CHEVROLET AT CHICAGO
What:
Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals presented by K&N
When:
Friday, July 7-Sunday, July 9
Where:
Route 66 Raceway at Joliet, Illinois
TV:
FS1: Eliminations and finals live – 3 p.m. ET Sunday
FS1: Qualifications live – 5 p.m. ET Saturday
Chevrolet Drivers Aim for Quick Start to Second Half of the Season
Six-race push to the Countdown to the Championship Begins at Route 66 Raceway Continue reading NHRA–Chevrolet at Chicago
Jeg Coughlin Jr. hopes busy weekend in
Chicago concludes with breakthrough victory
CHICAGO (July 5) – Jeg Coughlin Jr. has 58 NHRA national event wins but not one of his Wally trophies has this year attached to faceplate. The five-time Pro Stock world champion looks to change that fact this weekend as the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series hits the quarter-mile for the 20th annual Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway, just a few miles southwest of the Chicago city limits.
Coughlin will be a very busy man this weekend both as a competitor and as a spectator, but the fan-favorite racer and businessman is accustomed to having a hectic schedule.
“It’s a fun and big weekend for us on a lot of levels,” said Coughlin, a 47-year-old resident of Delaware, Ohio. “On the Pro Stock level, we’ve kind of licked our wounds from the last couple of weeks so we want to rebound well and see if we can’t go some rounds on Sunday again. I’ve got all the faith in the world in Mark Ingersoll and Rick and Ricky Jones (crew chiefs).”
After two runner-up finishes earlier this year, Coughlin has mustered only quarterfinal showings in the past two events, but a change in how the rubber meets the “Mother Road” may provide a better grip going forward. Continue reading Jeg Coughlin Jr. hopes busy weekend in Chicago concludes with breakthrough victory
Melling Performance moves to title
sponsor position on Erica Enders’ hot rod
WYNNEWOOD, Okla. (July 5) — Melling Performance, a longtime associate sponsor of Elite Motorsports and two-time Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders, will become title sponsor of the 22-time national event winner for five national events, beginning with next weekend’s 20th annual Route 66 NHRA Nationals in Chicago and continuing through the 63rd annual Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indy.
“Everyone at Melling Performance is excited about our association with Erica and Elite Motorsports,” Melling Performance CEO Mark Melling said. “After being at the races, I thought it would be great to see the Melling Performance Decal on the doors of Erica’s RED #9 racecar. It reminds me of the Bill Elliott days in NASCAR. Continue reading Melling Performance moves to title sponsor position on Erica Enders’ hot rod
Giovanni Scelzi Earns Podium at Keller Auto Speedway to Remain in KWS-NARC Championship Hunt
Inside Line Promotions – STOCKTON, Calif. (July 5, 2017) – Giovanni Scelzi produced his eighth podium of the season last Saturday during a King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Series event at Keller Auto Speedway.
The third-place finish brought Scelzi and the Roth Motorsports team within one point of the lead in the championship standings with only a half dozen races remaining this season. Continue reading Giovanni Scelzi Earns Podium at Keller Auto Speedway to Remain in KWS-NARC Championship Hunt
TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
QUAKER STATE 400
KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY
SPARTA, KENTUCKY
JULY 8, 2017
BOWTIE BULLETS
LEADER OF THE PACK:
Team Chevy driver, Kyle Larson continues to lead the point standings as the series heads into the second half of the season. Only nine races remain until the playoff cutoff race at Richmond to determine the 16 drivers that will vie for this season’s championship title. Currently, Team Chevy has four drivers who have victories under their belts and are all but guaranteed a spot in this year’s playoffs.
HALFWAY THROUGH:
Last weekend at Daytona International Speedway marked the halfway point of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. Thus far, Chevrolet has collected seven victories by four different drivers and three different Chevrolet team organizations. Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Kentucky Advance
Erica Enders eager to take her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Pro Stocker to Chicago
CHICAGO (July 5) – Two-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Erica Enders has a wealth of quarter-mile excitement to draw from this weekend as she takes the controls of her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro at the 20th annual Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals, just outside of Chicago.
“Chicago has a lot of meaning to me because we won our first Pro Stock race there in 2012 after seven long years of trying,” Enders said. “It was such a huge deal, a culmination of so many things. It felt wonderful. It was a big relief and also immediately made you want to do it again. I’m always excited to head back to Chicago.” Continue reading Erica Enders eager to take her Melling Performance/Elite Motorsports Pro Stocker to Chicago
Chevrolet Seeks Quick Start, Fast Finish at Iowa Speedway
· Team Chevy drivers enter Iowa Corn 300 with high expectations
ᴏ Chevrolet has won two of the three races on ovals this season
· Josef Newgarden dominated the 2016 race on the .894-mile bullring
ᴏ Team Penske driver has finished on podium each of past three years
· Three Chevy drivers are among the top five in points with seven races left
ᴏ Teammates Power, Simon Pagenaud, and Newgarden have wins
· Pagenaud is among the ESPY Award nominees for Best Driver
DETROIT (July 5, 2017) – Racing inches apart at 175 mph with barely a moment to relax the grip on the steering wheel each of the 300 laps on a variably-banked, .894-mile oval is among Josef Newgarden’s passions.
The Team Penske Verizon IndyCar Series driver is adroit at Iowa Speedway, too.
Newgarden had the field covered in the 2016 race, leading 282 of the 300 laps, and the 26-year-old North Carolina resident also finished on the podium the previous two years. He’s looking forward to another dash to the checkered flag this weekend in the Iowa Corn 300. Continue reading Chevrolet Seeks Quick Start, Fast Finish at Iowa Speedway
Honda Returns to Indianapolis for Red Bull Global Rallycross
• Mitchell deJong’s Podium Streak Continues into Indianapolis
• Long Layoff Bodes Well for Honda Civic Coupes
• First Event in Indianapolis for Red Bull Global Rallycross Series
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (July 5, 2017) – After two consecutive doubleheader events, Olsbergs MSE (OMSE) and drivers Oliver Eriksson, Mitchell deJong and Sebastian Eriksson travel to Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Indianapolis, IN for Round 7 of the 2017 Red Bull Global Rallycross season. Continue reading Honda Returns to Indianapolis for Red Bull Global Rallycross
7/6-7/9 Gatebil Festival – Rudskogen, Norway
7/7-7/8 Kentucky Nascar Smoke Show – Sparta, KY (Cancelled)
7/12-7/16 AxialFest – Soda Springs, CA
7/26-7/30 Jeepers Jamboree – Rubicon Springs, CA
7/28-7/30 Pocono Nascar Smoke Show – Monroe County, PA
8/1-8/3 Veterans Charity Jeep Event – Moab, UT
8/31-9/4 Crandon TORC – Crandon, WI
9/7-9-9 King of Portugal Ultra 4 – Vimioso, Portugal
9/8-9/10 Richmond Nascar Smoke Show – Henrico County, VA
9/14-9/16 Glen Helen Lucas Oil OffRoad – Glen Helen, CA
9/30-10/1 Off Road Expo – Pomona, CA
9/30-10/1 Dover Nascar Smoke Show – Dover, DE
Richard Childress Racing in the Bluegrass State … In 19 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Kentucky Speedway, Richard Childress Racing holds an average starting position of 16.6 and an average finishing position of 17.4, completing 5,054 of the contested 5,073 laps (99.6 percent).
RCR in the MENCS … In 2,789 Monster Energy Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 48 pole awards,107 wins, 481 top-five finishes and 1,041 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finishing position of 16.1. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR XFINITY Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series. Continue reading Richard Childress Racing–Kentucky Advance
Michael Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3s Look To Extend Victory Streak in Canada
• Acura NSX GT3s take on Canadian Tire Motorsports Park
• MSR team seeks to build on consecutive victories at Detroit and Watkins Glen
• Acura, Lally and Legge move into championship contention
TORRANCE, Calif. (July 5, 2017) – Following back-to-back victories at the Detroit Grand Prix and Watkins Glen, Michael Shank Racing brings its pair of Acura NSX GT3s to Canadian Tire Motorsports Park outside of Toronto, Canada, looking to extend the winning streak and continue its attack on the 2017 championship.
At the midpoint in the 12-round 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Acura now lies third in the GTD Manufacturers’ Championship, just 15 points out of first place and 10 points out of second, on the strength of consecutive victories for Andy Lally and Katherine Legge, driving the #93 MSR Acura NSX GT3. Continue reading Michael Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3s Look To Extend Victory Streak in Canada
NHRA Sportsman set to shine at JEGS Allstars event
JOLIET, Ill. (July 4) – This weekend, the focus of the drag racing world will be on NHRA Sportsman drivers as the 33rd annual JEGS Allstars race takes center stage during the Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.
The JEGS Allstars competition is a unique event that crowns individual champions in 10 separate eliminators, in addition to an overall team champion. A highlight of each season for a third of a century, the JEGS Allstars event features a total purse of more than $120,000 plus an additional $50,000 in manufacturer’s contingency postings, making it one of the richest events of its kind.
Continue reading v
JEGS Allstars Fast Facts
JEGS Allstars Fast Facts
Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, Ill.
July, 8, 2017
Now celebrating its 33rd year, the JEGS Allstars competition is one of the most highly anticipated events of the season for competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Racers must qualify for one of the coveted spots on the JEGS Allstars team by winning a year-long competition within each of NHRA’s seven geographic divisions.
Regional JEGS Allstars Trophy
The racers in the JEGS Allstars event will be competing for a share of more than $120,000 in cash awards posted by JEGS Mail Order. Overall team champions will split a $20,000 bonus. In addition, there are close to $50,000 in manufacturer posted contingency awards available to this year’s finalists. Continue reading Jegs Allstars–Route 66 Raceway Advance
Chicago would be great place for Auto Club
driver Robert Hight to score first win of 2017
JOLIET, Ill. (July 3) – After a runner-up finish in the most recent NHRA race, in Norwalk, Ohio, Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Robert Hight figures there is only one more step to make in the next race: Win.
That’s the goal for Hight and his John Force Racing team in the Fallen Patriots Route 66 NHRA Nationals this weekend at Route 66 Raceway. Hight raced to the final in Norwalk but an issue with the clutch caused him to smoke the tires and come up short.
“We want to go and build on a runner-up finish that we had in Norwalk and put four good runs on Sunday together,” Hight said. “We know we can do it. We’ve just got to get it done. We came up one round short last week. The way I look at it, there’s only one way to go from there, and that’s get that fourth run in.” Continue reading Chicago would be great place for Auto Club driver Robert Hight to score first win of 2017
PEAK Funny Car driver John Force hopes
busy week is capped by Chicago victory
JOLIET, Ill. (July 3) – A full week of activity leading up to the Fallen Patriots Route 66 NHRA Nationals this weekend at Route 66 Raceway will keep PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil Chevrolet Camaro SS driver John Force busy.
But the 16-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s going to be a busy week,” Force said. “I’m excited about it. I’m excited about my race car, too.”
Force’s sponsor, Old World Industries, is based in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, Ill., and Force will make a stop there Thursday morning.
But that’s only one of many appearances, highlighted by throwing out the first pitch before the World Champion Chicago Cubs play the Tampa Bay Rays at historic Wrigley Field on Wednesday. PEAK is a sponsor of the Cubs, as well. Continue reading PEAK Funny Car driver John Force hopes busy week is capped by Chicago victory
Courtney Force heads to Chicago seeking first win in
special Advance Auto Parts/Carquest Auto Parts livery
JOLIET, Ill. (July 3) – Courtney Force still seeks her first NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series victory of 2017 as the series heads to the 13th round of the season, the Fallen Patriots NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway.
Force, who drives the Advance Auto Parts/Carquest Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, has finished runner-up in each of her finals appearances this season – the season-opening Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in California, and the New England Nationals at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. Continue reading Courtney Force heads to Chicago seeking first win in special Advance Auto Parts/Carquest Auto Parts livery
Brian Scott to Drive the No. 3 Daniel Defense Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing
Scott Returns from Retirement to Compete at Iowa and Kentucky
WELCOME, N.C. (July 3, 2017) – Brian Scott will return to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) to pilot the No. 3 Daniel Defense Chevrolet for two races in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) this season. After announcing his NASCAR retirement at the end of 2016 to move home to Idaho with his family, Scott will make a brief return to the sport with his former team to pilot the No. 3 Chevrolet Camaro for the second NXS race at Iowa Speedway on July 29 and the September 23rd race at Kentucky Speedway.
“Everyone at RCR is pleased to have Brian Scott back in one of our cars, even if it’s only for a couple of races,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of RCR. “He is a great friend of the company and did well for us in the past. We appreciate that he’s going to come out of retirement to drive our No. 3 Chevrolet. I have no doubt that once Brian is behind the wheel again, he will have the same desire to win that he’s had in the past.”
Daniel Defense, a leading manufacturer of premium firearms, rail systems and accessories, joined RCR at the start of the season to sponsor the No. 3 Chevrolet in select races. These two races with Scott will be Daniel Defense’s final primary sponsorship races of the year, but their associate sponsorship will continue throughout 2017. Earlier this season, Ty Dillon drove the Daniel Defense Chevrolet to a 10th-place finish at Dover International Speedway.
Prior to his retirement, Scott drove three full-time NXS seasons for RCR from 2013-2015. He finished as high as fourth (2014) in the championship point standings. An avid outdoorsman and a veteran NASCAR racer, Scott is a natural fit for the No. 3 Daniel Defense Chevrolet.
“I’m looking forward to climbing back into a RCR Chevrolet,” said Brian Scott. “Iowa and Kentucky were good tracks for our team. I have no doubt that with the advanced engineering and work they’ve put into their programs since then that we will be even stronger. These two races are all about having fun and, I hope, getting the No. 3 team to Victory Lane.”
F4 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATES ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
INDIANAPOLIS (July 3, 2017)- From doubling its grid size to announcing its first appearance alongside Formula 1 at the United States Grand Prix, the Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda has experienced quite a year since its global racing inauguration one year ago at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
“The cost-effective program that F4 U.S. represents is continuing to attract new customers to our Championship with sales that continue to be very strong,” said SCCA Pro Racing Vice President Steve Oseth. “The addition of F4 U.S. as a support race for Formula 1 at the Circuit of the Americas in October presents a huge bonus to those participating in our series.”
Continue reading F4 U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATES ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
CORVETTE RACING AT WATKINS GLEN: Podium Finish for No. 3 Corvette C7.R
Garcia, Magnussen fight back for third in GTLM; Milner, Gavin salvage top-five finish
WATKINS GLEN, New York (July 2, 2017) – Corvette Racing’s Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen placed third in the GT Le Mans class at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen on Sunday – a nice boost in their run for the GTLM Driver’s Championship. The duo in the No. 3 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R extended their points lead, and Chevrolet maintained its lead in GTLM Manufacturer’s points.
Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner, driving the No. 4 Mobil 1/SiriusXM Chevrolet Corvette C7.R, finished fifth in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s annual trip to Watkins Glen International. The team had hopes of scoring a second victory in four tries at the historic New York road course.
Garcia, Magnussen and the rest of the No. 3 Corvette squad clawed back from an early spin to contend for Corvette Racing’s fourth consecutive win in GTLM competition. Garcia and Magnussen steadily worked their way back up the class order and took the lead for the first time with less than two hours to go. The No. 3 Corvette led twice despite lacking the outright pace of the other GTLM runners. Continue reading CORVETTE RACING AT WATKINS GLEN: Podium Finish for No. 3 Corvette C7.R Garcia, Magnussen fight back for third in GTLM; Milner, Gavin salvage top-five finish
Acura, Lally & Legge Make It Two in a Row at Watkins Glen
• Andy Lally, Katherine Legge score second consecutive win for Acura NSX GT3
• Victory at six-hour Watkins Glen endurance contest follows sprint race win in Detroit
• Suspension failure following contact prevents podium result for Jeff Segal, Ozz Negri
WATKINS GLEN, NY (July 2, 2017) – The Michael Shank Racing Acura duo of Andy Lally and Katherine Legge scored its second consecutive GTD class victory of the 2017 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season Sunday at Watkins Glen International Raceway, starting from the pole and leading much of the six-hour endurance contest to take the checkers in their Acura NSX GT3.
Today’s victory on the sweeping, 2.4-mile Watkins Glen circuit – one of the fastest tracks on the IMSA schedule – follows last month’s equally emphatic victory for Acura, Lally and Legge at the Detroit Grand Prix street circuit, the tightest track on the circuit and one of only two sprint races on the schedule. Both victories serve to highlight the impressive scope of development work on the NSX GT3, which is in its first year of world-class sports car competition. Continue reading Acura, Lally & Legge Make It Two in a Row at Watkins Glen