NASCAR Cup Series drivers Bubba Wallace and John Hunter Nemechek, along with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Corey Heim, will race together in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 26 for Smooge Racing.
The team announced today that Wallace, Nemechek and Heim will co-drive the No. 23 Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO in the BMW M Endurance Challenge, the four-hour race on the DIS 3.56-mile road course. It will mark the series debut for Wallace and Nemechek. Smooge Racing will also field a second Supra in the race, the No. 68, which will be driven by John Geesbreght, Kevin Conway and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship veteran Corey Lewis. Wallace has two career NASCAR Cup Series wins and reached the round of eight in the 2023 playoffs. He will again drive a Toyota for 23XI Racing this season. Nemechek won seven NASCAR Xfinity Series races in 2023 and will be driving a Toyota for Legacy Motor Club in the Cup Series in 2024 as well as a part-time Xfinity ride with Joe Gibbs Racing. Fellow Toyota driver Heim won three Truck Series races and was the regular-season champion last season for Tricon Garage. He’s slated to return to the team this season and will drive in some Xfinity races for Sam Hunt Racing. “We are very excited to run two GR Supra GT4 EVOs at Daytona this year,” team principal Conway said. “Having Bubba, John Hunter and Corey in the (No.) 23 car is a major honor and testament to Smooge Racing. “I’m also looking forward to racing with John Geesbreght and Corey Lewis in the PRAX Leadership GR Supra,” Conway added. “John and I have had a lot of success together and we are looking forward to building on that at Daytona.” The BMW M Endurance Challenge starts at 1:45 p.m. ET Friday, Jan. 26 and streams live on Peacock. It comes during Rolex 24 At Daytona race week. Tickets are available at daytonainternationalspeedway.com. -IMSA IROC Holdings LLC, a joint venture company created by NASCAR Hall of Fame member Ray Evernham and former NASCAR Cup Team Owner and venture capitalist Rob Kauffman, announced the formation of the joint venture and the acquisition of the rights to the IROC brand. Known as IROC (International Race of Champions), a series of races was held annually from 1973 to 2006. IROC brought together the greatest drivers from all forms of motorsport to compete against each other in iconic cars on historic tracks. Although the annual events ended in 2006, the legacy and recognition of the IROC brand has continued throughout the years. IROC Holdings plans to bring the historic brand back to life.
IROC Holdings has been formed to house the business operations with the intent to have an IROC racing event in 2024 with historic IROC race cars while exploring future opportunities. The company will initially be based in Mooresville, N.C. -IROC Shane Van Gisbergen, Andretti lead ARCA Menards Series Daytona pre-race practice entry list1/6/2024
Next week, Speedway Children’s Charities’ Charlotte chapter is set to transform the iconic pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway into the battleground for a unique and charitable event, a Pickleball tournament. Presented by Sonic Automotive and EchoPark Automotive, participants are promised a day of spirited competition, family fun and community engagement on Thursday, Jan. 11, all in support of Speedway Children’s Charities.
Players may have the chance to face against 2017 Coca-Cola 600 winner Austin Dillon, accompanied by others from Richard Childress Racing. NASCAR Xfinity drivers Ryan Vargas and Myatt Snider will join Dillon, along with other NASCAR industry personalities to raise money for SCC, to compete for bragging rights and the ultimate prize, a custom championship trophy. Pickleball enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels are invited to be part of this exciting tournament featuring a Round Robin tournament-style competition. In addition to the thrilling pickleball action, attendees will enjoy music, delicious food from vendors and engage in friendly yard games set up in the infield at America’s Home for Racing. Spectators are encouraged to attend this first-of-its-kind event with a $5 donation to SCC. “Speedway Children’s Charities is always looking for creative ways to raise much-needed funds for children in need, and this event is no different,” said director of Speedway Children’s Charities Charlotte Chapter Taylor Kirby. “Kicking off the new year with our new Pit Road Pickleball tournament not only offers a unique twist on this popular sport, it provides an opportunity for families, friends and the community to come together for a day of fun and philanthropy.” All proceeds from the Pit Road Pickleball tournament will directly benefit Speedway Children’s Charities Charlotte chapter, supporting their mission to enhance the lives of area children in need. Limited space remains available for teams to register online at www.speedwaycharities.org. —Charlotte Motor Speedway |
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