GARRETT SMITHLEY HAS MOMENTUM GOING INTO THE ONEMAIN FINANCIAL 200

Gaffney, S.C. (May 3, 2018) – After an exciting top-ten finish last weekend in Talladega, Garrett Smithley has a lot of confidence heading to Dover International Raceway for this Saturday’s OneMain Financial 200.

Smithley has raced at Dover International Raceway four times in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with a best finish of 24th place in the No. 0 Chevrolet Camaro.

“This is the most confident that I’ve ever felt going into the Dover race,” said Smithley. “This hasn’t always been one of my best tracks, but with the way that this No. 0 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller team is performing this year, I think we’ll leave with our best ever Dover finish.”

NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Dover International Raceway is scheduled for 9:35 a.m. and 2:05 p.m. (ET) Friday. Qualifying will start at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, and the OneMain Financial 200 will get the green flag at 1:30 p.m. (ET) on FS1.

VINNIE MILLER LOOKS TO MASTER THE MONSTER MILE

Gaffney, S.C. (May 3, 2018) – After scoring his best NASCAR Xfinity Series finish so far last weekend, Vinnie Miller has a lot of confidence heading into the OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Raceway.

This will be Miller’s first time racing at the “Monster Mile,” but he hopes that past experience at similar concrete tracks and help from his driver coach, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Landon Cassill, will translate into a successful weekend for the No. 01 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevrolet Camaro team.

“I’ve heard a lot about the Monster Mile and how tricky it is to get around the one-mile track,” said Miller. “I’ve been preparing all week, met with my driver coach Landon yesterday, and I’m looking forward to getting to Dover (International Raceway).  I’m excited to go out there and figure it out; I’ve always been a fan of concrete tracks so it should be a fun weekend.  I know the guys on the JD Motorsports team with Gary Keller have a good Camaro ready for us so hopefully we will have a successful weekend.”

NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Dover International Raceway is scheduled for 9:35 a.m. and 2:05 p.m. (ET) Friday. Qualifying will start at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, and the OneMain Financial 200 will get the green flag at 1:30 p.m. (ET) on FS1.

ROSS CHASTAIN WILL ONCE AGAIN SHARE THE “PROTECT YOUR MELON” MESSAGE AT DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

GAFFNEY, S.C. (May 2, 2017) – The No. 4 Chevrolet Camaro of Ross Chastain will carry the familiar theme of “Protect Your Melon” for this Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway. This will mark the third year that team JD Motorsports with Gary Keller has teamed up with the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) to encourage race fans to buckle up and drive safe.

“There are way too many people who lose their lives in traffic incidents by not wearing their seat belts,” said Johnny Davis, owner of JD Motorsports. “If just one person can see this message a buckle up their seat belt, then we have done our jobs. I’m very thankful to the OHS for continuing to use my team to share this important message.”

OHS will continue to employ a comprehensive marketing approach to engage with racing enthusiasts and loyal NASCAR fans through on-track, hands-on, traditional, digital and social media messaging during the NASCAR season.

“We are excited to once again partner with JD Motorsports and Ross Chastain, to raise awareness for seat belt use in Delaware,” said Jana Simpler, Director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.  “The Protect Your Melon initiative not only involves our partnership with Ross, but statewide implementation with  Dover International Speedway,  Carvertise, and Melon1.”

The Protect Your Melon marketing campaign features the occupant protection safety message on the No. 4 car, venue signage at Dover International Speedway, Carvertise wrapped vehicles with the same design touring the state, and stickers placed on over 1 million watermelons distributed in the state of Delaware by Melon1.   

“Dover is a race that I always look forward to, and this partnership with OHS is a big reason why,” said Chastain. “It is awesome to have a partnership that lets me promote two causes that are close to my heart -- safe driving and agriculture. We’ve had a lot of fun and accomplished a lot with the 'Protect Your Melon' campaign over the last two years, and I’m excited that we can keep it going."

Chastain, the OHS, and the No. 4 “Protect Your Melon” show car have a busy week in store which will include visits to Milford High School, the Giant Eagle store in Rehoboth Beach (De.), Nemours Children’s Hospital, Dunbar Elementary School, and the Dover Air Force Base.

GARRETT SMITHLEY SCORES A TOP-TEN AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

GAFFNEY, S.C. (April 30, 2018) – Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway proved once again that Garrett Smithley and team JD Motorsports with Gary Keller are a force to be reckoned with at the superspeedway races.

Smithley, driving the No. 0 FAME Chevrolet Camaro, was running in third place for a large portion of the third stage of the Sparks Energy 300. As the race neared its conclusion, it looked as if Smithley would score his first top-three finish; however, a late-race caution sent the race into overtime and the No. 0 team past their fuel window. Smithley pitted before the green-white-checkered finish, and pushed his way back to tenth place before the checkered flag.

“Another great restrictor plate race for my ‘Number Nuthin’ JD Motorsports team!,” Smithley said. “This was a really solid day with a top-ten finish, so hats off to all of the guys on this team. It was huge to have the support of FAME, Alabama FAME, and Sonoco this weekend. We’ve had a fifth place (Daytona, February 2018) and a tenth place finish with this same car, so hopefully we can do even better when we go back to Daytona in July, maybe even go for the win.”

Next up for the NASCAR Xfinity Series is the OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 5th, 2018.

VINNIE MILLER SCORES BEST NASCAR XFINITY SERIES FINISH AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

GAFFNEY, S.C. (April 30, 2018) – NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie driver, Vinnie Miller, had an impressive run in Saturday’s Sparks Energy 300 at Talladeaga Superspeedway, finishing in the 17th place for team JD Motorsports with Gary Keller.

Miller qualified in 25th place and kept the No. 01 JAS Expedited Trucking Chevrolet Camaro clean throughout the race. Despite having only run one other restrictor place race in his career (the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Talladega, in which Miller finished seventh), Miller ran a very consistent race, averaging 21st place position during the entire race, and running the fastest lap on track during three scoring loops. The team’s pit strategy and Miller’s smart driving placed the No. 01 Chevy in fourth place for much of the third stage of the race.

“Our weekend at Talladega (Superspeedway) went well despite the heavy hearts of the loss of James Hylton,” said Miller. “I was glad we were able to run up front for a majority of the race. My spotter, Tyler Green, was able to keep us out of trouble and avoid the crashes. Bryan (Berry) had a great pit strategy for the No. 01 JAS Expedited team that would have played out well if it wasn’t for that last caution. The questionable penalty call on our fuel splash pit stop put us toward the rear of the lead lap cars for the green/white/checkered finish, which was disappointing. It wasn’t the top-10 we had hoped for but we’ll take 17th and my career best (NASCAR) Xfinity Series finish and head to Dover and see what the Monster Mile has for us. Thank you to JAS Expedited Trucking and Johnny Davis for their support.”

Next up for the NASCAR Xfinity Series is the OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 5th, 2018.

JOE NEMECHEK FINISHES 31ST AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

GAFFNEY, S.C. (April 30, 2018) – Joe Nemechek, driving the No. 15 Fleetwing Chevrolet Camaro for team JD Motorsports with Gary Keller, came home in 31st place in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) Spark’s Energy 300 at Talladega (Al.) Superspeedway.  

Nemechek started the race in 23rd place, and ran in the top-fifteen and top-ten throughout the day. Stage three of the race had a long green-flag run until a late caution sent the race into overtime. With many teams pitting or running out of fuel, the No. 15 team decided not to pit in hopes they’d make it to the end. Unfortunately, the gamble did not pay off, and Nemechek ran out of fuel just short of the finish.

“I’m very proud of my No. 15 JD Motorsports team for giving me such a competitive car this weekend,” Nemechek said. “We had a choice at the end to either pit for fuel and restart behind everyone who stayed out, or stay out and have a chance to pick up a lot of positions. Unfortunately, the gamble didn’t pay off, but that’s racing. I’m very thankful to my long-time sponsors Fleetwing Corporation and D.A.B. Contractors for all that they’ve done for me this weekend.”

Next up for the NASCAR Xfinity Series is the OneMain Financial 200 at Dover (De.) International Speedway on May 5th, 2018.

BAD LUCK FOR ROSS CHASTAIN AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

GAFFNEY, S.C. (April 30, 2018) – Ross Chastain did not have luck on his side for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Chastain qualified 26th, and was having a strong run early in Saturday’s race. Unfortunately, 78 laps into the race, the No. 4 Flex Seal Chevrolet Camaro suffered a bearing failure, ending Chastain’s day early and relegating him to a 34th place finish. Despite the finish, Chastain maintains his 12th place position in NASCAR Xfinity Series driver standings.

“This was a hard one to swallow for me and my JD Motorsports with Gary Keller team,” Chastain said. “With the awesome season we’ve been having, we came into the race with really high expectations, but these things happen. We’ll head to Dover next week, one of our best tracks, and not let this weekend slow us down. Big shout-out to Phil Swift and Flex Seal for their support this weekend.”

Next up for the NASCAR Xfinity Series is the OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 5th, 2018.

ROSS CHASTAIN HOPING TO REPEAT HIS SUPERSPEEDWAY SUCCESS AT TALLADEGA

Gaffney, S.C. (April 26, 2018) — Ross Chastain and team JD Motorsports with Gary Keller have had a whirlwind start to the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, and they are looking for more success in this Saturday’s Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway. Flex Seal will once again be on board Chastain’s No. 4 Chevrolet Camaro.

Chastain started off the year with a ninth place superspeedway finish in Daytona. Now eight races into the season, Chastain has three top-ten finishes and is 12th in NASCAR Xfinity Series driver standings.

“JD Motorsports has always had a strong superspeedway program, but this year they are really on point,” Chastain said. “I’m really looking forward to racing Talladega this weekend with Flex Seal back on board. If luck goes our way, this could really be a race to remember for the No. 4 team.”

NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Talladega Superspeedway is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. (CT) on Friday, April 27. On Saturday, April 28, qualifying will start at 10:00 a.m. (CT), and the Sparks Energy 300 will get the green flag at 2:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. ET) on FOX.

GARRETT SMITHLEY WISHING FOR SUCCESS AT TALLADEGA FOR HIS BIRTHDAY

Gaffney, S.C. (April 26, 2018) — Garrett Smithley has proven that he knows how to race a superspeedway, and he’s hoping to repeat that success in Saturday’s Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway. A good finish would be a great birthday present for Smithley who turns 26 on Friday.

Smithley started off the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series season with a fifth place superspeedway finish at Daytona, the best finish so far in his career. Smithley’s best finish at Talladega is 12th place. The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) will once again be on board the No. 0 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevrolet Camaro for Saturday’s race. Alabama FAME and packaging supply company, Sonoco, will join the team as associate sponsors.

“I’ve been looking forward to this week’s race every since my top-five in Daytona,” Smithley said. “My ‘Number Nuthin’’ team has a great superspeedway car, I have FAME continuing their support with us this weekend, and it’s my birthday! I'd like to say a special thank you to Alabama FAME and Sonoco for supporting us this weekend as well. As long as we can have a little bit of luck, we can definitely leave Talladega with a great finish.”

NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Talladega Superspeedway is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. (CT) on Friday, April 27. On Saturday, April 28, qualifying will start at 10:00 a.m. (CT), and the Sparks Energy 300 will get the green flag at 2:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. ET) on FOX.

VINNIE MILLER HOPING FOR A REPEAT OF LAST TIME HE RACED TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

Gaffney, S.C. (April 26, 2018) — Although Vinnie Miller is a rookie driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he has found success before at Talladega Superspeedway.

Last year, Miller made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Talladega Superspeedway. Despite having no prior superspeedway experience, Miller scored a seventh place finish. He’ll be hoping to repeat that accomplishment in Saturday’s Sparks Energy 300 with JAS Expeditied Trucking on board his No. 01 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevrolet Camaro.

“I’m excited about going back to a track I’ve raced on before,” said Miller. “I made my NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at Talladega last year and finished seventh! I know that the No. 01 JAS Expedited JD Motorsports team will have a stout Xfinity Series car for me this weekend. I know that my spotter Tyler Green will be able to help me stay out of trouble and hopefully repeat a top-10 finish for Johnny (Davis), the team, and our sponsors!”

NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Talladega Superspeedway is scheduled for 10:35 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. (CT) on Friday, April 27. On Saturday, April 28, qualifying will start at 10:00 a.m. (CT), and the Sparks Energy 300 will get the green flag at 2:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. ET) on FOX.