All posts by ARP Trish

Western Swing, which starts this weekend in Denver, is Auto Club driver Robert Hight’s ‘favorite time of the year’

Western Swing, which starts this weekend in Denver, is
Auto Club driver Robert Hight’s ‘favorite time of the year’

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
DENVER (July 18) – This weekend’s Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway kicks off the three-race “Western Swing” that takes the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series to Colorado, California and Washington.
And it’s a trip that puts a wide smile on the face of Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car driver Robert Hight.
Hight is a California native and currently lives and works in the southern part of the state.
“It’s the start of three in a row and my favorite time of the year,” Hight said. “The Western Swing is my favorite time of the year. I’m from the West Coast, so a lot of friends and family will be at all three races. We’re going to go into Denver and hit it hard, move to Sonoma and then Seattle.” Continue reading Western Swing, which starts this weekend in Denver, is Auto Club driver Robert Hight’s ‘favorite time of the year’

Defending Denver winner John Force gunning for fourth consecutive final at Bandimere

Defending Denver winner John Force gunning
for fourth consecutive final at Bandimere

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
DENVER (July 18) – PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil driver John Force hopes to keep an impressive streak going in the Mile-High Nationals this weekend at Bandimere Speedway.
The Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car driver has been to three consecutive final rounds in Denver, winning last year by beating daughter Courtney Force in the final. Continue reading Defending Denver winner John Force gunning for fourth consecutive final at Bandimere

Kasey Kahne Racing – Results Recap 7/19/17

Kasey Kahne Racing – Results Recap

Pittman Finishes Second at Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville
Brad Sweet has finished in the top-five in 20 out of the last 22 World of Outlaws Series races.
Daryn Pittman’s top-10 consistency has moved the No. 9 team back into the top-five in points.
The No. 9 Great Clips team is running a special Discovery Channel / Shark Week paint scheme for the month of July.
Pittman was a guest on the World of Outlaws “Open Red” podcast earlier in the week. A link to listen is below.

Team JEGS Prerace: Mopar Mile-High Nationals

Team JEGS Prerace: Mopar Mile-High Nationals
Team JEGS
Prerace: Mopar Mile-High Nationals (Denver)
July 21-23, 2017

The JEGS Mail Order team will be represented at this week’s Mopar Mile-High Nationals by six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., driver of the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Camaro in Pro Stock, and his nephew, Troy Coughlin Jr., who will be driving the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster fielded by
Kalitta Motorsports.

Jeg Jr. will continue his pursuit of a sixth NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock title (and seventh overall) at this weekend’s event. Jeg Jr. will be driving a Rick Jones Race Cars-built Chevrolet Camaro as a member of the Elite Motorsports team. Continue reading Team JEGS Prerace: Mopar Mile-High Nationals

Cruz Pedregon–Denver Advance

​NHRA® Team Report
Route 66 NHRA Nationals – Denver, CO

Pre-Race Report

The Funny Car race is on, and Cruz Pedregon and team are looking to advance from 10th place to an even higher spot in the 2017 National Championship Standings this weekend in Denver. “I’m a competitive guy, and so are my team members. We can’t wait for Denver. It’s one of the most difficult tracks on the NHRA circuit, but one of my favorites. Being live on FOX network is going to make it that much more fun,” Cruz says. “We’ve set a record in Denver before, and with the tuning on the car coming together the way we planned for it to, it should be a great weekend for the Snap-on Toyota.”

Crew Chief Aaron Brooks says, “We’re on the upward side of getting the car down the track the way we want, and our round-wins have come about the point in the season we expected them to. So, even with some lower temps and possible rain early in the weekend, we see Denver as the place we’ll move up in the Playoffs lead.”

On the side of Cruz’s car –

If you’ll check the side of Cruz’s car this week, you’ll see the name of Snap-on Nitro Franchisee Justin Aymond. Justin says every role model he’s had, including his dad, grandfather and uncle all used Snap-on tools, and Snap-on has been a part of his life…all of his life. He was a master mechanic prior to owning his Snap-on franchise and says “instead of buying the tools, I wanted to sell them” and help techs make their jobs easier. He held a contest for customers before this weekend’s race, and the 70-plus “giveaways” were tickets to see the Mile-High Nationals. To tell you how much he believes in the brand he represents, his cell-phone voice message is “Have a happy, Snappy day.”

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Brickyard Advance

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
BRICKYARD 400
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
JULY 23, 2017

BOWTIE BULLETS
MOST SUCCESSFUL AT THE BRICKYARD:
Chevrolet leads all other manufacturers with 16 NASCAR Cup Series wins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chevrolet is the only active manufacturer currently competing in both the NASCAR Cup Series and Verizon IndyCar Series. Chevrolet has not only won at the Brickyard in stock car races a record 16 times, but also has nine Indianapolis 500 wins to the brand’s credit. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Brickyard Advance

Allen Johnson: History at Bandimere Speedway

Allen Johnson: History at Bandimere Speedway
AJ is tied with Bob Glidden for most wins at Bandimere Speedway at the Mile High Nationals (7 wins)
The Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart qualified No. 10 in 2016 and overcame all odds to outperform the entire Pro Stock class and ink his 10th final round at the event in a row and the 11th of his career
AJ’s Bandimere Final Round History:
2002 Runner-Up to Mike Edwards
2007 Win over Ron Krisher
2008 Runner-Up to Greg Anderson
2009 Win over Jason Line
2010 Win over Jeg Coughlin Jr.
2011 Runner-Up to Mike Edwards
2012 Win over V. Gaines
2013 Win over V. Gaines
2014 Win over Jeg Coughlin Jr.
2015 Runner-Up to Larry Morgan
2016 Win over Vincent Nobile
Reigning King of the Mountain Allen Johnson Ready to Defend Title and Legacy at Mopar Mile High Nationals Continue reading Allen Johnson: History at Bandimere Speedway

Richard Childress Racing–Brickyard 400 Advance

Richard Childress Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway … In 64 previous Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has posted two pole awards (Kevin Harvick in 2003 and Jeff Burton in 2006), three wins (Dale Earnhardt in 1995, Harvick in 2003 and Paul Menard in 2011), 11 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes. RCR Chevrolets have also been atop the leaderboard for a total of 268 laps and with the exception of one, each entry has been running at the finish of every event at the Brickyard, dating back to the inaugural race in 1994.
Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Brickyard 400 Advance

Giovanni Scelzi Regains King of the West-NARC Points Lead After Career-Best Finish at Ocean Speedway

Giovanni Scelzi Regains King of the West-NARC Points Lead After Career-Best Finish at Ocean Speedway

Inside Line Promotions – WATSONVILLE, Calif. (July 18, 2017) – Giovanni Scelzi recorded his career-best result at Ocean Speedway last Saturday to regain the lead in the King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Series championship standings with only four races remaining this season.

Scelzi and the Roth Motorsports team opened the night by qualifying seventh quickest at the bullring. Scelzi then maneuvered from third to win a heat race and earn a spot in the dash. He finished where he started – sixth – in the dash to start the main event on the outside of the third row. Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Regains King of the West-NARC Points Lead After Career-Best Finish at Ocean Speedway

Five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. laser-focused on NHRA’s Western Swing

Five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr.
laser-focused on NHRA’s Western Swing
DENVER (July 17) — With just five races remaining until the Countdown to the Championship playoffs, five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. says the upcoming Western Swing of consecutive races in Denver, Sonoma and Seattle could prove to be pivotal for the true championship contenders in the NHRA’s factory hot rod class.

Beginning with this weekend’s 38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals at picturesque Bandimere Speedway, Coughlin says zeroing in on a consistently fast setup is top priority for the JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro race team. Continue reading Five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. laser-focused on NHRA’s Western Swing

Mopar Drivers Look to Celebrate Brand’s 80th Anniversary in Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals Winner’s Circle

Mopar Drivers Look to Celebrate Brand’s 80th Anniversary in Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals Winner’s Circle

38th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals scheduled for July 21-23 at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colorado
16th annual Mopar Mile-High Block Party fan event July 20 in downtown Golden will kick start race weekend and serve as Mopar 80th birthday celebration
Mopar Mile-High Block Party to feature Mopar NHRA driver autograph session, live music, vendors, interactive displays, show cars and more
Mopar NHRA drivers Matt Hagan, Leah Pritchett to battle in first-ever match races featuring 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demons
Mopar HEMI® power currently holds four of top five points positions in NHRA Funny Car standings, Mopar Funny Cars have won 12 of 13 events this year Continue reading Mopar Drivers Look to Celebrate Brand’s 80th Anniversary in Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals Winner’s Circle

Blaney Moves To 12th In Points Despite 19th-Place Finish At New Hampshire

Blaney Moves To 12th In Points Despite 19th-Place Finish At New Hampshire

July 17, 2017

Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team got off to a good start in Sunday’s 301-lap race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, but the second half of the race was more of a challenge with changing track conditions and untimely caution periods.

Blaney wound up a disappointing 19th at the finish, but that was good enough to move up one spot to 12th place in the championship standings. Continue reading Blaney Moves To 12th In Points Despite 19th-Place Finish At New Hampshire

Rossi, Hinchcliffe Score Podium Results for Honda in Toronto

Rossi, Hinchcliffe Score Podium Results for Honda in Toronto
• Alexander Rossi seizes early opportunity, nets second-place finish
• Hometown favorite James Hinchcliffe repeats third-place run from 2016
• Ill-timed caution costs Graham Rahal, opening-lap contact hinders Scott Dixon

TORONTO, Ont. (July 16, 2017) – Honda’s Alexander Rossi took advantage of an early pit-stop call from his Andretti Autosport team and used it to his best advantage on Sunday, finishing second at the Honda Indy Toronto. Local favorite and Toronto native son James Hinchcliffe also recorded a popular Verizon IndyCar Series podium finish by taking third in front of the large crowd on hand at the Exhibition Place temporary street circuit.

Rossi and Hinchcliffe were among a half-dozen Honda drivers – along with eventual race winner Josef Newgarden – who made their first scheduled pit stops during Laps 20-22 of the 85-lap contest. As a result, they were in position to cycle to the front of the field when a crash from Tony Kanaan brought out a full-course caution on Lap 22.

The rest of the 21-car starting field, including early contender Graham Rahal and Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato, made their first pit stops after the field was gathered up by the safety car, and then returned to the circuit behind those who had made earlier stops.

With no major incidents – and with rain that had threatened to fall much of the day holding off until after the checkers – those who made the early pit stops remained in command for the balance of the race. Rossi’s runner-up finish is his first podium result of 2017, and his best IndyCar Series finish since winning the 2016 Indianapolis 500.

For Toronto’s Hinchcliffe, the third-place finish repeated his Toronto result from 2016, and is his 13th career IndyCar podium, to go along with five victories. Marco Andretti took the checkers in fourth, his best result since finishing sixth at Texas Motor Speedway in June, with his Andretti Autosport teammate Ryan Hunter-Reay finishing sixth and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Max Chilton, eighth.

Rahal started on the outside of the front row, second, but was one of those who had yet to pit when the Lap 22 caution flag waved. As a result, he fell back to 16th place, but fought back to finish ninth.

Championship points leader Scott Dixon was another Honda driver to battle back after a fraught opening lap. Contact with Will Power forced Dixon to pit his Chip Ganassi Racing Honda with a damaged rear tire and suspension. Resuming at the rear of the field, Dixon battled to 10th at the finish.

Video recaps from this weekend’s Honda IndyCar Series racing activities in Toronto are available on the “Honda Racing/HPD” YouTube channel. Produced by the Carolinas Production Group, the video packages can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/HondaRacingHPDTV.

The Verizon IndyCar Series now takes a week off before returning to one of Honda’s “home” events, the July 30 Honda Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. With multiple nearby Honda manufacturing, corporate and R&D facilities, thousands of Honda associates will be on hand to cheer for their favorite Honda IndyCar drivers.

Alexander Rossi (Andretti Autosport Honda) started 8th, finished 2nd, first podium result of 2017: “We were struggling at the start of the weekend, really at the bottom of the barrel. We were really lost. We were the slowest of Andretti Autosport cars. We did a lot of soul searching Friday night. We really analyzed everything we could, and made some pretty solid changes overnight that suited me really well the rest of the weekend. Today, again we made a pretty big step forward. It’s a huge relief to finally get a podium and get it off our back. Something we’ve been close to, and searching for, a long time, and it hasn’t happened. Finally, we made the right calls [today] and made it. I’m thankful to the team for that opportunity. Now I hope to go on to Mid-Ohio and get a win.”

James Hinchcliffe (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda) started 6th, finished 3rd, third podium finish of 2017: “This result is so great for the team. We really struggled on the reds [Firestone alternate tires], and the yellow [flag] just came at the right time. But we had the pace at the end there. We were catching Alexander [Rossi] and Josef [Newgarden] in that last stint. The car really came alive on the blacks [primary tires], so big thanks to Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, all the Arrow Electronics guys – great stops — and all the fans in Toronto. The support we feel each and every year is amazing. You guys are the best! You came even when the weather wasn’t looking awesome, and hung out with us and we appreciate it. So thanks to all of you guys. Next year, maybe [we’ll finish] a couple of spots better.”

Art St. Cyr (President, Honda Performance Development) on today’s race: “After winning four street circuit races this year, it’s hard to complain about a 2-3-4 finish today, and seven in the top ten. And we’re still leaving here with Scott [Dixon] continuing to lead the drivers’ championship and heading to Mid-Ohio, where he has proven to be be very difficult to beat! Congratulations to Alexander [Rossi] and Marco [Andretti] on their season-best finishes, and of course, congratulations to “Hinch” [James Hinchcliffe] who put on a show for his hometown fans with a second-consecutive podium finish here.”

Richard Childress Racing–New Hampshire 301

Austin Dillon Fights Back from Early Spin for Top-15 Finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

“I’m really proud of everyone on the Dow Racing team. We were able to run top-10 lap times all day. I still think there is some speed to be gained in the downforce of our cars, but I know that’s something we’re all actively working on improving. We pulled together as a team to recover from an early spin and got ourselves in a good position late in the race for a top-10 finish. We gambled on a strategy call for our last pit stop and it just didn’t work out. That happens sometimes in racing. Now it’s time to turn our focus towards Indianapolis Motor Speedway and work on our strategy for one of the toughest tracks on the circuit.”

Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–New Hampshire 301

Josef Newgarden Takes Chevy to Victory Lane at Streets of Toronto

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY TORONTO
STREETS OF TORONTO, EXHIBITION PLACE
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE RECAP
JULY 16, 2017

Josef Newgarden Takes Chevy to Victory Lane at Streets of Toronto
Second Victory of Season for Newgarden is Sixth of 2017 for Chevrolet

TORONTO (July 16, 2017) – Josef Newgarden took the lead for the final time on lap 57 of the 85-lap Honda Indy of Toronto and masterfully held off the competition to score his second victory of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season.

Newgarden powered his No. 2 DeVilbiss Team Penske Chevrolet to the checkered flag 1.8704-seconds ahead of his closest competitor. It is the fifth win of his career and his second on the Streets of Toronto, Exhibition Place. The victory moved Newgarden to fourth in the standings, 23 points behind the leader. Continue reading Josef Newgarden Takes Chevy to Victory Lane at Streets of Toronto

KYLE LARSON LEADS THE CHARGE FOR TEAM CHEVY AT NEW HAMPSHIRE

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
OVERTON’S 301
NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
JULY 16, 2017

KYLE LARSON LEADS THE CHARGE FOR TEAM CHEVY AT NEW HAMPSHIRE
Chip Ganassi Racing Driver Earns Seventh Runner-Up Finish of the Season

LOUDON, N.H. (July 16, 2017) – After starting in the rear of the field, Kyle Larson and the No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS team rebounded to earn a runner-up finish in the Overton’s 301 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The run was the career best finish for Larson in seven races at the Magic Mile.
Continue reading KYLE LARSON LEADS THE CHARGE FOR TEAM CHEVY AT NEW HAMPSHIRE

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–New Hampshire–Post Race

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
OVERTON’S 301
NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
JULY 16, 2017

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS – Finished 2nd
IS IT BEGINNING TO GET FRUSTRATING HAVING TO WORK FROM THE BACK TO THE FRONT ONLY TO NOT BE ABLE TO PASS THE LAST ONE?
“It’s a little frustrating what we have had to go through the last couple of weeks, but it’s pretty awesome to be able to run as fast as we have and finish second the last two weeks from dead last. I’m proud of our team, proud of everybody at our race shop. I can’t thank my sponsors Target, Credit One Bank and all of our other supporters enough for what they do for our team. It’s been a lot of fun these last couple of weeks to be as fast as we have been, so keep working hard at it and maybe we can get some more wins.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–New Hampshire–Post Race

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Toronto–Post Race

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY TORONTO
STREETS OF TORONTO, EXHIBITION PLACE
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER POST RACE QUOTES
JULY 16, 2017

JOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 2 DEVILBISS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, RACE WINNER: YOU HAD A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK THERE WITH STRATEGY BUT AFTER THAT YOU JUST RULED THE RACE
“Yeah, I mean you can’t discount it. I think that is twice I have had good calls and got into the pits at the right time. Thank you to the guys and thank you to Tim (Cindric) for making that call. We got it right, but it was all about managing the race after that. I thought we had a very fast car, we got a pretty good start, and stayed out of the mayhem. Very, very happy for all of Team Penske and this DeVilbiss Chevy was pretty bright but it was pretty fast too. I am pumped for all the No. 2 car guys today, they did an amazing job for Team Penske today.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Toronto–Post Race

Steve Irwin Up to MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge at Crystal

ERIE, MI (July 16, 2017) – Engine Pro Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP 2001 champion Steve Irwin drove his familiar Flying Zero, Krieger Engine powered Maxim to the win in the exciting MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge Race #3 at Crystal Motor Speedway last night.

Starting outside, front row, the Fenton, Michigan, SOD point leader took the lead at the start over pole starter Brad Lamberson. Irwin maintained a small lead for five laps before 2015 SOD champion Gregg Dalman charged around Lamberson and then Irwin for first. Dalman was clearly the class of the field and opened up a commanding lead. Meanwhile, Jay Steinebach’s hard work paid off as he grabbed second from Irwin and began closing in on Dalman who had to contend with heavy traffic as the race wound down. Continue reading Steve Irwin Up to MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge at Crystal

Richard Childress Racing–New Hampshire 200

Ben Kennedy Earns Sixth-Place Finish in No. 2 Richmond/Menards Chevrolet

“That was a heck of a race. It was fun to drive the Richmond/Menards Chevrolet. The drive off was killer on the long run. I feel like that’s where we really gained the most. On the last stop, we opted for an air pressure adjustment to give us better turn through the center of the corners, and I think Randall Burnett definitely made the right call. Right after that last stop we were the strongest. I appreciate this opportunity with Richard Childress Racing and I can’t wait for Iowa Speedway.”
– Ben Kennedy

Late-Race Penalty Spoils Top-Five Finish for Ty Dillon

“We had a top-five run going in our Rheem/WATTS Chevrolet, but driver error took us out of it. We worked through stages one and two to get our handling where we needed it to be. We still struggled to turn through the center, but we ran our fastest laps of the race in the final stage. All of the leaders needed one last stop for fuel at the end to make it. I wanted to get all that I could coming to pit road since I was in fifth place, but I took too much and my right-side tires just barley clipped the orange box at the commitment line. It’s a bummer that we can’t seem to put one of these races together, but we’ve got the speed to run with the leaders. We were one the fastest cars on track in the last laps, so it’s definitely disappointing to not get the finish. We can’t focus on this though. I need the team to hold their heads up and turn their focus to Indianapolis, one of my favorite tracks on the circuit.”

– Ty Dillon

Daniel Hemric Fights Track Conditions to Finish 12th in Blue Gate Bank Chevrolet at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

“I have to thank Danny Stockman and the entire No. 21 team. They never gave up on today’s race and kept adjusting on this Blue Gate Bank Chevrolet all day long. We had a solid car in practice, but with the changing weather conditions and the PJ1, it was just a struggle to get a good handle on it today. We were certainly hoping for a better outcome, but we’ll learn from this and move on to next weekend.”

– Daniel Hemric

Right-Front Wheel Issue Dampens Brandon Jones’ Day at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

“We just can’t catch a break this season. Our No. 33 Sparco Chevrolet Camaro was fast at New Hampshire Motor Speedway today. We were running top-10 lap times from the drop of the green flag but had to battle through the field because of our starting spot. We were making good progress during Stage 2, but about halfway through the stage I started to get a vibration in the corners of the track. After pitting and determining there was an issue with the right-front tire, the Sparco team worked hard in the garage to get me back out on track for as many laps as possible. It wasn’t the day we wanted, but I appreciate all the hard work the 33 team gave today to get everything we could from this race.”

– Brandon Jones

Unscheduled Pit Stop Results in 17th-Place Finish for Brendan Gaughan and South Point Hotel and Casino Team

“We took a big swing at the South Point Hotel and Casino Chevrolet after the rain delay and the changes really helped, but after that, I couldn’t get it to roll through the center regardless of what I tried. Then around lap 125, I thought we had a tire going down and we tried to ride it out hoping for a caution, but we didn’t get the break we needed. We had to pit under green. We’re still not sure what the issue was. It’s unfortunate, but a heck of a lot better than our circumstances last week. This team never gives up. I just wish we could have gotten a better finish for Shane Wilson. This track means a lot to him.”

– Brendan Gaughan