TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
I LOVE NEW YORK 355
WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL
WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK
AUGUST 6, 2017
BOWTIE BULLETS
WINNERS IN WATKINS:
Chevrolet has more wins at Watkins Glen than any other manufacturer. The Bowtie Brigade has been to Victory Lane at Watkins Glen 17 times in the 34 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series events held at the 2.45-mile road course. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Watkins Glen Advance
Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Quick Facts, Race Stats, and Notes: Northwest Nationals
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (August 1, 2017) – This weekend marks the 17th of 24 events in 2017 for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. With three races left before the Countdown to the Championship, it is crucial for Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart driver Allen Johnson to qualify well and remain in the top 10 in points.
“Our Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing team is trying some things to get ready for the Countdown,” Johnson said after qualifying last weekend at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals. “We’re finding out what this car wants and once we get a few lucky breaks our way, we will gain some momentum.”
Allen Johnson: History at Pacific Raceways
Allen Johnson won the Northwest Nationals in 2006 over Tom Martino
Johnson posted a runner-up appearance in 2007 to Dave Connolly and 2008 to Jason Line.
Johnson was No. 1 qualifier in 2009, 2012, and 2014.
Last year: qualified No. 5; lost in second round to Jason Line.
Northwest Nationals Run Schedule
QUALIFYING
Friday, August 4th at 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 5th at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m.
ELIMINATIONS
Sunday, August 6th at 11:00 a.m. starting with Top Fuel
Northwest Nationals TV Schedule
Qualifying will air on FS1 on Friday, August 4th at 9:00 p.m. (ET).
Eliminations will air live on FOX on Sunday, August 6th at 4:00 p.m. (ET).
Richard Childress Racing at “The Glen” … In 68 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Watkins Glen International, RCR boasts two wins (Robby Gordon 2003 and Kevin Harvick 2006), eight top-five and 21 top-10 finishes. Dale Earnhardt won three poles (1990, ’92, ’96) at the high-speed, seven-turn, upstate New York facility.
RCR in the MENCS … In 2,801 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 48 pole awards,107 wins, 482 top-five finishes and 1,042 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finishing position of 16.1. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR XFINITY Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Watkins Glen 355 Advance
Brittany Force eyes strong finish to
Western Swing with Monster Energy team
KENT, Wash. (Aug. 1) – Brittany Force and the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster team wrap up the annual three-race Western Swing this weekend at Pacific Raceways seeking their second victory of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
Force has five semifinals appearances in the last seven races, including a victory at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. Her semifinals run at last weekend’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway in California vaulted her into fifth in the Top Fuel points standings for the first time since April. Continue reading Brittany Force eyes strong finish to Western Swing with Monster Energy team
Past Seattle winner Jeg Coughlin Jr. hoping good fortune rains down under Mt. Rainer
KENT, Wash. (Aug. 1) — Five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. knows the Elite Motorsports team has all the pieces in place for him to win another NHRA title. The 59-time national event winner also knows it never hurts to have good fortune in racing, something he hopes will return to his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro at this weekend’s 30th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals. Continue reading Past Seattle winner Jeg Coughlin Jr. hoping good fortune rains down under Mt. Rainer
Pomona winner Mike Coughlin of Team JEGS eyeing hometown trophy In Columbus
HEBRON, Ohio (Aug. 1) — Two-time Division 3 champion Mike Coughlin hopes to fill his competitive hunger with some genuine home cooking at this weekend’s Buckeye Fuel Wars at his hometown track, National Trail Raceway in nearby Hebron. The race is the fourth North Central Division event in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Mike Coughlin
“We can’t wait to race this weekend at our favorite track of all-time,” said Coughlin, who hails from the Columbus suburb of Delaware, Ohio. “My brothers and I literally grew up at National Trail and now all of our kids have fallen in love with the place, and many of them race here also. There’s no place like home, and this is home for us.
“The coolest thing racing here is all our friends and family can come out and join the fun. Plus, we have more than 350 JEGS associates and a lot of them come support us. There are even a few that race themselves so we’ll have some great times, for sure.”
Coughlin will be piloting his proven JEGS.com Top Dragster, which he drove to the winner’s circle at February’s season-opening NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. He’s since done enough in the yellow and black bullet to remain ranked in the top 10 in Division 3, his home division where he won Top Sportsman titles in 2007 and 2009, and the top 25 nationally.
Mike is ready for his next run in
the JEGS.com Top Dragster.
“We’ve been running so well there just isn’t any reason to change anything,” said Coughlin, who has contested just three national and two divisional events so far. “Minor little things are all we’re having to adjust; we’re super happy with the car. Ryan Micke, Tony Collier, Dave Ruack and Greg Cody, these guys are so good with setting this thing up and making it easy for me to drive and focus on racing.
“I love race weekends at National Trail even though they are quite full of activities. Personally, I stay really busy and it’s much easier to keep your mind in race mode and keep your focus. You’re generally very busy but it’s a fun kind of busy.”
The first race of the weekend opens with Top Dragster qualifying sessions at 3:30 p.m., Friday, followed by two more time trials at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m., Saturday. Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., Sunday.
“The JEGS pit will be busy,” Coughlin said. “My son Clay and Dave Ruack’s son Michael will be joining the action in their Junior Dragsters so hopefully we’ll be bringing home a few trophies.
“The new owners of National Trail have made some considerable improvements and it’s exciting to see so much life being breathed back into this track. We’re all ready to race.”
Tickets for the Buckeye Fuel Wars are $20 per day per person. A three-day pass is $50. Children ages 6-12 are $5 per day. Children 5 and under are free.
Michael Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3s Seek More Success at Road America
• Tight battle for championship continues with four races remaining
• Recent results move Acura, drivers and MSR into championship contention
• Four consecutive top-five finishes include victories at Detroit and Watkins Glen
TORRANCE, Calif. (August 1, 2017) – On the strength of two class victories, a second and a fifth in the last four races, Michael Shank Racing brings its pair of Acura NSX GT3s to Road America for this weekend’s Continental Tire Road Race Showcase in the thick of the battle for the GTD Manufacturers’ Championship. Continue reading Michael Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3s Seek More Success at Road America
Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force ready
to end Western Swing on a high note in Seattle
KENT, Wash. (Aug. 1) – Funny Car star Courtney Force said she and her Advance Auto Parts team had a “turnaround weekend” in Sonoma, and now they’re looking to continue their positive momentum into the NHRA Northwest Nationals this weekend at Pacific Raceways.
Force qualified No. 4 and raced to the semifinals at Sonoma Raceway last Sunday, finding some consistency that is crucial to success on race days. Continue reading Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force ready to end Western Swing on a high note in Seattle
Fast speed in Sonoma has PEAK Chevrolet driver
John Force pumped for Seattle and beyond
KENT, Wash. (Aug. 1) – PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil’s John Force joined the 337-mph club last weekend, becoming only the fourth Funny Car driver to reach that lofty plateau.
And heading into the NHRA Northwest Nationals this weekend at Pacific Raceways, the 16-time champion hopes to build on that impressive streak and add some more numbers to his already gaudy resume.
Force recorded a speed of 337.16 mph during qualifying for the Sonoma Nationals last weekend at Sonoma Raceway. That matched John Force Racing teammate Robert Hight for sixth-fastest speed in NHRA history and was the fastest Force had ever gone. Continue reading Fast speed in Sonoma has PEAK Chevrolet driver John Force pumped for Seattle and beyond
Auto Club driver Robert Hight looks to
wrap up Western Swing with another victory
KENT, Wash. (Aug. 1) – Robert Hight has had two strong showings in the Western Swing and looks to bookend the annual three-race campaign with his second victory out west and the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season in NHRA Northwest Nationals this weekend at Pacific Raceways.
Hight won the Western Swing opener July 23 at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo., then backed it up with career-best elapsed time (3.807 seconds) and NHRA-record speed (339.87 mph). Both were just shy of monumental marks – no driver in NHRA history has ever recorded a time in the 3.7-second range, nor reached the 340-mph threshold. Continue reading Auto Club driver Robert Hight looks to wrap up Western Swing with another victory
Scelzi Scores Eighth-Place Finish During Debut at Jackson Motorplex
Inside Line Promotions – MASON CITY, Iowa (July 31, 2017) – Dominic Scelzi posted a top-10 finish during his debut at Jackson Motorplex last Friday.
The night began when the family owned, Roth Motorsports sponsored team qualified fourth quickest at the half-mile oval. Scelzi then finished where he started – fifth – in a heat race, which was one spot shy of making the feature inversion. He started the main event on the inside of the seventh row. Continue reading Scelzi Scores Eighth-Place Finish During Debut at Jackson Motorplex
Megan Meyer Scores First Victory at Home Track in Topeka
Megan Meyer and sister, Rachel Meyer, competed together in the Top Alcohol Dragster Class at Heartland Park Topeka July 27-31st with support from Meyer Truck Center Inc., Quality Structures Inc., and Up In Smoke BBQ Sauce. This was their second race this year racing side-by-side at their home track with the Randy Meyer Racing Team. Although Rachel claimed the runner-up finish at the NHRA National event, it was Megan who would take home the win at the Lucas Oil Regional race.
Rachel scored the number one qualifying spot with the quickest and fastest time of the three sessions, a 5.30 E.T. at 275 mph. Megan was not far behind in the third position with her 5.34 E.T. at 273 mph. With the two girls placed on opposite sides of the ladder, it was a perfect match for an all Meyer final round.
As the number one qualifier, Rachel faced Marty Thacker from Indiana for the opening round of eliminations. Unfortunately Rachel had a slow reaction time, as Marty shot off the starting line first and never trailed for the win with a 5.41 E.T. to Rachel’s 5.34 E.T. Megan was up against the sixth qualifier, David Brounkowski, who encountered tire smoke and Megan powered down the track for the win with a 5.37 E.T. at 273 mph.
Going into the second round, Megan had to take down the newcomer, Mike Edstrom, who had just received his Top Alcohol Dragster NHRA license the day before eliminations. Megan got off the starting line first, but Mike got ahead of her down the track. Megan powered through to cross the finish line first, by a mere .003 seconds, approximately 14 inches.
Top Fuel — Steve Torrence, 3.784 seconds, 329.42 mph def. Antron Brown, 3.974 seconds, 281.83 mph.
Funny Car — J.R. Todd, Toyota Camry, 4.049, 323.27 def. Tim Wilkerson, Ford Mustang, 6.823, 100.26.
Pro Stock — Tanner Gray, Chevy Camaro, 6.572, 210.05 ARP Car def. Bo Butner, Camaro, 6.577, 210.93.
Pro Stock Motorcycle — LE Tonglet, Suzuki, 6.783, 197.02 def. Matt Smith, Victory, 6.790, 196.67.
Super Stock — Jody Lang, Chevy Malibu, 10.688, 123.20 def. Justin Lamb, Chevy Cobalt, 8.622, 155.52.
Stock Eliminator — Brian McClanahan, Chevy Camaro, 9.871, 129.54 def. Dwayne Scheitlin, Dodge Challenger, 10.116, 129.27.
Super Comp — Val Torres Jr., Dragster, 8.919, 176.84 def. Ryan McClanahan, Dragster, 8.920, 182.85.
Super Gas — Evan Kowalski, Chevy Corvette, 9.941, 160.14 def. Chris Cannon, Corvette, 9.903, 160.44.
Super Street — Chris Borges, Chevy Chevelle, 10.921, 137.06 def. Matt Blodgett, Chevy Vega, 10.898, 133.03.
Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com — Paul Nero, Dragster, 6.708, 199.32 def. Jeff Havens, Dragster, 6.736, 197.68.
Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com — Bart Smith, Chevy Monte Carlo, 8.240, 124.11 def. Keith White, Ford Ranger, Foul – Red Light.
Beckman Advances to Semifinals in Mopar Dodge Funny Car at NHRA Sonoma Nationals
Jack Beckman advances Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to semifinals of 30th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway
Two Mopar Dodge Funny Cars appear in second round
Leah Pritchett puts HEMI®-powered Top Fuel dragster in round two
Mopar claims top three points positions in Funny Car, holds third and fourth in Top Fuel standings
Dwayne Scheitlin takes ’71 Dodge Challenger to Stock Eliminator final
Scheitlin named Dodge Top Finisher in Stock, Jerry Jenkins takes Super Stock award
July 30, 2017, Sonoma, Calif. – Jack Beckman set the pace for Mopar this weekend, turning in a valiant effort in his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car with a semifinal appearance during the NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway. Continue reading Beckman Advances to Semifinals in Mopar Dodge Funny Car at NHRA Sonoma Nationals
ERIE, MI (July 31, 2017) – This Friday, August 4th, for the first time since July 18, 1999, Engine Pro Sprints On Dirt presented by ARP will be racing at the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama, Michigan. The fifth and final race of the MAHLE/Clevite Beyond Limits Challenge will determine the 2017 BLC champion.
The Manistee County Fairgrounds, SOD’s northern most venue, will challenge racers with its large, d-shaped, almost circular track, unlike most configurations competitors have experience on.
anhimlkcflcdliai.jpg Continue reading SOD MAHLE/Clevite BLC Championship at ,Manistee County Fairgrounds Friday
Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet driver Courtney
Force surges to Sonoma Nationals semis
SONOMA, Calif. (July 30) – Courtney Force took the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car to the NHRA Sonoma Nationals semifinals on Sunday at Sonoma Raceway, completing a solid weekend for Force and her John Force Racing team.
“It was a big turnaround weekend going to the semifinals for our Advance Auto Chevrolet team,” Force said. “I think we definitely learned some stuff about our cars this weekend. To go out there and qualify in the No. 4 spot, have a little bit of consistency, run a 3.90 in the first round – that was a killer run for us.” Continue reading Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet driver Courtney Force surges to Sonoma Nationals semis
Momentum building for John Force, PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Funny Car team after solid performance in Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. (July 30) – The momentum continues to build for John Force and his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car team. And it’s the right time of the year.
With two races left before the biggest race of the year – the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis – and three races before the start of the Countdown to the Championship, Force may be peaking at the right time.
At the NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Nationals, Force qualified No. 2 with the fastest speed in his glorious career (337.16 mph). On race day, he won his first-round matchup with Jeff Diehl before falling in the second round to eventual winner J.R. Todd. Continue reading Momentum building for John Force, PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Funny Car team after solid performance in Sonoma
Auto Club driver Robert Hight leaves Sonoma with
ninth top speed of season, quarterfinals appearance
SONOMA, Calif. (July 30) – Robert Hight came away with his ninth fastest event speed of the season, the fastest speed in NHRA history, his third Funny Car No. 1 qualifier of the season and a quarterfinal finish in the Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, the latest stop on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.
Hight was coming off a victory at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo. and was seeking to becoming only the second driver in Funny Car history to sweep the annual Western Swing. The Alturas, Calif., native won his first-round matchup against No. 16 Tim Gibbons before falling to No. 8 Tim Wilkerson in the second round here.
Continue reading Auto Club driver Robert Hight leaves Sonoma with ninth top speed of season, quarterfinals appearance
Brittany Force takes Monster Energy Top Fuel
dragster to Sonoma Nationals semifinals
SONOMA, Calif. (July 30) – Brittany Force advanced to the semifinals for the fifth time in the last seven NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races, moving her inside the top five of the Top Fuel points standings following Sunday’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.
Force took the Monster Energy dragster to a pair of elimination round wins before falling in the semis to points leader Steve Torrence, the eventual winner. It made up for a tough qualifying effort Saturday, in which she failed to make a full pass. Still, her No. 2 qualifying effort put her in position to vie for the victory at Sonoma, one of her favorite tracks and the second of three races on the annual Western Swing. Continue reading Brittany Force takes Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster to Sonoma Nationals semifinals