🏎 Racing Resumes

Posted by January 5, 2024 in The Money Lap

Money Lap

Good morning! Hey Money Lap subscribers, Kyle here! I wanted to start today’s newsletter off with a personal note. Our mantra at The Money Lap is “The coolest stuff in motorsports”. Yeah, that includes NASCAR, F1 and IndyCar. But it also includes everything else with wheels and an engine.

In 2024, I urge you to go out of your comfort zone and watch a series you’ve never seen before. Go to a race you’ve never been to. Keep up with more than your normal high speed cup of tea. The perfect opportunity to do this? Over the next two weeks with the Dakar Rally.

Today marks the start of the 46th Dakar Rally. It’s something I never imagined that I would have an interest in. But here I am fully invested in this duel in the desert (working for Parker Kligerman will do that to you) and cheering on the American drivers! Here’s my pitch to you:

The Dakar transcends being merely a race; it epitomizes the ultimate human and sporting expedition. Unfolding across thousands of kilometers through some of the planet’s most challenging, harsh, and awe-inspiring landscapes, the event unites both amateur and professional participants in a trial of human resilience and determination. It unfolds as a colossal challenge where man, machine, and nature contend in an epic struggle, making merely reaching the finish line a monumental achievement.

🐂 Helmut Marko’s future with Red Bull decided

🤝 Renault’s ready to resume talks with Andretti if their F1 entry is granted

🎙️ Renowned NASCAR radio host Claire B. Lang is no longer with SiriusXM

🛻 Chase Purdy gears up for a full-time ride with Spire Motorsports in the 2024 NASCAR Truck Series

🟢 When does each series start in 2024?

Dakar 2024

The Dakar 2024 lineup is locked and loaded! 🚗🏍️ 418 vehicles, including 132 bikes and 70 ultimate cars, are set to conquer the desert. Notably, 27 women racers and 130 rookies add spice to the race, while 133 “Legends” gear up for their 10th or more Dakar challenge. 🌍🏆

France 🇫🇷 leads with 124 contenders, followed by Spain 🇪🇸 (84) and the Netherlands 🇳🇱 (62).

In total, 585 drivers/riders will take starters orders for the 46th annual Dakar Rally. It all starts today!

🤷‍♂️ Carlos Sainz Sr. shrugs off jab from Nasser Al-Attiyah

🔧 How Audi overhauled it’s Dakar Rally contender for 2024

🏍️ How a Dakar contender’s bike went missing due to customs

🎉 Watch the Dakar Rally opening ceremonies

Ricciardo’s Reboot

Daniel Ricciardo is embracing a new racing-centric mindset for the 2024 season. After a mid-season return to AlphaTauri in 2023, replacing Nyck de Vries, the Aussie is prioritizing racing over distractions. Ricciardo revealed, “I’ve cut back on a lot of things outside of racing.” Addressing the balance between being an entertainer and a racer, he emphasized, “I’m really just trying to make sure that racing is the priority.”

Acknowledging the sport’s growth, he added, “There’s so much going on… It’s all really exciting and fun, but I was probably doing too much.” The eight-time Grand Prix winner aims for a more focused approach to optimize recovery and performance in the upcoming season alongside teammate Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri.

More News

F1

🏎️ Audi F1 team won’t be “final product” until 2027

🗓️ Aston Martin has confirmed a launch date for their 2022 F1 car

😎 F2 front-runner confident he would be ready for an F1 opportunity in 2025

🔧 F1’s engine future will be driven by road relevance

NASCAR

🤝 Josh Bilicki teams up with DGM Racing for select races

🎉 Hendrick Motorsports unveils special 40th anniversary logo

✍️ Leland Honeymoon Jr. inks full time Xfinity deal for 2024

♟️ SVG compares superspeedways to a game of high-speed chess

Indycar

📈 Abel aims to snowball Indy 500 entry into a full time program

⏭️ Levi Jones, a veteran USAC driver and executive, is steering the Indy Lights series towards success as its new director

Global

⚠️ Ireland’s bid to join WRC in 2025 hits crucial next stage

👨‍⚖️ The future of the Nurburgring Endurance Series is uncertain due to a legal dispute with the Nurburgring owners

👥 Notable 2024 Chili Bowl entries

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