PEAK Chevrolet driver John Force corrals 155th career No. 1 ahead of Sunday’s Gatornationals

PEAK Chevrolet driver John Force corrals 155th career
No. 1 ahead of Sunday’s Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 18) – The last time John Force qualified No. 1 for the NHRA Gatornationals, he drove his Funny Car all the way to the 2006 final round.

And the most recent time Force earned the No. 1 spot for any event, he took his hot rod to the finals of the 2015 Mile-High Nationals in Denver.

Now, the Yorba Linda, Calif., driver, chasing his 17th NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car championship, seeks to continue both trends heading into Sunday’s 48th NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway.
Continue reading PEAK Chevrolet driver John Force corrals 155th career No. 1 ahead of Sunday’s Gatornationals

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force looks for Gatornationals repeat

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force looks for Gatornationals repeat
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 18) – Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster driver Brittany Force begins her defense of Sunday’s NHRA Gatornationals title from the No. 4 spot.

Force, who scored her first NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series victory here in 2016, made a top pass of 3.719 seconds at 326.79 mph during qualifying this weekend.

“We ended up No. 4 and we won here last year,” Force said. “There is just so much going into this race track because we won here and we want to do it again. We want to reclaim our title tomorrow.” Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force looks for Gatornationals repeat

Schumacher Leads Mopar-powered Drivers at 48th Annual NHRA Gatornationals with 81st Career No. 1 Qualifier Position

Schumacher Leads Mopar-powered Drivers at 48th Annual NHRA Gatornationals with 81st Career No. 1 Qualifier Position

Mopar-powered Tony Schumacher qualifies in No. 1 spot in Top Fuel for 81st time in his career
Mopar power three-for-three in Top Fuel qualifying in 2017
Five Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars qualify for 16-car field
Leah Pritchett defeats Papa John’s Pizza founder and CEO John Schnatter in Charity Challenge match race
Eileen Daniels presented with Pat Garlits Award at International Drag Racing Hall of Fame induction
March 18, 2017 (Gainesville, Fla.) – The Mopar and Dodge-backed teams out of the Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) stable continued their early-season roll during qualifying for the prestigious 48th Annual NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. Eight-time Top Fuel champ Tony Schumacher set a track record for elapsed time during round two of qualifying on Friday with a pass of 3.682 seconds at 328.22 mph and held on through all of Saturday to claim the top spot on the ladder going into Sunday’s eliminations. It’s the 81st No. 1 qualifier position of his illustrious career. Continue reading Schumacher Leads Mopar-powered Drivers at 48th Annual NHRA Gatornationals with 81st Career No. 1 Qualifier Position

Challenging Qualifying Brings Bright Spot for Allen Johnson in Marathon Petroleum Co. Dodge Dart

Challenging Qualifying Brings Bright Spot for Allen Johnson in Marathon Petroleum Co. Dodge Dart

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 18, 2017) – Qualifying is complete at the 48th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals and the Marathon Petroleum Co./J&J Racing Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson is starting from the No. 11 seed, his highest of the 2017 season so far.

On Friday, Johnson brought his Dodge Dart to the starting line and squared the tires at the hit; he coasted to the finish line with a 13.879-second pass at 85.62 mph. He returned in Friday’s afternoon session with his Adam Hornberger-tuned car and they put the power to the track. Johnson launched with ease but the Dodge Dart made a hard left straight for the wall and Johnson was forced to push the clutch back in; he clocked in with a 9.838, 93.04. Continue reading Challenging Qualifying Brings Bright Spot for Allen Johnson in Marathon Petroleum Co. Dodge Dart

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Gainesville

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
AMALIE MOTOR OIL NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE RACEWAY AT GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
QUALIFYING RESULTS AND DRIVER QUOTES
SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2017

Chevrolet Drivers Claim No. 1 Qualifier Spots in Funny Car and Pro Stock
· John Force records 155th top qualifier honor of his Funny Car career
· Teammates Robert Hight qualifies No. 2 and Courtney Force is No. 4
· Jason Line races to third consecutive Pro Stock No. 1 qualifier spot
· Defending Gatornationals Top Fuel winner Brittany Force qualifies No. 4 Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Gainesville

Two-time champ Erica Enders presses towards top of Pro Stock category

Two-time champ Erica Enders presses towards top of Pro Stock category
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 18) — Perhaps in a last-minute bid to impress voters in the K&N Horsepower Challenge, two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders ripped off her first 6.4-second pass of NHRA’s fuel-injected era to qualify a lofty third on the elimination ladder of the 48th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. Continue reading Two-time champ Erica Enders presses towards top of Pro Stock category

Jeg Coughlin Jr. buzzing after posting best qualifying result of last 20 months

Jeg Coughlin Jr. buzzing after posting
best qualifying result of last 20 months
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 18) — Six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. has spoken at length about the supreme confidence he has in his brand-new Rick Jones-built JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro since he took delivery of the racecar in January. This weekend at the 48th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, Coughlin is letting his car do the talking. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. buzzing after posting best qualifying result of last 20 months

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Halfway Update

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Halfway Update
No. 3 Corvette C7.R in thick of GTLM fight after six hours; No. 4 Corvette out of race

SEBRING, Fla. (March 18, 2017) – Corvette Racing’s No. 3 Mobil 1/Sirius XM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R is in the midst of the battle for GT Le Mans (GTLM) honors as the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida enters its second half. Antonio Garcia took his second turn in the sixth-place Corvette as the team goes for its third consecutive class victory and 11th at North America’s oldest endurance race. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Halfway Update

Troy Coughlin plays large role in historic day of Pro Mod racing at Gatornationals

Troy Coughlin plays large role in historic
day of Pro Mod racing at Gatornationals
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 19) — Two-time Pro Mod world champion Troy Coughlin was in the other lane when Eric Latino posted the quickest run in class history — a stunning 5.727 at 256.36 mph — but the driver of the JEGS.com turbocharged Corvette didn’t get to witness the impressive pass because he was too far ahead of his opponent, winning Sunday’s quarterfinal match-up on a massive .081-second holeshot.

Troy Coughlin Sr.
In fact, Coughlin’s 5.758 at 255.10 mph, when combined with Latino’s national-record pass, made the race the quickest side-by-side affair in Pro Mod drag racing history.

“It’s pretty awesome to be a part of it,” Coughlin said. “I bet NHRA was saying the same thing. To be a part of history here in drag racing, I mean this is the first time for me. We’ve had great success with two championships and three runner-up championships but to be a part of a noteworthy race like that, it’s huge news. It’s great for the class and certainly shows there’s a lot of parity. For JEGS.com and everyone back at JEGS headquarters, we’re thrilled to have this neat little piece of history. Continue reading Troy Coughlin plays large role in historic day of Pro Mod racing at Gatornationals

Eighth-Place Finish for Acura NSX GT3 at Sebring

Eighth-Place Finish for Acura NSX GT3 at Sebring
• Pit strategy sees Dyer, Negri, Segal NSX GT3 finish eighth
• Lally, Legge, Wilkins NSX GT3 finish 14th, delayed by suspension issue
• 65th running of 12-hour endurance racing classic

SEBRING, Fla. (March 18, 2017) – Acura Motorsports and Michael Shank Racing faced the toughest test in North American sports car racing – the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring – and succeeded in bringing both of the team’s Acura NSX GT3’s to the finish in Saturday’s 65th running of the endurance classic.

After 12 hours of incredibly hard racing around the bumpy, demanding 3.7-mile Sebring circuit, built on the grounds of a former World War II Air Force training base, the MSR Acura effort was led to the checkers by the #86 entry of Tom Dyer, Oswaldo “Ozz” Negri Jr. and Jeff Segal, who finished eighth in the GTD class after stretching the fuel mileage of their NSX GT3 to the maximum in the closing hours. Continue reading Eighth-Place Finish for Acura NSX GT3 at Sebring

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Stirring Comeback for No. 3 Corvette C7.R Corvette Racing takes third straight and 11th class victory in 12 Hours

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Stirring Comeback for No. 3 Corvette C7.R
Corvette Racing takes third straight and 11th class victory in 12 Hours

Garcia, Magnussen, Rockenfeller complete stunning turnaround
25th Sebring class win for Chevrolet-powered entries
No. 4 Corvette suffers from overheating issue

SEBRING, Fla. (March 18, 2017) – Corvette Racing stormed to a stunning class victory in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida on Saturday – its third straight in North America’s oldest endurance sports car race. Antonio Garcia, Jan Magnussen and Mike Rockenfeller drove the winning No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R to a 4.453-second victory for the team’s 11th Sebring class victory. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Stirring Comeback for No. 3 Corvette C7.R Corvette Racing takes third straight and 11th class victory in 12 Hours

The No. 3 Mobil 1/Sirius XM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R won the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida for the second time in three years.

The No. 3 Mobil 1/Sirius XM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R won the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida for the second time in three years. Winners quotes:

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R: “I knew it was going to be really, really tough. Since yesterday in qualifying it was super close, the first two hours I managed to make my way up to P2. I did two hours first following the No. 66 – 2 seconds. 2 seconds. Then I did that third hour and I was kind of sick of following Fords. So at some point I just needed to go. We made that really good call to come in with the Ferrari. So the Fords stayed out on a poorer set of tires than us. I knew that had to be my stint. That first stint with two or three stints to go I needed to make the moves and pass the Ferrari. I passed the No. 68; I passed (Scott) Dixon. I passed everybody because I knew it had to be done then because that was probably the only time they would be a little bit weaker than we were. It worked. At the end the Porsche looked very, very strong. That second-to-the-last time they pitted quite a bit later than us, and they were flying. They passed all the way up to us until that last safety car. Again, there was a magnificent stop by the Corvette Racing crew. I think the Porsche made a mistake there. Without knowing, I thought it was Joey (Hand) behind us, but it was again the Porsche. I knew it was going to be tough. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to hold him , but probably. The car kept going faster and faster. When you lead the way, the aero works pretty decent compared to when you follow someone. At the end things went a little bit in our favor. It was a sprint to the end. I can’t believe what Corvette Racing did today. Just awesome. Amazing.”

JAN MAGNUSSEN, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R: “I don’t even know where to start. What a fantastic race. It was a tough race… a hard race. I mean I am so happy about this. The boys did a great job with the pit stops. Antonio’s last stint there was just fantastic. What can you say? It is just fantastic. It was all about running our own race and then at the end when we had to do something, to then be able to do it. The crew – those last couple of pit stops – awesome. As I said Antonio’s last stint… just fantastic!”

MIKE ROCKENFELLER, NO. 3 MOBIL 1/SiriusXM CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R: “It is still hard to believe right now because I didn’t expect it. We had a tough race, and Antonio (Garcia) did just a fantastic job – like always. But it is very special what he got out of the car today. That is why I am speechless. I am very happy for the team. Thanks to Corvette and everyone on the teams – all the mechanics. They always believe in it. We had a tough start in Daytona, and even here. We weren’t the quickest all the time, but at the end when it counted, we were there. This team is just amazing!”

Blaney Qualifies A Cup-Career-High Second At Phoenix

Blaney Qualifies A Cup-Career-High Second At Phoenix

March 18, 2017

Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team turned in another strong qualifying performance on Friday at the Phoenix International Raceway as Blaney posted a career-high second-place effort to complete an all-Ford front row for the start of Sunday’s Camping World 500k.

Just a week after qualifying third at Las Vegas, Blaney took the second spot at Phoenix, which was the best starting spot for the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team since Trevor Bayne started on the outside pole at Daytona International Speedway in July, 2011. Continue reading Blaney Qualifies A Cup-Career-High Second At Phoenix

Provisional No. 1: Nothing lucky about career-best run for PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil driver John Force

Provisional No. 1: Nothing lucky about career-best run for
PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil driver John Force
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 17) – Sixteen-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion John Force found his pot of gold Friday at Gainesville Raceway, earning the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot for the 48th NHRA Gatornationals with a career-best elapsed time in his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car.

Force’s pass of 3.832 seconds (a track record) at 333.25 mph came a week after Force and John Force Racing teammate Robert Hight swapped crews. Crew chief Mike Neff and co-crew chiefs Jon Schaffer and Jason McCulloch moved from Hight’s team to Force’s, while crew chief Jimmy Prock and co-crew chief Chris Cunningham switched to Hight’s team. Continue reading Provisional No. 1: Nothing lucky about career-best run for PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil driver John Force

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Kyle Larson

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
CAMPING WORLD 500
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 17, 2017

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Phoenix International Raceway and discussed the strong start to his season, the implications of the Joey Logano/Kyle Busch scuffle last week at Las Vegas, his thoughts on the new stage format and many other topics. Full Transcript: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Kyle Larson

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Milner Leads Qualifying Effort Ahead of 12 Hours

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Milner Leads Qualifying Effort Ahead of 12 Hours
Third for defending GTLM co-winner, fifth for Garcia in pair of Chevrolet Corvette C7.Rs

Encouraging results in chase for 11th Sebring class win
Gavin, Milner, Fässler enter as defending GTLM winners
Corvette Racing going for third straight 12 Hours victory

SEBRING, Fla. (March 17, 2017) – Corvette Racing will ride a pair of encouraging qualifying runs into Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida. Tommy Milner qualified the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R third in the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class as Corvette Racing goes for its 11th class victory at North America’s longest-running endurance race. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Milner Leads Qualifying Effort Ahead of 12 Hours

INDYCAR DRIVER JAY HOWARD ENTERS YOUNGEST TEAM IN F4 U.S PADDOCK

INDYCAR DRIVER JAY HOWARD ENTERS YOUNGEST TEAM IN F4 U.S PADDOCK

Howard to use 101st running of Indianapolis 500 as learning tool for F4 U.S. team

INDIANAPOLIS (March 15, 2017) – The Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda is a youth-focused, cost-contained series serving as a building block to open-wheel racing for competitors transitioning from karts to cars. Veteran IndyCar driver and Motorsports Driver Development lead principal Jay Howard is encompassing the series mantra with full-force, entering the overall youngest team in F4 U.S.

Howard confirmed his three-car lineup with two of the three entered coming straight from his karting program. Sam Paley, 14, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Max Peichel, 15, of Edina, Minnesota, and Parker Locke, 15, of San Antonio, Texas, round out the grid for the Indianapolis-based team. Continue reading INDYCAR DRIVER JAY HOWARD ENTERS YOUNGEST TEAM IN F4 U.S PADDOCK

Chevrolet Racing–NHRA–Gainesville Advance

CHEVROLET AT GAINESVILLE

What:
48th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
When:
Friday, March 17-Sunday, March 19
Where:
Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Florida
TV:
FS1: Eliminations and finals – 1 p.m. ET Sunday (live)

Chevrolet Drivers Primed to Repeat 2016 Sweep of Gatornationals Victories
Brittany Force, Robert Hight and Greg Anderson are defending race winners

DETROIT (March 15, 2017) – Brittany Force views the 2016 Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals as a watershed weekend in her drag racing career.

The John Force Racing driver of the Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster had recorded four No. 1 Top Fuel qualifier honors and raced to six runner-up finishes, including the previous event at Chandler, Arizona, before visiting the winner’s circle for the first time March 20 to cap the exciting Gatornationals. Continue reading Chevrolet Racing–NHRA–Gainesville Advance

Follow A Dream/Permatex TA/FC team overcomes adversity to start 2017 season with strong effort

Follow A Dream/Permatex TA/FC team overcomes adversity to start 2017 season with strong effort

MARSTONS MILLS, Massachusetts (March 15, 2017) – Given the way the 2017 season began, the Follow A Dream/Permatex Top Alcohol Funny Car team has already gone through a season’s worth of adversity – and it’s full steam ahead from here.
Early last week en route to Gainesville Raceway in north central Florida, the team’s transporter broke down, forcing it to be towed about 50 miles to the track so that repairs could be made.
“The racetrack was great to let us get in after hours,” team owner Jay Blake said. “We appreciated that very much.”
Then, driver Phil Burkart was flying from New York to Florida when the airplane he was on experienced engine failure and had to make an emergency landing in Tennessee. Continue reading Follow A Dream/Permatex TA/FC team overcomes adversity to start 2017 season with strong effort

Kasey Kahne Racing – Results Recap

Kasey Kahne Racing – Results Recap

Vegas > California

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car series was at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas this weekend for back to back nights on Thursday and Friday. A great crowd, packed pit area, and tough track conditions are the norm for the 1/2 mile track located about 13 miles northeast of downtown Las Vegas.

Both KKR teams battled relentlessly bringing home a pair of top-10 finishes Saturday night. The No. 49 team is currently tied for second in points, and the No. 9 team is sixth.

Racer News and Results