TC Daily Pit Stop: Hendrick Names Interim Crew Chiefs; Kaulig to Appeal L2 Penalty; Harvick Running No. 29 in All-Star Throwback
TC Daily Pit Stop: Friday, March 17th, 2023
Hendrick Motorsports Names Interim Crew Chiefs for Atlanta
Photo Credit: Tom Copeland, HHP, Courtesy of Team Chevy
On Thursday, Hendrick Motorsports announced the interim crew chiefs for its four NASCAR Cup Series entries, which will serve for at least this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Kevin Meendering, who filled-in for Cliff Daniels when he was assessed a four-race suspension post-Sonoma, will return to the pit box of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro for Kyle Larson.
Tom Gray will fill in for Alan Gustafson as the crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro for Josh Berry this weekend at Atlanta, and should the penalties continue into the following week, Jordan Taylor at COTA.
Brian Campe will serve as the interim crew chief for the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro, after the entry has secured back-to-back victories at Las Vegas and Phoenix, with Rudy Fugle and William Byron.
Finally, Greg Ives’ retirement from being a crew chief lasts exactly four races, as he returns to the top of the pit box for Alex Bowman and the No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro.
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Kaulig Racing to Appeal L2 Penalty, Claiming Inconsistencies in Single Source Supplied Parts
Photo Credit: Tim Parks, HHP, Courtesy of Team Chevy
Like Hendrick Motorsports, Kaulig Racing will be appealing the massive L2 penalty that was levied on its No. 31 NASCAR Cup Series team following this past weekend’s action at Phoenix Raceway.
The No. 31 team had a set of hood louvers confiscated by NASCAR prior to qualifying on Saturday. Following the weekend, NASCAR docked the team 100 owner and driver points as well as 10 Playoff Points. Additionally, crew chief Trent Owens was fined $100,000 and was issued a four-race suspension.
According to a statement from Kaulig Racing on Thursday, the team feels they were not at fault in the issues that NASCAR found with its hood louver, rather the team feels the single source part supplier is to blame.
“Prior to qualifying on Saturday, only one of the two louvers on the No. 31 car was confiscated, showing inconsistencies in the parts provided to teams from NASCAR’s single source supplier, providing no competitive advantage.”
The team will defer the suspension of crew chief Trent Owens.
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Kevin Harvick to Pilot No. 29 in North Wilkesboro All-Star Race
How cool is this? Kevin Harvick will change numbers from No. 4 back to No. 29, which he started his NASCAR Cup Series career with, for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Harvick made the incredible announcement on Thursday’s episode of NASCAR RaceHub on FS1, which will also include the throwback paint scheme from his first-career NASCAR Cup Series win from 2001 at Atlanta.
“Based upon that first win, we really thought it was important to touch on the 13 years at RCR,” Harvick said with a wide smile on his face. “Richard and everyone at RCR are going to allow us and everybody at Stewart-Haas to run the No. 29 car with the first paint scheme at the All-Star Race.”
To cap off the throwback feel of the car, Busch Light will utilize is logo from 2001 as it serves as the primary sponsor on the car.
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AdventHealth Partners with Hailie Deegan, Women in NASCAR to Launch New Campaign at Atlanta
AdventHealth has launched a new partnership with NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Hailie Deegan, which will see the company celebrate ‘Women in NASCAR’ during Women’s History Month.
The company will kick off the partnership with primary sponsorship of Deegan’s No. 13 Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing in Saturday’s NASCAR Truck Series Fr8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In addition to the company’s new-found relationship with Deegan, AdventHealth is also partnering with Women in NASCAR (WIN), and female members of the motorsports media.
“As a longtime sponsor in NASCAR, we know firsthand how important women are to the success of this industry,” said Audrey Gregory, Ph.D., president and CEO of AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division – North Region. “We are honored to be part of this opportunity to highlight drivers like Sara Christian and Hallie Deegan, as well as the incredible work of Women in NASCAR.”
Women in NASCAR is an employee resource group that aims to create a supportive community for women and allies in NASCAR offices to foster dialogue and promote professional growth. The organization empowers women at NASCAR by providing opportunities for career development, networking with all levels from the organization, and giving back through charitable events in our local communities.
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Gray Gaulding Lands New Primary Sponsor FollowMe for Atlanta
Gray Gaulding will have a golden look as he and the No. 08 SS Green Light Racing team head into Atlanta Motor Speedway for this weekend’s Raptor King of Tough 250. FollowMe Global Business Solutions will serve as the primary sponsor for the racer.
For the diverse, multi-industry, multi-divisional strategic business consulting firm, this is its first foray into NASCAR sponsorship.
“We, at FollowMe Global Business Solutions, LLC, are very proud and excited to be a sponsor for Gray Gaulding, the great Number 08, and to work along with Standout Management Group. As this is a new venture for us, we are extremely pleased with the direction and guidance gained from Kenneth Cameron”, stated CEO Jason Slaughter. “We look forward to being a part of the NASCAR family and fans as a sponsor. Our goal is to increase the viewer ship among the African American community in such an awesome sport. We feel that our sponsorship of Gray Gaulding in that Black and Old Gold number 08 car will definitely grab attention.”