CHEVROLET RACING IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA POWERED BY AM FIRST BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA QUALIFYING RECAP APRIL 17, 2021 Chevrolet earns 100th pole as O’Ward rises to the top BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 17, 2021) – Chevrolet earned its 100th pole start in 150 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races since returning to engine manufacturer competition in 2012 as Pato O’Ward rose to the top of the field in qualifications for the season-opening Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.
O’Ward, 21, driving the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, recorded a lap of 1 minute, 05.8479 seconds in the six-minute Firestone Fast Six session to claim his second NTT P1 Award. In the second knockout qualifying session, O’Ward reset the track record on the 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course that was repaved in 2019 with a lap of 1:05.5019. The event was not held in 2020 because of COVID-19. 
“We made some changes after Practice 2 that helped,” said O’Ward, who will be making his 23rd NTT INDYCAR SERIES start. “We’ve been working so hard in the off-season and we’re clicking. Everybody on the team is working well together and I knew exactly what time I needed to get out of the reds (alternate tires), and we just had to maintain pace on (primary) blacks because I thought we were pretty strong. We did that and we’re starting on pole.
“It feels good. These guys deserve it and we’ve got a race to win tomorrow. I’m really hungry and I love this place to death.”
Looking ahead to the 90-lap/214.2-mile race, Chevrolet drivers have won 21 times when starting from the pole since 2012. Will Power with nine leads the way.
Power, a two-time winner of the event, qualified fourth with a best lap of 1:06.1186 in the Firestone Fast Six driving the No. 12 Verizon 5G Team Penske Chevrolet. Teammate and two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Josef Newgarden, driver of the No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet, qualified eighth. He is the only three-time winner of the race. 
Conor Daly, competing at the racetrack for the first time since 2017, qualified 10th in the No. 20 U.S. Air Force Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing.
NBC will telecast the 90-lap/214.2-mile race at 3 p.m. ET April 18. The race will also be broadcast live on INDYCAR Radio Network affiliates, Sirius 211, XM 205, Indycar.com, and on the INDYCAR Mobile app powered by NTT DATA.Team Chevy qualifiers:1st       Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP4th       Will Power, No. 12 Verizon 5G Team Penske8t         Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske10th      Conor Daly, No. 20 U.S. Air Force Ed Carpenter Racing12th     Scott McLaughlin, No. 3 PPG Team Penske14th     Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Sonax/Autogeek Ed Carpenter Racing15th      Simon Pagenaud, No. 22 Menards Team Penske16th      Sebastien Bourdais, No. 14 ROKiT AJ Foyt Racing22^nd      Dalton Kellett, No. 4 K-Line Insulators USA AJ Foyt Racing23rd     Felix Rosenqvist, No. 7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP DRIVER QUOTES:PATO O’WARD, NO. 5 ARROW MCLAREN SP CHEVROLET — POLE WINNER:WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE IN QUALIFYING?“We made some changes after Practice 2 that helped. We’ve been working so hard in the off-season and we’re clicking. Everybody on the team is working well together and I knew exactly what time I needed to get out of the reds (alternate tires) and we just had to maintain pace on (primary) blacks because I thought we were pretty strong. We did that and we’re starting on pole. It feels good. These guys deserve it and we’ve got a race to win tomorrow. I’m really hungry and I love this place to death.” THIS HAS TO MEAN A LOT TO BOTH YOU AND THIS TEAM. YOU ARE THE FOCAL POINT OF IT.“Oh man, these guys deserve it. We’ve been working so hard in the off-season. We had great testing and now it was time to put it to the work. Zak Brown, Ric Peterson and Sam (Schmidt) are here; all the big guys are here. What a better place to try and put it on the pole, which we achieved that now. Man, I am so happy for them. I’m happy for myself, It’s the best view that you can get into Turn 1 tomorrow and let’s go win this race, man. We’re hungry. We’re really hungry and I love this place. I love this place to death. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.” WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS TRACK THAT SUITS YOU SO WELL?“Ah, cojones! (laughs). Yeah, it takes big ones to throw down a lap around this place. But man, it feels good when you nail it.” WILL POWER, NO. 12 VERIZON 5G TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET – QUALIFIED 4^TH:“Hey guys, I just completed qualifying, and we made it to the Fast Six, and we qualified fourth. Obviously, it’s a very tight field and very tough to get though each round; but we probably didn’t quite have the tire strategy in the Fast Six. Maybe we should have waited and done two laps at the end. But I’m pretty happy with the Fast Six. There are a lot of quick guys there and I look forward to a good day tomorrow.” SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN, NO. 3 PPG TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET – QUALIFIED 12^TH. CONTENDING FOR ROOKIE-OF-THE-YEAR:“Unbelievable to get back in the PPG Chevy in full-on race conditions. Coming to a track I know, I tested here twice, gave me with some bit of confidence. Came here with a really good car. Jonathan my engineer gave me a really good car felt like a pretty good car initially. Picked my way through practice one and two. It felt really strong for qualifying and our goal was to make it to the second round and the top-12, and we did that. Probably not so proud of my Q2 run. Probably not the best run of my life, but, to get our first goal for 2021 is good for this whole group, and we can build on it from there. Looking forward to a good race tomorrow” 

Alexander Rossi qualifies second for season-opening NTT INDYCAR SERIES race
Honda drivers claim four of the top six starting positions
Chip Ganassi Racing places three Honda drivers in the top six

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 17, 2021) – Alexander Rossi led the way for Honda today in qualifying for Sunday’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, opening round in the 17-race 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Advancing through all three rounds of “knockout” qualifying, Rossi set his best time, second overall, on his penultimate lap in the “Firestone Fast Six” final round to claim the outside front row starting position for tomorrow’s 90-lap contest.

Making his first start for Chip Ganassi Racing, Alex Palou will start his Honda from the inside of the second row, third; and defending and six-time series champion Scott Dixon starts fifth. Marcus Ericsson qualified sixth in another Ganassi Honda.

Former Formula One driver Romain Grosjean just missed making the final qualifying round in his INDYCAR debut, and will start seventh in his Dale Coyne Racing with RWR Honda. Grosjean led the three series “rookies” in the field, while Colton Herta was the sixth Honda driver to qualify in the top nine, for Andretti Autosport.

Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Qualifying Results
2nd Alexander Rossi Andretti Autosport Honda
3rd Alex Palou Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
5th Scott Dixon Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
6th Marcus Ericsson Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
7th Romain Grosjean-R Dale Coyne Racing with RWR Honda
9th Colton Herta Andretti Autosport Honda
11th Jack Harvey Meyer Shank Racing Honda
13th Ed Jones Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser-Sullivan Honda
17th Ryan Hunter-Reay Andretti Autosport Honda
18th Graham Rahal Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
19th Takuma Sato Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda
21st Jimmie Johnson-R Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
24th James Hinchcliffe Andretti Autosport Honda

Quote
Romain Grosjean (Dale Coyne Racing with RWR Honda) qualified 7th in his INDYCAR SERIES debut: “I had a bit of traffic [on his fastest lap], but it doesn’t really matter today. I’m very proud of the boys getting me to P7. I was just thinking, Josef Newgarden [who qualified eighth] is one of the stars of the series and knows Barber very well. So, I think we can be super happy with [out-qualifying Newgarden]. I think we’ve shown the work we’ve done in [pre-season] testing worked well.”

Fast Facts
Honda is seeking the company’s fourth consecutive NTT INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturers’ Championship in 2021.
Seven wins in 2020 brought Honda the company’s ninth INDYCAR Manufacturers’ Championship, and third consecutive title, with Honda driver Scott Dixon prevailing to win his sixth Drivers’ Championship, highest among all active drivers in the series.
Honda has been a fixture in North American open-wheel racing since 1994, and has played an active role in the growth of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as both a Manufacturers’ Championship competitor and single engine supplier, with a record that includes eight Manufacturers’ Championships. Honda’s Indy car total of 252 wins in 27 years of North American open-wheel racing – including 13 Indianapolis 500 victories since 2004 – is unmatched by any other manufacturer in the same period.
Since the return of multi-manufacturer INDYCAR competition in 2012, Honda has scored five more Indy 500 triumphs, by Dario Franchitti in 2012, Hunter-Reay in 2014, Rossi’s dramatic victory in 2016’s historic 100th race and Sato’s popular victories in 2017 and 2020. The 13 wins by Honda at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway lead all other major automobile manufacturers.

Where to Watch the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama
Sunday’s 90-lap Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama starts at 3 p.m. EDT, with live network television coverage on NBC. Complete, flag-to-flag race coverage also will be available on NBC Peacock, the NBC Sports App and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Honda Racing social media content and video links from Barber Motorsports Park can be found on Instagram (www.instagram.com/hondaracing_hpd), Twitter (twitter.com/HondaRacing_HPD) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/HondaRacingHPD). Additional features and long-form videos can be found on the Honda Racing/HPD YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/HondaRacingHPDTV).

CHEVROLET RACING IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES INDY GP OF ALABAMA – APRIL 17-18 BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK LEEDS. ALABAMA POLE WINNER QUICK QUOTE APRIL 17, 2021
Chevrolet earns 100th pole as O’Ward rises to the topBIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 17, 2021) – Chevrolet earned its 100th pole start in 150 NTT INDYCAR SERIES races since returning to engine manufacturer competition in 2012 as Pato O’Ward rose to the top of the field in qualifications for the season-opening Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.
O’Ward, 21, driving the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, recorded a lap of 1 minute, 05.8479 seconds in the Firestone Fast Six session to claim his second Series pole. In the second knockout qualifying session, O’Ward reset the track record on the 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course that was repaved in 2019 with a lap of 1:05.5019.
WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE IN QUALIFYING?“We made some changes after Practice 2 that helped. We’ve been working so hard in the off-season and we’re clicking. Everybody on the team is working well together and I knew exactly what time I needed to get out of the reds (alternate tires) and we just had to maintain pace on (primary) blacks because I thought we were pretty strong. We did that and we’re starting on pole. It feels good. These guys deserve it and we’ve got a race to win tomorrow. I’m really hungry and I love this place to death.”
THIS HAS TO MEAN A LOT TO BOTH YOU AND THIS TEAM. YOU ARE THE FOCAL POINT OF IT.“Oh man, these guys deserve it. We’ve been working so hard in the off-season. We had great testing and now it was time to put it to the work. Zak (Peterson) and Sam (Schmidt) are here; all the big guys are here. What a better place to try and put it on the pole, which we achieved that now. Man, I am so happy for them. I’m happy for myself, It’s the best view that you can get into Turn 1 tomorrow and let’s go win this race, man. We’re hungry. We’re really hungry and I love this place. I love this place to death. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.” WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS TRACK THAT SUITS YOU SO WELL?“Ah, cojones! (laughs). Yeah, it takes big ones to throw down a lap around this place. But man, it feels good when you nail it.”

LAS VEGAS (April 16, 2021) – Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team arrived at the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and picked up right where they left off powering to the No. 1 qualifier spot. John Force and the PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM team had a strong performance landing in the No. 3 spot and Brittany Force and her Flav-R-Pac Top Fuel dragster team will head into day two of qualifying in the No. 11 position. After a month off since the NHRA Camping World Series season opening Gatornationals, Hight and his Auto Club team wasted no time asserting dominance over the Funny Car class. The three-time world championship team laid down an impressive 3.922-second pass at 327.59 mph in the final quad of Funny Car qualifying landing them solidly at the top of the pack. “I’m glad to be back in the race car. Glad that we’ll be racing a little bit more of a normal schedule because that month off was just too long, especially after a runner-up finish. I’ve thought about that final round a lot in the past month,” said Hight, who earned three bonus points. “I’m happy to be back with my Auto Club team and be able to redeem ourselves. We’re doing just that. That was a good run and we’ll look for more tomorrow.” John Force and his PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevy Camaro didn’t miss a beat. The 16-time champion raced his way to a clean 3.954-second pass at 324.75 mph that earned the PEAK / BlueDEF team an extra bonus point for being third quickest of the session. “I love my job. Driving this PEAK / BlueDEF Chevy. We’re back racing, this is great. Bruton Smith making this happen and it’s four-wide. I tried not to think about it too much but then I got up there to the starting line and I really had to focus. You have to get your mind set right,” Force said. “I’m excited to be out here, I’ve got all my sponsors out here. Frank Tiegs who owns Flav-R-Pac will be out here with me tomorrow. It’s exciting to have all these Funny Cars, 19 Funny Cars are racing. There are people her from my past that I raced with. This is totally awesome.” In her Flav-R-Pac livery, Brittany Force and her Top Fuel team overpowered the track in their first go at The Strip ending the evening with a 5.067 pass at 133.74 mph, temporarily landing them in the No. 11 spot. “We won four-wide in 2016 in Charlotte so I’m comfortable with the set up. It’s not my favorite. Looking at a tree with four bulbs all the way across, it’s something different. You have to find your focus and know what lane you’re in,” Force said. “Q1 we struggled, we overpowered the track and it went up on smoke right before half-track. Going into tomorrow we get two runs before race day. Currently No. 11 but we will step it up.” Qualifying at the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway continues Saturday with sessions at 1:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. PT. Eliminations will take place Sunday at noon PT. Fans can catch the action on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) Sunday at 5 p.m. PT.

Track officials hope to make the event a spectacle 

RICHMOND, KY– APRIL 16, 2021 –  It’s only April, but the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models have already seen a lot of firsts this season. There’s been two first-time winners, and the first trip to Bristol Motor Speedway. 

Another one will be checked off Friday April 23, as the Series visits Richmond Raceway in Richmond, KY for the first time. It’ll be the 191st track the World of Outlaws Late Models have raced at.  

It’s also a historical moment for “The Beast of the East,” as the Series is the first National tour to race there.    

It’s something track owner and promoter Bill Lupinos is really looking forward to. 

“Having the Series at [Richmond Raceway] is just an awesome thing,” Lupinos said. “The quality of drivers, the quality of racing, having the national exposure and DIRTVision, I think it’s just fantastic.” 

Lupinos is doing what he can to make the event memorable. He’s bringing in American Idol contestant Alex Miller to sing the National Anthem, and “Ms. Motorsports” Andrea Cap. 

“We’re just trying to make it a spectacle for everyone that comes out,” Lupinos said.

While it’s the first time the World of Outlaws Late Models will race at Richmond Raceway, it’s not the first time they’ve battled in the Bluegrass State. The Series has run eight Features in Kentucky, with Rick Eckert winning more than any other driver (2). 

Current tour regulars Darrell Lanigan and Shane Clanton also have victories in Kentucky. “The Bluegrass Bandit won at Bluegrass Speedway in 2011, while Clanton’s win came at Ponderosa Speedway in 2016. 

Three-time and defending Champion Brandon Sheppard enters Richmond Raceway at the top of the Series standings, just 20 points ahead of Kyle Strickler. The New Berlin, IL driver will try to extend that lead, while still searching for his first victory of the season. It’s the longest Sheppard’s gone without winning a race to start the year.  

The Most Powerful Late Models On The Planet will run a 40-lap Feature Friday April 23 at Richmond Raceway, paying $10,000 to the winner. 

The new marquee event for the World of Outlaws will have an overall purse of nearly $200,000

BURLINGTON, WA – April 16, 2021 – Skagit Speedway’s crisp new Skagit Nationals continues to grow into one of the biggest events of the year with the track announcing Sage Fruit as the title sponsor.

The Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals, Friday to Sunday, Sept. 3-5, is a new marquee event, kicking off the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series’ Fall West Coast Swing with an overall purse of nearly $200,000. Friday and Saturday’s events will pay $10,000-to-win and Sunday’s finale will pay $25,000-to-win. All three nights will also pay $1,000-to-start.

“Sage Fruit has always been a big supporter of motorsports and we’re excited to have them join this exciting event,” Skagit Speedway Promoter Steve Beitler said. “Sage Fruit, which is also based in Washington, is well known for high-quality products and Skagit Speedway is known for its high-quality racing. It’s a great partnership.”

The company, based in Yakima, WA – about three hours south of Skagit Speedway in Burlington, WA – is a grower, packer and shipper of the world’s finest apples, pears and cherries. It’s been involved in motorsports for several years, including providing sponsorship for World of Outlaws teams like Kasey Kahne Racing and Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing.

When Sage Fruit heard about Beitler’s ambitions of creating a marquee event for the West Coast, it saw the Skagit Nationals as an exciting new opportunity in its own backyard, according to Chuck Sinks, President of Sales and Marketing for Sage Fruit.

“We’ve been a part of several Sprint Car events but have never been on a stage like this for a World of Outlaws event,” Sinks said. “When we heard about the Skagit Nationals, we saw it as a perfect opportunity to showcase Sage Fruit like never before and help grow the Skagit Nationals into something special. Race fans are loyal followers and great consumers of ours. This is also a way for us to give back and help support Sprint Car racing.”

Elite drivers such as two-time defending champion Brad Sweet, 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz, 2019 Knoxville Nationals champion David Gravel, two-time Skagit winner Logan Schuchart and more will battle to mark their name in the history books as the first Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals winner.

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE TOYOTA OWNERS 400 RICHMOND RACEWAY RICHMOND, VIRGINIA APRIL 18, 2021

RACE #9 – RICHMOND RACEWAYFor the third consecutive race, NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) drivers will compete on a short track. Richmond Raceway, a .75-mile D-shaped oval, will host the Toyota Owners 400 at 3 p.m. ET Sunday, April 18.
Chevrolet has amassed 38 victories on the racetrack to lead all manufacturers. In the September 2020 race, Austin Dillon finished fourth and Chase Elliott advanced seven positions from his starting spot to place fifth in his Camaro ZL1 1LE. Elliott, the reigning NCS champion, will start third in the 400-lap/300-mile race. 
The past two outings – on the .533-mile Bristol Motor Speedway dirt oval and the .526-mile Martinsville Speedway oval – Chevrolet drivers have scored runner-up finishes (Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at Bristol and Elliott at Martinsville). Overall, Chevrolet registered five top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.
After a couple of weeks off, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) returns to action with the 250-lap/187-mile ToyotaCare 250 on Saturday, April 17. Reigning NCWTS champion Sheldon Creed, No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado, is third in the Driver Standings heading into the Series’ sixth race of the 2021 season.
STEADY CLIMB FOR BUSCHChevrolet driver Kurt Busch, competing in his 22nd Cup season overall, is 22 starts from 750. The driver of the No. 1 Tubi TV Camaro ZL1 1LE for Chip Ganassi Racing will tie Bobby Labonte (729) for 13th on the all-time list by taking the green flag at Richmond Raceway. Sterling Marlin currently sits 12th on the list with 748 starts. Career statistics of note for Busch: 
First start – 9/24/2000 DoverFirst pole – 9/2/2001 DarlingtonFirst win – 3/24/2002 BristolWins – 32, most recently in September 2020 at Las Vegas
Busch has won at Richmond in 2015 and 2005.
LARSON REMAINS FOURTH IN STANDINGSKyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1 1LE, is fourth in the NCS Driver Standings for the second consecutive week. With his fifth-place finish at Martinsville Speedway, Larson has recorded six top-10 finishes in the eight races. He won at Richmond Raceway in September 2017 in a Camaro.
William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1 LE, is sixth and Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL1 1LE, moved from ninth to seventh with the runner-up finish at Martinsville. Byron has scored six top-eight finishes in a row.
ON THE WAY TO THE GREENWith no practice or qualifying for the race, the starting lineup is determined by NASCAR’s metrics system that was introduced to the series last year and incorporates results from both individual races and season-long results. Team Chevy’s top-20 starters:3rd      Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Camaro ZL1 1LE4th      William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1 1LE6th      Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1 1LE11th    Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE13th    Tyler Reddick, No. 8 Cat #WhatPowersYou Camaro ZL1 1LE14th    Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Kroger/Nature Valley Camaro ZL1 1LE17th    Kurt Busch, No. 1 Tubi TV Camaro ZL1 1LE18th    Ross Chastain, No. 42 McDonald’s Camaro ZL1 1LE20th    Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1 1LE
CHEVY SWEEP AND FIRST WINChevrolet NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers Josh Berry and Noah Gragson finished 1-2 in the 250-lap race April 10 at Martinsville Speedway. It was the inaugural win in just 13 starts in the series for the Late Model star. Driving the No. 8 Camaro SS for JR Motorsports, Berry led a field-high 95 laps on the .526-mile oval and held off teammate Gragson by .590 of a second.
Chevrolet leads the NXS Manufacturer standings. Talladega Superspeedway will host the next race for the Series on April 24.
BOWTIE BULLETS.·       Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 36 top-10 finishes.
·       Chevrolet has 797 NASCAR Cup Series wins to lead all manufacturers.
·       In addition to its 38 NCS wins at Richmond Raceway, Chevrolet has amassed 236 top-five and 487 top-10 finishes. Chevrolet drivers have led 15,382 laps.
·       Kyle Larson leads all drivers with 518 quality passes – five more than Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott in second – and in fastest laps run with 258.
·       Austin Dillon and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. have completed all but two of the 2,194 laps. 
·       Ricky Stenhouse Jr. leads all drivers with 799 green flag passes.
·       Chase Elliott (Daytona Road Course), William Byron (Homestead-Miami Speedway) and Kyle Larson (Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway 2) have stage wins.
TUNE INFOX will telecast the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at 3 p.m. ET Sunday, April 18. Live coverage can also be found on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. FS1 will telecast the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series ToyotaCare 250 at 1:30 p.m. ET Saturday, April 17.
QUOTABLE QUOTESKYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 4th IN STANDINGSLARSON ON POSTING GOOD FINISHES AT RICHMOND: “Richmond is kind of a hit-or-miss track for me. Even though I have a victory and some good finishes, I haven’t had too many great runs there. It seems like there have been several times I have been average at Richmond but then come home with a top-five finish. I’m really looking forward to this weekend because we have had speed it seems like every week this year.”
CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LEDANIELS ON CHALLENGES OF THE FIRST DAYTIME RACE AT RICHMOND IN SEVERAL YEARS:  “Even with cool temperatures expected Sunday that could compare to a night race, the sunlight exposure does change the way the track behaves – the way the rubber lays or doesn’t lay. The rubber typically doesn’t stack anywhere, it just smears across the track and becomes slimy and greasy. Even if the ambient temperature isn’t very high, the sunlight exposure on the track will do that. In 2015 and 2016 in the daylight, we had great runs with (former Hendrick Motorsports driver) Jimmie (Johnson) and finished top three in both of those races. So, we have a little bit of a feel for what the track does in those situations and what we need to look for to be in contention on Sunday.”
WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 6th IN STANDINGSBYRON ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF RICHMOND RACEWAY: “I think Richmond is really its own beast. It’s similar to Atlanta with the surface but then you have aspects that are similar to Phoenix as well. It’s really just its own animal. It’s a very low grip track with even lower grip in the race car than it looks. Plus, it’s always a challenge to manage the throttle there. Sometimes you’re running half-throttle down the straightaway just to keep the tires under it later on in a run. It’s just a challenging place.”
BYRON ON THE RACING AT RICHMOND DURING THE DAY: “I’m interested to see what this weekend’s race will be like. Normally, we run at Richmond at night, so it’s going to be a different challenge this year racing during the day. It’s already so low on grip that you’re going to be moving around no matter what. I feel like the track is going to change a lot as the race goes on as well. It’s going to be a learning curve as the run goes on to keep up with what your car needs.”
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 7th IN STANDINGS“I don’t feel like Richmond is a very good track for us. It seemed like the last time we were there we were a little more solid than we have been. But like I said, it’s been a really tough track for me. It’s so hard to be great at that track. It’s really difficult to be different there because everyone is running the same line. Everyone knows how to drive the car to get around there properly. I think that’s why it’s produced good races over the years because it’s so hard to be different than the next guy and to be better. I say that and people are like, ‘Eh it’s not boring’ but just from a driver’s perspective, there’s just not a lot to it and you have to be perfect from a setup perspective and behind the wheel to be really good there.”
AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 12th IN STANDINGSWHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON RICHMOND RACEWAY?“Richmond Raceway is one of the tracks the No. 3 team has circled as a definite place where we can gain maximum points and compete for a win. It’s funny because there was a time in my career when I did not run well at Richmond at all. It was a thorn in my side, but over the years that has changed. Richmond has become a much better place than it used to be for me. We ran really well there last year, and I’m excited to get back there and see what we can do this time around.”
KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 TUBI TV CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 15th IN STANDINGS“Richmond has a lot of different attitudes, about whether it’s a day race or a night race. The tires seem to be dropping-off more and more each year. The asphalt keeps aging and Goodyear keeps trying new and different combos, trying to find better side-by-side racing action. It has forced us all, it seems, to racing in the bottom groove and trying to get that drive off of the corners. The outside line just hasn’t come into play. So, each time you go there you don’t know what you’re gonna get and you have to learn, now with no practice, all that in Stage One. Lots of things to digest and analyze before we race at Richmond Raceway.”
ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 17th IN STANDINGS“Obviously, Sunday’s race was great until it wasn’t. Things out of your control can ruin a really great day, but our team is extremely pumped about how well we were running at Martinsville before the incident on track. Going into another short-track this weekend, means we have some good momentum. We have struggled at Richmond before, but had a solid top 10 run last fall at the track. This Ally team has a good notebook going into the race and Greg (Ives) keeps reminding everyone to keep your focus set forward. We can’t get back the Martinsville race, so we are going to focus forward and have a solid day on Sunday in Richmond.”
GREG IVES, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 1LE “We have carried some of the same philosophies from Martinsville to Richmond as far as tuning the car to Alex’s needs. You can spend so much time overhauling every set up every week and it gets exhausting. You definitely don’t learn what you need to if it doesn’t work out for the next time. I feel like the last time we were at Richmond we had a solid run, not a race winning run by any means. We were able to continuously fine tune on that. Definitely looking forward to getting there and our confidence is high on Alex’s side. I feel like we have a team capable of coming out of there with a solid day. Starting mid-20s doesn’t help and maybe not getting the best pit stop won’t help, we have to focus on the positives of what this team has been able to do. Two steps forward and four steps back, we are continuing to march forward and keep looking ahead.” TYLER REDDICK, NO. 8 CAT #WHATPOWERSYOU CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 21st IN STANDINGS“For me, some of the things I was able to learn from Richmond last year I didn’t really apply to Martinsville later that season, but I did bring some of those learnings back into this past week’s Martinsville race and I think that helped make a difference. As much as the tracks are different, I have a similar approach to both. My crew chief, Randall Burnett, does a really good job of giving me a car at these short tracks that I can be aggressive with at times, which is nice. Generally, though, I try to save a little bit of my tires at these tracks. My team had a really good car at Richmond last year. We had a similar situation of having to start in the back and move our way forward but had a really promising run during the final stage of our race last year. We came out right behind the leaders and were able to drive away from the pack for a while, so if we can bring some of that back and be that good all day, it’s really promising and we’ll have a shot to contend for a top five in our No. 8 Cat #WhatPowersYou Chevrolet.”
DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 CAMPING WORLD CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 23rd IN STANDINGSDO YOU LIKE RACING AT RICHMOND?“I’ve always liked racing at Richmond. I feel it’s a good track for me and I have had some pretty good results there the last several years in Cup and Xfinity. It’s a track where you really have to work hard to take care of your car all through the run because you can use it up pretty quickly. That’s important pretty much everywhere we race, but it’s especially important at Richmond.”
ERIK JONES, NO. 43 MEDALLION BANK CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 26th IN STANDINGSWHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE AT RICHMOND?“Richmond (Raceway) has kind of been an up-and-down track for me as a driver. I have had some good runs there and ran towards the front. It is always a fun track. I do really enjoy Richmond. It is a unique place. When you look at it from the outside, you think it is a typical easy short track. And then you go out there and race, and it is challenging. Richmond Raceway is one of the tougher tracks that we go to all season – between the way tires fall-off and the grip level that it has. It is always hard to get your car to drive really well there.“You have to stay with it all night. I think that is the biggest thing – to try and keep up with the race track and the adjustments that you have to make, and figure out how to get your car to just drive the best that it can.”
COREY LAJOIE, NO. 7 SCHLUTER SYSTEMS CAMARO ZL1 1LE – 30th IN STANDINGS“Looking forward to getting the Schluter Systems’ Chevy Camaro on track for the first time this year. They’ve been amazing for my career over the years and I’m proud our partnership has continued over to Spire Motorsports this season. We’re headed to our third short track in a row. Judging by our performance at Martinsville last weekend, I’m confident we can put together a good day.”

CHEVROLET RACING IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES INDY GP OF ALABAMA – APRIL 17-18 BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK LEEDS. ALABAMA MARK STIELOW AND ROB BUCKNER ZOOM CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT APRIL 15, 2021
MARK STIELOW, DIRECTOR OF MOTORSPORT COMPETITION FOR INDYCAR, IMSA,NHRA (CHEVROLET AND CADILLAC) AND ROB BUCKNER, CHEVROLET RACING ENGINEERING PROGRAM MANAGER FOR INDYCAR MET WITH MEDIA VIA ZOOM AND DISCUSSED OUTLOOK FOR NEW INDYCAR SEASON STARTING WITH THIS WEEKEND AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK, THE INDY 500 AND OTHER TOPICS. ZOOM VIDEO LINK AND AUDIO LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF FULL TRANSCRIPT:
THE MODERATOR:First of all, some introductions of two people who you probably have heard of but may not have met yet, we’re going to make that right today. The first is Mark Stielow, the Director of Motorsport Competition Engineering for the INDYCAR Series, IMSA, and NHRA for Chevrolet and Cadillac. We also have Rob Buckner, the Engineering Chevrolet Program Manager for the INDYCAR Series, as well.  Mark, let’s start with you. Please talk to us about what your overall expectations and goals are for the Chevrolet INDYCAR program ahead of the opening weekend at Barber. MARK STIELOW:“I joined the team back in September and am getting up to speed. We kind of got INDYCAR racing going after the COVID-19 hibernation we did; so, I got to the last couple of races in the season and then went into the off-season. There was a lot of work done by our engine partners and our teams to get us ready for this season. And I think we’re going to have some strong teams and I think things are going to look pretty good for us this year.” Rob, it’s been a long time since we’ve been in action, but you were in Indianapolis recently for the open test. Talk with us about some of the highlights of that session and what you think we can look forward to in the opening couple of rounds. ROB BUCKNER:“Thank you everyone for taking the time to talk with us today. I know a lot of familiar faces, and miss seeing you on pit lane. We’ve been so limited. We used to do these types of things in person and now everything is a video call. Thank you for everything you have done to try to cover motorsports during COVID-19 and people not being at the track. Going into this year, it’s always great for us when we can run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Track time testing there is very limited. We had a great two days there. We’ve already run over 8500 miles on our 2021 race engines and 4900 of those came from Indianapolis. So, we really ran a lot of miles over those two days in preparation. I think we learned a lot. We’re always working with our teams. Our engine program is always looking for any opportunity to improve and we’re excited to get going.” Q&A’s:A RECENT GENERAL COMMENT BY PENSKE DRIVERS WAS THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE TORQUE OUT OF THE HONDA ENGINE OVER THE CHEVY ENGINE. WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON THAT EVEN THOUGH WE ALL KNOW THE ENGINE PERFORMANCES ARE EXTREMELY TIGHT AND EXTREMELY CLOSE? ROB BUCKNER:“Yeah, it’s interesting. The 2.2 liters have been in competition for 10 years. And I think over that time, both us and our competitors have recognized and addressed some weaknesses that we’ve had, individually. Or, sometimes we’ve got a slight advantage somewhere and they always catch up. The general thought is we’ve always had a very strong top end and they’ve always had a very strong mid-range. I think we’ve kind of converged to a very similar torque delivery but all we can control is our own power profile going into this weekend, and I think we’ve got a very robust package for Barber. To Will’s comments, the surface has a lot of grip. A lot of times at road courses we’re struggling to put power down and Barber is kind of unique in that I think this weekend, the car and the tire is going to be able to take all that the engine can give it. And that’s what we’ve been preparing to do. I think we’ll be in a pretty good place come this weekend.” YOU COVER ALL THE OTHER MAJOR RACING CIRCUITS HERE IN AMERICA, WHETHER IT BE IMSA OR NHRA OR NASCAR OR WHATEVER; WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOURBIGGEST CHALLENGES OVERALL? MARK STIELOW:“The biggest challenges that we’re working on right now is you know, folks spend a lot of time on Sports Car racing. So, the GTLM class is going to converge into GT Daytona Pro. So, we’ve been working a lot on a conversion package for that. And there has been a lot of investigation, a lot of work has been done, on our end studying the LMDh proposal. LMDh is very interesting to us and there’s going to be a lot of manufacturers in that space, so we’ve been heavily looking at that. So, there’s a lot of activity going on in that space. My counterpart, Eric Warren, has got all the NASCAR stuff and with all the work going into NG7 car, and with that getting ready to launch next year, there’s a lot of activity in that space also. So, there’s going to be some exciting stuff going on in motorsports in the next few years.” ON THE CHEVROLET DETROIT GRAND PRIX WEEKEND, IT’S BEEN A BIG INCONVENIENCE WITH THE RE-SCHEDULING OF EVENTS THIS PAST YEAR. RECENTLY WE’VE LEARNED DETROIT WILL BE THE TRADITIONAL IMSA/INDYCAR DOUBLEHEADER AND A HOMETOWN DEBUT ON THE CORVETTE C8.R. WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT WEEKEND TO SHOWCASE GM RACING’S TECHNOLOGY WITH CADILLAC, CORVETTE, AND CHEVROLET? MARK STIELOW:“It’s always good to play on a home field. We’ll be racing in the shadow of the Ren Cen. In my previous jobs at GM, I’ve actually driven some of the parade cars down there. So, it’s nice to run that event and for us to do well. Unfortunately, our competitors won’t be showing up to race against the Corvettes, so we’ll be running exhibition only. There are some prior commitments that Porsche has that they can’t get out of, so we’ll be running the Corvette exhibition. And the Cadillacs will be there strong and INDYCAR also. It’s always a fun event. I’m hoping that COVID-19 turns around and we can have it be a well-attended event, but that’s still kind of up in the air right now.” ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS WE’VE GOTTEN SINCE LAST YEAR’S INDY 500 IS WILL WE HAVE CHEVY BACK, HOPEFULLY ON EQUAL TERMS; MAKING IT A TRUE QUESTION MARK AS TO HOW THE 2021 EVEN WILL PLAY OUT. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WERE ABLE TO TAKE FROM THE OPEN TEST HERE THAT MIGHT LEAD BOWTIE FANS TO HOPE AND BELIEVE THAT THERE COULD BE A REALLY HARD AND COMPETITIVE RUN HERE IN MAY THAT MIGHT LEAD INTO A REVERSAL OF FORTUNE FROM LAST YEAR’S EVENT? ROB BUCKNER:“I think so. I always joke with our group that hope is a very bad plan. So, we’ve had to really dig deep and try to look at where we missed it last year. Collectively, our groups have never worked better together when you look across the Chevrolet performance team with Ilmor and Pratt & Miller and everyone at Chevy, and then our race teams. I can’t thank them enough for all that they’ve contributed in the off-season. And we didn’t play a blame game. We just left there frustrated with our overall performance and have done everything we could since late August there to address it for this year. I think that the cars have changed enough that it’s kind of a re-set from 2020 when you look at the new aero parts that INDYCAR is introducing there. It seemed like at the test that guys could follow closer is maybe a little easier to pass with the barge boards and some of the different floor configurations that INDYCAR has come up with. But that was a pretty favorable day. It was cool and cloudy. I’m sure if we have a 95-degree sunny race day it’s still going to be really difficult. So, we’ve put a lot of emphasis on how we are going to qualify better, how are we going to get the most out of our engine package; like I said, we’ve visited every area of performance and tried to polish on everything. Our group is very detail-oriented, so I think we’re going to have a strong package.” THE END OF 2022 IS THE END OF THE CURRENT INDYCAR ENGINE REGULATIONS. YOU ARE PROBABLY WORKING RIGHT NOW ON THE NEW ENGINE CONFIGURATION. BUT FOR THIS CURRENT ENGINE, IS THERE STILL DEVELOPMENT GOING ON? ROB BUCKNER:“Yeah, we’re very fortunate to have a lot of depth and talent and motivated people. So, there’s still things we can work on in the 2.2 liter. There are some areas that are always open. And we’re running 2.4 liters now. We have our first engines on the dyno. We’re very happy with where that program is at and we’re multi-tasking. It’s very busy times for the engine program. We still have to go to the track. We’ve got to race the 2.2 liter approximately 32 to 34 more times. We’re not looking to give up anything there. And then we’ve got to have a prom debut in 2023 as well. So, the engine-side of things is flat out at the moment.” JOSEF NEWGARDEN WAS TALKING LAST MONTH ABOUT HOW THE COVID RESTRICTIONS HAVE REQUIRED THEM TO WORK SMARTER AND MORE EFFICIENT AND THAT THEY STRUGGLED WITH THAT LAST YEAR AND WEREN’T ABLE TO USE OPTIMIZATION ACROSS ALL THE CARS. FROM A CHEVROLET PERSPECTIVE, HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING THESE CHALLENGES? ROB BUCKNER:“COVID-19 has affected motorsports and everyone in the paddock kind of the same. We don’t look at it as an excuse that we have less track time because it’s the same for all the competitors. There has been a trend in the last five years that track time is reduced and you have to roll off the trailer very, very strong. If you’re completely lost Friday morning or Saturday morning, it doesn’t make that much difference. But overall, we’re all recognizing come P1, you really need to be in the window, you need to be close; and then just polish on it. Ideally, you don’t make many changes. So, the pre-event preparation, I think, circuit by circuit, how we use our DIL simulator working with teams and drivers before we ever get to the race track; all those things were already trending in this direction, and then with the COVID-19 reductions in track time, it’s really just amplified it. I don’t think anyone would have ever thought two years ago that NASCAR would only have really four practice sessions in an entire year. So, even within NASCAR, that’s the extreme; and then specific to INDYCAR, we have a reduction but not an elimination of practice. So, we still have an opportunity to learn and improve; especially at street courses where you cannot test. But Jay Frye and his group have done a great job of putting together a pretty logical plan of street courses. They’re mostly three-day events. Road courses are two days. If you really struggle at a road course you can test there in the off-season. So, I think we’re really pleased with how INDYCAR has handled this and the direction that it’s going. For us, it just amplifies the work you do before getting to the race track really matters and needs to be correct.” WHAT’S THE BREAKDOWN BETWEEN ILMOR ENGINEERING AND GM IN TERMS OF WHAT DO THEY DO AND WHAT DO YOU DO ON THE ENGINE? AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE HYBRID THAT’S COMING IN, WHO IS GOING TO DO THE HYBRID PIECE? WHO IS GOING TO INTEGRATE IT? ROB BUCKNER:“Our technical group tries really hard to not operate in silos or individual company-type thinking. So, we all work for the Chevrolet program. We’re all pulling in the same direction all the time. So, we really blur those lines. A lot of times the collaboration amongst the group has been spectacular. And even breaking down, just beyond the engine program, of bringing in the race teams to these conversations and where we want things to progress over time. So, I would like to think, internally, that Ilmor and GM are all just one engine program working together to try to have the best package we can. There are certainly strengths Ilmor has that we don’t have and vide-versa. We have some analysis and tools that as General Motors and Chevrolet is very useful. And Ilmor is a very competent, excellent engine supplier in motorsports. So, I think we try to put all that together and that makes us have an overall really good engine package.” HOW POSSIBLE IS IT TO TEST THE 2.4 LITER ENGINE WITHOUT THE HYBRID SYSTEM HOOKED UP? ARE YOU ABLE TO PUT A FIGURE ON HOW MUCH THE INCREASED DISPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE AND HOW MUCH WOULD COME FROM THE HYBRID? MARK STIELOW:“On the hybrid-side we could emulate that. Before we get the hybrid unit, we can run some simulations on our dyno to simulate that. On the power-side of the equation, I’ll let Rob answer that. I haven’t really been in all the details of that yet.” ROB BUCKNER:“I think somewhat lost in the 2.4 liter transition is the fact that we’re going up in base boost as well. So, the easy thing is to think we’re going up roughly 10 percent in displacement. We’re going to go up 10 percent in power; but also, we’re going to start operating at 1.6 bars, the standard for street courses instead of 1.5 bar. And you put all that together with the hybrid unit, I think fans will be pleased with the power projections and where the engine programs are headed overall. To answer your question, we can’t run a 2.4 liter with a hybrid. Once you delete an alternator it is gone for good. So, I think all of us, INDYCAR, Honda, Chevrolet are all in for the hybrid unit to run the 2.4 liter is going to be required, not optional.” THE 900 HP TARGET AT INDYCAR, WHEN DO YOU THINK WE’LL SEE THE ENGINES HITTING THAT MAGIC MARK? ROB BUCKNER:“I’m not sure. I think a lot of that depends on the finalized specs of the hybrid unit, which is really INDYCAR’s area of development during this. On the engine-side, we’re just going to focus on getting all we can out of the 2.4 liter at all the various race levels of boost.” IN THE PAST YOU HAVE USED THE INDYCAR ENGINE PROGRAM TO HELP DEVELOP THINGS LIKE DIRECT INJECTION TECHNOLOGY AND TO RUN ENGINEERS THROUGH. WITH THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE IN POWERING CARS, IS THAT STILL THE MAIN PURPOSE FOR BEING PART OF A SERIES LIKE INDYCAR? MARK STEILOW:“Yeah, my counterpart, Russ O’Blenes, has the propulsion-side of motorsports, and there are a lot of young engineers in that space that learned about racing and there’s also joint development work being done both at Ilmor like Rob talked about Ilmor and GM up at Pontiac for motorsports powertrain development. So, there is still a lot of technology transferred between the two. It’s still a viable training ground for us to learn more things and for us to develop people, processes, and tools to become better. General Motors and Chevrolet are still going to keep on making internal combustion engines for a while; so, we’re going to keep on pushing it as far as we can.” I WON’T ASK ALL THE NAMES OF THE TEAMS AND ENTRIES YOU’LL BE ENGAGED WITH FOR THE INDY 500, BUT CAN YOU TELL US THE ANTICIPATED FINAL NUMBER OF CHEVY-POWERED ENTRIES? AND IF YOU ARE UN-SIGNING TEAMS OR IF THERE ARE STILL POSSIBILITIES FOR MORE TO BE HAD FOR THE MONTH OF MAY? ROB BUCKNER:“That’s a very good question given the time of year. I think that’s the most cars last week we’ve ever run at Indy during an open test which, for our group…. It’s a difficult expansion when you go from running 10 to 11 full-time cars and then I think last week we had15 and then that’s kind of an incremental step. We expect we may add another one. We’re not completely sure. But it’s getting close to crunch time, so we’re close to finalizing. For us it’s really do we have the parts and the people to do it. And if race teams put something together, we try to be good partners with our teams; and we’ll figure out a way to make it happen.” REGARDING 2023 HYBRIDIZATION AND INDYCAR, GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT CONFIRMED ANYTHING IN REGARD TO IMSA AND LMDH, BUT BY CHANCE BOTH CLASSES WILL INDEED BE GOING HYBRID AT THE SAME TIME. AT LEAST WHILE PLANNING TO BE IN INDYCAR, CONSIDERING BEING IN IMSA, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO AS A MANUFACTURER KNOWING THAT NASCAR IS ALSO LOOKING AT HYBRIDIZATION? WHAT DO YOU DO AND HOW DO YOU TREAT ALL THESE POSSIBILITIES FOR THE PLACES WHERE YOU ARE RACING, COULD BE RACING, SWITCHING TO THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY WITH POSSIBLY EACH ONE A BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER? DO YOU WORK WITH THESE SANCTIONING BODIES AND SAY HEY, DON’T ASK US TO BUY THREE DIFFERENT ONES OF THE SAME UNIT? HOW DO YOU TREAT WHAT COULD BE THREE VERY DIFFERENT THINGS?MARK STIELOW:“Right now, all the conversations I’ve been in and everything we’ve seen, there is very little sharing between the sanctioning bodies. So yeah, in a utopian world, it would be awesome if those guys all worked together, and we could come up with a common solution. But for a lot of reasons, everybody wants their own special mousetrap. So, what I’ve seen so far is everybody is heading down a slightly different path. But that stuff seems to be changing all the time. These meeting are constantly evolving.” THERE HAS BEEN SOME TALK OR RUMORS ABOUT WHAT F-1 DOES. THEY CAPTURE MGU-H TO TAKE THE HEAT OFF THE ENGINE AND CONVERTING THAT TO ENERGY IN THE BATTERY. IS THAT ANY TALK OF DOING THAT FOR INDYCAR OR IS THAT STRICTLY A KINETIC ENERGY SYSTEM? ROB BUCKNER:“Yeah, it’s been an interesting conversation with INDYCAR because we would be the first series to run a Hybrid on an oval. So, a lot of this is very conceptual. To your point, INDY qualifying engine duty cycle is ideally 100 percent if you never lift. So, how do you get any kinetic energy from that? Other times during the race, the engine duty cycle is not 100 percent when you’re in traffic. So that does open up the possibility of the car wasting some energy there. In the end it’s an energy balance equation that INDYCAR is going to need us or going to need to tell us how that want this. It also adds a layer of complexity and cost that I’m not sure is the right fit for INDYCARS. So, I think we’re leaning more toward it’s going to be a kinetic recovery system primarily.” THE PUSH TO PASS WE HAVE TODAY, IS THAT COMPLETELY GOING AWAY WITH THE HYBRID? OR WILL THERE STILL BE A TURBO BOOST PUSH TO PASS IN COMBINATION WITH THE HYBRID SYSTEM?ROB BUCKNER:“The nice thing is with our boosted engines is if any point during the development and first test of the hybrid unit we need more or less power, the engine programs function on electric wastegates. So, it’s relatively easy to change the boost limitations if INDYCAR desires that. I think that. If they need us to help push with a little bit more boost, I’m sure we would easily be able to do that.” YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THAT YOU’VE DEVOTED A LOT OF TIME LATELY TO IMSA AND THE LMDH AND GTD-PRO. CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA ON WHEN GM MIGHT REACH A DECISION OR MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON FUTURE PARTICIPATION THERE? MARK STIELOW:“I would say it would be in the next 45 days.” CONCERNING THE NEW ENGINE WITH THE HYBRID 2.4 LITER, CAN YOU SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE MEASUREMENTS? ROB BUCKNER:“INDYCAR and us are working around the assumption that it will be around the same size engine, physically. We’re going up in bore size but 2.4 is not a huge architecture change. Our engine is going to be all-new. I don’t know of any carryover components that we’re taking from the 2.2 liter. So, from that perspective, it’s a clean sheet design; but fitting in the same envelope, if you will.” ON THE ISSUE OF COST, IF YOU HAD TO GUESS, WHAT INCREASE WOULD THERE BE TO THE TEAMS WHEN THE HYBRID SYSTEM IS IMPLEMENTED, PER SEASON? ROB BUCKNER:“That’s pretty open-ended and not really defined at the moment as the early hardware and INDYCAR is still working through what that system is going to look like. It’s really not going to be a part of our relationship with the teams, so I’m not really familiar. I know that Jay Frye and Darren Samsum are leading that program for INDYCAR and they’re very cost-conscious; and they’ve been involving the teams in these discussions. So, we think overall, the paddock will be able to make that work. But I can’t say I know any exact figures or details as of today.”

AUSTIN, TX (April 15, 2021) — Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria will be heading to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway focused on adding one more accomplishment to her impressive record.  She will be looking for her first career four-wide national event win at a track where she has had success in the past. DeJoria celebrated victories in the desert in 2014 and 2016 at the Las Vegas NHRA Nationals before the track underwent a major reconstruction to add two additional lanes. DeJoria will be looking to keep her ROKiT Bandero Premium Tequila Toyota Camry Funny Car on the right track this weekend.

“I am looking forward to racing Vegas because it will be my first Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip,” said DeJoria. “I’ve had success there before but I have never won an actual four-wide race yet. My dad turned 80 this week on the 13th and he will be at the races. I would love to give him a Wally as a present.”

It has been over a year since any professional driver has tackled the unique four-wide racing format and DeJoria will be right in the thick of the competition. Her best four-wide performance was 2014 when she raced to the final quad at the Carolina Nationals. 

At the season opening Gatornationals the ROKiT Bandero Premium Tequila Toyota Funny Car team qualified No. 2 on the strength of their 3.914 second pass and DeJoria advanced to the quarterfinals. In the first round she posted a 3.918 second run mirroring her best qualifying effort. The confidence in her team led by crew chiefs Del Worsham and Nicky Boninfante has DeJoria thrilled to get to the second race of the season.

“Del and Nicky work so well together and they have an amazing handle on the tune-up on this Toyota Funny Car,” said DeJoria. “When I get strapped in I know I am going to have a great shot at a top qualifying spot or a round win. Having them on my team lets me focus on my job as a driver. This whole ROKiT Bandero Premium Tequila team really came together down the home stretch of last season and we got off to a solid start in Gainesville. I am expecting great things this season starting in Las Vegas.”

DeJoria finished the 2020 season with five consecutive Top Five qualifying starts. No other driver can boast that consistency and she kept the streak alive with a No. 2 start at the Gatornationals this season. The ROKiT Bandero Premium Tequila team has also avoided any first round losses over the last six races with three semifinal finishes.

Qualifying for the 21st NHRA Las Vegas Nationals will begin Friday, April 16 and continue into Saturday April 17. FS1 will televise one and half hours of live qualifying coverage at 7:30 p.m. (ET) on Friday.  Final eliminations will start on Sunday, March 18 at 3 p.m.  (ET) and will be broadcasted beginning at 8 p.m. (ET) on FS1.

NASCAR CUP SERIES RICHMOND RACEWAYTOYOTA OWNERS 400TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPTAPRIL 15, 2021 AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Press Conference Transcript:  JUST MOMENTS AGO, YOU UNVEILED YOUR PAINT SCHEME FOR THE NASCAR ALL-STAR RACE AT TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY; SPONSORED BY ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD. AUSTIN, IT’S A COOL LOOKING CAR. ALSO, YOU HAVE A COOKIE DOUGH FLAVOR THAT INCLUDES BANANA AND PEANUT BUTTER, AS WELL. WALK US THROUGH ALL THAT.“Our relationship with Andy’s Frozen Custard goes all the way back to 2015, where I met Andy. We’ve created an awesome relationship. Their family loves racing and I knew that Terry Phillips, he always had Andy’s on his dirt car. We started talking and we were able to strike up a conversation; and eventually led to putting Andy’s on my gloves. We went to Daytona; had an in-car camera and it was a great deal for not only myself, but for Andy’s. We’ve just grown this relationship. It’s what you want to do – you want to start from the ground up and build it together. I think both companies have really worked well together. Now, we’re getting the first paint scheme in a Cup race. It’s cool to bring them from my gloves all the way to a Cup race. And being the All-Star Race, we’re racing for a million dollars; I think that’s awesome. And a place where Andy’s also wanted to be at; Texas Motor Speedway, around the Texas area.”“It’s exciting. And my “3-Crete”, obviously you already called me cookie dough. You heard the story. I loved cookie dough as a kid. My couch called me that because he knew I loved it and I think it was a motivational thing to get me to work harder or something. But the banana and the peanut butter comes from my grandmother because when I’d go to my grandma’s house, it was either a banana peanut butter sandwich or the tomato. And I didn’t feel like tomatoes would go good in custard, so we just stuck with the banana peanut butter that she used to make me.” HOW DO YOU APPROACH A TRACK LIKE RICHMOND THAT ISN’T YOUR GREATEST TRACK, BUT YOU COME OUT OF MARTINSVILLE, YOU’RE PROBABLY EXCITED FOR IT. AND YOU WILL START ELEVENTH – WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?“Claire, Richmond is now like my favorite track in the world. I finished fourth last year and I’ve had three consecutive top-seven finishes. You know that’s like my best now. But it was my least favorite, I will give you that. You got that right; I sucked there at the beginning of my career. I dreaded going there. I said I wished Richmond would just not be a track anymore. And somehow, over the years, I’ve made it into a good place for us. We had a really strong run last year there and I sped on pit road in the Playoffs. So, it was what kind of locked us into that second round, was the solidifying after Darlington going to Richmond and having a good run. We really looked at everything we did last year and didn’t change a whole lot. But we went back over some things in the simulator and I think it should be a good one. Obviously, starting 11th helps. We have a good pit stall and we’re just going to go after it. We need to lock ourselves into the Playoffs or better ourselves in points this weekend.” YOUR NUMBERS ARE GOING UP, AS FAR AS YOUR AVERAGES, BECAUSE YOU’VE HAD SOME GOOD FINISHES. HOW DO YOU TURN THAT AROUND AT A TRACK? “It’s a tough place. I think at Richmond, you look at the people that run well that – there’s a lot of people that have been racing in NASCAR for a long time. A lot of the veterans do well there. I think the hardest part is learning how to adjust to that track; making the right adjustments throughout a run because it kind of just tricks you a little bit. It can because you start on a green track sometimes and rubber gets laid down. But I found something I felt like that worked for me along the line and I’ve just kind of stuck to it. Same with the setup – Justin (Alexander, Crew Chief) has done a good job of finding a setup that works for our RCR No. 3 Chevrolet. We’ll get after it.” CHASE ELLIOTT SAID YESTERDAY THAT ONE THING ABOUT THAT TRACK IS THAT EVERYBODY RUNS THE SAME THERE. YOU CAN’T FIND DIFFERENT AREAS TO RUN LIKE YOU CAN AT MARTINSVILLE AND THAT MAKES IT HARDER. DO YOU FIND IT THAT WAY?“Yeah, I think you see the middle and the top come in for a short period of time. But it kind of goes back to being the bottom being the dominate line. But I definitely think that there are things you can do to move around and find speed as the tires wear.” LAST SEPTEMBER, WITH THE WAY THESE STAGES ARE, THERE’S TWO PRETTY LONG STAGES IN THE SECOND AND THIRD STAGE. IF THEY ARE LONG, GREEN FLAG RUNS, SOME TEAMS WERE DOING ONE PIT STOP; SOME WERE DOING TWO PIT STOPS. WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE WILL HAPPEN ON SUNDAY?“Looking at that strategy, it worked out for some guys; short-pitting works out. I think it puts a little more pressure on the crew chief to make a call, whether your car is going to be able to hold on for a complete run or you need to come and get tires; split it up and come down pit road twice. I think it’s really kind of based off of how good your car is in that moment. I think it’s obviously easier to take a pit stop out and run long. It’s less chance of having a catastrophic mistake on pit road; a lot of things can go wrong there. And then a caution flies when you’re on pit road, it’s double-whammy. I personally like less pit stops. But if it’s something that we have to do for the ability of our car, then we have to do it.” LOOKING AHEAD TO TALLADEGA – THE WHOLE DYANMIC OF NEEDING A TEAMMATE TO WORK WITH OR AT LEAST A MANUFACTURER TEAMMATE AND HOW THAT CAN GET ALL JUMBLED UP IF YOU GET TOWARDS THE END OR YOUR CAR HAPPENS TO WORK BETTER WITH A DRIVER OF A DIFFERENT TEAM OR MANUFACTURER. HOW DO YOU MANAGE ALL THAT?“It’s definitely pretty tough to manage. The best thing about a speedway is taking a fast car and trying to keep it up front. When you get up there and keep up there, then everybody wants to work with you because they know you’ve got speed. The manufacturer stuff is really tough. I think for us, the Chevy’s have been working well together. Chase (Elliott) and I worked pretty good there at the Daytona 500. Had a chance to get up there and mixed up. But we’ve got to do a better job this time. I think the Ford’s had us covered late in that race and we’ve got to figure that out – which we lost some of our bullets early in a big wreck.” “We love Talladega. I think we’re taking our same Daytona 500 car there and we’ll see how it lines up.” YOU GUYS HAVE RACED MOST OF THE TIME AT NIGHT AT RICHMOND. HOW MUCH VALUE DO YOUR NOTES HAVE WHEN YOU’RE GOING TO RACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON?“That’s a good question. We have some day-race experience and we can look back on that stuff. Each year, NASCAR has subtly changed packages. This is the first year where we’ve had the same package back-to-back. Heat factors into every race track; the temperature. So, we’ll definitely try to make the best adjustments we can to keep up with the track. Hopefully what we have in it right now is just a good starting place and we don’t have to do a whole lot.” THERE’S TALK ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY ABOUT VACCINATIONS AND GETTING BACK TO NORMAL. IN NASCAR, ESPECIALLY WHERE YOU GUYS LIKE TO SPEND FACE-TIME WITH PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT YOU, HAVE YOU GUYS AS A TEAM COME UP WITH A STRATEGY OR IS IT ALL INDIVIDUAL? HOW ARE YOU GUYS GOING ABOUT THAT?“I think it’s mostly individual. We all want to do the best to be the safest, but I think it’s our own opinion in the direction we go from here. I think it’s individually made, but definitely want to think about the future and be as safe as possible.” GOING BACK TO RICHMOND, WHERE YOU’VE HAD SOME SUCCESS AS OF LATE. HOW DOES THAT TRACK IN PARTICULAR FIT WITH YOUR DRIVING STYLE? “In the past, it clashed I thought (laughs). But now, we have longer runs; I feel like I’m a strong guy when it comes to long runs and taking care of my tires. I do a pretty good job of that. It was definitely tough early in my career; just trying to figure out what the car wanted. I don’t think I ever went the right direction on an adjustment. But now, as things have progressed, it’s kind of come to me in a good way. It’s one of those places that match what I think I’m good at.” LEADING 55-LAPS AT RICHMOND LAST YEAR, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT RCR TOOK AWAY FROM THAT RACE HEADING INTO THIS WEEKEND?“Well, it was a strong presence for RCR there. It was in the Playoffs; we needed to show up. We won that first stage; kind of drove off that first stage. The second stage, I finished second with a penalty. I think I got the penalty at the end of the first stage. So, we somehow drove from dead last back up to second and led. I think we just had to short-pit and that gained some of our track position back. Brad (Keselowski) caught me with probably 10-50 laps to go; I couldn’t hold him off to win both stages.” “Hopefully, with the weather change being a day race, we make the right adjustments and are in the same position and I just don’t make a mistake like I did.” BETMGM HAS YOUR ODDS THIS WEEKEND AT 40:1. DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS AN UNDERDOG ENTERING THIS WEEKEND?“I’m probably looked at as the underdog most of the time. I think in my wins, I’ve been the underdog. 40:1 is probably better than I usually get. I like sneaking up on the competition sometimes. So, when they’re sleeping on me, it’s a good thing.” WE’RE COMING UP TO A BIT OF A LANDMARK IN THE NASCAR CUP SERIES SCHEDULE; A QUARTER OF THE WAY DONE THIS WEEK. WE’VE SEEN ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF TRACK, WHICH IS UNUSAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. HOW DO YOU ASSESS RCR’S PERFORMANCE AT THIS POINT IN THE YEAR, PARTICULARLY WITH YOUR NO. 3 TEAM? “I think we’ve had some really good runs this year. Coming up to that mark in the season, we’re in a good place as far as points goes. I definitely wish I could have the finish back at the (Daytona) Road Course. But you have to move on from some of those things. It’s a long season; there’s no perfect season. I feel like we need to keep adjusting and making our stuff better. When the time comes where we need to be our best, we are the best. So, we just keep doing our thing. I think we’re moving in the right direction. Obviously, our car has had speed since last year and we’ve been able to maintain some of that. There are certain places where I feel like we can get better all around. But we’re in a good spot. We could be in a way worse spot. There are some guys back there in points that are looked at as favorites and are just in a bad position. We’re in a better position than what we have been at this point in the season before.” “On the odds question, I think I was one of the best odds for the (Bristol) Dirt Race and we were absolutely terrible. So, I’m kind of glad we’re not the best odds at Richmond.” YOU’RE IN A BIT OF AN UNUAL SPOT FOR YOU, IN THAT YOU’RE ALMOST AN ELDER STATESMAN OF SORTS AT RCR FOR A CHANGE. WHEN TYLER (REDDICK) WAS STRUGGLING, WAS THERE ANY SORT OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER TO HIM TO HELP HIM GET BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK?“Yeah, I think the biggest thing is just when you’re young or younger – I feel like I’m still young – is getting everything outside of your life going in the right direction because everything bleeds over into that race car. When you get in there, you’ve got to have a clear mind and really focus on what you have going on. For Tyler (Reddick), he had so much success in his Xfinity career and as soon as he got into the Cup Series, he did a great job. In the Cup Series, you’re going to have lulls and it’s how you handle them and how you bounce back from them. Luckily, you get to race every weekend and you can kind of wipe out some of those bad days. But I think he’s doing a good job. Like you said, he’s back on track. He’s been tough and it’s good to see where he was at Martinsville. I think we can use some of that when we go back to Martinsville; some of the setups and stuff they used. It’s just better for all of us at RCR when he runs well and I do, too.” YOU’VE RAN SOME OF THE BEST PAINT SCHEMES THIS SEASON. I’VE ENJOYED THE BETMGM, THE BASS PRO, AND I’VE NOTICED YOU’VE ONLY RAN THE DOW AT THE DAYTONA ROAD COURSE. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU CAN ELABORATE ON? “Dow still has some races coming; they just kind of have races later in the season. And thank you for the shout-out on the paint schemes. I do think that RCR does the best paint schemes. As you can tell, the Andy’s Frozen Custard paint scheme looks great. We do a really good job at RCR on graphics and everybody working together to get the best we can out of our cars. I would be biased towards that, too. Bass Pro Shops – I see it on your hat there – they’re a big supporter of ours. We have the majority of our races with them (inaudible). We’re really thankful for all of our partners at RCR.”

In 177 NASCAR Cup Series starts at Richmond Raceway, Richard Childress Racing has scored nine wins, 38 top-five, and 72 top-10 finishes. The Welcome N.C. organization has also found success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at the Virginia short track, capturing six wins, 32 top-five and 58 top-10 finishes. Catch the Action… The NASCAR Cup Series Richmond 400 will be televised live Sunday, April 18, beginning at 3 p.m. ET on FOX and will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

‌  ‌  ‌

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at Richmond Raceway… Austin Dillon’s best NASCAR Cup Series finish at Richmond Raceway is a fourth place result he earned last fall in the NASCAR Playoffs. He also has a pair of consecutive sixth place finishes in April 2019 and September 2018. He has 10 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at Richmond Raceway, acquiring seven top-10 finishes and one pole award. About Team Chevy… Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 75 countries with nearly 4 million cars and trucks sold in 2019. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value.  Chevrolet is Richard Childress Racing’s longest-standing partner and has been directly involved in each of the racing organization’s more than 200 victories and 16 championships. Chevrolet is the winningest brand in motorsports.  AUSTIN DILLON QUOTE:What are your thoughts on Richmond Raceway?“Richmond Raceway is one of the tracks the No. 3 team has circled as a definite place where we can gain maximum points and compete for a win. It’s funny because there was a time in my career when I did not run well at Richmond at all. It was a thorn in my side, but over the years that has changed. Richmond has become a much better place than it used to be for me. We ran really well there last year, and I’m excited to get back there and see what we can do this time around.”

Tyler Reddick and the No. 8 Cat #WhatPowersYou Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE at Richmond Raceway… Tyler Reddick has one previous NASCAR Cup Series start at Richmond Raceway, finishing 11th at the track last year. Reddick also has five NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 0.75-mile track, collecting one top-five and four top-10 finishes there. #WhatPowersYou… We’ve all been there, especially this year. Our batteries are running low, and we need a little more power to get the job done – whatever that job is. Everyone has someone or something that helps them recharge, get into gear and do the thing. A hike. Your pump-up song. Winning that bid. Quality time in the dirt. Caterpillar wants to know… What Powers You? Share your story on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with #WhatPowersYou and tag @CaterpillarInc. You’ll have a chance to win a $200 gift card for Cat merchandise. About Caterpillar… Since 1925, Caterpillar Inc. has been helping our customers build a better world – making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. With 2020 sales and revenues of $41.7 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Services offered throughout the product life cycle, cutting-edge technology and decades of product expertise set Caterpillar apart, providing exceptional value to help our customers succeed. The company principally operates through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Energy & Transportation – and provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. TYLER REDDICK QUOTE: Last year we only raced at Richmond once in the Cup Series due to COVID-19 schedule adjustments, but your team came home with an 11th-place finish that weekend. Does that help your confidence while also coming off top-10 finish at another short track the weekend before? And are the two tracks at all similar to each other?“For me, some of the things I was able to learn from Richmond last year I didn’t really apply to Martinsville later that season, but I did bring some of those learnings back into this past week’s Martinsville race and I think that helped make a difference. As much as the tracks are different, I have a similar approach to both. My crew chief, Randall Burnett, does a really good job of giving me a car at these short tracks that I can be aggressive with at times, which is nice. Generally, though, I try to save a little bit of my tires at these tracks. My team had a really good car at Richmond last year. We had a similar situation of having to start in the back and move our way forward but had a really promising run during the final stage of our race last year. We came out right behind the leaders and were able to drive away from the pack for a while, so if we can bring some of that back and be that good all day, it’s really promising and we’ll have a shot to contend for a top five in our No. 8 Cat #WhatPowersYou Chevrolet.”

The Short Track Incident Response Program provides the same level of safety training given to crews with Formula 1, IndyCar and more CONCORD, NC – April 15, 2021 – The world watched in silence and fear as Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean and his car disappeared in a hellish dome of fire after a crash during the Bahrain Grand Prix last year. While the imagery froze onlookers, track and safety officials rushed to Grosjean’s aid.Their response was praised and hailed as a factor in Grosjean’s survival. It’s the same kind of training and response you’ll see from World of Outlaws and DIRTcar officials at every dirt racing event. And it’s the same kind of training and response Series officials hope to see from safety workers at every track they go to.The World of Outlaws and DIRTcar have partnered with ESI Equipment Inc. and the International Council of Motorsports Sciences to make racetrack and safety officials aware of the SFI accredited Short Track Incident Response Program in an effort to have those officials properly trained in how to handle any kind of race car accident.“Back in the day, there are racetracks, you’d call them and you would ask them if they had an ambulance on site. They’d say, ‘Yes,’” World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Safety Director Tyler Bachman said. “They did not lie to you. The ambulance was there. But it hadn’t been moved in seven years. So, we’ve come from that five years ago to always having an ambulance there. Now, we’re trying to get the people in those ambulances to understand the cars.“Someone on the safety crew may have never sat in a Late Model before. They might not realize there is so much sheet metal around it. Or a Big Block, they might not realize the driver sits in the middle of the car. Most of the time, if the car went for a wild ride, flipped, or hit the wall, there’s a good chance the sheet metal has folded and made for a not an easy way to get out.”The program tackles everything from putting out various types of fires to helping extricate a patient from a race car and different methods of properly flipping race cars over so the driver doesn’t sustain any further injuries. Sprint Car, Late Model and Big Block chassis are on site of each course – and they’re always looking for more used chassis to be donated, wrecked or not – so participants can see what it’s like to sit in the cars, practice getting patients out of the cars and practice where they’ll need to cut the chassis if the driver can’t get out on their own power.In a recent class with 25 participants from the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company – who serve as safety workers at Lernerville Speedway – they got to be strapped into a car, flipped over, and taught the variety of different style safety harnesses drivers where and how to undo them. Some drivers may wear a Simpson Hybrid, while others may wear a HANS device. And different models between those brands have different ways of being disconnected.“So, a safety person, if you haven’t raced you probably don’t know how to take that off,” Bachman said. “If you look at a Simpson Hybrid Pro, which a lot of our guys have, you might not know you have to pull the strings (to get it off). You could look at it for 20 minutes and not realize how to get it off. Just stuff like that. It’s really a big awareness.”Doing stuff in the fire service with vehicle rescue and car crashes… race car rescues are a lot different. You can’t just open a door. They don’t have a door. Fuels are different, too. With the Sprint Cars, you have methanol. You may run up to the car and not even know it is on fire. So that’s a big thing too.”Every official with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model, Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar took the course last year, and are certified by SFI – a non-profit organization established to issue and administer standards for the quality assurance of specialty performance and racing equipment. The crew from the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company is the latest affiliation with the Series to take the course. The goal is to have three to five courses a year, Bachman said, for tracks across the country. He’d like to eventually see every track the series race at go through the program.“I thought it was very comprehensive and really opened my eyes to how intricate extricating a driver can be,” World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Director Carlton Reimers said after participating in the program last year. “I mean, who would have thought that a Sawzall with a special tipped blade was faster at cutting through a frame than the Jaws of Life. That’s only in certain situations, of course, but I would have never known. I hope we do more of this training in the future.”There are various versions of ESI’s Race Track Safety Services to accommodate a variety of series like Formula 1, IndyCar and NHRA. While the techniques may differ from series to series and track to track with each having its own idiosyncrasies, the level of training is the same throughout them all.“The information is consistent throughout whatever series we’re doing,” said John Evans, president of ESI Equipment Inc. and facilitator of the programs. “It’s like, why should a Formula 1 driver get something different than a dirt driver? Technically, they shouldn’t. You’re not going to get any different treatment on the street depending on what kind of car you drive. Whether you’re in an Audi or a Volkswagen, if you crash on the street, you’re going to get the same level of care no matter who is coming in that ambulance.“That’s kind of where our thought process is. Why should it be different? It shouldn’t be different. We should all have that same knowledge and skills and technical information that make us all good responders on the track.”In a similar program for Formula 1 safety workers, the class convinced the doctors who tail the field on the first lap to carry high-flow fire extinguishers with them. That type of extinguisher was what they used to help clear a path for Grosjean to get out of the fire, according to Evans.“That’s the kind of information and training that we are providing,” he said. “Not only in an FIA Formula 1 situation, put to people who are responding on dirt tracks.”He knows how important that is firsthand. One guy in his group faced an incident where a Sprint Car was upside down and on fire with the driver still inside. The fire department on site didn’t have the proper training or equipment to give the safety worker a clear path to the driver. He tried 16 times to get to the driver, Evans said. Fortunately, the driver survived but suffered 95% burns on his body. Those are the kinds of situations Evans knows need to be corrected at every level of racing.The Short Track Incident Response Program has been around for only a few years now but has become one of the most popular classes, according to Evans. More than 200 people have gone through the course, so far. Before teaming up with the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar, the majority of trainees came from the program being put on during PRI in Indianapolis. That’s where Bachman first found out about the course and realized it was something the series needed to be a part of.Bachman has worked with the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar for nine years and has worked in the fire service since 2007. While he’s been through courses and experienced several accidents throughout his career, he said the Short Track Incident Response Program was still eye-opening.“Any class you take, from a structure fire to a car wreck class, you learn something every time,” he said. “I learned a new technique on how to get [drivers] out. There’re new boards out called med boards. We just saw them when we were down there (in Volusia for the class) and loved how they work to get a driver out of the car. So, we actually ordered one for each Series.”The same sentiment was shared by those who participated in the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company class.“A couple of the guys said to me going into this, ‘Ah, it’s going to just be another fire class. It’s just going to be another race car rescue class.’ Well, at the end of it, they all said they learned some new technique,” Bachman said. “They hadn’t realized you could do that, or they didn’t realize they could roll over a car that way. Most people who are doing this are volunteer firemen, or paid firemen, or doctors. If there’re one or two things every time that they go, ‘Wow, I never realized that or, Wow, that’s a lot quicker,’ I think this class is incredible and I wish every racetrack would do it.”Another class is being scheduled during the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in November, then, next year, Bachman would like to see the expansion of several classes in each region of the country.“I think the more people that take this in our sport, in the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar racing, it will benefit our drivers that travel with us,” he said.The course is available for track owners, local rescue crews, and any other motorsports affiliated company that might benefit from it. To request a Short Track Incident Response Program at your facility, or attend a scheduled class, contact:USA: ESI Race Track Safety Services; 1-800-574-8228 | info@esiequipment.com  Canada: CMRT;  info@cmrt.ca | 905-914-0261 | 514-434-6911RELATED: In addition to the Short Track Safety Program, the World of Outlaws has worked with the Med-Star Dirt Track Rescue team for several years and will utilize their services during the World of Outlaws Bristol Throwdown at Bristol Motor Speedway, April 22-24, which features the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and Super DIRTcar Series.Led by Jay Masur, CEO and President of Med-Star Paramedic and Ambulance, Med-Star Dirt Track Rescue has more than 40 years of dirt track experience and has been commended as one of the best safety teams due to their extensive knowledge and quick response times. They regularly work with the World of Outlaws during Northern Midwest events. Along with providing rescue support at the track, like the Short Track Safety Program, they also train safety workers on the proper ways to handle a wreck and how to attend to a driver.For the full World of Outlaws Sprint Car and Late Model schedules, CLICK HERE. For the full Super DIRTcar Series schedule, CLICK HERE. And for the full schedule of DIRTcar events, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, you can 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 NOS Energy Drink® Sprint Car 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), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Award), MSD and Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award); manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, and Racing Electronics.

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.

REAPING THE BENEFITS: Gustin taking first year with World of Outlaws in stride 

“The Reaper” hopes for more consistency as the Series moves closer to home

CONCORD, NC – APRIL 15, 2021 – Anytime you make your first attempt at something, there’s likely some growing pains you’ll have to deal with. 

That’s what 2021 Rookie of the Year contender Ryan Gustin is going through in his first year with the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models. The Marshalltown, IA driver knows the struggles are part of a learning curve. 

“It’s a tough deal, it’s about as hard as it gets out here,” Gustin said. “We’re just taking our whooping’s one night at a time.” 

Despite those struggles, Gustin is currently 11th in the points standings, with four top-10s in his first 10 starts. It’s not something “The Reaper” expected when the year started. 

“This isn’t local racing by any means, so we didn’t really have high expectations,” Gustin said. “But at the same time we have good stuff, so we feel we can also run good.”

That feeling is something Gustin hopes to turn into better finishes as the grueling World Of Outlaws schedule continues. 

“The season has had its ups and downs so far, but hopefully it’s kind of a turning point to run more consistent with more top-10s and top-fives,” he said. 

While he hopes for more consistent finishes, Gustin hasn’t set a goal for the 2021 season. 

“We’re just out here trying to learn, we’re rookies right now so we’re just trying to do the best we can every night, and just get better,” Gustin said.

He may not have a set goal, but Gustin still has his eyes on winning Rookie of the Year. Since DIRTcar Nationals in February, he’s closed the gap on leading rookie contender Kyle Strickler. He hopes to narrow it even more with trips to the Midwest on the horizon. 

“That would be a cool accomplishment for sure, but it’s going to be tough,” Gustin said. “We gave up a lot of points at [DIRTcar Nationals], but hopefully we can get back to our neck of the woods with tracks he’s not familiar with and make up some ground.” 

One of those tracks near Gustin’s Iowa home is Mississippi Thunder Speedway. The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models will visit the Fountain City, WI track for the first time on May 7-8. “The Reaper” hopes there’s another first at the Dairyland Showdown doubleheader. 

“I have a lot of laps around [Mississippi Thunder Speedway] and a lot of success. Hopefully we can get our first win there, if it doesn’t happen before that,” Gustin said.  

If that first win comes in front of his home crowd, it’ll be a good way to show how he’s fighting through the growing pains of running a full-time Series schedule.  

Gustin and the rest of The Most Powerful Late Models On The Planet return to action April 23-24 for a swing through Kentucky and Ohio.  

Friday, April 23, the Series makes its first-ever trip to Richmond Raceway in Richmond, KY. Then on Saturday, April 24, it’ll move to Brushcreek Motorsports Complex in Peebles, OH for the first time since 2006. 

Kilgore, Hackney collide in closing laps, Bellomy Hard Charger in 24th-7th drive APRIL 14, 2021 – DIRTcar eSports’ all-time winningest Dirt Street Stock driver is back. Tyler Jackson, of Rockford, IL, put it in Fairbury Speedway Victory Lane Wednesday night, winning the fourth race of the Chevy Performance Street Stock League for his fourth career victory with the League in a very rough-and-tumble Feature event. “I’m not gonna lie, it took a little longer than I would have liked it to in race #4,” Jackson told DIRTcar eSports announcer Chase Raudman in the DIRTVision post-race interview. “But the competition level is a lot higher than it was last year. It was a great race – I’m still catching my breath.” While Jackson started inside Row 2, just ahead of him was last week’s Feature winner and Street Stock bigwig, Carl Kilgore. He and his #021 took off from the pole and appeared to have the car to beat until Jackson’s car came in and took the lead just slightly past the halfway point. The two played cat-and-mouse around the virtual quarter-mile before a dramatic ride to the finish presented itself on a restart with just three laps remaining. Jackson took the inside lane for the restart and threw a big slide job on Kilgore in Turns 1-2. Kilgore, of Greenville, MS, turned it back underneath him and returned the favor in Turns 3-4, but only slightly. Jackson kept his foot in the accelerator on the very top side and retained the spot as they crossed the stripe. “That’s what won me the race,” Jackson said. “I knew I had to get a good start with him.” Two more slide jobs by Kilgore on the following lap were unsuccessful in stealing Jackson’s spot. But as he prepared for what was likely going to be a third, Kilgore received a rear bumper full of former Extreme Savage teammate, Keith Hackney. Hackney’s and Kilgore’s bumpers met at the entrance to Turn 1, sending Kilgore around, collecting several other cars. “I got into him a little bit. I apologize for that, majorly. I didn’t want to have second that way, by no means,” Hackney said after the race. As Hackney, of Calhoun, GA, drove away with the spot, several other wrecks unfolded around the track, and Kilgore was left with a 17th-place finish. Hackney was later penalized to the tail of the lead lap (21st) by League admins in post-race examination for the incident. This moved Nathan Lemons up into second and Jamie Massey into third, marking the best finishes of their DIRTcar eSports careers. The Chevy Performance Street Stock League action continues next Wednesday night, April 21, at the Cedar Lake Speedway. Catch all the action live and FREE on DIRTVision presented by Drydene. Feature (25 Laps) – 1. 25-Tyler Jackson (3); 2. 225-Nathan Lemons (6); 3. 2-Jamie Massey (9); 4. 54-Larry Barber Jr. (7); 5. 26-Sean Stevens (13); 6. 003-Thorne Zimmerman (15); 7. 002-Clifford Bellomy (24); 8. 029-Lane Phillips (17); 9. 546-Randy Axner (16); 10. 260-Sage Luther (10); 11. 717-Bobby Rafferty (12); 12. 48-Kyle Vaughn (19); 13. 23-Brayden McMahan (18); 14. 29-Joshua Divine (23); 15. 21-Jim Reavis (14); 16. 021-Carl Kilgore (1); 17. 18-Justin Henson (21); 18. 04-Joshua Dennison (20); 19. 111-Jaron Valley (8); 20. 121-Eddie Farness (5); 21. 69-Keith Hackney (4); 22. 53-Aidan Skraha (22); 23. 077-Holden English (2); DQ. 005-Devin Ramsey (11) Hard Charger: 002-Clifford Bellomy (+17) CHAMP DEFENDS TURF: Tucker Wins in Back-to-Back Seasons with Pro Late Models at CharlotteHouser leads most laps, finishes fifth, Matjoulis rebounds with second podium Forty laps in Wednesday’s DIRTcar eSports Tour Feature at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Kendal Tucker only needed one to steal the show. In one of the most exciting finishes in DIRTcar eSports history, Tucker, the defending Tour champion and Pro Late Model race winner at Charlotte from Season 2, pulled a rabbit out of his hat in the closing laps of Wednesday’s Drydene Pro Late Model Feature and beat Alex Bergeron and Tyler Schell to the line to win his third career Tour Feature. “That was a wild one right there, to say the least,” Tucker said. Dylan Houser, of Ocala, FL, led the majority of the race on iRacing’s new dirt tire model – a total of 33 under his belt by race’s end – and maintained the lead as he came to three-to-go with Bergeron and Tucker right on his heels. Tucker, of Mt. Airy, NC, took the most advantage of Houser’s scrubbing of the outside Turn 2 wall by throwing a wicked slide job as the three dove into Turn 3. He clipped the infield tractor tire, somehow stayed with it, and raced side-by-side with Bergeron for the lead as they crossed for two-to-go. Houser jumped underneath each of them and slid his way back to the lead while Bergeron and Tucker crossed it back underneath him on the backstretch. Lead in-hand as they took the white flag, Bergeron rolled high coming out of Turn 2. Houser drifted up into him and made contact as Tucker re-entered the picture underneath them both, also banging off Houser as they entered Turn 3. A final slide job from Tucker in Turns 3-4 on them both sealed the deal as he crossed the stripe and collected $250 for the epic victory from the 10th starting spot. “No matter how far back I start, it definitely makes it a lot harder,” Tucker said. “But with these longer-distance races, it kinda bails you out if you can keep the car clean coming up through the field.” With all of the insanity between Tucker, Houser and Bergeron in the final three circuits, Tyler Schell and Blake Matjoulis had been on a mission to capitalize. Which, they did, taking advantage of further contact between Houser and Bergeron to grab third and fourth at the line. Bergeron had also made significant contact with the outside Turn 4 wall coming to the checkers. It was later determined that he scrubbed the wall through the entire corner and was therefore penalized two spots post-race for wall-riding. This awarded Schell and Matjoulis the final two podium spots and a career-best finish for Schell. The DIRTcar eSports Tour action continues next Wednesday night, April 21, with the Hoosier Racing Tire Big Block Modifieds at Lernerville Speedway. Catch all the action live and FREE on DIRTVision presented by Drydene. Feature (40 Laps) – 1. 00-Kendal Tucker (10); 2. 85-Tyler Schell (16); 3. 127-Blake Matjoulis (7); 4. 12-Alex Bergeron (5); 5. 2-Dylan Houser (2); 6. 115-Boddie Parker (23); 7. 1-Jesse Enterkin (21); 8. 80-Dylan Wilson (3); 9. 17-Brett Rowles (15); 10. 48-Dylan Yeager (1); 11. 71-Keven Hebert (12); 12. 41-Logan Rumsey (18); 13. 09-Tanner Tomasi (8); 14. 717-Bobby Rafferty (20); 15. 37-Randall Carter (17); 16. 033-Richard Murtaugh (13); 17. 4-Huey Quillen (24); 18. 8-Tyler Jackson (9); 19. 13-Damian Kiefer (4); 20. 000-Kevin Dedmon (11); 21. 101-Brent Evans (22); 22. 331-Dustin Hall (14); 23. 33-Evan Seay (6); 24. 5-Nathan Waddell (19)

DIRTcar Racing 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), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, and NAPA Auto Parts (SDS). Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), ASI Race Wear (SDS), Bassett, Bicknell Racing Products, Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux (SDS), Cometic Gasket (SDS), COMP Cams, Drydene, Fast Shafts, Fox Factory (SDS), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Quarter Master, Schoenfeld Headers, Summit Racing Equipment, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum) (SDS); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Beyea Headers, FireAde, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics and Velocita USA.

First of 11 Pennsylvania Races at Lincoln (May 12) & Williams Grove (May 14-15)ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – April 14, 2021 – It’s the biggest rivalry in Sprint Car Racing: The PA Posse vs. The World of Outlaws.The greatest band of full-time drivers traveling the nation against the most prideful and passionate set of local racers. The Outlaws want to come in and steal in the loot, but the Posse take defending their porch to the next level.LINCOLN TICKETS (Wed, May 12) WILLIAMS GROVE TICKETS (Fri-Sat, May 14-15)In 2021, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will make 11 appearances in Pennsylvania, and it all starts next month.On Wednesday, May 12, The Greatest Show on Dirt rolls into Abbottstown, PA for a one-night only event at Lincoln Speedway. Labeled the Gettysburg Clash presented by Drydene Performance Products, this $10,000-to-win mid-week special marks the 49th Outlaws / Posse soiree at Lincoln.A one-day break ensues before the Morgan Cup fires off on Friday & Saturday, May 14-15 at Williams Grove Speedway. The iconic Mechanicsburg, PA 1/2-mile will reach a milestone 220th World of Outlaws event during the finale, which offers a $17,000-to-win prize.One of the eight tracks to grace the schedule during the Outlaws’ inaugural year in 1978 and still hold races today in 2021, Lincoln’s history ranges far and wide with some holes in between. It started in year one when Steve Smith swept four shows over seven nights to shoo the Outlaws from his home turf.The Abbottstown 1/4-mile was a yearly tradition until 1999, when a 14-year dormant period began. In 2012, the track returned to Outlaw competition with a hot start for the Posse as Danny Dietrich of Gettysburg stood tall with the first two of his five-career World of Outlaws win.In 10 total dates since returning in 2012, the Posse have had the Outlaws’ number with six wins to four at Lincoln. Donny Schatz (2016), David Gravel (2017) and Sheldon Haudenschild (2020) are the only full-time Outlaws to beat the Posse of late.The competition has been stout in one month of local competition at Lincoln this year. Through seven races, six winners have risen to the occasion with Aliquippa, PA’s Tim Shaffer being the only repeat winner in the Heffner #72. Danny Dietrich, Billy Dietrich, Alan Krimes, Jim Siegel & Tim Wagaman also have wins.”We definitely take a lot of pride in defending our state,” Danny Dietrich said. “The World of Outlaws are the best in the country, but we’ve still got the best local scene of all 50 states. I think that’s why it is always so amped up when they roll into town. They want to beat us, but we want to beat them more. They bring in a little extra money and more glory, which is always nice too.”Transitioning to the Morgan Cup on May 14-15, Williams Grove Speedway will continue to stretch its advantage as the most-visited track in World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series history. Along with Iowa’s Knoxville Raceway, they’re the only two tracks to host World of Outlaws events every single year since the inception of the Series in 1978.Although Outlaws Steve Kinser (38 wins), Donny Schatz (21 wins), Mark Kinser (18 wins) and Sammy Swindell (16 wins) have dominated the 1/2-mile, the Posse’s brightest have put up a strong fight including Lance Dewease (14 wins), Fred Rahmer (9 wins), Greg Hodnett (9 wins) and Don Kreitz Jr. (8 wins).For Dewease, a win in next month’s two-night Morgan Cup would prove especially meaningful if he goes winless at the half-mile until then. As of now, the 55-year-old legend from Fayetteville, PA owns 99 career wins at Williams Grove, which is good enough to be the all-time leader over Fred Rahmer (90) & Greg Hodnett (73). However, win #100 being against the Outlaws sure would be special.Of the current 15 full-time drivers, only Donny Schatz (18 wins), David Gravel (8 wins), Brock Zearfoss (1 win) and James McFadden (1 win) have World of Outlaws wins at the track.Some of the other local stars that have turned in strong performances in 2021 include winner Freddie Rahmer, Brandon Rahmer, Dylan Cisney, T.J. Stutts, Chase Dietz, and Steve Buckwalter, among others.”It’s hard to put that place into words,” Zearfoss, a native of Jonestown, PA said. “It’s just so special. I mean they’ve been racing Sprint Cars for almost a century soon. Williams Grove just has so much history, and especially with the Outlaws. I’ll never forget my first win there in 2017. Hopefully we can get another one next month.”As strong as they are, the PA Posse still went winless in 2020 against the Outlaws. They had nine chances between Lernerville, Williams Grove, Lincoln, and Port Royal, but loss all nine of them. It was the first time they were shut out on their home turf since 2008.With that as motivation, they’ll be sure to come out of the gates swinging when the 2021 chapter of Outlaws vs. Posse begins.Still a month away, Brad Sweet currently leads the World of Outlaws championship standings in pursuit of his third-straight title in the Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49. The Big Cat is currently being chased by Sheldon Haudenschild (-92), David Gravel (-98), Carson Macedo (-110) and Logan Schuchart (-110).Fans who can’t make it to the track can catch all of the action on DIRTVision with the annual Platinum FAST PASS subscription for $299/year or the monthly FAST PASS subscription for $39/month.Photo – Trent Gower

CHEVROLET AT LAS VEGAS What: Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide NationalsWhen: Friday, April 16-Sunday, April 18Where: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NevadaTV: FS1 will telecast eliminations at 8 p.m. ET April 18                                                                                                     Chevrolet drivers seek another winning hand in Las VegasNovel four-wide format at The Strip creates challenges in Race 2 of season 
DETROIT (April 14, 2021) – Four-time National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson doesn’t dwell on statistics.
He’s always looking forward to his next win because he knows how difficult it is to clutch a Wally in the ultra-competitive category dominated by Chevrolet Camaros. Anderson will acknowledge, however, that his victory in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season opener last month in Florida was particularly significant.
It happened to come on his 60th birthday, ended an 18-month victory drought and moved him within two wins of tying his mentor, Warren Johnson, for the all-time Pro Stock leader with 97 wins. 
“I definitely want to do that; I can’t say it’s not a goal,” said Anderson, who will seek to add to the total in the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “That isn’t the reason I race, though. I race because this is what I love to do, and I love to win. Whatever that number ends up as, 95 or 105 or whatever it’s going to be, I’m going to be happy. I’m just going to try to get as many as I can.”
The COVID-19 pandemic caused four-wide races in Las Vegas and Charlotte, North Carolina, to be canceled in 2020. No Pro Stock driver entered this weekend has won in the four-wide format at Las Vegas.
Anderson, driver of the Denso Spark Plugs Camaro SS, is an eight-time winner at the The Strip. 
“(The four-wide format) takes some getting used to,” said Anderson, who advanced to the final quad in 2019. “There’s a lot going on. I don’t know what it looks like for the spectators, but inside the car it’s a mess.” 
Three-time Funny Car champion Robert Hight, driver of the Auto Club of Southern California Camaro SS, also had a strong start to the season with a runner-up finish at Gainesville. He’s a five-time winner at The Strip.
“We had a good start to the season at the Gatornationals. It was good to be back in the seat, be with the team and Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham. We had some gremlins, but we had some luck on our side too,” said Hight, who is a three-time winner in the quad format at Charlotte. “It’s a good weekend when you get to the final, but we beat ourselves so it’s time to do some polishing and get this Auto Club Chevy running the way we know how.”
Funny Car teammate John Force, PEAK/BlueDEF PLATINUM Camaro SS, has won eight times at the track. Top Fuel sensation Brittany Force, Flav-R-Pac Chevrolet dragster, holds both ends of the track records and will be looking for her 11th career victory. She won at the racetrack in the fall of 2019.FS1 will telecast eliminations at 8 p.m. ET April 18.
CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT
TOP FUEL:
BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (holds both ends of track Top Fuel records — elapsed time of 3.680 seconds and 338.17 mph; won at track in 2019): “Vegas was our last win together in 2019. Vegas is one of my favorite tracks on the circuit and winning at your favorite track is something that can’t be beat. I’m excited to head to Vegas and start qualifying this Flav-R-Pac dragster. Our focus will be Saturday’s qualifying, especially that Q2 run setting us up for race day. We’re looking for more wins this season and ending the season with a championship.”
FUNNY CAR:
JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK/BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (six-time winner at track; won the first four-wide event in 2010 at Charlotte): “I always look forward to racing at The Strip. Bruton Smith always puts on a good show. It’s already sold out. The fans are going to love it. It’s four-wide, it’s 40,000 horsepower. This BlueDEF PLATINUM team is excited so we’ll see how it goes, hopefully go some rounds and come out with a win.”
ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up in season opener; five-time winner at track): “Racing in Las Vegas is always a good time. I’ve had some success there but I’m looking to add a Four-Wide Nationals victory to my list. There’s a lot more going on when it’s four-wide but as long as you stay focused on what you’re doing and don’t worry about who’s next to you, it’s just like any other race. Whoever is in those other lanes, I’m not treating it any differently. The fans are the ones who really benefit from racing four-wide. Over 40,000 horsepower, the ground really shakes.”
PRO STOCK:
ERICA ENDERS, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, MELLING PERFORMANCE/ELITE MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (reigning and four-time class champion; four-time winner at track; holds track Pro Stock speed record of 214.69 mph; will be making 300th Pro Stock start and could surpass 350 career round wins): “I’m excited to go back to Vegas. We’ve obviously had a lot of success there. We were able to win the event there that closed the 2020 season and our fourth world championship in October. Four-wide is definitely interesting. It adds some challenging aspects. We’ll go there with a clear head and hopefully our Lady Luck that always graces us in Vegas will continue to do so.”
GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, DENSO SPARK PLUGS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (winner in season opener; eight-time winner at track): “We went home after Gainesville and worked on our engines to try to make something better. We love our shop time. (The four-wide format) takes some getting used to. There’s a lot going on. Inside the car it’s a mess.” 
CHRIS MCGAHA, HARLOW SAMMONS RACING, HARLOW SAMMONS OF ODESSA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (competing in 170th Pro Stock race): “I am definitely a fan of the four-wide. I think it’s a cool race given the fact that it is different than all of the others. It gives us something different to look forward to. Best part is, come race day, the slightest mistake takes you out of the race, so the pressure to be good mixed with some Vegas luck is critical. We used Gainesville as our test session in order to get all of the off-season dust out of my Chevy Camaro. We tested again this week in Tulsa to confirm what we learned in Gainesville, so we expect to show out in Vegas.”
MASON MCGAHA, HARLOW SAMMONS RACING, HARLOW SAMMONS OF ODESSA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (competing in 10th Pro Stock race; semifinalist at season opener): ““We’re coming off some good momentum in Gainesville by making it to the semis. Heading into the weekend, we were able to test, giving us more data on the track and me more seat time. I guess you can say that after making five or so laps before the national event really helped my confidence. The pressure of competition didn’t bother me because I felt confident in my Chevy Camaro as well as my driving. This weekend is the first time I’ll be driving in a four-wide event. I have watched my dad (Chris McGaha) over the years talk about the differences between this event and a normal national event and it will be important that I do my own thing and not worry about what is going on in the other three lanes. I am looking forward to this new experience.”
KYLE KORETSKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up at track in 2020 season finale; competing in 10th Pro Stock race and first time in four-wide event): “It will be a learning curve. You just have to go there and figure it out, with a clear mind. I watched some video, and I just have to hit my shift points. I have all the confidence in the world in my Lucas Oil Chevy Camaro.”
TROY COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS.COM/ELITEMOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up in season opener; won first national event 12 years ago in Super Comp at Las Vegas): “I certainly remember that win in 2009. I was pretty much in shock and could barely talk when I got interviewed at the top end. We are tuned-up and ready to roll. Luck was on our side in Gainesville, and we gained a lot of momentum by starting so well. There is no limit to what we can accomplish and there’s plenty of goals to set our sights on this weekend in Las Vegas.”

LAS VEGAS (April 14, 2021) – After making their return to the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing World Series, John Force and the PEAK / BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SS team are more motivated than ever for the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 16-18. In what was his 200th race start in a Chevrolet, Force and the BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro started race day at the NHRA Gatornationals from the fifth spot. They took the first-round victory with a 3.915-second pass at 326.56 mph over Paul Lee’s 3.977 run at 328.94. Lining up against his team president, Robert Hight, in the second round, Force and his Chevy Camaro ran into tire smoke and coasted to a 4.994-second pass at 164.19 mph to give Hight, who finished the event runner-up, the win. “It was exciting to be back in the seat of my PEAK BlueDEF / PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro, be back with the fans and to be in the show. We went a couple rounds and we look like a race team,” said Force who sits eighth in points. “Robert Hight and Auto Club going to the finals, Brittany with Monster and Flav-R-Pac had a strong showing. We’re ready for this next race. Ready to head to Vegas.” Force has had success at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway winning a total of six times at the venue, twice in the spring, 2019 and 2015. He has yet to have a victory in the four-wide format at the track but is no stranger to winning in the unconventional style. Force won the first ever four-wide event held at zMAX Dragway in 2010 and was runner-up in 2014 and 2018, he also reached the final quad most recently in 2019. In addition to his six wins at The Strip, Force has had three No. 1 qualifiers and a total of eight final round appearances. “I always look forward to racing at The Strip. Bruton Smith always puts on a good show. It’s already sold out. The fans are going to love it. It’s four-wide, it’s 40,000 horsepower,” Force said. “This BlueDEF PLATINUM team is excited so we’ll see how it goes, hopefully go some rounds and come out with a win.” Before sitting out the majority of last season, Force had a runner-up finish at the 2020 Winternationals where he defeated Bob Bode, Tommy Johnson Jr. and reigning world champion Matt Hagan before falling short to longtime rival Jack Beckman in the finals. At the NHRA Arizona Nationals, Force qualified No. 2 and made a semifinal finish where he again lost to Beckman who was again the event winner.   Qualifying at the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway begins Friday at 4:15 p.m. and continues Saturday with runs at 1:45 and 4:15 p.m. Eliminations take place Sunday at noon. Fans can catch the action on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) Friday at 7 p.m. ET and Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.

NASCAR CUP SERIES RICHMOND RACEWAY TOYOTA OWNERS 400 TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT APRIL 14, 2021 CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE, Teleconference Transcript: LOOKING AHEAD TO TALLADEGA, HOW DO YOU HANDLE WORKING WITH TEAMMATES AND MANUFACTURERS?“That’s a good question. I feel like it’s always a topic of conversation and it’s always a really tough conversation. But I feel like this has been going on for the last couple of years, I would say, give or take; way more than it did my first couple of years. And as things have gone on, the dynamic has certainly progressed. I think everyone has a better understanding. And ultimately, amongst our teams a Hendrick Motorsports, I feel like we have found ourselves in just a good position of understanding what’s important when it comes to helping each other. To me, the high spots of that are getting on and off pit road good, together, and efficiently. And then, restarts and lane choice from that standpoint. Outside of that, the race has to evolve naturally, right? Like we really try hard not to hurt one another. But it’s also hard to expect someone to hurt themselves and to go out of their way to try to help you. I feel like we have a good understanding of that, and we really just focus on putting emphasis at Hendrick Motorsports, and Chevrolet, too, as we have evolved into just the pit cycle and doing that together and taking time because those things, that in particular, I feel like is going to put you in the best position after that and potentially at the end of the race. So, that’s where our focus has been. That’s where my focus is at. And I feel like reasonably, we’ve done a good job of that and gotten better at it as time has gone on and focusing on those these and just not playing so many games of expecting too much from one another, but just focusing on those high spots.” DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT NOT HAVE WON IN THE FIRST EIGHT RACES?“No, I’m not concerned with it. I would love to win, for sure, before now; but at the same time, I feel like we have a great team. I feel like I’m in a good place. I don’t feel any different today than I did approaching the end of the season last year. So, we just have to continue to push and work hard to focus on what makes us go fast and what makes me comfortable behind the wheel. And just focus on us. I feel like that’s something we’ve always done a really good job of at the No. 9 team in particular. Alan (Gustafson, crew chief) have a good relationship and I think we understand what I need behind the wheel to go fast. We just have to achieve that and get it the next few races. We’ve had pace at certain times this year that I feel like was good enough to contend for a win. We’ve also had races where we were really bad and didn’t have pace. But that’s racing and that’s part of it, right? Those tough days and slow races push you to want to be better. So, I guess to answer your question, no, I’m not concerned with it. We all want to win but I feel no different today than I did at the end of last year and the results were just fine then. So, I know we can achieve it. I know we can go out there and accomplish our goals. And we believe that as a team and really outside of that, it really just doesn’t matter.” HAVE YOU ENJOYED HAVING THREE SHORT TRACKS ON THE SCHEDULE IN A ROW?“Well, there’s only two short tracks on the schedule. And they never fall in order. So, Martinsville is it.” WHAT ABOUT BRISTOL?“Well, that is a good point. I guess the dirt throws that one for a bit of a loop. Yeah, I mean you know, Bristol is such an off thing. That’s really hard, right, because we don’t go back to the dirt. So, I think it’s been good. I think our cars and our series suits well for short track racing. Martinsville, I thought, was a good race. I wish I was part of it a little closer, but I thought it was a good show. Martin and Denny raced really hard for the win; I don’t know what else you could ask for really, if you’re a fan. They were side-by-side for ten laps, it seemed like, which I thought was really cool. So yeah, I think it’s a good thing. I’ve always been a fan of it and I’d love to see more. Hopefully we can get there one day.” RICHMOND IS A LITTLE BIT LONGER THAN THOSE TWO AND THE CONFIGURATION IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. HOW MUCH DIFFERENT IS THE DRIVING AT RICHMOND?“The driving at Richmond is honestly very straight forward. I think that’s what makes Richmond really hard is because it’s just not a super challenging place, I don’t think, for the drivers to run the proper line. But what makes it really hard there is to just be different. And everyone is doing the exact same thing. Obviously, you have to have your car balance really good there and it has to be perfect. You’re riding that really razor thin edge much like you do at Martinsville. But it’s definitely a challenge. And I think the reason it’s a challenge is that everyone is just doing the same thing. Martinsville is different where guys really attack that race track differently. Whereas at Richmond, I feel like everyone is just in the exact same boat and it’s hard to be different. I think that’s what makes that place tough.” WITH EVERYTHING THAT’S HAPPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC, EVERYBODY HAS HAD TO DO THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY. WHEN THE SPORT GOES BACK TO A NEW NORMAL, WHAT ARE THE THINGS OR PROCESSES THAT WILL STILL CARRY OVER LIKE THE GOOD OLD DAYS?“That’s a great question. Honestly, from our preparation standpoint, really not a lot changed. We went about our race prep really similar to what we did in the past. Our post-race work was really similar. I don’t necessarily think a lot changed from my competitive-side or from the competition aspect; but certainly, from the logistic side of things and the scheduling side; which this is above me and not my call, but I definitely think there are a lot of lessons and a lot of good to take from what was a bad situation and still is, and just how they’re doing things. I feel like NASCAR became more efficient in the past year than it’s ever been. And, especially than it’s been in the last 10 to 15 years; I feel like we just learned that there’s just a lot of things that we don’t have to have to still put on a great show on Sundays. And man, I think we’d be making a really big mistake to not learn from those lessons and to not carry some of that stuff forward. The leadership is as different and is as confident and open to trying new things at NASCAR than, I don’t want to say than it’s ever been because I wasn’t around for a lot of it, but man, they’re doing things way different now and trying things that I don’t think any of us would have ever expected 10 or 15 years ago, right? I think they’re looking at all of it and I think they should. But that’s up to them and whatnot and again, that’s not my call and I don’t want it to be my call. But I do think there are a lot of great lessons that we can take from this on just how to be more efficient as a sport moving and to make it a little more economical and make use of everyone’s time wisely on the road, and still put on a really good race on Sundays or Saturday nights. Again, I think there is a lot of good to take from what’s been a tough year.” AS THE SPORT LOOKS TO OPEN UP MORE AS EARLY AS NEXT MONTH, AS A COMPETITOR WITH MUCH AT STAKE, DOES THAT IMPACT ANY DECISION ON WHETHER TO GET VACCINATED OR NOT, OR HAVE YOU ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF THAT? HOW DO YOU VIEW THAT?“Well, I view it very personally as I think a lot of people probably will. I, myself, view it personally. I don’t share my medical records with the public. I don’t tell you guys when I go to the doctor. Not out of disrespect, but that’s just that I’m kind of a personal guy, I guess, when it comes to my health. I’m making decisions about my health on my own terms; and I will respect everyone else’s decisions just the same as I hope to get the privacy and respect of mine.” WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM WILLIAM BYRON AND ALEX BOWMAN ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES IN BEING ABLE TO DRIVE THE NEXT GEN CAR THAT HAVE PIQUED YOUR INTEREST ABOUT THE CAR COMPARES TO WHAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING?“To be honest, we haven’t talked about it a ton. I’ve been kind of hesitant just with the whole situation and whatnot, on the car, and guys driving it just because I still think there’s a lot of questions that aren’t answered. You don’t want to pick up something. Say it’s a certain thing with the steering. There was talk about that a while back and that it was way off and they’re working on it and trying to get it better. But that might be a comment that you might get from one of them a while back before it was proper. So, I’ve just been really careful about asking and really getting involved with that car just yet because again, I just think there are things that they’re still working out. And honestly, I kind of want it to be worked out first before I really dive in and start to pick apart the small things that can make a big difference. We’re always hunting the really small fine details and you just want to make sure all those details are what we’re going to have next year. And that’s really kind of been where my head is at with it.” WITH THE NEW THINGS ON THE NEW CAR LIKE THE INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION AND SEQUENTIAL SHIFTER, WHAT ASPECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST TO EXPERIENCE YOURSELF?“I think it’s really hard just to pick out one thing, right? I don’t think the sequential shifting is going to make that big of a difference like you guys would never know we have an H pattern shifter in our cars. Like, you would just never know that looking from the outside with the way the transmissions are. We might miss a shift on occasion just because of that. But for the most part, the transmissions are really nice, and they like to live in gear, and they want to go in gear. It doesn’t really seem to slow down the shifting process. I feel like we get the thing in gear really fast. So, I don’t really see that changing the look of things a whole lot. But certainly, the independent rear suspension and the aerodynamic factors of that car, I think, could definitely change how the racing looks. But I think you have to look at it as a whole. I think it’s really hard just to say hey, that one thing is going to be super-different and I’m super-excited about that. I think the whole thing is a package and it’s a package deal. That whole car is one unit. And it’s going to be very different. And I think you have to look at it as a unit and see how it is different as a whole because again, to your point, there are some things that are very far removed from what we’ve had, what NASCAR has had, for a long time. So, I’m very curious to see how it works and curious to drive one and see how the racing is.” INAUDIBLE – QUESTION ABOUT MAKING IT TO VICTORY LANE“We’re trying hard. We’re always trying hard; whether we win or finish last, we’re trying hard. So, it’s always a fight. Martinsville was a really strong fight by our team, honestly. We had a long day just in kind of how the strategy worked out. I feel like we passed a lot of cars, which was good. We got up there towards the front there at the end. We definitely weren’t as good as Martin and Ryan, but I thought we were probably mixed in with that group behind them, which is not what you’re looking for, but it’s certainly solid and something you can build off of. That’s an important race for the Fall. I hope we can go back and build on that. Certainly, looking to Richmond, that’s been a struggled track for me. I would love to go there and try to get a win. That would be a big one if we could go do that, just knowing how bad we’ve struggled there in the past. It reminds me of Martinsville and our struggles there and kind of progressing and trying to get better. Hopefully Richmond is another step in the right direction, and we can contend up there.” ASIDE FROM WINNING, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST GOAL DURING THE OPENING PART OF A LONG 36-RACE SCHEDULE?‘Honestly, you said it. Winning. I think winning early is a good thing. You have to win early. No, we didn’t last year. But I definitely think it helps. That, to me, is the most important thing; really, the whole year. With the way the points format is, it’s a long regular season to the Playoff run and to when it starts. You can have wins in the bank when that starts. It doesn’t guarantee you a shot to Phoenix, but it sure does hedge your bet and having those points as those rounds reset and go forward. I think that’s the most important thing. Obviously, getting good points and having solid finishes to get yourself in a good position for the regular season championship thing, whatever they call it; I don’t know what the proper term is for it, but it awards a bunch of points if you have a good result there. So, winning and getting yourself good points for the end of the regular season to help carry you to the Playoffs; those Playoff points, however you get them, are the most important thing.” THERE IS TALK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF NASCAR ADDING A STREET COURSE TO THE SCHEDULE IN THE FUTURE. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?“I don’t see anything wrong with it. Again, I’m honestly super excited that this leadership group at NASCAR is branching out and trying new things. Hey, I’m about it. If we go have a street course and it goes terrible, then that’s honestly fine with me because we were trying something different and we weren’t just stuck in the ways that we’ve been doing it for however many years just because that’s how it’s been done. So, I think sometimes we try these new things and we all just have this expectation of something that we don’t know whether it’s reasonable or not, but we have these high expectations. But in reality, I think we should really just be happy that we’re trying something different; and just take pride in that, and just leave it there, whether it goes good or bad. So, I’m all about it and hopefully they can pull it off somewhere and I hope it’s a good race. And if it is great or if not, then try something else.” HOW DO YOU THINK THE BRISTOL DIRT RACE PLAYED OUT AND WHAT DO YOU FEEL COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER MOVING FORWARD TO NEXT SEASON?“Such a weird event, you know. The dirt category is small, right, with just that one race. So, it’s not like you go back there in the Fall, which makes it tough; but they say they’re going back there to do it again next year. I think this new car is going to bring a whole new set of challenges in how they can logistically make that work again. I felt like the only bad thing; really, I thought it was a pretty good show for the conditions and what they had to work with. It looked like an old short track race from the 80’s or something, which I thought was cool. I didn’t really think it was much of a dirt race like you typically see. And the reason for that is what we saw in the Truck event with how they cool these cars and the windshields; they just can’t have a tacky track, which is what dirt racing typically has. You see a track that has moisture to it ends up kind of progressing drier and drier as the race goes along. Whereas we started and we were kind of already on the dry side of the spectrum. So, I would love to see it where we could have more of that transition like normal dirt racing has. But just the way these cars are built and the windshields in them and stuff, that’s very difficult. So, all things considered, I think they did a really good job managing that. There were no disasters. They tried to get that Truck race going and they had to stop it. But nothing bad happened. And I thought our race went as smooth as it could have. But this new car is going to bring a new set of challenges that I don’t think anybody really knows about yet. So, we’ll see.” IS THERE ANY SENSE OF PRESSURE AS THE REIGNING CHAMPION IN TRYING TO GET BACK TO VICTORY LANE? HAS YOUR LIFE REALLY CHANGED MUCH SINCE WINNING THE TITLE?“To be real honest, my life really hasn’t changed a whole lot like day to day. I can’t say it’s really much different. We’re still very driven to want to go win and compete at a high level. That would be that way whether we had won last year or not. I’m thankful for that. I feel like we have a group that is very driven and not just content with last year’s result. We want to continue to push and get better and that’s where our head is at. Of course, we want to go win. That’s always the goal. But you’re going to have struggles and you’re going to have those bad days. We’ve had a few of them so far this year. But I feel like we have a very strong team. I feel like I have the best group in the garage to go to work with. I feel like they believe in me and I believe in them. They let me do my thing and I let them do theirs. I feel like our relationship is good. I think we all have confidence that we can go compete at a high level and compete for race wins and as long as we believe that, then everything else is really irrelevant. So, I feel very good about that. I feel like we’re in a good place. And we’ve just got to keep pushing and keep pushing ahead. It doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Nothing is ever easy. But I feel like we go and compete to win races and do the high level. So, that’s what we’re working on.”

Batavia, OH (April 14, 2021) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is back in action this weekend in the Mid-Atlantic, at Hagerstown Speedway on Saturday, April 17th and Port Royal Speedway on Sunday, April 18th. The Red Nininger Tribute at Hagerstown Speedway will see a full program for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, accompanied by the Pure Stock division. Hagerstown Speedway is a true 1/2 mile track with straight-aways over 900 feet long and 70 feet wide, with 90 feet wide turns. The pit gate will open at 2:00PM with the general admission gate opening at 5:00PM, hot laps begin at 7:00PM. For tickets and more information, visit: www.hagerstownspeedway.com or call (301) 582-0640. Better known as “The Speed Palace”, Port Royal Speedway will host the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series on Sunday, April 18th for the River Valley 40. The immaculate half-mile oval will feature a full program for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, highlighted by a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win main event. The Limited Late Models will compete for $1,500-to-win. Both pit and general admission gates are set to open at 2:00PM, with hot laps slated for 5:15PM. For more information, visit: www.portroyalspeedway.com. For those unable to make it out in person, both races will be streamed live, beginning with hot laps, on MAVTVPlus.com. Unlimited. Exclusive. On-Demand. Live.  Following his victory at Atomic Speedway, Hudson O’Neal leads the current Lucas Oil Championship Standings and will be sporting the Midwest Sheet Metal Orange Spoiler at Hagerstown Speedway. “To say the least, it’s always been a dream to be in this position and to be able to take advantage of it with a really good race car. I ran pretty good at Port Royal last year and have had success at Hagerstown as well, so I feel pretty good going into the weekend.”  Trailing O’Neal in the championship hunt – by a total of just 125 points – are Devin Moran, Tim McCreadie, Kyle Bronson, and Brandon Sheppard to complete the top five. To view the complete Lucas Oil Championship Standings, please visit: https://lucasdirt.com/points/2021-points.  Track Information:Hagerstown SpeedwayPhone Number: 301-582-0640Location: 15112 National Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740Directions: I-81 to exit 6-B, then 5.3 miles west on US 40 (NSR)Website: www.hagerstownspeedway.com Tire Rule for Hagerstown Speedway April 17th:Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier Rib (28.5) 1300, (28.5) 1425Right Rear – Hoosier (29.0) 1300 NRM, (29.0) 1300 NRMW, (29.0) 1425 NRM, (29.0) 1425 NRMW*Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains.*For the A-Main, competitors may use 3 new tires.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position. Port Royal SpeedwayPhone Number: 717-527-2303Location: 308 W. 8th St., Port Royal, PA 17082Directions: two miles south of US Rt. 322 just off of PA Rt. 75 in Port Royal. Pit entrance on Fourth St., General Admission on Sixth and Eighth St.Website: www.portroyalspeedway.com Tire Rule for Port Royal Speedway April 18th:Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier Rib (28.5) 1300, (28.5) 1425Right Rear – Hoosier (29.0) 1300 NRM, (29.0) 1300 NRMW, (29.0) 1425 NRM, (29.0) 1425 NRMW*Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains.*For the A-Main, competitors may use 3 new tires.*Flat tire must be replaced with a used tire of the same compound and construction to retain starting position. Red Nininger Tribute Purse: $15,000 to win- 1. $15,000, 2. $6,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $3,000, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,400, 7. $2,300, 8. $2,200, 9. $2,100, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,300, 14. $1,200, 15. $1,050, 16. $1,000, 17. $1,000, 18. $1,000, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000. = $57,050 River Valley 40 Purse:$10,000 to win- 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800. = $48,575

About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt SeriesFounded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series showcases the talents of the top dirt late model drivers from across the country. In 2021, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction 59 events across 18 states, including some of the biggest marquee events in the industry, providing dirt slinging, sideways, door-to-door racing action lap after lap.  The series receives national exposure through a television package filmed, produced and edited by Lucas Oil Production Studios. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events will broadcast on four networks including CBS, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network and the MAVTV Motorsports Network.   The in your face excitement of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is second to none in motorsports. For more information, including the latest news, tour schedule, driver information, and more, visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.

CHEVROLET RACING IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES INDY GP OF ALABAMA – APRIL 17-18 BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK LEEDS. ALABAMA APRIL 14, 2021
RACE 1 OF 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES:DETROIT (April 14, 2021) – Chevrolet teams and drivers, buoyed by strong on-track test outings and off-track preparations, enter the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with high expectations for continued success. Since rejoining INDYCAR manufacturer competition in 2012, Chevrolet has amassed an impressive 89 victories and 99 earned poles in 149 races on the way to securing six Engine Manufacturer Championships and seven Driver/Owner Championships. Team Penske and Ed Carpenter Racing have contributed to the achievements since 2012. Chevrolet scored seven wins and 11 poles during the 2020 season truncated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eleven cars powered by Chevrolet’s 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V6 engine will seek to take the checkered flag in the opening Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama powered by AmFirst on April 18 at Barber Motorsports Park. “As Chevrolet enters its 10th consecutive year of NTT INDYCAR SERIES engine manufacturer competition, we want to thank our partners and teams for the major accomplishments through the years,” said Rob Buckner, Chevrolet INDYCAR program manager. “That dedication to a collaborative effort resulted in maximizing available off-season testing in preparation of for the 2021 season. With a talented lineup of drivers and skilled teams backed by Chevy power, we look forward to achieving more milestones this season.” Chevrolet has won six of the past eight races on the 2.38-mile, 17-turn road course in Birmingham, Alabama. The event was canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19. Two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Josef Newgarden, driver of the No. 2 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet, is the only three-time winner. “I think we’ve got a good opportunity to come out pretty strong this year,” said Newgarden, who won from the pole in 2018 along with victories in 2015 and ’17. “I think we’ve done a lot of good work this off-season. I’m very encouraged about everywhere we’re going, to be honest, Barber included. I can’t wait to get going this weekend.” Newgarden, runner-up in the 2020 championship standings, also posted top-five finishes in 2019 and 2016 on the natural-terrain course that features 80 feet of elevation change. Teammates Will Power, No. 12 Verizon 5G Team Penske Chevrolet, and Simon Pagenaud, No. 22 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet, have also notched victories. Team Penske will field a fourth full-season Chevrolet entry driven by three-time Australian SuperCar champion Scott McLaughlin, who made his Series debut in the 2020 finale. “This track requires a lot of commitment, a lot of bravery and a lot of commitment to the aerodynamics of the car,” he said of Barber Motorsports Park. “That’s something I’m getting used to right now. Having a couple test days puts me in good stead knowing what I’ve got and what I will have chassis-wise when we hit the track on Saturday morning.” Felix Rosenqvist, who edged Pato O’Ward for the victory at Road America last season, has joined Arrow McLaren SP as O’Ward’s teammate in the No. 7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet. Dalton Kellett, No. 4 K-Line Insulators USA Chevrolet, returns to A.J. Foyt Enterprises after competing in eight races in 2020. He will be joined for the full season by four-time Indy car champion Sebastien Bourdais, No. 14 ROKiT Chevrolet. Veteran Conor Daly will drive the No. 20 U.S. Air Force Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing in road/street course events, with the team namesake taking the wheel on ovals. Daly will also drive in the Indianapolis 500 for the team. Rinus VeeKay, the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year, returns to Ed Carpenter Racing in the No. 21 Sonax/Autogeek Chevrolet. NBC will telecast the 90-lap/214-mile race at 3 p.m. ET April 18. The race will also be broadcast live on INDYCAR Radio Network affiliates, Sirius 211, XM 205, Indycar.com, and on the INDYCAR Mobile app powered by NTT DATA. Practice, live qualifications and the race day warm-up will stream on Peacock Premium.
Team Chevy will be represented by:A.J. Foyt EnterprisesDalton Kellett, No. 4 K-Line Insulators USASebastien Bourdais, No. 14 ROKiT
Arrow McLaren SPPato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren SPFelix Rosenqvist, No. 7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP
CarlinMax Chilton, No. 59 Carlin
Ed Carpenter RacingConor Daly, No. 20 U.S. Air ForceRinus VeeKay, No. 21 Sonax/Autogeek
Team PenskeJosef Newgarden, No. 2 Hitachi Team PenskeScott McLaughlin, No. 3 PPG Team PenskeWill Power, No. 12 Verizon 5G Team PenskeSimon Pagenaud, No. 22 Menards Team PenskeHISTORICAL 2012 TO PRESENT – CHEVROLET V6 TWIN TURBOCHARGED DIRECT INJECTED 2.2-LITER ENGINE SUPPLIER IN INDYCAR:2012 – 11 wins   *First win as IndyCar V6 2.2 liter engine supplier (3/25/2012) – Helio Castroneves, Streets of St. Petersburg *First Chevrolet IndyCar V6 IZOD IndyCar Series Manufacturer Championship *First Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Driver Championship – Ryan Hunter-Reay (also won Oval Track Championship) *First Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Road Course Championship – Will Power2013 – 10 wins *First Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Indianapolis 500 win – Tony Kanaan  *Second Consecutive IZOD IndyCar Series Manufacturer Championship *Repeat IZOD IndyCar Series Road Course Championship – Will Power 2014 – 12 wins *Second Verizon IndyCar Series Driver Championship – Will Power *Third Consecutive Verizon IndyCar Series Manufacturer Championship 2015 – 10 wins *Third Verizon IndyCar Series Driver Championship – Scott Dixon  *Fourth Consecutive Verizon IndyCar Series Manufacturer Championship  *Second Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Indianapolis 500 win – Juan Pablo Montoya2016 – 14 wins   *Fourth Verizon IndyCar Series Driver Championship — Simon Pagenaud   *Fifth Consecutive Verizon IndyCar Series Manufacturer Championship2017 – 10 wins   *Fifth Verizon IndyCar Series Driver Championship – Josef Newgarden   *Sixth Consecutive Verizon IndyCar Series Manufacturer Championship 2018 – 6 wins   *Third Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Indianapolis 500 win – Will Power2019 – 9 wins   *Fourth Chevrolet IndyCar V6 Indianapolis 500 win – Simon Pagenaud   *Sixth NTT IndyCar Series Driver Championship – Josef Newgarden2020 – 7 wins    * Simon Pagenaud (Iowa1), Josef Newgarden (Iowa2, St. Louis2, Indianapolis road course1 October, St. Petersburg), Will Power (Mid-Ohio1, Indianapolis road course October2) TOTAL V6 WINS: 89 wins, 99 poles (And 5 pole starts based on entrant points for total of 104) in 149 races