Monthly Archives: May 2017

John Force Racing

Brittany Force, Monster Energy team hope to keep momentum rolling at New England Dragway

Brittany Force, Monster Energy team hope to keep momentum rolling at New England Dragway

EPPING, N.H. (May 31) – Brittany Force heads into this weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway upbeat and ready to win. And she feels recent achievements have established positive momentum necessary for success in the “Eastern Swing,” a string of four consecutive race weekends that includes stops in Epping; Englishtown, N.J.; Bristol, Tenn.; and Norwalk, Ohio.

Force, driver of the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster, pulled off her career-best elapsed time (3.674 seconds) and speed (333.66 mph) in the last event – the NHRA Menards Heartland Nationals at Heartland Park Topeka in Kansas. Her crew discovered an issue with the clutch before the race weekend and made the fix, giving Force a car which she now feels capable of winning. Continue reading Brittany Force, Monster Energy team hope to keep momentum rolling at New England Dragway →

John Force Racing

Inaugural Epping winner Courtney Force ready to take Advance Auto Parts Chevy back to winner’s circle

Inaugural Epping winner Courtney Force ready to take Advance Auto Parts Chevy back to winner’s circle

EPPING, N.H. (May 31) – Few drivers on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit can say they won the inaugural event at one of the current tracks.

Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Courtney Force is one of them, and she believes this weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway is the perfect site for her to get on a roll and win her first Funny Car race of 2017.
Continue reading Inaugural Epping winner Courtney Force ready to take Advance Auto Parts Chevy back to winner’s circle →

John Force Racing

Man of many hats: 16-time Funny Car champion John Force an owner, driver – and father

Man of many hats: 16-time Funny Car champion
John Force an owner, driver – and father

EPPING, N.H. (May 31) – At the NHRA New England Nationals this weekend at New England Dragway, you’ll see sixteen-time Funny Car champion John Force wearing one PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil hat.

But in all reality, he will wear three hats this weekend – and every race weekend on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

One, he’s the team owner for John Force Racing, supervising four race teams – his own PEAK Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, Robert Hight’s Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Funny Car, Courtney Force’s Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Funny Car and Brittany Force’s Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster.
Continue reading Man of many hats: 16-time Funny Car champion John Force an owner, driver – and father →

John Force Racing

Epping, ‘Eastern Swing’ come at great time for AAA Northern New England driver Robert Hight

Epping, ‘Eastern Swing’ come at great time for
AAA Northern New England driver Robert Hight

Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
EPPING, N.H. (May 31) – The way Robert Hight’s AAA Northern New England Chevrolet Camaro SS has been running, the “Eastern Swing” could not be starting at a better time.

Starting with the New England Nationals this weekend at New England Dragway, the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series races on four consecutive weekends. Following Epping, there’s Englishtown, N.J., Bristol, Tenn., and Norwalk, Ohio. Continue reading Epping, ‘Eastern Swing’ come at great time for AAA Northern New England driver Robert Hight →

Erica Enders

Two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders eyeing Epping for first win of 2017

Two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders eyeing Epping for first win of 2017
EPPING, N.H. (May 31) — Two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders doesn’t put much faith into racing luck. Her years at Texas A&M’s Mays School of Business taught her to be much more analytical in her thoughts, something she will continue to apply this weekend at the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals in New Hampshire.

“The Pro Stock class goes in cycles,” Enders said. “Since the beginning of the class 30-something years ago, it’s been very cyclical. Certain drivers get on top, stay there for a period of time, and then someone else comes along and has their time. There may have been less races in the past so the cycles seem longer in the history books, but when you count the events, it balances out pretty evenly. Continue reading Two-time Pro Stock world champ Erica Enders eyeing Epping for first win of 2017 →

Jegs Racing

Six-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. on cusp of big things in Pro Stock chase

Six-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. on
cusp of big things in Pro Stock chase
EPPING, N.H. (May 31) — Fresh off his second final-round appearance of the season, six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. feels his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro is closer than ever to a breakthrough victory. With history beckoning this weekend at New England Dragway with the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals, Coughlin says he’s extremely anxious to win his 59th Pro Stock trophy. Continue reading Six-time champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. on cusp of big things in Pro Stock chase →

Honda Racing

Olsbergs MSE, Honda Set to Compete in Red Bull GRC New England

Olsbergs MSE, Honda Set to Compete in Red Bull GRC New England
• Sebastian Eriksson Looking to Defend Louisville Victory in New England
• .895-Mile Circuit Utilizes Oval and Road Course at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park
• Honda tied for First Place in Manufacturers’ Championship

THOMPSON, Conn. (May 31, 2017) – After capturing Honda’s first-ever Red Bull Global Rallycross victory in Louisville, KY, Olsbergs MSE (OMSE), with drivers Sebastian Eriksson, Oliver Eriksson and Mitchell deJong, heads into the weekend looking to capitalize on its early-season success in New England. Continue reading Olsbergs MSE, Honda Set to Compete in Red Bull GRC New England →

Chevrolet Racing

Team Chevy Advance–NASCAR–Dover

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
AAA 400 DRIVE FOR AUTISM
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
DOVER, DELAWARE
JUNE 4, 2017

BOWTIE BULLETS
CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE:
Chevrolet leads all other manufacturers with 38 victories at Dover International Speedway.

CHEVY HISTORY MINUTE:
Did you know, Bobby Allison, driving a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, won the first race for the brand at Dover International Speedway in 1972. Since then 18 other different Team Chevy drivers have gone to Victory Lane at Dover powered by the Bowtie Brand.

MASTER OF THE MONSTER MILE:
Career-long Chevrolet driver and seven-time Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson, leads all drivers with 10 career victories at ‘The Monster Mile’. Continue reading Team Chevy Advance–NASCAR–Dover →

Honda Racing

Michael Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3s Make Motor City Debut

Michael Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3s Make Motor City Debut
• Acura NSX GT3s return to temporary street-circuit action
• MSR team seeks to build on competitive Long Beach runs
• Tight manufacturers’ championship battle continues

TORRANCE, Calif. (May 31, 2017) – Michael Shank Racing brings its pair of Acura NSX GT3s to the demanding Belle Isle temporary street circuit in Detroit this weekend, as the team builds on competitive runs at both the Circuit of the Americas earlier this month and at the Long Beach street circuit in April.

Detroit will be the second and final street circuit event of the 2017 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. As at Long Beach, it will be a 100-minute race, significantly shorter than the other endurance events on the WeatherTech schedule. Continue reading Michael Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3s Make Motor City Debut →

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing–Dover Advance

Richard Childress Racing at Dover International Speedway … RCR has earned four Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series wins at Dover International Speedway, most recently in September 2006 when Jeff Burton drove the No. 31 Chevrolet to Victory Lane. Three additional victories came with Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel, including both events at the Monster Mile in 1989 as well as the spring race in 1993. RCR has also earned one pole award, 23 top-five and 55 top-10 finishes in 160 combined starts at the high-banked, one-mile oval. Childress, a former driver in NASCAR’s top division, contributed three of those top 10s from 1976-1980.

RCR in the MENCS … In 2,772 Monster Energy Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 48 pole awards,107 wins, 478 top-five finishes and 1,038 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finishing position of 16.1. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR 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. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Dover Advance →

Honda Racing

Tom O’Gorman Earns Lime Rock Podium With New Honda Civic Si

Tom O’Gorman Earns Lime Rock Podium With New Honda Civic Si
• Backs up previous week’s Touring Car A victory with podium finish
• Shea Holbrook gains spots in both weekend Touring Car events in Honda Accord
• Contact in opening race dashes hopes for two podium finishes for O’Gorman

LAKEVILLE, Conn. (May 30, 2017) – Shea Racing’s four-car Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car program was reduced to just two Hondas after rollover incidents in each of the year’s first two weekends, but the team soldiered on in its march toward the front of the grid last weekend at Lime Rock Park.

Tom O’Gorman extended his recent run of successes by putting his 2017 Honda Civic Si on the podium for Saturday’s race, finishing third after starting fifth. The Shea Racing pilot nearly scored a pair of podiums, as he ran as high as second in Friday’s race before he suffered a broken valve stem after contact in Turn Three, forcing him to pit with a flat tire. Continue reading Tom O’Gorman Earns Lime Rock Podium With New Honda Civic Si →

Follow A Dream Racing

Permatex/Follow A Dream TA/FC team finishes runner-up at Maple Grove

Permatex/Follow A Dream TA/FC team finishes runner-up at Maple Grove

MARSTONS MILLS, Massachusetts (May 30, 2017) – The Permatex/ Follow A Dream Top Alcohol Funny Car team bounced back from several qualifying issues to finish runner-up in this past weekend’s Showdown at Sundown.

The event, held at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, was a NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Northeast Division meet. The Follow A Dream team struggled during its three qualifying runs, according to team owner Jay Blake.

“Qualifying was horrible and the eliminations went well,” Blake said. “The first qualifying pass the car was bouncing a bunch and actually shot Phil (driver Phil Burkart) into the left lane, right in front of Dan Pomponio, who we were qualifying against. There was no contact, but that was pretty scary. Continue reading Permatex/Follow A Dream TA/FC team finishes runner-up at Maple Grove →

Kasey Kahne Racing

Kasey Kahne Racing – Results Recap 5/31/17

Kasey Kahne Racing – Results Recap

KKR finishes second and third at Charlotte

The World of Outlaws Series had two stops this past week, the first on Friday at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, and then Monday at Lawrenceburg Speedway in Lawrenceburg, Ind. Both of the teams had strong showings at each of the races.

Sweet and the NAPA Brakes/Sage Fruit/ASE team ran very well at Charlotte, setting quick time, winning the heat, dash and finishing the race in second. The No. 49 team also had a strong run at Lawrenceburg Speedway, collecting another top-five finish.

Daryn Pittman and the Great Clips/Sage Fruit/ASE team also ran well at Charlotte, where he and his team picked up a top-five, finishing third right behind teammate Brad Sweet. The No. 9 team snagged another strong top-ten at Lawrenceburg, winning their heat and finishing the feature in seventh.

This upcoming week the series heads to the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals at Jackson Motorplex.

Jegs Racing

Prerace Notes: NHRA New England Nationals Team JEGS

Prerace Notes: NHRA New England Nationals
Team JEGS Prerace Notes
NHRA New England Nationals
New England Dragway
Epping, N.H.
June 2-4

The JEGS Mail Order team will field three entries during this weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals in Epping, N.H. Six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. will lead the effort behind the wheel of the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Camaro in Pro Stock. Troy Coughlin Jr. will be driving the SealMaster Top Fuel dragster fielded by Kalitta Motorsports. Samantha Coughlin, the wife of Jeg Jr., will race the team’s JEGS.com Corvette in Super Gas.
Continue reading Prerace Notes: NHRA New England Nationals Team JEGS →

Allen Johnson Racing

Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson Primed for Return to Victory Lane at New England Nationalsen Johnson Primed for Return to Victory Lane at New England Nationals

Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson Primed for Return to Victory Lane at New England Nationals

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (May 30, 2017) – Marathon Petroleum Corporation/J&J Racing Dodge Dart driver Allen Johnson is heading back to New England Dragway this weekend. The Epping, New Hampshire-based track has brought much success for Johnson; he has been in the final round three times since the inaugural event in 2013. Continue reading Marathon Petroleum’s Allen Johnson Primed for Return to Victory Lane at New England Nationalsen Johnson Primed for Return to Victory Lane at New England Nationals →

Mopar Racing

Leah Pritchett to Honor 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon with Special Dragster This Weekend in New England Nationals

Leah Pritchett to Honor 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon with Special Dragster This Weekend in New England Nationals

May 30, 2017 , Auburn Hills, Mich. – Leah Pritchett will be driving a Mopar HEMI ®-powered Demon this weekend in the NHRA New England Nationals, but it won’t be one of the coveted 840-horsepower, 21st century muscle cars that are the fastest-ever production vehicles in a quarter-mile.

For the next two weeks, she’ll be in an 11,000-horsepower “Demon” when she joins with Pennzoil to salute the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon that will be available to the public later this year. Continue reading Leah Pritchett to Honor 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon with Special Dragster This Weekend in New England Nationals →

Roush Yates

BLANEY TAKES HOME 1st CHARLOTTE WIN!

BLANEY TAKES HOME 1st CHARLOTTE WIN!

CHARLOTTE, NC, May 30, 2017 – Ryan Blaney won his first 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the second for the No. 12 Team Penske Ford Mustang this year. In partnership with Ford Performance, Roush Yates Engines provided the Ford FR9 horsepower that powered the No. 12 to victory lane in the Hisense 300.

“Congratulations Ryan on a fantastic race,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “It was incredible to see the Fords battling for the win at the end and to achieve our fourth Xfinity win this year with Ford Performance is a great feeling.” Continue reading BLANEY TAKES HOME 1st CHARLOTTE WIN! →

Honda Racing

RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 Has Best Weekend of 2017 Season

RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 Has Best Weekend of 2017 Season
• Ryan Eversley and Tom Dyer score team’s first top-five finishes of year
• Peter Kox and Mark Wilkins earn sixth- and seventh-place results
• Acura is only marque to have two cars in top six Friday and in top seven on Saturday

BOWMANVILLE, Ontario (May 28, 2017) – The RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 machines had been showing steady progress in their maiden season of Pirelli World Challenge competition, and signs of improvement got brighter and louder this weekend at Lime Rock Park.

The Acura squad had its best weekend of 2017 at the tricky little track nestled in the Berkshires, putting both cars in the top six in Friday’s opener and then finishing with a fifth- and a seventh-place run in Saturday’s finale. The results were the season’s strongest demonstration of the improvements made by RealTime Racing and Honda Performance Development through their first year with the new American-built supercar. Continue reading RealTime Racing Acura NSX GT3 Has Best Weekend of 2017 Season →

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Giovanni Scelzi Fresh Entering NARC-KWS Event at Antioch This Saturday

Giovanni Scelzi Fresh Entering NARC-KWS Event at Antioch This Saturday

Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (May 29, 2017) – Giovanni Scelzi is healed following a week out of the seat.

Scelzi, whose left shoulder popped out of its socket during his most recent race on May 20, will return to the cockpit this Saturday at Antioch Speedway in Antioch, Calif., with the King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Sprint Car Series.

“I’ve got full range of motion and no pain,” he said. “As long as I start working out and strengthen it I’ll be fine.”

Scelzi and the Roth Motorsports owned team enter this weekend’s race ranked third in the championship standings – only four points behind second place and 17 points out of the lead.

“With how many good guys that race the series I just need to finish races,” he said. “Finishing is a big part of points racing.”

Scelzi scored a runner-up result on April 23, 2016, during his first-ever race at Antioch Speedway. It was also only his second career sprint car start. He followed that up by placing third at the bullring last June.

“It can be really racy,” he said. “With how hot it is hopefully the track gets slick and wide enough to race. It’s a tight race track. I think it will be fun racing a 410 there because it’s close, door-to-door racing.”

Scelzi’s lone start at the track this season resulted in a crash during a heat race that ended his night early.

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Scelzi Charges into Top Five – Twice – Before Bad Luck Strikes at Stockton

Scelzi Charges into Top Five – Twice – Before Bad Luck Strikes at Stockton

Inside Line Promotions – STOCKTON, Calif. (May 29, 2017) – Dominic Scelzi felt like he had a race-winning sprint car last Saturday at Stockton Dirt Track.

Scelzi, who has been victorious at the track twice during his career, kicked off the Sprint Car Challenge Tour by qualifying second quickest in his group and 13th overall out of 39 competitors while driving for Nick McColloch. Continue reading Scelzi Charges into Top Five – Twice – Before Bad Luck Strikes at Stockton →