ellraizer Jacks Sponsoring Pit Crew Challenge at Show-Me 100

BATAVIA, Ohio (March 20, 2024) – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series officials are excited to announce Hellraizer Jacks Inc. has joined the growing list of marketing partners for the 2024 season. The Hellraizer Jacks Pit Crew Challenge will take place at Lucas Oil Speedway during the Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 weekend. Race Teams that have perfect attendance with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Lucas Oil MLRA will be eligible to compete in the competition. The Pit Crew Challenge will be a timed event to see which driver and crew can enter the designated pit box, change two right side tires, and exit the pit box the fastest. Each crew will utilize a Hellraizer Jack during the competition. The winning team of the Hellraizer Pit Crew Challenge will receive $2,000 in cash plus a new Hellraizer Demon Jack valued at $1,515. The 2nd place crew will receive $1,000 in cash. There will also be a $1,000 cash award to the Best Appearing Crew, which will be judged based on their crew uniforms and overall team appearance.  Hellraizer Jacks Inc. owned by Tim Sheets is based in Mooresville, NC and builds Billet Aluminum Jacks that are used in various forms of motorsports including NASCAR, asphalt short track racing and in dirt racing divisions all across the country. Hellraizer Jacks can be found at various parts vendors including Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series partner Behrents Performance Warehouse. To learn more about Hellraiser Jacks Inc visit their website at https://www.hellraizerjacks.com or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039680186132.  “We are thrilled to have Hellraizer Jacks Inc. sign on as a marketing partner and title sponsor of the Pit Crew Challenge during the Show-Me 100 weekend. Adding to the already mega Show-Me 100 weekend, the Pit Crew Challenge will showcase the pit crews and give them an opportunity to win some cash awards and a new jack for their race team. In addition, the Best Appearing Crew award should make for some interesting and good-looking pit crews as they display their talents in front of a huge audience. We appreciate Tim Sheets and his company coming on board with the series and adding another great program to the series for the race teams,” stated Wayne Castleberry, Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil Motorsports. The 2024 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season continues March 22-23 with trips to Atomic Speedway and Brownstown Speedway. For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.

LEAGUE PLAY A MASSIVE SUCCESS FOR DRBB FOLLOWING THE GATORNATIONALS DALLAS (March 20, 2024) — Any team will tell you that nothing sets the tone for a professional drag racing season, like a strong start at the Gatornationals. Drag Race Bracket Bonanza (DRBB), the first dynamic bracket competition for drag racing fans, is no different. In its inaugural event for its first ever full season of game play, DRBB set new records for sign-ups and brackets completed and launched many new features. The most talked about being league play.    “I am so fired up to see all the different Drag Race Bracket Bonanza leagues forming around the world,” said DRBB creator, Elon Werner. “The number one request we received from our players last year was they wanted leagues. We listened to them, and I am thrilled with the response. Drag Race Bracket Bonanza is about fan engagement and community. Seeing all the leagues form just shows how massive our drag racing community is.”   By the time that brackets closed at the start of Top Fuel eliminations during the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida, 115 leagues had been created by DRBB players across the world. Leagues ranged in source and size, from groups of friends who bonded over being drag racing fans in Australia, to coworkers – like the Texas Motorplex staff league, to larger leagues such as the CompetititonPlus.com league and WFO Radio Podcast league, created by Joe Castello.   “Drag Race Bracket Bonanza was the perfect way for me to engage my WFO Radio podcast audience,” said Castello, a long-time podcaster and NHRA announcer. “We filled out our brackets and discussed the Gatornationals winners afterwards. It makes the NHRA action much more personal. Now, listeners can win along with the race teams!”   Leading up to the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals this weekend, March 21-24, a total of 127 leagues have now been created. This includes a brand-new league created by Funny Car driver Bob Tasca III, with the promise that whoever wins his league at the end of the season will walk away with a Tasca Racing prize pack.   “It’s so awesome to see drivers continue to get involved with DRBB in various ways,” said Werner. “Every weekend we have teams like Erica Enders Racing shouting us out on social media, guys like Justin Ashley with our decal on their car and now Bob Tasca with this new league. Nothing makes me happier than seeing people talk about DRBB online and drivers engaging right back with them. It really emphasizes one of the best parts of our sport – how close fans can get to the drivers.”   DRBB’s lead developer, Aidan Lamkin, of Lamkin Software Solutions, describes how more players can set up leagues of their own, to join in on the fun.   “Players can create their own league by signing up, navigating to the “My Leagues” tab and clicking the join league button. They can then enter a name for their league and optionally a picture for it then invite their friends to their league by sending out the invite code,” said Lamkin. “I think leagues make Drag Race Bracket Bonanza a more personal competition. It is one thing to compete in a global competition and another to beat your best friend and have immediate bragging rights. It’s been so cool to see something we worked on over the off-season come to life, exactly how we envisioned it.”   Many DRBB players enjoyed sharing their brackets on social media, so they could compare with their friends, commiserate together about bracket busters and brag about earning more points than their family members. After the points were tallied up, five new event winners (Overall, Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle) were crowned, and they will each receive plaques signed by the race winners. All five DRBB winners came from a different state, and it was their first time winning. Top Fuel winner, Nikki C. from Indianapolis, Indiana, and Pro Stock Motorcycle winner, Christopher S. from Columbus, Ohio each had perfect brackets in their respective categories.   “I WON TOP FUEL!!!” Nikki C. shared on X. “Thank you [Drag Race Bracket Bonanza]! Can’t wait to play every race! … And I bet I won’t win another one this season.”   The Winternationals is the second race in The Majors series, which will wrap up at the beginning of September with the U.S. Nationals. Throughout the season there will be other series, like the Four-Wide Nationals Cup and the Countdown, to keep gameplay competitive for players all season long. Each series will come with its own unique prizes.   Brackets for the Winternationals will open at the end of qualifying on Saturday, March 23. DRBB players will then have until the first round of Top Fuel kicks off on Sunday, March 24 at 2 p.m. EST to fill out their brackets. Fans can watch the NHRA broadcast on FS1 or NHRA.TV.

March 20, 2024

The Motorcraft/Quick Lane team – and their peers on NASCAR’s Cup circuit – had to perform a West Coast-style turn-around this week in preparing the No. 21 Mustang Dark Horse for this weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

The No. 21 hauler left North Carolina early Wednesday to make the 1,200-mile trek to the 20-turn, 3.426-mile track that will host Sunday’s fourth-annual EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix. 

That early departure meant lots of work had to be done in two days once the NASCAR caravan returned home following last Sunday’s Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Jeremy Bullins, crew chief of the No. 21 Mustang Dark Horse driven by Harrison Burton, said he’s hoping his team can build on Burton’s prior runs at COTA.

In 2022, Burton scored points in both Stages and finished 17^th. Last year he started 16^th and ran well before experiencing mechanical issues and finishing 22nd. Both of those races were run before Bullins took over as Burton’s crew chief. 

Bullins scored top-10 finishes at COTA in the past two seasons with Austin Cindric as his driver.
 
“If you look back at last season, Harrison seemed to get around COTA pretty well before having transaxle trouble and losing first gear,” Bullins said. “It’s a track that we have run well at in the past and have a good set-up to work from.
 
“Hopefully we can adapt it to Harrison’s liking and have a good weekend in our Motorcraft Ford.”
 
Practice for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix is set for Saturday at 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time) to be followed by qualifying at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Time).
 
Sunday’s 68-lap, 231.88-mile race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 2:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. Eastern) with Stage breaks at Laps 15 and 30.
 
FOX Sports 1 will carry the TV coverage of practice and qualifying, with FOX taking over the broadcast on Sunday.
 

OCALA, FL (March 20, 2024) — After a busy first race of the season that saw his team host a massive Fanfest at Burnyzz Speed Shop in Ocala in advance of the historic Gatornationals followed by racing in the Pep Boys Top Fuel Allstar Callout for the second year in a row and a quarterfinal finish in the race Josh Hart is ready to focus on more round wins at this weekend’s NHRA Winternationals. Bringing the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team to the West Coast is always a daunting task but Hart enjoys the location and the history of the famed racing facility in Southern California.

 Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster are looking for more win lights at the NHRA Winternationals, photo credit Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase

“There is a lot of history at this track and the Winternationals,” said Hart, a multi-time NHRA Top Fuel national event winner. “We start the season at two of the most famous facilities in our sport and I have won the Gatornationals so I would love to drive this R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster into the winner’s circle in Pomona this weekend. The team is moving in the right direction and we are getting more runs and data which is what we need.”
 
The month of March Hart is also focusing attention on his hometown of Huntington, Indiana through a challenge donation led by his wife Brittanie to give back to the community in a big way, through the “Race to Fill the Food Pantry” campaign. Donations made to the United with Love food pantry during the month of March will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000. Already donations have come in from races, fans and members of the Huntington community.
 
“We are so grateful to the Hart family, Brittanie, Josh, and their children for supporting our pantry in nourishing our neighbors. In 2023 we had over 8,950 individual visits to our food pantry and we cannot do this alone. This matching donation is critical at this time of the year when donations are down, but the need is unchanged,” said Erin Didion, Executive Director, United with Love of Huntington County.
 
Every dollar donated will make a difference. Donations can be made by cash or check at the food pantry, mailed to 715 Byron Street, Huntington, IN 46750 or online at https://www.osvhub.com/…/race-to-fill-the-food-pantry . United With Love partners with neighbors to address the barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Their longstanding goal is to lovingly serve all their Huntington and surrounding community neighbors in need and provide stability through Christ-centered services that meet individual needs.
 
At the end of last season Hart’s R+L Carriers team led by crew chief Ron Douglas was making positive strides after an up and down 2023 season. The infusion of new parts made a big difference that is continuing to pay off at the start of the season. In Gainesville Hart qualified No. 12 but got the upset win over No. 5 qualifier 8-time champion Tony Schumacher to start the season with a win light. It was the second consecutive win over Schumacher and gave Hart a 3-2 career head-to-head record.
 
“You have to get up for everyone in this class and I truly just focus on doing my job on the starting line,” said Hart. “You have to respect drivers like Schumacher because they have so much experience. I am racing in Top Fuel to take on the best of the best and we want to perform at our highest level when the stakes are high. There are so many talented teams and drivers there are no easy round wins.”
 
In Hart’s short career he has proven to be a worthy adversary, winning multiple Top Fuel national events and the 2023 Pep Boys Top Fuel Allstar Callout. He finished in the Top Ten last year with a solid end of season performance but simply finishing in the Top Ten is not a primary goal for Hart. The entrepreneur from Florida is building a team for championship runs and more Top Fuel wins.
 
“This whole team has a very positive attitude, and we understand what our goals are. We want to perform on the track for our sponsors and the fans and we want to represent our sponsors very well off the track,” said Hart. “It was great to host so many R+L Carriers guests in the pits and that gets everyone fired up to perform. Having new fans come to the race and get behind the scenes experience is a big plus. Having them see us win rounds on Sunday is huge too. This weekend is going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to get on the track.”
 
The R+L Carriers team and Josh Hart will get one qualifying run on Friday, March 22, followed by two more qualifying runs on Saturday. The quickest 16 Top Fuel dragsters will get to race for the Wally trophy and a specially designed Winternationals snowflake medallion from Indianapolis-based artist and fabricator Katie Buttera. The race will be broadcast nationally on Sunday night on FS1.
 

Josh Hart Eyes Continued Success at Winternationals

OCALA, FL (March 20, 2024) — After a busy first race of the season that saw his team host a massive Fanfest at Burnyzz Speed Shop in Ocala in advance of the historic Gatornationals followed by racing in the Pep Boys Top Fuel Allstar Callout for the second year in a row and a quarterfinal finish in the race Josh Hart is ready to focus on more round wins at this weekend’s NHRA Winternationals. Bringing the R+L Carriers Top Fuel team to the West Coast is always a daunting task but Hart enjoys the location and the history of the famed racing facility in Southern California.

 Josh Hart and the R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster are looking for more win lights at the NHRA Winternationals, photo credit Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase

“There is a lot of history at this track and the Winternationals,” said Hart, a multi-time NHRA Top Fuel national event winner. “We start the season at two of the most famous facilities in our sport and I have won the Gatornationals so I would love to drive this R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster into the winner’s circle in Pomona this weekend. The team is moving in the right direction and we are getting more runs and data which is what we need.”
 
The month of March Hart is also focusing attention on his hometown of Huntington, Indiana through a challenge donation led by his wife Brittanie to give back to the community in a big way, through the “Race to Fill the Food Pantry” campaign. Donations made to the United with Love food pantry during the month of March will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000. Already donations have come in from races, fans and members of the Huntington community.
 
“We are so grateful to the Hart family, Brittanie, Josh, and their children for supporting our pantry in nourishing our neighbors. In 2023 we had over 8,950 individual visits to our food pantry and we cannot do this alone. This matching donation is critical at this time of the year when donations are down, but the need is unchanged,” said Erin Didion, Executive Director, United with Love of Huntington County.
 
Every dollar donated will make a difference. Donations can be made by cash or check at the food pantry, mailed to 715 Byron Street, Huntington, IN 46750 or online at https://www.osvhub.com/…/race-to-fill-the-food-pantry . United With Love partners with neighbors to address the barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Their longstanding goal is to lovingly serve all their Huntington and surrounding community neighbors in need and provide stability through Christ-centered services that meet individual needs.
 
At the end of last season Hart’s R+L Carriers team led by crew chief Ron Douglas was making positive strides after an up and down 2023 season. The infusion of new parts made a big difference that is continuing to pay off at the start of the season. In Gainesville Hart qualified No. 12 but got the upset win over No. 5 qualifier 8-time champion Tony Schumacher to start the season with a win light. It was the second consecutive win over Schumacher and gave Hart a 3-2 career head-to-head record.
 
“You have to get up for everyone in this class and I truly just focus on doing my job on the starting line,” said Hart. “You have to respect drivers like Schumacher because they have so much experience. I am racing in Top Fuel to take on the best of the best and we want to perform at our highest level when the stakes are high. There are so many talented teams and drivers there are no easy round wins.”
 
In Hart’s short career he has proven to be a worthy adversary, winning multiple Top Fuel national events and the 2023 Pep Boys Top Fuel Allstar Callout. He finished in the Top Ten last year with a solid end of season performance but simply finishing in the Top Ten is not a primary goal for Hart. The entrepreneur from Florida is building a team for championship runs and more Top Fuel wins.
 
“This whole team has a very positive attitude, and we understand what our goals are. We want to perform on the track for our sponsors and the fans and we want to represent our sponsors very well off the track,” said Hart. “It was great to host so many R+L Carriers guests in the pits and that gets everyone fired up to perform. Having new fans come to the race and get behind the scenes experience is a big plus. Having them see us win rounds on Sunday is huge too. This weekend is going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to get on the track.”
 
The R+L Carriers team and Josh Hart will get one qualifying run on Friday, March 22, followed by two more qualifying runs on Saturday. The quickest 16 Top Fuel dragsters will get to race for the Wally trophy and a specially designed Winternationals snowflake medallion from Indianapolis-based artist and fabricator Katie Buttera. The race will be broadcast nationally on Sunday night on FS1.
 

CHEVROLET IN NHRA2024 LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS IN-N-OUT BURGER POMONA DRAG STRIP POMONA, CALIFORNIA TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE | NOTES & QUOTES MARCH 22-24, 2024 CHEVROLET AND JOHN FORCE RACING CARRY GAINESVILLE MOMENTUM INTO POMONA FOR THE LUCAS OIL NHRA WINTERNATIONALS

Notes:Team Chevy next heads to the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip for the second round of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, March 22-24, 2024.With a strong start in two events of his Funny Car debut, Austin Prock and his Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS teams head to Pomona after winning in Bradenton and finishing runner-up in Gainesville.Prock, in a Top Fuel dragster, claimed the 2022 victory at Pomona in the fall, while setting his career-best E.T. and mph run in the same event (3.636-seconds E.T. at 336.23 mph).John Force, legendary team owner of John Force Racing and driver of the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, returns to his home track of Pomona in search of his 167th career No. 1 qualifier and 156th career victory.Searching for her first win since her 16th career victory at Las Vegas 2 in 2022, Brittany Force, driver of the Mark Christopher Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, also looks to capture her 47th career No. 1 qualifier.B. Force remains the NHRA Top Fuel national record holder in both Elapsed Time (E.T.) and speed, setting E.T. at Reading in 2019 with her run at 3.623 seconds, and at Pomona in 2022 with a run of 338.94 mph.In Pro Stock, Camrie Caruso heads to Pomona looking to defend her spring No. 1 qualifier, while Dallas Glenn seeks to go back-to-back in victories after capturing the Wally trophy in 2023. Both achievements for Caruso and Glenn came from behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Camaro SS Pro Stock car.

Quotes:BRITTANY FORCE, DRIVER OF MARK CHRISTOPHER CHEVROLET TOP FUEL DRAGSTER:“There’s nothing like (Pomona). It’s one of my favorite racetracks because it is my home track. The support that comes when racing at Pomona is like no other event you have. You’re surrounded by family and friends and it’s just this support system that pours in, and it makes the weekend very special.” What’s your mindset heading into a race like Pomona that’s special to you?“Going into Pomona, we need to see better results on race day, and in order to do that we need to make more consistent runs. We need to qualify top five and go some rounds on race day. We’d like to win this thing. It’s Pomona and I’ve won there in the past. This David Grubnic-led team set the national mph record back in 2022 at 338.94 mph at Pomona, so we have been successful on this track. We just need to kind of regroup and get back on track after a tough season.” “A win there would be more elevated. It means something more because it’s a home track that I grew up on. It’s right in my neighborhood, and I’m surrounded by friends and family and this extra support. I’ve raced Super Comp there, I’ve raced A Fuel, I’ve raced Top Fuel, and I won a (Top Fuel) championship there. There are so many memories built around there during my career and then before my career as a kid, so it just has this very home comfort feeling that I love about it.” AUSTIN PROCK, DRIVER OF THE CORNWELL TOOLS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:“It still feels surreal, being able to drive this Funny Car and race with my family. I’m looking forward to Pomona. I’ve always loved that racetrack. It’s always been my favorite one to hit on the map. The dragster is a lot more elegant, I would call it. (With) the longer wheelbase you’re accelerating quicker, but the car is moving left to right, slower. I would call it the Cadillac of NHRA drag racing. The way it moves around is a lot more slow and lazy. You can be a lot smoother on the wheel, where the Funny Car, when it takes off it, it really wants to hunt, it wants to go in whatever direction it wants to go. It’s going there in a hurry and you better be two steps ahead of it. So yeah, it’s just figuring out. I love driving both of them (Funny Cars and Top Fuelers). It’s just figuring out the tendencies and when to get on the wheel and when not to get on the wheel.” On winning at Bradenton, going runner-up at Gainesville, and competing with his father and brother by his side…“It hasn’t really sunk in yet. It’s one of those deals where things are just happening and so much is coming at me at once right now. I feel like I’m just kind of like, holding on to the wheel, but I’m definitely enjoying it. It still feels surreal, being able to drive this Funny Car and race with my family. I’m looking forward to Pomona. I’ve always loved that racetrack. It’s always been my favorite one to hit on the map.” JOHN FORCE, DRIVER OF THE PEAK ANTIFREEZE & COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS FUNNY CAR:“Pomona is personal to me. My love for Pomona goes back to the 60s, when I was driving a truck. I went out and looked through the fence to watch the starting line and watching the people racing. Then, in 1974-75, I started running the local tracks, but Pomona was the big ball field. That was our Dodger Stadium. That’s where we wanted to be. And now here I am. So coming home to it, there’s a lot of memories. I won a lot of races and won championships. I’m looking for another win and I’m going to try to get it done here. Every race counts, but I’m excited to be back home and be racing with family.” John Force on 2024…“We’re in the championship run for the title. And I want number 17 (championship). I may not yell and scream it, and I’ve won so many, but I want to keep winning. I want to I want to win with (crew chief) Daniel Hood and with my team. (Pomona is) just the place to be. We’re coming here now, we’ll kick off the second race of the season and we’ll come back at the end of the year. And hopefully, if not me, one of us will run for the title, Brittany (Force) or (Austin) Prock. That’s what we do.”

How to Watch:The 2024 Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip kicks off with Friday’s qualifying airing Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 9:30 p.m. ET from Pomona, Calif. Saturday’s qualifying session will air Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET with Sunday’s Finals following at 7 p.m. ET. All sessions from In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip air with NHRA on FOX on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Coverage streams live throughout the weekend on NHRA.tv, and is available via AppleTV, Android TV, and Roku devices.

TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS:1,443: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time).626: Round wins for Robert Hight; 13th all-time. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), sits 12th, with 628.383: Number of wins in Pro Stock since 1970; 264 won in the Chevrolet Camaro body.166: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time).159: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 1967.84: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time). Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) is fifth with 88.79: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro SS body.46: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force.28: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. This is the seventh-consecutive award and ninth in 11 seasons. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.24: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car.20: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA.19: Number of Pro Stock championships.16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force.7: Number of Funny Car driver championships.2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships.

Sent on behalf of 1st Impressions Racing Team JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (March 20, 2024) – 1st Impressions Racing Team confirmed its plans for the 2024 Progression American Flat Track season, in which it will focus its efforts on a one-rider team built around rising talent James Ott. On the heels of a breakthrough two-pole, three-podium campaign with the team in ‘23, Ott will again pilot a Husqvarna FC 450 in the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER class with support from Husqvarna Motorcycles/Husqvarna Germany. Further strengthening the team is the return of crew chief Paul Ott and lead mechanic Ashley Kruppenbacker. Ott, who finished ninth in last year’s championship standings, is off to a promising start in ‘24. He’s currently ranked eighth in the points following the doubleheader season opener and Daytona and primed to climb up the charts as the series now arrives at the Senoia Short Track, where the Simi Valley, California, native finished as runner-up a year ago. Eric Hoyt, 1st Impressions Team Owner: “Entering our fourth year in Progressive AFT, we are still relatively new to this. But already, we have proved we belong, and that we’re a team capable of winning. Last year was our first with Husqvarna, and James showed a ton of potential with the new bikes. This year, with a concentrated one-rider effort and support from Husqvarna, we are confident of attaining even greater success. 2024 is shaping up to be our best year yet” James Ott #19: “Eric believes in me, and that means a lot. For sure, I want to finish even higher in the championship this year, and I know we can accomplish that. This year, the team is going to have really strong bikes everywhere we go, so I’m doing my part to make sure I’m able to match that. Obviously, winning is the first goal, but I’m also aiming to finish the year ranked in the championship top three.” Follow 1st Impressions @Facebook: 1st Impressions Race TeamInstagram: 1stimpressions_raceteam Team Sponsors Husqvarna – Husqvarna Germany, 1st Impressions Contractors Inc, Floridian plumbing, Media HT inc., Floridian Heating and Air, 1st Impressions Services of Florida, Motul, Hinson, Bell Helmets, Fredericktown Cycles, Solid Performance, Hbd Graphics, Elite Properties Inc, Light Shoe, Dunlop Tires, Pro Taper Bars, Kully Co.

POMONA, CA (March 20, 2024) – Veteran driver and team owner Mark Pawuk opened the season with an emotional win at the NHRA Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals racing to his second career Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series victory. The win was sweeter because he was driving a Dodge Drag Pak designed to honor long-time friend and NHRA Hall of Famer Don Schumacher, who passed away over the off-season. For Pawuk, a long-time NHRA Pro Stock competitor turned Flexjet Factory Stock racer, the win was meaningful on a variety of fronts. He will get his chance to continue his win streak as the fan-favorite series makes its debut on the West Cost at the NHRA Winternationals, at In-N-Out Dragway in Pomona, Calif., March 22-24.
 
“The Gatornationals is one of the biggest races in the NHRA and I have always wanted to win in Gainesville,” said Pawuk, from the Gatornationals winner’s circle. “To get that win and to have Don’s name on the race car was special. Don was a great friend and competitor. This class has a lot of tough drivers and cars, so anytime you can turn on a win light that’s a big deal. Racing Stephen (Bell) in the final was tough. I knew I would need to get off the line quick and hopefully hold him off. I can’t wait to get to Pomona and show off for the California fans who have never seen this class.”

 Mark Pawuk poses with signature NHRA “Wally” trophy in the Gatornationals winner’s circle following his Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown victory,
photo credit Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase

In that final against Bell, Pawuk posted low ET of the event – a masterful 7.745 seconds at 177.23 mph. Both Pawuk and Bell got good jumps off the starting line, but Bell’s Chevrolet COPO Camaro spun the tires and Pawuk pulled away for the victory and the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series bounty. Bell held off three opponents throughout the race day, but Pawuk was able to get the win light and the $1,000.
 
“I was excited to get the win and then I knew I got the bounty on top of that which is pretty cool,” said Pawuk. “I love the Flexjet bounty program because it just makes the racing a little more exciting. I know I will have the bounty for the Winternationals and I want to hang onto it for as long as possible.”

 Mark Pawuk (foreground) takes off versus Stephen Bell in the final round of the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown during the NHRA Gatornationals,
photo credit Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase

With the absence of Aaron Stanfield and David Barton, the two previous Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown world champions, the field is wide open in 2024. Pawuk has the points lead after the first race, but 2023 championship runner-up Bell is right behind him. The top five in points is rounded out by David Janac, Doug Hamp, and Scott Libersher. Janac escaped a scary top end incident during the second round of the Gatornationals when his Ford Mustang Cobra Jet spun at the top end and contacted the guardwall. He is on the entry list for the Winternationals and a strong performance this weekend would be an impressive feat. Every driver will be looking to get the first Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown win at the historic In-N-Out Dragstrip at Pomona.
 
Qualifying for the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown begins Friday, March 22 with sessions at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. (PST). A final qualifying session will take place on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. (PST) with elimination rounds in the afternoon and carrying over into Sunday with final eliminations scheduled for 3:50 p.m. (PST).
 
2024 FLEXJET NHRA FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN TOP TEN
1. Mark Pawuk, Dodge                       116
2. Stephen Bell, Chevrolet                  94
3. David Janac, Ford                            77
4. Doug Hamp, Chevrolet                   73
5. Scott Libersher, Chevrolet              55
6. Anthony Troyer, Chevrolet             54
7. David Davies II, Dodge                    52
8. Mike Clark, Dodge                          48
9. Jason Dietsch, Ford                         33
10T. Ricky Hord, Chevrolet                 32
10T. Tony Scott Jr., Chevrolet             32       
10T. Raymond Nash, Dodge               32
 
2024 FLEXJET NHRA FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE
April 12-14                  24th annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Las Vegas, Nev.
May 17-19                   24th annual Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals, Chicago, Ill.
June 7-9                      23rd annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, Bristol, Tenn.
June 27-30                  18th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, Norwalk, Ohio
Aug. 15-18                   42nd annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, Brainerd, Minn.
Aug. 28-Sept. 2           70th annual Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals, Indianapolis, Ind.
Sept. 12-15                  39th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, Reading, Pa.
Sept. 27-29                  13th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals, St. Louis, Mo.

John Force: “I want No. 17 (Funny Car championships). I may not yell and scream it, I’ve won so many, but I want to keep winning.”

POMONA, Calif. (March 19, 2024) – If John Force Racing ever needed a perfect song theme for this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip, it might be one of the late John Denver’s biggest hits: “(It’s Good To Be) Back Home Again!” No location on the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series means more to team patriarch John Force – as well as fellow drivers Brittany Force and Austin Prock – as the dragstrip on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fairplex. “Pomona is personal to me,” said Force, the winningest driver in drag racing history with 16 NHRA Funny Car championships and 155 national event wins. “My love for Pomona goes back to the ‘60s, when I was driving a truck. I went out and looked through the fence to watch the starting line and watch the people racing. “Then in 1974-75, I started running the local tracks. But Pomona was the big ball field. That was our Dodger Stadium, that’s where we wanted to be. And now here I am. So coming home to it, there’s a lot of memories, I won a lot of races and won championships. You walked away from some bad crashes, but it’s just personal. I’m looking for another win and I’m going to try to get it done here. Every race counts, but I’m excited to be back home and be racing with family.” Ironically, Pomona initially wasn’t very welcoming to Force: he failed to qualify in three of his first five races at the famed quarter-mile in the late ‘70s. But once he figured out the tricky track, Force would become its winningest driver there, with 16 overall victories (7 in the Winternationals, 8 in the World Finals and one in the NHRA 50th Anniversary Nationals in 2001). Collectively, JFR has an outstanding winning record in the Winternationals (all in Funny Car): John Force (7 wins), Robert Hight (5), Tony Pedregon (2) and Courtney Force (1). Extrapolated even more, JFR drivers have won 30 races at Pomona between the winter and fall events, with 29 coming in either Top Fuel or Funny Car. The only non-nitro win there came from JFR vice president Ashley Force Hood, driving a Top Alcohol Dragster in 2004. The Winternationals is the second race on the 20-race NHRA national event schedule. JFR got off to a promising start in the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., two weeks ago when Prock was No. 1 qualifier and finished runner-up in Funny Car, defeating John Force along the way in the quarterfinals. And while Brittany Force lost in the first round of Top Fuel eliminations, she took some consolation in finishing runner-up in the Pep Boys Top Fuel NHRA All-Star Callout exhibition event on Saturday, March 9. As for their respective liveries this weekend, fans will see John Force in the PEAK Antifreeze & Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, Brittany Force will pilot the Mark Christopher Auto Center Chevrolet/Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster, and Austin Prock will drive the Auto Club of Southern California/Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car. Here’s a preview of all three JFR drivers heading into Pomona: ********************************** Austin Prock comes into Pomona with the greatest momentum of the three JFR drivers after the season opener. In addition to being No. 1 qualifier and finishing runner-up at Gainesville, Prock also won a special exhibition race in Bradenton, Fla., last month in his first-ever start in a Funny Car. Sitting a close No. 2 in the Funny Car standings, the Lansing, Mich., native almost has to pinch himself to make sure he’s not dreaming. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Prock said. “It’s one of those deals where things are just happening and so much is coming at me at once right now. I feel like I’m just kind of holding on to the wheel, but I’m definitely enjoying it.” Prock is filling in for three-time NHRA Funny Car champion Robert Hight, who is on a temporary leave of absence from racing for personal medical reasons. Prock has a strong supporting cast that led Hight to a runner-up finish in Funny Car last season, including his father Jimmy Prock (Hight’s long-time crew chief), and brother Thomas Prock (Hight’s assistant crew chief). “It still feels surreal, being able to drive this Funny Car and race with my family,” Prock said. “I’m looking forward to Pomona. I’ve always loved that racetrack. It’s always been my favorite one to hit on the map.” In seven career appearances at Pomona (all in a dragster), Prock has reached the final round of the Winternationals three times (2020, 2022 and 2023) and also won the 2022 season-ending World Finals race. “We’ve had some success there,” Prock said. “So hopefully that can carry over to Funny Car and maybe we’ll roll out of there with my first Funny Car Wally (trophy).” Prock’s car has an outstanding legacy: Hight still holds both ends of the NHRA Funny Car records for elapsed time (3.793 seconds on 8/18/2017 at Brainerd, Minn.) and speed (339.87 mph on 7/29/2017 at Sonoma, Calif.). Prock knows he has some big shoes to fill. “Any time I get in a race car, I just want to do the absolute best job I can,” he said. “And more or less, it’s not about proving myself to everyone else, it’s proving myself to myself. I want to be able to get in the car and know I can do a good job and get the result I want.” Prock will also be taking part in Saturday’s race-within-a-race, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge. Introduced last season, it pits semifinalists from the previous race against each other in a rematch during Saturday’s two qualifying sessions. Prock qualified because he finished runner-up in the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals two weeks ago in Gainesville, Fla. Points are awarded that are then added to a driver’s points total heading into the NHRA’s six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs. **********************************John Force has been a dynamo in the Winternationals. In 45 previous starts, Force has seven wins, has been No. 1 qualifier 10 times and owns a career Winternationals round-by-round record of 66-36. Overall, between the Winternationals and World Finals, Force has won a record 140 rounds of racing at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip. To put that in perspective, Prock has won 73 rounds in all the events he’s run in his entireNHRA pro career to date. And yet the soon-to-be 75-year-old Force is bound and determined to win more races en route to a 17th Funny Car championship. “We’re in the championship run for the title and I want No. 17,” Force said. “I may not yell and scream it, I’ve won so many, but I want to keep winning.” Force comes into Pomona ranked seventh in the NHRA Funny Car standings after Gainesville. “I want to win with (crew chief) Daniel Hood and with my team,” Force said. “(Pomona is) just the place to be. We’ll kick off the second race of the season and we’ll come back the end of the year. And hopefully, if not me, one of us will run for the title, Brittany or Prock. That’s what we do.” ********************************** Brittany Force hopes a return to one of her favorite tracks will help power her and her dragster into the winner’s circle. “There’s nothing like Pomona,” the younger Force said. “Not only is it my home track, the support that comes when racing at Pomona is like no other event we have. You’re surrounded by family and friends and the support system that pours in makes the weekend very special. “In the past I’ve had teachers show up that I haven’t seen since high school, or just random people that I haven’t seen in a long time, who knew the drag races were in town, came out and then found me signing autographs at the ropes and said ‘hi.’ Being reunited with people from my past is awesome.” Currently 14th in the Top Fuel standings after a tough first round loss at Gainesville, Force is determined to bounce back in a big way. “We need to see better results on race day, and in order to do that we need to make more consistent runs, we need to qualify top five and go some rounds on race day,” Force said. “We’d like to win this thing. It’s Pomona and I’ve won there in the past. This David Grubnic (crew chief) team set the national mph record back in 2022 at 338.94 mph. So we have been successful on this track. We just need to kind of regroup and get back on track.” Force remains the national record holder in NHRA Top Fuel competition in both elapsed time (3.623 seconds set on 9/14/2019 in Reading, Pa.) and speed (338.94, set on 11/11/2022 in Pomona). “I’ve raced Super Comp there, A Fuel, Top Fuel, won two Top Fuel championships there,” Force said of Pomona. “There’s so many memories built around there during my career and then before my career as a kid. It just has this very home comfort feeling that I love about it.” ********************************** The 2024 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals runs from March 21-24 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, Calif. FS1 will televise Qualifying Show No. 1 on Saturday, March 23, from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Qualifying Show No. 2 is Sunday, March 24, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET, and the Finals will also air on Sunday, March 24, from 7 to 10 p.m. ET. #2024ORCE

Batavia, OH (March 19, 2024) – The Sunoco Road to Wheatland program continues with Atomic Speedway and Brownstown Speedway on March 22 and March 23.  The Sunoco Road to Wheatland has been a long-standing incentive program that rewards drivers following the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The Sunoco Road to Wheatland program will pay bonuses to the top 15 drivers in the championship standings with perfect attendance at the Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway in May. The championship point leader will receive $2,500, with 2nd through 15th in the standings also receiving a bonus. Today, Sunoco Race Fuels has expanded the reach of its racing fuels line around the world to include all types of professional motor sports and other activities where premium race fuels like DXP 116 make the difference. With its unsurpassed innovations and years of experience, it is easy to understand why more and more engine builders, racers, tracks, and sanctioning bodies choose Sunoco Race Fuels over all other racing gasoline combined. As the largest manufacturer of racing gasoline in the world, Sunoco has a 40-year track record of winning performances. To learn more about DXP 116 visit https://www.sunocoracefuels.com/fuels/fuel/dxp. “We are very grateful for what Sunoco Race Fuels does to support the series and giving generously to the racers that follow the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series,” stated Wayne Castleberry, Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil Motorsports. For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.

About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt SeriesFounded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series showcases the talents of the top dirt late model drivers from across the country. In 2024, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction 63 events across 16 states, including some of the biggest marquee events in the industry, providing dirt slinging, sideways, door-to-door racing action lap after lap.  The series receives national exposure through a television package streamed live via FloRacing, with select broadcasts on MAVTV Motorsports Network.   The in your face excitement of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is second to none in motorsports. For more information, including the latest news, tour schedule, driver information, and more, visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.2024 Official Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Marketing Partners

PADUCAH, KY (March 19, 2024) – The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models will return to Paducah International Raceway for the first time since 2012 on Friday, April 19. It’ll also be the Series’ lone stop to the Bluegrass State in 2024, making for a can’t-miss night with The Greatest Show on Dirt.Of all active drivers on tour, none have won at the Kentucy track yet. And in seven previous visits to the 3/8-mile facility, there have been seven different winners. Joey Saldana won the last World of Outlaws event there in 2012.EVENT INFO Date – Friday, April 19 Location – Paducah, KY Track Record – 12.825 sec. by Joey Saldana on April 17, 2009 Times –  Pit Gates Open 2pm Grandstands Open 5pm Hot Laps/Qualifying 6:30pm -Racing to Follow Tickets – WorldofOutlaws.com/tix How to Watch – Every lap live on DIRTVision Previous World of Outlaws Winners at Paducah – 2012 – Joey Saldana on April 13 2010 – Jac Haudenschild on April 16 2009 – Jason Meyers on April 17 2008 – Craig Dollansky on July 28 2007 – Danny Lasoski on April 6 2001 – Andy Hillenburg on June 12 1998 – Jeff Swindell on April 17

Cruz Pedregon

NHRA^® Winternationals – Pomona, CA

Pre-Race Report

News of note: 

ICYM first race news: Fresh paint scheme for the Snap-on^® “Makers and Fixers” Dodge^® SRT^® Hellcat^® and haulers. The Snap-on car and Cruz are paying tribute to the Makers and Fixers among us to continue to recognize the value of their work. As Cruz’s primary sponsor, Snap-on is asking NHRA fans to follow @MakersandFixers on Instagram and invitingMakers and Fixers to submit their stories to makersandfixers.com.

Images here: 

CruzPedregonSnap-onDodge2024_1.jpg

CruzPedregonSnap-onDodge2024_2.jpg

Quotes – Cruz Pedregon, two-time Funny Car World Champion

Looking forward to the second race of the 2024 season. Pomona is a great track. We’ve won some big races there in the past. 

I’m also looking forward to having the fans check out the new look on the Snap-on Dodge Hellcat. It’s got the flat black, and it’s looking good. 

We had some good runs at Gainesville, so we’re looking forward to improving our position there and going some rounds…always with the goal to win another race. 

Pomona is definitely a place I look forward to every year. It has a Southern California feel. It has all the cool places to go eat…namely In-N-Out Burger. And I’m glad to see them sponsoring the track. 

Favorite memories of Winternationals

I always look forward to this event. We grew up down the street in Chino, so, you know, it’s definitely a home game for us.

I remember winning the ‘89 Winternationals in an Alcohol Dragster, then came back the very next year and won the 1990 Winternationals in an Alcohol Funny Car. I’ve also competed in Top Fuel there, so it’s one of the few tracks I’ve competed in all four different categories.

Name on the side of Cruz’s car – Snap-on Nitro Franchisee: Garrett Maxon

·        Garrett Maxon’s been a part of the Snap-on team since 2018 and has owned his own franchise for a couple of years now.

·        He’s been to the Winternationals before, but this will be his first time meeting Cruz, and the team has something special planned for Garrett and the customers he’s bringing out to the track Friday evening. 

·        They’re having dinner in Cruz’s pit. It’s decked out with lots of new features to show off the car to the franchisees, Makers and Fixers, and fans who visit the pit area during the upcoming season.

·        When he’s not at the track or busy running a business on his Snap-on truck, you’ll likely find Garrett playing golf or at a concert. 

Follow Cruz and Snap-on on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

To see the latest Cruz news, like his Facebook page, on Twitter, and Instagram.

Hart Family Gives Back with “Race to Fill the Food Pantry” Campaign in Huntington HUNTINGTON, IN (March 19, 2024) — Huntington native Brittanie Hart, wife of professional NHRA Top Fuel racer, Josh Hart, also a Huntington native, is giving back to the community this month in a big way, through the “Race to Fill the Food Pantry” campaign. Donations made to the United with Love food pantry during the month of March will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000. Already donations have come in from races, fans and members of the Huntington community.  Josh and Brittanie Hart at the recent Burnyzz Speed Shop NHRA Gatornationals FanFest, photo courtesy of Josh Hart Racing“We are so grateful to the Hart family, Brittanie, Josh, and their children for supporting our pantry in nourishing our neighbors. In 2023 we had over 8,950 individual visits to our food pantry and we cannot do this alone. This matching donation is critical at this time of the year when donations are down, but the need is unchanged,” said Erin Didion, Executive Director, United with Love of Huntington County.   Every dollar donated will make a difference. Donations can be made by cash or check at the food pantry, mailed to 715 Byron Street, Huntington, IN 46750 or online at https://www.osvhub.com/…/race-to-fill-the-food-pantry . United With Love partners with neighbors to address the barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Their longstanding goal is to lovingly serve all their Huntington and surrounding community neighbors in need and provide stability through Christ-centered services that meet individual needs.   “There was a time when we needed help and we know that places like United with Love and people like Erin and their volunteers are making a difference in people’s lives every day,” said Brittanie Hart. “The Race to Fill the Food Pantry is something we can do this month, but they need assistance and support every month and we want to encourage everyone to get involved if they are able.”

The Texas trip concludes with two new tracks for The Greatest Show on Dirt.ENNIS, TX (March 19, 2024) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are heading from one Texas weekend to another.After a thrilling two nights at Cotton Bowl Speedway, a pair of new tracks await The Greatest Show on Dirt. A Big O Speedway (Ennis, TX) visit is slated for Friday, March 22, and Kennedale Speedway Park (Kennedale, TX) takes center stage on Saturday, March 23. The two will become the 12th and 13th Texas tracks visited by The Greatest Show on Dirt as the rich Sprint Car Racing tradition of the “Lone Star State” grows.This weekend will mark the first time since March of 2021 that the World of Outlaws have checked off two new facilities on the same weekend when Sheldon Haudenschild topped the first trip to Magnolia Motor Speedway and David Gravel triumphed at Dirt on the Rev.Big O and Kennedale will also be the final Texas appearances of 2024 for the World of Outlaws before the Series begins to invade the Midwest. BUY BIG O TICKETS HERE BUY KENNEDALE TICKETS HEREWATCH LIVE ON DIRTVisionLet’s look at the top stories to watch:LEADER IN THE CLUBHOUSE: A new driver arose atop the standings after Cotton Bowl, and his name is Giovanni Scelzi. The Fresno, CA native continued his early season hot streak with KCP Racing by posting a third and a victory. He entered the weekend 12 markers behind Gravel for the top spot and left 16 markers ahead. It’s the first time in his career that the 22-year-old has led the Series standings. Scelzi has made every Toyota Racing Dash this season, finished seventh or better in every race, and owns an average finish of fourth. He and Donny Schatz are the only drivers with top 10s in all seven races to this point.Like many others in the field, Scelzi will be getting his first look at Big O and Kennedale this weekend. He’ll look for solid debuts at both Texas tracks to maintain his early points lead. BACK ON TRACK: After some struggles to start 2024, Carson Macedo and the Jason Johnson Racing crew are beginning to resemble the powerhouse team that they established themselves as upon partnering in 2021.They kicked off the campaign with four straight finishes of 12th or worse. Since then it’s been an entirely different story. The last three races have seen the JJR #41 finish third, second, and eighth along with leading 20 Feature laps on the night Macedo finished second. The team continues to be led by owner/crew chief Philip Dietz and added Robby McQuinn and Adam Zimmerman to fill voids left by Clyde Knipp and Nate Repetz. And the new nucleus looks to be gelling.Macedo will make his first laps at both Big O and Kennedale this weekend. The Lemoore, CA driver is the most recent to top a World of Outlaws debut at a new track. He claimed the Series inaugural visit to Minnesota’s Ogilvie Raceway last June. 7 RACES, 7 WINNERS: The early season parity pattern continued over the weekend at Cotton Bowl. Brent Marks and Gio Scelzi gave us seven different winners in the first seven races of 2024. The stretch has put the World of Outlaws on the brink of history. This year is only the second time the season has started with seven different winners, and the record to begin the season is eight in 2015. It’s a mark that could be reached this weekend and even potentially passed. Two drivers that stand out as favorites to continue the trend are Logan Schuchart and Carson Macedo. The two have combined for 76 career World of Outlaws wins but each is still in search of their first of 2024.Other full-time Series drivers that are former winners with the Series – Buddy Kofoid, Brock Zearfoss, Bill Balog, and Kraig Kinser – are still seeking their first wins of the season, too. And with a strong crop of locals and invaders expected this weekend, many competitors on the roster could add their name to the list of 2024 winners.ROOKIE ROLL: It hasn’t taken long for Bill Balog to get comfortable on the World of Outlaws tour. The “North Pole Nightmare” started the year with a top 10 before experiencing engine troubles at DIRTcar Nationals but has since started to piece together a solid stretch.Balog heads to Big O and Kennedale carrying the momentum of three consecutive top 10 finishes. Two weeks ago he came home 10th at Volusia. At Cotton Bowl, qualifying toward the front led to Dash births both nights resulting in finishes of eighth and seventh. It’s the first time in Balog’s career he’s strung together three straight top-10s with The Greatest Show on Dirt.Big O and Kennedale are set to be the second and third new tracks that Balog will visit with the World of Outlaws this year. He’s already proven he can quickly adapt to new facilities. This past weekend was his first time laying eyes on Cotton Bowl.TEXAN TIME?: The last 2024 weekend in Texas for the World of Outlaws means the last opportunity for the “Lone Star State” contingent to top The Greatest Show on Dirt. Like last weekend, the locals will be led by Sam Hafertepe Jr. and Aaron Reutzel.Hafertepe has already been to Kennedale Victory Lane in 2024, topping an American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) Elite Outlaw 410 race in early March. He showed speed on night one at Cotton Bowl last Friday, but a crash ended his weekend early.Reutzel looked as if he may contend for Friday’s victory at Cotton Bowl after setting Simpson Quick Time, but a troublesome Heat Race derailed his night. Even with the problematic Heat, the Clute, TX native still rallied with a 22nd to fifth drive in the Feature. Reutzel doesn’t have any Big O laps, but he’s competed at Kennedale with ASCS.They’re expected to be joined by plenty more Texas talents including Brenham Crouch (Lubbock, TX), Chase Randall (Waco, TX), John Ricketts (Burleson, TX), Blaine Baxter (Liberty Hill, TX), and more.THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCEWHEN AND WHERE Friday, March 22 at Big O Speedway in Ennis, TX Saturday, March 23 at Kennedale Speedway Park in Kennedale, TXON THE INTERNETWorld of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series X – @WorldofOutlaws Instagram – @WoOSprint Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/monthCURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (7/84 Races):1. Giovanni Scelzi – KCP Racing #18 (996 PTS) 2. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports #2 (-16 PTS) 3. Donny Schatz – Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15 (-18 PTS) 4. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing #1S (-34 PTS) 5. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing #41 (-84 PTS) 6. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17 (-94 PTS) 7. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports #83 (-126 PTS) 8. Bill Balog – B Squared Motorsports #17B (-140 PTS) 9. Brock Zearfoss – Brock Zearfoss Racing #3Z (-168 PTS) 10. Brent Marks – Murray Marks Motorsports #19 (-176 PTS)NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (7 Drivers): 1 Win – Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Tyler Courtney, Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz, Brent Marks, Giovanni Scelzi FEATURE LAPS LED (11 Drivers):40 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi 25 Laps – Brad Sweet, David Gravel 24 Laps – Rico Abreu 20 Laps – Carson Macedo 14 Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild 13 Laps – Anthony Macri, Michael Kofoid 12 Laps – Donny Schatz 3 Laps – Brent Marks 1 Lap – Tyler Courtney SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (6 Drivers):2 Quick Times – Brent Marks 1 Quick Time – Landon Crawley, Brian Brown, Michael Kofoid, Aaron Reutzel, Giovanni Scelzi HEAT RACE WINNERS (14 Drivers): 3 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu, Sheldon Haudenschild, Brent Marks 2 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Tyler Courtney, David Gravel, Michael Kofoid 1 Heat Win – Corey Day, Justin Peck, Brian Brown, Bill Balog, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brock Zearfoss, Logan SchuchartTOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (20 Drivers):7 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi 4 Dashes – David Gravel, Rico Abreu, Brent Marks 3 Dashes – Tyler Courtney, Brian Brown, Landon Crawley, Sheldon Haudenschild 2 Dashes – Brad Sweet, Buddy Kofoid, Bill Balog, Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart 1 Dash – Anthony Macri, Justin Peck, Zeb Wise, Corey Day, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brock ZearfossMICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (4 Drivers):1 LCS – Austin McCarl, Bill Balog, Corey Day, Kasey Kahne KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (5 Drivers):2 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart 1 Hard Charger – Donny Schatz, Aaron Reutzel, Jace ParkPODIUM FINISHES (11 Drivers):3 Podiums – Brad Sweet 2 Podiums – David Gravel, Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu, Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo, Giovanni Scelzi, Brent Marks 1 Podium – Justin Peck, Anthony MacriTOP 10 FINISHES (24 Drivers): 7 Top 10s – Donny Schatz, Gio Scelzi 6 Top 10s – David Gravel, Logan Schuchart 4 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Bill Balog, Brent Marks, Buddy Kofoid, Sheldon Haudenschild 3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Brad Sweet, Rico Abreu, Carson Macedo 2 Top 10s – Brian Brown 1 Top 10 – Justin Peck, Kasey Kahne, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Zeb Wise, Corey Day, Cory Eliason, Landon Crawley, Aaron Reutzel, Brock Zearfoss, Jacob Allen2024 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)1. Wed, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brad Sweet (1) 2. Thurs, Feb 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1) 3. Fri, Feb 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Tyler Courtney (1) 4. Sat, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Sheldon Haudenschild (1) 5. Mon, March 4 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Donny Schatz (1) 6. Fri, March 15 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Brent Marks (1) 7. Sat, March 16 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Giovanni Scelzi (1)For the full 2024 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car schedule, CLICK HERE.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 19, 2024) – Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, returns to action with the second-ever Yamaha Senoia Short Track at Senoia Raceway in Senoia, Georgia on Saturday, March 23. Last year’s inaugural visit proved to be a stunner, and this year’s rematch promises to be yet another as the stage is set with the series’ major players arranged in similar positions. A year ago, reigning Mission SuperTwins champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Rogers Racing/SDI Racing/Indian Motorcycle FTR750) rebounded in Senoia following a podium-less double opener in Daytona with a virtuoso performance to defeat points leader Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) at the stripe by 0.174 seconds. That kickstarted a season-long duel between the two, ultimately won by Mees who used the Senoia triumph as a springboard to his nine–win, 15-podium season that culminated in a historic ninth Grand National Championship. Now Mees finds himself equally in need of a bounce back after opening his quest for an unprecedented tenth premier-class crown with sixth- and fifth-place finishes in Daytona. By contrast, Daniels grabbed a share of the points lead with a double-podium opener, highlighted by a victory in the season’s first Main Event. Mees and Daniels are far from the full story, however, as there is genuine hope that this year’s title fight will not only match last year’s incredible showdown but surpass it with the inclusion of additional contenders. Chief among the prospective championship hopefuls are two-time Mission SuperTwins king Briar Bauman (No. 3 Rick Ware Racing/KTM/Parts Plus KTM 790 Duke) and co-points leader Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750). Bauman is in his second season aboard the Rick Ware Racing KTM 790 Duke, although he’s working with a new crew and operating a racebike was heavily overhauled during the offseason. That said, even with those changes, he showed impressive speed in the opener and has the skills to fight up front in any and every given outing. Robinson, meanwhile, enjoyed a welcome return to form after going winless and finishing outside the championship top five for the first time since 2018 on both counts. His DAYTONA ST win provided clear evidence that he’s primed for a huge year in ‘24. At least six brands of motorcycles have a legitimate shot to be in the mix for the top five this weekend considering their respective rider/team representation, which include the likes of Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), Brandon Price (No. 92 Memphis Shades/Corbin/OTBR Yamaha MT-07), Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Ohio Indian FTR750), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Dan Bromley (No. 62 Big Red Super Twins/Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Transalp), along with rookies Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Mission Foods/Zanotti Racing KTM 790 Duke) and Max Whale (No. 18 Latus Motors Racing/Liqui Moly Harley-Davidson XG750R). Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER Preseason Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER title favorites Kody Kopp (No. 1 Rick Ware Racing/Parts Plus KTM 450 SX-F) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) opened their ‘24 campaigns with one win apiece. Double defending champion Kopp holds down the familiar position of points leader by backing up his win with a third, while Drane finds himself with some work to do after crashing on the final lap of the opener and being credited with 15th prior to his victorious rebound the following night. While the two will have another opportunity to square off in Senoia, neither enjoyed their finest evening in last year’s inaugural stop at the circuit. Kopp finished fifth despite his usual Short Track supremacy, while Drane could only manage 13th – albeit it’s worth noting the result came before the Australian truly got up to speed and demonstrated his true caliber over the season’s final two-thirds. While last year’s winner, Max Whale, has since graduated to Mission SuperTwins duty, ‘23 Senoia ST podium finishers James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions/Media HT Husqvarna FC450) and Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F) are back and desperate to finish atop the box this time around. The class traditionally offers up a bevy of potential race winners. This year is no exception in that respect with Chase Saathoff (No. 88 JPG Motorsports Honda CRF450R), Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Evan Renshaw (No. 265 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Logan Eisenhard (No. 66 Hannum’s Harley-Davidson KTM 450 SX-F) only but a few of the entrants with the skill and determination to factor up front. There will be plenty to keep fans entertained off the track as well, starting with a family-oriented pre-race party in the Fan Zone from 2:00 p.m. ET (11.00 a.m. PT) – 6:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. PT) the day of the race. Other features include numerous vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, the Kids Zone, music, extensive motorcycle parking, and fireworks display at the end of the evening. General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under $5), and Reserved Grandstand tickets start at $50 (all ages) with an option to add a Pit Pass at a reduced rate. The Pit Pass grants access to the General Admission areas and the Pit area for $60. Reserved Trackside Parking and Multi-Day Camping Passes are also available to purchase. New for 2024 is the Opening Ceremonies Trackside Fan Experience ($150 all ages). This ticket option provides reserved seating with pit pass access, a guided tour of, and photo opportunities at, the infield podium and start/finish line, infield viewing of Opening Ceremonies and the heat races, and a track talk and photo opportunity with 2016 Grand National Champion Bryan Smith.  Visit https://www.americanflattrack.com/events/2024/view/senoia-short-track-2024 to reserve your seats today. Gates will open for fans at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT). You can catch the livestream of all the weekend’s racing activities on FloRacing. Motorsports fans can subscribe to FloRacing to enjoy over 1,000 live motorsports events in 2024. FloSports is available by visiting https://flosports.link/aft or by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast. FOX Sports coverage of the Yamaha Senoia Short Track, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, March 31, at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT). For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

LONG BEACH, CA (March 19, 2024) — After an exciting Funny Car debut at the Gatornationals, driver Buddy Hull is ready to take on the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip on March 21-24. Hull, a driver for Jim Dunn Racing, will be showcasing an iconic Jim Dunn Mooneyes Funny Car body for the first time this year.

 
“I am over the moon to be competing at the Winternationals again,” said Hull. “This weekend we’re switching the body on the car to have a retro Mooneyes look. We’re super happy about it and can’t wait for the world to see it. It’s a cool race car, and to debut it in California, which is the homeland of drag racing, will just be an incredible experience. Mooneyes has been a sponsor for Jim Dunn Racing for a long time, and to show off this iconic car and represent Big Jim is a big deal to me.”
 
Moon Equipment Company, a California-based manufacturer of nostalgic hot rod products such as Moon tanks, discs and valve covers, will wrap its classic yellow Mooneyes graphics on the Jim Dunn Racing Funny Car for this year’s Winternationals. Jim Dunn Racing and Mooneyes have a relationship dating back over thirty years, and Hull is excited to share in this legacy.
 
“Relationships in this sport are everything,” said Hull. “The fact that Mooneyes has been a part  of the Jim Dunn Racing team for so long shows the talent and integrity of what the Jim Dunn name stands for. And I’ve always loved having really cool car bodies, like my Hull’k Top Fuel dragster that I debuted at the U.S. Nationals last year. It’s a great way to engage with fans and demonstrate one of the many reasons why drag racing is so much fun.”
 
Southern California has been the home of Jim Dunn Racing since 1949, so the Winternationals means a lot to the team as a whole. On Friday, Hull, Jim Dunn, and Jon Dunn will be part of Funny Car 101 at the Nitro Alley Stage at 1:30 p.m. PST. And on Sunday morning, Hull and the Dunns will lead the Sealmaster Track Walk before the start of eliminations.
 
“The Winternationals is one of the most iconic events in drag racing,” said Hull. “I’ve always loved racing here and have enjoyed some of my best success at this race. So now that I am part of the Jim Dunn Racing team, it’s incredible to have an even greater reason to want to succeed and make Big Jim proud. I know we will continue to get better and better over the course of the weekend.”
 
After making three qualifying runs in the Funny Car in Gainesville and one elimination round, in addition to testing done during the off-season, Hull is getting more and more confident in the car and himself as a driver, going into the Winternationals.
 
“Every run in the car you learn more, and the car teaches you something,” said Hull. “I’ve now made enough runs and been in the car enough time, that I’m not having to think about where anything is at. I’m just focusing on doing my job as the race car driver. The first three, four or five runs in a race car you have to think about ‘the lever is here’ and ‘this is how the pedal feels,’ but that’s over with, at this point. It’s simply just getting in there and doing my part as a good race car driver.”
 
One of many positive outcomes from the Gatornationals was the outpouring of support that Hull received from the Funny Car class about his transition from the Top Fuel field into Funny Car.
 
“It was great to get a warm welcome from the Funny Car guys at Gainesville,” said Hull. “They really welcomed me into the Funny Car class. It’s been so cool to make the crossover from Top Fuel to Funny Car and from part-time to full-time. I was able to spend some time talking to Ron Capps, Bob Tasca III and John Force during the Gatornationals, and they’ve all welcomed me in with open arms. They’re allowing me to fit in, in my own way. I can’t wait to see the impact I have on the field over the course of this year.”
 
In addition to Mooneyes, this weekend Hull will be representing sponsors Vertex Roofers and General Contractors, Solid Start/True Brand Products, Lescure Mechanical Services, Crow Safety, Blaze Exhaust Probes, Koppl  Pipeline Services, Good Vibrations Motorsports, KGC Construction, Powerbuilt Tools and Wiley X.
 
Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team will be making one qualifying run on Friday, March 22 and two qualifying runs on Saturday, March 23 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. The top 16 quickest Funny Cars in the field will have a chance to compete for a Winternationals Wally on Sunday, March 24. The first round of eliminations will begin on Sunday at 11 a.m. PST. Fans can watch the finals live on FS1. For tickets or more information on the NHRA Winternationals visit nhra.com.

EASTABOGA, AL (March 21, 2024) – After a successful debut at the Talladega Short Track last year, the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models return to the Alabama track for the two-day Alabama Gang 100.

Located across the road from the Talladega Superspeedway – which will be hosting the NASCAR Cup Series the same weekend – the Talladega Short Track will host the best Late Model drivers in the country for $4,000-to-win split shows on Friday, setting up the $35,000-to-win finale on Saturday.

Brandon Overton, Tanner English and Kyle Bronson opened the show last year with wins during the split Feature action. That set the stage for a thrilling 60-lap Saturday Feature, which saw multiple lead changes, close quarters racing, and Overton walking away with the grand prize.

The United Sprint Car Series will join the World of Outlaws Late Models again both nights. Last year’s USCS races were won by 2023 Daytona 500 champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

EVENT INFO:
Date – Friday-Saturday, April 19-20
Location – Eastaboga, AL
Track Record – 12.420 sec. by Jason Hiett on March 28, 2019

Times – 
12pm: Pit Gates open Fri. & Sat.
4pm: GA Gates Open Friday
3pm: GA Gates Open Saturday

Tickets – WorldofOutlaws.com/tix
How to Watch – If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision.

Previous World of Outlaws Winners at Talladega –
2023 – Brandon Overton on April 22

Last Race Video Highlight (Talladega, April 22, 2023)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2ucBRvo7Yk

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES THERMAL $1 MILLION CHALLENGE THERMAL, CALIFORNIA TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE MARCH 22-24, 2024 CHEVROLET CARRIES MOMENTUM INTO THE THERMAL CLUBFOR NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ $1 MILLION CHALLENGE ALL-STAR EVENT DETROIT (March 21, 2024) – In a historically unique event for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Team Chevy heads west to The Thermal Club for the non-points-paying second round of the 2024 season. The Thermal $1 Million Challenge is the first race on the 3.067-mile, 19-turn Twin Palms layout for INDYCAR. Despite a weekend with no points on the line, this still is an important event for Team Chevy. The manufacturer is carrying momentum from the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg into the $1 Million Challenge, having swept first through fourth in the season-opening event. The Bowtie Brigade also showcased strength through hard work and collaboration in the offseason. With a strong run and solid finish in the first round of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Santino Ferrucci, driver of the No. 14 Sexton Properties Chevrolet for AJ Foyt Racing, discusses the upcoming unique weekend, with testing prior to the heat-race formatted event. “I think testing is really important for us, especially with our new [technical] partnership, so having more of a two-day test followed up by sprint race weekend, I think, is really nice,” said Ferrucci. “It’s a little bit more fun. We get a couple more days in California. So I’m quite happy with the idea of the series to move forward with what they’re doing. I think that with the gains that we saw in St. Pete with the Chevy engine, it’s going to be quite good moving into Thermal.” With prior heat-racing experience in his career, Ferrucci notes that while the format may be similar, the $1 Million Challenge will be different. “I feel like it’s going to race like a qualifying weekend. Basically, as if you made qualifying the racing. It’s very comparable to what we have now for qualifying procedure. Just instead of qualifying for lap time, you’re now racing.” During the two 10-lap (or 20-minute) heat races, pit stops are only allowed for emergency service and teams are allotted one new set of Firestone Firehawks. The top-six finishers from the heat races will then transfer to a 12-car, 20-lap main event Sunday that will see a total purse of $1.756 million, the largest in NTT INDYCAR SERIES history outside of the Indianapolis 500. The $1 Million Challenge race weekend at The Thermal Club near Palm Springs, Calif. kicks off with open testing from noon p.m. to 2 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET on Friday. Saturday sees two additional open testing sessions from 12 p.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET and 4 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET, followed by qualifications at 8 p.m. ET. Heat events and the 20-lap all-star race air starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday on NBC. All test sessions and qualifications will be live on Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 160.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYINGPato O’Ward, No. 5 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren:“I’m ready to go to The Thermal Club, where we’re racing for some cash. It’s going to be a cool event, I’m sure. The facility is world class and I think there are a lot of people that are excited to see the NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing here. I’m looking forward to this new event and making it a good weekend for our team.” Callum Ilott, No. 6 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren:“I’m looking forward to Thermal quite a lot. It’s going to be an interesting weekend that not a lot of us are used to, but it’s an exciting, new challenge that we have. Obviously, we all tested there at the beginning of last year, and it’s quite a fun race track. I’m not sure how it’s going to be on the racing side, but by the way the heat races and final race are set up, it’s more like sprint racing anyway, so qualifying is going to be quite important. It’s going to be good fun, for sure. I’m looking forward to getting to work with Arrow McLaren again in the No. 6 NTT DATA Chevrolet.” Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren:“Going back to The Thermal Club is something that I think everyone has been really excited about. It’s rare that you get a completely new format in motorsports, especially when there is $1 million on the line. It’s going to be a cool event and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve.” Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:“After testing at The Thermal Club last year, I’m excited that we’re going back this year for a really different and cool event. I don’t think anyone in the series has ever been part of something like this before, and I have to give props to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for trying something new. We’ll all get the opportunity to get a lot of testing in, which I think we need if we’re going to race here. Even though this race isn’t for points, it’s a great chance for us to build off the foundation we laid in St. Pete and bring home some cash while we’re at it.” Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:“I’m looking forward to going to The Thermal Club! I have only heard great things about the facility and can’t wait to experience it myself. Also with one full race weekend under my belt, a lot of the ‘firsts’ are out of the way which should benefit us.” Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:“Any day we can get in the racecar is great and the $1 Million Challenge makes it even more fun! It’s an entirely different kind of weekend than anything I have been a part of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. I love The Thermal Club, the track is great and the whole scene is pretty cool. We were pretty quick off the truck at Thermal last year during testing, so hopefully that continues this year and we can fight for a part of the million dollars!” Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:“Thermal offers a unique track format in the NTT INDYCAR Series schedule in which Chevy strengths could be highlighted. It will be interesting to see the progression through the weekend with several on-track sessions. Looking forward to that shootout action behind the wheel of the Chevy powered 41.” Romain Grosjean, No. 77 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:“Thermal will be a really good. (It’s an) opportunity for us to work on our road course set up. We had a very strong start of the season and I’m looking forward to unlock more speed and race a very unique race in Thermal.” Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:“We are going to Thermal for the weekend with a double mindset. First, to take advantage of the large number of (test) sessions to follow our evolution and at the same time, try to be as fast as possible to fight for the prize. It is a very challenging, fast and technical circuit, so it will be a very interesting weekend.”

2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:199: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR.  112: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012.  128: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 133 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather. 8: Manufacturer Championships since 2012.  7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012.  12: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 5: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era. 26: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer.  9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver.  46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.*Will Power’s career total of 70 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

HAUBSTADT, IN (March 21, 2024) – The winged warriors of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series are bringing their high-octane show back to Tri-State Speedway on Saturday, April 20. The high-banked 1/4-mile track is a fan-favorite every year as its small scale and tight corners have produced some of the most thrilling Sprint Car races in Series history.Series stars Carson Macedo and Sheldon Haudenschild put on an electrifying show last year, trading slide jobs corner after corner. However, Non-Wing Sprint Car star Brady Bacon stole the spotlight by charging up through the field to steal the win – his first with the Series. Bacon was the third first-time Series winner at Tri-State Speedway since 2017 (Parker Price-Miller in 2017, Carson Short in 2020, and Bacon in 2023). EVENT INFO: Date – Saturday, April 20 Location – Haubstadt, IN Track Record – 11.110 sec. by Sammy Swindell on Oct. 8, 2004 Times (CT) – Pit Gates Open 2pm Grandstands Open 5pm Hot Laps/Qualifying 6:30pm -Racing to Follow Tickets – Available at the track How to Watch – If you can’t be at the track, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision.Previous World of Outlaws Winners at Tri-State – 2023 – Brady Bacon on April 29 2022 – Carson Macedo on April 23 2021 – Carson Macedo on April 10 2020 – Carson Short on June 19, Carson Macedo on June 20 2019 – Christopher Bell on Oct. 13 2018 – David Gravel on May 13 2017 – Parker Price-Miller on May 14 2016 – David Gravel on May 14 2015 – Paul McMahan on May 3 2014 – Paul McMahan on May 10 2013 – Tim Kaeding on April 20 2012 – Craig Dollansky on April 21 2011 – Sammy Swindell on May 30 2010 – Craig Dollansky on Oct. 16 2009 – Steve Kinser on June 25 2008 – Craig Dollansky on July 6 2007 – Steve Kinser on April 21 2006 – Craig Dollansky on April 15 2005 – Steve Kinser on April 16 2004 – Tim Kaeding on Oct. 8 1999 – Mark Kinser on May 16 1998 – Mark Kinser on May 10, Sammy Swindell on June 21 1997 – Steve Kinser on May 11, Sammy Swindell on June 22 1996 – Mark Kinser on May 12 1995 – Stevie Smith on May 14, Steve Kinser on July 16 1994 – Andy Hillenburg on May 15, Dave Blaney on July 17 1993 – Dave Blaney on May 16, Andy Hillenburg on July 18 1992 – Gary Wright on May 10, Sammy Swindell on July 26 1991 – Doug Wolfgang on May 12, Steve Kinser on July 14 1990 – Doug Wolfgang on May 13 1989 – Steve Kinser on May 14 1988 – Bobby Davis, Jr. and Sammy Swindell on May 15 (co-winners) 1980 – Steve Kinser on May 11 1979 – Lee James on May 13, Larry Gates on Aug. 19 Last World of Outlaws Tri-State race video highlight – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLm4yx-ogRE

Partnership with John Force Racing now nearly a quarter-century strong.

POMONA, Calif. (March 21, 2024) – Austin Prock will pilot The Automobile Club of Southern California/Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car in this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. Commonly known as “Auto Club,” the organization is celebrating the start of nearly a quarter century partnership with John Force Racing that dates back to 2001. The association is the longest tenured sponsor of JFR. “I am very excited to debut our Auto Club Camaro in Pomona,” Prock said. “I’ve cheered on this car a majority of my life. It’s surreal that I will be strapping in it in a few days. Auto Club has been a long time partner of John Force Racing and I’m looking forward to representing their brand and all they offer. I’ve got two goals this weekend: get fans to engage with the Auto Club booth in the midway and win the race!” In addition to this weekend, Auto Club will also sponsor the car in the season-ending In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals (Nov. 14-17), also at Pomona Dragstrip. “We’re very excited to have John Force Racing and the Auto Club Nitro Funny Car again racing in California,” said Jeff Zacek, Automobile Club of Southern California Vice President of Marketing, Member Research & Publications. “Austin Prock has been doing a phenomenal job subbing for our regular driver, Robert Hight, and we look forward to a great event this weekend.” A three-time NHRA Funny Car champion, Hight is on a temporary leave of absence from racing for personal medical reasons. His replacement knows he has big shoes to fill, but is up for the challenge. Prock is off to a great start to the season. In addition to being No. 1 qualifier and finishing runner-up piloting the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car in the NHRA season-opening Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., two weeks ago. Prock also won a special exhibition race in Bradenton, Fla., last month in his first-ever start in a Funny Car, also with Cornwell Tools on his livery. “Any time I get in a race car, I just want to do the absolute best job I can,” Prock said. “And more or less, it’s not about proving myself to everyone else, it’s proving myself to myself. I want to be able to get in the car and know I can do a good job and get the result I want.” The Lansing, Mich., native sits a close second in the NHRA Funny Car standings coming into this weekend’s event. “I’m looking forward to Pomona,” Prock said. “I’ve always loved that racetrack. It’s always been my favorite one to hit on the map.” Founded in 1900, the Automobile Club of Southern California serves over seven million members in several California counties including Inyo, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura. It continues to expand and enhance its wide range of services, including membership benefits, insurance, travel services, discounts, financial services, and comprehensive automotive services. Auto Club is the Southern California affiliate of the American Automobile Association (AAA) national federation of motor clubs. AAA will sponsor Prock’s Funny Car in Epping, N.H. (May 31-June 2); Norwalk, Ohio (June 28-30); St. Louis (Sept. 27-29) and Dallas (Oct. 11-13).********************************** The 2024 Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals runs from March 21-24 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Pomona, Calif. FS1 will televise Qualifying Show No. 1 on Saturday, March 23, from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Qualifying Show No. 2 is Sunday, March 24, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET, and the Finals will also air on Sunday, March 24, from 7 to 10 p.m. ET. #2024ORCE

POMONA, Calif. (March 19, 2024) – Brittany Force will drive the Mark Christopher Auto Center Chevrolet/Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster in this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. “It’s an honor and a pleasure to support and be part of John Force Racing,” said Mark Christopher Auto Center Chevrolet president Chris Leggio, a longtime JFR friend and supporter. “And we’re especially excited to be more involved with Brittany and her dynamic team of professionals.” While Brittany Force lost in the first round of Top Fuel eliminations of the season-opening NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., two weeks ago, she took some consolation that her Monster Energy Top Fuel Dragster managed to finish runner-up in the Pep Boys NHRA Top Fuel NHRA All-Star Callout exhibition event on Saturday, March 9.  With Pomona Dragstrip being her home track, the daughter of team patriarch John Force is looking for a big rebound this weekend. “Going into Pomona, we need to see better results on race day, and in order to do that we need to make more consistent runs, we need to qualify top five and go some rounds on race day,” Brittany Force said. “We’d like to win this thing. “It’s Pomona and I’ve won there in the past. This David Grubnic (crew chief) team set the national mph record there back in 2022 at 338.94 mph. So we have been successful on this track. We just need to kind of regroup and get back on track.” Force will get a lot of support from Mark Christopher Auto Center Chevrolet, which is based in Ontario, Calif. The dealership was originally started by Charles and Shirley Leggio, who purchased it in 1975 and named it after their sons, Mark and Christopher. Since then, the family-owned and operated car dealership has been serving Southern California drivers from communities such as Ontario, Riverside, Pomona, Chino, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona and others for nearly 50 years. Mark Christopher Auto Center – which is a winner of the prestigious Edmunds Five Star Car Dealer Award – is proud to be one of the largest and most trusted auto dealerships in California.  Much like the John Force family, Mark Christopher Auto Center is also very family-oriented. With a strong belief in giving back to the community that has supported it for so many years, the dealership has helped raise more than $2 million for local charities, nonprofits and other organizations. Mark Christopher Chevrolet and the Mark Christopher Auto Center are located at 2131 Convention Center Way, Ontario, Calif. The phone number is 888-964-5407. #2024ORCE