Tuesday, October 22, 2024
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After winning the IMSA GTP title, Porsche will enter Le Mans for the third time

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Porsche appears poised to tackle the extra 24 Hours of Le Mans share it gained by winning the IMSA SportsCar Championship crown at Road Atlanta last weekend.

Thomas Laudenbach, head of Porsche Motorsport, told Autosport/Motorsport.com that it “absolutely makes sense” for Penske Motorsport's works Porsche squad to run a 3rd 963 LMDh within the double-points round of the World Endurance Championship, along with two full-season entries.

At the identical time, he emphasized that the ultimate decision regarding the extra automotive had not been made yet.

Porsche successfully applied to position a further factory 963 at Le Mans in 2023 and 2024, but is guaranteed additional entry next 12 months after winning the IMSA GTP title within the No. 7 automotive driven by Felipe Nasr and Dane Cameron within the 10- the season-ending Petit Le Mans hour race last Saturday.

“No decision has been made yet, but it is more likely that we will start with three, especially now that we have applications,” Laudenbach said.

“You need a budget for this, but all of us understand how quickly a automotive can retire from a race at Le Mans.

“That's why we've done it with three players for the last two years and that's why there's a good chance we'll do it again with three players.”

#7 Team Penske Motorsport Porsche 963: Dane Cameron, Felipe Nasr

#7 Team Penske Motorsport Porsche 963: Dane Cameron, Felipe Nasr

Photo: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images

Porsche appears able to enter the WEC Le Mans round next June with a reduced variety of cars within the Hypercar class, even when it decides that PPM will field three cars for the third 12 months in a row.

The Jota customer team, which is running two Porsches in Hypercar this 12 months, will switch to Cadillac in 2025 when it becomes the factory representative of the General Motors brand instead of Chip Ganassi Racing.

Even if Proton Competition, the opposite customer team entering the 963 within the WEC, expands to 2 cars, it looks like Porsche's year-round WEC representation will likely be reduced from five to 4 cars.

Laudenbach confirmed that the announcement of the PPM driver lineups for the 2025 season on the earth and North American championships will likely be made before the top of the WEC season.

“An announcement will likely be made before the Bahrain race [on 2 November]”- he said.

Given this news, it seems unlikely that a call on a 3rd automotive at Le Mans will likely be made in time for its drivers to be included within the announcement.

IMSA has the fitting to award three entries to June's blue ribbon round of WEC Le Mans through race organizer Automobile Club de l'Ouest.

One of the so-called “total entries” goes to the winning automotive within the GTP teams' championship, which won the No. 7 PPM of title-winning drivers Nasr and Cameron.

The other two awards go to the winners of the Jim Trueman and Bob Akin awards.

These awards are awarded to bronze-placed drivers in LMP2 and GT Daytona, respectively, based on a separate classification for the most important class championship.

Nick Boulle, who also won the LMP2 title with Tom Dillmann at Inter Europol via PR1/Mathiasen, and Orey Fidani, who raced with Matt Bell for the AWA Chevrolet team, won each awards and due to this fact each had an automatic entry into Le Mans .

Formula E misses a seventeenth race but still plans to fill the two-month gap

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Formula E organizers have been unable to search out a seventeenth race for the upcoming season that may leave a two-month gap within the schedule, but they plan to carry an as-yet-unannounced event that can “keep fans engaged.”

The 17-race calendar was initially announced by the Electric Vehicle Championship in June, with a TBD date set for March 8, which might have been the fourth round on the schedule.

However, at a gathering of the FIA ​​World Motor Sport Council on Thursday, the governing body confirmed that only a 16-race season could be held, starting in Sao Paulo in December and ending in London next July.

Motorsport.com understands that Chiang Mai in Thailand was originally proposed as a venue to be determined, but a change in government meant the opportunity of holding a Formula E race within the country for the primary time was dropped.

Other alternative options were also considered, including a second race in China back to Sanya with a visit to Shanghai on May 31-June 1, in addition to potentially hosting a 3rd race in Berlin, which already has a double race on May 12-July 13 .

Fans on the podium

Fans on the rostrum

Photo: Andreas Beil

This means there may be now a two-month gap between the third round in Saudi Arabia, which saw a shortened version of the Formula 1 layout run for the primary time in Jeddah on February 14-15, and the inaugural race on the Homestead-Miami Speedway within the US. April 12.

This can be the second consecutive 12 months that the scheduled race has been dropped from the unique schedule, after Hyderabad was again faraway from the calendar for the 2023/24 season resulting from changes in local government.

Following the WMSC meeting, a Formula E spokesperson said: “We are thrilled to present the 16-race Formula E season 11 calendar that was announced earlier this 12 months – the identical number that led to record growth in fans and audiences world wide.

“Over the ten events we might be racing at some long-standing venues, with the opportunity of double headers at some venues and a few improbable latest venues in key markets.

“With the arrival of the brand new Gen3 Evo technology, which is able to put our drivers behind the wheel of the fastest cars ever to race in Formula E, we will't wait for the season to start out and couldn't be more excited in regards to the potential of the championship to thrill and attract latest players. fans.

“Work is already underway to build and maintain relationships with fans throughout the season, with more details to be announced in the coming months.”

Hailie Deegan moves to Indy NXT in 2025 from HMD Motorsports

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HMD Motorsports has announced the arrival of Hailie Deegan for the 2025 season in Indy NXT, the premier development category within the IndyAutomotive Series.

Deegan, 23, is scheduled to fight all 14 rounds with the team rating thirty eighth. He becomes the fifth driver confirmed by HMD Motorsports and joins next yr's lineup which incorporates Caio Collet, Josh Pieson, Tommy Smith and Bryce Aron. Deegan will drive Indy NXT machinery for the primary time on the upcoming Chris Griffis Memorial Test on the Indianapolis road course on October 18.

“I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with a proven program at HMD Motorsports,” said Deegan.

“I even have so much to learn, but I'm able to go. The team brings a wealth of information for me to attract from, and I'm looking forward to absorbing as much of it as possible before my race debut next March in St. Petersburg.”

Hailie Deegan, AM Racing, AirBox Ford Mustang

Hailie Deegan, AM Racing, AirBox Ford Mustang

Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images

Deegan's transition to open-wheel racing comes after prolonged time in off-road and stock cars. After winning three races in NASCAR's K&N West division in 2018-19, she became the primary woman to win within the series. She spent all of 2020 in ARCA, ending third within the title race. She spent the vast majority of her NASCAR profession within the Truck Series, competing full-time from 2021-2023 and ending with a better of sixth place (twice – Talladega 2022, Texas, 2023). Although she began working full-time within the Xfinity Series this yr, her tenure ended after 17 races after parting ways with AM Racing.

To help Deegan through the transition, she worked with former HMD Motorsports engineer Nathan Toney, owner of Toney Driver Development. At the tip of the month, it should also make its first open-wheel racing debut in the ultimate race of the Formula Regional Americas season on the Circuit of the Americas.

“Hailie, and especially the Deegan name, is huge in motorsports and we welcome them to the HMD Motorsports family,” said Team President Mike Maurini. “Hailie has already been to the workshop and is serious about open-wheel racing. She's looking for a place in the Indianapolis area to immerse herself in the team and is already working with her engineer. We want to make sure she and all the other HMD Motorsports drivers are as ready as possible for every track session.”

M-Sport WRC driver line-up plans for 2025 'within the air'

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M-Sport's driver line-up for the 2025 World Rally Championship is “completely up in the air” as speculation grows over the long run of current lead driver Adrien Fourmaux.

Team Ford often makes changes to the motive force market at the top of the yr and this season isn’t any exception because it plans to field two Ford Puma Rally1 cars next yr.

The decision to return Fourmaux to the Rally1 program this yr, following the 2023 Rally2 season, has paid dividends, with the Frenchman taking eight top-five finishes, including 4 podiums (Sweden, Kenya, Poland and Finland).

The Frenchman has amassed just six points lower than 2023's Ott Tanak at this stage of the campaign, replacing the 2019 world champion this yr.

Fourmaux's impressive development has made the 29-year-old a precious commodity within the service park, and the 2023 British rally champion has been linked with a move to Hyundai to pilot the Korean brand's third automobile next season.

When asked about his team's plans for 2025, M-Sport team principal Richard Millener maintains that “nothing has been signed with anyone” in the intervening time.

“It's completely up in the air and nothing is signed with anyone, all options are on the table, as usual with M-Sport at this stage of the year,” Millener told Motorsport.com. “We want to have the strongest possible two-car team we can get for next year, and that's a goal we're still working towards.”

Adrien Fourmaux, M-Sport Ford World rally team

Adrien Fourmaux, M-Sport Ford World rally team

Photo: M-Sport

The team desires to agree a brand new contract with Fourmaux and doesn’t resign from continuing to make use of his services. However, if he has to look elsewhere, the squad appears to have a brief list of options to fill the 2 spots.

The team's other full-time driver, Gregoire Munster, delivered arguably his best performance up to now in Rally 1 in Chile, where he ran as high as fourth, setting stage times at the highest of the leaderboard, before ending seventh.

The performance comes after an uneven campaign to this point, which could bode well for his future, although Millener insists the Luxembourger should remain focused on the ultimate two rallies of the season.

“He now needs to concentrate on one rally at a time. He shouldn't think about how he will secure a ride next year,” added Millener. “You just have to give your all in every rally and see what the end of the year brings.”

Another driver that M-Sport is taking note of is Martins Sesks, who took part in three appearances with the team in Rally1. The 25-year-old finished fifth in Poland after which finished on the rostrum in Latvia before a mechanical problem turned heads.

After his last appearance in Chile, Sesks admitted he was unsure where his future lay.

“As he says, he doesn't know what will happen next and I don't know what will happen next, a lot is up in the air, but it was good to give him this opportunity as well, and now we have to see what happens in the next few weeks,” he said Miller.

In addition to those two drivers, Motorsport.com expects WRC2 title contenders Oliver Solberg and Yohan Rossel to be on the team's shortlist of drivers for 2025.

British powerhouse RML sees a likelihood at Le Mans Hypercar

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British motorsport powerhouse RML Group is open to leading the Le Mans Hypercar project if the chance arises to hitch the World Endurance Championship grid.

The Wellingborough-based company is best known for taking the Vauxhall and Nissan works teams to British Touring Car Championship glory within the Super Touring era of the Nineteen Nineties and winning World Touring Car Championship crowns for Chevrolet within the twenty first century.

However, RML, which celebrates its fortieth anniversary this yr, has its roots in endurance racing based on sports prototypes.

RML's first project was the Ecurie Ecosse Group C2 squad, which took the teams to the 1986 World Sportscar Championship title, before the corporate ran the Aston Martin plant within the Group C principal class in 1989 after which partnered with Nissan North America with 1990 Le 24-hour attack on Mans.

Although RML has not had a full racing team since withdrawing from the WTCC when Yvan Muller won the championship in 2013 in a Chevrolet Cruze, its chief executive Michael Mallock Jr said when asked by Motorsport.com that the need is “100%” there come back in this way.

“The hypercar is a improbable concept. The growth of WEC and IMSA has been incredible and it's improbable to see so many manufacturers,” he said.

“It's a little frustrating that we're not really there in a lot of ways, but we'd like to be there as a team.”

As well as a variety of high-performance road automotive and record-breaking projects, RML supplies specialist parts to the BTCC, while advanced work on battery technology means it’s now working with undisclosed clients not only in Le Mans Hypercar but in addition in Formula 1.

RML drove the Nissan Primeras that won the BTCC title with Laurent Aiello in 1999

RML drove the Nissan Primeras that won the BTCC title with Laurent Aiello in 1999

Photo: Malcolm Griffiths / Motorsport Images

The group also revealed a special edition Hypercar-inspired P39 design, based on the Porsche 992.1 Turbo S and limited to only 10 examples.

“We If in Hypercar also in an unknown way, due to our battery technology working with the OEM for the following three generations,” Mallock Jr. added.

“Another area where we use our battery expertise is in the single-seater grand championships [F1]…”

RML is already energetic on the lower levels of endurance racing with the production of the Lotus Emira GT4 automotive, which continues its development of the Jaguar F-type. The company can also be keen to explore the chances of the GT3.

“Endurance racing is very much the foundation of Mallock and RML,” Mallock Jr. said. “If the chance arose with a well-funded GT and OEM team, we’d definitely be there.

“We have many long-term employees – we celebrated three twentieth anniversaries this yr, which is impressive.

“Even though the corporate has grown tremendously, the love and focus for motorsports continues to be evident throughout the corporate.

“We would have no problem getting support from our company if the right motorsport opportunity arose.”

A special article celebrating RML's fortieth anniversary in motorsport will appear on this week's edition of Autosport Engineering, which will probably be published on October 17. Click here to search out out more about Autosport magazine.

Meyer Shank signs deals with BMW and Cadillac for IMSA return with Acura

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Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly joined Acura after leaving Cadillac and BMW for the 2025 IMSA SportsCar Championship GTP campaign in partnership with Meyer Shank Racing.

Two-time 24 Hours of Daytona winner van der Zande joined Honda after seven seasons with Cadillac, first with Wayne Taylor Racing, where he won the IMSA Blue Riband enduro in 2019 and 2020, after which with Chip Ganassi Racing.

Yelloly joins from BMW, which announced his departure on Monday, after six years as a factory driver, during which era he won the Nurburgring 24 Hours of enduro and Spa GT3 races and scored the primary IMSA win for the German brand LMDh's M Hybrid V8 in IMSA last 12 months 12 months.

He and Van der Zande can be year-round drivers of one among the pair of Acura ARX-06 LMDh fielded within the GTP class by MSR, which returns to IMSA after a year-long hiatus.

The second automobile can be shared by former MSR Indycar driver Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun, who will repeat their 2023 partnership that produced a controversial win at Daytona.

MSR was subsequently found to have manipulated information from the tire pressure sensors, for which he was fined and points deducted, but retained the victory.

The team, whose contract with Acura expired at the tip of the season, was not retained as Wayne Taylor Racing and Andretti launched into a planned expansion to 2 cars.

#60 Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06: Tom Blomqvist, Colin Braun, Helio Castroneves

#60 Meyer Shank Racing with Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06: Tom Blomqvist, Colin Braun, Helio Castroneves

Photo: Art Fleischmann

Now WTR has returned to Cadillac for 2025, which hastened the return of MSR in partnership with Honda Racing Corporation USA (formerly generally known as Honda Performance Development), which runs the Acura LMDh program.

HRC US will tackle a greater role in running the cars on the right track and can be liable for engineering one among the 2025 entries.

Van der Zande thanked Cadillac for “everything they have done for me over the last seven seasons.”

“Even though it's hard for me to leave the band, it's time for a new chapter, which I'm really looking forward to,” he said.

“I've been racing with Acura for the last seven years and they've always been a fierce competitor, but I'm excited to now be on their side, leverage their resources and see what we can do.”

Yelloly also thanked his former employer for riding within the GTP rankings for Rahal in 2023 and 24.

“They were the first to give me a chance as a factory driver back in 2019 and we celebrated many great successes together,” he said.

#46 WRT BMW M4 GT3 Team: Nick Yelloly

Yelloly ends his long stint as a BMW factory driver and joins MSR/Acura

Photo: SRO

“I’m very excited to affix the Acura MSR/HRC project. Obviously the team could be very hungry and needs to provide their all, which suits me because I even have the identical mentality.

Team principal Mike Shank said: “Putting Tom and Colin back within the driving seat just made sense. They each had an incredible season in 2023 and I feel this only shines a lightweight on what they’ll achieve together.

“And with the addition of Renger and Nick, they both have a lot of experience in prototyping and have shown a lot of strength over the last few seasons, so I think they will be a big asset to the team.”

CCTV footage reveals a wierd twist within the Erebus engineer's “attack” report

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CCTV footage has emerged of the alleged attack on the Erebus engineer on the Bathurst 1000, which indicates that just one person was involved within the incident.

Reports of the incident made headlines, details of which were revealed by the reigning series champion on Monday's Seven Network breakfast show Sunrise, which was won by Brodie Kostecki and co-driver Todd Hazelwood.

“Last evening, unfortunately, one in every of our crew members was attacked. It's really disappointing and it really ruined the evening,” Kostecki said.

“We wish Sam all the best and hope he and his partner Tameika recover quickly.”

The engineer who was injured within the alleged attack was taken to hospital, and the aggressors are reportedly three men.

But CCTV footage shown on the Seven News Central West bulletin tells a really different story: the young man punched himself slightly than sustaining the attack.

The report explained that the person was walking and hit his face after which fell to the ground, with the lady following in his footsteps.

Brodie Kostecki, Todd Hazelwood, Erebus Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Brodie Kostecki, Todd Hazelwood, Erebus Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Photo: Edge Photographics

Police have confirmed that the person has left hospital and although an investigation is ongoing, officers are certain that no attack took place.

This is the newest incident in a tumultuous 12 months for the Erebus team, with Kostecki missing the beginning of the campaign because of behind-the-scenes dramas.

However, he won the Great Race with Hazelwood, giving the team their first triumph within the event since 2017, when David Reynolds and Luke Youlden won the summit.

Michelin Alpin Time Trial Challenge offers a VIP trip to the GT World Series Finals

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gt7 michelin alpin challenge
Michelin Alpin Time Trial Challenge offers a VIP trip to the GT World Series Finals 12

European players can have the chance to win a VIP trip to the Gran Turismo World Series Finals in Amsterdam this December through a special online time trial as a part of Gran Turismo 7.

The “Michelin Alpin Challenge 2024” will feature a time trial in GT7in sports mode, accompanying two regular events, starting on Friday, October 18 and lasting for 2 weeks until the top of the month.

For this event, you will have a special set of skills that may include a somewhat unusual combination. The event will happen on the Lake Louise Long Track, a snow and ice track in Canada, where a Hyundai Genesis Gr.B rally automobile with special competition colours and winter tires will likely be available for the challenge.

It's not yet clear whether the event will likely be visible to all players or not, or whether it’s going to offer superior rewards appropriate to your time deficit like a daily time trial competition, however the competition itself is simply open to players from certain European territories and aged 18 or over.

There is simply one prize, and it’s going to be awarded to the qualifying player who finishes first on the leaderboard after 23:59 UTC on Thursday, October 31 – and it's quite a prize. They will receive a VIP trip for themselves and one guest to the GT World Series Finals in Amsterdam on December 7-8.

This includes return travel and transfer to the event (flights, trains or coach), in addition to accommodation and meals during your stay at GTWS. The price also includes entry to the event.

You will likely be eligible for the overall prize in case you are over 18 years of age and live in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine or United Kingdom.

All players who participate within the challenge will receive a Hyundai Genesis Gr.B rally automobile within the special Michelin time trial livery, delivered as a present upon completion of the time trial.

While this event may only be open to European players, series sponsors can have other related challenges coming up in the long run – so watch this space for more!

Verstappen is more anxious about fixing Red Bull than about his 2026 options

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Max Verstappen says he’s more concerned about Red Bull regaining form than considering options for changing Formula 1 teams in 2026.

With Verstappen having release clauses in his current contract with Red Bull, which runs until 2028, the world champion's future with the team has been a continuing source of speculation this season amid power struggles behind the scenes and a number of other key personnel of their positions. within the Milton Keynes team.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff often courted Verstappen, especially when Red Bull began to struggle with performance, before Mercedes formally linked up with young phenom Andrea Kimi Antonelli last month.

Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com, Verstappen hinted at resuming the opportunity of switching teams in 2026, but stressed that he was more focused on changing Red Bull's results than anything.

Asked if he likes the indisputable fact that he appears to have options for 2026 and beyond, with several teams keeping those options open, Verstappen replied: “Yes, in fact, I comprehend it's possible, but I don't really give it some thought okay Now.

“I feel in the intervening time I even have enough worries and other things that we would like to do higher.

“We'll see what happens in the long run. Right now, I truthfully don't think much about it. But if it doesn't occur, so be it. It won't change my life.”

Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing

Photo: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images

With Aston Martin definitely also focused on Verstappen, a team that has recently attracted other key Red Bull members including Rob Marshall, Adrian Newey and Will Courtenay, Red Bull is aware of what it must do to get the Dutchman to see through his current deal: provide him a competitive automotive.

“Most big drivers have performance-based release clauses in their contracts, just like Max,” Helmut Marko told German website RTL/ntv. “So if we can't give him a car to fight at the front, that's definitely something he'll think about.”

The biggest variable is a completely recent regulation cycle in 2026 featuring entirely recent automotive designs and heavily revised power units, which shall be an enormous opportunity to reshuffle the competitive pecking order.

Red Bull particularly has many inquiries to answer regarding its first-ever power units designed in-house at Red Bull Powertrains, with input from Ford, following Honda's departure to grow to be a working partner of Aston Martin.

However, Verstappen doesn’t consider that Red Bull's form for 2026 is an even bigger mystery than the shape of rival teams. Of course [a question mark]but you possibly can say that about anyone,” he said. “It's a totally recent automotive and engine.

“It's a matter mark for everybody, including those that think they’re in the perfect situation straight away. The query is at all times whether you actually did such a fantastic job and can remain so [until the 2026 season starts]”

Bowman disqualified, eliminated from NASCAR playoffs at Roval

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When Kyle Larson claimed victory on the Charlotte Roval, all 4 Hendrick Motorsports drivers advanced to Round 8. This isn’t any longer true.

Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 HMS Chevrolet, was disqualified after failing a post-race inspection. According to NASCAR officials, the automotive didn’t meet minimum weight requirements.

NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran provided the next explanation regarding the disqualification:

“Unfortunately, once we passed the No. 48 automotive, it didn’t meet the minimum weight requirements. We pulled the automotive aside and allow them to refuel, which they already did. We allow them to refuel again We allow them to run the pumps to be certain all of the cargo beds were full. We are giving teams every opportunity to try to achieve the required minimum weight.

“We also have them hook up the water and run water through the system to make sure they are full of water. Then we scale again. We still haven't made the weight. We backed out and ran again to confirm the weights were accurate. And unfortunately they didn't make the minimum weight. They are allowed to reduce their weight by half a percent, or about 17 pounds (that's what they say). allowed again and it was more than that.”

Hendrick Motorsports' immediate response to the DQ: “We are working to understand the issue and will make a decision on Monday whether to file an appeal.”

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Ally Chevrolet Camaro

Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Ally Chevrolet Camaro

Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images

Bowman finished 18th within the race and likewise won Stage 2, but that's all gone now. He was demoted to thirty eighth (last) place and stripped of all stage points.

This means Bowman is eliminated from the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, bringing two-time Cup champion Joey Logano back into contention. Logano, driving the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, missed the finish line by just 4 points.

This also modified things within the owners' standings, because the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota lost while Logano's No. 22 team advanced. Both teams attack, and Bowman and the No. 48 HMS Chevrolet don’t have any likelihood to play.

Updated Round 8 playoff standings after the shootout: Kyle Larson (+33 points) Christopher Bell (+13), Tyler Reddick (+10), William Byron (+4), Ryan Blaney (-4), Denny Hamlin ( -8), Chase Elliott (-9), Joey Logano (-11).

Bowman joins Austin Cindric, Daniel Suarez and Chase Briscoe as those eliminated within the round of 16.