TC Daily Pit Stop: Max Gutierrez Injured in Car Accident, Xfinity Series Organizational Test at Charlotte, McLaughlin Joins Emerling-Gase

TC Daily Pit Stop: Tuesday, January 31st, 2023

Jan 31, 2023

(Photo Courtesy of Jonathan McCoy / TobyChristie.com)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Max Gutierrez has sustained injuries after being involved in a car accident on Sunday, while traveling near Valle de Bravo, a resort area about 60 miles west of Mexico City, Motorsport.com reports.

The accident happened on Sunday when Max and his younger brother Federico were traveling in a Porsche Boxster when the vehicle collided with a Ford Explorer pickup truck.

Federico, 17, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Max was transported by helicopter to a Mexico City hospital. The 20-year-old’s injuries are unknown, but he is expected to be released sometime Monday.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Test Under Weather Delay; 23 Cars on Hand For Test

(Photo Credit: TobyChristie / TobyChristie.com)

The NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers and teams are at Charlotte Motor Speedway for an organizational test session of the new rules package for the 2023 season. The garage opened at 7AM ET on Monday morning, and the session was scheduled to begin at 8AM ET.

Overnight and early morning rain has caused a delay. As we stand at 10:30 AM ET, track drying crews are attempting to get the 1.5-mile oval dried off so drivers can log laps.

The session would begin shortly after noon, with 23 vehicles taking to the track to compete in the series’ first organizational test in several years.

New for 2023! Introducing the #SrigleyStats Sheet:

From the brain-truss behind Srigley Stats, comes the #SrigleyStats Sheet, a weekly email newsletter, which will contain a comprehensive stat sheet from the previous weekend’s NASCAR National Series events.

The #SrigleyStats Sheet is available to all paid subscribers for $5/month, or $50/year. However, if you’re not feeling a monetary commitment, don’t fret, there’s a FREE alternative, too, where you’ll be emailed the #SrigleyStats that you see on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

CJ McLaughlin Joins Emerling-Gase Motorsports for Part-Time Xfinity Campaign in 2023

(Photo Credit: TobyChristie / TobyChristie.com)

C.J. McLaughlin, who has spent the last four seasons as a perennial part-time competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for various teams, will return to the second-tier series in 2023, piloting an entry for Emerling-Gase Motorsports.

McLaughlin, who will participate in an organizational test for the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway, tells TobyChristie.com that he is preparing for a schedule of up to 18 events for Emerling-Gase Motorsports.

SciAps, a long-time partner of McLaughlin’s efforts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, will return to sponsor his entry at Emerling-Gase Motorsports.