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chevy racing–nhra–route 66 raceway–dallas glenn

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

CHEVROLET IN NHRA 2023 GERBER COLLISION AND GLASS ROUTE 66 NHRA NATIONALS ROUTE 66 RACEWAY JOLIET, ILLINOIS TEAM CHEVY RACE REPORT MAY 21, 2023 DALLAS GLENN WINS NHRA PRO STOCK FOR CHEVROLET IN RETURN TO ROUTE 66 RACEWAY Dallas Glenn, driver of the RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car, raced to his seventh NHRA Pro Stock career win, his third in 2023.Glenn earned Chevrolet their 372nd win in NHRA Pro Stock, the 253rd in the Camaro.Glenn also earned Chevrolet their fifth win of the season in six races, in addition to earning the fifth No. 1 qualifier in 2023, with his pass at 6.537 ET at 210.77 MPH and .022 reaction time.Robert Hight, driver of the Cornwell Tools/AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, raced to the No. 1 qualifier position Saturday at Route 66 Raceway while setting both ends of the track record with a pass of 3.381 ET at 335.07 MPH in Friday’s qualifying. JOLIET, Ill. (May 21, 2023) – Defeating Deric Kramer in the finals at the first event at Route 66 Raceway outside of Chicago since 2019, Dallas Glenn, driver of the RAD Torque Systems Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car, raced to his seventh career NHRA Pro Stock Wally trophy, his third of 2023. Additionally, Glenn’s win notched Chevrolet their 327th win in Pro Stock, and their 253rd in the Camaro. Speaking on his third win of the year, and how tight the NHRA Pro Stock field is this year, Glenn reflected on the day saying, “I definitely know what is going on in the car. I’m a little tired, but this makes it all worth it. We have Dan Provost and Tammy from RAD Torque Systems out here. Thank you Samantha from Race Star Wheels, Summit, and everybody. I have the best crew chiefs ever. I don’t think we were the best today, but we were just good enough.” “You get a car that is working this good, and you just don’t know how far it’s going to continue and you just want to capitalize on every race,” noted Glenn. “I definitely had a real good car. I didn’t feel like I drove my best today, but luckily, it was good enough. It feels good right now, but I know it can change in a heartbeat. We are just going to try our best to keep improving because I know the other teams are trying really hard and they are showing some promise. We definitely need to keep stepping up and keep the hammer down.” In Nitro, the Top Fuel and Funny Car machines of John Force Racing fell on the side of the ladders to face each other in the second round, with Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster eliminating teammate Austin Prock, then unfortunately falling to eventual event winner Clay Millican in Semifinals. In Funny Car, it was John Force, in the PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, defeating teammate Robert Hight, going then on to falling to eventual winner Tim Wilkerson. In Factory Stock, it was Len Lottig with the back-to-back victory in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro, notching his third win this year following capturing the Wally in Gainesville and the last event at Circle K NHRA Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals. Up next for the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is the NHRA New England Nationals, Friday, June 2 to Monday, June 4, 2023, at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire. Broadcast of Sunday’s eliminations will air live at noon ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) on Sunday. Round 1 Recap:Top Fuel:No. 2 Austin Prock defeated No. 15 Tony Schumacher with his run of 3.721 ET at 332.34 MPH.No. 10 Brittany Force defeated No. 7 Spencer Massey with her run of 3.750 ET at 328.70 MPH.Funny Car:No. 1 Robert Hight defeated No. 16 Dale Creasy, Jr. with his run of 3.941 ET at 327.43 MPH.No. 8 John Force defeated No. 9 Mike McIntire, Jr. with his run of 3.940 ET at 320.20 MPH.Pro Stock:No. 1 Dallas Glenn defeated No. 16 Chris McGaha with his run of 6.537 ET at 210.77 MPH.No. 9 Greg Anderson defeated No. 8 Matt Hartford with his run of 6.559 ET at 209.92 MPH.No. 4 Troy Coughlin, Jr. defeated No. 13 Kyle Koretsky with his run of 6.544 ET at 209.98 MPH.No. 12 Jerry Tucker defeated No. 5 Camrie Caruso with his run of 6.565 ET at 209.88 MPH.No. 2 Deric Kramer defeated No. 15 Mason McGaha with his run of 6.542 ET at 209.82 MPH.No. 3 Bo Butner, III defeated No. 14 Shane Tucker with his run of 6.551 ET at 209.98 MPH.No. 6 Aaron Stanfield defeated No. 6 Erica Enders with his run of 6.546 ET at 209.56 MPH. Round 2 Recap:Top Fuel:B. Force defeats Prock with her run of 4.011 ET at 241.32 MPH.Funny Car:J. Force defeats Hight with his run of 4.003 ET at 323.50 MPH.Pro Stock:Stanfield defeated Butner III with his run of 6.569 ET at 209.30 MPH.J. Tucker defeated Troy Coughlin, Jr. with his run of 6.586 ET at 210.64 MPH.Kramer defeated C. Cuadra with his run of 6.565 ET at 209.59 MPH.Glenn defeated Anderson with his run of 6.576 ET at 210.57 MPH. Semifinals Recap:Top Fuel:B. Force falls to Millican with his run of 3.778 ET at 329.58 MPH to her 3.881 ET at 319.82 MPH.Funny Car:J. Force falls to Wilkerson after smoking the tires, with Wilkerson clocking a lap at 4.012 ET at 319.90 MPH.Pro Stock:Glenn defeated J. Tucker with his run of 6.563 ET at 210.05 MPHD. Kramer defeated Stanfield with his run of 6.567 ET at 209.82 MPH.Finals:Pro Stock:Glenn defeated Kramer after Kramer got loose on his run, with Glenn racing to the win light with a run of 6.562 ET at 209.95 MPH.

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FIRST CHICAGO RACE HAS HIGHS AND LOWS FOR CARUSO

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

CHICAGO (May 21, 2023) —- Racing outside the Windy City for the first time in her Pro Stock career 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year experienced a whirlwind of emotions at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals. On Saturday Caruso won the inaugural NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout picking up the big check for $28,000 defeating Cristian Cuadra, Troy Coughlin Jr., and Aaron Stanfield. Her final qualifying pass of 6.524 seconds was quick enough for the win and moved the young driver up to the No. 5 qualifier position.

Camrie Caruso and Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, photo by Innovative Creation Experts

In the opening round Caruso matched up with newcomer Jerry Tucker looking to pick up her second NHRA national event win of the season. Caruso had lane choice and confidence heading into the opening session. Throughout the season she has been one of the quickest drivers off the starting line and her reputation has drawn out the best from her opponents or at least forced them to take chances on the starting line. Against Tucker, who posted a perfect .000 reaction time, Caruso came up on the losing end of a very close race. At the finish line Caruso’s 6.561 second pass was not enough to advance to the quarterfinals.

“We have a good car and we made good runs yesterday and today in the first round,” said Caruso. “They just got lucky with that triple zero reaction time. To do that in a Pro Stock car is so close to a red light. Good for him and good luck in the next round.”

The second-year pro debuted her new-look Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro which drew rave reviews from the thousands of fans in attendance. The Tequila Comisario look will race with Caruso well into the Countdown. Every race the young driver is getting more and more comfortable and confident behind the wheel.

“We are back in our new look Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro and it is a beautiful race car,” said Caruso. “I think it is one of our best wraps and we will be racing this look through Dallas. I will be ready for Bristol. I’m excited and I’m super thankful for all my partners, my team, everybody involved. Without them all this success wouldn’t be possible. We’re just doing our best and we’ll keep on giving it our all. You look at how strong this team is top to bottom there are a lot more win lights in our future. I am feeling comfortable in the car every pass.”

Caruso will be back on track at the Thunder Valley Nationals, June 9-11.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 6.549 sec, 210.77 mph; Qual. 8

Q2: 6.535 sec, 210.83 mph; Qual. 8

Q3: 6.524 sec, 211.03 mph; Qual. 5

Bonus Points: +1 (3^rd quickest of Q3)

Race Results

First Round

Jerry Tucker, Elite Motorsport Chevrolet Camaro, (.000), 6.565, 209.88 mph def. Camrie Caruso, Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, (.052) 6.561, 210.24 mph

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Pro Stock

1. Dallas Glenn 581

2. Matt Hartford 413

3. Deric Kramer 406

4. Troy Coughlin Jr 398

5. Aaron Stanfield 360

6. Camrie Caruso 331

7. Greg Anderson 310

8. Bo Butner 309

9. Cristian Cuadra 293

10. Kyle Koretsky 286

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BUDDY HULL WORKS OUT NEW KINKS IN CHICAGO

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

CHICAGO (May 21, 2023) — Every Top Fuel driver knows that to be successful in drag racing, there has to be some trial and error. For Dallas-based driver Buddy Hull, that error unfortunately meant that he did not qualify for competition on Sunday at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance.

“It’s the first time since I’ve been a team owner, we haven’t qualified,” said Hull. “It’s an interesting feeling. Within that feeling I have to thank everybody from Renegade Race Fuels. I’m disappointed in myself that we didn’t get in the show for them and my team.”

Buddy Hull and Renegade Fuel Top Fuel Dragster, photo by Ron Lewis Photography

With every run during qualifying, Hull’s Renegade Fuel and Motor Oils Top Fuel dragster improved in both elapsed time and speed. In round one of qualifying, he lost traction early and in round two his car went up in smoke within the first 330 feet. The final qualifying session saw Hull mix up cylinders and then push out a head gasket, leading the engine to let go with a quick flash of flames. Still, this was a 3.952 second pass at 264.86 mph. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough, when competing in one of the quickest Top Fuel fields in history.

“[Crew chief] Mike Guger is working hard,” said Hull. “The reality is that we have so many new parts on our racecar. We have new superchargers, a new clutch program and new fuel system. We’re figuring it out. [In Q3] Kyle Wurtzel ran a 3.81 right next to me and we are looking at his incremental times and at mine. At the 330 mark I was ahead of him. If the racecar would have done what we told it to do – which it didn’t – it was going to run a 3.78 or 3.79 and we would have been in the show.”

Buddy Hull in action, photo by Ron Lewis Photography

Despite a tough race weekend, Hull remains thankful for his sponsors, and is optimistic for the season ahead. His next race will be the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA Mile-High Nationals in Denver, July 14-16.

“I have to thank all my supporters, Renegade Race Fuels, Methanol Moonshine and my own company, Vertex Roofing and General Contractors,” said Hull. “I hate losing and not qualifying feels like losing. I can say that when you lose, it gives you a chance to get better.”

When asked what he will take away from the first race in Chicago since 2019, Hull emphasized not letting one bad race affect your outlook for the rest of the season. If anything, one bad race serves as the best motivation for the next matchup.

“It’s all about having a good attitude,” said Hull. “No matter what we do, whether we qualify, or miss the show or we qualify number one, our attitudes will remain the same. You better believe that when we go to Denver, we’re going to come with a vengeance. We’re going to come pissed off, and not in a bad way. We are excited to get to Denver.”

Hull is racing a limited schedule in 2023, but he is looking forward to the Mile High Nationals, Topeka Nationals, the U.S. Nationals, the Midwest Nationals in St. Louis, the Fall Nationals in Dallas and the Las Vegas Nationals.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 7.310 sec; 95.32 mph; Qual. 17

Q2: 5.675 sec; 117.15 mph; Qual. 20

Q3: 3.952 sec; 264.86 mph; Qual. 19

Bonus Points: 0

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Top Fuel

1. Steve Torrence 437

2. Brittany Force 420

3. Austin Prock 410

4. Justin Ashley 406

5. Leah Pruett 403

6. Mike Salinas 350

7. Antron Brown 345

8. Josh Hart 342

9. Shawn Langdon 296

10. Doug Kalitta 293

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ASHLEY TAKES POSITIVES FROM BUSY, PRODUCTIVE CHICAGO RACE

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

CHICAGO (May 21, 2023) — Justin Ashley’s bid to double up a second time, combining a Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win with a Top Fuel race win came up short today at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals. Through three rounds of qualifying at Route 66 Raceway Ashley and his Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster were never slotted lower than fourth in qualifying. The 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year picked up two qualifying bonus points for posting the third quickest runs of the first and second sessions.

On Saturday Ashley, who announced the formation of a new team Maynard Ashley Racing, picked up the $10,000 cash prize for winning the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Top Fuel Challenge for the second time. Ashley won the specialty race for the first time at the Winternationals and followed that up with a race win on Sunday. His Mission Food Challenge win where he bested Antron Brown and Austin Prock gave the seven-time Top Fuel winner confidence heading into race day.

“This sport will humble you very quickly,” said Ashley. “That’s why it’s important to enjoy the wins when they come. You have to take it one round at a time and one day at a time to give your team the best opportunity to win. I’m really proud of the effort that our Phillips Connect Toyota Racing put in all weekend. We had a great day on Saturday, winning the Mission Foods Challenge and running well each round.”

Justin Ashley and Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

In the first round Ashley was the No. 4 qualifier and drew newcomer Jacob McNeal in the Scott Palmer owned Top Fuel dragster. This was the first head-to-head meeting for the young drivers. Ashley was nearly perfect off the starting line cutting a .018 reaction time to launch the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster. McNeal was clean off the line, but Ashley immediately smoked the tires. Ashley tried to give his 12,000-horsepower racecar a quick pedal to get it to reconnect with the racetrack, but McNeal was able to hold on for his first career round win.

“We didn’t accomplish what we wanted to on race day today, but that’s okay,” said Ashley, who has two wins this season already. “We’ve already learned from it and we’re ready to move forward. We have a good race car right now and when you look at the whole year so far, there’s a lot of positives. Mike (Green), Tommy (DeLago), and our entire Maynard Ashley Racing Phillips Connect Toyota Racing team are the best in the business. We are ready for Epping.”

While the outcome was not what Ashley was looking for, he will leave Chicago sitting No. 4 in points and looking to have another good race at the New England Nationals where he was runner-up in 2022.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 3.717 sec, 332.10 mph; Qual. 3

Q2: 3.746 sec; 329.99 mph; Qual. 3

Q3: 3.728 sec, 331.12 mph; Qual. 4

Bonus Points: +2 (3^rd quickest of Q1 and Q2)

Race Results

First Round

Jacob McNeal, Marck Recycling dragster, (.101), 3.786, 322,65 mph def. Justin Ashley, Phillips Connect Toyota dragster, (.018), 4.429, 219.08 mph

Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Top Fuel

1. Steve Torrence 437

2. Brittany Force 420

3. Austin Prock 410

4. Justin Ashley 406

5. Leah Pruett 403

6. Mike Salinas 350

7. Antron Brown 345

8. Josh Hart 342

9. Shawn Langdon 296

10. Doug Kalitta 293

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chevy racing–indycar–indy 500 qualifying report

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES VY TOP-12 QUALIFYING REPORT MAY 21, 2023 FOUR TEAM CHEVY DRIVERS MOVE ON TO FIRESTONE FAST SIX INDIANAPOLIS (May 21, 2023) – The Fast-12 round of qualifying provided an equal amount of drama and excitement as the first round on Saturday.
Four Chevrolet-powered drivers are moving on to the Firestone Fast Six to contend for the pole of for the Indianapolis 500: Arrow McLaren drivers Felix Fosenqvist (1^st) and Pato O’Ward (6); AJ Foyt Rading’s Santino Ferrucci (2^nd) and Rinus VeeKay from Ed Carpenter Racing (3^rd) will make their final run later this afternoon.
Four Team Chevy drivers will start in rows three and four for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing: Alexander Rossi and Tony Kanaan, both from the Arrow McLaren Chevrolet stable will start seventh and ninth respectively. AJ Foyt’s Benjamin Pedersen will roll his Chevrolet off in 11^th position, and Will Power of Team Penske will start 12^th, on the outside of the fourth row.ROW THREE AND FOUR DRIVER QUOTES:ALEXANDER ROSSI, NO. 7 ARROW MCLAREN CHEVROLET, QUALIFIED 7^THFOR INDIANAPOLIS 500:“It was a great lap. It’s tight-the field is tight. It always is tight. It was a great team effort. There we just didn’t quite get the balance right for these conditions, which is an excuse, you know, six other cars did but you know, seven is a good starting spot. And we’ll see. We’ll see what next week brings but you know, overall, just a huge effort from Arrow McLaren and hopefully, one of the cars lands on the pole.” TONY KANAAN, NO. 66 ARROW MCLAREN CHEVROLET, QUALIFIED 9^THFOR THE INDIANAPOLIS 500:“First, I had to get to the other guys to help them out because we want to put this team on the pole. The drop off was big, but we have between the three cars, a responsibility to help my two teammates with the track changes so that they have a chance to change stuff on the line. That last run was okay. Now this part is over.”BENJAMIN PEDERSEN, NO. 55 SEXTON PROPERTIES AJ FOYT RACING CHEVROLET, QUALIFIED 11^TH FOR THE INDIANAPOLIS 500:“We did the best we could and I was happy with what we ran given the conditions. Hats off to all team members for working so hard making sure every little detail is as a Indy 500 special as possible. All the engineers, everybody is working together. So, yeah, I’m very fortunate to have the car like I do for being a rookie. We’re here we’re in the Fast 12 run. Now we get ready to race.”
WILL POWER, NO. 12 VERIZON 5G TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, QUALIFIED 12^TH FOR THE INDIANAPOLIS 500:“We had a big push on second lap and I got close to turn one wall and had to lift. But apart from that it’s pretty solid, maybe got the gear wrong shifted down a gear too early, but I got the lights for it. So maybe too much soft limiter is looking like it’s gonna be super tight. the car has been really good in race trim. There’s a lot of other guys that are really good too. The car has been really good in race trim. There’s a lot of other guys that are really good too. Really even, just as tight. But in qualifying it was the same

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SCELZI DOMINATES: PICKS OFF THIRD NARC VICTORY OF SEASON AT PETALUMA

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

(5/20/23 – Ben Deatherage) Petaluma, CA … Dominic Scelzi continued to build on his incredible NARC 410 Sprint Car Series momentum leading all 30-laps at Petaluma Speedway. It was Scelzi’s second-straight win of the season, giving him three series triumphs on the campaign for his Scelzi Enterprises/Whipple Superchargers/Red Rose Transportation #41 Maxim team.

On the initial green flag, Scelzi came out in front of a drag race against Bud Kaeding down the front straightaway and into the first set of corners. The first 20-laps ran non-stop, which brought heavy lapped traffic into the mix as the leader negotiated his way through slower traffic. Scelzi was cutting perfect laps and established a healthy straightaway advantage over Kaeding, before slower cars slowed his progress.

With a restart with only 10-laps remaining, Kaeding, piloting the Alviso Rock/Al’s Roofing Supply #69 Maxim, launched one more assault on the leader but to no avail. With an open track ahead of him, Scelzi cruised to the victory and tightened up the battle with Corey Day for the NARC championship.

“I’m thankful to be upfront and win,” said Scelzi in victory lane. “It’s awesome to win here; it’s two in a row. Earlier in my interview, I said this is right up my alley but in reality, this is where I struggle the most of anywhere I’ve been, so winning here is really cool.”

His second straight Petaluma Speedway came by a 1.973 second margin.

“The only way I was going to catch him was if he blew a motor or got a flat tire,” said Kaeding, after posting his first podium finish of the season.

The balance of podium finishers was Justin Sanders in the Farmer’s Brewing/North County Plastering/MittryConstruction.com #2X Maxim. Sanders launched a haymaker at Kaeding on the restart, but was unable to make it stick.

Andy Forsberg, driving the Pacific Highway Rentals/Meridian Camera #92 ART scored fourth. ARP fast qualifier Willie Croft, aboard the Amerikote Powder Coating/Novelli Auto Body/Rudeen Racing #29 Eagle rounded out the top five.

The balance of the top ten comprised Joel Myers Jr., Justyn Cox, NARC point leader Day, Williams Roofing Hardcharger Award winner Chase Johnson, and Billy Aton. Johnson brought out the only red flag of the program when he got upside down in his trophy dash.

HOOSIER TIRE FEATURE (30 laps): 1. 41-Dominic Scelzi; 2. 69-Bud Kaeding; 3. 2X-Justin Sanders; 4. 92-Andy Forsberg; 5. 29-Willie Croft; 6. 46JR-Joel Myers Jr.; 7. 42X-Justyn Cox; 8. 14-Corey Day; 9. 24-Chase Johnson; 10. 26-Billy Aton; 11. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield; 12. 115-Nick Parker; 13. 551-Angelique Bell; 14. 4-Burt Foland Jr.

METTEC TITANIUM LAP LEADERS: Dominic Scelzi 1-30

WILLIAMS ROOFING HARDCHARGER: Chase Johnson 12th to 9th

ARP FAST QUALIFIER: Willie Croft, 12.631

BROWN AND MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS HEAT ONE (8 laps): 1. 2X-Justin Sanders; 2. 14-Corey Day; 3. 46JR-Joel Myers Jr.; 4. 29-Willie Croft; 5. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield; 6. 42X-Justyn Cox

KIMO’s TROPICAL CAR WASH HEAT TWO (8 laps): 1. 69-Bud Kaeding; 2. 41-Dominic Scelzi; 3. 92-Andy Forsberg; 4. 24-Chase Johnson; 5. 115-Nick Parker; 6. 26-Billy Aton; 7. 551-Angelique Bell

SUNNYVALLEY “POWERED BY BACON” TROPHY DASH 1 (6 laps): 1. 41-Dominic Scelzi; 2. 69-Bud Kaeding; 3. 2X-Justin Sanders; 4. 46JR-Joel Myers Jr.; 5. 92-Andy Forsberg; 6. 29-Willie Croft

SUNNYVALLEY “POWERED BY BACON” TROPHY DASH 2 (6 laps): 1. 26-Billy Aton; 2. 42X-Justyn Cox; 3. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield; 4. 14-Corey Day; 5. 115-Nick Parker; 6. 24-Chase Johnson

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BACK TO BACK IN THE BUCKEYE STATE

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

Donny Schatz Claims First Sharon Speedway Win; Sweeps Ohio WeekendSchatz adds another track to his long win list with the World of OutlawsHARTFORD, OH (May 20, 2023) – Summertime is nearing, and Donny Schatz is on fire.After a 30 lap war at Sharon Speedway that saw him trade haymakers with Carson Macedo and hold off a charging David Gravel, Donny Schatz parked the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing machine in Victory Lane for a second consecutive night after winning Friday at Attica. Only three and a half weeks ago, the 10-time Series champion didn’t have a single top three finish through the first 15 races of the 2023 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Car campaign. Since then, Schatz has racked up five podiums in the last six races including his first consecutive victories since topping the final two nights of the 2022 season. In only a few short weeks, Schatz has gone from nightly struggles to resembling the perennial title contender we’re all accustomed to.The triumph was the 309th of Schatz career and first at Sharon Speedway. He also delivered his boss – Tony Stewart – a great birthday gift as “Smoke” celebrated turning 52 on Saturday.“This is the first time I’ve won here? I lose track, man, I’m getting old,” Schatz said with a smile. “I’ve been around a long time, and it feels good to still be here. How about this race team? These guys are pretty incredible. What they’re doing. The way this car is. I can’t say enough about them. It’s pretty unreal. What a great weekend.”Schatz started on the pole and slipped ahead of Carson Macedo to lead the opening circuit. As the opening laps unfolded, Schatz couldn’t escape Macedo’s reach as he kept the Jason Johnson Racing #41 within five car lengths.On lap nine, Macedo pounced with a Turn 1 slider to take over the top spot. Schatz attempted to return the favor in the next set of corners but couldn’t clear Macedo.One lap later, Schatz closed in heading into Turn 3 and had David Gravel right behind him as the two hunted Macedo. Schatz looked low in the corner but again couldn’t slide ahead of Macedo. The Fargo, ND native stayed composed and hit the bottom of Turns 1 and 2 perfectly as he and Macedo navigated the next lap. Schatz easily rolled by to reclaim the lead as they roared down the back straightaway.Once he regained the top spot, Schatz wasted no time extending his advantage. The Series veteran moved his Carquest #15 all over the racing surface as he sliced through traffic while those behind him struggled to keep up.“During racing, I could move around the racetrack,” Schatz explained of his speed. “I could kind of go anywhere. And there’s not very many nights you get a great thing like that. Last night we needed lapped traffic. Tonight, I had a good race car, so hats off to my Carquest team.”Behind Schatz, a brawl broke out for the runner-up spot as the top three in points – Macedo, Gravel, and Brad Sweet – were all throwing sliders and crossing over nearly every corner.It appeared Schatz would cruise away unchallenged to the victory, but the caution flag flew with seven laps to go, erasing his lead.On the restart, Schatz opted to run the middle groove in Turns 1 and 2 and rip the top on the other end of the racetrack. Gravel, who had established control of second, rolled the bottom to perfection. The Watertown, CT native showed Schatz a nose multiple times as the laps dwindled before the yellow flag again was displayed with three laps to go.Schatz nailed the restart and went right back to the line he’d been running while 11th-starting Sheldon Haudenschild surged from fourth to second. Gravel was able to get back by Haudenschild, but Schatz was too far away by that point. Schatz took the checkered flag with more than a second advantage.“If you’re worried about protecting, you’re really just going to lose that spot,” Schatz said of his late race strategy. “You’re on attack mode. You’re trying to go where your race car needs to go, where you can get the best grip. Down there in (Turns) 1 and 2, there’s a spot about two car widths off there that’s kind of chunked open, and there’s moisture down there. And I just kept trying to hit it. Scuba (Crew Chief Steve Swenson) had my car so good that I could roll to that point then could just ease back into that Ford power.”Gravel held onto second aboard the Big Game Motorsports/Husets Speedway #2. Gravel became the first to reach 10 podiums this season with the result. While the finish was strong, he couldn’t help but feel he’d missed out after the final caution flag derailed his best chance at victory.“It was a hell of a race that whole time,” Gravel said. “When I got into second, I think if that caution doesn’t come out, we were going to be side by side or winning that race. I thought for sure Donny was going to go to the bottom because he saw my nose in (Turns) 1 and 2 on the start but he didn’t. He went to the top, and once that happened I pitched the car sideways and lost two spots. Luckily, our car was that good and we were able to pass those two guys back.”Completing the top-three was Sheldon Haudenschild for his fourth podium of the season behind the wheel of the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink #17. Coming forward from 11th also earned him the night’s KSE Racing Hard Charger Award as he made his home state fans proud.“The track was awesome,” Haudenschild said. “This place was perfect really. I don’t think you could’ve asked for a much better track… The car was great during the Feature, and we were able to drive up through there and throw sliders. I feel like not a lot of guys could throw a slider and keep rolling.”Carson Macedo and Rico Abreu rounded out the top-five.With Brad Sweet finishing seventh, both Gravel and Macedo made up ground on the four-time and reigning champion. Gravel is now only 20 points behind the top spot while Macedo is 30 markers back.In Low-E Insulation Qualifying, David Gravel collected his fifth Simpson Performance Products QuickTime Award of the season – putting him in a tie for the most this season.Gravel came out on top of CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat One (212th Heat win of career). NOS Energy Drink Heats Two through Four were claimed by Donny Schatz (509th of career), Brock Zearfoss (13th of career), and Carson Macedo (89th of career).UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars stay in Ohio next weekend for two nights (May 26-27) at Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, OH. Then on Monday, May 29th the Series heads to the Hoosier State where Lawrenceburg Speedway will host the Federated Auto Parts Memorial Day Spectacular. For tickets, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action on DIRTVision.RESULTS:A Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1]; 2. 2-David Gravel[4]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[11]; 4. 41-Carson Macedo[2]; 5. 24-Rico Abreu[5]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet[3]; 7. 5-Spencer Bayston[12]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart[6]; 9. 48-Danny Dietrich[8]; 10. 29-Cole Macedo[15]; 11. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[9]; 12. 22-Brandon Spithaler[13]; 13. 32B-Dale Blaney[14]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen[20]; 15. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[7]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson[24]; 17. 20G-Noah Gass[23]; 18. 40-George Hobaugh Jr[19]; 19. 70-Henry Malcuit[21]; 20. 7S-Robbie Price[22]; 21. 5C-Dylan Cisney[17]; 22. 1-Nate Dussel[18]; 23. 49X-Cale Thomas[16]; 24. 83-James McFadden[10]

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Thornton Goes Back-to-Back in Iowa; Regains Championship Points Lead

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (May 20, 2023) – Ricky Thornton Jr. went to the lead on lap 18 of the CRST – The Transportation Solution 50 at 34 Raceway and never looked back to score his fifth series win of the season. Thornton, who was also victorious on Friday night has now retaken the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP points lead heading into the Show-Me 100 weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway, May 25th-27th. With the $15,000 victory Thornton becomes the first series driver to eclipse the $100,000 mark in earnings this season. Tim McCreadie, who ran second to Thornton on Friday night held the lead for the first 17 laps until Thornton made the pass for the lead and went on unchallenged for the rest of the race. Brandon Overton finished second with Spencer Hughes rounding out the Big River Steel Podium in third. The remainder of the top five finishers were Earl Pearson Jr. and Chris Simpson. With Thornton out front, McCreadie maintained the second spot but had lost several car lengths to the leader. A caution with 12 laps to go gave McCreadie a shot at Thornton. On the restart McCreadie jumped to the top groove heading into turns one and two, but his momentum was too much as he slipped off the track which allowed several drivers to get by and he fell to 12th in the running order. The final caution appeared with nine laps remaining which set up a single-file restart. Thornton again showed his strength as he pulled away from Overton and Hughes as he went on record his tenth career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory. Thornton has ridden a wave of emotions after winning on Friday night as he and his family escaped uninjured after his apparel trailer left the highway and flipped en route to 34 Raceway. “It’s definitely been all over the place [my emotions]. We won last night at Farley and when we left last night, I barely got the trailer off the road and then it flipped. Luckily me and my family was safe. I didn’t how good we would be here tonight. It’s nice to bounce back from that. I want to thank all the fans who bought stuff today, it helps us out.” “There at the beginning of the race the track was really better than I thought it was, especially in one and two,” Thornton added. “I was trying to keep my pace and I was trying to keep my tires under me. Once I got to traffic you have to go where they are not. Once Tim committed to the top, I thought I would just stay on the bottom. It worked out for me. I think we went three-wide a couple of times getting through traffic.” Overton, who sits third in the championship standings came home in the runner-up spot. “I have never been to these places so what to adjust or not adjust we weren’t sure. I couldn’t run down in there and steer, cause I would shove up the hill. That was a pretty good race from second on back. Congrats to those guys. It was an awesome track; it was my first time here. You could run through the bottom or middle.” Hughes rounded out the podium with his third-place finish. “You definitely had to be real patient tonight. I wasn’t quite as good as Ricky and Brandon in the slick. I had to catch that last little bit of moisture down by the tires. I was able to do that. I caught some breaks on a couple of those restarts. We will take this finish and head to Wheatland with some momentum.” The winner’s Todd and Vickie Burns-owned, SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Hoker Trucking, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Dyno One, Inc., West Side Tractor Sales, D&E Outdoor Service, Certified Inspection Service Company, Inc., Sunoco Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, Midwest Sheet Metal, and Murty Farms. Completing the top ten were Hudson O’Neal, Mason Zeigler, Tyler Erb, Jimmy Owens, and Max Blair. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary CRST, The Transportation Solutions 50Saturday, May 20, 202334 Raceway – West Burlington, IA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Tyler Bruening / 15.026 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Earl Pearson, Jr. / 15.122 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 39-Tim McCreadie[2]; 2. 16-Tyler Bruening[1]; 3. 99-Devin Moran[4]; 4. 25C-Chad Simpson[3]; 5. 58-Garrett Alberson[5]; 6. 29-Spencer Diercks[6]; 7. 93-Jay Johnson[7]
Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 76-Brandon Overton[2]; 3. 1H-Hudson O’Neal[3]; 4. 111B-Max Blair[4]; 5. 99B-Boom Briggs[5]; 6. 17-Tim Simpson[6]; 7. 12-Brandon Queen[7]
Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[1]; 2. 11-Spencer Hughes[3]; 3. 32-Chris Simpson[4]; 4. 18D-Daulton Wilson[2]; 5. 1T-Tyler Erb[5]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 33-Rickey Frankel[7] AP1 Insurance Heat Race #4 (8 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens[1]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[2]; 3. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[4]; 4. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[3]; 5. 49T-Jake Timm[5]; 6. 51-Matt Furman[6]; 7. (DNS) 42-Johnathan Huston Fast Shafts B-Main Race #1 (10 Laps, Top 6 Transfer): 1. 58-Garrett Alberson[1]; 2. 1T-Tyler Erb[2]; 3. 49T-Jake Timm[4]; 4. 99B-Boom Briggs[3]; 5. 29-Spencer Diercks[5]; 6. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 7. 51-Matt Furman[8]; 8. 93-Jay Johnson[9]; 9. 17-Tim Simpson[7]; 10. 12-Brandon Queen[11]; 11. (DNS) 33-Rickey Frankel; 12. (DNS) 42-Johnathan Huston
CRST, The Transportation Solution 50 Feature Finish (50 Laps):

Race Statistics Entrants: 28Terminal Maintenance & Construction Pole Sitter: Tim McCreadieLap Leaders: Tim McCreadie (Laps 1-17); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 18-50)Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: n/aMargin of Victory: 1.741 secondsGorsuch Performance Solutions Cautions: Daulton Wilson (Lap 38); Jonathan Davenport (Lap 41)Fast Time Provisional: Matt Furman; Rickey FrankelSeries Emergency Provisionals: n/aTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Brandon Overton, Spencer HughesPenske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Brandon Overton, Spencer Hughes, Earl Pearson, Jr., Chris SimpsonTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Tyler Erb (Advanced 10 Positions)Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Mason ZeiglerDeatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Devin MoranEarnhardt Technologies Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (33 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’NealO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Max BlairEtchberger Trucking Fastest Lap of the Race: Tim McCreadie (Lap 2 – 15.876 seconds)MD3 Tough Break of the Race: Tim McCreadieOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony Burroughs (Ricky Thornton, Jr.)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Chris Simpson (15.3555 seconds)Time of Race: 23 minutes 47 seconds
The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:

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Thornton Goes Back-to-Back in Iowa; Regains Championship Points Lead

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

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Joe Welch Takes First Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown No. 1 Qualifier at NHRA Route 66 Nationals

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

JOLIET, Ill. (May 20, 2023) – Joe Welch and his Joe Welch Racing DragPak took the inaugural No. 1 qualifying spot in the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown at the Gerber Glass & Collision NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway bettering the rest of the Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets and Dodge Challenger Drag Paks.

Welch earned his first No. 1 of the season with a 7.636-second pass at 181.64 mph in the second session with an engine malfunction. The Joe Welch Racing Dodge ran 7.806 at 179.85 in the first qualifying session on Friday but due to his engine problems in the second session, was unable to make the call for the third session.

Joe Welch, Chicago Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown No. 1 qualifier, photo by NHRA

“I love seeing this crowd in Chicago. I just love the fans. And the fans love this class. They come by and they remember the old days of Pro Stock when they were real cars. Fans come up and ask. ‘Can I sit in it? or can I touch it?’ We tell them sure, and we really appreciate the attention and support,” Welch said. “After NHRA made the horsepower adjustment (changing the upper supercharger pulley on the Dodge Drag Pak from 3.375 inches to 3.500 inches), we’ve had to make a wealth of changes to the car and unfortunately, we were going up and trying something else when my car caught on fire. I didn’t get to get up to the starting line to make that last run. Thank God that I’ve got some friends here in the pits because they’ve loaned me parts. I’ve got people over here working on the car. Hopefully we’ll get it fixed.”

Welch, who was looking for his second win of the season, did manage to get his Drag Pak fixed for the first round of eliminations. He matched up with David Davies and his DH Davies Racing Save Our Allies Dodge Drag Pak. Welch would be first off the line with a .052-second reaction time to Davies’ .277. Welch’s Challenger would run into issues late and shut off early for only a 8.183-second pass at 135.33 mph that would be bettered by Davies’ 7.849 at 177.39.

Defending his Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown bounty, Lenny Lottig, qualified No. 2 picked up his first-round win over Ricky Hord. Lottig would handle his ITI Trailers & Truck Bodies COPO Camaro to a 7.693-second pass at 178.40 to defeats Hord and his Automotive Enterprises COPO’s 7.784 at 175.68.

<Lenny Lottig defends bounty in first round.JPG>

Lenny Lottig, Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals winner won first round in Chicago to hold onto Flextjet bounty, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

“Well, that first round is probably one of the hardest ones because you can’t win the second one without the first round is the old saying. That’s just a nice experience of relief to get past that first round. So now, we want to just keep it going,” Lottig said. “I’m liking what I’m feeling. This car has been driving great. I can’t wait to get back to the track tomorrow.”

Competition at the Gerber Glass & Collision NHRA Route 66 Nationals for Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown continues with round two on Sunday at 12:50 p.m. with semifinals at 2:05 p.m. and finals at 3:40 p.m.

Sunday Matchups

No. 16 David Davies vs. No. 9 Jason Dietsch

No. 4 Aaron Stanfield vs. No. 5 Doug Hamp

No. 2 Lenny Lottig vs. No. 10 Stephen Bell

No. 3 Del Holbrook vs. No. 6 Mark Pawuk

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Justin Ashley Wins Second Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

CHICAGO (May 20, 2023) — During the final day of qualifying for the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster team took another win in the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge outrunning Antron Brown and Austin Prock in rematch races with his Winternationals foes. For his efforts Ashley collected another $10,000 payday and equally as important as the cash was an additional three Camping World championship points.

Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Top Fuel winner Justin Ashley, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

“It’s very exciting. Winning these specialty events means a lot to our team,” said Ashley, who became the first two-time Mission Foods Challenge winner. “I am so grateful to Mission Foods and how they’re committed to NHRA drag racing. Anytime there is an additional opportunity to race and collect bonus points along the way, I think it’s significant. This was a great day.”

Ashley will head into race day as the No. 4 qualifier and a first round race with Jacob McNeal. For Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota team making two quality runs set them up hopefully for another successful race day. The last time Ashley took the Mission Foods Challenge win, the 2020 NHRA Rookie of the Year won his second consecutive Winternationals the next day.

Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

“We did a good job of running well and setting the tone for ourselves going into tomorrow,” said Ashley, a seven-time Top Fuel national event winner. “Tomorrow’s a new day, but today and everyday I am proud to be able to represent our Phillips Connect Toyota racing team. In round one you always get those butterflies and I had them in Q2 today. It helps from a driver’s perspective to experience that before Sunday.”

The win was a perfect conclusion to a big news day for Ashley and his team. Between rounds Ashley announced the creation of Maynard Ashley Racing, a new union between his racing operation and JCM Racing.

“I feel very blessed to be in the position that we’re in now, to be able to announce today the formation of our new partnership, Maynard Ashley Racing,” said Ashley. “We are so appreciative of the Maynard family, Jim Epler “Mr. 300” and Dustin Davis. This new team shows growth, it shows strength, it shows stability, and we want to be out here doing this for a very long time because this is what we love to do and it’s a business on and off the racetrack and that’s where our focus is.”

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CAMRIE CARUSO WINS FIRST NHRA PRO STOCK ALL-STAR CALLOUT

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

CHICAGO (May 20, 2023) — In another statement that second year Pro Stock driver Camrie Caruso is a serious NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series world championship contender, the 25-year-old third generation driver won the first ever NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout today at Route 66 Raceway. As the No. 8 qualifier Caruso drove the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro to victory over Cristian Cuadra, Troy Coughlin Jr. and Aaron Stanfield to take home the $28,000 top prize.

“Honestly, it was super awesome,” said Caruso, who this season has a race win and No. 1 qualifier. “I told the guys at the beginning of the year I want to win all the specialty races this year and as many races as possible. This Pro Stock All-Star Callout gave us another chance to bring home a trophy at a racetrack I’ve never been to before. This was a whole bunch of new experiences and first-time excitement for us this weekend. We managed to get it done. I’m excited and I couldn’t be more thankful.”

NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout winner Camrie Caruso and Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, photo by Innovative Creation Experts

On Friday the top qualified drivers had the chance to call out their competitors, but Caruso was not selected and ultimately was paired with Cristian Cuadra in the first round. In previous races Caruso held a 4-1 record against the young driver from Mexico. In the first round the 2022 Rookie of the Year was first off the line and never trailed in the drag race. The run was not perfect as her Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro suffered some engine damage.

“After the first round we had to change engines,” said Caruso. “We hurt the engine pretty good and couldn’t continue with it. Everybody on the Tequila Comisario KB Titan Racing team, even from the other cars came over and helped us get ready for the second round. We won and we didn’t really have a whole lot of time to come back up for the final, but the guys pushed through and made it happen. They gave me a great car and it all worked out in the end.”

After the first round the quickest winning driver was allowed to select their opponent in the semifinals. Troy Coughlin Jr., had the honors and picked Caruso, the lone driver from KB Titan Racing left to face three Elite team drivers.

“I thought it was cool how it all played out,” said Caruso. “It was all Elite versus KB Titan Racing in the first round which was awesome. Being the first All-Star Callout winner is cool and special. This is what I’ve wanted for a long time and what my dad has wanted for me for a long time. To be able to be a part of it and live in the moment and take it all in as we go track to track is incredible. I know the first round didn’t go how we all wanted to go for the whole KB Titan team. I was watching down at the top end since I was the first pair and I was like, ‘Well, this should be interesting.’ Then in the second round to be called out by TJ Coughlin because l was the only non-teammate made it even more interesting.”

Picking up three win lights on Saturday leading into the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals gives Caruso confidence for race day. More than the on-track success today was the feeling of camaraderie the newest member of KB Titan Racing felt today and throughout the season.

“It sounds silly. This whole team pulled together to get this win. The crew guys plus Kyle (Koretsky), Dallas (Glenn), Greg (Anderson) all of them were helping after we needed to switch engines. It’s like a big family over here. If it wasn’t for all of them coming together and welcoming us with open arms, I wouldn’t be having the season I’m having. They make me want to be better because they all are accomplished. It makes me push myself to be as good as they are,” said Caruso.

The quickest run of the weekend Caruso’s 6.524 second pass in the Pro Stock All-Star Callout moved her into the No. 5 qualifier position and first round match-up with Jerry Tucker. The opening round tomorrow will be the first time she will race the driver from Lindsay, Oklahoma.

Results 2023 NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout

First Round

Camrie Caruso, Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, (.033), 6.535, 210.83 mph def. Cristian Cuadra, (.136) 23.199, 30.53 mph

Aaron Stanfield, (.028), 6.532, 210.50 mph def. Kyle Koretsky, (.053) 6.559, 210.55 mph

Troy Coughlin Jr. (.024), 6.519, 209.52 mph def. Matt Hartford, (.032) 5.531, 210.90 mph

Erica Enders (.029), 6.554, 210.01 mph def. Dallas Glenn, DQ- redlight

Semifinals

Aaron Stanfield (.032) 6.527, 209.88 mph def. Erica Enders (.057) 6.574, 208.62 mph

Camrie Caruso, Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, (.044) 6.540, 211.20 mph def. Troy Coughlin Jr. (.040) 6.964, 146.29 mph

Final

Camrie Caruso, Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro, (.024) 6.524, 211.03 mph def. Aaron Stanfield, (.027) 6.525, 210.18 mph

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ROBERT HIGHT AND CORNWELL TOOLS EARN FIRSTNO. 1 OF SEASON AT ROUTE 66 RACEWAY

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

ROBERT HIGHT AND CORNWELL TOOLS EARN FIRST NO. 1 OF SEASON AT ROUTE 66 RACEWAY

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chevy racing–nascar–north wilkesboro–all-star race–heat race quotes

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

NASCAR CUP SERIES NORTH WILKESBORO SPEEDWAY NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE TEAM CHEVY HEAT RACE QUOTES MAY 20, 2023

  Suarez Scores Heat One Win, Takes Pole Position for 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race
TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL HEAT ONE RESULTS:POS.   DRIVER1st      Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Motorplex Camaro ZL17th      Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL110th    Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Kroger / Coca-Cola Camaro ZL111th    Erik Jones, No. 43 STP Camaro ZL1

TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL HEAT TWO RESULTS: 2nd       Austin Dillon, No. 3 BREZTRI Camaro ZL13rd       William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL17th        Kyle Busch, No. 8 Thorntons Camaro ZL18th        Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL19th        Ross Chastain, No. 1 Worldwide Express Camaro ZL1                                                                                                               TEAM CHEVY HEAT RACE QUOTES: DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 TRACKHOUSE MOTORPLEX CAMARO ZL1 Finished: 1st (Heat One)Give us a brief recap on that first heat race and how you look towards tomorrow night.“It was fun to go through those transitions from a wet track and then kind of halfway dry. It wasn’t 100% dry, but it was halfway there.
We didn’t really know what to expect. The No. 9 (Chase Elliott) did a better job than myself. I don’t know if he was either more aggressive or his car happened to work out better in the wet conditions. The first 10 laps, I just didn’t have anything for him. I was trying to breakeven and around lap 15 is when I said – OK, he’s coming, and on Lap 20, I knew that I was better.
It was fun to go through those transitions – learn a little bit about the tire and learn about the track. Unfortunately, tomorrow is going to be nice and sunny, so everything that we learned today – maybe it’s going to work for the future, but not for tomorrow. Overall, just very, very proud of my team. The No. 99 Trackhouse Motorplex Chevy team has had a lot of speed lately, but we haven’t had executions and the results. We’ve been very tough on ourselves. To be able to come here and perform the way that we’ve been doing – not just myself, but the entire No. 99 team, my pit crew and engineers. It’s a lot of fun and hopefully tomorrow we can have another performance like today.”
You’ve been here all week. Can you talk a little bit about the whole experience and how much of it was to prepare for tomorrow night? “Yeah, it’s been fun. I’ve been here since Monday, so I’ve been living here for awhile (laughs). But you know it’s been a lot of fun to see the fans – so loyal since Monday or Tuesday. It’s been a lot of fun to see that. This place has so much history. Just look at the walls.. there’s so much history everywhere you look. For me, to be a small part of this and have the opportunity to put on a show for all these fans, our race teams, NASCAR and all the fans at home – it’s quite special. Overall, just very happy to be here.”
What made you so good in rain? You just kind of checked out and those guys had nothing behind you.“I feel like the car was very good. My car worked very, very well for those conditions. I have some experience in the rain in go-karts, but it’s completely different. It’s completely different. I feel like our team did a good job. The car adapted well. The first handful of laps after the restart, I don’t feel like I was the best. The No. 22 (Joey Logano) was better than me there for five laps. Once I was able to get a little gap, I was able to drive away and after 10 laps, it was game over. My car was just a rocket ship. Just very happy for my team and hopefully we can put on another performance like that tomorrow.”
How much do you know for tomorrow and how much do you still not know since you weren’t on slicks at all today? “We learned nothing.. (laughs). We learned absolutely nothing. I just hope it rains again so these guys can have the same amount of fun that we had and they can learn nothing, as well (laughs). If these guys learn something for tomorrow, we’re going to be at a little bit of a disadvantage. But, we’ll see. The race track right now is not dry. I don’t know if they’re going to start on slicks or wets, but it’s not 100% dry. So maybe the second-half, maybe the last 30 laps, they’re going to start learning stuff. But in the beginning, it’s going to be a little bit wet. Hopefully it pours right now (laughs).”
On teammate Ross Chastain being in the second heat race: “Yeah, but we have different cars and we have different setups, too. We have those conversations, but our cars are different and our cars are going to react different with those transitions. Yeah, it will definitely help. It would have been worse if both Trackhouse cars were in the same heat because then we would be on an island. But we’ll be find. Regardless, I feel like our team already has an idea of where we’re going to be for tomorrow.”
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1Finished: 7th (Heat One)It looked like your car was near perfect early on in the race, and then we had the pit stop and things didn’t go so well after that. “Yeah, Daniel (Suarez) was good before the pit stop, but I was already kind of starting to fall off. We had our stop and we were trying to make it a little better. And then I thought maybe taking a chance for the top would have been a good move and it probably wasn’t a good move looking back on it.
But yeah, it was interesting. The tire was really nice. The track is pretty much dry other than just some areas where I think it’s got some weepers. But I don’t know that this wouldn’t be a better race with those tires than it would our slicks. If the race isn’t good the first-half tomorrow, maybe we should all come in and put on these things and finish it out this way (laughs).”

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BREZTRI CAMARO ZL1Finished: 2nd (Heat Two)Rain tires and slicks tires, it seemed like your car was good with both on there. What do you have to battle for that million dollars tomorrow night? “Our No. 3 BREZTRI Chevy was pretty good. I had a lot of fun out there tonight. It was weird because the rain tires were so much better than the regular slicks that I didn’t know how hard I could go. I was kind of saving there for a minute and I saw the No. 24 (William Byron) starting to struggle, so I thought we could run down the No. 17 (Chris Buescher). When I got up there, the No. 24 started coming; he changed his line a little bit and picked up some speed. Have to go back and look at what he was doing. He seemed like he had a little wider arc than us. I was kind of running the low lane off of (turn) four. It’s cool when you can move around on the track and find subtle things and save tires. But the rain tires were very surprising. It was cool. Thank you to all of our partners – Bass Pro Shops, Coca-Cola, everybody that helps us get to the track.”

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TOYOTA TOP FUEL DRAGSTERS ALL QUALIFY WITHIN TOP HALF OF ROUTE 66 FIELD

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

J.R. Todd’s GR Supra Qualifies Third Following Mid-Week Test Session

ELWOOD, Ill. (May 20, 2023) – The five Toyota Top Fuel dragsters all qualified within the top-half of the field during the three qualifying sessions at Route 66 Raceway outside of Chicago. Doug Kalitta was the top-qualifying Toyota in the third position with a time of 3.702. Justin Ashley won his second Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge on Saturday evening securing championship bonus points and a $10,000 bonus for his race team along with a fourth place qualifying effort.

In Funny Car competition, J.R. Todd earned the third qualifying position in his DHL GR Supra. The entire Kalitta Motorsports organization tested in Indianapolis midweek prior to this weekend’s event. Ron Capps earned the Funny Car class Mission Foods Challenge win with his run Saturday evening and qualified in the sixth position.

Toyota Post-Qualifying Recap

NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series

Route 66 Raceway

Race 6 of 21

TOYOTA TOP FUEL QUALIFYING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
Mike Salinas*	*Gerber Collision Top Fuel Dragster*	*1st (3.686)*	*T. Zizzo*
Doug Kalitta	Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	3rd (3.702)	K. Wurtzel
Justin Ashley	Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	4th (3.717)	J. McNeal
Antron Brown	Matco Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	5th (3.720)	J. Hart
Shawn Langdon	AutoDesk Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	6th (3.721)	C. Millican
Steve Torrence	Capco Contractors Toyota Top Fuel Dragster	8th (3.735)	L. Pruett

(*non-Toyota driver)

TOYOTA FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING POSITIONS

Name	Car	Qualifying Position	First Round Opponent
*Robert Hight*	*John Force Racing Funny Car*	*1st (3.831)*	*D. Creasy Jr.*
J.R. Todd	DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	3rd (3.906)	B. Tasca III
Ron Capps	NAPA Auto Parts Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	6th (3.941)	T. Haddock
Alexis DeJoria	Bandero Tequila Toyota GR Supra Funny Car	15th (5.017)	C. Pedregon

(*non-Toyota driver)

TOYOTA QUOTES

DOUG KALITTA, Mac Tools Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

TF Qualifying Result: 3rd

How do you feel about your qualifying effort here at Route 66 Raceway?

“We’re pretty excited about moving our Mac Tools Toyota team up to third,” Kalitta said. “We were kind of slipping back before that last session so I was hoping we’d be able to come up with something good, and Alan (co-crew chief Alan Johnson) and the boys pulled out that ‘70 (3.702-second run). For race day, we’re just hoping to go some rounds and have some fun with this thing. We’re looking forward to it for sure. It’s been a team effort; we’ve been working on this thing all year, but that test was definitely big. Any time you can get out and help with what these guys are trying to work on, it’s definitely helpful.”

JUSTIN ASHLEY, Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Davis Motorsports

TF Qualifying Result: 4th

What does it mean to win the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty Challenge for the second time?

“It’s very exciting. You know, this deal does mean a lot to us. It’s a new deal. Everyone’s kind of getting used to it but really grateful for Mission Foods and how they’ve put on this challenge. I think that anytime you add an additional opportunity to race and collect bonus points along the way, I think it’s special. Not to mention the $10,000 cash always helps as well. This was a great day. I think we did a good job of running well and setting the tone for ourselves going into tomorrow. Tomorrow’s a new day, but really proud to be able to represent Mission Foods and Philips Connect, Toyota and our whole team today.”

How much does the Challenge help prepare you for race day with it’s competitive nature?

“I was in the car earlier and actually thinking about how this helps get you set up for race day. You know in round one you always get those butterflies and not as much in qualifying, but I had them you know today in Q2. I think it does kind of mentally help from a driver’s perspective, just kind of getting raised to a mode you try every time to approach each run the same, but only to a certain extent can you actually do that. To be able to put the driver’s in a position to get ready before Sunday, I definitely think it provides at least a little bit of an advantage.”

How special was the announcement you made regarding the race team earlier today?

“I have a lot of gratitude. I feel very blessed to be in the position that we’re in now, to be able to announce today the formation of our new partnership. Maynard Ashley Racing to have the Maynard family’s involvement, Jim Eppler “Mr. 300” and Dustin Davis to have this collective group working together as one. This new team shows growth, it shows strength, it shows stability, and we want to be out here doing this for a very long time because this is what we love to do and it’s a business on and off the racetrack and that’s where our focus is.”

How long will the team enjoy this achievement tonight?

“Make no mistake about it. Mike Green and Tommy DeLago and the crew guys did a great job. You really have to enjoy these things because they’re tough to come by. But once the day is done, it’s over and it’s a new day. We’ll shift that focus to tomorrow.”

SHAWN LANGDON, AutoDesk Toyota Top Fuel Dragster, Kalitta Motorsports

TF Qualifying Result: 6th

How do you feel about your car this weekend and how beneficial was the test session from this week?

“Collectively as a team, I feel all three cars did really well yesterday and today. We went testing last week and it was really just us trying to get better as a whole team. Every car had it’s certain niches and certain things and just wasn’t really flowing right so just had to do a hard restart. I think the guys have been busting their butts on this AutoDesk Toyota Top Fuel dragster and for as much work that has gone into everything, the guys at Kalitta Motorsports deserve better results than what we’ve been getting. It’s not really been one thing, it’s been a group of things. I feel really excited about tomorrow. The car has been running good. Doug’s (Kalitta) car has been running really good as well so we have two good cars. I feel our chances are as good as ever right now.”

J.R. TODD, DHL Toyota GR Supra Funny Car, Kalitta Motorsports

FC Qualifying Result: 3rd

How much did this week’s test session help your team coming into this weekend?

“I think testing Wednesday definitely helped us coming in here because we ran into some issues Wednesday that probably would have set us back a little bit here. It’s nice to make two good – out of the three qualifying runs there. It set us up good for race day.”

Uncategorized

CHEVROLET QUALIFIES EIGHT IN THE TOP-12 ON SATURDAY AT INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES

INDIANAPOLIS 500

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

TEAM CHEVY PRACTICE REPORT

MAY 20, 2023

Arrow McLaren INDYCAR’s Felix Rosenqvist topped the leaderboard in his No. 6 Chevrolet with a four-lap average of 233.947 MPH.
Rosenqvist’s last run of Saturday was the third fastest four-lap qualifying average in Indianapolis 500 history.
Rosenqvist’s teammate Alexander Rossi, in the No. 7 Chevrolet, finished his four-lap average second with a speed of 233.528 MPH.
Chevrolet captured eight of the top-12 positions at conclusion of the Saturday’s Indianapolis 500 qualifications.
The two entries by AJ Foyt Racing, Santino Ferrucci and rookie Benjamin Pedersen, continue to shine, qualifying in the top-12 and setting up to start amongst the first four rows of next week’s Indianapolis 500.
Pedersen’s qualifying attempt of 232.739 MPH was the second fastest four-lap average by a rookie behind Tony Stewart in 1996.
Pedersen also clocked the fastest single-lap speed by a rookie with his first lap at 233.297 MPH around Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
A record number of 84 qualifying attempts were made by the 34 vying for a qualifying spot at the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500, breaking the single-day record of 73 set in 2019.

TEAM CHEVY TOP-12 QUALIFYING RESULT:

Pos. Driver

1st Felix Rosenqvist

2nd Alexander Rossi

4th Rinus VeeKay

6th Tony Kanaan

8th Pato O’Ward

9th Santino Ferrucci

11th Benjamin Pedersen

12th Will Power

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (QUOTES)

Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Chevrolet at Team Penske:

“We’re just trying to make it into the next show tomorrow, and the Fast 12. Unfortunately, I think that’s just what we had today. We really went aggressive, about as aggressive as you can go, and it just wasn’t there. I’m really proud of the team for really giving an effort. You’ve got to do that. You’ve got to try. We were close enough to give it a try, and unfortunately, we were a little short. I think we’ll have a great racecar. I’m really proud to drive the Shell car. Everybody is fueled by Shell in this field with a completely renewable fuel because of Shell, so it’s a big deal in the INDYCAR series, be the first U.S.-based motorsports championship to say that. Proud of Chevy too. I think Chevy has done a great job this weekend. Just bummed we’re not going to be there tomorrow, but we’re going to work towards next weekend.”

Will Power, No. 12 Chevrolet at Team Penske:

“I can’t believe how tight this qualifying session was today. Before our last run we trimmed the Verizon 5G Chevy and changed gears, and ran basically the same speed. It’s an incredibly fierce field. This No. 12 team has done a great job, but it’s a very competitive field. It shows just how tough INDYCAR is, and I think it’s great.”

Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 Chevrolet at Team Penske:

“I think we lacked a little bit of downforce. I tried to hold on as flat as long as I could and everyone was pretty solid, you guys you guys would be all over the replays. The Pennzoil Chevy was tight but you got to hold it in Indy 500 qualifying and it was fine. We will go back out and try to get cranking speeds in the car. It’s amazing.”

ON SECOND RUN: “When I was on the first lap, I thought we had something but then every lap, it was just too stuck (too much downforce). We had to go for more speed to make it in the Fast-12, but it was not there. We had four really fast and consistent laps but it wasn’t there.”

Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:

“Definitely a super strong run and that’ll be enough to get to the top-12. Not saying we’re not going to come back out and see we can make it a little bit better for preparation you know for tomorrow. But that was a really, really solid run–very happy with that. The winds are getting a little gusty here and it started getting a little wiggly there in turn four but I’m very, very happy with that.”

Felix Rosenqvist, No. 6 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:

“Man, it did (surprise me). I have no words. Phenomenal run. Big thanks to Arrow McLaren, Team Chevy. Every time we’re out there, we’re learning something. The first run wasn’t optimal. I wasn’t super happy with it but it was clearly quick enough. We said let’s go out again and learn something for tomorrow and kind of be the same conditions, or hotter. I thought it was good experience, and then like I couldn’t believe what I saw. It was unreal. We trimmed the car out a little bit and tuned up the balance. But I had no idea I was going to be that quick. Definitely puts a smile on my face.”

Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:

“This is INDYCAR and knowing how this works probably not another run for us. An amazing team effort from Arrow McLaren and Chevy brought some amazing horsepower this month which is which is awesome and the balance every day it’s been getting better and better. This team is unbelievable. So happy with that first one for sure. We’re in the show.”

“An amazing team day. I don’t have enough to say about the whole group. To get four cars in the top 12 – I can’t put into words how challenging that is. It’s really special to be a part of. Tomorrow’s going to be an amazing day, and hopefully one of us can be on pole.”

Tony Kanaan, No. 66 Chevrolet at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:

“I don’t know if it’s a drama. We started the day a little bit more conservative. We just kept digging. I need to thank definitely my teammates for it. They’re all in. They kept supporting me, asking me, You got to do it again, you got to do it again. We finally on the last run nailed it. Great team effort. It was nice. It was unexpected, especially I don’t think I’ve ever done that many qualify attempts in this place. I guess because it’s my last one they kept sending me out, so it paid off.”

Gavin Ward, Race Director at Arrow McLaren INDYCAR:

“Saturday qualifying for the Indy 500 is, I think, the coolest day in motorsports. It can go either way on you. Today was a good day. We wanted to give each of our cars a shot at the pole, and we’ve got that – all four in the top eight and the two quickest of the day. Tomorrow is the day that counts, though. Strong day for the team. Let’s have some fun tomorrow.”

Conor Daly, No. 20 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“Fast enough. I mean, we’ve got good cars three good cars. Pace, as usual, is just faster than us. So tough to say. But I mean, it’s the most comfortable I’ve been here in a while qualifying. So we got to run again and try to get our way in there. But I’m not sure how much more raw speed there is in the car. Yeah, so we’ll see. What differences can you make? What changes? What are you looking for? For that second round, it will just be small changes. And you know, you got to drive it out of control here to be fast, so we just have to get it more out of control.? It was most comfortable because we just dialed in the balance but the problem is comfortable, too slow. So we got to be able to control and we got to add a little bit of a headdress that was coming out to during that run so hopefully we can tie it all together when we get back in the car.”

Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“To be honest, I’m most happy when it’s over. But I mean, this team gives me gives you a great car where, you know, I was barely making any adjustments. It was all in all very, very detailed work. But that was a great car to drive. I’m very happy and yeah, I mean, look at Chevy, you know, they’ve upped their game, so, yes, really good day. I think we’re hanging in there confidently. today. So, you know, you want to drive the least possible especially me, maybe the team wants to go out but I don’t think so. Anyway, great job by the team great performance and yeah, very proud to drive the car. It’s always nice to have them around and they are as excited as it gets, especially my dad. You know, I’m, I’m afraid his heart’s gonna stop sometime because it’s blood pressures through the roof. But you know he’s the best that I could ask for at the racetrack. And of course, my mom was there to calm him down. But now they’re the great parents. Very solid.”

Ed Carpenter, No. 33 Chevrolet at Ed Carpenter Racing:

“I think there was one awkward shift there that did it. So that’s how tight it is right now in the NTT INDYCAR Series. I am disappointed for my team and BITNILE.COM. This isn’t what we are accustomed to, but – got a ton of confidence and what we’ve been doing the whole month-just keep doing those things. The race cars are really good. I felt as strong as I have in a long time. I’m just gonna have to do some more work this week. We have Rinus (VeeKay) in the Fast-12, so we will all focus on helping him advance to the Firestone Fast Six. Then Monday, we all go work on our race cars and the final two practices.”

Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:

“Good run for us. I will work to keep our momentum rolling! Driving for AJ Foyt I think it makes it even more special. It’s a relief to be honest. you know, I’m just happy where we are today. I think it’s a huge testament one day at a time for this team, but I will tell you right now, I think we have a better race car than we do a qualifying car. That will make it more exciting for us. So I think we will go out again around 4:00 PM because I guess that’s what you are supposed do.”

Benjamin Pedersen, No. 55 Chevrolet at AJ Foyt Racing:

“It’s helpful but at the end of the day, you’ve got to get in the race car and go. But man, it was a pretty good car. You know, there’s little things where I could have done that a little bit better. But honestly, it was a really good run and yeah, it’s it’s fast. It was my first but my best ever qualifying here but that’s because it’s my first ever qualifying here. So the presence here is amazing. The vibe everything AJs presents being right over my shoulder with running on track is very special.”

Callum Ilott, No. 77 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:

“We made the race. First of all, great. But it was looking a bit difficult, especially a week ago, coming here. Not easy, and we’ve been through some wars. We had to change the chassis last night, then a big unknown going into today. Bit of an impossible task, but we pulled it off. Obviously, there’s a bit more to achieve. We’ve got to get the racecar in a good window, but yeah, I’m super happy to be making the race. It’s a lot of hard work that everyone behind the scenes has been working to achieve, and thanks to Juncos, big thanks to Chevy.”

Agustin Canapino, No. 78 Chevrolet at Juncos Hollinger Racing:

“We have finished qualifications on the first day. I am very proud of my team. I am very, very happy to be in the Indianapolis 500 for the first time in my life. Now, we’ll focus on the race. We’ll do our best to finish in the best possible position.”

Ryan Hunter-Reay, No. 23 Chevrolet at Dreyer & Reinbold Racing:

“Qualifying was harder than I thought it would be with the first run. Usually, it’s pretty straight forward. Not sure why we slowed for the second two laps. I didn’t see that coming with the handling. The whole car just took off to the wall in turn three. That wasn’t a clean run for us. We lost the consistency in the balance of the car. That really hurt our average speed. We will wait and see how the other speeds go throughout the day. We found a problem with the first run. So, we fixed it and the second run was much more consistent. We picked up six sports. Maybe we’ll go later in the day if conditions remain the same. We wanted to run four consistent laps and get an overall faster speed for qualifying. It’s a lot of work with a new team and new crew. This team is very good, but everything is new for me. And I am new for them. It takes time to blend everything throughout the month of May.”

Stefan Wilson, No. 24 Chevrolet at Dreyer & Reinbold Racing:

“I was very nervous going out later as the track was getting hotter. Sun was beating down on the track. It was a good run, but I made a slight mistake on the third lap. I thought we would have the No. 24 DRR/Cusick Motorsports/CareKeepers Chevrolet higher on the speed charts today. The car felt great and I’m ready to go out for another run soon. It seems so easy to just be turning left for four laps, but there is so much going on in those four laps for a driver. You are always making adjustments during the qualifying run. I’m very proud to be part of Team Chevy this year. This is my third year with a Chevrolet engine. Seems like every year Chevy just gives us more power.”

Dennis Reinbold, Team Owner, Dreyer & Reinbold:

“We know we have good race cars after this week’s practice runs. We were a little disappointed in our first qualifying runs for both drivers. We had some speed fall off in the last two laps for both guys. We know what happened there, so we look to run again with those adjustments. We believe we can be more consistent with all four laps again and improved our four-lap averages.”

JOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 2 TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, FELIX ROSENQVIST, NO. 6 ARROW MCLAREN CHEVROLET, SANTINO FERRUCCI, NO. 14 AJ FOYT RACING CHEVROLET, NO. 66 TONY KANAAN, ARROW MCLAREN CHEVROLET, AND CALLUM ILOTT, NO. 77 JUNCOS HOLLINGER RACING CHEVROLET – End of Day Press Conference:

THE MODERATOR: We are going to go ahead with our news conference, wrapping up day one of qualifying. Felix Rosenqvist P1 today, as well as Tony Kanaan, Santino Ferrucci, and Josef Newgarden will also join us.

Already joining us here up on the stage is Callum Ilott, qualified 28th. That’s where he’ll start.

THE MODERATOR: Also joined by Tony Kanaan, sixth quick after some late drama in qualifying. Also joined by Santino Ferrucci.

Tony, some drama there for you, got kind of emotional as well.

TONY KANAAN: I don’t know if it’s a drama. We started the day a little bit more conservative. We just kept digging. I need to thank definitely my teammates for it. They’re all in. They kept supporting me, asking me, You got to do it again, you got to do it again.

We finally on the last run nailed it. Great team effort. It was nice. It was unexpected, especially I don’t think I’ve ever done that many qualify attempts in this place. I guess because it’s my last one they kept sending me out, so it paid off (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: We’ve never seen this many qualifying attempts before. Today set a record for single day qualifying attempts for the Indy 500.

Also joining us Felix Rosenqvist. Felix, P1 today, which is great. Doesn’t mean anything for tomorrow. But you advance to round two tomorrow.

FELIX ROSENQVIST: Yeah, I think it’s still a pretty big day for us. I mean, we’ve been good here the last couple years. Today to have all the cars in the top eight, in this competition, it’s really hard. We saw with Tony today, even if he’s doing a perfect job, still things that can outside factors that can play in, it can become really difficult in this field.

Super proud of the whole team for executing. That last run we did was just phenomenal. Almost in a 234 average. That was pretty mind-blowing how we found so much speed. We weren’t super happy on our first run, so we had two or three reasons to think we were going to go quicker. We kind of put them all together, wow, what a run.

Team Chevy as well, great job. Yeah, just a fun time to be in Arrow McLaren right now. Everything kind of resets for tomorrow, but we definitely feeling good right now.

THE MODERATOR: Callum Ilott, after the drama yesterday, you’re in the show. How much of a relief is that?

CALLUM ILOTT: Yeah, I mean, I don’t know where to start with that. It’s been a tough week, a tough month actually from the open test. We changed chassis middle of yesterday. I was kind of given an almost impossible task from what some people said. Just tried to keep the confidence high.

The first run wasn’t great. I don’t think my engineers would even look at the video because they were scared to watch it. We just managed to turn the car around into something that was fast, managed to scrape four laps out of it.

THE MODERATOR: Santino Ferrucci joins us, getting into round two, the top 12. How excited is the team and you?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: Yeah, I think it’s a pretty impressive feat for the team. To see the 14 up the front, my teammate right there as well who went earlier in the day, it’s been pretty awesome. To see us up there is pretty sick, man.

THE MODERATOR: We’ll open it up for questions.

Q. Santino, when we talked to you out there in the bullpen, you were trying to get in on the Fast 12. Now that you’re officially in the Fast 12, to have an A.J. Foyt Racing driver in the Fast 12 at the Indianapolis 500, how big of an honor is that? How much do you feel you want to go the extra distance and get it for A.J.?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: Yeah, definitely. Like I said, the goal here is to bring home A.J.’s sixth win, sixth 500 victory. I actually feel a lot more comfortable in the race car than I have been in the qualifying car. To be in the Fast 12 and have a shot at pole tomorrow I think is huge.

Our car definitely has some more in it. It’s getting really tight up top there. Inches are going to make the difference. I’m excited to see what we can do tomorrow.

Q. What did A.J. say to you when you got out of the car?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: I think he’s really happy to see that car up on top. I think he’s more thrilled that both cars are equally competitive. I think he believes in what we’re doing. He believes in the program. It’s just one of those things where he’s ready to see what we can do on race day.

Q. T.K., you’re a McLaren guy now, but you’re a former Foyt driver. How big a deal is this?

TONY KANAAN: C’mon, it’s a big deal. The team doesn’t have the budget of all the other big teams. They work really hard. It’s a big family there. They’ve been through some tough times lately with some personal stuff.

I’m glad to see. Really happy to see them there. I’m pretty sure A.J. is laughing pretty hard, but going to give Santino a run tomorrow again so he better be on his toes.

Q. It seemed kind of effortless that Arrow McLaren has been able to put all four in the Fast 12. Can you describe what it’s like being on the inside watching that happen?

FELIX ROSENQVIST: Yeah, I think the team is really maturing. We’re still a fairly new team as the current structure. But you really feel a difference. There’s a lot of young guys. When I joined the team, a lot of young guys on the team now becoming pretty experienced, being up front for many years, still not a championship, but we’re up there lurking all the time now.

You really feel that the confidence is growing in the team, I think both on the engineering side, driving side. Now especially with Tony and Alex joining, it’s just a good environment.

We’re having fun. I feel like we’re able to attack. When we have tough days, we’re pretty good at bouncing back quickly which normally puts us in the mix. To do it four cars as well. I think already on the 7 car this year with Alex, it’s really impressive with what they’ve done because it’s pretty much a completely new group. Then you have Tony’s car on top of that. I think a couple of months ago we were like, what people are we going to use for running these cars? Here we are in the top eight, all of us. It’s really remarkable.

As I say, it feels not effortless, but it feels like we’re vibing, it’s a fun group.

TONY KANAAN: Yeah, I mean, it’s a tough job. I mean, I was in the shop in January, and we didn’t have probably between the 7 car and my car half of the people yet. I walked in, Where is everybody?

They said, This is everybody.

I’m like, Whoa.

It’s a big challenge. It gives a lot to Gavin making a best out of people, Barnhart, all the group there. It’s a really good environment. They give you the freedom. Gavin is really good picking up who is good at what. Doesn’t mean if you’re not good at one thing he will place you somewhere else. I think it has shown how strong this team is.

I think between the driver lineup, it’s the same thing, we have an awesome combination. We have two young kids, they’re fired up. Alex is there with his experience, then I come. It’s a really good environment. They’ve been doing it.

It’s not a surprise. Look how strong they start the season. It’s a work in progress. It’s not easy, especially adding a fourth car. It’s remarkable. I think it’s something. Props to everybody there.

THE MODERATOR: Also joined by two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Josef Newgarden.

You went for it there at the end, trying to get something to happen for you.

JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Yeah, no doubt. I couldn’t be more proud of my team. This is what Indy is all about. We had to go for it and try. Unfortunately we just weren’t good enough. I really wish we had just a little bit more. We were really, really going for it.

I felt like we were as aggressive as we could reasonably be at the end there. We definitely gave it a good attempt. It just was still not quite strong enough.

Unfortunately we got to work towards the race now. Feel really confident that we can put together a good day next Sunday. Just sad that we’re not going to be in the fight tomorrow. But we are where we are.

We’ll be working towards hopefully a great race day with Shell and Chevy. Team Chevy did a phenomenal job today. I don’t think we were lacking anything there. Really proud for the whole group.

Q. Callum, after the first run you said as long as you could get some clean laps. 231, that’s where you ended up. Did you pretty much have the second run just fairly smooth?

CALLUM ILOTT: First two laps were good. I think I put two 232 twice, then dropped off big-time, just super loose.

We kind of undershot it the first time with the car, then overshot it the second time aero-wise. Made it quite difficult. I got it across the line, so…

Q. For the Chevy drivers, it definitely has a Chevy heavy day today. Marco Andretti, one of the first things he said was that Chevy was holding something in their pocket all week. Do you feel you are the advantaged engine right now?

TONY KANAAN: Yes, the grass is always greener on the other side.

I think it’s pretty tight. I’m talking about it because I’ve driven a Honda a year ago, then I switched. I really think both manufacturers have advantages and disadvantages in some areas.

I really think it’s pretty tight. It’s not like we are holding things up. We did not. Maybe we did a better job at ballast. If we look at how tight this field is, how many attempts of qualifying, how close we were.

One thing I would love people to realize, if you would convert that to lap time, you will see how close it really is. I don’t see it. But I’m not good at math so…

Q. Santino, you told us the other day you didn’t like qualifying. Have you changed your tune on that? Felix, how do you celebrate this?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: I’m still never a fan of qualifying. I’m a racer through and through. Getting these four laps out of the way was amazing for us and the team to be as fast as we are. It’s incredible, a major feat. To have to go out and do it again tomorrow against once again the same super competitive top 12, obviously it’s something that I’m looking forward to as a team because it’s something new for everybody.

Personally as a driver, yeah, it’s definitely something I’m happy to check off the list, happy I don’t have to pass as many cars come Sunday. But, yeah, I’m more looking forward to the race than anything else.

FELIX ROSENQVIST: I mean, I think in this field when you get a run like that, it’s always special. We’re fully aware that this doesn’t get any points. It gives some good memories, though. I think it was a phenomenal day for us as a team. I think we have the right to celebrate for a couple of hours, then kind of resetting tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the wind might be different, the humidity, the track, the engine. Everything changes. I think that’s the beauty of it. Also everything that goes into every time you’re out there, I only did two attempts today, but some poor guys, like this fella, had to go out like five, six.

CALLUM ILOTT: I only did two (laughter).

FELIX ROSENQVIST: It sucks if you have to do that.

TONY KANAAN: I think my engineer was trying to make me match every single qualify I’ve done in this place in one day. We’re doing 26 today (smiling)?

FELIX ROSENQVIST: All the commitment it takes, when you get a run like that, you’re pretty happy with it. We wake up tomorrow, it’s a new day.

Q. Josef, where do you feel like you sit after the end of today? As a team, how do you feel it’s gone today? How can you reflect on that?

JOSEF NEWGARDEN: Well, perhaps as the rumors have stated we’re just holding something in our back pocket. It’s a very interesting strategy I guess, but…

Look, there’s no place to hide. We’re just not fast enough. We really weren’t. It’s unfortunate. I feel terrible for our team because I’m front and center of being able to witness the amount of effort that has gone into this place. It is just not from a shortage of effort.

We’re obviously just missing something else. I don’t know how we’re missing it. We’ve worked hard, all of us collectively. We’ve tried to have no ego about it. It’s just not enough.

I think we’re still short. Unfortunately the weird thing was I think we were more in the mix yesterday. I think the wind plays a big factor into that. Maybe we’re missing something in these type of conditions that we saw today.

Any way you want to slice it, we just weren’t good enough. We’ve got to go back and really assess again. Unfortunately we’ve been doing that every single year here. What’s most important now is we’re going to focus on the race. I do believe with how tight the field is, as Tony talked about, there’s opportunity anywhere. If you qualify for the race, there’s opportunity anywhere to win this event. We have to put our focus to that now and be able to collect ourselves after the 500 and see what we can do better. I have strong confidence we have great race cars and can be in the fight on Sunday.

Q. Santino, four Ganassis and four McLarens in the top 12 in qualifying. You’re making it up with them. Does that give you any sort of boost or enjoyment that you’re up there with those guys?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: It’s pretty funny. You sit there going against two four-car teams that have an insane budget, up front like this for a long time. McLaren is new, but you guys have been doing a fantastic job. To compete with them is definitely something special.

I think we’ve definitely been there more on the racing side of things, at least I have in the past few years. To see us up there on raw car speed is pretty cool.

Q. Callum, the last 24 hours has been a whirlwind. What can you share that you’ve talked to your crew about in the run you had today?

CALLUM ILOTT: Sorry, the last part of your question?

Q. What did you say to your crew and everyone that put your car back together?

CALLUM ILOTT: To be honest, I obviously was there when they were rebuilding it. This morning it was a big thank you. Then it was hard work, trying to stay in it because it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t a nice car to drive at first. But we managed to make it drivable and fast. Then at the end there when we knew we made it through, that was another big thing. I’ll buy them dinners at some point soon, but I’m going to have a quiet one on my own and destress a bit.

Q. How important is the Monday practice going to be to get your car ready for the race?

CALLUM ILOTT: Yeah, I mean, today included, we just found so many little quirks with this car that we obviously didn’t experience with the other chassis that we had or we never got to experience because of how bad it was.

That’s going to be interesting to fine-tune as we come to the race with different speeds and that. But again, even though it wasn’t perfect this morning, I was so much more comfortable with it than what I had. Honestly I think we know where to target now, now that I’ve got something.

Credit to Agustin because he’s kind of had to do what I did the whole of last year, which is go on your own and go for it. He led us into our starting point this morning. Yeah, it wasn’t perfect, but we didn’t stray too far away from it and that was more because of the quirks of our car.

Hopefully now we can build as a team, and Monday and Friday get a quicker race car.

Q. Felix, talk about the last run a little bit, how hairy was it.

FELIX ROSENQVIST: I mean, it was one of those runs where you have kind of like a perfect balance. You feel the rear sliding, but you’re not reacting that much on the wheel. You’re just putting in less wheel. You get a perfect arc, which is great. You’re not shaving off speed on any axle really. I was kind of able to keep that balance for the whole run. Got a little bit spicy on the last lap.

The speed was just there. Actually when I looked down at my dash the first time on lap three, I saw a 33.7, I actually thought it was stuck from lap one. I didn’t even know I had done a 234 at the time. My steering wheel was like a Christmas light for most of the run, which normally means you’re going quick.

Yeah, that’s just awesome. It’s fun. I wish I broke into the 234, but we can try that tomorrow.

Q. A lot of athletes when they’re getting ready to end their career, they want to still have something on the table rather than the sport necessarily. Pretty obvious you still have a lot left on the table.

TONY KANAAN: Yeah, I mean, I guess, but I never doubted I could still drive. To come back next year, the following year. But I think it’s time. I have other goals, other projects that I want to pursue.

Every year, let’s face it, it gets tougher and tougher. I had a really good year last year, then I got this opportunity. Once I did that, I was like, Hmm, maybe let me call it before somebody else decides that.

I’m not leaving or quitting INDYCAR racing because I don’t think I’m competitive or anything like that. I just think it’s time. I love being with the team. I’m enjoying other parts of somehow a new role. I still get to race all the type of cars.

Yeah, I mean, I’m okay with the decision. I am not coming back, so people keep making fun of me.

TONY KANAAN: Yeah, somebody can come with an offer. That’s what happened last year.

Q. Josef, you mentioned you have tried the last few years to get back in. McLaren second straight year has all their cars in. Do you feel as the Chevrolet camp, have they passed Penske?

JOSEF NEWGARDEN: I think there’s no doubt that they’ve done a tremendous job. They’ve just excelled. We fell short today. There’s no hiding it. We did not do a good enough job. I can’t speak highly enough about Chevrolet. I think they’ve been tremendous this whole season, particularly tremendous today.

You can see that by evidence of everybody that was up there. We weren’t missing anything from that side. They’ve been a great partner for us.

We seem to be able to figure out most situations, but for whatever reason this cruel mistress, she’s just tricking us. I don’t understand how so. I think all of us don’t fully understand it.

You don’t stop working. I think for us, we’ve just got to continue to put in the work and not have an ego about it. We weren’t good enough, let’s figure out why. Indy is not easy. This is not an easy place to just succeed. I don’t care how many Indy 500s you have, what team you are, there are no guarantees when you show up here.

We don’t have an ego about it. We have to work hard, come back, do a better job.

Q. Tomorrow as close as it is, how do you balance making even a subtle change between now and tomorrow?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: I’m having a good dinner, go to bed (laughter). Driving the same car tomorrow. Nothing I’m changing.

Q. Callum, given the courses of the last 24 hours, to know now you’re going to race tomorrow, does that make this entire experience a little bit more special for you knowing it was not a guarantee 24 hours ago?

CALLUM ILOTT: Last year was the first experience for me at the 500. There was no Bump Day. It was quite an easy process. Made life a lot more relaxing. You still want to do better. Made it easier.

48 hours ago, I even put bets that I wasn’t going to make the race basically because you just knew it wasn’t going well. At that point then it becomes a pit of a panic, desperation. For sure for me, I was probably the first to be quite desperate as soon as I drove the car on Wednesday. But we had time to work with it.

Coming into today, I was really confident. Honestly I just knew if we just got a clear couple of runs, the car had pace.

So yeah, super special. In some ways it’s kind of one of those never-give-up situations, prove people wrong on that side. At the end of the day kind of feels like a win even though you’re 27th or something. That’s life sometimes.

Q. Santino, A.J. Foyt Racing looks good. You and Ben are in the Fast 12. He’s a rookie, you’re done this many times. How is that dynamic?

SANTINO FERRUCCI: It’s actually been a pretty interesting couple of days this week between the two of us. We both rolled out really good. He was a lot happier in the open test than I was. I wasn’t comfortable. Things weren’t going well. Came here, it was a complete reset. Rolled off the trailer, car was super comfortable.

We made two, three changes this entire week. We’ve just been there. The car has had pace all three days. Benjamin has actually had pace all three days. He’s trying to get his footing in traffic, which is understandable as a rookie. Today was no exception.

He rolled out first and I was actually relying on his comments, feedback. Everything felt good for him. He was actually a little stuck. I went out with exactly the same car, conditions obviously changed slightly, the air got a little bit thinner. I was able to go quicker.

If you put the cars back to back, they’d run the same time.

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JCM RACING and MAX OUT MOTORSPORTS Announce Formation of MAYNARD ASHLEY RACING

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

CHICAGO (May 20, 2023) — Today, during the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals, Max Out Motorsports (formerly Justin Ashley Racing & Davis Motorsports) and JCM Racing jointly announced the creation of Maynard Ashley Racing, a new organization which will campaign the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel entry piloted by Justin Ashley, starting with this weekend’s event.

(From Left) Joe C Maynard, Eric Lehman, Justin Ashley, Dustin Davis, Jim Epler, Joe E. Maynard, Kim Lehman

Maynard Ashley Racing (MAR) was founded with the express goal of delivering world class results, on and off the racetrack, for a growing community of marketing partners and fans drawn to Ashley, the 2020 NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year and seven-time tour winner who currently is second in points.

Behind Maynard Ashley Racing is a partnership between JCM Racing led by Joe and Cathi Maynard, who have taken the NHRA by storm over the last year, and Max Out Motorsports LLC, a newly formed powerhouse partnership between Justin Ashley, Dustin Davis and Jim Epler.

“Combining JCM Racing with our existing organization is a beneficially strategic move for our Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel team,” Ashley said. “Our two organizations share the same vision for long term and sustainable success. We will focus on maintaining a great culture with the goal of winning on and off the track while providing world class results for our sponsors, fans and teammates. I am more excited today about this overall partnership than I have been since I started in the sport. It’s a blessing, and the fact that Joe, Cathi and their team have decided to join forces with us I feel validates our team and all that we’ve been working for.”

Using the business, racing and military experiences of U.S. Army veterans, led by the Maynard and Lehman families; Maynard Ashley Racing’s goal is to utilize JCM’s vast resources and expertise to completely reshape the way business and racing can combine.

“Cathi and I are very pleased to bring our family’s passion for the sport and drive for excellence into the Maynard Ashley Racing partnership,” says Joe Maynard. “This relationship will provide greater opportunities for our JCM Racing team, our racing partners and sponsors, our Driver Development program, and veterans of all ages. Justin is a young and highly skilled driver/partner that represents all that is positive for Maynard Ashley Racing, Max Out Motorsports and JCM Racing.”

Since Ashley moved to Top Fuel in 2020, the young driver and team owner has had a meteoric rise to prominence, contending for the NHRA Top Fuel championship in 2021 and 2022 as an independent single car team.

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No. 21 Motorcraft/DEX Imaging Team Places Fourth In Open Qualifying At North Wilkesboro

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

May 20, 2023

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/DEX Imaging team have earned the fourth starting spot for Sunday’s Open race that will give the top two finishers a berth in the NASCAR All-Star Race later that evening. (A third Open driver will advance to the All-Star Race through a fan vote.)

Friday’s qualifying session at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway was based on pit stop times. Burton and the No. 21 crew posted a time of 14.091 seconds, which was 11^th best among combined Open teams and those who have already secured starting berths in the All-Star Race. The Motorcraft/DEX Imaging team was fourth fastest of the Open teams.

In his first laps around North Wilkesboro Speedway, during a practice session Friday afternoon, Burton was 28^th fastest with a best lap around the 5/8-mile track at 106.097 miles per hour. He was 18^th best among drivers who ran 10 consecutive laps under the green flag, averaging 104.971 mph over his first 10 laps.

Sunday’s 100-lap Open is set to start just after 5:30 p.m., with the 200-lap main event getting underway just after 8 p.m.

FOX Sports 1 will carry the TV coverage.

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Thornton Rolls Perfect Score at 300 Raceway

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

Thornton Rolls Perfect Score at 300 Raceway

FARLEY, Iowa (May 19, 2023) – Ricky Thornton Jr. scored a perfect night at 300 Raceway as he was the overall fast qualifier, won his heat, and led all but the first ten laps of the Simon’s Trucking “You Call-We Haul” 50 main event on Friday night. It was Thornton’s fourth Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season as he closed to within ten points of series point leader, Hudson O’Neal, who finished third. Tim McCreadie, the two-time and reigning series champion came home in second just in front of O’Neal at the stripe. Mason Zeigler, who led the first ten circuits of the race was fourth and defending race winner, Tyler Erb was fifth. Zeigler, the 2018 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the Year, was making his first start with the series since Speedweeks. Zeigler looked stout from the start as he set a rapid pace at the drop of the green. However, lapped traffic allowed Thornton to close the gap in a hurry on Zeigler as Thornton dove down low entering turn two to take the lead on lap 11. Zeigler then ran second for several circuits until McCreadie, who started third was able to get by the Pennsylvania racer. O’Neal recovered from two restarts and battled with McCreadie near the end as the two were close at the finish line with McCreadie just edging out O’Neal. Thornton, who started from the pole fell back to second in the early going to Zeigler but bounced back passing Zeigler in traffic to take over a lead he never relinquished. “I just didn’t get a good enough start and that allowed Mason to get out in front. I was just kind of dictating off him how fast I needed to go. We got into lapped traffic, and it was kind of hairy there for a while. It worked out for me.” “There for a while I thought I couldn’t qualify anymore. It was real good tonight. I didn’t hot lap very good, but we qualified really well. It makes your night way easier when you start up front in the heat races and in front of the feature,” said the 32-year-old Martinsville, Indiana racer. “It’s a lot better than starting 20th and driving my tail off to just to get to fifth or sixth.” McCreadie, who is still looking for his first series win of the season finished 3.5 seconds behind Thornton at the checkers. “It’s just nice to put a normal night together where you are not running B-Mains and not changing everything under the car. I saw the rain here last night and I have been here when it’s rains it’s usually a real tough track, but tonight it was real good and racy. This is one of the few places when you pull a slider at least you clear a guy. It’s nice to see these guys race with a little civility out there and not just slide over your nose or do anything like that. We were clearing each other and crossing back over and having a lot of fun out there. It started to latch up a little bit in that last heat and the track crew went to work and it was a good race to be a part of.” O’Neal, who entered the race 50 points ahead of both Thornton and Brandon Overton will carry the Midwest Sheet Metal orange spoiler onto 34 Raceway on Saturday night with a 10-point advantage. “I really didn’t do my job. I had a pretty good race car and I just messed up on two restarts right back-to-back and fell all the way back to sixth or seventh or whatever it was. It just set me behind the whole race. I just couldn’t quite scratch my way back fast enough to get back to them. McCreadie and I got to battling for second there at the end and that was pretty fun.” The winner’s Todd and Vickie Burns-owned, SSI Motorsports, Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Big River Steel, Hoker Trucking, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Dyno One Inc., West Side Tractor Sales, Certified Inspection Service Company, Inc., D&E Outside Services, Midwest Sheet Metal, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, and Murty Farms. Completing the top ten were Devin Moran, Jimmy Owens, Brandon Overton, Chad Simpson, and Daulton Wilson. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Simon’s Trucking You Call We Haul 50Friday, May 19, 2023300 Raceway – Farley, IA Allstar Performance Time TrialsFast Time Group A: Ricky Thornton, Jr. / 14.630 seconds (overall)Fast Time Group B: Mason Zeigler / 14.656 seconds Penske Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 2. 1H-Hudson O’Neal[2]; 3. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 4. 18D-Daulton Wilson[3]; 5. 7-Ross Robinson[6]; 6. 58-Garrett Alberson[8]; 7. 4G-Kody Evans[5]; 8. 99B-Boom Briggs[7]; 9. T22-Tegan Evans[9]
Summit Racing Products Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 25Z-Mason Zeigler[1]; 2. 99-Devin Moran[2]; 3. 11-Spencer Hughes[4]; 4. 20-Jimmy Owens[3]; 5. 49T-Jake Timm[6]; 6. 98-Jason Rauen[8]; 7. 76-Brandon Overton[9]; 8. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[5]; 9. 29-Spencer Diercks[7]
Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 (8 Laps, All Transfer): 1. 39-Tim McCreadie[2]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 3. 46-Earl Pearson Jr[4]; 4. 25C-Chad Simpson[3]; 5. 16-Tyler Bruening[5]; 6. 111B-Max Blair[6]; 7. 40-Joel Callahan[7]; 8. 17-Tim Simpson[8]
Simon’s Trucking You Call We Haul 50 Feature Finish (50 Laps):

Race Statistics Entrants: 26Terminal Maintenance & Construction Pole Sitter: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Lap Leaders: Mason Zeigler (Laps 1-12); Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Laps 13-50)Wieland Feature Winner: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Arizona Sport Shirts Crown Jewel Cup Feature Winner: n/aBrandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: n/aMargin of Victory: 3.515 secondsGorsuch Performance Solutions Cautions: Kody Evans (Lap 16); Joel Callahan (Lap 17); Spencer Hughes (Lap 18); Max Blair (Lap 31)Fast Time Provisional: n/aSeries Emergency Provisionals: n/aTrack Provisional: n/aBig River Steel Podium Top 3: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Tim McCreadie, Hudson O’NealPenske Shocks Top 5: Ricky Thornton, Jr., Tim McCreadie, Hudson O’Neal, Mason Zeigler, Tyler ErbTodd Steel Buildings Hard Charger of the Race: Brandon Overton (Advanced 12 Positions)Wilwood Brakes Lucky 7th Place Feature: Jimmy OwensDeatherage Opticians Lucky 13th Place Feature: Jonathan DavenportEarnhardt Technologies Most Laps Led: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (36 Laps)Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Ricky Thornton, Jr.Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Hudson O’NealO’Reilly Auto Parts Rookie of the Race: Max BlairEtchberger Trucking Fastest Lap of the Race: Ricky Thornton, Jr. (Lap 14 – 14.808 seconds)MD3 Tough Break of the Race: Max BlairOuterwears Crew Chief of the Race: Anthony Burroughs (Ricky Thornton, Jr.)ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Clements Racing EnginesMiller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Longhorn ChassisDirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Earl Pearson, Jr. (15.042 seconds)Time of Race: 28 minutes 20 seconds
The Big River Steel Chase for the Championship Presented by ARP Point Standings:

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HILLTOP REAPER: Ryan Gustin Wins at Marion Center in 100th Career Start

May 22, 2023 ARP Trish

The Marshalltown, IA driver moves to second in the Series standings, eight points behind Chris Madden

MARION CENTER, PA – May 19. 2023 – An early caution was all Ryan Gustin needed to make his 100th World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models Series start a memorable one.

The Marshalltown, IA driver stormed under Ryan Montgomery on Lap 7 to take the lead and never looked back to win the Connor Bobik Memorial Friday night at Marion Center Raceway.

Montgomery led the field to the green in the 40-lap affair, holding off challenges from Mike Norris and Gustin, who slowly worked his way to the front from his fourth starting spot in the first few laps.

But as “The Reaper” snuck by Norris on the inside for second, a caution came out on Lap 4 for Colton Flinner, who spun.

After the restart, Gustin needed three laps to wrestle the lead away from Montgomery, sliding underneath him in Turn 2 on Lap 7.

From there, he aced three more restarts to earn his third career World of Outlaws win and his first of the 2023 season.

“The Reaper” said his fourth starting position allowed him to ease through the race and not use his equipment up too early.

“We took off, and I felt really, really, good,” Gustin said. “Probably the best I’ve ever felt in a Late Model. It went right around there, and I just kind of tried to ride and not kill the edges on my tires a whole lot once we got to the lead.

“It’s nice starting up there. If you start eighth or tenth or whatever, you know you just got to go. When you start up there, you can definitely take a lot better care of your tires and make sure you got something left at the end.”

Gustin’s $10,000 victory vaults him to second in the points standings—eight points behind Series points leader Chris Madden, who finished ninth.

While Gustin went unchallenged once he took the lead, two former champions waged war for the runner-up spot.

Shane Clanton and Brandon Sheppard traded the position before the “Georgia Bulldog” gained the advantage on the outside on Lap 35.

It’s a finish the Zebulon, GA driver said he needed for his Skyline Motorsports team after they didn’t start the season as he’d hoped.

“We’ve struggled this year with just the balance of the car,” Clanton said. “We struggled at Volusia, just turning and getting traction. So, we worked, and we worked hard to get where we’re at.

“Overall, our car was real good, though. We just needed a little more tweaking, and I think we know which way to go, and we’re doing the right things.”

Sheppard crossed the line third after falling back to eighth in the first few laps.

The four-time Series champion stated that his team continues building confidence as they improve each race.

“We’re just plugging away,” Sheppard said. “We’re just trying to string together some good runs and just show everybody what we got.

“We were able to pass a few cars. We fell back to seventh or eighth at the beginning, and then I was able to pick my way up through there, and I was really good in the long run. I don’t know if it was tires, but it was a tricky track. But we were able to get up there a few spots and get a podium run, so we’re happy.”

Nick Hoffman, the Rookie of the Race, finished fourth after starting 12th.

The Mooresville, NC driver said he was happy with the outcome, especially at a place he’s never raced before.

“That was a really good run,” Hoffman said. “That’s about all you could expect to start 12th there and run fourth. But Gustin was really good. Obviously, he beat me in that Heat Race there, and that was the winning move for the night.

“Our stuff was really good. I was happy with that to run fourth and come up through there.”

Bobby Pierce rounded out the top five after starting 16th.

While Ryan Gustin bested the field at Marion Center to create a milestone moment with his 100th Series start, his eyes are on a milestone no one has reached—100 wins.

“I wish it was the 100th win, but that’s not going to happen right now,” Gustin said. “You’re not going to win out here every night. Hopefully, we’ll get to 100 someday.”

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models travel to Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, PA, on Saturday, May 20. Then, the Series makes its lone trip to New York on Tuesday, May 23, stopping at Stateline Speedway in Busti, NY.

If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App.

CASE Construction Equipment Feature (40 Laps): 1. 19R-Ryan Gustin[4]; 2. 25-Shane Clanton[8]; 3. B5-Brandon Sheppard[5]; 4. 9-Nick Hoffman[12]; 5. 32-Bobby Pierce[16]; 6. 96V-Tanner English[24]; 7. 22-Gregg Satterlee[18]; 8. 11-Gordy Gundaker[3]; 9. 44-Chris Madden[11]; 10. 00-Kyle Hardy[22]; 11. 1ST-Johnny Scott[20]; 12. 1*-Chub Frank[19]; 13. 40B-Kyle Bronson[9]; 14. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[25]; 15. 5L-Jon Lee[13]; 16. 36-Logan Martin[28]; 17. 12-Doug Drown[6]; 18. B1-Brent Larson[21]; 19. 3S-Brian Shirley[10]; 20. 97-Cade Dillard[23]; 21. 1C-Alex Ferree[7]; 22. 1Z-Logan Zarin[15]; 23. 30-Todd Cooney[26]; 24. W3-John Weaver[27]; 25. 9Y-Levi Yetter[17]; 26. 14W-Dustin Walker[29]; 27. 10-Mike Norris[2]; 28. 4S-Ryan Montgomery[1]; 29. 48-Colton Flinner[14] FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER: Tanner English [+18].

ARP Racing News

Category Archives: Uncategorized

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HILLTOP REAPER: Ryan Gustin Wins at Marion Center in 100th Career Start

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