| CHEVROLET AT GAINESVILLE What: Amalie Motor Oil NHRA GatornationalsWhen: Friday, March 11-Sunday, March 13Where: Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, FloridaTV: FS1 will telecast taped eliminations at 7 p.m. ET Sunday, March 13 Team Chevy aims to continue momentum at GainesvilleChevrolet youth movement making a statement in Pro Stock class |
| DETROIT (March 9, 2022) – Reigning and five-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Greg Anderson could secure his milestone 100th victory this weekend, which would also mark Chevrolet’s 350th in Pro Stock competition since 1970. To join 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force as the only professional class drivers with 100 wins requires Anderson to navigate a deep, young and talented field dominated by fellow drivers of the Chevrolet Camaro SS. |
| “The competition out there is incredible; the talent level is incredible,” said Anderson, driver of the HendrickCars.com Camaro SS who has come up short in elimination rounds against the eventual winners of the first two races. “These young guys are not only talented, but they’re in top-shelf equipment, which you wouldn’t have seen 10, 15 years ago. They are a win waiting to happen every race they go to, and they are very disappointed if they don’t win. They have the right attitude. It’s hard racing every day against them.” Listen: An informative and insightful interview with Top Fuel champion Brittany Force Aaron Stanfield, who turned 27 on Feb. 10, is among the drivers of the Camaro SS heading into the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals aiming to make another statement for the Chevrolet youth movement. The class points leader is coming off a victory at Phoenix preceded by a runner-up finish in the season opener at Pomona in the Janac Brothers Camaro SS. “The younger generation is, I think, driving more fans back to Pro Stock,” said Kyle Koretsky, 32, who was the No. 1 qualifier at Phoenix in the KB Racing-prepared Lucas Oil Camaro SS and has advanced to five final rounds in 27 races. “It’s good for me and my marketing partners, it’s good for NHRA and it’s good for the class in general. “The rental programs that are out there these days are unbelievable. It’s not like it used to be when my dad raced, where if you didn’t have power, you weren’t winning and they wouldn’t give you power. Now, it’s more affordable than going out there and trying to R&D your own stuff.” Koretsky’s KB Racing teammate and 2021 NHRA rookie of the year Dallas Glenn is 31, as is Phoenix runner-up Troy Coughlin Jr. Second-year driver Mason McGaha is 20 and class first-year driver Camrie Caruso turned 24 on Feb. 14. “We’re proud to help the future of the class, and the future of the class was looking a little bleak a few years back and it’s absolutely done a 180,” Anderson said. “The sport in general is on the rise and getting stronger as the year goes by.” Added four-time Pro Stock champion and Pomona winner Erica Enders, driver of the Melling Performance Camaro SS: “The landscape has completely changed. In 2005, I was racing against a bunch of older guys. Now, it’s Greg Anderson and myself taking on this class of kids, and I think it’s so cool because we have all these kids interested in the class and it’s more affordable because of what (Elite Motorsports owner) Richard Freeman and the KB Racing guys have done.” Stanfield will pull double duty this weekend as he returns to the Janac Brothers Chevrolet COPO Camaro as the reigning and two-time champion of the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown. The event is the first of eight during the season. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “We’ve been working over the winter in our shop on the car. Thirty cars fighting for 16 spots will be pretty intense and there will be some really competitive races.” Robert Hight will aim for his third consecutive Funny Car victory to start the season in the Auto Club of Southern California Camaro SS, while John Force seeks to extend his record with a ninth Funny Car win in the Gatornationals driving the PEAK BlueDEF Platinum Camaro SS. Brittany Force, the No. 1 qualifier at Pomona, and Pomona runner-up Austin Prock look to claim their first victory of the season. FS1 will telecast taped eliminations at 7 p.m. ET Sunday, March 13. CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPITTOP FUELBRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY/FLAV-R-PAC CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (No. 1 qualifier and semifinalist at opener; holds both ends of the Top Fuel track record): “This Monster Energy/Flav-R-Pac team has had a good start to the season. We are heading into the Gatornationals sitting fourth in points and we’re only two races in. I’m looking forward to building on what we’ve already done and moving forward. The Gatornationals is one of the biggest races on our circuit. It will always be a special place for me. I grew up going to that race and I got my first professional win at that track in 2016. (About the All-Star Callout) Out of the eight drivers, our team is qualified in the second position. We are all excited to be in the chase for this specialty race and the $80,000 prize. It’s going to be an eventful weekend.” AUSTIN PROCK, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONTANA BRAND/ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (No. 4 qualifier and runner-up at opener): “We’ve been making leaps every day it seems. We made a lot of headway at Phoenix and we’re learning something new every time up there. You’re going to have to be on your game at all times if you want to go for those Wallys. I visited the Garlits museum and it already has me fired up and ready to continue to make my mark on the sport. I know my team will have the same energy rolling through the gates. Hoping to get a win in Gainesville. It’s got a lot of sentimental value in my heart, with Eric Medlen. It would be cool to get it done for Eric.” FUNNY CARJOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, PEAK BLUEDEF PLATINUM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (eight-time winner of event): “Getting things started on the East Coast. Always love coming out to Gainesville, the Gatornationals are a big deal, all the history. With the Hall of Fame induction, they all come out. It’s a great time. I grew up watching these guys. Don Garlits is a legend. He’s done so much for the sport. It’s going to be something special to have all the greats out watching. The fans always come out strong here in Florida too. Going to be quite the show, hoping to get this PEAK BlueDEF Chevy in the winner’s circle, that’s the goal. Would be something special at the Gators.” ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 2 qualifier in both races and winner of both races; holds both ends of the track Funny Car record): “It’s a great start to the season for this Auto Club team. We’ve ran well but we haven’t found the edge yet, there’s still more out there. This Auto Club team has to stay focused, we can’t get complacent. We have to continuously work hard, and the results will come. We know the rest of these guys out here are gunning for us and they’re going to be pushing hard. We’ve got to keep doing our job.” PRO STOCKAARON STANFIELD, ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JANAC BROTHERS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (winner at Phoenix, runner-up at Pomona, points leader): “At Phoenix, we had a fast and consistent hot rod all weekend long. It just felt smooth and fast. (About tightness of field in first two races) I think it’s a look into the rest of the season that nobody is safe even though you qualify on the pole, you still have to cut a good light and stay consistent to go some rounds. (About maintaining mental focus) Last year, we had a period where we were doing really well, but it’s about maintaining consistency throughout the year. (About being a new dad) You lose a little bit of sleep, but it’s worth it. It’s been great.” TROY COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (runner-up at Phoenix): “There’s definitely a lot of momentum in the camp and my crew chief Mark Ingersoll and the boys — Kyle Bates, Ricky Calloway and Kelly Murphy — certainly have the JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ready to win. Why not Gainesville? It’s a very historic race, the first big one of every season that takes place on the East Coast, and one that all the legends have won. That includes my Uncle Jeg, who won Pro Stock there in 2001 and 2008. I’d love to win it again in the Pro Stock car.” GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, HENDRICKCARS.COM CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (four-time winner of event, including 2021; seeking to become second pro driver with 100 wins): “We started the season there last year and won, so I’m going to consider the Gatornationals as the start of my season this year. My guess is we’re going to be shortened at least one, if not more, qualifying runs (because of inclement weather), so you better have your ducks in a row when you’re on the grounds because there won’t be a lot of time to get it right. You have to be ready to make your best run right off the trailer. We certainly didn’t perform like we should have or needed to at the first two races, so we’re going to act like those didn’t happen and we’re going to start our season this weekend in Gainesville.” KYLE KORETSKY, KB RACING, LUCAS OIL CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (No. 1 qualifier at Phoenix): “Going into Gainesville, I know our car is fast and capable of the No. 1 qualifier but looking to go more rounds. A semifinal loss (at Phoenix) is a great outing, but it was straight driver error. They gave me a car to win and I let the team down. We’ll go to Gainesville with a clear head and give it our best. (About qualifying at Phoenix) The team hit it right and that’s why I went to the top.” DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (2021 NHRA rookie of the year): “I feel like I’ve got something to prove after Phoenix. I’m lucky I was able to race at all after having the car fall off the jack and onto my foot but as a racer, I want to win every time I get behind the wheel. I rested up and let my foot heal a little bit on our weekend off and I think I’m back in fighting shape for Gainesville.” DALLAS GLENN, KB RACING, RAD TORQUE SYSTEMS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (2021 NHRA rookie of the year): “I feel like I’ve got something to prove after Phoenix. I’m lucky I was able to race at all after having the car fall off the jack and onto my foot but as a racer, I want to win every time I get behind the wheel. I rested up and let my foot heal a little bit on our weekend off and I think I’m back in fighting shape for Gainesville.” CAMRIE CARUSO, CARUSO FAMILY RACING, RIGHT TRAILERS CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (earned first round win at Phoenix): “March is Women’s History Month, so it was cool to make a little history of our own getting that win light in our second race. The NHRA has had so many amazing women competitors. I am proud to be out here competing against the Pro Stock guys with Erica Enders and other NHRA professional women drivers like Leah Pruett, Alexis DeJoria and Brittany Force. I have a great team and we are all working together every day to get better. I might be the one in the race car but there are guys back in the shop at Titan Racing Engines who put a lot of sweat into giving me the power to run in the top half.” |