Pittman Returns to Victory Lane at Jackson Motorplex

Pittman Returns to Victory Lane at Jackson Motorplex
Scores fifth win of 2016 in the series’ first trip to the track since 2014

JACKSON, Minn. – June 24, 2016 – 2013 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion, Daryn Pittman, started on the pole position and captured the lead from Joey Saldana on lap two, then held off a hard-charging Kerry Madsen on a green-white-checkered finish to score his fifth victory of the season at Jackson Motorplex on Friday night. Continue reading Pittman Returns to Victory Lane at Jackson Motorplex

JFR STACKS UP QUICK TIMES ON FRIDAY AT NORWALK

JFR STACKS UP QUICK TIMES ON FRIDAY AT NORWALK

NORWALK, OH – John Force Racing wrapped up the second session of qualifying at the 10th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals by running to the top of the Funny Car and Top Fuel fields. During the Friday night session Courtney Force and Robert Hight each spent time as the provisional No. 1 qualifiers in Funny Car and Brittany Force was also on top for a few pairs in Top Fuel. At the end of the day Hight and Brittany Force were No. 3 in their respective classes with Courtney Force one spot behind her teammate and brother-in-law.

Robert Hight and the Auto Club Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car made a career quick run for the second race in a row lighting up the scoreboard with a 3.886 second pass at 327.03 mph. It was a tremendous run that had Hight proudly banging the top of his Funny Car as he climbed out through the roof hatch on the top end. Continue reading JFR STACKS UP QUICK TIMES ON FRIDAY AT NORWALK

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Sonoma–Practice

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
TOYOTA SAVE MART 350
SONOMA RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER QUOTE
JUNE 24, 2016

CHEVROLET LEADS FAST FRIDAY AT SONOMA
Kyle Larson and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Pace Practice Sessions

SONOMA, Calif. (June 24, 2016) – The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series hit the 1.99-mile road course in Sonoma, California today for two practice sessions prior to Sunday’s Toyota Save Mart 350. The No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS of Kyle Larson led the way in the first session with a fast lap of 95.141 mph/75.299 seconds. In the afternoon Dale Earnhardt, Jr. piloting the No. 88 Axalta Chevy SS topped the leader board by laying down a speed of 95.298 mph/75.175 seconds.

The next task for all 20 Chevrolet SS drivers and teams will be qualifying, tomorrow at 11:15 a.m. PT. Live coverage will be available on FoxSports 1, PRN Radio, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com.

DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 AXALTA CHEVROLET SS, fastest in the final practice session:

ON BEING THE FASTEST IN THE FINAL PRACTICE SESSION:
“When Greg (Ives, crew chief) and those guys unloaded the car we had run pretty good here the last couple of years. So, we just kind of kept going in the same direction set-up wise and it has been helping. Right off the truck, man, we were really fast. Throughout the whole first practice we did a lot of race trim. The car was incredibly quick. I have never had a car this good here. I was just so proud of the guys. I don’t think I’m terrible at road courses, but I’m definitely not the best guy here. Our car is amazing. We went out in the last practice and focused on our qualifying trim and feel like that we have a good shot at qualifying well. I’m not going to say we’ve got the pole, because we didn’t get to see what everybody has, but some of those guys will get up there and put some laps down. We will just try to get in that top 10, top-five and get a good pit selection and have a good race on Sunday.”

CAN YOU GET TO VICTORY LANE ON SUNDAY?
“Well, we will obviously need some luck. We have been quick here before and we definitely have the racecar that can win the race. If we have everything go our way on pit road and I don’t make too many mistakes out on the race track we should be in good shape.”

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Sonoma–Chip Ganassi

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
TOYOTA SAVE MART 350
SONOMA RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
JUNE 24, 2016

CHIP GANASSI, TEAM OWNER, CHIP GANASSI RACING, met with members of the media at Sonoma Raceway to discuss the state of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, how important pit crews are in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and many other topics. Partial Transcript:

WE HEARD YOUR LIST OF WINS AND ACCOLADES AND MERITS. WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU PERSONALLY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUT ON YOUR RESUME?
“Next is this race this weekend here at Sonoma. They are all big, but this is the next one.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Sonoma–Chip Ganassi

Rahal, Honda lead field in Opening Day Practice at Road America

Rahal, Honda lead field in Opening Day Practice at Road America
• Graham Rahal heads the afternoon session, day for Honda
• Munoz, Hawksworth also post top-five times
• Indy cars return to Road America after seven-year absence

Graham Rahal led the way for Honda and his Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team as the Verizon IndyCar Series returned to the famed Road America Circuit in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, leading the 22-car field in Friday practice for Sunday’s Kohler Grand Prix of Road America.

Rebounding after an electrical issue limited his running in the morning practice, Rahal posted a lap time of 1:43.0224, for an average speed of 140.265 mph, around the scenic, 4.0-mile road course. That topped the time charts for both the afternoon session and the day. Carlos Munoz put his Andretti Autosport Honda fourth overall, with a 1:43.5560 time recorded in the morning session, while Jack Hawksworth made it three Hondas in the top five for the day with a 1:43.6747, also posted in the first practice.

Activities at the Kohler GP of Road America continue tomorrow, with final practice and qualifying. Sunday’s 50-lap race starts at 1 p.m. EDT, with live network television coverage on the NBC Sports Network.

Graham Rahal (#15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda): “I think it was obviously a good run there, to do that lap. We were a little conservative, so I was pleased with the lap overall. We all know it’s [only] Friday. We have a long weekend to go. The car feels decent. I’ve got a little work to do. Everybody does. As you can see, it’s pretty tough out there right now, pretty slippery, different types of rubber being laid down [by the various series running this weekend]. It’s tricky. At the end of the first day, we feel decent. But we’ll come back out here in the morning and see how we go. Everybody is going to have a lot to work on, and we’re included.”

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Sonoma–Tony Stewart

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
TOYOTA SAVE MART 350
SONOMA RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
JUNE 24, 2016

TONY STEWART, NO. 14 CODE 3 ASSOCIATES/MOBIL 1 CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Sonoma Raceway following getting inducted into the Sonoma Wall of Fame. Full Transcript:

ON BEING INDUCTED INTO THE SONOMA WALL OF FAME:
“Anytime you get inducted into anything it’s a huge honor. This has always been one of my favorite race tracks. To be on their wall of fame that means something to me.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Sonoma–Tony Stewart

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Sonoma–Jimmie Johnson

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS met with media and discussed the strategy and approach to road racing at Sonoma, the fact there is not a road course race in the Chase, the upcoming plate race at Daytona, and more. Full Transcript:

YOU ARE ONE OF 10 WINNERS HERE OVER THE LAST 11 RACES. DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT YEAR YOU WON?
“Not the year.”

2010
“Way too long ago, I know that much.”

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A WILDCARD RACE. WHAT MAKES IT THAT WAY? WHAT MAKES IT CHALLENGING? HOW HAS IT SHAPED-UP OVER THE LAST DECADE?
“It is a wildcard race, but I feel like, quickly going through my memory, whichever driver has won has had a dominating day and a strong performance throughout the day. It’s hard to repeat that; for whatever reason, I don’t exactly know. But, I think we’ve seen a real interesting shift in the last 10 years where the road course ringers have come in and they aren’t taking the trophies home; it’s really the NASCAR regulars. I think it shows the versatility we have as drivers and the teams as well, that set-up the car and make the car get around here. Strategy does play a role and I think that cost us the win last year. So, occasionally you have maybe a fuel mileage race that might mix it up a little bit, or strategy; and I think we just had a handful of laps left and decided to stay out and new tires got to us quickly last year. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Sonoma–Jimmie Johnson

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Sonoma–Kyle Larson

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
TOYOTA SAVE MART 350
SONOMA RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
JUNE 24, 2016

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Sonoma Raceway and discussed the potential of winning a race at his home track, what he has done to prepare for this weekend’s race, why he loves road course racing, the improvement of his team over the past few months and many other topics. Full Transcript: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Sonoma–Kyle Larson

Dutch Boy/Menards driver Erica Enders hopes to scoop up another Norwalk trophy

Dutch Boy/Menards driver Erica Enders hopes to scoop up another Norwalk trophy
NORWALK, Ohio (June 23) — Two NHRA Pro Stock world championship trophies sit in the New Orleans home of Erica Enders, but one of her prized trophies is an ice cream scoop.

Winners at Summit Motorsports Park receive a special billet ice cream scoop, symbolic of the popular ice cream served at the track. Enders scored at the 2014 Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, winning the sought-after ice cream scoop, too.
Continue reading Dutch Boy/Menards driver Erica Enders hopes to scoop up another Norwalk trophy

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders honored with ESPY nomination for Best Driver

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders honored with ESPY nomination for Best Driver
WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (June 23) — Elite Motorsports/Mopar driver Erica Enders has been nominated for an ESPY Award following her dominant performance in winning the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Pro Stock world championship.

Enders was nominated in the Best Driver category, repeating her nomination of last year. She will attend the ESPYs, hosted by John Cena, on July 13 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Continue reading Pro Stock champ Erica Enders honored with ESPY nomination for Best Driver

Team JEGS Pre-race Notes: NHRA Norwalk Nationals

Team JEGS Pre-race Notes:
NHRA Norwalk Nationals
Team JEGS Pre-race Notes
NHRA Norwalk Nationals
Norwalk, Ohio (June 22-26)

Six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will continue his pursuit of the NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock title at this weekend’s NHRA Nationalsin Norwalk, Ohio. He will be driving a Rick Jones Race Cars-built Dodge Dart as a member of the Elite Motorsports team. Continue reading Team JEGS Pre-race Notes: NHRA Norwalk Nationals

Three days of racing, three times the party starts on Thursday

Three days of racing, three times the party starts on Thursday

SARVER, Pa. – June 22, 2016 – The final countdown is on until the Firecracker 100 kicks off at Lernerville Speedway. Three days of racing and three times the party starts on Thursday, June 23 and continues until Saturday, June 25.

The Northeast’s biggest late-model party leads into the Firecracker 100, one of the most coveted wins in late model racing. This year, the Firecracker 100 celebrates its 10th anniversary. Continue reading Three days of racing, three times the party starts on Thursday

JOHN FORCE WANT TO WRAP UP FOUR IN A ROW WITH WIN IN NORWALK

JOHN FORCE WANT TO WRAP UP FOUR IN A ROW WITH WIN IN NORWALK

NORWALK, OH (June 22, 2016) — The Cleveland Cavaliers wrapped up their first NBA championship with a historic win on Sunday night. John Force would like to start the campaign for his unprecedented 17th NHRA Funny Car championship with a win just west of Cleveland in Norwalk, Ohio. The 2014 winner of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals knows that winning now will go a long ways towards his championship aspirations. Continue reading JOHN FORCE WANT TO WRAP UP FOUR IN A ROW WITH WIN IN NORWALK

Chevrolet IndyCar Drivers Aim for More Road Course Success

Chevrolet IndyCar Drivers Aim for More Road Course Success

· Chevrolet drivers prepare for Indy car return to Road America
ᴏ 50-lap/202-mile race the first for Indy cars at the course since 2007
· Chevrolet drivers have won every road/street course race this season
ᴏ Team Penske’s Simon Pagenaud has won three of the six
· Sebastien Bourdais won the last IndyCar race on 4.048-mile racetrack
ᴏ Driver of Team Hydroxycut-KVSH Racing Chevrolet seeks repeat
· Pagenaud continues to lead standings; top four in points pilot Chevrolet Aero Kit with integrated Chevy 2.2 liter twin turbocharged direct injected V6 engine
· Since returning to IndyCar competition in 2012, Chevrolet has accumulated 50 victories and 57 poles in 76 races.

DETROIT (June 22, 2016) – Road America, Sebastien Bourdais proclaims, is “my favorite racetrack in America,” which is high praise from the four-time IndyCar champion.
Bourdais, who won the last Series’ race on the 14-turn, 4.048-mile course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, in 2007, will have an opportunity to add his 36th career win this weekend as Verizon IndyCar Series drivers compete in the Kohler Grand Prix. Continue reading Chevrolet IndyCar Drivers Aim for More Road Course Success

TEAM SUMMIT RACING DRIVEN TO BRING HOME WIN NUMBER 12 AT NORWALK THIS WEEKEND

TEAM SUMMIT RACING DRIVEN TO BRING HOME WIN NUMBER 12
AT NORWALK THIS WEEKEND

Mooresville, NC (June 22, 2016) – Team Summit Racing drivers have extra pressure to bring home a 12th win this weekend at the NHRA Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

In the first 11 races of the year, Pro Stock drivers Jason Line and Greg Anderson have won all 11 races and claimed 10 of 11 top qualifying spots. Line has six victories this season and Anderson has earned five. Continue reading TEAM SUMMIT RACING DRIVEN TO BRING HOME WIN NUMBER 12 AT NORWALK THIS WEEKEND

Chevrolet IndyCar Drivers Aim for More Road Course Success

Chevrolet IndyCar Drivers Aim for More Road Course Success

· Chevrolet drivers prepare for Indy car return to Road America
ᴏ 50-lap/202-mile race the first for Indy cars at the course since 2007
· Chevrolet drivers have won every road/street course race this season
ᴏ Team Penske’s Simon Pagenaud has won three of the six
· Sebastien Bourdais won the last IndyCar race on 4.048-mile racetrack
ᴏ Driver of Team Hydroxycut-KVSH Racing Chevrolet seeks repeat
· Pagenaud continues to lead standings; top four in points pilot Chevrolet Aero Kit with integrated Chevy 2.2 liter twin turbocharged direct injected V6 engine
· Since returning to IndyCar competition in 2012, Chevrolet has accumulated 50 victories and 57 poles in 76 races. Continue reading Chevrolet IndyCar Drivers Aim for More Road Course Success

Allen Johnson Approaches Four in a Row Conclusion with Optimism

Allen Johnson Approaches Four in a Row Conclusion with Optimism

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (June 22, 2016) – After an earlier than planned exit at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals last weekend, Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson is ready to get back up on the wheel and take top honors this weekend at the 10th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.

Johnson won the K&N Horsepower Challenge back in 2008 when the bonus race was contested in Norwalk, Ohio before moving to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Johnson also has battled his way to the final round twice in 2010 and 2013 and is ready to seal the deal this weekend at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park. Continue reading Allen Johnson Approaches Four in a Row Conclusion with Optimism

Stotz Racing : NHDRO / KOTS Report

Stotz Racing : NHDRO / KOTS Report

The St. Louis NHDRO race was very hot and that usually means slippery but by Sunday there was record-setting traction. We finally got a hold of the methanol motor with the higher compression JE Pistons, Milleniums cylinder prep, Microblues coatings, and new Billet compressor wheel from Andy at Great Lakes RaceCraft. We went record bests to the 330 and 1/8th mile but the mph had still not improved as we think it should. We qualified fourth and were marching through eliminations when unfortunately we broke a crank, ending our race weekend prematurely. Steve Nichols from Dyno Dynamics was in St. Louis to help us with the new Back to The Future Grudge bike with all new Airtech Bodywork and designed by Steve at Xtreme Graphics. We’ve shown the best numbers to date for that bike also with the Weapon X Coils now lighting the fire. Well, not shown. Your not supposed to let your ET be shown on the scoreboard. That’s the whole intrigue of grudge racing. The fans only see the win light but can’t see how damn fast these no rules Grudge bikes are going. Let’s just say close to record-setting, but not there yet. Now off to KOTS! Continue reading Stotz Racing : NHDRO / KOTS Report

Dutch Boy/Menards to partner with two-time Pro Stock champ Erica Enders

Dutch Boy/Menards to partner with two-time Pro Stock champ Erica Enders
WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (June 21) — Dutch Boy Paints and Menards will partner with two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders for the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event this weekend at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park.

Enders will drive the Dutch Boy/Menards Dodge Dart prepared by Elite Motorsports at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

“I’m honored to drive the Dodge Dart this weekend with such a recognizable brand on the door and the hood of our car,” Enders said. “I’m glad they’re giving us an opportunity to show them what we can do for them.”

To help kick off the partnership, Enders will appear at the Menards store in Sandusky, Ohio, on Wednesday. Enders and her Dutch Boy/Menards Dodge will be at the Menards at 1101 Lakecrest Parkway in Sandusky from 5 to 7 p.m. ET.

Menards has more than 280 home-improvement stores throughout the Midwest and is known as the low-price leader. The company has backed motorsports for many years, in the IndyCar Series, NASCAR, and ARCA.

Dutch Boy Paints, available at Menards stores, continues to be an industry leader in delivering innovative and high-quality products and packaging solutions.

Enders became the first woman to win the Pro Stock championship in 2014, earning the title in the final round of the final race. She repeated in 2015, winning nine times and setting NHRA records along the way. She is the only driver in NHRA history to win three consecutive final rounds on holeshots.

Enders and her Elite team partnered with Dodge to field the new Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge Dart for the 2016 season.

Mike Coughlin, Troy Coughlin Jr. racing for Sportsman Wallys in home state

Mike Coughlin, Troy Coughlin Jr. racing for Sportsman Wallys in home state
NORWALK, Ohio (June 21) — The Coughlin family will be out in full force this weekend in Norwalk.

In addition to Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Troy Coughlin Sr. racing in the pro categories, Mike Coughlin and Troy Coughlin Jr. will be going for victory in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Sportsman classes. Racing in their home state, Mike will be behind the wheel of a JEGS.com Top Dragster, and Troy is racing in Super Gas and Super Comp. Continue reading Mike Coughlin, Troy Coughlin Jr. racing for Sportsman Wallys in home state

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