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Best pass of event not enough for two-time Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin to advance

Best pass of event not enough for two-time
Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin to advance
TOPEKA, Kan. (May 20) — Two-time Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin posted his quickest pass of the weekend in the opening round of the 29th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties, but the pass wasn’t enough to turn on his win light in the always-tough J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series.

“I said earlier in the year that I was super happy we added two races to the Pro Mod schedule this year because it would afford us a little bit of breathing room,” Coughlin said. “When you’re racing at this level you can run really well and still lose. That’s what happened today, so I’m glad we have extra time to make up for this loss. Continue reading Best pass of event not enough for two-time Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin to advance →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Indy 500–Qualification Day 1

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
101ST RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFICATIONS DAY 1 RECAP
MAY 20, 2017

Two-time Indianapolis 500 pole winner Ed Carpenter took a big step to claiming the top spot for Chevrolet for the 101st edition of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” during the first of two days of time trials.

The Verizon IndyCar Series team owner/driver recorded a four-lap average speed of 230.468 mph on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in the No. 20 Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevrolet to top 31 entries that completed a qualifying attempt. Carpenter, an Indianapolis native who will seek to take the green flag for 14th consecutive year, started on pole in 2013 and ’14.
Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Indy 500–Qualification Day 1 →

John Force Racing

Auto Club driver Robert Hight speeds to No. 3 qualifying spot in Topeka

Auto Club driver Robert Hight speeds
to No. 3 qualifying spot in Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 20) – Robert Hight now owns two of the fastest three speeds in NHRA history, as his Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car snared the No. 3 qualifying spot for the NHRA Menards Heartland Nationals.

Hight made two spectacular passes in the three qualifying sessions – one of the four scheduled was canceled because of inclement weather – turning heads with his Chevrolet Camaro SS. His first pass, in Friday’s lone session, was 3.826 seconds at 337.66 mph. That temporarily put him in the No. 1 spot, and the speed was a national record.

Matt Hagan and John Force Racing teammate Courtney Force went even quicker on Saturday, though Hight and his team took a big swing with a pass of 3.834 seconds at 337.16 mph in the final session. Continue reading Auto Club driver Robert Hight speeds to No. 3 qualifying spot in Topeka →

John Force Racing

Courtney Force’s No. 1 qualifying streak ends, but Advance Auto Parts driver still No. 2 in Topeka

Courtney Force’s No. 1 qualifying streak ends,
but Advance Auto Parts driver still No. 2 in Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 20) – It took a national record to halt the No. 1 qualifying streak of Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car driver Courtney Force.
Force had earned the No. 1 qualifying spot in each of the last four races and temporarily held the top spot during the final qualifying session for the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals on Saturday at Heartland Park Topeka.
Force’s scintillating pass of 3.815 seconds at 335.23 mph lowered the national elapsed time record, but Matt Hagan went a tick quicker to steal the top spot and move Force back to No. 2. Continue reading Courtney Force’s No. 1 qualifying streak ends, but Advance Auto Parts driver still No. 2 in Topeka →

John Force Racing

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force sets career-best time, speed in qualifying No. 4 for Heartland Nationals

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force sets career-best time, speed in qualifying No. 4 for Heartland Nationals

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 20) – Brittany Force and her Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster team look to not only have solved an ongoing issue with her machine – they’ve put her back in contention for victory in almost an instant.

Force made a career-best pass of 3.674 seconds at 332.43 mph in her third and final qualifying attempt Saturday, which was good enough for the No. 4 qualifying position for Sunday’s NHRA Menards Heartland Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka.

The run was two thousandths of a second quicker than her previous best – also set at Topeka last year – and almost a mile per hour faster than her previous best of 331.53 mph – set in 2015 at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force sets career-best time, speed in qualifying No. 4 for Heartland Nationals →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–All-Star Race Post Race

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
MONSTER ENERGY ALL-STAR RACE
CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
MAY 20, 2017

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS – Finished 2nd:
WAS THE RESTART THE DIFFERENCE AT THE FINISH?
“No, I think the difference. My pit crew has been awesome all year and I don’t want to take anything away from them. We came down pit road the leader and three people passed us, that was pretty much the difference there. But, in ten laps, track position is huge. We just didn’t have it there at the end. We had the best car out there, for sure. In traffic I thought it was really good. I thought we had it most of the race but that’s how racing goes. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. But I think we had a really fast car today. We’ll go onto the 600, that’s a long race, and try it again.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–All-Star Race Post Race →

Mopar Racing

Hagan Sets National Funny Car Records, Schumacher Takes No. 1 Spot in Top Fuel for Mopar Sweep in NHRA Topeka Qualifying

Hagan Sets National Funny Car Records, Schumacher Takes No. 1 Spot in Top Fuel for Mopar Sweep in NHRA Topeka Qualifying

Matt Hagan qualifies No. 1 for 29th annual NHRA Heartland Nationals in Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car; 28th top spot of his career and second this year
Hagan sets national E.T. and speed records with pass of 3.802 seconds at 338.85 mph
Mopar HEMI® power has set quick time in Funny Car qualifying on three occasions in 2017
Tony Schumacher gives Mopar fifth Top Fuel No. 1 qualifying position of the season with U.S. Army car, turns in a pass of 3.660 seconds at 327.90 mph Continue reading Hagan Sets National Funny Car Records, Schumacher Takes No. 1 Spot in Top Fuel for Mopar Sweep in NHRA Topeka Qualifying →

John Force Racing

PEAK driver John Force puts struggles behind, takes No. 6 qualifying spot for Heartland Nationals

PEAK driver John Force puts struggles behind,
takes No. 6 qualifying spot for Heartland Nationals

Photo credit: Gary Nastase / Auto Imagery
TOPEKA, Kan. (May 20) – When the adrenaline is pumping and a qualifying spot is on the line, you can count on John Force to put emotions aside and put his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS in the field.
It took three tries, but the 16-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion drove straight down the drag strip at Heartland Park Topeka and into the No. 6 qualifying position for Sunday’s NHRA Menards Heartland Nationals.

His pass of 3.850 seconds at 332.59 mph in the final round of qualifying Saturday put him solidly in the field after being on the outside looking in at the start of the third round. Continue reading PEAK driver John Force puts struggles behind, takes No. 6 qualifying spot for Heartland Nationals →

Erica Enders

Elite Motorsports champion Erica Enders to start mid-pack in quest for Topeka crown

Elite Motorsports champion Erica Enders to start mid-pack in quest for Topeka crown

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 20) — Missing one of four scheduled rounds of qualifying may not seem like a big deal, but for two-time world champion and past Topeka titlist Erica Enders, a lost round can be the difference between qualifying mid-pack or at the top of the elimination field of the 29th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties. Continue reading Elite Motorsports champion Erica Enders to start mid-pack in quest for Topeka crown →

Jegs Racing

Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. heats up chilly Topeka with top-four qualifying effort

Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. heats up
chilly Topeka with top-four qualifying effort
TOPEKA, Kan. (May 20) — Six-time world champion drag racer Jeg Coughlin Jr. used Saturday’s cooler temperatures to rocket up the Pro Stock elimination ladder, ultimately securing the fourth spot at the 29th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals presented by Minties at Heartland
Park Topeka. Continue reading Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. heats up chilly Topeka with top-four qualifying effort →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Monster Energy Open Post Race

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
MONSTER ENERGY OPEN
CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
MAY 20, 2017

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 MOUNTAIN DEW CHEVROLET SS – Fan Vote for the All-Star Race
ON WINNING THE FAN VOTE:
“It’s awesome to hear that crowd just then. That means a lot to me. I appreciate you guys voting for me. That is really cool for our team. Obviously, we would have loved to have raced our way in. I feel like every time we run this race we’ve got some sort of drama with this year and last year, but have had a shot at it tonight. We will try to move forward and give ourselves the best chance we can.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Monster Energy Open Post Race →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Monster Energy Open

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
MONSTER ENERGY OPEN
CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
MAY 20, 2017

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 MOUNTAIN DEW CHEVROLET SS – Fan Vote for the All-Star Race
ON WINNING THE FAN VOTE:
“It’s awesome to hear that crowd just then. That means a lot to me. I appreciate you guys voting for me. That is really cool for our team. Obviously, we would have loved to have raced our way in. I feel like every time we run this race we’ve got some sort of drama with this year and last year, but have had a shot at it tonight. We will try to move forward and give ourselves the best chance we can.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Monster Energy Open →

Allen Johnson Racing

Allen Johnson Closing in On Field at the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals

Allen Johnson Closing in On Field at the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals

TOPEKA, Kans. (May 20, 2017) – Allen Johnson powered the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart to the No. 10 position after three rounds of qualifying at the 29th annual Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals.

On Friday, it was all but considered a wash-out as Mother Nature lingered overhead with dark clouds and persistent rain all throughout the afternoon. With a brief break in the storms, the NHRA Safety Safari was able to dry the track in record time and Pro Stock was able to make one run. Johnson crossed the finish line at Heartland Park Topeka with a 6.697-second pass at 206.13 mph. Continue reading Allen Johnson Closing in On Field at the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals →

Red Horse Racing

Red Horse Racing–North Carolina Education Lottery 200

RACE REPORT
North Carolina Education Lottery 200
Charlotte Motor Speedway
May 19, 2017

Red Horse Racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway

It was a home game for the Red Horse Racing teams, who traveled across town to Charlotte Motor Speedway, located in nearby Concord, N.C. On Thursday, teams participated in two evening practice sessions. Brett Moffitt recorded the fourth and 13th fastest times, while Timothy Peters was 17th and 21st respectively. On Friday afternoon, teams competed in two rounds of single-truck knockout qualifying. Brett Moffitt and Timothy Peters both transferred into the second round to compete for the pole, where Moffitt earned the seventh starting position and Peters the 10th. After 134 laps at the 1.5-mile facility, Moffitt, who was involved in an on-track incident with another vehicle, finished 18th with a heavily damaged Tundra, while Peters earned his first top-five finish of the season with a fifth-place finish. Continue reading Red Horse Racing–North Carolina Education Lottery 200 →

John Force Racing

Auto Club driver Robert Hight smashes NHRA speed record with blistering pass at Heartland Park Topeka

Auto Club driver Robert Hight smashes NHRA speed record with blistering pass at Heartland Park Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 19) – No one in the long history of the NHRA had ever gone as fast as Robert Hight did Friday at Heartland Park Topeka.
Hight drove the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car to a pass of 3.826 seconds at 337.66 mph during Friday’s lone qualifying session for the Menards NHRA Heartland Nationals. That set the national record for speed, as well as the track record for elapsed time. Continue reading Auto Club driver Robert Hight smashes NHRA speed record with blistering pass at Heartland Park Topeka →

Honda Racing

Honda Strong Again During “Fast Friday” at Indianapolis

Honda Strong Again During “Fast Friday” at Indianapolis
• Honda drivers, teams claim top four positions Friday, and 11 of top 12
• Fernando Alonso ends practice fourth overall, fastest rookie
• Qualifying to set the 33-car field takes place this weekend

SPEEDWAY, Ind., (May 19, 2017) – “Fast Friday” lived up to its name today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as Honda drivers dominated the speed chart in the final day of practice before qualifying begins Saturday for the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500. Continue reading Honda Strong Again During “Fast Friday” at Indianapolis →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–All-Star Race–Ty Dillon

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
MONSTER ENERGY ALL-STAR RACE
CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MAY 19, 2017

TY DILLON, NO. 13 GEICO MILITARY CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Charlotte Motor Speedway and discussed coming to Charlotte Motor Speedway as a kid, running double duty, his team’s performance thus far, the Rookie of the Year points battle and many other topics. Full Transcript:

ANY FAVORITE MEMORIES WHEN YOU COME TO CHARLOTTE?
“I haven’t missed very many races here since 1992, since I was a baby pretty much. My Grandfather has a condo in Turn 1 and ever since I can remember I’ve watched every single race, whether it was Xfinity, Truck, Cup that has been on this race track. Even watched the IndyCar race back in the day. It’s definitely a special place for us. There are a lot of memories here. This is also where I made my first racing start in a bandolero and legend cars. Actually, our first test was on the little fifth-mile behind the track, like a lot of others I’m sure, Ryan Blaney, and Bubba Wallace. We all raced here every single weekend against each other growing up. This place is special to a lot of us drivers who are from North Carolina. It’s kind of a funny thing about NASCAR is everybody lives in North Carolina, but there are only a few actually in the Cup Series that are born and raised in North Carolina, so Charlotte is a very special place to us.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–All-Star Race–Ty Dillon →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Indy 500–Penske Press Conference

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
101ST RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM PENSKE PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT
MAY 19, 2017

An interview with team owner Roger Penske, consultant Rick Mears, and drivers Simon Pagenaud (No. 1 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet), Josef Newgarden (No. 2 hum by Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet), Helio Castroneves (No. 3 Shell Fuel Rewards Team Penske Chevrolet), Will Power (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet), and Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 22 Fitzgerald Glider Kits Team Penske Chevrolet):

MODERATOR: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I’m Jerry Punch with ESPN on ABC, and we are glad to have you here this morning. It is my pleasure to be a moderator for this Team Penske media event today. And for those of you who may not understand or appreciate, before we begin, the historical significance of these gentlemen sitting here, the six drivers and one legendary car owner, think about it, combined these guys have been a part of 25 Indianapolis 500 victories, if you count them up. That’s pretty special, considering the race has been run 100 times. Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Indy 500–Penske Press Conference →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Indy 500 Day 5 Practice

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
101ST RUNNING OF THE INDIANAPOLIS 500
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DAY 5 PRACTICE RECAP
MAY 19, 2017

“Fast Friday” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway lived up to its moniker as 22 of the 33 entries for the 101st Indianapolis 500 Mile Race recorded a lap in excess of 230 mph on the 2.5-mile oval during the fifth day of practice.

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya led Chevrolet drivers with a lap of 231.682 mph/38.8463 seconds in the No. 22 Fitzgerald Glider Kits Team Penske Chevrolet. All 15 Team Chevy drivers utilized the extra boost granted the twin-turbocharged V6, 2.2-liter Chevrolet engines for Saturday and Sunday qualifications in combination with optimizing the aerodynamic set-up of the Chevrolet Aero Kit to prepare for the two days of on-track drama. Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Indy 500 Day 5 Practice →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–All-Star Race Qualifying Notes

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
MONSTER ENERGY ALL-STAR RACE
CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES & QUOTES
MAY 19, 2017

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS – Pole Winner:
“I decided I might not change because if I ended up second they’ll probably want an interview. So, I stayed in the (drivers) suit; so yeah, that’s pretty cool. It’s my first time doing this. It’s nice that we had a second round there to get a second tenth out of that. I picked up some time there. This was all about not making mistakes. Everybody but us made mistakes in that last round. So, I am proud of everybody on this Target Chevy team, especially our pit crew. Our pit crew saved me in that first round to get us into this second round. And getting the pole is pretty sweet. It’s so much fun. I’ve been wanting to do that. It’s my fourth season in Cup now and I have wanted to do it every year.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–All-Star Race Qualifying Notes →

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