Matt M. Myftiu
Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.
Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Larson and more to tout diversity in new NASCAR campaign
NASCAR and the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) today announced a new campaign to promote diversity, inclusion and equality within and outside of sports. A public service announcement (PSA) featuring several NASCAR drivers will encourage fans to take the pledge to end racism at RISEtoWin.org. The PSA features six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, 2015 Daytona 500 winner Joey Logano, 2014 Coke Zero 400 winner Aric Almirola and NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduates Kyle Larson and Darrell Wallace Jr.
The PSA will air during NASCAR national series races this weekend on FS1, culminating with Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway (1 p.m. ET on FS1).
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France is a founding member of the RISE Board of Directors and has helped steer the growing initiative, which was founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross.
TRANSCRIPT: Kurt Busch at Michigan International Speedway
Kurt Busch, winner at Pocono this past Monday, met with media to start his race weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Here's the full Transcript:
--------
Q: YOU HAVE FIVE TOP 5’S AND10 TOP 10’S AT MIS. THIS IS A GREAT TRACK FOR YOU. YOU ARE THE DEFENDING WINNER OF THIS RACE LAST YEAR. GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF A SENSE OF WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN HERE. OBVIOUSLY YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR WIN LAST WEEKEND AT POCONO. TALK ABOUT HOW YOU PIVOT FROM THAT MOMENT TO GETTING READY FOR MICHIGAN AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT
“The biggest thing at Michigan is respecting the speed. This is a very fast race track. And the way this weekend’s rules are shaping up with lesser downforce, it’s definitely a weekend where there’s a question mark, heading into it. And so, we’re going to make sure on the No. 41 car that we stay focused on our plan and not try to let the excitement of winning here last year and winning last week’s race jade the effort because every week is a new challenge. This week is a little bit different because it is the 2017 rules package and we want to make sure we stay on top of it and get the best effort that we possibly can. And so, it’s great to have (crew chief) Tony Gibson back and Johnny Klausmeier in his role as the lead engineer. But, I want to make a comment on last week’s win and not having our main crew chief. It just shows the depth. It shows the amount of quality effort that Stewart-Haas Racing is putting forth in building cars, but also in building people. And that’s what I was very proud of last week to be able to win with an interim crew chief.”
TRANSCRIPT: Martin Truex Jr. addresses media at Michigan International Speedway
MARTIN TRUEX JR., No. 78 Furniture Row Toyota Camry, Furniture Row Racing
Q: What did you learn from the test session at Michigan International Speedway about the new package?
“It was a short test because of rain, but we did learn a few things. I think the biggest thing was just off-throttle time was more and middle of the corner speed was slower and straightaway speed was a little faster. Just more in the same direction we went from last year’s package to what we’re racing now. Definitely another step in a direction we’re all looking for so should be a lot of fun. I think everybody is really excited and optimistic about the weekend to see what it’s all about and learn about the new package and try to figure it out. Hopefully the racing will be what we hope and it should be a lot of fun.”
Q: Are the rules changes moving in a direction you enjoy and that fits your driving style?
“Yeah, I mean, I enjoy driving the cars more this year with them just being on top of the track more – just sliding around more. Guys are – we’re having to work a little bit harder in the car and it’s been a lot of fun, so been able to race at most tracks a little bit easier behind cars, get up closer to guys and this year is the first time in a few years we’ve been able to kind of get up behind somebody – get close enough to make them loose like you used to do in the old days. It’s been good. I think the racing has been great. We obviously still have some challenges at certain tracks and you’re always going to have that just based on tracks all being different, but pleased with what we’ve seen so far this year I feel like. Hopefully again like you said this will be another step in that direction and hopefully be a lot of fun for everyone.”
2016 Mazda CX-9 gets lighter, more attractive, and more efficient
Mazda’s powers-that-be must be big Monty Python fans, because the first thought in my head when I saw and drove the new 2016 Mazda CX-9 three-row SUV was “And now for something completely different … “
Often new model years bring little to no change to a vehicle, but this is the polar opposite. I remember driving the 2015 CX-9 and not being very impressed with the performance vs. other three-row SUVs, but the 2016 model invites much warmer feelings. I recently drove a 2016 CX-9 and here are the key takeaways I have from my week in the car.
Redesigned 2016 Chevy Camaro is a visual stunner, joy to drive
Few car makes can stand alone as one name, and instantly be recognized by nearly everyone: “Camaro” is one of those that can, with the muscle car having been part of the collective American consciousness for fifty years -- let’s just call it what it is, an icon.
I recently spent some time in a 2016 Camaro, and here are some key things you need to know about this Michigan-made hot rod.
2017 Kia Sportage: An actual fun-to-drive crossover
Kia, the South Korean automaker that was initially scoffed at by car buyers, has had an incredible couple of decades, with constant growth throughout and a march toward respectability. I recently tested out one of their latest offerings, the 2017 Kia Sportage, and I’m back with a rundown of the key things you need to know about this crossover offering from the upstart automaker.
-
It is, in fact, sporty:
Many vehicles that label themselves as SUVs (sport utility vehicles) are anything but sporty. But thankfully that wasn’t the case here, as the 2017 Sportage is quite impressive in this regard. To be frank (and subliminally quote Shania Twain), most crossovers of this size don’t impress me much with how they perform. But this is one of the few exceptions to that rule in the class.
2016 Volvo S60 T5 Inscription offers understated luxury, extreme safety
As luxury cars go, you don’t see the name Volvo in the news much. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Acura, Audi, Infiniti, Cadillac, Lincoln, Jaguar/Land Rover and Porsche, along with newcomer Tesla, steal most of the headlines.
But while the Swedish brand (now Chinese-owned) isn’t as ubiquitous, a ride in a Volvo will tell you that it’s a shame more people aren’t aware of the brand.
I recently tested a 2016 Volvo S60 T5 Inscription, and I’m back with a full report on a very
positive experience behind the wheel.
And FYI, if I never even mentioned to you that this vehicle was actually “Made in China”, a label which makes some people wary based on the connotation of that phrase, you would never know, as it maintains the Swedish automaker’s heritage impressively.
NASCAR Announces 2017 Cup, Xfinity, Truck series schedules
NASCAR has announced the 2017 schedules for its three national series, giving fans and stakeholders a significant head start in planning for next season’s thrilling slate.
A credit to unprecedented industry collaboration, specifically the five-year sanctioning agreement between NASCAR and its tracks, the sanctioning body finalized its 2017 schedules months ahead of previous years’ release.
The result: Three unique schedules featuring race tracks that have hosted record-setting races already this season, with the majority of the slate still remaining.
NASCAR returns to MIS on Father’s Day in 2017
NASCAR is back on Father’s Day at Michigan International Speedway in 2017.
NASCAR has released its 2017 schedule, and NASCAR’s fastest track will once again host two action-filled weekends of NASCAR racing in 2017: June 16-18 and Aug. 11-13.
The first of the track’s two traditional NASCAR weekends is June 16-18 with the Corrigan Oil 200 ARCA Racing Series on June 16; NASCAR XFINITY Series Menards 250 presented by Valvoline on June 17; and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 is on Father’s Day on June 18.
The Sprint Cup Series will wind up its summertime stint at MIS, and be back again on August 13 with the Pure Michigan 400. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Careers for Veterans 200 presented by The Cooper Standard Foundation & Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation is onAugust 12.
"Back to the Future"-inspired Toyota Tacoma comes to Comic Con
Last October, the world celebrated the 30th anniversary of the beloved “Back to the Future” movie franchise. Toyota joined in the fun by unveiling a re-imagined version of Marty McFly’s dream truck, in the form of a new Toyota Tacoma, adorned in vintage aftermarket accessories.
This movie-inspired Tacoma will appear at Motor City Comic Con, May 13-15, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. The “Back to the Future” theme will be bolstered by the scheduled appearance of actress Lea Thompson, who played various incarnations of Lorraine McFly in all of the franchise’s films.
News Categories
Popular Tags
Search Reviews by Make
AutoTechReviews is your home for In-depth reviews of the latest cars, trucks, and SUVs; information on all the emerging vehicle technology; and breaking news from the world of NASCAR and other motorsports.