Brittany Aiming to Become First to Win a Championship from No. 9 Starting Position
READING, Pa. (Sept. 11, 2024) – For two-time World Champion Brittany Force and the crew that maintains her Monster Energy Chevrolet Top Fuel dragster, starting the NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship from the No. 9 position isn’t so much a challenge as it is an opportunity, one on which they hope to capitalize in this week’s 39th Pep Boys Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway. In a season of struggle, punctuated by the 300 mile per hour crash that left her dad, 16-time Funny Car champion John Force, with a Traumatic Brain Injury from which he now is recovering, the 38-year-old had to reach deep just to make the starting field after failing to qualify for one race and missing another to be with family. Nevertheless, now that’s she’s in it, she knows she can win it. If that seems a little presumptuous, especially since no driver ever has won the championship from a No. 9 start, know that Force has watched two different John Force Racing teammates improve their standing by nine positions in playoffs. NHRA President Robert Hight, currently on medical leave, won the 2009 Funny Car championship from the No. 10 starting spot, the only driver ever to do so, and, before he climbed into Hight’s Cornwell Tools Chevy Camaro this season, Austin Prock advanced from 12th to third in Top Fuel points in 2022. Force could not start her pending uphill climb in a more favorable environment than the one at Maple Grove, the track on which she set the current NHRA national record (3.623 seconds), the track speed record (337.66 miles per hour) and on which she has won 66.6 percent of her two-car matches (18-9). “I’m thrilled to be heading into the first race of the Countdown,” said the 16-time tour winner. “The (Top Fuel) competition is the toughest I’ve experienced in my career (and) I’m proud of our team’s fight to clinch our position in Indy (where she was the No. 1 qualifier and a semifinalist in the 70th U.S. Nationals). “We made major progress throughout the season and the great thing about the Countdown is (that) everyone’s points reset,” said the 2013 NHRA Rookie-of-the-Year. “So, starting at Maple Grove, every (qualified) driver has an opportunity at chasing the championship. “I feel confident coming into a racetrack where we’ve previously won and set the national record – but we have no room for mistakes. The plan is to continue qualifying at the top and going rounds on race day.” The No. 1 qualifier in 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2022 (and the No. 2 starter a year ago), she won the Pep Boys Nationals in 2017 and has been runner-up on two other occasions. * * * * 39th Pep Boys Nationals SCHEDULEFriday, Sept. 13Nitro qualifying, 3:30 and 6 p.m., EDT.Saturday, Sept. 14Nitro qualifying, 1 and 3:30 p.m., EDTSunday, Sept. 15First round eliminations, 10:30 a.m., EDT JFR ON FS1 and FOX Broadcast NetworkFriday, Sept. 13Qualifying show #1, 7-8:30 p.m., EDT, on FS1Sunday, Sept. 15Qualifying show #2, 12:30-2, EDT on FS1Eliminations, 2-4 p.m., EDT, or 4:30-6:30 p.m., EDT, on FOX (Check local listings)
ORRVILLE, OH (Sept. 12, 2024) – Sprint Car drivers have been given an extra incentive to get after it at Wayne County Speedway in September with NOS® Energy Drink joining as the presenting sponsor of the World of Outlaws event.More than $10,000 was added to the overall purse for the World of Outlaws Buckeye Brawl presented by NOS® Energy Drink (Friday, Sept. 27), increasing the payout for every position. The event now pays $15,000 to win/$1,500 to start.“We’re excited to join the Buckeye Brawl at Wayne County Speedway and support Sheldon Haudenschild as the event is set to bring out Ohio’s most passionate race fans,” said Lauren Albano, NOS® Energy Drink marketing director. “Between the increased off-track activations for fans and increased purse for the drivers, there will be no shortage of energy throughout the night.”The Buckeye Brawl will be the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series’ first time back at the 3/8-mile Ohio dirt track since 2020. That race was won by Sheldon Haudenschild – who grew up 15 minutes from the track in Wooster, OH.“Obviously, excited to get another race back home, and to have NOS Energy Drink on board is pretty special for me,” Haudenschild said. “The race fans definitely show up when we get to Wayne County. Honestly, the track produces good racing. I feel like it’s probably the closest thing we have to a West Coast type of track. The track is always on point and puts on a good show.”The 2020 race was also the Series’ first time back at Wayne County since 1985. There have been five World of Outlaws races at the track, so far, and three different winners – Steve Kinser (1979, 1981, 1985), Bobby Davis Jr. (1984) and Haudenschild (2020).The NOS® Energy Drink sampling station will be on site at the Buckeye Brawl, providing fans with a complimentary NOS® Energy Drink. The World of Outlaws Fan Entertainment team will also be handing out NOS® Energy Drink giveaways throughout the night.Tickets for the World of Outlaws Buckeye Brawl presented by NOS® Energy Drink are on sale now HERE. Use code HAUDENSCHILD17 to get $5 off your ticket when purchasing online.If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision.ARTICLE: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/nos-energy-drink-boosts-buckeye-brawl-at-wayne-county-overall-purse-increased/EVENT INFO: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/schedule/event-info/?event=6228 TRACK INFO: https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/tracks/?track=Wayne+County+(OH)+SpeedwayFAN 101: https://about.worldofoutlaws.com/
CHEVROLET IN NTT INDYCAR SERIES BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY LEBANON, TENNESSEE TEAM CHEVY RACE ADVANCE SEPT. 13-15, 2024 CHEVROLET READY FOR THE NTT INDYCAR SERIES SEASON FINALE AT THE RETURN OF NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY Team Chevy Enters the Weekend with Ninth Series’ Manufacturer Title Secured; Team Penske’s Will Power Looks to Fight for Career Third NTT INDYCAR SERIES ChampionshipRacing into Nashville Superspeedway this weekend for the final race of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Chevrolet has clinched their ninth manufacturers’ title since 2012 in the 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 era, the third consecutive title for the Bowtie brand.Team Penske and Chevrolet-powered driver Will Power enters the season finale second in the standings, by 33 points, and has the potential to capture a third championship adding to his 2014 and 2022 top honors.Chevrolet heads into the season finale looking to add to 11 wins so far this year, including the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500, as well as eight NTT P1 Pole Awards, 28 podium finishes, and three swept podiums.Returning to the 1.33-mile D-shaped oval at Nashville Superspeedway for the first time since 2008, the 14-degree banked Middle Tennessee track will provide ample challenge to competitors for the 206-lap, 267.8-mile Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.Overall, Team Chevy has amassed 122 wins and 135 earned NTT P1 Pole Awards in the V6 era since 2012, in addition to seven wins and five earned poles in eight races with hybrid technology.DETROIT (September 12, 2024)– Closing out the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Chevrolet races to Nashville Superspeedway this weekend already securing their ninth Series’ Manufacturers title in the 2.2-liter twin turbo V6 era since 2012. Over that time, Team Chevy has captured 122 win and 135 earned NTT P1 Pole Awards, 11 of those victories and eight poles coming this year, including the prestigious 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. The 1.33-mile D-shaped oval will provide a challenge for competitors in the season-finale event, featuring a high-intensity 14 degrees of banking and many in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field seeing the track for the first time in their careers. While a few are returning since the last event in 2008, including championship contender Will Power, driver of the No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet, a new challenge awaits the drivers that includes a softer, alternate Firestone Firehawk tire in addition to the harder, black primary option. “Looking forward to returning to Nashville, and hoping we’ll have a good shot at the championship,” said Power. “I really liked the test, really liked the track. It has a consistent banking, so the car is quite predictable through the corner. I just hope we can open a second lane, and we’re fighting for a championship. Nashville, we’ve had a taste of it. Have some ideas on what will do for car changes and to improve. The No. 2 Team Penske Chevy was pretty good (in the test). The car was reasonable. I felt like (Scott) Dixon was very strong which means the Ganassi cars will be very good there. It put more emphasis on Milwaukee, and ultimately seeing how this plays out.” Over the season, Chevrolet has captured 11 victories including the prestigious 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 with one race remaining, totaling 122 wins so far in the V6 era since 2012, in addition to eight earned NTT P1 Pole Awards in 2024 that totals 135 earned top starting positions in the V6 era. Chevrolet additionally raced to three podium sweeps in 2024 at Road America, Iowa 1, and Milwaukee 1. “Heading to Nashville this weekend, we’ve achieved our goal of capturing the manufacturers championship, winning the Indianapolis 500 and we’re prepared to give Will and Team Penske all the support we can to give him a solid opportunity to capture the driver’s title,” said Chevrolet INDYCAR Program Manager Rob Buckner. “We’re looking forward to the event and working with our teams to cap the season with another successful weekend. It’s sure to be an exciting race. I am very proud of the hard work and dedication by our Chevrolet engineers, drivers, and teams this year.” The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix race weekend kicks off the two-day show with a stacked Saturday, including the first practice at 11 a.m. ET, followed by qualifications at 2:15 p.m. ET. High-line practice and final practice wrap on Saturday from 5:15 p.m. ET to 7 p.m. ET. Sunday’s season-finale 206-lap, 267.8-mile Music City Grand Prix from Nashville Superspeedway takes the green flag live on NBC at 3 p.m. ET. All practice and qualifying sessions are broadcast with Peacock, INDYCAR Radio, and SiriusXM Channel 218.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING (Quotes):Santino Ferrucci, No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:“I feel like turn one of Phoenix is very similar to Nashville, but it’s gonna be weird being on a concrete track for us, as well as a series. So, I am excited about that. It can be more abrasive on the tires. Should have less grip. We’re also going with the kind of like a road course package instead of the speedway wings which I found quite interesting. It’s the same package as Iowa. A little different from Gateway and Milwaukee where we ran the full road course package. At Nashville we won’t run the upper element on the rear wing so it’s a little less downforce than what we had at Milwaukee or Gateway. Obviously, having as many top 10s as we’ve had, plus now a pair of top five has been huge. You know, the car has been really, really good this year to drive and so has the team as a whole. We really just stepped it up, everything from engineering to mechanics, even myself. You know, we’ve all kind of taken a massive step forward.” Sting Ray Robb, No. 41 AJ Foyt Racing Chevrolet:“I did a little bit of at home simulator using iRacing (in preparing for Nashville). Other than that, the experience is very limited. There are some trends and nuances that you can learn from this but it only gets you to about 90%. The last 10% (always the hardest to find) has to be done at the track; we are trying our best ahead of time to shorten the learning curve once we arrive in person. The closest experience I have is running at Texas Motor Speedway in 2023. The pressure is the same as it has been every other race. Our goal remains the same, and the preparation does not change. Our job is the same as it has been, it just so happens that it is the last one on the schedule. Trusting my instincts. It’s easy to overthink details sometimes but keeping it simple and trusting my experience and the team around me has gotten us a lot further at times than digging too deep in search for answers that sometimes reveal themselves.”Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:It’ll be my first time racing at Nashville Superspeedway at this weekend’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. I’m looking forward to closing out the season the right way. It’s been a rollercoaster, but we’ve had some great moments, so hopefully, we can create another one in Nashville.” Nolan Siegel, No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:“I’m excited to get going this weekend at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. We had a lot of speed and potential in Milwaukee, and I think we’ll be in a similar spot at the Nashville Superspeedway. I’m looking forward to putting it all together and producing a strong result in the season finale.” Alexander Rossi, No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet:“It’s pretty crazy to think that this is the final race of the year. I feel like the season just started, but here we are. This will be the end of my journey in papaya, but I can’t wait to end the season on a high note here in Nashville. It’s going to be a new venue for all of us, but I think we have an opportunity to have a great weekend.” Gavin Ward, Team Principal at Arrow McLaren:“The finale is here as we head down to Nashville for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. We’re excited for what we expect to be some great racing on this short oval, but also for all of the partner activation we’ll have this weekend, both on Broadway and at Nashville Superspeedway. Not wanting to blow our own trumpet, but our oval cars have been fast this year, so we’re looking to close the season out on a high note.” Christian Rasmussen, No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:“I am looking forward to racing at Nashville Superspeedway! It will be an interesting weekend with the majority of the grid having never been there. We’re going in with a tight points battle for Leaders Circle positions, so we’re fully focused on finishing the season off strong.” Rinus VeeKay, No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet:“I am very excited for one more NTT INDYCAR SERIES race this year! It has been a crazy season and will end with a crazy last race with neither Christian (Rasmussen) or I ever having turned a lap at Nashville Superspeedway. It will be interesting, we have a bit of practice but we’ll be figuring it out on the fly! We’ve progressed so much through the season and earned a lot of Top 10s in the second half. I am looking forward to adding to that, getting some good points and hopefully moving up a few positions in the standings!” Will Power, No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet:“Looking forward to returning to Nashville, and hoping we’ll have a good shot at the championship. I really liked the test, really liked the track. It has a consistent banking, so the car is quite predictable through the corner. I just hope we can open a second lane, and we’re fighting for a championship. Nashville, we’ve had a taste of it. Have some ideas on what will do for car changes and to improve. The No. 2 Team Penske Chevy was pretty good (in the test). The car was reasonable. I felt like (Scott) Dixon was very strong which means the Ganassi cars will be very good there. It put more emphasis on Milwaukee, and ultimately seeing how this plays out.”
Chevrolet at Nashville (V6 era since 2012, pre-hybrid):Wins at Nashville: 0 Earned Pole Awards at Nashville: 0 Number of Team Chevy Podiums at Nashville: 0 Number of laps led by Team Chevy at Nashville (V6 era since 2018, pre-hybrid): 0Of note: The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is returning to the 1.33-mile D-shaped Nashville Superspeedway for the first time since 2008, and this is the first race with the 2.2-liter twin turbo V6 engine, along with hybrid technology.
2024 CHEVROLET BY THE NUMBERS:8: NTT INDYCAR SERIES race as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration. 7: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration since mid-2024. 215: NTT INDYCAR SERIES races as V6 engine supplier since 2012 return to INDYCAR. 122: Wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012. 135: Earned poles since 2012. Chevrolet holds 140 pole awards in total, with five recorded based on points for weather. 5: Earned pole in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as V6 engine supplier with hybrid technology integration. 9: Manufacturer Championships since 2012. 7: Driver/entrant champions since 2012. 13: Indianapolis 500 victories by Chevrolet at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 6: Indianapolis 500 wins by Chevrolet since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era. 35: Number of times Chevrolet has swept the podium in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since 2012 in the V6 2.2-liter twin turbo direct injected era. In total, a manufacturer has swept the podium 56 times since 2012. 29: Wins by Will Power since 2012 – all with Chevrolet power – most of any driver with the same manufacturer. 9: Wins from the pole by Will Power with Chevrolet power since 2012, most by any driver. 46: Pole starts by Will Power since 2012 in a Chevrolet-powered car, most of any driver.*Will Po
Flemington, NJ (September 12, 2024) – Joe Morrison will continue his pursuit of Funny Car glory at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals this weekend. The longtime Nostalgia Funny Car and Fuel Altered pilot from Flemington, NJ will make his second start of the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series at the first race of the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoff race. While Morrison will not be in contention for the Funny Car world championship the veteran driver is looking forward to his potential spoiler role and racing in the ultra-competitive NHRA Nitro Funny Car division, driving for legendary Funny Car driver, owner, and tuner Paul Smith. In his 2024 debut race in Norwalk, Ohio, Morrison qualified for the 16-car field and was ousted in the first round by No. 1 qualifier and Funny Car point leader Austin Prock.
“It was an amazing weekend for our Funny Car debut in Norwalk and I expect even better results at Maple Grove Raceway,” said Morrison, who views this facility as his home track. “We will have more data, and I will be much more comfortable in the race car. This class is so much fun, and I received a great welcome in Norwalk. This weekend we will be looking to make four great qualifying runs and then see what happens on Sunday. We have some amazing partners along for the ride.” Joe Morrison is eager to get back on track at Maple Grove Raceway, photo credit Ron LewisThe veteran Top Fuel racer turned Funny Car racer uses his race program to promote Right2Breathe.org and he is on a personal mission to help other people have more time with their loved ones. Morrison lost his father to COPD in 2016 and he has joined forces with a number of incredible organizations to bring the opportunity for early detection and treatment to the race track. Joining Morrison at the NHRA Reading Nationals, will be three instrumental companies and organizations: Right2Breathe, the Temple Lung Center and Chiesi USA. All three groups will have a specific mission at Maple Grove Raceway and Morrison will be the ambassador promoting their initiatives.
“I love racing at Maple Grove Raceway. I got my first wins here at an event called ‘Geezers at the Grove’ in my nostalgia altered in 2009. It’s my home track, and I always have a ton of friends and family around,” said Morrison, who made his Funny Car debut at the Norwalk Nationals in June of this season. “The fans here are some of the best anywhere. Every year, people who we have ‘Put Their Lungs on the Dyno’ at past events come by to tell us how their lives have improved. To know that we are making a positive impact in the lives of fans and racers is both humbling and gratifying.” Morrison along with Right2Breathe and additional partners will once again provide lung screening and information during NHRA national events, photo credit Ron LewisFor Morrison, partnering with Right2Breathe has been a life-changing experience for him and for NHRA fans. One ongoing example of this partnership is the free onsite lung health evaluations Right2Breathe has provided fans giving them the chance to ‘Put Their Lungs on the Dyno.” As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Right2 Breathe is celebrating their 10-year anniversary in 2024, and they have provided lung screenings and lung health education at the Reading NHRA Nationals five times since 2017. Their mission is to provide free lung screening for people at risk for lung disease as well as provide education and support for people already living with lung disease.
Morrison, who last competed in NHRA Top Fuel in 2022, wrapped up his NHRA license cross-grade process in July 2023 with Smith at Virginia Motorsports Park. This expanded his diverse NHRA competition license to an impressive 11th active class, ranging from Top Fuel & Nitro Funny Car to Super Comp and Super Gas.
Morrison will be ready to go on Friday night for two qualifying sessions following an afternoon of fan events including an autograph session at the Right2Breathe.org midway display. On Saturday Morrison will be the featured guest on the NHRA Stage for “10 questions with Joe Morrison” followed by two more qualifying sessions.
The New Jersey native will be competing at Maple Grove thanks to the support from recently added associate sponsor support from the Napp Brothers as well as PennGrade 1® High Performance Oils, Stoms Automotive, Dawn D’Agostino, and MarSchanMotorsports.com (Mar-Schan Motorsports).
“As a New Jersey guy who spent so much time at Englishtown getting support from the Napp brothers is really special,” said Morrison. “We are methodically building our program and every dollar or part deal helps us so much. We are thankful for all our partners.”
On Sunday Morrison should be one of the 16-quickest Funny Cars racing for the iconic Wally trophy in front of an expected sold-out crowd. The race will be broadcast on FOX and will be the lead-in programming for the NFL game on Sunday. Fans interested in buying tickets to the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at www.nhra.com.
LONG BEACH, CA (September 12, 2024) — It is a brand-new season for Funny Car rookie Buddy Hull, driver of the Lescure Funny Car owned by Jim Dunn Racing. After a 14-race regular season Hull’s consistency paid off and the team will be competing for the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Funny Car world championship during the six-race NHRA Countdown playoffs. Hull and the Jim Dunn Racing team are sitting at No. 12, just 145 points behind point leader Austin Prock. Entering the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals this weekend at famed Maple Grove Raceway Hull and the team are excited about the opportunity.
“We know we have a ways to go for a Funny Car championship but our first goal is to make the most out of the weekend at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway,” said Hull. “We had our best race of the season at the biggest race, the Toyota U.S. Nationals. Racing to the quarterfinals and almost getting to the semis really was a huge boost for this Lescure Funny Car team.”
With the Countdown getting underway Jim Dunn Racing is continuing to add marketing partners including Sunshine Beverages for the Reading and Charlotte Countdown races. Sunshine is a refreshing, hydrating and functional energy drink. With just 70mg of caffeine, it offers the perfect ‘pick-me-up’ for sustained mental clarity, allowing fans to power through tasks with ease. Hull is excited to work with a company like Sunshine Beverages because he understands the benefits.
“You have to be so mentally sharp behind the wheel of this 11,000 horsepower Funny Car,” said Hull. “Sunshine Beverages gives you that boost without the crash. They are working with Jim Dunn Racing because they know we can get them in front of thousands of people and help them expand their presence. My goal is to do my best behind the wheel and then spend some time with the fans talking about all our great partners.”
Two weeks ago, Hull raced to the quarterfinals in Indianapolis upsetting Bob Tasca III in the first round. The round win was a long time coming for the young Top Fuel turned Funny Car driver, but the new father wants to prove the win was not a fluke. Hull and his wife Madi welcomed the birth of their son Maverick prior to the race.
“You look at the progress this Jim Dunn Racing team has made this season it doesn’t always show up on a time sheet,” said Hull. “Everyone has been working to fit me into this race car. They have been super supportive as I have learned how to drive this Funny Car. We have all kept a positive attitude thanks to the leadership of Jim and Jon Dunn. These last six races of the season will be our whole season. That is what we have been working towards.”
With the points reset Hull is 145 points out of first place. There are 100 points up for grabs at event NHRA national event plus qualifying bonus points and the final race of the season is for points and a half. The opportunity to race into the Top Ten or even higher is a realistic goal for the team.
“We have been grinding all season and we have added some new parts for the Countdown,” said Hull. “We want to keep working hard and we’ll see what happens. This has been a great year so far and these final six races will be a lot fun.”
Qualifying for the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals will begin on Friday with two sessions followed by two more qualifying runs on Saturday. The quickest 16 Funny Cars will race for the Wally trophy on Sunday morning with the first round of eliminations scheduled for 10:30 a.m. EST. The race will be televised nationally on FOX.
DETROIT (September 12, 2024) – For the third consecutive year Chevrolet has won the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturer Championship. Winning the 2024 Manufacturer Championship marks the ninth time Chevrolet has captured the coveted award since its return to INDYCAR competition in 2012. “This is a proud moment for everyone at Chevrolet. The effort by GM Motorsports competition engineering and Propulsion engineers, along with our partners at Ilmor, to deliver power and reliability in the Chevy 2.2 liter V6 INDYCAR engine has been outstanding,” said Mark Reuss, GM President. “This Championship is truly a combined effort and could not have been accomplished without the teamwork, preparation, and execution of the five Chevrolet teams: Team Penske, Arrow McLaren, Ed Carpenter Racing, AJ Foyt Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing. Congratulations to our teams and drivers, and thank you to INDYCAR for providing an incredibly competitive series.” In the 13 seasons of the Chevrolet 2.2-liter V6 twin turbocharged INDYCAR engine, Team Chevy drivers have amassed 122 wins of the 215 races to date – an impressive 56.7%. Six of those wins have been in the Indianapolis 500. All of Chevrolet’s full-time teams contributed valuable time and effort toward the ninth NICS Manufacturer Championship. Team Penske, with drivers Will Power, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin; Ed Carpenter Racing, with drivers Rinus VeeKay, Christian Rasmussen and Ed Carpenter; Arrow McLaren, with drivers Pato O’Ward, Alexander Rossi, Callum Illot, Theo Pourchaire and Nolan Siegel; AJ Foyt Racing, with drivers Santino Ferrucci and Sting Ray Robb; and Juncos Hollinger Racing, with drivers Romain Grosjean, Agustin Canapino, and Conor Daly were instrumental in Team Chevy’s success. Although having less than half of the total car count, Chevy-powered drivers maximized all their available support, engineering tools and simulator time to enable performance growth that translated to consistency and strong results. In addition to the nine Manufacturer Championships, Chevrolet has won seven driver championships with Ryan Hunter-Reay (2012), Power (2014 and 2022), Scott Dixon (2015), Simon Pagenaud (2016) and Newgarden (2017 and 2019). The Chevrolet 2.2-liter V6 engine powered drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 with Tony Kanaan (2013), Juan Pablo Montoya (2015) Will Power (2018), Simon Pagenaud (2019) and Josef Newgarden (2023 and 2024). Previously, Chevrolet competed in Indy-style racing as a manufacturer of V8 engines from 1986-93 and 2002-05, powering 111 wins, one manufacturer championship in 2002, seven Indianapolis 500 wins and six driver championships.
Southern flair and World of Outlaws championship ramifications clash in Georgia, Alabama weekend
SENOIA, GA (September 11, 2024) – The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models are set for a southern brawl in Georgia and Alabama to mark a pivotal mile on the road toward World of Outlaws World Finals.
Beginning the weekend of racing on Saturday, Sept. 14, Senoia Raceway welcomes the Series for the first time since 2021 in the 50-lap, $15,000-to-win, Billy Clanton Classic. Local divisions of Chargers, Modifieds, and 602 Late Models share the track with the “Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet.”
Then, the Series heads west to Eastaboga, AL for the completion of the Alabama Gang 100 at the Talladega Short Track on Sunday, Sept. 15.
With the race being a completion of the Feature that was originally scheduled for April, all other events leading up to the Feature will not be redone. The night begins with Hot Laps, then the field will battle for 75 laps around the high-banked track for a $35,000 payday to the winner.
Pierce’s Global Conquest: Bobby Pierce is riding the high of his biggest year in dirt Late Model racing in 2024 with crown jewel wins in the Illini 100, NAPA Gopher 50, Prairie Dirt Classic, USA Nationals, North/South 100, and most recently his second World 100.
Pivoting the focus towards completing a massive comeback to achieve his second consecutive World of Outlaws CASE Late Models title, the Oakwood, IL native is tied with Mooresville, NC driver Nick Hoffman for second place – 52 points away from Series leader Brandon Sheppard.
The 27-year-old gasser has four chances before the end of September to close the interval to Sheppard before the history-making title fight is decided in November at World Finals.
Reaper’s Late Charge: Through a meticulous learning process that included a share of growing pains, Ryan Gustin sits inside the top five in Series points for the first time in 2024 in his best career season with the World of Outlaws driving the No.19R Todd Cooney Racing Late Model.
The Marshalltown, IA native enjoyed the Fireball 50 weekend at Atomic Speedway with a podium on Friday and his fourth Series win of 2024 on Saturday. In his time off from the World of Outlaws, “The Reaper” won $50,000 at 300 Speedway, then visited Eldora Speedway Victory Lane for the first time in the opening World 100 prelim Feature.
With Gustin’s current fourth-place Series standing, he’s looking to finish the year with his fifth Feature win of 2024 to match the number of wins he accumulated with Tri Star Promotions over three seasons.
Senoia Stronghold: Georgia’s Senoia Raceway makes its awaited return to the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models schedule for the fourth time in history on Saturday night with the Billy Clanton Classic.
In the last three Series races held at the track in 2017, 2018, and 2021, Brandon Sheppard, Chris Madden, and Ashton Winger each left the facility as Feature winners.
MD3 Rookie of the Year contender Cody Overton calls Senoia his home track on the 2024 schedule, with one of the Evans, GA driver’s first big wins in a Crate Late Model coming at the 3/8-mile track in 2023.
Return of the Hornet’s Nest: Returning to the Talladega Short Track for the first time since April 20, the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models complete the Alabama Gang 100 weekend on Sunday.
When the Series last raced at the track, Lanett, AL driver Dylan Knowles won the Group A Feature, and Mooresville, NC rookie Max McLaughlin captured the Group B Feature. The two drivers are chasing their first Series points win.
Championship contenders Sheppard and Pierce won their Saturday Heat races in April to lock in respectively. Hoffman had to clinch a spot through the final position of the first Last Chance Showdown.
WHEN AND WHERE
Senoia Raceway in Senoia, GA
Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL
ABOUT THE TRACK
Senoia Raceway is a 0.375-mile banked, gumbo oval
Talladega Short Track is a 0.333-mile high-banked, red-clay oval
TRACK RECORDS
Senoia Raceway – 12.684 seconds by Brandon Overton on 7/20/2020
Talladega Short Track – 12.420 seconds by Jason Hiett on 3/28/2019
The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models battle in the South for one last time at the final two debuting tracks on the 2024 schedule, Greenwood, LA’s Boothill Speedway on Friday, Sept. 27, and Petty, TX’s Rocket Raceway Park for the Texas Torpedo 50 on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Penultimate Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Race Set for Maple Grove Raceway
READING, PA (September 11, 2024) — Heading into the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series competition will be closer than ever with three drivers battling for the world championship. Point leader David Janac holds a 22-point lead over Mark Pawuk and Stephen Bell sits in third place a mere 48-points behind Janac. The series features factory bodied and powered Chevrolet COPO Camaros, Dodge Drag Paks and Ford Mustang Cobra Jets in heads up racing with driver skill off the starting line a key component to victories in every event.
“This class has some of the toughest racers racing some of the coolest cars from Camaros to Cobra Jets to Dodges,” said Bell, a five-time finalist this season. “The competition is fierce, and we have had a great season. We came close to the championship last year and our goal this year has been to seal the deal. We have two races left to get the job done.”
Championship contender Stephen Bell has raced to five finals this season and is looking for his first Flexjet world championship, photo credit Auto Imagery
Bell picked up wins at the historic Winternationals, the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals in Chicago and the Norwalk Nationals outside of Cleveland. He has also tallied two additional runner-up finishes. Point leader Janac won for the first time in his career at the Thunder Valley Nationals, outrunning Bell in the final. Pawuk opened the season with a win at the Gatornationals and he was runner-up to Bell at the Norwalk national event. All three Flexjet competitors are looking for their first world championship in the factory stock class.
“Your goal at the beginning of every season is to compete for the championship,” said Pawuk, a former Pro Stock standout driver. “We have two races to go and we are in the thick of the points battle. These last two races starting with Reading will be critical. I am excited to get this Empaco Dodge on track in Maple Grove Raceway.”
Mark Pawuk is looking to pick up his second win of 2024 at the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, photo credit Auto Imagery
The winner of the Toyota U.S. Nationals, Kevin Skinner, destroyed a motor on his winning run and will not attend the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals. The Flexjet $1,000 bounty will roll to event runner-up Raymond Nash. So far this season, six different drivers have collected the bounty and heading into the Reading Nationals the opportunity to pick up the extra cash is a great motivator.
“I have done a good job of getting the Flexjet bounty this season, but I haven’t been able to hold onto it,” said Bell, a three-time winner this season. “I hate it for Kevin that he won’t be able to get to this race but maybe I will match up with Raymond and get a shot at winning that $1,000. I think it is great Flexjet has the bounty program because we all keep track of it and like to try and get that extra payday.”
The quickest Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge competitors will race through four rounds of competition looking to collect the iconic Wally trophy at the ninth Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series national event of 2024. Qualifying for the Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Series will begin on Friday, September 13 with two sessions followed by a final session on Saturday afternoon. Eliminations will start on Saturday evening and carry over into Sunday. The race will be broadcast on FS1 and FOX throughout the weekend.
2024 Flexjet Bounty Program Gatornationals (Gainesville, Fla.) $1,000 bounty collected by Mark Pawuk, defeated Stephen Bell (Norwalk winner)
Winternationals (Pomona, Calif.) $1,000 bounty collected by David Davies II, defeated Mark Pawuk (Gatornationals winner)
Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals (Las Vegas, Nev.) $1,000 bounty collected by Mark Pawuk, defeated Stephen Bell (Winternationals winner)
Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals (Bristol, Tenn.) $1,000 bounty collected by David Janac, defeated Stephen Bell (Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals winner)
Summit Racing Equipment Nationals (Norwalk, Ohio) $1,000 bounty collected by Stephen Bell, defeated David Janac (Thunder Valley Nationals winner)
Lucas Oil Nationals (Brainerd, Minn.) $1,000 bounty collected by David Janac, defeated Stephen Bell (Summit Racing Equipment Nationals winner)
Toyota U.S. Nationals (Indianapolis, Ind.) $1,000 bounty collected by Kevin Skinner, defeated Scott Libersher (Lucas Oil Nationals)
2024 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Results Gainesville – Mark Pawuk, winner; Stephen Bell, runner-up Pomona – Stephen Bell, winner; David Davies II, runner-up Las Vegas1 – Ricky Hord, winner; David Janac, runner-up Chicago – Stephen Bell, winner; Lee Hartman, runner-up Bristol – David Janac, winner; Stephen Bell, runner-up Norwalk – Stephen Bell, winner; Mark Pawuk, runner-up Brainerd – Scott Libersher, winner; David Janac, runner-up Indianapolis – Kevin Skinner, winner; Raymond Nash, runner-up Reading – TBD St. Louis – TBD
2024 Flexjet Factory Stock Showdown Points 1. David Janac 624 2. Mark Pawuk 602 3. Stephen Bell 576 4. Scott Libersher 539 5. Ricky Hord 455 6. Tony Scott Jr. 351 7. Anthony Troyer 328 8. David Davies III 303 9. Raymond Nash 294 10. Lee Hartman 291
2024 FLEXJET NHRA FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN SCHEDULE Sept. 12-15 39th annual Pep Boys NHRA Nationals, Reading, Pa. Sept. 27-29 13th annual NHRA Midwest Nationals, St. Louis, Mo.
SPENCER, IA (September 10, 2024) – Aaron Reutzel may have shifted his focus to weekly racing at Knoxville Raceway in 2024, but that doesn’t mean he forgot how to get the job done with the American Sprint Car Series National Tour.
He proved that Tuesday night at Clay County Fair Speedway by topping the field in the Battle of the Blue Ribbon for his first National Tour win since a prelim victory at the 2023 360 Knoxville Nationals.
“All in all a great night,” said the 2015 Series champion. “After not even being able to Hot Lap, that was stressful. But luckily, everything was really close and didn’t really have to make too many changes tonight.”
Reutzel’s march to victory began from the inside of Row 2 thanks to a third-place finish in the Dash. An excellent start allowed him to move up in front of second-place starter Sam Hafertepe Jr. entering Turn 1 and ride the top line against polesitter Hank Davis on the bottom through the first set of corners.
The No. 87 machine slid up over the cushion exiting Turn 2, which allowed Davis to drive away to an early lead while Hafertepe was busy fending off his fellow No. 15 Andrew Deal for the third spot.
In the early stages, the inside groove was the preferred line through Turns 1 and 2 while most drivers opted to ride the wall in Turns 3 and 4. Reutzel was one of the first to buck that trend and try the bottom at both ends, resulting in several challenges for the lead in the first third of the race, but the No. 2C had enough speed on exit on the top side to hold onto the top spot.
The stalled car of Brandon Anderson paused the action for the first time on Lap 8. Reutzel went to the top on the restart and briefly held the lead before once again sliding off the track in Turn 2 which let Davis keep the lead down the backstretch. Reutzel wasn’t keen on letting Davis drive away though, as he threw a big slider in Turns 3 and 4 before Davis crossed him over exiting Turn 4 to maintain the lead.
At that point, Hafertepe decided to make it a three-way battle between the red-and-black cars and split the middle entering Turn 1 to make it three-wide for the lead. Reutzel prevailed on the bottom to take over the lead for the first time, with Davis trailing in second and Hafertepe in third after 10 laps.
Reutzel paced the field as the race stayed green through the middle portion while Hafertepe got around Davis for the second spot. Once Reutzel caught the tail of the field, Hafertepe began making inroads on the leader with his sights set on his 10th Series win of the year.
The No. 15H was within striking distance of Reutzel with five to go, but trouble for Hafertepe in getting past the slower car of Scott Winters gave Reutzel the chance to pull away once more.
What looked to be a solid points night for Hafertepe turned sour four laps later, as his left-rear tire went flat to bring out the caution with two laps to go. With Hafertepe in the work area and out of contention, Davis found himself in second once again with a chance to extend his win streak to three.
It was not meant to be though, as Reutzel went unchallenged in the final two laps to take his 24th National Tour win and first at Clay County.
“It was hard for me to get up to lap cars, so I figured as long as I kept a good pace, [Davis] wasn’t going to get up to me,” Reutzel said. “I was really just trying not to slide out of the rubber or do anything dumb. If a lap car screwed up in front of me and allowed me to get a run, I would pass them. If they didn’t, I just rode behind them. Just what you do in rubber.”
Although Davis came up one spot short of another triumph, his speed throughout the night showed that his weekend sweep at Electric City Speedway was far from a fluke.
“Most people probably think that the stomp and steer places are our honey holes, but we just showed here tonight that we can play around on these slick places,” Davis said. “I honestly feel like I got caught out there like a sitting duck. After that restart, didn’t know exactly where to be, and they could kind of search and move around and afford to and they just got me.”
Seth Bergman’s quiet night ended in the third spot, extending his lead atop the standings to 73 points due to Hafertepe finishing 14th after the tire failure. The late restart gave Bergman the opportunity to make a last-ditch move for the win, but the points situation turned him against the idea of taking any unnecessary risks.
“My midset was just having a solid finish,” Bergman said. “I knew the way the track was, you were going to have to do some dumb stuff if you were going to go win that race and I’m just not in a position to do that. We’re racing for a championship, and with Sam’s misfortune, I knew I was in a position where I just needed a solid finish.”
Deal crossed the line in fourth for his first top five on the National Tour since Lincoln County Raceway on Aug. 17, while Terry McCarl – the 2023 winner at Clay County – completed the top five.
Matt Covington had to go through the Last Chance Showdown to earn his spot in the Feature, but once he was in it, he advanced 12 spots from 21st to ninth to claim the Hard Charger Award.
UP NEXT: The ASCS National Tour will contest its second and third races of the year at Arrowhead Speedway on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14 with the Green Country Clash, which wraps up with a $10,000-to-win Feature on Saturday night. Tickets are available online here, but if you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.
Sent on behalf of Sammy Halbert RacingDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (September 10, 2024) – Veteran Mission AFT SuperTwins rider Sammy Halbert will race at the highly anticipated Progressive American Flat Track season finale in Eldon, Missouri, on September 14th, aboard his personal Harley-Davidson XR750. This marks a significant moment in the sport, as it will be the final time the legendary XR750 competes in Progressive American Flat Track Grand National Championship competition. Halbert is reuniting with his trusted crew, including Larry Zumbrun (LZ Racing), Kings Kustoms, and his father, Willy Halbert, turning the wrenches. After a decade in hibernation, Halbert’s Harley-Davidson XR750 will roar back to life, giving fans a rare opportunity to see this storied machine in action one last time. “I’ve had this XR750 tucked away for about a decade and bringing it back for the finale feels like the perfect way to close this chapter,” said Halbert, who proudly runs the number 69 in honor of his late brother Jethro. “The XR750 has been such a huge part of my career, and getting to race it again with my original crew is something truly special. We’re going to give it everything we’ve got.” Supporting this historic effort is Boswell’s Harley-Davidson, a long-time partner in the flat track racing world who is backing Halbert and his crew as they prepare for the finale. Bubba Boswell, of Boswell’s Harley-Davidson, said, “We are honored to be part of this moment. The XR750 is one of the most iconic motorcycles in the history of flat track racing, and Sammy is one of the few riders who can still bring out its full potential. We’re proud to support him in what will undoubtedly be a memorable and emotional race for fans of the sport.” Halbert’s Harley-Davidson XR750, a machine deeply ingrained in flat track racing history, will be meticulously prepared for its final outing, with Halbert’s veteran team determined to make its last race count. Tony Dodge, team owner of Dodge Bros. Racing, shared his excitement. He said, “Sammy is a great rider, and to see him back on the XR750 with his original crew will be a true spectacle. The bike is ready, the team is ready, and we’re all hoping for a strong finish to this amazing chapter.” Sammy Halbert’s 2024 racing efforts are supported by a range of partners including OnlyFans, Castrol, Boswell’s Harley-Davidson, Dodge Bros. Racing, Cardo Systems, Martin Trucking, 6D Helmets, Kibblewhite, Penske, Shimano, Pro Plates, Mika, Enerlon, Saddlemen, RSRK10-J2Motorsports, Regina Chain, Oakley, CTI, MS, Hathaway Racing, Lightshoe, Motion Pro, Access Media Lab, and Fredericktown Cycles. Be sure to catch the action at Lake Ozark Speedway on September 14th, as Halbert and the XR750 take to the track for an unforgettable final showdown.
