2023-02-20

Chasing Success, Domonick Merkley Gets Ready for the 2023 Season

Chasing Success, Domonick Merkley Gets Ready for the 2023 Season 

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media 

 


His 2022 campaign was the type of season Domonick Merkley had been waiting for.

The former Mini Stock runner finished 9th in the final Brockville Ontario Speedway Sportsman-Modified standings, on the strength of his first career feature event win, 3 top 5 and 7 top 10 finishes in 16 starts. Impressive stats on their own, but when combined with a 13th place showing in the final Ogilvie's Auto & Fleet Series rundown and solid runs in back-to-back starts during Brighton Speedway's Applefest Weekend, the 24-year-old Automotive Service Technician from Johnstown, Ontario has built a solid foundation for his 2023 schedule. 

 

"Local racing – even once a week – requires a lot of hard work, time and commitment," said Domonick Merkley. "Now that the cross border travel restrictions have been lifted, I'm going to look at doing some road trips this year. The team and I have made tentative plans to run some shows at Can Am and Mohawk in addition to our regular Saturday nights at Brockville and occasional stops at Cornwall. Much of what I'm able to do throughout the year will depend on resources and my work schedule." 

 

Coming from a long line of racers that started with his father and brothers Tyler and Brent who used to campaign Street Stock rides and his cousins Nick and Curtis who still do, Domonick Merkley is keenly aware of the costs associated with fielding a competitive weekly ride throughout the year. He's thankful for the ongoing support of his sponsorship partners, including Snap On Tools dealer Tim Covell, Gananoque Chevrolet, CSN Collision Centre, Gananoque, Thurler Logistics and Excavation, Merkley AG Tire, DT Mobile Wash and C & D Custom Creations. Merkley says he's also thankful for the help he receives in the shop and at the race track. 

 

"My brother Tyler, my girlfriend Catie Bannan and I take care of the car through the week," explained the driver, who selected his No. 98 car number to match the year he was born. "I'm very lucky to race close to home. Its great to have family members and friends cheering for me at every event. At this level of the sport, everyone is willing to help each other in the pits, no matter how badly they want to beat you when the green flag flies." 

 

In his time away from the track, Domonick Merkley – who is a graduate of South Grenville High School and Algonquin College – enjoys playing video games with his friends, spending time with his son and 4-wheeling.  

 

Follow Domonick Merkley and the No. 98 DIRTcar Sportsman-Modified team throughout the 2023 Brockville Speedway season, beginning Saturday, May 13th and on the team's Merkley Racing Facebook and Instagram social media platforms. 

 

Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media 

 

After finishing 9th in the 2022 Sportsman-Modified standings, Domonick Merkley (No. 98) is looking forward to kicking off the new season – Saturday, May 13th – at Brockville Ontario Speedway. 

 

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media 


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 20.2.23 0 comments

2023-02-16

NASCAR to Name 75 Greatest Drivers as Part of 75th Anniversary Celebration


NASCAR to Name 75 Greatest Drivers as Part of 75th Anniversary Celebration

Voting timeline for NASCAR Hall of Fame class shifting to accommodate selection process

 

Daytona Beach, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2023) – NASCAR today announced it will name the 75 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR history as it celebrates the past, present and future of the sport throughout its 75th "Diamond" Anniversary.

 

A blue-ribbon committee comprised of former drivers, team owners, industry personnel, NASCAR executives and current and former media members will determine the 75 Greatest Drivers. The unranked list will be unveiled this Spring and culminate with an in-person celebration of the esteemed group during the Goodyear 400 race weekend at Darlington Raceway, May 12-14. Fans can purchase tickets to Darlington Raceway at www.nascar.com/tickets.

 

"From the incredible races to the unforgettable moments to our larger-than-life stars, there is so much to celebrate during this 75th Anniversary season," said Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. "The 50 Greatest Drivers list from our Silver Anniversary is an anchor program to that era, and an honor each of those athletes holds dear. We look forward to adding 25 new drivers as we recognize the 75 Greatest Drivers by recalling the talents and heroics that made each so remarkable."

 

As a result of the selection process for the 75 Greatest Drivers, NASCAR also will shift the voting timeline for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2024. The Nomination Committee and Honors Committee will both meet on Wednesday, May 24 to select the nominees. Voting Day for the Class of 2024 will be Wednesday, Aug. 2 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

 

Additional details about the 75 Greatest Drivers and other 75th Anniversary programs will be announced in the future. Fans can visit the newly launched NASCAR 75 content hub to stay up to date, enjoy interactive historical timelines, sift through entire seasons-in-review, pick their four-driver "dream team," watch new interviews with iconic drivers and more.

 

The NASCAR regular season gets underway with the 65th running of the DAYTONA 500®, the Great American Race, on Sunday, February 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

About NASCAR

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty's Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat ('NASCAR').


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 16.2.23 0 comments

Powerball(R) Becomes Official Partner of NASCAR(R)

Powerball® Becomes Official Partner of NASCAR®

Partnership is a First Between Powerball and a Major Sports League; Includes Powerball Being Named "Official Lottery Game of NASCAR"

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – (Feb. 15, 2023) – NASCAR announced today that Powerball, the game that has inspired the country with the chance to become a millionaire all while raising billions of dollars for good causes, has become an Official Partner of NASCAR and the "Official Lottery Game of NASCAR."

 

"NASCAR and Powerball have shared in the goal of providing exhilarating excitement for decades while also giving back to the communities in which we are a part of," said Daryl Wolfe, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. "Powerball creates millionaires every year, and we can't wait to see the different winning opportunities this partnership will bring to our loyal fans throughout the country."

 

To kick off the new partnership and the 2023 season, NASCAR and Powerball will create a season-long promotion that will culminate with one lottery player winning a $1 million prize in a special drawing broadcast live from the Phoenix Raceway during NASCAR Championship Weekend, Nov. 3-5. Further information and details of the promotion, as well as how to enter, will be announced at a later date.

 

"Powerball and NASCAR both have the extraordinary ability to create memorable moments that bring everyone together, to dream and cheer for something big," said Drew Svitko, Powerball Product Group Chair and Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director. "That's why Powerball is proud to partner with NASCAR to bring extra excitement throughout the season, which includes awarding a $1 million prize to a player in Phoenix!"

Powerball tickets are two dollars per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Drawings are also live streamed on Powerball.com. 

 

The 2023 NASCAR regular season begins on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET with The Great American Race, the 65th Annual DAYTONA 500. The race will air live on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

 

For more information on Powerball, please visit Powerball.com. 

 

About NASCAR

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Pinty's Series (Canada), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat ('NASCAR').

 

About Powerball

Powerball holds the current world record for largest national lottery jackpot at $2.04 billion. Powerball celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, and since its first drawing in 1992, the game has helped generate more than $28 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Powerball tickets are two dollars per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EST from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on Powerball.com.

 


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 16.2.23 0 comments

2023-02-13

2023 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series Season Kicks Off Tuesday at Dayton

2023 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series Season Kicks Off Tuesday at Daytona

The premier stock car sim racing series in the world gets underway for its 14th season on Tuesday night, as the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series heads to Daytona International Speedway to kick off the chase for a more than $330,000 prize pool. The green flag flies at www.eNASCAR.com/live at 9 p.m. ET on February 14, with Countdown to Green coverage immediately preceding the race.

The 2023 season follows up eNASCAR's biggest campaign yet, which culminated with four drivers competing live at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte for the championship, a $100,000 cash prize, and the inaugural Dale Earnhardt Jr. Cup, which was presented by its namesake. When all was said and done, XSET's Casey Kirwan defeated Joe Gibbs Racing's Bobby Zalenski, Charlotte Phoenix's Graham Bowlin, and Stewart-Haas Racing's Steven Wilson, to win his first title.

All four drivers will return to their prior teams for 2023, while a talented fleet of new competitors that includes 10 series rookies and five new teams will look to shake up the grid. Real-world NASCAR Cup Series team Front Row Motorsports and open-wheel racing legend Tony Kanaan headline the list of newcomers who will join an existing mix of professional esports teams, NASCAR champions, and more to be represented on the grid. Once again, the 40 drivers who made the cut will battle for the chance to compete live in Charlotte for the championship trophy and a six-figure check.

The 2023 calendar will see a shakeup of its own as eNASCAR begins to take full advantage of iRacing's diverse set of more than 100 tracks. The Milwaukee Mile has been added to the schedule as the second round of the year after Daytona, while the series will visit a track outside of the United States for the first time later in the spring with a visit to Italy's Autodromo Nazionale Monza. In addition, whenever races are scheduled for back-to-back weeks, the second week will feature a fixed car setup—giving drivers a break from excess testing time and showcasing which drivers are best able to adapt to fully equal machines.

The 2023 eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series schedule* is as follows:

Rd.

Date

Track

Laps

1

February 14

Daytona International Speedway

80

2

February 28

The Milwaukee Mile

100

3

March 14

Atlanta Motor Speedway

100

4

March 28

Richmond Raceway

130

5

April 11

Autodromo Nazionale Monza

30

6

April 18

Talladega Superspeedway

70

7

May 2

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

100

8

May 16

Darlington Raceway

120

9

May 30

Charlotte Motor Speedway

100

10

June 13

World Wide Technology Raceway

120

11

June 27

Watkins Glen International

45

12

July 11

Nashville Superspeedway

100

13

July 25

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

101

14

August 1

Pocono Raceway

60

15

August 15

Michigan International Speedway

70

16

August 29

Dover Motor Speedway

120

17

September 12

Phoenix Raceway

120

18

September 26

Homestead-Miami Speedway

100

 

*schedule subject to change

 

"We can't wait to get the 14th season of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series started at Daytona," said iRacing president Tony Gardner. "Every year, the series continues to take steps forward, and last year's finale from the NASCAR Hall of Fame was the perfect example of just how far it's come over the years. This year should be no exception, with so many new names expressing interest in taking part and a brand-new schedule. We can't wait to throw the green flag!"

"We're excited to kick off the 14th season of the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, made even more special as NASCAR celebrates its 75th anniversary," said Ray Smith, NASCAR director gaming and Esports. "Interest in eNASCAR is at an all-time high and the competition in this year's Coca-Cola iRacing should be stronger than ever with our championship drivers all returning and so many talented newcomers joining the field. NASCAR's national series have made bold and innovative moves recently with their schedules and it's no different in the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series. We're ready for another fun, action-packed season."

For more information on the eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series, visit www.enascar.com or www.iracing.com/enascar. For more information on iRacing and for special offers, visit www.iracing.com.


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 13.2.23 0 comments

Dart Heating & Air Conditioning Continues its Peterborough Speedway Partnership


Dart Heating & Air Conditioning Continues its Peterborough Speedway Partnership 

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media 

 






Community-minded business have long looked to weekly motorsports sponsorship as a way to promote their products and services. The team at Peterborough Speedway is pleased to have Dart Heating and Air Conditioning return to the track for the 2023 season. 

 

With nearly 20 years of service to Peterborough and Central Ontario, Dart Heating and Air Conditioning provides complete home heating, air conditioning and water heater services that best suit your needs. From simple maintenance and repairs to complete installations, they can handle any project, big or small.  

 

Their dedicated, licenced technicians have the expertise to find and fix any problems you have with your current units to get them operating safely, or remove and replace them with state-of-the-art, cost-saving products from their line of high-quality brands. They're available 24 hours-a-day and 7 days-a-week to make sure they are these if you have a heating or cooling emergency. Their goal is to provide top-of-the-line service that will surpass all of your expectations. 

 

For round-the-clock service or a quote on your next project, call 705.876.9090 or visit www.dartheating.ca.  

 

"In addition to providing sponsorship support to selected race teams during our Saturday night program, we're happy to have Dart Heating and Air Conditioning as part of our schedule again in 2023," said Peterborough Speedway owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse. "Brian Dart and his team of home comfort professionals will once again serve as the title sponsor for our victory lane, as well as the track caution flags and the safety team throughout the year." 

 

Peterborough Speedway's new schedule kicks-off Saturday, May 20th with the Pure Country 105 Season Opener, featuring free spectator grandstand admission. On track action includes the Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock, SwitchTire Mini Stock, Trent Lakes Complete Plumbing Renegade Truck, Jiffy Lube Super Stocks and KOD Disposal Late Model divisions, plus the Trailers Plus Canadian Legend Car Series. There will also be a Fan Appreciation autograph session at intermission. 

 

For the latest news and information on the 2023 schedule at Canada's Toughest 3rd Mile Oval, see www.peterboroughspeedway.com or the track's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media profiles. 

 

Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media 

 

It is the goal of every racer in the field to earn a trip to Dart Heating & Air Conditioning Victory Lane at Peterborough Speedway. 

 

The Peterborough Speedway Junior Late Model of Lyla Sikma (No. 20) is proudly sponsored by Dart Heating & Air Conditioning. 

 

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media 


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 13.2.23 0 comments

2023-02-03

Introducing SwitchTire, Title Sponsor of Peterborough Speedway Mini Stocks

Introducing SwitchTire, Title Sponsor of Peterborough Speedway Mini Stocks 

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media 



 

Heading into the 2023 schedule, the Peterborough Speedway promotional team is pleased to welcome SwitchTire as the title sponsor of the track's Mini Stock division. 

 

SwitchTire has joined the Jiffy Lube location on Reid Street in Peterborough and can now offer full tire services to their customers at one convenient location. The SwitchTire team of professionals has the expertise to keep you on the road, whatever you drive. Don't spend your hard-earned money running all over town when you can find everything you need in one convenient stop. Tire sales, installation, balancing, seasonal changeover and more. Not a typical tire store, they use equipment technology to make a difference. SwitchTire's specialized service and attention to detail takes things to the next level where the rubber meets the road. 

 

Even with the snow and cold hanging around, warmer weather will be here soon and SwitchTire has the perfect equipment to get your custom car on the road. Their installation gear will never scratch your wheels and the balancing kit is deigned to use as few weights as possible. Fewer wheel weights translates to longer lasting balance and better looking wheels. Your tires and wheels are mounted and balanced flawlessly for the ultimate ride and comfort. 

 

"We're excited to be joining the team at Peterborough Speedway for its 57th season of operation," said SwitchTire spokesperson Albert Youssef. "A few of the Tire Industry Trained team members at our Peterborough location have been closely affiliated with the track for years and that makes our involvement with the local weekly racing program the perfect way to grow our brand." 

 

Find the perfect tires for your car, truck or van from the industry's best-known names, including Bridgestone and Firestone. We offer the area's best prices, guaranteed. If you find a lower advertised price on tires and wheels after your purchase, SwitchTire will beat that advertised price by 5%. 

 

To learn more about the SwitchTire services and options for your vehicle be sure to visit the Jiffy Lube location at 646 Reid Street in Peterborough. Look for www.switchtire.ca, coming soon. 

 

With a regular season of 16 straight Saturday nights, 2023 stands to be a busy year at Canada's Toughest 3rd Mile Oval. Action gets underway with the Country 105 Season Opener – featuring free spectator grandstand admission – Saturday, May 20th.  

 

For complete details on this year's line-up, be sure to see www.peterboroughspeedway.com or the track's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media profiles. 

 

Track officials are excited to welcome SwitchTire as the title sponsor for the Mini Stock field at Peterborough Speedway 

 

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media 


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 3.2.23 0 comments

2023-02-01

NASCAR Fan Rewards Launches as Part of 75th Anniversary Season

NASCAR Fan Rewards Launches as Part of 75th Anniversary Season

Program is First of its Kind Currently Offered by a Major Sports League

 

Daytona Beach, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2023) – NASCAR is home to the most loyal and passionate fans in all of sports, and now fans are being rewarded for that loyalty. As part of its 75th Diamond Anniversary season, NASCAR has launched NASCAR Fan Rewards, a free program that rewards fans for simply engaging with the sport they love.

 

"Our fans are the reason we race week in and week out, so we wanted to show our appreciation by creating this free program that rewards them for doing what they're already doing – connecting with the sport they love," said Pete Jung, NASCAR senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "The best part is, the more fans engage, the more rewards they will earn towards things such as merchandise, gift cards and even race tickets."

 

There is no cost to join the rewards program. Fans can visit nascar.com/fanrewards, create an account and start earning points towards rewards immediately. For those fans who already have a NASCAR.com account, they can simply opt-in to NASCAR Fan Rewards via their profile page. Once points are earned, fans can redeem them for items such as race tickets, VIP experiences, autographed merchandise and gift cards, or even donate to the NASCAR Foundation.

 

Some ways to earn points towards rewards include:

 

  • Watching Races from Home: Fans can check in on the NASCAR.com (desktop, mobile app, or mobile web) leaderboard during any CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Xfinity Series, or Cup Series race
  • Attending NASCAR Races: Fans can check in from the NASCAR Track app
  • Playing NASCAR Fantasy Live
  • Participating in Weekly Trivia: Available via the NASCAR Fan Rewards dashboard each week
  • Purchasing Race Tickets and Camping: Points are earned automatically when fans purchase tickets or camping at any NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Xfinity Series, or Cup Series race
  • Visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame
  • Purchasing Merchandise from the NASCAR.com Shop

 

To help launch the program and generate awareness among fans, NASCAR and Spire Motorsports will collaborate to showcase a special NASCAR Fan Rewards paint scheme on the No. 77 Chevrolet driven by Ty Dillon during the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 5.

 

For further information on the NASCAR Fan Rewards program and a full list of ways to earn points and rewards, visit nascar.com/fanrewards.

 

The NASCAR Cup Series hits the track for the first time in 2023 at the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum this Sunday, Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Tickets begin at $65, and kids 12-and-under are $10. Fans can get tickets now by visiting www.nascarclash.com. Then, the regular season gets underway with the 65th running of the DAYTONA 500®, the Great American Race, on Sunday, February 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. UNOH Fanzone passes are still available at www.daytona500.com or by calling 1-800-PIT-SHOP.

 

About NASCAR

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2023, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 16 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series™, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour™), one local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series™) and three international series (NASCAR Pinty's Series™, NASCAR Mexico Series™, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series™). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat ('NASCAR').

 


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 1.2.23 0 comments

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