Inside Line Promotions – FRESNO, Calif. (March 1, 2021) – Dominic Scelzi is gearing up for a two-day 360ci winged sprint car event at Kern County Raceway Park this weekend.

The dirt oval in Bakersfield, Calif., had been slated to host the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour this Friday and Saturday. Series officials recently pulled out from the weekend in concern over the pandemic. Meanwhile track officials said the show will go on.

“I think it’s going to be a good deal,” Scelzi said. “I feel like I made 1,000 calls yesterday talking to who was going to be there.

“I love the race track. It’s the perfect size and shape to create exciting events. We don’t get to race there very much, but it’s been exciting every single time we’ve raced there. I’m excited for them to do their first winged 360 event.”

Scelzi has visited the track four times – all with the King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Series. He placed third during his inaugural race in 2018 before ending seventh later that season. Scelzi swept two trips to the track in 2019.

“The first time we went there we were solid and fought to possibly win the race,” he said. “The second time we went there I wasn’t going to win it, but we were pretty good and a second-place car. I got together with a guy and ended up not finishing. We were super, super good. Then we swept the season there in 2019. I feel like the worst I should have finished was third so I feel really good going back there.

“It’s been different almost every time I’ve been there. Sometimes the track is slick and they rework it. Sometimes it’s wet to start with and gets slick and wide. Hopefully it will be slick, wide and racy. I feel confident no matter what the surface is like.”

SEASON STATS –

4 races, 0 wins, 2 top fives, 4 top 10s, 4 top 15s, 4 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Friday and Saturday at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, Calif., with the King of the Thunder Series

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.GaryScelziMotorsports.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DominicScelzi41

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scelzi41

Fans are invited to the Pennzoil Virtual Proving Grounds to engage in track weekend activities

Houston, TX – March 1, 2021. Pennzoil^® is back at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to host the fourth annual Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube as part of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) race season. Continuing this season’s heart-pounding racing, the Pennzoil 400 will once again headline an action-packed, triple-header motorsports weekend, with a virtual experience for fans and on-track excitement. The green flag will wave at the Pennzoil 400 on Sunday, March 7^th at 12:30 PM PST and will be broadcast live on FOX. 

“We at Shell-Pennzoil are eager to see what the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series race season has in store for both the fans and motorsport’s most entertaining drivers,” said Machteld de Haan, CEO, Pennzoil Quaker State Company and Vice President, Shell Lubricants Americas. “The Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube has been held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway since 2018 and is always one of the most anticipated, premiere races to drivers. Our team is proud to be a part of such winning history with Team Penske and its drivers at this event, and we hope to continue to make history at this year’s race as well. In lieu of physical attendance at the track, we are hosting fans from far and wide to join us virtually through the Pennzoil Virtual Proving Grounds and experience the track like never before. While our virtual experience will be unforgettable, we are certain that the on-track action will be another race to remember.”

The Pennzoil Virtual Proving Grounds allows fans to experience the Pennzoil 400 and Las Vegas Motor Speedway in ways not possible before, with more than a dozen virtual ‘hotspots’ available for race fans around the world to experience from the comfort of their homes. Fans can access the Pennzoil Virtual Proving Grounds through the link below, also located on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway website in their Virtual Fan Zone and on Pennzoil.com. It is recommended to access the Pennzoil Virtual Proving Grounds via a desktop computer using Chrome as the web browser. 

Pennzoil Virtual Proving Grounds: pennzoil400.pixelhublive.com

2021 Pennzoil Virtual Proving Grounds Hotspot Highlights:

• Virtual Las Vegas Show: Fans can tune in to watch a previously-recorded live show with many familiar Las Vegas faces! The variety show will include a performance from Shin Lim, a two-time America’s Got Talent champion and star of his own show at The Mirage in Las Vegas! Also headlining is Max Major, named Washington D.C.’s Best Performance Artist four years in a row and much more. Fans can view the show within the Pennzoil Virtual Proving Grounds on Friday, March 5^th.

• NASCAR Cup Series Car Walkaround with Larry McReynolds: America’s Crew Chief takes fans on a virtual walkaround of Joey Logano’s NASCAR Cup Series car, demonstrating the important components of a car and its team.

• Shell Racing App: Fans can race incredible cars including the Shell Motorsports Collection on a variety of custom tracks! Users can race against one another or try and beat Joey’s game time. The app is available for download now in the App Store and Play Store and is free to users.
• Create Your Own Track: Fans can design their own Pennzoil-branded racetrack inside the Shell Racing app. Customization includes the choice to build an extreme ‘Arcade’ track or speedy and smooth ‘Motorsport’ track. After designing, fans can then race around their newly created track!

• Planet Fitness^® Workout: Fans can experience the desert heat and work up a sweat by participating in a Joey Logano-led Planet Fitness workout. Tune in to the live workout on Tuesday, March 2^nd at 7:00 PM EST. The workout will be available to access for fans at its designated hotspot after the workout concludes on Tuesday.

• Hauler Experience: Larry McReynolds will take fans on a virtual tour inside a Team Penske hauler to see how teams can bring their garage with them to every racetrack. Fans can see where the racecars are stored, the various storage for spare parts, the mobile office for the crews, even the kitchen for meals on the road!

• Pennzoil National Promotion: Within the Pennzoil Virtual Proving Grounds, fans can choose to participate in the brand’s national promotion, where purchasers of Pennzoil Platinum^® Full Synthetic motor oil are eligible to receive a $22 Shell Gift Card. The offer is valid through March 14, 2021 at participating locations. For more details on the promotion, please visit www.Pennzoil.com/oilchangeoffer.

Team Penske driver and current back-to-back Pennzoil 400 champion, Joey Logano, will return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway in his No. 22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang sporting a Pennzoil primary paint scheme while attempting to capture his third straight Pennzoil 400 victory. Meanwhile, teammate Ryan Blaney will pilot his No. 12 Ford Mustang Pennzoil/Menards co-primary paint scheme as the two look to punch their ticket to the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Team Penske drivers will have the cutting-edge technology of Pennzoil, the first synthetic motor oil made from natural gas, under their hood for unbeatable engine protection^[1] as the green flag waves for a 267-lap sprint to the finish line in the Nevada desert. Pennzoil engineers continuously work on the motor oil that goes into the race cars on the track. The Pennzoil 400 is just one example of how Pennzoil is able to innovate and support winning teams and drivers like Joey Logano and Team Penske. The on track performance and data serve as a laboratory for the motor oil Pennzoil introduces for passenger cars, helping make sure that drivers get the most out of their vehicle.

“Jiffy Lube is proud to continue its presenting sponsorship of the Pennzoil 400,” said Edward Hymes, President, Jiffy Lube International, Inc. “While the race and its surrounding events will look different this year, the virtual nature of the weekend allows us to significantly extend our reach and connect with our audience in a new and interactive way.  We are able to engage with race fans on their own terms, whether they are streaming content on their digital device or watching the action live on FOX. There truly will be something for everyone.”

The relationship with Speedway Motorsports Incorporated (SMI), owner and operator of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, provides Pennzoil a stage to cultivate relationships with fans, partners and customers and put the spotlight on a shared appreciation for motorsports.

“We are excited for the Pennzoil 400 to be the first race on the west coast in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series,” said Las Vegas Motor Speedway President, Chris Powell. “Shell and Pennzoil strive to be the standard in motorsports and we are thrilled to help set that standard by helping Pennzoil host one of the most exciting races of the season at our world-class facility.”

For more information about technical relationships between Pennzoil and motorsports teams, visitwww.Pennzoil.com/en_us/performance. To stay up-to-date on the latest activities, be sure to ‘like’ the official Pennzoil Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/Pennzoil) and follow @Pennzoil on Twitter (www.twitter.com/Pennzoil) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/Pennzoil) using #Pennzoil400.

Batavia, OH (March 1, 2021) – Officials of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series are proud to announce that Brandon Ford, World’s Largest Volume Ford Dealer, is the new sponsor of the TV Race Challenge. The Brandon Ford TV Race Challenge will award points to drivers at the 33 televised events broadcasted on Network TV within the series schedule. The winner of the Brandon Ford TV Race Challenge points category will receive a $10,000 bonus, while second and third will receive $3,000 and $2,000 respectively at the year-end awards banquet. The talent of the nation’s top dirt late model drivers will be put on display along the way, not only at each facility during the live streams, but also during the 33 broadcasted events on the MAVTV Motorsports Network, 15 events on CBS Sports Network, 5 events on CBS, and 13 events on NBC Sports Network. “Having Brandon Ford sponsor this category adds to the excitement of our TV package in 2021. The drivers always want to perform at their best when the TV cameras are on, but also have added cash incentives to compete for during TV races. We want to thank Wayne Hammond and everyone at Brandon Ford for all their support of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series,” stated Wayne Castleberry, Corporate Motorsports Sales and Marketing for Lucas Oil Products. After nine TV events completed during Speedweeks, Brandon Overton leads Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Brandon Sheppard and Kyle Bronson in the Brandon Ford TV Points category. Brandon Ford, located in Tampa, FL, has won Ford’s prestigious President’s Award 17 years in a row, saluting the top-performing Ford and Lincoln dealerships that pursue excellence in the highest levels of customer satisfaction in both sales and service. Brandon Ford has one of the largest inventories of new and pre-owned vehicles in the nation. Brandon Ford is centrally located just minutes away from the Crosstown, I-75 and I-4. They are located at the corners of State Roads 301 and 60, with entrances at both sides. Their hours are posted on their website for your convenience, as well as contact phone numbers for each of their departments.  To learn more about Brandon Ford or if you are interested in purchasing a vehicle, visit: www.brandonford.com. Brandon Ford TV Race Challenge Points (as of 2/2/21)  PosCar #CompetitorHometownPoints176Brandon OvertonEvans, GA1825271Hudson O’NealMartinsville, IN171539Devin MoranDresden, OH168541sBrandon SheppardNew Berlin, IL1645540BKyle BronsonBrandon, FL1580639Tim McCreadieWatertown, NY1575781ETanner EnglishBenton, KY155081TTyler ErbNew Waverly, TX1540914Josh RichardsShinnston, WV152510157Mike MarlarWinfield, TN1505113sBrian ShirleyChatham, IL14751249Jonathan DavenportBlairsville, GA14301320Jimmy OwensNewport, TN1410141Earl Pearson JrJacksonville, FL13851525Shane ClantonZebulon, GA13251620RTRicky Thornton JrAdel, IA12951721Billy Moyer JrBatesville, AR12951899JRFrank Heckenast JrFrankfort, IL12451916Tyler BrueningDecorah, IA111020385Mark WhitenerMiddleburg, FL1030  2021 Brandon Ford TV Race Challenge Events  DateTrackEventLocationTo WinLaps23-JanAll-Tech RacewayGeneral Tire Winter Nationals Presented By LINE-XLake City, FL$15,0005025-JanEast Bay Raceway Park45th Annual Wrisco Winternationals Presented By Lucas OilTampa, FL$5,0003026-JanEast Bay Raceway Park45th Annual Wrisco Winternationals Presented By Lucas OilTampa, FL$5,0003027-JanEast Bay Raceway Park45th Annual Wrisco Winternationals Presented By Lucas OilTampa, FL$7,0004028-JanEast Bay Raceway Park45th Annual Wrisco Winternationals Presented By Lucas OilTampa, FL$7,0004029-JanEast Bay Raceway Park45th Annual Wrisco Winternationals Presented By Lucas OilTampa, FL$12,0005030-JanEast Bay Raceway Park45th Annual Wrisco Winternationals Presented By Lucas OilTampa, FL$15,000501-FebBubba Raceway ParkK&N Filters Winter Nationals Presented By OPTIMA BatteriesOcala, FL$10,000402-FebBubba Raceway ParkK&N Filters Winter Nationals Presented By OPTIMA BatteriesOcala, FL$10,0004023-AprTri-City SpeedwayBullet Race Engines 50Granite City, IL$12,0005024-AprMacon SpeedwayMacon, IL$15,00010027-MayLucas Oil Speedway8th Annual Cowboy Classic Wheatland, MO$6,0004528-MayLucas Oil SpeedwayThe Tribute to Don and Billie Gibson Wheatland, MO$6,0004029-MayLucas Oil Speedway29th Annual Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 Wheatland, MO$30,00010017-JunMagnolia Motor SpeedwayClash at the Mag presented by Big River SteelColumbus, MS$5,0002518-JunMagnolia Motor SpeedwayClash at the Mag presented by Big River SteelColumbus, MS$5,0002519-JunMagnolia Motor SpeedwayClash at the Mag presented by Big River SteelColumbus, MS$15,0006016-JulTri-City SpeedwayNAPA Know How 50Granite City, IL$12,0005017-JulLucas Oil Speedway15th Annual Diamond NationalsWheatland, MO$15,0005022-JulI-80 SpeedwayDirt Track Bank Go 50Greenwood, NE$12,0005024-JulI-80 SpeedwayImperial Tile Silver Dollar NationalsGreenwood, NE$53,0008012-AugFlorence SpeedwaySunoco North/South ShootoutUnion, KY$10,0005014-AugFlorence Speedway39th Annual Sunoco North/South 100Union, KY$50,00010019-AugBatesville Motor Speedway29th Annual COMP Cams Topless 100 Presented by Nutrien Ag SolutionsBatesville, AR$5,0003020-AugBatesville Motor Speedway29th Annual COMP Cams Topless 100 Presented by Nutrien Ag SolutionsBatesville, AR$5,0003021-AugBatesville Motor Speedway29th Annual COMP Cams Topless 100 Presented by Nutrien Ag SolutionsBatesville, AR$40,00010026-AugPort Royal SpeedwayThe Rumble by the River #1Port Royal, PA$10,0003027-AugPort Royal SpeedwayThe Rumble by the River #2 Port Royal, PA$12,0004028-AugPort Royal SpeedwayThe Rumble by the River #3Port Royal, PA$30,0005016-SepKnoxville RacewayLucas Oil Late Model NationalsKnoxville, IA$7,0002517-SepKnoxville RacewayLucas Oil Late Model NationalsKnoxville, IA$7,0002518-SepKnoxville RacewayLucas Oil Late Model NationalsKnoxville, IA$40,00010016-OctPortsmouth Raceway Park41st Annual Dirt Track World ChampionshipPortsmouth, OH$100,000100 ####

About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Founded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series showcases the talents of the top dirt late model drivers from across the country.  In 2021, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction 59 events across 18 states, including some of the biggest marquee events in the industry, providing dirt slinging, sideways, door-to-door racing action lap after lap.  The series receives national exposure through a television package filmed, produced and edited by Lucas Oil Production Studios.  Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events will broadcast on four networks including CBS, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network and the MAVTV Motorsports Network.    The in your face excitement of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is second to none in motorsports. For more information, including the latest news, tour schedule, driver information, and more, visit the official website at: www.LucasDirt.com.

l eventLEWISBURG, TN – March 1, 2021 – With saturated grounds at Duck River Raceway Park and more rainstorms projected throughout the week, World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model and track officials have been forced to cancel the Friday, March 5, event at the raceway.The Saturday, March 6, Tennessee Tipoff event at Smoky Mountain Speedway is still on as scheduled with $12,000 to win on the line.For Duck River Raceway Park ticket information contact the track at 931-685-1009.For tickets to more upcoming World of Outlaws Late Model events, CLICK HERE.If you’re unable to make it to the track can watch all of the action live on DIRTVision with the annual Platinum FAST PASS subscription for $299/year or the monthly FAST PASS subscription for $39/month.

The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings® Late Model 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), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Quarter Master, Slick Woody’s (Quick Time Award), and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Capital Race Cars, FireAde, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics, Reliable Painting, and Rocket Chassis.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 World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.

February 28, 2021

A frustrating start to the 2021 season for Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 21 Menards/Moen team continued on Sunday with a 28^th-place finish in the Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Poor finishes in the first two races of the season – both at Daytona International Speedway – relegated DiBenedetto to a starting position of 37^th on Sunday, as the field was set based on results of the first two races.

For a time early in the race, it appeared that DiBenedetto and the Menards/Moen team were on their way to putting the disappointments of February behind them. After just five laps, he had driven into the top 20, gaining a few of those spots when drivers scheduled to start ahead of him had to drop to the rear and motoring by the rest.

By Lap 16 of 167 he broke into the top 15 but lost three spots by the time the Competition Caution flew at Lap 25.

DiBenedetto finished the first 80-lap Stage in 14^th place. Stage Two was more of a challenge. Although crew chief Greg Erwin and the Menards/Moen crew made adjustments intended to improve the handling of the car, the changes didn’t produce the intended results, and the No. 21 Mustang was outside the top 20 at the end of the second Stage.

The third and final segment of the race saw DiBenedetto and the team continue their search for speed, and while he was able to gain spots just after restarts, as the runs went on he fell back.

An incident with the No. 42 of Ross Chastain left the Menards/Moen Mustang with what appeared to be minor damage, but when the team made repairs on a subsequent pit stop, DiBenedetto reported the repairs made his car drive better.
 
As the laps wound down, DiBenedetto was poised to finish just outside the top 20 but a tire problem with six laps remaining led to an unscheduled pit stop, a lost lap and a drop to 28^th place at the finish.
 
“We were just off all night,” DiBenedetto said. “Then we got damage in the nose from the 42, and that set us back more.
 
“We have some work to do.”
 
Eddie Wood said his team did its best to make the most of a difficult situation.
 
“The car was too tight for much of the race,” he said. “The crew made adjustments, but the changes made the car worse instead of better, which meant they had to go back the other way on the next stop just to get back to where they were to start with.  
 
“That was frustrating.”
 
Wood said that while the Menards/Moen team is off to a rough start to the season, he’s not overly concerned at this point.
 
“I’ve been through stretches like this many times in my years in racing,” he said. “You just have to keep working hard, and eventually things will turn around.
 
“And your competitors who have had things going good for them will have their fortunes go the other way.
 
“It’s racing.”
 
The No. 21 team will be looking for that change of fortune next Sunday in the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where DiBenedetto and the team scored runner-up finishes in both Cup Series races hosted by the track in 2020.
 

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops / TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Team Show Speed at Homstead-Miami Speedway

12th   22nd 11th

“All-in-all not a bad night for the Bass Pro Shops / TRACKER Off Road Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. We really had a strong car early. We drove to the front and we were going to finish fifth in Stage 2 but the caution came out. We restarted on the bottom and just made the wrong move going into Turn 1 and lost a bunch of spots. We lost some Stage Points there, so that was disappointing. We were able to get a Stage Point at the end of Stage 1. I thought we were going to be pretty good. We just never got going again like we needed to. We kind of got jumbled on some restarts. Man, Homestead-Miami Speedway is such a fun track. I got a little too tight in and loose off at the end. We just missed it when it got darker outside. We were really good early. We were doing a good job of keeping up with the track, but it changed drastically. It was really cool to see Tyler Reddick drive up to second and show us what we’ve got. It’s on to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for us.” -Austin Dillon

Tyler Reddick and the No. 8 Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Team Impress With Second-Place Finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway

2nd   35th 23rd

“Well, finishing second is a good night considering how the first two weekends of the season have gone, but I hate that I didn’t get this Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevy into Victory Lane because if I would have then I would have gotten a lot of people in America free chicken tenders on Monday night. Once I really saw how fast we were in clean air at the end of the race, and I saw how fast we were catching everybody it became beyond frustrating because I know just two or three different decisions on a restart would have put me miles ahead. I knew that we were going to have to have a well-executed restart. We didn’t do that, and it takes time to get around all of those cars who pass you on a restart because they are all really good drivers. That’s the difference. I thought we would be better in the day and everyone would catch up at night, but it was the opposite of that. We tried to work on our Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Chevy throughout the night. We learned a lot. You have to win these races by being very consistent and making the right calls as a driver and as a team. I’m proud of how fast we were at the end of the race.” -Tyler Reddick

NARC NEWSLINE – MARCH 1, 2021, By Jim Allen … Wouldn’t you know it?  The more things change, the more they remain the same.  Everybody opened their 2021 sprint car calendar with promise and hope, desperate to sit in the main grandstands and watch some dirt track racing in California.  Next thing you know, the World of Outlaws drop the Golden State portion of their schedule faster than a prom date with a STD, and the ASCS national events slip away faster than our tax dollars in California.  Not exactly the start we were looking for but it will get better.  Just remember that promise and hope thing you had back in January … because … I promise things will get better, so do not give up on the second thing.

In the meantime, let’s take the opportunity to clear up a few things about the upcoming season.  In some cases, statements are being made, and questions are being asked, that seemingly make no sense.  Let’s take a few minutes and let me verify and clarify a few of them for you:

“What do you mean the main grandstands are the pits?” … Okay race fans, this one has been confusing for some people, so get out your decoder ring and I’ll help you understand the big picture.  Every time we post on social media about an event, the first five responses almost always are … “Are the main grandstands open?” or “are tickets being sold?”

Until you see the 49ers, Kings, Lakers, Rams, Warriors and Clippers sell “tickets” to their events, the California baseline has been set.  But look at this way (in code):  Most dirt track pit areas have less than desirable seating and sight lines for the loyal teams, sponsors, fans, and crew members who drive and power the sport.  To provide a solution, promoters statewide have done us a huge favor.  As a customer service feature, they have graciously opened their main grandstands as an extension of the pit area to enhance the open wheel experience.  Extra seating?  Problem solved!  Improved sightlines?  Mission accomplished!  So, if you want to watch sprint car racing in person – something we highly encourage you to do – buy a pit pass and mosey over to the grandstands to enhance your entertainment pleasure.

“Do I get a hot pass or a cold pass?”  Think of it this way, the hot pass represents the pits working around hot race cars.  The cold pass represents a cold beer in the grandstands.  Enough said.

“Did the world fall off its axis?  Are you telling me that the Vermeil is in Chico?  The next thing you are going to say is the Bradway is in Placerville?”  Yes, that is exactly what we are saying and that is good news.  With Calistoga Speedway overall ownership/lease situation stumbling around like a bad scene from some zombie flick, promoter Tommy Hunt made a smart business decision to move the Louie Vermeil Classic to another venue.  He knew that his great two-day event would lose some serious momentum or collapse entirely if it went dark two years in a row.  Dick Vermeil and several other key event supporters agreed with this fact and now the open wheel battles of the NARC King of the West and USAC/CRA sprint cars will be fought on the quarter-miler at Chico, rather than the half-mile at Calistoga.  Considering that the Dave Bradway Jr race moved after 29-years at Silver Dollar to Placerville Speedway, it was a great way to get the NARC sprint cars back to Chico.  And while we will lose the “flat out HammerDown” aspect of Calistoga, the wheel-to-wheel battles at Silver Dollar are typically epic.

By the way, camping spots at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds are going fast, so don’t delay in getting yours. This show promises to have an old-school Gold Cup Race of Champions feel to it. There will be six racing events over an eight-day span at the track.   I think we will call that … “Dreamweek.”

And I almost forgot this one, “the Peter Murphy Classis is now at Tulare AND Hanford?”  Yes!  It will be a great weekend.

Are our tracks under attack?  While that question may sound like something reserved for a video game, the answer is YES!  We all know about Calistoga and Petaluma, but now we should probably throw Santa Maria Raceway into the mix.  A housing development and homeowner association is creeping up on the backside of the track and has engaged lawyers in an attempt to shut the place down. They are claiming that SMR must have an EPA study performed in order to grade any dirt on the property; something that has happened every year since 1964.  It reminds me of the people who buy a home next to an airport and then complain about the noise after they move in.  If that isn’t the biggest pile of lawyer spew you’ve ever seen, nothing is!  With that move they passed politicians as the most hated profession.

San Luis Obispo County is also doing little to help the Santa Maria Raceway operate with super restrictive COVID-19 rules, making it more likely they will score a million-dollar lottery ticket than be able to hold a practice day at the facility.  Yes, we are being attacked.

The Outlaws aren’t coming … again?  You got it!  Hopefully in the Fall.  Next question!

How do you defend a 2019 title in 2021 when the series crowns a champion every year?  As you are aware, we only ran 120 feature event laps in 2020 (four events). It has been established that the series stage a minimum of 10-races to legitimately crown a champion.  In reality, even that is not even fair.  Anything less diminishes the accomplishments of hardworking NARC champions of the past, who had to grind their way through extensive racing campaigns to log their spot in the history books.  As it sits, DJ Netto has been able to bask in the glory of being the defending King of the West champ for an extra 12-months or so.  Nothing wrong with that – he earned it.

Will (favorite driver name here) be running for 2021 points and the NARC King of the West championship?  The answer is more than likely.  There are a ton of drivers and teams who have expressed their support to the NARC King of the West series and have their equipment dialed in and ready to go.  However, if California continues to stay in super lock down mode and the Outlaws, All Stars and other states continue to flaunt their full-house racing events on PPV, expect several CA teams to hit the road.  That traveling shortlist would probably include the likes of Justin Sanders, Austin McCarl, DJ Netto, Shane Golobic, Tim Kaeding and Dominic Scelzi.  These boys just want to race!

There you go!  Hopefully, I have managed to clear up a few things for you!

NARC NOTES:  2021 Membership forms can be downloaded at NARC410.com.  There are no changes to the 2020 rulebook. That can also be downloaded off the club website.  … Chase Johnson is looking for a full-time 410-winged ride! … Kyle Offill and Blake Carrick would be the early frontrunners for rookie-of-the-year. …  Something tells me that Iowa driver Austin McCarl will be a tough man to beat with Paul Baines turning the wrenches in the Tarlton Motorsports KPC. … News from Kalib Henry’s camp is that he plans to be a frequent NARC competitor this season. … All of our events will be available on FloRacing.com. … Keep in mind that the 2021 schedule is heavily “backloaded” with 15 of our 20-events taking place after July 1^st.  Some things are worth waiting for! …

… Sunnyvalley Bacon is back to sponsor the only trophy dash in the nation that is “Powered by Bacon.” … It’s been fun to see the transformation of the track and pit area at Peter Murphy’s Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford.  Mr. Murphy is on a mission and has a vision that he is chasing hard. …  Look for the NARC King of the West sprint cars to invade the Pacific Northwest in 2022. … Predictions for 2021 include Blake Carrick, Kyle Offill and Austin McCarl winning their first NARC-KWS race; Sean Watts picking off his second; DJ Netto winning at least three features, including his first since June 2017; and 2005 series champ Sean Becker hitting a dozen for his KWS career.  The Kaeding’s will win a handful. … Can you believe it has already been 11-years since Kyle Larson won the 2010 King of the West title? …

… Our condolences go out to the friends and family of “Mr. Excitement” Anthony Simone and the “Flying Frenchman” Bill Deschamps.  Both were classic old school racers who had no fear behind the wheel of a race car.  Simone seemed invincible with some of his exploits on and off the track, many which earned him “legend” status.  Deschamps had more of a workmanlike effort in his winning approach and was a friend to all.  Deschamps also contributed his time as a NARC Board Member for 13-years, including President for four. More importantly, once both drivers hung up their helmets, they helped future generations cut their teeth in their race cars. They will be missed.

It’s hard not to notice that the racing family is losing way too many people these days.

THE 2021 SEASON OPENER:  The good news is NARC King of the West Fujitsu Sprint Car season is so close you can almost smell the racing fuel in the air.  The bad news is … if you cannot smell it, you might want to get tested for COVID-19.  But seriously, the March 20^th Stockton Dirt Track will take place, barring a hurricane-force rain out or major earthquake centered in the San Joaquin Valley.  This event salutes the one and only Northern Auto Racing Club driving legend LeRoy Van Conett.  We will see you in the pit area around hot race cars or in the grandstands with a cold beer.  Either way, you should be there because promoter Tony Noceti is excited to get the 410’s back on his reconfigured racetrack.

Coming to you live from Auburn, CA.  See ya!

Myatt Snider and the No. 2 TaxSlayer Chevrolet Team Slay It with Thrilling Victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway

1st   10th 2nd

“Wow! What a win! I guess I learned my lesson on that first restart. I spun the wheels, and then I saw Tyler Reddick spin the wheels on the second restart and I knew I might have a chance. One thing I’ve always noticed about myself is that I’m always better when I have a rabbit to chase. I knew that if I could just get as much power as I could and lay out ahead of everyone else I would have a pretty good chance, and with Tyler restarting the race he had a better chance of spinning the tires himself. Tyler is tough to beat because he has a lot of experience as a NASCAR Cup Series driver. But luckily, we did it. We slayed it! I have to thank all of these RCR guys, TaxSlayer and everyone who has helped me my entire career. It’s been a rough journey but we’re leaving here with a win and I can’t complain. The first thing I am going to do is celebrate with my team. These guys have such experience and they have guided me so much. This win puts us in a really good position for the rest of the year.” -Myatt Snider

Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship Keeps Expanded $45,000 PurseTop-20 drivers in all four DIRTcar Northeast divisions paid out for their top sixteen finishes, VP Fuels adds special bonuses WEEDSPORT, NY – DIRTcar Racing and Hoosier Tire will retain the expanded overall $45,000 purse for 2021 and beyond.With the $8,000 overall purse increase last year across the four DIRTcar Northeast divisions — Big Blocks, 358 Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds and Pro Stocks — the top-20 drivers in each division will continue to be recognized and awarded in November during the banquet.“When we knew last year that there weren’t going to be Series events and Series point funds, we shifted our focus to the Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly to help out the tracks that did open up during the pandemic,” said DIRTcar Northeast Director Dean Reynolds. “Then it was decided to expand the number of competitors that will receive a cash payout.The Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship points cover all four DIRTcar Northeast divisions: DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, 358 Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds, and Pro Stocks. Each drivers’ top-16 finishes in DIRTcar sanctioned Feature are calculated for points. Stewart Friesen received $5,000 for being on top of the points for Big Blocks while Mat Williamson visited every track he could in Canada to come out on top of the DIRTcar 358 Modified points to take home $3,000. Kevin Root just nipped Andrew Buff to receive his $1,000 while “Cousin” Luke Horning was king in the Pro Stocks to receive his $1,000.VP Fuels also has many special bonuses for the top point-getters in the weekly point championship, last year they handed out more than $7,500 in fuel certificates to more than 30 different drivers to make it more lucrative.  While DIRTcar sanctioned weekly racing is the main focus of the championship, it is notable that all Series races in all divisions also count towards drivers’ top-16 finishes as well. This creates an inviting environment for drivers to race for track championships but also travel to other DIRTcar events when possible. Despite COVID-19 restrictions throughout the Northeast and Canada, there was still an impressive number of sanctioned races in all four divisions. In 2020, there were 69 DIRTcar Big Block, 66 358 Modified, 177 Sportsman Modified, and 83 Pro Stock Features completed in 2020 which raced for the first time under the top-20 pay structure. With a robust weekly championship points fund in place and a common rule set spanning most of the Northeast, DIRTcar Racing is primed for another successful year of premier dirt track racing.  Keep up with the Hoosier Racing Tire Weekly Championship points standings and the latest news on Facebook, Twitter, DIRTcar.com, and via the newsletter which can be signed up for on the website.PHOTO: Brent Smith

DIRTcar Racing is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel), Chevy Performance Parts, iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, and NAPA Auto Parts (SDS). Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), ASI Race Wear (SDS), Bassett, Bicknell Racing Products, Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux (SDS), Cometic Gasket (SDS), COMP Cams, Drydene, Fast Shafts, Fox Factory (SDS), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Quarter Master, Schoenfeld Headers, Summit Racing Equipment, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum) (SDS); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Beyea Headers, FireAde, Intercomp, K1 Race Gear, Racing Electronics and Velocita USA.

Madden leads by 25 points in chase for $15,000 championship MODOC, SC – Feb. 26, 2021 – It’s been a great start to Kyle Strickler’s second full-time season in a Late Model. After signing on to the full-time roster with the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series, earning his first two Outlaw Feature wins and topping the points standings after the first five races, The Highside Tickler now finds himself in the hunt of his first Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series championship with only one race left. The battle will be settled in the season finale this Saturday night, Feb. 27, at Modoc Raceway. Twenty-five points is all that separates the two in the standings, leaving plenty room for Strickler to make up the gap and go for the $15,000 top prize. All he has to do is finish enough spots ahead of current points leader Chris Madden – the South Carolina racing veteran, four-time Xtreme DIRTcar Feature winner and defending Series champion. That task is easier said than done, but Strickler’s up for the challenge. “We’re gonna go for the win. It still pays $8,000 for second in points. So, we’ll go [to Modoc] and try to win the race. The points will take care of themselves,” Strickler said. Strickler beat Madden by one spot last Saturday at Lake View Motor Speedway, bringing him to within 15 points of the points lead. But his third-place run Sunday at Cherokee Speedway brought the deficit back to 25 after Madden scored his second victory of the season by leading every lap of the Feature. “Chris – he’s been doing this and coming to Cherokee for so long, that if you put him on the front row, he’s gonna be really hard to beat,” Strickler said. Strickler will need a Feature win with Madden finishing seventh or worse to overtake him in the standings and clinch his first Xtreme DIRTcar championship. If he doesn’t win, Madden will need to finish even further down the running order for Strickler to make up the difference in points. Strickler’s maintained a solid gap in points over third-place Daulton Wilson throughout the Series, one which widened to 35 after Wilson placed 17th at Cherokee after blowing a tire while running third. Like many other drivers, Strickler prefers to focus on his driving rather than points-watching, but it’s still in the back of his mind. “[At Lake View and Cherokee], I was kinda playing the points game some. Especially with the racing conditions and the track conditions, you had to put yourself in a good position,” he said. A longtime driver of Longhorn Chassis in the DIRTcar UMP Modified ranks, Strickler credits a lot of his success with the Late Model as of late to the switch he and the PCC Motorsports team recently made to a Longhorn. “The car switch was huge for me, confidence-wise and for my team,” he said. “We know what we’re doing when it comes to the Longhorn cars. I just have so much confidence to drive them and I can make moves on the racetrack that I wouldn’t think about making in the Rocket [Chassis], just because I didn’t feel comfortable in it.” To be contending for a championship so early on in the year goes to show just how well Strickler and his new team have meshed in the opening races of the racing season. The big Drydene oil barrel champion’s trophy would just be icing on the cake. “The car’s fast, and that’s the important thing. When we have a fast racecar and the guys are doing their job, nothing’s falling off of it, I’m happy at the end of the day,” Strickler said. Catch the epic season finale for the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series from Modoc Raceway this Saturday night at the track or LIVE on DIRTVision!

The Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene Performance Products (Official Motor Oil), ARP [Automotive Racing Products], Chevy Performance Parts, COMP Cams, DART, DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), FireAde, Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Intercomp, iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), MSD, Racing Electronics, SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel).