Two Corvette C8.Rs entered in GTE Pro category in search of ninth class win  · Return to June date, open fan events among highlights of French classic· Milner, Tandy welcome back Sims in WEC championship chase· Garcia, Taylor, Catsburg back in GTE-spec Corvette

DETROIT (May 31, 2022) – The Corvette Racing band is back together for the first time in three months with the team channeling all its efforts into another shot at a class victory at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Two of the familiar yellow Corvettes are part of a seven-car entry in the GTE Pro category for factory and factory-supported teams. This will be the second time at Le Mans for the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette C8.R after a runner-up class finish in its debut last August. The program is going for its ninth class victory at the French endurance classic. This year’s race is back in its traditional June spot with the race set for June 11-12. The biggest change from last year’s event is that all public-facing events are back including scrutineering in downtown Le Mans, pit walks and autograph sessions and the Friday drivers’ parade.

CORVETTE RACING MEDIA INFORMATION Corvette Racing media information is updated and available ahead of this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Materials include: · Race advance and quotes· Comparison between the GTE-spec Corvette C8.R and the GTD PRO Corvette in IMSA· Corvette Racing Le Mans history, stats and figures· Corvette Racing Fast Facts· Driver biographies

Before practice and qualifying gets under way, though, first comes eight hours of track time Sunday during the annual Le Mans Test Day. It’s the one opportunity for the 62 cars entered in the race to get much-needed track time ahead of Wednesday’s first practice and qualifying sessions. Time is critical given the unique nature of the circuit – 8.47 miles of asphalt featuring a mix of permanent racetrack and public roads through the French countryside. The Corvette Racing lineup in each of the two C8.Rs remains the same as a year ago. Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor and Nicky Catsburg – primarily competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – will team in the No. 63 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Corvette and hope to improve on their second-place showing from a year ago. Already, the trio has a blue-riband victory together in at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in a GT Daytona (GTD) PRO version of the C8.R.

On the other side of the garage is the No. 64 Mobil 1/SiriusXM C8.R of Tommy Milner, Nick Tandy and Alexander Sims. Their entry is a full-time one in the FIA World Endurance Championship – a first for Corvette Racing. It’s already been a successful run for Milner and Tandy with a runner-up finish in the Sebring 1,000 Miles. The duo stand third in the GTE Drivers World Championship with Le Mans being a double-points race. That makes it even more important for the No. 64 Corvette to show well at Le Mans… and keep the other manufacturers off the top step of the podium as well. The plan of having a Corvette full-time in WEC was focused around optimizing the team’s chances at Le Mans. Corvette Racing’s last win at Le Mans came in 2015, although the team has been agonizingly close to getting its ninth win there since with a second- and third-place showing in the years since. The WEC Corvette has given the entire Corvette Racing team much-needed insight and data on a wide variety of items that will be key at Le Mans. Things like pit stop procedures, tire selection and performance, and racing rules in a variety of scenarios make this the most prepared that Corvette Racing has been for Le Mans in what will be its 22nd appearance in the race. One of the most key benefits is that the No. 64 Corvette can focus more on race setup and development on the Test Day while the three No. 63 drivers can get used to the GTE version of the Corvette, which features more power, no ABS system and Michelin tires specifically designed for the C8.R. In IMSA, the GTD PRO Corvette runs on a common Michelin tire that is available to all teams. Corvette Racing will contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 11-12 with the green flag set for 4 p.m. CET and 10 a.m. ET. MotorTrend TV will air the race live with the MotorTrend App adding coverage of official practices and qualifying on June 8-9. Live audio coverage will be available from Radio Le Mans starting with Sunday’s Test Day.

• Ford has donated 247 vehicles to DAV Transportation Network since 1996 to assist with transporting disabled veterans to medical appointments.
• DAV has more than 1 million members across the U.S. to help veterans coordinate benefits and medical care. In a typical year, DAV provides more than 500,000 rides per year to appointments.

 
Dearborn, Mich. (May 31) – The No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang will celebrate the 100-year relationship between Ford and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) with a unique paint scheme at the NASCAR Cup Series race in St. Louis on June 5.

In 1922, Henry Ford provided 50 Model T Ford vehicles to help disabled World War I veterans attend DAV’s second national convention. DAV, which was established following World War I, helps more than a million veterans each year to access the healthcare and benefits they earned through military service.

“All of us at Ford are incredibly proud of our 100-year relationship with DAV,” said Joe Avila, Community Development Manager, Ford Motor Company Fund. “It is an honor to continue growing our relationship, which began by providing vehicles to veterans, and has expanded over the years to ensure that even more veterans have access to reliable transportation to reach their healthcare and medical appointments.”

DAV created its transportation network in 1987. Since 1996, Ford has donated 247 vehicles. DAV members and their families have purchased more than 30,000 Ford vehicles through the Ford X-Plan Partner Recognition Program. Ford Transits and Explorers are among those provided and some include mobility solutions to meet the needs of disabled veterans. Each Ford DAV vehicle has a uniform, exterior graphics package. For the St. Louis race, the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang will have a paint scheme emblematic of those graphics.

“We are thrilled to be highlighting 100 years of cooperation between DAV and Ford in this manner,” said DAV National Adjutant & CEO Marc Burgess. “We provide more than 500,000 rides for veterans each year and that wouldn’t be possible without Ford providing us with vehicles. Of course, we also need drivers for those cars and the volunteers at DAV are amazing. The DAV St. Louis chapter is outstanding, so it’s very meaningful to have this special paint scheme on display in their community.”

Ford’s involvement with the veteran community also extends to the job market. The company employs approximately 6,000 veterans. Since 2019, the Ford-Lincoln Veteran Careers Program has been part of New Ford Tech, which attracts and trains the next generation of Ford service technicians.

“The Motorcraft/Quick Lane Racing Team is very pleased to celebrate Ford’s and DAV’s shared effort to support veterans,” said Gina Scappaticci, Marketing Manager for Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD). “One of our FCSD objectives is to attract new technicians. In just a few years our Veteran Careers Program-enrolled dealerships have hired hundreds of veterans through this 24-month GI Bill-approved apprenticeship. These veterans are highly skilled and experienced, which immediately benefits our service departments.”

May is Military Appreciation Month, which NASCAR and Wood Brothers Racing recognize each season. Among those honored for their service each spring is Leonard Wood, one of the patriarchs of Wood Brothers Racing, who applied his engineering acumen while serving in the Army as a mechanic.

“Our family has had the great fortune of being supported by Ford for more than 70 years, so we’re proud to commemorate this 100th year of Ford and DAV partnering to help veterans,” said Eddie Wood, co-owner of Wood Brothers Racing. “Caring for our service men and women, especially those who suffered injuries, is a duty we all share as Americans.”

The NASCAR Cup Series race in St. Louis on June 5 will be televised on FS1 and begin at 3:30 p.m. ET. 

PLAINVIEW, NY (May 31, 2022) — After a two week break Justin Ashley and the Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster team powered by Vita C Energy are ready to roll into New England Dragway for the NHRA New England Nationals. The two-time 2022 finalist and winner of the season-opening Winternationals has high hopes as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series shifts into high gear for the summer months. This weekend’s national event kicks off a schedule that includes three races in four weeks that Ashley feels will be perfect for his young team to continue to build momentum.

“This will be an active and exciting stretch for our Phillips Connect team to start the summer months,” said Ashley, who has qualified no worse than 6th at any of the first seven races this season. “We have an opportunity to learn, grow and continue to get better in a short period of time with races scheduled so closely together. (Crew chiefs) Mike Green and Tommy DeLago are doing a great job and the rest of the team and I are ready to put our best foot forward on and off the racetrack.”

Phillips Connect Toyota Top Fuel dragster powered by Vita C Energy, photo by Ron Lewis

This season Ashley has never been lower than fourth in the Camping World point standings but the 2020 rookie of the year knows that there are a lot of competitors behind him that have strong teams and talented drivers. Through seven races Ashley has faced almost a half dozen former world champions at every event. The caliber of competition in every round of eliminations has never been higher in the Top Fuel ranks. To date Ashley has held his own with a win loss record of 10-6 this season.

“When we won the Winternationals we had to beat two former world champions and Toyota teammates Antron Brown and Steve Torrence just to get to the final,” said Ashley. “There are no easy rounds because every racer out here has the talent and team to win races. The minute you let your guard down your day is going to be over in less than four seconds.”

Last year Ashley made his first Top Fuel appearance at New England Dragway which is the closest track on the current circuit to his home in New York. The second-year driver qualified No.3 but hazed the tires in his first round match-up to end his day much earlier than anticipated. This year Ashley is looking to take some of the knowledge he picked up in 2021 and continue to be one of the leaders in the class.

“Last year we were going to a lot of tracks that were first time experiences for me,” said Ashley. “I think the more times I have the privilege of racing at a particular track the more comfortable it becomes, so I am looking forward to my second race in New England. This Phillips Connect Toyota Vita C Shot team has shown we know how to perform at a high level and turn on win lights. I have a lot of confidence in our team but the competition continues to get better and that is what I love about racing Top Fuel.”

This weekend Ashley and his team will also be debuting a new asset at the track with the unveiling of the Phillips Connect technology trailer. The technology center will highlight how Phillips Connect’s over the road safety and logistics monitoring equipment makes it safer and more efficient to travel cross country in big rigs. The trailer will be used to showcase the variety of sensors and equipment Phillips Connect already has on the road with several logistics and shipping companies.

“I am excited to begin working with Phillips Connect to show off their new technology trailer this weekend,” said Ashley, who spent almost a week at the Phillips Connect headquarters in California before the season started. “This technology trailer is first-class and provides an excellent opportunity for Phillips Connect to showcase their industry leading products. It will be at all NHRA events for customers to see.”

Since Phillips Connect came on board at the beginning of the season they have seamlessly joined a strong group of marketing partners that have supported Justin Ashley Racing and Davis Motorsports for over three seasons. Ashley continues to work with Auto Shocker, KATO Fastening Systems, Lucas Oil and Toyota as well as a host of additional associate sponsors. Ashley continues to build relationships with all his marketing partners to highlight the benefits of the NHRA.

“This sport has so many good things happening right now that directly correlate to the success of our marketing partners,” said Ashley. “In addition to televised racing on FOX the ability to access fans and develop B2B relationships is invaluable. Phillips Connect and many of our partners have done an amazing job of using this NHRA platform and we will have more exciting announcements later this summer.”

The first round of qualifying for the New England Nationals will get underway Friday night with two sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will start at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday with Top Fuel opening the day. The race will be broadcast on FS1 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. ET.

The Main EventSanta Pod RacewaySat.28 May 2022
The crowds held their breath at Santa Pod Raceway on Saturday as a 10,000-horsepower racing car crashed and erupted into flames in front of them. The vehicle, known as a Funny Car, ricocheted off both track walls in a fiery conflagration and ended upside down, shorn of its bodywork. Driver Kevin Chapman climbed unscathed from the wreckage and a thorough examination at the racetrack’s medical centre found no harm done. 
Safety standards in drag racing are tightly maintained. The enveloping roll cage in which Chapman was seated and the multi-layered firesuit and crash helmet he wore protected him from the worst of the impact and flames. Video evidence suggests that a loosened body panel may have jammed the vehicle’s fuel injector mechanism and contributed to the crash. 
Drag racers compete in pairs over a short, straight course. The racing machines they use can be fearsomely powerful. Funny Cars were developed in America in the late-1960s. Originating from production models, they soon acquired purpose-built racing chassis and lightweight, composite-material bodies. Their altered appearances made them look ‘kinda funny’, and the description stuck. Their supercharged, nitromethane-burning V8 engines can nowadays propel them to 300mph in just four seconds. 
Kevin Chapman was competing in round two of Santa Pod’s Funny Car Cup series, having won the opening round at Easter. The Bury St. Edmunds racer had won the series title in 2019. His Ford Mustang-bodied Funny Car carried the colours of Thermoreg International, a thermostatic industrial valve manufacturer. 
The race meeting was The Main Event, incorporating the opening round of the FIA/FIM European Drag Racing Championships. 
Video link – Santa Pod TV – ‘All the angles’:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBAqwBMLYaA

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (May 31, 2022) – Chris Dyson and CD Racing substitute driver Matthew Brabham dominated the Memorial Day Trans Am by Pirelli race at Lime Rock Park, lapping the field on their way to a sweep of the top two steps of the podium. For Dyson, who had been victorious in the two most recent races at the historic New England circuit, it was a feel-good win. His dad, Rob, who has a winning history of his own at Lime Rock, was the grand marshal for the race and greeted Chris and Matthew in the Winner’s Circle. “This place has meant so much to me my entire life,” Dyson said as he climbed from his #20 ALTWELL Ford Mustang following the 100-mile sprint race, noting that in 1985, as a seven-year-old, he’d watched his dad Rob’s team score a Memorial Day win in its IMSA Camel GTP debut. “This is my home track. I went to driver’s school here and won my first SCCA national here. Having my dad as grand marshal makes the day all that much more special. Winning at Lime Rock never gets old.” For Brabham it was his first look at the track where his father won the 1988 Camel GTP race. “I’ve been hearing about Lime Rock my whole life,” Brabham said. “Growing up my family would talk about what a great race track it is,” the third-generation racer said as he waited to climb onto the post-race podium. “Now that I’ve done a race here, I can see that for myself. I’m grateful to Humaid (Masaood) and Chris for putting me in the car when Humaid couldn’t make it for the race.” This weekend wasn’t Brabham’s first time in a Trans Am car. He won the 2021 season finale in the CD Racing #20 ALTWELL car while substituting for the series’ champion-elect after a family matter forced Dyson to withdraw from the race at Circuit of the Americas. Taking All the Points Dyson set a Trans Am lap record on his way to winning the pole. That performance, coupled with setting the fastest race lap while leading the event from green flag to checker, leaves Dyson, the reigning Trans Am champion and winner of five of the six races run so far in 2022, with maximum points from the weekend and in a favorable position when the season begins its second half at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in late June.     It was a bit more of an uphill climb for Brabham, who flew in from Indianapolis with Rob Dyson following the Indy 500. Brabham’s first look at the deceptively challenging circuit was through the windshield of the #21 allgram Ford Mustang during the brief race-morning qualifying session. And Brabham didn’t even get the full session after Tomy Drissi, Dyson’s closest rival in the championship battle, crashed heavily but without injury, ending the session after less than 10 minutes. That left Brabham fourth-fastest and still learning the track after fewer than a dozen flying laps. With Drissi forced to withdraw from the race, Brabham lined up for the start third and then for several laps following the green flag increased his knowledge of the track and comfort in the car while trailing the second-place Corvette of former series champion Amy Ruman. Once past Ruman Brabham continued to lower his lap times on his way to the runner-up finish. Trans Am Second Half Starts at Mid-Ohio The sixth race of the 2022 Trans Am by Pirelli season takes place at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH, June 23-26. Video Coverage of Lime Rock Park The Lime Rock Trans Am race will be televised on a tape-delay basis on CBS Sports Network and also MavTV, dates TBA. Modern Wellness with ALTWELL ALTWELL provides purposefully curated and flavored products to help improve your overall wellness, sleep, relaxation and balance. We know that can be a different experience for everyone, so we prioritize being able to serve the unique needs of our customers. We’re committed to helping you live each day with comfort and calm. That’s why all ALTWELL products are crafted with product quality and consumer satisfaction in mind. GYM WEED FEEL GOOD.  WORK OUT.  GYM WEED by ALTWELL. The hemp infused sports nutrition products to help take your workouts to a higher level.  Gym Weed is paired with the power of Hemp Extract and additional functional ingredients to enhance performance and support recovery.  GYM WEED products are third party lab tested and THC FREE to ensure safe, high-quality ingredients at the right dose.

Stenhouse Jr. / Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #17 is First to Five World of Outlaws Wins in 2022

LAWRENCEBURG, IN – May 30, 2022 – The traditional Memorial Day Spectacular returned to Lawrenceburg Speedway on Monday night and yet again lived up to the name in spectacular fashion.

With a star-studded field of 43 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars on hand, the Indiana 3/8-mile capped a sensational weekend of racing in a fashion that only The Greatest Show on Dirt can provide.

Becoming the third different leader in a wild 30-lapper, Sheldon Haudenschild drove to the point on Lap 11 and never relinquished his lead. His Series-leading fifth victory was far from easy, however, as the NOS Energy Drink, Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing #17 faced steep traffic and relentless challengers in the closing stages.

The path to back-to-back wins for the Wooster, OH native included a series of three-story sliders across the banking against Logan Schuchart, and a green-white-checkered finish when he survived a hard-charging Kyle Larson on the prowl from 16th-to-2nd.

Sheldon’s 27th career World of Outlaws triumph gives the Haudenschild family 99 total wins with the Series, and inches him closer to Brad Sweet and Kasey Kahne Racing as the #17 continues to prove they’re a legit championship contender in 2022.

“I’m just happy we survived and came out with the win,” a relived Haudenschild said. “I had so many close calls through traffic, those lappers were tough to battle. That’s just normal Lawrenceburg, though. I knew there would be some holes, you just have to run the track smart. More than anything, I just want to thank the men and women and the families who have sacrificed so much that allow us to race on this Memorial Day.”

The most anxious moment of the race was without a doubt the final caution on the final lap, which forced a green-white-checkered. Larson had just moved Paul Silva’s #57 into the second spot with a massive slider on Schuchart and was within striking distance of Haudenschild into turn one when the yellow lights flashed for a slowing Parker Price-Miller.

With only two laps left, a nearly sold-out crowd at Lawrenceburg knew anything could happen with Haudenschild, Larson, and Schuchart lining up 1-2-3 as the green flag flew. Ultimately, Larson’s plan to disrupt Haudenschild never had a chance to play out as Schuchart shot a big move at the #57 and stole his momentum allowing the #17 to check out and seal the deal.

“I knew Larson would be coming,” Sheldon said. “I looked at the board and kept seeing the #57 creeping up toward the top. That was a fun little cat and mouse game I had with the #1S. It seemed like however would get the run was going to come out on top, so I knew I couldn’t slide across turns one & two, I needed to carry that speed down the backstretch.”

Although his impressive run fell short, a 16th-to-2nd bid was nothing for Kyle Larson to hang his head about. The reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion and two-time World of Outlaws winner in 2022 completed 620 miles in Charlotte last night and quickly made the trip to Lawrenceburg for one of his favorite races on the Sprint Car schedule.

The Elk Grove, CA native had a plan to attack Haudenschild on the last lap, but the caution flew and ruined all timing. He had one final opportunity on the final restart, but Schuchart’s daring move stopped any shot of stealing it away. His +14 performance is the third-biggest gain for any KSE Hard Charger this season.

“It would’ve been hard to beat Sheldon on a green-white-checkered in clean air anyways,” Larson said on the final restart. “I really didn’t need that last caution, because I was setting him up into turn three at the checkered flag to make my move. It was a fun race, though. I always love coming to Lawrenceburg, it was rough and wavy in the corners. It just has so much character. I needed a better start to the night in qualifying and things might’ve been different.”

Rounding out the podium with another strong performance was Logan Schuchart and Shark Racing. He led Laps 4-11 before ultimately finishing P3 in the DuraMAX Oil, Drydene Performance Products #1S. Although it wasn’t that desired win, it’s another stellar finish in a long line of impressive results for the team.

“I had a chance right before Kyle got by me, but I stuck to the bottom and should’ve slid up,” Schuchart said on his shot to win it. “I’m just proud of this group of people and how fast we’ve been lately. It’s great to be on the podium, but I need to get this thing in victory lane soon. It feels so close, but so far away at the same time.”

Closing out the top-five at Lawrenceburg was David Gravel in the Big Game Motorsports #2 and Spencer Bayston in the CJB Motorsports #5. Finishing out the top-10 on Monday was Giovanni Scelzi, Brad Sweet, Cole Macedo, James McFadden, and Jacob Allen.

Jonestown, PA native Brock Zearfoss controlled the first three laps before he hit the wall and slowed with suspension damage to the Moose’s LZ Bar & Grill. It was a heartbreaker for the World of Outlaws sophomore runner, chasing his second-career win with the Series and first since his inaugural score in 2017.

UP NEXT (Fri) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series takes to the Dakotas this weekend with stops at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND on Friday, June 3, and then Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, SD on Sunday, June 5. Fans can BUY TICKETS HERE, or watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.

NOS Energy Drink Feature Results (30 Laps) – 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [5][$10,000]; 2. 57-Kyle Larson [16][$6,000]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4][$3,500]; 4. 2-David Gravel [7][$2,800]; 5. 5-Spencer Bayston [3][$2,500]; 6. 18-Giovanni Scelzi [6][$2,300]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,200]; 8. 18X-Cole Macedo [12][$2,100]; 9. 83-James McFadden [17][$2,050]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [14][$2,000]; 11. 15-Donny Schatz [18][$1,600]; 12. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [1][$1,400]; 13. 41-Carson Macedo [2][$1,200]; 14. 20G-Noah Gass [24][$1,100]; 15. 26-Cory Eliason [15][$1,050]; 16. 15J-Justin Peck [23][$1,000]; 17. 9-Kasey Kahne [25][$]; 18. 101-Cale Thomas [13][$1,000]; 19. 11X-Parker Price-Miller [8][$1,000]; 20. 3-Ayrton Gennetten [22][$1,000]; 21. 7BC-Tyler Courtney [10][$1,000]; 22. 9K-Kevin Thomas [19][$1,000]; 23. 39-Christopher Bell [21][$1,000]; 24. A79-Brandon Wimmer [20][$1,000]; 25. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$1,000]. Lap Leaders: Brock Zearfoss 1-3, Logan Schuchart 4-10, Sheldon Haudenschild 11-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 57-Kyle Larson[+14]

NEW Championship Standings (After 23/77 Races): 1. Brad Sweet (3,182); 2. Sheldon Haudenschild (-34); 3. David Gravel (-46); 4. Carson Macedo (-66); 5. Logan Schuchart (-80); 6. Donny Schatz (-146); 7. Spencer Bayston (-166); 8. James McFadden (-168); 9. Jacob Allen (-222); 10. Brock Zearfoss (-374).