Cruz Pedregon–Sonoma Advance

NHRA® Team Report
Sonoma Nationals – Sonoma
Pre-Race Report

On the heels of the team’s strongest finish of the season, Cruz Pedregon is headed to Sonoma with his eye on a win and a spot in the Countdown. “We finally showed what we could do on race day with E1 and E2,” says Pedregon. “We raced smart but misjudged the track a little on E3. Even so, we held the number 1 spot until Q4 with no major damage to parts.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon–Sonoma Advance

Meyer Sisters to Settle Tie Breaker at Topeka Regional Event

Meyer Sisters to Settle Tie Breaker at Topeka Regional Event

Jul 23, 2019 | Featured, Megan Meyer, Pre-Race Releases, Rachel Meyer
Meyer Sisters to Settle Tie Breaker at Topeka Regional Event

Megan and Rachel Meyer of the Randy Meyer Racing Team will continue their battle for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Central Regional Championship this weekend at their home track in Topeka, Kansas. The Meyer Sisters are currently tied for first place, both having one win and two runner-up finishes this season, and will have three more races after this weekend to continue their chances of winning the series. Continue reading Meyer Sisters to Settle Tie Breaker at Topeka Regional Event

RAD Dan Burkett—Event 5 Recap

EVENT RECAP : Round 5, BABY BLUE

Dan’s main competition Supra, “Big Blue” sat out this event resulting in the demo Supra “Baby Blue” making its big debut in Seattle. “Baby Blue” was well anticipated by the Formula Drift series and Dan’s fans from all over! Running a lower horsepower car on a big horsepower track put Dan’s driving skills to the test more than ever. Dan made it happen on track with “Baby Blue” and successfully qualified leading up to yet another battle with Chelsea Denofa! Dan did not get the win; but to say the least, we felt this round was a true victory as a team! Thank you to our partners that have been involved with building “Baby Blue” this past year. Dan will continue to drive this demo car at future events outside of the Formula Drift series, more “Baby Blue” to come…

Dan will be competing in his Formula Drift Competition Supra, “BIG BLUE” at ROUND 6 in St. Louis on August 9-10th

Giovanni Scelzi Ties Career-Best Outlaws Finish at Eldora Before Making Kings Royal Main Event

Giovanni Scelzi Ties Career-Best Outlaws Finish at Eldora Before Making Kings Royal Main Event

Inside Line Promotions – ROSSBURG, Ohio (July 25, 2019) – Giovanni Scelzi tied his career-best World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series result at Eldora Speedway and he made the Kings Royal main event to highlight a busy week at the half-mile oval. Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Ties Career-Best Outlaws Finish at Eldora Before Making Kings Royal Main Event

RCR Event Preview – Pocono Raceway / Iowa Speedway

Richard Childress Racing at Pocono Raceway … In 163 starts at Pocono Raceway, RCR team owner Richard Childress has two wins, both with Dale Earnhardt, who won on July 19, 1987 and July 18, 1993. Additionally, RCR has earned one pole award, 16 top-five and 55 top-10 finishes with 613 laps led at the uniquely-shaped three-turn track. Childress, a former driver in NASCAR’s top division, contributed two of those top-10 finishes under the RCR banner.
Continue reading RCR Event Preview – Pocono Raceway / Iowa Speedway

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES AT MID-OHIO: Team Chevy Advance

CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY 200
MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE
LEXINGTON, OHIO
TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
JULY 25, 2019

Chevrolet aims for another Mid-Ohio victory

Chevrolet impressive on 2.258-mile Mid-Ohio road course
Chevrolet drivers have three wins, six poles at track
Team Chevy drivers are first and third in championship standings
Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud are past winners at track
Chevrolet has been strong on variety of racetracks
Bowtie brand has seven wins and six poles in 12 races
RC Enerson to drive No. 31 Carlin Chevrolet entry

DETROIT (July 24, 2019) – Josef Newgarden and Simon Pagenaud recorded victories in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on the way to winning NTT IndyCar Series championships in 2017 and ’16, respectively.

A repeat performance July 28 by either of the Team Penske teammates would go a long way in their pursuit of a second driver title.

The 90-lap race on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn natural-terrain Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course closes out three consecutive weekends of competition, with four events (two ovals, one street circuit and one road course) remaining.

Newgarden, driving the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet, padded his points lead to 29 with a dominating victory July 20 at Iowa Speedway. Pagenaud, who tested at Mid-Ohio a few days before earning his third win of the season July 14 on the streets of Toronto, is within striking distance third in the standings.
“There is a lot of momentum on the side of the No. 2 PPG Chevrolet team right now, but we need to focus on this weekend,” said Newgarden, who started and finished fourth at Mid-Ohio in ’18. “Mid-Ohio is a place we’ve had some success at including a win a couple of years ago, which was the last time we raced the PPG livery there. We’re hoping it brings us luck again.”

Added Pagenaud, driver of the No. 22 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet who has registered five top-five finishes at the track: “We’ve got five races left and we’re right in the mix of it. Chevy has done a tremendous job lately giving us a bit more horsepower, so I really feel in the game. We tested there awhile back, and the car was good. We’re going to do everything we can to catch Josef (Newgarden) and plan to make the Menards Chevy shine at Mid-Ohio.”

Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet who’s fifth in the standings, earned podium finishes and two pole starts the past three years at the racecourse.

Team Chevy drivers have secured the NTT P1 Award in six of the seven races at the track – and 89 poles overall in 130 races — since the Bowtie brand’s return to NTT IndyCar Series manufacturer competition in 2012. Nine drivers powered by the direct-injected 2.2-liter, twin turbocharged Chevrolet V6 engine are entered.

RC Enerson, 22, who made three NTT IndyCar Series starts in 2016 for Dale Coyne Racing, including at Mid-Ohio, will drive the No. 31 Lucas Oil School Carlin Chevrolet. Enerson, who tested with the team in February, won the 2015 Indy Lights race from the pole at the track. Continue reading CHEVROLET IN THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES AT MID-OHIO: Team Chevy Advance

Chevy Racing—NASCAR—Pocono—Bowtie Bullets

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
GANDER RV 400
POCONO RACEWAY
LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA
JULY 28, 2019

BOWTIE BULLETS:
CHEVROLET LEADS IN WINS:
Chevrolet leads all Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series manufacturers with 32 victories in the 83 races on the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway tri-oval, including a streak of six in a row from August 2102 (Jeff Gordon) to June 2015 (Martin Truex Jr.). Benny Parsons gave the Bowtie brand its first win at the racetrack in 1977; Darrel Waltrip, driving GM brand Buick race car, was the pole winner. Continue reading Chevy Racing—NASCAR—Pocono—Bowtie Bullets

POINTS LEADER ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB READY FOR FIFTH WIN OF THE SEASON AT THE NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS

POINTS LEADER ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB READY FOR FIFTH WIN OF THE SEASON AT THE NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS
SONOMA, Calif. (July 24, 2019) — Robert Hight and the Automobile Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS team head to the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, the 15th of 24 events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, looking for repeat success at Sonoma Raceway. Continue reading POINTS LEADER ROBERT HIGHT AND AUTO CLUB READY FOR FIFTH WIN OF THE SEASON AT THE NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS

Valerie Thompson to challenge speed record and motorsports history as new driver of Target 550 Streamliner

Valerie Thompson to challenge speed record and motorsports history as new driver of Target 550 Streamliner

World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer seeks writing new motorsports history on four-wheels with dual-engine Treit and Davenport Streamliner

Scottsdale, AZ (July 24, 2019) –Valerie Thompson, the world’s fastest female motorcycle racer, will assume driving duties for the Treit & Davenport Target 550 Streamliner with the goal of breaking the 417.020 mph class record for a four-wheel blown fuel streamliner.

The Target 550 Streamliner features a unique wind tunnel inspired design with the singular goal of breaking the current class record of 417.020 mph with two supercharged Dodge Hemi engines generating over 5,000 horsepower.

“It’s an honor to attempt my first four-wheel record with a Bonneville legend like Marlo Treit and his accomplished team. With 5,000 horsepower, I’m guaranteed the ride of a lifetime and hopefully, writing a new page in motorsports history,” said Thompson.

Piloting the BUB 7 motorcycle streamliner in 2018, Thompson set a new record speed of 328 mph. A member of the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, she holds eight land speed records on a variety of bikes and was recently included on Dealernews’ “Top 100 Leaders in Powersports” list.

Marlo Treit, Target 550 project coordinator, said “Valerie’s many accomplishments on and off the track have made a real impression on me. She is a wonderful racing ambassador and a ferocious competitor. I’m confident she will push the Target 550 Streamliner to its limits to achieve our goals.”

With favorable weather and optimal track conditions, Thompson could add two new chapters racing history by becoming the firstwoman over 400 mph and first driver over 500 mph in a piston-powered engine vehicle. “I never assume anything, but if conditions are right, we are going for all the records and titles on the table. I want to show every sponsor and all our fans how much we appreciate their support,” said an optimistic Thompson.

Thompson and the Target 550 team plan their first record attempt during SCTA Speed Week at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats August 10 -16, weather permitting.
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Valerie Thompson Background
Valerie is the “World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer” and an eight-time land speed record holder with membership in the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame, seven 200 MPH Clubs and one 300 MPH Club. In 2018, she piloted the famed BUB 7 Streamliner to a record speed of 328.467 mph and is the only female featured on the “World’s Top 10 Fastest Motorcycle Riders” list. Recently included in Dealernews “Top 100 Leaders in Powersports” list, her passion for making history and breaking speed barriers is the subject of the upcoming feature film documentary, “Rockets and Titans.”

BRITTANY FORCE AND CARQUEST BRAKES CRAVING SUCCESS AT NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS

BRITTANY FORCE AND CARQUEST BRAKES CRAVING SUCCESS AT NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS
SONOMA, Calif. (July 24, 2019) — Chasing her second win of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, Brittany Force heads to the second event in the Western Swing, the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, with a new found confidence in her 11,000-horsepower Carquest Brakes dragster.

At last weekend’s Mile-High Nationals outside of Denver, Colo., Force and the Carquest Brakes team powered their way through qualifying jumping six spots in the final two sessions to move from No. 10 to No. 4. On race day, the 2017 Top Fuel world champion laid down an .87 and .85 in the first two rounds to make her second semifinals appearance, and although she fell short of the finals to reigning Top Fuel world champion and eventual event winner, Steve Torrence she’d move up to No. 2 in the NHRA Mello Yello points standings.

“We had a solid weekend in Denver, qualifying fourth, making a semis appearance and moving up to the No. 2 spot in points. A good weekend keeps you confident going into the next one and this Carquest Brakes team has a great race car,” said Force. “David Grubnic and Mac Savage really know what they’re doing out there and we made some changes to the car Saturday, and I think that really helped us put up the numbers we did. I’m ready to do it again in Sonoma.”

So far this season, Force has tallied one win, two runner-up finishes and two semifinal appearances. Force has landed in the No. 1 qualifying spot four times this season, three of which of have been alongside a John Force Racing teammate in the Funny Car top spot. At the 50th anniversary Gatornationals, she became the first woman since 1979 to be No. 1 at the historic event, and shared the green hat with John Force Racing president, Robert Hight. Then, at the SpringNationals, she and her father, John Force, became the first parent-child duo to snag the top spots in the nitro categories. She would go on to share the winner’s circle with Hight for the third time in their careers. She also clenched the top spot with Hight at the Southern Nationals.

As she makes her way to this year’s Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, Force is hoping to grow her list of season accomplishments, and while she has yet to pick up a Wally at the facility, she has a No. 1 qualifier from 2014 and has qualified in the top five, two other times in her NHRA career.

“We head to Sonoma next on this Western Swing and I’m feeling really positive after last weekend. Our team had a new look too teaming up with Carquest that we debuted in Denver Friday night and I’m excited to show off those colors in Sonoma next,” said Force. “I’m ready to get back in the driver’s seat and we’re looking to get back in that winner’s circle starting this weekend in Sonoma.”

Qualifying for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals begins Friday with nitro sessions at 4:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. Nitro qualifying continues Saturday at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., with eliminations at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Television coverage begins with Friday Nitro Live from 7-8 p.m., Eastern, on FS1 and continues with Sunday Live from 2:30-3 p.m. Coverage shifts at 3 p.m. to FOX Broadcast Network from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Eastern.

Defending NHRA Sonoma Nationals Champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. Looking to Repeat the Feat

Defending NHRA Sonoma Nationals champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. looking to repeat the feat
SONOMA, Calif. (July 22) — Jeg Coughlin Jr. used a big win at last year’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals to kick-off a strong stretch run of the 2018 season that ultimately ended with a lofty second-place finish in the championship points. Now the 81-time national event winner is hoping a repeat performance at this weekend’s race will yield similar results for his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports race team.

Jeg Coughlin Jr.
“That is what’s on the menu right now — repeating what we did here last year and rolling on into the playoffs,” Coughlin said. “It’s just not that easy to do because there are so many top teams and drivers out here. Of course, that’s also what makes it so challenging and fun.

“If we stay focused on making good quality runs each session, not looking too far ahead, we will continue to keep our car up at the front of the pack. If I can do my part and compliment what the car is capable of with some good driving, I like our chances.”

Interestingly, Coughlin arrives at Sonoma Raceway in the exact same position he was in a year ago — seventh place in the Mello Yello championship standings — and his racecar seems to be running just as strong.

“The car ran well in Denver and we had a great chance to get to the finals and run for the trophy,” Coughlin said. “We also had a strong run in Norwalk (Ohio) so I’m pretty jacked up to get back down to sea level and breakthrough for our second win of the season. Without question, all the ingredients are here in this Elite Motorsports pit.”

Coughlin has reigned victorious in Sonoma on three occasions, winning here in 2003, 2010 and 2018. He always circles this event as one of his favorites on the schedule due to its proximity to world famous areas like Sonoma and Napa Valley.

“The backdrop of wine country has made this track a favorite of mine from the first visit,” Coughlin said. “The facility is top-notch and the amenities for fans and racers alike are first-rate. I’m excited to return.”

This weekend’s race in Sonoma kicks off a string of three consecutive national events where Coughlin will race alongside his brother Mike Coughlin, who races the JEGS.com Top Dragster. Mike has won two races in the last three weekends and surged to the No. 1 ranking in Top Dragster in the North Central Division. Mike and Jeg Jr. will race together this weekend, next weekend in Seattle and three weeks from now in Brainerd, Minn.

“Having a chance to watch Mike race is really cool,” Jeg Jr. said. “He’s been doing so well here lately and he tells me his car is as perfect as anything he’s ever driven so I’m ready to see it up close and watch him win again.

“It’ll be a family affair, which is how we like it. My son Jeg III is joining us for the weekend and two of my nephews, Clay and Jack, who are Mike’s sons, are going to join us so we’ll have plenty of Coughlin boys on hand.

“My great friend Kyle Seipel has been managing the drag racing side of things at Sonoma Raceway also so it’ll be great seeing him as well.”

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Returns to Actions With Silver State Showdown Doubleheader in Reno-Sparks

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Returns to Action With Silver Lake Doubleheader in Reno-Sparks
Sparks’ Wild West Motorsports Park Hosts
Round 5 & 6 of World’s Premier Short-Course Championships
CORONA, Calif. (July 22, 2019) – The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, presented by GEICO, will makes its anticipated return to action when the most talented off-road racers on the planet invade “The Biggest Little City in the World” of Reno, Nevada, for its second doubleheader of the 2019 season on Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27. The OPTIMA Batteries Silver State Showdown, presented by GEICO, will feature back-to-back nighttime showcases from Sparks, Nevada’s Wild West Motorsports Park. The stretch run of the championship is upon us, and the captivating title fights across all nine classes of competition are set to resume during this action-packed weekend of racing.

Courtesy Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
Wild West Motorsports Park was the realization of Reno businessman Norm Dianda’s desire to bring the sport of short-course off-road racing, and the prestigious championship that is the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, to motorsports fans in the Reno-Sparks area. Dianda owned a piece of prime real estate right off Interstate 80, a mere 20 minutes from downtown Reno, and recognized that this under-utilized land deserved a second life. In an effort to stimulate the local economy and put the community of Reno-Sparks on the off-road racing map, this hilltop landscape opened in 2012 as the beloved racing venue we know today.

With its massive jumps, steep inclines, and sharp descents, it’s not a shock to learn that Wild West Motorsports Park clocks the fastest speeds of any circuit on the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series schedule. The utilization of the natural elevation changes that surround the property make for arguably the most unique layout these extraordinary drivers will see all season, which often lends itself to some of the most unpredictable, and highly competitive racing of the championship.

Courtesy Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
A total of five rounds remain in the 2019 season, which means the intensity is bound to pick up dramatically across all nine divisions. No driver can afford any mulligans if they hope to stay in contention for the championship, and that bodes well for the thousands of fans that will fill the grandstands at Wild West Motorsports Park for the Silver State Showdown doubleheader.

With the inclusion of the Pro 2M engine this season, another layer of intrigue has been added to an already deep Pro 2 division, and the entire field of drivers has adjusted to the competitive changes in the best way possible. After four rounds, a mere seven points separate the top five drivers in the standings. Three different drivers have emerged triumphant thus far, with only Jerett Brooks collecting multiple wins. That distinction, combined with three podium results in four races, has given Brooks a slight edge in the championship standings, but he still finds himself under heavy pressure from his three primary title threats – Rodrigo Ampudia, Brian Deegan, and reigning champion Rob MacCachren.

In Pro 4, the action thus far in 2019 has been unpredictable, and while the division’s biggest names have made their presence felt on a regular basis, very little has separated them. As a result, just four points separate the top three drivers. It’s been no surprise to see former champions Kyle LeDuc and RJ Anderson duke it out, but the emergence of Doug Mittag into a consistent threat to the dominance of his more experienced counterparts has made for an exciting title fight. All three drivers have managed to grab a victory this season, but we’re still waiting to see who will take charge and grab that all-important championship momentum. They say anything can happen in racing, and it’s a sentiment that’s particularly true in Pro 4.

As expected, Pro Lite has produced some of the tightest race of the 2019 season with its exceptionally deep level of talent in the field. While the opportunity to seize control of the division has presented itself in 2019, no one has done so quite yet, and it’s created a wide-open battle for this year’s crown. Three different drivers have claimed a victory this season, but due to the competitiveness of the class consistency has been hard to come by, and winning has become even more difficult. Reigning champion Ryan Beat currently sits atop the standings, but he’s surely going to have to deal with pressure from a slew of challengers like Mickey Thomas, Ronnie Anderson, Chris Polvoorde, and the most recent winner, Brock Heger.

Courtesy Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
With an increase in championship tension across all nine classes of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, the back-to-back nights of racing at Wild West Motorsports Park loom large in each respective title fight. On this weekend, the city of Sparks will surely live up to its name, as sparks are guaranteed to fly as the men, women, boys, and girls of all ages go wheel-to-wheel and door-to-door in their determined quest for victory. The thousands of fans in the grandstands over these two nights will be rewarded for their enthusiasm and support of this world-class championship.

Ford GT Wins at Lime Rock With Double Podium

FORD GT WINS AT LIME ROCK WITH
DOUBLE PODIUM

LAKEVILLE, CT – July 22, 2019 – Richard Westbrook and Ryan Briscoe drove the No. 67 Ford GT to a heart pounding win on Saturday, in the IMSA Northeast Grand Prix, making it back-to-back wins for Ford Performance at Lime Rock Park. The No. 66, driven by Joey Hand and Dirk Müller, made it a double podium winning weekend, finishing third overall. Continue reading Ford GT Wins at Lime Rock With Double Podium

NHRA Denver Results

Top Fuel — Steve Torrence, 4.044 seconds, 270.21 mph def. Clay Millican, 4.126 seconds, 267.64 mph. Both ARP Cars

Funny Car — Tommy Johnson Jr., Dodge Charger, 4.102, 308.50 ARP Car def. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 4.158, 302.14.

Pro Stock — Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.950, 196.96 ARP Car def. Matt Hartford, Camaro, 6.965, 196.96.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.174, 186.67 def. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.222, 186.38.

Super Stock — Justin Jenkins, Chevy Cobalt, 10.369, 117.87 def. Brenda Grubbs, Chevy Camaro, 10.119, 123.94.

Stock Eliminator — Gary Riley, Pontiac, 13.243, 96.80 def. Dwaine Davis, Pontiac Firebird, 12.244, 107.21.

Super Comp — Mitch Mustard, Dragster, 9.550, 167.07 def. Dale Maher, Dragster, 9.528, 71.29.

Super Gas — Todd Nielsen, Pontiac Firebird, 10.511, 155.10 def. Kevin Moore, Chevrolet, 10.520, 150.87.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com — Greg Lair, Chevy Camaro, 6.999, 201.52 def. Monte Weaver, Chevy Corvette, 6.675, 204.45.

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com — Tony Stark, Dragster, 6.802, 180.19 def. Adam Chioda, Dragster, 7.809, 161.02.

IT’S BUD KAEDING AT THE HOWARD KAEDING CLASSIC

By Joe Shivak & Jim Allen, Watsonville, CA … Bud Kaeding won the fast paced 30-lap feature which honors his legendary grandfather Howard at Ocean Speedway on Friday night. The NARC-King of the West presented by Fujitsu 410 Series event paid $5,000 to the winner. Kaeding drove the famous No. 0 Morrie Williams-owned Alviso Rock-sponsored Maxim sprint car

Shane Golobic brought the Matt Woods Nos Energy Drink-sponsored car home in the runner up spot after being passed by Kaeding. Willie Croft scored third in his Amerikote sprinter after being in the hunt for most of the contest.

Jonathan Allard and Billy Aton brought the 24-car field to the green with Aton taking the early lead when Allard stumbled in the first turn. The race would go three laps before a caution for a Jeremy Chisum and Danny Faria spin in the middle of the third and fourth turns. Aton led Croft and Golobic on the restart. On the seventh circuit, Golobic took over the second spot. Three laps later, sixth place starter Kaeding, who methodically advanced each lap, would pass Golobic for the runner-up spot.

A caution on lap 16 for a Sean Watts spin in the third turn would bunch the field back up. Aton was still leading at that point, but the restart proved costly as he would fade under the pressure from a high-speed freight train of Kaeding, Golobic and Croft.

A three-wide traffic jam in the third turn would bring out the caution flag with only six laps remaining. The shunt left Allard with a flat left rear tire and Dominic Scelzi with a bent front wing among other mechanical issues, forcing him to pit for repairs. Both cars returned to action.

The restart quickly turned back to yellow when Kyle Offill spun in the middle of the third and fourth turn. The caution proved costly for Justin Sanders who had just passed Croft for third but got put back a spot.

Kaeding was not to be denied the final six laps holding off both Golobic and Croft. The Campbell, California third generation driver performed a series of patented Kaeding victory donuts in the fourth turn to celebrate the victory. His car eventually stalled after doing no less than a dozen spins, so Kaeding jumped out of the stopped car and ran across the finish line in “Ricky Bobby” style.
Continue reading IT’S BUD KAEDING AT THE HOWARD KAEDING CLASSIC

Jeg Coughlin Jr looking to master Thunder Mountain

Jeg Coughlin Jr. looking to master Thunder Mountain for a third time
DENVER (July 20) — With two qualifying sessions taking place in the cooler evening hours, the 40th annual Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals offered the world’s best drag racers twice as many opportunities as usual to show off all of their horsepower.

Six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. and his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports crew took full advantage of the situation, placing their Camaro in the lofty No. 2 position overall.

“The session tonight ended up being the best one of the weekend and we saw just about everyone step up quite a bit,” Coughlin said. “Fortunately, we were able to make a big jump as well and we finished right behind the boss (team owner and part-time driver Richard Freeman) on the timing sheet so we’re very pleased.

“The car’s gotten better every round and I expect the guys will have us set to do big things tomorrow. We’re ready to have some fun and there’s no better way to have fun in drag racing then by turning on some win lights.”

Mastering “Thunder Mountain” has always been a challenge, especially for Pro Stock teams who don’t have the advantage of using superchargers to manufacture atmosphere in the mile-high climes of Bandimere Speedway. Even so, Coughlin has raced to two victories (1998 and 1999) in five final-round appearances at this facility.

When eliminations begin for this year’s trophy Sunday morning, Coughlin will be considered one of the favorites thanks to his best pass of 6.953 at 197.51 mph. He posted that run Saturday evening after a lengthy rain delay that forced officials to cancel the final qualifying session outright.

“The way it worked out the conditions actually got better each of the three sessions we were able to run,” Coughlin said. “And the JEGS car got better each time as well. We started with a daytime run in the heat and then had a fun Friday evening session when it was cooler. Today we all waited out quite a rain shower but that really helped cool the track surface down even more so we were able to step it up.”

As the No. 2 qualifier, Coughlin will open eliminations opposite rookie driver Fernando Cuadra Jr., who topped out at 7.064 at 194.72 mph to earn the 15th position. Coughlin and Cuadra Jr. raced earlier this year in Richmond, Va., with Coughlin taking an easy victory.

Richard Childress Racing— New Hampshire Results

Tyler Reddick Records Top-Five Finish in Loudon with No. 2 Gimme Radio/Megadeth Chevrolet

“This was a solid day with the No. 2 Gimme Radio/Megadeth Chevrolet Camaro, working our way from outside the top 10 to start the race to inside the top five for much of it. Christopher Bell and Cole Custer had the cars to beat all weekend long, but we never gave up and kept working on the handling of the car through practice and during the race. We didn’t take off on the initial green flag like we needed to, so we made some adjustments and then went too far. I think the track tightened up as the race went on. Once we got the car where we wanted it, it took off really well on restarts but would just build too tight on the longer runs, and we ended the race with a pretty long run. The crew did a great job on pit road all day, Randall Burnett made solid adjustments atop the pit box and I tried to do my part behind the wheel. It wasn’t a bad day and we definitely learned some things for our short track program for the rest of the year. It was awesome to have Gimme Radio and Megadeth on this No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro this weekend. It was certainly the best looking and most metal car in the field today.” Continue reading Richard Childress Racing— New Hampshire Results

Racer News and Results