RHODES READY FOR INDIANAPOLIS

 INDIANAPOLIS – Harrison Rhodes will drive the Ken Houston Electric No. 01 Chevrolet in Saturday’s Lilly Diabetes 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

       The race will mark Rhodes’ third run at IMS, one of the biggest tracks on the Xfinity Series schedule.

       “Indy is a very fast track with tight corners,” Rhodes said. “It takes a lot of speed but also finesse to do well there. I’m looking forward to giving it another shot.”

        Rhodes and the rest of the Indy field will be competing under new conditions. New rules designed to spice competition will have cars running with 2016 spoiler and splitter sizes, new aero ducts and a 7/8-inch restrictor plate.

       Practice is scheduled at 1 and 3 p.m. Friday. Qualifying is set for 12:45 p.m. Saturday, with the race to follow at 3:30 p.m.

Indiana FAME Joins Smithley At Indy

FAME Expands NASCAR Presence With Garrett Smithley at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Organization Partners with NASCAR Driver Looking to Spread Word of Opportunity

Indiana FAME has partnered with NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) driver, Garrett Smithley for the July 22 NXS Indianapolis 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This relationship stems from Garrett’s involvement with Kentucky FAME, and the organization’s effort to include all FAME chapters across the country.

“This is an opportunity to show my generation the opportunity that FAME allows them; to have a long lasting career in the Manufacturing field, and graduate debt free,” Smithley said.

“We are always looking for new innovative ways to spread the word about our AMT program and were excited to have this opportunity to work with Garrett,” said Chris Melvin, HR Organizational Development Director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana.

“Our Indiana FAME partners are able to sponsor these bright and talented students and develop them over the two years, with the help of our college partner Vincennes University, into globally competitive, highly skilled professionals. The AMT program is helping us to close the skills gap and also develop future leaders within our organizations,” he said.

Vincennes University located in Vincennes, Ind., is backing Indiana FAME in the project, helping to bring some more attention to the program.

To learn more about FAME, please visit www.fame-usa.com.

CHASTAIN 19th IN OVERTON’S 200

LOUDON, N.H. – Ross Chastain drove the Sanel Auto Parts/Parts Plus Chevrolet to a 19th-place finish in Saturday’s Overton’s 200 Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

       The finish was Chastain’s fifth straight in the top 20.

       “We’re having a very good summer,” Chastain said. “I’ve always liked this track, and we had a good car here today. We would have liked a top 15, but all in all the race was pretty good.”

       The finish boosted Chastain to 16th in Xfinity driver points.

       Kyle Busch won the race, and Elliott Sadler kept the point lead.

       The Xfinity Series moves on to Indianapolis Motor Speedway July 22.

SMITHLEY FINISHES 23rd AT LOUDON

 LOUDON, N.H. – Garrett Smithley completed his second run at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Saturday, finishing 23rd in the Overton’s 200 Xfinity Series race.

       Smithley qualified 25th and ran mid-pack much of the afternoon.

       The race was a new challenge as officials put a traction-control substance on the track surface in an attempt to enhance competition.

       “Loudon is a short but fast track, and it was different today,” Smithley said. “I was happy to get in some quick laps and bring the car home. We’ll be better here next time.”

       Kyle Busch won the race, and Elliott Sadler kept the point lead.

       The series next races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway July 22.

RHODES 18th AT NEW HAMPSHIRE TRACK

LOUDON, N.H. – Harrison Rhodes scored an 18th-place finish in Saturday’s Overton’s 200 Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

       Rhodes qualified 24th in the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller No. 01 Chevrolet. The race was his third in the Xfinity Series at NHMS.

       The race presented an additional challenge – a traction-control substance was placed on the track in an attempt to spice competition.

       “We really didn’t know what to expect,” Rhodes said. “The track was kind of an unknown. But we got a good run and brought the car home in one piece.”

       Kyle Busch won the race, and Elliott Sadler kept the point lead.

       The series rolls on to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a July 22 race.

CHASTAIN HAVING HOT SUMMER

LOUDON, N.H. – Ross Chastain hopes to keep his current run of good finishes going in Saturday’s Overton’s 200 Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

       Chastain has scored four straight top-20 finishes, including runs of fourth at Iowa Speedway and sixth at Daytona International Speedway, over the past month.

       “We want to keep things rolling at Loudon,” Chastain said. “It’s been a pretty good track for me. Short but fast and hard to pass on. We’re looking for another good week.”

       Chastain will drive the Sanel Auto Parts/Parts Plus No. 4 Chevrolet Saturday. Sanel is headquartered in nearby Concord.

       Chastain has moved from 20th to 17th in Xfinity driver points over the past six races.

       Practice is scheduled at NHMS at 1 and 3 p.m. Friday. Qualifying is set for 11:05 a.m. Saturday, with the race to follow at 4 p.m.

SMITHLEY STILL LEARNING NHMS

LOUDON, N.H. – Garrett Smithley is sort of a newbie at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

       Smithley has raced only once at the one-mile track. He’ll double his experience at NHMS in Saturday’s Overton’s 200 Xfinity Series race.

       “I’m looking forward to getting back there,” Smithley said. “It’s a fun track because it’s flat and fast. I’m sure we’ll have a good car this weekend.

       Smithley is 23rd in Xfinity driver points.

       Practice is scheduled at NHMS at 1 and 3 p.m. Friday. Qualifying is set for 11:05 a.m. Saturday, with the race to follow at 4 p.m.

RHODES ROLLS INTO LOUDON

LOUDON, N.H. – Harrison Rhodes will tackle the tough one-mile track at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the fourth time in Saturday’sOverton’s 200 Xfinity Series race.

       Rhodes has raced in two Xfinity Series and one K&N Pro Series East race at NHMS.

       “The flat nature of the track makes it really tough,” Rhodes said. “You have to pick your places to pass and then be really aggressive to make them work. You have to be on your toes all the time.”

       Rhodes sits 24th in Xfinity driver points entering the season’s 17th race.

       Practice is scheduled at NHMS at 1 and 3 p.m. Friday. Qualifying is set for 11:05 a.m. Saturday, with the race to follow at 4 p.m.

SANEL AUTO PARTS, PARTS PLUS SPONSORING CHASTAIN

GAFFNEY, S.C. – Sanel Auto Parts and Parts Plus will sponsor driver Ross Chastain and the No. 4 JD Motorsports with Gary Keller Chevrolet in Saturday’sOverton’s 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.

         One of the most talented young drivers in the series, Chastain has gained renewed attention with finishes of fourth and sixth in recent Xfinity races.

         “We are thrilled to have the folks at Sanel and Parts Plus on board with us this week,” said team owner Johnny Davis, a veteran of the Xfinity Series. “We show up at the track every week with our cars at their very best, and I know Sanel and Parts Plus look at their business exactly the same way. We’re looking forward to a big weekend at Loudon with them.”

         Sanel Auto Parts has 38 locations in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. The company’s headquarters is in Concord, N.H.

Sanel Auto Parts is a leading auto parts, heavy-duty truck parts and body shop supplies distributor  delivering quality parts, automotive paint and body supplies, and tools and equipment that are durable, dependable and long-lasting. Sanel employs a knowledgeable, professionally trained team of automotive experts that assist professional mechanics, service garages and individual customers with finding the right products and solutions that fit their needs. We are an auto parts store that is dedicated to honesty and integrity from our products to our services, right down to our commitment to high customer service standards.

         Parts Plus has a successful history in motorsports sponsorship with an active role in the National Hot Rod Association.

         “It’s great to have an area sponsor involved when we race,” said driver Ross Chastain. “We’re proud to carry the colors of Sanel Auto Parts and Parts Plus this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.”

CHASTAIN HAS STRONG RUN AT KENTUCKY

SPARTA, Ky. – The race was a day late, but Ross Chastain was right on time.

       Chastain ran with the front pack and finished on the lead lap in 20th place in Saturday’s Alsco 300 Xfinity Series race at Kentucky Speedway. The race was delayed a day because of rain.

       “We had a good car and kept up with the front part of the field,” Chastain said. “It helped that I’ve run a lot of races (nine) at this track. It’s tough and fast.”

       Chastain, who raced in the AE Door and Window Chevrolet Saturday, has scored four straight top-20 finishes.

       Kyle Busch won the race, and Elliott Sadler kept the point lead.

       The series moves on to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for a July 15 race.