Blaney Adds Phoenix Pole To List Of Season Accomplishments
November 11, 2017
Ryan Blaney and the No. 21 SKF/Quick Lane wrote another chapter in their storybook 2017 season by winning the pole for Sunday’s Can-Am 500 at Phoenix Raceway.
It was Blaney’s second career pole and the 118th for his Wood Brothers team. Continue reading Blaney Adds Phoenix Pole To List Of Season Accomplishments
Monster Energy driver Brittany Force grabs provisional
No. 1 in Pomona, cuts into Top Fuel points lead
Brittany Force (Photo credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery)
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 10) – Monster Energy driver Brittany Force snared the provisional No. 1 qualifying spot for the Auto Club NHRA Finals and inched closer to the Top Fuel points lead with an Auto Club Raceway-track record on Friday.
Force ripped down Auto Club Raceway with a pass of 3.667 seconds at 330.31 mph, breaking the track record for elapsed time.
Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force grabs provisional No. 1 in Pomona, cuts into Top Fuel points lead
Chevrolet Claims Provisional Top Qualifiers in Top Fuel, Pro Stock
Brittany Force resets track elapsed time record; Greg Anderson widens points lead
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 10, 2017) – Brittany Force and Greg Anderson made championship statements on the first day of qualifications for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) title-deciding event at Auto Club Raceway. Continue reading Chevrolet Claims Provisional Top Qualifiers in Top Fuel, Pro Stock Brittany Force resets track elapsed time record; Greg Anderson widens points lead
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
CAN-AM 500
PHOENIX RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES & QUOTES
NOVEMBER 10, 2017
TOP TEAM CHEVY QUALIFIERS:
* Current Team Chevy Playoff Contender
POS. DRIVER
3rd KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 REFRESH YOUR CAR! CHEVY SS
4TH * CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 HOOTERS CHEVY SS
12TH * JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVY SS
13th JAMIE MCMURRAY, NO. 1 CESSNA CHEVY SS
14TH DALE EARNHARDT JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVY SS
TOP FIVE QUALIFIERS:
POS. DRIVER
1ST Ryan Blaney (Ford)
2nd Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
3rd Kyle Larson (Chevrolet)
4th Chase Elliott (Chevrolet)
5TH Kevin Harvick (Ford) Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Qualifying Notes
HANKOOK 24H COTA USA 2017 LIVE STREAM NOW AVAILABLE
SCCA Pro Racing sanctions first CREVENTIC SERIES powered by Hankook event at Circuit of the Americas
Austin, Texas (Nov. 10, 2017) – Fans won’t miss a second of the action during the inaugural Hankook 24H Circuit of the Americas USA 2017 CREVENTIC SEIRES powered by Hankook season finale Nov. 10-12. The FIA Silver Series grand finale is available by LIVE stream through the SCCA Pro Racing website (SCCAPro.com) or by visiting the series site (24hseries.com/scca/). Continue reading HANKOOK 24H COTA USA 2017 LIVE STREAM NOW AVAILABLE
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
CAN-AM 500
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
NOVEMBER 10, 2017
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 24 HOOTERS CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Phoenix International Raceway and discussed his approach to the race this weekend, his thoughts on his season and many other topics. Full Transcript:
TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR APPROACH IS THIS WEEKEND HERE AT PHOENIX:
“Our task at hand is pretty simple, we have to win the race to move on next week, everybody in here knows that. We know that and we are going to try to attack the weekend as best we can. Hopefully, give ourselves a chance to do that Sunday afternoon and see what happens. That is pretty straight forward what we have to do with the situation we are in now. It’s not the most ideal situation, but if you were able to pull it off it would be a lot of momentum moving into next week. We will give it our best shot and see what happens.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Chase Elliott
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
CAN-AM 500
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
NOVEMBER 10, 2017
DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 NATIONWIDE CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Phoenix International Raceway and discussed his relationship with Matt Kenseth, the emotions of being two races away from his final race as a full-time Cup series competitor, what advice he has given Alex Bowman and many other topics. Full Transcript: Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Dale Earnhardt Jr.
MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
CAN-AM 500
PHOENIX RACEWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
NOVEMBER 10, 2017
JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS met with media and discussed the challenges he and the team have faced this season, his must-win approach this weekend in Phoenix, the pressure of the Playoffs, and more. Full Transcript:
TALK ABOUT YOUR APPROACH COMING INTO PHOENIX
“It’s a pretty easy approach for us. We’re in a must-win-situation. We wish we were in a better points scenario, but that’s not the case. This team thrives on pressure and adversity and we’re certainly in the position right now. When we look at the last two or three races here, we’ve had very competitive cars and the effort was made this week to make sure we brought the best bullet, second to none, and I’m really proud of my team and the way that all of Hendrick Motorsports is working together to make sure that the No. 24 car (Chase Elliott) and the No. 48 car have their best chances to win here and move on and stay alive for the championship. We’ll find out Sunday afternoon. I’m just excited to get out there and get to work.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix–Jimmie Johnson
We attended the NHRA Division 7 race in Las Vegas this past weekend and broke another import dragster record 5.88 et at 239 mph. I wanted to personally thank you for all of your support of our race team over the years we truly could not have achieved what we have without ARP. There is a lot left in it and we look forward to breaking more records with ARP in 2018.
Unfortunately 2 engine failures in a row ment we lost out on winning the UK Time Attack championship, but we still managed to retain 3rd place in the end.
The year started off so well Too, we were winning the championship by a good chunk, but round 5 at Oulton Park during qualifying I ran wide on a corner pulling a piece of the front aero off which hit the sump starving the engine of oil, resulting in big end failure, we did manage to take the two wheel drive lap record tho before the engine failed 🙂
Continue reading Martyn Henry Time Attack
Never Say Never for Pro Stock World Champion Allen Johnson Heading into Final Race of Professional Career
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (November 8, 2017) – 2012 Pro Stock world champion Allen Johnson is entering in his last official race in Pro Stock after an extraordinary 22-year career in the NHRA but admits that he has a “never say never” attitude about returning if the opportunity presented itself. Continue reading Never Say Never for Pro Stock World Champion Allen Johnson Heading into Final Race of Professional Career
NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Finals – Pomona, CA
Pre-Race Report
Cruz Pedregon and team are looking forward to the season wrap-up in Pomona, California as part of the Countdown and to an announcement scheduled prior to Friday’s qualifying rounds. “It will be great to share good news at a track in my home state and at the final race of the season…a race the team and I’ve won before,” Cruz says. “The season has been one of adjustments and re-adjustments, all leading up to good numbers, a spot in the Countdown and a career best run in Vegas two weeks ago.” Continue reading Cruz Pedregon Pomona Advance
Erica Enders concludes 2017 season with renewed optimism for bigger things ahead
POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 8) — Returning to the site of her biggest single triumph — the 2014 title-clinching, final-round victory against Jason Line — Erica Enders is prepped to finish the year at this weekend’s 53rd annual Auto Club NHRA Finals with firm designs on a brighter future. Continue reading Erica Enders concludes 2017 season with renewed optimism for bigger things ahead
CHEVROLET AT POMONA
What:
53rd Auto Club NHRA Finals
When:
Friday, Nov. 10-Sunday, Nov. 12
Where:
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, California
TV:
FS1: Qualifications live – 6:30 p.m. ET Friday; 6 p.m. ET Saturday
FS1: Eliminations and finals live – 4 p.m. ET Sunday
Chevrolet Aims to Wrap Up Championships in Three Pro Classes
Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock titles on the line in Auto Club NHRA Finals Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Pomona Advance
Blaney, SKF/Quick Lane Team Head To Phoenix Still In The Running For 2017 Championship
November 8, 2017
For Eddie Wood, there are two ways of looking at his team’s status headed into this weekend’s Can-Am 500, the final race of the Monster Energy Cup playoffs Round of Eight. On one hand, it’s a “must-win” race if Ryan Blaney and the No. 21 team want to advance to the final round of the playoffs and compete for the Cup title in Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead Miami-Speedway. It is possible for Blaney to get a berth in the title round without a Phoenix win, but it would take a combination of a great finish by Blaney and poor finishes by the other five playoff contenders not already assured of advancing.
On the other hand, it’s a “can’t lose” time for the team, as Blaney and the crew can celebrate a fantastic season no matter how they finish at Phoenix.
With three drivers – Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. – already assured of being in the elite four on Ford Championship weekend, there’s only one spot left and Blaney is sixth in the standings, 22 points below the cut-off line for advancement.
“I think it’s quite an accomplishment to go into the next-to-last race of the season and still be in the running for the championship,” said Wood, co-owner of the No. 21 team. “Going into the season I would have been happy just to make it into the playoffs, so getting through the rounds and coming this far has been a bonus.”
Indeed, Blaney and the team have had an amazing season considering Blaney and his crew chief Jeremy Bullins are just in their second full season in NASCAR’s elite division. And the Wood Brothers are back on a full time basis for just the second year after running a limited schedule for the previous seven seasons.
They scored a win at Pocono, Blaney’s first and the Woods’ 99th, a pole at Kansas, Blaney’s first and the team’s 117th.
So far this season, they have four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes and 290 laps led.
They’ve held their own against the Cup circuit’s elite teams during the eight playoff races to date. As in most years, the playoff participants have been at their best.
“You’ve got to give credit where it’s due,” Wood said. “The teams headed to the championship round have really stepped up their performance,” Wood said. “And Ryan and Jeremy and all of our team members have done the same.
“To have finishes of third, eighth and sixth in the past three races and still needing a win at Phoenix to advance shows just how tough this playoff competition has been.”
Heading into this weekend at Phoenix, Blaney has three Cup starts on the one-mile oval in the Arizona desert. He has two top-10s there, and an average finish of 13.7, but he has a runner-up finish there in the Xfinity Series earlier this year and two top-fives in three Camping World Truck Series starts.
For Sunday’s race, the blue and white colors of SKF will be on the hood, while Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center will be on the quarter panels. SKF was a primary sponsor for the Wood Brothers in two races last season and has been a long-time supporter of motorsports, including a relationship with Wood Brothers’ technical partner, Team Penske.
SKF is a leading global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems, and services. The company is represented in more than 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide.
Qualifying for the Can-Am 500 is set for Friday at 4:45 p.m. (6:45 p.m. Eastern Time), and Sunday’s 312-lap race is scheduled to start just after 12:30 p.m. (2:30 Eastern) with TV coverage on NBC.
Championship charge comes up just short
for Top Dragster driver Mike Coughlin
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 8) — Top Dragster drag racer Mike Coughlin took his bid for the 2017 world championship to the final race on the Division 7 schedule only to come up a few rounds short of ultimate glory. Finish aside, Coughlin says the memories he made and the comradery he felt made this year one of his best ever, including his Division 3 championship-winning seasons of 2007 and 2009 when he raced Top Sportsman.
“This year was super special and really fun, especially down the stretch,” Coughlin said. “There was a tight group of us all fighting for the championship right to the end and even though we all desperately wanted to end up on top, we all supported each other the best we could. It was one of those deals where you’d say, ‘well if it can’t be me, I hope it’s you,’ only there were four or five of us all feeling that way.
“This is the way drag racing always has been and it’s refreshing to see it’s still that way. My heartfelt congratulations to Lynn Ellison on winning it all. I’m happy for Paul Nero and Steve Casner for finishing second and third, and Jeff Strickland and John Strassweg for pushing us to our fourth-place finish. John and Lynn are both Division 3 guys also so it was a great year for the North Central guys, which is extra cool.”
Coughlin’s chance at the championship came to an end in the second round of last weekend’s race at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway when he drew his first red-light foul of the season in his JEGS.com dragster. He needed to win the event outright to steal away the title.
“We went down swinging,” Coughlin said. “That was the first time I’d gone red all year and of course it came at the worst time. I was really amped up and the day was changing from dusk to dark, which made it extra tricky. I just didn’t do a good job calculating the delay.
“It’s funny with these LED bulbs. In the dark you tend to be slower than you are during the day, but when it comes to dusk you’re kind of in between the two.
“Heck, we fought until they told us it was over. We finished fourth in the world and didn’t break a thing all year except in pre-season testing. What a job by the guys — Greg Cody, Dave Raurk, Ryan Micke and Tony Collier — and a big thanks to Jerry and Traci Albert for coming with us to Vegas to support the team and help out.”
Although his 2017 campaign just ended, Coughlin already is thinking about 2018 and another run for the title.
“The only thing we’ll change on the car in the off-season is the number,” Coughlin said. “I honestly can’t ask for more than what we had this year. It was a heckuva lot of fun and the car was perfect all season.
“I’m thankful for my wife Kriss and our boys Jack and Clay, my dad, my brothers, and everyone at JEGS for their incredible support.”
High Stakes: Record Speed with Bill Litton
Nov 9, 2017 | Race Results
High Stakes: Record Speed with Bill Litton
For two back-to-back weekends in Las Vegas, Team Litton Racing combined its efforts with Randy Meyer Racing to leave their mark on both the NHRA Toyota Nationals and Lucas Oil Regionals. Going into the Toyota Nationals, Team Litton knew there was plenty at stake being the next-to-last event of the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Every run was important, and a slip could be worse than snake eyes at the other Strip’s craps tables. With the Team pumped up and Randy Meyer horsepower ready, Driver Bill Litton, Crew Chief Randy Meyer, and Co-Crew Chief Dan Pomponio along with Co-Crew Chief Adrian Long, and team member Megan Meyer were all confident to roll the dice before a “sell out” crowd. Continue reading High Stakes: Record Speed with Bill Litton
TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
CAN-AM 500
PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
AVONDALE, ARIZONA
NOVEMBER 12, 2017
BOWTIE BULLETS
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS:
This weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, Jimmie Johnson and Chase Elliott are the only members of Team Chevy still in contention to be one of the final four drivers to compete for the 2017 championship title at Homestead. After last weekend’s race at Texas Motor Speedway, three drivers are assured trips to the championship finale based on wins and points performances. Following 312-laps/312-miles of racing around the 1-mile venue in the Valley of the Sun, one driver will emerge as the final championship contender. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Phoenix Preview
Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series History at Phoenix Raceway … Team owner Richard Childress has six victories at Phoenix Raceway, ranking him third on the all-time car owner victories list at the Avondale, Ariz. facility. This includes wins with Ryan Newman at the Series’ most recent appearance to the track in March 2017, along with Kevin Harvick in Nov. 2013, Nov. 2012 and March and Nov. 2006. Prior to that, Dale Earnhardt won the Checker 500 on Nov. 4, 1990. In 112 starts at Phoenix, the Welcome, North Carolina based organization boasts 19 top-five and 42 top-10 finishes. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing Phoenix Preview
Kasey Kahne Racing – Results Recap
Sweet finishes Second in Championship Standings
Pittman scored quick time and Sweet grabbed his 72nd top-10 finish on Friday night after starting 25th.
Sweet just barely missed cracking the top 10 and Pittman finished seventh for his 56th top 10 of the year on Saturday night.
Both cars finished in the top five in the points standings, with a total of eight wins, 84 top-five, and 128 top-10 finishes combined.