MAY 5, 2021

(Chevrolet)
Chevrolet and other major automotive brands competing in the NASCAR Cup Series revealed their Next Gen models today (May 5). Starting next season in the NASCAR Cup Series, Chevrolet’s new entry will be its Next Gen Camaro ZL1 race car. The new look and features are a result of a collaborative effort by Chevrolet, the series and other original equipment manufacturers for race cars competing at the Cup level to look and perform more like their production counterparts. The Next Gen Camaro ZL1 race car’s new lower greenhouse, shortened deck lid and widened track width contribute to a coupe-like appearance. A fully symmetrical body design makes the race car look even more like the production Camaro. Other changes to the 2022 Next Gen race car include: Upgraded specs to match modern passenger vehicle technology, including independent rear suspension – like production Camaros – and rack and pinion steering; An increase in wheel size from 15 to 18 inches. The larger diameter wheels allow for larger brakes for improved track performance. Wheels will be made from forged aluminum, like the wheels on the production Camaro ZL1; A new transaxle that combines the transmission and rear gears into one package; The bottom of the car will be sealed with an underwing and rear diffuser for enhanced aerodynamics;A redesigned chassis features new front and rear bumpers with an energy-management system. Both the front and rear clips bolt on to the center section for easier serviceability and damage repair. Chevrolet has campaigned 14 different nameplates in the Cup Series, dating back to 1955, and with 798 victories is the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history. Chevy’s first win was by Fonty Flock at Columbia Speedway in South Carolina in 1955, the same year Chevrolet introduced its famed small-block V-8. Since then, Chevrolet has won 39 Manufacturer Championships, including 13 in a row from 2003-2015, and 32 Driver Championships to lead all manufacturers. The Next Gen Camaro ZL1 race car will make its points-paying debut at next season’s Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Feb. 20, 2022. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Next Gen Camaro ZL1 race car Saturday, May 8, at 8 p.m. ET by joining “Chevy MyWay: Meet the All-New NASCAR Next Gen Camaro,” a free broadcast open to all.
(Toyota)
More than two years in the making, Toyota and TRD (Toyota Racing Development, U.S.A.) today unveiled the manufacturer’s Next Gen car that will take to the track in 2022 – the Toyota TRD Camry – in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS). Toyota has been working alongside NASCAR, as well as the other OEMs, on the development of the Next Gen vehicles for competition. The components of the Next Gen race cars are an unprecedented move for the sport, but one that looks to continue to evolve safety enhancements of the race cars and promote on-track competition. Toyota, TRD and Calty Design have worked together to ensure as many body styling characteristics as possible are incorporated into the Toyota TRD Camry Next Gen so it resembles its production counterpart as closely as possible. From the grill to the spoiler and everywhere in between, the Next Gen TRD Camry race car has the most body styling attributes to its production counterpart than ever before in a NCS Camry. This is a practice that Toyota and TRD have employed since the development of the 2013 Camry in NCS competition. “There has been a substantial amount of work put into the Toyota TRD Camry Next Gen car by all of our partners, but specifically everyone at TRD and Calty Design,” said Paul Doleshal, group manager of motorsports and assets, TMNA (Toyota Motor North America). “We’re thrilled to have the chance to showcase the TRD Camry to represent Toyota in the NASCAR Cup Series through this Next Gen project. This is our topline, track-inspired performance Camry and it seemed only fitting for it to take it’s spot on the race track.”
(Ford)
Along with new entries from GM and Toyota, Ford unveiled its all-new 2022 NASCAR Next Gen Mustang to the public in Charlotte, North Carolina, today (May 5). The Next Gen Mustang will compete in the NASCAR Cup Series starting next season. The new car, which has been under development for two years, is completely different from its predecessor because it is redesigned from the ground up. Unlike past versions, with the exterior being the only noticeable change, this model is built for future developments down the road, featuring flexibility for technological advances such as a hybrid or electric powertrain. Changes include rack-and-pinion steering, independent rear suspension and 18-inch tires with aluminum forged wheels. The all-new body features a wider stance, while a symmetric exterior shell, tail and smaller greenhouse area closely resemble the production Mustang. Development of the new car took place both in Ford’s Dearborn design center and at the Ford Performance Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, where Ford’s NASCAR scale model and aero teams are located. Extensive development continues on full-motion simulators at the technical center, where both racing and production car work takes place. The NASCAR Next Gen Mustang makes its competition debut on Feb. 20, 2022, at Daytona International Speedway for the 64th annual Daytona 500.

(Porsche)
Porsche Motorsport and Team Penske have agreed to collaborate closely in fielding the new LMDh racer cbeginning in 2023. The successful US team will work together with the experts from Weissach to run factory entries in the FIA WEC World Endurance Championship and the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC). Under the name of Porsche Penske Motorsport, two of the new LMDh prototypes will compete for overall victories in the top class of each of the two racing series. The contract between the sports car manufacturer from Stuttgart and the US racing team, which was founded in 1966, will run for a number of years. A statement to this effect was signed by Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG, Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development and Roger Penske, Chairman of Team Penske. Beginning in 2023, the LMDh vehicles will represent the very best in endurance racing together with so-called hypercars (LMH). The prototypes will also be entered by Porsche customer teams in both championships as early as 2023. The cars, which weigh approximately 1,000 kilograms and are based on an LMP2 chassis, are powered by a 500 kW (680 PS) hybrid drivetrain. "We are delighted that we were able to get Team Penske to form this partnership," says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. "For the first time in the history of Porsche Motorsport, our company will have a global team competing in the world's two largest endurance series. To this end, we will be setting up team bases on both sides of the Atlantic. This will enable us to create the optimal structures we will need to take overall victories at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring, for example." "Porsche and Penske share a proven track record of success. This partnership had a lasting impact from 2006 to 2008 on what was then the American Le Mans Series," says Fritz Enzinger, Head of Porsche Motorsport, delighted about the renewed collaboration with the US team. "Team Penske has made a name for itself with an almost unparalleled success story in motorsport. In the long list of victories to date, however, the name Le Mans has been missing. I hope that we will finally be able to chalk up this success as of 2023 with Porsche Penske Motorsport. This would then mark Porsche's 20th overall victory at the Sarthe - a dream come true."  “This is a proud day for our entire Penske organization. We have represented Porsche on the track or in our businesses for more than six decades. The heritage and success we have enjoyed together is unparalleled throughout our history,” commented Roger Penske. “I can’t wait to get started as we build a global racing program with Porsche that will compete for wins and championships well into the future.” Porsche Motorsport will be operating a team base in the USA together with Team Penske at the American team's headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina. Editor-in-Chief's Note: This is huge news, folks. The one prize that has eluded Roger Penske is victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It looks like that's about to change... -PMD

(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)

Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser, one of the most colorful, outspoken and popular drivers in the history of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” died Sunday, May 2, at his New Mexico home. He was 87. Unser won the Indianapolis 500 in 1968 (No. 3 Rislone Eagle/Offy), 1975 (No. 48 All American Racers Jorgensen Eagle) and 1981 (No. 3 Penske Racing Norton Spirit). Unser's win in the 1981 Indianapolis 500, which he won from the pole, was one of the most controversial and contentious outcomes in the event’s storied history. Unser beat Mario Andretti to the finish by 5.18 seconds, but USAC officials ruled Unser passed cars illegally while exiting the pit lane during a caution on Lap 149. Unser was penalized one position, with Andretti elevated to the winner. But after a lengthy protest and appeals process, Unser’s penalty was rescinded, and he was declared the winner of the race Oct. 9, 1981. That victory became the last of Unser’s storied INDYCAR career, as he skipped the 1982 CART season to serve as driver coach for Josele Garza and decided against a planned comeback in 1983 with Patrick Racing. Unser finished his career with 35 career INDYCAR victories and two championships among his eight top-three finishes in the season points. He is one of just 10 drivers to win the “500” at least three times and is a member of numerous motorsports Halls of Fame, including induction into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame in 1990. Unser and Rick Mears are the only drivers to win the “500” in three different decades. He was one of six members of the Unser family to race in the Indianapolis 500. Bobby and his brother Al, a four-time winner, are the only brothers to win the race. Bobby Unser also was renowned and admired for his work in and out of the cockpit before his Indianapolis 500 and INDYCAR driving career started and after it ended. He dominated the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb before he ever turned a lap at Indianapolis, and he was a popular INDYCAR color analyst on national telecasts on ABC, NBC and ESPN INDYCAR telecasts and on IMS Radio Network race broadcasts in the '80s and '90s after retiring as a driver. Fans always flocked to “Uncle Bobby” to get a picture or autograph, to share their memories or to hear one of Unser’s countless colorful stories about his career and fellow racers. He also savored spending time in the Media Center swapping tales with many veteran journalists every May, as Unser was a tireless ambassador for IMS and the Indianapolis 500 until the end of his life. Unser is survived by his wife, Lisa; sons Bobby Jr. and Robby; and daughters Cindy and Jeri. (Thank you to IMS Media) 

“There simply was no one quite like Bobby Unser. Bobby was a ferocious competitor on the track, and his larger-than-life personality made him one of the most beloved and unique racers we have ever seen. Bobby brought so much to Team Penske during his time with our team, including a memorable victory in the 1981 Indianapolis 500. Beyond his many wins and accomplishments, Bobby was a true racer that raised the performance of everyone around him. He was also one of the most colorful characters in motorsports. Throughout his time as a driver, a commentator and an ambassador of our sport, Bobby’s stories and his passion for racing were legendary. Our thoughts and condolences are with Lisa, the Unser family and Bobby’s many friends and fans during this difficult time.” – Roger Penske, Chairman, Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Team Penske

(AP Photo/Jose Breton)
Jack Miller (No. 43 Ducati Lenovo Team) won the Spanish MotoGP ahead of teammate Francesco Bagnaia (No. 63 Ducati Lenovo Team), while Fabio Quartararo (No. 20 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) dropped from the race lead all the way down to 13th, costing him the world championship lead. Quartararo slipped from pole to fourth at the start but calmly picked off his opponents at the final corner on successive laps to take the lead from Miller. The young Frenchman steadily pulled 1.5 sec. clear, but suddenly lost all of his advantage with 11 laps to go and became a sitting duck thereafter. Quartararo appeared to be in physical pain when he returned to the Yamaha pits, with arm-pump one possibility. Miller promptly repassed Quartararo and rode to his first dry MotoGP race win, while Bagnaia took second ahead of countryman Franco Morbidelli (No. 21 Petronas Yamaha SRT) to take over the 2021 title lead. (Thank you to crash.net)

(F1)
A savvy race strategy from Lewis Hamilton (No. 44 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team) saw him take his second win of the 2021 season at the Portuguese Grand Prix, the Briton finishing ahead of Max Verstappen (No. 33 Red Bull Racing Honda), as Hamilton’s polesitting teammate Valtteri Bottas (No. 77 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team) came home third. With Hamilton starting second on the grid, an early Safety Car after Kimi Raikkonen had crashed into his Alfa Romeo team mate Antonio Giovinazzi saw the seven-time champion drop to third behind Verstappen at the Lap 7 Safety Car restart. But Hamilton - in peak form - then fought back brilliantly, passing Verstappen back for P2 four laps later before claiming the lead with an decisive pass on Bottas into Turn 1 on Lap 20 of 66 – eventually coming home for his 97th F1 victory, and extending his lead at the head of the drivers’ championship. Like Hamilton, Verstappen maintained his record of finishing all three races of 2021 so far in either P1 or P2 – but had to be satisfied with the latter result, with Verstappen able to pull away from Bottas in the latter stages of the race after the Finn suffered a sensor issue on his power unit, but having been unable to do much about Hamilton at the front. (Thank you to F1 media)

(Chevrolet)
Patricio O’Ward (No. 5 McLaren Arrow SP Chevrolet) broke through for his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory, winning the XPEL 375 on Sunday evening at Texas Motor Speedway. O’Ward, who started fourth, passed two-time series champion Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Team Penske XPEL Chevrolet) with 24 laps remaining in the 248-lap race and pulled away to a 1.2443-second victory. The win came after five top-three finishes – including three as runner-up – since O’Ward became a full-time driver in the series in 2019, including third Saturday night in the Genesys 300 on the 1.5-mile oval. The site also has significance for Mexican O’Ward, who went to middle and high school and has lived in San Antonio. “Finally!” O’Ward said. “That was long race, but we had so much pace in the Arrow McLaren SP No. 5. We got the job done today, man. I couldn’t be happier for a group of guys. It’s Texas. It’s very close to my heart. Many Mexicans were out there in the grandstands, so thank you guys so much.” O’Ward became the first Mexican winner of an INDYCAR SERIES race since Adrian Fernandez in 2004 on the 2-mile oval at Auto Club Speedway. This also was McLaren’s first win in INDYCAR since April 22, 1979, when Johnny Rutherford swept a doubleheader at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Graham Rahal finished third in the No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Fleet Cost & Care Honda. Six-time series champion Scott Dixon, winner of the Genesys 300 on Saturday night, finished fourth after starting from the pole in the No. 9 Chip Ganassi PNC Bank Racing Honda. Dixon kept the series points lead. O’Ward jumped to second in the standings, 22 behind. “Huge congrats to Pato,” Dixon said. “I was watching from back a few spots there, and what he did there at the end was a tremendous drive, especially against one of the best guys in the field. “Hopefully he calms down a little bit and doesn’t make it too often,” Dixon joked about O’Ward. (Thank you to INDYCAR Media)

(Photo by Chris Owens/INDYCAR)
Scott Dixon (No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing PNC Bank Honda) dominated the rest of the Genesys 300 field in an oval-racing clinic Saturday night at Texas Motor Speedway, leading a race-record 206 of 212 laps for his first victory of the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Dixon took the checkered flag .2646 of a second ahead of fellow New Zealand native Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 Team Penske PPG Chevrolet), who was racing on an oval for the first time. Pato O’Ward finished third in the No. 5 McLaren SP Arrow Chevrolet. “It was a bit of a crazy night for us,” Dixon said. “Definitely very tense there at the end. It was kind of cool to be racing a countryman for the last few laps. Fifth win at Texas, baby! That was awesome.” This was the 51st victory of the legendary career of six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Dixon, just one behind tying Mario Andretti for No. 2 on the all-time win list. A.J. Foyt leads with 67 wins. “It feels amazing to be in this position,” Dixon said. “You just never want it to end. We want to go back-to-back and try to tie Mario tomorrow. I'm sure that's not exactly what he wants to see. We'll keep our heads down. It's extremely tough. This season has been one of the toughest starts, I think, for a lot of us just with how tight the competition is.” The victory also marks Dixon’s 19th INDYCAR SERIES season with at least one victory. He also took the series points lead with his third victory in the last four seasons at the 1.5-mile oval. Dixon, who started second, held a comfortable lead of three to five seconds at various points during the race, which went the distance despite rain in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. But McLaughlin applied plenty of pressure over the last stint of the race after the final pit stops for most of the field under caution on Lap 165. Three-time Australian V8 Supercars champion McLaughlin showed the composure and tactical sense of an oval racing veteran in his first race of only left turns, staying within about half a second of Dixon during the closing laps. Dixon approached lap traffic with two laps to go, with the turbulent air from those cars slowing his charge toward the checkered. But he held off McLaughlin long enough for victory, averaging 173.036 mph. “I have this thing on the dash that tells me the gaps to cars,” said Dixon, 40. “I probably need to take it off because it was stressing me out more than anything. I kept looking down, looking in the mirror. He was fast.” Said McLaughlin, 27: “I’ve never been this bloody happy to finish second in my life. I’m really stoked. I just couldn’t get Scotty (Dixon) there at the end. But I’ll tell you what: It was bloody cool battling with my all-time favorite hero, Scotty Dixon. Two Kiwis, one and two. My Mom and Dad are watching at home (in New Zealand), for sure.” (Thank you to INDYCAR Media)

(James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch (No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) took the lead on a restart with two laps remaining and held off the field by .336 seconds Sunday at Kansas Speedway to win the "Buschy McBusch Race 400," giving him his first NASCAR Cup Series win of the season – 58th of his career – and new crew chief Ben Beshore the first win of his career. It completed a weekend trophy sweep for Busch, who won Saturday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race too. “Just a great day to be able to put this M&Ms Camry up front,” Busch said smiling, adding, “Great to be able to get everyone back in Victory Lane again this early in the season and get those points going our way." “And,” he said breaking into a grin, “I just remembered it’s the Buschy McBusch Race and a Busch won. What do you know?” It was a dramatic ending to what had been largely a Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) show up front all day. Larson led a race-best 132 of the 267 laps, but he got shuffled back to the second row on the last restart and had contact with Ryan Blaney’s front-row running No. 12 Team Penske Ford after taking the final green flag. The two cars slid up and bounced into the wall and out of the groove, allowing Busch to take off with the help of his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. (No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) pushing from behind. Ultimately, Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford) and Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Team Penske Ford) – both on fresher tires – chased down Truex on the last lap to claim second and third place behind Busch. Keselowski, last week’s Talladega winner, led a season-best 72 of the opening 80 laps. (Thank you to Holly Cain/NASCAR WIre Service)