Jim Utter
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Director of Journalism/Editor in Chief CWDailyNews.com. Reformed sportswriter. UNC Charlotte and UNC Greensboro graduate. @theobserver & @motorsport alum
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Articles by Jim Utter
Tagg-N-Go Car Wash secures strategic financing from Andover Lending
By Jim Utter Director of Journalism Tagg-N-Go Car Wash, a fast-growing express car wash company founded in Southern Utah, recently announced it has secured a financing package from Andover Lending, a joint venture between TPG Angelo Gordon and Andover Properties, a real estate investment manager.
Upgrades to ZIPS Car Wash continue across Knoxville, Tennessee
Staff Report Just under a month ago, ZIPS announced the re-grand opening of five ZIPS Car Wash locations across Knoxville, Tennessee. ZIPS is proud to share that four more locations have now undergone renovations in the area will re-open with free car washes on Sept. 16. The Knoxville Chamber of Commerce will join ZIPS again to unveil the upgraded properties and honor local military families with academic scholarships at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday at 2935 Miller Place Way in Knoxville.
LUV Car Wash accelerates Northern California qrowth with American Canyon acquisition
Staff Report LUV Car Wash, one of the country’s fastest-growing express car wash brands, is turning up the water pressure in Northern California. The company has acquired American Canyon Car Wash, located at 3448 Broadway St., marking another bold step in its mission to modernize car care across the North Bay. The acquisition comes as LUV doubles down on the region, with expansion plans in motion for Ukiah, Healdsburg, Fairfield, Petaluma, and Cloverdale.
Soapy Joe’s Car Wash expands with acquisition of Mira Mesa Auto Spa
By Jim Utter Director of Journalism Soapy Joe’s Car Wash, San Diego’s largest and beloved family-owned car wash chain, recently announced the acquisition of Mira Mesa Auto Spa. Mira Mesa, located at 10641 Camino Ruiz in San Diego, was set to close on Sept. 3. The acquisition underscores Soapy Joe’s continued growth as San Diego County’s largest, most convenient car wash network. Soapy Joe’s helped pioneer the membership-based unlimited wash model that has reshaped the car wash industry nationwide.
GO Car Wash donates $20,000 to Kerr County Flood Relief Fund
By Jim Utter Director of Journalism In a single day, GO Car Wash donated $20,000 to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, reinforcing its commitment to local communities as families and small businesses continue rebuilding from the devastating July 4th floods. On Aug. 15, customers across 29 GO Car Wash locations in Austin and San Antonio, Texas, fueled the effort. For every new wash sold, GO Car Wash contributed 50 percent of the revenue – a company donation totaling $20,000.
Club Car Wash acquires pair of Clean Getaway Express locations in Dubuque, Iowa
By Jim Utter Director of Journalism Club Car Wash, one of the nation’s fastest-growing express car wash brands, recently announced the acquisition of Clean Getaway Express Tunnel Wash in Dubuque, Iowa. The two newly acquired sites – 1895 John F. Kennedy Rd. and 4860 Asbury Rd. – will immediately transition to the Club Car Wash brand, with plans to upgrade equipment, introduce new unlimited membership options, and expand community partnerships.
“Patriot Weekend” at ZIPS Car Wash supports Folds of Honor
By Jim Utter Director of Journalism ZIPS Car Wash is cleaning up and giving back from Sept. 11-14 at 215 of their car wash locations across the country during its “Patriot Weekend” initiative. During that time, ZIPS will designate a portion of each car wash purchase to support the company’s goal of contributing $100,000 to Folds of Honor, thereby advancing educational opportunities for families of military personnel and first responders.
Links Car Wash launches new fleet program with introductory offer
Staff Report Links Car Wash recently announced the launch of its new Fleet Program, designed to make it easier for businesses and organizations to keep their vehicles looking their best. The Preferred Partners Program is now available at five Links Car Wash locations: Charlotte, N.C.; Largo, Florida, Leesburg, Fla.; York, S.C.; and Orlando, Fla.
CryptoPay, Coinless vastly simplify car wash mobile payments
Staff Report A faster, hardware-free path to carwash mobile payments, wash clubs and customer engagement now empowers CryptoPay IBA and self-serve carwash operators. Last week, CryptoPay announced that customers can now sign up for the Coinless app through the MyCryptoPay Control Panel. This feature streamlines access to mobile payments, customer engagement tools and digital wash club programs. Operators do not need new hardware.
Recent updates in the Car Wash Industry
Staff Reports The car wash industry continues to expand and innovate with acquisitions, new openings, and renovations. Here’s a roundup of the latest news from around the industry: A new Tidal Wave Car Wash is on its way to Villa Rica, Georgia, next to the upcoming Chick-fil-A near Mirror Lake. City officials have confirmed that site prep is already underway for the car wash. Originally, a Circle K convenience store was considered for the spot, but those plans didn’t move forward.
How Alon Day Navigated a Tortuous Path to Get the Ride of His Racing Life
Nothing – absolutely nothing – was going to stand in the way of Alon Day’s best opportunity to find success racing in America. But little did he know to do that may mean literally risking his life. The 33-year-old Israeli driver has made an indelible mark in NASCAR’s Euro Series – winning championships in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022. Israel’s most decorated professional race car driver owns 24-wins and 34-podium finishes in only 71 NASCAR Euro series starts.
Denny Hamlin’s Battle for a Second Coca-Cola 600 Victory Cut Short by a Lack of Fuel
CONCORD, N.C. – William Byron dominated most of Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600, but if there was one driver who appeared to have the best chance of denying him the win, it was Denny Hamlin. In the second half of the 600-mile event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Hamlin and Byron traded the lead 15 times in what turned out to be a classic battle of cat-and-mouse. For nearly 175 laps, the lead in the race only swapped between those two drivers, sometimes for only a lap at a time.
‘Rookie Mistake’ Brings an Early End to Jimmie Johnson’s Milestone 700th NASCAR Cup Series Start
CONCORD, N.C. – Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson was making his 700th start in Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600, but the career milestone ended abruptly before it was half over. Johnson, 49, and majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, was the first driver to fall out of the 600-mile race after crashing off Turn 4 on Lap 112 of 400.
Welcome Back Connor: Zilisch Finishes Runner-Up in First Half of Weekend NASCAR Double
CONCORD, N.C. – Connor Zilisch nearly pulled off a surprise win in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway but the immediate question he faced after the event was about his health. The sportscar ace-turned-NASCAR competitor is running his own version of “The Double” this weekend, adding a Cup Series start in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 on top of Saturday’s 300-mile event that went into overtime.
50 Years of Success for Ford’s F-150 Includes a Stellar NASCAR Record
About WordPress Although the Ford F1 pickup truck made its debut in 1948, it wasn’t until 1975 when the iconic Ford F-150 pickup was unveiled, which proved a popular addition for truck enthusiasts. The truck was a significant change from other similar Ford models, particularly in its rugged dependence and appealing style characteristics. Its attraction hasn’t waned, either. As Ford celebrates the 50th anniversary of the F-150 this year, it continues to remain the favorite of truck drivers.
Erik Jones agrees to multi-year contract extension with Legacy Motor Club
Jones' signing comes on the heels of a recent organizational shakeup at LMC. Longtime NASCAR engineer Jacob Canter took over as director of competition and Bobby Kennedy was hired in a newly created position of general manager. Jones, 28, is currently in his eighth full-time Cup season and fourth with the organization, which was previously known as Petty GMS Racing until rebranded ahead of the 2023 season.
Goodyear's option tires at Richmond "were like Mario Kart with a star"
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Goodyear's option tires at Richmond "were like Mario Kart with a star"
NASCAR and Goodyear gave each team two sets of “option” (or softer) tires it could use in the 400-lap event in addition to the four sets of its “prime” (or regular harder) tires. It was up to teams when to utilize them in the race. The only stipulation was that they had change all four tires when putting on the options.
Austin Dillon move was "really close to crossing the line"
Austin Dillon lost the lead to Joey Logano on the restart to overtime but as the two raced into Turn 3 on the final lap, the former drove hard into the corner and into the back of Logano, sending him into the wall. Moments later, Dillon defended his lead by pitching Denny Hamlin into the wall. The caution was displayed for the wreck and Dillon crossed the finish line first. NASCAR officials did not hesitate at the time to direct Dillon to Victory Lane.
Logano rails against "piece of c***" Dillon for "chicken s*** move"
Joey Logano passed Austin Dillon for the lead to start the two-lap overtime and looked like he would hang on for the win when Dillon drove deep into Turn 3 on the final lap and knocked Logano into the outside wall. Moments later, Denny Hamlin came up on the inside of Dillon to challenge for the lead and got turned himself as Dillon claimed the win – his first in nearly two years. Logano vented his fury at Dillon's moves after the race and said "he had no intention to race".
Dillon tira Logano e Hamlin da frente para vencer
A NASCAR Cup Series viu neste domingo um dos finais de corrida mais controversos de sua história. Austin Dillon venceu a etapa de Richmond após tirar da sua frente Joey Logano e Denny Hamlin poucos metros antes de receber a bandeira quadriculada. Dillon, que vinha de um fim de semana com bom ritmo, chegou a liderar a parte final da prova.
Logano, muy duro con Aston Dillon tras chocarlo para ganar en Richmond
Logano adelantó a Dillon por el liderato al inicio de la prórroga de dos vueltas y parecía que se haría con la victoria cuando Dillon entró a fondo en la curva 3 en la última vuelta y golpeó a Logano contra el muro exterior. Momentos después, Denny Hamlin se acercó por el interior a Dillon para disputarle el liderato y también lo chocó, mientras Dillon se hacía con la victoria, la primera en casi dos años. "Cuando llegas tan adelantado, tienes tres o cuatro coches de ventaja en la curva 3.
NASCAR Cup Richmond: Dillon crashes his way into the playoffs
Austin Dillon took out two rivals in the sprint to the finish for a controversial victory and a NASCAR Cup playoffs spot at Richmond Raceway. Entering the final 30 laps Dillon worked his way around Denny Hamlin for the lead and appeared headed to victory when a crash involving Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Ryan Preece entering Turn 1 caused a caution and sent the race into a two-lap overtime. All of the lead-lap cars elected to pit and Dillon was first off pitroad followed by Joey Logano and Hamlin.
NASCAR Cup: Austin Dillon gana con polémica en Richmond y llega a los playoffs
Dillon, que tuvo un coche rápido todo el fin de semana, se abrió camino al adelantar a Denny Hamlin por el liderato en la parte final de la carrera y parecía encaminado a la victoria cuando un accidente con menos de dos de las 400 vueltas restantes llevó la carrera al tiempo extra. Todos los coches de cabeza decidieron entrar en boxes y Dillon fue el primero en salir seguido de Joey Logano y Hamlin. Logano adelantó a Dillon en la reanudación y se puso en cabeza.
Logano rails against "piece of crap" Austin Dillon for "chickenshit move"
Logano passed Dillon for the lead to start the two-lap overtime and looked like he would hang on for the win when Dillon drove deep into Turn 3 on the final lap and knocked Logano into the outside wall. Moments later, Denny Hamlin came up on the inside of Dillon to challenge for the lead and got turned himself as Dillon claimed the win – his first in nearly two years. “When you get that far ahead that’s three to four car lengths ahead into (Turn) 3. I even backed up the entry.
How option tires could change Sunday's Richmond NASCAR Cup race
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NASCAR Cup Richmond: Austin Dillon wrecks his way into the playoffs
Dillon, who had a fast car all weekend, worked his way around Denny Hamlin for the lead late in the race and appeared headed to victory when a wreck with less than two of 400 laps remaining sent the race into overtime. All of the lead-lap cars elected to pit and Dillon was first off pit road followed by Joey Logano and Hamlin. Logano got a good jump on Dillon on the restart and grabbed the lead.
NASCAR Cup Richmond: Hamlin gana la pole a su compañero Truex en JGR
Hamlin estuvo entre los primeros cinco coches en salir en la ronda final de la sesión de clasificación del sábado, pero su vuelta a 118.162 mph se mantuvo para ganar la pole para la carrera de 400 vueltas del domingo por la noche. Hamlin terminó superando a su compañero de equipo en Joe Gibbs Racing Martin Truex Jr. (117.822 mph) para mantener la pole, que es la tercera de la temporada 2024 para Hamlin y la 43ª de su carrera.
NASCAR Trucks Richmond: Majeski snags victory in regular season finale
Majeski, who was sent the to rear early in the race due to an uncontrolled tire penalty, made his way back to the front and pounced on leader William Sawalich on a restart with 20 of 250 laps remaining. Another caution bunched the field to set up a restart with eight laps to go but as the field raced three and four-wide behind him, Majeski cleared for the lead.
NASCAR Cup Richmond: Hamlin beats JGR team-mate Truex to pole
Hamlin was among the first five cars to go out in the final round of Saturday’s qualifying session but his lap at 118.162 mph held up to earn the pole for Sunday night’s 400-lap race. Hamlin ended up besting his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. (117.822 mph) to keep the pole, which is the third of the 2024 season for Hamlin and 43rd of his career. Oddly enough, it was Truex who appeared headed to the win in the spring race until a late-race caution sent everyone down pit road.
TRD's David Wilson hopes Toyota "has left NASCAR in a better place"
Earlier this week, Toyota Motor North America announced Wilson will retire as president on Dec. 16 and after 35 years with the organization and Tyler Gibbs, currently general manager of TRD, was named as Wilson’s successor. The duo participated in a news conference Saturday at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, which proved an emotional affair that included numerous Toyota NASCAR drivers and team executives in attendance.
Legacy Motor Club sufre una reorganización en su cúpula
El equipo, del que son copropietarios el siete veces campeón de NASCAR Cup Jimmie Johnson y Maury Gallagher, anunció que el veterano ingeniero de la NASCAR Jacob Canter asumirá el cargo de director de competición. Además, Bobby Kennedy -que ha trabajado como ejecutivo en varios equipos de la NASCAR- ha sido nombrado para el puesto recién creado de director general y dependerá del director ejecutivo Cal Wells III.
Legacy Motor Club NASCAR team undergoes organizational shakeup
The team, co-owned by seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and Maury Gallagher, announced longtime NASCAR engineer Jacob Canter will take over as director of competition. In addition, Bobby Kennedy – who has served as an executive with several NASCAR teams – has been named to the newly created position of general manager and will report directory to CEO Cal Wells III.
Eckes can clinch NASCAR Truck playoffs top seed at Richmond
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Buescher looking to "seal the deal" to make NASCAR playoffs
Buescher, who had a breakout season last year with three wins, had hoped to already have a win in hand this season. However, despite coming excruciatingly close, he remains without a victory with four races left in the regular season. Entering Sunday night’s race at Richmond (Va.) Richmond, Buescher is still in contention for a playoff berth based on points, but his situation is tenuous.
TRD president David Wilson to retire at end of 2024 NASCAR season
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TRD president David Wilson to retire at end of 2024 NASCAR season
Toyota Motor North America made the announcement on Wednesday that Wilson will retire as president on Dec. 16 and Tyler Gibbs, currently general manager of TRD, was named as Wilson’s successor. During his career at TRD, Wilson has had numerous roles, including design engineer, track support engineer and vice president of several departments including operations and engineering, production and strategic planning and finance, operations and planning.
Sawalich still surprised with "pretty freaking cool" Elko ARCA win
Sawalich, a 17-year-old development driver with Joe Gibbs Racing, had led the race early but his involvement in an incident with a lapped car sent him to the rear. Lavar Scott led on a late restart before Sawalich regained the lead with three laps to go, only to see Scott come right back and battle side-by-side with Sawalich. The tight battle for the lead allowed Kris Wright to sneak up on the inside of Scott as the trio exited Turn 4 on the final lap to make it three-wide.
Christopher Bell's NASCAR Cup crew chief sidelined by injury
In a statement released on Monday, Joe Gibbs Racing said Adam Stevens, crew chief for Bell’s No. 20 Toyota team suffered a double knee injury during a recent family vacation.
2023 NASCAR Canada champ Treyten Lapcevich takes first CARS Tour win
Lapcevich, who won seven of 14 races on his way to the 2023 NASCAR Canada title, joined Chad Bryant Racing to run full-time in the CARS Tour this season and get acclimated to U.S. racing. Once he finally wrestled the lead away from pole winner Brenden “Butterball” Queen, Lapcevich appeared to have the win in hand when a wreck with four of 125 laps remaining left fluid on the track.
North Wilkesboro late model race to feature several NASCAR stars
A doubleheader of pro late model and late model stock CARS Tour races that were originally scheduled for May during NASCAR All-Star Race weekend got postponed due to weather. The two races will be run Saturday night at the track and the 42-car field for the 125-lap late model stock main event is nearly half-filled by current or former NASCAR competitors.
NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Greg Biffle to run ARCA West race
Biffle, a native of the Vancouver, Wash., will return to his hometown area and drive the No. 23 Chevrolet for Sigma Performance Services in the Aug. 10 ARCA West race at Tri-City Raceway in East Richland, Wash. In two previous outings this season SPS, owned by Joe Farré, won the ARCA West race at Sonoma with current Xfinity driver Sam Mayer and finished third in the ARCA Menards Series event in June at Iowa.
Riley Herbst is now "a different person" and has more NASCAR options
Herbst is only 25 years old but has spent almost five full-time seasons in the Xfinity Series with a couple of its top teams but until recently no victories. Now with Stewart-Haas Racing, Herbst broke into Victory Lane for the first-time last season with a win at his home track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which was an important milestone.
Why Haas Factory Team has "no excuses" and should be competitive in 2025
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Why Haas Factory Team has "no excuses" and should be competitive in 2025
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Why Haas Factory Team has "no excuses" and should be competitive in 2025
The decision by Gene Haas to retain one of his NASCAR Cup charters and field a single-car team in 2025 came with two big question marks – only one of which has been answered. The most immediate question – who would drive for the team – was cleared up last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when current Stewart-Haas Racing Xfinity Series driver Cole Custer was named driver of the No. 41 Cup team beginning next season.
Why Haas Factory Team has "no excuses" and should be competitive in 2025
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Why Haas Factory Team has "no excuses" and should be competitive in 2025
The most immediate question – who would drive for the team – was cleared up last weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when current Stewart-Haas Racing Xfinity Series driver Cole Custer was named driver of the No. 41 Cup team beginning next season. The move wasn’t a surprise considering Custer – the reigning Xfinity Series champion – has previously driven for Haas in Cup and his father, Joe, will manage the HFT operation.
Spire Motorsports seeks "clean slate," will part ways with LaJoie
The decision not to retain LaJoie, 32, was especially surprising as when Spire announced its hire of veteran crew chief Rodney Childers beginning next season, it was to be crew chief for LaJoie and the No. 7 Chevrolet. LaJoie has been a fixture at Spire since 2021 and has four top-five and six top-10 finishes over four seasons, including a fourth-place finish in this year’s Daytona 500. A new full-time driver for the No. 7 will be announced at a later date, the team said.
Kyle Larson has "one more to check off" at Indianapolis
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