyer Racing Team.”

Dominic Scelzi Produces Top-Five Performance During Tom Tarlton Classic

Inside Line Promotions – HANFORD, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2020) – Dominic Scelzi posted his 18^th top-five outing of the season last Friday during the inaugural Tom Tarlton Classic.

Scelzi piloted his family owned car during the event at Keller Auto Speedway, where he opened the night by qualifying eighth quickest out of the 30 competitors. The heat race inversion put him on the outside of the front row, side by side with Kyle Larson.

“It was greasy for qualifying and when I qualified I was second quickest, but the track got faster and we weren’t able to keep that time,” Scelzi said. “We ended eighth quickest, which put us on the front row in the heat. I had a good start. Kyle slid me into turn one and I was able to turn underneath him. We won the heat race, which was great.”

Scelzi’s heat race triumph earned a spot into the dash. He then gained a position to finish second, which lined him up on the front row for the A Main. Dash winner Carson Macedo got lane choice and chose the outside lane for the initial start of the main event.

The top lane prevailed throughout the race. Scelzi rode in second early before he began searching the track in an effort to find a way to pass for the lead.

“I was getting really good restarts, but Macedo was way faster than everyone else,” he said. “I tried to slide him into turn one and he drove around me. I got tight against the cushion, which allowed Kyle and Brad (Sweet) to get by me.”

Scelzi finished fourth.

The season concludes this Friday and Saturday at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C., during the World of Outlaws Last Call with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. Scelzi will drive for Roth Motorsports at the event. It marks his first time racing at The Dirt Track at Charlotte since May 2019 and only his third visit to the oval.

“I’m excited to head to North Carolina and get more laps at The Dirt Track at Charlotte,” he said. “Hopefully we can put together a strong weekend to wrap up the season on a positive note.”

ZOOM TRANSCRIPTComments from Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor

Corvette Racing drivers Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor (No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R) met with members of the media during a Zoom conference call Tuesday to discuss clinching the GT Le Mans (GTLM) Drivers title in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the development of the first-year C8.R and next week’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, among other topics. FULL TRANSCRIPT: ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.RON WINNING THE GTLM TITLE:“It wasn’t very easy. First of all, we started with the toughest race of the year in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. We obviously didn’t run a perfect race and didn’t win it. We came out with fourth place, which was good points for the C8.R in its first race. After that was when the COVID situation hit, right before Sebring. Up to that point, we had tested at Sebring in February in order to improve our car from Daytona. When the lockdown happened, we still improved a lot and didn’t lose any time waiting for the next race. We as a team kept preparing our cars and developing new things that needed to be done. All the work that the mechanics, the engineers and everyone did worked out because the first race after lockdown, we started winning. I don’t know if it helped us not running a normal season – the Sebring 12 Hours, Long Beach and so on. Maybe in a normal situation we wouldn’t have had the same amount of time to prep the cars toward the rest of the season. It’s been a very difficult and unique season. After the restart, the team didn’t have any time to really do anything else; we went race to race and couldn’t develop anything else… just some simulator work. Corvette Racing did an outstanding job at that. We kept the momentum going. I don’t know if the other manufacturers had time to react, but for us it has been close to a perfect season. Winning five races already with one to go is very, very remarkable – probably my best ever season. Let’s see where we end up, but hopefully we can win one more at Sebring.” DOES CLINCHING THE CHAMPIONSHIP CHANGE THE OUTLOOK FOR SEBRING:“We knew we had locked down the championship after Petit Le Mans. But Jordan and I were very careful with that because we knew all we had to do was start the last two races. Before this year, it would have been a no-brainer and easy to do. But in this COVID period, it’s risky to think that. You can get unlucky, become sick and then you’re not able to compete. I was very, very stressed about that. These are the new things you need to consider. But now it’s a relief that we are champions. When we hit the track at Sebring, that will be out of our heads because the championship is locked up. So I’m glad the championship is decided before Sebring.“Knowing that we only needed to start the race, maybe the approach to Sebring would have been different. But now that we are champions, we can go back to a normal Sebring mindset. It’s usually the second race of the year, and no one would think about the championship that early. So we are back to that normal preparation. This race is later in the year, so the night period will be longer and temperatures are going to be lower. Those will be things we need to react to. Considering most of this year has been that way, it’s back to a normal race mindset and less question marks as we go into the race.” COMPARING THE CORVETTE C8.R VS. THE PREVIOUS C7.R, AND AT WHAT POINT WAS A CHAMPIONSHIP POSSIBLE?“I probably thought about it at the Rolex 24. In every single aspect, this car is better than the C7.R. That car was very old and we couldn’t really develop anything new. So while we saw the newer competition get better and better, we were kind of stuck. At the Rolex, I saw the potential of the C8.R and knew that once we fixed some issues from that race, the car would be very strong. Right after the lockdown, the step forward at Daytona and Sebring was huge – on tire degradation and the way the car reacts to every single thing we do. It’s better everywhere. We are still kind of early with this car, so we need to run every single racetrack so when we come back next year we can improve on what we have done this year. Obviously the starting point we had with the C8.R was already a big step forward.” ON PERSONNEL CHANGES WITHIN THE TEAM:“It was very different. After the lockdown, the 3 car side went upside-down on many team members. Our regular engineer Kyle (Millay) moved to a different position (chief engineer). Our new race engineer John (Lankes) stepped in, so there was a shift on the engineering side. It was the same on the car side where Dan Binks wasn’t there but we had Dave (Marin) come over from the 4 car as our car chief. There weren’t new members because they were already on the team, but there were a lot of people reassigned within the team as part of the preparation done during the lockdown. Initially it was very hard because the combination we previously had on the 3 car between Kyle and I was very strong. The work system was way easier because he knew me and I knew him. So we had to develop new relationships between engineers and us as drivers, and it was the same with the mechanics. As everyone saw, we seem to work really, really well. Race by race, we kept improving. There were little things we needed to address, and so far it’s all been very good. So the 3 car was completely new with Jordan joining but also a big shift in personnel and in a good direction. I’m very happy and grateful for these changes. Now we see the end result.” JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.RON THE MOVE FROM PROTOTYPES TO GTLM AND WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE FIRST YEAR:“It means a lot. When I made the move from GT to prototype in 2013, I was disappointed to move away from GT racing and not win a championship. We finished second in 2011 in the GRAND-AM GT points and one point off a championship. I always loved GT racing, so it was a missing point in my career on the championship side of things. It definitely was on my radar to get back to GT racing, and having the relationship with Corvette Racing all those years as a third driver… to have that come full-circle and be a full-time driver was a huge honor to get that ask last year. Coming in with a new car in the C8.R, there were a lot of question marks and it was a big unknown jumping in. Having seen what Corvette Racing has done in the past with C6.R, C7.R and now C8.R, they always come out strong. This is the most unique car where a lot of it was designed in the simulation process on computers, proven in the Chevrolet simulator and developed that way before it hit the track. A fourth-place at Daytona may not have looked fantastic, but for a brand new car to come out and be that strong and competitive out of the box was huge. It gave a lot of people some confidence heading into the rest of the year. The pandemic shutdown gave us extra time to do our homework and some extra time for the crew to work on the car when they were allowed to, and for us as drivers to do more time in the simulator to develop it. That time and the preparation from all the guys really is what made our year so successful with the limited track time we had. Big thanks to everyone. Obviously it was great to drive with Antonio all year. He’s someone I’ve always wanted to be with for a full season and learn from. I definitely learned a lot, and thankfully everything worked out. Definitely, the Sebring 12 Hours is still high on the list for us to try and win.” WOULD THE OUTCOME HAVE BEEN THE SAME WITHOUT THE COVID SHUTDOWN:“It’s hard to say. The shutdown definitely didn’t hurt us in having that extra time, plus going back to Daytona after having a 24-hour race there. We did a two-day test at Sebring right after the Rolex 24, so I think we would have been ready for the 12 Hours but it still would have been an unknown. When we did go there for the sprint race, we were competitive. It’s hard to say what in the season would have been different having tracks like Watkins Glen and (Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) on the calendar, which we missed out on plus Long Beach. Those were tracks the C8.R hadn’t been to, but looking at how we ran at Charlotte and some places we didn’t expect to go to and how strong we were, I’d like to say we would have had a similar outcome. But I’m glad things have gone the way they have.” WHO TO PULL FOR IN THE PROTOTYPE CHAMPIONSHIP: BROTHER OR DAD:“I’d better be careful what I say! I haven’t finished the past two races so I was able to watch both finishes. Watching our car is stressful, and watching them is stressful. It’s not really fun watching them race, especially going to Sebring where they are separated by a couple of points. It’ll be good and it’s be great for the fans. If I were watching as a fan, this is exactly what I’d want. You want the championship to come down to the wire. It should be a good fight. They’re both strong at Sebring. We (Wayne Taylor Racing) won there in 2017, and the Penske cars are always strong there. It will be a good fight. I don’t think I could pick one over the other, otherwise I’ll get in pretty big trouble, especially that it’s my brother in an Acura and my dad with a Cadillac! So maybe I’ll be politically correct and pull for the Cadillac.”

NASCAR CUP SERIESnPHOENIX RACEWAY SEASON FINALE 500 TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT NOVEMBER 2, 2020 

ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF FOR THE NO. 9 HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE, AND JEFF ANDREWS, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER FOR HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS, met with media via teleconference to discuss the anticipation leading into the Championship Four race weekend at Phoenix Raceway, what it takes to prepare for Chase Elliott’s first appearance in the Championship Four, and more. Full Transcript:  THE MODERATOR: We are now going to be joined by Alan Gustafson and Jeff Andrews.           We will go ahead and start questions.            Q. Alan, this is Jimmie’s last race. I’m curious if there’s anything that he did or that the team did that you tried to emulate, especially in this kind of championship run?ALAN GUSTAFSON: Wow, that’s a great question.           Yeah, I try to be like Jimmie Johnson every day. He’s a really amazing individual, competitor. To think about one thing, it’s hard to say. But I think his tenacity, his never‑say‑die attitude is probably the biggest thing.           I can remember he told me a story one time. We were at Kansas Speedway. He was in the middle of his runs of the championships. I can’t remember what circumstance we were. We were racing. He said one of the biggest lessons he learned in his career, he started the Chase off really bad, I don’t know if they had crashes or DNF’s, thought they were out of it. He started racing with reckless abandon and ultimately won that championship. He was just describing the fact that you’re never out of it and you’ve got to race every race like it’s your last.           That stuck with me for a long time. It was a great lesson. That’s something that I’ll remember. I think his tenacity, just never‑say‑die attitude, his willingness to just cut loose and race as hard as he can race.            Q. Alan, how important was it to get a Hendrick and a Chevrolet into the finals? It had been a long drought since Jimmie’s last title?ALAN GUSTAFSON: To me, yeah, I think it’s important. It’s always important. It’s what we do, right? I don’t know, this year specifically, I can’t say for Jeff, but for me, I just felt like we’ve been right on the cusp for so many years the last three years or so, we needed to get over the edge. You keep swinging at ’em, keep swinging at ’em, finally hit one.           Yeah, I think it was time. Certainly, there was some urgency from Mr. Hendrick, from Chevrolet, that we needed to be represented in the championship. I would say every year’s important, but certainly the one you’re in is the most.            JEFF ANDREWS: I think Alan answered the question well. Certainly, for Chevrolet we’ve consistently gotten to that Round of 8. Getting past that point into the Round of 4 has been very important for Mr. Royce and Jim Campbell and everybody at Chevrolet to get a car to Phoenix, compete for a championship. We were excited to do that, be a part of that for them.           Certainly, part of a greater effort in general from Chevrolet here in the last two years to get these teams together, specifically the Childress and Hendrick and Ganassi groups, get everybody working together on different initiatives, different projects, talking to each other.           I think what’s happened here in the last eight or nine weeks have been a culmination of that. There’s been a lot of working together to accomplish this goal of getting a car to Phoenix, so…            Q. Did you feel that sense of urgency from Mr. H that Alan mentioned?JEFF ANDREWS: Absolutely. We left last year all very disappointed, and Mr. Hendrick let us know that he was disappointed. It was essentially one of our worst years in quite some time from a points position.           I don’t want to say there’s nothing worse, but in the past we’d go down to Homestead, to go down there and not be part of that, it’s just a totally different feeling after having been a part of it for so many years. To go down there, just kind of not be a part of that, go down there to run a race and be competitive, but for Mr. Hendrick as well, to put him back in the middle of that, we’re awful proud.           He’s been on the phone all night long. I was getting texts, I’m sure Alan was, at 1:30, 10 minutes to 2 last night. He’s excited. He’s pumped up. We’re happy to go down there, go to Phoenix and fight for him for that.            Q. Jeff, how evenly matched are the four that are competing for the championship, would you say?JEFF ANDREWS: I think it’s an interesting question. I mean, certainly the Penske Fords have been good at that track, talking specifically about Phoenix. No doubt they will be good.           I think from our perspective, when we saw the schedule change, saw we were going to end up at Phoenix for the finale, I think we felt all along obviously we wanted to get a car there, but certainly knowing how Chase runs there, how good he and Alan are there, have been there in the past, that was one that came up on our radar pretty quick.           If we could get to Phoenix, I don’t even want to say we’ve got a shot, we are legitimate contenders. Alan and Chase run very well there. We’re excited to get out there.           Obviously I think the 11 car’s record speaks for itself through the years here. Personally, I’m excited we’re in it, of course. I think we’ve got a great Final 4 going into the Phoenix weekend. I think it’s going to be a great show.            Q. Jeff, you wanted all the Hendrick cars in. Is there any advantage to not being like Logano and Keselowski where you have to race a teammate when there’s only four running for a championship?JEFF ANDREWS: I don’t know that there’s an advantage. Obviously our shop and Alan and the 9 team and those racecars, engines and things, are going to get a lot of attention here in the next three to four days. Not that we would have treated it differently. Given everything that’s on the line, sure there is going to be an extra effort here and long nights before we send haulers out the door on Thursday evening.           Yeah, I think certainly having a multitude of cars in obviously helps your chances when you’re there at the racetrack. Having one car in, certainly we have a lot of focus now, a lot of resources to put towards that one car here.            Q. Jeff, obviously after this weekend this will be Knaus’ final race before he steps into his new role. What legacy does he leave behind as a crew chief?JEFF ANDREWS: Well, I think he leaves behind probably one of the greatest that will ever sit on top a pit box from his wins and accomplishments. I think for us, the people that work day in and day out with Chad, I mean, he’s an extremely strong leader. He has thrived at putting a young group of guys together, young drivers, putting a goal in front of them, building a true team environment. That’s something that Chad is really, really good at, in motivating his guys.           From our perspective, we hate to lose that depth on top of the pit box, kind of that strength in building a team. But certainly, that’s a trait that he’s going to bring to us out in the shops, putting groups together, making our group in the shop and making our competition group stronger, getting them focused, getting better racecars at the end of the day to Alan and the teams to go race with.            Q. Alan, this is your first appearance in the Championship 4. What do you think this week is going to be like, this weekend for you going into the race, maybe not knowing how this has worked before, what the experience is going to be like?ALAN GUSTAFSON: Yeah, it’s not my first actually. It’s my second.            Q. My bad. My notes are wrong. First with Chase then. What can your experience bring to Chase as he now shifts from an emotional race at Martinsville going into his first championship contention?ALAN GUSTAFSON: Yeah, I don’t think you can really be prepared for it until you go through it. It’s certainly a different situation. He’s raced to transfer into the Final 8. He’s been in the Round of 8 now I guess, I don’t know, for the last three years or four years. He knows what it’s like to be in kind of that must‑win situation.           This is really no different. There’s a lot of focus on the four cars. That’s the majority of the focus from the press and the media and the TV and everybody around. Ultimately you’ve got to win. You don’t have to win, but most likely you’re going to have to win to be the champion.           There’s a lot of pressure that went through that. Going through this weekend, we can help prepare him for it. Yeah, it’s a unique experience. I think you have to go through it to really understand it and learn how to manage it.            Q. Alan, with all the years you’ve served as crew chief, you’ve competed against these other crew chiefs, maybe not Gabehart, but as you study yourself, any competitor studies their competition, is there anything that you’ve seen out of those three guys through the years of competing with them that you picked anything up or pushed you a little bit more to help you become even more successful?ALAN GUSTAFSON: Yeah, I think all of them are very talented guys. Off the top of my head, I’ve probably had the most battles or many situations with Paul. Paul is obviously very successful, has done a great job.           I think each one of the crew chiefs have their strengths, each one of the teams have their strengths, and they’re all different. Each competitor has a different area that they excel at. It’s going to be all about who can optimize their strengths the most, shield their weaknesses the most. It’s going to be an interesting part of the dynamic.           I think everybody kind of has tendencies, they have strengths and weaknesses. I think we all know what those are. We’ll do the best we can to compete and take advantage of them.           Yeah, I have a lot of respect for all those guys. Certainly, it’s extremely difficult to get here. You can’t do it unless you’re at the top of your game. Certainly, going to be great competition and looking forward to it.             THE MODERATOR: Alan, Jeff, thank you guys for joining us. We wish you the best of luck this weekend.             JEFF ANDREWS: Thank you.             ALAN GUSTAFSON: Thank you. 

Houston native sets mark for most championships by a female driverLAS VEGAS (Nov. 2, 2020) – First female with four championships has a nice ring, but it wasn’t top of mind for Erica Enders entering what appeared to be a normal National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Camping World Drag Racing Series season.
But because of COVID-19, nothing has been normal. Two races were in the books when racing was halted until July because of the novel coronavirus. Now, nearly nine months and only 10 Pro Stock races later, Enders can wrap her mind around earning the distinction.
The Houston native, driving the Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro SS, added to her 2019, 2015 and 2014 Pro Stock championships in the Dodge NHRA Finals presented by Pennzoil at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Enders overtook Shirley Muldowney, who won Top Fuel titles in 1977, ’80 and ’82, and Angelle Sampey with Pro Stock Motorcycle championships in 2000, 2001 and ’02. A year earlier at Las Vegas, Enders earned the 150th professional category victory for a female driver. In 298 career races, she has 29 wins and 349 elimination-round victories.
“Shirley Muldowney and Angelle Sampey mean a lot to me and I’m in good company with them,” said Enders, who picked up her first Pro Stock Wally in 2012 at Chicago.
Enders also joined Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), Don Prudhomme (Funny Car), Gary Scelzi (Top Fuel/Funny Car), Lee Shepherd (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) with four titles on the all-time list.
No one was as dominant in the 2014 and ’15 seasons as Enders, who won 15 races on the way to back-to-back Pro Stock world championships. In 24 races in 2015, Enders qualified No. 1 six times and started from the top half of the field 22 times in her Camaro. Two wins in the six-event Countdown to the Championship spurred Enders to the 2019 championship.
This season, Enders won the second race (Phoenix). Victories at Indianapolis and St. Louis followed the long layoff. She entered the finale with a 55-point lead over Jason Line and Jeg Coughlin Jr., who promptly lost their first-round matchups that handed Enders the championship. She raced to the final, defeating Kyle Koretsky’s Chevrolet Camaro for her series-high fourth victory.
“What an unbelievable day,” said Enders, who won for the sixth time at The Strip. “This place has been so good to me but I couldn’t do it without my team. I’ve not had the best year, but this is a lesson that you dig deep, you fight and pray with all the heart you have every single chase you get because you never know when it’s your last. 
“Richard Freeman gave me this opportunity and I’m a blessed girl.” 

November 2, 2020

After running in mid-pack for most of Sunday’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team worked on their Mustang, hit on some speed and surged forward to finish 10^th. It was their second-straight top-10 and their 10^th of 2020.

DiBenedetto started the 500-lapper at the Wood Brothers’ home track from 12^th place, and ran mostly inside the top 15 for the first Stage before ending that run in 16^th place.
 
In Stage Two, it was more of the same as he once again finished 16^th. 
 
Then, as the third segment of the race began to unfold, the situation began to improve. With 135 laps to go, DiBenedetto moved into 14^th place. Three laps later he was 13^th, and with 70 laps to go he was 12^th.

With 47 laps remaining, he moved into the top 10 and except for a couple of exchanges, ran there until the checkered flag fell.

“We kind of missed it on the set-up,” DiBenedetto said. “There were some things we would have changed if we had practice, so we were kind of stuck with what we had.
 
“But, in what I’d call a “blue-collar day’ we worked on the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang, got it the best it could be and got a top-10 out of it.”
 
DiBenedetto said that’s what a good race team needs to do.

 “When you can have what looks like it’s going to be a bad day and make a top-10 out of it, it shows the progress we’re making with this team,” he said. “We’re getting better.”
 
With Sunday’s race setting the field for the Championship Round of the Playoffs, DiBenedetto said he had to be careful racing around drivers trying to advance in the playoffs.

“I tried to be really aware of their situations,” he said, adding that there are risks to his team in racing around drivers in desperate circumstances. “I didn’t want to do something that would mess up our day, and I also didn’t want to interfere with the outcome of the playoff battle.”
 
The No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang did have some close calls, including one at the finish line when Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch spun as Harvick made a last-ditch attempt to secure a spot in the final four. DiBenedetto moved high, then low, to motor by Harvick and preserve his top-10 finish.
 
“There was a lot of smoke when I came off Turn Four, but I was able to get by him,” he said.
 
DiBenedetto and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team remain 14^th in the Cup Series points standings, one point behind William Byron in 13^th place and 11 points behind 12^th-place Clint Bowyer.
 
The finish at Martinsville, specifically the runner-up run by Ryan Blaney, clinched the 2020 Manufacturers’ Championship for Ford Motor Company. It was Ford’s second crown in three years, and it’s the first for the Mustang since it joined the Cup Series last year. Mustang drivers have 18 wins so far this season and have one more chance in next Sunday’s season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
 
Eddie Wood said he salutes all the drivers and teams that were a part of the championship effort. 
 
“It’s a great accomplishment, and with two Team Penske Mustang drivers in the Final Four at Phoenix, hopefully there will be another big trophy in the Ford camp a week from now,” he said.