Chevrolet Racing

Hagan Leads Mopar in Qualifying at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Turk Qualifies for Factory Stock Showdown

Hagan Leads Mopar in Qualifying at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Turk Qualifies for Factory Stock Showdown

Matt Hagan qualifies Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T fourth in Funny Car to lead Mopar-backed Nitro teams
Four Mopar-powered Don Schumacher Racing Funny Cars qualify in top 10
Six Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars qualify for 16-car field
Mopar Top Fuel drivers Tony Schumacher and Leah Pritchett will begin day from No. 6 and No. 9 spots, respectively
Pritchett pilots Dodge Challenger to win over Papa John’s founder and CEO, John Schnatter, in second Charity Challenge race of 2017
Geoff Turk qualifies 2015 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak for Factory Stock Showdown
Super Stock driver Jerry Hatch’s 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six Pack wins Best Appearing Car
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon simulators unveiled on Manufacturers Midway and covered by FS1
April 29, 2017 (Concord, N.C.) – Mopar HEMI® power claimed four of the top 10 spots in Funny Car qualifying for the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte, while Mopar-powered Top Fuel machines will start sixth and ninth on the unique four-wide eliminations ladder. Only three rounds are required to crown the event champion in the classes that make up the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Continue reading Hagan Leads Mopar in Qualifying at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, Turk Qualifies for Factory Stock Showdown →

John Force Racing

Brittany Force’s Monster Energy team bringing the heat at Four-Wide Nationals

Brittany Force’s Monster Energy team
bringing the heat at Four-Wide Nationals

CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) – If there’s a team that can make it through the energy-sapping heat and humidity that the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series has faced at the Four-Wide Nationals this weekend at zMAX Dragway, it’s Brittany Force’s Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster team.

Temperatures were in the upper-80s and low-90s during qualifying in Charlotte, with humidity adding to the discomfort level. But Force and her John Force Racing team came through with a No. 7 qualifying effort – and a terrific pass in the heat of the day in the final qualifying session. Continue reading Brittany Force’s Monster Energy team bringing the heat at Four-Wide Nationals →

Allen Johnson Racing

Team Marathon Petroleum No. 12 at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

Team Marathon Petroleum No. 12 at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

CONCORD, N.C. (April 29, 2017) – Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson will head into raceday at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in the No. 12 position in his Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart.

On Friday, Johnson hit zMAX DRAGWAY with a tune-up to see what the track would hold. The Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart launched a little too aggressively and he shook a little after the 60-foot mark; he coasted to a 12.005-second pass at 94.79 mph. The Adam Hornberger-led team came back in the second session on Friday and greatly improved with a 6.657, 208.33. Continue reading Team Marathon Petroleum No. 12 at NHRA Four-Wide Nationals →

John Force Racing

PEAK driver John Force ready to make some noise in Four-Wide Nationals eliminations

PEAK driver John Force ready to make some noise
in Four-Wide Nationals eliminations

Photo credit: Gary Nastase / Auto Imagery
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) – PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car driver John Force has had a subtle weekend at the Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

But with a fast Camaro heading into eliminations, the 16-time champion could make a lot of noise on Sunday.

Force qualified No. 3 for the unique Four-Wide Nationals – behind John Force Racing teammates Courtney Force and Robert Hight. That’s the first time JFR swept the top three spots since Topeka 2014, when Courtney Force was No. 1, John Force was No. 2 and Robert Hight No. 3.

“We have won this race – I won the inaugural (in 2010),” Force said. “Robert has won it, and Brittany (Force) has won it. That only leaves (Courtney). So, we will see what happens tomorrow. Continue reading PEAK driver John Force ready to make some noise in Four-Wide Nationals eliminations →

Chevrolet Racing

Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin nails down fourth low qualifier award of his career

Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin nails
down fourth low qualifier award of his career
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) — Perhaps no one was happier to suffer through the heat and humidity that settled on zMax Dragway Saturday than two-time Pro Mod world champion Troy Coughlin, whose Friday night pass of 5.770 at 254.95 mph remained unchallenged in the final two rounds of qualifying for the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.

“I was sweating it out, literally,” Coughlin said with a laugh. “In reality, it got too hot today for anyone to really challenge that 5.77. The day kind of turned into a test-n-tune for tomorrow’s elimination action because all indications are that we’ll see very similar conditions. Either way we’ll be ready. Continue reading Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin nails down fourth low qualifier award of his career →

John Force Racing

Auto Club driver Robert Hight secures No. 2 qualifying spot as part of JFR 1-2-3 at Four-Wide Nationals

Auto Club driver Robert Hight secures No. 2 qualifying spot as part of JFR 1-2-3 at Four-Wide Nationals

CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) – Robert Hight seeks a third Funny Car victory in Sunday’s unique Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, and will mount his charge for the mark from the No. 2 qualifying position.

Hight – driver of the Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS – established a best pass of 3.873 seconds at a track record 333.91 mph in Friday’s second qualifying session. That means he’ll line up against No. 7 Tommy Johnson Jr., No. 10 Jack Beckman and No. 15 Jim Campbell in the first round of eliminations. Continue reading Auto Club driver Robert Hight secures No. 2 qualifying spot as part of JFR 1-2-3 at Four-Wide Nationals →

John Force Racing

3-for-4: Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force heads into Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals with 3rd straight No. 1

3-for-4: Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force heads into Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals with 3rd straight No. 1

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery

CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) – Good things tend to come in threes.

For Courtney Force and the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS team, they enter Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway with their third consecutive No. 1 Funny Car qualifying position.

Force led a JFR 1-2-3 – the team’s first in nearly three years – with teammate Robert Hight No. 2 and father and team owner John Force No. 3. Continue reading 3-for-4: Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force heads into Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals with 3rd straight No. 1 →

Jegs Racing

For second race in a row, five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. tops Pro Stock field

For second race in a row, five-time champ
Jeg Coughlin Jr. tops Pro Stock field
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) — Jeg Coughlin Jr. knew his Rick Jones-built JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro was a great racecar since the beginning of the season. It just took him a few races to let everyone else know.

For the second straight national event, the five-time Pro Stock champion has the quickest car in the factory hot rod class. This weekend, in qualifying for the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, Coughlin used an impressive 6.578-second pass at 210.24 mph to get the job done.

Father and son, Jeg Coughlin Sr.
and Jeg Coughlin Jr.
“Obviously to get our second No. 1 qualifying effort in back-to-back weeks is very satisfying,” Coughlin said. “It shows we have regained a great tune-up and have some real confidence in our current set-up. I think our crew chief braintrust of Mark Ingersoll, Rick Jones and Brian Self here at the track are doing a really nice job with everything and I feel really confident behind the wheel. That’s a good combination.” Continue reading For second race in a row, five-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. tops Pro Stock field →

Erica Enders

Qualifying a season-best second on the grid excites Pro Stock champ Erica Enders

Qualifying a season-best second on the grid excites Pro Stock champ Erica Enders
CONCORD, N.C. (April 29) — After qualifying her Lupe Tortilla-backed Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro a season-best No. 2 on the elimination ladder of the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway, two-time world champ Erica Enders admitted it’s going to be hard to wipe the smile off her face.

“We definitely took another big step in the right direction this weekend,” Enders said. “I know this entire Elite Motorsports team is very excited to be back on top of the sheets. Granted, it’s just qualifying, but to be 1-2 with my teammate Jeg Coughlin for the first time since we’ve been racing together again is very cool.” Continue reading Qualifying a season-best second on the grid excites Pro Stock champ Erica Enders →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Qualifying Quotes

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY AT CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
QUALIFYING RESULTS AND DRIVER QUOTES
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017

Chevrolet Drivers Dominate Funny Car, Pro Stock Qualifications
· Courtney Force claims third consecutive No. 1 Funny Car qualifier honor
· John Force Racing sweeps top three Funny Car qualifying spots
· Robert Hight sets Funny Car racetrack speed record in qualifying No. 2
· Jeg Coughlin Jr. records second Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier honor in a row

CONCORD, N.C. (April 29, 2017) – In her 125th National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car event, Courtney Force took an assertive step toward recording her ninth career victory and first at zMAX Dragway. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Qualifying Quotes →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Qualifying

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS
ZMAX DRAGWAY AT CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
QUALIFYING RESULTS AND DRIVER QUOTES
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2017

Chevrolet Drivers Dominate Funny Car, Pro Stock Qualifications
· Courtney Force claims third consecutive No. 1 Funny Car qualifier honor
· John Force Racing sweeps top three Funny Car qualifying spots
· Robert Hight sets Funny Car racetrack speed record in qualifying No. 2
· Jeg Coughlin Jr. records second Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier honor in a row

CONCORD, N.C. (April 29, 2017) – In her 125th National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car event, Courtney Force took an assertive step toward recording her ninth career victory and first at zMAX Dragway. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Z-Max Dragway–Qualifying →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Richmond 250

Austin Dillon Cruises to Segment One Win at Richmond International Raceway En Route to 4th-Place Finish in Rheem Chevrolet

“The Rheem Chevy was unreal on the first run. I was cruising–so much so that we were able to win the first segment with a seven second lead. For the remainder of the race the car would come to us like it did in the first run but everybody got a little better and we didn’t. We tried to make it a little better and just couldn’t accomplish that. We kind of got lost. It’s easy to do that at this place. We have something to come back with. We didn’t have enough today. I’m proud of everybody on the Rheem team. Tomorrow should be a really fun day, too, so I’m looking forward to that race as well.” Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Richmond 250 →

John Force Racing

Courtney Force heads JFR’s 1-2-3 effort on 1st day of Four-Wide Nationals qualifying

Courtney Force heads JFR’s 1-2-3 effort on 1st day
of Four-Wide Nationals qualifying

Courtney Force (bottom) and Robert Hight Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery

CONCORD, N.C. (April 28) – Courtney Force’s record pass of 3.851 seconds at 323.27 mph led a John Force Racing sweep of the top three Funny Car qualifying positions Friday, the first of two days of qualifying for Sunday’s Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway.

Force, the No. 1 qualifier the past two events, established the time in the second qualifying session in her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, as JFR set both ends of the track record Friday. The third and fourth rounds of qualifying take place Saturday, at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Eastern, respectively. Continue reading Courtney Force heads JFR’s 1-2-3 effort on 1st day of Four-Wide Nationals qualifying →

Jegs Racing

Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains in control of Pro Stock class after another top-qualifying effort

Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains in control of Pro Stock
class after another top-qualifying effort
CONCORD, N.C. (April 28) — It’s been 10 years since six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has qualified on top of the Pro Stock field at consecutive races but the driver of the JEGS.com/Elite Performance Camaro is on the cusp of doing it again should his 6.578-second pass at 210.24 mph from Friday night hold through Saturday’s final two qualifying sessions, scheduled to be run in the heat of the day.

“To be No. 1 in both Friday sessions really starts to trump what we accomplished last weekend in Houston,” said Coughlin, a 58-time national event winner in the Pro Stock class. “Hopefully, that’s a sign of more good things to come. I’m just really pleased that we made two really nice laps today. The guys are working hard and it’ll be fun to come out here tomorrow and put a third and then a fourth
run together.” Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. remains in control of Pro Stock class after another top-qualifying effort →

Jegs Racing

Turbo Lover: Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin answers back in JEGS.com turbocharged Corvette

Turbo Lover: Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin answers back in JEGS.com turbocharged Corvette
CONCORD, N.C. (April 28) — Aside from the obvious — that he posted the quickest elapsed time in the Pro Mod class Friday at the eighth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals — Troy Coughlin isn’t quite sure how he ended up on top of the timing sheets at the midway point of professional qualifying, but he’s not complaining one bit.

“We’ll take it,” Coughlin said. “I don’t know how this happened because we ran almost the exact same numbers as we did in Houston last weekend under pretty similar weather conditions and all the supercharger guys that were way ahead of us in Texas have all dropped off quite a bit. It seems odd, but hey, we’re No. 1 for now. Continue reading Turbo Lover: Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin answers back in JEGS.com turbocharged Corvette →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix Qualifying

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
DESERT DIAMOND WWEST VALLEY PHOENIX GRAND PRIX
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
POST QUALIFYING RECAP
APRIL 28, 2017

Helio Castroneves Puts Chevy on the Pole at Phoenix

PHOENIX – Helio Castroneves has cornered the market on the fastest way around Phoenix International Raceway. For the second consecutive year, Castroneves has captured the Verizon P1 Award in record-setting fashion. The three-time Indianapolis 500 winner blistered the 1.022-mile oval with a total two-lap time of 37.7538 seconds at an average speed of 194.905 mph.

“The conditions were really difficult today because it changed from last year,” said Castroneves. “Last year, we qualified in the afternoon, practiced at night. Now it was completely different. But the gusts of wind were horrendous. But again, in qualifying, my engineer did a phenomenal job. We calculated something in the car. It turned out to be a good one.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Phoenix Qualifying →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond–Kasey Kahne

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 28, 2017

KASEY KAHNE, NO. 5 AARP DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Richmond International Raceway and discussed the opening practice session, his outlook for qualifying, his thoughts on teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s retirement and many other topics. Full Transcript:

ON THE FIRST PRACTICE SESSION AND WHAT HE IS FEELING IN ADVANCE OF QUALIFYING:
“I feel pretty good. I thought we took off pretty good at the start of practice. It’s a neat track, especially during the daytime. I always think it’s kind of one of my favorite tracks, I think a lot of the guys really enjoy racing here. The car was really nice taking off and then we made a couple of other five laps runs and went to qualifying trim and missed it a little the first lap. So, then we were on old tires from that point on, so we didn’t end up great on the board, but I feel like we have a strong car and hopefully a car that can qualify towards the front this afternoon.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond–Kasey Kahne →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond Qualifying

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES AND QUOTES
APRIL 28, 2017

PAIR OF CHEVY’S TO START IN THE TOP 12 AT RICHMOND

RICHMOND, Va. (April 28, 2017) – A pair of Team Chevy drivers will start in the Top 12 on Sunday in the 400-lap/300-mile Toyota Owners 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race around the 0.75-mile Richmond International Raceway. Jamie McMurray, No. 1 GearWrench Chevrolet SS will lead the charge for the Bowtie Brand rolling off from the 10th starting spot. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond Qualifying →

Wood Brothers

Blaney Qualifies On The Outside Pole At Richmond

Blaney Qualifies On The Outside Pole At Richmond

April 28, 2017

Another Friday, another front-row qualifying effort for Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team.

Blaney’s outside pole at Richmond International Raceway on Friday was his second in the past three races, including a rained-out qualifying session at Bristol where he started sixth. It also was his third outside pole in his last six attempts, including second-place efforts at Phoenix and Texas. Continue reading Blaney Qualifies On The Outside Pole At Richmond →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond-Dale Earnhardt Jr.

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TOYOTA OWNERS 400
RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 28, 2017

DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Richmond International Speedway and discussed the rest of the week since making his announcement to retire at the end of the 2017 season, all the outpouring of love and support from his fellow competitors and fans and many other topics. Full Transcript:

BIG WEEK FOR YOU. TAKE US THROUGH HOW EVERYTHING HAS GONE SINCE MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON TUESDAY:
“It’s been real positive which I’m thankful for. I was worried people were going to be upset and angry, like ‘what the hell’, so I was glad that they… so far, for the most part it’s been real positive. Obviously, the conversations I’ve had with folks in the media, the industry and the garage has been great. So, it’s been good, we also went to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Thursday, which was a really timely good thing to do because I was ready to get back to work and get back to my routine, if you will. That was fun to go there and sort of get the whole announcement and everything else off your mind for a little bit. But, yeah, it really went great. I thought the press conference was set up well and that all went as smooth as I guess I could have hoped. I felt like when I was up there giving my speech that I sounded like a monotone robot, but everybody seemed to be giving me positive reviews on that. Otherwise, it was really good. It’s been hard to admit that is what I want to do and that is the choice I was want to make, but otherwise the feedback has been great.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Richmond-Dale Earnhardt Jr. →

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