CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Solid Effort in FIA WEC Round

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Solid Effort in FIA WEC Round
Garcia, Magnussen, Rockenfeller finish eighth in class with No. 63 Corvette C7.R

SEBRING, Fla. (March 15, 2019) – Corvette Racing gave a solid effort during the 1,000 Miles of Sebring on Friday as Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen and Mike Rockenfeller finished eighth in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s GTE Pro category. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Solid Effort in FIA WEC Round

Menard Qualifies 25th For Auto Club 400

Menard Qualifies 25th For Auto Club 400

March 15, 2019

After an eventful qualifying session at Auto Club Speedway on Friday, Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards/Moen Mustang are set to start Sunday’s Auto Club 400 from 25th place.

Menard was on the track in Round One of qualifying when the caution flag flew for a spin by Chase Elliott, interrupting that qualifying attempt. Continue reading Menard Qualifies 25th For Auto Club 400

ROBERT HIGHT SITS NO. 1 FRIDAY AT THE 50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS

ROBERT HIGHT SITS NO. 1 FRIDAY AT THE 50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 15, 2019) — Opening day of qualifying at the 50th anniversary Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway saw NHRA two-time world champion Robert Hight in a familiar position, at the top of the Funny Car class with the provisional No. 1 spot. Sixteen-time world champion John Force is sitting in the sixth spot and, in Top Fuel, 2017 champ Brittany Force is holding the No. 3 spot with rookie Austin Prock in 11th. Continue reading ROBERT HIGHT SITS NO. 1 FRIDAY AT THE 50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS

AUSTIN DILLON PUTS CAMARO ZL1 ON THE POLE AT AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY

AUSTIN DILLON PUTS CAMARO ZL1 ON THE POLE AT AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
Three Team Chevy Drivers Qualify in the top 12

FONTANA, Calif. (March 15, 2019) – Austin Dillon powered his No. 3 DOW Coatings Camaro ZL1 to the pole position for Sunday’s Auto Club 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) race at Auto Club Speedway. Dillon recorded the fastest lap in the knockout qualifying session in what became a sprint to the end in each of the three rounds in the format. Drivers waited to take to the track in drafting groups — and resulted in no driver reaching the start-finish line in time for a third-round qualifying lap. The top positions were then set by second-round speeds. Continue reading AUSTIN DILLON PUTS CAMARO ZL1 ON THE POLE AT AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Qualifying

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
AUTO CLUB 400
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES & QUOTES
MARCH 15, 2019

TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL QUALIFYING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
1st AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 DOW COATINGS CAMARO ZL1
8TH CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1
11TH JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1
14TH CHRIS BUESCHER, NO. 37 KROGER FLAVOR FILL UP CAMARO ZL1
15TH KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CAMARO ZL1

TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL QUALIFYING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
1ST Austin Dillon (Chevrolet)
2nd Kevin Harvick (Ford)
3rd Aric Almirola (Ford)
4th Kyle Busch (Toyota)
5th Joey Logano (Ford)

The Auto Club 400 is scheduled to begin on Sunday March 17th at 3:30 pm, ET. Live coverage can be found on FOX, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
TEAM CHEVY NOTES AND QUOTES:

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 DOW COATINGS CAMARO ZL1 = Pole Winner
“It was good. We had a good car off the trailer. They made some good adjustments going into qualifying. And we kept the speed that we needed. It came down to Round 2 and putting the placement right. Andy Houston (spotter) did a great job. We didn’t panic. And, that ended up putting us in a great position for Round 3. I’m really happy for our guys and everybody back at the shop, who has been working really hard. We’ve been frustrated the last couple of weeks because we’ve had fast cars and not gotten the finishes, so this definitely feels good.”

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 – Qualified 8th
WHAT WAS THE COMMUNICATION LIKE WHEN YOU GUYS REALIZED THAT YOU WERE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT BACK? WHAT WERE YOU HEARING?
“Well, I don’t know. Obviously nobody wants to be the first guy so it’s unfortunate. I don’t know what the fix is. I feel like it’s entertaining with us going out there and drafting and trying to set-up that gap to do it right. It’s just tough because nobody wants to be the first one. And obviously you’re not going to go if you’re going to be first.”

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 – Qualified 11th
“I understand why we’re in this box. Single car qualifying isn’t all that entertaining. So, I guess we’ll just have to see what the opinion is from this and go with the lesser of the two evils in the end.”

CHRIS BUESCHER, NO. 37 KROGER FLAVOR FILL UP CAMARO ZL1 – Qualified 14th
HOW DID THIS QUALIFYING SESSION PLAY OUT? WAS IT BAD OR WORSE THAN YOU THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE?
“Round 1 went better than I thought it would with everybody going and getting it out of the way. The caution almost got us within a second or two. We didn’t finish our lap. So, that was lucky. Round 2 went exactly like I expected the whole thing to go. We have good speed in our Kroger Flavor Fill Up Camaro ZL1. I’m happy with that. We should have been a little bit better based on practice, but I love this race track. And, it’s a fun race. It’s just been a lot of fun to race everywhere this year. I’m glad the qualifying portion is over and we can get into the race and have some fun.”

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CAMARO ZL1 – Qualified 15th:
DESCRIBE YOUR RUN HERE
“I was the lead car for that big draft there. We ended up 15th. After last week you don’t want to mess up and not get a lap again. So, just trying to be as patient as you can be but still not be the lead car. But we wanted to leave ourselves some time. So we were just the lead car and were hoping that other people wouldn’t make it to the line in time.”

TY DILLON, NO. 13 GEICO CAMARO ZL1 – Qualified 16th
ON HIS RUN
“I’m pretty happy with 16th place for our GEICO Camaro. That’s a massive improvement over last year’s results. And we’ve been really succeeding in this style of qualifying. It’s different, for sure, but we also we’re all out there trying to do the same thing and be the fastest car. So, I’m proud of our effort and proud of what we’re doing as a team and we’re definitely embracing this style of qualifying.”

DANIEL HEMRIC, NO. 8 LIBERTY NATIONAL CAMARO ZL1 – Qualified 17th
It was definitely hectic. The whole format it nuts. Our Liberty National Camaro ZL1 was good. We just kind of find ourselves on the back end of a draft that put us side-by-side racing cars and that’s not ideal when you’re trying to run a fast lap. We’ll roll off in 17th and it’s good to see a Bowtie on the front row there with (Richard Childress Racing teammate) Austin Dillon getting the pole and it’s really cool for RCR. Those guys are putting in a lot of effort and Chevrolet and ECR and all our partners are doing a lot of good things to give us speed and it’s good to pay off. We thought we should have had two or three poles by now so it’s good for one of us at RCR to finally get one.)

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Pole Qualifying

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
AUTO CLUB 400
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES & QUOTES
MARCH 15, 2019

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 DOW COATINGS CAMARO ZL1 = Pole Winner
“It was good. We had a good car off the trailer. They made some good adjustments going into qualifying. And we kept the speed that we needed. It came down to Round 2 and putting the placement right. Andy Houston (spotter) did a great job. We didn’t panic. And, that ended up putting us in a great position for Round 3. I’m really happy for our guys and everybody back at the shop, who has been working really hard. We’ve been frustrated the last couple of weeks because we’ve had fast cars and not gotten the finishes, so this definitely feels good.”

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Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Alex Bowman

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
AUTO CLUB 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 15, 2019

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 88 NATIONWIDE PET INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1 met with media and discussed the new pit road speed rules for qualifying, the affect of windy weather for practice, looking ahead to Martinsville, and more. Session Highlights: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Alex Bowman

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Chris Buescher

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
AUTO CLUB 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 15, 2019

CHRIS BUESCHER, NO. 37 KROGER FLAVOR FILL UP CAMARO ZL1 met with media and discussed his season to date, his qualifying frustration. Session highlights:

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY?
“I ran my first Cup race at this race track back in 2015, I believe. I love this race track. And it’s just a lot of fun. And it’s worn out. It’s got that surface like Atlanta but it’s bigger. It’s got the same lines. You can run the wall, you can run the apron, you can mow the grass. You can hit whatever you want to hit and there’s ways to make it work. This package, with the draft being as important as it is going to be and how dirty air will affect the cars is going to change some of it, but I think we’re going to see a lot of the same old Fontana here. It’s just a fun race track. You’re sliding around and trying to get control of it and trying to figure out how to make speed while sliding around. That’s the hardest thing. You could slide around and have a fun time but to be able to go fast while doing it, that’s the hard part.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Chris Buescher

Blackstock Go Two for Two in Honda Civic Type R TCR

O’Gorman, Blackstock Go Two for Two in Honda Civic Type R TCR
• Honda Civic Type R claims second MICHELIN Pilot Challenge win of 2019
• Tom O’Gorman and Shelby Blackstock follow Daytona victory with win at Sebring
• Ryan Eversley, Chad Gilsinger finish third for Honda

SEBRING, Fla. (March 15, 2019) – Following up on their season-opening win at Daytona International Speedway in January, Tom O’Gorman and Shelby Blackstock combined to again drive their Honda Civic Type R TCR to another class victory in Saturday’s Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 at Sebring International Raceway. Continue reading Blackstock Go Two for Two in Honda Civic Type R TCR

Double Pole for Acura at Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Double Pole for Acura at Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
• Dane Cameron snares overall, Prototype pole in Acura ARX-05
• Trent Hindman heads GTD qualifying in Acura NSX GT3 Evo
• Helio Castroneves to start third in prototype, Christina Nielsen sixth in GTD

SEBRING, Fla. (March 15, 2019) – Acura drivers will lead the field in Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, after claiming the pole positions in both the Prototype and GTD classes today during qualifying for the endurance racing classic. Dane Cameron will start from the overall pole in his Acura Team Penske ARX-05, while Trent Hindman will lead the GTD class to the green in his Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo. Continue reading Double Pole for Acura at Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Jimmie Johnson

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
AUTO CLUB 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 15, 2019

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 met with media and discussed recent rule to enforce pit road speed during qualifying, social media, fitness, and more. Full Transcript:

YOUR CREW CHIEF SAID LAST WEEK THAT WE’VE GOT A WAYS TO GO. HOW FAR DO YOU HAVE TO GO? DO YOUR TALENTS AT THIS RACE TRACK STILL OVERCOME ANY WAYS TO GO THAT YOU GUYS HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH YET?
“I think last weekend showed that if we have a mistake-free race that we can run in the top 5 and in the top 10 and how last year went, that’s a step in the right direction. So, we do have some pride in that. Clearly we’re putting a lot of time and work and effort to get better. So, it’s nice to have those better funs. But it’s not where we want to be. It’s not where I want to be, or Mr. Hendrick or Kevin (Meendering) or this whole team. We’re trying to celebrate the small victories but at the same time if you look at the speed that the No. 18 (Kyle Busch) had on the field and his ability to pass, we want that. And we’re not going to stop until we get that.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Jimmie Johnson

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Garcia, Milner to Start on Second, Third GTLM Rows

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING:
Garcia, Milner to Start on Second, Third GTLM Rows
Program going for 12th class victory at Sebring 12 Hours

SEBRING, Fla. (March 15, 2018) – Corvette Racing will go for its 12th victory Saturday in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring from the second and third rows of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GT Le Mans (GTLM) category.

Antonio Garcia qualified the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R third in class during Friday morning’s time trials at Sebring International Raceway. His time of 1:56.158 (114.686 mph) wasn’t far ahead of Tommy Milner in the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R, who set a best lap of 1:56.248 (114.597 mph).

The top eight cars in class were separated by just 0.832 seconds. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Garcia, Milner to Start on Second, Third GTLM Rows

ROBERT HIGHT VISITS BRISTOL DRAGWAY TO PREVIEW THE 2019 SEASON

ROBERT HIGHT VISITS BRISTOL DRAGWAY TO PREVIEW THE 2019 SEASON

BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 15, 2019) — With less than a month to go before cars hit the track in East Tennessee, Robert Hight joined drivers from across motorsports at Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway on Wednesday, March 13th, to preview the upcoming season.

Two-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series champion Robert Hight, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie Justin Haley and NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series champion Brett Moffitt were on hand to meet with media, chat with regional business leaders, industry sponsors, Bristol ticket holders and more. The quartet also spent time on the main stage for Q&A sessions with Sirius XM and Performance Racing Network host Brad Gillie. Continue reading ROBERT HIGHT VISITS BRISTOL DRAGWAY TO PREVIEW THE 2019 SEASON

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING:
Fifth-Place Class Start for Sebring 1,000 Miles
Garcia quickest in GTE Pro during two-driver qualifying session

SEBRING, Fla. (March 14, 2019) – Corvette Racing will roll off from the fifth position in the GTE Pro category for Friday’s FIA World Endurance Championship’s 1,000 Miles of Sebring – the team’s first of two races during the Super Sebring weekend.

Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen averaged a lap of 1:57.844 around the 3.74-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway in the No. 63 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R. Unlike single-driver qualifying in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, each FIA WEC entry averages the best lap time from two of its drivers. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING

BRITTANY FORCE AND ADVANCE AUTO PARTS HEAD EAST FOR THE 50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS

BRITTANY FORCE AND ADVANCE AUTO PARTS HEAD EAST FOR THE
50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 13, 2019) — Brittany Force is making her way to the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals hoping to repeat history at the first east coast race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.

For the 2017 Top Fuel world champion, the Gatornationals isn’t just another race. In 2016 she made her way to the winner’s circle for the first time in her NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing career after beating Terry McMillen in the final. It was her eighth final round appearance, her first ever at Gainesville Raceway and capped off the weekend as John Force Racing’s first double up with teammate Robert Hight winning in Funny Car. Coming into the 50th anniversary at Gainesville Raceway, Force is looking to relive her 2016 success. Continue reading BRITTANY FORCE AND ADVANCE AUTO PARTS HEAD EAST FOR THE 50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS

CHEVROLET AT GAINESVILLE

CHEVROLET AT GAINESVILLE

What: 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
When: Friday, March 15-Sunday, March 17
Where: Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida
TV: FS1 taped eliminations and finals, 7 p.m. ET March 17

Chevy Racing aims for multiple celebrations on St. Patrick’s Day
Team Chevy enters the 50th anniversary Gatornationals with strong lineup

DETROIT (March 13, 2019) – John Force isn’t of Irish descent, though securing his ninth victory in the 50th anniversary Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on St. Patrick’s would be extra special to 16-time Funny Car champion.

A win March 17 at Gainesville Raceway would mark the 150th of his celebrated career. Force posted five consecutive (1992-96) Funny Car wins in the Gatornationals and six of his eight victories overall in Chevrolet and GM models.

“Gainesville has been very good to me over the years,” said Force, whose most recent win at the track came in 2017. “I’m really looking forward to going to the Gatornationals with PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil, and rockin’ and rollin’.”
Chevrolet drivers have picked up 22 Gatornationals victories in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock in addition to 34 Funny Car and Pro Stock wins in GM models. Bill Jenkins gave Chevrolet its first win at the track and second overall in Pro Stock in the 1970 NHRA season.

Force has had a solid start to the season in the PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS. He’s tied for sixth in the Funny Car standings through two races in which he’s lost to teammate and points leader Robert Hight (Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS) in the semifinals and quarterfinals.

“I’ve won eight races there, I’ve crashed on their premises, been on fire, been in the burn center, but the crowds, the locals and all those fans that come out of the north to come to the warm weather, it’s just unbelievable,” Force said.
Hight, the low qualifier in both races this season, holds the track Funny Car elapsed time and speed records, set in 2017. He’s won at Gainesville in 2012, ’14 and ’16, when he combined with teammate Brittany Force (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) for a Chevy Racing sweep of the pro car categories.

Anderson (Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS) and KB Racing teammate Jason Line (Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS) are four-time Pro Stock winners at the track.

With 799 round wins, Anderson will seek to join John Force (1,313), Warren Johnson (874) and Tony Schumacher (842) as the only drivers in all pro categories with 800. Anderson, a four-time Pro Stock champion, is also tied with Bob Glidden (102) for third on the all-time No. 1 qualifier list.

Five-time Pro Stock champion and 2018 class championship runner-up Jeg Coughlin Jr. (JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro SS) marked his 1,000th elimination round with the win at Phoenix. He could surpass 650 round wins this weekend.

Gainesville Raceway will host the first of eight rounds of the SAMTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown. Stephen Bell of Shreveport, Louisiana, won the 2018 event in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro, and David Barton of Robesonia, Pennsylvania, was the 2017 series champion.

“I’ve said it many times; it’s a dream come true that new muscle cars are being made right now,” said Barton, referencing new supercharger technology for this season.

This weekend, they’ll be joined in their COPO Camaros by 2018 event winner Arthur Kohn of Richmond, Texas; Randy Taylor of Artesia, New Mexico; Leonard Libersher of Wilmington, Illinois; L. Scott Libersher of Wilmington, Illinois; Doug Hamp of York, Pennsylvania; Waldemar Rodriguez of Cidra, Puerto Rico; Jesse Alexandria of West Bend, Wisconsin; David Janac of Caldwell, Texas; Robert Falcone of Pleasant Valley, New York; Peter Gasko Jr. of Monroe Township, New Jersey; Daniel Condon of Wilmington, Illinois; Kevin Lumsden of Caddo Mills, Texas; Ryan Priddy of Chino, California; Richard Bierie of Acworth, Georgia; and Terry Munroe of Beaver, Pennsylvania.

Jeff Strickland of Red Bay, Alabama, the 2016 Stock Eliminator champion, leads the Chevrolet COPO Camaro contingent in the class this weekend. Also entered are Vic Cagnazzi of New York City; Adam Badgett of Mount Airy, North Carolina; Jack Matyas of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Dan Fletcher of Churchville, New York; Marion Stephenson of Williamsport, Indiana; and L. Scott Libersher of Wilmington, Illinois.

Entered in Super Stock in their Chevy COPO Camaros are Brandon Bakies of Alexandria, Louisiana; Steve Szupka of Northampton, Pennsylvania; Bob Bagley of Warsaw, Virginia; and Cagnazzi.

FS1 will telecast eliminations and finals at 7 p.m. ET March 17.

Fans will have the opportunity to tour the Chevrolet Performance display in the infield and meet Chevy Racing drivers this weekend.

CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT

TOP FUEL:

BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, ADVANCE AUTO PARTS CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (2017 class champion; No. 4 qualifier in opener): “Gainesville has always been a special race for me. It’s the Gatornationals. The first East Coast race of the season, It’s the racetrack that I’ve always gone to as a kid. I’ve watched my dad, watched Ashley, and it’s where I had my first win. That is a big one, a very special one. To do it at a track that is so prestigious. I’m looking forward to getting there and to repeat a little bit of history. After Phoenix, we stayed and did an entire day of testing with the Advance Auto Parts dragster and got some good runs under our belt. We made four runs down the track and on our last run put a 3.75 on the board. My crew chiefs, David Grubnic and Mac Savage were both very happy with that and we’re excited going into Gainesville. We’d like to go out there and turn our luck around. Get this Advance Auto Parts team in the winner’s circle.”

AUSTIN PROCK, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONTANA BRAND/ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (Making third start; won maiden elimination round at Pomona opener): “We’ve had two good race weekends so far. We qualified No. 6 in Phoenix, so I think we’re getting a good momentum. We’ve made some good passes down the racetrack and we’re looking to keep things going into Gainesville. I have some full-time guys now, and Jon Schaffer and Ronnie Thompson have done an excellent job. My team is putting in the work and it’s showing, so I’m excited to see what this dragster can do. Gainesville Raceway has a lot of history for my family and it’s where I got my Alcohol Funny Car and Nostalgia Funny Car licenses. Getting back there with my Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Top Fuel team is going to be exciting.”

FUNNY CAR:

ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (2017 class champion; won season opener; holds track Funny Car speed and elapsed time records; points leader): “We’re starting the season off strong, carrying over our momentum from last year. We’ve had successful test sessions, been low qualifiers, gone rounds and won a race and we’re only two races into the season so we’re feeling good with where we are and what’s ahead. I always look at Gainesville as a major race in the NHRA series. I’m excited and to win the 50th anniversary Gatornationals, that would be a big one. It seems like John (Force) always wins the special races but I’m looking to get it this year.”

JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, CHEVROLET ACCESSORIES PEAK CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (has 149 class victories; advanced to semifinals in opener; eight-time winner at the track): “My car is coming around, it’s fast and it’s showing the numbers. It was a good car for my daughter Courtney last year. She won four races and had 11 No. 1 qualifiers. Her team really loved her, but I’m finally getting to know them all and it’s been going well. I’m really looking forward to going to the Gatornationals with PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil, and rockin’ and rollin’.”

PRO STOCK:

JEG COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS.COM/ELITE PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (five-time class champion; runner-up in 2018 points; won at Phoenix; will have throwback paint scheme): “We have a brand-new RJ Racecars Camaro and it looks completely badass with the design Dad ran back in the early ’70s. We’d love to break it in with a big weekend in Gainesville. This new car, obviously it’s a bit different than what we’ve run the last nine months, is working extremely well in testing. The car feels amazing. Ergonomically speaking, it fits my frame perfectly, so the comfort level is already very high. I’m extremely optimistic, with the talent we have, that we won’t miss a beat.”

GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (four-time class champion; with one elimination round, will become fourth driver in all pro classes with 800; four-time winner at track): “Gainesville Raceway has always been a special place for me. It has a kind of magic feel to it, a lot like Indy. It’s a great track for Pro Stock, and the fans there are just awesome. For me, it’s one of the most special places on the whole tour because my father, Rod, used to take us down there for family vacations. We’d go to Disneyworld and spend time with my dad’s brother, but the best part was that we’d get to go to the race. That was something you just don’t forget.”

JASON LINE, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (has 100 Pro Stock final-round appearances; runner-up in opener; four-time winner at track): “We knew leaving Phoenix that we had a lot of work to do before this race, and I think we’ve had a productive couple of weeks. We’ll find out just how productive it was in just a couple of days when we take our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros out for the first qualifying session. This is always an exciting time of year because things are really started to get going, and from here there’s no looking back. Gainesville can be very fast, and it’s a fun racetrack. The KB Racing team has good history there, and we’d like to add to that with a win at the 50th annual Gatornationals. That would be a special trophy, and it’s one I’d like to have, for sure.”

BO BUTNER, JIM BUTNER AUTO, JIM BUTNER AUTO SALES CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (2017 class champion; winner of Pomona opener): “It’s going to be a fun weekend. I’ll be racing in the Factory Stock Showdown, if all goes as planned, but I’m ready to hop back in the Pro Stock car. My Jim Butner Auto Group Chevy is a great car, and I still feel like it might be the best car out there. Of course, you want to win this deal. I won Stock Eliminator in Gainesville a few years back, and that was just a great feeling. Any win in Gainesville is big – it’s always a trophy you want, but even more so this year because it’s their 50th anniversary. I’m looking forward to it.”

Menard Ready For Some Rim Riding At Fontana

Menard Ready For Some Rim Riding At Fontana

March 13, 2019

For Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards/Moen team, Sunday’s Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., will be like a mix of racing at Atlanta and Las Vegas.

Sunday’s 400-miler, the fifth race of the 2019 Monster Energy Cup Series season, will be run using the high downforce/lower horsepower package that was in place two weeks ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. But the track, with its worn asphalt, is expected to produce results more like the second race of the season, on the excessively worn pavement at Atlanta Motor Speedway. At Atlanta, the cars did not run the aero ducts that were used at Las Vegas and will be in place at Auto Club, and tire wear was a big factor. Continue reading Menard Ready For Some Rim Riding At Fontana

RCR Event Preview – Auto Club Speedwa

Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series History at Auto Club Speedway … In 88 overall Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Auto Club Speedway, RCR Chevrolet teams have earned one win (Kevin Harvick – 2011), two pole awards (Mike Skinner – April 2000, Austin Dillon – 2016), 12 top-five and 29 top-10 finishes. RCR has a 19.3 average starting position and a 16.4 average finishing position at the moderately-banked D-shaped race track. Continue reading RCR Event Preview – Auto Club Speedwa

Honoring father, history of Gators, paramount for JEGS drivers Jeg Jr., Mike and Troy Coughlin Jr.

Honoring father, history of Gators, paramount for JEGS drivers Jeg Jr., Mike and Troy Coughlin Jr.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 13) — Team JEGS drivers Jeg Coughlin Jr., Mike Coughlin and Troy Coughlin Jr. grew up admiring Jeg Coughlin Sr. and pretty much anyone who managed to win the Amalie Oil Gatornationals, which run for the 50th time this weekend. To honor both entities, the boys in yellow and black have big plans to win their respective classes in dramatic throwback paint schemes that replicate Jeg Sr.’s designs from the ’70s, when the Gators were just getting started.

“We have a brand-new RJ Racecars Camaro and it looks completely badass with the design Dad ran back in the early ’70s,” Jeg Jr. said. “We’d love to break it in with a big weekend in Gainesville. For those of us on the eastern portion of the country, there isn’t much better than winning the Gators, especially when you see the names of all the former winners.

“This new car, obviously it’s a bit different than what we’ve run the last nine months, is working extremely well in testing. Erica (Enders, teammate) made some shakedown passes with it and I jumped in as soon as I got here and the guys have been working their way through it ever since. It’s been really fast no matter what we try with it so the crew chief brain trust here at Elite Motorsports is very excited.

“The car feels amazing. Ergonomically speaking, it fits my frame perfectly, so the comfort level is already very high. I’m extremely optimistic, with the talent we have, that we won’t miss a beat.”

Jeg Jr. won the last NHRA race in Phoenix three weeks ago, his 62nd Pro Stock victory, and is a two-time winner of the Gatornationals (2001 and 2008).

Brother Mike Coughlin also is honoring his father Jeg Sr. by running his former Top Fuel scheme on his JEGS.com Top Dragster, which is making his 2019 national event debut in Florida. Mike had a chance to shakedown his top-running rail last weekend at Gainesville Raceway during the Baby Gators divisional event.

“The car was perfect,” Mike said. “And I don’t expect anything to change this weekend. The only thing stopping us last weekend was the guy behind the wheel. I zigged when I should have zagged and lost in Round 2 by .006 seconds. Big thanks to Greg Cody, Dave Raurk, Ryan Micke and Tony Collier for giving me a perfect racecar.

“As soon as that event was over we started wrapping the car with Dad’s old design and man, this thing looks so awesome. I am super excited to run this scheme at a race as historic as this one. I’ll try my best to give Dad a great 81st birthday present and put this thing in the winner’s circle.”

Troy Jr., the popular and successful son of three-time Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin, also has high hopes for his JEGS.com McPhillips Racing Top Alcohol Dragster, which is dressed in the Pro Comp design of his grandfather’s glory days in the class.

“I can’t wait to see Pappy’s face when he sees this dragster,” Troy Jr. said. “It’s perfect and I’m more motivated than ever to turn on seven win lights and put this thing in the winner’s circle. It’s a big weekend with lots of legends on hand and if there was ever a time to shine, this would be it.

“Rich (McPhillips) ran the car at the Baby Gators to shake it down and then I hopped in there after the event and ran a 5.2 so I’d say we’re more than ready to get this weekend started.”

Samantha Coughlin, the wife of Jeg Jr., will round out the JEGS.com stable in her Super Comp dragster.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, the recently-restored Barracuda Funny Car campaigned by Jeg Sr. during the 1969 season will be on display at Gainesville Raceway. The car will be located in the Mopar display on Manufacturer’s Midway.

The JEGS Mail Order team will also take part in Sunday’s track walk, hosted by Darrell Gwynn. The event, labeled “Track Walk, for those who can’t” has annually helped raise money for the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.

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