Honda Racing

Dixon Fights to Second at Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama

Dixon Fights to Second at Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
• Scott Dixon leads Honda effort at Barber Motorsports Park with second-place finish
• Sebastien Bourdais remains atop the drivers’ championship, Dixon now second
• Honda drivers claim nine of top 12 finishing positions

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (April 23, 2017) – Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon remained in the thick of the battle for the victory throughout Sunday’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, finishing second to Josef Newgarden after 90 hard-fought laps around scenic Barber Motorsports Park, the first road course event of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule.

Starting fourth, Dixon gained one position on the opening lap and then entered a multi-car battle at the front of the field. When race leader Will Power pitted on Lap 77 with a deflating rear tire, the race came down to a two-driver duel, with Newgarden prevailing over Dixon by just over one second. Continue reading Dixon Fights to Second at Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama →

John Force Racing

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force advances to semifinals of NHRA SpringNationals in Houston

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force advances to semifinals of NHRA SpringNationals in Houston

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 23) – The goal for Courtney Force and the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS team in the NHRA SpringNationals this weekend at Royal Purple Raceway was to put the past three races behind them and win rounds.

Force – the No. 1 qualifier for the second consecutive Mello Yello Drag Racing Series race – made it to the semifinals, where – despite a solid third-round pass – she fell to teammate and No. 4 qualifier Robert Hight in a close race. Hight lost to Ron Capps in the finals. Continue reading Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force advances to semifinals of NHRA SpringNationals in Houston →

John Force Racing

Robert Hight takes AAA Texas Chevrolet to Houston final round

Robert Hight takes AAA Texas Chevrolet
to Houston final round

Photo credit: Ron Lewis Photography
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 23) – The way his AAA Texas Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car was running during the NHRA SpringNationals this weekend at Royal Purple Raceway, Robert Hight had his sights set on raising the Wally at the end of the race.

He fell one round victory short. Continue reading Robert Hight takes AAA Texas Chevrolet to Houston final round →

Jegs Racing

Jeg Coughlin Jr. says runner-up finish in Houston shows progress of Elite Motorsports

Jeg Coughlin Jr. says runner-up finish in
Houston shows progress of Elite Motorsports
HOUSTON (April 23) — While admitting he wanted this victory a little more than usual, Jeg Coughlin Jr. was still very satisfied with his runner-up finish Sunday at the 30th annual NHRA Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway.

Racing in his 101st career final, Coughlin took on good friend Bo Butner for the trophy. When the lights flashed, both men left with identical .061-second reaction times with Butner managing to inch away at each incremental timer for a slight 6.550 to 6.562-second win. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. says runner-up finish in Houston shows progress of Elite Motorsports →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Post Race

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA
POST RACE DRIVER QUOTES
APRIL 23, 2017

JOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 2 FITZGERALD GLIDER KITS TEAM PENSKE CHEVROLET, RACE WINNER: “That was an awesome day. This is what we work for as an entire group. We always want to get one of these cars in victory lane. And, for (teammate) Will Power, I feel so bad for those boys on the 12 car – they were on it today and I feel like it would have been a great battle between Will, myself and Scott (Dixon). But it ended up just being Scott and myself. It’s a group effort here (at Team Penske) – all four of these guys work together. I’m thrilled for the (No.) 2 car guys but this is a team effort with all four cars. So whoever is in victory lane – we just want to get someone there with Team Penske.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Post Race →

Jegs Racing

Going for broke, Troy Coughlin overcooks racetrack and loses in Houston quarterfinals

Going for broke, Troy Coughlin overcooks
racetrack and loses in Houston quarterfinals
HOUSTON (April 23) — Feeling he needed something special to beat second-round opponent Jonathan Gray, who runs a supercharged Pro Mod racecar, Troy Coughlin and his JEGS.com race crew pushed the performance envelope a little too far Sunday and lost traction, eventually losing by a wide margin in the second round of the 30th annual NHRA Spring Nationals. Continue reading Going for broke, Troy Coughlin overcooks racetrack and loses in Houston quarterfinals →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Barber–Josef Newgarden Race Winner

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA
BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
RACE NOTES & QUOTES
APRIL 23, 2017

JOSEF NEWGARDEN, NO. 2 FITZGERALD GLIDER KITS CHEVROLET – Race Winner:
YOU ARE THE WINNER FOR TEAM PENSKE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?
“It’s great. Ever since I joined this team I felt just this awesome energy with this group. These guy work so hard on these race cars at Team Penske. But it’s a group effort. All these guys in all four cars are working together. It’s really cool to have Fitzgerald on the car this weekend. They’re going to be the sponsor for Juan Pablo (Montoya) at the Indy 500, so it’s a big deal for these guys and they sell awesome trucks. I want to thank Chevy, too, that I was awesome today. I had the fuel mileage I needed. I had the power and reliability and the whole deal. So, thank you, Chevrolet. Also Verizon. Verizon is always hooking us up. They give us the best technology in these cars, so thank you, guys. I love this, it’s awesome.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Barber–Josef Newgarden Race Winner →

Kalitta Racing

Post-Race Report Event 05: NHRA SpringNationals Royal Purple Raceway Houston April 21-23

DeJoria continues run of opening round success
Race Recap: After picking up her first round win of the season in Las Vegas, DeJoria was looking for more in Texas, her adopted home state.

DeJoria started out qualifying strong with a solid pass that earned her two bonus points. The Tequila Patrón team closed with an even better run that earned her the ninth starting spot.

DeJoria and her foe, Tim Wilkerson, were the last nitro pair to see the track. The Tequila Patrón Camry was straight and true down the track giving DeJoria her second straight opening round win after Wilkerson encountered immediate issues. In the quarter-finals, DeJoria was able to get the jump on her opponent, Courtney Force, but was unable to make a clean pass yielding the round win to Force. Continue reading Post-Race Report Event 05: NHRA SpringNationals Royal Purple Raceway Houston April 21-23 →

Erica Enders

Erica Enders suffers red-light disqualification in opening round race versus husband

Erica Enders suffers red-light disqualification in opening round race versus husband
HOUSTON (April 23) — Two-time world champion Erica Enders threw away what was the quickest and fastest pass of the 30th annual NHRA Spring Nationals by leaving the starting line nine-thousandths of a second early in a Round 1 loss to her husband Richie Stevens.

The automatic disqualification negated a stellar 6.523-second blast at 213.37 mph that would have delivered an easy win over Stevens’ 6.589 at 210.64 mph. It left the Cypress, Texas native more than a little perturbed.

“There was no showing off there,” Enders said, quelling talk she was trying too hard to best her husband. “That was just a simple A to B run. I was set up to be conservative on the tree so we weren’t showing our hand against someone we can easily outrun by six or seven hundredths of a second. Continue reading Erica Enders suffers red-light disqualification in opening round race versus husband →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Bristol Postponed

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
FOOD CITY 500
BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
APRIL 23, 2017

BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY RACE POSTPONED TO MONDAY
Persistent Rain Results in Rescheduling of Food City 500

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Persistent rain in ‘Thunder Valley’ throughout the day on Sunday has forced the postponement of the Food City 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.

Chevrolet SS driver, Kyle Larson, No. 42 Credit One Bank Chevy will lead the field to green as the pole sitter. Larson was awarded the top starting spot by virtue of being the leader in the Owner’s Point standings when qualifying at Bristol Motor Speedway was also canceled due to rain on Friday.

Chase Elliott, No. 24 Mountain Dew/Little Casers Chevrolet SS, will make it an all-Chevy front row by starting second when the Food City 500 commences on Monday, April 24th at 1 p.m.

Live coverage will be available on FOX, PRN, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com.

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CHEVROLET SS:

HOW MUCH DOES IT STINK WE WON’T BE RACING AT THE SCHEDULED TIME TODAY? HOW MUCH DOES THAT AFFECT YOU?
“It doesn’t matter. We are close to home so it will be fine. Our car was good in practice and I don’t think the track will be too different. We should be alright.”

HOW WILL YOUR STRATEGY CHANGE ON A GREEN TRACK TOMORROW AND WITH THE MOST LIKELY ADDITION OF A COMPETITION CAUTION?
“I don’t know with the stages and all that. I’m sure we will all pit probably because it has shown a lot of tire wear on the left side so I’m sure everybody will pit. We will see if people take two or four or whatever, but it kind of just depends on what position you are in at that point if you are going to take two or four (tires).”

John Force Racing

Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force: ‘I feel right’

Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force: ‘I feel right’

Photo credit: Gary Nastase / Auto Imagery
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 22) – After 16 championships and 148 victories in a glorious career, PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Funny Car driver John Force knows when things are right.

After Saturday’s two qualifying sessions for the NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway, things are right.

Force is qualified in the No. 3 spot for Sunday’s final eliminations after a solid pass of 3.890 seconds at 325.53 mph in the second session – an elapsed time that broke the track record (but was topped by daughter and teammate Courtney Force on her next pass). Continue reading Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force: ‘I feel right’ →

John Force Racing

2017 begins anew in Houston for AAA Texas Funny Car driver Robert Hight

2017 begins anew in Houston for AAA Texas
Funny Car driver Robert Hight

Photo credit: Ron Lewis Photography

BAYTOWN, Texas (April 22) – Even though the NHRA SpringNationals is the fifth race of the 2017 Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, AAA Texas Funny Car driver Robert Hight feels like the season started Saturday at Royal Purple Raceway.

Hight made two terrific runs during the final two qualifying sessions, snaring the No. 4 for Sunday’s final eliminations.

Hight hasn’t started the season like he wanted, and John Force Racing swapped his and John Force’s Funny Car teams three races ago. Crew chief Jimmy Prock and co-crew chief Chris Cunningham continue to work on development of Hight’s Chevrolet Camaro SS, and Saturday’s runs were proof the team is moving in the right direction. Continue reading 2017 begins anew in Houston for AAA Texas Funny Car driver Robert Hight →

John Force Racing

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force happy with No. 5 qualifying effort for NHRA SpringNationals

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force happy with No. 5 qualifying effort for NHRA SpringNationals

Photo Credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 22) – Brittany Force heads into Sunday’s NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway – the fifth stop on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule – the No. 5 qualifier in the Top Fuel category.

Force turned in a time of 3.743 seconds at 327.27 mph – both best-career runs at the track – in her Monster Energy dragster, in one of two complete qualifying runs she made. She also made a pass of 3.808 at 323.27 mph in her final run, though she was relegated from fourth to fifth by Steve Torrence.
Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force happy with No. 5 qualifying effort for NHRA SpringNationals →

Jegs Racing

Two-time series champ Troy Coughlin logs impressive first-round victory in Pro Mod

Two-time series champ Troy Coughlin logs
impressive first-round victory in Pro Mod
HOUSTON (April 22) — JEGS.com Pro Mod racer Troy Coughlin used his best pass of the weekend to rack-up an impressive first-round victory Saturday evening at the 30th annual NHRA Spring Nationals. Racing in the J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, Coughlin screamed to a 5.789 at 251.77 mph to erase Khalid alBalooshi’s shutoff 10.699 at 82.60 mph. Continue reading Two-time series champ Troy Coughlin logs impressive first-round victory in Pro Mod →

John Force Racing

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force holds on to No. 1 spot for NHRA SpringNationals in Houston

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force holds on to
No. 1 spot for NHRA SpringNationals in Houston

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
BAYTOWN, Texas (April 22) – First mission complete.

Courtney Force kept her Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS at the top of the Funny Car time charts, earning the coveted No. 1 qualifying spot for Sunday’s NHRA SpringNationals at Royal Purple Raceway – the fifth stop on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

Force stood on a time of 3.851 seconds (tying her third quickest time of her career) at 330.23 mph she set Friday evening to earn the No. 1 spot. Saturday’s two sessions were run under significantly different track and weather conditions she expects to face Sunday. Continue reading Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force holds on to No. 1 spot for NHRA SpringNationals in Houston →

Richard Childress Racing

Fitgerald Glider Kits 300

Austin Dillon Battles Through Late Race Cautions to Finish 13th-Place at Bristol Motor Speedway

“We lost track position after the second stage and weren’t able to make it up. Then we got collected in a wreck near the end. There just wasn’t enough laps for us to get where we needed to be. I think there was a difference between stickers and scuffs for our car. We made an adjustment during the first run of the race and probably didn’t have to. Our No. 2 Rheem Chevy was pretty good. The rain washed rubber off the track, so we weren’t sure what the track was going to be like when we went back green. The top groove did come in before the rain, so it was good to be able to jump up there and be able to gain some spots. We lost track position after the second stage and then got in a couple of wrecks and struggled to make up the difference. It’s a pretty fun track, really. I think the way we’ve got it with the grip on the bottom and being able to cut to the top makes it interesting. I’m pretty excited to get back tomorrow for the Cup Series race.” Continue reading Fitgerald Glider Kits 300 →

Allen Johnson Racing

Allen Johnson Focused on SpringNationals For Season Turn-Around

Allen Johnson Focused on SpringNationals For Season Turn-Around

HOUSTON, Tex. (April 22, 2017) – Allen Johnson and the Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dodge Dart team qualified No. 13 this weekend at the 30th annual NHRA SpringNationals.

In the first session on Friday, Johnson clocked in with a 6.656-second pass at 208.84 mph. The Adam Hornberger-led team returned for Friday’s session and crossed the finish line at Royal Purple Raceway with an almost identical 6.656, 208.46.

On Saturday, Johnson improved his qualifying position with a 6.645, 207.94. In the final qualifying session of the weekend, he had trouble at the launch and coasted to the finish line with a 13.028, 82.44. Continue reading Allen Johnson Focused on SpringNationals For Season Turn-Around →

Jegs Racing

JEGS.com pro Jeg Coughlin Jr. secures first No. 1 qualifier award in three years

JEGS.com pro Jeg Coughlin Jr. secures
first No. 1 qualifier award in three years
HOUSTON (April 22) — For the first time this year, someone other than Jason Line is the No. 1 qualifier in Pro Stock, as Jeg Coughlin Jr. secure his first pole since the spring Las Vegas race in 2014 with an impressive 6.557-second pass at 210.70 mph in his JEGS.com/Elite Performance
Chevrolet Camaro.

This is the 21st time Coughlin will lead the field into race day and the third time he’s done so in Houston. He was also the top qualifier here in 2007 and 2013. Continue reading JEGS.com pro Jeg Coughlin Jr. secures first No. 1 qualifier award in three years →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Barber–Will Power on Pole

CHEVROLET RACING IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA
BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK
POST QUALIFYING RECAP
APRIL 22, 2017

Will Power Puts Chevy on Pole at Barber Motorsports Park; Team Penske Sweeps Top-Three Starting Positions

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Will Power scored his second Verizon P1 award of the 2017 season with a lap around the 2.38-mile Barber Motorsports Park of one minute, 06.9614 seconds at 123.653 mph. Today’s pole for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama marks the 46th of the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series champion’s career and his fourth at Barber. He opened the season with the number one starting spot on the Streets of St. Petersburg in his familiar silver No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–Barber–Will Power on Pole →

Erica Enders

Hometown girl Erica Enders primed for big race day, starting against her husband

Hometown girl Erica Enders primed for big race day, starting against her husband
HOUSTON (April 22) — Two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders loves racing at home and her hometown fans love her for bringing so much glory to the Bayou City. It’s a relationship the Cypress, Texas native wants to expand Sunday when she races from the No. 4 qualifying spot for the trophy of the 30th annual NHRA Spring Nationals.

“So happy to be back in Texas,” Enders said. “It’s no secret I love this state and being at the track where I started racing as an 8-year-old kid is perfect for me. We won Pro Stock in back-to-back years in 2014-2015 and those were the same years we won it all so Royal Purple Raceway is obviously good luck for me.” Continue reading Hometown girl Erica Enders primed for big race day, starting against her husband →

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