NASCAR CUP SERIES

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY

GEICO 500

TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT

APRIL 22, 2023

RICKY STENHOUSE JR., NO. 47 KROGER/CHEEZ-IT CAMARO ZL1, met with the media prior to the NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session at Talladega Superspeedway. Press Conference Transcript: 

YOU HAVE A WIN HERE AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY. TALK ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE RACING HERE AGAIN THIS WEEKEND?

“It’s cool to be back at the site of your first win, especially after starting your season off with a win on a superspeedway. Just bringing some confidence in that hopefully we can do it again. Always love being at Talladega and being able to race the sprint car across the street last night and tonight. Just getting extra racing in. 

This race track is really wide. It’s four lanes wide pretty comfortably, so it’ll be interesting to kind of see if we can get more than two lanes going. At Daytona and Atlanta, it seems like those two lanes were about all we could get going. Hopefully we can get at least three so we can start making moves and get up through the field when we need to. But feeling really confident coming in.”

WHEN YOUR TEAM LEASES A PIT CREW FROM ANOTHER ORGANIZATION, WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS AS FAR AS YOU KNOW IF THEY DO WELL, I ASSUME YOU KNOW THERE’S A CHANCE YOU CAN LOSE THEM? 

“Yes, that is the case most of the time and a case we’ve been in my first two years at JTG Daugherty Racing. We signed on at Roush with a two-year deal with the outline that specified that we did not want our pit crew taken. We would commit for two years if we could keep our guys together. We did that last year, all year long. When it came down towards the end of the season, we were really happy with all of the guys we had last year. We felt like our fuel guy was a little bit slower than where we needed to be at the end of last year, and so we had kind of requested a change there. But wanted to keep all of our guys in-tact for this season because I feel like that chemistry is really important when you’re kind of choregraphing those pit stops. We were really happy with all of our guys. At the end of last year, they let us know they were changing one of our guys. We weren’t really thrilled about that, but they kind of guaranteed us that the guy they were going to replace him with was going to make our pit stops a lot faster. We started the season off and we actually were struggling on pit road quite a bit. We kind of asked – hey, I thought this new change was going to be good. And they said – well, we actually put him on the No. 6 car, so we didn’t actually get the one that they were going to replace one of our guys with last year. So that was a little bit of a bummer. We did get a new guy last week going into Martinsville and our pit stops were great. And then Monday morning, they took the whole team. 

I hate it for my guys. Obviously we went to battle with them and won Daytona with them. We had most of them all last year as well and just felt like we really had that good chemistry of a solid team together, and now that’s kind of all mixed up and gone away. So I hate it for those guys having to switch teams, but I know a few of the guys on the team coming in that were on the No. 17 car and Mike Kelley (crew chief) has worked with some of those guys obviously with us both being over there. They had a really good pit practice this week. I feel really confident that I know Mike Kelley can get the most out of guys. Those guys have a little chip on their shoulders, so that never hurts anything, as well. They want to show their worth and what they can do going over the wall. I think we’ll be fine as a race team, but I do hate it for my guys that started going to battle with us last year. That’s the biggest bummer. But yeah, I think the expectation going into it was that would not happen to us. I don’t really know what all the contracts and stuff look like, but that was kind of the mindset going in. I guess that’s what you get when you have the people over there running that place. 

But I am not worried about our over the wall guys. I know those guys will get it done.”

THERE’S BEEN A COUPLE OF TIMES WHERE YOU GUYS WOULD GET THREE-WIDE AT VARIOUS TRACKS WITH THIS NEW CAR. AND THEN EVERYONE GOES – SEE, THE DRIVERS CAN DO IT IF THEY WANTED TO. IT SEEMS LIKE THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT IS – PHYSICS, THE NEW CAR JUST DOES NOT ALLOW YOU GUYS TO RACE THREE-WIDE VERY OFTEN. WHICH IS MORE OF THE TRUTH IN THERE, OR IS IT A MIX? 

“It’s definitely a mix. You look down at the end of the races and we all just kind of take any gap that we can. At Atlanta, I should have shot the middle. I think I saw an onboard video of Erik Jones kind of running up through the middle there and he gained a lot of spots. I was kind of committed to the No. 48 and the No. 1 that were on the bottom at Atlanta. But it works for a few laps, it seems like. And again, it could be somewhat driver-driven. You watch when cars get single-file on the outside line at Daytona – the inside lane, you start making a run and as soon as one of the cars finds a gap close enough to the front where they’re comfortable being in that ninth- or tenth-spot in line on the top, then they bail and all of a sudden you start hurting the energy of that bottom lane. So I do think that’s driven by the drivers. But for sure, two-wide, you can get it working as long as you have enough guys to stay committed to it. 

Three lanes is tough because you’ve got guys that want to either be on the top or the bottom. The middle works really well for a while, but it is a little bit more risky, at least at Daytona and definitely at Atlanta. Here at Talladega, three-wide is super easy to do. 

It will be interesting to see. The bottom lane here gets so flat in the tri-oval that I do feel like the middle or top lane can make its way up to the front because you end up running the bottom here more than you do at Daytona and Atlanta. It’s hard to do. The car has a lot of drag and you really have to stay in line to do it. But it’s a little bit of both.”

IS IT YOUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PIT CREW CHANGE IS FOR AWHILE, OR WAS IT JUST FOR THIS WEEK? 

“No, it’s for the rest of the season. Or I guess until the new ones start doing well on our team (laughs).. I don’t really know how it works now, but I know everybody wasn’t really thrilled about it. But like I said, I know that Mike (Kelley, crew chief) has talked to the new guys coming in and they’re super committed to showing what they’ve got, so I’ve excited about that.”

DO THEY HAVE THE LUXURY TO DO THAT BECAUSE YOU’VE GOT A WIN ALREADY? 

“That’s above my level. I don’t know. I’m not sure of their understanding of why they feel like that was the best move. Normally when something happens like that, we’re requesting something different or whatnot. But I think our guys last week averaged first on pit road. We were thrilled with that obviously, and then we kind of got the rug pulled out from under us. 

But like I said, I think it’s going to be great for our team. I think Mike Kelley will get our guys dialed in like he always does. I just hate it for the guys that have to leave our team.”

DID THEY GET THEIR RINGS BEFORE THEY GOT TAKEN? 

“We haven’t yet, but I’m sure they will. We won’t leave them hanging.”

HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE PIT CREW CHANGE? I THINK I HAD READ ON NASCAR.COM THAT IT WAS AN EMAIL?

“I did not receive an email. Jenn received an email of talking points, but I don’t think I followed those (laughs). 

Yeah, it goes through our Competition Director with Ernie (Cope) and those guys, and then I get filled in. Mike Kelley actually called me Monday night. He kind of waited all day Monday, trying to figure out if they could change what was being done. But he called me at probably 9:00 p.m. on Monday night.”

YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW YOU DIDN’T WANT TO LOSE YOUR GUYS.. YOU’VE BEEN ONE OF THE BEST ON PIT ROAD. WHEN A CHANGE LIKE THIS DOES HAPPEN, DOES IT UPSET THE CHEMISTRY A LITTLE BIT? 

“Definitely. There’s a lot that goes into this sport – not just over the wall. We have a brand-new pit box this year that the guys have been working on during the off-season; getting it setup, getting it put down, getting it put back together and getting it ready to go. There’s just a lot of different little things that the pit crew guys have to kind of manage, and I know our pit boxes are totally different than the pit boxes that they’re used to. So just little things like that. Now I’m sure this weekend, our road crew guys are going to have to go out there on pit road and kind of walk through the whole scenario of our pit box with them. There’s just a lot more work for some of our road crew guys and then obviously our pit crew guys have to kind of figure that out, as well. But the actual – I’d say choreography going over the wall and stuff is the same. They practice at the same place. They’ll have to get used to me coming in and out of the pit box, which is obviously a little bit different. Our guys have been with me for over a year now. You can go to pit practice and kind of practice that, but it’s nothing like when you’re actually on pit road. It’s really easy to pull in your pit box at pit practice; a little more chaotic in live time. So things like that are definitely going to be different for them.” 

HOW WILLING DO YOU HAVE TO BE IF YOU WANT TO BE A GREAT SUPERSPEEDWAY RACER, WILLING TO CRASH, TAKE THOSE CHANCES ALONG WITH WINNING, AND HOW YOU HAVE TO BALANCE THAT OUT? 

“Yeah, I think we all strap-in willing to crash. Going out there, we all know that a major, high probability is that we’re going to crash. For me most of the time, the wrecks I’ve gotten in or when you lose track position, you’re trying to come up through the field and something generally happens. Back when I first started, it seemed like everything kind of happened in the center of the field, and now everything happens at the front of the field. You want to be leading, you want to be at the front of the field. But when we’re throwing blocks on each other like we do now, those crashes happen a lot further forward in the field and collect way more cars. I know there are a lot of drivers that come in here and don’t really care about any of the stats and just see how it works out. 

I wouldn’t say that I have a style here that is different than anybody else’s. (INAUDIBLE).. things like that, you have a better shot of winning. For me, that’s all we really focus on.”

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW YOUR QUALIFYING POSITION CHANGES HOW YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR RACE ON SUNDAY? 

“Qualifying, I feel like it’s important, obviously. A lot of people write it off at superspeedways, but I think for me, it kind of dictates that first stage of the race. So at Daytona, we didn’t qualify well. You don’t push to get stage points in that first stage, unless things just work out. Like I was just saying, going up through the field is generally at some point when (a wreck) happens and you don’t necessarily want that to happen in the first stage. For me, qualifying up front, it’s a lot easier to keep your track position with this car than it is to gain your track position, at least out on the race track. You have a bad qualifying effort, then you’re looking at different strategies – two tires, no tires, things like that – to get your track position so that you can get to the front and try to keep it from there.” 

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHEMISTRY WITH THE PIT CREWS AND HOW YOU PLAN TO BUILD THE CHEMISTRY NOW THAT WE’RE ALREADY INTO THE SEASON? 

“Yeah, I think for us and our team, it might be a little awkward for our guys that left because I don’t think they wanted to leave, so it might be a little worse for them. But I think for our team, like I said, Mike Kelley (crew chief) is one of those guys that can really bring the team together and make sure he gets the most out of everybody on our team in every position. The chemistry – at least we didn’t insert one guy and take one out or whatnot.. the whole team basically swapped. I’m confident that when I come in the pit box and I get stopped, those guys are going to be able to get the job done. They’re not learning each other, which is a good thing. They’re going to have to learn Mike Kelley talking on the radio of what adjustments to do and kind of how we go about our business on race day. But like I said, Mike Kelley has worked with a few of those guys – some of them have been on Mike Kelley’s pit crews for a long time. The team captain over there, a long time Roush guy and known him for a long time. He guaranteed Mike that they’d be up to par, so we’re really to rip with them.”

FOR THE DAYTONA 500, YOU KIND OF CAME FROM THE THIRD POSITION AND WORKED YOUR WAY UP AND MADE THE PASS IN THE CHAOS OF THE GREEN-WHITE-CHECKERED. IN ORDER TO WIN HERE AT TALLADEGA ON SUNDAY, DO YOU NEED TO BE IN THAT POSITION WHERE YOU’RE THE THIRD CAR IN LINE AND HAVE THAT BIG RUN TO TAKE THAT LEAD, OR IS THIS MORE WHERE YOU CAN WORK FROM FARTHER BACK OR BE UP FRONT IN ORDER TO WIN HERE? 

“I would take leading in race on a green-white-checkered. You control the race. I think the biggest issue that happened (at Daytona) – the No. 8 was leading the race and their mistake was trying to do the teammate restart where the No. 3 backed off a little bit and let the No. 8 pull down. That killed all of their momentum. I think if they would have just lined up together, the move that (Joey) Logano, (Kyle) Larson and I made down the backstretch, I don’t think that happens if they would have started in the same lane together. But for me, I would definitely take leading over anything. I think that’s your best shot to win.”

HOW DOES YOUR FAITH AFFECT THE UPS AND DOWNS OF RACING? 

“Yeah, the ups and downs are tough. That’s part of this sport. I know that our purpose isn’t always for what we do every weekend; it’s more for what we do before the race in chapel. I grew up going to church at an early age with my family. If I wanted to race on Saturday nights, mom made sure that we needed to be at church on Sunday morning. That was always a big thing throughout my life and I still do that today. I know we race on Sunday’s, but we got to chapel on Sunday mornings. I think it really just puts into perspective how important your priorities are in your life. Racing is important, but it’s not the top priority. It’s been a journey. My career has been up and down, and I think you could probably talk to a lot of people in the garage that they’ve had ups and downs in racing. You just have to keep pushing through and have the faith that you can get it done. I feel really confident in where I am right now.”

Tanner English will start on the pole of the CASE Construction Equipment Dash on SaturdayEASTABOGA, AL (April 22, 2023) – The opening night of the Alabama Gang 100 at the Talladega Short Track gave drivers and fans more than they were expecting.Initially set to showcase two 20-lap, $4,000-to-win, Prelim Features, the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series and the track agreed to add a third Feature due to more than 60 cars in attendance.Each Feature gave fans an enticing tease of what’s to come on Saturday for the 60-lap, $50,000-to-win main event.The top two drivers from each Feature locked themselves into Saturday’s event and placed themselves in the CASE Construction Equipment Dash, which will lineup the top six spots for Saturday’s Feature. Tanner English drew the pole for the Dash with Kyle Bronson set to start on his outside, Brian Shirley third, Brandon Overton fourth, Gordy Gundaker fifth and Jonathan Davenport sixth.Here’s how the three Prelim Features went.FEATURE #1: Tanner English’s familiarity with red dirt bullrings gave him the confidence he needed to earn a spot in Saturday’s $50,000-to-win Feature at Talladega Short Track.The Benton, KY driver and reigning World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Rookie of the Year wrestled the lead from Drake Troutman on Lap 2 to win Friday’s first Alabama Gang 100 Qualifier.Troutman, Friday’s Simpson Racing Products Quick Time Award winner, grabbed the lead at the drop of the green but had English’s Viper Motorsports #96 following off Turn 2.English snuck underneath Troutman, racing side by side with him to finish Lap 1. The Viper car carried its momentum around Turns 3 and 4, nosing ahead of the Troutman at the flag stand to lead Lap 2.From there, English pulled away from the 17-year-old driver to grab the evening’s first checkered flag, worth $4,000.English said Talladega reminds him of Clarksville Speedway—one of his home tracks.“This place reminds me of kind of my home track Clarksville Speedway,” English said. “This red dirt, this small, tight bullring. I’m pretty comfortable here.“I’m just glad to bust off a good Qualifying lap so I start on the front row, and that’s what it was all about. So, we’re happy.”Brian Shirley crossed the line second, after he powered past Troutman for the runner-up spot on Lap 5.Like English, Shirley also locked himself into Saturday’s Feature. The Chatham, IL driver found some challenges being in the first 20-lap race on Friday.“It’s definitely one of those deals where being in that first Feature was a little trickier than the second two, especially the third,” Shirley said. “It was getting to a bit of a sweet spot there where it wasn’t as rough.“All in all, I’m just glad to do a little better tonight and not have to worry about (Saturday’s) race.”Troutman finished third, Chris Ferguson was fourth, and Series points leader Chris Madden rounded out the top five.FEATURE #2: Kyle Bronson proved how well his team can perform on red clay tracks for the second straight night.After finishing third on Thursday at 411 Motor Speedway, the Brandon, FL driver backed it up by winning Friday’s second 20-lap Feature at Talladega Short Track.Bronson took control of the race on Lap 1 and never looked back, leading every lap to score the $4,000 prize.Despite the win, the Sunshine State competitor said he isn’t satisfied but feels he’s on the right track.“Our car has been really good here,” Bronson said. “Just got to thank all of the guys that have been helping me. Tanner and Josh have been busting their butt. Wayne and Shirlene (Hammond) give me what I need to win the race, and like I said, we just have to do our job and go win the races.“We’ve been struggling a little bit, but I feel like we’re on the right track. But we’re still not where we need to be yet.”Jonathan Davenport finished second, also locking himself into Saturday’s Feature.Rounding out the top five were Bobby Pierce, Spencer Hughes, and Kyle Larson.FEATURE #3: A pair of restarts in the third 20-lap Feature couldn’t keep Brandon Overton out of Victory Lane Friday at Talladega Short Track.The Evans, GA driver aced all three green flags to go unchallenged in the battle for $4,000. “Big Sexy” is one step closer to a potential $50,000 payday on Saturday, as he’s guaranteed to start in the first three rows in the Alabama Gang 100 finale.Overton said he believes his Longhorn by Wells chassis is going in the right direction after struggling over the past few weeks.“[I feel] a lot better than I have in the past couple of weeks,” Overton said. “The track is definitely different. I’m obviously way better at this Talladega than I am at the normal one.“I just appreciate the fans coming out, this is really neat. I’ve seen so many people and superstars walking through the pits. So yeah, it’s a fun weekend, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”While Overton led all 20 laps, Gordy Gundaker needed the second and final restart to move into the runner-up spot.The St. Charles, MO driver got around second-place Garrett Smith on a Lap 6 restart but quickly gave back the spot when he bobbled in Turn 1. However, Gundaker got another chance after the caution flew for Michael Page and Tyler Milwood tangling on Lap 14.Restarting in third, Gundaker thundered around Smith on the outside of Turn 1 to take the final transfer spot away, holding on to punch his ticket into Saturday’s Feature.Gundaker is happy to lock into the $50,000-to-win finale, he said.“The yellows kind of worked out there,” Gundaker said. “I got past [Smith] the first time and then screwed up in (Turn 1), and he got me back. So, I got to retry it.“I’m just thankful we got the races in. I know it’s been a hectic night, and I’m just thankful to run second and lock ourselves into (Saturday).”Smith rounded out the podium, Todd Cooney finished fourth, and four-time Series champion Brandon Sheppard rounded out the top five.UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models return to the Talladega Short Track on Saturday, April 22, for the Alabama Gang 100 finale, boasting a $50,000 to win payday.If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.RESULTS: Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 96V-Tanner English[2]; 2. 3S-Brian Shirley[4]; 3. 7T-Drake Troutman[1]; 4. 22-Chris Ferguson[3]; 5. 44-Chris Madden[7]; 6. 17M-Dale McDowell[6]; 7. 36-Logan Martin[8]; 8. 25-Shane Clanton[10]; 9. 78-Matthew Brocato[5]; 10. 54-David Breazeale[9]; 11. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[13]; 12. 29-Donald McIntosh[11]; 13. B1-Brent Larson[14]; 14. 97-Cade Dillard[15]; 15. 111-Max Blair[17]; 16. 19M-Wil Herrington[21]; 17. 91-Heath Hindman[18]; 18. 16H-Austin Horton[12]; 19. 58C-Tyler Clem[16]; 20. 57-Josh Adkins[19]; 21. 35-Dallas Cooper[20]Feature 2 (20 Laps): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[1]; 3. 32-Bobby Pierce[6]; 4. 11H-Spencer Hughes[4]; 5. 6-Kyle Larson[3]; 6. 19R-Ryan Gustin[9]; 7. 12-Ashton Winger[7]; 8. 58-Garrett Alberson[5]; 9. 93-Carson Ferguson[8]; 10. 10-Joseph Joiner[18]; 11. 14M-Morgan Bagley[10]; 12. 1-Jason Hiett[16]; 13. 99B-Boom Briggs[13]; 14. 25B-Mike Benedum[15]; 15. T1-Todd Morrow[20]; 16. 1ST-Johnny Scott[14]; 17. 18L-Trevor Landrum[19]; 18. 25R-Tim Roszell[21]; 19. 16-Sam Seawright[12]; 20. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[11]; 21. 157-Mike Marlar[17]Feature 3 (20 Laps): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[1]; 2. 11-Gordy Gundaker[4]; 3. 10S-Garrett Smith[3]; 4. 30-Todd Cooney[10]; 5. B5-Brandon Sheppard[5]; 6. 2S-Stormy Scott[11]; 7. 9-Nick Hoffman[20]; 8. 38-Dillon Tidmore[7]; 9. 27B-Brad Berry[16]; 10. 27-Jadon Frame[15]; 11. J27-Jay Scott[14]; 12. 4-Ryan Wilson[13]; 13. 7-Jeremy Cropper[19]; 14. 31-Tyler Millwood[6]; 15. 18X-Michael Page[8]; 16. 11K-Austin Kirkpatrick[18]; 17. 66K-Dylan Knowles[2]; 18. 20-Jimmy Owens[9]; 19. 14W-Dustin Walker[17]; 20. 1S-Jeremy Shaw[12]

The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: CASE Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), CASE No.1 Engine Oil™ (Official Oil and Lubricant), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Simpson Performance Products (Preferred Safety Gear Partner), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), Toyota (Official Vehicle), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Fox Factory (Hard Charger Award), Low-E Insulation, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Swift Springs, and Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Capital Race Cars, FIREBULL, Germfree, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, and Sea Foam.

Aitken to co-drive with Bourdais, van der Zande as example of ‘one team’ approach

DETROIT (April 21, 2023) – Cadillac Racing announced today an expansion of its driver roster for the upcoming Six Hours of Spa in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Jack Aitken, part of the lineup that delivered the first victory with Cadllac’s V-Series.R last month in the Twelve Hours of Sebring, will co-drive the No. 3 Cadillac at Spa with Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande.The trio will race in the 13-car Hypercar category alongside the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R, co-driven by Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook, on the 7.004km (4.35-mile), 20-turn Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the third round of the WEC season.

“Chip Ganassi Racing is excited to have Jack join Sebastien and Renger in sharing driver duties for the No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R at the Spa WEC race next week,” said Mike O’Gara, director of operations for Chip Ganassi Racing that runs the Cadillac Racing entry. “This is just another example of the ‘One Team’ concept that Cadillac Racing is all about. We value Jack’s feedback in the car, and hope that this strengthens the preparation for Cadillac Racing’s assault on the 24 Hours of Le Mans this June.” In addition to going for the win, the Spa weekend presents opportunities to absorb information about the hybrid Cadillac racecar on a European circuit as Cadillac Racing prepares a three-car lineup for its Le Mans return after two decades. “We are grateful for all the entities in this program collaborating and increasing our strengths and capabilities,” GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser said. Aitken already is confirmed for Le Mans as he will reunite with Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims in the No. 311 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R. They co-drove to a dramatic victory at Sebring International Raceway as part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. “This further expands our opportunity to learn and work as one team going into Le Mans,” said Chris Mitchum, director of operations for Action Express Racing, which runs the No. 31 and No. 311Cadillac Racing entries across IMSA and Le Mans.

Aitken, a former Williams F1 reserve driver, competed in the European Le Mans Series in 2022 for TF Sport in the LMP2 class. He also competed in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup and ADAC GT Masters with Emil Frey Racing. He made his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in LMP2 with Algarve Pro Racing. “Driving at such an incredible circuit with the Cadillac V.Series R will be an invaluable addition to our prep for Le Mans,” he said. “It will be a pleasure to integrate with Chip Ganassi Racing and work together to push the Cadillac program forward, as we have a great deal of respect between us. Partnering up with Seb and Renger will be great for me personally, as I’ll be learning off two great guys.” The gold No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R, running as the No. 01 in IMSA, earned a podium finish in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona in January and qualified second and third in the succeeding races. The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R has displayed reliability and strong pace with consecutive fourth-place finishes to start its maiden WEC season. It has advanced a total of five positions – more than twice as many as any other Hypercar entry — from its qualifying spots in the two races.Cadillac is tied for third in the WEC Manufacturer Championship.The Cadillac V-Series.R features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 naturally aspirated engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan. The body, codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis constructor Dallara, incorporates key Cadillac V-Series production car design elements.

Richard Childress began his driving career at Talladega Superspeedway in the inaugural Talladega 500 on September 14, 1969. Childress has won 12 NASCAR Cup Series victories as an owner at the Alabama superspeedway. Dale Earnhardt earned nine Talladega wins under the RCR banner, his first coming in 1984. Earnhardt scored his 76th and final Cup win in the 2000 fall race at Talladega which earned the team and a lucky fan each a $1 million bonus from the series sponsor. Other victories by Earnhardt include a sweep of both races in 1990 and 1999, plus 1991 (July), 1993 (July) and 1994 (spring). Clint Bowyer won twice for RCR (fall races in 2010 and 2011) while Kevin Harvick won the 2010 spring event.  RCR in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Talladega Superspeedway… Richard Childress Racing has also found success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with one win, 11 top-five, and 20 top-10 finishes at Talladega Superspeedway. Two-time Xfinity Series Champion Tyler Reddick drove his No. 2 Chevrolet to Victory Lane in April 2019. In 2022, RCR won both pole positions at Talladega (Jeffrey Earnhardt in the spring, Austin Hill in the fall race). Leading the Way… In 2022, RCR’s Xfinity Series drivers (Hill, J. Earnhardt and Sheldon Creed) combined to lead 140 of a possible 237 laps at Talladega. RCR led 59.07% of possible laps (372.40 miles) one year ago at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.    Catch the Action… The NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway will be televised live on Saturday, April 22, beginning at 4 p.m. ET on FS1. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.  Follow Sunday’s Action at Talladega… The NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway will be televised live on Sunday, April 23, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on FOX. The race will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Talladega Superspeedway… In 19 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway, Austin Dillon has two top-five and five top-10 finishes, including a strong second-place performance at the track in April 2022. The 2013 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion has four starts at Talladega Superspeedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, earning one pole (2015), and a career-best finish of third among three top-10 finishes. In two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races at Talladega, Dillon has two top-10 finishes.   About TRACKER Off Road… Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 prominently features TRACKER ATVs, a game-changing new line of all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides offering breakthrough performance, service, and value in the off-road industry. TRACKER OFF ROAD was born out of a powerhouse partnership formed between Bass Pro Shops and TRACKER founder Johnny Morris and Textron Specialized Vehicles, bringing together the undisputed world leader in boating with a global leader in innovation and technology.  About Bass Pro Shops… Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.” Bass Pro Shops has a long relationship with NASCAR, dating back to 1998. For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com/. Calling All Team Chevy Fans… Dillon is scheduled to participate in a Q&A session on the Team Chevy Stage located in the Talladega Superspeedway fan midway on Sunday, April 23 at 11 a.m. Local Time.  AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:You’ve won on superspeedways. What kind of race do you expect we will see at Talladega Superspeedway? Is it a tougher race than Daytona International Speedway?“I have Talladega Superspeedway circled on my calendar. I love racing there and I can’t wait to get on track in the Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet Camaro. Talladega is a little bit different real estate then Daytona International Speedway. At Daytona, you’re packed in there and it’s hard to get to someone’s inside or outside, and there is less movement in the draft. At Talladega, there’s a lot of movement in the draft, the packs are big and wide, and with the way this package works there is more two-lane racing around the bottom. It’s going to be interesting to see if we can make that third lane work at some point and can move around.” Racing at Talladega Superspeedway always seems to come down to the last lap and everybody fans out. How do you keep track of all of that and try to make the right moves?“You have got to be in the right place at the right time for the right run. A lot goes into it. You can get far forward on that last lap depending on what people pull out and put you in a position to move forward. It can be a parking lot at times then suddenly, the seas part and you have to take advantage of it. You’re kind of holding on at times waiting to see what happens. Everybody is pushing, and you’re hoping you can get through the mess.”

Kyle Busch and the No. 8 McLaren Custom Grills Chevrolet Camaro ZL1… Kyle Busch will be making his 36th start at Talladega Superspeedway and his 75th career restrictor plate start in the NASCAR Cup Series. Busch has one Cup Series victory at Talladega, capturing the spring event in 2008. The Las Vegas, Nevada native didn’t lead until late in the race, pacing the field for 12 of the final 15 laps, and was leading on the last lap when a caution flag ended the race. The victory came in Busch’s seventh start at the 2.66-mile facility. Busch has two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victories at Talladega (2009 and 2010) and one win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (2011). The driver of the McLaren Custom Grills Chevrolet is eighth in the NASCAR Cup Series driver standings, 52 points behind the leader.  About McLaren Custom Grills… McLaren Custom Grills, a Winnipeg, Canada-based BBQ company, specializes in custom BBQ grills for sports fans. The company is dedicated to making a barbeque that any sports fan would be thrilled to call their own, and a brand name that customers are proud to stand behind. In addition to their partnership with Richard Childress Racing, McLaren Custom Grills is the Official Barbeque Grill of the NBA. McLaren Custom Grills can be purchased at mclarencustomgrills.com.  KYLE BUSCH QUOTES:Are you optimistic entering Talladega considering how well you ran at Daytona International Speedway?“You know considering how well we ran at Daytona I would say that there is optimism going into Talladega. We definitely had some fast race cars in Daytona but I’ve also found over the years that Daytona cars aren’t the same as Talladega cars and it doesn’t correlate. You can take the same car from Daytona and go straight to Talladega with it and be slow. I’m optimistic and certainly looking forward to going to Talladega, although I’ve been known to get myself caught up in crashes there. I think the only three or four times I’ve ever finished a race there with a clean race car I’ve finished in the top three, top four including winning once. It just goes to show you that if you can stay clean then you can have a good day.” Why were you and your RCR teammate Austin Dillon able to work so well together at Daytona International Speedway?   “Austin and I were really able to work together well at Daytona, I think, because we both had fast race cars. We were both able to find each other and continue to work together and help each other. Austin was my wingman towards the later stages of the race and really gave me a good push to get to the lead and then we were riding there together to finish it out strong before that late caution came. Overall, it’s been really fun to work with Austin. I think he’s been a great piece to the puzzle of our success early on in the year and I want to continue that at Talladega.” You won the 2008 spring race at Talladega Superspeedway and didn’t lead a lap until late in the race. How special was that win?“Winning that race in 2008 was super-cool. Being up front and having a fast car and dicing through traffic was cool. We got pushed by Juan Pablo Montoya there, got some really big pushes that got us to the lead. Once we got the lead, we were able to control it the last couple of laps. The race was actually cut short while we were out front and we were able to win. Winning at Talladega in 2008 was pretty special because it gave me a win at Talladega, although I haven’t been able to back it up since then. I feel like there’s been plenty of other opportunities to win a race there that haven’t come to fruition. There’s a lot of other guys who are a lot more aggressive in restrictor plate racing and the draft and pushing the issue at times and putting themselves in some sticky situations.”

Sheldon Creed and the No. 2 Whelen Engineering Chevrolet Camaro SS at Talladega Superspeedway… Sheldon Creed has made two career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway, both of which have come behind the wheel of the No. 2 Whelen Engineering Chevrolet. Last fall, Creed started from the third position and finished in 12th-place. In addition, Creed has three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts (one pole, best finish of ninth) and two ARCA Menards Series events (best finish of fourth) under his belt at the 2.66-mile superspeedway.  Meet Creed… On Saturday, April 22 at 12:25 p.m. CT, Creed is scheduled to sign autographs at the RCR Merchandise Trailer located in the Fan Midway at Talladega Superspeedway. Directly after at 12:45 p.m. CT, the California native will head to the Chevrolet Display located in the Fan Midway at Talladega Superspeedway for a question and answer session with host Johnny D. Stop by to see Creed before the green flag waves.  About Whelen Engineering… Whelen Engineering is a family-owned company with a pioneering spirit and a passion to protect the lives of those who protect and serve others. The company mission is to provide industry-defining safety solutions around the world, while creating a community of problem-solvers who are inspired to push boundaries and continue our legacy of delivering ground-breaking innovation. As a global leader in the emergency warning industry, Whelen has been trusted to perform since 1952, when George Whelen III invented the first rotating aviation beacon. Whelen now encompasses two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Connecticut and New Hampshire with over 750,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space and the largest design staff in the industry. Every part of every Whelen product is proudly designed and manufactured in America. We embrace quality as our foundation, we celebrate innovative engineering in every product we produce. SHELDON CREED QUOTE:This will be the third superspeedway race of 2023. What is the outlook heading to Talladega Superspeedway? “Racing at superspeedways is not my favorite. As a viewer, it’s really fun to watch, but as a driver in the race car, it’s a lot of calculating moves and being in the right place at the right time. With that being said though, our Whelen Camaros have had a ton of speed at both Daytona and Atlanta this season. We don’t have the results to show for it, but I feel confident that our No. 2 Chevrolet will be fast once again this weekend. Our goal remains the same – to win and lock ourselves into the Playoffs. Myself, Jeff Stankiewicz (crew chief) and all the guys on my team have been working hard to improve our performance and I believe we are getting closer to our first win together in the Xfinity Series.”

Austin Hill and the No. 21 Bennett Transportation and Logistics/Realtree Chevrolet Camaro SS at Talladega Superspeedway… Austin Hill has made three career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Talladega Superspeedway. Last fall while piloting the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Hill earned the pole position, led 60 laps, and was in position to capture the victory before a late block relegated the 29-year-old to a 14th-place finish. In the two Xfinity Series events at the Alabama superspeedway in 2022, the Winston, Ga. native led a combined 127 laps – a dominating 53.6% of laps competed. Hill has also participated in five NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events, securing a best finish of sixth in 2019.  Superspeedway Dominance… Hill enters Talladega Superspeedway as the winner of both Xfinity Series drafting races – Daytona International Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway – in 2023. In those two events, the driver of the No. 21 Camaro has led 142 of 288 total laps (49.3%). In eight superspeedway starts since joining RCR in the Xfinity Series, Hill has paced the field for 410 of 1,098 laps, leading 37.3% of the time.  Double Duty… Hill will make his second career NASCAR Cup Series start as he pilots the No. 62 Realtree Chevrolet for Beard Motorsports on Sunday. The pair is also slated to compete in four additional Cup Series events in 2023 – Michigan International Speedway and Daytona International Speedway in August and Talladega Superspeedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval in October.  Birthday Boy… Hill celebrates his 29th birthday on Friday, April 21.  Meet Hill… On Saturday, April 22 at 12:25 p.m. CT, Hill will sign autographs at the Bennett Transportation and Logistics booth in the Fan Midway at Talladega Superspeedway. About Bennett Family of Companies… McDonough-Ga. based Bennett Family of Companies is a woman-owned, Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified, diversified transportation and logistics company. Through its 14 affiliated operating companies, the Bennett Family of Companies delivers integrated transportation and supply chain management solutions worldwide. Bennett has 4,625 drivers/owner-operators, over 1,000 employees and 600 agents located across the United States. For more information, visit www.bennettig.com. About Realtree… Realtree is the world’s leading designer of photorealistic camouflage, marketer, and licensor with over 2,000 licensees utilizing the Realtree patterns and brand. Thousands of outdoor and lifestyle products are available in Realtree camouflage patterns. In addition, Realtree is committed to supporting individuals and groups that work to ensure our outdoor heritage, veterans and military affairs, the conservation of natural places, and the wildlife that resides there. AUSTIN HILL QUOTES:Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway are both superspeedways but tend to produce different races in that it seems cars can get really strung out at Talladega. What has been your experience with racing at Talladega versus Daytona? “I’ve had success and have found myself up front at both Talladega and Daytona. I’m a firm believer that every superspeedway race races a little bit different than the last. You have to go into superspeedway weekends with a clear mindset. The things that maybe worked for you in Talladega last year, may not work for you this year. A lot has to do with the temperature outside, track temperature, the wind. There are a lot of different factors that play into the superspeedways with how the draft is that day. Every time we go to a superspeedway, it feels like I have to do something a little different inside the car to still get the performance out of the car that I’m looking for. When you get behind someone, the bubble is a lot different in each race that you run. I led laps and had a shot at winning at Talladega last season in the Xfinity car and it’s not a guarantee that what I did last year will work going into this weekend.”  You’ve had a lot of success on superspeedways in your career. Is there a reason why? “The biggest thing for me is I feel like Derek Kneeland (Xfinity Series spotter) and I are really aggressive from the start of the race. During Stage 1, we learn to set ourselves up for Stage 2 and Stage 3. That is not going to change any; it’s just something that we have always done. If we get big runs, we pull out of line to see if it works. The more that you can learn in Stage 1 to apply to Stage 2 and 3, it sets you up better for when you get in the final 10 or 20 laps. You can apply everything that has been learned early in the race. This is something that is carried over for every race I’ve ever run on a superspeedway and probably won’t change going forward.”

Terry Poovey to Serve as Grand Marshal for Dallas Half-MilePhoto Credit: Dave HoenigDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 21, 2023) – Progressive American Flat Track is thrilled to announce that dirt track legend Terry Poovey has been named the Grand Marshal ofthe Mission Dallas Half-Mile presented by Roof Systems at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas on Saturday, April 22. It’s only fitting that the native Texan and winner of five Grand National Championship Half-Miles will serve in the role as Progressive AFT returns to the Dallas Fort-Worth area where he resides for the first of the ‘23 season’s five Half Miles. Poovey enjoyed a 30-year AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame career, in which he won a total of 11 Grand National Championship Main Events aboard Harley-Davidson, Honda, Bultaco, and Rotax-powered racebikes. An oval specialist and Daytona Short Track hero, Poovey earned multiple wins on Miles, Half-Miles, and Short Tracks alike. While, like so many of his contemporaries, the majority of Poovey’s wins came aboard Harley-Davidson’s iconic XR750, Poovey also has the distinction of being the rider American Honda handpicked to debut and develop its revered RS750 race bike that later went on to win four consecutive Grand National Championships with Ricky Graham and Bubba Shobert at the controls. After finally hanging up his helmet in 2005, Poovey joined forces with his brother-in-law and fellow Hall of Famer Kenny Tolbert to serve as the crew for multi-time champion Chris Carr.

Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/dallas-half-mile-57732 to purchase your tickets today! Gates will open for fans at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT). For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv. FOX Sports coverage of the Mission Dallas Half-Mile presented by Roof Systems, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, April 30, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT). For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

“The Granddaddy of ‘Em All” ranked third on the 10Best Reader’s Choice list for Best Motorsports Race, beating out NASCAR, INDYCAR and Sports Car eventsKNOXVILLE, IA (April 21, 2023) – The mecca. A crown jewel. “Our” Super Bowl. The greatest week of the year.Talk to any Sprint Car driver or fan and you’ll hear one, if not all, of those sentences to describe the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway in Iowa.For more than 60 years, the Knoxville Nationals has been turning Sprint Car drivers into motorsport legends and providing fans with one of the most unique event experiences. And because of that, fans voted the Knoxville Nationals to third on USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice list for Best Motorsports Race – behind only the Indianapolis 500 and Formula 1’s U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.The Knoxville Nationals, featuring the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series (Aug, 9-12), ranked higher than the likes of NASCAR’s Daytona 500, INDYCAR’s Grand Prix of Long Beach – which set an attendance record this year – the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, among others.“I think Knoxville separates itself from every other event, due to the fact of where it is at and the history behind the event, everything that goes on in the little town of Knoxville during the week,” said Brad Sweet, four-time and reigning World of Outlaws champion and 2018 Knoxville Nationals champion. “There is so much to do for the fans, such a great atmosphere. It’s a really quiet town when you’re there for not the Knoxville Nationals. But, when the Knoxville Nationals is there, it’s like a buzzing little city with all Sprint Car enthusiasts and race car fans.“So, you bring 25-30 thousand people into one place that all love to do the same thing, which is race and have fun and there is Dingus (the bar across the street), there is the atmosphere around the vendors, there’s concerts going on. There is so much to do and the race is also such a big deal for the drivers.”Twenty-seven drivers have claimed the Knoxville Nationals title since the first race in 1961. Of them, only seven have won it multiple times – adding to the prestige of the event. Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws champion, has the most wins at the event with 12. Ten-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz continued his climb to that benchmark last year by scoring his 11th triumph at the event.And while Schatz continues to add Knoxville trophies to his collection, he iterated there is nothing easy about conquering the week-long event.“It’s been the mecca of our biggest races since I was a kid sitting in the grandstands,” Schatz said. “And you know, the size of the racetrack, the big half mile, the flat surface, the tricky berm on the bottom, the river gumbo dirt that can be super hooky when it’s wet and when it starts to dry out it gets ultra-slick like glass. You get all ends of the spectrum with Knoxville, and it makes it a feast or famine type of scenario when you’re there racing.“It makes it a lot of fun and it’s ever-changing. So, it’s an incredible place… you always have to be up to the challenge at Knoxville as it’s changing, and they can change the berm on the bottom a little bit and it changes your whole entry to the corner and the way your car responds and it’s tricky to stay down there. It’s a game of cat and mouse with both pedals and a steering wheel and even the thought process, so it makes it a lot of fun as a driver for someone like myself to be able to go there and try to master that craft.”Along with the prestige and trophy, the Knoxville Nationals pays out one of the biggest purses in Sprint Car racing.This year, the event boasts a record-high $1,159,005 overall purse, paying $185,000 to the winner and $15,000 to start the Feature.Outside of the perks for the drivers and on track action for the fans, when it comes time for the Knoxville Nationals, the town of Knoxville morphs into a Sprint Car haven. Race haulers are parked in parking lots of local businesses along North Lincoln Street. Campers are packed in like Tetris blocks on residents’ lawns. Vendors and driver merchandise trailers occupy sidewalks across from the track.For the week, race cars being pushed up and down the street by four wheels becomes normal. You feel like you’ve entered a racer’s fantasy as the town becomes an annex of the track.“It’s such a unique area,” said David Gravel, the 2019 Knoxville Nationals champion. “When that event is going on, the whole town shuts down. Campers surround the whole area and, you know, there are 25 to 30 thousand people. It just has an atmosphere and a buzz around it.“You always get butterflies and goose bumps when you’re getting ready to race there. Having the Hall of Fame there and the suites all packed, having fans all the way down the front stretch and back, it’s just a one-of-a-kind event. Probably, definitely, my number one for sure still in Sprint Car racing.”The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will first visit Knoxville Raceway on June 9-10 before venturing back to Iowa’s Marion County Fairgrounds for the 62nd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals, Aug. 9-12. For tickets, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the races, you can watch both live – along with weekly racing from Knoxville Raceway – on DIRTVision.

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: NOS Energy Drink (Official Energy Product), CASE Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), CASE No.1 Engine Oil™ (Official Oil and Lubricant), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Simpson Performance Products (Preferred Safety Gear Partner), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), Toyota (Official Vehicle), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include ACME Trading, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Federated Auto Parts, KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Award), Lifeline USA, Low-E Insulation, Micro-Lite LLC, Milton Hershey School, MSD, and Whiskey Myers; manufacturer sponsors include, FIREBULL, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and Sea Foam.Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.

CONCORD, NC (April 21, 2023) – For DIRTcar Racing’s 40th anniversary season, drivers in every division will be getting a bigger slice of the cake at season’s end with the biggest national and regional points fund increase in over 20 years.

Through DIRTcar’s eight core divisions, a grand total of over $142,000 has been added between all regions and the national points standings. That’s an increase of over 78 percent from the previous sum, which had stood since 2012.

“DIRTcar’s weekly racers are some of the most hard-working, dedicated people in the country and have long deserved an increase in pay for their efforts throughout the season,” said Brian Carter, DIRTcar Racing CEO. “Growth at the local, regional and national level was just as much a core value 40 years ago when Bob Memmer founded the organization as it is to us today. Strong rewards for drivers’ yearlong racing efforts will not only aid in that mission of growth but keep our longest-standing racers going up-and-down the road in the future as well.”

From Late Models to Sport Compacts, every position in national and regional points has been given a boost in prize money for 2023. Late Model and UMP Modified national standings have been expanded to pay out the top-70 drivers in points – a 20-position elevation from years previous. All other divisions have been expanded by five positions, giving a check to each of the top-25 drivers in the nation at the end of the year.

New for this season – both the Pro Modifieds and Factory Stocks now have established regions for the first time in division history, paying $300 to the winner of both the north and south regions. In addition, three new Late Model regions have been added – one for each of the series that joined DIRTcar in 2023. The Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series, COMP Cams Super Dirt Series and Iron Man Late Model Series will each have their own region, paying $3,000 to the winner and $125 for 10th – the cost of a single DIRTcar Membership.

At the top, the 2023 Late Model and UMP Modified national champions will take home a $25,000 check for their season-long efforts – a $5,000 increase from last year. The final payout spot in every division, both regional and national, has been boosted to cover the cost of yearly DIRTcar Membership for each respective division.

“Increasing our points fund payouts was one of the many things atop our to-do list for DIRTcar’s 40th year in operation,” said Sam Driggers, DIRTcar Director. “It’s one of the several steps we’re taking this year to increase the value of racing under the DIRTcar banner.”

Special pre-season DIRTcar-sanctioned events at various tracks continue now until the end of March, counting a driver’s best finish of each week toward national and regional points standings. The regular season begins the first weekend in April, running through the weekend of DIRTcar Fall Nationals in October.

BATAVIA, Ohio (April 21, 2023) – Sunoco Race Fuels, the Official Fuel of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, continues its Sunoco “Road to Wheatland” bonus program in 2023.  The Sunoco Road to Wheatland program has been a long-standing cash bonus paid to drivers at the Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway on Memorial weekend. In 2023 the Road to Wheatland program has even more significance and more money paid to the top fifteen drivers with perfect attendance at this year’s Show-Me 100. Drivers that maintain perfect attendance at all Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned events through May 27, 2023, will receive an additional cash bonus based on their position in the series championship standings. The current series point leader on May 27 will receive a $2,500 bonus from the total $16,000 being paid out. The Sunoco Road to Wheatland Bonus program is the first bonus paid under the new Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP format in 2023 and locks in the top fifteen drivers that will be eligible for the record points fund of over $1,000,000 in 2023. The 2023 National Champion will receive $200,000, with the top four drivers in the final series point standings earning a minimum of $100,000. Three additional bonus events will take place on the series schedule as the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship presented by ARP closes in on the final four drivers that will compete for the championship. The season finale, the General Tire Dirt Track World Championship presented by ARP, takes place on October 20-21 at the iconic Eldora Speedway. “We want to thank Sunoco Race Fuels for their continued support of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Road to Wheatland program. They have agreed to continue this bonus rewarding drivers that maintain perfect attendance through the Show-Me 100. Sunoco should be commended for stepping up and giving generously to the racers that support the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series”, stated Wayne Castleberry, Corporate Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil Motorsports.

Kyle Bronson finishes third, cuts Chris Madden’s points lead to 10

SEYMOUR, TN – April 20, 2023 – When Cory Hedgecock saw a door to victory open Thursday night at 411 Motor Speedway, he didn’t hesitate to run through.  

The Loudon, TN driver stormed from third to first on a Lap 30 restart, holding on to win the Seymour Showdown—his second World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series triumph. 

Dale McDowell led the first 14 laps of the 40-lap Feature until Mike Marlar powered his Longhorn Chassis past McDowell for the lead in Turn 3 on Lap 15. 

The Winfield, TN driver pulled away from McDowell in lap traffic until the 2018 Series champion slowed with a flat tire.

Marlar’s misfortune led to a caution on Lap 30, handing McDowell back the lead.

That’s when an opportunity for Hedgecock, who was running third, presented itself.

When the green flag fell on the restart, he tried to power around the outside of McDowell and Kyle Bronson but couldn’t get the run he needed.

However, as the three drivers soared into Turns 3 and 4, Hedgecock gained more momentum on the top.

Using that momentum, he powered past Bronson when they reached the flag stand, then quickly dove in front of the #40B to pull even with McDowell in Turn 1. 

That momentum down the front stretch carried him even further as he slid in front of McDowell’s nose by inches in Turn 2 to take the lead on Lap 31—one he wouldn’t relinquish.

From there, he held off Bronson for the final 10 laps to score his second career World of Outlaws CASE Late Models win and a $10,000 payday. 

“Man, I love this place,” Hedgecock said. “This racetrack just treats me so well. We were just struggling with this car early on, just trying to figure out where we needed to be. But honestly, I think right now, I think tire choice helped us there.  

“I think we were one of the very few that did what we did, and that’s why I think we were so fast on that restart.” 

The win is Hedgecock’s first World of Outlaws victory since 2018 – also coming at 411.  

He was worried another chance may not come up if he didn’t take it on Lap 31, he said. 

“I got into [McDowell], but I had such a run,” Hedgecock said.  “Dale didn’t fire off good at all on that restart. Bronson was there, and I knew he and I had good cars, and when Marlar fell out, it was like, I think me and Bronson can win the race. And I was like, and it needed to happen now, unfortunately. 

“I hate it. I mean, I love Dale to death, but it was just like I didn’t know what to do with the run, and I took advantage of it. There’s no doubt in my mind he owes me one, and I’ll take it. But I’ll take the win, too.” 

McDowell, who fell to fourth, said he got hit on the left side going into Turn 1. 

“I got hit there on the left side pretty good and ping-ponging around, and it just didn’t work out for us,” McDowell said. “We’ll have to make some changes and go at it again.” 

Bronson ran second until the last few laps when Ricky Thornton Jr. passed him for the spot.  

The Brandon, FL driver said that despite not getting the break he needed on the restart, his tire choice also kept him out of Victory Lane. 

“I think I was a little softer on the left rear tire than them guys,” Bronson said. “I heated it up there toward the end of the race, and I just couldn’t leave the corner like I was the whole race. Knowing what I know now, I wish I would’ve put a harder tire on the left rear, and I felt like I would’ve had a shot at it. 

“Overall, our car is pretty good. To come here and get a third-place finish is not what we wanted, but it’s a tough place for us, so we’re just happy to get out of here and get a solid finish.” 

Bronson is now second in points after his podium finish—10 points behind Chris Madden, who finished eighth.  

For a complete look at the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models points standings, CLICK HERE.  

Thornton, the Fox Factory Hard Charger, finished second after starting 16th.  

The Martinsville, IN driver said his car came to life in the Feature after his setup was off earlier in the night. 

“We tried a couple of things for the Feature, and really I was really good,” Thornton said. “I honestly didn’t want to see that (Lap 30) yellow. Before that last yellow came out, they were so stuck behind lap cars and couldn’t really move around where I could.  

“And who knows, maybe we could’ve gotten one without the yellow. But I’m definitely happy with second for where we started. We showed up pretty bad last year when we came, so to be able to pass as many cars as we did, that’s a successful night.” 

Ricky Weiss rounded out the top five. 

Nick Hoffman gained on his competitors in the Germfree Rookie of the Year battle, now leading Johnny Scott by 86 points after 411.  

Cory Hedgecock’s ability to capitalize on an opportunity puts him in his own category at 411 Motor Speedway. He now has more World of Outlaws wins than any other driver at the Seymour, TN, track.   

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models debut at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL, for the inaugural Alabama Gang 100 weekend April 21-22, including the season’s first $50,000-to win Feature. 

TICKETS: bit.ly/3zJfaRv

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

Pete Berner Will Pilot One Of The Elite Mountain Motor Pro Stock Machines This Season

WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (April 20, 2023) – Elite Motorsports announced today that Pete Berner is joining their team to pilot one of two Mountain Motor Pro Stock machines competing on the NHRA circuit this season. Berner’s name is synonymous with Mountain Motor Pro Stock. In the late 90s and early 2000s, the talented driver raced to multiple IHRA world championships and walked away from one of the most intense crashes the category has ever seen.  Elite Motorsports owner Richard Freeman was originally slated to drive one of two Mountain Motor Pro Stock machines acquired through J.R. Carr’s program late last year but he is turning driving responsibilities over to Berner. Five-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders will continue to pilot the other Elite entry in this growing category.  “We already know that the chemistry is there with Pete from our shared experience in the IHRA,” said Freeman. “He’s a skilled driver who knows his way around these cars and I’m confident he can take anything that’s thrown at him out on the track. He’s the kind of guy people naturally want to root for out here and his engineering mind will be an asset to our team in more ways than one. We want to grow this program in the NHRA and that means we need to have the best drivers behind the wheel. He’s one of the best and we’re excited to see what he can accomplish this year with the full power of the Elite team behind him.” Frank Gugliotta is managing the Mountain Motor Pro Stock program for Elite Motorsports. He and Berner have a long history of working together in this category and the pair are looking forward to competing together again this season.  “Frankie and I are pretty good buddies. He’s a fierce competitor,” said Berner. “He’s great fun to race with. He helped me win one of my world championships by defeating one of the guys who was in the running against me. We became good buddies with all of the Freemans. We used to love to beat up on each other and always had a lot of fun together. So, out of the blue, Richard called me and asked me if I would be interested in working with him and Frankie. I wasn’t really even thinking about making a return but after talking to my wife and a few of my old racing friends, we decided it was a great opportunity. This is a great team that Richard’s put together with J.R. Carr and it’s an excellent program. Getting to race with them again is going to be an awesome experience. I’m looking forward to being Erica’s teammate. We’ve tested together before and I was there when she first got her Pro Stock license so we go back a ways but I’ve never had the opportunity to race with her so that’s very exciting as well. She’s one of the best out there, if not THE best. She’s got such a talent. It’s unbelievable.” Berner lives in Crete, Ill., a southern suburb of Chicago, where he owns and operates Performance Mechanical, a mechanical contracting company specializing in retrofitting hospitals in the Chicago area.  Mountain Motor Pro Stock fans may recall Berner’s penchant for long smokey burnouts and his fun interactions with fans in the pits. He won the IHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock world championship in 2006 and 2008.  “It’s going to be a great fit for us. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Berner. “I’ve got to go through a couple of hoops first but we’re hoping to get all of that done and be ready for Chicago. I’ve made a lot of laps in these cars so I just need to dust the cobwebs off and when we feel comfortable we will start. If we need to wait for Epping we will. There’s been no pressure, but I think I’m ready. I held the world record in that class up until a year or so ago. And those are the guys that surpassed it. So I know I’m with the right team.”

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April 20, 2023

In their 100 races at Talladega Superspeedway the Wood Brothers have scored five wins, 19 top-five and 33 top-10 finishes and earned six poles. Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are hoping to add to those totals in this weekend’s GEICO 500 at the mammoth, 2.66-mile track.

“Any trip to a superspeedway is a welcomed trip for the No. 21 Ford team,” said crew chief Brian Wilson. “The history of the Wood Brothers at Daytona and Talladega is well known. 
 
“The track record of our team is something that easily motivates our group.”

Wilson said he, Burton and the rest of the current Motorcraft/Quick Lane crew have shown promise at Daytona and Talladega, even if the finishing results don’t reflect it.

“At every superspeedway race since our group started working with Harrison we have found our way to the front of the pack,” he said. “We’ve also ended up in several wrecks, as is usual with this style of racing. 

“We know that when we get the finish that our speed deserves it will be a great day.”

Part of Wilson’s optimism comes from the work that goes into all of the Mustangs that compete in the Cup Series.
 
“As we’ve seen so far this year at Daytona and Atlanta, both Ford and Roush Yates Engines have given our teams great performance,” he said. “We’ll look to work with our Ford teammates to ensure a Mustang is in Victory Lane again this weekend.”
 
There will be no practice at Talladega this weekend, and Cup Series qualifying is set for Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Central Time (10:30 Eastern). FOX Sports 1 will carry the broadcast.
 
Sunday’s 188-lap race is scheduled to get the green flag just after 2 p.m. (3 p.m. Eastern) with TV coverage on FOX. 
 
Stage breaks are planned for Laps 60 and 120.

 

After a slow start to the season, the World of Outlaws rookie has rebounded in recent weeks

KNOXVILLE, IA (April 20, 2023) – Giovanni Scelzi has found his footing after a rough trek through the Florida swamp to start his 2023 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series rookie campaign.

“Hot Sauce” has been on a steady climb, finishing inside the top 10 in seven of the last eight races, including finishes of eighth, seven, sixth and fifth, respectively, in the last four events.

The results have been a positive turnaround for he and his KCP Racing team after struggling to find the top 10 in the first five races of the year at Volusia Speedway Park; results that left them scratching their heads after ending 2022 with three consecutive top-10 finishes and a second-place run to cap off the year.

“To end the year strong and then kind of try to start your 2023 where you left off, we had the same car, same motor, same program and went to Volusia and really couldn’t have been much worse honestly,” Scelzi said. “We couldn’t qualify in the top 20 and just didn’t feel comfortable.”

While their March results at Volusia were 22nd, 16th and 11th, they were still a sign of their program moving in the right direction. In the few weeks of downtime between the season-opening weekend at Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals and the March Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown, Scelzi and his crew, consisting of Adam Clark, Jett Carney, and Aaron Beiler, utilized it to learn as much as they could.

“We came back home after the DIRTcar Nationals and just kind of rebounded,” Scelzi explained. “We sat down and kind of looked at everything in a healthy way, watched some film and kind of saw what we thought we were missing and tried to go with a different approach, go down there and just see where we were lacking and try to come with a new approach, and we did that, I felt like, very well.

“We qualified good, Heat Raced good, and we were probably going to run second, then the crank trigger took a crap. Even though it wasn’t a good finish, that felt a lot better. When you get a car that you can get around there and feel comfortable in and be competitive, it definitely helps your confidence.”

As the year rolls on, Scelzi said he expects a consistent trend of improvement due to what the nature of the World of Outlaws campaign teaches drivers.

In the past when he’s run a “True Outlaw” schedule, Scelzi found on nights when he wasn’t competing with The Greatest Show on Dirt, a mistake or two could be overcome. However, when racing against premier World of Outlaws drivers, missing the bottom or getting tight on the cushion once could be the difference between a top-five finish and nearly missing the top 10.

“I think we had a few eighth-place finishes in a row, but a couple of those eighths could’ve been top fives really easily if I wouldn’t have made one or two mistakes in the [Feature],” Scelzi said. “I think, with the Outlaws, that’s what makes you that much better. One or two mistakes costs you three or four spots where with another series, it won’t cost you that much time. I think I’ve done a decent job of minimizing mistakes or when I make a mistake, it’s not as detrimental.”

Along with the consistently battling the best drivers in the country each week, Scelzi said he expects the consistency of the World of Outlaws format to also benefit him. Instead of battling a different roster of drivers under a different format each weekend, the competition and rules won’t vary.

“I like repetition, doing stuff the same every time, that’s where I feel like I strive,” Scelzi noted. “As the year goes on, I think, with the Outlaws, having the same schedule every night, racing with the same guys every night gets you in a repetition of doing the same thing every single night. I feel like that’s helped. Racing different series is cool, different formats that’s fun, but I just feel like, for me, racing against the same group of guys every night, the same officials every night, the same rules every night brings me up to the next level. That’s why the Outlaws are so good.

“When you race with the Outlaws, it brings you to that next level. I feel like in years past when I did race with the Outlaws for a while, then I’d go to an All-Star race or a local show, I was that much better. I was ready to race that much harder.”

With only 13 races in the books and more than 60 remaining, Scelzi has plenty of time remaining this year to continue getting better and building his notebook. And factoring in the growing level of parity even at the top of the sport, Scelzi is confident that, with the right balance of perspective and patience, he and KCP have what it takes to one day challenge for a World of Outlaws title.

“I think sitting back and realizing I have all of the same equipment they have, I have as good if not better running engines than they have and the funding I need to win, I shouldn’t say there’s no reason I shouldn’t win, but my guys give me every opportunity to be competitive and potentially win a championship,” Scelzi said. “I feel like, obviously, it takes time, and that’s the hardest thing – waiting and learning as much as you possibly can, but there’s really nothing that money can buy that I don’t have right now.”

Scelzi and KCP will be in action next weekend at Tri-City Speedway (Granite City, IL) on April 28 and Tri-State Speedway (Haubstadt, IN) on April 29. For tickets to Tri-City Speedway, CLICK HERE. For tickets to Tri-State Speedway, call (812) 768-6025.

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

DOUBLE AT ‘DEGAShifting gears from a short-track to NASCAR’s longest oval, the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) will head to Talladega Superspeedway for a doubleheader race weekend. The 2.66-mile Alabama venue will be the first trip to a superspeedway since the series opened the 2023 season at Daytona International Speedway in February.  Chevrolet was the only manufacturer to find victory lane at Talladega last season across all three of NASCAR’s national touring series. The NCS and NXS made two appearances at the Alabama superspeedway in 2022. Team Chevy’s Ross Chastain and Noah Gragson swept the April race weekend, with Chase Elliott and AJ Allmendinger following up with victories in the series’ return in October. Rackley W.A.R.’s Matt DiBenedetto added to Chevrolet’s victory count when the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) took on the track in October, driving his No. 25 Silverado RST to the victory in the Chevrolet Silverado 250.

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1April 24, 2022

Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1October 2, 2022

Noah Gragson, No. 9 JR Motorsports Camaro SSApril 23, 2022

AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro SSOctober 1, 2022

Matt DiBenedetto, No. 25 Rackley W.A.R. Silverado RSTOctober 1, 2022

WINNING WAYS AT TALLADEGAOn top of Chevrolet’s recent success at Talladega Superspeedway, the NASCAR Cup Series’ winningest manufacturer also has a rich history at the track, collecting a series-best 43 victories in NASCAR’s premier series. Darrell Waltrip is credited with Chevrolet’s first trip to victory lane at Talladega in May 1977, leading the Bowtie brand to a one-two-three-four finish in the event. Chevrolet went on a notable run from April 1999 to October 2007 when the manufacturer collected wins in 17 of the 18 NCS races held at the track in that time span.

FOUR WINS, FOUR DRIVERS, FOUR DIFFERENT CHEVY TEAMSNASCAR’s trip to Talladega Superspeedway one year ago started a streak of superspeedway victories for the Bowtie brand. Heading into Sunday’s GEICO 500, Chevrolet is riding the momentum of four consecutive superspeedway victories in NASCAR’s premier series – a feat accomplished by four drivers from four different Chevrolet teams.  Chevrolet’s superspeedway streak began in April 2022 when Ross Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1 collected their second win of the season. NASCAR’s top series next visited a superspeedway in August when Daytona International Speedway hosted the series’ regular-season finale. Entering the race in a must-win situation to make the playoffs, Austin Dillon did just that by powering his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Camaro ZL1 team to the victory. Returning to Talladega in October, it was Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1 team that prevailed with a win that advanced the team to the series’ Playoffs Round of Eight. Most recently, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. captured his first crown jewel event when he drove his No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Camaro ZL1 to the win in the 2023 Daytona 500.

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS CLOSING IN ON ANOTHER MILESTONEOnly a few days after being named to NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers list, Kyle Larson scored a career-first by capturing the win in Sunday’s NOCO 400 at Martinsville Speedway. The victory – Larson’s second in the series’ past three races – brought Hendrick Motorsports one step closer to a milestone triumph with the organization now sitting at 295 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins.  The winningest organization in series’ history tallied its first NCS win at Martinsville Speedway in April 1984 with Geoff Bodine. To-date, 20 different drivers have contributed to the organization’s series-leading win count, all of which have been behind the wheel of a Chevrolet.

ELLIOTT RETURNS WITH TOP-10 FINISH After being sidelined with a leg injury for six-races, Chase Elliott made a valiant return to the driver’s seat with a top-10 finish at Martinsville Speedway. The 27-year-old Georgia native ran mid-pack for much of the day, but the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL1 team made adjustments on their Chevrolet throughout the race. With a four-tire call by crew chief Alan Gustafson during the race’s final caution, Elliott was able to power his way through the field to a 10th-place finish – advancing 12 positions to become the fifth-biggest mover in the final stage.   The 2020 NCS champion is on the horizon of two tracks that he’s found success at in his career. In fact, Elliott is the most recent winner at the next two stops on the series’ schedule, collecting wins at both Talladega Superspeedway (October 2022) and Dover Motor Speedway (May 2022) last season.

TWO-YEAR MARK FOR CONSECUTIVE NXS SUPERSPEEDWAY WINSDating back to Jeb Burton and Kaulig Racing’s NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Talladega Superspeedway in April 2021, Chevrolet has been triumphant in every NXS superspeedway race to-date. Approaching the two-year mark since the Bowtie brand’s NXS superspeedway streak began, seven different Chevrolet drivers have recorded a combined eight-straight superspeedway victories:

April 24, 2021 (Talladega) – Jeb Burton, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Camaro SSAugust 28, 2021 (Daytona) – Justin Haley, No. 11 Kaulig Racing Camaro SS October 2, 2021 (Talladega) – Brandon Brown, No. 68 Brandonbilt Motorsports Camaro SSFebruary 19, 2022 (Daytona) – Austin Hill, No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SSApril 23, 2022 (Talladega) – Noah Gragson, No. 9 JR Motorsports Camaro SSAugust 26, 2022 (Daytona) – Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Jeremy Clements Racing Camaro SSOctober 1, 2022 (Talladega) – AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Camaro SSFebruary 19, 2023 (Daytona) – Austin Hill, No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Camaro SS

Saturday’s Ag-Pro 300 will mark the NXS’ 35th appearance at Talladega. Chevrolet has recorded a series-best 22 NXS wins at the track, including a streak of the past eight – dating back to Spencer Gallagher and GMS Racing’s victory in April 2018. Chevrolet earned the win in the series’ inaugural race at Talladega with Ernie Irvan in 1992, with the Bowtie brand going on to win the next two with Dale Earnhardt (1993) and Ken Schrader (1994).

BOWTIE BULLETS:·       Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Talladega Superspeedway: Chase Elliott – 2 (2022 & 2019)Ross Chastain – 1 (2022) Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – (2017)Kyle Busch – 1 (2008) ·       In 107 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers in race wins (43) and pole wins (37). Of those wins includes a record streak of 13 consecutive trips to victory lane captured by five different drivers from April 1999 to May 2005. ·       Chevrolet was the only manufacturer to win at Talladega Superspeedway in 2022 across all three NASCAR national touring series with NASCAR Cup Series wins by Ross Chastain and Chase Elliott; NASCAR Xfinity Series wins by Noah Gragson and AJ Allmendinger; and a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win by Matt DiBenedetto.  ·       The NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in April 2022 started Chevrolet’s streak of superspeedway victories with the Bowtie brand taking the win in the series’ last four races on a superspeedway – recorded by four drivers from four different Chevrolet teams.  ·       Kyle Larson’s win at Martinsville Speedway brought Hendrick Motorsports to 295 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins – all of which have been with Chevrolet.  ·       Only two drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series are repeat winners this season, both coming from Team Chevy (William Byron – Las Vegas & Phoenix; and Kyle Larson – Richmond & Martinsville).  ·       Heading into the 10th points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race of the season, Chevrolet continues to lead the series in wins (six), top-fives (22), top-10s (39), stage wins (10) and laps led (1,147). Chevrolet’s win count, top-five finishes and stage wins thus far this season is double its manufacturer competitors.  ·       Chevrolet’s series-leading six 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 10 of the 18 NASCAR Cup Series stage wins this season: William Byron (five; series-leading), Ross Chastain (three) and Kyle Larson (two).  ·       Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman continues to lead the series with an average finish of 10.0. The Chevrolet driver is also tied at the top of the leaderboard for top-10 finishes this season with six. ·       Chevrolet continues to sit atop the manufacturer points standings in all three NASCAR national series, leading by 29 points in the NASCAR Cup Series, 13 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 839 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title of winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.  FOR THE FANS:·       Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Talladega Superspeedway.  ·       Fans can check out an assortment of Chevrolet vehicles at the Team Chevy Racing Display including: Tahoe Premier, Trailblazer RS, Traverse Premier, Silverado 1500 Crew ZR2, Silverado 2500HD, Crew Carhartt Diesel, Corvette Coupe 3LT Z51, Camaro ZL1, Blazer RS.  ·       Fans can also view Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Camaro ZL1 show car at the Chevrolet Display in the Fan Midway.  Team Chevy Driver Appearances at the Display:Saturday, April 22·       Gray Gaulding: 11:30 a.m. ·       Sam Mayer: 11:45 a.m. ·       Brandon Jones: 12 p.m. ·       Justin Allgaier: 12:15 p.m. ·       Josh Berry: 12:30 p.m. ·       Sheldon Creed: 12:45 p.m. ·       Derek Kraus: 1 p.m.  Sunday, April 23·       Erik Jones: 9:45 a.m. ·       Austin Hill: 10 a.m. ·       Austin Dillon: 11 a.m. ·       Alex Bowman: 11:15 a.m.  Chevrolet Display Hours of Operation: ·       Saturday, April 22: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. ·       Sunday, April 23: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.   Tune In: NASCAR Cup Series – GEICO 500; 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 23(FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90) NASCAR Xfinity Series – Ag-Pro 300; 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 22(FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

QUOTABLE QUOTES:ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 MOOSE FRATERNITY CAMARO ZL1Do you like racing at superspeedways like Talladega?“Superspeedways are such wild cards and we see that time and time again. In the April race last year, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I held the wheel straight and people wrecked around me and we won the race. That doesn’t always happen at superspeedway tracks though. You have so many things out of your control that you have to have a little bit of luck at them.” This weekend at Talladega will be a year since you’ve won a race. You’ve had a lot of success since then with running well, finishing runner up in the Championship, does it feel like you haven’t won in a year to you?“I don’t really think a whole lot about the timelines and things like that. I’m so far ahead of where I ever thought I would be in my career, and this sport. I don’t get caught up in the timelines. I just wake up every day and try and put forth the effort to be the best racecar driver I can be. I have a lot of support from Trackhouse and Chevrolet and I certainly work on my race craft, but I don’t focus a lot on timelines.” KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1Larson on superspeedway racing: “We had a good race there (at Talladega Superspeedway in April of 2022) and thought that maybe we figured something out, or at least for me. I feel like I’ve always struggled on superspeedways and that race I just never left the bottom lane. That’s kind of what I would love to do every time. It seems like superspeedway stuff changes a little bit every time you go back, at least a little bit, and makes the style different.” CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1Daniels on racing at Talladega Superspeedway: “(I’m) looking forward to Talladega (Superspeedway). I think it was an okay race for us at Daytona (International Speedway) with the way our cars performed. Obviously, we pressure ourselves to qualify up front. (We) did that in Daytona and raced reasonably. Our car hung around in the top 10 for most of the day. We are still trying to find a little bit to some of those other OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) that are a little bit stronger at the plate races than we are. Folks at Hendrick Motorsports have been hard at work trying to find that and hopefully we’ll see it show up on Sunday.” KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 MCLAREN CUSTOM GRILLS CAMARO ZL1Are you optimistic entering Talladega considering how well you ran at Daytona?“You know considering how well we ran at Daytona I would say that there is optimism going into Talladega. We definitely had some fast race cars in Daytona but I’ve also found over the years that Daytona cars aren’t the same as Talladega cars and it doesn’t correlate. You can take the same car from Daytona and go straight to Talladega with it and be slow. I’m optimistic and certainly looking forward to going to Talladega, although I’ve been known to get myself caught up in crashes there. I think the only three or four times I’ve ever finished a race there with a clean race car I’ve finished in the top three, top four including winning once. It just goes to show you that if you can stay clean then you can have a good day.” Why were you and your RCR teammate Austin Dillon able to work so well together at Daytona?“Austin and I were really able to work together well at Daytona, I think, because we both had fast race cars. We were both able to find each other and continue to work together and help each other. Austin was my wingman there towards the later stages of the race and really gave me a good push to get to the lead and then we were riding there together to finish it out strong before that late caution came. Overall, it’s been really fun to work with Austin. I think he’s been a great piece to the puzzle of our success early on in the year and I want to continue that at Talladega.” You won the 2008 spring race at Talladega and didn’t lead a lap until late in the race. How special was that win?“Winning that race in 2008 was super-cool. Being up front and having a fast car and dicing through traffic was cool. We got pushed by Juan Pablo Montoya there, got some really big pushes that got us to the lead. Once we got the lead, we were able to control it there the last couple of laps. The race was actually cut short while we were out front and we were able to win. Winning at Talladega in 2008 was pretty special because it gave me a win at Talladega, although I haven’t been able to back it up since then. I feel like there’s been plenty of other opportunities to win a race there that haven’t come to fruition. There’s a lot of other guys who are a lot more aggressive in restrictor plate racing and the draft and pushing the issue at times and putting themselves in some sticky situations.”  CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1Elliott on racing at Talladega: “It’s a bit of a mystery every time you go there. I mean, you kind of know what you’re going to have, but certainly it seems like when you show up to a race for the first time, a lot of times they’re the same players. It does seem like sometimes when you go back you can have a manufacturer that has found a little something that might be improved that trip to that specific style of track. So, a lot of times we kind of have to wait until we get there, see where we stack up and kind of address the weekend after that.” ALAN GUSTAFSON, CREW CHIEF, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1Gustafson talks about making his 650th start this weekend and reflecting on his career: “For this to be my 19th season and just to survive this long in this sport and continue to be competitive, it’s a big deal to me. There’s been a lot of great people I’ve met over the years that have had a major impact on my career here at Hendrick (Motorsports), from Mr. Hendrick himself to Terry Labonte and Gary DeHart to both Jeffs (Jeff Gordon and Jeff Andrews). I really appreciate those relationships. To me, having the success and accomplishments is great, but really, it’s the people and the relationships I’ve made that make me enjoy my job the most. So, yeah, this weekend will be really cool. I’m looking forward to it.”   WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1Byron on his thoughts about Talladega: “I feel like we’re pretty good on superspeedways but there’s more to it than just being fast. I feel like we have a good handle on Daytona (International Speedway), but Talladega (Superspeedway) has still been a bit of a challenge results-wise. Obviously, you can only control so much in that style of racing, but Talladega really does depend more on handling and how well you can push or receive a push. That’s where I think we need to focus on for this weekend. If we can do either of those things well, we should be in a good position at the end.” RUDY FUGLE, CREW CHIEF, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1Fugle on his approach to superspeedway racing: “It’s not necessarily about having the fastest car at a superspeedway. It’s about having a car that can push better, run as a group better, make good decisions and out execute them. That’s our goal to work on this week. It’s always fun to go speedway racing when you have Hendrick (Motorsports) power but we want to work together better as a group to out run the others.” JUSTIN HALEY, NO. 31 LEAFFILTER GUTTER PROTECTION CAMARO ZL1“Talladega is always a fun racetrack. I’ve won there a few times in other series, and it’s a style of racing I always enjoy. We had a good finish as a team last year in the spring at Talladega, so I know there’s an opportunity for us to excel. My teammate, AJ (Allmendinger), is always great to work with at the superspeedways. It’s definitely helped having him at these types of tracks.” NOAH GRAGSON, NO. 42 WENDY’S BIGGIE BAG CAMARO ZL1“Wendy’s is such a fun brand – I love the new paint scheme of the No. 42 Biggie Bag Chevrolet and they have some fun stuff planned for the fans of Talladega. Talladega is such a party – it’s always one of the most fun races of the year for me and a good show for the fans – I’m really excited. To pass at Talladega is tricky, I try to use the air, but you can’t side draft with this Next Gen car, so it’s pretty hard to pass. We are really optimistic for our speedway program and had a great race in Daytona and a strong car at Atlanta. You have to stay out of trouble, pick a good line and race your race. Being there at the end with a shot is what we want to do in the No. 42 Wendy’s Chevrolet. I have a ‘biggie’ paint scheme and Talladega is just going to be a good show all around.”  ERIK JONES, NO. 43 U.S. AIR FORCE CAMARO ZL1“Talladega this weekend is going to be a good one for us to try and get a win. Our speed has been a little off here in some places this season, so I am hoping Talladega is somewhere in which we can have some good speed in the No. 43 US Air Force Chevy and get out front to contend. I am definitely looking forward to that.” Jones on track position at the end: “It is tough to be the leader at the end sometimes, but the race at Talladega is a long one and you just have to put yourself in a position where you have a chance at the end. So hopefully this time if we are up there at the end it will be our turn. When you have a fast car and don’t win, it is frustrating because wins are hard to come by especially at speedway races. Just trying to make it to the end of them is hard, but if you have a car that is capable of winning you want to take advantage of that.” ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1Bowman on heading to Talladega this weekend: “Our team always brings really fast race cars. I have just figured out every way to get caught up in something at superspeedways, so hopefully this weekend we can keep our car clean and contend for a win. Blake’s (Harris, crew chief) guy did pretty good here last year and I think we have a good foundation, so I am optimistic about what we can accomplish.” BLAKE HARRIS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1Harris on how his first year as a crew chief will help him this Sunday: “Statistically, last year we had some really good superspeedway runs. Michael (McDowell) did a really good job in those races. Alex (Bowman) did a really good job at staying clean this year at the DAYTONA 500 and got our first top five in our first race – that was big. Then, we go to Atlanta (Motor Speedway) and we ran basically inside the top 10 all day and got shuffled there at the end. There is a big part of just surviving these races and to be able to be there at the end, you have to be aggressive enough during the race to know what you need to get through the field. That approach stays the same for this weekend. We need a little luck on our side to get through all the wrecks, but at the same time we have to make sure we have ourselves in a position to win at the end of the race. Hopefully we can continue what we started in Daytona (International Speedway).” AUSTIN HILL, NO. 62 REALTREE CAMARO ZL1Talladega and Daytona are both superspeedways but tend to produce different races in that it seems cars can get really strung out at Talladega. What has been your experience with racing at Talladega versus Daytona?“I’ve had success and have found myself up front at both Talladega and Daytona. I’m a firm believer that every superspeedway race races a little bit different than the last. You have to go into superspeedway weekends with a clear mindset. The things that maybe worked for you in Talladega last year, may not work for you this year. A lot has to do with the temperature outside, track temperature, the wind. There are a lot of different factors that play into the superspeedways with how the draft is that day. Every time we go to a superspeedway, it feels like I have to do something a little different inside the car to still get the performance out of the car that I’m looking for. When you get behind someone, the bubble is a lot different in each race that you run. I led laps and had a shot at winning at Talladega last season in the Xfinity car and it’s not a guarantee that what I did last year will work going into this weekend.” You are making your second career Cup Series start this weekend at Talladega, but you have found success so far this season in the Xfinity Series. Does this affect your confidence getting in the Cup car? What are your overall expectations for this weekend?“With it being a superspeedway, my confidence level is probably as high as it’s going to get on a Cup race. The Cup and Xfinity cars are going to draft different – just the way that the energy is going to work on a superspeedway track in each car. But in saying that, it’s still a superspeedway. You are still drafting, still need to take the runs and pull out of line when you get the chance – you just have to do it differently in the two cars. My philosophy hasn’t changed though. I’m going to learn as much as I can in Stage 1, and then by the time we get to Stage 2 and 3, I can take a lot of the stuff that I’ve learned from the first stage and use it to our advantage. We may work on our Realtree Chevrolet during the first stage to get the car driving where I want it, and then be aggressive when we get to the final stage. I think we can win just as good as anybody can. The way these superspeedway races play out, you have to miss the big one and be aggressive all day. If you are there at the end, anything can happen.” DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 TOOTSIES ORCHID LOUNGE CAMARO ZL1Do you like racing at Talladega and Daytona?“At the beginning of my career I really didn’t but the more I have raced at those two tracks the more I have enjoyed it and I the better I have become. We have been really close a few times and I think we will win one of these soon.” What is your Talladega strategy?“Talladega is very unpredictable and a lot of things can happen as we all know. As a driver you can put yourself in good positions and bad positions. You just have to be smart and keep yourself in good positions all day. Of course there is a lot of luck in that.”

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: 6Poles: 3Laps Led: 1,147Top-five finishes: 22Top-10 finishes: 39Stage wins: 10·       Ross Chastain – 3 (Daytona), (Auto Club x2)·       William Byron – 5 (Las Vegas x2), (Phoenix), (COTA), (Richmond)·       Kyle Larson – 2 (Phoenix), (Bristol Dirt)  CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 839 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 737Laps led to date: 246,691Top-five finishes to date: 4,243Top-10 finishes to date: 8,751                                                                                                           Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date:                    General Motors: 1,173           Chevrolet: 839           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

MARION CENTE, PA (April 19, 2023) – Northeast dirt fans will have three chances to see the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models when they make their lone stop in the region this May.

First, the Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will visit Pennsylvania for a doubleheader weekend at Marion Center Raceway on Friday, May 19, and Port Royal Speedway on Saturday, May 20. Then, they’ll make the trip north to Stateline Speedway, in Busti, NY, on Tuesday, May 23.

The swing will be a homecoming for Pennsylvania natives, and teammates, Max Blair (Centerville, PA) and Boom Briggs (Bear Lake, PA). Blair has had the most success with the Series at the tracks, having won at Stateline in 2019 and holds the track record at Marion Center. Briggs is searching for his first career Series win.

What you need to know:

MARION CENTER, MAY 19 (Connor Bobik Memorial)
Track:
1/4-mile in Marion Center, PA

Times (ET): EVENT PAGE

Tickets: You can purchase tickets at the gate.

Previous winners:
2022 – Dennis Erb Jr. on May 20

PORT ROYAL, MAY 20
Track: 1/2-mile track in Port Royal, PA

Times (ET):
2PM Pit Gates open
5PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying

Tickets: You can purchase tickets at the gate.

Previous winners:
2022- Jared Miley on May 21
2021 – Chris Madden on May 21, Chris Madden on May 22
2019 – Mason Zeigler on Aug. 17
2018 – Mike Marlar on Aug. 18
2017 – Brandon Sheppard on Aug. 19
2008 – Clint Smith on June 17
2007 – Darrell Lanigan on June 20

STATELINE, MAY 23
Track: 1/3-mile in Busti, NY

Times (ET): EVENT INFO

Tickets: You can purchase tickets at the gate.

Previous winners:
2021 – Dave Hess on June 17
2019 – Max Blair on September 19
2018 – Brandon Sheppard on June 14
2013 – Shane Clanton on June 1
2006 – Dick Barton on July 1
2005 – John Blankenship on July 2

ATTICA, OH – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is bringing dirt fans a May visit to Attica Raceway Park and Sharon Speedway.

In the Series’ second Ohio stop of the season, it’ll journey to Attica on Friday, May 19, and Sharon on Saturday, May 20.

It’ll also be another home state visit for Wooster, OH’s Sheldon Haudenschild, who’s already picked up a win this season at US 36 Raceway.

What you need to know:

ATTICA, MAY 19
Track:
1/3-mile in Attica, OH

Times (ET):
2PM Pit Gates open
5PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying

Tickets: CLICK HERE

Previous winners:
2022 – Kyle Larson on May 20, Kyle Larson on July 12
2021 – David Gravel on May 21, Spencer Bayston on July 13
2020 – Kyle Larson on July 14
2018 – Donny Schatz on July 10
2017 – David Gravel on July 11
2016 – Donny Schatz on July 12
2015 – Dale Blaney on May 29
2014 – Dale Blaney on May 30
2011 – Donny Schatz on May 20
2009 – Dale Blaney on May 29
2008 – Donny Schatz on May 30
2007 – Joey Saldana on April 20
2005 – Stevie Smith on July 13
1994 – Sammy Swindell on May 21
1993 – Joe Garte on May 21
1992 – Joey Allen on Aug. 7
1991 – Steve Kinser on Aug. 9
1990 – Steve Kinser on May 18

SHARON, MAY 20
Track:
3/8-mile in Hartford, OH

Times (ET):
2:00PM Pit Gates Open
4:00PM Grandstand Gates Open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying

Tickets: CLICK HERE

Previous winners:
2022 – Brad Sweet on Sept. 24
2021 – Dave Blaney on May 22
2007 – Steve Kinser on June 1
2006 – Jac Haudenschild on May 20
2005 – Jason Meyers on June 3
2004 –Danny Lasoski on June 4, Steve Kinser on July 28
2003 – Steve Kinser on July 30, Steve Kinser on July 30
2002 – Danny Lasoski on May 31, Joey Saldana on July 31

HOW TO WATCH
If you can’t make it to the tracks, you can watch both events live on DIRTVision – either at DIRTVision.com or by downloading the DIRTVision App.

The weekend is the first of eight scheduled nights of Knoxville racing in 2023The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are readying for an uncharacteristic springtime visit to “The Sprint Car Capital of the World.”The iconic Knoxville Raceway is the target of The Greatest Show on Dirt as the 2023 campaign rolls on. The half mile will host the Xtream Powered by Mediacom Showdown this weekend (April 21-22). The two nights will be the first of eight for the World of Outlaws at Knoxville in 2023 with another pair of evenings set for June 9-10 and the 62nd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals (August 9-12).This weekend will mark the first time the Series has raced at the Marion County facility in the month of April since 2012.FRIDAY TICKETSSATURDAY TICKETSLet’s look at some of the weekend’s top storylines.SCHATZVILLE: The early trip to Knoxville may be a welcome shift in the schedule for Donny Schatz.The 10-time Series champion has been combating some early struggles this season, but his success at Knoxville can’t be overstated. Schatz has mastered the black zook clay. The Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing pilot picked up his 11th Knoxville Nationals title last season – second only to Steve Kinser’s 12. The driver out of Fargo, ND has remained solid in recent years at Knoxville with finishes of fourth or better in seven of his last eight starts.Coming off a nasty tumble in Pevely, Knoxville presents a prime opportunity for Schatz to rebound in strong fashion.MULTI-TIME WINNERS: Outside of Schatz, a handful of fellow full-time competitors have been stout at Knoxville. The trio of David Gravel, Brad Sweet, and Carson Macedo have all topped multiple Series races at the half mile.Gravel and Sweet lead the way with four victories apiece.Among Gravel’s triumphs is the 2019 Knoxville Nationals and a pair of wins in 2020. The wheelman of the Big Game Motorsports #2 made all four of his trips to Victory Lane over an 11 race stretch from June of 2018 to August of 2020.Sweet’s success is slightly more spread out. “The Big Cat” first claimed a Knoxville World of Outlaws checkered flag in 2014, then had to wait through nine more visits until another win in June of 2017. The Grass Valley, CA native also owns a Knoxville Nationals crown, topping “The Granddaddy of ‘Em All” in 2018.Macedo hasn’t found Knoxville glory as often as Gravel or Sweet, but he has more recently. In 2021, the 26 year old swept the June weekend at Knoxville. Macedo looks to pad his point lead with another strong Iowa outing.SHARKS’ SUCCESS: Last August at Knoxville, the Shark Racing duo of Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen flexed their muscle.Before the Knoxville Nationals commenced, Schuchart began the week by topping the Capitani Classic. He followed that up by winning his Nationals prelim on Wednesday. During Saturday’s finale Schuchart finished third after starting 17th – his second podium in the last three editions of the sport’s most prestigious race.The night after Schuchart claimed his prelim, Allen came out on top of Thursday’s preliminary action for his first Knoxville win. Then on Saturday he joined his teammate in the top five by wheeling the #1A from 11th to fifth in the 50-lap main event.IOWA TRANSPLANT: This weekend serves somewhat of a home game for Gio Scelzi.The 21 year old is originally from Fresno, CA but recently relocated to “The Hawkeye State” as he’s behind the wheel of the Iowa-based KCP Racing #18.The Californian has adapted nicely to Knoxville. He and KCP won the 2021 Knoxville 360 Nationals. Then during the following week, they earned the pole for the 410 Nationals and finished a strong fourth.ZEARFOSS’ ZONE: After spending much of the early season having to charge forward in the Feature, Brock Zearfoss has improved his qualifying and Heat Race performance in recent weeks.The Jonestown, PA native didn’t make a Toyota Dash through the first 10 events of the season, but now he’s made the last three. The improvement helped lead to his first top five of the season at U.S. 36 Raceway.Zearfoss now heads to Knoxville where he’s a former top-five finisher in the 360 Nationals (’20) and a top five finisher in the 410 Nationals Hard Knox Night (’21).KNOXVILLE LOCALS: “The Sprint Car Capital of the World” is home to some of the country’s strongest local challengers, and much of the contingent will be in action this weekend looking to upset the World of Outlaws.Brian Brown always stands out as one of the favorites to stand in Victory Lane whenever the World of Outlaws invade Knoxville, IA. The five-time Knoxville track champion is currently tied for second on the all-time track win list – trailing only Danny Lasoski. Brown is a two-time winner in World of Outlaws competition at Knoxville (’19 &’21).Austin McCarl is another who could make some noise. At last year’s Knoxville Nationals, the Altoona, IA native experienced one of his most emotional career moments by earning the pole for the Saturday finale. The 2018 track champion continues to seek his first World of Outlaws victory.Knoxville’s very own Riley Goodno is one of the sport’s rising stars. Last year, in only his seventh career World of Outlaws Feature start, Goodno led laps and podiumed at Huset’s Speedway.More drivers local to or with ties to the area including Tasker Phillips, Ayrton Gennetten, Brandon Wimmer, Ian Madsen, and more are expected to be in action.INVADERS: This weekend’s roster is expected to have some added star power with more big names making the trip.A pair of drivers with World of Outlaws wins already under their belt this year, Rico Abreu and Buddy Kofoid, have Knoxville on their calendar.Tyler Courtney also has the weekend on his schedule with Clauson Marshall Racing. Last year, “Sunshine” led the most laps in Knoxville Nationals main event before finishing fourth.A fellow Hoosier in the form of Justin Peck will also be making his way to Knoxville. Last year, the Monrovia, IN native qualified for the Knoxville Nationals aboard the Buch Motorsports #13 and finished a personal-best 12th.Pennsylvania standout Anthony Macri plans to be in attendance. The Dillsburg, PA native has finished in the top five in each of the last two Hard Knox Nights including a runner-up in 2021 that transferred him into his first Knoxville Nationals finale.If you can’t make it to the track, catch all the action on DIRTVision.CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (13/83 Races)41 – Carson Macedo (1826PTS) 2. 49 – Brad Sweet (-12PTS) 3. 2 – David Gravel (-20PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-56PTS) 5. 11 – Michael Kofoid (-72PTS) 6. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-108PTS) 7. 83 – James McFadden (-134PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-148PTS) 9. 15 – Donny Schatz (-162PTS) 10. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-172PTS)NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (7 Drivers): 3 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2), Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49) 2 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24) 1 win – Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41), Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing #17)FEATURE LAPS LED (11 Drivers):79 laps – Brad Sweet 77 laps – David Gravel 60 laps – James McFadden 46 laps – Buddy Kofoid 43 laps – Rico Abreu 41 laps – Carson Macedo 21 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild 10 laps – Anthony Macri, Cory Eliason 9 laps – Gio Scelzi, Brent MarksLOW-E INSULATION QUICKTIME AWARDS (8 Drivers): 5 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo 2 QuickTimes – David Gravel 1 QuickTime – Anthony Macri, Logan Schuchart, Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, Rico AbreuHEAT RACE WINNERS (17 Drivers):7 Heat Wins – David Gravel 6 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid, Carson Macedo 4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks 3 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Brad Sweet 2 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston, Gio Scelzi, Jacob Allen 1 Heat Win – James McFadden, Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Rico Abreu, Brock ZearfossTOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (24 Drivers):10 Dashes – David Gravel 9 Dashes – Carson Macedo 8 Dashes – Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet 6 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid, Jacob Allen 5 Dashes – Spencer Bayston, Gio Scelzi 4 Dashes – Brent Marks, Rico Abreu, Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz 3 Dashes – James McFadden, Brock Zearfoss 2 Dashes – Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich 1 Dash – Anthony Macri, Robbie Price, Cory Eliason, Justin Peck, Kasey Kahne, Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Garet WilliamsonMICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (11 Drivers):1 LCS Win – Brock Zearfoss, Parker Price-Miller, Sheldon Haudenschild, Gio Scelzi, Noah Gass, Hunter Schuerenberg, James McFadden, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Robbie PriceKSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (10 Drivers):2 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss, James McFadden, Tyler Courtney 1 Hard Charger – Donny Schatz, Gio Scelzi, Robbie Price, David Gravel, Logan Schuchart, Justin Peck, Blake HahnPODIUM FINISHES (15 Drivers):7 Podiums – Brad Sweet 6 Podiums – David Gravel 5 Podiums – Carson Macedo 4 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid 3 Podiums – James McFadden 2 Podiums – Jacob Allen, Sheldon Haudenschild, Rico Abreu, Logan Schuchart 1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Brian Brown, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Spencer Bayston, Brent MarksTOP 10 FINISHES (26 Drivers):13 Top 10s – Carson Macedo 11 Top 10s – Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Logan Schuchart 9 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild, Michael Kofoid 7 Top 10s – James McFadden, Spencer Bayston, Gio Scelzi 6 Top 10s – Rico Abreu 5 Top 10s – Donny Schatz 4 Top 10s – Brent Marks, Jacob Allen, Justin Peck, Kasey Kahne 3 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney 2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Brock Zearfoss, Blake Hahn 1 Top 10 – Cory Eliason, Robbie Price, Zeb Wise, Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr.2023 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)Sat, Feb 11* / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / James McFadden (1)Sun, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)Mon, March 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (3)Sat, March 18 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Rico Abreu (1)Fri, March 24 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Buddy Kofoid (1)Sat, March 25 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Brad Sweet (1)Fri, March 31 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / Brad Sweet (2)Sat, April 1 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / James McFadden (2)Fri, April 7 / U.S. 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)Sat, April 8 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS / Rico Abreu (2)Fri, April 14 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (3)

·       The NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in April 2022 started Chevrolet’s streak of superspeedway victories with the Bowtie brand taking the win in the series’ last four races on a superspeedway.  ·       Chevrolet’s four consecutive NASCAR Cup Series superspeedway victories over the past year have been recorded by four drivers from four different Chevrolet teams:

Ross ChastainNo. 1 Trackhouse Racing Camaro ZL1Talladega Superspeedway – April 24, 2022Austin DillonNo. 3 Richard Childress Racing Camaro ZL1Daytona International Speedway – August 27, 2022

Chase ElliottNo. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro ZL1Talladega Superspeedway – October 2, 2022Ricky Stenhouse Jr.No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Camaro ZL1Daytona International Speedway – February 19, 2023

·       Eight active NASCAR Cup Series drivers have recorded a win at both Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway, two of which are part of the Chevrolet lineup:  Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Camaro ZL1Daytona – 2 (2023 and 2017)Talladega – 1 (2017) Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Camaro ZL1 Daytona – 1 (2008)Talladega – 1 (2008)

·       In 107 NASCAR Cup Series races at Talladega Superspeedway, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers in race wins (43) and pole wins (37). Of those wins includes a record streak of 13 consecutive trips to victory lane captured by five different drivers from April 1999 to May 2005.

Active Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Winners atTalladega Superspeedway:  2   Chase Elliott (’22 and ’19)1   Ross Chastain (’22)1   Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (’17)1   Kyle Busch (’08) 1st Chevy NCS Win @ Talladega: Darrell Waltrip (May 1, 1977)Most Recent Chevy NCS Win @ Talladega: Chase Elliott (Oct. 2, 2022) 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 18, 2023) – The 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season resumes with this weekend’s high-profile Mission Dallas Half-Mile presented by Roof Systems at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas on Saturday, April 22. Progressive AFT’s annual trek to the Dallas-Fort Worth area always carries heightened significance due to its status as the home event for some of the series’ strongest allies, partners, and teams, including Mission Foods, Roof Systems of Dallas, TX, and Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda. And this year, the stop always represents the first of five Half-Miles that will play such a critical role in determining the Championship. It couldn’t have come at a better time for reigning Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle champion Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750), who enters the weekend third in the points after a late crash at the Arizona Super TT cost him a potential podium. Mees ranks as one of the greatest Half-Milers in the history of the sport. His 33 career victories – including two of his three wins last season – put him just two off the all-time mark currently held by the legendary Scott Parker. That said, Mees’ Half-Mile supremacy has been challenged as of late by Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 890 Duke). The two-time Mission SuperTwins champion earned a pair of HM wins of his own a year ago and also happened to double in runaway fashion the last time Progressive AFT visited Devil’s Bowl Speedway back in 2020. The Dallas Half-Mile will be an important test for the Estenson Racing Yamaha duo of Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) and JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), who currently rank 1-2 in the points. The pair have combined for nine wins since the start of the ‘22 season, yet none have come on Half-Miles. Daniels does have an impressive track record at this venue, however, scoring both wins in ‘20 en route to the first of two support class titles earned prior to his graduation to the ranks of the premier class. Like Mees and Bauman, Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) scooped two Half-Mile wins last season. He’ll be motivated to score a strong performance as he defends his team’s and sponsors’ home turf, especially in the wake of twin outings hindered by practice crashes. Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750) was the only other rider to win at least one Half-Mile a year ago. He’s not the only other with the potential to win this weekend, however, with the likes of Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing/2 Wheelz KTM 890 Duke), Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750), Johnny Lewis (No. 10 Moto Anatomy X Powered by Royal Enfield 650), and Brandon Price (No. 92 Steve Watt Enterprises/Maxwell Industries Harley-Davidson XG750R) among those also lining the grid. Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER As strong as defending Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER champion and current points leader Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) has looked early in his title defense, we’ve yet to see him where he shines the brightest. That changes now. Kopp’s blowout championship triumph a year ago was built in large part on his Half-Mile excellence, as he earned five of his seven victories at that distance. His two closest rivals are strong Half-Milers as well, however. Second-ranked Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F) stood atop the podium in the most recent HM, which took place at Voluisia Speedway Park in the 2022 season finale. Meanwhile, Kopp’s teammate Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) boasts four career Half-Mile wins himself. And don’t forget about Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 450 SX-F), who just so happens to own more Half-Mile victories than any other rider in Parts Unlimited AFT Singles history with 11 such wins to her name. Last year’s victory in Dallas-Fort Worth went to Morgen Mischler (No. 13 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) albeit at Texas Motor Speedway. While KTM-mounted riders have swept the season’s first four rounds, it seems like only a matter of time before Mischler or one of his Turner Racing Honda teammates, Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R) and Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), put an end to that streak. They’ll be joined in the effort by Estenson Racing Yamaha’s Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) and Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), along with 1st Impressions Husqvarna’s James Ott (No. 19 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) and Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450) – every one of whom has teased top-of-the-podium pace at one point or another early in ‘23. Another rider to monitor on Saturday is Tanner Dean (No. 38 Waters Autobody Racing KTM 450 SX-F), who finished on the box here back in 2020. The Dallas Half-Mile will also feature the eagerly awaited opening round of the 2023 edition of Royal Enfield’s hugely successful Build. Train. Race. (BTR) program, which highlights, celebrates, and encourages the involvement of women in flat track racing. Since its inception, BTR has injected new talent into Progressive AFT events across the nation, welcoming both experienced and beginner racers to compete aboard customized INT650 motorcycles. The festivities will kick off a day early for fans, riders, and teams alike with Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda Pre-Party on Friday, April 21. The pre-party will feature a storewide sale, food, and fun, from 5:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m. local time at Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda, located at 9250 LBJ Freeway, in Dallas, Texas. There will be plenty to keep fans entertained at the track on Saturday as well, including a Kids Zone, numerous vendors, plenty of food and beverage options, music, extensive motorcycle parking, and fireworks to cap off the evening. General Admission tickets are just $40 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult), while Premium General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $10 more. There is also an option to secure an Indoor Suite Reservation which provides exclusive viewing from the 3rd floor above the grandstands in a climate-controlled, private space that accommodates up to eight individuals, for $800. Pit Pass Upgrades are also available for purchase, which provide all-day access to the pits where fans can scope out the world’s fastest dirt track motorcycles and get up close and personal with the stars of the sport. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/dallas-half-mile-57732 to purchase your tickets today! Gates will open for fans at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT) with Opening Ceremonies scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT). For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv. FOX Sports coverage of the Mission Dallas Half-Mile presented by Roof Systems, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Sunday, April 30, at 11:00 a.m. ET (8:00 a.m. PT).

The Series stops at 411 Motor Speedway, and makes its debut at Talladega Short TrackSEYMOUR, TN – April 17, 2023 – A tripleheader of action in the South, including the season’s first $50,000-to-win race, awaits the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series as they prepare for battle in Tennessee and Alabama.The weekend kicks off on Thursday, April 20, at 411 Motor Speedway for the Seymour Showdown—a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win Feature. Joining the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models are the track’s Sportsman, Four Wheel Drive, and Crown Vic divisions. Then, the Series moves south for its debut at Talladega Short Track for Alabama Gang 100 weekend—the same weekend the NASCAR Cup Series makes its first stop at Talladega Superspeedway. The event starts with two split-field 20-lap Features on Friday, April 21, each paying $4,000-to-win. The top three in each Feature will lock into the 60-lap, $50,000-to-win finale on Saturday, April 22—along with a spot in a dash on Saturday to determine the first three rows of the Feature.  Every other driver will run Heat Races lined up by Friday’s finish on Saturday. Along with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models, the USCS Sprint Cars will join the card, including an appearance from 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr.  CRUSA Modifieds will also race on Friday and the Hot Shots on Saturday.  TICKETS: bit.ly/3zJfaRv A total of $255,000 will be paid out between the events at 411 and Talladega. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App.Here are some of the key storylines to keep an eye on:Madden’s Success: Chris Madden enters this weekend with the Series points lead and will return to two tracks where he’s found past success. The Gray Court, SC driver has three wins at Talladega and won the last time the World of Outlaws visited 411 in 2020. He’s finished in the top five in both Series events he’s entered at the Seymour, TN, oval. If Madden wins a Feature this weekend, it’ll be his 34th career World of Outlaws win and break a tie with Series champions Scott Bloomquist and Tim McCreadie for seventh on the all-time wins list. “Smokey” leads Brian Shirley by 14 points heading into Thursday’s event on the strength of three top 10s in four races. For a complete look at the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models points standings, CLICK HERE.A 411 Variety: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models will visit 411 for the fourth time in Series history on Thursday, April 20. In the three previous Features, there have been three different winners. Along with Madden’s win in 2020, Brandon Overton and Cory Hedgecock each have a Series victory on the red-clay oval. For Hedgecock, it was his first career World of Outlaws win. If a driver scores their first career win this weekend, they’ll become the 101st different winner in Series history.O-Show and the Bulldog: Even though the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models haven’t raced at Talladega Short Track before, both Jimmy Owens and 2015 Series champion Shane Clanton have found Victory Lane at the track on multiple occasions. Clanton has five wins at the Alabama track, including three Ice Bowl victories. However, his last win there came in 2011. The “Georgia Bulldog” is two wins away from his 50th World of Outlaws triumph. Owens has three wins at Talladega, including two national tour victories in 2007 and 2020. But while the Newport, TN driver had found success at Talladega, he’s had even more at 411, with eight wins since 2020. If Owens can win at either track this weekend, it’ll be his 22nd World of Outlaws win.Grabbing Momentum: Since the World of Outlaws Late Models last raced at Volusia, ten full-time drivers have found Victory Lane. Along with Madden’s win last week, Bobby Pierce, Ryan Gustin, Cade Dillard, Kyle Bronson, Max Blair, Brian Shirley, Dennis Erb Jr., Johnny Scott, and Logan Martin each scored a victory at various tracks around the country. Other than Pierce, who won at Volusia, all of them are searching for their first World of Outlaws victory of the 2023 season.WHEN AND WHERE411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, TN on April 20 TICKETS: bit.ly/3IdAwdx    Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL on April 21-22TICKETS: bit.ly/3zJfaRv ABOUT THE TRACK 411 Motor Speedway is a 3/8-mile dirt oval Talladega Short Track is a 1/3-mile red clay oval ONLINE  411 Motor Speedway: www.411motorspeedway.net   Talladega Short Track: www.talladegashorttrack.com On the Internet  World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Series  Twitter – Twitter.com/WoOLateModels – @WoOLateModels  Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOLateModels – @woolatemodels  Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsLateModelSeries  YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws  DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month  Around the Turn: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models travel to Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, WI for the third annual Dairyland Showdown on May 4-6. For Tickets: CLICK HERE. FEATURE WINNERS: (3 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsDevin Moran, Dresden, OH-2Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1HEAT RACE WINNERS (14 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsChris Madden, Gray Court, SC-3 Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-3Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-2 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2 Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-2Max Blair, Centerville, PA-1 Ricky Thornton Jr, Martinsville, IN-1 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-1 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1 Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (9 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsMark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-2 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-2Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1 Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1 Tanner English, Benton, KY-1 Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1 Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1 Ricky Thornton, Jr, Martinsville, IN-1 Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1PODIUM FINISHES (7 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – PodiumsTim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-3 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-3Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-2Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1 Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER (4 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1 Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1 Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICK TIMES (3 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTsBrandon Overton, Evans, GA-2Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-1 Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1CASE FEATURE LAP LEADERS (7 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps LedTim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-60Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-29Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-28Nick Hoffman, Mooresville, NC-6 Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-6Ricky Thornton Jr., Martinsville, IN-1Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-12023 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & WinnersThursday, Jan. 19 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Devin Moran (1)Friday, Jan. 20/ Volusia Speedway Park/ Barberville, FL/ Devin Moran (2)Thursday, Feb. 16/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Bobby Pierce (3)Saturday, Feb. 18/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Hudson O’Neal (4)

BATAVIA, Ohio (April 17, 2023) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is set for a return to the “Land of Lincoln” this weekend. There will be no shortage of excitement as the nation’s top dirt late model drivers converge at Tri-City Speedway on Friday, April 21, followed by Macon Speedway on Saturday, April 22. Located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, MO, Tri-City Speedway has gone through several changes in size since being built in 1961 but has settled in as a 3/8-mile oval. The St. Louis Screw and Bolt 50 will include a complete program of: Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a 50-lap, $12,000-to-win main event. The pit gate will open at 2:00PM CT with the General Admission gate opening at 5:30 PM CT. A 6:00 PM CT driver’s meeting will be conducted with on track action beginning at 6:30 PM CT. The Modifieds and B-Mods will also be in competition, each racing for a $1,000 pay day. Tri-City Speedway is located just 8 miles from downtown St. Louis by taking Exit 4 off I-270 and then 1/2-mile south on SR 203. For more information, visit Tri-City Speedway online at www.tricityspeedway.net or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tricityspeedway.  The thrills won’t stop as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series teams make their way to Macon Speedway on Saturday night. The 1/5-mile bullring that opened in 1946 is historically known to produce non-stop, door-to-door racing action. The event features Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains, highlighted by a 75-lap, $15,000-to-win main event. The pit gate will close at 2:30 PM CT and reopen at 3:00 PM CT. The general admission gate will open at 4:00 PM CT. A 5:30 PM CT driver’s meeting will take place before hot laps which begin at 6:00 PM CT. The Big 10 Modified division is also on the docket, competing for $1,000-to-win. Under the new ownership of Chris, Jolene, and Blade Kearns in 2023, Macon Speedway has already undergone several improvements with more to come. Improvements to the concession stand and souvenir areas have already taken place. Large amounts of new signage have been installed with more coming soon. New Whelen safety lights will replace the traditional traffic lights that are currently on the speedway fencing. A brand-new scoreboard has also been purchased and will be added in the coming weeks. Macon Speedway is located nine miles south of Decatur on U.S. 51, then 0.6 miles west on Andrews Street and south to 205 N. Wiles. For more information, follow Macon Speedway online at www.maconracing.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/maconracing) and Twitter (@maconspeedway). The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has seen eight different winners in the first eleven events of the 2023 season, including two first-time winners. Among those victors are the top three in the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship – presented by ARP standings – Ricky Thornton Jr., Hudson O’Neal, and Brandon Overton. Tim McCreadie and Devin Moran round out the top five in championship point standings. For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com.  Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Purses:Tri-City Speedway (April 21) Purse: $12,000, 2. $6,000, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,800, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,100, 15. $1,050, 16. $1,000, 17. $1,000, 18. $1,000, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000 = Total $52,800 Macon Speedway (April 22) Purse: 1. $15,000, 2. $7,000, 3. $5,000, 4. $4,000, 5. $3,000, 6. $2,500, 7. $2,400, 8. $2,300, 9. $2,200, 10. $2,100, 11. $2,000, 12. $1,800, 13. $1,600, 14. $1,500, 15. $1,400, 16. $1,300, 17. $1,200, 18. $1,100, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000, = Total $63,400 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule (April 21-22):Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) LM20Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT3, (92) LM30s, (92) NLMT4, (92) LM40 *Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains*For the A-Main, competitors may use 2 new tires.*Can cut and/or sipe any tire.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position.