No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R earns highest starting spot; No. 3 Cadillac surprises fieldSTAVELOT, Belgium (April 28, 2023) — The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R earned the highest qualifying position of its maiden FIA World Endurance Championship season and its sister No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R was the surprise of the 13-car Hypercar field during the 15-minute session for the Six Hours of Spa. Earl Bamber negotiated the tricky 7.004km (4.35-mile), 20-turn Spa-Francorchamps circuit on a damp and chilly afternoon to record a best lap of 2 minutes, 01.043 seconds – only two-tenths off the lap time of the pole-winning effort of the No. 7 Toyota Gazoo Racing – to claim the outside of Row 2 for the third round of the championship.The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R had previously qualified fifth at Sebring and eighth at Portugal and has advanced more positions (five) that any other Hypercar in the two races. The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R, co-driven by Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook, was also second quick in the morning free practice session. The No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R, making its WEC debut this weekend, qualified fifth with Sebastien Bourdais behind the wheel with a best lap of 2:02.138. Bourdais and co-drivers Renger van der Zande and Jack Aitken had only put 35 laps on the brand-new racecar in the three free practice sessions.

The Six Hours of Spa is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. ET / 12:45 p.m. Central European time Saturday. MotorTrend and MotorTrend Plus will provide both live television and streaming coverage in the U.S.. Radio Le Mans will stream audio coverage of the race. Live streaming is also available through a subscription on the FIA WEC app. Additionally, a one-of-a-kind viewing experience is available via the cockpit camera in the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R. WATCH

No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.REarl Bamber, Alex Lynn, Richard WestbrookBamber drove in the 15-minute qualifying session (qualified fourth with lap of 2 minutes, 01.043 seconds; seven total laps): “We’ve been working and working, and I think today was really good with P2 in practice three and not far off the pole. To be honest, we’re building more and more and that is what this team is all about. Again today, two-tenths from pole, now we start to show what we can do. It’s the hard work of the guys between Portugal and now, and we’re not going to stop until we get there.” No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.RSebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande, Jack AitkenBourdais drove in the 15-minute qualifying session (qualified fifth with lap of 2 minutes, 2.138 seconds; six total laps): “Obviously, not having any clue of what the balance was going to be, not having actually run that tire before, I think we can be pretty happy with the result. We’ll take a good look at the data and try to make it good for the long runs.”

Keating qualifies fourth in Corvette team’s push for three straight GTE Am victories FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (April 28, 2023) – Corvette Racing will start from the second row in Saturday’s Six Hours of Spa for the FIA World Endurance Championship as Ben Keating posted the fourth-fastest time in the GTE Am class in qualifying.

Keating set a best lap of 2:20.160 (112.282 mph) in the No. 33 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C8.R that he’s driving with Nicky Catsburg and Nico Varrone. The trio is on a tear through two races with consecutive victories at Sebring and Portimao, a pole position the last time out in Portugal, and a healthy lead in Driver and Team points. Those results mean that the Corvette is carrying an additional 45 kilograms (99.2 pounds) of “rewards weight”, per the GTE Am regulations to balance the competition throughout the season. Cars that finish the previous two races first, second or third must on-board additional weight on a sliding scale of 15-10-5 kilograms. In addition, the same amounts of ballast apply to the top-three entries in the GTE Am championship standings. A red-flag stoppage with a little more six-and-a-half minutes to go split the qualifying session into two parts. Keating banked a lap early that was good enough for second before the action came to a halt. While a front-row spot would have been ideal, starting fourth in a 14-car field is positive considering the extra weight that the C8.R has earned through two rounds. This is the third consecutive season in which Corvette Racing has competed in the Spa Six Hours – the last two years in the GTE Pro category. The team finished fourth in both 2021 and 2022. The Six Hours of Spa for the FIA World Endurance Championship is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. ET / 12:45 p.m. Central European time Saturday. MotorTrend and MotorTrend Plus will provide both live television and streaming coverage. Radio Le Mans will stream audio coverage of qualifying and the race. Live streaming video – of the race and on-board camera feed of the No. 33 Corvette – also is available through a subscription on the FIA WEC app.

BEN KEATING, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R – QUALIFIED FOURTH IN GTE AM: “I think the red flag benefitted us. P4 is a really good result for carrying 45 extra kilos on this particular track. Even without those, I don’t know if I was able to keep up with (pole-winner Ahmad) Al Harthy in the Aston Martin. The Aston is really strong around here. Last year I qualified a second-and-a-half ahead of the field in the Aston around here. But they’ve got a bunch more power and we’ve got a bunch more weight!“Qualifying was good. From my time in IMSA in the LMP2, I’m pretty good at getting heat in the tires and doing a decent lap (early). I’ve learned from being in WEC for four years that you have to have a lap where you have no track limits before you start to push. So I got in one decent lap and I really felt like I could go faster, but then we had the red flag. I was going to be in the mid-2:18s on that lap; it was really good. But after the red flag, I went out and just got too greedy. I tried to push too hard and had a lock-up going into Turn Five. I just wasn’t able to do a quicker lap after the peak of the tire. “The red flag kept me from doing a quicker lap but it also kept everyone else from doing a quicker lap, which is why I say because I get the tires up to pressure quickly and because I can do a lap quickly, it was a benefit to us that not everybody else got to do a lap. I’m excited to start the race P4. I think that’s a great starting place for having an extra 45 kilos in the car. I’m excited to be on the second row and that’s not too bad. I’d rather be on the inside than the outside. But the way the odd number of prototypes is, I think that might come true. I think I might actually be on the inside of the third row judging the way it’s been the first two races. It will be a long race but I’m happy to start in the front half of our class.”

NICKY CATSBURG, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “I feel like it’s going to be difficult here. We’re really feeling the 45 kilos. Of course we also had 30 kilos at Portimao. It’s almost like not every kilo is the same. At one point, you cannot keep adding. You’re going to fall off a cliff, which I feel like we’ve done now. It’s going to be tough to compete here with the long straights and the uphills. But let’s see. We are always very good at not making mistakes. Strategically, the team is very good. In the pitlane we are very good. We just need to keep our heads down, don’t get too lost in our pace deficit, keep doing what we are doing and see where we end up.”

NICO VARRONE, NO. 33 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8.R: “Spa has been difficult for us in FP1 and FP2. We are struggling with the ballast. Some of the setup changes seemed to work from FP1 to FP2. We had a little bit more for FP3 but it rained so we couldn’t test it. It will be a tough race but we need to do what we do always – stay out of trouble, try to be as fast as we can, keep it clean, be fast on the pit stops like we always are and maximize our weekend to make the most amount of points possible. If we do that, we’ll be happy with any position where we finish.”Spa is a track for me where I have good memories. I really enjoy it. It’s my favorite track. For me, every lap is one that I enjoy a lot. I have to say with the Corvette C8.R, it’s even better. It’s been enjoyable this week even though it’s tough for us. I’m grateful to be racing here, and to do it with Corvette is even better.”

2023 FIA World Endurance Championship – GTE Am (After two of seven events)Driver Standings1. Ben Keating/Nicky Catsburg/Nico Varrone – 642. Christian Ried/Julien Andlauer/Mikkel Pedersen – 333. Simon Mann/Stefano Constantini/Ulysse De Pauw – 284. Davide Rigon/Francesco Castellacci/Thomas Flohr – 275. Daniel Serra/Scott Huffaker/Takeshi Kimura – 24 Team Standings1. No. 33 Corvette Racing – 642. No. 77 Dempsey-Proton Racing – 333. No. 21 AF Corse – 284. No. 54 AF Corse – 275. No. 57 Kessel Racing – 24 CORVETTE RACING AT SPA: By the Numbers• 1: As in one team, one manufacturer and one model of car for 25 years of racing: Corvette Racing, Chevrolet and the Chevrolet Corvette.• 3: Tracks where Corvette Racing has competed in each of its 24 previous years: Sebring, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (later this year). • 4: Generations of Corvette Racing entries since 1999 – Corvette C5-R (2000-04), Corvette C6.R (2005-13), Corvette C7.R (2014-2019) and Corvette C8.R (2020-present).• 14: Manufacturer Championships for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing since 2001.• 27: Tracks at which Corvette Racing has won races – Baltimore, Charlotte Motor Speedway, COTA, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park/Mosport, Daytona, Detroit, Houston, Laguna Seca, Le Mans, Lime Rock, Long Beach, Miami, Mid-Ohio, Monza, Portimão, Portland, Road America, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Sonoma, St. Petersburg, Texas, Trois Rivieres, Utah, VIR, Washington DC and Watkins Glen• 34: Number of drivers for Corvette Racing since 1999. Ben Keating and Nico Varrone joined that list with their participation – and victory – in the 1,000 Miles of Sebring for the World Endurance Championship.• 124: Victories worldwide for Corvette Racing – 113 in North America and eight at Le Mans.• 271: Event starts by Corvette Racing since 1999.• 354,050.01: Total number of racing miles completed by Corvette Racing since its inception. To put that in perspective, Corvette Racing is more than halfway to the distance traveled by Apollo 13 – the longest manned spaceflight in history: 622,268 miles. That means Corvette Racing has raced to the moon… and then some! Corvette Racing at Spa-Francorchamps2021No. 63 Corvette C8.R: Antonio Garcia/Oliver Gavin – 4th in GTE Pro (Gavin’s final Corvette race) 2022No. 64 Corvette C8.R: Tommy Milner/Nick Tandy – 4th in GTE Pro

Ahead of Cadillac V-Series.R’s first trip to Monterey track

Alexander Sims, co-driver with Pipo Derani of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R in the Grand Touring Prototype class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, met with the media via Zoom conference to preview the upcoming race in Monterey, California. Q&A with Sims transcript:

TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST GETTING BACK TO LAGUNA SECA.“I’m looking forward to getting back to Laguna. It has a pretty unique track surface there, thankfully still, I believe. There is a lovely mix of corners in a nice part of the world. Looking forward to just driving the track and trying to get our teeth stuck into understanding how these GTP cars can work best around there. As Mathieu (Jaminet, Penske Porsche) was touching on, I think it’s new for all of us with these cars. We’re embarking on an unknown journey at each of these circuits that we go to. We sort of do the simulator work, and the engineers have a certain expectation of what it should be in terms of competitiveness for us. Once we’re on the ground, the circuit conditions are inevitably slightly different to what one expects. We have to adapt and try to optimize our package as quickly as possible while still working on the fundamental development of this car as well because we are still in the early stages of development.” YOU MADE REFERENCE TO THE UNIQUE SURFACE AND THAT IT’S STILL THE SAME WHEN YOU’RE THERE IN TWO WEEKS. IS THERE A COMFORT GOING THERE WITH A NEW CAR BUT A SURFACE YOU’RE FAMILIAR WITH?“I don’t know. I just like the track surface as it is because it’s a different type of surface compared to many that we would race on. I enjoy going places and having different challenges to work through. Certainly tire degradation will be a bit of a pain for us, and maybe I’ll be kicking myself for saying that I was looking forward to it before the weekend if we do struggle with tire deg or something through the race. Who knows? It’s a challenge that I enjoy. These cars are so different, honestly, particularly compared to stuff I’ve worked with before and even the team with the DPi last year with a different Michelin tire, there’s not a huge amount that is the same and can be transferred from that learning in terms of specific engineering items. The fact that the track surface is the same… it is a bit of a known quantity that we are likely to have tire deg going into it. But beyond that, there is not a huge amount of learning into it. It at least doesn’t throw another variable into the mix. I’ve had in the past some new track surfaces that you go to and it treats the tire completely different to what you were expecting. Sometimes you have to really change cambers and things a lot to try and manage tire temperatures that you weren’t expecting. It’s a nice variable to have through the season – to go to some high-deg tracks and low-deg tracks and have a different challenge.” WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CORNER TO GET RIGHT AT LAGUNA TO EITHER EXTRACT LAP TIME OR MAKING A MOVE ON ANOTHER DRIVER?“It’s very difficult to pick just one that is the most important. I don’t know how you say one over any other. They’re all tough at Laguna, to be honest. They all have different characteristics … some off-camber and some on-camber, and slow-, medium- and even Turn Nine that is pretty high-speed.” DOES HAVING CADILLACS IN BOTH IMSA AND WEC HAS SPED UP THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS?“From Cadillac’s side, it certainly has been helpful to have the WEC guys running. There have been a few occasions where we’ve had feedback from our race weekend and they’ve then had a race in between. Even Sebring when they had the Prologue, there were learnings that we were able to feed into their program and they were able to feed into ours. At the end, it’s small, incremental improvements. It’s not like they come up with some brand new suspension geometry that is going to add tenths of a second to your laptime or take it away, even. But there are small improvements to software items, usability of that from a driver’s perspective on track… we can get up to speed with some things a little quicker, but it’s a constant learning process that we’re going through. All the extra track time that you have is always extra learning, so it’s definitely a benefit, I would say.”

The 58 year old continues to stay committed to the one thing he knows most – racing

GRANITE CITY, IL (April 27, 2023) – A regular week for Bill Rose is anything but regular.

On Mondays, Rose heads to his day job like many – building interior trim for homes. The Plainfield, IN native will do that throughout the week and when slower days permit, he drives to Terre Haute Action Track – where he recently took over promotional duties – to lend a hand. Oh, and on the weekends, he follows one of motorsports’ most demanding schedules – the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series 80-plus race tour.

The interior work and promotional role would be enough for most, but an unshakeable passion powers his continued tenure with The Greatest Show on Dirt as the Series heads to a pair of tracks close to home – Tri-City Speedway (Granite City, IL) and Tri-State Speedway (Haubstadt, IN) – this weekend (April 28-29).

“I’m stupid. I shouldn’t do it,” Rose said with a laugh about his non-stop lifestyle. “But I love to do it, and I want to do it with the Outlaws. It’s something I love to do.”

Rose has been racing Sprint Cars for more than three decades. It’s his life. It’s something he can’t imagine not being involved with in some capacity.

“Everybody asks me, ‘Why don’t you do something else?’” Rose said. “I don’t know what else to do. It’s all I’ve ever done is race.”

It’s that dedication that played a part in his recent decision to get involved at Terre Haute. Promoting is another avenue to stay engaged with the sport he loves and might even lead to another level down the road – ownership. With an uncertain future surrounding the track heading into 2023, a few conversations led to the opportunity arising, and Rose wasted no time jumping into action.

“It’s just something I’ve been thinking about and trying to dabble in is doing some promoting or maybe even owning a track in the future,” Rose explained. “It was like, why not? I might as well jump in and do it.

“A buddy of mine lives in Terre Haute, and he’s lived down there forever,” Rose said. “We were talking about the racetrack and the stuff that had happened last year with the guys that were promoting it getting into it with the fair board and everything. I told him that I’d like to maybe dabble in that sometime down the road. And he mentioned it to somebody, and finally I got a phone call and one thing led to another. We put a program together to do three races this year, and we’ll see how it plays out.”

Another motivating factor was Rose’s desire to preserve a piece of Sprint Car racing history. The “Action Track” opened in 1952 and has seen some of open-wheel racing’s finest names circle its surface over the years. The historic half mile lies close to Rose’s heart.

“Terre Haute has always been one of my favorite places,” Rose said. “My two favorite racetracks have always been Terre Haute and Manzanita, and Manzanita is gone. And I don’t know who was going to promote it (Terre Haute) if I didn’t take it over for this year, and we can’t lose Terre Haute. I’m going to try my damndest to do what I can to keep it going.”

Shifting back to his current endeavors on the World of Outlaws tour, it goes without saying that “free time” isn’t a phrase that exists in Rose’s world. Competing on the grueling campaign requires much more than showing up at the racetrack on the weekend. Rose doesn’t have the luxury of a full crew to monitor his operation throughout the week while he tends to his other responsibilities. But he does have the help of his trusted partner, Amanda Hoegsted.

“She’s in the shop all of the time,” Rose said. “If I can’t get the cars cleaned up, she does that. She cleans the trailer up. She does the general maintenance on the car and stuff like that. Whatever she can do, she does. She’ll do the mounting the tires and grooving tires and stuff like that. She does everything she can during the week for sure. I keep her pretty busy with that.”

So far, this season hasn’t gone how Rose would’ve preferred on the racetrack. He’s struggled to earn his desired results and admits he’s been puzzled by the lack of performance.

On the bright side, Rose has pieced together a new car for this weekend’s races at Tri-City Speedway and Tri-State Speedway. The 58 year old owns more experience than most at either facility having competed with a blend of the World of Outlaws, United States Auto Club (USAC), and Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA) at both.

No matter the result this weekend or throughout the rest of the year, Rose’s motivation and diligence will remain a constant. Weekdays he’ll handle whatever work projects await while also putting in the effort to usher Terre Haute into its next era of promotion. And when the weekend rolls around, the time comes for him to do what he loves most – wheel a 900-plus horsepower machine with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars.

“It’s all I ever want to do (race),” Rose said. “Ask Amanda. She’ll tell you that’s all I do. She wants to go do some other stuff and it’s like, when do we have time? I’ve got toys that I want to play with.”

You can catch Rose playing with those toys this weekend with the World of Outlaws at Tri-City Speedway and Tri-State Speedway. For tickets to Tri-City, CLICK HERE. For tickets to Tri-State, call (812) 768-6025.

No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R competing at Spa; No. 2 Cadillac is third-quick in sessionSTAVELOT, Belgium (April 27, 2023) — The No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R made its FIA World Endurance Championship debut Thursday during the initial free practice for the Six Hours of Spa, joining the sister No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R on the 7.004km (4.35-mile), 20-turn Spa-Francorchamps circuit.Primarily, Cadillac Racing entered the No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R as a warmup for next month’s centenary 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it will be joined by the No. 2 Hypercar and the No. 311 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R. Still, the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R has proven itself exceptionally competitive through two rounds of its maiden WEC season and the sister car should not be discounted from challenging for the win either. “We never show up to the racetrack not to win, so we’re going to do the best we can,” said Mike O’Gara, director of operations for Chip Ganassi Racing which runs the Nos. 2 and 3 Cadillac prototypes. “It is really a training and learning experience for us from logistics to rules to the car. Typically, we would do a private test beforehand, but today was the shakedown. The car did everything it was supposed to, this is the IMSA crew running the car this weekend so we’re making sure they know how scrutineering works, how pit stops work and just taking everything in and be as prepared as we can for Le Mans.”Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Jack Aitken will co-drive the No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R in the race Saturday. Bourdais put 18 laps on the Michelin tires in the morning session and was quick straightaway. Van der Zande completed two laps in the afternoon free practice before stopping between Turns 11 and 12. Due to a self-induced mistake, we are going to have some extra work to do tonight but we’re looking forward to competing in the third free practice, qualifying and the six-hour race, Chip Ganassi Racing said in a statement.The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R, co-driven by Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook, was third-quick in the afternoon session with a best lap of 2 minutes, 3.388 seconds and ran 58 trouble-free laps in the two sessions scheduled for 180 total minutes but both cut short by red flags. The third free practice is Friday morning followed by the 15-minute qualifying session to set the grid for Saturday’s race on the iconic facility in the Ardennes. The Six Hours of Spa for the FIA World Endurance Championship is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. ET / 12:45 p.m. Central European time Saturday. MotorTrend and MotorTrend Plus will provide both live television and streaming coverage. Radio Le Mans will stream audio coverage of qualifying and the race. Live streaming video of qualifying and the race also is available through a subscription on the FIA WEC app. Additionally, a one-of-a-kind viewing experience is available via the cockpit camera in the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R. WATCH

No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.REarl Bamber, Alex Lynn, Richard WestbrookLynn: “Just excited to get this car on the track; another new adventure for us on the WEC team. I think the car performance was good and we’re right there. With WEC, you have to be on it from the start. You have to have a good baseline setup, drivers ready to go because the weather – especially here – offers a mixture of things so we need to have everyone ready and the car in a good window. I think we have.” No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.RSebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande, Jack AitkenBourdais after his drive in morning session: “Obviously, we didn’t have any clear targets. It essentially was a shakedown and then we we’re hoping to get as many laps as we could after the systems check and it actually turned out the car ran, and we didn’t have any issues. It went as well as we could hope for. We have a lot of figuring out to do with tires and setups, but at least operationally and functionally the car is working fine and we’re pretty happy how we started. Now we can get going and hopefully have a good weekend.”

April 27, 2023

After some positive experiences at Talladega Superspeedway, Harrison Burton and the DEX Imaging team have turned their focus to this weekend’s Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway.

Crew chief Brian Wilson said he was pleased to see his team’s car lead the GEICO 500 at Talladega for 11 laps during a stretch in which Burton and his fellow Ford driver Ryan Blaney waged a 1-2 battle for the lead.

“It was great to see the No. 21 Ford Mustang up front at Talladega and leading laps,” Wilson said. “Everyone including our pit crew, Ford Performance, Roush Yates Engines and Harrison all did a great job to place our car at the front of the field.

“Also, it was great to be a part of surprising Jeff Burton with the announcement of being included in the top 75 drivers in NASCAR’s history. Personally, I’m curious to see how many of the final 75 have driven a car for the Wood Brothers team.”

With Talladega in the rear-view mirror, Wilson, Burton and the DEX Imaging team now are busy preparing for the high-banked one-mile concrete track known as the Monster Mile.

“As we head to Dover we’re studying all that has changed since the early May race last year,” Wilson said. “Several rule changes, a new Mustang body and the quick learning curve of the Cup series are all included.”

Wilson also noted that the track is one of his favorites.

“Dover is one of the most dramatic tracks that you can watch a car turn a lap on,” he said. “The high speeds, hard loading and moving racing lines make it one of my favorite tracks to visit. 

“I’m excited for the weekend and the chance to keep improving with the No. 21 team.”

Practice for the Wurth 400 is set for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with qualifying following at 11:20. FOX Sports 2 will carry the broadcast.

Sunday’s 400-mile race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 2 p.m. with TV coverage on FOX Sports 1.

Stage breaks are planned for Laps 120 and 250.

 

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE

Würth 400Dover Motor Speedway Dover, Delaware April 30, 2023

DEFENDING AT DOVERChevrolet will look to extend its recent and historic success at Dover Motor Speedway this weekend with the one-mile concrete oval holding the next stop on the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) circuit. Coming off a weekend sweep at Talladega Superspeedway, the Bowtie brand will make its return to the Delaware venue not only as the series’ most recent winner this season, but also as the defending winner in both series at the track.

TAMING THE MONSTERAt the track nicknamed “The Monster Mile”, Chevrolet holds the all-time win record in two of NASCAR’s top series – collecting wins in 43 of the 104 NASCAR Cup Series races and 33 of the 76 NASCAR Xfinity Series races.

Chase Elliott No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1Dover Motor Speedway – May 2, 2022 Chevrolet has made the trip to victory lane in the NCS’ two most recent appearances at Dover Motor Speedway courtesy of Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman (May 2021) and Chase Elliott (May 2022). Both of those victories were celebrated by a podium sweep by the Bowtie brand, with Hendrick Motorsports taking it one step further in 2021 by placing all four of its drivers in the top four- a feat that had never been accomplished in the organization’s storied NCS history. Josh BerryNo. 8 JR Motorsports Camaro SSDover Motor Speedway – April 30, 2022 JR Motorsports’ Josh Berry is credited with Chevrolet’s most recent NXS win at the Delaware venue – scoring his first win of the season and a playoff berth in the series’ April 2022 event. Mimicking the success of its affiliate team Hendrick Motorsports, the JRM drivers took four of the top-five positions in the event with Berry leading Justin Allgaier (second), Noah Gragson (fourth) and Sam Mayer (fifth). Another accomplishment of note for the manufacturer came in the timespan of June 1993 to June 2001 with Chevrolet collecting wins in 16 of series’ 17 NXS races at the track.

JOHNSON RULES AT DOVERNo other driver has found success at Dover Motor Speedway like career Chevrolet driver Jimmie Johnson. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion recorded a series-best 11 wins at “The Monster Mile” in his 19-year illustrious career. Johnson’s first two wins at the Delaware oval came in his rookie campaign – sweeping both NCS races in 2002. His most recent came in June 2017, ultimately marking his final win before retiring from full-time NCS competition in 2020.

BUSCH ADDS TO SEASON’S REPEAT WINNERS LISTIn a race that saw a record 56 lead changes among 21 different drivers and a double attempt at an overtime finish, it was Kyle Busch and the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Camaro ZL1 team that took home the checkered flag at Talladega Superspeedway last weekend. The victory – Chevrolet’s seventh in 10 NASCAR Cup Series races – marked Busch’s second triumph since starting his tenure at Richard Childress Racing. The 37-year-old Nevada native also became the third repeat winner of the season in NASCAR’s premier series. Chevrolet continues to be the only manufacturer to have a repeat winner in the series thus far with Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron and Kyle Larson joining Busch on that elite list.

DOUBLE-DIGIT UPDATEChevrolet has been on the fast-track to success this season with Kyle Busch’s Talladega triumph marking the manufacturer’s seventh win in 10 NASCAR Cup Series races this season. As the series’ season hits double-digits, a look at the Bowtie brand’s season highlights:

Chevrolet’s series-leading seven NCS wins this season have been recorded by drivers from three different Chevrolet teams: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (JTG Daugherty Racing), Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing), William Byron and Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports). Stenhouse Jr.’s Daytona 500 victory marked Chevrolet’s first of four-straight victories to open the season – marking the first time since 2001 that a manufacturer has swept the first four races in a single season in NASCAR’s premier series. In the six NCS, NXS and NCTS tripleheader race weekends this season, Chevrolet has recorded a weekend sweep on two occasions. Busch led Chevrolet to four top-10 finishes at Talladega – recorded by four drivers from four different Chevrolet teams. This marks the third time this season that four different Chevrolet teams have been represented in the top-10 of a single event, also occurring at Daytona International Speedway and Circuit of The Americas. Chevrolet drivers have swept the podium in three NCS races this season, taking it one step further at Auto Club Speedway with a one-two-three-four finish. Chevrolet – the defending NCS Manufacturer’s Champion – has maintained the lead of the series’ manufacturer points standings throughout the season’s first 10 races. Four different Chevrolet teams have contributed to the manufacturer points standings thus far including: Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, JTG Daugherty Racing and Spire Motorsports.

KAULIG RACING’S ALL-STAR NXS CAR SHINES IN 2023At the beginning of the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, Kaulig Racing transitioned its No. 10 Camaro SS team to an “All-Star” car with a variety of drivers from the Bowtie brigade sharing the driving duties. The roster for the team’s third entry has featured Kaulig Racing’s NASCAR Cup Series regulars Justin Haley and AJ Allmendinger, Richard Childress Racing teammates Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch, and series’ newcoming Derek Kraus.  The team’s elite driver lineup has powered the No. 10 Camaro SS to a top-10 finish in the first eight NXS races of the season, including a win by Allmendinger at Circuit of The Americas in March – his first time returning to the series since moving to full-time NCS competition. Kraus has been tapped as the team’s driver for the series’ past three races with Richmond Raceway marking his first career start in the series. The 21-year-old Wisconsin native drove the No. 10 Camaro SS to a 10th-place finish in his series’ debut, with the young driver following up the impressive run with an eighth-place finish at Martinsville Speedway one week later.

BURTON ADDS WIN, PLAYOFF BERTHJeb Burton became the third different Chevrolet driver to claim a win and a playoff berth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season after driving his No. 27 Camaro SS through a double overtime finish to take the checkered flag at Talladega Superspeedway. The victory marked Burton’s second career victory in the series and the first for Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport since the organization began competing in the series in 2021. 

Burton delivered Chevrolet it’s series-leading sixth victory in nine NXS races this season. The Bowtie brand has held the top position in the series’ manufacturer points standings all season long, with the manufacturer now sitting at a 33-point lead over its competitors. Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill drove his No. 21 Camaro SS to a pole win and top-10 finishes in both stages at Talladega. Despite getting collected in a late-race accident that resulted in an 18th-place finish, Hill was able to reclaim the lead in the NXS driver points standings.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·       Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Dover Motor Speedway:  Kyle Busch – 3 (2017, 2010, 2008)Chase Elliott – 2 (2022, 2018)Alex Bowman – 1 (2021)Kyle Larson – 1 (2019) ·       In 104 NASCAR Cup Series races at Dover Motor Speedway, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 43 victories – two of which came in the past two NCS races held at the track (Chase Elliott – 2022; Alex Bowman – 2021).  ·       Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins by an organization at Dover Motor Speedway with 22 among seven different drivers, most recently by Chase Elliott (2022). ·       Career Chevrolet driver Jimmie Johnson is the NASCAR Cup Series’ all-time win leader at Dover Motor Speedway with 11 wins. In addition, Johnson has recorded 18 top-fives, 27 top-10s and 3,113 laps led at the Delaware oval, making it the winningest track of his career. ·       Only three drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series are repeat winners this season, all coming from Team Chevy (William Byron – Las Vegas & Phoenix; Kyle Larson – Richmond & Martinsville; Kyle Busch – Auto Club and Talladega).  ·       In 10 points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race this season, Chevrolet continues to lead the series in wins (seven), top-fives (23), top-10s (43), stage wins (11) and laps led (1,190). ·       Chevrolet’s series-leading seven NASCAR Cup Series wins this season have been recorded by drivers from three different Chevrolet teams: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (JTG Daugherty Racing), Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing), William Byron and Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports). ·       Chevrolet drivers have recorded 11 of the 20 NASCAR Cup Series stage wins this season: William Byron (five; series-leading), Ross Chastain (three), Kyle Larson (two) and Chase Elliott (one).  ·       Chevrolet continues to sit atop the manufacturer points standings in all three NASCAR national series, leading by 40 points in the NASCAR Cup Series, 33 points in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and four points in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.  ·       With its 41 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer’s Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Championships, and 840 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title of winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.  Tune In: NASCAR Cup Series – Würth 400; 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 30(FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) NASCAR Xfinity Series – A-GAME 200; 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 29(FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

QUOTABLE QUOTES:ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 JOCKEY CAMARO ZL1What is it like racing at Dover, especially with this version of the car?“It’s awesome to drive off of the cliff in Turn 1 and then down the hill and across the bumps in Turn 3. I love going to Dover and racing anything there. Dover was one of the tracks I was a little worried about with this car last year, but I got there and everyone had their ducks in a row and we weren’t doing anything crazy with tires and wrecking.” What was your first laps at Dover like since it is such an intense track?“I remember when I made my first Truck Series start at Dover in 2012. My first lap was a large pucker factor moment. I had to try and breathe through the process. Early on I was not breathing making laps. I’ve learned how to cope with it and how to prepare for it and breathe properly now.” AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 GET BIOETHANOL CAMARO ZL1What’s the sensation of speed at Dover like?“Racing at Dover Speedway is like a rollercoaster ride with no tracks. There’s none like it, a lot of pace there, you’re driving down into the corner coming off of a four-story banking to the bottom of the track and you just try to catch your breath and get back on the gas, to drive off the corner and do that for 400 laps. Once you get into the race you get into a rhythm, and you start to feel comfortable. The first couple of laps are always hard on you.” What is the most challenging part about Dover Motor Speedway?“It’s a hard concrete track and we have to try and make sure our shock package is good and hopefully, the Get Bioethanol Chevrolet handles well. Maybe the line will move around, but it’s usually right around the bottom. As the rubber lays down it gets harder to do more with the car. Dover is a Monster, but my No. 3 Chevrolet team is up for the challenge.” KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1Larson on his confidence coming to Dover Motor Speedway: “I look forward to racing at Dover (Motor Speedway) this weekend. The past two years there with the No. 5 team we have been fast with two top-10 finishes. I feel like I’ve had a super competitive race car at almost every track this season and expect nothing less at Dover. It would be great to get a win there with Hendrick Motorsports.” CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1Daniels on preparing for Dover: “Kyle (Larson) has a really good knack for driving at Dover (Motor Speedway). He has a great feel for that place. Really, it’s going to be on us to get him a car that he is comfortable with so he can move around when the track takes rubber and drive the way he wants to drive. Admittedly, we did miss that a little bit last year. We were competitive but not quite as strong as we wanted to be. We do have the data points from last year and we’ve learned a lot of things since that hopefully we can apply and put a good foot forward.” KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 LENOVO CAMARO ZL1You have had a lot of success at Dover. How does that track fit your driving style so well?“I’ve always enjoyed Dover. I feel like it’s a big Bristol so I think going there is kind of fun. It’s really a unique track with the elevation change from the straightaways to the corners, the drop down and the jump back out of the hole that you have going from straightaway to corner and back to straightaway. It’s definitely gotten more character over the years being rougher into Turn 3. That’s the tricky part of the track is trying to figure out Turn 3 and how you get through the bumps over there.”  How demanding is qualifying at Dover?“Qualifying at Dover is sometimes demanding just because the speeds there are so high. You’re in the corner longer than the straightaways so that track is definitely a challenge. A couple of years ago when we went to the higher downforce package it was wide-open qualifying which was crazy. These cars are a little bit different but still super-fast considering the size of the track at Dover. Qualifying is also important because of pit selection. Pit road there is really, really tight and you definitely want to have a good stall, somewhere with an opening, preferably, to get in okay and get out clean.” Why is the pit road at Dover so challenging?“The biggest challenge of the pit road at Dover is because it’s so narrow and also the speeds are low there too, so if you have a green flag stop you tend to go a couple laps down so you don’t want to have a green flag stop.” CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 Elliott on racing at Dover: “I think just it being concrete, it’s a very, very fine line but has a lot of speed. You might not be going as fast as you do on some other tracks, but it always feels like you’re going pretty fast there. So, that makes it fun from a driver’s standpoint. After a while, you know, you get kind of used to going at a fast pace until you hit something and you’re reminded how fast you’re going. But Dover, that sensation of speed is always very real and that’s exciting for us to do something little different.” Elliott on his success at Dover: “It was good to get another win there last year. For whatever reason, that track has suited what I look for in the car. We ran well there on the Xfinity side too. I’m not sure I know exactly what that is, but it has lent itself to some good results over the last six, seven years. Hopefully we can continue that.” AJ ALLMENDINGER, NO. 16 NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS CAMARO ZL1 “Last year, I felt like we had a really good car in Dover. It’s a place that I really enjoy driving at and I’ve always had fun there. Hopefully we can get some momentum and erase what has happened the last few weeks and start over. We’re definitely making gains on the race cars so I think this can be a really good race track for us. Looking to put together a solid weekend and start building from there.” WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 RAPTORTOUGH.COM CAMARO ZL1Byron on the challenges of Dover: “Dover (Motor Speedway) is just a tough place in general. We’ve always had really fast cars there, even with the Next Gen cars, but this track has a bit of a survival technique to it. The track is hard on the car, hard on a driver, and one mistake can result in the end of your day or put you behind by quite a bit. That’s what happened last year unfortunately. We were able to overcome a wreck in practice, but then a caution during green-flag pit stops late in the race put us in a hole we couldn’t get out of. If we show up with the speed we usually have, though, and the speed we have shown this year, we should be in good shape. It will just be about maintaining that track position the whole race.” RUDY FUGLE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 24 RAPTORTOUGH.COM CAMARO ZL1Fugle on what makes Dover so difficult: “First, Dover (Motor Speedway) is always tough on equipment. There’s vertical load on the tires, the car, the suspension, etc. As we found out on lap one of practice last year, that vertical load can put you on the shock tops real quick if you don’t have it pinpointed perfect, which can put you in the wall really quick. It’s a treacherous race track when it comes to that. Once you get into the race, the drivers are working really hard. Any time you have that many g-forces on your body, it feels like it’s trying to be thrown outside the car every corner. That takes a toll on the drivers. Lastly, it’s one of the tracks that changes a lot as the race goes on.” JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1“We had a great run at Dover last season and led a lot of laps. We almost got ourselves a top 10 there as well. It’s a track I really enjoy racing at, so it will be a unique birthday weekend for me. Hopefully Kaulig Racing will be just as fast there as we were last year.” NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 42 SUNSEEKER RESORTS CAMARO ZL1“We have had some good runs at Dover in the Xfinity Series and we can lean on Erik (Jones) and Dave (Elenz) for their experience at Dover last season in this NextGen car. I was really proud of the No. 42 team’s performance at Talladega, unfortunately we weren’t able to close it out. We have a lot of points to make up, so we need to build on the momentum we had last week.” ERIK JONES, NO. 43 ALLEGIANT CAMARO ZL1 “Dover is a cool place; I like going there. It’s been a fun track, and it’s fast. I think for qualifying Dover is one of the higher intensity tracks of the season, because of the speed you have to carry there. It is definitely a cool track, and I am looking forward to competing in the Allegiant Chevy this weekend. With the next Gen cars, I think Dover is one of the places where it performs very similarly. We still moved around a lot and ran some similar lanes if you run the bottom, so it was more similar in my opinion and probably more similar than most guys thought. I don’t expect to see anything out of the ordinary, and I am hoping to build off our success in Talladega.” BLAKE HARRIS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1Harris on preparing for Dover with Josh Berry: “Everyone on the No. 48 team is wishing Alex (Bowman) a speedy recovery and we hope to have him back as soon as he is healthy. With Josh (Berry) this weekend, we are fortunate enough to have had him in the No. 9 car recently, so we kind of know what driver comfort items we needed so we were able to get him in here and get him fit. We also got a simulator session in with him so as far as preparation for this weekend goes, I feel like we are in as good of shape as we can be considering the time crunch we are in to get the car to Dover (Motor Speedway). Josh has a 1.5 average finish at Dover in Xfinity and finished second in an ARCA (Menards Series East) car there, so I don’t think we could go to a track that is better suited for a plug-and-play guy. Our approach this weekend is just to take it one step at a time, no mistakes, and get Josh comfortable enough to get the No. 48 in contention.” DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 FREEWAY INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1Why do you like Dover? “Actually, Dover is one of my favorite tracks that we go to. It’s so much fun and the feeling you get inside the car is pretty incredible. It’s also been one of my best tracks, statistically. My expectations are really high for this weekend because I have run so well in the past there.”  Is there momentum after Talladega?“Yes, we had a very fast car. We have had fast cars in most of the races this year. Our program is getting better and better. Our pit stops have been fantastic lately as well. We still have a lot of learning to do and things we can improve, but I think we will start getting the type of finishes we expect and deserve here soon.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics  Manufacturers Championships:Total (1949-2022): 41First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15) Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022 Drivers Championships:Total (1949-2021): 33First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021) Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007)                2023 STATISTICS:                                                                                                    Wins: 7Poles: 3Laps Led: 1,190Top-five finishes: 23Top-10 finishes: 43Stage wins: 11·       Ross Chastain – 3 (Daytona), (Auto Club x2)·       William Byron – 5 (Las Vegas x2), (Phoenix), (COTA), (Richmond)·       Kyle Larson – 2 (Phoenix), (Bristol Dirt)·       Chase Elliott – 1 (Talladega)  CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 840 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 737Laps led to date: 246,734Top-five finishes to date: 4,244Top-10 finishes to date: 8,755                                                                                                          Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,174           Chevrolet: 840           Pontiac: 154           Oldsmobile: 115           Buick: 65            Ford: 821                                                                      Ford: 721           Mercury: 96           Lincoln: 4            Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467           Dodge: 217           Plymouth: 191           Chrysler: 59            Toyota: 172

CONCORD, N.C. (April 26, 2023) – For only the second time in Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown history, Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Ford Cobra Jets and Dodge Challenger Drag Paks will battle it out across four lanes at this weekend’s Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway just outside of Charlotte. 

Coming off a victory at the season opening Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Florida, Joe Welch enters the Four-Wide Nationals not only with the points lead but a national speed record to his name and the $1,000 bounty on his back. He’ll have some added obstacles this weekend, Welch has never raced in the four-wide format. 

Gatornationals winner Joe Welch, photo by Gary Nastase/Auto Imagery

“This will be my first time racing four-wide. I’ve been asking my friends what to expect. I don’t want to get clocked out up there,” Welch said. “I’ll have to get my game face on. But I’m looking forward to it, a new experience. I’m sure it puts you on your toes and I’ll probably struggle a little bit. I’m 74-years old, so change doesn’t come easy. I’m looking forward to it.”

Welch and his Joe Welch Racing Dodge Drag Pak picked up the $1,000 bounty at the Gatornationals through the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Bounty Program after defeating previous race winner Aaron Stanfield in his Janac Brothers Chevrolet COPO Camaro during the finals. Welch will now carry the bounty until he is beaten, with $1,000 being added each race weekend he goes undefeated. 

“When you have the bounty on you, it’s exciting, everyone is gunning for you. It’s kind of fun. Having a bullseye on our back, gives everyone a little more motivation,” said Welch, who set the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown national speed record at 185.18 mph during the Gatornationals finals. “We have some things to work on with the car, some suspension work. Found some things in Gainesville but we hoped for the best and it worked out for us.

“I didn’t really think about the national record until after the race. Speed is an indication of horsepower. Most of our speed came from us getting the attitude of the car right. We worked hard to get our nose down and make it more aerodynamic,” Welch said. “Of course, you want to have your name on any record out there, I just wish there was more weight behind it with points or something.”

Eager to get back into his COPO Camaro is Stanfield, who ended the 2022 season on a strong note and has carried over that momentum. He’s currently second in points after earning the No.1. qualifier at the Gatornationals before finishing runner-up to Welch. 

“We learned a lot last year racing four-wide and I think that will help us this weekend,” said Stanfield. “It has been a while since the Gatornationals and I am looking forward to getting back in the seat. I think the bar has been raised in this class and there are a lot of cars out here that can win a race at any time.”

Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown will kick-off at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway with qualifying sessions Friday at 3:15 and 6:00 p.m. and Saturday at 11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Eliminations will begin Saturday at approximately 5:15 p.m. with the second round picking up Sunday at 1:20 p.m.

The Marshalltown, IA driver is tied for third in the Series standings after six races with the help of a new crew chief and momentum from early season victories

FOUNTAIN CITY, WI – April 27, 2023 – Ryan Gustin has reached uncharted territory with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models.

As the Series prepares for the third annual Dairyland Showdown at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wi, on May 4-6, the “Reaper” is tied for third in the standings—his highest point in three years on tour.

With a top five and four top 10s in the season’s first six races, his consistency has positioned him 26 points behind points leader Chris Madden.

However, while his rise near the top of the standings seems constant, it hasn’t come without personnel changes. After former crew chief, Brett Ladehoff, decided to come off the road full-time at the end of 2022, Gustin searched for the missing piece to fill that spot.

That’s when he found Taylon Center, the missing piece to compliment himself and tire specialist Noah Bushman.

The addition of Center, who previously worked with Ricky Thornton Jr. and Hudson O’Neal, has paid off despite some struggles in Florida.

“It’s been good,” Gustin said. “Obviously, in Florida, we had some ups and downs. We won East Bay, and then we kind of struggled at Volusia a little bit. But that’s Florida, man. You’re going to take your lumps there; it seems like. 

“I don’t think we’ve really struggled outside of Florida. So, I feel like it’s been really good.”

Despite those Speedweeks struggles, one of the reasons he’s near the top of the World of Outlaws standings is his improvement at Volusia Speedway Park during Series competition.

In 2022, Gustin didn’t finish better than 25th in six starts at “The World’s Fastest Half-Mile.” But he turned it around this season with a top five and two top 10s in four races.

“I think the last two years we’ve been down there, we’ve made maybe 10 percent of the shows,” Gustin said. “It definitely was a big improvement from the last two years for sure.”

While Gustin has been consistent with the World of Outlaws, he’s also been a threat to win in other events.

He won a Feature at East Bay in February and scored a win at Paragon Speedway earlier this month—a place he’d never seen before that night.

It was a win that gave him momentum, something Gustin isn’t taking for granted.

“It was different for sure for a big Late Model around there compared to Midgets and Sprint Cars and what they usually run,” Gustin said. “It wasn’t World of Outlaws competition, but we’ll take them any way we can get them.”

That momentum propelled him into a weekend where he scored a third at Talladega and 10th at 411 Motor Speedway, vaulting him from sixth to third in the standings.

READ MORE: Chris Madden Stays on Top after 411, Talladega

But while his rise near the top of the standings has him in uncharted territory, his focus is still on one thing – winning.

“We’re sitting [26] points out of the lead,” Gustin said. “We’re right there with a lot of people too. All we have to do is outrun them. It’s like that every night. We’re here to win, and that’s what we plan on doing.”

Gustin and the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models head to Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, WI, on May 4-6 for the third annual Dairyland Showdown, including the second $50,000-to-win race of the season.

CONCORD, N.C. (April 28, 2023) – The largest professional team in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is adding another Pro Stock driver and machine to its impressive fleet. David Cuadra, son of Fernando Cuadra Sr. recently obtained his Pro Stock license and will make his professional racing debut this weekend at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals behind the wheel of his new Corral Boots Mustang.  D. Cuadra will join his father as well as his brothers, Fernando Cuadra Jr. and Cristian Cuadra on the Elite Motorsports team. The competition will be intense for The Cuadra Boys as each driver vies to bring home the family’s first professional victory. “This past week has been one of the best weeks of my life,” said D. Cuadra. “I had the opportunity to get my Pro Stock license with the best team I could ever ask for. I’m really excited about this new experience beginning in Charlotte. I know I have a really good and fast race car and a lot of great people supporting me.” The Elite Motorsports team has been working non-stop since their last event in Las Vegas, including testing in Tulsa, Okla. They feel confident coming into the race at the famous zMAX Dragway where they will tackle the track in the fan-favorite four-wide format.  Troy Coughlin Jr. had a phenomenal start to the season with a victory in Gainesville. He is currently ranked second in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series points standings and is on track for an impressive season in his JEGS.com / White Castle Camaro. Coughlin’s daughter, Aubrey, will be competing in the Red Line Oil Toddler Tricycle Race this weekend and she’s ready to hammer those pedals and take out the competition.  Aaron Stanfield won the fall event at zMAX last year and is looking forward to turning on some win lights this weekend in his Janac Brothers / JC3 Energy Camaro. Bo Butner will be looking for his first Pro Stock victory at zMAX Dragway and his Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro has been performing well all season long putting him in a great position to take the ultimate prize this weekend. Five-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders has been testing quite a bit in her JHG / Melling Performance Chevrolet Camaro and the team found some opportunities for improvement that should help her performance. Pro Stock rookie Jerry Tucker has also been performing well this season and will be one to watch this weekend.  Mason Wright will be piloting the Elite Motorsports Pro Mod entry this weekend in the FuelTech NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Type A Motorsports. This is only the second event of the season for the Pro Mod category and Wright is looking to make some major moves in the points standings this weekend.  Pro Stock action at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals begins with qualifying on Friday, April 28 at 4:00 pm EDT.  ***

Driver Quotes

Erica Enders”We are clearly battling some serious issues with our JHG, Melling Performance Chevy Camaro. The good news is, I have the baddest dudes in the business in my corner. It’s still early and we will battle back. We aren’t worried. We are determined. You can ask our competition what happens when you bet against us. Bring on Charlotte.”

Aaron Stanfield“We won in Charlotte last fall so I know that everyone on the Janac Brothers / JC3 Energy team is excited to turn on some win lights at zMAX again this weekend. And four-wide racing just intensifies all of the action.”

Troy Coughlin Jr.”TeamYellow is beating the door down to get to Zmax! The boys are working as hard as they always do and we’re making nice laps! Looking forward to having my family with me this weekend as my daughter Aubrey is involved in the Red Line Oil Toddler Tricycle Race! We will be cheering her on.”

Bo Butner“We can’t wait to get this Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro on the track at zMAX. It’s a great facility and four-wide racing is always intense. The fans are going to get a great show!”

Fernando Cuadra Sr.”I’m so proud of my sons. They are performing well and this weekend David will make his Pro Stock debut. It’s very exciting!”

Fernando Cuadra Jr.”I’m really excited to come to Charlotte. We will have the opportunity to qualify all four of The Cuadra Boys since my brother David will run pro stock at Charlotte. We hope to have all four cars competing on race day.”

Cristian Cuadra”This weekend my twin brother David is joining our Corral Boots race team. I’m excited to have him make his Pro Stock debut. Now all of The Cuadra Boys are going to be battling to be the first to bring a Pro Stock Wally to Mexico. The competition is going to be fierce and having David join the team is going to make everyone elevate their game.”

David Cuadra”This past week has been one of the best weeks of my life. I had the opportunity to get my Pro Stock license with the best team I could ever ask for. I’m really excited about this new experience beginning in Charlotte. I know I have a really good and fast race car and a lot of great people supporting me.”

Jerry Tucker“Now that I’ve got one four-wide race under my belt, I’m eager to tackle another one in Charlotte.”

Photos

The Elite Motorsports Pro Stock fleet is Four-Wide ready. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Jerry Tucker (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Fernando Cuadra Sr. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Erica Enders (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Fernando Cuadra Jr. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Cristian Cuadra (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Bo Butner (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Troy Coughlin Jr. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Aaron Stanfield (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Aubrey Coughlin (pictured here with her parents, Troy and Brenna) will participate in the Red Line Oil Toddler Tricycle Race this weekend at the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. (Photo credit: Auto Imagery)

Pre-Race Notes

Elite Motorsports: Pre-race notesCircle K NHRA Four-Wide NationalszMAX DragwayConcord, N.C. (April 28-30)  The Elite Motorsports team, the largest team in professional drag racing, has expanded for 2023 and will field a total of 10 entries for this weekend’s Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Concord, N.C. The Elite Pro Stock team features nine drivers including reigning and five-time world champion Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Troy Coughlin Jr., Bo Butner, Fernando Cuadra Sr. and his three sons, Fernando Jr., Cristian, and David, as well as newcomer Jerry Tucker. Mason Wright will also make his second start in the Pro Mod class with his Elite-backed Camaro. In the 19 Pro Stock events contested last season, Team Elite won 15 times and appeared in 26 of 38 possible final rounds. In addition to Erica Enders’ 10 wins, Aaron Stanfield collected three victories while Troy Coughlin Jr. earned his first two professional victories. Enders is coming off the most dominant season of her career that produced ten wins in 13 final round appearances and an astounding 55-9 record in elimination rounds. This season, Enders’ impressive roster of supporters includes Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage, Melling Performance, SCAG Power Equipment, PeopleLease and Mark Stockseth. During her professional career, Enders has accumulated 43 wins in 74 final rounds and has a round-win record of 441-244 for a .644 win percentage. Enders also has a win in Super Gas (2004 Houston) bringing her career total to 44 national event victories. Enders has won at least one event at 17 different venues including zMAX Dragway. She won the track’s fall event in 2015 and also won the four-wide race in 2018. She was also a runner-up at the famed facility in 2012-2013. Overall, Enders has won three events under the unique four-wide format including the 2018 event held at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C. as well as her two Las Vegas wins in 2021-2022. Enders currently holds both the elapsed time and speed records for the NHRA Pro Stock class with bests of 6.450-seconds and 215.55 mph. The elapsed time record was set at the 2022 Gatornationals. If Enders wins four events this season, she will surpass three-time Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Angelle Sampey as the sport’s winningest female driver. Sampey currently has 46 wins while Enders has 44. Following an impressive fourth-place finish in 2022, Troy Coughlin Jr. has begun his fourth full season behind the wheel of the familiar yellow and black JEGS.com Camaro. Coughlin enjoyed a breakout season last year with back-to-back victories in Seattle and Topeka. Coughlin also went to final rounds in Phoenix, Reading and Las Vegas. Coughlin heads to Concord as the No. 2 ranked driver in the championship after a dominating win at the season-opening Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals and a runner-up at the most recent event in Las Vegas. He currently sits just 51 points out of first place. At the recent NHRA Arizona Nationals near Phoenix, Coughlin became the first winner of the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, a special event open to the four semifinal finishers from the previous event. Coughlin defeated Greg Anderson in the final with an elapsed time of 6.57, compared to Anderson’s 6.60, to capture the inaugural event victory. In addition to his three career Pro Stock victories, the multi-faceted Coughlin has won in Top Alcohol Dragster, Super Comp and Super Gas. Coughlin’s father, Troy Sr., is a 15-time national event winner in Pro Stock, Pro Mod and Super Gas. Including his uncles, John, Mike, and Jeg Jr., the Coughlin family has combined to win 131 national event titles. Coughlin’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.515-seconds and 212.29 mph, set earlier this year at the season opener in Gainesville. Aaron Stanfield has also returned to the Elite team for another season behind the wheel of the Janac Bros/JC3 Energy Camaro. Stanfield, the son of five-time Super Stock world champ Greg Stanfield, is coming off a season where he was the third-ranked driver in Pro Stock. Last year, Stanfield earned Pro Stock wins in Phoenix, Bristol and the Fall Charlotte race to go with four runner-up finishes in Pomona, Epping, Norwalk and Denver. Stanfield finished the season with a 38-16 record in elimination rounds. Stanfield is coming off a semifinal finish at the recent Four-Wide Natonals in Las Vegas and has moved from No. 10 to No. 5 in the standings. Stanfield won back-to-back titles in the FlexJet Factory Stock Showdown class in 2020 and 2021. He will continue to drive his Janac Bros.-owned COPO Camaro in that class and will also continue to race in the Wright Trailers Top Dragster class. Stanfield was the winner the last time Pro Stock cars ran at zMAX Dragway last Fall. He defeated Matt Hartford to win the Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals title. All told Stanfield has 21 career wins in Pro Stock, Factory Stock, Super Stock, and Top Dragster. He’s enjoyed previous success in Las Vegas with back-to-back Factory Stock titles at the track’s fall events in 2020 and 2021. Stanfield’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.457-seconds and 213.47 mph, both set in Gainesville 2022. Bo Butner is a two-time NHRA world champion in Pro Stock (2017) and Comp Eliminator (2006). He joined the Elite team last season as the driver of the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage Camaro. Last season, Butner drove to a ninth-place finish in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock standings.  Earlier this season in Phoenix, Butner drove to a runner-up finish in Pro Stock, reaching the finals for the first time since the 2019 Richmond event. Butner defeated Erica Enders, Fernando Cuadra Jr. and Kyle Koretsky to reach his 26th career Pro Stock final. Butner is now ranked No. 6 in the Pro Stock standings, 144 points out from first place. While he did not win a Pro Stock event last year, the multi-talented Butner did earn a pair of victories in the Super Gas class in Indy and Reading. Butner has 29 career national event victories including 11 in Pro Stock. He also has wins in Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Gas, and Super Street. Butner has also enjoyed success as a big-money bracket racer with a victory at the K&N Spring Fling Million in Las Vegas in 2021. Butner has won at least one national event title at 14 different facilities but has never won at zMax Dragway. Butner does have three runner-up finishes in Concord including the 2016 four-wide event in Pro Stock along with Factory Stock (2019) and Stock (2013). Butner’s career bests in Pro Stock are 6.475-seconds and 214.28 mph, set in Dallas (2015) and Gainesville (2017), respectively. The Cuadra family including Fernando Sr., and his sons Fernando Jr., Cristian, and David, have returned to Elite Motorsports again this season and this weekend they will expand to four Pro Stock machines backed by Corral Boots. The Cuadra family will race Ford Mustangs under the Elite banner. Fernando Sr. is a two-time national event runner-up with final-round appearances at the 2019 races in Reading and Pomona. Cristian Cuadra was also the runner-up to Enders at the 2022 four-wide event in Las Vegas and he was a semifinalist at the recent four-wide event in Las Vegas. He comes into this weekend as the No. 8 ranked driver in Pro Stock. David Cuadra is making his Pro Stock debut this weekend after recently upgrading his Top Sportsman license. David is a three-time finalist in the Top Sportsman category including his most recent runner-up at the 2022 Dallas event. The Cuadra family has career-best elapsed times of 6.515 (Fernando Jr.), 6.524 (Fernando Sr.) and 6.527 (Cristian) – all of them recorded in Gainesville. Their career-best speeds are 212.13 (Fernando Sr.), 211.43 (Cristian), and 210.73 (Fernando Jr.). Earlier this season in Phoenix, Cristian Cuadra became the first Mexican-born NHRA racer to qualify No. 1 in a pro category when he drove his Elite-powered Corral Handcrafted Boots Mustang to a 6.552 pass. C. Cuadra is one of just 11 non-U.S.-born drivers to qualify No. 1 in a professional NHRA class and the only one to accomplish the feat in Pro Stock. New to the Elite Pro Stock team this year is Jerry Tucker, who enjoyed a memorable debut in Gainesville. Tucker qualified his Elite Camaro in the No. 15 spot with a 6.573 and won the first round after teammate Enders encountered a mechanical issue. Tucker also performed well in Phoenix, Pomona and Las Vegas qualifying for all three events. He is currently ranked No. 13 but is well within striking distance of the Top 10. Tucker, of Lindsay, Okla., has spent the last 30 years racing everything from Sprint cars to Midgets and has also enjoyed success in drag racing. Tucker previously raced in the Top Sportsman class. Tucker is expected to be one of the leading contenders for the NHRA Rookie of the Year award. Collectively, the eight current team Elite drivers have combined to win 104 NHRA national event titles across all classes including 64 in the Pro Stock class. Mason Wright will return to action this weekend in the FuelTech Pro Mod class presented by Type A Motorsports. At the season-opener in Gainesville, Wright qualified No. 10 in the tough field with a 5.828 at 245.49. Wright is currently ranked No. 16 in the Pro Mod standings but after one event, he’s just six points out of the Top 10. Wright, of Odessa, Texas, is also a graduate of the Top Sportsman class.  Justin Elkes of Modern Racing will serve as Wright’s crew chief thisseason. It was recently announced that Pro Mod the class will be part of the NHRA on Fox Sports television broadcasts for each event.

Apr 24, 2023 | Featured, Special Announcements

With only a few races in the 2023 season under their belt, Randy Meyer and his NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster 4x World Championship team are pleased to announce that Deni Jensen will be added to the roster for the 2024 racing season. Deni recently drove Meyer’s injected nitro dragster in Las Vegas and made several passes on the quarter-mile strip to qualify her for an NHRA competition license.

“Deni did a great job driving the dragster,” said Randy. “She is level-headed and carries herself well. She will be a great addition to the team.”

Deni currently drives her family-owned front-engine dragster with a Don Garlits designed chassis. She often runs at tracks in the Midwest including the well-known Mo-Kan Dragway, one of the home tracks of Randy Meyer Racing. But she desires for more and has her eyes set on competing in the Top Fuel ranks. She plans to use Meyer’s Top Alcohol Dragster as a springboard.

“I can’t thank Randy and his team enough for allowing me to join them in Vegas,” Deni claimed. “They made me feel comfortable and calm during my test session on Monday. Randy and I discussed a plan before each run, then we executed the plan every time. They are the absolute best. The opportunity to be able to join this championship winning team and drive for them, I don’t even have words for how grateful and excited I am.”

“My team at Deni Jensen Racing has been working really hard to make all this come together with a totally unique sponsorship program for me and Randy Meyer Racing. We plan to make a few major announcements in the near future. I’m so proud of our program and all the work our GM, Michael Simpson, has put into getting it together. I can’t wait to share our exciting news with everyone in the sport.”

“I want to thank my dad and PawPaw for teaching me how to drive race cars. My dad has been there every step of the way, I wouldn’t be here without him. He’s my mechanic, crew chief, gets me suited up, gives me advice on how to handle myself and a super-fast race car; I couldn’t do any of this without him. My husband Matthew and my daughters Harper and Crosby for being so supportive of me, letting me travel to events, being patient with me while I practice driving the race car at the dinner table, coming to the track for races, and helping us in the pits work on the car. Racing for us is a family event. My mom and grandmother for always going to the races to support me and babysit my girls.”

Randy Meyer Racing will announce their 2024 drag racing schedule at the beginning of next year with a full roster of drivers.

CHEVROLET IN NHRA 2023 CIRCLE K NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS zMAX DRAGWAY CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA April 28-30, 2023 DETROIT (April 26, 2023) – The fifth round of the 2023 NHRA season takes the Chevrolet Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock teams to zMax Dragway near Charlotte for the second of two four-wide events this year, the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. John Force, driver of the BlueDEF Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for John Force Racing, enters as the defender of both the No. 1 qualifier as well as event winner from 2022 where he set both the track record at 3.850-seconds and the track speed record at 335.07 mph. He takes to the track this weekend seeking his 156th career Funny Car Wally. Joining Force in the Four-Wide Nationals Finals last year, teammate Robert Hight, driver of the Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Camaro SS, looks to return to the Winner’s Circle after his recent victory this year in Phoenix. Chasing her 17th Top Fuel victory and 45th No. 1 qualifier, Brittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac, enters this weekend with seasonal momentum on her side as she continues her drive for her third championship. Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, seeks to best his runner-up finish in Pomona 1 to capture his first win of the season and the fourth of his career at Charlotte. Not in competition in 2022, Pro Stock returns to zMax Dragway this year, with KB Titan Racing’s Dallas Glenn entering his hometown race looking to three-peat after his victories at Pomona 1 and Las Vegas 1, the first four-wide event of the year. He currently seeks his seventh NHRA Wally in Pro Stock. A hometown event also for KB Titan Racing, located in nearby Mooresville, North Carolina, Greg Anderson, Camrie Caruso, Kyle Koretsky, Matt Hartford, and Deric Kramer all seek to capture a Pro Stock victory for the team. Making their return to the dragstrip for the second FlexJet NHRA Factory Stock Showdown event of 2023, and their second event in a four-wide format in series history (the first in 2022 at zMAX Dragway), Chevrolet looks for a repeat win in the class in the COPO Camaro. The 2023 Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals action from zMax Dragway airs first with Friday qualifying Saturday, April 28, at 7 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Saturday qualifying near Charlotte airs Sunday, April 29 at noon ET on FS1. Sunday’s Finals will also air on FS1, starting at 6 p.m. ET Sunday, April 30. Coverage streaming live throughout the weekend can be found through NHRA.tv, available via AppleTV, Android TV and Roku devices. WHAT THEY’RE SAYINGBrittany Force, driver of the Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:“Heading to Charlotte, North Carolina next on the NHRA circuit. zMAX Dragway is another familiar track for this Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team. We’ve won in the past, 2016, and have a runner-up finish in 2021. We also hold both ends of the track record. We come into the event third in points which is a solid position. With all the changes we’ve made we are getting back on track and looking for the first win of the season.” Austin Prock, driver of the Montana Brand/Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing:“This Montana Brand / RMT team is ready to get back at in Charlotte. I think what we learned in Vegas will us up nicely in the first qualifying session to make a clean run. Being able to drop the door and make a good hit right off the trailer really sets you up for the weekend and I know we’re capable of that. Hoping for some sunshine and win lights this weekend.” John Force, driver of the BlueDEF Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car for John Force Racing:“I love racing in Charlotte, zMAX is the Bellagio of drag strips, what a legacy for Bruton Smith. Danny Hood, Tim Fibrisi and the guys have built a fast hot rod and we’re ready to keep improving after putting together some solid runs in Vegas. We’ve had a lot of success here in the past and I’m excited to compete for another win for Chevy, PEAK, BlueDEF, Cornwell Tools, Frank Tiegs, Auto Club, and everyone who keeps me out here each week doing what I love.” Robert Hight, driver of the Auto Club/Cornwell Tools Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car for John Force Racing:“Our Flav-R-Pac team has had a couple of tough races lately. I’m looking forward to going back to zMAX, the Bellagio, for the Four-Wide this week. Charlotte is one of those tracks that we seem to have figured out and do well at. We’ve won here a few times and finished runner-up to John last season. We tested in Vegas last week and Jimmy Prock and the guys are ready to bring home our second Wally of the season.” Dallas Glenn, driver of the RAD Torque Chevrolet Camaro SS in Pro Stock for KB Titan Racing:“Our RAD Torque Systems Camaro is coming into this weekend at our home track feeling pretty great after going back-to-back the last two races on the NHRA circuit. My first Wally in Pro Stock was at the Charlotte four-wide two years ago and I’m ready to three-peat this weekend. We’ve got the car and the team behind me; we can do it.” TEAM CHEVY BY THE NUMBERS1,424: Round wins for John Force (1st all-time)596: Round wins for Robert Hight; 14th all-time, Bob Glidden (Pro Stock) is 13th with 597370: Number of wins in Pro Stock since 1970; 251 won in the Chevrolet Camaro body165: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for John Force (1st all-time)156: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins since 196777: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Robert Hight (6th all-time)76: Number of Chevrolet Racing Funny Car wins with the Camaro body44: Number of career No. 1 qualifiers for Brittany Force27: Number of NHRA championships Chevrolet holds as a manufacturer since entering the first in 1966. No other manufacturer has won it more than Chevrolet.24: Wins by John Force in a Chevrolet-bodied Funny Car18: Number of Pro Stock championships16: Chevrolet career Top Fuel wins in NHRA16: Number of Chevrolet career wins by Brittany Force7: Number of Funny Car driver championships2: Number of Top Fuel driver championships MOST RECENT WIN IN NHRA BY CHEVROLETLas Vegas 1 (Four-Wide), 2023: Dallas Glenn, Pro Stock 2022 NHRA CHARLOTTE FOUR-WIDE WINS BY CHEVROLETJohn Force, Funny Car 2022 NHRA CHARLOTTE FOUR-WIDE NO. 1 QUALIFIERS BY CHEVROLETJohn Force, Funny Car MOST RECENT DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NHRA BY CHEVROLET2022: Brittany Force, Top Fuel2022: Erica Enders, Pro Stock2022: David Barton, Factory Stock Showdown2019: Robert Hight, Funny Car UPCOMING NHRA MILESTONES950: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) is second all-time with 915 elimination round wins. He could reach 950 round wins with a decent run in the 18-race schedule.600: Robert Hight has 596 Funny Car elimination wins to rank 14th on the all-time NHRA list; Bob Glidden (Pro Stock) is 13th with 597. Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car) sits 12th with 615.440: By qualifying for his next race, Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) will extend his NHRA record to 439 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2002 at Pomona 2, and he holds the longest career qualifying streak in NHRA.138: Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) ranks third on the NHRA all-time list with 121 No. 1 qualifiers. He will tie Warren Johnson (Pro Stock, 138) for second to John Force (165) on the list.262: By qualifying for his next race, Robert Hight will extend his NHRA record to 261 consecutive race day appearances. His first appearance came in 2010 at Pomona 2, and he currently sits seventh in career qualifying streaks in NHRA (Doug Kalitta is sixth at 268).65: Robert Hight moved into the top 10 on the all-time NHRA victory list with his win in Phoenix, tying the retired Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) at 62 wins. Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock, retired) is next ninth on list with 65.46: Erica Enders has 43 career Pro Stock victories (all with Chevrolet, first win coming at Chicago, 2012 and last win at Las Vegas 2, 2022). Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) is the all-time NHRA female leader with 46. 18: Brittany Force (16 Top Fuel career wins) will move past Shirley Muldowney (18 wins) into third on the NHRA all-time victory list for females. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 43) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle, 46) are ahead.6: Erica Enders (Pro Stock) could tie Warren Johnson (6 Pro Stock championships) for second on the class list. The same holds for Greg Anderson. Bob Glidden is the leader with 10.3: Brittany Force (Top Fuel, 2 championships) would tie Shirley Muldowney (Top Fuel) and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) for second on the NHRA all-time championship list by females with another title in 2023. Erica Enders (Pro Stock, 5) is the leader.

CONCORD, N.C. (April 26, 2023) – After four events out of 21 in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, two-time and defending world champion Brittany Force and the Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster team enter this weekend’s Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway just outside of Charlotte sitting third in the points standings. Force is the only John Force Racing driver to have won four-wide events on both coasts. She won the Circle K Four-Wide at zMAX in 2016 and the NHRA Four-Wide at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2022. In addition to her 2016 win, she was runner-up at Charlotte to Steve Torrence in the 2021 Four-Wide. The current track record holder for time (3.662 seconds on May 14, 2021) and speed (336.91 mph on Sept. 24, 2022), she was No. 1 at the Four-Wide in 2018 and 2021. “Heading to Charlotte, North Carolina next on the NHRA circuit. zMAX Dragway is another familiar track for this Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy team. We’ve won in the past, 2016, and have a runner-up finish in 2021. We also hold both ends of the track record,” Force said. “We come into the event third in points which is a solid position. With all the changes we’ve made we are getting back on track and looking for the first win of the season.” Force earned her second No. 1 of the season, 44th of her career at the first of the NHRA Four-Wide events in Las Vegas before racing her way to the final quad for a semifinal finish. The result is proof that the David Grubnic-tuned Flav-R-Pac machine is coming around quicker than expected after changes in the off-season. The Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway starts with qualifying Friday at 4:45 and 7:45 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 4:35 p.m. Sunday eliminations are slated to begin at noon. Television coverage of the event begins with qualifying shows Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at 12:00 p.m., ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will begin on FS1 Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET.

The DIRTcar 358 Modified Series and DIRTcar Sportsman Series take to the Empire State for first races of season

FULTON, NY (April 26, 2023) – The championship season for the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series and DIRTcar Sportsman Series is set to kick off this month.

On Saturday, April 29, the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds will be at Fulton Speedway for the High Bank Hold Up, while the DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds (East and North Regions) will be at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY.

DIRTcar 358 Modified Series

The DIRTcar 358 Modifieds Series championship season will run from April through October, now starting at Fulton Speedway for the High Bank Hold Up, Saturday, April 29.

Boasting a $19,000 purse, with a $4,000 payday, the 60-lap Feature will bring the best DIRTcar 358 Modified drivers together to kick off the championship chase.

Reigning Series champion Dave Marcucilli will return, looking to build a path to a second consecutive title and battle his way back to Victory Lane after going winless last season. To do so, he’ll have duel with the likes of 2021 Series champion Billy Dunn, Lance Willix, Jordan McCreadie and Ryan Bartlett.

Several Super DIRTcar Series stars are expected to join the field, including Fulton Speedway track champion Tim Sears Jr., Mat Williamson, Jimmy Phelps and Ronnie Davis III.

Williamson and Phelps are past Series winners at Fulton, along with Alan Johnson (1999) and Billy Decker, who won the High Bank Hold Up last year.

Saturday’s race will be one of six events drivers will contend in before heading to Oswego Speedway, Oct. 2-8, for Super DIRT Week 51 and the $20,000-to-win Salute to the Troops 150. The Series will conclude at Brockville-Ontario Speedway for the $10,000-to-win Fall Nationals and crown a new champion.

DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Series

The East and North Regions for the DIRTcar Sportsman Series will commence their championship season at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY on Saturday. Along with battling for valuable early season points, the race will boast a $1,500 payday for the Sportsman.

Of those expected to compete are Airborne track champion Travis Bruno, Codie Aubin, Gabriel Cyr, Jamy Begor, Jessica Power, and last year’s winner of the event Shane Pecore.

This will be the Series’ sixth visit to Airborne. Pecore has two wins with the Series at Airborne (2022, 2018), while other winners include John Scarborough (2021), Travis Bruno (2019) and Alex Lajoie.

Spanning multiple regions across the Northeast, the DIRTcar Sportsman Series will again showcase rising stars and yearly veterans tackling the best tracks in New York, Ontario, Vermont and North Carolina.

The season will run through October before coming to a close at The Dirt Track at Charlotte during the World Short Track Championship (Oct. 26-28) – a non-points event.

The Championship Series will commence at Fulton Speedway, Aug. 15, during SummerFAST with the Super DIRTcar Series. Throughout the 11-race title fight, the Series will visit multiple big events like Ransomville Speedway’s Summer Nationals, Albany-Saratoga Speedway’ Malta Massive Weekend, Brewerton Speedway’s Hurricane Harvey 75 and Super DIRT Week for the Chevrolet Performance 75.

Like the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, the championship chase will end at Brockville Ontario Speedway, Oct. 14, during the Fall Nationals.

For tickets to Super DIRT Week 51, CLICK HERE.

You can watch several of the events live on DIRTVision with an annual Platinum FAST PASS or monthly FAST PASS subscription.

CHILLICOTHE, OH (April 26, 2023) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series returns to Atomic Speedway for its ninth and 10th visit to the 3/8-mile track, Friday-Saturday, May 26-27.

After a more than 10-year absence, the Series made its highly anticipated return to Atomic last year, and now grows into a two-day weekend this season for drivers and Ohio racing fans.

Home state hero Sheldon Haudenschild, of Wooster, OH, claimed the victory last year, stopping 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz from getting a third straight win at the track. Schatz still has the most World of Outlaws wins at Atomic with four (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009).

What you need to know:

ATOMIC SPEEDWAY, MAY 26-27
Track:
3/8-mile in Chillicothe, OH

Times (ET):
2 p.m. Pit Gates open
5 p.m. Grandstand Gates open
6:30 p.m. Hot Laps/Qualifying
Opening Ceremonies and racing to follow

Tickets: Available HERE

Previous winners:
2022 – Sheldon Haudenschild on May 28
2009 – Donny Schatz on August 1
2008 – Donny Schatz on July 26
2007 – Terry McCarl on July 28
2006 – Donny Schatz on August 5
2005 – Donny Schatz on September 27
2004 – Jason Meyers on May 11
2003 – Daryn Pittman on July 31

CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES

CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA INDY GRAND PRIX

LEEDS, ALABAMA

TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE

APRIL 28-30, 2023

DETROIT (April 26, 2023) – Beautiful Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama welcomes the NTT INDYCAR Series for the fourth race of the 2023 season, and Team Chevy as the defending winner of both the NTT P1 Pole Award and the race.

Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren captured the win in last year’s event on the 2.3-mile permanent road course and comes in with a strong start to the 2023 season. Ed Carpenter Racings’ Rinus VeeKay arrives this weekend for his 50th career INDYCAR start and is determined to compete for the win at one of his favorite tracks after capturing last year’s NTT P1 Pole Award. “First road course race of the season and our best race last year,” exclaimed VeeKay. “Barber is a very good track for us. I got the pole there last year but unfortunately only finished third when we were able to win. Hopefully, we can pick right back up where we left off last year!”

With three wins at Barber, the most of any driver in the field, Josef Newgarden of Team Penske looks to capture a fourth victory this weekend on top of his 2015, 2017 and 2018 wins-all powered by Chevrolet, saying he’s “so excited for Barber. It used to be my home track before the Music City Grand Prix,” noted Newgarden. “It’s right down the road, two-and-a-half hours. It’s a rollercoaster of a racetrack and I’ve had some good luck there, some very good cars. Hoping we can put together another good run this year.”

Scoring seven wins since 2012 in the 2.2L V6 Twin Turbo Direct Injection era at Barber Motorsports Park along with eight P1 awards, 15 podiums, and 560 laps led Chevrolet seeks its 108th victory in the Bowtie brand’s 186th INDYCAR race.

“Barber Motorsports Park has been a successful venue for Team Chevy since the 2012 debut of the 2.2 liter V6 engine,” noted Rob Buckner, IndyCar Program Manager at General Motors. “Our Chevrolet engineers have worked well with our teams to develop the right combination to produce seven wins in 10 races at Barber. But we also recognize the high level of competition in INDYCAR at the moment. Our engineers will continue to work hard to find improvements with our teams to keep Chevrolet at the front each weekend.”

“As to the track itself, it represents a number of challenges,” described Buckner. “It’s the first natural-terrain road course of the year. That means lots of elevation change and punishing runoff areas that always get the attention of drivers. Consistent power application and fuel management across the hills and around all 17 corners will be key. There’s nothing more we’d like than to go into the month of May and Indianapolis with another victory at Barber.”

The Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix kicks off with Practice 1 Friday, April 28 at 3:40 p.m. ET, with Practice 2 starting Saturday, April 29 at noon ET. Qualifications then start at 3 p.m. ET Saturday. A final warm up will start race day Sunday at noon ET. All practice and qualifying will be live on Peacock, INDYCAR Radio and SiriusXM Channel 160. The 90-lap, 207-mile race Sunday, April 30 will take the green flag at 3 p.m. ET live on NBC.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Will Power, No. 12 Chevrolet at Team Penske:

“I really, really enjoy Barber. It’s a very nice facility. It’s a tough track with super high-commitment corners. We were able to test there, and I think we have a pretty good setup. We’ll roll off the truck pretty good, we hope. The series is so tight now; you never know where you’re at.”

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

“Barber Motorsports Park is one of the tracks I always look forward to – I’ve loved it ever since I started racing there in junior Formulas. It’s a very fast, very flowy track, and it’s easy to enjoy what a race car has to offer around that place. I’m excited to go back. We’ve had a great package there in the last few years, so let’s see what we can do this year.”

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

”First road course of the year. Barber Motorsports Park is an amazing track, and it’s probably the biggest physical challenge for us drivers. It’s historically our best road course track, so hopefully we have enough to keep that going.”

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

”Barber Motorsports Park is always a thrilling challenge, and I’m eager to take it on this weekend. Our team has shown great performance to start the year, but we need to start getting results. As a driver, you always strive for that perfect balance between precision and aggression, and Barber demands nothing less. I’m excited to see the fan energy as we push ourselves and battle for the top spot on the podium.”

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

“Our team has been successful at Barber Motorsports Park in the past and I’m excited to see what we’ve got this year. Obviously, Rinus (VeeKay) has been really fast there, and I hope to be able to learn from him and improve myself. The No. 20 BITNILE.COM car has been a bit unlucky there in the past couple years, so hopefully we can get things to go our way! The goal is now to kind of restart our season at Barber and get things going in the right direction.”

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

“First road course race of the season and our best race last year! Barber is a very good track for us. I got the pole there last year but unfortunately only finished third when we were able to win. Hopefully we can pick right back up where we left off last year! ECR has won here in the past, so I am excited to go back to such a cool track. It’s a lovely place to race at the end of April. Brings some momentum into May, that’s what we need! We haven’t had a great start to the season, we need to turn it around and Barber is a great track to do that at.”

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

“Super excited to head to Barber to carry the momentum off of Long Beach. Haven’t been back for a little while now, so we will see how it goes for the team, but I know that Benjamin’s (Pedersen) rookie test proved successful, so I’m very excited to see what they learned and apply it to this weekend.”

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

“I am really looking forward to being back at Barber this week. This is a track I have experience with and have found success at from F3 to Indy Lights. It will be nice to be back on a track that I am familiar with and it happens to be one of my favorite tracks on the schedule. We had a great test here last month in the No. 55 Sexton Properties Chevrolet, so I am excited to see what we can build on and accomplish as a team when we are on track beginning this Friday.”

CHEVROLET AT BARBER

Wins at Barber (since 2012): 7

2012 – Will Power

2013 – Ryan Hunter-Reay

2015 – Josef Newgarden

2016 – Simon Pagenaud

2017 – Josef Newgarden

2018 – Josef Newgarden

2022 – Pato O’Ward

Chevrolet Driver with the Most Barber Wins (since 2012): Josef Newgarden (3 – 2015, 2017, 2018)

Number of Team Chevy Pole Awards at Barber (since 2012): 9 (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022)

Chevrolet Driver with the Most Barber Pole Awards (since 2012): Helio Castroneves (2012, 2015) and Will Power (2014, 2017) – 2

Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Barber (since 2012): 15

Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Barber (since 2012): 560

2023 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS

185: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR. 

107: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012. 

121: Earned poles since 2012. 

7: Five Chevrolet drivers have won seven events since 2012 on the 2.3-mile permanent 17-turn permanent road course.

7: Manufacturer Championships since 2012. 

7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012. 

26: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with same manufacturer. 

14: Consecutive seasons with at least one win by Will Power, including past 11 with Chevrolet power. 

9: Wins from pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver. 

44: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.

*Will Power’s career total of 68 poles makes him the all-time pole winner in INDYCAR.

CONCORD, N.C. (April 26, 2023) – Austin Prock is the only active John Force Racing driver without a win in the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, a distinction he hopes to shed this weekend at the wheel of the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Chevrolet dragster at zMAX Dragway just outside of Charlotte. Prock started the 2023 season with two quarterfinal finishes at the Gatornationals and Arizona Nationals before having a runner-up performance at the Winternationals, his third consecutive final-round appearance at the event in Pomona, California. The Montana Brand / RMT dragster is currently sitting seventh in points after a first quad exit at the most recent event, the Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. “This Montana Brand / RMT team is ready to get back at in Charlotte. I think what we learned in Vegas will us up nicely in the first qualifying session to make a clean run,” Prock said. “Being able to drop the door and make a good hit right off the trailer really sets you up for the weekend and I know we’re capable of that. Hoping for some sunshine and win lights this weekend.” Although he’s made only 53 career starts in Top Fuel, Prock already has advanced to seven final rounds with three wins including two in last year’s Countdown to the Championship in which he improved by a record-equaling nine positions, finishing third overall. His first win came at Seattle in 2019. The Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway starts with qualifying Friday at 4:45 and 7:45 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 4:35 p.m. Sunday eliminations are slated to begin at noon. Television coverage of the event begins with qualifying shows Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will begin on FS1 Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET.

BATAVIA, Ohio (April 26, 2023) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has again fallen victim to Mother Nature.  Rain is forecast to move into the Mid-Atlantic region on Friday and continue through the weekend, with more than an inch of rain expected in some locations. Track and Series officials agree these conditions make the weekend impractical for all parties. The $18,049 to win Melvin L. Joseph Memorial at Georgetown Speedway has been rescheduled to Thursday, August 24 – preceding The Rumble by the River at Port Royal Speedway.     Unfortunately, the Conococheague 50 at Hagerstown Speedway will not be made up in 2023. For anyone who purchased advance tickets to the Conococheague 50, refunds will automatically be issued to the original method of payment. Sunday’s Battle in the Borough at Port Royal Speedway will also not be made up this season. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will return to Port Royal Speedway on Friday, August 25 and Saturday, August 26. The Rumble by the River includes a pair of $5,000 to win programs on Friday before the culmination in a $50,000 to win finale on Saturday. The 2023 season will continue Thursday, May 4 when the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions converge at Atomic Speedway for The Night the Stars Come Out. From there, teams head south to Ponderosa Speedway for the John Bradshaw Memorial. The 37th Annual Ralph Latham Memorial will close out the weekend on Saturday, May 6 at Florence Speedway. For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.

HARTFORD, OH (April 26, 2023) – With Sharon Speedway providing some of the best World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model racing every year, the Battle at the Border has grown into a three-day event.

The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will invade the Hartford, OH track, May 25-27, boasting a $156,000 overall purse with $6,000-to-win Features on Thursday and Friday, and then a $25,000-to-win Feature on Saturday.

In the Series’ 10 visits to Sharon, there have been 10 different winners – most recently Ryan Gustin and Ohio’s Devin Moran grabbed wins last year.

A special VIP package is also being offered to fans: For $75, one will receive an all-access pit pass with first choice at general admission seating (excludes reserves seating areas), luncheon, opportunity to meet and greet the stars of the World of Outlaws in addition to a question and answer session, and the chance to win prizes. A limited amount of packages are available through the “Buy Tickets” link at SharonSpeedway.com or directly at https://www.simpletix.com/e/q-a-luncheon-pit-pass-with-stars-of-the-ou-tickets-130224

For more on the package, CLICK HERE.

What you need to know:

SHARON SPEEDWAY, MAY 25-27 (Battle at the Border)
Track:
3/8-mile in Hartford, OH

Times (ET):
2 p.m. Pit Gates open
4 p.m. Grandstand Gates open
6:30 p.m. Hot Laps/Qualifying
Opening Ceremonies and racing to follow

Tickets: Available HERE

Previous winners:
2022- Ryan Gustin on May 28, Devin Moran on Aug. 20
2021- Kyle Larson on Aug. 21
2019- Brandon Sheppard on Aug. 30
2010- Darrell Lanigan on July 29
2009- Tim Fuller on July 25
2008- Donnie Moran on July 26
2007- Chub Frank on July 28
2006- Rick Eckert on July 8
2004- Davey Johnson on June 26

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.

CONCORD, N.C. (April 26, 2023) – Robert Hight and the Flav-R-Pac / Cornwell Tools / AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS team enter the Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway sitting fifth in the NHRA Camping World Series points standings. The three-time world championship team is approaching the upcoming weekend with a determined mindset. Hight has won more often at zMAX Dragway than any other track, raising the Wally six times overall, twice in the Four-Wide Nationals (2012, 2014) and four times in the Carolina Nationals (2009, 2013, 2017, 2019). He’s started the Four-Wide from the No. 1 qualifying position three times (2010, 2012 and 2019) and last year, he just missed adding a third four-wide title when he lost in the final quad to teammate John Force. “Our Flav-R-Pac team has had a couple of tough races lately. I’m looking forward to going back to zMAX, the Bellagio, for the Four-Wide this week,” Hight said. “Charlotte is one of those tracks that we seem to have figured out and do well at. We’ve won here a few times and finished runner-up to John last season. We tested in Vegas last week and Jimmy Prock and the guys are ready to bring home our second Wally of the season.” After having consecutive first-round losses for the first time in two years, Hight and crew chief Jimmy Prock are looking to rebound. They enter the Four-Wide Nationals in fifth place in points thanks to a win last month at the final race at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park just outside Phoenix. The Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway starts with qualifying Friday at 4:45 and 7:45 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 4:35 p.m. Sunday eliminations are slated to begin at noon. Television coverage of the event begins with qualifying shows Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). Eliminations will begin on FS1 Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET.