Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Mid-Ohio–Recap

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY 200 AT MID-OHIO
MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE AT LEXINGTON, OHIO
TEAM CHEVY RACE RECAP
JULY 30, 2017

Josef Newgarden Wins at Mid-Ohio to Score Seventh Chevy Win
Team Penske Driver Takes Points Lead with Third Victory of Season

LEXINGTON, Ohio (July 30, 2017) – Josef Newgarden was a young man on a mission at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The 26-year-old led 73 of the 90-lap Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio to score his third win of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season and deliver Chevrolet’s seventh victory in 13 races. Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Mid-Ohio–Recap

Richard Childress Racing–Pennsylvania 400

Austin Dillon Races to a 21st-Place Finish Despite Getting Caught Up in Crash on Lap 1 at Pocono Raceway

“We got off on the wrong foot today that’s for sure. It’s one of those situations where we were at the wrong place at the wrong time. We got hit from behind on Lap 1. I hate if for our American Ethanol team but they pulled together and worked hard to make the repairs so we didn’t lose any laps. This weekend was a challenge from the get-go, but we are by no means giving up. We keep improving on our cars and it’s just a matter of time before we start seeing better results.”
Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Pennsylvania 400

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Mid-Ohio

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY 200 OF MID-OHIO
MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER POST RACE NOTES QUOTES
JULY 30, 2017

JOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 2 PPG AUTOMOTIVE REFINISHTEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, RACE WINNER: WE ARE USED TO SEEING PEOPLE STRUGGLE IN THEIR SEASON WITH TEAM PENSKE, BUT NOT YOU: “Well, I’ve got a great crew. When they give me a car like this, I don’t want to say it’s easy, but it’s easier at least. I think we’ve been hitting on all four cylinders, no pun intended, but these guys were awesome this weekend. We had good stops. It was just a really fast car. Reds or blacks, it didn’t matter. The car was fast. So, I just tried to do my job. I think everyone is going to want to drive this PPG car. I’m pretty sure it was lucky for (Simon) Pagenaud last year and I think it’s lucky for us. So, we’re going to probably be fighting over this car.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Mid-Ohio

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Sonoma–Tanner Gray

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
TOYOTA NHRA SONOMA NATIONALS
SONOMA RACEWAY AT SONOMA, CALIFORNIA
POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2017

An interview with Pro Stock winner TANNER GRAY, GRAY MOTORSPORTS, GRAY MOTORSPORTS VALVOLINE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 5 qualifier; third victory of rookie season; also defeated Bo Butner in Las Vegas final for first Pro Stock victory):

Q: WHAT HAS BEEN THE SECRET FOR YOU IN YOUR ROOKIE YEAR?
TANNER GRAY: Just a lot of practice. I have a great group of guys. I want to dedicate this (Wally) to my aunt (Terry Chandler), who we lost a couple of weeks ago. I just want to thank Gray Motorsports, Valvoline, Chevy, and just everybody who makes this thing happen. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Sonoma–Tanner Gray

Podium Finish for Hometown Hero Rahal at Mid-Ohio

Podium Finish for Hometown Hero Rahal at Mid-Ohio
• Graham Rahal runs third at Honda Indy 200
• Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato finishes fifth
• Alexander Rossi rounds out top six finishers

LEXINGTON, Ohio (July 30, 2017) – Ohio native son Graham Rahal led the Honda attack Sunday at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, finishing third at the Honda Indy 200 to continue an impressive streak of results in the second half of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season.

A large crowd, including nearly 10,000 Honda associates from multiple central Ohio Honda facilities, filled the 2.258-mile Mid-Ohio road circuit on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Starting fourth, Rahal battled fellow Honda driver and Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato in the early part of the 90-lap contest. Moving ahead of Sato after the first round of scheduled pit stops, Rahal then spent the remainder of the day fighting with Will Power for second, as eventual race winner Josef Newgarden pulled out a comfortable lead at the front of the field. Continue reading Podium Finish for Hometown Hero Rahal at Mid-Ohio

JEGS.com pro Jeg Coughlin Jr. tripped up by No. 1 qualifier in Sonoma quarterfinals

JEGS.com pro Jeg Coughlin Jr. tripped up
by No. 1 qualifier in Sonoma quarterfinals
SONOMA, Calif. (July 30) — After recording a first-round upset at the 30th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals, five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. was topped by No. 1 qualifier Drew Skillman in the second round of eliminations to end his race day two rounds early. Even so, Coughlin was pleased that changes made to his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro were beginning to bear fruit.

“We made quite a few changes coming into today on the horsepower side of things and a few more minor changes to the car itself,” Coughlin said. “We had a little luck in Round 1 and got past A.J. (Allen Johnson), changed a few things to make the car better for Round 2, and gave it a shot. We just didn’t quite have enough for Drew.”
Continue reading JEGS.com pro Jeg Coughlin Jr. tripped up by No. 1 qualifier in Sonoma quarterfinals

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES OVERTON’S 400

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
OVERTON’S 400
POCONO RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
JULY 30, 2017

TOP TEAM CHEVY FINISHERS:
POS. DRIVER
10TH CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 NAPA CHEVY
11TH KASEY KAHNE, NO. 5 GREAT CLIPS/SHARK WEEK CHEVY SS
12TH DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVY SS
14TH RYAN NEWMAN, NO. 31 CATERPILLAR CHEVY SS Continue reading MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES OVERTON’S 400

Despite her best run of the weekend, Erica Enders edged in Sonoma’s opening round

Despite her best run of the weekend, Erica Enders edged in Sonoma’s opening round
SONOMA, Calif. (July 30) — A late night in the Elite Motorsports pit produced a massive turnaround for two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders, who had struggled mightily through two days of qualifying for this weekend’s 30th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals. Unfortunately, despite posting her best run of the meet by far, Enders came up just short in her first-round race with three-time 2017 winner Bo Butner. Continue reading Despite her best run of the weekend, Erica Enders edged in Sonoma’s opening round

RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 Earns Three Top-10s at Mid-Ohio

RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 Earns Three Top-10s at Mid-Ohio
• Peter Kox led a double top-10 finish in front of home crowd in Sunday’s race
• Ryan Eversley scores pair of top-10 finishes on Ohio doubleheader weekend
• Eversley solidifies hold on top-10 berth in 2017 standings

LEXINGTON, Ohio (July 30, 2017) – The RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3s found progress hard to come by this weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, but the driving duo of Peter Kox and Ryan Eversley did a strong job of maximizing opportunities during Rounds 6-7 of the Pirelli World Challenge campaign. Continue reading RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 Earns Three Top-10s at Mid-Ohio

CHEVY FAST FACTS OVERTON’S 400

CHEVY FAST FACTS
OVERTON’S 400
POCONO RACEWAY
July 30, 2017

A total of 16 Team Chevy drivers will start the Overton’s 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 160-lap/400-mile contest around the 2.5-mile venue is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m., ET. Live coverage will be available on NBC Sports Network, MRN , Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com.

CHEVROLET DRIVERS STARTING IN THE TOP-15:
Jamie McMurray, No. 1 McDonald’s Chevrolet SS, will start third
Kasey Kahne, No. 5 Great Clips/Shark Week Chevrolet SS, will start 12th
Chase Elliott, No. 24 NAPA Chevrolet SS, will take the green flag from the 13th starting spot
Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS, will start 14th

TEAM CHEVY IN MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES (MENCS) COMPETITION:
· Chevrolet has won 39 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships

· Team Chevy drivers have scored 773 wins and 693 poles in MENCS competition

CHEVROLET ON THE TRACK—POCONO RACEWAY

· Chevrolet drivers have won 32 of 79 races at Pocono Raceway. Victories by current Team Chevy drivers are:

o Dale Earnhardt, Jr., No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS, has two wins at Pocono Raceway (’14 – TWICE)

o Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS, has three victories at Pocono Raceway (’04 – TWICE & ‘13)

o Kasey Kahne, No. 5 Great Clips/Shark Week Chevrolet SS, has two wins at Pocono Raceway (’08 & ’13)

o Ryan Newman, No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS, has gone to Victory Lane at Pocono Raceway once (’03)

· A Chevrolet driver has won one of the last three races at Pocono Raceway

· A Chevrolet driver has sat on the pole at Pocono Raceway 33 times

· Team Chevy drivers have scored 163 top-five and 342 top-10 finishes at Pocono Raceway

· A Chevrolet has led 6,570 laps (43.5% of possible 15,087 laps) at Pocono Raceway

Courtney Force, Advance Auto Parts team finding their rhythm in Sonoma

Courtney Force, Advance Auto Parts
team finding their rhythm in Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. (July 29) – The consistency that Funny Car star Courtney Force and her Advance Auto Parts team have been searching for in the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season appears to have been found at Sonoma Raceway.

And that has Force excited for final eliminations for the Sonoma Nationals on Sunday.

Force made three excellent runs in qualifying, topped by a best pass of 3.889 seconds at 327.03 mph that puts her in the No. 1 qualifying spot. Force made the quickest pass in Q3, 3.914 seconds at 329.91 mph, and was on another good run in the final session before getting off the throttle.

“We’ve found some consistency with our Advance Auto Parts Chevy Camaro,” Force said. “It definitely feels good going into race day. We’re in the No. 4 qualifying position. We pushed the car a little harder in Q4. It was on a good run, and I got out of it early because something felt a little strange to me. I got out of it to be safe, but it was on a great run. Continue reading Courtney Force, Advance Auto Parts team finding their rhythm in Sonoma

For first time in stellar career, John Force tops 337 mph, qualifies No. 2 in Sonoma

For first time in stellar career, John Force
tops 337 mph, qualifies No. 2 in Sonoma

SONOMA, Calif. (July 29) – PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS driver John Force has accomplished plenty in his Hall of Fame career, from winning more championships (16) and races (148) than anyone in the long history of the NHRA.

But until Saturday, he’d never officially gone faster than 337 mph.

That’s exactly what happened in the fourth qualifying session for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals on Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, when Force jumped to the No. 2 qualifying spot in Funny Car with a scintillating pass of 3.848 seconds at 337.16 mph.
Continue reading For first time in stellar career, John Force tops 337 mph, qualifies No. 2 in Sonoma

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force earns No. 2 qualifying spot for Sunday’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force earns No. 2
qualifying spot for Sunday’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals

SONOMA, Calif. (July 29) – Brittany Force earned the No. 2 qualifying position in the Top Fuel category for Sunday’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway, the second race of the Western Swing and 15th race on the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Force’s best pass came in the second round Friday, when she ran 3.689 seconds at 330.63 mph midway through the session in the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster. While she celebrated the strong run Friday, the car struggled Saturday. Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force earns No. 2 qualifying spot for Sunday’s NHRA Sonoma Nationals

At Sonoma, record speed, career-best time gives Auto Club driver Robert Hight 52nd No. 1 of his career

At Sonoma, record speed, career-best time gives
Auto Club driver Robert Hight 52nd No. 1 of his career

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
SONOMA, Calif. (July 29) – Robert Hight’s stellar record-setting pass in Friday’s second qualifying session for the NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway was strong enough for his 52nd career No. 1 qualifier in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Hight’s pass of 3.807 seconds at 339.87 mph in the Auto Club of Southern California/California Highway Patrol Chevrolet Camaro SS was more than four hundredths quicker than the field over the four qualifying sessions, and his speed was the first to top 339 mph in any professional NHRA category. Continue reading At Sonoma, record speed, career-best time gives Auto Club driver Robert Hight 52nd No. 1 of his career

Pritchett Takes No. 1 Qualifying Spot, Track Record for Mopar in Top Fuel at NHRA Sonoma

Pritchett Takes No. 1 Qualifying Spot, Track Record for Mopar in Top Fuel
at NHRA Sonoma

Mopar-powered Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett sets track record with pass of 3.669 seconds at 304.80 mph during qualifying for NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway
Top Fuel dragsters featuring HEMI® power from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) have qualified No. 1 on eight occasions in 2017
Mopar Nitro teams from DSR have set low E.T. 12 times overall this year
Pritchett’s No. 1 qualifying effort is second in a row, fifth of season and sixth of career
Jack Beckman leads Mopar Funny Car drivers by qualifying in No. 3 position
Five Mopar Dodge Funny Cars qualify for 16-car field
July 29, 2017, Sonoma, Calif. – For the second week in a row, Leah Pritchett and her Mopar HEMI®-powered Top Fuel dragster will begin Sunday’s elimination rounds from the No. 1 position. Continue reading Pritchett Takes No. 1 Qualifying Spot, Track Record for Mopar in Top Fuel at NHRA Sonoma

Allen Johnson Plans to Put Top Half Qualifying Spot to Good Use on Raceday at Sonoma Nationals

Allen Johnson Plans to Put Top Half Qualifying Spot to Good Use on Raceday at Sonoma Nationals

SONOMA, Calif. (July 29, 2017) – At most racetracks on the circuit, having lane choice during eliminations is of utmost importance for raceday success and Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing’s Allen Johnson will start his raceday from the top half at the 30th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

On Friday, Johnson began qualifying at Sonoma Raceway with a solid 6.593-second pass at 210.05 mph. As the temperatures dropped for the evening session, Johnson and crew chief Adam Hornberger capitalized on cooler conditions and bettered their performance with a 6.581, 210.64.

Saturday, the first session of the day proved to be difficult for teams to get any power to hold on the racetrack but Johnson proved why he has had so much success in the Pro Stock class when he was one of the only cars to get down the track with a stout 6.584, 211.03. Johnson closed out qualifying with his quickest of the weekend so far – 6.578, 210.41.

“Our Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing team is trying some new things for our long-term performance right now,” Johnson said. “I think we have a chance at it tomorrow if we can execute and get a few lucky breaks our way. In the last session today, we were only a little over one hundredth of a second behind them and that’s the closest we’ve been all year.”

No. 8 Johnson will have lane choice over No. 9 Jeg Coughlin Jr. in the first round.

“When you have a matchup against Jeg first round, it’s going to be a tuner and driver combination that will win,” he added. “He can be tough on the tree and usually runs well. I will go up there and plan to be 20 or better on the tree. The stuff we are trying is paying dividends so I think we can do well tomorrow.”

CHEVROLET AT SONOMA Final Round Qualifying Driver Quotes – NHRA Sonoma Nationals

CHEVROLET AT SONOMA

Final Round Qualifying Driver Quotes – NHRA Sonoma Nationals

SONOMA, Calif. (July 29, 2017) – Drivers Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car) and Drew Skillman (Pro Stock) led the way for Team Chevy in qualifying at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday. Hight and Skillman earn No. 1 starting spots in their respective categories while Force is second in hers. Continue reading CHEVROLET AT SONOMA Final Round Qualifying Driver Quotes – NHRA Sonoma Nationals

Crowd favorite Erica Enders hoping for better results on race day in Sonoma

Crowd favorite Erica Enders hoping
for better results on race day in Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. (July 29) — The first two days of the 30th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals have been a bit of a struggle for two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders, but that hasn’t dampened the spirits of the always popular pro from Houston.

“We definitely have an issue that we are working to fix,” Enders said after qualifying a season-low 15th on the grid with a 6.949 at 211.89 mph. “Everybody is doing all they can to figure out what the Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro wants and, so far, it’s just not translating to
the scoreboard. Continue reading Crowd favorite Erica Enders hoping for better results on race day in Sonoma

Mid-pack start for five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. in Sonoma

Mid-pack start for five-time Pro Stock
champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. in Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. (July 29) — Jeg Coughlin Jr. will line his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro up in the No. 9 starting spot when Sunday’s eliminations for the 30th annual Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals begin at Sonoma Raceway. The five-time Pro Stock champion and 59-time national event winner posted a best pass of 6.598 seconds at 210.90 mph, earning his mid-pack perch. Continue reading Mid-pack start for five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. in Sonoma

Richard Childress Racing–US Cellular 250

Top-10 Run Spoiled by Cut Tire for the RTP / Rheem Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway

“This RTP / Rheem Camaro was really, really good on long runs all weekend. We fired off from our 13th-place qualifying effort and made our way into the top-10 by the end of that first stage. Randall (Burnett, crew chief) and the pit crew adjusted on this Chevy and we were able to race into the top-five at the halfway point. Unfortunately, I made a mistake on pit road and was pinned in the pit stall, which caused us to lose quite a few spots. To make matters worse, we cut right front tire with 50 to go and ended up crossing the finish line in 23rd. I hate our result didn’t reflect how good this Chevy was here at Iowa.” Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–US Cellular 250

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