TC Daily Pit Stop: Bruce Schlicker Departs Kaulig; Zilisch Tapped for Full Xfinity Campaign in 2025 with JRM; David Wilson to Retire; Allmendinger Picks Up Sponsor; Hocevar Wins Battle at Berlin
TC Daily Pit Stop: Thursday, August 8, 2024
Bruce Schlicker Parts Ways with Kaulig Racing; Kevin Walter to Take Over Crew Chief Duties for SVG
Bruce Schlicker, who had served as the crew chief for Shane van Gisbergen and the No. 97 Kaulig Racing team through the opening 20 races of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, has departed the team and will not return following the three-week Xfinity Series break.
While Kaulig Racing would not offer a statement on Schlicker’s departure, “out of respect to Bruce,” the team did confirm to TobyChristie.com that Kevin Walter will take over as the crew chief for Shane van Gisbergen and the No. 97 Kaulig Racing group.
Walter had been serving as the crew chief for Josh Williams and the No. 11 Kaulig Racing team. Kaulig Racing shared that Eddie Pardue will move over to serve as the crew chief for Williams and the No. 11 team moving forward.
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Connor Zilisch to Run Full Xfinity Schedule for JR Motorsports in 2025
After many impressive showings in a limited number of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series events, Connor Zilisch is getting the upgrade to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full-time in 2025, driving for JR Motorsports.
The 18-year-old driver, who is set to make his second start in the NASCAR Truck Series in Saturday’s Clean Harbors 250 at Richmond Raceway, will be behind the wheel of the team’s No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro starting next February at Daytona International Speedway.
A development driver for NASCAR Cup Series team Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch has put together an impressive season, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring in his first attempts at the two prestigious IMSA events.
In his seven starts across the ARCA Menards Series platform (which includes starts in ARCA and the ARCA East Series), Zilisch has collected wins at Dover, Flat Rock, Iowa, and Indianapolis Raceway Park, as well as no finish worse than fourth place.
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David Wilson, TRD President, Announces Retirement; Tyler Gibbs Named TRD President
David Wilson, the current President of Toyota Racing Development who has been with TRD for 35 years, has announced that he will retire from the organization on December 16. Tyler Gibbs, who is currently serving as the General Manager of TRD will assume the role of President in late December.
Wilson, who has been the President of TRD for the last 11 years, believes Gibbs will continue to bolster TRD’s legacy on the track.
“It’s been such an honor to be a member of this Team and work alongside so many dedicated, talented and passionate men and women,” said Wilson in a press release from Toyota. “I’m humbled and grateful for the trust, support and friendship afforded me throughout my career by my colleagues at TMNA, the Toyota Motor Corporation, our industry and team partners and our athletes. But now, I’ve completed my lap and I’m proud to hand the keys over to my friend and ‘brother in arms’, Tyler Gibbs. I have every confidence that Tyler and his team will continue to grow and strengthen TRD’s world-class legacy on and off the track.”
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AJ Allmendinger Returns to No. 13 Kaulig Racing Entry at Talladega with Strive
Kaulig Racing announced a new partnership with Strive, am Ohio-based financial services firm co-founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, which will include primary sponsorship of AJ Allmendinger in the team’s No. 13 NASCAR Cup Series entry in the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 6.
Additionally, Strive will serve as an associate sponsorship partner of Daniel Hemric’s No. 31 NASCAR Cup Series car for the remainder of the 2024 season. Strive is excited to see its logo on a NASCAR Cup Series car in the near future.
“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Kaulig Racing for the rest of the 2024 NASCAR season,” said Strive CEO Matt Cole. “Strive’s commitment to pro-American principles aligns perfectly with what NASCAR fans believe in – and could be looking for when they need help managing their hard-earned savings. We look forward to seeing the Strive car on the track later this year.”
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Carson Hocevar Takes Battle At Berlin Win Over Erik Jones, Bubba Pollard
What a race, and what a battle between some of the best racers in the country. Carson Hocevar emerged victorious at Berlin Raceway in Wednesday night’s UARA National Series Battle At Berlin 250 in what was a hotly contested battle between him, his fellow NASCAR Cup Series competitor Erik Jones, and Super Late Model legend Bubba Pollard.
Hocevar, who cut his teeth racing at Berlin Raceway where he won the 2017 Super Late Model Track Championship, had never recorded a win in the prestigious Battle At Berlin 250 prior to Wednesday night’s triumph.
“It’s pretty special to win here, and the biggest win of them all, here,” Hocevar said of his win.
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