Todd Gilliland and his No. 34 team are preparing to compete at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, aiming to improve on last week’s 12th-place finish at Phoenix Raceway. The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver has a solid record at the 1.5-mile track in Nevada, with four top-10 results over seven starts, signaling a strong potential for success in Sin City. Gilliland’s focus is on capitalizing on the current positive momentum to secure a top finish in the upcoming race.
Love’s Travel Stops Returns as Gilliland’s Sponsor
Love’s Travel Stops continues its partnership with Todd Gilliland and the No. 34 team for this race. The company recently updated its Love’s Connect App, which offers users benefits like savings on fuel and access to exclusive promotions. Fans are encouraged to download the app through Google Play or the Apple App Store to enjoy discounts such as 10 cents off per gallon on gasoline and up to 25 cents off per gallon on diesel. Additionally, Love’s has launched a unified Love’s Rewards program designed to reward every customer across its locations through points earned at the pump or in stores.
Gilliland Reflects on Track Challenges and Team Progress
Gilliland acknowledged the difficulty of the Las Vegas track but expressed optimism about his team’s development following their performance at Phoenix.
“Vegas has always been a challenging track for me, but I really like the direction the team is heading after Phoenix,” said Gilliland. “Our 12th place finish last week was really encouraging and gives us some much-needed momentum heading into this weekend. This is the point of the season where things start to pick up, and you start going to more mile-and-a-half’s where qualifying becomes more important.”
Noah Gragson Returns to Familiar Ground with New Sponsorship
Noah Gragson heads back to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he has excelled in the past. His previous NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series record includes seven top-five finishes in eight starts at the 1.5-mile track, and his best NASCAR Cup Series result came in March 2024 with a sixth-place finish after starting 30th. For this weekend’s race, Gragson will feature Curate as the primary sponsor on his No. 4 car.
Curate’s Partnership Reflects Shared Values with Gragson
Curate, a company that develops next-generation restaurant applications, aligns with the high-speed and precise nature of NASCAR. The platform helps restaurants enhance customer relationships and thrive in a digital landscape. Curate sees parallels between its innovative approach and Gragson’s competitive spirit and commitment to progress.
“This sponsorship is an exciting opportunity for Curate to tell our story on a national stage alongside Noah Gragson and an incredible partner like Ike’s Love & Sandwiches,” said Grant Russell, CEO and Co-Founder of Curate. “Our platform helps restaurant brands build stronger direct relationships with their customers, and we see this partnership as a natural extension of the energy, ambition, and forward momentum that define our brand.”
Ike’s Love & Sandwiches Highlights Local Community Ties
As part of the sponsorship, Curate is highlighting Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, a well-known brand originating from San Francisco and Palo Alto that has gained popularity by naming sandwiches after local figures and athletes. Ike’s has established three locations in Nevada, including one near the Las Vegas track, strengthening its local presence and ties to the community.
Gragson Looks Ahead Optimistically After Recent Setbacks
Gragson expressed determination to rebound after a tough recent race, focusing on performing well in front of his hometown supporters.
“Last week was rough, from start to finish, but we’ll put it behind us and get ready for this weekend,” said Gragson. “I’m excited to get back to Las Vegas and spend some time with family and friends before racing in front of the hometown crowd on Sunday, with a new partner to the sport on board, Curate. We had a strong run there, in the fall, and I feel like we can repeat that this weekend to get ourselves back on track before returning to the east coast.”
Zane Smith Seeks to Regain His Footing at Las Vegas
Zane Smith will also compete at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as part of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, aiming to bounce back after a disappointing finish at Phoenix Raceway. Smith boasts five top-10 finishes at this track, demonstrating his competitiveness in the series.
Aaron’s Sweepstakes Engages Fans This Season
Aaron’s is connecting with race fans through its Fastlane 5000 Sweepstakes, running until March 31. Participants have the chance to win a $5,000 home upgrade and other weekly prizes by entering online. This promotion extends Aaron’s engagement throughout its nearly 1,200 locations nationwide, linking the excitement of race weekends with their retail presence.
Smith’s Mixed History at Las Vegas Fuels Determination
While Smith has performed strongly in the Truck Series at Las Vegas, he admitted to struggling in the NASCAR Cup Series at this track. Despite that, he remains hopeful about the team’s direction moving forward.
“Phoenix was disappointing, but it’s a long season and each weekend presents a new opportunity to score some points and even a win,” said Smith. “I have a love / hate relationship with Las Vegas. I was really good there in the Truck Series but have struggled there in Cup. With the direction were headed, I think we can leave Vegas on a good note, though.”
The Importance of Las Vegas in the Season’s Progression
This weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway marks a significant phase in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season, as competition intensifies with more races on mile-and-a-half tracks where qualifying holds greater weight. For Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson, and Zane Smith, strong performances in Las Vegas could shape their momentum and positioning as the series advances.
