Monthly Archives: March 2018

Jegs Racing

East Coast opener excites five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr.

East Coast opener excites five-time
Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 13) — Jeg Coughlin Jr. has his sights set on a third visit to the winner’s circle of Gainesville Raceway during this weekend’s 49th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. And after a successful test session for the entire Elite Motorsports group, Coughlin thinks another trophy run is well within reach.

“We found a few things that appear to be giving us the consistency and efficiency we’ve been lacking at the first two races of the year,” Coughlin said. “The JEGS.com Chevrolet Camaro has been a little lazy between 100 foot and 3-400 feet and we look for more favorable results this weekend.
Continue reading East Coast opener excites five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. →

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Dominic Scelzi Posts Top-Five Finish With World of Outlaws in Tulare

Dominic Scelzi Posts Top-Five Finish With World of Outlaws in Tulare

Inside Line Promotions – TULARE, Calif. (March 13, 2018) – Dominic Scelzi maneuvered to a fourth-place finish last Friday at Thunderbowl Raceway to earn a top-five result with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series for the third consecutive year.

“That was huge,” he said. “In the past I’ve struggled racing there. We rolled into the Trophy Cup (last year) and I thought we were the fastest car every time we hit the track, but we didn’t end that weekend the way we wanted. To return to the track a couple of months later with the World of Outlaws and record a top five is a huge confidence boost.” Continue reading Dominic Scelzi Posts Top-Five Finish With World of Outlaws in Tulare →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana Advance

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
AUTO CLUB 400
FONTANA, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 18, 2018

BOWTIE BULLETS
NATIVE SON:
California native, seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion and career-long Chevrolet driver, Jimmie Johnson, is the all-time wins’ leader at the 2-mile Auto Club Speedway with six victories. The driver of the No. 48 Camaro ZL1 also has more top five (13) and more top 10 (16) finishes than any other driver at Auto Club Speedway.

CHEVY ON POLE:
Since the first race at Auto Club Speedway in 1997 (won by Chevy driver Jeff Gordon), Bowtie Brand drivers have earned half of all poles at the 2-mile, Fontana, California venue. Only twice has a driver won the Auto Club 400 from the pole. Both times – a Chevy driver – Jimmie Johnson in 2008 and last season (2017) Kyle Larson took his Chevy to victory lane after starting from the top spot. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana Advance →

Jegs Racing

JEGS Racing–Gainesville Advance

Team JEGS Prerace Notes
Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Team JEGS
Prerace Notes

Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Fla. (March 15-18)

The JEGS Mail Order team will be well represented at this weekend’s 49th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals with Jeg Coughlin Jr. racing in Pro Stock, Mike Coughlin competing in Top Dragster, and third-generation racer Troy Coughlin Jr. making his debut in Top Alcohol Dragster.

Jeg Jr. will continue his pursuit of a sixth NHRA Mello Yello Pro Stock title (and seventh championship overall) at this weekend’s event. Jeg Jr. will once again be driving a Rick Jones Race Cars-built Chevy Camaro as a member of the Elite Motorsports team. Continue reading JEGS Racing–Gainesville Advance →

Honda Racing

Ridgeline Baja Race Truck Runs Second at Mint 400

Ridgeline Baja Race Truck Runs Second at Mint 400
• Honda Off-Road Racing Team follows season-opening win with podium finish
• Second-place result at Mint 400 follows victory in February’s Parker 425
• Ridgeline Baja Race Truck takes on Baja 500 in June

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 12, 2018) – The Honda Off-Road Racing Team and its Ridgeline Baja Race Truck backed up their season-opening win at February’s Parker 425 with a second-place finish through the Nevada desert outside of Las Vegas Saturday at the Mint 400.

Starting from the pole in the 10-truck “7200” class for unlimited V6-powered race trucks, team owner/driver Jeff Proctor and navigator Evan Weller pulled away to an early class lead during the Best in the Desert Racing Association event. But while working their way through several slower-spec Trophy Truck entries, the Proctor/Weller Ridgeline struck a large rock that had been obscured by dust, resulting in a flat tire. Continue reading Ridgeline Baja Race Truck Runs Second at Mint 400 →

Cruz Pedregon

Cruz Pedregon Gainesville Preview

NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Gatornationals – Gainesville, FL
Pre-Race Report

Cruz Pedregon and team have the Snap-on Toyota tuned and ready for Gainesville. “We’re planning on a good string of runs like we’ve had at the Gatornationals as number one qualifier four years in a row,” Cruz says. “It felt great to have a career best 333 mph in Phoenix. Hitting the top speed of the meet has gotten us fired up for the weekend ahead.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon Gainesville Preview →

Chevrolet Racing

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Seeking to Conquer the Bumps Once Again Team going for 12th class victory since 1999 at 12 Hours

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Seeking to Conquer the Bumps Once Again
Team going for 12th class victory since 1999 at 12 Hours

Corvette Racing a winner at Sebring each of last three seasons
Garcia, Magnussen, Rockenfeller defending GTLM winners
Gavin, Milner, Fässler took class victory in 2016
200th event all-time for Corvette Racing
Chevrolet nearing 40 class victories in Sebring 12 Hours

DETROIT (March 13, 2018) – In its 19-plus years of competition, Corvette Racing has racked up more victories than any team in IMSA history. Those 98 victories have come on some of America’s classic road courses with 11 at the famed Sebring International Raceway. That’s where Corvette Racing returns for the 20th time in search of a fourth consecutive victory in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Seeking to Conquer the Bumps Once Again Team going for 12th class victory since 1999 at 12 Hours →

Gary Scelzi Motorsports

Giovanni Scelzi Sets Quick Time and Nets 11th-Place Result With World of Outlaws in Tulare

Giovanni Scelzi Sets Quick Time and Nets 11th-Place Result With World of Outlaws in Tulare

Inside Line Promotions – TULARE, Calif. (March 12, 2018) – Giovanni Scelzi took a huge leap forward between his first weekend racing with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series to his second event with ‘The Greatest Show on Dirt.’

Scelzi established a new track record en route to setting quick time in his group during qualifying last Friday at Thunderbowl Raceway, where one driver in the second group narrowly timed in quicker to take the overall track record from the Paul Silva owned, Priority Aviation Services sponsored No. 57 sprint car. Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Sets Quick Time and Nets 11th-Place Result With World of Outlaws in Tulare →

Jegs Racing

Mike Coughlin ready for another charge at Top Dragster national championship

Mike Coughlin ready for another charge
at Top Dragster national championship
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 12) — Two-time Division 3 champion Mike Coughlin is hoping for a carbon-copy start to his 2018 drag racing campaign when the 49th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals begin this weekend at historic Gainesville Raceway. One year ago, Coughlin won the first national event he entered in Pomona, Calif., to springboard a concerted run at the Top Dragster national title. He’d love to repeat that feat in central Florida. Continue reading Mike Coughlin ready for another charge at Top Dragster national championship →

Roush Yates

KEVIN HARVICK & FORD PERFORMANCE WIN BACK-2-BACK-2-BACK

KEVIN HARVICK & FORD PERFORMANCE
WIN BACK-2-BACK-2-BACK

AVONDALE, AZ, March 12, 2018 – Kevin Harvick made Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history by winning three Cup races in a row. A feat only accomplished 23 times in the NASCAR Series. No. 4 Harvick, in his Ford Fusion powered by the Ford FR9 engine, recorded his 40th career MENCS win and fifth win with Ford Performance.

“Congratulations to Kevin, Tony, Gene and Ford Performance on the win,” said Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “This win showcases all the dedication and effort that was put into the off-season building winning race cars and engines. We take great pride in partnering with Ford on the design and development of the Ford FR9 engines and this weekend we were blessed with two big wins. It’s an honor to work with the employees of Ford Motor Company, all of our Ford Performance Race Teams and our dedicated staff at Roush Yates Engines.” Continue reading KEVIN HARVICK & FORD PERFORMANCE WIN BACK-2-BACK-2-BACK →

Honda Racing

Bourdais Leads Honda Sweep of Indy Car Season Opener

Bourdais Leads Honda Sweep of Indy Car Season Opener
• Sebastien Bourdais wins in St. Petersburg as Honda sweeps top six positions
• Victory duel between Robert Wickens and Alexander Rossi ends with late-race contact
• Bourdais and Dale Coyne Racing score second consecutive St. Petersburg win for Honda

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 10, 2018) – A thrilling late-race battle for victory ended in disappointment for Robert Wickens, and a second consecutive Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg win for Sebastien Bourdais, as Honda drivers and teams swept the season-opening round of the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series. Honda drivers claimed the top six finishing positions and eight of the top 10. Continue reading Bourdais Leads Honda Sweep of Indy Car Season Opener →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix Post Race

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TICKETGUARDIAN 500
ISM RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
MARCH 11, 2018

TOP TEAM CHEVY FINISHERS:
POS. DRIVER
3rd CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS CAMARO ZL1
11th RYAN NEWMAN, NO. 31 GRAINGER CAMARO ZL1
12th WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 AXALTA CAMARO ZL1
13th ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CAMARO ZL1
14th JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S FOR PROS CAMARO ZL1

TOP FIVE FINISHERS:
POS. DRIVER
1ST Kevin Harvick (Ford)
2nd Kyle Busch (Toyota)
3rd Chase Elliott (Chevrolet)
4th Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
5TH Martin Truex, Jr. (Toyota

The next race for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) will be at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California for the Auto Club 400 on Sunday, March 18th. Live coverage will begin at 3:30 ET and can be found on FOX, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix Post Race →

Chevrolet Racing

Corvette Racing at Sebring

CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: By the Numbers

DETROIT (March 12, 2018) – It may not have been the first track on which Corvette Racing competed, but there is no doubting the impact the team has made on Sebring International Raceway – and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Advance Auto Parts – during the past 19 years.

It’s fitting that as Corvette Racing continues with its 20th season of competition that we look at a venue that has been synonymous with the team’s success since the last 1990s. No track in America has seen Corvette Racing pile up the mileage and honors than Sebring. Here are a few to digest ahead of America’s oldest sports car race. Continue reading Corvette Racing at Sebring →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–St. Petersburg

CHEVROLET IN THE VERIZON INDYCAR SERIES
STREETS OF ST. PETERSBURG.
POST RACE RECAP

ST. PETERSBURG (MARCH 11, 2018) – Defending Verizon IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden (No. 1 Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet) led the 11-car Chevrolet 2.2 liter twin turbocharged direct injected V6 contingent in today’s opening race for the Verizon IndyCar Series with a seventh place finish.

It was a wild race that saw 11 caution flags for a total of 25 of the 110-lap Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit. On the first lap, Team Chevy contenders Will Power (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet) and Tony Kanaan (No. 14 ABC Supply AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet) were caught up in incidents that sent them to pit lane for repairs. The two veteran drivers fought hard and recovered to finish 10th and 11th respectively. Continue reading Chevy Racing–INDYCAR–St. Petersburg →

Chevrolet Racing

Will Power puts Chevrolet on Front Row for Season Opening Verizon IndyCar Series Race

Will Power puts Chevrolet on Front Row for Season Opening Verizon IndyCar Series Race
Firestone Grand Prix on the Streets of St. Petersburg Kicks off the 17-Race Season

ST. PETERSBURG (MARCH 10, 2018) – Will Power will start the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet on the front row for the season opening race of the Verizon IndyCar Series on Sunday. Power, with a lap of one minute, 01.7346 seconds/104.965 mph, will make his eighth front row start on the on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street course in the heart of St. Petersburg, FLA. Continue reading Will Power puts Chevrolet on Front Row for Season Opening Verizon IndyCar Series Race →

Honda Racing

Wickens Claims Pole for Honda in IndyCar Series Debut

Wickens Claims Pole for Honda in IndyCar Series Debut
• Robert Wickens, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports score first pole of 2018 season
• Ryan Hunter-Reay, Takuma Sato also advance to final qualifying in damp conditions

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 10, 2018) – Robert Wickens, a veteran race winner in the highly competitive DTM Championship in Germany but a rookie in Verizon IndyCar Series competition, prevailed in tricky, damp conditions Saturday to claim the pole for Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Continue reading Wickens Claims Pole for Honda in IndyCar Series Debut →

Honda Racing, Wood Brothers

Menard Qualifies 14th At Phoenix

Menard Qualifies 14th At Phoenix

March 9, 2018

Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford Fusion will line up 14th for Sunday’s Ticket Guardian 500K at ISM Raceway in Phoenix.

Menard and the No. 21 team started the day at the track formerly known as Phoenix International Raceway by posting the 18th best time in the opening practice session with a lap at 136.214 miles per hour. Continue reading Menard Qualifies 14th At Phoenix →

Honda Racing

An interview with: ART ST. CYR President, Honda Performance Development

An interview with:

ART ST. CYR
President, Honda Performance Development

T.E. McHALE: Welcome to this small but prestigious crowd for the first Honda media briefing of the 2018 IndyCar season. Thanks for joining us this morning.
Our guest by this time needs no introduction, Art St. Cyr, president of HPD. We’re all looking forward to a great event here in St. Pete this weekend and a terrific 2018 season.
Just to get the ball rolling, we’ll start with a few questions for Art. Talk about your personal outlook for 2018 as we head into the start of the season. Continue reading An interview with: ART ST. CYR President, Honda Performance Development →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Kyle Larson on Front Row

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
TICKETGUARDIAN 500
ISM RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST QUALIFYING DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 9, 2018

KYLE LARSON PUTS CAMARO ZL1 ON FRONT ROW AT PHOENIX
THREE TEAM CHEVY DRIVERS QUALIFY IN TOP 5

AVONDALE, Ariz. (March 9, 2018) – Kyle Larson drove his No. 42 Credit One Bank Camaro ZL1 to a front row starting spot in today’s knockout-style qualifying session for Sunday’s TicketGuardian 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at ISM Raceway. Larson turned a lap of 136.643 mph, 26.346 seconds to capture his fifth top five start at the one-mile, tri-oval track. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Kyle Larson on Front Row →