Jegs Racing

Drag racing champions Jeg Coughlin Jr., Erica Enders return to Chevrolet

Drag racing champions Jeg Coughlin Jr.,
Erica Enders return to Chevrolet
INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 8) — Elite Motorsports team owner Richard Freeman announced Thursday at the PRI Show that multi-time world champion drag racers Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Erica Enders will fight for the 2017 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock crown in a pair of RJ Racecars-built Chevrolet Camaros.

The move back to Chevrolet was widely anticipated as Freeman and Enders used the bowtie brand to capture the 2014 and 2015 titles for Elite Motorsports. Coughlin drove a Chevrolet to four of his five Pro Stock championships and also piloted a Chevy when he won the 1992 Super Gas world title. Continue reading Drag racing champions Jeg Coughlin Jr., Erica Enders return to Chevrolet →

Chevrolet Racing

‘Full-Season Four’ Return to Corvette Racing for 2017

‘Full-Season Four’ Return to Corvette Racing for 2017
Team relying on consistency in driver lineup for IMSA, Le Mans programs

Gavin, Milner defending IMSA GT Le Mans Driver’s Champions
Garcia, Magnussen eager to challenge for GTLM title
All four drivers are past IMSA Driver’s Champions
Chevrolet’s flagship GT team won five times in 2016

DETROIT (Dec. 7, 2016) – After sweeping all six GT Le Mans titles in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2016 and winning five times, Corvette Racing confirmed today that its full-season driver roster will remain unchanged for the upcoming 2017 racing season. Continue reading ‘Full-Season Four’ Return to Corvette Racing for 2017 →

Uncategorized

New Look for NHRA Pro Stock Camaro SS

New Look for NHRA Pro Stock Camaro SS
Gen Six bodywork takes to the drag strip in 2017, chasing repeat Pro Stock title

INDIANAPOLIS – The Gen Six Chevrolet Pro Stock Camaro SS makes its public debut at the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Indianapolis on Thursday, Dec. 8
The new model builds on the success of the championship-winning fifth-generation-based race car. It’s more athletic-looking and aerodynamically optimized bodywork draws its styling from the Gen Six Chevrolet Camaro SS. Continue reading New Look for NHRA Pro Stock Camaro SS →

F4

DAS SPENDS A NIGHT WITH THE STARS

DAS SPENDS A NIGHT WITH THE STARS

F4 U.S. champion Cameron Das recognized at annual FIA Prize Giving Gala

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 5, 2016) – The 2016 Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda season culminated for inaugural season champion Cameron Das on Friday evening as the up-and-coming star was honored on the same stage as Formula One World Championship champion Nico Rosberg during the FIA Prize Giving Gala at the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna, Austria.

The year-end event celebrates the achievements of the FIA championship-winning drivers and teams from around the world.

Highlights of Das’ evening were walking the red-carpet bordered by Austrian fans, meeting racing hero Rosberg and being seated next to F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo and Executive Director of the Mercedes F1 team Paddy Lowe.

“Being around my racing heroes was surreal,” said Das. “There was no longer a barrier between us, and I felt a part of the international racing community. It also made me realize just how small the world is.”

Additional honorees were, F1 World Championship competitors Lewis Hamilton and Ricciardoo, four-time FIA World Rally Champion crew Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, victorious WEC Porsche LMP1 drivers, Neel Jani, Romain Dumas and Marc Lieb, as well as all-conquering WTCC ace José María López, WRX champion Matthias Ekström and Formula E champion Sébastien Buemi.

John Force Racing

FORCE ANNOUNCES WERNER TO STEP AWAY FROM JOHN FORCE RACING

FORCE ANNOUNCES WERNER TO STEP AWAY FROM JOHN FORCE RACING

BROWNSBURG, IN – John Force, CEO of John Force Racing, Inc., announced Tuesday that Elon Werner, who has managed the company’s PR effort for the past nine seasons, will scale back his day-to-day involvement following Friday’s press function at the JFR East facility in Brownsburg, Ind.

Although Werner has taken a position in Dallas that will allow him to spend more time at home in Mansfield, Texas, with his wife Jennifer and two teenage children, he will continue to work with JFR through the transition period. Continue reading FORCE ANNOUNCES WERNER TO STEP AWAY FROM JOHN FORCE RACING →

Jegs Racing

Third-generation drag racer Troy Coughlin Jr. humbled by Top Fuel opportunity

Third-generation drag racer Troy Coughlin Jr. humbled by Top Fuel opportunity
DELAWARE, Ohio (Dec. 5) — Accomplished Sportsman drag racing star Troy Coughlin Jr. already was incredibly excited about the 2017 NHRA season after it was announced he’d run a sixth nitro entry for Kalitta Motorsports for a small handful of races. Now the 26-year-old third-generation racer can hardly believe what’s happening right before his eyes on the heels of the announcement he’d be taking over the seat of the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster. Continue reading Third-generation drag racer Troy Coughlin Jr. humbled by Top Fuel opportunity →

Uncategorized

Team Kalitta completes off-season changes

Team Kalitta completes off-season changes

YPSILANTI, Mich. (December 5, 2016) – Kalitta Motorsports is pleased to announce that current Top Fuel driver J.R. Todd is moving to the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car seat vacated by Del Worsham. In turn, Troy Coughlin Jr. will move from the planned part-time sixth team to a full-time seat aboard the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster.

Todd is making his return to the Funny Car class, but for the first time as a driver. He worked on Bob Gilberston’s Funny Car during the 2003-2005 NHRA seasons with current Kalitta employees Nicky Boninfante and Tommy DeLago.

“Connie told Jim O the DHL Toyota is a special car and that I was the right guy for the job, which was a huge compliment to me,” said Todd, who will make his Funny Car debut at the Circle K Winternationals in February. “I am going to miss Del as a teammate as he has always been one of my heroes. I want to also say a huge thanks to SealMaster and their awesome franchisees. They are great people and it was an honor to represent them.”

Todd turns to the Funny Car class after a career season aboard the SealMaster Toyota Top Fuel dragster. In 152 Top Fuel events, Todd has earned nine victories, 19 final round appearances, nine No.1 qualifiers and 149 round wins. He was the 2006 AAA Road to the Future rookie winner and has placed in the top five in the point standings two times, including a fourth-place effort this year.

“Ever since I worked with Nicky and Tommy D on a Funny Car, driving one has been in the back of my mind and most people have known that. The DHL Toyota has quite the legacy and it is a huge honor to be picked to drive it.”

DHL will continue as the primary sponsor on Todd’s Toyota Camry Funny Car for the entire season.

Coughlin, Jr. will have an elite team to drive for during his rookie season. In 2016, Todd took the SealMaster machine to a race win in Sonoma, 37 round wins and a top five finish in the point standings.

“I am thrilled to be competing full-time for Kalitta Motorsports in 2017 with an incredible backer like SealMaster and their franchise owners,” said Coughlin, Jr. “The car is one of the best looking machines on the race track and it is awesome to be able to know I will have a car that can compete for the title.”

Coughlin, Jr. won the 2013 Super Gas title in division 3 and is a two-time NHRA U.S. Nationals winner. In, 2015, he drove in the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod series and was named Rookie of the Year. In his career, the 26-year-old driver has driven Junior Dragsters, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Dragster and Pro Mod machines. Earlier this year, he earned his Top Fuel license.

NHRA Lifetime Achievement award winner and drag racing legend Connie Kalitta will continue alongside Rob Flynn in their roles after their outstanding 2016 season. SealMaster remains as the primary sponsor on the machine for all 24 events.

“I am excited for the future of our team,” said Jim Oberhofer, Vice President of Operations, Kalitta Motorsports. “First, I want to thank our incredible partners, DHL and SealMaster, for helping make this transition seamless. Both J.R. and Troy are ready for the 2017 season. J.R. is a very motivated driver and continues to be a perfect fit at Kalitta Motorsports. I know he will be a great ambassador for DHL and Toyota and I look forward to see what the season holds. I am also thrilled to be able to get Troy into a full time seat. He proved to be a very precise driver during our test session in Las Vegas and I know he is going to do a great job in the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster.”

Finally, the Kalitta Motorsports Funny Cars will also see a reorganization of the team’s crew chiefs. Todd’s DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car will be led by Jon Oberhofer and Todd Smith as co-crew chiefs. Smith comes from teammate Paul Lee’s Funny Car. Former DHL co-crew chief Nicky Boninfante will join Tommy DeLago on the Tequila Patrón Toyota Camry Funny Car driven by Alexis DeJoria and Glen Huszar will lead Lee’s McLeod Racing Funny Car. All five Funny Car crew chiefs are former NHRA champions.

Both Coughlin, Jr. and Todd will have solid teammates backing them up. Coughlin, Jr. will partner with 2016 championship runner-up Doug Kalitta in the Top Fuel ranks, while Todd will be joined by Alexis DeJoria and Paul Lee in the Funny Car ranks. Coughlin, Jr., DeJoria, Kalitta and Todd will all compete full-time with Lee planning a part-time run.

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Scelzi Pumped for First Trip to Race in Australia for Wormall Motorsport

Scelzi Pumped for First Trip to Race in Australia for Wormall Motorsport

Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (Dec. 5, 2016) – Dominic Scelzi has an opportunity of a lifetime in front of him.

Scelzi is leaving this week to race a 410ci winged sprint car in Australia approximately 16 times for Wormall Motorsport this December and January. Continue reading Scelzi Pumped for First Trip to Race in Australia for Wormall Motorsport →

John Force Racing

John Force Racing Reflects on 2016

The chase for the 17th NHRA Funny Car championship may have come up short for John Force, but the 147-time winner won four races, made a run at sweeping the Western Swing and was in half of the final rounds of the Countdown to the Championship. The winningest driver in NHRA history wrapped up the season in 4th place in the Mello Yello Funny Car point standings. Force’s teammate and JFR president Robert Hight powered the Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS team to his third win at the Gatornationals and his third consecutive Traxxas Shootout Final round during the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals before racing to a Top Ten finish. Hight continued his streak of winning at least one race, qualifying No. 1 and setting Top Speed every year of his professional career with his 2016 performance. Continue reading John Force Racing Reflects on 2016 →

Chevrolet Racing

2016 CHAMPIONSHIP REWIND: Brian Hoye and Chuck Houghton

2016 CHAMPIONSHIP REWIND: Brian Hoye and Chuck Houghton
No. 4 Corvette C7.R car chief and lead engineer debrief on magical GTLM title season

Winning a title in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship takes the utmost level of skill and teamwork… both behind the wheel and behind the wall. Chuck Houghton and Brian Hoye – lead engineer and car chief, respectively, on Corvette Racing’s No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R – were key pieces to the team’s title-winning season, along with their fellow engineers and crew members. The two discuss their thoughts on a season that brought four victories and the GT Le Mans Driver’s, Manufacturer’s and Team championships in 2016. Continue reading 2016 CHAMPIONSHIP REWIND: Brian Hoye and Chuck Houghton →

Uncategorized

Giovanni Scelzi Earns Seven Top Fives and Championship During Rookie Sprint Car Season

Giovanni Scelzi Earns Seven Top Fives and Championship During Rookie Sprint Car Season

Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (Nov. 28, 2016) – Giovanni Scelzi powered to eight micro sprint feature victories and the California Speedweek title this season. However, the highlight of 2016 was the transition from micro sprint to sprint car, which Scelzi made as a 14-year-old.

“It was a big transition,” he said. “It was an eye opener on how difficult it is. I would say it was a learning year. I think my driving came a long way from the beginning of the year.” Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Earns Seven Top Fives and Championship During Rookie Sprint Car Season →

Erica Enders

Championship-winning crew chief Rickie Jones to leave NHRA circuit in 2017

Championship-winning crew chief Rickie Jones to leave NHRA circuit in 2017
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 22) – Elite Motorsports crew chief Rickie Jones will step back from his duties with the championship-winning NHRA Pro Stock team to focus on his family in 2017.

Jones, the son of veteran crew chief/chassis builder Rick Jones, was an integral part of Erica Enders’ 2014-15 Pro Stock world championships.

Rick and Rickie Jones celebrate Erica Enders’ second world championship.
“My wife Sarah and I want to start a family and have children,” Rickie Jones said. “That’s harder to do when you’re gone as much as this series demands. Continue reading Championship-winning crew chief Rickie Jones to leave NHRA circuit in 2017 →

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Scelzi Enjoys Successful Season Thanks to Summer in the Midwest

Scelzi Enjoys Successful Season Thanks to Summer in the Midwest

Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (Nov. 21, 2016) – Dominic Scelzi pushed himself outside of his comfort zone in 2016 when Scelzi and his Roth Motorsports sponsored, family owned team left the familiar confines of California to compete in the Midwest throughout the summer.

“I knew it was going to be tough and the chances of winning were going to be slim, but it was a necessary step to get better as a racer,” he said. “My goal was to get better every night. I think the biggest thing was knowing this won’t be a deal where I’m going to set the world on fire. You have to take your lumps. We used it as a learning experience and it paid off before the season ended.” Continue reading Scelzi Enjoys Successful Season Thanks to Summer in the Midwest →

F4

NEW F4 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM HAS A WINNING FORMULA

NEW F4 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM HAS A WINNING FORMULA

Steve Newey and Dean Durrett join the 2017 F4 U.S. field as Indy Motorsport Group

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 21, 2016) – Indianapolis 500 winning team-owner Steve Newey and Dean Durrett of Durrett Racing Group will merge to form the multi-car race team Indy Motorsport Group to contest in the 2017 Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda season.

The group will provide a driver-development focused platform for competitors making their first foray into junior open-wheel racing. Continue reading NEW F4 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM HAS A WINNING FORMULA →

Wood Brothers

Disappointing Finish at Homestead Doesn’t Dampen Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team’s Enthusiasm About 2017

Disappointing Finish at Homestead Doesn’t Dampen Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team’s Enthusiasm About 2017

November 20, 2016

An early encounter with the wall kept Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team from achieving the result they were hoping for in the season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. But as Blaney and the team head into the off-season, the future looks much more encouraging.

Team co-owner Len Wood said the 2016 season has been a great learning experience for Blaney and his young crew, and that will pay dividends in the future.

“Ryan now has a full year under his belt,” Wood said. “He’s run all the tracks, and next year will be a lot better for him.” Continue reading Disappointing Finish at Homestead Doesn’t Dampen Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team’s Enthusiasm About 2017 →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Homestead–Post Race Quotes

CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP
SEASON FINALE
FORD ECOBOOST 400
HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
NOVEMBER 20, 2016

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS – RACE WINNER AND CHAMPION
DID YOU EVER DREAM THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE?
“Oh my gosh, there is no, no way on earth. Just beyond words. Just didn’t think the race was unfolding for us like we needed to do to be the champs, but we just kept our heads in the game. Chad called a great strategy, made some great adjustments for the short runs. Luck came our way and we were able to win the race and win the championship. I wouldn’t be here without so many people believing in me and giving me this chance; from my dirt days – my parents first and foremost, my brothers, my wife and family today. Car owners, sponsors, Chevrolet, Lowe’s, so many amazing people along the way that believed in me to give me this chance. Jeff Gordon, Rick Hendrick, all the men and women at Hendrick Motorsports for working so hard to get these cars fast and giving me an awesome 15 years with the company. Just thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. So thrilled to be in this moment and so grateful for the opportunity and so thankful and blessed. I am at a loss for words.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Homestead–Post Race Quotes →

Circle Sport Racing

Circle Sport Racing–Late Race Incident Collects Ty Dillon and No. 95 Advil Chevrolet Costing Team a Top-10 Finish

Late Race Incident Collects Ty Dillon and No. 95 Advil Chevrolet Costing Team a Top-10 Finish

“We were so solid all day. I’m really happy with our effort all weekend long and how much speed that we showed. We unfortunately just got caught up in that big wreck in the closing laps of the race. It stinks, because it looked like we were on our way to a top-10 finish. Matt (Borland, crew chief) called a great race and we had some really solid pit stops. The balance of the race car was pretty spot on all race and that’s credit to Matt and the guys for being prepared. I’m proud of our No. 95 Advil Chevrolet and the partial season I was able to race with this team. I’m excited for what the future holds. I’ve learned a lot this season and am appreciative of the opportunity.”

– Ty Dillon

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Homestead–Post Race

CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP
SEASON FINALE
FORD ECOBOOST 400
HOMESTEAD-MIAMI SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE RECAP
NOVEMBER 20, 2016

Jimmie Johnson Wins Record-Tying Seventh NASCAR Championship
Clinches With Victory in Season-Finale’ at Homestead

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (November 20, 2016) – Jimmie Johnson defeated three to tie two to be the one. Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS, won the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finale’ to outpace the other three drivers in the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday to earn his seventh series championship, tying a NASCAR record held by Hall-of-Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Homestead–Post Race →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Homestead

Austin Dillon Closes Out 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season with 12th-Place Finish in Dow-Dow Corning Chevrolet at Homestead-Miami Speedway

“We had a really good Dow-Dow Corning Chevrolet today. I’m so proud of everyone at RCR for putting together a car that was so unbelievably fast. We worked as a team and used a lot of what we learned at the Homestead-Miami test a few weeks ago. At the beginning of the race, I thought we were going to drive to the lead. The race just didn’t play to our favor at the end. I want to thank all of the partners on the No. 3 car. We’ve had a great season making the Chase for the Sprint Cup and the last few weeks have shown what we are capable of.”

– Austin Dillon

Paul Menard and the No. 27 Richmond/Menards Team Produce 14th-Place Finish in Season Finale

“First, I’ve got to thank my team for all the hard work they put in this year. This schedule can be tough. The Richmond/Menards Chevy wasn’t handling like we had it during practice at the beginning of the race. We were good in the shade but handling went away in the sun. Once the sun went down, we were able to make adjustments in the right direction. The long green-flag runs didn’t do us any favors as we were caught a lap down more than once. We were able to race to the free pass position though, and started in the top 15 in the closing laps. It wasn’t the year we wanted. Luckily I have a team that doesn’t give up. We’ll regroup in the offseason and come back fresh in Daytona.”

– Paul Menard

Late-Race Accident Collects Ryan Newman and Ends Caterpillar Team’s Top-10 Bid at Homestead-Miami Speedway

“I hate it for the guys. Our Caterpillar Chevrolet struggled a bit today compared to Friday and Saturday, but Luke Lambert and the crew made our car better throughout the race to take an 11th-place car and put it into contention with 20 laps to go. I want to thank my Caterpillar pit crew for gaining me a bunch of spots on pit road. We gained track position after most, if not, every pit stop we made. Unfortunately we got caught up in the big wreck. We tried to do everything we could to stay out and limp home to the finish, but our Caterpillar Chevrolet was too damaged to complete the final few laps. I want to thank everyone at RCR for a solid season and look forward to returning in 2017 to compete for another championship. ”

– Ryan Newman

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