NHRA® Team Report
NHRA® Arizona Nationals
Pre-Race Report
After kicking off the season with the first 3-second Funny Car run of 2019 and a round one race-day win in Pomona, Cruz Pedregon and team are feeling confident as they head back to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix.
Continue reading Cruz Pedregon Arizona Advance
F4 U.S. STILL GAINING POPULARITY ENTERING FOURTH SEASON
Oliver Clarke confirms second season with Velocity Racing Development
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 18, 2019) – In 2018, Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda maintained the largest F4 field in the world, averaging 31 Ligier JS F4 cars for the 17-race season. With teams like Alliance Racing Sponsored by Gas Monkey Energy Drink, DEForce Racing and Jay Howard Driver Development all expanding their F4 efforts for 2019 and the Formula Pro USA F4 West Coast filtering in new drivers, the field for the season opener at Road Atlanta (April 18-20) is on track to surpass last year’s record-breaking season. Continue reading F4 U.S. STILL GAINING POPULARITY ENTERING FOURTH SEASON
Late Crash Relegates Menard To 29th-Place Finish At Daytona
February 17, 2019
After battling back from being a lap down, Paul Menard and his No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang were racing among the leaders in the closing laps of the Daytona 500 only to be involved in a multi-car crash that ended his night.
With nine of the scheduled 200 laps remaining, Menard attempted to pass the No. 95 of Matt DiBenedetto but collided with DiBenedetto, triggering a 21-car crash.
Menard shouldered the blame for the incident. Continue reading Late Crash Relegates Menard To 29th-Place Finish At Daytona
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
DAYTONA 500
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
FEBRUARY 17, 2019
TY DILLON PACES TEAM CHEVY AT 61ST DAYTONA 500
DAYTONA, Fla. – (Feb. 17, 2019) – Ty Dillon, whose older brother Austin won The Great American Race a year ago, finished in sixth place to lead all Team Chevy drivers in the 61st running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Continue reading TY DILLON PACES TEAM CHEVY AT 61ST DAYTONA 500
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
DAYTONA 500
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
FEBRUARY 17, 2019
DALE EARNHARDT JR. VISITED WITH MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA PRIOR TO THE DAYTONA 500 TO DISCUSS HIS DUTIES AS THE PACE CAR DRIVER OF THE NEW CHEVY SILVERADO PACE TRUCK. FULL TRANSCRIPT:
YOU ARE THE OFFICIAL PACE CAR DRIVER FOR TODAY’S RACE. HOW WILL THE CHEVROLET SILVERADO PERFORM? THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A TRUCK HAS EVER PACED THE DAYTONA 500 Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Daytona 500–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Tyler Reddick Collects Top-10 Finish in Daytona After Starting on the Pole in the No. 2 Pinnacle Financial Partners Chevrolet
“I’m happy we were able to start the day by capturing RCR’s fifth-consecutive season opening pole at Daytona International Speedway, even with the tire leak. It’s unfortunate we had to start from the back to change out that tire, but I knew we had a fast No. 2 Pinnacle Financial Partners Chevrolet and would be back up front in no time. We did just that and more. We had a couple issues on pit road, including an issue with a fuel cell, that sent us back to the rear of the field on almost every restart, but we came back up front each time. I tried to see if we could make something happen on the bottom at the end of the race, but it just didn’t work out. I’m glad we were able to bring this Camaro back in one piece and will be able to take it to Talladega Superspeedway in a couple months.”
-Tyler Reddick
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
DAYTONA SPEEDWEEKS
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DUEL #1 POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
FEBRUARY 14, 2019
Bubba Wallace Finishes Sixth to Pace Four Team Chevy Drivers in the Top 10 in Daytona Duel 1
DAYTONA, Fla. (February 14, 2019) – Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 43 Aftershokz Camaro ZL1, finished in sixth place to lead all Chevrolet drivers in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway Thursday night. Chris Buescher (No. 37 Kleenex Wet Wipes Camaro ZL1, seventh), seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1, eighth), and rookie Ryan Preece (No. 47 Kroger.com Camaro ZL1, 10th) also finished in the top 10 for Chevrolet.
Daytona 500 pole winner William Byron (No. 24 Axalta Camaro ZL1) and Johnson started 1-2 and ran that way for the first 15 laps before pitting. Byron ran in the top 10 for the first 35 laps, but chose to play it safe and drop to the rear to finish 16th.
POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES:
BUBBA WALLACE, NO. 43 AFTERSHOKZ CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 6th
THAT WAS A PRETTY BOLD MOVE THERE AT THE END:
“Got to do something. I hate riding around. I am not a fan of riding around the top. It’s like everybody knows if more cars go to the bottom we can race on the bottom, but it’s just where momentum takes us with the aero package we’ve got now. I was trying to just learn. Last year it was all just stay in line and ride and I’m not saying I’m over that, but I’ve got to learn at some point. I’ve got to have the guys, the veterans, behind me saying well he made that move in the duel so maybe he’s got a little bit more confidence. Just trying to build that. It’s always a learning game, it’s always a guessing game who is going to go, who is going to go where, but our AfterShokz Chevy was okay. It was a little discouraged at our speed when we were the last car in line. So, we have some work to do over the next two days, but hell, it’s Daytona, it’s next season so we are good.”
JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 8th
TALK US THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED ON THE BACKSTRETCH WHEN YOU AND KYLE BUSCH HAD CONTACT:
“Yeah, I just got it wrong. Clearly. We got three wide and I just kind of misjudged that situation in being three wide and trying to tuck in behind Kyle. Unfortunately, just turned him around. Apologies to he and his team and I know that is not what they wanted with their 500 car, but I just got it wrong there.”
ARE THESE CARS, AS YOU ARE SIDE DRAFTING, PULLING THESE CARS IN TOGETHER MORE THAN NORMAL? OR WAS THIS JUST A MISTAKE?
“This was just a mistake for sure. But the cars with the wider spoiler that we have had on the second half of the year, the side draft is a bit more noticeable and decibel with cars around. But definitely nothing to do with this here.”
HOW ABOUT YOUR CAR FOR THE 500? WHAT DID YOU NOTICE ABOUT THIS RACE THAT YOU CAN TAKE INTO SUNDAY?
“It was in Q (Qualifying) trim since it was impounded. So, it was a little looser than I wanted in some situations, but it does have a ton of speed in it. So, if we get some comfort back in it, we are going to have ourselves a great Ally Chevrolet.”
WHEN YOU SAY YOU GOT IT WRONG WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU MEAN?
“So, we are three-wide coming through the Turn, I’m looking out the windshield, my rear view mirror and my third mirror trying to judge if the line is going to follow me, if the line is going to follow Kyle (Busch) and where the third car is. And in that whole environment I was wanting to get back in behind Kyle and I think my eyes were in the wrong spot, so I didn’t have a good sense of perception of where I was with Kyle trying to manage my mirrors and I just got it wrong. I thought I knew where I was with the right-front and I just had it wrong.”
IS YOUR SPOTTER TELLING YOU ANYTHING AT THAT POINT?
“Oh yeah that is another thing that is coming in that you are trying to process at the time.”
IS THIS JUST BUSINESS?
“No, it’s just business. I firmly believe The Clash was a racing incident. This one was a mistake on my behalf and everybody makes mistakes.”
RYAN PREECE, NO. 47 KROGER.COM CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 10th
“I felt like I was patient the entire race. I just at the end… I could have been conservative. I wanted to win, but at the same time I just wanted to make a move. I was expecting… I kept trying to get that run and time it and going into (Turn) 1 I was kind of expecting and hoping that two or three more would have done it too and when I went no one went so I was the odd man out and that is what it is.”
RYAN TRUEX, NO. 71 ACCELL CONSTRUCTION INC. CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 14th
WHAT DID MARTIN (TRUEX, JR.) SAY TO YOU AFTER THE RACE?
“He just asked me what happened. He said when we came off pit road, he saw me and the No. 96 were with each other the entire race, me and Parker (Klingerman). Just yeah, we got on our own and when you are three cars riding around like that you can’t create a pass. The No. 96 was able to create a huge run by backing up to the No. 18 and that was that. There was not much I could do about it.”
HOW ARE YOU EMOTIONALLY?
“I knew… I missed one before so I know how it feels. I have more opportunities this year to go out and prove I can win races. This sucks, but I will move on from it.”
WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 AXALTA CAMARO ZL1 – Finished 16th
YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE DUEL. YOU ARE STILL GOING TO BE ABLE TO LEAD THE FIELD TO GREEN ON SUNDAY. WHAT WERE YOU ABLE TO LEARN TONIGHT?
“Yeah, we raced for a while there. I thought we learned a little something towards the beginning of the race with leading and how our car was going to be. And then we were able to make some moves that were pretty good. After that restart we got in a huge hornet’s nest and we were on the bottom of three-wide, so we just bailed on that. Overall, it was good. Pretty happy with it. It was mission accomplished for us so far.”
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
DAYTONA SPEEDWEEKS
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DUEL #2 POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
FEBRUARY 14, 2019
Kurt Busch Finishes Fifth to Pace Team Chevy in Daytona Duel 2
Brendan Gaughan Races into Daytona 500
DAYTONA, Fla. (February 14, 2018) – Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 1 Monster Energy Camaro ZL1, finished in fifth place to lead five Team Chevy drivers in the top 10 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV Duel 2 at Daytona International Speedway Thursday night. Continue reading Kurt Busch Finishes Fifth to Pace Team Chevy in Daytona Duel 2
Austin Dillon And The Dow Chevrolet Team Earn Ninth-Place Finish in The Duels at Daytona
“Man, what a race. I learned a lot for Sunday about the side-draft and how it works. We were shuffled to the back in our Dow Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, almost exactly like what happened in the Clash last Sunday. Starting at the bottom is not the place to be – at least not when you have a small field. When you get 40 cars out there, it may be a little bit different. It was good to run all of those laps on old tires because we learned that we need to work on our handling. We’ll do that tomorrow during practice. We’ll probably do a little bit of drafting to get the car tightened up. The good thing is the Dow Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has plenty of speed. We’ll fine tune it a little bit and get it driving better. If we do that, I feel like we have a car fast enough to compete in the Daytona 500. We just have to get it handling right.”
-Austin Dillon
Continue reading RCR Post Race Report – Duels
Menard Secures Seventh Starting Spot For Daytona 500 As Mustang Drivers Dominate Duels
February 15, 2019
Paul Menard and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are set to start the Daytona 500 from seventh place thanks to Menard’s third-place finish in the first of two Gander RV Duels on Thursday night.
Menard started the 150-mile qualifying race from sixth position but settled out in fourth place, where he ran until a green-flag pit stop at lap 12 of 60. Continue reading Menard Secures Seventh Starting Spot For Daytona 500 As Mustang Drivers Dominate Duels
TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
61st DAYTONA 500
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA
FEBRUARY 14, 2019
BOWTIE BULLETS
DEFENDING CHAMPS: One year ago, Austin Dillon took the Camaro ZL1 to Victory Lane for the first time by winning the season-opening Daytona 500. The feat not only brought the No. 3 back to Winner’s Circle at Daytona after 20 years, but also gave Chevrolet its first win with a new brand; marking the seventh different moniker to earn a victory in ‘The Great American Race’. In 2019, the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 returns to defend its Daytona 500 victory and begin its sophomore season as Chevrolet’s nameplate in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS). Continue reading Chevy Racing–Bowtie Bullets–Daytona
Thanks Gander RV Duels Up Next For Menard, Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team
February 14, 2019
Paul Menard and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team, fresh off a strong run in the Advance Auto Parts Clash, are set to officially kick off their 2019 campaign in Thursday’s Gander RV Duel qualifying races.
Menard, who led a Clash-record 51 laps last Sunday, will be back in his Daytona 500 Mustang for the first of two 150-mile qualifying races that will set the field for Sunday’s Daytona 500.
Menard starts sixth in the first Duel after qualifying 11th this past Sunday.
Eddie Wood said he likes what he’s seen of his team so far this Speedweeks.
“I was really proud of Paul and how he ran on Sunday,” Wood said. “The new Mustang is impressive. We had some new people on the team and they did a good job. We had a good pit stop in the Clash, and we all think our new spotter, Joey Meier, is going to be a great addition to the 21 team.”
Wood said how the team fares in Thursday evening’s 150-miler will determine how the rest of the week goes.
“After you run the qualifier, depending on how you run and how things unfold, you’ll know what to work on in practice on Friday,” he said.
And, like last year, there will be points to be earned in the Duels. The top-10 finishers in each Duel will receive Stage points like in a regular points race, with the winner earning 10 Stage points and the 10th-place driver earning one.
“We’ve all come to understand how important each Stage point can be,” Wood said.
Likewise, the Duels offer the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team a chance to show some hospitality to some of the people from Ford Motor Company and others who make their racing possible.
“We’re looking forward to having Mr. Edsel Ford and Mr. John Menard with us,” Wood said. “It’s always an honor to have them with us wherever we are, but having them at Daytona International Speedway is extra special.”
The Gander RV Duels are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, with TV coverage on Fox Sports 1, and the green flag for the Daytona 500 is set to fly at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 2:30 p.m., with TV coverage on FOX.
Kaz Grala Joins Richard Childress Racing
Grala to Compete in Select NASCAR Xfinity Series Races during 2019 Season
WELCOME, N.C. (February 14, 2019) – Richard Childress Racing is excited to welcome Kaz Grala to its NASCAR Xfinity Series program for select races in 2019. The 20-year-old Boston, Massachusetts native will make his first start for the organization at Texas Motor Speedway this March in the No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro.
“This is definitely the biggest opportunity I’ve had in my career,” said Grala. “Running for a powerhouse team like RCR is a dream come true, and one I plan on making the most of. With only a limited number of races to make an impression, I’m ready to get to work and lay it all on the line.”
Grala’s story began at just four years old behind the wheel of a go-kart in his hometown of Boston. From youngest winner in series history, to youngest winner in track history, he has made his mark at each level of the sport on his way to national competition.
In February 2017, Grala won the NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway becoming the youngest NASCAR winner in history at the storied track (18 years, 1 month, and 26 days old). He capped off his rookie season as the youngest driver to ever make the NASCAR Playoffs since their inception in 2004.
Grala made a limited number of NASCAR Xfinity Series starts with his family-owned team during the 2018 season, collecting an impressive two top-five and five top-10 finishes.
“I’m looking forward to having Kaz Grala join RCR this year,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of RCR. “Kaz is a talented young driver who has proven he can win in any type of racing. I think he’ll be up to speed and contending for multiple wins for us out on the track in no time.”
News on Grala’s sponsorship and crew chief will be announced at a later date.
Grala to Compete in Select NASCAR Xfinity Series Races during 2019 Season
WELCOME, N.C. (February 14, 2019) – Richard Childress Racing is excited to welcome Kaz Grala to its NASCAR Xfinity Series program for select races in 2019. The 20-year-old Boston, Massachusetts native will make his first start for the organization at Texas Motor Speedway this March in the No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro.
“This is definitely the biggest opportunity I’ve had in my career,” said Grala. “Running for a powerhouse team like RCR is a dream come true, and one I plan on making the most of. With only a limited number of races to make an impression, I’m ready to get to work and lay it all on the line.”
Grala’s story began at just four years old behind the wheel of a go-kart in his hometown of Boston. From youngest winner in series history, to youngest winner in track history, he has made his mark at each level of the sport on his way to national competition.
In February 2017, Grala won the NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway becoming the youngest NASCAR winner in history at the storied track (18 years, 1 month, and 26 days old). He capped off his rookie season as the youngest driver to ever make the NASCAR Playoffs since their inception in 2004.
Grala made a limited number of NASCAR Xfinity Series starts with his family-owned team during the 2018 season, collecting an impressive two top-five and five top-10 finishes.
“I’m looking forward to having Kaz Grala join RCR this year,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of RCR. “Kaz is a talented young driver who has proven he can win in any type of racing. I think he’ll be up to speed and contending for multiple wins for us out on the track in no time.”
News on Grala’s sponsorship and crew chief will be announced at a later date.
Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Daytona International Speedway … Dating back to 1976, Richard Childress Racing has won 11 poles and collected six points-paying victories at the most-storied race track on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series circuit. RCR owns three Daytona 500 wins (Dale Earnhardt – 1998, Kevin Harvick – 2007, Austin Dillon – 2018), three Coke Zero 400 trophies (Earnhardt – 1990, 1993 and Harvick – 2010) and 14 qualifying races, including a record 10-consecutive victories with Earnhardt (1990 – 1999). In addition, RCR has earned the Advance Auto Parts Clash a total of eight times, with drivers Harvick (2009, 2010, 2013) and Earnhardt (1986, ’88, ’91, ’93, and ’95). Continue reading RCR Event Preview – Daytona International Speedway
Honda Rookie Herta Stars at Indy Car “Spring Training” Pre-Season Test
• Rookie Colton Herta impresses, heads time sheets for two-day test
• Alexander Rossi runs second overall; Honda drivers claim eight of the top 10 positions
• 2019 NTT IndyCar Series opens March 10 in St. Petersburg, Florida
AUSTIN, Texas (Feb. 13, 2019) – Second-generation Honda racer Colton Herta started his first full season of NTT IndyCar Series competition on a most impressive note, leading three of the four practice sessions during “Spring Training” activities at the Circuit of the Americas. Continue reading Honda Rookie Herta Stars at Indy Car “Spring Training” Pre-Season Test
DEFORCE RACING DOUBLES TEAM SIZE FOR 2019 F4 U.S. SEASON
DEForce Racing confirms two Brazilian drivers
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 13, 2019) – After a strong championship finish last year, DEForce Racing enters the Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda season with four Ligier JS F4 machines, doubling its program from 2018. The Houston-based team will field four cars for 2019, filling two seats with young Brazilian drivers Kiko Porto and Guilherme Peixoto.
In 2018, DEForce placed fourth in the team championship and its rookie driver James Raven claimed the F4 U.S. Vice Championship title.
“We are very happy to have a wave of Brazilian talents coming through our team,” said Ernesto Martinez, Co-Owner of DEForce Racing. “I’m sure we are going to have a very competitive squad to fight for the 2019 F4 Championship.”
Peixoto began racing karts at seven years old and went on to win several Brazilian national karting titles. After a very successful karting career will transition into open-wheel competition, debuting in a Ligier JS F4 machine outfitted in the neon blue and white DEForce Racing colors.
“I am very pleased to be joining F4 U.S. with DeForce for the 2019 season,” Peixoto said. “It will be my first season in open-wheels and we chose the North American path as, today, is the most promising way to become a professional racing driver. It will be very challenging, and I believe I have a very strong team around me. I can’t wait for the first race in April.”
Porto returned to the DEForce lineup for his first full F4 U.S. season. In his rookie year, Porto competed in eight championship races, earning five top-10 finishes.
“This will be a very difficult season since there are so many good drivers who already have a lot of experience in Formula 4,” said Porto. “But I hope to achieve the evolution that I need to get my first podium in the American category. I am climbing one step at a time to give way in my career. God willing, we will make this a good year and achieve my goals to help my team.”
Focused on getting back to the competition mindset, Porto and Peixoto are completing a rigorous preseason test schedule with DEForce in preparation for the season opener at Road Atlanta April 18-20.
DEForce Racing is still finalizing its roster for 2019, testing prospective drivers during the off season. Interested parties should contact ernesto@deforceracing.com.
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
DAYTONA SPEEDWEEKS
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY MEDIA DAY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
FEBRUARY 13, 2019
JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1, met with members of the media at Daytona 500 Media Day and discussed running the Boston Marathon, his Clash victory and many other topics. Full Transcript:
If you were going to pick somebody that could maybe take that title away from you, which guy would you pick amongst the younger set that might be able to do it? Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Daytona Media Day–Jimmie Johnson
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
DAYTONA SPEEDWEEKS
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY MEDIA DAY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
FEBRUARY 13, 2019
JAMIE MCMURRAY, NO. 40 MCDONALD’S/CESSNA/BASS PRO SHOPS CAMARO ZL1, met with members of the media at Daytona 500 Media Day and discussed the upcoming weekend of racing and other topics. Selected Quotes: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Daytona Speedweeks–Media Day–Jamie McMurray
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
DAYTONA SPEEDWEEKS
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY MEDIA DAY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
FEBRUARY 13, 2019
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1, met with members of the media at Daytona 500 Media Day and discussed his outlook for the Daytona 500, trying to keep his momentum up after his victories last season, and many other topics. Full Transcript:
Coming back to Daytona, has it been different this time? Don’t have to answer the question about winning. Different feeling coming back as a winner? Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Speedweeks–Media Day–Chase Elliott
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
DAYTONA SPEEDWEEKS
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY MEDIA DAY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
FEBRUARY 13, 2019
ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CAMARO ZL1 met with media and discussed the new rules package, what he works on to improve driver skills, what it takes to get ready for a new season, and more. Selected Quotes:
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO HAVE WILLIAM BYRON AS YOUR TEAMMATE?
“Well, he’s a nerd (laughs). He called me a nerd the other week. He does have the college education, but I probably have more street smarts and he definitely has more book smarts. But no, it’s been cool working with him and getting to know him as well as Jimmie (Johnson) and Chase (Elliott). It’s a pretty cool dynamic we have between the four of us. I think we all bring our individual strengths to the table and can all help each other with our weaknesses.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Daytona Speedweeks–Media Day–Alex Bowman