Richard Childress Racing–Indianapolis

Austin Dillon Earns Best-Career Indianapolis Motor Speedway Finish with Ninth-Place Showing in Dow Mycogen Seeds Chevrolet

“There was a big wreck going on towards the end of the race right near me and I just stayed towards the middle and kept my line in order to avoid being involved in it. It worked because we survived for several more restarts and I was able to get my best finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and we advanced to 12th in the driver point standings. I feel like we still have some work to do though. I need to try something different with restarts because those hurt me a little bit today. At the end, we finished where we were supposed to finish, though. I’m proud of the No. 3 Dow Mycogen Seeds team. They worked hard today and they built a fast race car. With six races to go until the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins, you have to have these good days in the overall standings so today was good.”

– Austin Dillon

The No. 27 Valvoline/Menards Chevrolet Team Capitalize on Late-Race Cautions to Bring Home 10th-place Finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

“Our No. 27 Valvoline/Menards Chevy battled tight handling conditions for the majority of the race. We were loose in traffic and made an adjustment to help. Unfortunately, we must have had a bad set of tires or something because the car got worse. The drive off the corners wasn’t very good, we had no side bite. Justin (Alexander, crew chief) and the guys worked hard to fix it, then we got some damage during the caution with 10 to go. The yellow flags fell in our favor at the end and we came home with a 10th-place finish. I’m proud of the fight this team had all weekend long.”

– Paul Menard

Late-Race Accident Costs Grainger Team Top-10 Finish and Results in 31st Place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

“Our Grainger Chevrolet was super sensitive today, especially in dirty air. It was a handful in traffic. With about seven laps to go, we were running in sixth on the restart and we were looking good but then got hit by someone. We were able to stay on the lead lap and in 15th but then got clobbered again in overtime and that was it for us. I thought we were going to come out of this with a third-straight top-10 but it didn’t work out for us.”
– Ryan Newman

At a Glance: The Outlaws Northern Exposure

At a Glance: The Outlaws Northern Exposure
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series takes on Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Hartford Speedway on July 29 and Wilmot Raceway on July 30

CONCORD, N.C. – July 25, 2016 – The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series continues its march through the ‘Month of Money’ with its only stop in Canada this season at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway on Tuesday, July 26 before heading to Michigan for the first series event at Hartford Motor Speedway since 2005 on Friday, July 29 and Wisconsin for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 at Wilmot Raceway on Saturday, July 30. Continue reading At a Glance: The Outlaws Northern Exposure

Five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. says Pro Stock could hit season records in Sonoma

Five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. says Pro Stock could hit season records in Sonoma
SONOMA, Calif. (July 25) — If weather conditions are agreeable when the NHRA tour arrives at Sonoma Raceway this weekend for the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals, five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. says the record book could have a couple of new entries.

“It really comes down to what Mother Nature deals the Pro Stock cars,” Coughlin said. “We typically get very high pressure there barometer-wise. On those cool days, the track is tight and the air is crisp and clean. If we get that this time it’s likely we see the modern-day national record fall for Pro Stock, with the new 10,500 rpm and fuel-injection rules coming into play. I’m looking forward to this happening, and maybe we can give it a poke.” Continue reading Five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. says Pro Stock could hit season records in Sonoma

Reigning champ Erica Enders on a season-long high as Sonoma race approaches

Reigning champ Erica Enders on a season-long high as Sonoma race approaches
SONOMA, Calif. (July 25) — Fresh off her most encouraging outing of the year, back-to-back and reigning Pro Stock champion Erica Enders is anxious to get to Northern California for this weekend’s Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals at Sonoma Raceway.

Enders qualified a season-best second on the Denver elimination ladder and logged an elimination round-win before parts failure cost her just enough time to lose her second-round race against Allen Johnson. Nevertheless, the huge uptick in performance has the entire Elite/Mopar Dodge Dart race team feeling better about themselves. Continue reading Reigning champ Erica Enders on a season-long high as Sonoma race approaches

Giovanni Scelzi Caps Peter Murphy Classic with 11th-Place Finish

Giovanni Scelzi Caps Peter Murphy Classic with 11th-Place Finish

Inside Line Promotions – TULARE, Calif. (July 25, 2016) – Giovanni Scelzi is pleased with his results following his King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series debut last weekend at Thunderbowl Raceway during the Peter Murphy Classic.

Scelzi, who was driving his family owned 360ci sprint car during the marquee 410ci sprint car event, recorded a pair of top-15 finishes and he was the highest finishing driver competing with a 360ci engine. Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Caps Peter Murphy Classic with 11th-Place Finish

Richard Childress Racing Announces Competition Changes to Strengthen its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series Programs

Richard Childress Racing Announces Competition Changes to Strengthen its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series Programs
Danny Stockman to take over No. 27 Sprint Cup Series Crew Chief role, Gil Martin to assume
No. 2 XFINITY Series interim Crew Chief position

Welcome, N.C. (July 25, 2016) – Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has made a change in crew chiefs for its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series programs, effective immediately. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing Announces Competition Changes to Strengthen its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series Programs

Untimely exit for Jeg Coughlin Jr. at Mopar Mile-High Nationals

Untimely exit for Jeg Coughlin Jr.
at Mopar Mile-High Nationals
DENVER (July 24) — What happens on Friday and Saturday definitely affects what happens on Sunday in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, and it may have contributed to an early ouster for five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals on Sunday at Bandimere Speedway.

Coughlin qualified No. 8 for the 16-car field, but he could have been much higher with his Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart. The best weather conditions came Friday and Saturday night after rain delays pushed qualifying later into the evening, but Coughlin and his team couldn’t take advantage and get a quicker elapsed time and higher qualifying spot, so on Sunday he had to face a tough opponent in No. 9 qualifier Vincent Nobile, and it cost him. Continue reading Untimely exit for Jeg Coughlin Jr. at Mopar Mile-High Nationals

ROUSH YATES ENGINES POWERS SECOND CONSECUTIVE RACE WIN WITH FORD SHELBY GT350R-C!

ROUSH YATES ENGINES POWERS SECOND CONSECUTIVE RACE WIN WITH FORD SHELBY GT350R-C!

LAKEVILLE, Conn., July 25, 2016 – It’s the third win of the year for the No. 15 Ford Shelby GT350R-C with co-drivers Billy Johnson and Scott Maxwell as they scored their second consecutive victory at Lime Rock Park on Saturday.

Unofficially, Maxwell and Johnson extended their lead in the GS standings to 13 points over Burkett and Miller, 193-180. After opening the year with a victory at Daytona, they have finished in the top four in all six events. Johnson now has 16 career Continental Tire Challenge victories to 9 for Maxwell.

TEAM SUMMIT RACING REMAINS FIRST AND SECOND IN POINTS AFTER DENVER

TEAM SUMMIT RACING REMAINS FIRST AND SECOND IN POINTS AFTER DENVER

Denver, CO (July 25, 2016) – After winning 13 races in a row, Team Summit Racing Pro Stock drivers Jason Line and Greg Anderson were stopped in the semifinals of the Mopar NHRA Mile-High Nationals in Denver. Despite the loss, Line and Anderson remain first and second respectively in the Pro Stock points standings by very comfortable margins. Continue reading TEAM SUMMIT RACING REMAINS FIRST AND SECOND IN POINTS AFTER DENVER

Dodge Dart Pro Stock Driver Johnson Takes HEMI® Power to Seventh Mopar Mile-High Nationals Win

Dodge Dart Pro Stock Driver Johnson Takes HEMI® Power to Seventh Mopar Mile-High Nationals Win

· Mopar-powered Allen Johnson earns his seventh Bandimere Speedway victory at 37th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals
· Johnson’s win comes in 10th consecutive Denver final round, 11th overall
· Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher wins first title of season in Mopar-powered U.S. Army dragster
· Matt Hagan and Tommy Johnson Jr. display strong runs in Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars
· Honorary Starter Jeff Teuton recipient of Mopar President’s Award
· Grand Marshal J.R. Martinez attends first NHRA event

Morrison, Colorado (July 24, 2016) – The 37th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals saw a familiar face in the winner’s circle when Allen Johnson, driver of the HEMI®-powered J&J Racing Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart, earned the seventh Bandimere Speedway win of his career in his 10th consecutive final round on “The Mountain.” Johnson, whose last victory came at the season-closer in Pomona last year, pocketed the 27th Pro Stock Wally trophy of his career in front of packed stands and with thunderous applause from the ever-supportive spectators at the celebrated facility nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Continue reading Dodge Dart Pro Stock Driver Johnson Takes HEMI® Power to Seventh Mopar Mile-High Nationals Win

No Breaks For Blaney In Long Day At Indy

No Breaks For Blaney In Long Day At Indy

July 24, 2016

Throughout the 2016 Sprint Cup season, Ryan Blaney and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team have been able to get some lucky breaks when they needed them.

On Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Blaney and his blue Quick Lane Ford Fusion were able to race among the top 15 for most of the Combat Wounded Coalition 400. Continue reading No Breaks For Blaney In Long Day At Indy

HISTORIC WIN FOR JOHN FORCE AT DENVER’S MILE HIGH NATIONALS

HISTORIC WIN FOR JOHN FORCE AT DENVER’S MILE HIGH NATIONALS

DENVER, CO — John Force, the winningest driver in NHRA history, continued to add to his legendary body of work winning for the 7th time at the Mopar Mile High NHRA Nationals in ten final round appearances and for the unprecedented 144th time. This is the 29th season Force has won at least one Funny Car national event, an accomplishment unequaled in all of motorsports. The 16-time Funny Car champion had to defeat his youngest daughter and NHRA superstar in her own right, Courtney Force, in the final round to get the win. Continue reading HISTORIC WIN FOR JOHN FORCE AT DENVER’S MILE HIGH NATIONALS

NHRA Bandimere

Top Fuel — Tony Schumacher, 3.802 seconds, 324.28 mph def. Antron Brown, 5.199 seconds, 144.75 mph.

Funny Car — John Force, Chevy Camaro, 3.965, 319.45 def. Courtney Force, Camaro, 3.963, 314.75.

Pro Stock — Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.982, 197.39 def. Vincent Nobile, Chevy Camaro, 7.037, 196.82.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 7.134, 188.33 def. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 7.148, 187.21.

Competition Eliminator — Lou Ficco Jr., Pontiac GXP, 7.664, 178.21 def. Clint Neff, Bantam Roadster, Foul – Red Light.

Super Stock — Jackie Alley, Chevy Camaro, 10.380, 130.00 def. Dan Fletcher, Camaro, Foul – Red Light.

Stock Eliminator — Ryan Montford, Chevcy Camaro, 9.887, 128.33 def. Norman Warling, Pontiac Catalina, 13.110, 99.96.

Super Comp — Kris Whitfield, Dragster, 9.472, 158.37 def. Gary Wamboldt, Dragster, 9.459, 159.97.

Super Gas — Kevin Moore, Chevrolet, 10.501, 146.51 def. Craig Maddox, Prowler, 10.470, 149.46.

Super Street — John Bianco, Chevy, 11.442, 137.74 def. Jason Schade, Rambler, 11.425, 122.11.

Top Dragster — Steve Johnson, Dragster, 6.471, 213.23 def. Larry Piper, Dragster, 6.694, 202.85.

Top Sportsmaan — John Baker, Chevy Cobalt, 7.205, 194.02 def. Nick Johanns, Chevy Camaro, 8.297, 165.27.

NASCAR–Indianapolis–Post Race

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
THE COMBAT WOUNDED COALITION 400 AT THE BRICKYARD
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
JULY 24, 2016

Jimmie Johnson Finishes in Third Place at Indianapolis
Six-Time Series Champion Clinches Spot in 2016 Chase

INDIANAPOLIS, July 24, 2016 – Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Red Vest Chevrolet SS, finished in third place to lead five Team Chevy drivers in the top 10 in the 23rd annual Crown Royal presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) on Sunday. Continue reading NASCAR–Indianapolis–Post Race

The King of the Mountain Allen Johnson Earns Seventh Mopar Mile-High Trophy on National Television

The King of the Mountain Allen Johnson Earns Seventh Mopar Mile-High Trophy on National Television

DENVER, Colo. (July 24, 2016) – When it seems all the cards are stacked against you, that is when some of the most incredible outcomes come to fruition. Coming from the bottom half of the field in the No. 10 spot, Johnson and his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing team pulled together and became the first non-KB Racing team to take home the Wally in the 2016 season. This win marks his 10th straight final and seventh win at this race located at Bandimere Speedway.

In the first round, Johnson had a matchup against Drew Skillman. Johnson and Skillman were identical on the tree with .032-second reaction times and Johnson was able to outpower Skillman to take the win. Johnson clocked in with a 7.000-second pass at 196.59 to Skillman’s 7.047, 197.74. Continue reading The King of the Mountain Allen Johnson Earns Seventh Mopar Mile-High Trophy on National Television

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders holds head high after performance gains in Denver

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders holds head high after performance gains in Denver
DENVER (July 24) — No one in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series hates losing more than two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders, but she can smile after the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals on Sunday at Bandimere Speedway knowing her Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge team made strides toward the top of the Pro Stock charts.

Enders lost in the second round after an unfortunate parts failure slowed her pass, but she knows her Dodge Dart is now a contender.

“We’re certainly pleased with our performance gains this weekend,” Enders said. “It shows that our hard work is paying off. Having said that, we still have a long way to go.”
Continue reading Pro Stock champ Erica Enders holds head high after performance gains in Denver

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bandimere

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
MOPAR MILE-HIGH NHRA NATIONALS
BANDIMERE SPEEDWAY AT MORRISON, COLORADO
JULY 24, 2016

New Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car Quickly Records First Victory

• 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force earns 144th career win
• No. 1 qualifier and track record-holder Courtney Force is event runner-up
• Vincent Nobile rise from No. 9 Pro Stock qualifier to second-place finish
• Ryan Montford wins Stock Eliminator category in Chevrolet COPO Camaro
Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Bandimere

Chevy Racing –NASCAR–Indianapolis–Post Race

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
THE COMBAT WOUNDED COALITION 400 AT THE BRICKYARD
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
JULY 24, 2016

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S RED VEST CHEVROLET SS – FINISHED 3RD
IT WASN’T A FLAWLESS DAY FOR THE NO. 48 TEAM, BUT TO COME AWAY WITH A THIRD PLACE FINISH AND RECOVER FROM THAT SPEEDING PENALTY SAYS A LOT ABOUT THIS TEAM
“It says a lot. We’ve been working really hard to get our cars where they need to be. We’re still not happy, but we’re getting closer. I’m very proud of the effort today. Unfortunately a mistake on my part in that second segment, trying to get in the pits I got dinged for speeding and then rallied from like 24th back. So, I’m just very proud of this race team and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports and I’m very proud to run this red car and represent all the men and women who work in Lowe’s stores all around the country. We got third but I wish we would have gotten a win.” Continue reading Chevy Racing –NASCAR–Indianapolis–Post Race

Richard Childress Racing–Indianapolis

Paul Menard and the Richmond/Menards Team Notch a Podium Finish at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

“Our Richmond/Menards Chevy was a little loose on our qualifying run, so we started in the eighth spot. We ran in the second heat and were just a little too tight. We were faster at the start of the main race, on the splitter a little bit, but after a couple laps we came off and the car started to turn better. We were making some ground on the guys in front of us. The RCR XFINITY series program is making gains.”

– Paul Menard

Dillon finishes Consistent Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with 11th top-10 of the Season

“You’ve got to be happy with how consistent we were all afternoon in our No. 3 Rheem/Nidec/US Motors Chevrolet Camaro, but felt as if we could have finished a little bit better. Track position is so important here and I sort of put us behind the eight ball with a not-so-great qualifying effort. We gained some of that positioning back in the heat races, but it was difficult to pick up track position in the main race. Overall, I’m proud of our efforts getting back on the right track and look forward to racing next weekend at a track I had a chance to win at last time (Iowa Speedway).”

– Ty Dillon

Brandon Jones Earns Top-10 Finish in Indianapolis Debut

“I can’t be mad about a 10th-place finish at all, especially where we were on Friday. I didn’t feel like we were really good in practice. Crew chief Mike Hillman Jr. and all the guys on the Jeld-Wen/Menards team did a great job adjusting on it throughout the weekend and getting it ready for qualifying. Advancing to the second round and qualifying 11th surprised me a bit. It ended up putting us in a good position for both the heat race and the main event. The main event was up-and-down. With the green-flag stops we didn’t have much time to work on the handling, but they did a good job with the conditions we had and got us back inside the top 10.”

– Brandon Jones

Brendan Gaughan Finishes 16th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

“At Indianapolis Motor Speedway momentum is everything. We managed to lead a lap during the green flag pit stops, but in the closing laps the South Point Chevrolet got held up and it cost us several spots. I made a mistake on the last pit stop and pinned my guys at the wall. I know better than that and it cost us the lucky dog position. Overall not the day we wanted. We will regroup, lick our wounds and move on to Iowa (Speedway).”

– Brendan Gaughan

Qualifying Journey to Raceday Leaves Allen Johnson in Unfamiliar Territory on the Mountain

Qualifying Journey to Raceday Leaves Allen Johnson in Unfamiliar Territory on the Mountain

MORRISON, Colo. (July 23, 2016) – Allen Johnson drove his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart to the No. 10 spot after four rounds of qualifying at the 37th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals.

For Friday’s initial qualifying session, Johnson drove his Marathon Dart to the No. 4 spot with a 7.004-second pass at 197.22 mph. With a baseline to work off of and a two-hour rain delay, he came back with an improved 6.988, 197.25 at 10:00 p.m. at night in the cool track conditions.

In Saturday’s first session, Johnson experienced some trouble as he passed the 60-foot mark and ended up aborting the run; he clocked in with a 12.390, 72.14. For his final qualifying attempt on Bandimere Speedway, Johnson clocked in with a 7.886, 128.44 after his engine broke and smoked trailed behind him as he crossed the finish line.

Finishing qualifying in the No. 10 spot, Johnson will have a first round pairing against No. 7 Drew Skillman.

“This is the most trying Denver we’ve had in a long, long time if not ever,” Johnson said. “It seems that nothing has gone right since the first qualifying run but I still have confidence. I have confidence because it’s going to be Sunday in Denver.”

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