Monster Energy driver Brittany Force surges into Top Fuel title contention with Reading victory

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force surges into
Top Fuel title contention with Reading victory

READING, Pa. (Sept. 24) – Monster Energy driver Brittany Force served notice that she is a championship contender by storming by two past champions and the current Top Fuel points leader in winning the NHRA Nationals on Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway.

Force moved up to third in the Countdown to the Championship standings, one point out of second and 23 behind leader Steve Torrence. Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force surges into Top Fuel title contention with Reading victory

Blaney’s Playoff Hopes Enhanced By Ninth-Place Finish At New Hampshire

Blaney’s Playoff Hopes Enhanced By Ninth-Place Finish At New Hampshire

September 24, 2017

With a solid performance on Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team remain in contention to advance to the second round of the Monster Energy Cup playoffs, which begin after next week’s race at Dover International Speedway.

At New Hampshire, Blaney earned valuable points in the first two stages of the 300-mile race then came home ninth at the finish to gain two spots in the championship standings. Continue reading Blaney’s Playoff Hopes Enhanced By Ninth-Place Finish At New Hampshire

Richard Childress Racing–ISM Connect 300

Austin Dillon Earns 19th-Place Finish in Chevrolet Accessories SS at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

“We had a decent Chevrolet Accessories SS today but I think that long red flag hurt us. We had a little bit of front end damage, and the brakes getting hot and then cooling down during the red flag certainly did not help. We’re 13th in points now heading into the cuff off race, so our goals for Dover are to go out and have a good race. We’ll see where we end up, and hope for the best.”

– Austin Dillon
Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–ISM Connect 300

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Maple Grove Post Race

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
DODGE NHRA NATIONALS
MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY IN MOHNTON, PENNSYLVANIA
SUNDAY, SEPT. 24, 2017

Chevrolet Claims Top Fuel, Pro Stock Wins in Second Race of Countdown
· Brittany Force earns second Top Fuel victory of season
· Bo Butner reclaims Pro Stock points lead with fourth win
· Courtney Force advance to second consecutive Funny Car final
· Chevrolet drivers in title mix entering third of six-race playoff Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Maple Grove Post Race

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Maple Grove Post Race

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
DODGE NHRA NATIONALS
MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY IN MOHNTON, PENNSYLVANIA
POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
SUNDAY, SEPT. 24, 2017

An interview with Top Fuel winner BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET TOP FUEL DRAGSTER (No. 4 qualifier; second victory of season and fifth in 116-race career; moves to third in the Countdown):

Q: GETTING INTO IT IN THE COUNTDOWN MODE?
BRITTANY FORCE: Absolutely. This is a huge win for us. This team had to fight all day long and I’m so proud of them. They are the best team to work with, and I’m so pumped going into the Countdown to work with them. Monster, we’re going after the championship. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Maple Grove Post Race

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–New Hampshire–Kyle Larson Runner-Up

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
ISM CONNECT 300
NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

CHEVY SS DRIVER, KYLE LARSON, EARNS RUNNER-UP FINISH AT NEW HAMPSHIRE

LOUDON, N.H. – (September 24, 2017) – Kyle Larson muscled the No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS to a second-place finish in the second round of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) Playoffs ISM Connect 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS). Larson and his Target team had a strong day contending in the top five throughout the 300-lap/317.4-mile event. The run marks his eighth runner-up finish of 2017 bringing his top-five total to 13 on the season. Larson is now assured, via points, advancement into the Round of 12 the second segment of this year’s championship Playoff battle.
Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–New Hampshire–Kyle Larson Runner-Up

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–New Hampshire–Post Race

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
ISM CONNECT 300
NEW HAMPSHIRE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS – Finished 2nd
YOU HAD A HECK OF A RESTART THERE WITH 25 LAPS TO GO, BUT WHERE DID THE NO. 18 (KYLE BUSCH, RACE WINNER) ULTIMATELY HAVE YOU BEAT?
“I felt like on really long runs I was fairly equal to those guys in front of me. But, on the short run there, I could get pointed to the exit, but I couldn’t get the throttle down. I’d get loose. So, he just was really good. I think the No. 78 (Martin Truex, Jr.) was also really good, but he had his trouble. The No. 20 (Matt Kenseth) was also good. We were next best. So, we finished second again with our Target Chevy. That’s a lot of second-place finishes this year, but I’m fine with second. Top 5’s will get us to Homestead, so hats off to everybody on our Target team. The pit crew was great all day. I think we gained spots every time. Normally I’m struggling on short tracks, but this year we were pretty good.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–New Hampshire–Post Race

In His 500th Pro Stock Race, Allen Johnson Slingshots Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart into Semifinal Round at Dodge NHRA Nationals

In His 500th Pro Stock Race, Allen Johnson Slingshots Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart into Semifinal Round at Dodge NHRA Nationals

READING, Pa. (September 24, 2017) – Allen Johnson drove his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart to the semifinal round after defeated Kenny Delco and Drew Skillman in eliminations at the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.
Continue reading In His 500th Pro Stock Race, Allen Johnson Slingshots Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart into Semifinal Round at Dodge NHRA Nationals

Two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders has 50/50 race day in Reading

Two-time Pro Stock world champion
Erica Enders has 50/50 race day in Reading
READING, Pa. (Sept. 24) — The second race of this year’s Countdown to the Championship playoffs ended up just like the first one for two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders with the most decorated female in class history going one-up, one-down in eliminations at the 33rd annual Dodge
NHRA Nationals.

Starting race day as the No.9 qualifier, Enders scored a mild upset against eighth ranked driver Chris McGaha by way of a holeshot, meaning her superior reaction time from behind the wheel negated McGaha’s quicker run. She once again left ahead of opponent in the quarterfinals but didn’t quite have enough oomph to stay ahead all the way through the finish line. Continue reading Two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders has 50/50 race day in Reading

Tough draw puts Coughlin out early despite odds being in his favor in Reading

Tough draw puts Coughlin out early
despite odds being in his favor in Reading
READING, Pa. (Sept. 24) — Jeg Coughlin Jr. put together a sensational first-round package that would have won six of the eight races on the docket at the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals. Unfortunately for the driver of the JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro, the odds were against him and he dropped out of contention at the hands of Drew Skillman.
Continue reading Tough draw puts Coughlin out early despite odds being in his favor in Reading

Richard Childress Racing–VisitMyrtleBeach 300

Ben Kennedy Finishes 11th at Kentucky Speedway in the Rheem Chevrolet

“We worked hard for our finish tonight. We were fast in practice and qualifying, but once the sun went down to start the race, our Rheem Chevrolet was too loose. I couldn’t put much wheel into it without wrecking. The team took big swings at the handling with air pressures and trackbar adjustments to tighten me up during our stops. We found adjustments that worked for our Camaro, and I was feeling more comfortable with the balance at the end of the race. There just wasn’t enough time to make up the ground we had lost at the end. I wish we could have finished in the top 10, but it was a hard-fought 11th-place finish.”

– Ben Kennedy Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–VisitMyrtleBeach 300

Quick, consistent Monster Energy dragster has Brittany Force excited for Reading race day

Quick, consistent Monster Energy dragster has
Brittany Force excited for Reading race day

READING, Pa. (Sept. 23) – Brittany Force’s Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster has performed more like a Sportsman bracket car during qualifying for the NHRA Nationals this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway.

She qualified the Monster Energy car in the No. 4 spot for Sunday’s eliminations, and with such a consistent, quick car, Force is ready to chase her second victory of the 2017 season. Continue reading Quick, consistent Monster Energy dragster has Brittany Force excited for Reading race day

Auto Club driver Robert Hight chases second consecutive Countdown victory from No. 1 spot in Reading

Auto Club driver Robert Hight chases second consecutive Countdown victory from No. 1 spot in Reading

READING, Pa. (Sept. 23) – The only things that seems to slow down NHRA driver Robert Hight and his Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS these days are his parachutes.

But Hight didn’t even need them in the final qualifying session for the NHRA Nationals on Saturday at Maple Grove Raceway.

Hight had just secured the sixth No. 1 qualifier of the season and 55th of his career with his run in Q4, but when he pulled the parachutes to slow the car, they didn’t blossom.
Continue reading Auto Club driver Robert Hight chases second consecutive Countdown victory from No. 1 spot in Reading

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force snares No. 8 qualifying position for Reading’s NHRA Nationals

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force snares No. 8 qualifying position for Reading’s NHRA Nationals

READING, Pa. (Sept. 23) – Courtney Force knows she has a fast hot rod come race day. That’s why she’ll put qualifying behind her after a rare mid-pack performance during the first two days of the NHRA Nationals this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway.

Force, in the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, turned in a best effort of 3.935 seconds at 321.88 mph in Friday’s second round. She was unable to improve in either of Saturday’s efforts, striking the tires in both runs. But Force, who has a class-leading seven No. 1s this season, remained upbeat heading into Sunday’s elimination rounds. Continue reading Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force snares No. 8 qualifying position for Reading’s NHRA Nationals

John Force lands PEAK Chevrolet in the No. 13 qualifying position for Reading’s NHRA Nationals

John Force lands PEAK Chevrolet in the No. 13
qualifying position for Reading’s NHRA Nationals

READING, Pa. (Sept. 23) – John Force will seek an eighth NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car victory in Sunday’s NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway from the No. 13 qualifying position.

Force, gunning for a 17th Funny Car title, had a best qualifying pass of 3.978 seconds at 324.12 mph in the PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS, improving on his career-best run at the track despite lifting early. He ran in the four-second range twice Saturday, unable to surpass Friday’s second-round effort. Continue reading John Force lands PEAK Chevrolet in the No. 13 qualifying position for Reading’s NHRA Nationals

World champ Erica Enders dealing with ‘unhappy’ car as Reading turns to eliminations

World champ Erica Enders dealing with
‘unhappy’ car as Reading turns to eliminations
READING, Pa. (Sept. 23) – Two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders only made one decent pass in qualifying for the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals, but the ever-hopeful Texan says she’s confident team owner Richard Freeman has the crew in place to turn their fortunes around during Sunday’s eliminations at Maple Grove Raceway. Continue reading World champ Erica Enders dealing with ‘unhappy’ car as Reading turns to eliminations

Hagan Qualifies Dodge Charger Funny Car No. 2 to Lead Mopar at Dodge NHRA Nationals

Hagan Qualifies Dodge Charger Funny Car No. 2 to Lead Mopar at Dodge NHRA Nationals

Matt Hagan qualifies Mopar HEMI®-powered Funny Car from Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) No. 2 at Maple Grove Raceway for 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals
Three Mopar-powered Funny Cars from DSR qualify in top five
Six Mopar Dodge Funny Cars will compete in 16-car field
Tony Schumacher leads Mopar in Top Fuel with fifth-place qualifying effort
Hagan defeats Mopar Top Fuel driver Leah Pritchett in Dodge Challenger SRT Demon match race
Tom Baker Jr.’s Super Stock 1970 Plymouth Barracuda wins Best Appearing Car
September 23, 2017, Mohnton, Pa. – Led by Funny Car driver Matt Hagan and the Mopar 80th/Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T crew, Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) teams featuring Mopar HEMI® power made a number of strong qualifying runs in unseasonably warm conditions during the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. The solid efforts set up the opportunity for each team to go deep into Sunday’s elimination rounds in both Funny Car and Top Fuel at the second event of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Continue reading Hagan Qualifies Dodge Charger Funny Car No. 2 to Lead Mopar at Dodge NHRA Nationals

Allen Johnson Takes on Raceday at Dodge NHRA Nationals in 500th Pro Stock Race of Career

Allen Johnson Takes on Raceday at Dodge NHRA Nationals in 500th Pro Stock Race of Career

READING, Pa. (September 23, 2017) – Allen Johnson qualified No. 4 in the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart at the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. In his 500th race of his Pro Stock career, Johnson will have lane choice over Kenny Delco in the first round.

On Friday, Allen Johnson and the Marathon Petroleum team were greeted with uncommon Reading, Pennsylvania sunshine. Capitalizing on similar track conditions to the Carolina Nationals last weekend at zMAX Dragway, the Adam Hornberger-led team went back into their data logs and put a tune-up in it for Maple Grove Raceway. Johnson rocketed to the No. 3 spot with a 6.589-seconds pass at 209.79 mph and collected one bonus point for being third quickest of the session. Continue reading Allen Johnson Takes on Raceday at Dodge NHRA Nationals in 500th Pro Stock Race of Career

Jeg Coughlin Jr. gains ground on Pro Stock field in second day of Reading action

Jeg Coughlin Jr. gains ground on Pro Stock
field in second day of Reading action
READING, Pa. (Sept. 23) – Five-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. got quicker in each of Saturday’s qualifying sessions for the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, finally finishing the time trials portion of the race hanging on the No. 12 rung on the race day ladder.

In the end, the 76-time national event winner topped out at 6.608 seconds and 209.79 mph in his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro, which places him opposite Drew Skillman on the sudden-death elimination grid. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. gains ground on Pro Stock field in second day of Reading action

CORVETTE RACING AT MONTEREY: Focus Forward to Raceday GTLM championship-leading team confident in strategy ahead of Monterey round

CORVETTE RACING AT MONTEREY: Focus Forward to Raceday
GTLM championship-leading team confident in strategy ahead of Monterey round

MONTEREY, California (Sept. 23, 2017) – Corvette Racing is confidently looking ahead to raceday following GT Le Mans (GTLM) qualifying for the America’s Tire 250 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Following seventh- and ninth-place efforts Saturday in time trials, the championship-winning team will bank on strategy and its experience at the circuit to move up through the field Sunday. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT MONTEREY: Focus Forward to Raceday GTLM championship-leading team confident in strategy ahead of Monterey round

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