CHEVROLET AT LAS VEGAS  What: Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals presented by PennzoilWhen: Friday, Oct. 29-Sunday, Oct. 31Where: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NevadaTV: FS1 will telecast eliminations live at 5 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 31
Stakes high for Chevrolet drivers at Las Vegas eventTitle contenders in all three pro classes enter penultimate Countdown race

DETROIT (Oct. 28, 2021) – Chevrolet drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock will aim to score maximum points toward their National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) championship quests this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The penultimate race of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship will also mark the NHRA’s 1,000th national event, which includes 930 Top Fuel, 912 Funny Car and 898 Pro Stock races.
Chevrolet has been the commanding brand on the dragstrip and the Camaro has been the leading model with 2,970 final-round appearances, which began with Ben Wenzel winning the Stock class in his ’67 Camaro Z-28 and Bill Jenkins driving his big-block ’67 Camaro SS to the Super Stock title at the 1967 U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis.
The powerful Chevrolet COPO Camaro, which regularly visits the winner’s circle in Stock, Super Stock and the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown classes, is a direct descendent of the ’67 Camaro.
Chevrolet won the first NHRA Pro Stock event in 1970, with Jenkins driving a 1968 Camaro to victory at Pomona, and has 344 wins and counting (226 in Camaros). Chevrolet has recorded 146 Funny Car wins since 1967 (66 in Camaros) and 12 Top Fuel victories.
Chevrolet swept the No. 1 qualifiers for the April 18 four-wide event at The Strip, with Brittany Force securing the first of her 11 honors on the season in Top Fuel, teammate Robert Hight claiming No. 1 in Funny Car and Greg Anderson rising to the top in Pro Stock.
Force, driving the Monster Energy Chevrolet dragster, is second in the Top Fuel standings. Sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force is tied for fourth and Hight is seventh in the standings. Hight and Brittany Force advanced to the semifinals in the most recent event.
“Our Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac team is anxious to get to Las Vegas. We’re looking to win this thing and set ourselves up in the best position possible to win the championship at the Auto Club Finals,” Force said. “We had success at The Strip in 2019 when we won the event so it’s a very comfortable track for my entire team. It’s going to be a challenge but we’re ready for it.”
Anderson, who earlier this month passed Warren Johnson to become the all-time leader in Pro Stock victories with 98 in the HendrickCars.com Camaro SS, holds an 81-point advantage over reigning champion Eric Enders in the Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Camaro SS. She has won three of the past four events at The Strip and has seven Wallys total.
“The way I see it, it’s time to go to Vegas to try to win a championship,” said Anderson, who has eight career wins at The Strip. “I would love to go there and extend my lead enough that it doesn’t even matter at Pomona. That’s my goal, though it’s certainly going to be difficult to do. It’s a great place for us and a great place for our competition, too. Erica has had a good run. We’ll see who the track shines on this weekend.”
The event will also feature the finale of the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown season. Aaron Stanfield, driving the Janac Brothers Racing COPO Camaro, has already locked up his second consecutive title. Chevrolet drivers have won six of the seven races.
FS1 will telecast eliminations live at 5 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 31. 
CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT
TOP FUEL:
BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY/FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (Second in points; won at track in 2019):“The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a special track for me. My first full pass in a Top Fuel dragster was there back in 2012. It took seven years to end up in that Vegas winner’s circle, which I think shows you how competitive this sport is.”
FUNNY CAR:
JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK ANTIFREEZE AND COOLANT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (Tied for fourth in points; six-time winner at track): “We’ve had a good season. We’ve had some bumps along the way, all three teams, but we all made it in the Countdown. We’re here, that’s what matters. This PEAK team, Danny Hood, Tim Fabrosis, Joe Barlam, they’ve really given me a great Chevy. I’ve had to learn to keep up, and I am. That’s why we’re here, they’ve worked hard, and I’ve had to do my job, really hold on with the rest of these young guys out here.”
ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (Seventh in points; five-time winner at track): “It hasn’t been a consistent year for us. This Auto Club team has worked hard, Jimmy Prock and Chris Cunningham, they’ve put together some great runs in this Chevy. We’ve had some bad luck, made some mistakes and because the competition this year has been so tight, so intense, those mistakes and bad luck have put us in a tough spot. The goal is still to go out and win, qualify well, put up good reaction times, go rounds on Sunday and put this Auto Club car in the winner’s circle.”
PRO STOCK:
GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (Points leader; eight-time winner at track): “The way I see it, it’s time to go to Vegas to try to win a championship. I would love to go there and extend my lead enough that it doesn’t even matter at Pomona. That’s my goal, though it’s certainly going to be difficult to do. I love racing at Vegas; it’s been very good to me. It’s great racing in front of team owner Ken Black. It’s a great place for us and a great place for our competition, too. Erica (Enders) has had a good run. We’ll see who the track shines on this weekend. (Off since Oct. 10): We spent a lot of time in the shop trying to make our engines better. We went to Darlington last week to work on our car set-up. I think we did all we could do and we’re happy with the results. Itching to get to Vegas and see if we’ve made any ground.”
DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (Third in points): “Two races left in my rookie season and I can’t believe the position we’re in. You always have faith in your equipment and yourself as a driver but it’s really cool to put both of those together for the most part this year. The RAD Torque/ Summit Racing/KB Racing Chevrolet Camaro is still mathematically in the hunt for the championship, although it’s a longshot. As long as the championship comes home with KB, I’m happy.”
KYLE KORETSKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (Fourth in points; runner-up in 2020 season finale at track): “It’s down to the wire; we’re three points out of third behind Dallas (Glenn) and I’m looking to make it a KB 1, 2, 3 for the Countdown championship. Mathematically, we still have a shot at the title. I did a bit of bracket racing in New Jersey in my Camaro just to keep me in the car and down the track. I have all the confidence in the world in the (KB Racing) guys who prepare the car and I’m looking to go to Vegas to win. I feel real confident and I’m ready to make a statement in these last two races.”
TROY COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS.COM/ELITE MOTORSPORTS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (Seventh in points): “The world title isn’t in the cards for us this year but we continue to grow and I love to compete no matter what’s at stake so we’re going to have fun this weekend. If we can get in there and take out some of teams fighting Erica (Enders, teammate) for the championship, then we’ll be really happy. And sure, a win would be awesome.”

AUSTIN, TX (October 27, 2021) — The Bandero Premium Tequila ROKiT Toyota Camry Funny Car team knew they had all the pieces they needed to win at the highest level this season. Strong performances throughout the early part of the season showed driver Alexis DeJoria what her team was capable of and a runner-up finish at the Mile-High Nationals in July fired up the organization. Everything fell into place two weeks ago when the veteran driver qualified No. 1 and then took care of business on race day turning on four win lights on the way to DeJoria’s sixth career Nitro Funny Car win and her first win with her new team that started together in 2020.

The win was significant for DeJoria and her young team as they built an organization from the ground up. In 2020 they closed out the season with strong performances and several low qualifying efforts. This season they recorded six No. 2 qualifiers before they started No. 1 at the Thunder Valley Nationals. To take the victory from the top spot made for an emotional weekend all around.

Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Premium Tequila ROKiT Toyota Camry Funny Car

“I would say it’s one of the biggest (wins) because as a part-team owner definitely,” said DeJoria. “Coming back after taking the two years off and getting to work with my mentor, old teammate and friend in Del Worsham. I look up to him and I learned everything I know from Del. To be able to do this with him again and do something we couldn’t do at Kalitta when he ended up driving the other car.” 

With two races left in the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series DeJoria is locked into the Top Ten but now with a win under her belt she knows they have a race car that can compete to close out the season. She has two previous wins at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway getting wins in 2016 and 2014 at the annual spring national event. A win at the fall race would make her the eighth Funny Car driver to win both annual NHRA national events at Bruton Smith’s desert jewel racetrack.

AUSTIN, TX (October 27, 2021) — The Bandero Premium Tequila ROKiT Toyota Camry Funny Car team knew they had all the pieces they needed to win at the highest level this season. Strong performances throughout the early part of the season showed driver Alexis DeJoria what her team was capable of and a runner-up finish at the Mile-High Nationals in July fired up the organization. Everything fell into place two weeks ago when the veteran driver qualified No. 1 and then took care of business on race day turning on four win lights on the way to DeJoria’s sixth career Nitro Funny Car win and her first win with her new team that started together in 2020.

The win was significant for DeJoria and her young team as they built an organization from the ground up. In 2020 they closed out the season with strong performances and several low qualifying efforts. This season they recorded six No. 2 qualifiers before they started No. 1 at the Thunder Valley Nationals. To take the victory from the top spot made for an emotional weekend all around.

Alexis DeJoria, Bandero Premium Tequila ROKiT Toyota Camry Funny Car

“I would say it’s one of the biggest (wins) because as a part-team owner definitely,” said DeJoria. “Coming back after taking the two years off and getting to work with my mentor, old teammate and friend in Del Worsham. I look up to him and I learned everything I know from Del. To be able to do this with him again and do something we couldn’t do at Kalitta when he ended up driving the other car.” 

With two races left in the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series DeJoria is locked into the Top Ten but now with a win under her belt she knows they have a race car that can compete to close out the season. She has two previous wins at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway getting wins in 2016 and 2014 at the annual spring national event. A win at the fall race would make her the eighth Funny Car driver to win both annual NHRA national events at Bruton Smith’s desert jewel racetrack.

October 28, 2021

As the NASCAR Cup Series season comes down to the final two races, Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team are hoping to end their season with a couple of strong finishes.

The first chance comes this weekend at Martinsville Speedway, the Wood Brothers’ home track, in the 73^rd running of the race now known as the Xfinity 500.
 
The Woods have competed at Martinsville 120 times, beginning with in 1953 when the team’s late founder Glenn Wood drove a Lincoln on the half-mile paper-clip-shaped oval just east of the Woods’ hometown of Stuart, Va.
 
Since then they’ve won two times at Martinsville, along with posting 28 top-five and 45 top-10 finishes. Two of those top-10s came in 2020, DiBenedetto’s first year with the No. 21 team.
 
Back in April, DiBenedetto came close to adding a third straight top-10 at Martinsville but wound up 12^th.
 
He’s excited about returning to Martinsville for his 14^th career start there and his fourth aboard the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang.
 
“It’s one of my favorite tracks of the year,” he said. “Our Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustangs are strong there.”
 
If DiBenedetto can score top-10 finishes in the next two races, including the season finale at Phoenix Raceway, he’ll tie his career-best season for top-10s, set last year with 11.
 
He’s vowing to do just that.
 
“We are going to make the most of it as the end of the season approaches,” he said.
 
There will be no practice or qualifying prior to the start of Sunday’s 500-lapper. DiBenedetto is set to start 21st, as the line-up was determined using performance metrics from last Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway.
 
The green flag is set to fly at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, with Stage breaks at Laps 130 and 260. NBC will carry the live TV broadcast.  
 

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 27, 2021) – John Force and his PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS team have been in the championship conversation since kicking off the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season. With just two races left in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship, a win at the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway would only solidify their run for the season crown. Tied for fourth and 101 points out of the lead, the PEAK Chevy team have made five final round appearances that included three wins first at the Charlotte Four-Wide, then New England Nationals, then sharing the winners circle with daughter Brittany in Topeka at Heartland Motorsports Park. In addition, they’ve had three No. 1 qualifying positions (Charlotte Four-Wide, U.S. Nationals and Carolina Nationals). A win at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will not only keep them in the championship conversation but would extend to 14th the number of seasons Force has won at least four races. “We’ve had a good season. We’ve had some bumps along the way, all three teams, but we all made it in the Countdown. We’re here, that’s what matters,” Force said. “This PEAK team, Danny Hood, Tim Fabrosis, Joe Barlam, they’ve really given me a great Chevy. I’ve had to learn to keep up, and I am. That’s why we’re here, they’ve worked hard, and I’ve had to do my job, really hold on with the rest of these young guys out here.” While Force doesn’t gamble, he’s been lucky at Las Vegas, especially in the fall race in which he has won four times, most recently in 2016. In addition to clinching the 2013 championship with a final round victory over daughter Courtney, his final round win over Matt Hagan in 2010 enabled him to cut Hagan’s lead from 64 to 37 points, a margin he then overcame with a win at Pomona that clinched the title. Although he’s qualified No. 1 just one time in the fall race, he has reached the final round in every third start (six times in 18 tries). “I’ve had Lady Luck on my side more than a few times and in more places than just Las Vegas but this track, it’s been good to me,” Force said. “It’s one of Bruton Smith’s and you know they can put on a show. It will be exciting for the fans; it’ll be exciting for the drivers and maybe a little nerve wracking for the crew chiefs with how tight this competition in Funny Car is. I know I’m sure looking forward to it.” Qualifying at the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway begins Friday with one session at 4 p.m. and continues Saturday with sessions at 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday’s eliminations are slated to begin at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be featured on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and begins Friday with a qualifying show at 7 p.m. ET and continues with a second qualifying show Sunday at 4 p.m. ET followed by the eliminations show at 5 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.

After leading the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national standings all year long, Rachel Meyer hasn’t sealed the deal yet. Rachel has collected over 733 points this year, winning the Gatornationals, Charlotte NGK NTK 4-Wides, and Houston Spring Nationals to start the year off, followed by winning the Topeka Nationals at her home track. But championship contender Jackie Fricke is hot on Rachel’s tail after Fricke won the U.S. Nationals and Dallas FallNationals.
 

“I’m really excited to head to Vegas this weekend,” said Rachel. “I’ve never been to this track before so it’s always exciting to go to a new track, but it’s even more exciting because the championship is on the line. We have to stop Jackie from winning the event, and if we, or any other competitor, can stop her then the Randy Meyer Racing Team and NGK Spark Plugs will win their third consecutive World Championship!”

“2021 was my first full season as a professional driver in the NHRA, and if I place second in the national standings after the race is over, I’ll still have a big smile on my face because it was a great season for us. Also, it’s pretty neat to see that a female has been leading points all year long and a female will win the championship for the third time in a row.”

If Jackie were to win this weekend’s Vegas Nationals race, she would pass Rachel by 1 point to become the 2021 Top Alcohol Dragster Champion. Therefore, Rachel has decided to enter the event although she will not be able to claim any more points per the NHRA rules. If a driver has competed in over 10 National events, they cannot collect points and only their best 7 count towards the championship. In addition to their best 3 out of their first 5 Regional races. You can see our team’s results in the table below:

Racer	Event	Qualified	Finished
Rachel	Belle Rose Regional GatorNationals Lucas Oil Southern Nationals NGK NTK 4-Wide Nationals NHRA SpringNationals Norwalk Nationals Topeka Regional Great Bend Regional Heartland Nationals Brainerd Nationals U.S. Nationals Earlville Regional Carolina Nationals St. Louis Regional Dallas FallNationals	02 05 02 04 03 01 01 01 03 03 07 03 09 01 02	Runner Up Winner Second Round Winner Winner Semi-Finals Winner Winner Winner Semi-Finals Semi-Finals Semi-Finals Second Round Runner Up Second Round
Julie	Gainesville Regional GatorNationals Vegas 4-Wide Nationals Lucas Oil Southern Nationals NGK NTK 4-Wide Nationals NHRA SpringNationals Norwalk Nationals Norwalk Regional Columbus Regional Indianapolis Regional Bowling Green Regional Jegs AllStars U.S. Nationals Carolina Nationals Dallas FallNationals	04 04 02 05 02 05 06 02 08 01 05 02 01 02 03	Winner Semi-Finals Semi-Finals Second Round Semi-Finals First Round Second Round Winner First Round Winner Winner Winner Semi-Finals Semi-Finals Second Round
Matt	St. Louis Regional	06	Quatreer Finals

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 27, 2021) – With just two events left in the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season, Brittany Force and her Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster team, currently sitting No. 2 in points, are prepared to keep up the fight for a second championship crown starting with this weekend’s Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team has a total of 10 No. 1s with one win at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kan., where Brittany went onto share a historic winners circle with legendary father John Force. It was the first time in NHRA history that a parent-child duo had won together in the pro categories. Force still can tie the Top Fuel and team records for No. 1 qualifying performances in a season (13) if she is No. 1 in the last two events. Not an unbelievable task for the team that has set track records with both their stellar elapsed times and speeds, staying consistent through qualifying. The David Grubnic and Mac Savage led team has been to the finals five times in the 2021 Camping World Drag Racing Series season, most recently finishing runner-up at the Carolina Nationals. “Our Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac team is anxious to get to Las Vegas. It’s the second to last race of season and we’re two in points. We’re looking to win this thing and set ourselves up in the best position possible to win the championship at the Auto Club Finals,” Force said. “We had success at The Strip in 2019 when we won the event so it’s a very comfortable track for my entire team. It’s going to be a challenge but we’re ready for it. On Halloween weekend, how could you not think that the fates favor the Monster car? In addition to the team’s win in 2019, Force is also the track record holder at 3.652 seconds, 338.17 mph, marks she set en route to her victory. Force also had a runner-up finish at the 2017 race that enabled her to cut Steve Torrence’s lead from 57 points to 20 points, a margin she erased at Pomona to win her first championship and the first Top Fuel championship for John Force Racing. But The Strip is important to Force for more than just her records and wins. “The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a special track for me,” Force continued. “My first full pass in a Top Fuel dragster was there back in 2012. It took seven years to end up in that Vegas winners circle which I think shows you how competitive this sport is.” Qualifying at the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway begins Friday with one session at 4 p.m. and continues Saturday with sessions at 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday’s eliminations are slated to begin at 11 a.m. Television coverage of the event will be featured on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) and begins Friday with a qualifying show at 7 p.m. ET and continues with a second qualifying show Sunday at 4 p.m. ET followed by the eliminations show at 5 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.

The Mount Holly, NC driver will make his 12th World of Outlaws appearance at the NGK NTK World Finals 

CONCORD, NC – October 27, 2021 – The crisp November air and Fall scenery provides the backdrop for an epic stage to conclude the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models season at the NGK NTK World Finals.

Add the chance to win in front of a home crowd and that stage grows even more significant.

Chris Ferguson, of Mount Holly, NC, has that opportunity, Nov. 4-6, at The Dirt Track at Charlotte when some of the best drivers in Dirt Late Model racing return to the Tar Heel State oval.

“It’s an honor; it’s awesome to be able to showcase how we’ve been doing all year in front of our sponsors, friends, family, and people who get to see us race on the biggest stage of the year,” Ferguson said. “I always try to get people to come to Eldora and try to get them to come to crown jewel races, but typically a lot of people can’t make it out of town for them things.

“So, it’s nice to be able to have that atmosphere in Charlotte and toward the end of the season when people have time to come out.” 

While Ferguson doesn’t run a national tour, he’s traveled across the country running various crown jewel events. “Fergy” racked up 20 top-10 finishes this season, so far, and one victory at Bristol Motor Speedway during the Bristol Dirt Nationals. 

Even though he hoped for more wins in 2021, he was close on multiple occasions, including his last two World of Outlaws starts at Cherokee Speedway. 

“It’s been very complicated, to say the least,” Ferguson said. “I look back and think of races that we’ve been in the hunt; particularly Eldora, The Dream and The World, and then Wheatland at the Lucas Oil Speedway we had a shot at winning a couple of times, and both Outlaw races at Cherokee sitting on the pole.  It’s been a weird year; we’ve been good, we haven’t really struggled; the only time we struggled was I-80 and Fairbury. 

“Everywhere else, we’ve been in the hunt, but when guys like Overton, Davenport are winning what they’re winning this year, and Sheppard, there hasn’t been a lot of food on the table for everyone else. It’s been a complicated year, but when I look back, I’m still proud of what we’ve done. I just would love to see more wins.”

An advantage Ferguson may have against his competitors at Charlotte’s Dirt Track is the red clay surface. It’s something he’s used to racing on in the Carolinas and puts him a step ahead of drivers who don’t run on it often.  

“It definitely shows up because last year I think we won Heat Races both nights and started inside the top-four both nights,” Ferguson said. “When you race down here, you have to be elbows up, and you have to be on the wheel and a lot of guys who aren’t from this area struggle with the wheelspin you have. So, when we come into these races, we feel confident with our ability to run good in these big races now. Overall, the mentality going into these races plays into our favor at Charlotte.”

That mentality allows Ferguson to have the confidence he needs entering the epic stage of the World Finals. Even though he’s won prestigious races in his career, a World Finals trophy on his mantle would mean more than all of them. 

“It would be huge, I’ve won some big races, but I’d have to say that it’s probably up there at the top,” Ferguson said. “Bristol was big, and so was Diamond Nationals along with my other Outlaws and Lucas Oil wins. But winning that big of an event in front of family, my crew, and anyone who supports us, that would be at the top, a career moment, to say the least.”

Ferguson will join the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models as they travel to Charlotte for the NGK NTK World Finals Nov. 4-6.  For tickets to see the three-division sp

PLAINVIEW, NY (October 27, 2021) — With two races remaining in the 2021 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, second year driver Justin Ashley has inserted himself into the Top Fuel championship hunt thanks to an impressive run in his first Countdown. The driver from Plainview, New York, has a win at the Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, a runner-up at the Reading Nationals and two semifinal finishes through the first five playoff races. The 2020 Rookie of the Year has moved from 7th place in the points to 3rd place and sits just 73 points out of second place. He is within striking distance of first place with a strong finish at this weekend’s Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“We have made the most out of our first Countdown together as a team,” said Ashley, following the Thunder Valley Nationals. “The expertise and experience of crew chief Mike Green has proved to be invaluable, and the leadership of Dustin Davis has been elite. This Smart Sanitizer Vita C Shot Top Fuel team has made huge strides in performance all season and we are excited to see what we can do over these last two races starting this weekend in Las Vegas.”

Justin Ashley, Smart Sanitizer Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Shot (Photo credit Ron Lewis Photography)

 This season has seen Ashley, who won his first event last July at the NHRA Summernationals, develop into one of the most consistent and successful drivers in the series. A season opening semifinal finish at the historic Gatornationals was followed up by runner-up finish at the Winternationals in July. The Smart Sanitizer Vita C Shot team really hit their stride once the Countdown began. Entering the seven race playoffs as the No. 7 seed Ashley quickly jumped to No. 4 in the standings with his second final round appearance of the season in Reading, Pennsylvania. The next weekend Ashley raced to the semifinals in Charlotte but an early exit in St Louis slowed his momentum momentarily only to have his second career victory in Dallas, Texas catapult him into the top three.

On race day at the Texas Motorplex Ashley defeated Billy Torrence, Brittany Force and Steve Torrence in a dominant day of race car performance and driver execution, winning two races on hole shots and then simply outrunning his opponent in the final round. The win closed the gap on the point leaders and his semifinal finish in Bristol, Tennessee, two weeks ago established the young driver as a legitimate championship contender.

“Dallas was an amazing weekend and to follow that up with a solid race in Bristol really gives our whole team a lot of confidence heading to Las Vegas this weekend,” said Ashley. “Our team is very young, but we have guys with championship winning experience and extraordinary talent. Mike, Dustin, and the entire team have been amazing, and we are only getting better every race. The off weekend between Bristol and Las Vegas was a great opportunity for me to recharge my batteries and get focused on this championship.”

As the season has progressed Ashley has worked on and off the track to build his race program. At the beginning of the Countdown, he announced Vita C Shot would be joining the team for the rest of the season and throughout 2022 as a co-primary sponsor. He is also working to solidify relationships with Auto Shocker and KATO Fastening Systems, two major associates who have been with the team since its inception. The team is continually looking for partners to introduce to the sport of NHRA drag racing as one of the most dynamic marketing environments in sports business.

As part of his marketing program Ashley will have his Top Fuel dragster on display during the SEMA Show, November 2-5, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the NHRA booth (Booth 1000). He will also be meeting with attendees at the Auto Shocker booth (Booth 53089) during the event.

“We are excited to have Vita C Shot onboard for 2022 and grateful for the support of Chip Lofton,” said Ashley, “We are taking the time to build on our existing relationships for the 2022 season and have a lot of opportunities for new sponsorship as well, but right now we are focusing on a strong finish over the final two races. Then our focus will immediately shift to partnerships and the business of our program.”Qualifying for the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals gets underway at 4 p.m. PDT on Friday with two more qualifying session on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Final eliminations will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

All-Star Features follow new format on Thursday evening

CONCORD, NC – Oct. 26, 2021 – The green flag will soon fall on the Drydene World Short Track Championship, which brings the best in weekly racing to The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the biggest race on the fall calendar.

The sixth annual edition of this prestigious event will see more than 300 teams make the pilgrimage to one of Speedway Motorsports Incorporated’s most immaculate facilities – a 4/10-mile, red-clay oval, across the street from Charlotte Motor Speedway – to compete Thu-Sat, Oct. 28-30, open to spectators in the grandstands or streaming live on DIRTVision presented by Drydene.

Nine different classes make up the program, from full-size, open-engine UMP Modifieds to Chevy Performance Crate Engine Late Models, all the way to front-wheel drive Hornets.

The event commences Thursday night with a round of practice for all divisions and four All-Star Championship Features for the FOX Factory Pro Late Models, Summit Racing Equipment UMP Modifieds, VP Racing Fuels Sportsman Modifieds and SRI Performance Pro Stocks. A new format comes to these races this year, where Qualifying sessions will be held for all four divisions after all Hot Laps are complete.

The top-10 quickest drivers will be locked into the first five rows of these 20-lap Features. The final 10 starters will be made up of track champions, series champions, past event winners and the like, as selected by DIRTcar officials.

Friday and Saturday will consist of Heat Races, Last Chance Showdowns and Championship Feature events, awarding a boatload of prize money, trophies, contingencies and superlatives, all while making memories drivers will have for a lifetime.

A brand-new Chevy Performance 604 Crate engine will also be given away to one lucky competitor via random drawing at the drivers meeting on Saturday afternoon, in addition to the Sportsman of the Year Award presentations by Drydene Performance Products President Dave Klinger.

Here are the drivers to watch and the storylines to follow this weekend…

MODIFIED MADNESS – Since World Short Track’s inception in 2016, two men have dominated the UMP Modified division. Kyle Strickler has won the Saturday finale three times (2016, 2017, 2020), while defending DIRTcar National champion Nick Hoffman has won twice (2018-2019). Each also has an All-Star Feature win to their credit.

But this year might just be the field’s best chance to knock them off. Last year, Strickler was the man to beat all weekend, but Chris Arnold, from Matoaca, VA, hung tough inside the podium all race long to finish second in his very first start in the event, while Hoffman came from 23rd to finish third.

Arnold, along with several other big names in the division such as David Stremme, Curt Spalding and three-time NASCAR Truck Series champion Matt Crafton will aim for Victory Lane and the $4,000 prize as first-time World Short Track winners.

PRO POWER – Every year, the Pro Late Model division sees a big-time surprise entrant join its stacked field. Jonathan Davenport, of Blairsville, GA, took the checkered flag in 2017 in a car owned by St. Augustine, FL-based team Revolution Racing. Michael Brown, of Lancaster, SC, is the division’s leading and only two-time winner, which he established in 2018 and 2019.

Fellow Super Late Model stars Kyle Bronson, Mark Whitener, Ross Bailes, Brandon Overton, Zach Dohm and Chris Ferguson have all made appearances in the main event, and with the national/regional Super Late Model tours wrapping up around this time, several more could certainly join the roster.

John Ruggiero was victorious in the Saturday finale last year, leading all 30 laps and holding off Bronson for the win to collect the $4,000 grand prize. Ruggiero is pre-entered to compete again this weekend, where he’ll play defense against another hungry field of full-fendered talent.

NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN – The first four editions of the Drydene World Short Track Championship were ruled by Street Stock standout Mitchell Duvall. The Gaffney, SC-racer, and son of Dirt Late Model Hall-of-Famer Mike Duvall missed the event last year and was replaced atop the division throne by the man he beat to his fourth title in 2019 – Calob McLaughlin.

McLaughlin, of Belmont, NC, took the checkered flag in a time-limited Feature last year to become only the second Street Stock Feature winner in event history. This weekend, he’ll be back to try and defend his crown against fellow Street Stock contenders Ricky Greene, Damon Crump and Chris Rice.

DOUBLE DUTY DUDES – A host of multi-division talent will take to the track this weekend, several of which have run well at The Dirt Track before.

• John Ruggiero (Pro [604] and 602 Late Model) – The Lincolnton, NC-native is the defending winner of the Pro Late Model division. This will be his second year doubling up after a sixth-place run in the 602 division last year.

• Steven Axtell Jr. (UMP Modified and Pro Modified) – Making his World Short Track debut last year, Axtell will attempt his first UMP Modified start after a seventh-place Pro Modified finish in 2020.

• Mike Davidson (602 Late Model, Pro Modified) – Davidson, of Alto, GA, had a career-best run of third after starting on the pole of the 602 Late Model Feature in 2019. He attempts his first Pro Modified Feature start in the event this weekend.

• Terry Caples (602 Late Model and Mini Stock) – The Sumter, SC-driver debuted in the Mini Stock division in 2019, leading the field to the green from the pole. He’ll attempt his first 602 Late Model Feature start this weekend.

• Ricky Greene (Pro [604] Late Model and Street Stock) – Greene, of Newton, NC, has finished third three times in Drydene Street Stock competition. This weekend, he attempts his first Pro Late Model Feature start.

• Bryan Mullis (Pro [604], 602 Late Models) – Mullis, of Rock Hill, SC, will pull double duty for the second-straight year after scoring his first victory last year. He was declared the winner of the 602 Late Model Feature last year after Colton Trouille was disqualified for failing post-race technical inspection.

• Austin Holcombe (UMP Modified and Pro Modified) – Holcombe has competed in every World Short Track UMP Modified Feature thus far, his best finish of eighth coming just last year. This year, he’ll do the double behind the wheel of both Midwestern Modified types for the first time, chasing a possible $5,500 if he can win both.

NORTHEASTERN STORM – Both DIRTcar Northeast divisions return to the roster this weekend after a year off due to pandemic/travel restrictions.

Andrew Buff claimed the 2021 DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Points championship and will lead a stout field of drivers into Charlotte for the fifth time in event history. Kevin Ridley, who won the All-Star Invitational Feature in 2019, is scheduled to compete, as well as Robert Bublak, who ran second to winner Jackson Gill in 2019.

Luke Horning was the most recent Pro Stock Feature winner in 2019 and will lead the division southward, looking for some redemption after a sour end to his NAPA Super DIRT Week campaign two weekends ago, getting into an incident and retiring after starting on the pole. Pete Stefanski has also pre-entered and will be in the field this weekend, trying to best his third-place debut from two years ag

LAS VEGAS (Oct. 26) — It’s Halloween weekend in Las Vegas and Team JEGS drivers Troy Coughlin Jr. and Mike Coughlin are hoping to collect treats rather than tricks during the 21st annual Dodge NHRA Nationals. Troy Jr. will be trying his luck in Pro Stock and Super Comp at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, while his uncle Mike is hoping for a successful debut in Top Alcohol Dragster, thereby giving the yellow-and-black attack three chances to score a victory. “Any time you get a double shot at winning, twice as many chances to hit the Christmas Tree, and a weekend when I get to race with some of my favorite people in the world like my uncle Mike, the guys working on my car, and everyone else at Elite, it’s a perfect scenario for me,” Troy Jr. said. “I just want to race all the time.”

Currently seventh in the Pro Stock championship points in his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro, Troy Jr.’s main goal at this point is to end his first full season in the factory hot rod class with a win at one of the last two national events on the schedule. Las Vegas is the perfect place to pull it off as The Strip was the site of Troy Jr.’s first national event win, which he captured in 2009 in the Super Comp class. “The world title isn’t in the cards for us this year but we continue to grow and I love to compete no matter what’s at stake so we’re going to have fun this weekend,” Troy Jr. said. “If we can get in there and take out some of teams fighting Erica (Enders, teammate) for the championship, then we’ll be really happy. And sure, a win would be awesome.” When he’s not driving himself, Troy Jr. will be a very interested spectator whenever Mike makes a pass in the JEGS.com/McPhillips Racing Top Alcohol Dragster. Troy Jr. won two regional TAD championships and 10 races with McPhillips Racing in 2018 and 2019 before turning pro. “Uncle Mike has an unmatched enthusiasm for drag racing,” Troy Jr. said. “He’s had driving a nitro-powered car on his bucket list for a long time and it’ll be a thrill to watch him do it this weekend. No one knows the capabilities of McPhillips Racing better than me and together with Mike’s natural ability behind the wheel, they’ll be contenders for sure.”

It was Troy Jr.’s time with McPhillips Racing when Mike began thinking about driving a 5.1-second, 280-mph nitro-injected dragster himself. “The two years (Troy Jr.) spent with Rich McPhillips and his crew allowed me to get to know the guys and see how extremely passionate they are about drag racing,” Mike said. “I’ve never seen a group that works so hard. It’s impressive. “Rich and his son, Rich Jr., allowed me to cross-grade my license after Charlotte and since their regular driver Matt Cummings finished his season in Dallas, the chance to actually race came up so I decided to go for it. We’re kind of exploring our options for next year and if this weekend goes according to plan, we’ll think about very seriously.”

Mike is a three-time Division 3 champion earning the Top Sportsman title in 2007 and 2009 and the Top Dragster title in 2019. He has accumulated 28 NHRA wins in four different categories, with half his wins coming at national events. “I’ve been looking for a new challenge,” Mike said, regarding the possible full-time move to Top Alcohol Dragster. “I’ve only made a few runs but it’s been incredible. It’s so fast and there’s work to do during the run so it’s really exciting. I’m used to going 230 mph to the quarter-mile and suddenly we’re hitting that mark by the eighth-mile, it’s crazy. “The last time I looked there are 23 cars entered in the class, including all of the top teams in the country, so we will definitely have some serious competition right from the start. I couldn’t ask for a better car. They’ve already won six times this year in 11 final-round appearances and the crew is full of champions. I’m really excited to race.”

10+ Top Tens as Driver and 4th Owners Championship for KKR on Deck

CONCORD, NC – October 26, 2021 – Not even Kasey Kahne himself could’ve predicted the rollercoaster ride that has been his 2021 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series campaign.

It’s been the busiest season of his career with The Greatest Show on Dirt, and it was all on accident.

By the conclusion of the NGK/NTK World Finals next week (Nov. 4-6) at The Dirt Track at Charlotte (BUY TICKETS HERE), Kahne will have surpassed 30+ starts with the Series this year, his most with the Outlaws since 1999 in his younger pre-NASCAR days.

The year started as a fill-in driver for his own Kasey Kahne Racing #9 while Australian James McFadden was overseas for the birth of his little boy, Maverick. After substantial time off through spring/summer, another out-of-the-blue event brought Kahne back full-time to finish the season in the Roth Motorsports #83 in August.

For as unforeseen as his season has gone, it’s still been a rather solid and fun year for Kahne. He’s had his moments of greatness such as a QuickTime and eighth-place finish at the Knoxville Nationals, two pole positions, leading laps at The Rev, a brilliant 23rd-to-fifth run at Magnolia, and a night contending for a Gold Cup title.

“Everything was definitely unexpected this year,” Kahne said. “It’s been a good kind of unexpected, though. I’ve enjoyed racing at this level so much again and I’d like to do more. It was nice to be in my car earlier this year and just get a feel to actually work hand-in-hand with my guys at the track. Finishing the year with a team like Roth, who was a part of my early career has been really cool.”

And that’s only his time behind the cockpit, it’s been another banner year for him as an owner at Kasey Kahne Racing.

With four races remaining, the organization is poised to clinch a third consecutive World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship, something that only Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing and Karl Kinser have ever achieved in the owner’s role.

The NAPA Auto Parts #49 remains the flagship program with Brad Sweet at the wheel and Eric Prutzman making the calls, but it was the entirety of KKR stepping up as the Mooresville, NC-based program returned to a two-car operation in 2021 with James McFadden and crew chief Justin Adams on the Karavan Trailers #9.

Through 76 events, KKR has collected 18 victories and should sweep the championship with Sweet and Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year award with McFadden. Along with Sweet’s Silver Cup score, KKR put both cars inside the top-seven at the Knoxville Nationals and led laps at Eldora’s Kings Royal.

As for what’s next for Kahne the driver, it’s hard to tell specifically because of KKR’s monumental success.

“Hopefully I’ll have some answers on 2022 soon,” Kahne added. “I’d like to figure it out pretty quick, but James has been doing such a great job in the #9 car. We’ve put a lot of hard work in to get that car back to being a top-tier team on tour and they’ve really been there these last few months.”

One thing for sure is no answers are needed in the #49 camp as Sweet and Prutzman approach a third-straight title. It’s a dynasty that Kahne is proud of, especially after working so hard for so long to build one.

“The combination between the driver, the crew chief, and the team is so much more difficult to find than people realize,” Kahne continued. “Brad, Eric, Joey [Mooney], and Andrew [Bowman] have hit on something together, they’re a perfect unit. You know Daryn [Pittman] and Kale [Kahne] were able to get that one title and Joey [Saldana] and Willie [Kahne] was so close to it as well, but it’s tough to win these championships.”

Kahne’s Roth #83 and the two KKR cars still have four races remaining with a doubleheader at Lawton (OK) Speedway on October 29 and Devil’s Bowl (TX) Speedway on October 30 leading into the season-ending NGK/NTK World Finals on November 4-6. Fans can BUY TICKETS HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch Kahne take on all remaining World of Outlaws events live on DIRTVision – either online or through the DIRTVision App.

• Three Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Cars among the top five contenders for the second to last playoff event of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) season, the Dodge//SRT Nationals, in Vegas Oct. 29-31 
• This weekend’s competition is the fifth NHRA national event of the 2021 season with Mopar and Dodge//SRT title sponsorship support
• Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) driver Ron Capps enters the Dodge//SRT Nationals with a one-point advantage in the Funny Car title fight over teammate and defending world champion Matt Hagan, while fellow HEMI®-powered driver Cruz Pedregon remains in the battle for the crown, sitting fourth in the points standings
• Top Fuel pilot Leah Pruett doubles down this weekend as she sets her sights on taking her Mopar Dodge//SRT dragster to the winner’s circle along with her 2021 Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak
• Season-ending Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown to be contested this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas with Pruett, Mark Pawuk and David Davies competing in the hyper-competitive class aboard their DSR-prepared 2021 Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Paks

October 26, 2021, Auburn Hills, Mich. – Drag racers are ready to head to the staging lanes at the 21st annual Dodge//SRT Nationals Presented by Pennzoil for the penultimate National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) ”Countdown to the Championship” playoff event of the season at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Oct. 29-31. Three Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Cars are among the top five contenders vying for a Camping World series championship title. Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) pilots Ron Capps and Matt Hagan sit 1-2 atop the leaderboard, separated by just one point, while Cruz Pedregon Racing owner and wheelman Cruz Pedregon joins the fray in fourth place as the championship battle intensifies.

“We’re eager to return to Las Vegas for the Dodge//SRT Nationals and watch another exciting Funny Car championship play out with three of our brand’s drag-racing stars in the hunt,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand CEO – Stellantis. “Our ultra-passionate Dodge drag-racing enthusiasts can expect to be treated to a great showcase of pure Dodge performance this weekend in both nitro and sportsman categories.”

Kuniskis added that fans should watch for special paint schemes on Pruett’s and Hagan’s cars, previewing a major upcoming Dodge brand announcement.

This weekend’s competition marks the fifth national event with Dodge//SRT and Mopar title sponsorship support during the NHRA’s 70th anniversary season and the second of the “Countdown to the Championship” series, which kicked off with the Mopar Express Lane Nationals Presented by Pennzoil at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading, Pennsylvania, in September. The three competing Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Cars have amassed a total of six victories this year and have won or finished runner-up at each of the previous four Dodge//SRT- or Mopar Express Lane-sponsored events in Houston, Denver, Indianapolis and Reading, Pennsylvania.

Veteran racers Capps and Hagan are focused on continuing that trend aboard their respective HEMI®-powered machines at the Dodge//SRT Nationals while jostling for the points lead as each works to deliver Dodge//SRT and Mopar brands a seventh Funny Car world championship title with the DSR team in 19 years.

After collecting a Wally trophy at the Texas FallNationals that put him within striking distance of his stablemate and then points-leader Hagan, 2016 Funny Car champ Capps is ready to wheel his NAPA AUTO Parts Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat to a second playoff victory. That performance, combined with the following Thunder Valley Nationals semifinal appearance, moved Capps into the championship lead by one point ahead of this weekend’s Dodge//SRT Nationals at the venue where he has claimed five wins. 

“I believe this type of scenario is what NHRA envisioned when they came up with the Countdown to the Championship format,” says Capps. “Obviously, we’ve talked all year about how 2021 has been one of the tightest Funny Car battles we’ve seen in a long time, and here we are, two races to go and we’ve got a pretty bunched-up field. Consistency has really been the key for our NAPA AUTO PARTS team. Qualifying high in the field and earning qualifying bonus points has helped put us in the points lead going into the Dodge//SRT Nationals presented by Pennzoil, and we’d love nothing more than to be able to shine for Dodge and Pennzoil at their event. 

“We’ve got a great battle going on with our teammate Matt Hagan, and the other Funny Cars are nipping at our heels,” he added. “It definitely seems that this will be a pivotal race; it always seems that way when the points are tight, but our NAPA AutoCare team has given me a great car every weekend, and we’ve won some very big rounds in the Countdown, and I have a feeling there will be more of that this weekend in Vegas.”

Defending Funny Car world champion Hagan and his Mopar Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye are second in points with three wins this season; two wins came in the playoffs with the help of Tommy Johnson Jr., who subbed for Hagan and won the Mopar Express Lane Nationals to kick off the Countdown. As Hagan aims for a fourth Funny Car title (2011, 2014 and 2020) he understands the importance of a strong performance at the Dodge//SRT Nationals.

“I don’t really approach this event any differently,” says Hagan, who has three Vegas victories and will be defending his back-to-back wins in 2019 and 2020 at the facility. “I approach every round as if it’s the most important round ever. I’ve done that all year long but unfortunately I can count six or seven races where we lost by just two- or three-thousandths of a second. It’s nothing that we haven’t dealt with before. I think every championship that I’ve won has come down to the last race in the semi-finals or finals. So why should this year be any different, right?

“I feel like (crew chief) Dickie Venables is going to be aggressive moving into these next two races,” he added. “We’re going to run hard and let the cards fall where they may but I’m excited about it. It’s going to be fun. It’s business as usual. We’re staying focused and will do the best job we can for our sponsors and our fans.”

Pedregon is chasing a third Funny Car World Championship after earning his first as a rookie in 1992 and then hoisting a championship trophy again in 2008. The Snap-on Tools Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat collected a Wally Trophy at Norwalk in June and has advanced to the semifinals or better at five of the last seven events, including runner-up finishes at Brainerd and Charlotte to put him in championship contention.

“I expect the Dodge//SRT Las Vegas Nationals to be a great race for competitors and fans alike,” says Pedregon, who is tied with fellow contender John Force in fourth place and five rounds behind heading into Vegas. “There are more cars in the hunt now, so I think that’ll make for closer racing and then Pomona is a points-and-a-half race. It’ll make the champion really earn it before they close the deal.”

In Top Fuel action, driver Leah Pruett and her Mopar Dodge//SRT dragster might be out of championship contention but she is still aiming for a top-three finish to improve on her current three-year streak of finishing a career-best fourth for the season. To help that cause, Pruett has her sights set firmly on taking her Mopar Dodge//SRT dragster to the winner’s circle for a second time this year, after an energizing playoff victory in Pomona. 

“My entire career has been about proving something and this weekend is about proving that this Dodge//SRT team can be consistent and win races,” says Pruett. “All we can do is race to the best of our ability and that mindset serves us well as we set our sights on getting a win at this Dodge-sponsored track. To play spoiler can seem like fun but really it’s because we are advancing and not because we’re putting any particular opponent on the trailer. We want this win for us and for Dodge.”

The final Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown of 2021 will be contested this weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas with Pruett, Mark Pawuk and David Davies competing in the hyper-competitive class aboard their DSR-prepared Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Paks and racing for manufacturer bragging rights and chasing a final win to close out their season.

“The Factory Stock Showdown finale feels like the ultimate homecoming for me because of how far Dodge and the Mopar Drag Pak program have come these past four years,” says Pruett, who won the 2018 FSS championship as a rookie and has been instrumental in developing the 2021 Dodge Challenger Mopar Drag Pak, the quickest, fastest, most powerful drag pak ever built. “Being a part of the program and its progression, then seeing the growing number of new Mopar Drag Pak entries and their own performance journey, has been truly enjoyable. To see a new generation of drivers choose Mopar Drag Paks as their weekend warrior or fierce piece of weaponry is outstanding.” 

Pruett is doubling down this weekend in Vegas, hoping to accomplish something that has eluded her the last four years — drive both her HEMI-powered dragster and her Mopar Drag Pak to wins in the same weekend.

“A final FSS Wally in my final race of the season; I couldn’t ask for much more, except maybe a double-up,” says Pruett, who will pull double duty by competing in both categories for an eighth time this season. “It’s my last shot at it this year. That’s what drives me this weekend and why I feel more determined than ever.”

In addition to all the on track action, Dodge//SRT and Mopar will have their 4,800-square-foot exhibit in the NHRA’s Manufacturers Midway for NHRA fans to explore a number of interactive displays, including a pair of Dodge Challenger SRT Demon simulators to test their skills in a virtual race, as well as the popular Mopar Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Funny Car simulator.

Television coverage of Top Fuel and Funny Car qualifying at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway will air on FS1 on Friday, Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m. (ET), and Saturday, Oct. 30, 4-5 p.m.(ET) Eliminations, including live coverage of the final round of the Dodge//SRT Nationals Presented by Pennzoil, will air on FS1 on Sunday, Oct. 31, 5-8 p.m. (ET).

NHRA Championship Points Standings:

(Ahead of the Dodge//SRT NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway)

FUNNY CAR (season wins in parentheses)

1. Ron Capps (Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat) – 2,490 (2) 

2. Matt Hagan (Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat) – 2,489 (3/1-Tommy Johnson Jr.)

3. J.R. Todd – 2,407 (1)

4. Cruz Pedregon (Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat) – 2,389 (1)

4. John Force – 2,389 (3)

6. Bob Tasca III – 2,343 (2)

7. Robert Hight – 2,337 (2)

8. Alexis DeJoria – 2,319 (1)

9. Tim Wilkerson– 2,249 (1)

10. Blake Alexander– 2,184

TOP FUEL (season wins in parentheses)

1. Steve Torrance – 2,575 (9)

2. Brittany Force – 2,503 (1)

3. Justin Ashley – 2,428 (2)

4. Mike Salinas – 2,425 (1)

5. Billy Torrence – 2,357 (2)

6. Leah Pruett (Mopar Dodge//SRT) – 2,291 (1)

7. Clay Millican – 2,265 

8. Antron Brown – 2,252 (1)

9. Shawn Langdon – 2,228

10. Doug Kalitta – 2,180

Only Oklahoma Appearance and $20,000 Texas Outlaw Nationals on DeckLAWTON, OK – October 25, 2021 – The road to Charlotte is almost over, but two more stops remain before officially concluding the 2021 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season at the NGK/NTK World Finals on November 4-6.Oklahoma’s Lawton Speedway and Texas’ Devil’s Bowl Speedway highlight this weekend’s slate as The Greatest Show on Dirt continues the 80-race grind.A combination of 13 full-time Outlaws, several top-tier invaders, and a contingent of local talent will make up the stout fields on Halloween weekend.Let’s look at some of the top storylines to follow:ON THE PROWL: If all goes right this weekend, Brad Sweet and Kasey Kahne Racing could clinch their third consecutive World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championship. The Big Cat enters the doubleheader in front of David Gravel by 98 points and will essentially seal the deal if he exits with a 96-point advantage.The points system pays out 150 points to the winner, 146 points for second, and then drops by two points per position until 24th on back earns 102 points. With Sweet’s stash of provisionals, a 98-point margin would seal the deal entering next week’s NGK/NTK World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.The good news for fans of the Grass Valley, CA native is he thrives at both venues on the slate this weekend. His only appearance at Lawton Speedway resulted in a second-place effort last year, and he’s a former winner at Devil’s Bowl. If he gets the job done, Sweet will join legends Steve Kinser and Donny Schatz as the only drivers to three-peat in 44 seasons of World of Outlaws history.SCHATZ SURGING: Since the Knoxville Nationals, nobody on the World of Outlaws tour has been more consistent than Donny Schatz and the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15 team. With an average finish of 4.0, the 10-time Series champion is far and away ahead of his next closest competitors including David Gravel (6.25), Brad Sweet (6.55), and Logan Schuchart (6.85).Last weekend the Fargo, ND native passed Carson Macedo for the third spot in the championship standings and still has an outside chance at David Gravel for the second spot. He’s -60 points behind Gravel with four races remaining and a $40,000 difference in the points fund separating second place’s $100,000 check and third place’s $60,000 payday.20,000 REASONS: Saturday’s Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil’s Bowl marks the 13th event of the season paying $20,000 or more to the winner. Through the previous 12 events of such magnitude, only Kyle Larson ($176,000 at Knoxville, $175,000 at Eldora) and Carson Macedo ($75,000 at Williams Grove, $25,000 at Skagit, $21,000 at Keller Auto) have topped multiple shows.Another seven drivers including Tyler Courtney ($175,000 at Eldora), Logan Schuchart ($50,000 at Jackson), Aaron Reutzel ($30,000 at Huset’s), David Gravel ($25,000 at Bristol), Brad Sweet ($25,000 at Lernerville), Brent Marks ($20,000 at Williams Grove), and Sheldon Haudenschild ($20,000 at I-55) also have high-payday wins.OOOOKLAHOMA: For almost 40 seasons, the Outlaws in Oklahoma has been a yearly tradition. A wide-ranging variety of seven different “Sooner State” tracks have graced the schedule and this Friday night, Lawton Speedway will join State Fair Speedway and Tulsa Speedway as the only three tracks to hold 10+ races.Owasso, OK’s own Daryn Pittman is the most recent winner in his home state, topping last year’s long-awaited Lawton return over Brad Sweet & David Gravel. When it comes to other Outlaw winners through 87 races in Oklahoma, only Donny Schatz, Kerry Madsen, and Brad Sweet are among the active crop to win within state lines.A handful of local Oklahoma natives are expected to compete in Friday’s Feature, including Noah Gass of Mounds, OK, who has attended a career-high 23 events with The Greatest Show on Dirt this year.WHERE IT ALL STARTED: Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX is forever the birthplace of the World of Outlaws. The date was March 18, 1978, and Ted Johnson was the man who brought The Greatest Show on Dirt to life. An all-star cast of drivers was led by winner Jimmy Boyd, then Doug Wolfgang, and Tom Corbin.Sure, 43 years have passed since that spring night in the heart of Texas, but the World of Outlaws and Devil’s Bowl Speedway still shine brightly in 2021. Saturday’s stop at the 1/2-mile is the 89th all-time event at the track with Sammy Swindell (18 wins) and Steve Kinser (16 wins) sticking out above the rest.HOT SAUCE: 19-year-old Giovanni Scelzi of Fresno, CA will enter this weekend as the most recent winner with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Using a late-race restart at Lakeside Speedway on Friday night, the young superstar stormed by veteran Kerry Madsen and stole his first win of the year and third of his career with the Series.It marked his first World of Outlaws win driving for Iowa-based KCP Racing and the team’s first win in Outlaw action in more than two years. The victory also came during Dylan Buswell’s first night as the new crew chief on the #18 after already earning four Series wins earlier this year while working for Roth Motorsports and Aaron Reutzel.Although not a platinum member, Scelzi and KCP have competed with the Series the most of any non-full-time driver. Through 44 races they’ve collected 25 top-10 finishes, 11 top-five results, and one victory from last weekend.PERFECT 10: With four races remaining, Sheldon Haudenschild has his eyes set squarely on victory lane. He’s still in the midst of an important battle for the fifth spot in the championship standings with Logan Schuchart, but the Wooster, OH native also wants to hit the 10-win mark for the first time in his World of Outlaws career.It’s already been a career year for the pilot of the Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #17, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get better. With crew chief Kyle Ripper, Haudenschild has already made eight visits to victory lane this year at Magnolia (MS), Cotton Bowl (TX), Eldora (OH), Beaver Dam (WI), Williams Grove (PA), I-55 (MO), and Black Hills (SD).He’ll have four chances to reach 10 wins with Lawton and Devil’s Bowl this weekend and two Features at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on November 4-6.This Week at a Glance – When and WhereFriday, October 29 at Lawton Speedway in Lawton, OK Saturday, October 30 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TXOn the Internet World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws Instagram – @WoOSprint Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/monthAround the Turn: Following this weekend, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series heads to The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the 2021 season finale. Another epic edition of the NGK/NTK World Finals on November 4-6 will conclude the campaign for Sprint Cars, World of Outlaws Late Models, and the Super DIRTcar Big Blocks.NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (14 Drivers): 16 wins – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne Racing w/ Mike Curb #49 10 wins – David Gravel, Big Game Motorsports #2 10 wins – Carson Macedo, Jason Johnson Racing #41 8 wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing #17 6 wins – Logan Schuchart, Shark Racing #1S 4 wins – Kyle Larson, Silva Motorsports #57 4 wins – Aaron Reutzel, Roth Motorsports #83 3 wins – Donny Schatz, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15 3 wins – Kerry Madsen, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #14 2 wins – James McFadden, Kasey Kahne Racing w/ Mike Curb #9 2 wins – Brent Marks, Brent Marks Racing #19 1 win – Spencer Bayston, Sam McGhee Motorsports #11 / CJB Motorsports #5 1 win – Dave Blaney, Dave Blaney #10 1 win – Tyler Courtney, Clauson-Marshall Racing #7BC 1 win – Giovanni Scelzi, KCP Racing #18FEATURE LAPS LED (29 Drivers): 333 laps – Brad Sweet 296 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild 292 laps – Carson Macedo 254 laps – Logan Schuchart 241 laps – David Gravel 220 laps – Donny Schatz 188 laps – Aaron Reutzel 114 laps – Kerry Madsen 97 laps – Kyle Larson 66 laps – James McFadden 63 laps – Spencer Bayston 57 laps – Tyler Courtney 39 laps – Brent Marks 33 laps – Giovanni Scelzi 27 laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr. 25 laps – Wayne Johnson 16 laps – Tanner Carrick 13 laps – Colby Copeland 11 laps – Sye Lynch 10 laps – Jacob Allen, Brock Zearfoss, Parker Price-Miller 9 laps – Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl 3 laps – Ian Madsen 1 lap – Kraig Kinser, Brandon Spithaler, Dave Blaney, Brian BrownSLICK WOODY’S QUICKTIME AWARDS (24 Drivers): 18 QuickTimes – David Gravel 7 QuickTimes – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart 5 QuickTimes – Brad Sweet 4 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo, Kerry Madsen 3 QuickTimes – Aaron Reutzel 2 QuickTimes – James McFadden, Donny Schatz, Kasey Kahne, Cory Eliason, Giovanni Scelzi, Parker Price-Miller, Lance Dewease, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 1 QuickTime – Kraig Kinser, Jacob Allen, Danny Dietrich, Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Brock Zearfoss, Rico Abreu, Sye Lynch, Logan WagnerDRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (45 Drivers) 32 Heat Wins – David Gravel 28 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo 24 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz 19 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet 17 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild 16 Heat Wins – Aaron Reutzel, Logan Schuchart 11 Heat Wins – James McFadden 8 Heat Wins – Brian Brown 7 Heat Wins – Kerry Madsen 5 Heat Wins – Kraig Kinser 4 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Jason Sides, Wayne Johnson, Giovanni Scelzi, Tyler Courtney, Ian Madsen 3 Heat Wins – Kasey Kahne, Anthony Macri, Lance Dewease, Brent Marks, Sam Hafertepe Jr. 2 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen, Kyle Larson, DJ Netto, Parker Price-Miller 1 Heat Win –  Danny Dietrich, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brandon Spithaler, Tim Kaeding, Jack Dover, Scotty Thiel, Paul McMahan, Daryn Pittman, Justin Peck, Jac Haudenschild, Sye Lynch, Chad Trout, TJ Stutts, Ryan Robinson, Blake Carrick, Ayrton Gennetten, Dylan Cisney, Logan Wagner, Spencer BaystonPODIUM FINISHES (28 Drivers): 34 Podiums – Brad Sweet 24 Podiums – David Gravel, Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo 21 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild 18 Podiums – Logan Schuchart 12 Podiums – James McFadden 10 Podiums – Aaron Reutzel 8 Podiums – Kerry Madsen 6 Podiums – Brent Marks, Giovanni Scelzi 4 Podiums – Kyle Larson, Lance Dewease 3 Podiums – Brian Brown, Anthony Macri 2 Podiums – Kraig Kinser, Cory Eliason, Anthony Macri, Danny Dietrich, Tyler Courtney, Spencer Bayston 1 Podium – Jacob Allen, Justin Peck, Brian Brown, Anthony Macri, Dave Blaney, Daryn Pittman, Paulie Colagiovanni, Austin McCarl, Colby Copeland, Sam Hafertepe Jr.2021 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Schedule & WinnersNo. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins) 1. Fri, Feb. 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brad Sweet (1) 2. Sun, Feb. 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Logan Schuchart (1) 3. Fri, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1) 4. Sat, March 6 / East Bay Raceway Park / Tampa, FL / Aaron Reutzel (1) 5. Fri, March 12 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Sheldon Haudenschild (1) 6. Sat, March 13 / The Rev / Monroe, LA / David Gravel (1) 7. Fri, March 19 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Sheldon Haudenschild (2) 8. Sat, March 20 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Brad Sweet (2) 9. Sat, March 27 / Lake Ozark Speedway / Eldon, MO / Brad Sweet (3) 10. Fri, April 2 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (4) 11. Sat, April 3 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (5) 12. Fri, April 9 / Kokomo Speedway / Kokomo, IN / James McFadden (1) 13. Sat, April 10 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Carson Macedo (2) 14. Fri, April 22 / Bristol Motor Speedway / Bristol, TN / David Gravel (2) 15. Sun, April 24 / Bristol Motor Speedway / Bristol, TN / David Gravel (3) 16. Thur, April 29 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Brad Sweet (6) 17. Fri, April 30 / I-70 Motorsports Park / Odessa, MO / Brad Sweet (7) 18. Sat, May 1 / I-70 Motorsports Park / Odessa, MO / Brad Sweet (8) 19. Sat, May 8 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Brent Marks (1) 20. Sat, May 8 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (3) 21. Wed, May 12 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Brad Sweet (9) 22. Fri, May 14 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Carson Macedo (3) 23. Sat, May 15 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Aaron Reutzel (2) 24. Tues, May 18 / Bridgeport Speedway / Swedesboro, NJ / Logan Schuchart (2) 25. Fri, May 21 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / David Gravel (4) 26. Sat, May 22 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Dave Blaney (1) 27. Mon, May 31 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / Kyle Larson (1) 28. Sat, June 5 / Granite City Speedway /Sauk Rapids, MN / David Gravel (5) 29. Fri, June 11 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Carson Macedo (4) 30. Sat, June 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Carson Macedo (5) 31. Thur, June 17 / 34 Raceway / West Burlington, IA / Brad Sweet (10) 32. Fri, June 18 / Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway / Dubuque, IA / Donny Schatz (1) 33. Sat, June 19 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (4) 34. Mon, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (6) 35. Tues, June 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Aaron Reutzel (3) 36. Thur, June 24 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Kerry Madsen (1) 37. Fri, June 25 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Kerry Madsen (2) 38. Sat, June 27 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Logan Schuchart (3) 39. Fri, July 2 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (11) 40. Sat, July 3 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (12) 41. Sat, July 10 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Brad Sweet (13) 42. Tues, July 13 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Spencer Bayston (1) 43. Wed, July 14 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (6) 44. Sat, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Tyler Courtney (1) 45. Sat, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Kyle Larson (2) 46. Sun, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (7) 47. Tues, July 20 / Lernerville Speedway / Sarver, PA / Brad Sweet (14) 48. Fri, July 23 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Sheldon Haudenschild (5) 49. Sat, July 24 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brent Marks (2) 50. Fri, July 30 / Ransomville Speedway / Ransomville, NY / Aaron Reutzel (4) 51. Sat, July 31 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (7) 52. Fri, August 6 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (6) 53. Sat, August 7 / I-55 Raceway / Pevely, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (7) 54. Wed, August 11 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (NP) 55. Thur, August 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brian Brown (NP) 56. Fri, August 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Rico Abreu (NP) 57. Sat, August 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (3) 58. Sat, August 21 / Red River Valley Speedway / Fargo, ND / Donny Schatz (2) 59. Sun, August 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (8) 60. Wed, August 25 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Brad Sweet (15) 61. Fri, August 27 / I-80 Speedway / Greenwood, NE / Donny Schatz (3) 62. Sun, August 29 / Black Hills Speedway / Rapid City, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (8) 63. Fri, September 3 / Skagit Speedway / Alger, WA / James McFadden (2) 64. Sat, September 4 / Skagit Speedway / Alger, WA / Brad Sweet (16) 65. Sun, September 5 / Skagit Speedway / Alger, WA / Carson Macedo (8) 66. Mon, September 6 / Grays Harbor Raceway / Elma, WA / Logan Schuchart (4) 67. Fri, September 10 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, CA / David Gravel (9) 68. Sat, September 11 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, CA / Logan Schuchart (5) 69. Sat, September 18 / Keller Auto Speedway / Hanford, CA / Carson Macedo (9) 70. Fri, September 24 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (6) 71. Sat, September 25 / Lernerville Speedway / Sarver, PA / David Gravel (10) 72. Fri, October 1 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Kyle Larson (4) 73. Sat, October 2 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Carson Macedo (10) 74. Fri, October 8 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Kerry Madsen (3) 75. Sat, October 9 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Spencer Bayston (2) 76. Fri, October 22 / Lakeside Speedway / Kansas City, KS / Giovanni Scelzi (1)

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Award), MSD and Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award); manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, and Racing Electronics.Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.

The Marshalltown, IA driver is sixth in points entering the NGK NTK World Finals

CONCORD, NC – October 25, 2021 – Ryan Gustin knew there would be a learning curve in his rookie season with the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models. But like famous painter Leonardo DaVinci once said, “Learning never exhausts the mind.”

As the Marshalltown, IA driver learned from track to track, many of which he saw for the first time, he built upon his performance and managed to grab nine top-fives and 21 top-10s leading into the NGK NTK World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte, Nov. 4-6. 

Gustin contended with Tyler Bruening in an epic battle for Rookie of the Year, but some bad luck for “The Reaper,” coupled with Bruening’s consistency, helped the Decorah, IA driver secure those honors. Gustin is still satisfied with his season despite not winning the award.  

“We wanted to really win the Rookie deal, but we just had a lot of back luck; and had some things happen that were out of our control,” Gustin said. “All in all, I’d say it was a pretty damn good year for our Rookie season. We’re true Rookies. Bruening, he ran the Lucas tour before, and we’ve never done this, so I’d say it was pretty good.”

Gustin has earned five podium finishes in 2021, so far, and earned a preliminary win during the Prairie Dirt Classic but is still searching for his first career Series win. His best chance came in August at Sharon Speedway, when he settled for second after an epic back-and-forth battle with Kyle Larson, where Gustin almost passed the NASCAR star for the lead on the outside in Turn 3. 

Despite not getting the elusive first win, reaching the podium against the World of Outlaws regulars gives him the confidence to keep pushing.

“Anytime you run the top-three with the World of Outlaws guys, you’ve done something great, no doubt,” Gustin said. “We would’ve liked to get that win though, we were close a couple of times, and the cards didn’t fall into our favor.”

One of the new ventures Gustin endured this season was his first taste of a red clay surface at tracks like Cherokee and Lavonia Speedways. He’ll try to take that knowledge and apply it on Nov. 4-6 as the Series heads to The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the NGK NTK World Finals. 

It’s a different situation for Gustin at the 4/10-mile oval. He has laps around The Dirt Track at Charlotte in the past, competing in the World Finals in 2013 and 2014. He made three of the four Features he attempted to qualify for— his best finish of 14th came in 2014.  

“We got a few laps around (The Dirt Track at Charlotte),” Gustin said. “We’re getting better on the red clay. We had zero experience before this year, and it seems like every time we go to Cherokee, we get better. I feel like we’re getting better at the red clay wheel-spin type stuff too.”

While a World of Outlaws win hasn’t been in the cards for Gustin, winning at the NGK NTK World Finals would be a notch in his belt he’ll never forget. 

“It would be awesome, man, to be able to win one of them,” Gustin said. “It would definitely make me feel a lot better about the year, not that I feel terrible about it, but it would definitely be nice to end on a high note.”

While the World Finals finish the 2021 Series schedule, Gustin is already looking ahead to the next season. He hopes to keep learning and getting better, keeping mental notes that won’t exhaust his mind for his sophomore World of Outlaws campaign. 

“It just depends how the season goes,” Gustin said. “I would definitely like to run in the top-five every season for sure, but it’d be nice to get up there and win it too. We’ll just see what next year brings.”

Gustin and the World of Outlaws return to action Nov. 4-6 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the NGK NTK World Finals. For tickets to the three-day spectacular, featuring the Late Models, World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, and Super DIRTcar Series: CLICK HERE. 

NASCAR CUP SERIES HOLLYWOOD CASINO 400 KANSAS SPEEDWAY TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT OCTOBER 24, 2021
KYLE LARSON CAPTURES NINTH WIN OF 2021 AT KANSAS SPEEDWAYLarson goes two-for-two in NCS Playoffs Round of 8 KANSAS CITY, Kan. (October 24, 2021)– Kyle Larson has gone two-for-two in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) Playoffs Round of 8, taking his No. 5 HendrickCars.com Camaro ZL1 1LE to victory lane at Kansas Speedway. After starting from the pole for the 11th time this season, the 29-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver captured the Stage One win and led a field-high 130 laps to record his ninth win of the 2021 season and 15th-career win in 258 NCS starts. The victory at the 1.5-mile Kansas oval is Chevrolet’s 17th NCS win this season and 812th all-time win in NCS history.  2021 has been a record-setting season for Kyle Larson. In the Team Chevy driver’s dominating performance in the 400-mile race, Larson surpassed career Chevrolet driver Jeff Gordon’s record for the most laps led in a single season since the inception of the 36-race schedule. The trip to victory lane at Kansas marks the second time this season that Larson has won three races in a row. 
The Camaro ZL1 1LE made a strong showing in 21st Annual Hollywood Casino 400, taking three of the top-five and five of the top-10 in the final running order. Hendrick Motorsports teammate and fellow Playoff contender, Chase Elliott, posted a runner-up finish to give Elliott his 20th top-10 finish in 2021. The reigning NASCAR Cup Series Champion will go into the Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville Speedway sitting second in the driver standings. Kurt Busch, No. 1 AdventHealth Camaro ZL1 1LE, finished fourth; William Byron, No. 24 RaptorTough.com Camaro ZL1 1LE, finished sixth; and Austin Dillon, No. 3 Get Bioethanol rounded out the Team Chevy top-10 taking the checkered flag in tenth.  Kevin Harvick (Ford) was third and Denny Hamlin (Toyota) rounded out the top-five in the 267-lap race.  The NASCAR Cup Series season continues next weekend at Martinsville Speedway for the Xfinity 500 on Sunday, October 31, at 2 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. 
KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE;CLIFF DANIELS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE; andJEFF ANDREWS, GENERAL MANAGER, HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS – PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT: THE MODERATOR: Joining us is Cliff Daniels and Jeff Andrews of Hendrick Motorsports. And we’ll go ahead and open it up for questions from the media.
Q.Safe to say life is very good for the 5 team right now. Your thoughts coming out of here? You kind of forced everybody else to compete and race. What does that mean to you guys?CLIFF DANIELS: Yeah. It’s certainly a very fortunate day for our team. In the middle of the race I didn’t know that we were going to be standing here right now. But very proud of our team. Thankful to Mr. H and Miss Linda back at home. Thinking about them.What this means for us moving forward, I said it last week, I’ll say it again, there is a cadence to how our whole team prepares. Everybody is bought in, everybody believes in it. If I went to them tomorrow and said we’re going to ignore Martinsville and focus on Phoenix, they’re just not going to listen to me.We are going to stay focused on our path, what it is going to take to go to Martinsville. Of course, we have our eyes on Phoenix. We’re going to prepare like we should to go there but we’ve just got to keep going.
Q.(No microphone.)CLIFF DANIELS: Yeah. For sure. I think the — hopefully the team that can get a good benefit out of that is the 9 right now. If I’m not mistaken they’re 30 plus points to the good. Martinsville is an amazing track for them. So I would imagine they’re going to be the favorite to win Martinsville, and hopefully both teams can go into Phoenix with some good momentum
Q.Jeff, it’s been 17 years, and I’m curious what do you try to — there’s a lot of people at Hendrick who never knew Ricky, never knew Randy. What do you try to tell them about the people you lost 17 years ago?JEFF ANDREWS: I think, Bob, it’s the legacy, so many great pillars in our company. Randy was just one of the pioneers of Hendrick Motorsports and one of Mr. Hendrick’s very first employees. And so much of that company was built around him.And then, you know, knowing Ricky and knowing where he was headed in our company, plans for what Mr. Hendrick and Mrs. Hendrick had planned for him in our company. Always hate we never get that opportunity to see that.But on days like today, you just have to stop for a few minutes and kind of take it all in and realize what’s important. As Cliff said, we certainly have the Hendrick family in our thoughts.Special win. Special obviously today getting that paint scheme to Victory Lane here in Kansas. Got to be a special day for them and really the families of all those that we lost 17 years ago today.
Q.Cliff, it seemed like you guys were by far the best car on the long run, but it seemed like Chase and William were able to keep up with you on the short run. Was that kind of based on last year the end of the race? Was that kind of your focus?CLIFF DANIELS: Yeah. We were actually hoping to be a little bit better on the short run than what we were. But the things we did not do well in the spring for long run handling and balance is really what we focused on to try to get that right and hopefully not sacrifice too much in the short run.I give William and Rudy a lot of credit. Rudy because he called the race, had an amazing fast car. Almost got knocked out at the start of the race. So great job to their team.I hate that it didn’t go well for them at the end. I think they still came home with a decent finish. They definitely had us beat on a short run.If you get out front like we did, you can kind of control some of the lanes and the way guys move around. And then of course like you said as the run went on I think our balance was probably a little bit better than what they had.
Q.First year working with Kyle Larson. Kyle today actually set the new record for most laps led by a driver in a 36 race single season in NASCAR. Jeff Gordon previously held the record. What’s it been like working with Kyle and just being the team to beat on a really regular basis throughout the season?CLIFF DANIELS: Yeah. Working with him has been incredible. And we’ve always seen with him that he was going to have the potential to go do what he’s done. And then last year, not being in the Cup Series but running third, he won half the races that he entered last year. I think that tipped off the world to what he could become.And then getting our team together, so thankful to Mr. H and this guy over here, Jeff Andrews, for getting our team together, bringing Kyle in. And we just started chipping away at the end of the year.Having the laps led, you know, category is awesome. I think to be smart, though, I look back at a lot of the races that we led the laps and didn’t win the race because there’s a lot to be learned from that, about keeping us sharp and executing better. Still a really cool stat to have and we’ve got two more races to go. So now I need to look at the races we didn’t win and make sure we do the next two weeks.
Q.My question is for Jeff on Kyle having a wonderful season comparing that to Jeff and the type of season he had 20 years ago which led to a championship. Is there any similarities or things that you see in Kyle that could be seen in Jeff when he had his season 20 years ago?JEFF ANDREWS: Yeah, I think they’re very similar in their driving styles and their aggressiveness. You heard Kyle talking there midway ^ threw ^ through the race about really what he needed from his car. Just felt like he needed to be more aggressive on the restarts and get up there towards the front.And that was Jeff’s style. Very similar there in the aggressiveness early on in the race. And then so many races during those times for Jeff that he dominated like that. And so, yeah, a lot of similarities that I see.
THE MODERATOR: Joining is a as well obviously winning driver Kyle Larson. Driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy. Kyle, unbelievable run you’re on right now. Can you talk about the stretch you’re on, three in a row.
JEFF ANDREWS: Yeah. It’s cool we were on a stretch like this during the summer. I think with four wins there with the All-Star ones. So just really cool to be on another streak like this. I feel like we’ve had to work a lot harder to be on this streak than the other one. So just says a lot about the perseverance in our team. The Roval and then today. Texas went as great as it could have. But these other two wins have been hard work.So, yeah, just proud of my team. And I wasn’t expecting to be sitting up here. But just very happy. Significance of the day too makes it feel even more special.
Q.Cliff, this is for you. Obviously if you guys get the next win either at Martinsville or Phoenix, you guys would have ten wins, which would put you in an elite company. The last driver and crew chief pairing to get 10 wins in a single season is Jimmie Johnson and back in 2007. What would it mean for you to join not only all the other crew chiefs that have come before you in a 10-win column in a single season?CLIFF DANIELS: Even to be mentioned in that conversation is special as it is. I’ve been so fortunate to learn a great deal from Jimmie and from Chad being on that team with them for a handful of years.Just the leaders that they are, guys like Alan Gustafson, Jeff Andrews, Jeff Gordon. We’ve had a lot of guys in our company that have done a great job helping me along the way and helping our team along the way. I know they do that for everybody in the company.I think with the leadership Mr. Hendrick to believe in his people with the right people in place and give us a good team and all the right parts and pieces to get the job done just makes for a special environment, special combination. Hopefully we can get that stat. Pretty cool to be a part of.
Q.(No microphone.)KYLE LARSON: I wish NASCAR would count 10 wins because we have it already. No, as Cliff mentioned, it’s just really cool to be mentioned in the same category. I would love to join them in 10 official wins.But, yeah, it’s pretty crazy. I didn’t know what to expect coming into this season. I knew I would have lots of opportunities to get wins. But never did I think I would win as often as we have. Proud of everybody’s hard work all season longI think Cliff and his leadership really propels us to be as confident. Our execution has always been good. We continue to make that better throughout the year. And I think that stems from his leadership and as he mentioned the leadership that he learned from Jimmie and Chad.
Q.Follow up on what you were saying about this three-race winning stretch being tougher than the first one. I get the Roval was tough. But you guys have been really good on the 550 tracks. Can you elaborate, what made this — is it the Playoff factor? What makes this race stretch tougher?KYLE LARSON: Yeah. Trying to think of our win that’s we had earlier this year. I think it started the 600 and then we went to Sonoma, then Nashville. We dominated all those races. I think we ^ one ^ won every stage maybe in them. And won the races. So it’s kind of like we were out there in cruise control in a way and winning.Where this, you know, the Roval we had our alternator issue, had to change a couple batteries change the alternator belt. Somehow won shockingly. And then Texas last week kind of felt like those wins that we had earlier this year.And then today, you know, I wasn’t bad. I felt like William was way better than I was. And I thought Chase and I were pretty equal. And then we got off sequence on tires. I got into the wall. So we had to repair damage. And I think the fight that all the Playoff guys are doing, trying to get wins, makes the racing crazier too.So those two races were definitely much tougher and took a lot more perseverance to win. So I think that makes this streak really special.
Q.Denny was talking about what a game changer the wind was off of turn 2 and it made it treacherous running the wall. Did you sense that? Does it play into your hands when it gets harder for the guys to run the wall when that’s your strength?KYLE LARSON: Yeah. So instantly after we had that delay early on, the wind picked up kind of a out of nowhere. I don’t know how much it picked up, but it was a lot. Canopies were blowing off their pit boxes and stuff. It was a huge crosswind for us.Yeah, it caught me off guard at first. I went off turn 2 and somebody shoved my car and pushed me a half a group up. And I made a quick mental note of that and how the balance was into 3. Kind of adjusted.I felt like it must have calmed down a little bit towards the end of the race because I didn’t quite have that feel off of 2 that I had for a while.So, yeah, I don’t know. Kansas for whatever reason is typically like the only track I feel like that affects the balance of the race car with the wind. A lot of times it will be a tailwind off of 2 into 3 and you’ll be really loose into 3. But the crosswind today was odd.And we had the headwind off of 4. So I really felt like that kind of opened up some lanes over there. Had the opposite effect off of 2. But off of 4 I felt like I could run the bottom there before I got into the wall, got damage. I felt like I could run the bottom really well in 3 and 4.Still faster up top but I could make ground up on the bottom and catch those guys at the end of the second stage and not be bad down there in the third stage also.
Q.I remember back in May around we were talking about how wide open the season was about 12 different winners in the first 13 or 14 or so races. Now all of a sudden you were sitting here with nine wins your second three-win streak on the season. What’s changed for you guys?KYLE LARSON: I don’t think anything has really changed for us. We were winning back then. That was right before we went on our first streak. And I had run second I think three times in a row then. So nothing really changed much other than we’ve been capitalizing more to get those wins now lately.I feel like our race car has been just as good kind of all year long. We got off for two or three weeks after Pocono. And since then, we’ve been back hitting just as hard if not harder than we were early this year.
Q.We mentioned that one more win would put you at 10 first time since ’07. Second three-race win streak of the season. I think that’s the first time since Dale. What does it mean to put yourself in company like that with drivers that great?KYLE LARSON: Yeah, it’s neat. I just hope we can — I don’t know if. It’s like hard for me to think if people will really remember if you don’t win the championship now at this point.Not that it adds pressure but you can read into it adding pressure that I want to win the championship even more to cap off what’s been a great season.So that’s my goal. And I hope we can finish it off with being mentioned in one of the top five greatest seasons ever.
Q.You didn’t go and play in the dirt Friday night. Was that by design? When do you get to drive your Sprint car does it translate to make you better in the stock car?KYLE LARSON: I didn’t really hear the second part of that question. Yeah. I was not at Lakeside. Yeah, we didn’t have plans to run it. Paul my crew chief, he was racing out in California with his Buddy, and they were able to win that. Yeah. No, I hadn’t planned on running Lakeside all year long.
Q.Are you able to translate driving your Sprint car and take that into the stock car? I know they’re completely different, but you seem to be able to have that touch.KYLE LARSON: Well, I do it more than anybody. It didn’t come that naturally maybe in the beginning. But as often as I do it, it does end up becoming natural.Yeah, I mean, I think I learn things in every race that I can put forward to any race in any race car that I run. So for sure the dirt stuff helps pavement stuff, pavement stuff helps dirt stuff. To me it’s just another race car.
Q.I think I heard you say you want to have one of the top five seasons…KYLE LARSON: Yeah. Don’t quote — like I don’t know if it’s top five but —
Q.My question was going to be like what are some seasons that stand out to you?KYLE LARSON: Well, I mean, I think obviously Jimmie and Jeff’s…
Q.The year they went back and forth?KYLE LARSON: Any of Dale Sr.’s seasons. I don’t really know off of the top of my head. I know he’s had seven championships so somewhere in there I’m sure he’s won a ton of races also had great finishes each and every weekend.I guess maybe that would be a question for the statisticians out there in this room. The Bob Pockrasses in the back there to rank it.But, yeah, I just really want to win a championship and see where it stacks up.
Q.So at this stage, how do you feel if you don’t win a championship this year?KYLE LARSON: I don’t know. I try not to think about it. And I think the more wins you get, hopefully we’re winning the championship in Phoenix, but I feel like the more wins we’ve gotten will make that feeling if I happen to not win, make it easier to swallow I think just because it has been a great year.It comes down to one race there in Phoenix. It’s a different style track than we’ve been winning on. But I don’t know. Like I said I try not to think about it. We’ll see how the feeling is. Hopefully we’re celebrating after Phoenix and I don’t have to accept the fact that we didn’t win a championship.But either way, yes, it’s been a good season but I want to cap it off with what we all want.
Q.(No microphone.)KYLE LARSON: Not necessarily, no. I don’t, I don’t, no. I don’t. This package, it allows other people to be faster there. I was really good there. If we were there with the low downforce and more horsepower, for sure I would want to be at Homestead. I feel like we could crush them there.I don’t think I can do that in this package at Homestead. And I feel like at Phoenix I’ve got a better shot at Homestead in this package.
Q.Couple of the drivers, different manufacturers talking about you’re just on a roll. And it’s like they were saying they would do the same thing if you had — if they had the cars, the talent and everything. They know that they’re racing at the same level as you but you’re like unstoppable right now. When your competitors are saying that that you’re unstoppable, what does that do for your confidence level?KYLE LARSON: Well, I think for our team, it raises our confidence, not just myself. But this is a tough series and it goes in swings. And I’m thankful that we’ve only got two races left. Last time we were on a streak like this, we fell off for about a month.I’m glad that we’re peaking again at a good point in the season. But like I said, it’s a tough series. And there was — I don’t feel like I had the best car today, and we won.I just think it’s a team support. And our team is performing at a very high level. And I think the confidence that we gain each and every week is a big factor.
Q.Do you wish Phoenix was next week? Like are you getting anxious? Are you like, Man, let’s get this and let’s see if I can do it?KYLE LARSON: I mean, yes and no. I mean, knowing that we’re — knowing that I have a shot to race for a championship, like the anticipation definitely rises each day. So in a way, yes, I wish we could go to Phoenix tomorrow and get it done and get racing.But I am excited to get to Martinsville. I’m always excited to get to Martinsville until I start turning laps and I realize that I’ve not learned anything from the times before.But, yeah, we ran good there earlier this year. Ran fifth. Finished fifth. So now we’ve got the number one pit stall I would imagine and start for the pole and hopefully we can stay up front and try to get a win in my toughest racetrack.
Q.(No microphone.)KYLE LARSON: I don’t know. To me, I haven’t lived it yet. We’re not into the week of Phoenix yet. But I feel like Chili Bowl — I always run early in the week. I’ve won however many prelim nights now and then I sit all week and watch all these other racers go out there. I like psych myself out every year like, Man, they look better than I do. They’re fast. It’s going to be hard to beat them and this and that.But I think with Phoenix and how this is like we just show up and — well, we get to practice and stuff, but we get to race and all that. I don’t know. I think there’s less time for me to psych myself out because I’m not sitting in the stands watching these guys race.I’m still out there racing in these weeks and winning and gaining confidence and all that. So I don’t know if that answers it but I feel like, yeah, I feel like I psych myself out every year at Chili Bowl and I don’t think I’ll do that in this deal.
Q.Kyle, you got your first Cup win in your 100th start. It was for such a long time, When is Kyle going to win? And I know there were a lot of circumstances. As you’re having this season that very few have had and winning as much as you have, the struggles earlier in your career, does that give you a better appreciation of what — or what kind of appreciation does it give you of what you’re able to accomplish at this point?KYLE LARSON: Yeah. I think it makes me appreciate those wins that I had back then even more because we’ve been able to click them off at a good rate this year. I went winless forever, and then finally got a win. And then 2017 had a great year. Then the next two years I didn’t really have amazing seasons.So just makes me appreciate those moments even more because it’s so hard to win a Cup race. And it makes me realize too like how much we accomplished in the 42 is something to be very proud of, seeing the I guess lack of resources in a way compared to what we have at Hendrick Motorsports.So, yes, now getting to see both sides of it, it’s amazing we ^ one ^ won as much as we did and ran as well as we did.So, yeah, I think it makes me proud of those years even more.
Q.To follow up, you talked earlier today and you talked here about times almost kind of psyching yourself out or thinking about too much or even with what your success and talent. So when you were having those struggles earlier as you just talked about in Cup even with the resource differences, did you ever question what you were doing or if it was — if you were going to meet the expectations? And did that become a burden at any point?KYLE LARSON: Yeah, definitely. I mean, I feel like for a long time I could have been viewed as the most overly hyped driver in the Cup Series I think, you know, because I think everybody saw the potential and I could sometimes — or I thought the potential was there to have seasons like I’ve had now this year. But you just don’t know if you’re lacking on equipment and stuff like that or if it’s just you.So, yes, I think back then, it’s like, Man, maybe I’m not as good in a stock car as some people think that I might be or as good as I want to be.But I think the stars aligned with me being here at Hendrick Motorsports and with Cliff Daniels. Yeah, the resources are there to now showcase what I hoped I could succeed with.
Q.Kind of going off the last question in terms of trying not to psych yourself out. Do you and the team put more emphasis on preparing for Phoenix over the next couple of weeks? Or is it just more of a one-race-at-a-time approach and putting as much effort at trying to win at Martinsville?KYLE LARSON: Yeah, I don’t know. I think they are already in motion on our Phoenix car which they would have been had I not won either of these two races just because we race Sunday at Martinsville and have to leave Tuesday for Phoenix. So that’s already been in motion.So I don’t think now at this point anything changes. I think we prepare for Martinsville. We want to go there and run good and win. Like I said, things are already in motion on the Phoenix car.So I think me sitting at home, yeah, I mean, like I’ve already looked at some Phoenix video from earlier this year and I’ll probably watch the Championship 4 from last year this week just to try — like I said earlier, the anticipation is already there. So trying to just study and get ready.
Q.I’ll make this next one really short. In your mind, are you the championship favorite?KYLE LARSON: I don’t know. I think looking at the drivers in the Round of 8, you can make a strong case for every single one of us, why we could win the championship at Phoenix.So I don’t know. I don’t think you can pick a favorite. I think maybe, yes, you can look at me as being the favorite because of the momentum and stuff that we’re on and all that.But I can make a case for any one of the other seven drivers, why they could beat me and beat any of us. Anybody can win I think in the Final 8 right now.
Q.You’ve often said Martinsville is not one of your best tracks. Will you be okay if you do not dominate next week and just have a top 10 or average day?KYLE LARSON: Yeah. I mean, I don’t — for how I’ve ran in Martinsville my career, I don’t expect to go there to dominate. So if I don’t dominate, I don’t think it’s going to affect my mind or anything like that.I ran fifth there earlier this year and I was like so happy. Probably one of the happiest runs I’ve had this year just because it’s a place that’s been so tough on me. Just a hard place for me to get into a rhythm. It takes me like half the race to get into a rhythm there.But I think having that, that was really like our first tiny track that we ran to that point in the season. And I think having that data point, our car will be even better going back. Hopefully we can lead some laps and maybe get a win.
Q.How far have you come from that first race at Martinsville when you crashed and your cat vomited and everything went wrong?KYLE LARSON: Well, I blew up I think my first time at Martinsville. I think I ran there in 2013. I don’t know. I feel like I would run around like 18th to 27th every time I went there.And then getting there in Hendrick equipment I realized that setup is a lot better, the vibe there, HMS. Was able to see the leaders kind of the whole time earlier this year.So, yeah, I don’t know. It’s still just a really tough place. I hope someday it will click for me there. I know my car is always going to be better there than me. But hopefully we can hit on some things.I’ll do a lot of studying this week and look how Chase gets around there and Truex and Denny. Everybody’s got really different styles. It’s really hard to study and pick a style and know that it’s going to click with you.But I do get excited to go to Martinsville every time because it’s going to be a challenge. And I look forward to becoming better there. So I get excited to go to Martinsville
Q.Kyle, you’ve won back-to-back races. And that is an extreme accomplishment in NASCAR. However, it is even tougher to go four for five or even five for five. Are you a little bit concerned that you may have peaked just a little too soon going into the championship race two weeks from now?KYLE LARSON: No. No. There’s only two races left, so I’m not.
Q.Obviously taking out the title, what is the story of Kyle Larson this season in your own words?KYLE LARSON: I don’t know. I think the last two years on the racetrack have been extremely successful. I think I’ve won 46 races last year. And I think I’m at 29 right now this year. So, yeah, just really, really cool. Still have like probably 12 or so more races left this year.So I don’t know. It’s just been a successful year on the track I think. Off the track has been a lot of fun. Started my own foundation and doing stuff with that. Stuff with my family. You know, Owen’s playing baseball. And just doing normal dad stuff is cool. I didn’t really have much time to do that and our kids weren’t old enough to do fun things like that.So, yeah, I think both on and off the track, I’m in a great spot personally. So, yeah, I don’t know. The year’s not over, so it’s hard for me to close the book on the story.

October 24, 2021

Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Menards/Monster team struggled from the green flag to the checkered in Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.

After starting 15^th, DiBenedetto was able to basically maintain his spot in the running order in the opening laps, but the No. 21 Menards/Monster Mustang wasn’t driving to his liking.

By the end of the first 80-lap Stage he’d fallen to 22^nd place, one lap behind the leaders.

Stage Two didn’t go any better, as adjustments to the No. 21 Mustang didn’t result in more speed. DiBenedetto closed out that 80-lap segment still in 22^nd place but fell another lap behind.
 
With few opportunities to use the wave-around to regain the lost laps, the final segment saw more of the same for the Menards/Monster team, and DiBenedetto ended the race in 23^rd position.
 
“We just missed it today,” DiBenedetto said. “We were way off on our setup and had to live with it. With no practice, that’s bound to happen on occasion.”
 
The fact that DiBenedetto and the Menards/Monster team never gave up despite the disappointing results showed the kind of determination that led the family of Cancer Hero Howard Scholick to nominate Scholick to be honored by the No. 21 team during Sunday’s race.
 
Scholick, of Columbia, Md., was nominated by his son-in-law Scott Townsend as part of a program put on by the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, the NASCAR Foundation and AdventHealth. His name was placed on the No. 21 Mustang in the spot normally taken by DiBenedetto’s name.
 
Townsend said he chose DiBenedetto and the Wood Brothers because of the way the driver and team never give up despite the situation they find themselves in.

Eddie Wood said that while he and the team had hoped to deliver a better result in Scholick’s memory, he was proud that the team never stopped trying to improve their car.
 
“In this sport, you’re going to have days where things just don’t work out, but we owe it to the people who support us to try and make the best of every situation,” Wood said. “We did that today, and now we have to put this one behind us and move on.”
 
DiBenedetto and the No. 21 team now head to the Woods’ home track, Martinsville Speedway, for next Sunday’s Xfinity 500.
 

NASCAR CUP SERIES HOLLYWOOD CASINO 400 KANSAS SPEEDWAY TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES & QUOTES OCTOBER 24, 2021 TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS:POS.   DRIVER1st      KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE 2nd     CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE4th      KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 ADVENTHEALTH CAMARO ZL1 1LE6th      WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 RAPTORTOUGH.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE10th    AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 GET BIOETHANOL CAMARO ZL1 1LE  TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS: POS.  DRIVER1st     Kyle Larson (Chevrolet)2nd    Chase Elliott (Chevrolet)3rd     Kevin Harvick (Ford)4th    Kurt Busch (Chevrolet)5th      Denny Hamlin (Toyota)  The NASCAR Cup Series season continues this weekend at Martinsville Speedway for the Xfinity 500 on Sunday, October 31, at 2 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.  TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES AND QUOTES: KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Race WinnerYOU HAVE GONE TO VICTORY LANE NINE TIMES NOW THIS YEAR, INCLUDING THREE IN A ROW. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WINNING THIS ONE, 17 YEARS TO THE DAY AFTER A TRAGEDY IN THE NASCAR COMMUNITY FOR HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS?“Yes, I want to dedicate this win to Rick and Linda (Hendrick). I didn’t ever get to meet Ricky (Hendrick) or the other men and women who lost their lives that day, but I felt the importance of this race, no doubt. It’s crazy how it kind of all worked out there for me to win. I know they were all looking down and helping me out there with all the restarts and stuff after getting into the wall. Again, thank you to Rick Hendrick. I know this means a lot to you and I’m glad I could get it done. It’s cool to get another win and I don’t really know how that happened but, our HendrickCars.com Chevy was really fast. I thought we were like a third-place car, really. William (Byron) was really good. I hate to see that unfortunate luck there again for that team. They’ve been really, really strong. I’m glad we could capitalize and get another win. I hope we can go to Martinsville and get a clock.” YOU HAD DAMAGE ON THE LEFT REAR AND THE RIGHT REAR AND A LITTLE BIT OF DAMAGE EVERYWHERE. YOU WERE MAD AT YOURSELF FOR A RESTART MIDWAY THROUGH THE RACE. WAS IT THAT DETERMINATION NOT TO LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN THAT GOT YOU THE WIN TODAY?“Well, not really. I kind of forgot about that early. I felt like I did an okay job trying to hold those guys off as long as I could, on older tires. But yeah, and then I just got a little too impatient and the race was kind of closing down in the end. I got loose off of (Turn) 2 and got in the wall and thought for sure my chances of winning were done. But I had a couple of good restarts that worked out for me. The No. 4 (Kevin Harvick) got to the No. 9’s (Chase Elliott) inside at the flag stand and kind of choked that lane up and got me clear to the lead. Had to do some blocking there and Chase was really fast at the end. So, I’m glad I didn’t have to fight him too much.” CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 2nd“Really proud of the effort. Our entire NAPA Chevrolet team did a great job today and I felt like we had something for Kyle (Larson) there. Just got the wall there off of (turn) two. It’s so hard to get up to him when you are running the fence like that. It’s just tough because every few feet you get closer, the harder it gets. It was a lot of fun. I’m really proud of the way we ran today. I feel like it was a really nice step in the right direction.”“More importantly, just thinking about Hendrick Motorsports and the family that is Hendrick Motorsports. Obviously, this is a day that nobody is ever going to forget. Just thinking about Mr. Hendrick and all the families that were affected 17 years ago today. Just proud to be a part of their family and hope we can make them proud these next two weeks.” HOW DID YOU KEEP YOUR CAR IN SUCH GOOD SHAPE?“We had a really fast car first off. Obviously, the restarts didn’t go great there at the end ,but we were able to climb back in it. So just really proud of the effort. These are the kind of runs that you have to have to compete for a championship. So, it’s a good time to be doing that.” PLUS 34 GOING INTO MARTINSVILLE, WHAT DOES THAT ALLOW YOU TO DO CHASE?“I don’t know if it allows you to do much of anything now. As you saw today, I am not sure that any amount of points is safe. I think anyone in this Round can win next week. So, we are really going to have to be on it, but looking forward to the opportunity and excited for the challenge.” KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 ADVENTHEALTH CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 4th WAS YOUR CAR AS STRONG AS IT LOOKED?“We did everything right, we just didn’t combo it all together at the perfect time. Pit road was awesome. Matt McCall (crew chief) and all my guys, sticking together this late in the year with the team switching over. Just thank you to AdventHealth. I wanted to give them a good run and we were there. We did all of this right and it was so much fun racing right in the mix. It’s the little things that make the big difference. We freed it up on that last run; it got too tight. When you’re running with the big dogs, you have to do everything right.” “Thanks to Chevrolet and Hendrick power. That was a big deal today. Thank you to my guys at Ganassi. We’ll keep chipping away.” WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 RAPTORTOUGH.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 6thTALK ABOUT THAT LAST STOP TO TIGHTEN UP THE LUG NUTS AND HOW CHAOTIC THE RESTARTS WERE AT THE END. “Yeah, it was tough for us. On the first one, we got a good chunk of them and we got inside the top 10 and restarted ninth. Just didn’t really go anywhere on that one and it took us a while to kind of get back up there. But yeah, just a bummer we had that issue. I feel like we were executing a really good race and probably had the best car. We just had that issue and it took us out. We will rebound. This RaptorTough.com Chevrolet looked really good and we have had so much speed this year. It’s just a bummer to not get more wins, but I feel like our time is coming. We just have to keep at it.” TALK ABOUT THE SPEED YOU GUYS HAVE HAD THE LAST FEW WEEKS.“Yeah, I think we are there every week. We are putting ourselves in position in the final stage to win the race and that is really all you can do. It’s really hard to put yourself in that position, but I felt like we have done that multiple times. We just have to keep at it and see what happens.”  AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BIOETHANOL CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 10th“We had a really fast No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE today at Kansas Speedway. We ended up with damage in Stage 1 and never recovered, so it really says a lot that we were able to finish in the top-10. It was hard-earned by everyone on the team, for sure. We were running solidly in the top-10 in Stage 1 when another car fenced both of us. We had a lot of right-side damage, but we fixed it the best we could. Most of the rest of the day was a struggle because the damage was affecting our handling. By the end of the race, our car was pretty decent. Late in the race I got into a Playoff contender and I hate it for everyone involved. It was side-drafting. It’s part of what we do, but I still hate that it happened. I tried to save it the first time, and the second time I just lost it. Overall, it was a good day for the Get Bioethanol team, and I am so proud of everyone at RCR and ECR for preparing fast Chevrolets.” ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 11th“Kind of a frustrating day. We had a good Ally Chevy, but just fought being loose all day. We have two races left to get the finishes we want and that’s what we plan to do.” ERIK JONES, NO. 43 PETTY’S GARAGE CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 29th“Tough day for the Petty’s Garage Chevy. Never quite had the balance where we wanted and then cut a tire down that put us way behind towards the end. Hopefully we can rebound at Martinsville.”

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use. About ChevroletFounded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

10th

14th

17th

“We had a really fast No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE today at Kansas Speedway. We ended up with damage in Stage 1 and never recovered, so it really says a lot that we were able to finish in the top-10. It was hard-earned by everyone on the team, for sure. We were running solidly in the top-10 in Stage 1 when another car fenced both of us. We had a lot of right-side damage, but we fixed it the best we could. Most of the rest of the day was a struggle because the damage was affecting our handling. By the end of the race, our car was pretty decent. Late in the race I got into a Playoff contender and I hate it for everyone involved. It was side-drafting. It’s part of what we do, but I still hate that it happened. I tried to save it the first time, and the second time I just lost it. Overall, it was a good day for the Get Bioethanol team, and I am so proud of everyone at RCR and ECR for preparing fast Chevrolets.” -Austin Dillon

Tyler Reddick Showcases the No. 8 Caterpillar Dealer Tech Chevrolet With Impressive Run at Kansas Speedway

22nd

12th

13th

“These RCR Chevrolets are so fast, and once again we were able to run up front and contend in the No. 8 Caterpillar Dealer Tech Chevrolet. I absolutely hate how the day wrapped up, but I can’t say enough about RCR and how hard everyone has worked this year to make our 550 package better. I’m gutted that we haven’t won yet, but I know we are capable. Our Chevy was strong all day, and it felt good to run up front and lead for a bit today. It was really windy out there and I could definitely feel the wind pushing our car around during the race, but Randall Burnett and all of the guys did a great job adjusting on our car. Cautions didn’t fall our way today, and we also had to make an unscheduled pit stop for a tire going down with less than 20 laps remaining. That really ruined our chances of a solid finish. Overall, I’m so proud of this team and I know we are capable of winning.” -Tyler Reddick

NASCAR CUP SERIES HOLLYWOOD CASINO 400 KANSAS SPEEDWAY TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES & QUOTES OCTOBER 24, 2021
TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS:POS.   DRIVER1st      KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE 2nd     CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE4th      KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 ADVENTHEALTH CAMARO ZL1 1LE6th      WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 RAPTORTOUGH.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE10th    AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 GET BIOETHANOL CAMARO ZL1 1LE 
TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS: POS.  DRIVER1st     Kyle Larson (Chevrolet)2nd    Chase Elliott (Chevrolet)3rd     Kevin Harvick (Ford)4th    Kurt Busch (Chevrolet)5th      Denny Hamlin (Toyota) 
The NASCAR Cup Series season continues this weekend at Martinsville Speedway for the Xfinity 500 on Sunday, October 31, at 2 p.m. ET. Live coverage can be found on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.  TEAM CHEVY POST-RACE NOTES AND QUOTES: KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Race WinnerYOU HAVE GONE TO VICTORY LANE NINE TIMES NOW THIS YEAR, INCLUDING THREE IN A ROW. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WINNING THIS ONE, 17 YEARS TO THE DAY AFTER A TRAGEDY IN THE NASCAR COMMUNITY FOR HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS?“Yes, I want to dedicate this win to Rick and Linda (Hendrick). I didn’t ever get to meet Ricky (Hendrick) or the other men and women who lost their lives that day, but I felt the importance of this race, no doubt. It’s crazy how it kind of all worked out there for me to win. I know they were all looking down and helping me out there with all the restarts and stuff after getting into the wall. Again, thank you to Rick Hendrick. I know this means a lot to you and I’m glad I could get it done. It’s cool to get another win and I don’t really know how that happened but, our HendrickCars.com Chevy was really fast. I thought we were like a third-place car, really. William (Byron) was really good. I hate to see that unfortunate luck there again for that team. They’ve been really, really strong. I’m glad we could capitalize and get another win. I hope we can go to Martinsville and get a clock.”
YOU HAD DAMAGE ON THE LEFT REAR AND THE RIGHT REAR AND A LITTLE BIT OF DAMAGE EVERYWHERE. YOU WERE MAD AT YOURSELF FOR A RESTART MIDWAY THROUGH THE RACE. WAS IT THAT DETERMINATION NOT TO LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN THAT GOT YOU THE WIN TODAY?“Well, not really. I kind of forgot about that early. I felt like I did an okay job trying to hold those guys off as long as I could, on older tires. But yeah, and then I just got a little too impatient and the race was kind of closing down in the end. I got loose off of (Turn) 2 and got in the wall and thought for sure my chances of winning were done. But I had a couple of good restarts that worked out for me. The No. 4 (Kevin Harvick) got to the No. 9’s (Chase Elliott) inside at the flag stand and kind of choked that lane up and got me clear to the lead. Had to do some blocking there and Chase was really fast at the end. So, I’m glad I didn’t have to fight him too much.”
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 2nd“Really proud of the effort. Our entire NAPA Chevrolet team did a great job today and I felt like we had something for Kyle (Larson) there. Just got the wall there off of (turn) two. It’s so hard to get up to him when you are running the fence like that. It’s just tough because every few feet you get closer, the harder it gets. It was a lot of fun. I’m really proud of the way we ran today. I feel like it was a really nice step in the right direction.”
“More importantly, just thinking about Hendrick Motorsports and the family that is Hendrick Motorsports. Obviously, this is a day that nobody is ever going to forget. Just thinking about Mr. Hendrick and all the families that were affected 17 years ago today. Just proud to be a part of their family and hope we can make them proud these next two weeks.”
HOW DID YOU KEEP YOUR CAR IN SUCH GOOD SHAPE?“We had a really fast car first off. Obviously, the restarts didn’t go great there at the end ,but we were able to climb back in it. So just really proud of the effort. These are the kind of runs that you have to have to compete for a championship. So, it’s a good time to be doing that.” PLUS 34 GOING INTO MARTINSVILLE, WHAT DOES THAT ALLOW YOU TO DO CHASE?“I don’t know if it allows you to do much of anything now. As you saw today, I am not sure that any amount of points is safe. I think anyone in this Round can win next week. So, we are really going to have to be on it, but looking forward to the opportunity and excited for the challenge.”
KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 ADVENTHEALTH CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 4th WAS YOUR CAR AS STRONG AS IT LOOKED?“We did everything right, we just didn’t combo it all together at the perfect time. Pit road was awesome. Matt McCall (crew chief) and all my guys, sticking together this late in the year with the team switching over. Just thank you to AdventHealth. I wanted to give them a good run and we were there. We did all of this right and it was so much fun racing right in the mix. It’s the little things that make the big difference. We freed it up on that last run; it got too tight. When you’re running with the big dogs, you have to do everything right.”
“Thanks to Chevrolet and Hendrick power. That was a big deal today. Thank you to my guys at Ganassi. We’ll keep chipping away.”
WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 RAPTORTOUGH.COM CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 6thTALK ABOUT THAT LAST STOP TO TIGHTEN UP THE LUG NUTS AND HOW CHAOTIC THE RESTARTS WERE AT THE END. “Yeah, it was tough for us. On the first one, we got a good chunk of them and we got inside the top 10 and restarted ninth. Just didn’t really go anywhere on that one and it took us a while to kind of get back up there. But yeah, just a bummer we had that issue. I feel like we were executing a really good race and probably had the best car. We just had that issue and it took us out. We will rebound. This RaptorTough.com Chevrolet looked really good and we have had so much speed this year. It’s just a bummer to not get more wins, but I feel like our time is coming. We just have to keep at it.” TALK ABOUT THE SPEED YOU GUYS HAVE HAD THE LAST FEW WEEKS.“Yeah, I think we are there every week. We are putting ourselves in position in the final stage to win the race and that is really all you can do. It’s really hard to put yourself in that position, but I felt like we have done that multiple times. We just have to keep at it and see what happens.”  AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BIOETHANOL CAMARO ZL1 1LE – Finished 10th“We had a really fast No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE today at Kansas Speedway. We ended up with damage in Stage 1 and never recovered, so it really says a lot that we were able to finish in the top-10. It was hard-earned by everyone on the team, for sure. We were running solidly in the top-10 in Stage 1 when another car fenced both of us. We had a lot of right-side damage, but we fixed it the best we could. Most of the rest of the day was a struggle because the damage was affecting our handling. By the end of the race, our car was pretty decent. Late in the race I got into a Playoff contender and I hate it for everyone involved. It was side-drafting. It’s part of what we do, but I still hate that it happened. I tried to save it the first time, and the second time I just lost it. Overall, it was a good day for the Get Bioethanol team, and I am so proud of everyone at RCR and ECR for preparing fast Chevrolets.”

NASCAR CUP SERIES HOLLYWOOD CASINO 400 KANSAS SPEEDWAY TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTESOCTOBER 24, 2021 KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 HENDRICKCARS.COM CAMARO ZL1 ILE – Race Winner YOU HAVE GONE TO VICTORY LANE NINE TIMES NOW THIS YEAR, INCLUDING THREE IN A ROW. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WINNING THIS ONE, 17 YEARS TO THE DAY AFTER A TRAGEDY IN THE NASCAR COMMUNITY FOR HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS?“Yes, I want to dedicate this win to Rick and Linda (Hendrick). I didn’t ever get to meet Ricky (Hendrick) or the other men and women who lost their lives that day, but I felt the importance of this race, no doubt. It’s crazy how it kind of all worked out there for me to win. I know they were all looking down and helping me out there with all the restarts and stuff after getting into the wall. Again, thank you to Rick Hendrick. I know this means a lot to you and I’m glad I could get it done. It’s cool to get another win and I don’t really know how that happened but, our HendrickCars.com Chevy was really fast. I thought we were like a third-place car, really. William (Byron) was really good. I hate to see that unfortunate luck there again for that team. They’ve been really, really strong. I’m glad we could capitalize and get another win. I hope we can go to Martinsville and get a clock.” YOU HAD DAMAGE ON THE LEFT REAR AND THE RIGHT REAR AND A LITTLE BIT OF DAMAGE EVERYWHERE. YOU WERE MAD AT YOURSELF FOR A RESTART MIDWAY THROUGH THE RACE. WAS IT THAT DETERMINATION NOT TO LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN THAT GOT YOU THE WIN TODAY?“Well, not really. I kind of forgot about that early. I felt like I did an okay job trying to hold those guys off as long as I could, on older tires. But yeah, and then I just got a little too impatient and the race was kind of closing down in the end. I got loose off of (Turn) 2 and got in the wall and thought for sure my chances of winning were done. But I had a couple of good restarts that worked out for me. The No. 4 (Kevin Harvick) got to the No. 9’s (Chase Elliott) inside at the flag stand and kind of choked that lane up and got me clear to the lead. Had to do some blocking there and Chase was really fast at the end. So, I’m glad I didn’t have to fight him too much.”

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use. About ChevroletFounded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, available in 79 countries with more than 3.2 million cars and trucks sold in 2020. Chevrolet models include electric and fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.