MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
AUTO CLUB 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 15, 2019
ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 88 NATIONWIDE PET INSURANCE CAMARO ZL1 met with media and discussed the new pit road speed rules for qualifying, the affect of windy weather for practice, looking ahead to Martinsville, and more. Session Highlights: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Alex Bowman
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
AUTO CLUB 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 15, 2019
CHRIS BUESCHER, NO. 37 KROGER FLAVOR FILL UP CAMARO ZL1 met with media and discussed his season to date, his qualifying frustration. Session highlights:
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY?
“I ran my first Cup race at this race track back in 2015, I believe. I love this race track. And it’s just a lot of fun. And it’s worn out. It’s got that surface like Atlanta but it’s bigger. It’s got the same lines. You can run the wall, you can run the apron, you can mow the grass. You can hit whatever you want to hit and there’s ways to make it work. This package, with the draft being as important as it is going to be and how dirty air will affect the cars is going to change some of it, but I think we’re going to see a lot of the same old Fontana here. It’s just a fun race track. You’re sliding around and trying to get control of it and trying to figure out how to make speed while sliding around. That’s the hardest thing. You could slide around and have a fun time but to be able to go fast while doing it, that’s the hard part.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Chris Buescher
O’Gorman, Blackstock Go Two for Two in Honda Civic Type R TCR
• Honda Civic Type R claims second MICHELIN Pilot Challenge win of 2019
• Tom O’Gorman and Shelby Blackstock follow Daytona victory with win at Sebring
• Ryan Eversley, Chad Gilsinger finish third for Honda
SEBRING, Fla. (March 15, 2019) – Following up on their season-opening win at Daytona International Speedway in January, Tom O’Gorman and Shelby Blackstock combined to again drive their Honda Civic Type R TCR to another class victory in Saturday’s Alan Jay Automotive Network 120 at Sebring International Raceway. Continue reading Blackstock Go Two for Two in Honda Civic Type R TCR
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
AUTO CLUB 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 15, 2019
KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 CREDIT ONE BANK CAMARO ZL1 met with media and discussed the windy weather, driver codes, his California fan base, and more: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Kyle Larson
Double Pole for Acura at Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
• Dane Cameron snares overall, Prototype pole in Acura ARX-05
• Trent Hindman heads GTD qualifying in Acura NSX GT3 Evo
• Helio Castroneves to start third in prototype, Christina Nielsen sixth in GTD
SEBRING, Fla. (March 15, 2019) – Acura drivers will lead the field in Saturday’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, after claiming the pole positions in both the Prototype and GTD classes today during qualifying for the endurance racing classic. Dane Cameron will start from the overall pole in his Acura Team Penske ARX-05, while Trent Hindman will lead the GTD class to the green in his Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo. Continue reading Double Pole for Acura at Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
AUTO CLUB 400
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
MARCH 15, 2019
JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1 met with media and discussed recent rule to enforce pit road speed during qualifying, social media, fitness, and more. Full Transcript:
YOUR CREW CHIEF SAID LAST WEEK THAT WE’VE GOT A WAYS TO GO. HOW FAR DO YOU HAVE TO GO? DO YOUR TALENTS AT THIS RACE TRACK STILL OVERCOME ANY WAYS TO GO THAT YOU GUYS HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH YET?
“I think last weekend showed that if we have a mistake-free race that we can run in the top 5 and in the top 10 and how last year went, that’s a step in the right direction. So, we do have some pride in that. Clearly we’re putting a lot of time and work and effort to get better. So, it’s nice to have those better funs. But it’s not where we want to be. It’s not where I want to be, or Mr. Hendrick or Kevin (Meendering) or this whole team. We’re trying to celebrate the small victories but at the same time if you look at the speed that the No. 18 (Kyle Busch) had on the field and his ability to pass, we want that. And we’re not going to stop until we get that.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana–Jimmie Johnson
CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING:
Garcia, Milner to Start on Second, Third GTLM Rows
Program going for 12th class victory at Sebring 12 Hours
SEBRING, Fla. (March 15, 2018) – Corvette Racing will go for its 12th victory Saturday in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring from the second and third rows of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GT Le Mans (GTLM) category.
Antonio Garcia qualified the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R third in class during Friday morning’s time trials at Sebring International Raceway. His time of 1:56.158 (114.686 mph) wasn’t far ahead of Tommy Milner in the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R, who set a best lap of 1:56.248 (114.597 mph).
The top eight cars in class were separated by just 0.832 seconds. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING: Garcia, Milner to Start on Second, Third GTLM Rows
ROBERT HIGHT VISITS BRISTOL DRAGWAY TO PREVIEW THE 2019 SEASON
BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 15, 2019) — With less than a month to go before cars hit the track in East Tennessee, Robert Hight joined drivers from across motorsports at Bristol Motor Speedway & Dragway on Wednesday, March 13th, to preview the upcoming season.
Two-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series champion Robert Hight, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie, NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie Justin Haley and NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series champion Brett Moffitt were on hand to meet with media, chat with regional business leaders, industry sponsors, Bristol ticket holders and more. The quartet also spent time on the main stage for Q&A sessions with Sirius XM and Performance Racing Network host Brad Gillie. Continue reading ROBERT HIGHT VISITS BRISTOL DRAGWAY TO PREVIEW THE 2019 SEASON
CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING:
Fifth-Place Class Start for Sebring 1,000 Miles
Garcia quickest in GTE Pro during two-driver qualifying session
SEBRING, Fla. (March 14, 2019) – Corvette Racing will roll off from the fifth position in the GTE Pro category for Friday’s FIA World Endurance Championship’s 1,000 Miles of Sebring – the team’s first of two races during the Super Sebring weekend.
Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen averaged a lap of 1:57.844 around the 3.74-mile, 17-turn Sebring International Raceway in the No. 63 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R. Unlike single-driver qualifying in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, each FIA WEC entry averages the best lap time from two of its drivers. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT SEBRING
BRITTANY FORCE AND ADVANCE AUTO PARTS HEAD EAST FOR THE
50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 13, 2019) — Brittany Force is making her way to the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals hoping to repeat history at the first east coast race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.
For the 2017 Top Fuel world champion, the Gatornationals isn’t just another race. In 2016 she made her way to the winner’s circle for the first time in her NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing career after beating Terry McMillen in the final. It was her eighth final round appearance, her first ever at Gainesville Raceway and capped off the weekend as John Force Racing’s first double up with teammate Robert Hight winning in Funny Car. Coming into the 50th anniversary at Gainesville Raceway, Force is looking to relive her 2016 success. Continue reading BRITTANY FORCE AND ADVANCE AUTO PARTS HEAD EAST FOR THE 50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS
CHEVROLET AT GAINESVILLE
What: 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
When: Friday, March 15-Sunday, March 17
Where: Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida
TV: FS1 taped eliminations and finals, 7 p.m. ET March 17
Chevy Racing aims for multiple celebrations on St. Patrick’s Day
Team Chevy enters the 50th anniversary Gatornationals with strong lineup
DETROIT (March 13, 2019) – John Force isn’t of Irish descent, though securing his ninth victory in the 50th anniversary Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on St. Patrick’s would be extra special to 16-time Funny Car champion.
A win March 17 at Gainesville Raceway would mark the 150th of his celebrated career. Force posted five consecutive (1992-96) Funny Car wins in the Gatornationals and six of his eight victories overall in Chevrolet and GM models.
“Gainesville has been very good to me over the years,” said Force, whose most recent win at the track came in 2017. “I’m really looking forward to going to the Gatornationals with PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil, and rockin’ and rollin’.”
Chevrolet drivers have picked up 22 Gatornationals victories in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock in addition to 34 Funny Car and Pro Stock wins in GM models. Bill Jenkins gave Chevrolet its first win at the track and second overall in Pro Stock in the 1970 NHRA season.
Force has had a solid start to the season in the PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS. He’s tied for sixth in the Funny Car standings through two races in which he’s lost to teammate and points leader Robert Hight (Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS) in the semifinals and quarterfinals.
“I’ve won eight races there, I’ve crashed on their premises, been on fire, been in the burn center, but the crowds, the locals and all those fans that come out of the north to come to the warm weather, it’s just unbelievable,” Force said.
Hight, the low qualifier in both races this season, holds the track Funny Car elapsed time and speed records, set in 2017. He’s won at Gainesville in 2012, ’14 and ’16, when he combined with teammate Brittany Force (Top Fuel) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) for a Chevy Racing sweep of the pro car categories.
Anderson (Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS) and KB Racing teammate Jason Line (Summit Racing Equipment Chevrolet Camaro SS) are four-time Pro Stock winners at the track.
With 799 round wins, Anderson will seek to join John Force (1,313), Warren Johnson (874) and Tony Schumacher (842) as the only drivers in all pro categories with 800. Anderson, a four-time Pro Stock champion, is also tied with Bob Glidden (102) for third on the all-time No. 1 qualifier list.
Five-time Pro Stock champion and 2018 class championship runner-up Jeg Coughlin Jr. (JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro SS) marked his 1,000th elimination round with the win at Phoenix. He could surpass 650 round wins this weekend.
Gainesville Raceway will host the first of eight rounds of the SAMTech.edu Factory Stock Showdown. Stephen Bell of Shreveport, Louisiana, won the 2018 event in his Chevrolet COPO Camaro, and David Barton of Robesonia, Pennsylvania, was the 2017 series champion.
“I’ve said it many times; it’s a dream come true that new muscle cars are being made right now,” said Barton, referencing new supercharger technology for this season.
This weekend, they’ll be joined in their COPO Camaros by 2018 event winner Arthur Kohn of Richmond, Texas; Randy Taylor of Artesia, New Mexico; Leonard Libersher of Wilmington, Illinois; L. Scott Libersher of Wilmington, Illinois; Doug Hamp of York, Pennsylvania; Waldemar Rodriguez of Cidra, Puerto Rico; Jesse Alexandria of West Bend, Wisconsin; David Janac of Caldwell, Texas; Robert Falcone of Pleasant Valley, New York; Peter Gasko Jr. of Monroe Township, New Jersey; Daniel Condon of Wilmington, Illinois; Kevin Lumsden of Caddo Mills, Texas; Ryan Priddy of Chino, California; Richard Bierie of Acworth, Georgia; and Terry Munroe of Beaver, Pennsylvania.
Jeff Strickland of Red Bay, Alabama, the 2016 Stock Eliminator champion, leads the Chevrolet COPO Camaro contingent in the class this weekend. Also entered are Vic Cagnazzi of New York City; Adam Badgett of Mount Airy, North Carolina; Jack Matyas of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Dan Fletcher of Churchville, New York; Marion Stephenson of Williamsport, Indiana; and L. Scott Libersher of Wilmington, Illinois.
Entered in Super Stock in their Chevy COPO Camaros are Brandon Bakies of Alexandria, Louisiana; Steve Szupka of Northampton, Pennsylvania; Bob Bagley of Warsaw, Virginia; and Cagnazzi.
FS1 will telecast eliminations and finals at 7 p.m. ET March 17.
Fans will have the opportunity to tour the Chevrolet Performance display in the infield and meet Chevy Racing drivers this weekend.
CHEVROLET FROM THE COCKPIT
TOP FUEL:
BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, ADVANCE AUTO PARTS CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (2017 class champion; No. 4 qualifier in opener): “Gainesville has always been a special race for me. It’s the Gatornationals. The first East Coast race of the season, It’s the racetrack that I’ve always gone to as a kid. I’ve watched my dad, watched Ashley, and it’s where I had my first win. That is a big one, a very special one. To do it at a track that is so prestigious. I’m looking forward to getting there and to repeat a little bit of history. After Phoenix, we stayed and did an entire day of testing with the Advance Auto Parts dragster and got some good runs under our belt. We made four runs down the track and on our last run put a 3.75 on the board. My crew chiefs, David Grubnic and Mac Savage were both very happy with that and we’re excited going into Gainesville. We’d like to go out there and turn our luck around. Get this Advance Auto Parts team in the winner’s circle.”
AUSTIN PROCK, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONTANA BRAND/ROCKY MOUNTAIN TWIST CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (Making third start; won maiden elimination round at Pomona opener): “We’ve had two good race weekends so far. We qualified No. 6 in Phoenix, so I think we’re getting a good momentum. We’ve made some good passes down the racetrack and we’re looking to keep things going into Gainesville. I have some full-time guys now, and Jon Schaffer and Ronnie Thompson have done an excellent job. My team is putting in the work and it’s showing, so I’m excited to see what this dragster can do. Gainesville Raceway has a lot of history for my family and it’s where I got my Alcohol Funny Car and Nostalgia Funny Car licenses. Getting back there with my Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Top Fuel team is going to be exciting.”
FUNNY CAR:
ROBERT HIGHT, JOHN FORCE RACING, AUTO CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (2017 class champion; won season opener; holds track Funny Car speed and elapsed time records; points leader): “We’re starting the season off strong, carrying over our momentum from last year. We’ve had successful test sessions, been low qualifiers, gone rounds and won a race and we’re only two races into the season so we’re feeling good with where we are and what’s ahead. I always look at Gainesville as a major race in the NHRA series. I’m excited and to win the 50th anniversary Gatornationals, that would be a big one. It seems like John (Force) always wins the special races but I’m looking to get it this year.”
JOHN FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, CHEVROLET ACCESSORIES PEAK CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (has 149 class victories; advanced to semifinals in opener; eight-time winner at the track): “My car is coming around, it’s fast and it’s showing the numbers. It was a good car for my daughter Courtney last year. She won four races and had 11 No. 1 qualifiers. Her team really loved her, but I’m finally getting to know them all and it’s been going well. I’m really looking forward to going to the Gatornationals with PEAK Coolant & Motor Oil, and rockin’ and rollin’.”
PRO STOCK:
JEG COUGHLIN JR., ELITE MOTORSPORTS, JEGS.COM/ELITE PERFORMANCE CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (five-time class champion; runner-up in 2018 points; won at Phoenix; will have throwback paint scheme): “We have a brand-new RJ Racecars Camaro and it looks completely badass with the design Dad ran back in the early ’70s. We’d love to break it in with a big weekend in Gainesville. This new car, obviously it’s a bit different than what we’ve run the last nine months, is working extremely well in testing. The car feels amazing. Ergonomically speaking, it fits my frame perfectly, so the comfort level is already very high. I’m extremely optimistic, with the talent we have, that we won’t miss a beat.”
GREG ANDERSON, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (four-time class champion; with one elimination round, will become fourth driver in all pro classes with 800; four-time winner at track): “Gainesville Raceway has always been a special place for me. It has a kind of magic feel to it, a lot like Indy. It’s a great track for Pro Stock, and the fans there are just awesome. For me, it’s one of the most special places on the whole tour because my father, Rod, used to take us down there for family vacations. We’d go to Disneyworld and spend time with my dad’s brother, but the best part was that we’d get to go to the race. That was something you just don’t forget.”
JASON LINE, KB RACING, SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (has 100 Pro Stock final-round appearances; runner-up in opener; four-time winner at track): “We knew leaving Phoenix that we had a lot of work to do before this race, and I think we’ve had a productive couple of weeks. We’ll find out just how productive it was in just a couple of days when we take our Summit Racing Chevrolet Camaros out for the first qualifying session. This is always an exciting time of year because things are really started to get going, and from here there’s no looking back. Gainesville can be very fast, and it’s a fun racetrack. The KB Racing team has good history there, and we’d like to add to that with a win at the 50th annual Gatornationals. That would be a special trophy, and it’s one I’d like to have, for sure.”
BO BUTNER, JIM BUTNER AUTO, JIM BUTNER AUTO SALES CHEVROLET CAMARO SS (2017 class champion; winner of Pomona opener): “It’s going to be a fun weekend. I’ll be racing in the Factory Stock Showdown, if all goes as planned, but I’m ready to hop back in the Pro Stock car. My Jim Butner Auto Group Chevy is a great car, and I still feel like it might be the best car out there. Of course, you want to win this deal. I won Stock Eliminator in Gainesville a few years back, and that was just a great feeling. Any win in Gainesville is big – it’s always a trophy you want, but even more so this year because it’s their 50th anniversary. I’m looking forward to it.”
Menard Ready For Some Rim Riding At Fontana
March 13, 2019
For Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards/Moen team, Sunday’s Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., will be like a mix of racing at Atlanta and Las Vegas.
Sunday’s 400-miler, the fifth race of the 2019 Monster Energy Cup Series season, will be run using the high downforce/lower horsepower package that was in place two weeks ago at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. But the track, with its worn asphalt, is expected to produce results more like the second race of the season, on the excessively worn pavement at Atlanta Motor Speedway. At Atlanta, the cars did not run the aero ducts that were used at Las Vegas and will be in place at Auto Club, and tire wear was a big factor. Continue reading Menard Ready For Some Rim Riding At Fontana
Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series History at Auto Club Speedway … In 88 overall Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Auto Club Speedway, RCR Chevrolet teams have earned one win (Kevin Harvick – 2011), two pole awards (Mike Skinner – April 2000, Austin Dillon – 2016), 12 top-five and 29 top-10 finishes. RCR has a 19.3 average starting position and a 16.4 average finishing position at the moderately-banked D-shaped race track. Continue reading RCR Event Preview – Auto Club Speedwa
Honoring father, history of Gators, paramount for JEGS drivers Jeg Jr., Mike and Troy Coughlin Jr.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 13) — Team JEGS drivers Jeg Coughlin Jr., Mike Coughlin and Troy Coughlin Jr. grew up admiring Jeg Coughlin Sr. and pretty much anyone who managed to win the Amalie Oil Gatornationals, which run for the 50th time this weekend. To honor both entities, the boys in yellow and black have big plans to win their respective classes in dramatic throwback paint schemes that replicate Jeg Sr.’s designs from the ’70s, when the Gators were just getting started.
“We have a brand-new RJ Racecars Camaro and it looks completely badass with the design Dad ran back in the early ’70s,” Jeg Jr. said. “We’d love to break it in with a big weekend in Gainesville. For those of us on the eastern portion of the country, there isn’t much better than winning the Gators, especially when you see the names of all the former winners.
“This new car, obviously it’s a bit different than what we’ve run the last nine months, is working extremely well in testing. Erica (Enders, teammate) made some shakedown passes with it and I jumped in as soon as I got here and the guys have been working their way through it ever since. It’s been really fast no matter what we try with it so the crew chief brain trust here at Elite Motorsports is very excited.
“The car feels amazing. Ergonomically speaking, it fits my frame perfectly, so the comfort level is already very high. I’m extremely optimistic, with the talent we have, that we won’t miss a beat.”
Jeg Jr. won the last NHRA race in Phoenix three weeks ago, his 62nd Pro Stock victory, and is a two-time winner of the Gatornationals (2001 and 2008).
Brother Mike Coughlin also is honoring his father Jeg Sr. by running his former Top Fuel scheme on his JEGS.com Top Dragster, which is making his 2019 national event debut in Florida. Mike had a chance to shakedown his top-running rail last weekend at Gainesville Raceway during the Baby Gators divisional event.
“The car was perfect,” Mike said. “And I don’t expect anything to change this weekend. The only thing stopping us last weekend was the guy behind the wheel. I zigged when I should have zagged and lost in Round 2 by .006 seconds. Big thanks to Greg Cody, Dave Raurk, Ryan Micke and Tony Collier for giving me a perfect racecar.
“As soon as that event was over we started wrapping the car with Dad’s old design and man, this thing looks so awesome. I am super excited to run this scheme at a race as historic as this one. I’ll try my best to give Dad a great 81st birthday present and put this thing in the winner’s circle.”
Troy Jr., the popular and successful son of three-time Pro Mod champion Troy Coughlin, also has high hopes for his JEGS.com McPhillips Racing Top Alcohol Dragster, which is dressed in the Pro Comp design of his grandfather’s glory days in the class.
“I can’t wait to see Pappy’s face when he sees this dragster,” Troy Jr. said. “It’s perfect and I’m more motivated than ever to turn on seven win lights and put this thing in the winner’s circle. It’s a big weekend with lots of legends on hand and if there was ever a time to shine, this would be it.
“Rich (McPhillips) ran the car at the Baby Gators to shake it down and then I hopped in there after the event and ran a 5.2 so I’d say we’re more than ready to get this weekend started.”
Samantha Coughlin, the wife of Jeg Jr., will round out the JEGS.com stable in her Super Comp dragster.
As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, the recently-restored Barracuda Funny Car campaigned by Jeg Sr. during the 1969 season will be on display at Gainesville Raceway. The car will be located in the Mopar display on Manufacturer’s Midway.
The JEGS Mail Order team will also take part in Sunday’s track walk, hosted by Darrell Gwynn. The event, labeled “Track Walk, for those who can’t” has annually helped raise money for the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.
POINTS LEADER ROBERT HIGHT READY TO CONTINUE EARLY SEASON SUCCESS AT 50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 13, 2019) — Leading the NHRA Mello Yello points standings, Robert Hight and the Auto Club of Southern California team are showing no signs of letting up as they head to the 50th anniversary of the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals at historic Gainesville Raceway.
Hight opened the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season with a No. 1 qualifying position and a win at the NHRA Winternationals and continued the momentum with a No. 1 qualifier at the most recent event at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. His Sunday at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park outside of Phoenix wasn’t quite as long as the 46-time winner would have hoped, he lost in the semi-finals to reigning world champion J.R. Todd, but the performance of his Chevrolet Camaro has both he and his crew excited for what’s to come.
Continue reading POINTS LEADER ROBERT HIGHT READY TO CONTINUE EARLY SEASON SUCCESS AT 50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS
NHRA® Team Report
NHRA® Gatornationals
Pre-Race Report
Cruz Pedregon and team have been working hard in the shop getting the Snap-on Dodge ready for the 50th anniversary Gatornationals this weekend. “It’s going to be a very special time for the entire NHRA family at this historic track, and we plan to celebrate with a fast car and good runs,” Cruz said. “My family and I have been part of the sport my entire life, and it will be an exciting time for everyone who comes out and watches current NHRA teams and so many of the sport’s legends who’ll be on hand for the weekend.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon–Gainesville Advance
TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
AUTO CLUB 400
AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY
FONTANA, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 17, 2019
BOWTIE BULLETS
NATIVE SON:
California native, seven-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion and career-long Chevrolet driver, Jimmie Johnson, is the all-time wins’ leader at Auto Club Speedway with six victories. The driver of the No. 48 Camaro ZL1 also has more top five (13) and more top 10 (17) finishes than any other driver at Auto Club Speedway. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Fontana Advance
Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Driver Pritchett Begins Factory Stock Championship Title Defense at Historic NHRA Gatornationals
· Leah Pritchett kicks off Factory Stock Showdown (FSS) title defense in HEMI®-engine-powered Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak at Gainesville Raceway
· Former Pro Stock champion Allen Johnson and Mark Pawuk join Pritchett as Drag Pak entries in the Gatornationals FSS field
· Pritchett pulling double duty by competing in Top Fuel, looking to become just third woman to win Gatornationals Top Fuel Wally
· Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car driver Matt Hagan aiming for back-to-back wins after Phoenix victory
· Jack Beckman seeks a second consecutive Gatornationals triumph aboard his Infinite Hero Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat NHRA Funny Car
· Lynn Prudhomme to be recognized with 2019 Pat Garlits Memorial Award Presented by Mopar at International Drag Racing Hall of Fame ceremony Continue reading Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Driver Pritchett Begins Factory Stock Championship Title Defense at Historic NHRA Gatornationals
ROOKIE AUSTIN PROCK LOOKING TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM AT
50TH NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, FLa. (March 13, 2019) — Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist dragster team are going into the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals eager to continue building on their progress and momentum.
With an already promising start to the season, the third-generation racer has quickly shown he’s more than comfortable in the driver’s seat of his 11,000-horsepower dragster. At the season opening Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., Prock made his debut and closed out the weekend with a second-round finish while running a career best E.T. of 3.696-seconds and speed of 334.15 mph. At the Arizona Nationals in Phoenix, Prock secured the No. 6 qualifier spot, an improvement from his No. 11 position in Pomona, and picked up another round win. Showing no signs of slowing down, Prock is more than optimistic as he heads to the first east coast race of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season.
“We’ve had two good race weekends so far. We broke into the 60s in Pomona, qualified No. 6 in Phoenix, so I think we’re getting a good momentum. We’ve made some good passes down the race track and we’re looking to keep things going into Gainesville,” Prock said. “I have some full-time guys now, and Jon Schaffer and Ronnie Thompson have done an excellent job. My team is putting in the work and it’s showing, so I’m excited to see what this dragster can do.”
Although the young contender for Rookie of the Year has yet to make a pass in a Top Fuel dragster at historic Gainesville Raceway, he attended Frank Hawley’s drag racing school and was licensed in an Alcohol Funny Car and Nostalgia Funny Car at the facility. He is also surrounded by individuals that have had success in Gainesville. His grandfather, Tom Prock, was the Funny Car runner-up in 1975, his dad, championship tuner Jimmy Prock, was first in the Gatornationals winner’s circle in 2003 with Gary Densham and has since landed Robert Hight victories in 2012, 2014 and 2016. Austin Prock’s current crew chief, Jon Schaffer, also has a win in Gainesville with team namesake John Force in 2017. At the 50th anniversary of the famed event, Prock is hoping to add to the list of achievements.
“Gainesville Raceway has a lot of history for my family and it’s where I got my Alcohol Funny Car and Nostalgia Funny Car licenses. Getting back there with my Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist Top Fuel team is going to be exciting,” said Prock. “East coast opener, 50th anniversary, racing in front of the legends of the sport, I’m definitely excited and looking forward to getting back into the seat. The break between Phoenix and Gainesville is a long one and I’m ready to be racing again.”
Qualifying at the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will begin Friday with sessions at 2:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. and continue Saturday at 1 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m. NHRA coverage will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) Friday at 11:30 p.m. ET, Saturday at 9 p.m. ET and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
JOHN FORCE LOOKING FOR MONUMENTAL WIN AT
50TH ANNIVERSARY NHRA GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (March 13, 2019) — Sixteen-time Funny Car world champion, John Force, is headed to the premier 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, the first east coast race of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing season, hoping to make it his most memorable Gatornationals yet. Force and his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil team will be ready to put on a show in front of the legends he’s looked up to in the sport.
The NHRA has big plans for the 50th anniversary of the Gatornationals throughout the weekend including special meet-and-greets and autograph sessions with more than 20 NHRA legends. The highlight of the weekend however will be on the much anticipated “Unfinished Business” race, when eight legends go head-to-head in competition.
The iconic event has been memorable for the winningest driver in NHRA history. Force has 63 round wins, 13 final round appearances and eight career victories at the Gatornationals with his most recent in 2017, making him the only driver in the nitro class to do so at Gainesville Raceway. He’s defeated 40 different opponents including eight series champions, one of which is teammate Robert Hight, and has held the No. 1 qualifier position seven times.
At the 2018 Gatornationals, Force blew the body off his Funny Car during Friday’s qualifying session before reaching the finish line. It would mark his third consecutive crash of the season but wouldn’t be something the veteran racer would hang his head about. As he heads into this year’s iconic 50th anniversary event, he’ll be chasing his 150th win and is hoping to pick up the victory in front of the racing legends that set the stage for the sport.
“Gainesville has been very good to me over the years. I’ve won eight races there, I’ve crashed on their premises, been on fire, been in the burn enter but the crowds, the locals and all those fans that come out of the north to come to the warm weather is just unbelievable. It’s exciting to go back again especially knowing that the legends will be there: Joe Amato, Kenny Bernstein, Don Garlits, Darrell Gwynn, Ed McCulloch, Shirley Muldowney, Don Prudhomme, and so many more. Those are my heroes,” Force said. “To be able to go back and be able to race in front of them, it’s going to be exciting and I really want to do well. I’m going after 150 in my career wins and I hope I can do it in front of those who really matter to me, the fans, the sponsors, and those legends. Can’t wait to be at International Drag Racing Hall of Fame Induction that Garlits puts on, that really starts off the weekend.”
With a semifinal finish at the season opening Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. and a second-round exit at the Arizona Nationals, both thanks to teammate Robert Hight, Force has had a solid start to the 2019 season and is looking to keep the momentum going. Under the watchful eye of crew chiefs Brian Corradi and Dan Hood, Force and his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevy Camaro team have made changes focused on getting the car faster down the track, something they’re looking to continue at Gainesville Raceway.
“My car is coming around, it’s fast, it’s showing the numbers. It was a good car for my daughter Courtney last year, she won four races, 11 No. 1 qualifiers. Her team really loved her but I’m finally getting to know them all and it’s going well,” Force said. “I’m really looking forward to going to the Gatornationals with PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil and rockin’ and rollin’.”
Qualifying at the 50th Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals will begin Friday with sessions at 2:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. and continue Saturday at 1 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Eliminations are scheduled to begin Sunday at 11 a.m. NHRA coverage will be on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) Friday at 11:30 p.m. ET, Saturday at 9 p.m. ET and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET.