‘We’re really close,’ says five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. as Topeka race nears
TOPEKA, Kan. (May 17) — Five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. sees plenty of light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, and the light could be shining even brighter on the Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart team very soon.
Chevrolet and 16-time NHRA champion John Force unveil the all-new 2016 Camaro SS Funny Car Tuesday, May 17, 2016 in Brownsburg, Indiana. The new Funny Car body is the first based on the sixth-generation Camaro SS. Force will race the new Funny Car this weekend at the NHRA Kansas Nationals in Topeka, Kansas. ForceÕs teammates Courtney Force and Robert Hight will introduce new Camaro SS Funny Cars later this season. (Photo by Eric Meyer for Chevy Racing)
Aero-optimized body developed for downforce, stability
INDIANAPOLIS – Today Chevrolet and 16-time NHRA champion John Force introduced the all-new 2016 Camaro SS Funny Car that he’ll race this weekend at the NHRA Kansas Nationals, in Topeka, Kan.
The new Funny Car body is the first based on the sixth-generation Camaro SS. Force’s teammates Courtney Force and Robert Hight will introduce new Camaro SS Funny Cars later this season.
“I started my career in a Chevrolet and I couldn’t be more excited to put this new Camaro SS Funny Car on the track,” said Force. “With all the assistance from Chevrolet, it not only looks great, it’s designed to perform better than anything we’ve had before, with a shape that should help us get down the track quicker and with greater stability.”
The team conducted computational analysis and scale-model wind tunnel testing to help give the new body the airflow management qualities necessary to deliver the downforce required by the 10,000-horsepower supercharged race car, as it accelerates from 0 to 330 mph in less than 4 seconds – and in a mere 1,000 feet.
Among the unique aerodynamic elements is a new, integrated front splitter that helps direct more air over the body to increase downforce. The design also incorporates new, dual blow-out – or “burst” – panels, safety devices that relieve underbody pressure to help keep the body on the chassis in the event of an engine failure.
Additionally, the new body, which is lighter than John Force Racing’s previous Camaro Funny Car bodies, carries the distinctive styling signatures of the 2016 Camaro SS’s front- and rear-end designs.
“The 2016 Camaro has been a great success in the showroom and Chevrolet is proud to contribute to its debut in NHRA’s Funny Car class,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports. “It joins the 2016 COPO Camaro in the Sportsman classes, strengthening Chevrolet’s presence in drag racing, which dates back nearly 60 years.”
Camaro at the drag strip
Camaro’s legacy in drag racing dates back to 1967, when longtime Chevy racers such as Dave Strickler and Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins, pushed the new pony car up through the Super Stock ranks. Jenkins would go on to pioneer the new Pro Stock class, giving the Camaro its first win there in 1970.
Enterprising racers and dealers used Chevrolet’s COPO (Central Office Production Order) special order system to create high-performance Camaro models intended for one thing only: winning on the drag strip. That included the legendary 1969 Camaro ZL-1, powered by an all-aluminum 427 originally developed for the Can-Am road racing series.
Camaro Funny Cars also began appearing on strips shortly after the car’s introduction, shaking up the burgeoning class with Chevy power. Bruce Larson and Dick Harrell were leaders, pushing their blown fuel “floppers” into the 7-second range.
Texan Lee Shepherd lead Camaro into the 1980s, with four consecutive Pro Stock titles, his performance enabled by the groundbreaking Big Block engines developed by his partners David Reher and Charles “Buddy” Morrison.
More recently, Camaro has become a fixture of the Pro and Sportsman ranks. Behind the Pro tree, John Force Racing has returned Camaro to the Funny Car class, while Camaro drivers have dominated the Pro Stock field – including consecutive championships in 2014 and 2015.
The Sportsman classes are driven by the COPO Camaro, Chevrolet’s factory-built race car that uses a production body and specially developed Chevrolet racing engines. New 2016 COPO Camaro models are hitting the strip this season, advancing the COPO legacy and pushing Chevrolet drivers farther and faster.
“Racing improves the breed and that’s why Chevrolet races,” said Campbell. “The wins we record on the track help us design better cars customers will buy in the showroom.”
Andretti Leads Honda 1-2-3-4 as Indianapolis 500 Practice Begins
• Marco Andretti and teammates sweep Opening Day for Indy 500 preparation
• Alexander Rossi runs fourth, leads rookie field
• Seven Honda drivers, three Honda teams in top 10
Marco Andretti led the way for Honda and his Andretti Autosport team in Opening Day practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Monday in preparation for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. In a day of fast speeds at the “Brickyard”, Andretti led a 1-2-3-4 sweep for Honda on the day, with his Andretti Autosport teammates Carlos Munoz, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi rounding out the top four positions on the speed chart.
Townsend Bell, in a fifth Andretti Autosport entry, Graham Rahal of Rahal Lanigan Racing and Dale Coyne Racing’s Bryan Clauson also posted top 10 efforts on the day. Speeds increased dramatically under nearly ideal conditions during the final hour of the day-long practice, as drivers took advantage of the large number of cars on track to draft one another for a fast lap. All 33 driver/team combinations took to the famed 2.5-mile oval for at least a portion of the day’s activities, and Rossi led the five-driver rookie contingent.
Marco Andretti (#27 Andretti Autosport Honda) fastest in Indy 500 Opening Day Practice: “Definitely a good start for the entire team. With the weather [forecast] we moved some of our [practice] plans up a few days. I definitely know how this month goes, it’s a roller coaster, but this was a good first day. These were picture-perfect conditions today. Next week will likely be warmer, so it’s too early to read much into things today. I think we’ll see more of the way things will play out in the next several days. As always in Indy car, ther10-15, or more, potential winners in the field here
Giovanni Scelzi Puts Together Another Strong Sprint Car Performance
Inside Line Promotions – HANFORD, Calif. (May 16, 2016) – Giovanni Scelzi was oh so close to earning his first career sprint car victory last Friday at Keller Auto Speedway.
Scelzi, who was driving for Roth Motorsports, led 20 of the first 24 laps and he was in the lead with six laps remaining when a caution bunched the field together.
“Leading can be the worst place to be late in a race when the yellow comes out,” he said. “You don’t know where everyone else is running. Cory Eliason drove around me in turns one and two on the restart. A couple of laps later a guy slid in front of me in turns one and two. He went off the race track and it took all the air off my nose and I went off the edge. I was in the dirt just spinning the tires.”
Scelzi ended with a sixth-place result, which gives him a top six in all four career sprint car features.
“I can’t thank Dennis and Teresa Roth and Todd Ventura enough for the opportunity and the great car they provide,” he said. “I had an amazing car on Friday.”
Scelzi opened the night by qualifying third quickest.
“We drew a late number, but that place doesn’t change much,” he said. “My goal every night is to try to lock into the dash through qualifying. That makes your whole night easier.”
Scelzi did just that and he finished where he started – fourth – in a heat race to make the dash. He then pulled the No. 1 during the dash redraw to start the dash on the pole.
“We had an engine problem in the dash, but we got that fixed before the feature,” he said. “They changed a rocker arm so that was really impressive. That shows how good this team is.”
Scelzi’s dash win gave him the pole position for the 30-lap main event.
“We had one of the fastest cars in the race,” he said. “I was running the bottom in turns one and two and the top in turns three and four. The cushion was at the edge of the track in turns three and four.
“Colby (Copeland) slid me halfway through the race and I slid him back a few laps later. I was so pumped when that happened. I made a mistake and got him right back. I was in a great position until that last caution, but we learned from it and I think we’re getting closer to that first win.”
Here is a link to watch the main event: https://youtu.be/pZ6qKGMTkR8
Scelzi wrapped up his weekend on Saturday by helping Nikko and Alex Panella at a micro sprint race at Delta Speedway in Stockton, Calif.
“That was a great night,” he said. “Nikko and Alex did a great job. Nikko won and Alex ran second.”
Scelzi will return to action this Friday at Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia, Calif., where he will race his family owned micro sprint. Scelzi will then make his midget debut driving for Cory Kruseman on Saturday at Ventura Raceway in Ventura, Calif.
Blaney Dodges Dover Crashes To Score Third-Straight Top-10
May 15, 2016
Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team avoided the pitfalls that can come from racing on the Monster Mile, the one-mile concrete oval that is better known as Dover International Speedway, and brought home an impressive eighth-place finish.
· Matt Hagan heats up with victory in all-Mopar Dodge NHRA Funny Car final round showdown against teammate Jack Beckman
· Hagan races Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T to first win of season and 19th of his career
· Victory is second for a Mopar-powered Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car in 2016
· Three Mopar Dodge Funny Cars advance to semifinals at Atlanta Dragway
· Dodge Dart NHRA Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson advances to second consecutive semifinal
· Jeg Coughlin Jr. scores round win in his “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” Dodge Dart
· Tough luck snatches opening-round victory from Mopar Performance Dodge Dart driver Erica Enders Continue reading Mopar Racing–NHRA–Atlanta→
Mid-Race Part Failure Slows Austin Dillon’s Day at
Dover International Speedway
“What a race. This AAA team never gave up today. We were running in the top 15 when something let go in the right front of the car and sent me into the wall. I was having to pump the brakes there the last couple of restarts to get some pressure. I think that was the issue when we got into the wall. It’s just a bummer. I feel bad for this AAA team who have worked hard all weekend. We had a solid car, just a part failure. It’s part of racing and we’ll be back next week. We were able to get back out there and make up some points. I have to thank the AAA tow truck for the extra push to get me restarted on one of the last cautions. They’re always there to get you back out on the road fast.” Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–AAA400→
CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS
ATLANTA DRAGWAY, COMMERCE, GEORGIA
MAY 15, 2016
Chevrolet Wins Seventh Pro Stock Race in a Row
• Jason Line gives KB Racing another victory
• Defeats teammate Greg Anderson to secure fourth win of season
• Courtney Force advances to Funny Car semifinals, retains points lead
• More strong runs for Brittany Force in Top Fuel
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 15, 2016) – “Finally,” Jason Line said after defeating KB Racing teammate Greg Anderson in the final of the Pro Stock class in the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Atlanta–Post Race→
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
AAA 400 DRIVE FOR AUTISM
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
MAY 15, 2016
KYLE LARSON CAPTURES RUNNER-UP SPOT AT DOVER
Wild Race at ‘Monster Mile’ Ends with Team Chevy in 4 of Top-5
DOVER, Del. – (May 15, 2016) In a wild AAA 400 Drive for Autism NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Dover International Speedway, hard-charging Kyle Larson, who was looking for his first premier-series win in his No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS, wound up just .188 seconds behind the race winner (Matt Kenseth, Toyota) at the checkered flag. It was Larson’s fourth top-10 and best of the 2016 season. He led 85 of the 400-lap race at the track nicknamed the ‘Monster Mile’. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–DOVER–Post Race Quotes→
Jeg Coughlin Jr. picks up team
morale with round-win in Atlanta
ATLANTA (May 15) — When a team is struggling, a win — any win — is always good for morale.
That’s one of the big benefits that Jeg Coughlin Jr. was able to deliver to his Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart team on Sunday when he beat Drew Skillman in the first round of the 36th annual NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.
Allen Johnson Propels Marathon Petroleum Dodge to Semifinal Round at NHRA Southern Nationals
COMMERCE, Ga. (May 15, 2016) – Raceday at the 36th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals manifested a semifinal round appearance for the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson. After qualifying in the top half of the field, Johnson went to the third round before his raceday efforts were halted by eventual event winner Jason Line.
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
AAA 400 DRIVE FOR AUTISM
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
MAY 15, 2016
KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS – Finished 2nd
WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE AT THE END?
“We were really good. We were better than Matt (Kenseth) there. A lot of good cars got wrecked which was nice and I knew I was going to be the car to probably beat. I got to second there on the restart and just tried to be patient. I could see Matt was pretty loose in front of me. I was just waiting for him to make a mistake and he did make a couple of mistakes, but it’s so hard to pass somebody on the bottom here because they can suck down on your door on exit and slow you down. I was probably a little too patient in the beginning and allowed Chase (Elliott) to get close to us and actually get by me. I don’t remember how I got back by him, but I did get back by him and we raced pretty hard there for a few laps and Matt got out a good bit. I didn’t think I would catch him, but I got another shot at him at the end and was trying to do all I could to pass him without getting into him. Matt, except for a couple of instances last year, he is probably the cleanest driver out here. I wanted to race him with all that respect and felt like I did a good job. I probably could have got into him in the middle of (Turns) 1 and 2 there once and maybe got by him, but I didn’t want to do that. Looking back maybe I should have because I could be in the Chase right now, but we will just keep working hard. We are getting some really good cars built at our shop now. We struggled to start the season, but Jamie (McMurray) and I both have been pretty fast here the last few weeks. Hopefully, we can keep it rolling. I know we have a new car for next week and the (Coca-Cola) 600. Try and put it all together and get into Victory Lane.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Dover–Post Race→
COMMERCE, GA — Courtney Force’s consecutive round win streak ended at six in the semifinals today in Atlanta at the 36th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals. This was the sixth race that John Force Racing advanced at least one Funny Car to the semifinals with the exception of the Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte. JFR has picked up two Funny Car wins so far this season. Continue reading COURTNEY FORCE RACES TO SEMIFINALS IN ATLANTA→
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
AAA 400 DRIVE FOR AUTISM
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
MAY 15, 2016
JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS: Involved in 18-car accident on Lap 355
AT WHAT POINT DID YOU REALIZE SOMETHING WAS WRONG?
“As soon as I went from second and tried to go to third, I kind of got up into the neutral gate of the transmission and didn’t even go to third. It stopped before it ever went to third. And then I tried fourth and third and fourth and eventually I got hit from behind. There was a long pause there where I was trying to, I thought maybe I missed a shift; but it wouldn’t go in gear. Martin (Truex, Jr.) was good and patient with me. He gave me a couple of opportunities to try to find a gear and it just locked out and wouldn’t go into gear for some reason. It was still that way at the end and I couldn’t drive the car and I don’t think I’m all that damaged, but unfortunately I lost a shot at winning and I hate to see all those cars tore up.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Dover–Post Race→
Erica Enders’ best pass of the weekend negated by dodgy Atlanta track
ATLANTA (May 15) — Reigning back-to-back Pro Stock champion Erica Enders knew she left on first-round opponent Chris McGaha, and as she went through the gears of her Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge Dart a big smile started to cross her face.
Then, in an instant, it was gone, as a big bump in her lane upset her race car enough that it shot towards the centerline. Although the 21-time national event winner didn’t give up on the run, the tire spin she encountered out of the racing groove allowed McGaha to slip past her and take the win by .008-second. Continue reading Erica Enders’ best pass of the weekend negated by dodgy Atlanta track→
Gravel Defeats Non-Outlaws in Barn Burner at Tri-State Speedway
Holds off challenges from Brady Bacon and Parker Price-Miller for second win of the season
HAUBSTADT, Ind. – May 14, 2016 – David Gravel utilized his speed, and a touch of luck, Saturday night as he clawed his way around pole-sitter Kerry Madsen on the opening lap of the feature, then held off another non-Outlaw, Brady Bacon, in the closing laps to score his second World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind. Continue reading Gravel Defeats Non-Outlaws in Barn Burner at Tri-State Speedway→
Track Record by Beckman Takes Mopar-powered Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car to No. 1 Spot at Atlanta
· Jack Beckman earns fourth pole of season with track record 3.939-second run at 326.32 mph in his Mopar Dodge Funny Car at 36th annual NHRA Southern Nationals
· Rocky Boots/Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T driver Matt Hagan puts Mopar 1-2 on charts, earns second spot in Funny Car qualifying at Atlanta Dragway
· All four Mopar-powered Don Schumacher Racing Funny Car drivers qualify in top half of field at Atlanta
· Mopar-powered veteran Allen Johnson to start No. 6, lead Mopar Dodge Dart NHRA Pro Stock contingent into race day
· Jeg Coughlin Jr. qualifies “Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar” Jegs.com Dodge Dart in top half of Pro Stock field at No. 8
· Erica Enders No. 10 in Mopar Performance Dodge Dart Pro Stock car Continue reading Track Record by Beckman Takes Mopar-powered Dodge Charger R/T NHRA Funny Car to No. 1 Spot at Atlanta→
