Menard Qualifies 25th At Bristol

August 16, 2019

Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards/Knauf Insulation Ford Mustang are set to start Saturday’s Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway from 25th place.

During qualifying on Friday night Menard toured the track at 125.881 miles per hour to earn that position.

Despite a couple of bobbles, his speed in qualifying was fairly consistent with his lap times in two practice sessions earlier in the day. He was 22nd fastest in the opening session with a best lap at 125.88 mph, which he posted on the 21st of 44 laps run in that session. In Happy Hour his best lap, at 125.790 mph, was 21st fastest and came on the 20th of 76 laps run. He also posted the 12th best speed on the 10-consecutive-lap-average chart.

Saturday’s 500-lap, 266.5-mile race will see Stage breaks at Lap 125 and Lap 250, and will be contested on a track in which PJ1 traction compound has been applied to the portions of the lower groove while the top groove has been cleaned of accumulated rubber, much to the dismay of several drivers who expressed concern the top groove would not be usable as is.

Others said overall track conditions are improving as the weekend rolls along.

Eddie Wood said there’s another factor that trumps all the rest.

“The most important thing at Bristol is making it to the checkered flag with the fenders still on the car,” he said.

The Night Race is set to get the green flag just after 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time with TV coverage on NBCSN.

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
BASS PRO SHOPS NRA NIGHT RACE
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES AND QUOTES
AUGUST 16, 2019

TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL QUALIFYING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
2nd KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CAMARO ZL1
4th KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 MONSTER ENERGY CAMARO ZL1
6th CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 HOOTERS SPIRITS CAMARO ZL1
10th ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CAMARO ZL1
17th DANIEL HEMRIC, NO. 8 BASS PRO SHOPS/TRACKER BOATS CAMARO ZL1

TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL QUALIFYING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
1st Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
2nd Kyle Larson (Chevrolet)
3rd Martin Truex, Jr. (Toyota)
4th Kurt Busch (Chevrolet)
5th Aric Almirola (Ford)

NBCSN will telecast the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway live at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, August 17. The NBC Sports Gold app will stream the race and live coverage can also be found on PRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

TEAM CHEVY NOTES AND QUOTES:
KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CAMARO ZL1 – Qualified 2nd
ON HIS RUN
“I was just a little too tight. But, I feel like being a little bit too tight was better than being a little bit too free, I think. I saw so many people get loose through (Turns) 3 and 4. But, I was just a little bit too tight to kind of roll through the center like I needed to and get to the gas just a little bit sooner. But, overall, I’m happy with how we qualified and the grip I had in my car. In practice, I was really loose. So hopefully we’ll have a good race tomorrow and try and get my first Bristol Cup win.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Qualifying →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
BASS PRO SHOPS NRA NIGHT RACE
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
AUGUST 16, 2019

BUBBA WALLACE, NO. 43 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE CAMARO ZL1 Media Breakout Session Highlights:

WITH DARLINGTON COMING UP, IS IT STILL A BIG EVENT ON THE SCHEDULE FOR YOU?
“I think the older guys kind of see it as a highlight. Before I was even a part of the sport, I didn’t even watch it. I’m not knocking it at all, it’s a special place and it’s the Southern 500. For me to sit here and say this a huge event for me personally, not really. Any race is good for me to go out and win.”

TALK ABOUT THE BACKGROUND ON YOUR THROWBACK THEME.
“I’m excited about the theme we’re running, having Adam Petty’s throwback paint scheme. Seeing what Victory Junction meant to him and his vision of it coming to life is really special. I’m excited about that. It looks good on our Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. It’s such a fun weekend for not just the drivers, but for the crew members and the fans. They get into it with the outfits. So, it’s a lot of fun and I’m excited to see the other themes other drivers have, what teams are going to take it to the next level. The 3 team usually does a pretty good job of that.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Bubba Wallace →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
BASS PRO SHOPS NRA NIGHT RACE
TEAM CHEVY BREAKOUT HIGHLIGHTS
AUGUST 16, 2019

RYAN PREECE, NO. 47 KROGER CAMARO ZL1 Media Breakout Session Highlights:

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR DARLINGTON, ONE OF THE BIGGEST RACES OF THE SEASON?
“I’m excited about it. Obviously having a Modified driver as our ‘throwback’ scheme with Ron (Bouchard) is pretty cool. So, I’m excited about that. Darlington is definitely a really worn out race track, so it’s not going to be your typical 1.5-mile, where you’re kind of just commit to finding speed or trimming the car out. It’s going to be a combination of balance and speed. So, I’m looking forward to it. As far as preparation, it can’t be any hotter than Charlotte was earlier this year.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Ryan Preece →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
BASS PRO SHOPS NRA NIGHT RACE
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
AUGUST 16, 2019

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1 Media Breakout Session Highlights:

GOING INTO ONE OF THE BIGGEST RACES OF THE SEASON AT DARLINGTON, HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
“I feel good. We did some simulator work for Darlington this past week. I don’t think you’re going to be wide open there. I think in Turns 1 and 2, we will be lifting a bit and in Turns 3 and 4, it’s going to be pretty normal. It hasn’t really changed that much there, just the shape of the corner. Just same old Darlington stuff; try to keep it off the wall, try to make sure that you are getting in a rhythm by the fence because that is where it’s fast. It’s just a fun place to go to. I really enjoy that race and having a t Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–William Byron →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
BASS PRO SHOPS NRA NIGHT RACE
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
AUGUST 16, 2019

KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 MONSTER ENERGY CAMARO ZL1, met with media to discuss the challenges of the current Playoff format, what it takes to be successful at Bristol Motor Speedway, the expectations of the traction compound, and more. Full Transcript:

WHEN IT COMES TO THIS CURRENT ELIMINATION-STYLE FORMAT OF THE PLAYOFFS, HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE IT?
“The current format makes it to where you have to earn bonus points in the regular season and then those bonus points carry with you through the Playoffs. So, it actually hurts the effort of the Playoff atmosphere, in my mind. Whereas, when we had a system of ten weeks straight, that was basically a clean slate for everybody and then you start earning points from there and showcase your skills over a ten-week run. Now, you have those bonus points and they get lumped together with a three-race stretch. In a three-race run, you could have an O-ring go bad on a rear end seal and you are knocked out for the year. So those are the tougher consequences that come up with this system. It use to be just ten guys and ten weeks, and that was the who’s who of it all. There are 16 guys that make it. We need more teams to feel like they are part of the Playoff atmosphere than just the 10, so I think the numbers are right on that side of it. But it’s tough. I feel like three races in one little lump is too short and the consequences are too high. Things can be adjusted possibly in the future, where a Playoff run in NASCAR might just be five-weeks straight and it could be a challenge of five different style tracks.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol–Kurt Busch →

DI DRIVER BLOG PRESENTED BY WELD RACING: Megan Meyer
By Drag Illustrated | August 15, 2019

“You can be a victim, or you can be a badass. The choice is yours.” – Judi Holler

Between my time spent at the Tulsa and Brainerd racetracks, I flew to Detroit for a quick couple of days with my beloved ladies at the Women in Auto Care Conference. I’ve talked about this amazing group of women who come from all sides of the automotive industry, such as shop owners, technicians, aftermarket dealers, OEM marketing, etc. and they leave their hats at the door and come together to empower one another and strategize how we can grow and improve our voice in the male-dominated industry. I always leave this event feeling motivated and inspired to make a difference and help pave the way for future females in racing and in automotive. For past conference notes, click here to read about what I’ve learned in the past and how it could apply to you and your business. Continue reading DI DRIVER BLOG PRESENTED BY WELD RACING: Megan Meyer →

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
BASS PRO SHOPS NRA NIGHT RACE
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE
AUGUST 17, 2019

BOWTIE BULLETS:
STRING OF STRONG STARTS FOR ELLIOTT:
Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Hooters Spirits Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, set the Bristol Motor Speedway qualifying record at 131.713 mph in winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series pole for the April 7 race. Elliott has three front-row starts in the past four races at the .533-mile racetrack and leads active drivers with a minimum of five starts at the track with an average start of 7.1 and average finish of 12.4 in seven races. William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1, has an average start of 6.0 in three races, including second and fifth the past two outings at the track. Kyle Larson, No. 42 Credit One Bank Camaro ZL1, has three front row starts, including two poles, in the past five races at the track. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol Bowtie Bullets →

CHEVROLET AT BRAINERD

What: Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
When: Friday, Aug. 16-Sunday, Aug. 18
Where: Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota
TV: FS1 will telecast eliminations and finals live at 2 p.m. ET August 18

Chevrolet drivers aim to secure Countdown spot in penultimate race
Team Chevy holds No. 1 positions in Funny Car, Pro Stock standings

DETROIT (August 15, 2019) – Austin Prock checked off the first of many career milestones with his maiden National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) victory August 4 at Seattle, which temporarily satiated his appetite.
Like any competitor, the Top Fuel first-year driver is looking forward to the next win. As he said, it’s one down and at least 149 more to match NHRA record-holder and teammate John Force. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Brainerd →

Chevrolet seeks another superspeedway win

Chevrolet looks to add to Pocono Raceway success
Chevrolet drivers have three wins, three poles at track
Team Chevy drivers are first and third in championship standings
Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud seek to increase points
Familiar names behind the wheel of Chevy-powered cars
Ed Carpenter, Conor Daly, Charlie Kimball back on track

DETROIT (August 14, 2019) – The ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway kicks off a critical three-week stretch of racing for NTT IndyCar Series teams and drivers, and Will Power couldn’t be more pleased the Tricky Triangle is part of the championship mix.

Power is fifth in the championship standings, and to make hay in the final four races will require the 2014 driver titleholder to continue his success at the 2.5-mile tri-oval on August 18. Continue reading Chevrolet seeks another superspeedway win →

WITH 150 IN THE BOOKS JOHN FORCE AND PEAK LIGHTING READY TO FOCUS ON CHASE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 14, 2019) — Having etched his name on a couple more pieces of drag racing history with a victory two weeks ago at the NHRA Northwest Nationals at Kent, Wash., John Force turns his attention to another milestone this week when he drives the PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil / Lighting Chevrolet Camaro SS in pursuit of the Funny Car championship at the 38th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.

With tour win number 150 in the books, the sport’s most decorated driver can focus on the next item on his competitive “to do“ list and that is winning the NHRA Funny Car championship for an unprecedented 17th time in the last 33 years.

When racing begins Friday at Brainerd International Raceway, a track on which he has won a record 11 times, Force will trail only teammate and protégé Robert Hight, driver of the Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro, in points. Continue reading WITH 150 IN THE BOOKS JOHN FORCE AND PEAK LIGHTING READY TO FOCUS ON CHASE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP →

Northeast Shootout the next prize up for grabs for Troy Coughlin Jr. and his sister Paige
RISING SUN, Md. (Aug. 14) — Reigning North Central Region Top Alcohol champion Troy Coughlin Jr. and his top-ranked sister Paige Coughlin will be vying for a couple of the Wally trophies available at this weekend’s Northeast Shootout at Cecil County Dragway. Continue reading Northeast Shootout the next prize up for grabs for Troy Coughlin Jr. and his sister Paige →

HEADING TO BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB LOOKING TO KEEP UP FUNNY CAR DOMINANCE
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 14, 2019) — Robert Hight is heading to the 17th event on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Season schedule, the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, looking to continue the high-performance of his 11,000-horsepower Auto Club of Southern California Chevy Camaro SS Funny Car.

Hight, who is already locked in for the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, has tallied five wins, two runner-up finishes, three semifinal appearances and eight No. 1 qualifiers this season as he chases his third Funny Car world championship title. Continue reading HEADING TO BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB LOOKING TO KEEP UP FUNNY CAR DOMINANCE →

AUSTIN PROCK AND MONTANA BRAND / ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST HAVE
RENEWED EXCITEMENT FOLLOWING FIRST WIN
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 14, 2019) — Coming off his first career victory at the recent Northwest Nationals, rookie Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team are hungry for continued success as they enter this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, the 17th of 24 events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Season schedule.

With a resume that already includes a handful of solid passes in the .70s and .80s, a career-best elapsed time of 3.696-seconds and top speed of 334.15 mph and a semifinal finish, Prock added his most impressive achievement to his list when he powered his Mike Green and Ronnie Thompson tuned dragster to a breakthrough victory at Pacific Raceways. Continue reading AUSTIN PROCK AND MONTANA BRAND / ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST HAVE RENEWED EXCITEMENT FOLLOWING FIRST WIN →

Hangover Part II?: Jeg Coughlin Jr. ready
for all Brainerd drag race has to offer
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 14) — Last year’s Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway was quite an adventure for five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. as he was kidnapped by Top Fuel dominator Steve Torrence and FOX TV personality Bruno Massel and taken to the infamous “Brainerd Zoo” campground for an experience that mirrored the Hollywood hit movie “The Hangover.”

Apparently, the party will continue this year, but we’ll have to tune into the Fox broadcast to see the plot play-out as Coughlin, Torrence and Massel returning to the scene of last year’s shenanigans for what’s sure to be another regrettable night with the wild denizens that call BIR home for race week. Continue reading Hangover Part II?: Jeg Coughlin Jr. ready for all Brainerd drag race has to offer →

Menard, No. 21 Team Looking To Build On Bristol Success

August 14, 2019
Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards/Knauf Insulation team head to Bristol Motor Speedway hoping for a repeat – or better – of their run at the Tennessee track back in April.

In that Food City 500, Menard and his No. 21 Ford Mustang stayed on the track on old tires on the race’s final caution period and came away with a season-best sixth-place finish. Continue reading Menard, No. 21 Team Looking To Build On Bristol Success →

BRITTANY FORCE LOOKING TO PUT CARQUEST FILTERS IN THE WINNERS CIRCLE AT BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 14, 2019) — Sitting fourth in the NHRA Mello Yello points standings, Brittany Force and the Carquest Filters Top Fuel dragster team are making their way to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, eager for another weekend of consistent performance.

Heading to the 17th event on the NHRA Mello Yello tour, Force and the Carquest Filters team have picked up a yellow hat at the SpringNationals, two runner-up finishes at the Four-Wide in Las Vegas and Southern Nationals, a semi-final appearance and have started race day from the top spot four times. The 2017 Top Fuel world champion has also made NHRA history with two of her No. 1 qualifiers this season. At the famed Gatornationals, Force became the first woman since Shirley Muldowney 40 years ago to qualify in the top spot at the event. Success followed at the SpringNationals when she clinched the No. 1 qualifier alongside her father, John Force to make them the first professional parent-child duo to sit as No. 1 qualifiers in NHRA’s history. Continue reading BRITTANY FORCE LOOKING TO PUT CARQUEST FILTERS IN THE WINNERS CIRCLE AT BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY →

Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Bristol Motor Speedway … In 173 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Bristol Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing boasts nine wins – seven with Dale Earnhardt, one with Kevin Harvick and one with Jeff Burton – three pole awards, 34 top-five and 69 top-10 finishes. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization has led 3,680 laps at the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.”

RCR in the MENCS … In 2,967 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 51 pole awards,108 wins, 489 top-five finishes and 1,073 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finishing position of 16.2. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR Xfinity Series titles, two NASCAR Truck Series titles and one ARCA Menards Series title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Bristol Preview →

Giovanni Scelzi Charges to First Career Top 10 at Knoxville Nationals

Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 13, 2019) – Giovanni Scelzi’s latest accomplishment was on the biggest stage in winged sprint car racing.

Scelzi guided the Indy Race Parts backed, Bernie Stuebgen owned No. 71 to a top-10 result during the 59th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores, which featured more than 100 drivers battling throughout the week at Knoxville Raceway leading up to Saturday’s A Main in front of a sellout crowd of more than 20,000 spectators.

“I’m really happy with it,” Scelzi said. “I’ve become a better driver and a smarter racer. I passed a lot of race cars, which is something I’ve struggled with there. Dirty air is tough there. A top 10 at the Nationals is stout. I’m pretty proud of that.” Continue reading v →

Dominic Scelzi Earns Second Straight Start in Knoxville Nationals A Main

Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 12, 2019) – Dominic Scelzi achieved another new feat by locking into his second straight Knoxville Nationals last weekend during the 59th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores at Knoxville Raceway, which welcomed more than 100 competitors for the sport’s biggest race of the year.

“It was huge,” he said. “To make the Nationals two years in a row and be as competitive as we were throughout the week of racing is special. It is the most prestigious race and the best drivers in the world compete so to earn our way as one of only 24 drivers into Saturday’s A Main is a great accomplishment for our team.”

The event, which showcased more than 20,000 spectators in attendance, got off to a rough start for Scelzi, who qualified 19th quickest out of more than 50 competitors before he finished fifth in a heat race last Wednesday to open his preliminary night.

“I felt like we had good speed and just didn’t capitalize on it,” he said. “I think I got too anxious and pushed too hard in the heat. I should have rolled the bottom. In hindsight I think I could have got to fourth right away and had a shot at getting to third. I felt like my clock was ticking and I just pushed too hard.”

That night ended with a 10th-place finish in the B Main.

Scelzi rebounded in a big way on Friday during Hard Knox Night, which featured nearly 80 drivers vying for the top four positions that earned a lock-in position into Saturday’s A Main.

Scelzi qualified fifth quickest in his group before he placed third in a heat race, which garnered the fifth starting position in the main event.

“We got a good start and got by Shane (Stewart) early to get to third,” he said. “I was closing on Logan (Schuchart) and I’m pretty sure he saw me on the big screen. He moved up and that got me tight on the cushion. Shane got back by me so that put me back to fourth. Then I felt like now we’re in the final transfer so I’m going to have to make something special happen. Sammy (Swindell) drove by me in turns one and two late in the race. I figured he was running the bottom so I thought I’ll slide him in turns three and four and take his lane. That worked out and I was able to hang onto fourth.”

Scelzi’s fourth-place finish was his 19th top five of the season and it locked him into the final starting spot in the 50-lap main event on Saturday.

“The green flag came out and we got by a couple of guys,” he said. “I got behind Rico (Abreu) and he made a last-minute decision to go to the bottom. I jumped to the top and hit it wrong, which got me into the wall and we broke the steering box. I tried to ride around and hoped we could finish, but it was getting worse and I didn’t want to tear anything up so I pulled off midway through the race.”

Scelzi now heads to North Dakota this weekend to race with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on Friday at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks during the Second Leg of the Northern Tour and on Saturday at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo during the Duel in the Dakotas.