Lakeville, CONNECTICUT – June 1, 2022 – “Great weekend, I loved it,” exclaimed Franklin Road Team Principal and TA Class Driver Ken Thwaits from the award podium as the Tennessee pilot scored his fourth podium finish of the season. Ken was understandably delighted with P3 driving the Franklin Road Chevrolet Camaro TA1. It was a perfect warm spring afternoon at Lime Rock Park that produced a clean fast race for Round 6 of the 2022 Trans Am presented by Pirelli TA Class Championship. Ken was in typically ebullient mood as he stepped up to collect his Master’s Award, “Hey, I’m the first old guy across the line. That’s awesome. I still got it, baby!” Ken went on to describe his weekend, “I spun the car on the pace lap. Everything you could do wrong, I did it.” But behind Ken’s jovial repartee there is a very talented driver who, we should remember, is still in his first full season in the 850BHP TA Class. “I was in a hurry and when I realized I was going to catch everyone on the first lap, I decided to settle down.” The Franklin Road Apparel team have made huge strides this season, and for the first time in his career in the TA Class, Ken was on the front row of the grid, albeit helped by Tomy Drissi rendering his own car undriveable following a crash.  “I’d like to thank my crew so much,” said Ken. “We had a great ECR engine in the car. We hadn’t been here for a year, and we put it third on the grid, but I wish Tomy was out here. Thank you all for coming out. I love this track. There are so many great fans.” Warm weather made for a dry and sticky track, meaning times were fast and Ken registered a best lap in the race of 52.303 to go with his 50.678 in qualifying and that qualifying time looks to have proved all important in the Drivers’ Championship as provisionally Ken has leapfrogged former TA Champion Amy Ruman and is now tied at 135 points with Tomy Drissi, currently in second place. So, all in all, it was a very satisfactory weekend both for Ken and for the Franklin Road team, with podium finishes in both the TA and TA2 races. Highlights of today’s race can be seen on the CBS Sports Network 2022 Trans Am presented by Franklin Road Apparel at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 5. Check details and confirm with your local listings. Fans can find the Franklin Road Apparel Trans Am clothing here: https://www.franklinroad.com/search/trans+am/ Visit the team’s website for Showtime Motorsports showtimemotorsports.net. Learn more about the Showtime Motorsports team partner, Road Apparel, at franklinroad.com and keep up to date with the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at gotransam.com. #GoTransAm Check out the Showtime Motorsports Facebook page: facebook.com/showtimemotorsp/ and @ShowtimeMotorsp on Instagram.

June 1, 2022

Harrison Burton and the No. 21 Ford/Disabled American Veterans team are headed this weekend to a new venue for NASCAR’s Cup Series, but one that Burton and his crew chief Brian Wilson are familiar with.

Burton has raced in both NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, the 1.25-mile track located in the St. Louis suburb of Madison, Ill.
 
And crew chief Brian Wilson competed there back in 2010 as a race engineer for Brad Keselowski in the series now known as Xfinity. That team came away a winner in the fall race at Gateway that year.
 
Wilson said he’s looking forward to this weekend’s inaugural Enjoy Illinois 300 at Gateway.
 
“It’s really exciting to be going to the St. Louis market this weekend,” Wilson said. “Personally I always enjoy the challenge of going to a new track for the Cup series. 
 
“This weekend I’m especially interested in the extended practice format that we’ll have. We get extra time and will be able to make more changes to the setup than on a normal weekend.”
 
Wilson said he, Burton and the No. 21 Ford/DAV team are hoping to continue down the technological path they’ve taken at recent races. 
 
“The past few weeks we’ve been working on a new direction that showed some potential at Charlotte in qualifying,” he said. “We’ll continue on that path and try to utilize the extra practice time to maximize the potential.”
 
And Wilson said his No. 21 team showed Sunday in a marathon Coca-Cola 600 that even when things looked discouraging in the early laps, each member continued to put forth a maximum effort. 
 
“I feel like last week’s race shows the fight in this team, which resulted in a great 11^th-place finish,” he said. “With that fighting mentality we’ll continue to push to learn and improve on our speed.”
 
For this weekend’s race, the No. 21 Mustang will carry a special paint scheme celebrating the 100-year relationship between Ford and the Disabled American Veterans.
 
That relationship began in 1922 when Ford provided 50 Model Ts for veterans of the first World War to attend the second national DAV convention.  In the years since, Ford has worked to ensure that veterans have access to reliable transportation to reach their healthcare and medical appointments.
 
Ford’s efforts on behalf of veterans are also evident in the company’s employment of approximately 6,000 veterans.  Since 2019, the Ford-Lincoln Veteran Careers Program has been a part of New Ford Tech, a program that hires and trains Ford service technicians.
 
A 50-minute practice session at Gateway is scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m. (5:05 Eastern Time) Friday, and qualifying is set for Saturday at 10 a.m. (11 Eastern).
 
Sunday’s 240-lap, 300-mile race is planned for 2:30 p.m. (3:30 Eastern Time) with TV coverage on FOX Sports 1.

Stage breaks are set for Laps 45 and 140.  
 

EPPING, N.H. (June 01, 2022) – Brittany Force and the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac dragster team have started the 2022 season making quite the statement. They’ll enter this weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway with the Camping World Drag Racing Series points lead, a solid 81 ahead of second place.  Force and her Monster Energy team are off to the best start of her career with three wins in the first seven events and a 15-4 individual record. The 2017 world champion raced to a dominant victory at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and then had a close to flawless performance at Houston Raceway Park for a win that would give the David Grubnic and Mac Savage led team the Camping World Series points lead. That lead was solidified with a stellar performance at the return of the Virginia NHRA Nationals just two weeks ago. “Our Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team heads to Epping coming off a win in Virginia. We’re ahead of ourselves this season with three wins under our belt already. We’re hoping for another New England win,” Force said. “We’re all on the same page and really pulling together as a team and it’s showing on the race track. Our momentum is good, our energy is in the right place, and we’re pumped to get to the track this weekend.” Force won the New England Nationals in 2017 from the No. 2 starting position. The event is one of only four races in which Force has yet to start from the No. 1 qualifying position (the others are St. Louis, Seattle and Las Vegas1). New England Dragway is also one of four tracks currently hosting Camping World tour events on which Force and the Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team has not set the current track record for either ET or speed. Currently, Force is the ET record holder at 11 of the 17 and the speed record holder at nine. Race action at New England Dragway for the NHRA New England Nationals begins Friday with a single qualifying session at 6:30 p.m. and continues Saturday with sessions at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations will take place Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) starting with qualifying shows Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m.

EPPING, N.H. (June 02, 2022) – Robert Hight and the AAA New England Chevrolet Camaro SS team are headed to the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway with the sweet smell of victory still strong after winning two weeks ago at the Virginia NHRA Nationals. The three-time championship team is hungry for more as they chase down their first win at the New Hampshire facility.     The current national record holder for Funny Car time (3.793 in 2017 at Brainerd, Minn.) and speed (339.87 mph in 2017 at Sonoma, Calif.), Hight is also the track record holder at New England Dragway where he stopped the timers in 3.822-seconds at 336.74 mph on June 3, 2017, on the way to one of his two No. 1 starts (the other came in 2014). The New England Nationals is one of only two events in the series in which Hight has yet to hoist the winner’s trophy, the upcoming Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio is the other. Hight had his best career result last season when he was runner-up to teammate John Force in a classic final.    “It’s been a long two weeks since winning in Virginia. I’m glad we got to spend the time celebrating but I’m ready to get back into my AAA Chevy,” Hight said. “When you’re on a roll, you want to carry that momentum over and just keep going. I’m hoping we can do that heading to Epping. I’ve never won there so I’d like to check that off my list. With two weeks away from a race track, I know this AAA team is ready to get back to it.”   With a win in New England, Hight could take over the Camping World points lead, he enters the New England Nationals in second place just 15 points behind Matt Hagan after winning three of the season’s first seven events. His victories included two consecutive wins to open the season at the Winternationals and Arizona Nationals as well as the most recent event, the Virginia NHRA Nationals, just two weeks ago.   Race action at New England Dragway for the NHRA New England Nationals begins Friday with a single qualifying session at 6:30 p.m. and continues Saturday with sessions at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations will take place Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) starting with qualifying shows Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m.

EPPING, N.H. (June 02, 2022) – Robert Hight and the AAA New England Chevrolet Camaro SS team are headed to the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway with the sweet smell of victory still strong after winning two weeks ago at the Virginia NHRA Nationals. The three-time championship team is hungry for more as they chase down their first win at the New Hampshire facility.   The current national record holder for Funny Car time (3.793 in 2017 at Brainerd, Minn.) and speed (339.87 mph in 2017 at Sonoma, Calif.), Hight is also the track record holder at New England Dragway where he stopped the timers in 3.822-seconds at 336.74 mph on June 3, 2017, on the way to one of his two No. 1 starts (the other came in 2014). The New England Nationals is one of only two events in the series in which Hight has yet to hoist the winner’s trophy, the upcoming Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Norwalk, Ohio is the other. Hight had his best career result last season when he was runner-up to teammate John Force in a classic final.  “It’s been a long two weeks since winning in Virginia. I’m glad we got to spend the time celebrating but I’m ready to get back into my AAA Chevy,” Hight said. “When you’re on a roll, you want to carry that momentum over and just keep going. I’m hoping we can do that heading to Epping. I’ve never won there so I’d like to check that off my list. With two weeks away from a race track, I know this AAA team is ready to get back to it.” With a win in New England, Hight could take over the Camping World points lead, he enters the New England Nationals in second place just 15 points behind Matt Hagan after winning three of the season’s first seven events. His victories included two consecutive wins to open the season at the Winternationals and Arizona Nationals as well as the most recent event, the Virginia NHRA Nationals, just two weeks ago. Race action at New England Dragway for the NHRA New England Nationals begins Friday with a single qualifying session at 6:30 p.m. and continues Saturday with sessions at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations will take place Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) starting with qualifying shows Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m.

EPPING, N.H. (June 01, 2022) – Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster team head to New England Dragway for the NHRA New England Nationals filled with confidence coming off one of their strongest performances of the 2022 Camping World Series season at the NHRA Virginia Nationals that included a career best elapsed time. Making just his second driver appearance in the NHRA New England Nationals, Austin Prock had a stout performance at the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Richmond in which he qualified No. 2 behind teammate Brittany Force and posted the quickest time of his Top Fuel career (3.672 seconds) before exiting in the semifinals. Prock had a first-round exit to multi-time reigning champion Steve Torrence in his rookie 2019 season but, in 2021, Prock would make it to the finals as a crew member of Robert Hight’s AAA Northern New England Chevy team, led by his father crew chief Jimmy Prock.   “I’m excited to get this weekend kicked off. The two-week break has seemed like an eternity,” Prock said. “New England Dragway has a lot of history so I’m amped up to be back in the seat of my Montana Brand / RMT dragster and working with my guys. We’re really starting to hit our strides. I think our package will have a good shot at winning the New England Nationals. Last year I went to the final as a crew guy, so maybe we can better that by one as a driver.” The Montana Brand / RMT dragster, prepared by crew chiefs Joe Barlam and Rahn Tobler has been edging up the points standings. Prock is sitting fifth in points having jumped from seventh after his performance at Virginia Motorsports Park. Prock is bidding for his second career victory (he won at Seattle in 2019 alongside boss John Force) and his second trip to the final round this season, he had a runner-up finish at the season opening Winternationals. Race action at New England Dragway for the NHRA New England Nationals begins Friday with a single qualifying session at 6:30 p.m. and continues Saturday with sessions at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations will take place Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) starting with qualifying shows Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m.

EPPING, N.H. (June 01, 2022) – John Force and the PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS team enter this weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway as the defending event champions. Already with a win in the 2022 season, Force and company will be looking to repeat their success while solidifying their spot amongst the top five in the Camping World Series points standings. In 2021, John Force handled his PEAK / BlueDEF Chevy to victory over teammate Robert Hight’s AAA Camaro. Much like this year, the win would come after collecting the Wally at the Charlotte Four-Wide. Force has also won the NHRA New England Nationals in 2015 and his lone No. 1 start in the Northeast’s premier event came in the inaugural race in 2013, where he finished runner-up to daughter Courtney Force. “Love being in New Hampshire. It’s a great place to race. Epping has been good to me in the past. Winning there last year in front of those great fans, they really do come from all over to see us, it was a great feeling,” Force said. “I’m excited to be going back to New England Dragway, to be back in the seat of my PEAK Chevy. Two weeks off has been painful, time to go to work and get this BlueDEF Camaro in another winners circle.” Coming off a victory just two weeks ago in Charlotte that extended to 34 the number of seasons in which he has won at least one NHRA tour event, Force is trying to win multiple events for the 27th season in hs career. Coming into the NHRA New England Nationals, the 16-time Funny Car champion sits fourth in the points standings behind multi-time champions Ron Capps, Robert Hight, and leader Matt Hagan. Race action at New England Dragway for the NHRA New England Nationals begins Friday with a single qualifying session at 6:30 p.m. and continues Saturday with sessions at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eliminations will take place Sunday at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) starting with qualifying shows Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. Eliminations will air Sunday at 7 p.m.

DENVER, NC (June 1, 2022) — After a breakout weekend at the SpringNationals in Houston, Texas, rookie of the year standout Camrie Caruso has had to wait almost six weeks to get back behind the wheel of her Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro. The wait has been hard for the third-generation driver who raced to her first career No. 1 qualifier quicker than any other Pro Stock driver in history except for last year’s rookie of the year Dallas Glenn, who also achieved that feat in just five races. To make her performance even more impressive Caruso raced to the final round and was center stage for the first all-female Pro Stock final and elimination round in the class’s history.

“Houston was a great weekend for the Sand Haulers of America team and I was really going for that win light in the final,” said Caruso, who recently announced Sand Hauler of America would add additional races as primary sponsor including this weekend’s New England Nationals. “Our whole team has a lot of confidence and our Titan Racing Engines have shown we can race with anyone. My crew chief Jim Yates has been very helpful and the support I get from my family is a big help too.”

Camrie Caruso and Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro, photo by Auto Imagery

In addition to her on-track success Caruso has been incredibly active with sponsors showcasing the benefits of racing in the NHRA and with the Caruso Family Racing operation. At the beginning of the season GESI, Right Trailers, PowerBuilt Tools, NGK Spark Plugs and VP Racing Lubricants all jumped on board with the rookie team. All these relationships and sponsorships were brokered by Caruso herself who is hands on with all business matters when it comes to her Pro Stock race car.

“I want to be involved from top to bottom with this team,” said Caruso. “I get a lot of help from my dad and papa but at the end of the day I want to be the one writing the check and then delivering on the racetrack. I have great sponsors that I want to have for many, many seasons. The best way to do that is to show them how we can grow their business through the NHRA and Caruso Family Racing. I want to do as many appearances and interviews as I can to make this program successful. I know that turning on win lights helps, and we have aggressive goals for this season.”

Since her debut national event in Pomona at the NHRA Winternationals Caruso has been grabbing attention and not letting the bright lights or tough competition distract from her pre-season goals. She has qualified in the top half of the field at every national event except for the Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals where she checked in at No. 9. In her second career Pro Stock race she collected her first win light in eliminations racing to the quarterfinals at the Arizona Nationals. She duplicated that feat at the history Gatornationals after just one qualifying run again racing to the quarterfinals in Florida.

Six weeks ago she took a major leap forward when she raced to the No. 1 provisional qualifier on Friday night at Houston Raceway Park and then held off a host of tough competitors to earn her first official No.1 qualifier in arguably one of the most competitive classes on the Camping World Drag Racing Series. On race day she took out Fernando Cuadra and former world champion Bo Butner in the first two rounds. In the semifinals she beat reigning Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson on a hole shot and in the final round racing against four-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders she came up a few hundredths of a second short even though she didn’t have fifth gear.

“We lost fifth gear on the burnout so I knew I was in trouble but there was no way I was giving up,” said Caruso. “I got a great jump off the starting line, and I was doing everything I could in the car to get that win. It was a great race weekend and I am looking forward to getting to more finals and getting that first win.”

Caruso will get her first pass at New England Dragway on Friday night followed by two qualifying sessions on Saturday. Pro Stock final eliminations will begin on Sunday at approximately noon ET. Caruso sits seventh in points just seven points out of sixth place and less than a round from fifth.

Nearly Half-Million Dollar Purse to be Paid at Inaugural Race on June 23-25BRANDON, SD – June 2, 2022 – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will compete for four, six-figure paydays across the 2022 season, and the first one is only three weeks away.A brand new event crafted by the always-innovative Tod Quiring, the inaugural High Bank Nationals will debut at Huset’s Speedway on Thursday-Saturday, June 23-25. Nearly a half-million dollars will be paid out over three nights at the Brandon, SD facility and it’s all capped off by a $100,000-to-win, $3,000-to-start main event.More money will be spread all throughout the Feature with the top-five finishers in the finale each cashing five-figure checks – second at $30,000, third at $20,000, fourth at $15,000, fifth at $10,000. Both preliminary fields include boosted purses as well with the opener paying $15,000-to-win, and night two offering $20,000-to-win, and $1,500-to-start.The unique format for the three-day event is currently being finalized by track officials and will be released once completed.3-DAY TICKET PACKAGE (June 23-25)Prior to the three-day spectacular, The Greatest Show on Dirt will tune-up for the race with a one-night stop at the 1/3-mile oval coming this Sunday, June 5. Weekly winners at the track this season already include Parker Price-Miller, Lynton Jeffrey, Giovanni Scelzi, and Ryan Timms.Through 50 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car races at the track since 1983, a total of 19 different drivers have won with the Series at Huset’s. The trio of Sammy Swindell (10), Mark Kinser (9) & Steve Kinser (7) stand out above the rest, but when it comes to active drivers Donny Schatz (4) and David Gravel (2) lead the way. Others like Brad Sweet, Sheldon Haudenschild, and Aaron Reutzel have one win apiece.Reutzel enters as the winner of last year’s Huset’s 50, a different two-day variation of this event with $30,000 on the line. That was in the Roth Motorsports #83 – now piloted by James McFadden – and now Reutzel wheels the Ridge & Sons Racing #8 in pursuit of another big payday in South Dakota.For David Gravel, the Watertown, CT native is hoping to capitalize on recent success at Huset’s, the track owned by his car owner Tod Quiring and the name that dons his #2 Big Game Motorsports entry. He was twice a World of Outlaws winner at the track last year, and now looks to add the $100,000 High Banks Nationals to his list of Crown Jewel wins like the Knoxville Nationals, National Open, and Bristol Bash.The most successful of all these drivers is the 10-time champion and 303-time winner, Donny Schatz. The Fargo native hails from North Dakota, but still owns the most active wins at the South Dakota oval with four triumphs and his last coming in 2016. The Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanain Racing #15 has a knack for stepping up and shining during the biggest moments, and he’ll get his first chance this season in three weeks at Huset’s.Defending Series champion and current championship leader Brad Sweet has always said his season centers around the Crown Jewel races, and that begins with the High Bank Nationals. The Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49 won a 2016 event at the track, but to make the big bucks in three weeks, they’ll need to snap a winless spell that runs back to late March since The Big Cat’s first and only win of 2022.Young guns Sheldon Haudenschild and Carson Macedo are the two winningest drivers with the World of Outlaws in 2022 ahead of the $100,000-to-win race. Haudenschild owns five wins in the Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing #17, while Macedo is up to four wins with the Jason Johnson Racing #41. The duo has finished 1-2 before at Huset’s with Sheldon getting the edge over Carson in 2020.Also in the mix is the Shark Racing duo of Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen. The Hanover, PA team has put the #1A in victory lane twice already and the #1S is consistently on the podium these days battling for the championship lead. Both Jacob (3rd) and Logan (7th) set their Huset’s Speedway career-best finishes last year.Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contenders Spencer Bayston (CJB #5), Kasey Kahne (KKR #9), and Noah Gass(#20G) will race their first Crown Jewel as full-time World of Outlaws drivers at the High Bank Nationals.If you can’t attend the inaugural $100,000-to-win event in person, you can watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.HUSET’S SPEEDWAY WINNERS (50 Races): 10 wins – Sammy Swindell 9 wins – Mark Kinser 7 wins – Steve Kinser 4 wins – Donny Schatz 3 wins – Doug Wolfgang 2 wins – Craig Dollansky, David Gravel, Mark Dobmeier 1 win – Aaron Reutzel, Sheldon Haudenschild, Kyle Larson, Brad Sweet, Tim Kaeding, Brooke Tatnell, Terry McCarl, Brian Paulus, Stevie Smith, Dave Blaney, Bobby Davis Jr.

OCALA, FL (June 1, 2022) — For the third time this season Josh Hart and his R+L Carriers Top Fuel team will be making a debut appearance at a new stop on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. To date the second year Top Fuel team owner and driver has stepped up to the challenge advancing to at least the quarterfinals at the conclusion of his first races at both the Arizona Nationals and then two weeks ago at the Virginia Nationals where he qualified 13^th and grabbed an upset win over Clay Millican before dropping the quarterfinal race to Mike Salinas.

“I love the challenge of every race but getting to race this R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster in front of a whole new group of fans is pretty exciting,” said Hart, who is sitting 7^th in the Top Fuel point standings. “Our goal with this team is to win races and introduce R+L Carriers and their exciting career opportunities to people across the country. Getting to meet fans this weekend at New England Dragway will be a wonderful experience for everyone.”

R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster, photo by Auto Imagery

The start to his sophomore Top Fuel season has been a challenge for the multi-class winner. A variety of new car shakedown gremlins have popped up at inopportune times for Hart and his team. They are heading into the eighth race with a brand new 11,000 Top Fuel dragster that crew chief Ron Douglas has been making positive strides with all season. Highlights have included a semifinal finish at the Arizona Nationals and an appearance in the final quad of the Carolina Four-Wide Nationals that netted another semifinal points finish. 

“We have been taking two steps forward and then hitting a little hiccup, but I really feel like two weeks ago we turned a corner in Richmond,” said Hart. “We had to battle the weather with all the other teams and luckily got two qualifying runs. We didn’t put up great numbers in qualifying, but we came out strong on race day and got a round win and then had an issue in the quarterfinals that we can correct moving forward. We were right in that race and I know big things are coming up for this R+L Carriers team.”

Hart has built his Top Fuel operation from the ground up with the idea and belief that “Anything is Possible.” Last season in only 13 races he won twice, recorded four more semifinal finishes and was one of the top contenders for NHRA rookie of the year even though he only attended just over half the races on the season. In a three-race streak to start the Countdown Hart won Charlotte and recorded two semifinal finishes at St. Louis and Dallas when the stakes were the highest for the entire Top Fuel class.

Josh Hart, photo by Auto Imagery

“I truly believe we have a team that can win every time we roll our R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster to the starting line,” said Hart. “I have an awesome team behind me and the support of so many great sponsors and companies that love racing but also love making a difference. I will be talking with people all weekend about career opportunities and how amazing it is to be able to follow your dreams and make them a reality.”

Through his marketing relationship with R+L Carriers Hart and his marketing team host potential employees at every NHRA national event as well as offer information about career opportunities in a variety of areas for R+L Carriers. For over 55 years, they have been owned and operated by the same family with a core belief to treat customers and employees as an extension of the R+L family. Customer satisfaction is a top priority and they take pride in the quality service extended to each individual. Hart is excited to be potentially making a difference in the lives of his fans as well as entertaining them on the track.

“We will get a night time qualifying run on Friday which is always exciting,” said Hart. “Then on Saturday we get two more shots at the track. Sunday will be race day and we’ll have this R+L Carriers Top Fuel dragster ready to rock and roll.”

Cadillac DPi-V.R teams and drivers aiming for second street circuit win of 2022 season

DETROIT (June 1, 2022) – Cadillac Racing teams and drivers will aim to close out the Belle Isle era of motorsports with a victory June 4 in the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic – the sixth round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Cadillac Racing media resource guide for Belle Isle: Storylines, stats, notes and moreCadillac Racing 2022 media guide: Historical information, technology transfer and moreWhat the 2021 winner has to say: Renger van der Zande’s May 31  Zoom media conference

A Cadillac DPi has won three of the four races at Belle Isle since the inception of the class in 2017. No race was held in 2020 because of the COVD-19 pandemic. Last year, Renger van der Zande teamed with Kevin Magnussen to drive the pole-winning No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R to lead 64 of 66 laps and go on to a refreshing splash in the James Scott Memorial Fountain. Van der Zande returns to co-drive the No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R with first-year teammate Sebastien Bourdais, who is a two-time INDYCAR winner at Belle Isle. The duo won in April at Long Beach — the other 100-minute race on a street circuit — from the pole. The 100-minute race on the 2.35-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit presents numerous challenges to drivers — from hard braking zones with concrete barriers on both sides to speedy straights to tire degradation on the bumpy surface. Plus, execution is key during the sprint race. “It’s high intensity and concentration,” said van der Zande, who also has IMSA Prototype Challenge wins in 2015 and ’16 at Belle Isle. “It’s an interesting track – and street tracks are interesting by themselves. Little mistakes are big mistakes. So, it’s a whole different philosophy on how you drive the car around. Driving wall to wall is the way to go fast, and the closer you get to the wall the more lap time comes out, so that’s the tricky part. “That track has a lot of bumps and a lot of tarmac changes, which with the Cadillac it suits it very well. You need to be very creative and adaptive. Street tracks evolve quickly in terms of grips, so every lap of every session the whole field is going over it and it becomes quicker, which again you have to be creative to get that little bit of extra grip and take it. “It is one of those intense street tracks where you don’t have any time to rest. There is a bit of backstraight, but it never stops. I am happy it is a short race there this weekend.”

Added Tristan Vautier, driver of the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R: “It is one of the most challenging tracks of the year. As a driver, I really enjoy racing there because you have to be very precise with your line as well as getting around traffic. The 100-minute format makes it tricky. There is zero opportunity to make up for mistakes on the track or in the pits. You really have to go for it, maybe take some chances. When you have a passing opportunity, you have to take it as it maybe your only one.” The No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R, which has finished third the past two races, has been runner-up the past two visits at Belle Isle. Reigning IMSA DPi champion Pipo Derani will share the seat with Olivier Pla, who will be making his debut in the Cadillac. “I’ve been racing against them for many years, and I know how good they are on the track,” said Pla, who will also be a teammate of Derani at Le Mans this month. “What they’ve achieved by winning so many races and championships speaks for itself. It will be a big challenge to arrive mid-season but I’m ready to take on this challenge. The Cadillac DPi-V.R is a fantastic car and I can’t wait to race it. And of course, extremely happy and proud to join such a great driver and friend Pipo Derani.” IMSA has increased the weight of the four Cadillac DPi entries by 15 kg to 960 kg – the heaviest they have been this season – under the Balance of Performance (BoP) table. The two Acura entries remain at 920 kg. Two practice sessions June 3 precede early evening qualifications, with the race scheduled to take the green flag at 3:10 p.m. ET June 4. USA Network will telecast the race live at 3 p.m., while IMSA Radio will broadcast all sessions at IMSA.com along with XM 207 and SiriusXM Online 992. A Corvette C8 Stingray will lead the field to the green flag. See the Cadillac lineup Spectators have the opportunity to view an array of Cadillac vehicles, including the exciting CT5-V Blackwing, CT4-V Blackwing and the 2023 Escalade-V, at the Cadillac display near the main entrance to the racetrack. Hours are 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The 2023 Escalade-V — the industry’s most powerful full-size SUV that goes on sale late this summer – expands the V-Series lineup. Now in its fourth generation, Cadillac’s V-Series represents ultimate performance, the epitome of Cadillac’s engineering capability, with unrivaled sophistication and comfort for everyday driving. In adding Escalade-V to the lineup, the V-Series family continues to expand, while consistently combining power, luxury, thoughtful technology and athletic refinement for the discerning enthusiast. Cadillac DPi roster for Chevrolet Sports Car ClassicNo. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R (Cadillac Racing)Renger van der Zande, Sebastien BourdaisVan der Zande and Bourdais co-drove the No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R to the victory on the streets of Long Beach on April 9 after starting from the pole. … It was the 16th IMSA victory for van der Zande and eighth for Bourdais. … Bourdais set the qualifying lap record time in the event. He set the lap record time in earning the pole for the March 19 Twelve Hours of Sebring. … Bourdais earned the pole for the May 15 Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio. … van der Zande, in addition to claiming the 2021 overall victory at Detroit, co-drove to Prototype Challenge class wins in 2015 and ’16 at Belle Isle. … … Bourdais is a four-time INDYCAR champion and two-time winner at Belle Isle in INDYCAR competition. … Bourdais and van der Zande are on the entry list for the 24 Hours of Le Mans this month.Car chief-Phil BinksLead engineer-John HennekRace strategist-Peter BaronNo. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-V.R (Cadillac Racing)Earl Bamber, Alex LynnFirst-year entry in expanded Cadillac Racing DPi program. … Bamber and Lynn co-drove to a runner-up finish on the streets of Long Beach on April 9 after starting second. … They, along with Neel Jani, co-drove to victory March 19 in the Twelve Hours of Sebring. … Bamber salutes his home country with a silver fern design on the sides of his helmet — a quasi-national emblem used for various official New Zealand symbols. … Lynn is on the entry list for the 24 Hours of Le Mans this month.Car chief-Jamie CoatesLead engineer-Danielle ShephardRace strategist-Michael Harvey

No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R (Action Express Racing)Pipo Derani, Olivier PlaPla will make his debut in the No. 31 Cadillac at Detroit. … Derani and Felipe Nasr were runners-up in 2021 and 2019 at Detroit. … Derani and Tristan Nunez co-drove to third place on the Laguna Seca road course after starting sixth. They followed with a third-place finish May 15 at Mid-Ohio. … Derani and Nunez, joined by Mike Conway, started second and finished third in the March 19 Twelve Hours of Sebring. … The three-driver team started seventh and finished fourth in the Rolex 24 At Daytona to open the season. … Derani and Felipe Nasr were the 2021 IMSA DPi Driver Champions and Whelen Engineering/Action Express Racing was the Team Champion. … Derani and Pla are teammates for the second consecutive year for the 24 Hours of Le Mans this month.Car chief-Bill KeulerTechnical director/lead engineer-Iain WattRace strategist-Tim KeeneNo. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R (JDC-Miller MotorSports)Tristan Vautier, Richard WestbrookVautier and Westbrook co-drove to third place on the streets of Long Beach on April 9 after starting fifth. Vautier and Westbrook, joined by Loic Duval, drove to second place in the March 19 Twelve Hours of Sebring and opened the ’22 season by starting second and finishing third at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. … Westbrook is a London-trained chef. … Vautier and Westbrook are on the entry list for the 24 Hours of Le Mans this month.Car chief-Josh KerriganLead engineer-Rick CameronRace strategist-John Church

Cadillac Racing DPi-V.R Belle Isle results 2021-2017 2021: First (No. 01 Cadillac DPi-V.R) start first – Renger van der Zande, Kevin Magnussen         Second (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start third — Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr         Fifth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fifth – Tristan Vautier, Loic Duval2020: No race2019: Second (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fourth – Pipo Derani, Felipe Nasr        Fourth (No. 84 JDC-Miller MotorSports Cadillac DPi-V.R) start eighth – Stephen Simpson, Simon Trummer        Fifth (No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Cadillac DPi-V.R) start 10th – Tristan Vautier, Misha Goikhberg              Sixth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fifth – Felipe Albuquerque, Joao Barbosa       Eighth (No. 50 Juncos Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R) start ninth – Kyle Kaiser, Will Owen       Ninth (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start sixth – Renger van der Zande, Jordan Taylor2018: First (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start sixth – Felipe Nasr, Eric Curran        Fifth (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start seventh – Renger van der Zande, Jordan Taylor        Sixth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R) start fourth — Felipe Albuquerque, Joao Barbosa2017: First (No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R) start 12th – Ricky Taylor, Jordan Taylor        Second (No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R) start second – Dane Cameron, Eric Curran        Fourth (No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R) start first – Christian Fittipladi, Joao Barbosa

EPPING, N.H. (May 31) – Drag racer Troy Coughlin Jr. doesn’t need to look far to find motivation for a big performance at this weekend’s ninth annual NHRA Nationals, where he’ll try to drive his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro to the winner’s circle of New England Dragway. “Just look at the fans in the pits and up in the stands,” Coughlin said. “That’s all it takes. They are completely out of their minds with excitement that we’re racing there. It’s like they’re stunned all these big-time professional teams have made the trip to this local track in Epping, New Hampshire, to do our thing.  “I feed off of that vibe because I’m still a big fan at heart. I always say I’m the luckiest kid in the pits and I believe that more and more each year. I really want our team to put its best foot forward and perform at the highest level to put on the best show possible for these fans because they deserve it.”

Troy Coughlin Jr.

To that end, Coughlin and the rest of his teammates at Elite Motorsports used the 40-day break since the last Pro Stock race to do some testing in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  “It was a long break but we put it to good use,” Coughlin said. “We switched to this new RJ Race Cars Chevrolet earlier in the season and it just takes time to get all the parts and pieces to work together. These cars are all handmade one at a time and they each have their own personalities. Obviously, the more runs you can make, the more data you gain. “We mostly focused on the clutch system and matching it to the power the guys in the engine shop have been building for us. Pro Stock is so competitive so every thousandth of a second you find is huge. Mark (Ingersoll, crew chief) and the rest of the guys, Kyle Bates, Ricky Calloway and Kelly Murphy, seem very pleased with the progress they’ve made.”

Troy Coughlin Jr.’s JEGS.com Pro Stock Chevrolet

For someone from Ohio, the test days is steamy Oklahoma also served as a preview of what’s soon to become the norm as the NHRA schedule shifts to summertime conditions. “Epping looks like it will probably be the last race with decent weather,” he said. “Once the dog days of summer arrive, it’ll be a completely different story. When you have to start de-tuning the car to get it down the track that’s when the experience of the crew really shows, which I believe works to our favor. But for one more race we’ll get to pour all the power we can into the set-up. As I said, it should be a big weekend in Epping.” Elsewhere on the schedule, Troy Jr.’s uncle Mike Coughlin and Mike’s son Clay will be competing at the Division 3 drag race in Norwalk, Ohio, the always-popular Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser.

Mike Coughlin’s JEGS.com Top Alcohol Dragster

Currently second in the North Central Region points and seventh in the national rankings, Mike brings the JEGS.com Top Alcohol Dragster to the event with a victory already in hand, having won the season-opener in Pomona, Calif. His son Clay is just breaking into the Super Stock class and is hoping for a fast start to a summer full of racing in his home state. Meanwhile, Cody Coughlin will be representing the family business at the $10,000-to- Win CRA Laural Highlands 150 in the ARCA/CRA Super Series powered by JEGS. Cody is the 2016 series champion and enters the fourth event of the year in second place, just 22 points behind leader Eddie Van Meter.

Gundaker, Erb, Blair, Clanton, and more Prepare for First Trip to the Track Since 2004GRANITE CITY, IL – May 31, 2022 – The St. Louis area is calling the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series as they return to Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, IL, for the first time since 2004.Drivers will battle in a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win Feature on Friday, June 3, as the march toward the summer months continues for The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet. It’s the first time the Series will run on the 3/8-mile track—as Darrell Lanigan’s victory came on the half-mile configuration.   MOWA Sprints and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds join the card Friday as part of a monster weekend of racing near the “Gateway to the West.” TICKETS: bit.ly/3LO9JV8 If you can’t make it to the tracks, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App. Here are some of the storylines to keep an eye on this weekend: HOME GAME: World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Rookie of the Year contender Gordy Gundaker gets his chance to race at home with the Series Friday night.  The Gundaker family owns Tri-City Speedway, and the St. Charles, MO driver, can’t think of a better place for a potential first World of Outlaws triumph. Gundaker has two top-fives so far this season—one of them on a track 3/8-mile in length like Tri-City (Atomic).  He enters Friday night’s race eighth in the points standings.  CAPITAL CLUTCH: The only thing missing from Shane Clanton’s resume since his return to World of Outlaws competition in May is a trip to Victory Lane.  The 2015 Series champion has returned strong with three top-fives in four races, including two second-place finishes.  In the past, Clanton has found success on the 3/8-mile track—a fourth in a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event in 2020.A victory for the “Georgia Bulldog” would be his 47th World of Outlaws triumph and first since 2019.  CONSISTENCY IS KEY: Dennis Erb Jr. may only have two World of Outlaws CASE Late Models wins in 2022, but his consistency has been the season’s story.  In 19 starts, Erb has nine top-fives and 15 top-10s, more than any other driver.  The Carpentersville, IL driver returns to his home state with a 106-point lead over Max Blair—and has found success on 3/8-mile tracks already this season. Five of his nine top-fives have come on tracks that size. COMING IN HOT: Both Ryan Gustin and Max Blair enter Tri-City this weekend with momentum after trips to Victory Lane.  Gustin finally scored his first career World of Outlaws victory last weekend at Sharon Speedway—a $20,000 triumph.  The win was Gustin’s second of the season after a DIRTcar Late Model triumph at Volusia Speedway Park during DIRTcar Nationals.  For Blair, a return home sparked a win for the Viper Motorsports Team.  The Centerville, PA driver won the Andy Kania Memorial at Eriez Speedway, his fourth win of 2022.  Gustin and Blair hope to add to their totals on Friday with $10,000 on the line.  WHEN AND WHEREJune 3 at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, ILABOUT THE TRACKTri-City Speedway is a 3/8-mile trackOnline – www.tricityspeedway.net PREVIOUS WINNERS 2004- Darrell Lanigan on August 1  TRACK RECORD 13.904 by Michael Kloos on 8/22/14 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 Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet head to Missouri for the St. Louis Firecracker Faceoff at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, MO June 24-25, along with a trip to Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, IL June 26.Feature Winners: (15 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsDale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA- 2 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-2 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-2 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-2Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1 Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1 Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1 Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-1 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1 Ricky Weiss, Headingley, MB-1 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1 Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-1 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1HEAT RACE WINNERS (35 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsChris Madden-Gray Court, SC-7 Brandon Sheppard- New Berlin, IL-7 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-7Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA-6Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-5Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-4 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-4Devin Moran-Dresden, OH-3 Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-3 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-3Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-2 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-2 Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, AZ-2 Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-2 Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-2 Ricky Weiss, Headlingley, MB-2 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-2 Rick Eckert, York, PA-2Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1 Ross Robinson, Georgetown, DE-1 Mark Whitener, Middleburg, FL-1 Frank Heckenast, Jr., Frankfort, IL-1 Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1 Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1 Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1 Josh Rice, Verona, KY-1 Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1 Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, NM-1 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1 Chad Simpson, Mt. Vernon, IA-1 Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-1 Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-1 Jeff Rine, Danville, PA-1 Gregg Satterlee, Indiana, PA-1 Rick Eckert, York, PA-1 Josh Richards, Houston, OH-1Last Chance Showdown Winners (32 Drivers) Rank- Driver- Hometown-WinsMax Blair, Centerville, PA-3Cade Dillard-Robeline, LA-2 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2 Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-2 Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-2Hudson O’Neal- Martinsville, IN-1 Logan Martin, Plains, MO-1 Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1 Chris Simpson, Oxford, IA-1 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-1 Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-1 Mike Norris, Sarver, PA-1 Chase Osterhoff, Kankakee, IL-1 Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-1 Josh Richards, Houston, OH-1 Anthony Sanders, Spartanburg, SC-1 Banjo Duke, Sumter, SC-1 Steve Casebolt, Richmond, IN-1 Austyn Mills, Cincinnati, OH-1 Frank Heckenast Jr., Frankfort, IL-1 Andy Bond, Coolville, OH-1 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1 Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, NM-1 Jake Timm, Winona, MN-1 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1 Shaun Jones, Shermansdale, PA-1 Ryan Montgomery, Fairmont, WV-1 Chad Myers, Hempstead, MD-1 Mason Zeigler, Chalk Hill, PA-1 John Garvin, Sarver, PA-1PODIUM FINISHES (28 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – PodiumsDennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-5 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-5Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-4 Josh Richards, Houston, OH-4Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-3 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-3 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-3 Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-3Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2 Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY-2 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2 Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-2 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2 Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-2 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-2Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA-1 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1 Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-1 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1 Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-1 Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1 Daulton Wilson, Fayetteville, NC-1 Josh Rice, Verona, KY-1 Tanner English, Benton, KY-1 Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1 Stormy Scott-Las Cruces, NM-1 Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-1 Gregg Satterlee, Indiana, PA-1FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER (15 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.Tanner English, Benton, KY-3Gordy Gundaker, St. Charles, MO-2 Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-2Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-1 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-1 Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-1 Carson Ferguson, Concord, NC-1 Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1 Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1 Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1 Garrett Alberson, Las Cruces, NM-1 Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1 Josh Richards, Houston, OH-1 Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-1SLICK WOODY’S QUICK TIME Award (12 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTsShane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-3Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-2 Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2 Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-2Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-1 Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-1 Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1 Trent Ivey, Union, SC-1 Josh Rice, Verona, KY-1 Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1 Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-1 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1 Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-1 Max Blair, Centerville, PA-1CASE Feature Lap Leaders (23 Drivers) Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps LedMax Blair, Centerville, PA-123Tyler Erb, New Waverly, TX-99Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-79Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA-65Ricky Weiss, Headingley, MB-49Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-48Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-40Ashton Winger, Hampton, GA-39Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-31Shane Clanton, Zebulon, GA-26Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-25 Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-25Kyle Hammer, Clinton, IL-24Michael Brown, Lancaster, SC-22Jared Miley, Pittsburgh, PA-20 Rick Eckert, York, PA-20Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, IA-16Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-15Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-13Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-11Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-10 Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-10Spencer Hughes, Meridian, MS-12022 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & WinnersNo./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins) 1. Thursday, Jan. 20 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Dale McDowell (1) 2. Friday, Jan. 21/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Ashton Winger (1) 3. Wednesday, Feb. 16/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Brandon Overton (1) 4. Thursday, Feb. 17/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Dale McDowell (2) 5. Friday, Feb. 18/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Dennis Erb Jr. (1) 6. Saturday, Feb. 19/Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL/Chris Madden (1) 7. Friday, March 25/Cherokee Speedway, Gaffney, SC/Michael Brown (1) 8. Saturday, March 26/Cherokee Speedway, Gaffney, SC/Max Blair (1) 9. Friday, April 22/Atomic Speedway, Waverly, OH/Tyler Erb (1) 10. x, April 23/Atomic Speedway, Waverly, OH/ Brandon Sheppard (1) 11. Friday, April 29/ Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Jonathan Davenport (1) 12. Saturday, April 30/Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Ricky Weiss (1) 13. Thursday, May 5/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Bobby Pierce (1) 14. Friday, May 6/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Jonathan Davenport (2) 15. Saturday, May 7/Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI/Mike Marlar(1) 16. Thursday, May 19/Bloomsburg Fair Raceway/Bloomsburg, PA/Max Blair (2) 17. Friday, May 20/Marion Center Raceway/Marion Center, PA/Dennis Erb Jr. (2) 18. Saturday, May 21/Port Royal Speedway/Port Royal, PA/Jared Miley (1) 19. Saturday, May 29/Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH/Ryan Gustin (1)

The World of Outlaws Case Construction Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Case Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) 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), MSD, My Place Hotels, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), Swift Springs, and Wrisco–Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including Dirt Car Lift, Capital Race Cars, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, FIREBULL, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, Rocket Chassis, and Sea Foam.

In advance of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race – the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic  June 3-4 on the 2.35-mile, 13-turn temporary street circuit on Belle Isle in Detroit — defending DPi race winner Renger van der Zande (No. 01 V-Performance Academy Cadillac DPi-V.R) met with the media May 31 via Zoom conference.  For the media: Cadillac Racing resource guide for the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic Van der Zande and first-year teammate Sebastien Bourdais, a two-time INDYCAR winner at Belle Isle, won the April race on the streets of Long Beach, California, from the pole. Full transcript:

ARE THERE A LOT OF GOOD VIBES COMING INTO THE WEEKEND?“The last street track was in Long Beach and we did very well, especially Sebastien (Bourdais) had a race that was amazing. I think we’re going confident into the second street race of the year. I think the Cadillac has always been doing well at Detroit. We, obviously, have a bit of a BOP hit with 15 kilos. The car is really on edge with the weight, so that 15 kilos might not sound like too much, but it is that little extra that has killed us in the past. That was at tracks like Road America. I don’t know how it’s going to hit us in Detroit. At the end of the day, I love going there. I love the island; I keep winning there both in a DPi and an LMPC car. It’s home for Cadillac and General Motors, so on the backstraight you see the tower and kind of feel like the bosses are watching you and have pressure to win it. Last year that worked out really well, and it’s always nice to be there with INDYCAR. It always a good show.” CAN YOU EXPAND ON HOW THE WEIGHT HAS AFFECTED THE CAR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR?“There is more than car balance when you put weight into play. Tire degradation goes up, you’re losing grip over a stint. I think it doesn’t make sense for me to go into detail of BOP because it’s such a sensitive topic, but at the end of the day I can’t really follow what IMSA’s doing because in Ohio we were not the fastest car and now we’re getting extra weight on the car. We’re getting hit by BOP. If this means that we’re going to get track-independent BOPs, that would be really good. But that would be something they have not announced yet. If it goes into a track-independent BOP, then I’m super happy with it because that’s exactly what we need. You can’t compare a street track with Mosport. We’re going to Watkins Glen, which is all high speed. Mosport is all high speed. But you can’t compare it with Long Beach, where you’re first gear is not short enough for that hairpin. Same with Detroit. Hard to say what the weight will do to our car on a street track, but the braking performance is less, the cornering speed is less, the tire degradation is more, so it’s not only pure lap time. It’s also the wear out of the whole car. I want to have a competitive BOP with the other brand that we race against. I don’t ask for a better BOP, but they should not get a better BOP than us. It should be equal, then everybody should not complain and be happy. IMSA had it right for quite a few races, especially last year. I felt that it was very even. I think this year they mismatched sometimes and it’s because they look at it from event to event and not track independent. That’s my personal feeling. I hope they really start looking at track to track. We race with the same cars for some many years with all the different tracks, so we know what we’re going to get. IMSA should be able to see that as well. I went to Detroit two weeks ago; we did a media trip with Cadillac that was fun. I didn’t like they put me in a rollercoaster; I was kind of scared. Then I saw the new track and we had a lap around the new layout for 2023. They gave me a really fast car (Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing), and the obviously had to replace the tires after that trip. Ganassi comes from an Indy 500 win with Marcus Ericsson, so I assume when I arrive I’ll only see happy faces. It must be a good vibe in the team right now.” FOR THE 01 CAR IT’S BEEN FEAST OR FAMINE. HOW DO YOU PREPARE MENTALLY FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON AND STILL KNOW YOU HAVE A SLIGHT CHANCE AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP?“I don’t know if we still have a slight championship possibility going on, but very simple – we can only win to even have a chance. For me to win every race is the goal. Don’t do stupid things. We had three DNFs because of technical, but last time in Ohio everybody knows that I race hard in IMSA and Ricky (Taylor) races hard as well and this time it didn’t work out for me. Not many times that it doesn’t work out for me, so it was kind of biting the dust I would say for me to deal with that. That’s racing at the same time. I’ll have to get back in the car at Detroit and work it from there. If you look at the championship, to be honest I think we are far away so it’s going to be all in for winning the races. And we’ll race hard again.” THE NARRATIVE IS CADILLAC IS STRONG AT STREET COURSES AND ACURA IS STRONG AT ROAD COURSES, SO DO YOU LOOK AT IT AS CADILLAC SHOULD GET SOME HELP AT ROAD COURSES?“At the end of the day, we want to have an equal BOP. If you look at Sebring, they looked quite equal. Daytona, they kind of popped up at the end of the race, but before that it looked very equal. Then you look at Long Beach and they were nowhere. We don’t like that either. If you see Long Beach that we were at and advantage and you look at Detroit and we might be at an advantage again, they might have made the right call. We’ll see. But if is wrong in Detroit, you can’ go to Watkins Glen and say well, it was wrong in Detroit so let’s change it for Watkins Glen to make it equal. It’s a different animal Watkins Glen and Detroit. That’s what I said about track-independent BOP. It makes more sense to do it that way. Mosport is a road course and Sebring is a road course as well, but with the bumpiness I think the Cadillac is doing very well. But on a smooth track the Acura is doing better. Every track is a little different and I think they should be able to fine-tune it because we’re going there every year with the same car.” DOES THE VIBE OF THE MONTH OF MAY BLEED OVER TO THE IMSA GUYS?“I was in Monaco for the Grand Prix, but after the race I was straight on the phone with the Indy 50 because all my friends are racing there with Scott Dixon and Alex Palou – my teammates for the long-distance races. It’s really cool to see them have so many cars at the front. They know how to make fast cars. They do it with us. They do it with the INDYCAR. That Ganassi group of people is amazing and it’s amazing to be a part of such a winning crew. Seeing Marcus winning the Indy 500 is amazing. To be sure they’ll be all smiles this weekend.” WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BELLE ISLE AND WILL YOU BE SAD IT’S THE LAST YEAR ON THAT TRACK?“All good things come to an end, I guess. IT was nice to be there. It’s a really different part of town. At the same time, I heard that the park is always full of people in the summertime. I think it’s going to be a classic when we look back at racing in a park. At the same time, if you go to downtown Detroit having so many people looking from the buildings onto the race that’s going to be super exciting. That’s a different vibe again. I was in Monaco and that’s in the downtown, and you see the see the same thing in Long Beach, just off the boulevard. I think Detroit, it doesn’t get more downtown than that, so it’s going to be amazing there as well.” IS THE CHAMPIONSHIP REALISTIC FROM THIS POINT?“I think the biggest difference you can make is at Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans where there are more cars. If they have a bad weekend then, you have a chance. Any other weekend if you finish last you finish sixth and we’ve had a lot of sixes. Climbing up will be difficult. But who knows? I’m not giving up until the last hour of Petit Le Mans. Winning races is a lot of fun. We have a fast car everywhere we go. I think we have good strategy in the team. I am pessimistic about the championship, but I’m not giving up until it’s over.” IS THERE SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT YOU NEED HERE COMPARED TO LONG BEACH?“It used to be a bit more bumpy at Detroit, but it is still kind of bumpy. It’s not so much at Long Beach, so there is a bit of a different dynamic. If you look at the performance that we had in Long Beach, Sebastien, I don’t know how he did it. There was no way to touch him. He was dominant and the rest of us were doing OK. If you look at the two tracks, I think they’re quite similar. It’s not a big difference; it’s a bit more bumpy in Detroit.” WHO DRIVES THE BUS IN SAYING WE NEED TO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD?“From a drivers’ perspective, me and Sebastien are working really well together. We rally talk about details as teammate should do. He’s a fantastic teammate because of his speed but also the details that he puts into putting the setup right. I think the combination of that and me trying to make the fine tune for the last bit here and there and knowing what he wants in the setup and working toward that, makes a combination that works really nice. It’s a very honest relationship that we have working together and that’s going to be very nice for the future as well. We both feel that same way for the long distance. This year it’s win race and have fun, and if the championship comes with it – I think we need to be a bit lucky – but at the same time we know what to do and win races. That’s how we keep motivated.” ARE YOU ALLOWING YOURSELF TO THINK ABOUT WHAT 2023 IN LE MANS WILL BE LIKE?“It’s a preparation year. I’m racing with Mark Kvamme in the GTE Am series. When he found out that I wasn’t going to Le Mans this year, he asked me and called (Chip Ganassi Racing personnel) if it would make sense for me to go there. They all said the same thing – go there. See what the rules changes are from one year to the next. It’s going to be exciting for me to be in a GT and looking in my mirrors and getting passed. Next year it’s going to be fighting for the overall win and I can’t wait to get started with that new Cadillac. We’ll be developing with it soon on track, which is a super exciting project. Next to the IMSA championship this year, that’s my main focus. That development work with the aim to win Daytona, to win Sebring and Le Mans is a dream come true for me. It’s good to be there this year.” DID CHIP (GANASSI) OR MIKE HULL HAVE ANY SPECIAL REQUESTS FROM THE SCOUTING TRIP?“The preparation is going on full commit from my side and also the team side. They’ve been there with the Ford. They know what it’s like, and how it is different from IMSA. Any information I can get is good. Sebastien is there with an LMP2 car. Alex Lynn is there with an LMP2 car and I’m there with a GT, so there will be enough eyes open to learn for next year when we get with the top class. I use it as my own benefit to get a feel for how it is to overtake the GT cars, those little details and the track changes that might be on the curbs. Sometimes when you drive a different car on different parts of the track suddenly you see a bump or feel a bump that you don’t feel in the other car, and you learn from it when you get there again. It’s always good to jump around in different cars and get a feel for different lines on the track. I see it as a very interesting race weekend and a full prep for when we come back.”

Two Corvette C8.Rs entered in GTE Pro category in search of ninth class win  · Return to June date, open fan events among highlights of French classic· Milner, Tandy welcome back Sims in WEC championship chase· Garcia, Taylor, Catsburg back in GTE-spec Corvette

DETROIT (May 31, 2022) – The Corvette Racing band is back together for the first time in three months with the team channeling all its efforts into another shot at a class victory at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two of the familiar yellow Corvettes are part of a seven-car entry in the GTE Pro category for factory and factory-supported teams. This will be the second time at Le Mans for the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette C8.R after a runner-up class finish in its debut last August. The program is going for its ninth class victory at the French endurance classic. This year’s race is back in its traditional June spot with the race set for June 11-12. The biggest change from last year’s event is that all public-facing events are back including scrutineering in downtown Le Mans, pit walks and autograph sessions and the Friday drivers’ parade.

CORVETTE RACING MEDIA INFORMATION Corvette Racing media information is updated and available ahead of this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Materials include: · Race advance and quotes· Comparison between the GTE-spec Corvette C8.R and the GTD PRO Corvette in IMSA· Corvette Racing Le Mans history, stats and figures· Corvette Racing Fast Facts· Driver biographies

Before practice and qualifying gets under way, though, first comes eight hours of track time Sunday during the annual Le Mans Test Day. It’s the one opportunity for the 62 cars entered in the race to get much-needed track time ahead of Wednesday’s first practice and qualifying sessions. Time is critical given the unique nature of the circuit – 8.47 miles of asphalt featuring a mix of permanent racetrack and public roads through the French countryside. The Corvette Racing lineup in each of the two C8.Rs remains the same as a year ago. Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor and Nicky Catsburg – primarily competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – will team in the No. 63 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette and hope to improve on their second-place showing from a year ago. Already, the trio has a blue-riband victory together in at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in a GT Daytona (GTD) PRO version of the C8.R.

On the other side of the garage is the No. 64 Mobil 1/SiriusXM C8.R of Tommy Milner, Nick Tandy and Alexander Sims. Their entry is a full-time one in the FIA World Endurance Championship – a first for Corvette Racing. It’s already been a successful run for Milner and Tandy with a runner-up finish in the Sebring 1,000 Miles. The duo stand third in the GTE Drivers World Championship with Le Mans being a double-points race. That makes it even more important for the No. 64 Corvette to show well at Le Mans… and keep the other manufacturers off the top step of the podium as well. The plan of having a Corvette full-time in WEC was focused around optimizing the team’s chances at Le Mans. Corvette Racing’s last win at Le Mans came in 2015, although the team has been agonizingly close to getting its ninth win there since with a second- and third-place showing in the years since. The WEC Corvette has given the entire Corvette Racing team much-needed insight and data on a wide variety of items that will be key at Le Mans. Things like pit stop procedures, tire selection and performance, and racing rules in a variety of scenarios make this the most prepared that Corvette Racing has been for Le Mans in what will be its 22nd appearance in the race. One of the most key benefits is that the No. 64 Corvette can focus more on race setup and development on the Test Day while the three No. 63 drivers can get used to the GTE version of the Corvette, which features more power, no ABS system and Michelin tires specifically designed for the C8.R. In IMSA, the GTD PRO Corvette runs on a common Michelin tire that is available to all teams. Corvette Racing will contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 11-12 with the green flag set for 4 p.m. CET and 10 a.m. ET. MotorTrend TV will air the race live with the MotorTrend App adding coverage of official practices and qualifying on June 8-9. Live audio coverage will be available from Radio Le Mans starting with Sunday’s Test Day.

• Ford has donated 247 vehicles to DAV Transportation Network since 1996 to assist with transporting disabled veterans to medical appointments.
• DAV has more than 1 million members across the U.S. to help veterans coordinate benefits and medical care. In a typical year, DAV provides more than 500,000 rides per year to appointments.

 
Dearborn, Mich. (May 31) – The No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang will celebrate the 100-year relationship between Ford and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) with a unique paint scheme at the NASCAR Cup Series race in St. Louis on June 5.

In 1922, Henry Ford provided 50 Model T Ford vehicles to help disabled World War I veterans attend DAV’s second national convention. DAV, which was established following World War I, helps more than a million veterans each year to access the healthcare and benefits they earned through military service.

“All of us at Ford are incredibly proud of our 100-year relationship with DAV,” said Joe Avila, Community Development Manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “It is an honor to continue growing our relationship, which began by providing vehicles to veterans, and has expanded over the years to ensure that even more veterans have access to reliable transportation to reach their healthcare and medical appointments.”

DAV created its transportation network in 1987. Since 1996, Ford has donated 247 vehicles. DAV members and their families have purchased more than 30,000 Ford vehicles through the Ford X-Plan Partner Recognition Program. Ford Transits and Explorers are among those provided and some include mobility solutions to meet the needs of disabled veterans. Each Ford DAV vehicle has a uniform, exterior graphics package. For the St. Louis race, the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang will have a paint scheme emblematic of those graphics.

“We are thrilled to be highlighting 100 years of cooperation between DAV and Ford in this manner,” said DAV National Adjutant & CEO Marc Burgess. “We provide more than 500,000 rides for veterans each year and that wouldn’t be possible without Ford providing us with vehicles. Of course, we also need drivers for those cars and the volunteers at DAV are amazing. The DAV St. Louis chapter is outstanding, so it’s very meaningful to have this special paint scheme on display in their community.”

Ford’s involvement with the veteran community also extends to the job market. The company employs approximately 6,000 veterans. Since 2019, the Ford-Lincoln Veteran Careers Program has been part of New Ford Tech, which attracts and trains the next generation of Ford service technicians.

“The Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing Team is very pleased to celebrate Ford’s and DAV’s shared effort to support veterans,” said Gina Scappaticci, Marketing Manager for Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD). “One of our FCSD objectives is to attract new technicians. In just a few years our Veteran Careers Program-enrolled dealerships have hired hundreds of veterans through this 24-month GI Bill-approved apprenticeship. These veterans are highly skilled and experienced, which immediately benefits our service departments.”

May is Military Appreciation Month, which NASCAR and Wood Brothers Racing recognize each season. Among those honored for their service each spring is Leonard Wood, one of the patriarchs of Wood Brothers Racing, who applied his engineering acumen while serving in the Army as a mechanic.

“Our family has had the great fortune of being supported by Ford for more than 70 years, so we’re proud to commemorate this 100th year of Ford and DAV partnering to help veterans,” said Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing. “Caring for our service men and women, especially those who suffered injuries, is a duty we all share as Americans.”

The NASCAR Cup Series race in St. Louis on June 5 will be televised on FS1 and begin at 3:30 p.m. ET. 

PLAINVIEW, NY (May 31, 2022) — After a two week break Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster team powered by Vita C Energy are ready to roll into New England Dragway for the NHRA New England Nationals. The two-time 2022 finalist and winner of the season-opening Winternationals has high hopes as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series shifts into high gear for the summer months. This weekend’s national event kicks off a schedule that includes three races in four weeks that Ashley feels will be perfect for his young team to continue to build momentum.

“This will be an active and exciting stretch for our Phillips Connect team to start the summer months,” said Ashley, who has qualified no worse than 6th at any of the first seven races this season. “We have an opportunity to learn, grow and continue to get better in a short period of time with races scheduled so closely together. (Crew chiefs) Mike Green and Tommy DeLago are doing a great job and the rest of the team and I are ready to put our best foot forward on and off the racetrack.”

Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Energy, photo by Ron Lewis

This season Ashley has never been lower than fourth in the Camping World point standings but the 2020 rookie of the year knows that there are a lot of competitors behind him that have strong teams and talented drivers. Through seven races Ashley has faced almost a half dozen former world champions at every event. The caliber of competition in every round of eliminations has never been higher in the Top Fuel ranks. To date Ashley has held his own with a win loss record of 10-6 this season.

“When we won the Winternationals we had to beat two former world champions and Toyota teammates Antron Brown and Steve Torrence just to get to the final,” said Ashley. “There are no easy rounds because every racer out here has the talent and team to win races. The minute you let your guard down your day is going to be over in less than four seconds.”

Last year Ashley made his first Top Fuel appearance at New England Dragway which is the closest track on the current circuit to his home in New York. The second-year driver qualified No.3 but hazed the tires in his first round match-up to end his day much earlier than anticipated. This year Ashley is looking to take some of the knowledge he picked up in 2021 and continue to be one of the leaders in the class.

“Last year we were going to a lot of tracks that were first time experiences for me,” said Ashley. “I think the more times I have the privilege of racing at a particular track the more comfortable it becomes, so I am looking forward to my second race in New England. This Phillips Connect Toyota Vita C Shot team has shown we know how to perform at a high level and turn on win lights. I have a lot of confidence in our team but the competition continues to get better and that is what I love about racing Top Fuel.”

This weekend Ashley and his team will also be debuting a new asset at the track with the unveiling of the Phillips Connect technology trailer. The technology center will highlight how Phillips Connect’s over the road safety and logistics monitoring equipment makes it safer and more efficient to travel cross country in big rigs. The trailer will be used to showcase the variety of sensors and equipment Phillips Connect already has on the road with several logistics and shipping companies.

“I am excited to begin working with Phillips Connect to show off their new technology trailer this weekend,” said Ashley, who spent almost a week at the Phillips Connect headquarters in California before the season started. “This technology trailer is first-class and provides an excellent opportunity for Phillips Connect to showcase their industry leading products. It will be at all NHRA events for customers to see.”

Since Phillips Connect came on board at the beginning of the season they have seamlessly joined a strong group of marketing partners that have supported Justin Ashley Racing and Davis Motorsports for over three seasons. Ashley continues to work with Auto Shocker, KATO Fastening Systems, Lucas Oil and Toyota as well as a host of additional associate sponsors. Ashley continues to build relationships with all his marketing partners to highlight the benefits of the NHRA.

“This sport has so many good things happening right now that directly correlate to the success of our marketing partners,” said Ashley. “In addition to televised racing on FOX the ability to access fans and develop B2B relationships is invaluable. Phillips Connect and many of our partners have done an amazing job of using this NHRA platform and we will have more exciting announcements later this summer.”

The first round of qualifying for the New England Nationals will get underway Friday night with two sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will start at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday with Top Fuel opening the day. The race will be broadcast on FS1 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET.

The Main EventSanta Pod RacewaySat.28 May 2022
The crowds held their breath at Santa Pod Raceway on Saturday as a 10,000-horsepower racing car crashed and erupted into flames in front of them. The vehicle, known as a Funny Car, ricocheted off both track walls in a fiery conflagration and ended upside down, shorn of its bodywork. Driver Kevin Chapman climbed unscathed from the wreckage and a thorough examination at the racetrack’s medical centre found no harm done. 
Safety standards in drag racing are tightly maintained. The enveloping roll cage in which Chapman was seated and the multi-layered firesuit and crash helmet he wore protected him from the worst of the impact and flames. Video evidence suggests that a loosened body panel may have jammed the vehicle’s fuel injector mechanism and contributed to the crash. 
Drag racers compete in pairs over a short, straight course. The racing machines they use can be fearsomely powerful. Funny Cars were developed in America in the late-1960s. Originating from production models, they soon acquired purpose-built racing chassis and lightweight, composite-material bodies. Their altered appearances made them look ‘kinda funny’, and the description stuck. Their supercharged, nitromethane-burning V8 engines can nowadays propel them to 300mph in just four seconds. 
Kevin Chapman was competing in round two of Santa Pod’s Funny Car Cup series, having won the opening round at Easter. The Bury St. Edmunds racer had won the series title in 2019. His Ford Mustang-bodied Funny Car carried the colours of Thermoreg International, a thermostatic industrial valve manufacturer. 
The race meeting was The Main Event, incorporating the opening round of the FIA/FIM European Drag Racing Championships. 
Video link – Santa Pod TV – ‘All the angles’:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBAqwBMLYaA

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (May 31, 2022) – Chris Dyson and CD Racing substitute driver Matthew Brabham dominated the Memorial Day Trans Am by Pirelli race at Lime Rock Park, lapping the field on their way to a sweep of the top two steps of the podium. For Dyson, who had been victorious in the two most recent races at the historic New England circuit, it was a feel-good win. His dad, Rob, who has a winning history of his own at Lime Rock, was the grand marshal for the race and greeted Chris and Matthew in the Winner’s Circle. “This place has meant so much to me my entire life,” Dyson said as he climbed from his #20 ALTWELL Ford Mustang following the 100-mile sprint race, noting that in 1985, as a seven-year-old, he’d watched his dad Rob’s team score a Memorial Day win in its IMSA Camel GTP debut. “This is my home track. I went to driver’s school here and won my first SCCA national here. Having my dad as grand marshal makes the day all that much more special. Winning at Lime Rock never gets old.” For Brabham it was his first look at the track where his father won the 1988 Camel GTP race. “I’ve been hearing about Lime Rock my whole life,” Brabham said. “Growing up my family would talk about what a great race track it is,” the third-generation racer said as he waited to climb onto the post-race podium. “Now that I’ve done a race here, I can see that for myself. I’m grateful to Humaid (Masaood) and Chris for putting me in the car when Humaid couldn’t make it for the race.” This weekend wasn’t Brabham’s first time in a Trans Am car. He won the 2021 season finale in the CD Racing #20 ALTWELL car while substituting for the series’ champion-elect after a family matter forced Dyson to withdraw from the race at Circuit of the Americas. Taking All the Points Dyson set a Trans Am lap record on his way to winning the pole. That performance, coupled with setting the fastest race lap while leading the event from green flag to checker, leaves Dyson, the reigning Trans Am champion and winner of five of the six races run so far in 2022, with maximum points from the weekend and in a favorable position when the season begins its second half at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in late June.     It was a bit more of an uphill climb for Brabham, who flew in from Indianapolis with Rob Dyson following the Indy 500. Brabham’s first look at the deceptively challenging circuit was through the windshield of the #21 allgram Ford Mustang during the brief race-morning qualifying session. And Brabham didn’t even get the full session after Tomy Drissi, Dyson’s closest rival in the championship battle, crashed heavily but without injury, ending the session after less than 10 minutes. That left Brabham fourth-fastest and still learning the track after fewer than a dozen flying laps. With Drissi forced to withdraw from the race, Brabham lined up for the start third and then for several laps following the green flag increased his knowledge of the track and comfort in the car while trailing the second-place Corvette of former series champion Amy Ruman. Once past Ruman Brabham continued to lower his lap times on his way to the runner-up finish. Trans Am Second Half Starts at Mid-Ohio The sixth race of the 2022 Trans Am by Pirelli season takes place at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH, June 23-26. Video Coverage of Lime Rock Park The Lime Rock Trans Am race will be televised on a tape-delay basis on CBS Sports Network and also MavTV, dates TBA. Modern Wellness with ALTWELL ALTWELL provides purposefully curated and flavored products to help improve your overall wellness, sleep, relaxation and balance. We know that can be a different experience for everyone, so we prioritize being able to serve the unique needs of our customers. We’re committed to helping you live each day with comfort and calm. That’s why all ALTWELL products are crafted with product quality and consumer satisfaction in mind. GYM WEED FEEL GOOD.  WORK OUT.  GYM WEED by ALTWELL. The hemp infused sports nutrition products to help take your workouts to a higher level.  Gym Weed is paired with the power of Hemp Extract and additional functional ingredients to enhance performance and support recovery.  GYM WEED products are third party lab tested and THC FREE to ensure safe, high-quality ingredients at the right dose.

Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #17 is First to Five World of Outlaws Wins in 2022

LAWRENCEBURG, IN – May 30, 2022 – The traditional Memorial Day Spectacular returned to Lawrenceburg Speedway on Monday night and yet again lived up to the name in spectacular fashion.

With a star-studded field of 43 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars on hand, the Indiana 3/8-mile capped a sensational weekend of racing in a fashion that only The Greatest Show on Dirt can provide.

Becoming the third different leader in a wild 30-lapper, Sheldon Haudenschild drove to the point on Lap 11 and never relinquished his lead. His Series-leading fifth victory was far from easy, however, as the NOS Energy Drink, Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing #17 faced steep traffic and relentless challengers in the closing stages.

The path to back-to-back wins for the Wooster, OH native included a series of three-story sliders across the banking against Logan Schuchart, and a green-white-checkered finish when he survived a hard-charging Kyle Larson on the prowl from 16th-to-2nd.

Sheldon’s 27th career World of Outlaws triumph gives the Haudenschild family 99 total wins with the Series, and inches him closer to Brad Sweet and Kasey Kahne Racing as the #17 continues to prove they’re a legit championship contender in 2022.

“I’m just happy we survived and came out with the win,” a relived Haudenschild said. “I had so many close calls through traffic, those lappers were tough to battle. That’s just normal Lawrenceburg, though. I knew there would be some holes, you just have to run the track smart. More than anything, I just want to thank the men and women and the families who have sacrificed so much that allow us to race on this Memorial Day.”

The most anxious moment of the race was without a doubt the final caution on the final lap, which forced a green-white-checkered. Larson had just moved Paul Silva’s #57 into the second spot with a massive slider on Schuchart and was within striking distance of Haudenschild into turn one when the yellow lights flashed for a slowing Parker Price-Miller.

With only two laps left, a nearly sold-out crowd at Lawrenceburg knew anything could happen with Haudenschild, Larson, and Schuchart lining up 1-2-3 as the green flag flew. Ultimately, Larson’s plan to disrupt Haudenschild never had a chance to play out as Schuchart shot a big move at the #57 and stole his momentum allowing the #17 to check out and seal the deal.

“I knew Larson would be coming,” Sheldon said. “I looked at the board and kept seeing the #57 creeping up toward the top. That was a fun little cat and mouse game I had with the #1S. It seemed like however would get the run was going to come out on top, so I knew I couldn’t slide across turns one & two, I needed to carry that speed down the backstretch.”

Although his impressive run fell short, a 16th-to-2nd bid was nothing for Kyle Larson to hang his head about. The reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion and two-time World of Outlaws winner in 2022 completed 620 miles in Charlotte last night and quickly made the trip to Lawrenceburg for one of his favorite races on the Sprint Car schedule.

The Elk Grove, CA native had a plan to attack Haudenschild on the last lap, but the caution flew and ruined all timing. He had one final opportunity on the final restart, but Schuchart’s daring move stopped any shot of stealing it away. His +14 performance is the third-biggest gain for any KSE Hard Charger this season.

“It would’ve been hard to beat Sheldon on a green-white-checkered in clean air anyways,” Larson said on the final restart. “I really didn’t need that last caution, because I was setting him up into turn three at the checkered flag to make my move. It was a fun race, though. I always love coming to Lawrenceburg, it was rough and wavy in the corners. It just has so much character. I needed a better start to the night in qualifying and things might’ve been different.”

Rounding out the podium with another strong performance was Logan Schuchart and Shark Racing. He led Laps 4-11 before ultimately finishing P3 in the DuraMAX Oil, Drydene Performance Products #1S. Although it wasn’t that desired win, it’s another stellar finish in a long line of impressive results for the team.

“I had a chance right before Kyle got by me, but I stuck to the bottom and should’ve slid up,” Schuchart said on his shot to win it. “I’m just proud of this group of people and how fast we’ve been lately. It’s great to be on the podium, but I need to get this thing in victory lane soon. It feels so close, but so far away at the same time.”

Closing out the top-five at Lawrenceburg was David Gravel in the Big Game Motorsports #2 and Spencer Bayston in the CJB Motorsports #5. Finishing out the top-10 on Monday was Giovanni Scelzi, Brad Sweet, Cole Macedo, James McFadden, and Jacob Allen.

Jonestown, PA native Brock Zearfoss controlled the first three laps before he hit the wall and slowed with suspension damage to the Moose’s LZ Bar & Grill. It was a heartbreaker for the World of Outlaws sophomore runner, chasing his second-career win with the Series and first since his inaugural score in 2017.

UP NEXT (Fri) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series takes to the Dakotas this weekend with stops at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND on Friday, June 3, and then Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, SD on Sunday, June 5. Fans can BUY TICKETS HERE, or watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.

NOS Energy Drink Feature Results (30 Laps) – 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [5][$10,000]; 2. 57-Kyle Larson [16][$6,000]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4][$3,500]; 4. 2-David Gravel [7][$2,800]; 5. 5-Spencer Bayston [3][$2,500]; 6. 18-Giovanni Scelzi [6][$2,300]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,200]; 8. 18X-Cole Macedo [12][$2,100]; 9. 83-James McFadden [17][$2,050]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [14][$2,000]; 11. 15-Donny Schatz [18][$1,600]; 12. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [1][$1,400]; 13. 41-Carson Macedo [2][$1,200]; 14. 20G-Noah Gass [24][$1,100]; 15. 26-Cory Eliason [15][$1,050]; 16. 15J-Justin Peck [23][$1,000]; 17. 9-Kasey Kahne [25][$]; 18. 101-Cale Thomas [13][$1,000]; 19. 11X-Parker Price-Miller [8][$1,000]; 20. 3-Ayrton Gennetten [22][$1,000]; 21. 7BC-Tyler Courtney [10][$1,000]; 22. 9K-Kevin Thomas [19][$1,000]; 23. 39-Christopher Bell [21][$1,000]; 24. A79-Brandon Wimmer [20][$1,000]; 25. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$1,000]. Lap Leaders: Brock Zearfoss 1-3, Logan Schuchart 4-10, Sheldon Haudenschild 11-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 57-Kyle Larson[+14]

NEW Championship Standings (After 23/77 Races): 1. Brad Sweet (3,182); 2. Sheldon Haudenschild (-34); 3. David Gravel (-46); 4. Carson Macedo (-66); 5. Logan Schuchart (-80); 6. Donny Schatz (-146); 7. Spencer Bayston (-166); 8. James McFadden (-168); 9. Jacob Allen (-222); 10. Brock Zearfoss (-374).

Inside Line Promotions – ELMA, Wash. (May 30, 2022) – Dominic Scelzi was on a mission last weekend during his first trip of the season to the Northwest.

Scelzi won the opening round of the miniature version of a speedweek before garnering runner-up results during the final two races to extend his lead in the King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Series championship standings.

“I’m extremely happy,” he said. “It was special to be able to get our first win in the state of Oregon. Now we’ve won along the entire West Coast in California, Oregon and Washington.”

The busy weekend began last Thursday at Southern Oregon Speedway in Medford, Ore., where Scelzi set quick time during qualifying. A third-place result in a heat race preceded a second-place showing in the dash, which gave Scelzi a front row starting spot for the feature.

“We went into Medford and set quick time, which was awesome,” he said. “It’s our second quick time of the year. Then we ran really well in the heat race and the dash. We ran second the first half of the feature before we started pressuring the leader. He got into the cushion the wrong way and it put him into the wall on the backstretch, which gave him a flat. That put us out front and we were able to go untouched the rest of the way.”

Scelzi led the final 11 laps en route to his first victory in the state of Oregon as well as his fourth straight with the series, which is the first time a driver has accomplished that feat since 1999.

“It’s a dream come true to put my name up there with a guy like Brent Kaeding,” he said. “He’s the most successful sprint car driver in California history. To do something he did 20-something years ago is very humbling and special.”

Round 2 of the weekend was Friday at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Ore. Scelzi timed in fourth quickest, finished second in a heat race and placed third in the dash. He then gained one position in the feature to earn a runner-up result.

“We were good all night,” he said. “The track was bottom dominant after qualifying, but we moved forward each time we were on the track. In the feature we fell to fourth, got to third, fell to fourth again and then got back to third. We were all over second place. On the last lap he tried to go above a lapped car and we snuck underneath him to end up second.”

Saturday’s event at Grays Harbor Raceway rained out, leaving the Timber Cup doubleheader with only one race held on Sunday.

“With Grays Harbor raining out we really wanted to go to Skagit on Saturday night,” Scelzi said. “By the time we got to Grays Harbor and with the way the weather looked we ran out of time. But we’re looking forward to going there in a month for Dirt Cup.”

Scelzi continued his efficient effort on Sunday, qualifying third quickest, winning a heat race, ending third in the dash and advancing forward a position to place second in the A Main at Grays Harbor Raceway.

“We were really good,” he said. “I felt we had good speed. I got to second and closed on Trey (Starks). I felt we were pretty even the first half of the race. I was able to work the bottom, but I wasn’t close enough to do anything with him. When we had a yellow halfway through I spun my tires and got a really bad restart. That dropped me back to fourth for a second. I got back to third and it took me the rest of the race to get back to second. By that time Trey was in another zip code. It was really cool to see him get the win. He’s extremely talented and one of the best drivers on the West Coast.”

The trio of podiums during the weekend kept Scelzi’s streak alive of recording a podium during each of the eight series races this season.

He plans to take this weekend off before the next series races on June 10 at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif., during the 34^th annual Pombo-Sargent Classic and June 11 at Placerville Speedway in Placerville, Calif., during the 31^st annual Dave Bradway Jr. Race.

QUICK RESULTS –

May 26 – Southern Oregon Speedway in Medford, Ore. – Qualifying: 1; Heat race: 3 (4); Dash: 2 (2); Feature: 1 (2).

May 27 – Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Ore. – Qualifying: 4; Heat race: 2 (3); Dash: 3 (5); Feature: 2 (3).

May 29 – Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash. – Qualifying: 3; Heat race: 1 (2); Dash: 3 (2); Feature: 2 (3).

SEASON STATS –

23 races, 5 wins, 15 top fives, 17 top 10s, 20 top 15s, 20 top 20s

UP NEXT – 

June 10 at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif., for the 34^th annual Pombo-Sargent Classic and June 11 at Placerville Speedway in Placerville, Calif., for the 31^st annual Dave Bradway Jr. Race with the King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Series