DAYTONA BEACH, F.L. (August 24, 2023) – ECR is heading to Daytona International Speedway for the second time this season, looking for its second checkered flag at the World Center of Racing in 2023. February’s Daytona 500, NASCAR’s event that kicked off the 2023 regular season, feels like yesterday, but was indeed seven months ago. Now nearing the highly-anticipated playoff season, ECR has high expectations for the Cup Series regular season finale. The powerhouse engine provider will provide 11 different Cup Series engines and 16 Xfinity Series engines.
It’s now or never for the NASCAR Cup Series drivers who are doing everything they can to inch their way into the coveted NASCAR playoffs. Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch and Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain have secured their spots, now it’s time for those right below the line to punch their tickets. With ECR engines under the hoods, the probability to capture one last win as the sun sets over Daytona and the checkered flag waves, is high.
If history repeats itself, there will be one more ECR Engine Cup Series driver to add to that playoff list. Last year at the second Daytona race, driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet Austin Dillon took home the checkered flag and punched his ticket for the 2022 Cup Series Playoffs.
ECR engines and Daytona International Speedway’s track record is an impeccable one. At the 2023 Daytona 500, ECR took home three top-10s. Last year’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 ended with a checkered flag, second place, and two other top-five positions.
Of the 16 engines entered in this weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway, five of those drivers currently sit above the playoff line. One of those drivers is Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill, series points leader and driver of the No. 21 Chevrolet. Hill is a force to be reckoned with at Daytona International Speedway and is looking to double down there after winning the season opener in February. Hill is confident he can pull it off with the big power ECR provides.
“Same as in February, our car should be fast enough to have a shot at the pole, which will hopefully give us the track position to start the race,” said Hill.
With three races left to go in the Xfinity Series regular season, this weekend is not as cut throat as the Cup Series race will be, but points just as valuable and imperative to gain in any way possible. Right below the current Xfinity Series playoff standings cutoff line are three more drivers with ECR power; Parker Kligerman, Parker Retzlaff and Anthony Alfredo. To only have 12 spots available for the playoffs, with five of those being secured and possibly three more on their way above that line, it’s no wonder ECR is known for their power and considered a threat to competitors.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway will be televised live Friday, August 25, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network and the NBC Sports App. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be televised live on Saturday, August 26 beginning at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Network and Peacock. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.