John Force Racing

Courtney Force heads JFR’s 1-2-3 effort on 1st day of Four-Wide Nationals qualifying

Courtney Force heads JFR’s 1-2-3 effort on 1st day
of Four-Wide Nationals qualifying

Courtney Force (bottom) and Robert Hight Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery

CONCORD, N.C. (April 28) – Courtney Force’s record pass of 3.851 seconds at 323.27 mph led a John Force Racing sweep of the top three Funny Car qualifying positions Friday, the first of two days of qualifying for Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

Force, the No. 1 qualifier the past two events, established the time in the second qualifying session in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, as JFR set both ends of the track record Friday. The third and fourth rounds of qualifying take place Saturday, at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Eastern, respectively. Continue reading Courtney Force heads JFR’s 1-2-3 effort on 1st day of Four-Wide Nationals qualifying →

Jegs Racing

Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains in control of Pro Stock class after another top-qualifying effort

Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains in control of Pro Stock
class after another top-qualifying effort
CONCORD, N.C. (April 28) — It’s been 10 years since six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has qualified on top of the Pro Stock field at consecutive races but the driver of the JEGS.com/Elite Performance Camaro is on the cusp of doing it again should his 6.578-second pass at 210.24 mph from Friday night hold through Saturday’s final two qualifying sessions, scheduled to be run in the heat of the day.

“To be No. 1 in both Friday sessions really starts to trump what we accomplished last weekend in Houston,” said Coughlin, a 58-time national event winner in the Pro Stock class. “Hopefully, that’s a sign of more good things to come. I’m just really pleased that we made two really nice laps today. The guys are working hard and it’ll be fun to come out here tomorrow and put a third and then a fourth
run together.” Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains in control of Pro Stock class after another top-qualifying effort →

Jegs Racing

Turbo Lover: Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin answers back in JEGS.com turbocharged Corvette

Turbo Lover: Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin answers back in JEGS.com turbocharged Corvette
CONCORD, N.C. (April 28) — Aside from the obvious — that he posted the quickest elapsed time in the Pro Mod class Friday at the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals — Troy Coughlin isn’t quite sure how he ended up on top of the timing sheets at the midway point of professional qualifying, but he’s not complaining one bit.

“We’ll take it,” Coughlin said. “I don’t know how this happened because we ran almost the exact same numbers as we did in Houston last weekend under pretty similar weather conditions and all the supercharger guys that were way ahead of us in Texas have all dropped off quite a bit. It seems odd, but hey, we’re No. 1 for now. Continue reading Turbo Lover: Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin answers back in JEGS.com turbocharged Corvette →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix Qualifying

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
DESERT DIAMOND WWEST VALLEY PHOENIX GRAND PRIX
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
POST QUALIFYING RECAP
APRIL 28, 2017

Helio Castroneves Puts Chevy on the Pole at Phoenix

PHOENIX – Helio Castroneves has cornered the market on the fastest way around Phoenix International Raceway. For the second consecutive year, Castroneves has captured the Verizon P1 Award in record-setting fashion. The three-time Indianapolis 500 winner blistered the 1.022-mile oval with a total two-lap time of 37.7538 seconds at an average speed of 194.905 mph.

“The conditions were really difficult today because it changed from last year,” said Castroneves. “Last year, we qualified in the afternoon, practiced at night. Now it was completely different. But the gusts of wind were horrendous. But again, in qualifying, my engineer did a phenomenal job. We calculated something in the car. It turned out to be a good one.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix Qualifying →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond–Kasey Kahne

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 28, 2017

KASEY KAHNE, NO. 5 AARP DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Richmond International Raceway and discussed the opening practice session, his outlook for qualifying, his thoughts on teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s retirement and many other topics. Full Transcript:

ON THE FIRST PRACTICE SESSION AND WHAT HE IS FEELING IN ADVANCE OF QUALIFYING:
“I feel pretty good. I thought we took off pretty good at the start of practice. It’s a neat track, especially during the daytime. I always think it’s kind of one of my favorite tracks, I think a lot of the guys really enjoy racing here. The car was really nice taking off and then we made a couple of other five laps runs and went to qualifying trim and missed it a little the first lap. So, then we were on old tires from that point on, so we didn’t end up great on the board, but I feel like we have a strong car and hopefully a car that can qualify towards the front this afternoon.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond–Kasey Kahne →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond Qualifying

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES AND QUOTES
APRIL 28, 2017

PAIR OF CHEVY’S TO START IN THE TOP 12 AT RICHMOND

RICHMOND, Va. (April 28, 2017) – A pair of Team Chevy drivers will start in the Top 12 on Sunday in the 400-lap/300-mile Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race around the 0.75-mile Richmond International Raceway. Jamie McMurray, No. 1 GearWrench Chevrolet SS will lead the charge for the Bowtie Brand rolling off from the 10th starting spot. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond Qualifying →

Wood Brothers

Blaney Qualifies On The Outside Pole At Richmond

Blaney Qualifies On The Outside Pole At Richmond

April 28, 2017

Another Friday, another front-row qualifying effort for Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team.

Blaney’s outside pole at Richmond International Raceway on Friday was his second in the past three races, including a rained-out qualifying session at Bristol where he started sixth. It also was his third outside pole in his last six attempts, including second-place efforts at Phoenix and Texas. Continue reading Blaney Qualifies On The Outside Pole At Richmond →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond-Dale Earnhardt Jr.

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 28, 2017

DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Richmond International Speedway and discussed the rest of the week since making his announcement to retire at the end of the 2017 season, all the outpouring of love and support from his fellow competitors and fans and many other topics. Full Transcript:

BIG WEEK FOR YOU. TAKE US THROUGH HOW EVERYTHING HAS GONE SINCE MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON TUESDAY:
“It’s been real positive which I’m thankful for. I was worried people were going to be upset and angry, like ‘what the hell’, so I was glad that they… so far, for the most part it’s been real positive. Obviously, the conversations I’ve had with folks in the media, the industry and the garage has been great. So, it’s been good, we also went to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Thursday, which was a really timely good thing to do because I was ready to get back to work and get back to my routine, if you will. That was fun to go there and sort of get the whole announcement and everything else off your mind for a little bit. But, yeah, it really went great. I thought the press conference was set up well and that all went as smooth as I guess I could have hoped. I felt like when I was up there giving my speech that I sounded like a monotone robot, but everybody seemed to be giving me positive reviews on that. Otherwise, it was really good. It’s been hard to admit that is what I want to do and that is the choice I was want to make, but otherwise the feedback has been great.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond-Dale Earnhardt Jr. →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Charlotte–Tanner Gray

NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY, CHARLOTTE, NC
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 28, 2017

TANNER GRAY, GRAY MOTORSPORTS VALVOLINE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS met with the media and discussed his first career win at Vegas, racing four-wide for the first time, and racing at his home track at zMax Dragway, and more. Full transcript:

TALK ABOUT YOUR EARLY SUCCESS THIS SEASON AND THE MOMENTUM THAT IT HAS BROUGHT

“The guys have given me a really good race car and that has made my job really easy. With my dad (Shane Gray), my grandpa (Johnny Gray), and Dave (Connolly) here it has made the learning curve not so steep. It’s definitely been going well.”

THIS IS YOUR FIRS TIME RUNNING THE FOUR-WIDES. ARE YOU TAKING THE SAME APPROACH THIS WEEKEND OR ARE YOU GOING TO MODIFY IT?

“I don’t know yet. I will have a better answer after Q1 but as of right now I am going to go up there and make sure I get in.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Charlotte–Tanner Gray →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond–Kyle Larson

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 28, 2017

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CHEVROLET SS met with media and discussed what it’s like to see his name in the news a lot, his views of the younger drivers coming up in the sport, grassroots racing, and more. Full Transcript:

HOW DO YOU AND YOUR TEAM PLAN TO EXTEND YOUR POINT LEAD HEADING INTO SUNDAY’S RACE?
“We had a good run here last year. I typically don’t run great here. I’m okay. I run typically right around tenth. Last year we were a lot better and we were able to finish second. Hopefully we’ve hit on a balance I like here and can show it again here this weekend. It’ll be different, though. That was a night race. This is going to be with the sun out and hot and slick. So, it’ll be harder on your tires. You have to take care of all that stuff, your brakes and everything. So, we’ll just wait and see. Richmond is a tough race track. It’s super slick. To me, it feels like one of the slickest places we go to once the tires wear out. So, I’ve got to do my best to take care of my race car.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond–Kyle Larson →

Jegs Racing

Going four-wide for the first time has veteran drag racer Troy Coughlin pumped for Charlotte

Going four-wide for the first time has veteran
drag racer Troy Coughlin pumped for Charlotte
CONCORD, N.C. (April 27) — Troy Coughlin has secured world championships in two different sanctions, won national events in three different NHRA categories, captured numerous divisional and big dollar bracket race titles, and raced in a multitude of All Star events. But the veteran drag racer, who began his career some 30 years ago, has never done what he’s about to do this weekend — race four-wide down the strip.

“I’m really excited about Pro Mod cars racing four-wide in Charlotte alongside the Mello Yello Series pros,” Coughlin said. “It’ll be a sight to see when four Pro Mod cars blaze down the strip. It’s the first time the Pro Mods have raced four wide so the blood will be pumping. Continue reading Going four-wide for the first time has veteran drag racer Troy Coughlin pumped for Charlotte →

Honda Racing

New Year, New Look for Honda GRC Civic Coupe

New Year, New Look for Honda GRC Civic Coupe
• Red Bull-collaborated design debuts before Memphis
• Striking colors highlight the 2017 Honda Racing trio of cars
• Honda GRC Civic Coupe hits the track on Friday, April 28

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 27, 2017) – With the start of the 2017 Red Bull Global Rallycross season beginning Friday, Olsbergs MSE (OMSE), Red Bull and Honda are proud to debut an exciting new look for the Honda Red Bull OMSE Civic Coupes, based on the 2017 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy award-winning Honda Civic design. Continue reading New Year, New Look for Honda GRC Civic Coupe →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Charlotte Preview

CHEVROLET AT CHARLOTTE

What:
NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
When:
Friday, April 28-Sunday, April 30
Where:
zMAX Dragway, Concord, North Carolina
TV:
FS1: Eliminations and finals – 5:30 p.m. ET Sunday
FS1: Qualifications – Midnight ET Saturday
FS1: Qualifications – 7 p.m. ET Friday (live)

Chevrolet Drivers Seek to Win Four Classes in the Four-Wide Nationals
Youngest winner in NHRA history Tanner Gray to make ‘home track’ debut in Pro Stock Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Charlotte Preview →

Jegs Racing

Pomona winner Mike Coughlin ‘finally’ returning to work at D3 opener in Indy

Pomona winner Mike Coughlin ‘finally’
returning to work at D3 opener in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (April 26) — The 10-week gap between Mike Coughlin’s season-opening Top Dragster victory February 12 at the Winternationals in California, to this weekend’s Division 3 opener at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis isn’t quite as long as the traditional winter break, but it sure has felt like it for the two-time D3 champ out of the JEGS.com camp.

“It definitely has felt like a long time since I’ve been in the dragster,” Coughlin admitted. “Especially after winning Pomona because we all wanted to keep racing. Our schedule just didn’t allow for it so the best I’ve been able to do is hang around the shop, keep up with all the other races on the computer, and support my brothers and my nephew.

“I’m pretty much as anxious to race as I’ve ever been.” Continue reading Pomona winner Mike Coughlin ‘finally’ returning to work at D3 opener in Indy →

Uncategorized

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond Preview

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
TOYOTA OWNER’S 400
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
APRIL 30, 2017

BOWTIE BULLETS
LEADER OF THE PACK:
Chevrolet leads all other manufacturers with 37 victories at the 0.75-mile, D-shaped, Richmond International Raceway.

CHEVY HISTORY MINUTE:
Did you know? Chevrolet’s Jeff Gordon set the track qualifying record of 130.599 mph in his Chevrolet SS on September 6, 2013.

MANUFACTURER STANDINGS:
Following the first eight races in the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, Chevrolet leads the manufacturer standings by eight markers over the competition. Chevrolet has 39 total MENCS Manufacturer championship titles and is looking for an unprecedented number 40 this season. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond Preview →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevrolet Seeks to Kick Up Dust at Desert Grand Prix

Chevrolet Seeks to Kick Up Dust at Desert Grand Prix

· Team Chevy drivers gear up for first oval of Verizon IndyCar Series season
ᴏ 1.022-mile Phoenix International Raceway is stiff challenge
· Helio Castroneves is among the handful of drivers with history at racetrack
ᴏ Team Penske driver, who won at PIR in 2002, holds track qualifying speed record
· 2016 race marked Indy car return to the racetrack after 10-year absence
ᴏ Simon Pagenaud and Will Power scored top-three finishes behind winning Chevrolet
· JR Hildebrand returns to No. 21 Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing

DETROIT (April 26, 2017) – Experience, which is a derivative of longevity, skill and teamwork have been complementary ingredients in Helio Castroneves’ successful career. History is an ally at Verizon IndyCar Series venues.

The veteran Team Penske driver will make his 331st Indy car start, which ranks third on the all-time list, Saturday night in the 250-lap Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix in the No. 3 REV Group Chevrolet. It is the fourth event – and first oval — of the Verizon IndyCar Series season. Continue reading Chevrolet Seeks to Kick Up Dust at Desert Grand Prix →

Wood Brothers

Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Looking To Recapture The Magic At Richmond

Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Looking To Recapture The Magic At Richmond

April 26, 2017

Over the years, the Wood Brothers race team has set records, many of which still stand, at NASCAR tracks across America.

Richmond International Raceway, where Ryan Blaney and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team will race this weekend, is one of those tracks, although the team’s record at Richmond isn’t exactly a power house stat.

The team, and former driver Kyle Petty, hold the track’s record for the fewest laps led by a race winner – four laps on Feb. 23, 1986.

The finish of that Miller High Life 400 remains one of the more popular features on the highlight reels from Richmond. Continue reading Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Looking To Recapture The Magic At Richmond →

Kasey Kahne Racing

Kasey Kahne Racing – Results Recap

Kasey Kahne Racing – Results Recap

☔️ Mother Nature Wins Back-To-Back Races ☔️

Heavy rain cancelled both races that were scheduled last weekend – Friday in West Memphis, Ark. (rescheduled for May 3) and Saturday in Pevely, Mo. (cancelled).

The debut of the 2017 Ollie’s Bargain Outlet/Sage Fruit/ASE scheme on Brad Sweet’s No. 49 will have to wait until Friday at Plymouth Speedway in Plymouth, Ind. Brad is the defending race winner of the event.

The upcoming World of Outlaws schedule is a favorite stretch for the KKR teams, Daryn Pittman cut his teeth as a young racer in Pennsylvania and has multiple wins at New Egypt Speedway the last four seasons.

Cruz Pedregon

Cruz Pedregon Charlotte Advance

NHRA® Team Report

NHRA 4-Wide Nationals – Charlotte

Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team are headed to the Charlotte NHRA 4-Wide Nationals energized after the best weekend of the season for the team and a new career-best 3.897-second pass.

“It’s taking time for things to come together during the early part of the season, but our hard work is starting to pay off,” said Pedregon. “Charlotte will be race number six for this collective team, and we knew early on it would take five or six races to get things moving in our direction. We’re feeling really confident about the way things are going.”

Crew Chief Aaron Brooks says, “We’re ready to be in one of the top spots again this weekend, because it sure felt good in Houston. We think the 4-Wide is a race everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime, and we plan to be part of the good things happening for fans to see Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the track in Charlotte.”

“Charlotte’s been a winner for us before, and we ran a 3.9 there last year, so watch for big things to come from the Snap-on Toyota,” Cruz says.

On the Side of Cruz’s Car – Charlotte

Local Snap-on Franchisee Dwayne Shivers is this week’s Nitro Franchisee. Dwayne’s been working hard as a Snap-on franchisee for the past nine years, but on weekends, he’s driving something other than his Snap-on mobile store. Dwayne is a “die hard” racing fan who has been bracket racing in the point series at his nearby track for almost 25 years. He’ll be here with customers and friends and taking pictures with Cruz in the pits.

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Richmond International Raceway

Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Richmond International Raceway … Richard Childress has nine Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victories as a car owner at Richmond International Raceway – five with Dale Earnhardt, three with Kevin Harvick and one with Clint Bowyer. Additionally, in 160 starts at the Richmond, Va.-based track, RCR drivers have claimed 36 top-five and 67 top-10 finishes. Childress, a former driver on NASCAR’s senior circuit, contributed three of those top-10 finishes from 1976-1978.

RCR in the MENCS … In 2,757 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 48 pole awards, 106 wins, 477 top-five finishes and 1,034 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.

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