Familiar faces prevailed as the 2023 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Most Popular Driver Award presented by Hooters was earned by Chase Elliott in the NASCAR Cup Series, Justin Allgaier in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Hailie Deegan in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Thursday evening at the NASCAR Awards banquet in Nashville, Tennessee.
After winning the award for three consecutive years (2019-21), Allgaier, 37, found himself back in the Most Popular Driver award-winning column in the Xfinity circuit after Noah Gragson claimed the honor in 2022. With this achievement, a JR Motorsports pilot has won the award in the Xfinity Series for 12 consecutive years. Deegan, 22, took home her third consecutive Most Popular Driver award in the Truck Series. Deegan became the first woman to win the award in the Truck Series following her victory in 2021 and remains the second woman to win the award all-time (Danica Patrick in the Xfinity Series in 2012). -NASCAR.com For their first full season together, Kyle Weatherman will pilot DGM Racing’s No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro. After serving as his primary sponsor at Texas Motor Speedway, DriveSmart Warranty has signed on as an anchor partner for Weatherman’s 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) season with DGM Racing.
“I can’t express how grateful I am for the opportunity to run DGM Racing’s No. 91 full time next year!” Weatherman shares. “The men and women at DGM put their all into racing, and I am happy to call this team home for the next 33 races. We’ve had a lot of great runs together, and I’m confident we will carry that momentum into next season.” Despite being taken out of five races, Weatherman and DGM Racing have claimed six Top 20s in thirteen starts together, including Weatherman’s career-best finish of eighth at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2022. They are looking to build on this success going into 2024. “Kyle is a well-rounded racer with a lot of knowledge and speed! His dedication to the sport is unmatched, and I am really looking forward to having him join us in the shop and at the track for a full season,” said DGM Racing Owner, Mario Gosselin. “I’m proud to partner with DriveSmart, an organization that shares the same family values as we do, and I look forward to achieving new milestones with their support.” DriveSmart, a leading national provider of extended warranty in the automotive industry, will serve as the primary sponsor for at least ten races, starting with the first race of the season at Daytona International Speedway. Created to save customers money on unexpected auto repairs, DriveSmart provides multiple vehicle service contracts with benefits including towing assistance, car rental assistance, roadside assistance, and trip interruption. “After the Texas Motor Speedway race together, I was really impressed by the DGM Racing team, Kyle Weatherman, and their undeniable commitment on the track!” says DriveSmart CEO, Dan Rodd. “We at DriveSmart have a special appreciation for family-owned businesses, and this family-oriented team resonated with us, making our partnership even more meaningful. I knew at that moment there was no other place I would rather be for 2024.” Weatherman and DGM Racing will hit the track in the DriveSmart Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 17, 2024. The race will be televised on FS1. -DGM Racing Mike Harmon announces that his NASCAR Xfinity teams will be returning to the familiar Mike Harmon Racing – MHR — for the 2024 season, fielding the No. 74 Chevrolet Camaros, from its headquarters in Denver, North Carolina.
Mike, states “I built this program decades ago, with blood sweat and tears, while our 2023 season was not the most desirable, we had help from the top-tier teams that got us through, and I can’t thank them enough.” Harmon further went on to state, “There’s no quit in us! We work hard and are even more committed to work harder in this off season, to prepare for Daytona.”While preparations for the 2024 season, are in full swing at MHR, Mike Harmon and his team are continuing to look for marketing partners to make those cars go as fast as Xfinity 10G. The team will undergo numerous organizational changes this off season with announcements coming in the weeks to follow. For Mike Harmon, who has raced in 291 NASCAR Xfinity races, 27th on the all-time starts list, explains, “Last year was not what I had envisioned; we were sold a bunch of goods from a so called “partner” who said they’d help move our program forward, both with financial investment and help getting us marketing partners. We didn’t get what was promised to us. The only thing we got, was abandoned and an attempt to ruin our reputation. While the weather wasn’t much of a help to begin our season, especially with no points going into Daytona, it made it tough for the first half of the season. It wasn’t fair to our long-term partners that still believe in us and to our fans who support us, that the help wasn’t there, until we began to run better, the “partner” then they took valuable sponsorship to other teams, in an attempt to shut us down. This is his track record though, we knew better. “Racing is hard enough, the Xfinity Series has some of the toughest competition I’ve seen in years, you can’t race on empty promises. MHR is fully committed to quality starts and finishes. At MHR, our marketing partners are a top priority, ensuring that their brand is recognized, and value is added, to the fans who support us, we appreciate them all and they are never forgotten.” -Mike Harmon Racing Press Release:
Kaulig Racing announced today that Josh Williams will drive the No. 11 Chevrolet in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) season. Williams’ long-time sponsor, Alloy Employer Services, will serve as a primary partner.Williams began his national series career at the age of 16 and has made 186 starts in the NXS, earning three top-10 finishes in 2023. The Port Charlotte, Fla. native looks to capitalize on his biggest opportunity yet with Kaulig Racing. “After only an hour in the shop, I already feel like it’s home,” said Williams. “I’ve known a lot of these guys for a long time, and I felt like coming over here would give us a good opportunity to get wins. That’s the goal, Trophy Hunting.” “Josh Williams has fought tooth and nail for everything in his racing career, and we’re really excited to have him race for us,” said Chris Rice, president of Kaulig Racing. “We love his energy and passion at the track, and we think his personality and drive will fit right in with the Kaulig Racing culture.” Alloy Employer Services, which focuses on proactive claims management for workplace injuries and risk management, began its relationship with Williams in 2020. The company creates cost reductions on premiums for employers that are complemented by long-term cost control. “Josh Williams represents the spirit of racing as we know and love it,” said Alloy CMO, Chris Estey. “We are excited and confident in his potential for the 2024 season. His blend of competitive edge, skill and sportsmanship promotes a super opportunity for him and all his sponsors. For all of us to be aligned with Kaulig Racing produces a powerful recipe.” Also joining Alloy Employer Services and Williams will be a host of long-term and new partners who have been with Williams throughout his NXS career. Williams will make his first start for Kaulig Racing when the season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway in February. Additional partnership announcements will come at a later date. About Alloy Employer Services Since 1999, Alloy has helped to reduce costs and simplify administration for employers dealing with the complexities of workforce management. Alloy’s unique service model and approach to workers’ compensation and risk management allows clients to focus on their core mission with the confidence that they are supported by an efficient and effective coverage model for worksite injury along with other valuable benefits. -Kaulig Racing Press Release:
United Rentals is partnering with Daytona International Speedway for the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener during Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth, the track today announced.The NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 will take place Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET, with drivers tackling the 2.5-mile trioval at the World Center of Racing in their first on-track action of the new year. “United Rentals has an established and respected partnership with Daytona International Speedway, and we’re excited to expand that relationship with the United Rentals 300,” said Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway. “Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth is one of the biggest events on the NASCAR schedule, between the amazing fans and the incredible competition, and we’re thrilled to showcase United Rentals’ involvement across global motorsports in the Xfinity Series season opener at the World Center of Racing.” United Rentals was named the Official Equipment Partner of NASCAR in 2022 and has previously held the entitlement for multiple events across varying NASCAR tracks including the Xfinity Series United Rentals 200 and the Cup Series United Rentals, Work United race at Phoenix Raceway. Both Watkins Glen International and Martinsville Speedway have also hosted United Rentals races, with Daytona International Speedway becoming the latest track to feature a United Rentals entitlement. “We are thrilled to partner with NASCAR and the Daytona International Speedway,” said Craig Schmidt, Vice President, National Accounts, United Rentals. “NASCAR’s focus on team based performance epitomizes how Untied Rentals works together with its customers. We are looking forward to kicking off another great season and giving our customers an unforgettable experience.” The United Rentals 300 is just one of many races taking place at Daytona International Speedway during Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth. The multi-day racing action begins on Wednesday, Feb. 14 with DAYTONA 500 Qualifying, setting the field for the Duel at DAYTONA, which occurs the following night on Thursday, Feb. 15, where drivers will battle it out for a spot in the coveted Great American Race. The season opening races for all three NASCAR National Series as well as the ARCA Menards Series kicks off on Friday, Feb. 16, starting with the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Fresh From Florida 250. Saturday, Feb. 17 will feature an action-packed double-header with the ARCA Menards Series race followed by the Xfinity Series United Rentals 300. Then Sunday, Feb. 18, drivers in NASCAR’s premier series prepare for an intense battle in the DAYTONA 500, closing out Speedweeks at The World Center of Racing. -Daytona International Speedway |