Another Victory Stripped from Dominant Haudenschild with Lap Traffic Collision

WEEDSPORT, NY – July 31, 2021 – For the second straight night, New York fans were treated to late-race drama with The Greatest Show on Dirt.

Sheldon Haudenschild essentially had the win in the bag as he set a torrid pace through lap traffic, but a collision with James McFadden sent his NOS Energy Drink #17 spinning from the lead with only two laps remaining.

David Gravel inherited the race lead and took full advantage of the situation. The Watertown, CT native survived a green-white-checkered restart with Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet on his heels to win the Empire State Challenge at Weedsport Speedway.

The sudden victory was reminiscent of what happened at Attica Raceway Park in May when Haudenschild fell victim to lap traffic trouble and gifted Gravel another win. Ultimately, Saturday’s incident gave the Big Game Motorsports #2 their seventh win of the year and Gravel the 65th win of his World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

Unfortunately for Sheldon, it was another case of what could have been. The Weedsport loss was the sixth occurrence this year of Haudenschild leading in the final 10 laps, but failing to appear in victory lane. The argument could easily be made that the Wooster, OH native would be the winningest driver on tour in 2021 if lady luck cooperated.

“He was running a wild pace up there and really living and dying by the top,” Gravel said on Haudenschild. “Those lappers finally moved up and took his lane away, then he just got into the back of them. I don’t think I would’ve won, but I felt like I could keep him kind of close. I was better on the bottom of turns one and two, but he was full send and bangin’ it off the wall on the other end. That’s just such a hard pace to keep.”

Before Haudenschild and Gravel swapped fortunes, Oklahoma City’s Wayne Johnson was the story of the night early on. The Two-C Racing pilot set a season-best qualifying effort (4th), won his first Drydene Heat Race of the season, made his first DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash of the season, earned a season-best starting position (5th), and ultimately tied his season-best Feature finish.

However, it was 10-time Series champion, Donny Schatz, on the pole position of the 30-lap NOS Energy Drink Feature. Looking to snap an 18-race drought since his 300th career win at Dubuque, Iowa last month, the Fargo, ND native flexed his muscle in the early stages as he built a large lead and raced into lap traffic.

The top-five of Schatz, Gravel, Haudenschild, Sweet & Macedo ran patiently through the first half, but the pace ratcheted up once the cross flags waved. On Lap 19, Haudenschild built his momentum and rocketed by Gravel to take second. He wasn’t done, though. Three laps later, he stormed right by Schatz to take command of the lead on Lap 22.

It took only a handful of circuits for Haudenschild to build a massive lead, but at a moment’s notice, it was all gone. Receiving the two-to-go signal, the #17 collided with McFadden’s #9 on entry to turn one, and suddenly the win was stripped away as Haudenschild went spinning to a stop.

The first and only stoppage of the race created a green-white-checkered finish with Gravel gifted the race lead. He lined up with Schatz and Sweet right on his tail tank, but never wavered once in the final two laps. The #2 pulled away once the green flag dropped and pulled away to win it by 1.738-seconds.

“I know it’s been over a month since we won, so this one was much needed,” Gravel admitted. “I just love winning here in New York, too. These fans in the whole northeast are awesome. Our t-shirt trailer was busy all day. I can’t thank these fans enough.”

Capitalizing on the restart, Brad Sweet snuck by Schatz to put the Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49 in second place.

“I’ll take it,” Sweet said. “I think we had a fourth-place car tonight, but Sheldon had his trouble and we got Donny on the bottom there. This place is tricky. I’m looking forward to these next few weeks with some more big races coming up.”

After leading the opening 21 laps, Donny Schatz slipped back to third as he earned his 15th podium of the year aboard the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, Ford Performance #15.

“We just needed to better,” Schatz mentioned. “You’re not gonna be that bad at the end of the race and end up winning. I guess we lucked into a third place tonight.”

Carson Macedo and Jason Johnson Racing extended their streak to 16 consecutive top-seven finishes with a fourth-place run at Weedsport. Rounding out the top-five on Saturday night was Logan Schuchart, who set Slick Woody’s QuickTime in the Shark Racing, Drydene Performance Products #1S.

Danny Varin of Sharon Springs, NY finished sixth-from-15th and earned KSE Hard Charger honors. Kraig Kinser followed Friday’s podium with a seventh-place effort. Cicero, NY native Paulie Colagiovanni turned in another strong effort in eighth-place. Wayne Johnson recorded a season-best result of ninth in the Two-C Racing #2C. Brock Zearfoss collected another top-10 aboard the #3Z.

UP NEXT: The 14th annual Ironman 55 awaits the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series next weekend on Friday & Saturday, August 6-7 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. Following that, we’re off to Iowa for the 60th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals pres. by Casey’s on August 11-14.

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 2-David Gravel [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$6,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$3,500]; 4. 41-Carson Macedo [6][$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$2,500]; 6. OO-Danny Varin [15][$2,300]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$2,200]; 8. 10-Paulie Colagiovanni [11][$2,100]; 9. 2C-Wayne Johnson [5][$2,050]; 10. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [10][$2,000]; 11. 9-James McFadden [9][$1,600]; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$1,400]; 13. 83-Aaron Reutzel [12][$1,200]; 14. 99L-Larry Wight [18][$1,100]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$1,050]; 16. 7NY-Matt Farnham [20][$1,000]; 17. 10K-Joe Kata [19][$1,000]; 18. 97-Greg Wilson [17][$1,000]; 19. 49K-Scott Kreutter [24][$1,000]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [22][$1,000]; 21. 11-Carl Bowser [21][$1,000]; 22. 98-Joe Trenca [14][$1,000]; 23. 35-Jared Zimbardi [16][$1,000]; 24. 22-Jonathan Preston [23][$1,000]. Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-20, Sheldon Haudenschild 21-28, David Gravel 29-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: OO-Danny Varin[+9]

NEW Championship Standings (51/81 Races): 1. Brad Sweet (7,070); 2. Carson Macedo (-120); 3. David Gravel (-136); 4. Donny Schatz (-238); 5. Sheldon Haudenschild (-276); 6. Logan Schuchart (-294); 7. Aaron Reutzel (-446); 8. James McFadden (-714); 9. Kraig Kinser (-856); 10. Brock Zearfoss (-1132).

Diverse Podium Highlights Long-Awaited New York Return for World of OutlawsRANSOMVILLE, NY – July 31, 2021 – Ted Johnson’s ideology, which he unveiled to the world back in 1978, was on full display on Friday night.At its core, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is all about the best group of racers in the world traveling from track to track to face the toughest local competition available; and that was exactly what New York fans witnessed at Ransomville Speedway.Paulie Colagiovanni, a 20-year-old native of Cicero, NY, nearly did the unthinkable and beat the goliath that is The Greatest Show on Dirt. It was only his fourth career World of Outlaws Feature, but the kid was driving as if he possessed the veteran prowess of Donny Schatz, the calm mindset of Brad Sweet, and the fiery on-track attitude of Sheldon Haudenschild.On the other end of Colagiovanni’s challenge was Aaron Reutzel, who admitted he was nervous when “the guy he had never heard of” was restarting on his tail with a green-white-checkered finish in play.In the end, Reutzel led all 30 laps and secured his fourth win of the 2021 season aboard the Roth Motorsports #83. A victory that only builds his mighty resume as the Clute, TX native chases the distinguished Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award.However, watch the tape, read the tweets, or listen to the fans, there is no denying that Colagiovanni left his mark on this group of Outlaws.”I really didn’t want to see that yellow,” Reutzel noted. “I’ve got a guy that I honestly have no clue who he is moving on up and passing Sweet, so I have no prediction at all of what he’s going to do. I was a little afraid of that, and those last two laps were nerve-racking.”Starting from the outside pole of the 30-lapper, Reutzel rode under a barrage of fireworks as he battled by World of Outlaws championship leader Brad Sweet to take the initial command. A restart on Lap 2 opened the door for Sweet to fight back, but the Roth #83 was too strong and prevailed on the high line as he ran away from the field.On Lap 12, fourth-starting Colagiovanni made his boldest move of the race, throttling around the outside of Sweet and threading the needle to put his PJC Motorsports #10 into the second spot. Beyond halfway and into the closing stages, Colagiovanni kept Reutzel at a reasonable distance but struggled to put himself in a position to make a bid for the lead.With two-to-go, the caution flew for fourth-running Haudenschild with a flat right rear tire. A stoppage that brought the standing-room-only crowd to life in support of their home state hero.The green-white-checkered finish fired off and Reutzel ducked low while Colagiovanni committed to the top. The local kid built a run with his momentum and was all over the #83 as the white flag waved and fans rose to their feet.However, Reutzel was not to be denied, perfecting the bottom with the pressure mounting. Colagiovanni gave it one last shot through turns three and four, but A-Aron survived and beat him to the line by 0.325-seconds at the checkered flag.”The track changed a lot,” Reutzel said. “It was technical and you really had to move around. I tried to keep my wing speed up and roll with momentum early, but once everyone on the bottom got the top dirty I knew I needed to move down for good. Hopefully, all of this bad luck is out of the way and we can get to winning as Dennis and Theresa Roth deserve.”Not for a lack of effort, Paulie Colagiovanni officially crossed the stripe with a career-best second-place finish. In only four previous appearances, the 2019 Empire Super Sprints champion had recorded a best of 16th, and now he’s got silver around his neck.”I was thinking I’d be thrilled with a top-10 hopefully, so to finish second against these guys is unreal,” Colagiovanni offered. “The track was good all night and I love ripping the top here. I think it faded over there in turns three and four, so I had to migrate to the bottom there at the end. I’m just thankful to be here. Wow.”Sneaking on the podium during the final restart was Kraig Kinser, who earned his first Slick Woody’s QuickTime since May 2019 to start the night at Ransomville. It’s his second top-three finish of the 2021 season.”We really missed in the Heat Race, but the car came around good for the Feature,” Kinser said. “You know you’re in the right spot when you’re up there racing with guys like Sheldon, David, and Brad.”Rounding out the top-five was polesitter Brad Sweet in fourth aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49, and Connecticut’s David Gravel in fifth with the Big Game Motorsports, Huset’s Speedway #2.Closing out the top-10 at Ransomville was Carson Macedo with his 15th consecutive top-seven finish, Logan Schuchart with KSE Hard Charger honors in seventh-from-15th, Donny Schatz aboard the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15, James McFadden in his Kasey Kahne Racing #9, and Pennsylvania’s Brock Zearfoss in the tenth position.UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series continues its New York doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, July 30 with the Empire State Challenge at Weedsport Speedway. Next weekend, the 14th Ironman 55NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 83-Aaron Reutzel [2][$10,000]; 2. 10-Paulie Colagiovanni [4][$6,000]; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7][$3,500]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$2,800]; 5. 2-David Gravel [6][$2,500]; 6. 41-Carson Macedo [3][$2,300]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [15][$2,200]; 8. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,100]; 9. 9-James McFadden [8][$2,050]; 10. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [13][$2,000]; 11. 2C-Wayne Johnson [19][$1,600]; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [5][$1,400]; 13. 7S-Jason Sides [10][$1,200]; 14. 97-Greg Wilson [18][$1,100]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$1,050]; 16. 7NY-Matt Farnham [14][$1,000]; 17. 2L-Landon Lalonde [23][$1,000]; 18. 11-Carl Bowser [16][$1,000]; 19. X-Dan Bennett [22][$1,000]; 20. 36-Mike Stetler [21][$1,000]; 21. 54JR-Scott Just [17][$1,000]; 22. 35-Jared Zimbardi [12][$1,000]; 23. OO-Danny Varin [11][$1,000]; 24. 2X-Dave Axton [24][$1,000]. Lap Leaders: Aaron Reutzel 1-30. KSE Hard Charger Award:1S-Logan Schuchart[+8]NEW Championship Standings (50/81 Races): 1. Brad Sweet (6,924); 2. Carson Macedo (-116); 3. David Gravel (-140); 4. Donny Schatz (-236); 5. Sheldon Haudenschild (-256); 6. Logan Schuchart (-288); 7. Aaron Reutzel (-424); 8. James McFadden (-696); 9. Kraig Kinser (-846); 10. Brock Zearfoss (-1116).

 The COPO Camaro returns to the drag strip and its roots with a 572-cubic-inch Big Block V-8 DETROIT – The COPO Camaro returns to the drag strip for 2022 with a newly available 572-cubic-inch engine. The Big Block V-8 channels the spirit of the original 1969 COPO Camaro, a purpose-built drag racer created by dealers using the Central Office Production Order system to equip cars with Chevrolet’s largest V-8. The COPO 572 uses a cast-iron block with four-bolt main caps, aluminum heads, a forged steel crankshaft, forged steel connecting rods and forged aluminum pistons. Pricing for the COPO Camaro with the 572 starts from $105,500 (excluding tax, title, license, and dealer fees). The 2022 COPO Camaro is also available with LSX-based Small Block engines –a supercharged 350-cubic-inch V-8 rated by the NHRA at 580 horsepower and a naturally aspirated 427-cubic-inch V-8 with an NHRA-rated 470 hp. All 2022 COPO Camaros use an ATI Racing Products TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. Engineered for drag racers, the COPO Camaro is sold as a Chevrolet Performance part and cannot be registered for street use. It competes in NHRA Stock and Super Stock eliminators and comes standard with a carbon fiber hood and wheelie bars. Buyers can customize their cars with options such as a trunk-mounted weight box and parachute.  Owning a COPO Camaro places drag racers in rare company – Chevrolet has built fewer than 700 examples since the program restarted in 2012. In past years, interested customers have entered a lottery to win an allotment for one of 69 cars. Chevrolet will not limit production for 2022, and orders will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Buyers may also participate in a private tour of the COPO Build Facility in Oxford, Michigan, where each car is custom made. The order form for the 2022 Chevrolet COPO Camaro can be found at www.chevrolet.com/performance-parts/copo-camaro. 

POMONA, CA (July 29, 2021) — Back-to-back strong races at the first two stops on the NHRA Western Swing have Alexis DeJoria and the Bandero Premium Tequila ROKiT Toyota Camry Funny Car team ready to get to the NHRA Winternationals. Two weeks ago DeJoria raced to a runner-up finish in Denver and last weekend the five-time Funny Car national event winner secured another semifinal finish at the Sonoma Nationals. Over the past six races DeJoria has raced to four semifinals or better and has qualified No. 2 four times and never worse than No. 6.

“I can’t tell you how much fun I am having driving this Bandero Tequila ROKiT Toyota Camry,” said DeJoria. “I know our first win is right around the corner. We just need one or two things to fall our way. The Western Swing has flown by and I can’t believe we’ll be in Pomona this weekend.”

The last time DeJoria strapped into her 11,000 horsepower Toyota Camry Funny Car at the Winternationals it was her first race back competing after a two year absence. She showed no signs of rust as she raced to the semifinals. Her return season was derailed by the pandemic but the tenacious DeJoria battled through the uncertainty and finished the season strong with three semifinal finishes over the final four races. She picked up this season right where she left off, continuing to qualify at our near the top of the Funny Car field and turning on win lights with regularity on race day. 

Getting back to her home track, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, could be the perfect combination for DeJoria to grab her first win of the 2021 season. The repositioning of the Winternationals to the middle of the summer has all the NHRA competitors feeling uncertain about how their race cars will react to a warmer than usual track surface.

“Running the Winternationals in the summer is going to be interesting,” said DeJoria, as the Western Swing was unfolding. “It is going to be wild and pretty hot. Pomona is my hometown track. I will have all my friends and family out there that I don’t get to see all the time. That will be nice. Pomona is a classic and that is a win that I have always wanted.” 

The Denver final round appearance two weeks ago was DeJoria’s first since her return to racing at the beginning of the 2020 NHRA season. The last time she was in a final round was August 2017 when she defeated Tommy Johnson Jr. to win the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota. DeJoria did not compete in 2018 and 2019.

The Bandero Tequila ROKiT team sits seventh in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Funny Car points. They are less than three rounds out of third place with four races left in the regular season. A strong showing at the Winternationals could easily propel DeJoria to the top half of the Top Ten with the NHRA Countdown on the horizon when points will be reset for a final charge to the championship.

Qualifying will begin at the Winternationals on Friday, July 30, with an evening qualifying session which is sure to produce low elapsed times and high speeds. Two sessions will follow on Saturday with final eliminations beginning Sunday morning at 11 a.m. local time. The race will be broadcast on Fox from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. PDT.

Hoffman, Harrison, Allgaier, McKinney, Nicely, Weisser and more expected to attend FAIRBURY, IL – July 29, 2021 – The summer’s greatest tradition in Midwest dirt track racing is back in commission this Fri-Sat, July 30-31, as the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals race alongside the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series in the 31st running of the Prairie Dirt Classic. Since 2015, the Summit Modifieds have joined the Outlaws at the FALS crown jewel event and raced in similar format to decide the field for Saturday night’s $5,000-to-win finale. Drivers will start with Hot Lap/Qualifying on Friday night and be divided into one of four 20-lap Showdown Features. These $500-to-win events will take the top-4 drivers into Saturday’s Feature. Saturday will consist of Hot Laps and two Last Chance Showdown races for any driver not yet qualified, taking the top-two finishing drivers from each into the Feature. Four provisional starters will be added to fill the final four spots before the field rolls to the track for the 40-lap, $5,000-to-win Feature. The best UMP Modified drivers in the country are expected to be in attendance for the high-profile event, which serves as races 22 and 23 on the Summit Modified schedule. It all goes down this Friday and Saturday night, July 30-31, at Fairbury Speedway. If you can’t be at the track, catch all the action live on DIRTVision presented by Drydene with a FAST PASS subscription. Here are the drivers to watch and the storylines to follow… DOUBLE DUTY – Nick Hoffman, the seventeen-time Summit Modified winner this year, has recently teamed with Scott Bloomquist Racing to tackle the 31st PDC in both a Modified and Late Model. The three-time Summit Modified champ will get behind the wheel of Bloomquist’s famed Drydene Team Zero Race Cars #0 and attempt to put it in the big show on Saturday night for a chance at $50,000. He’ll also be piloting his Elite Chassis #2 Modified in the event, searching for his 18th victory in 19 starts and second PDC Modified Feature win. NASCAR STAR – NASCAR Xfinity Series star Justin Allgaier, of Riverton, IL, is scheduled to make a Modified Prairie Dirt Classic appearance this weekend behind the wheel of his own Allgaier Racing Shocks Elite Chassis #7. Allgaier topped a very stout UMP Modified field in the 50th DIRTcar Nationals’ Gator Championship finale at Volusia Speedway Park back in February for a $5,000 prize and will be one to watch as he tries to beat the best Modified drivers in the country again this weekend. HIGHLAND HUNTER – When it comes to Fairbury, Mike Harrison is one of the most feared competitors in the field. Six of his 54 career Summit Modified victories have come at the quarter-mile, including the first two PDC finales. However, the six-time champion will be going up against one of the best Modified fields he’ll see all year. He met a stacked roster earlier this year in the Summit Modifieds’ first visit to FALS and walked away with a 17th-place result after hitting the wall in his pursuit of race leader Hoffman. With Hoffman scheduled to be in the field again this weekend, Harrison will get a chance at redemption and to retake his spot atop the all-time wins list as he shoots for the $5,000 grand prize. FALS FAVORITES – Current FALS Cup weekly points leaders Michael Ledford and Mike McKinney are slated to be in attendance and lead the local bunch to take out the Summit Modified ringers. 16-year-old and defending Fairbury track champion Michael Ledford, of Pontiac, IL, leads McKinney in track points by just four heading into the weekend with one victory back on July 3. He’s currently sitting 11th in DIRTcar UMP Modified national points standings with six victories to his credit. McKinney, the 2018 Summit Modified points runner-up, has won two of his six starts at FALS in 2021 and made every Feature thus far. While he hasn’t appeared in as many Summit Modified shows as he normally does every year, he does have two career Summit Modified wins at FALS. PEORIA POWER – Few drivers have finished second more times in some of FALS’ biggest events than Allen Weisser. The Peoria, IL-native was runner-up to Hoffman in the 2019 PDC Modified Feature, second again to McKinney in last year’s first Summit Modified visit in July, and second yet again in the $10,000-to-win FALS Super Nationals on Labor Day Weekend. This could be A-Dog’s weekend to finally cash-in big time in a FALS special. Weisser currently ranks third in DIRTcar UMP Modified national points standings with eleven victories to his credit – two of which came this past weekend. POINTS PLAYERS – Another trio of dangerous Midwesterners are slated to come to FALS this weekend, combining for 22 victories across the nation so far this year. Two-time American Modified Series champion Tyler Nicely, of Owensboro, KY, 2017 Showdown Feature winner Ray Bollinger, of Kewanee, IL, and current runner-up in Summit Modified points Tommy Sheppard Jr., of New Berlin, IL, have run several races with the Summit Modifieds this season and are all sitting within the top-six in national UMP Modified points.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, Chevy Performance, DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), FireAde, Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Indiana Decal Company, Intercomp, iRacing, Racing Electronics, SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), Summit Racing Equipment, and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel). Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Beyea Custom Headers, COMP Cams, Drydene, Fox Factory, Hoosier Racing Tire, MSD, Quarter Master, Summit Racing Equipment, VP Racing Fuels, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum).Summit Modified Nationals is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including : Summit Racing Equipment, Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, Chevy Performance, DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), FireAde, Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Indiana Decal Company, Intercomp, iRacing, Racing Electronics, SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel). Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Bassett Racing Wheel, Bell Helmets, Beyea Custom Headers, COMP Cams, Drydene, Fast Shafts, Fox Factory, Hoosier Racing Tire, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, K1 Race Gear, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Mulit FireX, Schoenfeld Headers, Summit Racing Equipment, Velocita USA, VP Racing Fuels, Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum), and Xceldyne.

MIDDLETOWN, NY – Weather reports of impending severe thunderstorms have forced Super DIRTcar and Orange County Fair Speedway officials to cancel Thursday’s Midway 100 event. However, the Series will be added to Orange County’s Centennial 102 event on Thursday, Aug. 12.With $10,000-to-win on the line, the Centennial 102 will be a NAPA Super DIRT Week XLIX qualifier.The Battle of the Midway 100 will not be made up. Mat Williamson is both the defending Super DIRTcar Series champion and the defending Centennial race winner. The Buzz Chew Racing #88 driver won an unprecedented $100,000 in 2019 at the memorable Centennial 100, sealing his name in the history books.A large contingent of Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds will challenge the Series invaders including “The Sensational One” Jimmy Horton, Tommy Meier, Bob McGannon, and Billy VanInwegen.All advanced ticket sales for the Battle of the Midway 100 will be honored for the Centennial 102. The next Super DIRTcar Series event is at Land of Legends Raceway in Canandaigua, NY for twin 60-lap Features on Wednesday, Aug 4.If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every Super DIRTcar Series event live on DIRTVision.PHOTO: Pete MacDonald

The Super DIRTcar Series is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel), Chevy Performance Parts, iRacing (Official Online Racing Game) and NAPA Auto Parts. Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), ASI Race Wear, Bicknell Racing Products, Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux, Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Drydene, Fox Factory, MSD, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: FireAde, Intercomp, and Racing Electronics.

CHEVROLET AT POMONA What: Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.comWhen: Friday, July 30-Sunday, Aug. 1Where: Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, CaliforniaTV: FOX will telecast eliminations live at 4 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 1                                                                                                     Team Chevy running on all cylinders heading to PomonaDrivers/teams carry momentum to final race of Western Swing

DETROIT (July 29, 2021) – With his fourth Wally in hand from Sonoma Raceway, Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car crew head to another California venue where he’s had similar success.
The Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, which traditionally kicks off the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) season, was postponed because of state COVID-19 guidelines. Now the event this weekend will be the 10th of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. Teams will return to the facility Nov. 11-14 for the Countdown to the Championship finale.
“Heading to Auto Club Raceway, that’s our home track – where John Force Racing’s home is and my sponsor the Automobile Club of Southern California – and it’s going to be a little different. We don’t normally race there in the summertime,” said Hight, who has recorded five victories between the twice-yearly races at the track.
Hight’s victory at Sonoma – his second of the season and 53rd of his career — lifted the three-time Funny Car champion to third in the Funny Car standings.
“We’ve started to find our stride. Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham had this Auto Club Chevy running on a string,” Hight said. “Hopefully, we’re going there with a little momentum and keep this rolling.”
Team owner John Force, who also has two wins this season in the PEAK/BlueDEF Platinum Camaro SS, is fourth in points. He is the Funny Car leader with a whopping 16 wins and 16 No. 1 qualifier honors at the track, and most recently was the runner-up in the 2020 Winternationals.
“This PEAK Chevy team is still very much in this fight. There’s only a handful of points separating the top five, I’m still in that top five,” Force said. “We’ve had a good season. There’s always ups and downs, but these young guys with Daniel Hood and Tim Fabrisi, they’re working hard and we’ll be right back at it.”
Greg Anderson continues his pursuit of tying Warren Johnson’s 97 career victories, which stands as the most in Pro Stock and second behind Force’s NHRA-record 153. Anderson, the No. 1 qualifier in seven of the eight Pro Stock races in his HendrickCars.com Camaro SS, is tied with Bob Glidden for the most in the class with 12 wins at the track.
“It was a good weekend for us in Sonoma, but it could have been better,” said Anderson, the class points leader. “We’ve got a little steam, and I’m confident we can build on that.”
Brittany Force, the No. 1 qualifier in Top Fuel the past two races and four times through nine events in the Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet dragster, is looking for her first victory of the season. Force was the top qualifier in the 2020 
Winternationals and reset the track Top Fuel speed record of 336.26 mph. She wrapped up the class championship with a win in the 2017 finale at the track.
FOX will telecast eliminations live at 4 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 1. 
CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT
TOP FUEL:
BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (four-time No. 1 qualifier; runner-up in Charlotte and Norwalk; third in points): “We’ve had great performance at our last couple races. Unfortunately, we’ve just come up short, made some mistakes but we are keeping heads up. Luckily, with this three in a row Western Swing, we get to head right into the next race. Wrapping up the Western Swing at my home track, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. This is my home track and a track I’ve had some success at in the past. I’m looking forward to getting this Flav-R-Pac dragster qualified in the show and going rounds on race day. This team is looking to turn our luck around this weekend.”
FUNNY CAR:
JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK/BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner this season; No. 1 qualifier in Charlotte four-wide; fourth in points; 16-time winner at the track): “This race is home. We’re just down the way in Yorba Linda. We used to be completely based out in Southern California now there’s the museum, corporate offices and where we run John Force RaceStation as well as our rentals. There’s a lot of history in Southern California for me. Racing in Pomona, it’s a big event. Stands will be packed, even though it’s going to be warm. It’ll be a good summer show for them. I’m looking forward to getting in my PEAK Chevy at home.”
ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner and two-time runner-up;  No. 1 qualifier in Las Vegas four-wide; third in points; holds track Funny Car speed record of 336.99 mph, set in February 2018): “It’s an important weekend, all the upcoming races are important, with the Countdown just a couple races away, how close the competition is in Funny Car, we have to stay dialed in. It’s going to be an interesting weekend, racing in Pomona in the summer. Looking forward to getting this Auto Club Chevy in the winner’s circle at their home track.”
PRO STOCK:
GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner; No. 1 qualifier in seven of eight races; points leader): “It’s a little bittersweet to have a fast race car like this HendrickCars.com Chevrolet and not walk away with a trophy on Sunday, but it just makes you that much hungrier. I love these back-to-back races, because you get a little momentum, you get into a rhythm, and you get another chance if things don’t go your way. I’m proud of our team – the KB Racing crew was great all weekend – and we’re all licking our chops to get to Pomona.”
AARON STANFIELD, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JANAC BROTHERS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (two-time winner this season; second in points): “It was a tough (list) of competitors to go through (at Sonoma). My guys did a great job. They all gave me a great race car. The KB cars keep coming and so do the Elite cars. There’s a bunch of great drivers out here right now and a bunch of new blood. We’re all very hungry to get out here and win. It’s fun to come out and compete.”
TROY COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS MAIL ORDER CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up in season opener; transferred to final quad at Charlotte; semifinalist at Sonoma; first Pro Stock appearance at track): “The last time this team raced Pomona at the Winternationals, Uncle Jeg (Coughlin) was driving this car and they took home the trophy, so there’s nothing but positive energy coming from So-Cal. The way it worked out Pomona is part of the Western Swing this year, so this race is going to be another memorable one at a place that’s given us so much history. We have everything here to win and I’m already looking forward to Pomona.”
KYLE KORETZKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (first-year driver; semifinalist at Houston and Norwalk; No. 2 qualifier in last race; first Pro Stock appearance at track): “Racing for the first time at Pomona is huge for me and our sponsor Lucas Oil – the title sponsor for the weekend. No. 2 qualifier last weekend was great and I’m confident. My driving last weekend wasn’t very good; losing on a holeshot to a teammate was disappointing. The quick car is going to be there and the driver just has to have his head on straight.” 
DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (first-year driver; winner at Charlotte four-wide; runner-up at Sonoma; first Pro Stock appearance at track): “I’m feeling real comfortable in these things. They are so much fun to drive once you get used to them and I feel like I can go out there and focus on what I need to do.” 

The Illinois native will target a home-state win during the prestigious Prairie Dirt Classic weekend

By Nick Graziano

FAIRBURY, IL – July 28, 2021 – The DIRTcar Summit Modified Nationals history book has been stolen. Or maybe handed over… Either way, it’s been in possession of Nick Hoffman throughout the 2021 season as he rewrites his own history.

With his recent victory at Richmond Raceway, the 29-year-old from Belleville, IL earned his 17th win in 18 starts this season (his previous win record in a year was 13) and his 55th career victory overall – moving him ahead of six-time Series champion Mike Harrison for the top spot on the all-time wins list.

“It’s really cool,” Hoffman said in Victory Lane at Richmond Raceway. “Really didn’t start on this whole Hell Tour deal until like [2016], so to pick up that many wins that quick is pretty cool for us.”

With the book still open and pen filled with ink, Hoffman is poised to continue his winning chapter, July 30-31, during the prestigious Prairie Dirt Classic weekend at Fairbury Speedway. He could also take his historic trek to another level as he’ll pull double duty, driving his own #2 Modified and Scott Bloomquist’s Late Model.

He picked up his sixth win at the quarter-mile Illinois track with the Modified Nationals tour in June but admitted Fairbury is one track on the schedule that makes his winning confidence flutter.

“I’ve won quite a few races at Fairbury but the best guys in the country show up there,” Hoffman said. “You worry about Fairbury, Tri-City, Spoon River, there’re quite a few of those nights you get almost 40 cars, 40 really good guys. There’re a few I thought would be easy. None of them come really easy, though. You still have to put everything together. You have to put a whole night together.”

Hoffman and his team have mastered that. He currently holds a 314-point lead with eight races remaining and has yet to finish worse than second.

As far as “new” on his Elite Chassis this season, he said there’s not much different from years past. He’s found a baseline setup that requires simple tweaks from track to track. Having won the Modified Nationals tour championship three times now, he knows what’s needed to survive the grueling schedule – more than 30 races in an eight-week stretch – and what’s needed to win.

“A lot of things,” Hoffman said. “Everything has to go your way, that’s for sure. The biggest thing is qualifying good at the beginning of the night and that sets up the start of your whole night. I’ve been able to be Quick Time in our group every night. Somehow, I get lucky and draw the one or the two (pill) most nights and that puts me on the front row.

“You just can’t have any issues. Maintenance every single night. Make sure nothing is going to fall off or nothing breaks. I think that is the biggest role with the Modifieds and the Late Models. It’s so grueling and a long tour. You just can’t have any issues.”

The biggest issue Hoffman has had to face this year is his rival, Mike Harrison. The fellow Illinois driver denied Hoffman of his 16th victory in a row at Tri-City Speedway by claiming his second Modified Nationals win of the season. Harrison has been a dominant force on the tour since joining in 2011, holding the most titles in Series history.

The two went toe-to-toe for the win at Fairbury in June but Hoffman prevailed by doing what he said was key. He survived while Harrison broke.

Now, having taken the top spot on the all-time wins list from Harrison, Hoffman said he doesn’t see it as a passing of the torch. More of an upper hand in their friendly rivalry.

“I get along with him alright off the racetrack and I talk with him every now and then,” Hoffman said. “It’s more of a rivalry. He wants to beat me, and I want to beat him. Every good sport needs a rivalry. It’s all fun and games. He’s a hell of a race car driver and won a lot of races.”

The fact that both of them, along with drivers like Kenny Wallace, are from southern Illinois – Illinois in general – is no coincidence to Hoffman.

“Through the ‘90s and early 2000s, I grew up in that area watching my dad and guys race. I feel like in that time period [southern Illinois] was one of the toughest parts of the country, I felt like, as far as dirt Modifieds,” Hoffman said. “Now, I’d say central Illinois is the tougher area, Fairbury and that area. Just the racetracks around there breed really good race car drivers. Illinois in general.

“You look at [three-time World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model champion] Brandon Sheppard, he’s on top of his game. He’s from Illinois. All of these different guys, Bobby Pierce and on the Modified side, Mike Harrison. Southern Illinois has died off a little bit. You lost some heavy hitters. But there are new kids who are coming up through and are really good. Like Drake Troutman, he’s from PA, but the kid is only [17] years old and he’s really good. Kind of all across the country there’s a lot of good guys coming up through and I think Illinois is still the hotbed for it.”

All of that talent will be on display at one of the most iconic quarter-mile tracks this weekend. However, Hoffman will still be holding the history book with confidence, ready to write his name on another line.

“When you roll on the racetrack and know that you’re the guy to beat every night, it for sure helps,” he said.

One driver could collect $50K over three nights at Davenport Speedway

Davenport, IA – July 28, 2021 – A tripleheader weekend of slide jobs and photo finishes await the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models in August at Davenport Speedway.

The Series will make its seventh, eighth and ninth visit to the Davenport, IA track, on August 26-28 for the Quad Cities 150 presented by Hoker Trucking.

Thursday (Aug. 26) and Friday’s (Aug. 27) events will be full shows, including 40-lap, $10,000-to-win Morton Buildings Features each night. An “Every Lap Matters” format will be used for the weekend, meaning drivers will score points based on Qualifying, Heat Races, and Features.

Those points will set the Drydene Heat Race lineups for Saturday’s 70-lap finale, paying $30,000-to-win.

Winning all three events could see one driver walk away with $50,000 in total.

The Quad Cities 150 is also a homecoming for Tyler Bruening and Ryan Gustin. The two Hawkeye state drivers are locked in the Battle for Rookie of the Year, as Gustin tries to cut down Bruening’s 102-point lead. Both drivers have the chance to bring home state fans to their feet, as a win by either would be their first taste of World of Outlaws glory. 

Last season, three-time and defending champion Brandon Sheppard swept all three events at the Iowa venue. That includes the thrilling battle between he and Ricky Thornton Jr. that ended in an epic photo finish. 

PREVIOUS DAVENPORT SPEEDWAY WINNERS
2020 – Brandon Sheppard on May 29, May 30 & July 28
2019 – Jimmy Owens on July 24
2018 – Chris Simpson on July 24
2007- Brian Harris on May 9
2004- Brian Birkhofer on Aug. 10

A fourth straight win at Davenport would add another rung on Sheppard’s ladder toward World of Outlaws history. The New Berlin, IL driver is one win away from tying Darrell Lanigan for second on the all-time wins list (74) and five away from matching Josh Richards (78) at the top. 

The tripleheader is also another stop on Sheppard’s journey to tie Richards for most Series championships. “The Rocket Shepp” currently holds an 88-point lead over rival Chris Madden. 

Madden is one of the drivers trying to knock Sheppard off his throne this season. The Gray Court, SC driver is tied with Sheppard for the most wins in 2021 (4) and top-10s (25). 

Australian star Peter Britten has sites set on twin Features at his home track; Thunder Mountain’s August 3 event is canceledCANANDAIGUA, NY – Big Block Modified fans are in for a rare treat when the Super DIRTcar Series begins an important stretch of racing in August.The Series will race two championship points paying 60-lap Features in one day on Aug. 4 at Land of Legends Raceway, including the makeup for the Liberty 100. The event will kick off racing in August for the Series with the Aug. 3 date at Thunder Mountain Speedway being canceled due to a scheduling conflict. There will not be a makeup date for that event. A storm postponed the original running of the Liberty 100 after Heat Races were complete. The remaining Last Chance Showdowns and 60-lap Feature will be completed before the regularly scheduled Aug. 4 Super DIRTcar program begins.Peter Britten, the driver of the #21A Pepsi-sponsored Big Block, has had a strong first half of the season on the tour and is looking to capitalize with two big points races in one day in front of his home track fans. “It would be amazing to get to Victory Lane in front of these fans,” Britten said. “It was a great start to get a win earlier in the year in the weekly deal. It was great for me personally and for Pepsi who came on board this year for my Canandaigua car and everyone else who has supported me for so long. I’ve always had a good following at Canandaigua. I’ve raced on and off there for quite a bit over the years.”In eight starts, Britten rides sixth in the points standings. His consistent finishes, including two top-fives and five top-10s, have put him in a strong position going into the second half of the season.Britten and his team have been road warriors over the years. They never miss a race on the tour plus running two weekly tracks. This year Britten’s decision to race at Canandaigua weekly has enabled him to race a little closer to home – Weedsport, NY – where his family can come see him race.“If I could get a Series win here it would be huge,” Britten said with a grin.Seven-time champion Matt Sheppard won the last 60-lap Series Features at Land of Legends. That took place during DIRTcar OktoberFAST presented by DIRTVision in October 2020. Sheppard has multiple Feature wins in Canandaigua already this season as well. Miss something on the PA at the track? Stay up-to-date with results, videos, photos, and more by following the Super DIRTcar Series on Twitter. Get features, news, and join the discussion with us over on Facebook. For great photos check out our Instagram. If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all of the action live on DIRTVision with the annual Platinum FAST PASS or monthly FAST PASS subscription.

First up: Goodwood #FoS! This summer has already been extra-busy for Baggsy and the crew! First up, in early July, Baggsy brought the epic #LSXR35 GT-R Version 3 to the amazing Goodwood Festival Of Speed In addition to the now-familiar drift displays, smoking tyres, burning rubber doing neck-crunching donuts as they went up the famous 1.16 mile hillclimb route, this time all of the drift racers would compete against each other for the first time going up the hill in the first-ever Driftkhana competition! The test of power, skill and precision involved rocketing down the tree-lined avenue and performing a sequence of close-quarters barrel turns not just once, but twice – at the first turn, and again in front of the world-famous Goodwood House. Each barrel was fitted with proximity sensors and flashing lights to inform the crowd if the drivers got close enough – or if they missed the mark!  All this is before braving the dangerous off-camber Molecomb corner and then the imposing, immovable Flint Wall! At the top paddock, a third sensor-laden wall ride awaited, leading into a challenging parallel parking spot to finish the run. With each driver only getting a single practice run on the Driftkhana course each day over 4 days, and challenging wet/dry conditions, it was a massively difficult job to get everything spot-on – and judge Terry Grant pulled no punches with his commentary and judging! The GT-R showed some concerning signs after the first few runs, so the team pulled the trigger Saturday afternoon and headed back to Essex to pick up the competition-ready #PS13V8 to finish off the weekend. Sunday dawned with Baggsy’s team extra-tired, but the PS13 was in the pits – right next to the GT-R! Visitors to the car paddock got a double-dose of Baggsy! Irish drifter James Deane bagged top points from Terry, but Baggsy took it all in his stride – fun, sun and fast cars is the name of the game at Goodwood, after all! Goodwood #FoS isn’t just about awesome cars…one of the greatest things about it is meeting your motorsport heroes! This legend is Ari Vatanen, rallying demigod! The other is Steve ‘Baggsy’ Biagioni! Catch all the action from Goodwood Festival of Speed on Behind the Drift, coming soon!

Inside Line Promotions – SANTA MARIA, Calif. (July 27, 2021) – Dominic Scelzi celebrated his first winning night as a father in style last Friday.

Scelzi doubled up by capturing the King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Series and Kings of Thunder main events at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., only one week after his daughter was born.

The big night propelled Scelzi back into the KWS-NARC points lead and he backed it up with a runner-up performance on Saturday at Santa Maria Speedway.

“One thing I’ve noticed since becoming a dad is a lot of the pressure has kind of been off,” he said. “I don’t want to say I’m not taking the racing as serious as I was, but I see it in a different light. My priorities have changed. Now I’m enjoying driving the race car even more than before, which is very neat.”

Scelzi opened the action on Friday during the Chris and Brian Faria Memorial. He qualified third quickest in his 410 group and placed fourth in a heat race, which earned enough points to advance into the dash. A sixth-place result in the dash lined him up on the outside of the third row for the main event.

“I felt really good,” he said. “We went out early and I didn’t feel like I put down a good qualifying lap so it felt good that we were able to stay toward the top of the qualifying times without our best showing. The track was fast in the heats and then we were pretty good in the dash, but the top was the dominant place to be. We ran sixth, but it wasn’t anything to shake our heads about. In the feature the track was widening out pretty quick. The top was the fastest place, but I got into third by running the bottom early in the feature. I kept that in the back of my mind. (D.J.) Netto and (Shane) Golobic didn’t go down there. When we got into traffic they were sliding guys. There were several times in open air when I’d try the bottom and it wasn’t good enough. When we got into traffic I felt like it would work and it did. Once we got by them both we got right back to the fence and we were able to cruise onto our second NARC with there this year.”

Scelzi’s victory was his series-best third of the season.

He topped the night off by hustling from eighth to win the Kings of Thunder feature, making him undefeated in six races at Thunderbowl Raceway this year. It also marked his 15^th trip to Victory Lane this year.

“Once we pulled the 410 one off your confidence carries you at that point,” he said. “We got right to third I think in two laps. We got to second a lap or two after that. The leader had a good pace and was on the gas. I tried to maintain a little distance and bide my time. About halfway I started closing in and then he ended up getting into a crash with two lapped cars and we barely missed that. It paid off to be patience because we were able to miss that crash and lead the last 10 or 11 laps unchallenged.”

The weekend wrapped up on Saturday at Santa Maria Speedway, where Scelzi raced for the first time since 2019. He qualified eighth quickest and won a heat race to make the dash. Scelzi finished where he started – fifth – in the dash to put himself on the inside of the third row for the main event.

“We’ve been really good there,” he said. “I ran second there in 2016 to Kyle Hirst and we won there in 2019. The goal was to stay out of the work area.”

Scelzi avoided early melee and methodically worked his way into second by the midpoint of the feature on the tricky track. He tracked down the leader in the closing laps, but was unable to make a bid for the lead.

“We bided our time and missed the wrecks,” he said. “We closed on Bill (Aton) late, but couldn’t get by him. I kept getting under him in turn three and then he closed up his entry. That was a big win. There’s a lot of good guys in the NARC series so it’s neat to see him get a win.”

Scelzi plans on racing this Friday at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif., before running a Sprint Car Challenge Tour event on Saturday at Merced Speedway in Merced, Calif.

QUICK RESULTS –

July 23 – Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif. (410 sprint car) – Qualifying: 3; Heat race: 4 (4); Dash: 6 (5); Feature: 1 (6).

July 23 – Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif. (360 sprint car) – Qualifying: 5; Heat race: 2 (3); Feature: 1 (8).

July 24 – Santa Maria Speedway in Santa Maria, Calif. – Qualifying: 8; Heat race: 1 (2); Dash: 5 (5); Feature: 2 (5).

SEASON STATS –

39 races, 15 wins, 29 top fives, 33 top 10s, 35 top 15s, 35 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Friday at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif., and Saturday at Merced Speedway in Merced, Calif., with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.GaryScelziMotorsports.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DominicScelzi41

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scelzi41

After Three-Year Absence, Ransomville & Weedsport Host The Greatest Show on Dirt RANSOMVILLE, NY – July 27, 2021 – For more than a thousand days, New Yorkers have been starving to see The Greatest Show on Dirt again.This weekend, that dream finally becomes a reality again as the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series returns to The Empire State for the first time since 2018.It all begins on Friday, July 30 with the sixth stop in Series history at Ransomville Speedway, a 4/10-mile oval located less than a half-hour from the Canadian border at Niagra Falls.On Saturday, July 30, the Outlaws make their tenth all-time appearance at Weedsport Speedway, a 3/8-mile placed a half-hour west of Syracuse.Both The Big “R” Outlaw Shootout and The Empire State Challenge will pay a standard purse of $10,000/Win, $1,000/Start.RANSOMVILLE TICKETS (Fri) WEEDSPORT TICKETS (Sat)LONG TIME, NO SEE: New York state was a staple for 41 consecutive seasons on the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series tour. Established in 1978, it took until 2019 for The Greatest Show on Dirt to go absent in The Empire State. Mother Nature halted the shows that year, and the COVID-19 pandemic removed any chances of a 2020 date as well.Now, more than 1,000 days since the most recent race, the Outlaws are ready to return and give New York fans the horsepower and excitement they’ve been missing for almost three years.STREAKING: Carson Macedo is officially in the midst of the longest top-10 streak of the 2021 season. In 14 races over the last month, the worst finish for the Jason Johnson Racing #41 is a seventh-place result on two occasions.Throughout this stretch, the Lemoore, CA native has won twice, ran runner-up thrice, put it on the podium seven times, and recorded ten top-five finishes. His absurd consistency has helped Macedo pass David Gravel and return to P2 in the World of Outlaws championship standings.Macedo’s only disadvantage comes in the form of two new-to-him tracks. Joining the Series full-time in 2019, the 25-year-old will compete in New York with the World of Outlaws for the first time this weekend as he faces Ransomville and Weedsport.EMPIRE STATE OUTLAWS: Over the years, the NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series has contested 153 races at nine different tracks in the state of New York. In today’s current landscape of the 13 full-time drivers, however, only four of them have experienced victory lane in The Empire State.Donny Schatz, the 300-time winner and 10-time champion, has earned 14 New York wins throughout his career, second only to Steve Kinser’s 39. Two of those wins came at Weedsport in 2015 and 2016, but he’ll be chasing his first at Ransomville on Friday night.David Gravel of Watertown, CT is a three-time winner in the bordering state of his hometown. One of his three New York wins came in the most recent race at Ransomville, where he’ll try to go back-to-back on Friday aboard the Big Game Motorsports #2.Logan Schuchart of Hanover, PA, and Kraig Kinser of Bloomington, IN also own one win apiece when it comes to The Empire State.BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: New York super fans will have the chance to catch not only the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars this weekend but also the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds. The Greatest Show on Dirt invades Ransomville on Friday and Weedsport on Saturday, but before the winged warriors come to town, The Beasts of the Northeast will rumble on Thursday night at Middletown, NY’s Orange County Fair Speedway.STAYING HOT: Fresh off victories at Williams Grove Speedway last weekend, Sheldon Haudenschild and Brent Marks will look to keep their winning ways alive this weekend as they head to New York to close out the month of July.For Marks, of Myerstown, PA, he enters as the most recent Outlaw winner at Weedsport. The Myerstown Missile led all 35 laps back in the summer of 2018 to score his second career Series victory. The #19 brings in momentum from his $20,000 Summer Nationals title.For Haudenschild, he’ll try to add another track or two to his ridiculously diverse list. Sheldon’s 19 career World of Outlaws victories have come at 18 different tracks, only winning at I-55 twice. The Wooster, OH native just snagged his first-ever Williams Grove win, and now he’s eyeing the bright lights of New York in his NOS Energy Drink #17.CASHING IN: The “Month of Money” is already halfway over, but a New York doubleheader, the Ironman 55, and the 60th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals pres. by Casey’s still remains. Entering this weekend, 11 teams have already cleared $20,000 in earnings over the stretch, five cars have banked more than $50,000, and the two Kings Royal winners are north of $175,000.$191,750 – Clauson-Marshall Racing #7BC $178,600 – Silva Motorsports #57 $59,000 – Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing #17 $58,150 – Jason Johnson Racing #41 $55,850 – Kasey Kahne Racing #49 $30,950 – Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15 $30,300 – Brent Marks Racing #19 $29,775 – Gary Kauffman Racing #48 $24,350 – Sam McGhee Motorsports #11 $23,300 – Big Game Motorsports #2This Week at a Glance – When and WhereFriday, July 30 at Ransomville Speedway in Ransomville, NY Saturday, July 31 at Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, NYOn the Internet World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws Instagram – @WoOSprint Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/monthAround the Turn: After this week in New York, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will head down to Pevely, MO for the $20,000/Win Ironman 55 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on August 6-7. Following that, the 60th running of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals pres. by Casey’s takes over The Sprint Car Capital of the World on August 11-14 in Knoxville, IA.NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (14 Drivers): 14 wins – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne Racing w/ Mike Curb #49 7 wins – Carson Macedo, Jason Johnson Racing #41 6 wins – David Gravel, Big Game Motorsports #2 5 wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing #17 3 wins – Aaron Reutzel, Roth Motorsports #83 3 wins – Logan Schuchart, Shark Racing #1S 2 wins – Kerry Madsen, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #14 2 wins – Kyle Larson, Silva Motorsports #57 2 wins – Brent Marks, Brent Marks Racing #19 1 win – James McFadden, Kasey Kahne Racing w/ Mike Curb #9 1 win – Dave Blaney, Dave Blaney #10 1 win – Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15 1 win – Spencer Bayston, Sam McGhee Motorsports #11 1 win – Tyler Courtney, Clauson-Marshall Racing #7BCFEATURE LAPS LED (24 Drivers): 296 laps – Brad Sweet 198 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild 185 laps – Carson Macedo 158 laps – Aaron Reutzel 150 laps – David Gravel 148 laps – Logan Schuchart 137 laps – Donny Schatz 63 laps – Kerry Madsen 57 laps – Tyler Courtney 46 laps – Kyle Larson 36 laps – James McFadden 33 laps – Spencer Bayston 27 laps – Brent Marks, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 19 laps – Giovanni Scelzi 11 laps – Sye Lynch 10 laps – Jacob Allen & Brock Zearfoss 3 laps – Ian Madsen 1 lap – Kasey Kahne, Kraig Kinser, Brandon Spithaler, Dave Blaney, Brian BrownSLICK WOODY’S QUICKTIME AWARDS (18 Drivers): 10 QuickTimes – David Gravel 7 QuickTimes – Sheldon Haudenschild 5 QuickTimes – Brad Sweet 4 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart, Kerry Madsen 3 QuickTimes – Aaron Reutzel 2 QuickTimes – James McFadden, Cory Eliason, Giovanni Scelzi, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 1 QuickTime – Carson Macedo, Danny Dietrich, Anthony Macri, Kasey Kahne, Brian Brown, Brock Zearfoss, Rico Abreu, Sye LynchDRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (39 Drivers) 21 Heat Wins – David Gravel 19 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo 15 Heat Wins – Aaron Reutzel 13 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz 11 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild 10 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart 9 Heat Wins – James McFadden, Brad Sweet 6 Heat Wins – Brian Brown 5 Heat Wins – Kerry Madsen 4 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Tyler Courtney 3 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Jason Sides, Kraig Kinser, Ian Madsen, Anthony Macri, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 2 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Larson, DJ Netto 1 Heat Win –  Wayne Johnson, Danny Dietrich, Hunter Schuerenberg, Lance Dewease, Brandon Spithaler, Parker Price-Miller, Tim Kaeding, Jack Dover, Scotty Thiel, Paul McMahan, Daryn Pittman, Justin Peck, Jac Haudenschild, Sye Lynch, Chad Trout, TJ Stutts, Brent MarksPODIUM FINISHES (24 Drivers): 23 Podiums – Brad Sweet 18 Podiums – Carson Macedo 14 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Sheldon Haudenschild 13 Podiums – David Gravel 12 Podiums – Logan Schuchart 9 Podiums – Aaron Reutzel 6 Podiums – Kerry Madsen, Brent Marks 5 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi, James McFadden 3 Podiums – Brian Brown, Lance Dewease 2 Podiums – Cory Eliason, Anthony Macri, Danny Dietrich, Tyler Courtney, Kyle Larson 1 Podium – Kraig Kinser, Justin Peck, Brian Brown, Anthony Macri, Dave Blaney, Spencer Bayston, Daryn Pittman, Sam Hafertepe Jr.2021 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Schedule & WinnersNo. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins) 1. Fri, Feb. 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brad Sweet (1) 2. Sun, Feb. 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Logan Schuchart (1) 3. Fri, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1) 4. Sat, March 6 / East Bay Raceway Park / Tampa, FL / Aaron Reutzel (1) 5. Fri, March 12 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Sheldon Haudenschild (1) 6. Sat, March 13 / The Rev / Monroe, LA / David Gravel (1) 7. Fri, March 19 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Sheldon Haudenschild (2) 8. Sat, March 20 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Brad Sweet (2) 9. Sat, March 27 / Lake Ozark Speedway / Eldon, MO / Brad Sweet (3) 10. Fri, April 2 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (4) 11. Sat, April 3 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (5) 12. Fri, April 9 / Kokomo Speedway / Kokomo, IN / James McFadden (1) 13. Sat, April 10 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Carson Macedo (2) 14. Fri, April 22 / Bristol Motor Speedway / Bristol, TN / David Gravel (2) 15. Sun, April 24 / Bristol Motor Speedway / Bristol, TN / David Gravel (3) 16. Thur, April 29 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Brad Sweet (6) 17. Fri, April 30 / I-70 Motorsports Park / Odessa, MO / Brad Sweet (7) 18. Sat, May 1 / I-70 Motorsports Park / Odessa, MO / Brad Sweet (8) 19. Sat, May 8 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Brent Marks (1) 20. Sat, May 8 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (3) 21. Wed, May 12 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Brad Sweet (9) 22. Fri, May 14 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Carson Macedo (3) 23. Sat, May 15 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Aaron Reutzel (2) 24. Tues, May 18 / Bridgeport Speedway / Swedesboro, NJ / Logan Schuchart (2) 25. Fri, May 21 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / David Gravel (4) 26. Sat, May 22 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Dave Blaney (1) 27. Mon, May 31 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / Kyle Larson (1) 28. Sat, June 5 / Granite City Speedway /Sauk Rapids, MN / David Gravel (5) 29. Fri, June 11 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Carson Macedo (4) 30. Sat, June 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Carson Macedo (5) 31. Thur, June 17 / 34 Raceway / West Burlington, IA / Brad Sweet (10) 32. Fri, June 18 / Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway / Dubuque, IA / Donny Schatz (1) 33. Sat, June 19 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (4) 34. Mon, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (6) 35. Tues, June 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Aaron Reutzel (3) 36. Thur, June 24 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Kerry Madsen (1) 37. Fri, June 25 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Kerry Madsen (2) 38. Sat, June 27 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Logan Schuchart (3) 39. Fri, July 2 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (11) 40. Sat, July 3 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (12) 41. Sat, July 10 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Brad Sweet (13) 42. Tues, July 13 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Spencer Bayston (1) 43. Wed, July 14 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (6) 44. Sat, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Tyler Courtney (1) 45. Sat, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Kyle Larson (2) 46. Sun, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (7) 47. Tues, July 20 / Lernerville Speedway / Sarver, PA / Brad Sweet (14) 48. Fri, July 23 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Sheldon Haudenschild (5) 49. Sat, July 24 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brent Marks (2)

Pierce aims for first Prairie Dirt Classic WinThe Oakwood, IL driver finished third at the event in 2019Fairbury, IL – July 27, 2021 – Bobby Pierce has accomplished many feats throughout his Late Model career, including winning the World 100 at Eldora Speedway. But there’s one race in his home state that’s eluded him: The Prairie Dirt Classic. The 100-lap, $50,000-to-win, event at Fairbury Speedway attracts some of the biggest Late Model drivers in the country. It’s an event the Oakwood, IL driver has circled on his schedule every year.    “It’s a very big race, it keeps getting bigger, and it’s a very popular race too; the fans eat it up,” Pierce said. “Fairbury is one of those tracks, and it’s going to be very exciting for the most part.” Even though Pierce has yet to reach Victory Lane in the prestigious event, his family has the Pierce name etched on the walls. His father, Bob, has won the race five times—more than any other driver.  Bob’s triumphs only add to his son’s hunger for victory. “My dad, he’s won it several times, obviously, before it got as big as it is now, but it still was a very big race back then,” Pierce said. “It’s one of the very few big races he’s won that I haven’t won yet.” Pierce came close to the elusive victory in 2019, leading until the final lap when three-time and defending Series champion Brandon Sheppard passed him for the win. “The Smooth Operator” stated he was lucky to have a chance at Victory Lane because of power steering problems that plagued him throughout the night.   “The longer the race went under green, the worse it got,” Pierce said.  “We ended up finding afterward it was the little power steering tank, the cap on it, there’s a little washer on the cap, and that cap basically sunk to the bottom of the tank and basically clogged up the hole, so it wasn’t getting any fluid.” Sheppard pulled a slide job on Pierce in the final corner, sending him into the wall and dropping the “Smooth Operator” to a third-place finish.  “It definitely sucks [Sheppard] was there to capitalize on it because I feel like if we didn’t have those mistakes, we probably could’ve walked away with a win pretty easily,” Pierce said. “But it’s one of those deals that just a teeny cheap part can cost you a win.” One reason the Prairie Dirt Classic could play in Pierce’s favor is its 100-lap distance. The first two World of Outlaws victories of his career came this year at Farmer City Raceway and Boone Speedway – both events longer than 50 laps. “I love the 100-lap races; it gives me plenty of time to get where you need to be, you can come from the back, and it’s enough time to sort out the best cars,” Pierce said.   Pierce is riding a wave of momentum into Fairbury, having won 11 times with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals and currently leading the points. One reason for his success is the approach his team takes each race.  “We’ve got a pretty decent team right now, and we’re staying focused with it and going from race to race and trying to win as many of these as we can,” Pierce said.  It’s an approach that could be key to Pierce grabbing his elusive first Prairie Dirt Classic win. If he finds Victory Lane, he’ll put his name next to some of the best Late Model drivers in Illinois and add another accomplishment to his career.   If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision with the annual Platinum FAST PASS subscription for $299/year or the monthly FAST PASS subscription for $39/month.

The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Capital Race Cars, FireAde, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, and Rocket Chassis.Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.

NHRA^® Team Report

NHRA – Pomona Winternationals

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon says the team has “regrouped” and the Snap-on^® “Makers and Fixers” Dodge^®SRT^® Hellcat^® Funny Car is ready for a homecoming at the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, just minutes from where Cruz grew up in nearby Chino. 

“Pomona’s a home game for us,” Cruz says. “I love this track and always have. But it’s going to be unusual to race here in late July with the heat since we’re usually here during the cooler months. That said, we love the heat. The setup we have performs better in hotter conditions, so we’ll be ready and looking forward to the weekend.”

Overall, Cruz says he’s encouraged by the runs he’s starting to make, “These runs are actually better than some of the runs we made with my team last year which would put us in the mid-3.80s (second passes). We’re still tweaking the setup, so the potential is there to find more consistency and ‘get on a roll’ soon.” 

Pomona has been a winning track for Cruz, in 1995 at the Winternationals and he had two wins in the 2008 and 2012 Finals. 

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

To see the latest Cruz news, like his Facebook page, where you can also check out his Vlog “Kickin’ It With The Cruzer.” Follow Cruz on Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to follow @MakersandFixers on Instagram and share your stories at makersandfixers.com.

BURNSIDE, KY – July 26, 2021 – Heavy rainstorms in the area have forced DIRTcar and Lake Cumberland Speedway officials to postpone Monday’s DIRTcar Summer Nationals and Summit Racing EquipmentModified Nationals events. Officials are working on a makeup date to be announced in the near future. The Summer Nationals Late Models will now take their break period and be back in action Friday, Aug. 13 at Highland Speedway, followed by the makeup race at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 the following night. The Summit Modifieds will next make the trip to Fairbury Speedway this Friday and Saturday night, July 30-31, to compete alongside the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series in the 31st annual Prairie Dirt Classic. If you can’t be at the track, all of these races can be streamed live on DIRTVision presented by Drydene.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, Chevy Performance, DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), FireAde, Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Indiana Decal Company, Intercomp, iRacing, Racing Electronics, SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), Summit Racing Equipment, and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel). Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Beyea Custom Headers, COMP Cams, Drydene, Fox Factory, Hoosier Racing Tire, MSD, Quarter Master, Summit Racing Equipment, VP Racing Fuels, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum).Summit Modified Nationals is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including : Summit Racing Equipment, Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, Chevy Performance, DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), FireAde, Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Indiana Decal Company, Intercomp, iRacing, Racing Electronics, SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel). Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Bassett Racing Wheel, Bell Helmets, Beyea Custom Headers, COMP Cams, Drydene, Fast Shafts, Fox Factory, Hoosier Racing Tire, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, K1 Race Gear, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Mulit FireX, Schoenfeld Headers, Summit Racing Equipment, Velocita USA, VP Racing Fuels, Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum), and Xceldyne.

Sheppard, Overton, Pierce, and more prepare for Fairbury Speedway

FAIRBURY, IL – JULY 26, 2021 – The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models is gearing up for one of its highest-paying races of 2021—the Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury Speedway in Fairbury, IL. 

The highly anticipated crown jewel has two nights of jam-packed action July 30-31, with one driver collecting $50,000. 

It starts Friday, July 30, with Slick Woody’s Qualifying, followed by four 25-lap showdowns, paying $3,000-to-win. They will help set the lineups for Saturday’s 100-lap Prairie Dirt Classic. 

Drivers who don’t punch their tickets into the Feature on Friday have an opportunity to get in through Last Chance Showdowns on Saturday. If they still haven’t made the show, they’ll have one more chance in the Prairie Dirt Shootout. The winner can either collect $2,500 or start last in the Prairie Dirt Classic. 

Joining the World of Outlaws on the card is the DIRTcar Summit Equipment Modified Nationals. 

For a full schedule of events throughout the weekend: CLICK HERE. 

If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision with the annual Platinum FAST PASS subscription for $299/year or the monthly FAST PASS subscription for $39/month.

Here are some of the top storylines to keep an eye on this weekend: 

Rocket Repeat: Brandon Sheppard found Victory Lane the last time the Prairie Dirt Classic was held in 2019. He’s one of only five multi-time winners of the event, along with Shannon Babb, Bob Pierce, Jimmy Mars, and Billy Moyer. If the New Berlin, IL driver wins again, he’ll join Moyer and Pierce as the only back-to-back winners in the history of the event.

A trip to Victory Lane would also give him a piece of World of Outlaws history. “The Rocket Shepp’s” next win will tie him with Darrell Lanigan for second on the all-time wins list. 

Sheppard enters Fairbury Speedway with the Series points lead—88 points ahead of Chris Madden. 

Long Distance Operator: The driver Sheppard beat to win the 2019 Prairie Dirt Classic is fellow Illinois competitor and DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion Bobby Pierce. 

The Oakwood, IL driver earned his first two World of Outlaws wins this season—both in events more than 50 laps. 

The “Smooth Operator” brings a ton of momentum into Fairbury, having won 11 times on the Summer Nationals tour, so far. He finished fifth at Fairbury Speedway when the Summer Nationals visited the Illinois track in June. 

Yung Money Returns: When there’s big money up for grabs, Kyle Larson isn’t usually far behind. The Elk Grove, CA driver will make his World of Outlaws Late Model return this weekend at the Prairie Dirt Classic. 

In two starts with the Series, “Yung Money” has one top-10 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. 

Larson’s last two crown jewel starts were during the Dirt Late Model Dreams at Eldora Speedway in June. He finished 13th and sixth in those two events.  

Big Sexy Takeover: In 2021, the words “crown jewel” and “Brandon Overton” have been a perfect match.

The Evans, GA driver swept the both Dreams at Eldora Speedway earlier in the year – collecting more than $270,000 during the event – and backed that up with his second Firecracker 100 win at Lernerville Speedway at the beginning of the month.

“Big Sexy” enters the Prairie Dirt Classic with 19 total wins this season and 16 career World of Outlaws wins overall. Of them, Fairbury Speedway is not on that list. He’ll aim to change that this week and add another notch to his impressive run on crown jewel dominance.

Making some Illi…noise: While the top names in Late Model racing will take their shot at $50,000, you can never count out the drivers from the Prairie state. 

Dennis Erb Jr., of Carpentersville, IL, has been on a hot streak since the beginning of June. The “One-Man-Band” has three World of Outlaws wins in the last 11 races—two of them coming on 1/4-mile tracks like Fairbury Speedway. 

Shannon Babb, of Moweaqua, IL, is another driver to keep an eye on at the Prairie Dirt Classic. The “Moweaqua Missile” has won the event three times and found Victory Lane when the DIRTcar Summer Nationals visited Fairbury in June. Babb also won a World of Outlaws race at Boone Speedway in April. 

Some of Fairbury’s weekly competitors may have something to say about Saturday’s outcome, as well. 

Mike Spatola leads the track points standings this season with three wins. “Opie” also scored his first career World of Outlaws victory earlier in April when the Series visited Farmer City Raceway.  

Another driver to watch out for is Fairbury’s own McKay Wenger. He owns a win at the speedway in 2021 and is second in track points. 

The Rookie Battle Continues: While all the drivers are battling for $50K this weekend, Ryan Gustin and Tyler Bruening will continue their battle for top Rookie. 

Bruening leads Gustin by 102 points heading into the Prairie Dirt Classic. Both drivers have seven top-fives and 17 top-10s this season. If either driver can win on Saturday, it would be their first World of Outlaws victory. 

When and Where

July 30-31: Fairbury Speedway in Fairbury, IL

About the tracks

Fairbury Speedway is a 1/4-mile semi-banked oval

Godsey bags back-to-back top-fives with seven races now remaining

RICHMOND, KY – July 25, 2021 – Inching closer and closer to a fourth DIRTcar Summer Nationals title with his 11th Feature win of the season Sunday night at Richmond Raceway, Bobby Pierce also made a bit of personal history, reflective of the great success he’s had thus far in his career.

In 2016, Pierce won a season-best 11 Features en route to his second Hell Tour championship in two years. With just seven races remaining on the 2021 schedule, 11 wins and a 186-point lead, Pierce will now go for a new personal best single-season win total before the end of the tour next month.

“It feels great to get my 11th win,” Pierce, of Oakwood IL, said in Victory Lane. “We’ve got seven races left to go, so hopefully we can break it.”

The debut at the 3/10-mile of Richmond, known as The Beast of the East, was a dominant one for Pierce, who led all 40 laps unchallenged for the $5,000 prize. Several caution flags were thrown over the course of the race, forcing Pierce to be good on restarts.

“My dad was signaling me down the backstretch, and every restart I kinda pulled away, even though I didn’t feel great off of Turn 2. It was just so slick out there – this place is really slick,” Pierce said.

Ashton Winger rode third for the opening five laps before getting a run on Tanner English for second, where he stayed to the checkered. English held on for third, Joe Godsey bagged his fifth top-five of the season in fourth and three-time Richmond track champion Derek Fisher rounded out the top-five.

Pierce will also get the opportunity to break another record before the season’s out. Four-time champion Shannon Babb owns the record for the most wins in a single-season at 15, which he set back in 2005. Pierce can both tie and pass Babb, but has to win at least five of the remaining races.

UP NEXT

The Summer Nationals Late Models cap off Week #6 with the final race on Monday night, July 26, in the tour’s debut at Lake Cumberland Speedway. Catch all the action live on DIRTVision presented by Drydene.

ABBREVIATED RESULTS (view full results)

Feature (40 Laps) 1. 32-Bobby Pierce[1]; 2. 12-Ashton Winger[4]; 3. 81E-Tanner English[3]; 4. 14G-Joe Godsey[6]; 5. 38-Derek Fisher[8]; 6. 11-Tommy Bailey[7]; 7. D8-Dustin Linville[9]; 8. 38H-Thomas Hunziker[14]; 9. 12J-Jason Jameson[12]; 10. 21-Kirk Phillips[2]; 11. 74-Mitch McGrath[10]; 12. 14R-Jeff Roth[5]; 13. 118-Mike Fenton[17]; 14. 248-Brandon Lance[18]; 15. T22- Tegan Evans[16]; 16. 83-Scott James[11]; 17. 11W-Jeff Watson[13]; 18. 16-Justin Rattliff[15]; 19. 15-William Byrd[20]; 20. (DNS) 13-Brayton Laster

HISTORY MADE: Hoffman Wins 17th of Season at Richmond, Now Sits Atop All-Time Wins List

It’s official. Nick Hoffman is now the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals’ all-time leader in Feature wins.

At just 29 years of age, the Mooresville, NC-driver has had a season for the record books already and added to it again on Sunday night, winning the tour’s first-ever visit to Richmond Raceway.

He and the Elite Chassis team have been the guys to beat all season long and showed exactly why on Sunday with a dominating flag-to-flag victory in the 25-lap event. For their efforts, Hoffman has now taken sole possession of #1 on the all-time Feature wins list from six-time champion Mike Harrison – a goal he’d been working on, among others, since the start of the tour in June.

“It’s really cool,” Hoffman said in Victory Lane. “Really didn’t start on this whole Hell Tour deal until like 2015, so to pick up that many wins that quick is pretty cool for us.”

On the track, Hoffman was untouchable. Original start, restart – it just didn’t matter. His Elite Chassis #2 jetted out at the drop of the green and took off, leaving his opponents in the dust. At one point, Hoffman’s lead stretched to almost 7 seconds in traffic.

His only concern came upon reaching the rear of the field and dealing with the slower traffic. Several cautions had been thrown throughout for drivers spinning at the bottom of the turns, which Hoffman did his best to try and avoid.

“I could maneuver pretty decent. The biggest thing was I just wanted to pass those guys around the outside – just in case they did spin out, they would go to the bottom,” Hoffman said.

UP NEXT

The Summit Modifieds help cap off Week #6 with the final race on Monday night, July 26, in the tour’s debut at Lake Cumberland Speedway. Catch all the action live on DIRTVision presented by Drydene.

Red hot Stewart Friesen outruns Max McLaughlin and Tim Sears Jr. for Hall of Fame 100 glory at Weedsport Speedway 

WEEDSPORT, NY – On his 38th birthday Stewart Friesen triumphed at Weedsport Speedway by winning the Hall of Fame 100 for a grand prize of $10,000 over podium finishers Max McLaughlin and Tim Sears Jr. In an action-packed 100-lap Feature, the five-time NAPA Super DIRT Week champion drove his #44 from fifth to first to win his fourth Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modified Feature of the season and third career Series victory at Weedsport. 

Outside polesitter and Mooresville, NC hotshoe Max McLaughlin took the lead early before relinquishing it to Friesen just before halfway. McLaughlin mounted a successful counter-attack – powering his #32C Big Block around Friesen on a restart but a caution flag nullified the pass. 

Rookie standout Tim Sears Jr. picked up his third career Super DIRTcar Series podium. The #83X’s previous two podiums came at his home track of Brewerton Speedway, which has a similar D-shape to Weedsport. The third place is Sears Jr.’s best Series finish so far in 2021. 

For Stewart Friesen, $10,000 was the icing on the cake. 

“Usually on my birthday everything goes wrong but what a race car tonight,” Friesen said grinning. “What a track. That was awesome. I love stuff like that. I know a lot of guys don’t like having it that way. It’s so much fun to drive. You could race all over it. It was challenging.” 

The track surface was dynamic throughout the race and the number of green flag laps on long runs contributed to the changing nature of the surface. There’s nothing like trying to play chess with 800 horsepower under your right foot. 

“I thought we were going to go green to checkered there for a while and it was going to be an iron man race,” he noted.

Friesen started fifth and patiently made his way to the front. Max McLaughlin led the opening segment and plunged the front of the field into lapped traffic early on. Friesen had to make daring moves in order to keep up on the #32C’s rear bumper through traffic, otherwise, he was at risk of losing him in the crowd. 

The excitement didn’t end when Friesen took the lead. Aside from navigating through traffic, Friesen hit the inside wall – more than once. 

“I was just trying to be consistent,” said Friesen. “Thanks to Valco wheels because I smoked my left front on the inside wall in Turn 4 and 2 a few times. It still has air in it! I am just happy to be representing the Hall of Fame 100. Great weekend for us.”

“Thanks to all the fans and everyone we met behind the grandstands earlier,” said Friesen. “Thanks to Halmar, Chris Larsen, and all our great sponsors. We are just rolling right now. We have a lot of races coming up, so we are just going to stick with it. 

“Mad Max” McLaughlin was fast right out of the trailer. He ran the fastest lap in Hot Laps and then went on to win his Heat Race which put him in the redraw where he pulled the outside pole. 

McLaughlin took the lead on the initial start but began to struggle with a loose race car as the Feature progressed.

“The first 20-25 laps I felt really good,” said McLaughlin. “I was riding and taking care of my stuff. But it really started getting free off the corner. I am pretty happy with second after thinking of what could have happened starting around lap 35.” 

Like Stewart Friesen, McLaughlin races in a wide variety of short-track racing disciplines.

“Stew [Friesen] is one of the best drivers in the world,” noted McLaughlin. “It’s a lot of fun racing with him and learning from him. He’s got a great race team and great cars. We just keep trying to get better and better every week and hope to be back on Victory Hill and some other tracks here soon.”

McLaughlin was able to pass Friesen on a restart, but Matt Sheppard’s flat tire brought the scoring back to the last lap. The #32C was not able to close in on the #44 to that degree again and McLaughlin had to settle for second. 

However, since Friesen already has a guaranteed start in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 from winning at Bristol Motor Speedway, Max McLaughlin is awarded the guaranteed start for NAPA Super DIRT Week XLIX.

Tim Sears Jr. was also thankful to hang on for the podium finish. He drew the pole position but the celebration was short-lived as McLaughlin road around the outside of him for the lead. Sears Jr. had some handling issues to overcome.

“We started rim riding at the end,” said Sears Jr. “We had a push that never went away all night. This track really racy. We could race all over it. Hats off to the track crew. It was a fun race.”

The yellow #83X has quickly made his presence known with the Series in a short amount of time. He’s been winning in DIRTcar Big Block Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship racing as well including a 35-lap win at Weedsport earlier this month.

“I want to thank LJL, John Wight, Troyer Dirt Cars, and everyone who has helped us get here this year,” he said after his third-place finish. 

The rookie of the year chase is looking good for Tim Sears Jr. 

Erick Rudolph proved once again why he is an elite talent in the Super DIRTcar Series. Weedsport Speedway gave the drivers a much different look than it had in recent races but the Ransomville, NY native and his team made the right adjustments to take his #25R Big Block from the back to the front in 100 laps.  

Rudolph picked up 20 positions and finished fourth. 

Seven-time champion Matt Sheppard started 11th and by lap 34 was amidst a raging battle in the top three. While McLaughlin and Friesen battled side-by-side for the lead Sheppard began reeling the pair in. Unfortunately, his left front tire went down, the #9S slowed, and the caution flag came out. After making the quick tire change in the pit area, Sheppard was able to claw his way back up to finish 12th to salvage valuable championship points. 

The “Hile Driver” Chris Hile in the #5H laid down quick-time in Time Trials which awarded him the Billy Whittaker Cars Fast-Time Award. 

Next up, living legend Brett “The Jet” Hearn joins the Super DIRTcar Series at his home track Orange County Fair Speedway for the $10,000-to-win Battle on the Midway 100 on Thursday, July 29.

Pre-order your tickets now at OrangeCountyFairSpeeday.net. Admission to the nearly two-century-old Orange County Fair is included with the race ticket but if you can’t make it to Middletown, NY be sure to watch all the action live on DIRTVision.com. 

Hall of Fame 100 Feature results:

1. 44F-STEWART FRIESEN [5][$10,000]; 2. 32CC-Max Mclaughlin [2][$5,000]; 3. 83X-Tim Sears [1][$2,500]; 4. 25R-Erick Rudolph [24][$1,800]; 5. 5H-Chris Hile [3][$1,600]; 6. 19F-Tim Fuller [6][$1,400]; 7. 91D-Billy Decker [12][$1,300]; 8. 98H-Jimmy Phelps [17][$1,200]; 9. 99L-Larry Wight [7][$1,100]; 10. 35M-Mike Mahaney [4][$1,000]; 11. 21A-Peter Britten [19][$800]; 12. 9s-Matt Sheppard [11][$700]; 13. 88W-Mat Williamson [22][$600]; 14. 121-Gary Tomkins [15][$575]; 15. 3H-Justin Haers [8][$550]; 16. M1-Dave Marcuccilli [9][$525]; 17. 28M-Jordan McCreadie [16][$500]; 18. 111D-Demetrios Drellos [26][$500]; 19. 34R-Kevin Root [10][$500]; 20. X-Chad Phelps [13][$500]; 21. 56-Garrson Krentz [18][$500]; 22. 32R-Ronnie Davis [20][$500]; 23. 9X-Tyler Trump [14][$500]; 24. 2L-Jack Lehner [25][$500]; 25. 48T-Dave Rauscher [27][$]; 26. 22W-Brandon Walters [21][$500]; 27. 27J-Danny Johnson [23][$500]

Hard Charger Award: 25R-Erick Rudolph[+20]

Contingency bonuses

Billy Whittakar Cars [$100] – Chris Hile #5H

VP Racing Fuels [$50] – Jimmy Phelps

ARP [$50] – Erick Rudolph

ASI [$50] – Peter Britten

Cometic [$50] – Gary Tomkins 

Drydene [$50] – Larry Wight

COMP CAMS [$50] – Max McLaughlin

Fox Racing Shox [$50] – Garrison Krentz

MSD [$50] – Peter Britten

Red hot Stewart Friesen outruns Max McLaughlin and Tim Sears Jr. for Hall of Fame 100 glory at Weedsport Speedway 

WEEDSPORT, NY – On his 38th birthday Stewart Friesen triumphed at Weedsport Speedway by winning the Hall of Fame 100 for a grand prize of $10,000 over podium finishers Max McLaughlin and Tim Sears Jr. In an action-packed 100-lap Feature, the five-time NAPA Super DIRT Week champion drove his #44 from fifth to first to win his fourth Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modified Feature of the season and third career Series victory at Weedsport. 

Outside polesitter and Mooresville, NC hotshoe Max McLaughlin took the lead early before relinquishing it to Friesen just before halfway. McLaughlin mounted a successful counter-attack – powering his #32C Big Block around Friesen on a restart but a caution flag nullified the pass. 

Rookie standout Tim Sears Jr. picked up his third career Super DIRTcar Series podium. The #83X’s previous two podiums came at his home track of Brewerton Speedway, which has a similar D-shape to Weedsport. The third place is Sears Jr.’s best Series finish so far in 2021. 

For Stewart Friesen, $10,000 was the icing on the cake. 

“Usually on my birthday everything goes wrong but what a race car tonight,” Friesen said grinning. “What a track. That was awesome. I love stuff like that. I know a lot of guys don’t like having it that way. It’s so much fun to drive. You could race all over it. It was challenging.” 

The track surface was dynamic throughout the race and the number of green flag laps on long runs contributed to the changing nature of the surface. There’s nothing like trying to play chess with 800 horsepower under your right foot. 

“I thought we were going to go green to checkered there for a while and it was going to be an iron man race,” he noted.

Friesen started fifth and patiently made his way to the front. Max McLaughlin led the opening segment and plunged the front of the field into lapped traffic early on. Friesen had to make daring moves in order to keep up on the #32C’s rear bumper through traffic, otherwise, he was at risk of losing him in the crowd. 

The excitement didn’t end when Friesen took the lead. Aside from navigating through traffic, Friesen hit the inside wall – more than once. 

“I was just trying to be consistent,” said Friesen. “Thanks to Valco wheels because I smoked my left front on the inside wall in Turn 4 and 2 a few times. It still has air in it! I am just happy to be representing the Hall of Fame 100. Great weekend for us.”

“Thanks to all the fans and everyone we met behind the grandstands earlier,” said Friesen. “Thanks to Halmar, Chris Larsen, and all our great sponsors. We are just rolling right now. We have a lot of races coming up, so we are just going to stick with it. 

“Mad Max” McLaughlin was fast right out of the trailer. He ran the fastest lap in Hot Laps and then went on to win his Heat Race which put him in the redraw where he pulled the outside pole. 

McLaughlin took the lead on the initial start but began to struggle with a loose race car as the Feature progressed.

“The first 20-25 laps I felt really good,” said McLaughlin. “I was riding and taking care of my stuff. But it really started getting free off the corner. I am pretty happy with second after thinking of what could have happened starting around lap 35.” 

Like Stewart Friesen, McLaughlin races in a wide variety of short-track racing disciplines.

“Stew [Friesen] is one of the best drivers in the world,” noted McLaughlin. “It’s a lot of fun racing with him and learning from him. He’s got a great race team and great cars. We just keep trying to get better and better every week and hope to be back on Victory Hill and some other tracks here soon.”

McLaughlin was able to pass Friesen on a restart, but Matt Sheppard’s flat tire brought the scoring back to the last lap. The #32C was not able to close in on the #44 to that degree again and McLaughlin had to settle for second. 

However, since Friesen already has a guaranteed start in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 from winning at Bristol Motor Speedway, Max McLaughlin is awarded the guaranteed start for NAPA Super DIRT Week XLIX.

Tim Sears Jr. was also thankful to hang on for the podium finish. He drew the pole position but the celebration was short-lived as McLaughlin road around the outside of him for the lead. Sears Jr. had some handling issues to overcome.

“We started rim riding at the end,” said Sears Jr. “We had a push that never went away all night. This track really racy. We could race all over it. Hats off to the track crew. It was a fun race.”

The yellow #83X has quickly made his presence known with the Series in a short amount of time. He’s been winning in DIRTcar Big Block Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship racing as well including a 35-lap win at Weedsport earlier this month.

“I want to thank LJL, John Wight, Troyer Dirt Cars, and everyone who has helped us get here this year,” he said after his third-place finish. 

The rookie of the year chase is looking good for Tim Sears Jr. 

Erick Rudolph proved once again why he is an elite talent in the Super DIRTcar Series. Weedsport Speedway gave the drivers a much different look than it had in recent races but the Ransomville, NY native and his team made the right adjustments to take his #25R Big Block from the back to the front in 100 laps.  

Rudolph picked up 20 positions and finished fourth. 

Seven-time champion Matt Sheppard started 11th and by lap 34 was amidst a raging battle in the top three. While McLaughlin and Friesen battled side-by-side for the lead Sheppard began reeling the pair in. Unfortunately, his left front tire went down, the #9S slowed, and the caution flag came out. After making the quick tire change in the pit area, Sheppard was able to claw his way back up to finish 12th to salvage valuable championship points. 

The “Hile Driver” Chris Hile in the #5H laid down quick-time in Time Trials which awarded him the Billy Whittaker Cars Fast-Time Award. 

Next up, living legend Brett “The Jet” Hearn joins the Super DIRTcar Series at his home track Orange County Fair Speedway for the $10,000-to-win Battle on the Midway 100 on Thursday, July 29.

Pre-order your tickets now at OrangeCountyFairSpeeday.net. Admission to the nearly two-century-old Orange County Fair is included with the race ticket but if you can’t make it to Middletown, NY be sure to watch all the action live on DIRTVision.com. 

Hall of Fame 100 Feature results:

1. 44F-STEWART FRIESEN [5][$10,000]; 2. 32CC-Max Mclaughlin [2][$5,000]; 3. 83X-Tim Sears [1][$2,500]; 4. 25R-Erick Rudolph [24][$1,800]; 5. 5H-Chris Hile [3][$1,600]; 6. 19F-Tim Fuller [6][$1,400]; 7. 91D-Billy Decker [12][$1,300]; 8. 98H-Jimmy Phelps [17][$1,200]; 9. 99L-Larry Wight [7][$1,100]; 10. 35M-Mike Mahaney [4][$1,000]; 11. 21A-Peter Britten [19][$800]; 12. 9s-Matt Sheppard [11][$700]; 13. 88W-Mat Williamson [22][$600]; 14. 121-Gary Tomkins [15][$575]; 15. 3H-Justin Haers [8][$550]; 16. M1-Dave Marcuccilli [9][$525]; 17. 28M-Jordan McCreadie [16][$500]; 18. 111D-Demetrios Drellos [26][$500]; 19. 34R-Kevin Root [10][$500]; 20. X-Chad Phelps [13][$500]; 21. 56-Garrson Krentz [18][$500]; 22. 32R-Ronnie Davis [20][$500]; 23. 9X-Tyler Trump [14][$500]; 24. 2L-Jack Lehner [25][$500]; 25. 48T-Dave Rauscher [27][$]; 26. 22W-Brandon Walters [21][$500]; 27. 27J-Danny Johnson [23][$500]

Hard Charger Award: 25R-Erick Rudolph[+20]

Contingency bonuses

Billy Whittakar Cars [$100] – Chris Hile #5H

VP Racing Fuels [$50] – Jimmy Phelps

ARP [$50] – Erick Rudolph

ASI [$50] – Peter Britten

Cometic [$50] – Gary Tomkins 

Drydene [$50] – Larry Wight

COMP CAMS [$50] – Max McLaughlin

Fox Racing Shox [$50] – Garrison Krentz

MSD [$50] – Peter Britten