All posts by ARP Trish

Chevrolet Racing

JIMMIE JOHNSON COMPLETES CHEVROLET SWEEP AT DOVER

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AAA 400 DRIVE FOR AUTISM
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
JUNE 4, 2017

JIMMIE JOHNSON COMPLETES CHEVROLET SWEEP AT DOVER
Seven-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Wins Record 11th Race at the Monster Mile

DOVER, Del. (June 4, 2017) – The record books were quickly recording today’s events at Dover International Speedway as Jimmie Johnson piloted the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS to his 11th career victory at the track nicknamed the ‘Monster Mile’. Johnson not only set a record of 11 wins, but earned his 83rd career Cup Series victory in 556 starts, tying his childhood hero, Cale Yarborough for sixth on the all-time NASCAR wins list. The run was Johnson’s third victory in the first 13 races of the 2017 season, more than any other driver thus far this year. Continue reading JIMMIE JOHNSON COMPLETES CHEVROLET SWEEP AT DOVER →

Chevrolet Racing

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
NEW ENGLAND DRAGWAY AT EPPING, NEW HAMPSHIRE
POST-RACE DRIVER QUOTES
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2017

An interview with Top Fuel winner BRITTANY FORCE, JOHN FORCE RACING, MONSTER ENERGY CHEVROLET DRAGSTER (No. 2 qualifier; fourth career win in 105 races):

Q: YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON STUFF AND WORKING ON STUFF, AND NOW ITS PAYING DIVIDENDS AS THE CAR HAS BEEN VERY CONSISTENT THE LAST FEW RACES

BRITTANY FORCE: “We had really been struggling and we got lost for a while but we really seemed to figure it out last week at Topeka. I knew we had a good race car, we had our Monster car back, our team back, and I knew that first win was right around the corner. Our last final round was Phoenix and that whole time in between was tough for the team. But we never lost focus, and we never gave up and that was what was important. That is what held us together as a team and got us here today.”

Q: HOW IMPORTANT WAS THAT INDY TEST?

BRITTANY FORCE: “The Indy test turned everything around. Really after Atlanta, we already knew what the problem was and we were going to prove it on the racetrack in testing. We knew we were right, and that we had a problem with the clutch and we were good after that.” Continue reading CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS →

Wood Brothers

Drive-Train Issues Drop Blaney To 32nd At Dover

Drive-Train Issues Drop Blaney To 32nd At Dover

June 4, 2017

A second drive-train failure in as many weeks relegated Ryan Blaney and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team to a 32nd-place finish in Sunday’s AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover International Speedway.

As he has in most races this season, Blaney got off to a fast start at Dover and finished both of the first two 120-lap stages among the top 10. He was seventh in the first stage, earning four points, and eighth in the second, earning another three.

But on a restart at the beginning of the third and final stage of the race, the No. 21 Fusion slowed, and Blaney drove to the garage where the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team attempted to fix the problem of the car not pulling properly. Continue reading Drive-Train Issues Drop Blaney To 32nd At Dover →

John Force Racing

QUICK FACTS: Brittany Force wins New England Nationals

QUICK FACTS: Brittany Force wins New England Nationals

EPPING, N.H. (June 4) – Quick facts following Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster driver Brittany Force’s victory at the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway:
Force has four career victories in five seasons as a professional
Before today, Force’s last victory came at Brainerd last August
The last time John Force Racing won in Top Fuel and Funny Car was Gainesville in 2016
The Epping victory came in her 13th career final round
Force scored her 98th career round victory in the final round
The victory was the fourth Top Fuel win for John Force Racing
The victory was the 252nd overall win for John Force Racing (248 Funny Car, four Top Fuel)
Force has advance to the final round of the New England Nations once.
Force’s elimination round record is 6-4
Force won from the No. 2 qualifying position

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NHRA–Chevrolet Claims Two of Three Pro Class Wins in New Hampshire

CHEVROLET RACING IN NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION
NHRA NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS
NEW ENGLAND DRAGWAY AT EPPING, NEW HAMPSHIRE
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2017

Chevrolet Claims Two of Three Pro Class Wins in New Hampshire

• Brittany Force earns first Top Fuel victory of the season
• Erica Enders scores first Pro Stock victory since Las Vegas in 2015
• Courtney Force is runner-up for the second time this season in Funny Car
• Robert Hight becomes 13th driver to claim 50 No. 1 qualifier honors

EPPING, N.H. (June 4, 2017) – It was Ladies Day on a sunny Sunday afternoon in New England. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NHRA–Chevrolet Claims Two of Three Pro Class Wins in New Hampshire →

Erica Enders

Erica Enders returns to her winning ways with impressive Epping victory

Erica Enders returns to her winning
ways with impressive Epping victory
EPPING, N.H. (June 4) — Erica Enders raced to her first victory of the electronic fuel injection era Sunday at New England Dragway with an impressive run through a gauntlet of 2017 winners in her Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro. It was the two-time champion’s first win since the 2015 fall race in Las Vegas, a span of 35 national events.

“People always ask which win means the most and right now I can’t imagine one meaning more than this,” Enders said. “What a huge relief. What a special moment for all of us on this Elite Motorsports team. Money can buy a lot of things but you can’t buy the drive to win this group has inside them. Continue reading Erica Enders returns to her winning ways with impressive Epping victory →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Dover–Jimmie Johnson

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AAA 400 DRIVE FOR AUTISM
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY POST RACE NOTES AND QUOTES
JUNE 4, 2017

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS – RACE WINNER
WHAT DOES THIS WIN MEAN TO YOU?
“It means a lot to me. When I was growing up in southern California racing dirt bikes I was a big Cale Yarborough fan. We travelled across the country to race in the Amateur Nationals heading to Oklahoma, we stopped at a Hardees I walked in thinking I would meet Cale Yarborough and left with a burger. So, it opened my eyes to the world of sponsorship at that point in time, but I was such a fan and it’s been an amazing journey along the way. It was a huge honor to tie him with three consecutive championships a few years back and then to be here at 83 wins and a day where things played out in such an awkward and weird fashion just very happy that we’ve got it done. To my 83 wins, I’m just so proud that it’s come with one owner, one sponsor, one manufacturer, one crew chief, one team, this is a very special journey this whole Hendrick Lowe’s team has been on.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Dover–Jimmie Johnson →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–Dover Post Race

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
AAA 400 DRIVE FOR AUTISM
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
JUNE 4, 2017

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS – Race Winner
GROWING UP, HIS HERO WAS CALE YARBOROUGH. HE LOVED THE HARDEE’S NO. 28 PAINT SCHEME AND EVEN WENT TO A HARDEE’S ONE TIME, HOPING TO SEE THE CAR IN PERSON. HE STARTED THE DAY WEARING A SPECIAL HELMET WITH CALE ON IT. NOT VERY OFTEN DOES AN ATHLETE GROW UP TRYING TO CHASE HIS CHILDHOOD HERO. TODAY, YOU MATCHED HALL OF FAMER CALE YARBOROUGH. HOW IMPACTFUL FOR YOU IS THE FEELING OF THIS WIN?
“Yeah, that’s such a great way to say it. I mean, I never thought I would end up here in NASCAR as a kid racing in the dirt out in Southern California. I was a big Cale Yarborough fan and I remember going to a race in Oklahoma with my parents and my brother. We were driving across the country and we pulled up to a Hardee’s. I had no idea it was a burger stand and I really thought when I walked in the door I was going to Cale Yarborough’s race shop (laughs). It was very disappointing. I had a burger and left and then understood the world of sponsorship.

“To be here and tie him at 83 wins is amazing. We just got the tribute helmet. I wasn’t sure how quickly we’d be, or if we’d be able to go there, and get it done. But, Cale, you’re the man. Thank you for all you have done for our sport.

“To be a part of one team and one sponsor, Lowe’s, Chevrolet, Valvoline, Gatorade, and with the support of the fans, this is an amazing day.”

Jegs Racing

Eye-blink finish favors Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s teammate in Epping first-round match-up

Eye-blink finish favors Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s
teammate in Epping first-round match-up
EPPING, N.H. (June 4) — Six-time world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. had the quicker car Sunday at the fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals, but the 76-time national event winner lost to teammate Vincent Nobile by .0042 seconds, ending his day in the opening round of eliminations.

The difference came at the starting line when Nobile launched first by .032 seconds. That slight lead was enough to put his Mountain View Tires Chevrolet Camaro out front for good, despite Coughlin closing the gap at every timing interval in his JEGS.com/Elite Performance Chevrolet Camaro.

“Good job by Vincent,” Coughlin said. “We both ran well that session in comparison to the field, but he got a better jump and that was enough to get the win. Continue reading Eye-blink finish favors Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s teammate in Epping first-round match-up →

Chevrolet Racing

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Missions Accomplished Ahead of the 24 Hours

CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Missions Accomplished Ahead of the 24 Hours
Gavin sets GTE Pro pace in No. 64 Corvette C7.R while No. 63 entry fourth-quickest in class

Successful day for team making its 18th consecutive appearance at Le Mans
Gavin’s fast lap came after fast engine change by No. 64 Corvette team
Garcia fastest driver in No. 63 Corvette C7.R and only 0.363 seconds off Gavin
Corvette Racing going for ninth class victory at Le Mans

DETROIT (June 4, 2017) – Corvette Racing’s Oliver Gavin set the fastest time in the GTE Pro class during the annual Test Day ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The five-time Le Mans winner turned a lap of 3:54.701 (129.990 mph) in the No. 64 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R that he will share with Tommy Milner and Marcel Fässler. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT LE MANS: Missions Accomplished Ahead of the 24 Hours →

Chevrolet Racing

Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Dover Fast Facts

CHEVY FAST FACTS
AAA DRIVE FOR AUTISM 400
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
June 4, 2017

A total of 18 Team Chevy drivers will start the AAA Drive for Autism Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) race at Dover International Speedway. The 400-lap/400-mile contest around the Monster Mile is scheduled to begin at 1p.m., ET. Live coverage will be available on FoxSports1, MRN Radio, Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and NASCAR.com. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Dover Fast Facts →

John Force Racing

Robert Hight becomes only 13th NHRA driver to record 50 No. 1 qualifiers

Robert Hight becomes only 13th NHRA driver
to record 50 No. 1 qualifiers

EPPING, N.H. (June 4) – Robert Hight’s pass of 3.822 seconds at 334.65 mph in the third round of qualifying Saturday at New England Dragway put him in elite company, as only the 13th driver to record at least 50 No. 1 qualifiers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Hight had been in a tie for 13th overall with Angelle Sampey, having most recently setting the quickest qualifying time last year at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas. Now, nearly eight months later, Hight reached the half-century mark. Continue reading Robert Hight becomes only 13th NHRA driver to record 50 No. 1 qualifiers →

Mopar Racing

Pritchett Qualifies Mopar Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Top Fuel Dragster No. 1 at NHRA New England Nationals

Pritchett Qualifies Mopar Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Top Fuel Dragster No. 1 at NHRA New England Nationals

Leah Pritchett takes third Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier position of 2017 and fourth of career with track-record pass of 3.673 seconds at 328.86 mph at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire
No. 1 qualifier is the sixth for Mopar HEMI® power in the Top Fuel category out of nine events this season
Pritchett is running a special Mopar Dodge Challenger SRT Demon paint scheme for fifth annual New England Nationals
Tony Schumacher qualifies Mopar-powered U.S. Army dragster No. 3 in Top Fuel
Ron Capps leads Mopar in Funny Car category with No. 3 qualifying effort in Dodge Charger R/T, all four Mopar-backed Don Schumacher Racing Funny Cars qualify in top nine
Five Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Cars to compete in 16-car field
June 3, 2017, Epping, N.H. – Leah Pritchett qualified her Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Top Fuel dragster No. 1 for this weekend’s NHRA New England Nationals, further adding to the Demon’s dominance on the drag strip. Continue reading Pritchett Qualifies Mopar Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Top Fuel Dragster No. 1 at NHRA New England Nationals →

John Force Racing

16-time Funny Car champion John Force looks for speed out of his PEAK Chevrolet

16-time Funny Car champion John Force
looks for speed out of his PEAK Chevrolet

EPPING, N.H. (June 3) – If anyone can find a way, it’s 16-time Funny Car champion John Force.

Force is looking for speed from his PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS after qualifying No. 13 for the NHRA New England Nationals on Saturday at New England Dragway.

Force knows the speed is there, as a test at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis confirmed some setup changers worked. But the team has yet to transfer that speed here.

“It’s a combination we ran .82 with at Indy in testing after Topeka,” Force said. “It was fast, and somewhere, we haven’t found it yet here.

“The dragster (of Brittany Force) is No. 2, Robert (Hight) was low ET and Courtney (Force) is fast,” Force said. “I’m not where I want to be. I’ve got a brand-new combination, tested at Indianapolis, and it was fast. It’s not on here, but we found some issues, and had to make some changes. We just got behind.” Continue reading 16-time Funny Car champion John Force looks for speed out of his PEAK Chevrolet →

John Force Racing

AAA Chevrolet driver Robert Hight earns 50th career No. 1 qualifier, looks for victory in Epping

AAA Chevrolet driver Robert Hight earns 50th career
No. 1 qualifier, looks for victory in Epping

EPPING, N.H. (June 3) – Robert Hight took his AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car to new heights Saturday, setting the New England Dragway track records for elapsed time and speed to earn the 50th No. 1 qualifier of his stellar career.

Hight will start from the No. 1 spot for Sunday’s NHRA New England Nationals, marking the 13th season – all consecutively – he’s earned at least one No. 1.

Hight’s 50th No. 1 qualifiers ties with him with the legendary Don Prudhomme in the Funny Car category.

“That’s pretty cool,” Hight said. “Fifteen years ago, I never would’ve thought my name would’ve even come in the same sentence as Don Prudhomme’s. He’s one of the greatest of all time. He dominated in his day. Fifty No. 1s – that’s pretty awesome. To have my name in the record books with Don Prudhomme is pretty surreal. It’s harder and harder to get these No. 1 qualifiers.” Continue reading AAA Chevrolet driver Robert Hight earns 50th career No. 1 qualifier, looks for victory in Epping →

John Force Racing

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force secures No. 2 qualifying spot for NHRA New England Nationals

Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force secures No. 2 qualifying spot for NHRA New England Nationals

EPPING, N.H. (June 3) – Courtney Force earned the No. 2 qualifying position for the second consecutive NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series race in the Funny Car class, standing on Friday’s qualifying efforts for Sunday’s New England Nationals at New England Dragway.

Force, driving the Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS, ran a pass of 3.842 seconds at 331.53 mph in Friday’s initial session. But that car was destroyed moments after crossing the finish line, the engine exploding due to a leak in the fuel line. She exited the car unscathed.

Force’s Advance Auto Parts crew prepared a spare car for her, which she drove for her other qualifying effort Friday and both sessions Saturday. But she was unable to put together a full pass in those three attempts. The right-front brake locked up in Friday’s second attempt following her burnout, and she did not make the pass.

She broke loose in Saturday’s first session, and tire shake forced her to shut the car off early in the final attempt. Teammate Robert Hight, in the AAA Chevrolet Camaro SS, took the top spot, a career-best 3.822-second pass at 336.74 mph. Continue reading Advance Auto Parts driver Courtney Force secures No. 2 qualifying spot for NHRA New England Nationals →

John Force Racing

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force records season-best No. 2 qualifying effort for Sunday’s New England Nationals

Monster Energy driver Brittany Force records season-best No. 2 qualifying effort for Sunday’s New England Nationals

Photo Credit: Gary Nastase and Auto Imagery
EPPING, N.H. (June 3) – Brittany Force secured a season-best No. 2 qualifying effort in the Top Fuel class for Sunday’s NHRA New England Nationals, the ninth round of the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.

Force, driving the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster, made a pass of 3.686 seconds at 331.36 mph in Friday’s second qualifying round, which was the quickest run in the five-year history of the track. But she was shuffled back after Saturday’s efforts, falling to the No. 2 position.

Force made a solid pass of 3.694 seconds at 328.86 mph in the fourth and final round – the quickest of the session for all 15 Top Fuel cars – but fell just short of reclaiming the top position. Still, No. 2 shows what the vast improvement the team has made, recovering from three consecutive first-round losses in late April and early May. Continue reading Monster Energy driver Brittany Force records season-best No. 2 qualifying effort for Sunday’s New England Nationals →

Allen Johnson Racing

Allen Johnson Posts Season High No. 8 Qualifying Spot Heading into Raceday at New England Nationals

Allen Johnson Posts Season High No. 8 Qualifying Spot Heading into Raceday at New England Nationals

EPPING, N.H. (June 3, 2017) – The Marathon Petroleum Corporation/J&J Racing team has really begun to hit their stride as of late. The red, white, and blue group is showing their true talent with a No. 8 qualifying spot at the Fifth annual NHRA New England Nationals.

Allen Johnson began his quest to his highest qualifying spot of the season on Friday at New England Dragway with a solid 6.562-second pass at 211.10 mph placing him in the No. 5 spot. Johnson bettered his performance in the second session on Friday evening with a 6.551, 211.43.

Saturday, Johnson remained consistent when he drove his Marathon Petroleum Dodge Dart to a 6.552, 210.77 and with a .975-second 60-foot time, he was second fastest to the 60-foot mark. Where starting line advantages and quick 60-foot times are crucial, the performance was a definite confidence booster. Continue reading Allen Johnson Posts Season High No. 8 Qualifying Spot Heading into Raceday at New England Nationals →

Honda Racing

Honda Sweeps Opening Race in Detroit

Honda Sweeps Opening Race in Detroit
• Graham Rahal dominates first race of weekend double header
• Scott Dixon, James Hinchcliffe complete Honda podium sweep
• Honda drivers claim seven of the top nine finishing positions

DETROIT, Mich. (June 3, 2017) – Starting from the pole, Graham Rahal dominated Saturday’s opening Verizon IndyCar Series race of a double header weekend in Detroit, leading virtually from flag-to-flag and spearheading a 1-2-3 Honda sweep at the Belle Isle Park temporary street circuit.

Rahal drove a flawless race – leading 55 of 70 laps, making his Rahal Letterman Lanigan team’s two-stop pit strategy work perfectly and beating fellow Honda driver Scott Dixon to the checkered flag by six seconds in the first of the annual doubleheader at Belle Isle. Continue reading Honda Sweeps Opening Race in Detroit →