Monthly Archives: September 2016

Follow A Dream Racing

Follow A Dream/Permatex TA/FC Team’s U.S. Nationals Bid Falls Short

Follow A Dream/Permatex TA/FC Team’s U.S. Nationals Bid Falls Short

MARSTONS Mills, Massachusetts (September 7, 2016) – While the hoped for results fell a bit short, Jay Blake, owner of The Follow A Dream/Permatex Top Alcohol Funny Car team, was still heartened at the car’s performance at this past weekend’s Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Brownsburg, Indiana.

Blake’s Chevrolet Camaro and driver Phil Burkart reached the quarterfinals/second round of the NHRA’s biggest drag race of the season before falling in a very close battle to Doug Gordon on Saturday (Sept. 3).

“We’ve had some struggles the last couple of races,” Blake said. “The car hasn’t really been going down the racetrack. But this weekend, we had six good runs (four qualifying runs, plus two elimination rounds). Continue reading Follow A Dream/Permatex TA/FC Team’s U.S. Nationals Bid Falls Short →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Richmond Advance

Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Richmond International Raceway … Richard Childress has nine NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories as a car owner at Richmond International Raceway – five with Dale Earnhardt, three with Kevin Harvick and one with Clint Bowyer. Additionally, in 157 starts at the Richmond, Va.-based track, RCR drivers have claimed 36 top-five and 67 top-10 finishes. Childress, a former driver on NASCAR’s senior circuit, contributed three of those top-10 finishes from 1976-1978. The Welcome, N.C.-based organization holds a 17.4 average starting position, an average finishing position of 15.1, has completed 59,687 of the 62,722 contested laps (95.2 percent) and collectively led 3,252 laps.

RCR in the NSCS … In 2,703 Sprint Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 46 pole awards,105 wins, 473 top-five finishes and 1,024 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 16.0. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Sprint Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR XFINITY Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.

The Collective RCR … RCR’s three full-time Sprint Cup Series drivers rank 12th (Dillon), 14th (Newman) and 21st (Menard) in the driver championship point standings.

Catch the Action … The Federated Auto Parts 400 is scheduled to be televised live on NBC Sports Network beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90.

Summit Racing

TEAM SUMMIT RACING MAINTAINS POINTS LEAD HEADED INTO COUNTDOWN

TEAM SUMMIT RACING MAINTAINS POINTS LEAD HEADED INTO COUNTDOWN

Indianapolis, IN (September 5, 2016) –Team Summit Racing Pro Stock drivers Jason Line and Greg Anderson remain first and second in the points standings after the 62nd Annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, the final race of the NHRA regular season.

Line and Anderson were also chosen by Chevrolet Performance to be Honorary Starters for the race. On race day they paraded down the track in brand new Chevrolet Camaros and were presented with plaques to commemorate the occasion. Continue reading TEAM SUMMIT RACING MAINTAINS POINTS LEAD HEADED INTO COUNTDOWN →

NHRA

NHRA–Brownsburg

Top Fuel — Tony Schumacher, 3.806 seconds, 317.64 mph def. Steve Torrence, 3.803 seconds, 325.06 mph.

Funny Car — Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.964, 327.43 def. Del Worsham, Toyota Camry, 3.958, 324.20.

Pro Stock — Chris McGaha, Chevy Camaro, 6.688, 207.15 def. Allen Johnson, Dodge Dart, 6.715, 207.08.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — Andrew Hines, Harley-Davidson, 6.862, 194.63 def. Hector Arana Jr, Buell, Foul – Red Light.

Pro Modified — Von Smith, Chevy Corvette, 11.726, 73.67 def. Troy Coughlin, Corvette, Foul – Red Light.

Top Alcohol Dragster — Dan Page, 5.352, 270.32 def. Shawn Cowie, 5.369, 270.27.

Top Alcohol Funny Car — Jonnie Lindberg, Chevy Camaro, 5.673, 263.00 def. Annie Whiteley, Camaro, 10.210, 92.40.

Competition Eliminator — Kevin Self, Bantam Roadster, 7.796, 168.58 def. Jason Coan, Bantam, 8.224, 158.52.

Super Stock — Ryan Haag, Chevy Camaro, 9.821, 126.16 def. Sean Cour, Chevy Cobalt, 9.497, 138.96.

Stock Eliminator — Jeff Lopez, Chevy Camaro, 9.395, 141.03 def. Charlie Downing, Ford Mustang, 10.383, 127.74.

Super Comp — Gary Stinnett, Dragster, 8.888, 186.05 def. Greg Kamplain, Dragster, Foul – Red Light.

Super Gas — Tommy Phillips, Chevy Corvette, 9.973, 149.55 def. Ray Miller III, Chevy Camaro, 10.071, 145.36.

Factory Stock Showdown — Chris Holbrook, Ford Mustang, 8.314, 163.00 def. Stephen Bell, Chevy Camaro, 8.442, 161.67.

Mopar Racing

Funny Car’s Matt Hagan Puts Mopar Dodge in Winner’s Circle at NHRA U.S. Nationals

Funny Car’s Matt Hagan Puts Mopar Dodge in Winner’s Circle at NHRA U.S. Nationals

· Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T driver Matt Hagan wins U.S. Nationals from No. 1 spot
· Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) driver Hagan claims 10th win of season for Team Mopar Funny Cars
· U.S. Nationals victory is Hagan’s third of 2016 Mello Yello Series season and 21st of career
· DSR’s Tony Schumacher makes it a double for Mopar with victory in his HEMI-fueled U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster
· Championship hopeful Allen Johnson takes Mopar power to the Pro Stock final round with his Dodge Dart
· Final points set for 2016 NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs

Indianapolis, Indiana (September 5, 2016) – The 62nd annual U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis brought victory for Team Mopar in the form of a double-up win on Labor Day weekend ahead of the Countdown to the Championship. Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) driver Matt Hagan, in the Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T, crushed the competition with his fierce HEMI® to claim the Funny Car title at the most prestigious race on the tour. Continue reading Funny Car’s Matt Hagan Puts Mopar Dodge in Winner’s Circle at NHRA U.S. Nationals →

Jegs Racing

Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin Sr. races to U.S. Nationals final

Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin Sr. races to U.S. Nationals final
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 5) — JEGS.com driver Troy Coughlin Sr. came within an eyelash of winning the U.S. Nationals again.

Coughlin left .001-second too soon in the final round of the J&A Service Pro Mod Series race presented by JEGS.com on Monday at Lucas Oil Raceway against Von Smith, drawing a red-light and giving the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals title to Smith.

Coughlin had gotten to the finish line well ahead of his opponent after Smith’s car wiggled at the hit and veered to the left, and he shut it off as Coughlin sped ahead, but the race was already decided.
Continue reading Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin Sr. races to U.S. Nationals final →

Allen Johnson Racing

Allen Johnson’s Captivating Driving Performance Advances Marathon Dart to Final Round at U.S. Nationals

Allen Johnson’s Captivating Driving Performance Advances Marathon Dart to Final Round at U.S. Nationals

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (September 5, 2016) – Allen Johnson raced to his 59th final round of his career at the 62nd annual U.S. Nationals this weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. On his way to the finals, he defeated Drew Skillman, Greg Anderson and Shane Gray.

In the first round, No. 7 Johnson had lane choice over No. 10 Drew Skillman. Johnson bolted off the starting line with a .012-second reaction time and with that starting line advantage, it was enough to take the holeshot victory over Skillman; Johnson clocked in with a 6.668-second pass at 206.83 against Skillman’s 6.666, 208.65.

For second round, Johnson knew another starting line advantage would be crucial in beating Greg Anderson. Johnson bettered his first round reaction time with a .009-second start and with .035-second advantage, his 6.683, 207.21 turned on the win light over Anderson’s quicker but losing 6.655, 207.91.

In the semifinals, Johnson had tough competition in opponent Shane Gray. Johnson once again took control at the starting line and drove past Gray at the finish line on a holeshot win; Johnson clocked in with a 6.701, 206.35 against Gray’s 6.673, 208.17 and earned his third holeshot win of the day.

As the remaining Mopar driver at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, he wanted nothing more than to defeat a Chevrolet-powered car in the finals. Johnson and Chris McGaha left the line and Johnson ran a consistent 6.715, 207.08 but he wasn’t able to advance to the winner circle over McGaha’s 6.688, 207.15.

“We had a ball at Indy this year,” Johnson beamed despite a final round loss. “We have momentum on our side and I can’t wait to battle for the Countdown. Our Marathon Petroleum/J&J Racing Dart is lookin’ good just in time for the Countdown.”

John Force Racing

VALIANT EFFORT BY JFR AT TOUGH CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE US NATIONALS

VALIANT EFFORT BY JFR AT TOUGH CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE US NATIONALS

INDIANAPOLIS — For just the third time in eleven years John Force Racing did not advance a Funny Car to the final round of the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. Robert Hight and Courtney Force were defeated in the quarterfinals today stopping their efforts to win their fourth or first U.S. Nationals title, respectively. All three JFR Camaro SS Funny Cars qualified in the top half of a very tough Funny Car field. Brittany Force and the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster were also unsuccessful in their second round race today. Continue reading VALIANT EFFORT BY JFR AT TOUGH CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE US NATIONALS →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Brownsburg– Post Race

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE U.S. NATIONALS
LUCAS OIL RACEWAY AT BROWNSBURG, INDIANA
POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
SEPT. 5, 2016

An interview with Pro Stock winner CHRIS MCGAHA, HARLOW SAMMONS RACING, HARLOW SAMMONS OF ODESSA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS:

CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE U.S. NATIONALS WINNER. HOW DOES THAT SOUND TO YOU?

“It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s kind of like the first win. Even after a year-plus, it hasn’t sunk in quite yet. The U.S. Nationals is pretty big, and to bring it home for Chevrolet is the main thing.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Brownsburg– Post Race →

Erica Enders

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders clinches playoffs spot, will battle for another championship

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders clinches playoffs spot, will battle
for another championship
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 5) — Erica Enders and her Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge team secured their chance to race for a third consecutive championship during the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway.

Enders, who won the 2014 and 2015 NHRA Pro Stock titles, wrapped up a spot in the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs when teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. lost in the first round. Coughlin got some good news in the second round when Alex Laughlin lost, landing Coughlin in the Countdown as well. Continue reading Pro Stock champ Erica Enders clinches playoffs spot, will battle for another championship →

Jegs Racing

Jeg Coughlin Jr. locks up final playoff spot for Magneti Marelli/JEGS.com

Jeg Coughlin Jr. locks up final playoff spot for Magneti Marelli/JEGS.com
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 5) — Five-time Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. earned the 10th and final position in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs by a slender two points, despite losing in the first round of Monday’s 62nd annual U.S. Nationals.

Entering the race just ahead of Gray Motorsports team driver Alex Laughlin and his Gas Monkey Energy Drink hot rod, Coughlin needed to maintain his 10th-place ranking to make the playoffs. But when he lost to Greg Anderson and Laughlin was able to win his first-round race against Kenny Delco, Coughlin’s lead over Laughlin shrunk to two markers. The Indy race awards 50 percent more points than other events. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. locks up final playoff spot for Magneti Marelli/JEGS.com →

Wood Brothers

Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Overcomes Tough Night At Darlington To Finish 13th

Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Overcomes Tough Night At Darlington To Finish 13th

September 5, 2016

With bad luck and bad timing of caution flags threatening to turn the Southern 500 into a long, disappointing night for Ryan Blaney and the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team, the rookie driver and his crew never lost their focus and came back from multiple laps down to finish 13th.

It was Blaney’s 12th top-15 finish in the 25 races run so far this season. Continue reading Motorcraft/Quick Lane Team Overcomes Tough Night At Darlington To Finish 13th →

Valerie Thompson Racing

Valerie Thompson shatters 300 mph barrier at Bonneville to become “World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer”

Valerie Thompson shatters 300 mph barrier at Bonneville to become “World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer”

Seven-time land speed record holder named world’s fastest female motorcycle racer with award-winning top speed of 304 mph at Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials

(Scottsdale, AZ) – September 5, 2016 – Valerie Thompson earned the title of world’s fastest female motorcycle racer on September 1 at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials with a blistering one measured mile average speed of 304 mph (489.66 km/h) riding the famous Denis Manning designed “7” Racing streamliner. Continue reading Valerie Thompson shatters 300 mph barrier at Bonneville to become “World’s Fastest Female Motorcycle Racer” →

Red Horse Racing

Red Horse Racing–Canadian Tire Motorsports Park

RACE REPORT
Canada 250
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park
September 4, 2016
Newsletter – Dance Drop Shadow Image
Red Horse Racing at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park

With both left and right turns on the docket this weekend, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series teams went road racing north of the border at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada. On Saturday, during two practices on the 2.5-mile road course, Brett Moffitt was 11th-fastest in the first and third-fastest on the board in final practice in the No. 11 Sportsnet Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Toyota Tundra, while Timothy Peters was seventh and 12th fastest in the No. 17 Red Horse Racing Toyota Tundra in the two sessions. In two rounds of knockout group qualifying on Saturday evening, both Moffitt and Peters transferred to the second round and secured the sixth and 12th starting positions respectively for the 64-lap event. Under beautiful sunny skies on Sunday afternoon, Peters quickly moved into the top 10, but transmission problems relegated him to an 18th-place finish. Moffitt also had a strong Toyota Tundra, but repairs for damage from contact with another competitor cost him track position and resulted in a 16th-place finish. Continue reading Red Horse Racing–Canadian Tire Motorsports Park →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Southern 500

Up and Down Night for Austin Dillon and the American Ethanol Team at Darlington Raceway Results in 12th-Place Finish

“What a race! We fell behind early with a drive-through penalty for speeding on pit road during a pit stop. I guess there is an elevation change leading into our pit box but I can’t really make any excuse. It happens. I made a mistake and we dug ourselves out. Then, on a green-flag stop I overshot the pit stall a little bit. There were a lot of green flag runs tonight, which was good because our American Ethanol Chevy was good on long runs. All-in-all we just have to have a clean race at Richmond International Raceway next weekend in order to make it into the Chase for the Sprint Cup. We’ve put ourselves into position to have a shot. Whatever happens at Richmond happens there. I have confidence in this team.” Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Southern 500 →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Darlington–Post Race Driver’s Press Conference

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
BOJANGLES’ SOUTHERN 500
DARLINGTON RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPTS
SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

CHEVROLET SCORES 2ND & 3RD PLACE FINISHES AT DARLINGTON
Chevy SS Race Cars Post 5 of Top 10 Overall

DARLINGTON, S.C. (September 4, 2016) – Kevin Harvick earned a second-place finish in this year’s annual Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, the penultimate race until the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series field is decided. Harvick led the 367-lap Southern 500 five different times for a race-high 215 laps in route to his fourth second-place finish of the season. A late-race pit stop mired Harvick and his No. 4 Busch Beer Chevrolet SS deep in the top 10, but the former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion rallied to a runner-up finish. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Darlington–Post Race Driver’s Press Conference →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Darlington–Post Race

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
BOJANGLES’ SOUTHERN 500
DARLINGTON RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

KEVIN HARVICK, NO. 4 BUSCH BEER CHEVROLET SS – FINISHED 2ND
ON HIS NIGHT:
“Our team in the garage did a great job. They brought the fastest race car to the track once again and we just didn’t do a good job on pit road and gave it away.”

HOW MUCH DID THE RACE CHANGE AND HOW DID YOUR CAR REACT THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT?
“We started 12th and eighth and sixth and we had a great race car all night just got to thank everybody in the shop and in the garage for putting the race cars under us. We can’t just continuously shoot ourselves in the foot every few pit stops.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Darlington–Post Race →

Erica Enders

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders excited to defend her U.S. Nationals title

Pro Stock champ Erica Enders excited to defend her U.S. Nationals title
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 4) — A big part of two-time Pro Stock champion Erica Enders’ success is the ability to see the positive in everything and then make the most of that optimism.

Enders qualified her Elite Motorsports/Mopar Dodge in the No. 14 qualifying spot for Monday eliminations at the U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway. That may be disheartening to some, but Enders is the defending U.S. Nationals champion and knows race day is a new day.

“This is our worst qualifying position in a long time but I’m OK with that,” Enders said. “I’m excited about tomorrow. I need to go to work because Shane (Gray’s) got a fast car, but I have the best guys in the whole world and I can drive. We’ll do our best. Continue reading Pro Stock champ Erica Enders excited to defend her U.S. Nationals title →

John Force Racing

COURTNEY FORCE WINS TRAXXAS SHOOTOUT

COURTNEY FORCE WINS TRAXXAS SHOOTOUT

C. Force, B. Force Lead Strong JFR Contingent Into U. S. Nationals

INDIANAPOLIS – Courtney Force wrote her name into the Funny Car history books once again becoming the first female to win a Funny Car specialty race today at the 5th annual Traxxas Nitro Shootout at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. Force racing in her first specialty race final round barely outran teammate and now three-time runner-up Robert Hight in an all-Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car final. Force’s winning time of 4.018 seconds was enough to hold off Hight’s 4.596 second run. Both JFR Funny Cars were powering down the track and shredding their blower belts from the enormous power created by the 10,000 horsepower motors.

“Dan Hood, Ronnie Thompson and the guys gave me a great car. My belt was shredding down there at the top end and I was just waiting for Robert to drive around me but we were able to get the win. For everyone at Traxxas, at Chevy, for Peak, for Monster, AAA and all our sponsors this was really a big win and the first time I have done this. This is so awesome for me and I just want to thank everyone at Traxxas and the series for having this, it’s a big win for the team,” said Force. Continue reading COURTNEY FORCE WINS TRAXXAS SHOOTOUT →

Jegs Racing

Jeg Coughlin Jr. ready to chase sixth U.S. Nationals championship

Jeg Coughlin Jr. ready to chase sixth U.S. Nationals championship
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 4) — Five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. is the only driver in NHRA history to win a professional race from all 16 qualifying positions, so the driver of the Magneti Marelli offered by Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Dart will hardly be intimidated by starting the U.S. Nationals on Monday at Lucas Oil Raceway from the No. 15 qualifying spot.

“It’s going to be no easy feat tomorrow but we made a decent run there in Q5,” Coughlin said. “The car was still pretty soft even though the track was much slicker and hotter, so we’ve got more left in the tank.
Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. ready to chase sixth U.S. Nationals championship →